Hidden Assassin 135

We can tentatively consider this as a parallel world.

The storm that began to emerge in late April 1998 was supposed to be nonexistent. From an observer’s perspective, the pebble thrown into the timeline at the end of 1991 created ripples, disrupting the natural order of many events in this world.

In late April 1998, Yan Huang Jue Xing (Yan Huang Awakening) in China began to tentatively contact Japan’s Takamagahara, causing Pei Luo Jia’s anxiety and the excitement of Europe’s Dark Lyra. Combined with the momentum of the financial storm, tensions in East Asia began to rise. As a global assassin organization, Pei Luo Jia’s forces began to further contract towards Asia. At the same time, North America’s high-tech organization, Wisdom Heaven, the mutant alliance Creation Miracle, even South America’s Coast Contribution, and Australia’s Kangaroo Protector Alliance all simultaneously entered a seemingly active but actually watchful state, awaiting the escalation of events.

In fact, at this time, all parties involved maintained a fairly rational and restrained attitude. Yan Huang Jue Xing hoped to deter Pei Luo Jia with a high-profile display, and Pei Luo Jia also tried their best to restrain themselves, keeping the friction between them at their usual level. During this period, someone who later played a crucial role in this great storm was also retracting their wings, enjoying the tranquility under the fine rain.

Of course, perhaps it was precisely this leisurely life that was the best cradle for brewing a storm.

“Financial crisis, rising prices, unemployment, and then there’s the flood… Last time I bought it for 26, this time it’s 28. I’ve been thinking, maybe we should try cling wrap instead…”

Sitting on the sofa, taking a red and blue condom box out of a plastic bag, the teenager, who still had hundreds of millions of dollars deposited in Swiss banks, complained about the hardship of life: “This life is unbearable…” This was followed by scorn.

“If you don’t want to live with us sisters, then get lost. Lingjing and I can make a life together?” Walking out from the kitchen, Sha Sha snatched the box of condoms and said with a smile.

“I don’t want to live with just the two of you. If Jia Ming doesn’t want me anymore, I’ll immediately find someone to marry, I’d rather die than be an old maid.” Coming out with a bowl of dishes, Lingjing immediately betrayed her, Sha Sha pouted her lips and rolled her eyes, then protested: “Lingjing, you’re so shameless, have you forgotten our years of lesbian love?”

“You’re the lesbian, you raped me. Poor me, a weak woman, I have to be subjected to the constant torment of both of you. I cook for you, and I have to sleep with you… Dry your hair, it’s raining outside, don’t catch a cold.” Halfway through her words, Lingjing threw a dry towel onto Jia Ming’s head and went back to the kitchen laughing. Sha Sha went after her, screaming: “Stop! Don’t deny it!”

“Help me wash and chop those scallions.”

“Oh.”

Listening to the sounds coming from the kitchen, Jia Ming smiled and wiped the little water off his hair with the towel. Then he put away the things he had bought, the box of condoms was placed on the back side of the king-sized bed in the master bedroom, slightly concealed with a pillow. News came from the TV: “…In light of the continuous flood disasters in Hunan, Fujian, and Guangdong provinces since March, the national meteorological and water conservancy departments have stated that this year may experience a flood disaster that could occur once in fifty years or even a century. Please make flood prevention preparations in advance. This report is brought to you by…”

The wings of a butterfly can significantly alter human behavior, but they ultimately cannot change the inevitable natural changes. In 1998, the flood came as expected. “It shouldn’t be my fault…” Thinking in his heart, Jia Ming changed the channel. It was 6 pm, the peak time for children’s programs, and the TV was playing a segment of Tom and Jerry. Tommy and Jerry were busy chasing and making noise. Jia Ming sat on the sofa, watching boredly.

A quiet weekend, a drizzle endlessly falling on every corner of the world. Perhaps it was because of this that the warm yellow light coming in from every household window, the moving figures, seemed so warm and peaceful. However, it was from the evening that this tranquility had a slight change.

“I’m not selling, I said I’m not selling, don’t come here anymore, I absolutely won’t sell…”

A high-pitched voice with a hint of sharpness, like a sex worker refusing violent transactions. The problem was that the owner of the voice was a middle-aged man. Hearing the voice next door, the three people eating looked at each other: “Here they come again.”

Soon, the door on their side was also knocked on. Jia Ming put down his chopsticks and opened the door, two men in suits, their clothes soaked halfway through by the rain, stood outside. “Heh, hello, sorry for the intrusion again. I’m from Xing Sheng Construction and Development Company. What about the matter I mentioned last time… Have you contacted the landlord?”

“Yeah, I did.” Jia Ming nodded. “She said the same thing as the neighbor next door. She’s almost a***d person, she won’t sell no matter what.”

