Chapter 4

I had spent three years researching Ms. Obsidian's organization; the intel was crystal clear.

Our team discussed the mission procedures and plans in an orderly fashion.

Because he would be posing as Elara's husband, Leo's smiles became more frequent.

After a meeting one day, he pulled a small yellow amulet from his pocket and, with a shy smile, handed it to Elara. "Elara, I got this at the temple yesterday."

Elara was an atheist; she detested anything to do with gods or prayers.

When she was seven, her father died, and her mother, claiming enlightenment, gave away all their family wealth and became a nun.

Elara was left to fend for herself, growing up with little support and a lot of judgment.

Once, on a mission, I simply said, "May the heavens protect us," and she glared at me fiercely. "Say that again, and you're out of my team!"

Watching Leo pull out the amulet, everyone in the team gasped.

But the next second, everyone's eyes widened as Elara smiled, took the amulet, immediately hung it around her neck, and then pulled out a jade pendant in the shape of a Bodhisattva from her own shirt.

I recognized that jade pendant.

It was something her mother had left behind before she abandoned them.

Elara was a stubborn one; she hated her mother but still kept these things as mementos.

In my past life, after we were married, I accidentally knocked the pendant off, and it fell to the floor. The pendant was fine, but she slammed me to the ground with an over-the-shoulder throw.

Gus, our team observer, recovered first and started to tease. "Is our frosty Elara finally getting a heart?"

I twisted open my water bottle and took a swallow.

For some reason, the water today tasted bitter, even more so than my usual black coffee.

The other two also chuckled. "Our Leo's got real charm! He even melted Elara! If he goes undercover, he'll have Ms. Obsidian, that old woman, wrapped around his finger. This mission is a sure thing!"

Hearing that, I looked up, stunned, at Leo.

His eyes darted away.

I understood. He hadn't told them.

I couldn't fathom why.

Gus chimed in, "Leo, you're so good-looking, make sure to protect yourself when you go undercover."

I watched Elara's hands clench tightly. The next second, she slammed her fist on the table and said coldly, "Shut up!"

Everyone fell silent, not daring to joke anymore.

After the meeting, Leo pulled me into the shadows. "Falcon, I... I didn't mean to say I was the undercover agent. Elara asked me about it."

His face flushed as he spoke. "Elara told me to protect myself and gave me lots of details and tips about going undercover in private."

"I didn't have time to tell her."

Looking at him, I understood.

I shook my head. "It's fine. Elara's just worried about you. Learn everything you can from her."

After all, Leo would be her partner now.

I told myself this, trying to feel better.

I don't know how I got back to my dorm that day.

The next morning, at the early meeting.

I was a few minutes late. There were six people inside; I was the seventh.

As soon as I entered the conference room, the atmosphere inside was heavy.

Everyone was standing.

Elara’s face was grim.

Seeing me, she slowly spoke. "The first day you joined my team, I laid down three rules. Gus, recite them."

Gus hesitated, looking at me, then at Elara, before quietly speaking. "First, ensure your own survival. Second, ensure your teammates' survival. Third, no infighting within the team."

Elara looked at another teammate and asked, "What's the punishment for breaking a rule?"

"Breaking the third rule means 3000 push-ups, a 10km weighted run, and a public apology."

She scanned the room, then turned her gaze to me. "Falcon, get ready for push-ups!"