Lin Xiaoxiao was unaware that Li Yuan planned to punish her. Even if she had known, she would have only cursed her for being out of her mind.

After getting home, I tidied up the things I bought and then made myself a bowl of noodles.

Halfway through the meal, there was a knock on the door.

I went over and opened the door, and lo and behold, it was someone I knew.

"Sister Lin, it's been a long time." The moment the door opened, Zhou Mingxuan put on a bright smile and greeted Lin Xiaoxiao with practiced ease, as if none of the previous events had ever happened.

For a moment, Lin Xiaoxiao felt a sense of disorientation, as if she were seeing herself shortly after arriving in Jiangcheng, when she first met Zhou Mingxuan and Chu Wuyan.

Of course, it was the first time for Zhou Mingxuan, and the second time for Chu Wuyan.

At that time, she went to find something to do with Director Ma, and she searched his private residence, only to be caught red-handed by the two men.

Zhou Mingxuan said in an annoying way, "Who is this, sitting on someone's wall?"

From then on, they had many interactions.

I don't know when it started, but the sunny, cheerful, and slightly annoying Zhou Mingxuan I first met has changed. He has become greedy and insatiable.

Lin Xiaoxiao sighed inwardly, thinking it was a pity.

"Long time no see, what brings you to Beijing?"

Lin Xiaoxiao naturally knew why he came to Beijing, but she didn't point it out. Instead, she greeted him as he said and appropriately expressed her doubts.

People have already come to our door; there's no reason to turn them away.

Lin Xiaoxiao led him inside and poured him a cup of hot tea.

"Lin Daiyu is still the best. That Wu Yan guy won't even let me drink a cup of water." He made a simple cup of tea taste like nectar.

Lin Xiaoxiao looked up at him and asked, "You went to see Brother Chu?"

Zhou Mingxuan nodded, "That's right. Since we've come all the way to Beijing, we should at least come and see you old friends."

"How about that? Surprised?"

Lin Xiaoxiao neither nodded nor shook her head, but said, "Beijing is too cold, Jiangcheng is much better. How many days do you plan to spend in Beijing?"

Zhou Mingxuan's smile faded slightly. "I don't know yet, but I do think Beijing is better than Jiangcheng. All my friends are in Beijing, and I wish I could stay there."

A sigh is appropriate, filled with endless melancholy.

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled and said, "Didn't you join the Jiangcheng Organization Department? You have a bright future ahead of you, so do your best."

“I quit my job.” Zhou Mingxuan didn’t beat around the bush and said directly, “I was confused before and forgot my original intention for joining the Counter-Espionage Division. After working in the Organization Department for half a year, I still felt uncomfortable and wanted to come back.”

Lin Xiaoxiao paused in her drinking, glanced at him, then lowered her eyes and said calmly, "Sure, as long as the organization approves, you can come back anytime."

Whether he comes back or not is none of her business.

"That's why I came to Beijing," Zhou Mingxuan said with a smile. "I heard that the State Security Bureau has established a special task force under the Third Division. I wonder if I'll be assigned there."

Lin Xiaoxiao feigned surprise, "Hey, don't talk about such confidential information, I don't want to know either."

Zhou Mingxuan sighed and said helplessly, "Sister Lin, I know you have joined the National Security Bureau. I came here this time because I want to have an open and honest talk with you."

So stop pretending.

Lin Xiaoxiao became serious in a second, "What do you want to talk about?"

Zhou Mingxuan took a sip of tea and said decisively, "Let me join the Special Task Force of the Third Division."

Lin Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow and asked him in return, "Do you think that's possible?"

Why did he think he would agree?

Furthermore, Zhou Mingxuan actually managed to find out that I was the leader of the Third Special Task Force. That's... damn it.

Zhou Mingxuan shook his head with a wry smile, "I only came to you to try and appeal to your emotions because I thought it was impossible."

“Sister Lin, to be honest, I know my mindset was wrong before. I reflected on it after leaving the capital. I should thank you for helping me and Wuyan so much before.”

"In the past six months, I have missed the time when I went on missions with Wu Yan. I realized my mistakes and wanted to correct and make amends. I waited for half a year before I got this opportunity to be recruited by the National Security Bureau."

"I just hope you can help me and let me join the Third Special Division so I can fight alongside you again."

Lin Xiaoxiao used the excuse of drinking tea to conceal the fleeting coldness in her eyes.

"I'll think about it. You should go back first."

Zhou Mingxuan knew she wouldn't agree right away; the fact that she even considered it was already a pleasant surprise.

"I heard you're pregnant, congratulations! Here's a local specialty, please don't refuse."

After leaving the gift, Zhou Mingxuan departed.

Looking closely, the figure seemed somewhat light-hearted, as if it had found hope in Lin Xiaoxiao.

The moment his figure disappeared, Lin Xiaoxiao's face darkened. She picked up her phone, dialed an encrypted number, and waited for a while before the other end answered.

"Hello, Director Fan, this is Lin Xiaoxiao."

Director Fan was somewhat puzzled. "Han Xiu told me that you came to the bureau this morning. Why didn't you come to me in person to discuss something?"

Lin Xiaoxiao said, "The guy on the list named Zhou Mingxuan just came to my house and asked me to agree to let him join the Third Special Task Force. He knows my identity and also knows about Chu Wuyan's involvement in the task force. I suspect someone in the bureau has leaked a lot of classified information to him. You..."

After she finished speaking, Director Fan said, "Let's keep him calm for now, I'll investigate right away."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiaoxiao looked puzzled and muttered under her breath, "You'd better not have any other identity."

Even though she had parted ways with Zhou Mingxuan, Lin Xiaoxiao still didn't want to see him beaten to death on the pillar of shame of enemy agents.

People can be vain, greedy, and calculating, but they cannot betray their country.

As a Chinese person, this is the most basic bottom line.

Zhou Mingxuan... sigh.

Lin Xiaoxiao sighed.

"Xiao Gao, go and call Han Xiu over here." After hanging up the phone, Director Fan shouted outside.

"What's wrong, Lao Fan? You've been missing me for a little while?" Han Xiu walked in with a nonchalant air.

Director Fan looked disgusted. "Alright, alright, let's get down to business."

After the two finished talking, Han Xiu left.

About an hour later, Director Fan's secretary, Xiao Gao, came in and said, "Director Fan, Director Han said the person has been found."

"Where is he?" Director Fan looked up.

Xiao Gao pointed to the ground, "He was taken to the interrogation room by Director Han."

Director Fan nodded. "Understood. You may leave now."

He always trusted Han Xiu to get things done; he would know the results himself.

In this respect, he is quite similar to his old friend.

The office was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Director Fan opened a drawer with a combination lock, took out a badge, glanced at it, and tossed it back in.

He locked the drawer and let out a sigh, "Twenty years have passed."

They have all transformed from spirited young men into the middle-aged men they are today.

Time flies and ages us all.

I wonder if I'll ever see him again in my lifetime, wearing epaulettes and a uniform, standing in this office.