Because Yurong's life is very regimented, business dinners are usually organized for lunch, and she mostly has dinner at home. But ever since Yue Yao arrived, it's no longer just her and Li Yan watching the news and eating together. There are more conversations now. Since she and Li Yan work for the same company, they also end up having breakfast together.

As a result, even though Yue Yao has been around for several months, she hasn't had many opportunities to have a meal alone with Li Yan.

Today, with Yurong not coming back, it was just the two of them, bringing the atmosphere back to a somewhat awkward silence. There aren't many conversation topics between the two of them, and they even understand each other without needing to speak, so there wasn't much to talk about.

Initially, they both enjoyed having their "world of two", but later felt that it wasn't as good as when there were three of them.

"I can understand why you and Yurong didn't have much to say before. In such a big space, with two people seeing each other every day who are not in a love-struck phase, there's really not much to talk about."

"Right, it's obviously better since you came along. With three people, there's more to talk about." Li Yan agreed wholeheartedly.

Yue Yao softly revealed, "Actually... when you're not around, Yurong and I don't have that many topics either."

Li Yan was stunned, then laughed, "Just the two of us doesn't work, just the two of you doesn't work, and with you and me, there's no atmosphere either. It seems we're destined to be happier as a trio!"

"..." Yue Yao lowered her head to avoid his gaze, unsure how to respond. The current three involved mainly the two of them, with her as the guest; what Li Yan meant by living together as a trio clearly suggested another meaning.

...

After dinner, Li Yan checked the time. Although it was still early, Yurong hadn't returned, which made him a bit worried.

"Did she say anything about the kind of date she's going on? Why isn't she back?"

Yue Yao laughed, "No, are you getting jealous? Nervous? Worried she's on a date with another man?"

"You're kidding! Why would I be nervous, jealous?" Li Yan felt a bit embarrassed and immediately relaxed into his chair.

"Why don't you call her then?"

"Wouldn't it be inappropriate? She might think I'm checking up on her. Do I need to check up?"

Seeing Li Yan wanting to but feeling it inappropriate, Yue Yao laughed, "That's from a man's perspective. From a woman's perspective, if one's man calls at night to check, it feels more like concern."

"Uh..." Li Yan glanced at her awkwardly and asked, "What if she really is with some guy? Wouldn't I just be embarrassing myself?"

Yue Yao glared at him, "Do you have confidence in Yurong? Flirting around seems more like your thing!"

"Fine, fine... I'll call." Li Yan surrendered, muttering, "Are you actually on my side, or have you been bought off..."

Yue Yao smiled, "Of course I am, but I can't go against my conscience. As they say, 'I love my teacher, but I love truth more', I..."

Suddenly realizing something, she blushed, unable to continue.

Li Yan looked at her with a half-smile. Based on the logic, it would have continued to 'I love you, but I can't go against my conscience'.

Seeing him staring at her, Yue Yao had no choice but to say, "Are you going to call? Want me to dial for you?"

"No need, you can help with everything, but you can't help me in the bedroom, can you? I'll do it myself." Li Yan shook his head and took out his phone.

The call connected quickly, but Zhang Yurong seemed unwilling to say much. Hearing Li Yan's voice, she simply said, "I'm out eating with someone, don't disturb me, I'll call you later!"

She clearly didn't want Li Yan to know who she was dining with, as if she covered the phone with her hand before speaking, and then hung up quickly.

This attitude left Li Yan a bit surprised.

Not to mention the care she showed last night; their communication during today's meeting was also good. Why did she suddenly have this attitude? Who is she dining with that's so important? If it were a client, wouldn't she just say she was with a client? Why does it seem like she's dining with a man and afraid of him misunderstanding? But Li Yan didn't doubt her, as he couldn't imagine Yurong having dinner alone with any man intimately. Not to mention, due to his presence, Yurong also has an attitude of keeping men at a distance, and since they got together due to family ties, there's naturally no chance for her family to introduce her to an outstanding boyfriend.

Seeing his expression, Yue Yao had already guessed the outcome without prying further, advising, "Forget it. Why don't you take a bath and relax? She'll be back soon. Everyone needs a bit of personal space. If she doesn't want to say, don't ask. At least... your concern has been conveyed."

Li Yan smiled, "You're right. Yurong isn't like me. I don't mind, as long as she's okay. We can have our meeting then!"

Yue Yao immediately focused, turning up the TV volume a bit before reporting on the various aspects of the organization to Li Yan.

In terms of routine operations, they're mostly managed by Yue Yao. She knows Li Yan doesn't have much interest in trivial matters, so she only gives a routine overview, mentioning only the parts he might find interesting.

"Previously, the two who tried to kill you, last time I said we confirmed it was 'Tears', but new information suggests 'Tears' might not be a person, but a code name for an organization! However, they don't have many people, just a few, none acting under the 'Tears' name."

Li Yan was slightly surprised, "So, does that mean those two had accomplices? Does this mean they should have known I was in S City for some time now?"

Yue Yao laughed, "Indeed a series of coincidences!"

Li Yan thought for a moment and laughed, "True, they might've been on a mission, or maybe they were just looking for me, unrelated to the casino. Through connections, they borrowed the channel for disguise. They didn't expect me to show up there, which prompted suspicion and investigation. And being questioned by Yu Mocheng out of curiosity was another sheer coincidence."

"In the end, both of them ended up dead. The casino owner, who didn't want involvement, might hand the relevant information to other 'Tears', but he won't exert much effort. Meanwhile, you happened to go to Beihai Country this time, staying over a week, another sheer coincidence." Yue Yao added.

Li Yan lit a cigarette, pondering.

"Do you think they're still in S City?"

"Don't you think so?"

Yue Yao smiled and shook her head, "They might have sought revenge initially, planning to kill you, but 'Tears' doesn't have the manpower we do. Losing those two to you has inevitably weakened them, in other words, 'Tears' isn't dead, but their strength has suffered. Calming down, they might not choose to fight you. What's their motive for killing you? Fame! Therefore benefit! When facing strength disparity, no one would risk existing benefits for fame!"

Li Yan nodded, "Makes sense. If that's the case, announcing that 'Tears' is dead at my hand should lead them to disprove it by continuing assassination contracts, proving 'Tears' is still alive!"

"Exactly! Three days ago, 'Tears' completed a task commissioned from Brazil. This time it was publicized! I think besides wanting to prove 'Tears' wasn't killed by you, they're also signaling goodwill, showing they've left Yun Country and are no longer waiting for you in S City."

Li Yan thought for a moment, "That's possible. However, this is only until 'Tears' regains strength; once they regroup, they'll challenge us more strongly. Keep a close eye on them."

"Yes."

Yue Yao also became serious, "However... The Prince Hotel incident and the street shooting might reveal traces of us, although nothing direct was left behind."

"Maybe that's because I never stayed in one place for too long before. Anyway, staying here requires caution.

Li Yan, having had a fierce battle in the office before coming back, was considering a bath. Since Yurong wasn't home, providing a rare opportunity to be alone with Yue Yao, he couldn't help but suggest, "How about a swim?"

(Uh, the 'Ole Liar' cover got changed again. The new one might not be very harmonious; this is what Qidian did... 390 extra updates, asking strongly for a Monthly Pass! 420 updates, now it's 417...)(To be continued. To know what happens next, please log on to www.qidian.com for more chapters, support the author, and read the official version!)

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