Chapter 94 People Always Change

Su Xiaonuan felt flustered by Zhao Liyue's undisguised "gossip-loving" gaze. Like a startled little rabbit, she suddenly jumped away from Lu Zheng's arms, stood up awkwardly, her cheeks turned even redder, and even the tips of her ears were tinged with a blush.

"Officer Lu... I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going..." she murmured softly, her eyes darting around, not daring to look at Lu Zheng again.

Lu Zheng also withdrew his hand somewhat awkwardly, clenched his fist and coughed lightly to cover up his momentary loss of composure and the inexplicable ripples in his heart.

He regained his usual cold and aloof expression, though his ears seemed to be slightly burning.

"It's nothing." He said in a low voice, turning his gaze to Zhao Liyue and changing the subject, "Liyue, Xiaonuan, you're here. Let's go inside and double-check the details of tonight's operation."

The conference room was lit by cold, white lights that clearly illuminated everyone's expressions.

The long table was surrounded by people. Besides Lu Zheng, Zhao Liming, and Qin Haoran, whom Su Xiaonuan was familiar with, there were also several unfamiliar police officers, all of whom had solemn expressions.

The air was thick with the smell of coffee and paper, so heavy it was almost tangible.

Su Xiaonuan followed Lu Zheng in and felt countless gazes instantly focusing on her, some scrutinizing, some concerned, and some simply curious.

She lowered her eyes slightly, pulled out the chair Zhao Liming had gestured for her to sit down, sat quietly, and placed her hands on her knees, like a well-behaved student listening to a lecture.

Only she knew that her palms were slightly white from the force she exerted.

Zhao Liming cleared his throat and spoke first: "Li Yue, mission change. From now on, you are officially back in the team and will participate in this 'Rooftop Meeting at the Cruiser Building' operation. You will no longer be responsible for Su Xiaonuan's personal protection."

Zhao Liyue immediately stood up and replied crisply, "Yes!"

She turned to Su Xiaonuan, a barely perceptible softening appearing on her cold and beautiful face. She gently patted Su Xiaonuan's shoulder and whispered, "Be careful."

He then walked to the seat behind Zhao Liming and sat down, his posture ramrod straight, instantly getting into work mode.

The meeting began.

Information from all parties was gathered, and the discussion was intense.

Regarding Ji Xianjun, the mysterious organization, and the various variables that might occur tonight... Su Xiaonuan mostly listened quietly, only occasionally adding a few words about her views on Ji Xianjun's past personality and fighting habits when Lu Zheng or Zhao Liming asked directly.

Her voice was still soft and sweet, but her thoughts were clear and her eyes were calm.

Lu Zheng sat diagonally opposite her, his gaze sweeping over her several times.

He noticed that her delicate eyelashes would flutter slightly when she heard certain bloody details, but her back remained straight.

He noticed that her hand, resting on her lap, had neatly trimmed nails, but she was unconsciously picking at the edge of her sweatshirt.

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside him: concern, appreciation, and a touch of inexplicable irritation—she shouldn't have gotten involved in all of this.

“The plan is clear,” Zhao Liming concluded solemnly. “The primary objective is to ensure the safety of Su Xiaonuan and the hostages. The secondary objective is to capture Ji Xianjun and uncover the organization behind him as much as possible. The other side is a hacker with strong counter-surveillance awareness. All our communication devices will remain silent, distributed according to the pre-arranged plan, and will not be exposed unless necessary. We will adapt to any situation.”

After the meeting, everyone filed out.

As Lu Zheng passed by Su Xiaonuan, he paused and said in a low voice, "Do what you can, safety first."

Su Xiaonuan raised her head and met his deep eyes.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his jawline was taut.

She nodded without speaking, trying to force a reassuring smile onto her lips, but it appeared somewhat stiff.

The night was deep, the neon lights of the city flowed beneath my feet, and the rooftop of the Cruise Building was empty and silent, with only the howling wind.

Su Xiaonuan pushed open the heavy iron door to the rooftop and stepped outside. The night wind immediately tousled her naturally curly hair.

She spotted the figure standing with his back to her at the edge of the rooftop railing.

He wore a well-tailored, modified black Zhongshan suit. The fabric gleamed under the moonlight and the distant billboards, and was embroidered with intricate moon patterns in silver thread, making him appear mysterious and eerie.

He was very tall with broad shoulders, a far cry from the somewhat gloomy and thin boy I remembered.

Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around.

It is Ji Xianjun.

His features had matured, shedding the immaturity of youth and appearing mature and aloof. However, his eyes still carried an inescapable melancholy, and at this moment they were looking at her with a strange smile.

"You've come, Xiao Nuan." His voice was much lower than it had been in his youth, with a hint of hoarseness, as if he were reminiscing about something.

Su Xiaonuan stopped and stood a dozen meters away from him, her expression complex: "Ji Xianjun, you've changed a lot."

Ji Xianjun chuckled softly, took two steps forward, and said with unhurried ease, "People always change. Just like you, the girl who used to have fierce eyes like a little leopard in the ring, is now selling pancakes at a stall wearing a cartoon apron."

His tone was ambiguous, neither sarcastic nor sentimental.

“I remember,” he said, his tone suddenly becoming elusive, “that youth tournament in Hangzhou, do you remember?”

Su Xiaonuan felt a chill run down her spine; of course she remembered.

That was the competition in which she won her first significant national Sanda championship.

Ji Xianjun, who was the biggest favorite to win the men's group championship at the time, refused to admit defeat in the semi-finals and his opponent seized the opportunity to break his left arm. He not only lost the game, but his professional career was also almost over.

"I remember." Su Xiaonuan's voice was very soft, almost blown away by the night wind.

Ji Xianjun noticed the subtle change in her expression, chuckled softly, but a cold flame seemed to ignite in his eyes.

“I remember you even came to the hospital to see me back then, bringing fruit, your eyes full of sympathy.” He curled his lips into a self-deprecating smile. “I don’t need sympathy, Xiao Nuan, especially not yours.”

He suddenly adopted a Sanda (Chinese kickboxing) starting stance, his movements precise and his aura imposing: "Come on, Xiao Nuan. Let me see if you still deserve that championship."

Su Xiaonuan took a deep breath, suppressing the chaotic thoughts in her mind.

She knew this battle was inevitable.

She slowly took off her loose-fitting hoodie with a cartoon cat print, revealing a black sports vest underneath that allowed for easy movement, and also assumed a fighting stance.

Her petite body tensed at that moment, like a bowstring ready to be released.

"Please." She uttered a single word, her eyes instantly sharpening.

Almost the instant she finished speaking, Ji Xianjun moved!

He leaped forward with astonishing speed, delivering a fierce high kick that swept straight at Su Xiaonuan's head, creating a whistling sound.