“Heh, sir, you’re so humorous. Then we’ll take our leave.” The man in the suit said, glanced at Lingjing and Sha Sha in the room, then turned his head.

“Actually, are all three of you still students?”

“Yeah, we’re all good friends, so we’re sharing this place. Why?” Jia Ming smiled sincerely.

“Oh, it’s like this. Because this area is going to be redeveloped, a lot of people are leaving recently, and there are also a lot of strangers around. This area was already a mixed bag, and now it’s probably not safe. Since you three are students, I hope you can find a place to rent sooner rather than later. You know, you three are the hope of the motherland, haha. And the two ladies inside are so beautiful, if something bad happened to them, then…”

“Yeah, yeah, we’re planning to find a place to move too.” With a bright and sunny smile on his face, Jia Ming nodded in agreement. “Everyone says this place is about to be demolished and the security isn’t very good. We’re planning to move back to the dorm, the school is also doing paperwork, it should be ready soon.”

“That’s good, goodbye. Oh, please try to contact the landlord. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, this is what we Comrades should do.”

Waving goodbye to the two men as they went downstairs, the group of people in the game room had already gone out to the door, followed by several “big brothers” from the neighborhood.

“Hi, Shui Ge (Water Brother), Hua Ge (Flower Brother).”

“Yeah, A Ming, what did they say? Did they threaten you?”

“A little bit. Honestly, it was kind of scary. You know, I’m okay, but Lingjing and Huai Sha… Oh, come in and sit down. We’re having dinner. Have you eaten?”

As he spoke, Lingjing and Sha Sha also greeted the men outside. The originally fierce-looking men instantly smiled at them and responded, then waved their hands: “No, no, A Ming, Lingjing, Huai Sha, don’t worry, as long as you’re here, you don’t have to be afraid of them. We’ll take care of everything… Of course, if it really comes to a fight, it probably won’t be very peaceful for a while. It’s better to be safe than sorry. If you have a place that’s convenient, I suggest you go and avoid this period of time and then come back to live. After all, we men don’t have anything to fear, but I’m afraid Lingjing and Huai Sha, you two girls might get into trouble. I’ve already sent my sister away, and of course, I definitely won’t sell the house. I’ll fight them to the end!”

At this point, the three of them had gathered at the door. Jia Ming smiled and nodded in gratitude. Lingjing looked at Jia Ming’s side profile, remembering his abilities, and couldn’t help but smile slightly, saying obediently: “Thank you, Shui Ge and Hua Ge.” Sha Sha leaned against the door: “Cut it out, you two. Don’t act like tough guys in front of me. You’re worried about us? I think you should hand over the protection fee to me instead. This big sister will protect you, I guarantee that the Yong Sheng Gang won’t dare to cause trouble.”

Although she was relatively docile in front of Jia Ming, when interacting with outsiders, Sha Sha still had the air of a big sister. The people across from her weren’t exactly a large-scale black society, but they were still hardened gangsters who had seen their share of Hong Kong triad films. Plus, Sha Sha was beautiful and had a great figure. The group, who were used to joking around, immediately laughed. “Heh, that’s… With Big Sister Huai Sha here, what’s the Yong Sheng Gang? It’s just that we little guys can’t always rely on Big Sister to protect us. We’ll take care of this matter this time, Big Sister, don’t worry, we won’t let you down, haha…”

“That’s more like it. If you need any help, remember to tell us.”

After a few more words at the door, the group turned and left, the two men in suits continued to knock on doors one by one to contact sellers. As soon as the door was closed, Sha Sha frowned: “It’s too much. Everyone does real estate, never seen anything like this. It’s only been a few days since the notice to buy the house was issued, and they’ve already started to threaten people. Jia Ming, what do you think, should I ask my dad to come over and take care of this? …But it doesn’t seem possible.”

The old district near Sacred Heart Academy was originally the territory of the Yong Sheng Gang. Although Sha Xiu Gang and Yong Sheng Gang are currently in conflict, this area is still considered the core region of Yong Sheng Gang. If Sha Zhu Gang intervenes, it will likely result in a full-scale clash between the two gangs, a life-or-death struggle. Police will certainly treat this kind of gang conflict as a riot and suppress it. However, Jia Ming smiled. After a long pause, he said: “Lingjing, Sha Sha, I think…no matter what, I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Jia Ming’s tone was hesitant at this moment, and his expression was quite troubled. For the two girls, if it wasn’t a disguise, Jia Ming rarely showed this kind of expression when encountering a major event. Lingjing nodded: “You mean, we should move out?”

“No, we’re living well here. What I mean is…” He surveyed the room before nodding: “You know, I’ve been trained as an assassin. I now have weaknesses, and now someone is using… heh, using you to threaten me. Although he may not know the potential consequences, I’m very angry. I mean, I know this is not a good way to solve the problem, and I also care about your opinions…”

“I want to kill someone…”

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