Chapter 188: An Awkward Encounter

The car door opened, and a long, slender leg stepped out first.
Immediately after, the man referred to as the “newcomer” appeared before everyone.

He was wearing a well-tailored black casual suit, paired with a simple white dress shirt underneath, the collar buttoned neatly to the top.
Broad shoulders propped up the silhouette, and even in a relaxed state, the outline of his muscles was faintly visible.
A pair of sunglasses rested on his high-bridged nose. Though they concealed his eyes, the steadfastness and calm that seemed to radiate from his very bones gave off a reassuring presence.

“Hello.”

Luo Shaotian removed his sunglasses, revealing a pair of deep black eyes.
He gave a slight nod to the magical girls standing before him.

“My name is Luo Shaotian. I was originally affiliated with the Criminal Investigation Division of the Xinhai City Public Security Bureau. Due to special circumstances, I am currently on secondment. By Manager Qian’s assignment, I will be joining your team as a temporary external member. In the upcoming operation, I will primarily be responsible for logistical field support, on-site security, and serving as your dedicated driver. Please rest assured—my driving skills are very steady.”

“Although I’m still a layman in the field of spiritual abilities, yesterday I thoroughly read and memorized the company’s Employee Code of Conduct and Confidentiality Guidelines, and completed the basic auxiliary combat assessment in the simulation training room. I will do everything I can and will absolutely not hold anyone back… I look forward to working with you.”

He extended that well-defined hand.
There was none of the condescension adults often showed toward young girls in his tone—only genuine respect and admiration.

After all, it was precisely these seemingly fragile bodies that had stood in front of them during that hellish moment.

“Hello, I’m Chen Bing.”

As the team’s leader, Chen Bing was the first to react.
She stepped forward and openly shook his hand.

“I remember now—you were the police officer at the cannery back then. Pretty tough to survive that.”

“Yes. I also have to thank Miss Chen for getting me out of that situation.”

Luo Shaotian smiled and nodded.

“I mentioned to Manager Qian that you’re the most solid shield on the team.
Seeing you in person today, you really do have the bearing of a… seasoned commander.”

“Just doing my duty.”

Chen Bing replied calmly, though a trace of barely perceptible approval flashed through her eyes.

This man’s gaze was upright and sincere.

Off to the side, Ye Ye Ying also temporarily put down what she was holding, lifted her eyelids slightly, and extended her fair little hand as a greeting.

“Hello, Miss Ye Ye. Thank you again for last time.”

Luo Shaotian’s voice was steady and firm, carrying a sense of solemnity.

“Then—then it’s my turn!”

Finally, it was Li Qing’s turn.
She looked like a child who had just seen a new toy, eagerly rushing forward and tightly gripping Luo Shaotian’s hand with both of hers, shaking it vigorously.

“Hello, Mr. Luo! I’m Li Qing! Hehe… I don’t know if you remember me. I’m the mood-maker of Group One in Zone C—and Lulu’s best… best sister!”

As she spoke, this little fox who thrived on chaos deliberately turned around, wrapped an arm around Lin Yu—who had been shrinking back and pretending to be timid—and pressed her face against Lin Yu’s burning-hot cheek, rubbing against it affectionately.

“Right? Lulu~ We’re besties~”

“Uh… hahaha…”

Lin Yu’s whole body stiffened, and she could only let out a few dry, fake laughs, her eyes darting around guiltily.

However, the smile on Luo Shaotian’s face didn’t change in the slightest—if anything, it grew gentler.

“Of course I remember Miss Li Qing. Just as Manager Qian said, you really are lively and enthusiastic. However…”

He paused, his gaze passing over Li Qing’s shoulder and settling gently yet firmly on the girl who looked like she wished she could bury her head in her chest.

“I think there’s no longer any need for these half-hearted cover-ups. After all, there are some things I already know.”

“Huh?”

Li Qing froze, tilting her head.

“What do you mean?”

Luo Shaotian didn’t answer.
He simply looked quietly at Lin Yu.

Under that gaze, Lin Yu finally couldn’t keep up the act anymore.

Her cheeks flushed instantly, the crimson spreading like an out-of-control wildfire all the way to her ears, even dyeing the exposed portion of her snow-white neck with an alluring pink.

She bit her lower lip hard, her hands gripping the hem of her skirt tightly, her knuckles turning pale.

Damn it…

Heh.

So it really has to be said after all?

In front of all these colleagues…

Lin Yu suddenly felt a wave of regret.
Maybe she shouldn’t have confessed everything to Luo Shaotian back then.
If she’d just kept stubbornly denying it, maybe things would’ve been fine?

Heh…

But where in this world was there any medicine for regret?

The moment she acknowledged her identity, there was no turning back.

Or perhaps, from the moment she entered the company,
she had already stepped onto a road of no return.

Sigh… but that was only natural, wasn’t it?

After all, no lie could ever be perfect and unbreakable.

Sometimes, lies only deceive oneself.

Sigh…

Lin Yu let out a breath, then squeezed a few words through clenched teeth.

“It’s just… um… that… he… he already knows who I am…”

“—Huh?!”

At that moment, Li Qing’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Ye Ye Ying and Chen Bing might not know the full story,
but she had been there for everything!

That day…

These two had hugged right in front of her, and even did that…

It was practically dripping!

Th-this…

“Pfft—”

Li Qing clapped a hand over her mouth, afraid she might accidentally laugh out loud,
or leak even a shred of information she shouldn’t.

That day…

Th-this… this was the legendary “charging forward knowing full well he’s a man,” wasn’t it?!

Even she felt secondhand embarrassment for Lin Yu—her toes were curling into the ground!

“What are you freaking out about?!”

Chen Bing looked at Li Qing’s overblown reaction with confusion, frowning.

“So what if her identity was exposed? What’s there to be so shocked about?
Didn’t Manager Qian say it already?
This operation requires close coordination. Knowing each other inside and out is only natural.”

……

Meanwhile, Ye Ye Ying’s gaze shifted back and forth between the two of them, as if she’d noticed something.

“Uh…”

Li Qing had no idea how to explain it.

She couldn’t exactly say, ‘Oh, Bing-jie, you don’t know—these two have already kissed before’, could she?

Lin Yu would probably jump out of the car and commit social suicide on the spot.

Fortunately, Luo Shaotian stepped in to smooth things over.

“Ah Yu and I have been friends for many years.
Due to some misunderstandings before, some things happened between us… well, things that aren’t very convenient to talk about.”

He glossed over that utterly mortifying experience with a light touch.

“But fortunately, the misunderstandings have all been cleared up now.
We’re all fighting toward the same goal, aren’t we?”

“All right, all right! You heard him! It’s all cleared up! Page turned!”

Lin Yu clung to that line like a lifeline.
She hurriedly pulled open the car door, ushering everyone inside like she was herding ducks.

“Get in, get in! Stop dawdling here!
We still need to head to the infiltration site for this mission!
Mission first! Mission first!”

Luo Shaotian’s gaze lingered on a certain someone’s face for a moment.
Then, unconsciously, he let out a soft sigh, his expression growing complicated.

After a brief pause, he reined in his emotions, tucking the chaotic thoughts away.

“Please, everyone.”

He politely opened the car door for the ladies.

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