Reaching out his arm, Nie Zhao wrapped his arms around his wife, trying to pull her into his embrace.

But Chen Rou instinctively reached out to press him down, but Boss Nie was in a bad mood today. He pressed her hand down and forcibly pulled her. Seeing that Chen Rou was stiff and still wanted to resist, he whispered, "Be good, don't be stubborn, let me hug you."

He was a man in his thirties, in the prime of his physical life. His chest was flat and broad, his pectoral muscles were slightly raised, and his heartbeat was strong and powerful. Chen Rou hesitated for a moment before finally pressing her face against her husband's chest.

He put one arm around her shoulder and the other around her thigh, holding her like he was holding a child.

He patted him gently and mentioned the second son of the old leader's family: "Even if we don't need the South China Sea to send agents, I must call him and ask him to transfer some professionals from the nuclear industry to support you."

He added, "Remember those old officers who led the investigation into Lui Lok back in the 1970s? One of them suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, another drove his car across the cross-sea bridge, and yet another died from a strange illness that caused his entire body to ulcerate. Moreover, I always believed that Mei Lu's radioactive elements came from Japan, as did Yu Zhengrong's. All the evidence suggested that this was indeed the case, but I overlooked one issue..."

Chen Rou said, "During World War II, the sealing methods for various chemicals were far less sophisticated than they are today."

Nie Zhao nodded: "Even if chemicals from half a century ago are not damaged, they will gradually evaporate. However, the things that Yu Zhengrong used for Wu Yaozu's mother are obviously still very new. Moreover, if we include those officers who investigated Lei Luo in the 1970s but ended up dying tragically, Mei Lu's supplies are far from enough. You also need support."

Lei Luo Sir, after retiring from the limelight in the 1970s, lived a peaceful old age with a huge sum of money, and even managed to live abroad past the millennium. On the contrary, those who investigated him all died tragically, and the 'robin' was behind it all.

That 'robin,' Sir James, although Chen Rou hadn't paid attention to him in her previous life, judging by his spirit, he could live into the new century. And what happened after his return was the most glorious moment in his career as a secret agent.

Chen Rou will be a firsthand witness to how it has dealt a fatal blow and caused damage to ordinary people and Hong Kong's economy.

The Nie brothers, too, were manipulated by Sir James behind the scenes, causing them to lose themselves in their conflicts with their relatives, destroying the family business and wealth accumulated by generations, and ultimately becoming a laughing stock.

In fact, Chen Rou was familiar with most of the drugging and murder methods that special agents were good at.

However, to reassure Nie Zhao, she agreed: "Okay."

Nie Zhao remained silent for a long time before suddenly asking, "Commander Wang gave me a list of invitations for the return ceremony, and you're on it, of course. It's a special invitation. What kind of dress would you like to wear? A cheongsam?"

Chen Rou blurted out, "No, a suit will do."

Nie Zhao nodded, then smiled and asked, "I don't want a skirt, I want trousers?"

Normally, she doesn't even look at her dresses much; she just sends them to be altered and then wears them.

But this time was different from the past. Chen Rou said, "Let me take another look at the design drafts you've chosen. I want to choose one myself."

For her, apart from the outfit she wore while queuing in front of Tiananmen Square, which excited her, all the other outfits were nothing special, and in her eyes, none of them could compare to that one.

But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and she wants to choose for herself, to pick out the outfit she likes best.

Nie Zhao nodded again and gently patted his wife's bottom: "Go to sleep, we'll get up early tomorrow."

Chen Rou was born an orphan and had almost never been hugged or embraced since childhood. She had never experienced happiness from being close to someone, which made her slow to perceive these things. She loved A Yuan, but she rarely hugged or kissed him like Nie Zhao did.

She loved Li Xia and Chen Ke, but she never expressed affection for them with hugs.

Without involving lust or love, nor with any distinction of who is superior or inferior, listening to Nie Zhao's heartbeat, Chen Rou felt a unique sense of security for the first time when being hugged and comforted.

This was the first time in her two lifetimes that she had experienced a sense of happiness that she had probably only felt as an infant—a feeling of being enveloped and protected. She also tried to fully accept that feeling and be someone who was protected and cared for.

But just as she drifted off to sleep, in a daze, she saw Yue Zhongqi's angry eyes right in front of her.

His temples were gray, and he had a whistle in his mouth. With a piercing whistle, he spat it out, pointed at her nose, and spewed, "Where's your vigilance? Did a dog or a pig eat it? There are no drills here. You have to win every match, or you're fired right now. Are you crying? Well, you can leave too. I don't need crybabies here."

Chen Rou tried to explain that she wasn't crying; it was just sweat rolling down her forehead.

She's neither a crybaby nor a fool; she's the best soldier who can carry on her father's legacy.

But as soon as she opened her mouth, she was suddenly jolted awake.

Nie Zhao was already asleep, his arms still wrapped around her, but Chen Rou gently removed his arms and lay down to sleep on her side.

She paid so much to become a truly strong person.

She doesn't need to be protected, nor can she indulge in comfort or be protected.

Otherwise, all the sweat, tears, and blood she shed on her way here would have been meaningless.

...

Chen Rou's next meeting with Colonel Lange is scheduled for two weeks later, which will also be at an auction.

But now that they have to get rid of Lin Yong and Lin Sir, the meeting has to be brought forward.

Colonel Lango, being a soldier, had to stay in the barracks from Monday to Friday and could only come out on weekends. Moreover, there had to be a reason for the meeting. This reason was devised by Er Ye, who had extensive experience dealing with the military. The next morning, Chen Rou called him for advice, and he immediately smiled and said that he had a treasure that Colonel Lango would definitely like. If she wanted it, he would send someone to deliver it. Of course, she could also come and pick it up herself.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!