"Zhang Xiang and those two men helped me all along... Therefore, after it happened, the three of them fled with me..."

It was only then that Yan Xixi learned Zhang Xiang was one of his comrades, trained alongside him in the old days. Over the years, they had worked together seamlessly, with perfect rapport. No wonder she had completely lost contact with him later on. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Luckily, Zhang Xiang is an excellent driver. He managed to dodge several pursuits..."

He said this lightly now, but Yan Xixi easily imagined how heart-stopping the situation must have been. It wasn’t that he hadn’t tried to inform her in advance; everything had happened so suddenly that he’d had no time. If he had contacted her, his whereabouts would inevitably have been exposed.

For these past two months, he had to ensure both his own safety and that of the data, while also worrying about her. So, he had to take risks, continuously releasing pieces of data as bait. It was precisely because of this that his pursuers were wary. Afraid he might resort to a desperate, mutually destructive act that would doom them all, they dared not make a decisive move against Yan Xixi before capturing him.

In the end, Liu Daqing had stepped in. Both sides took a step back, each holding leverage over the other, maintaining a temporary balance.

It mirrored the situation in the world at large. Countries harbor their own hidden agendas, each eager to teach the others a lesson. However, restrained by the threat of nuclear deterrence, none dare to act recklessly. The widespread peace over so many years wasn’t because politicians had suddenly found their conscience and embraced peace. Rather, it was because no one could bear the mutual destruction that nuclear war would bring. Mutual restraint leads to mutual tolerance.

She listened quietly.

"Xixi, I’m sorry. I should have told you before, but I didn’t expect it to happen so suddenly. I’ve made you live in fear for so long..."

She suddenly laughed, "No, I understand completely."

"Xixi..."

She reached out and silently embraced him.

He immediately held her tightly.

At that moment, it seemed as though all grievances had vanished. Her scent, his familiar masculine smell, the warmth and softness of his embrace... It brought the security she’d felt recently, like a heavy burden lifted. As long as she was by his side, she felt safe.

He had no idea how scared she had been during the days he was absent. She had been so afraid that she would have rather believed he was out philandering or that he had abandoned her... anything, as long as he was alive. As long as he was alive, nothing else mattered.

"Xixi..."

She tilted her head up slightly, and before she could respond, he had already kissed her.

There was the fresh taste of green tea in his mouth, like her own softness and purity at that moment. He was suddenly drawn in. His long-suppressed passion instantly ignited.

The nectar of her lips was like the last red rose on the windowsill, Yan Xixi’s favorite, defiantly blooming in the wind. This variety of rose had a long flowering period. It bloomed in both the first and second halves of the year and would even last until December in winter. At this time, when most roses had finished blooming, it still had one last flower swaying on its branch.

The final wisp of its fragrance drifted into his nose, making her flaming red lips appear even more enchanting. She was unusually submissive, surprisingly gentle, and even wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, melting completely into his embrace.