Hidden Assassin 157

The cake was eaten over five days, but he didn’t come back.

The night of her birthday, Jia Ming accompanied her in blowing out the candles, eating the cake, listening to her talk about her past training at home, her strict father, and her deceased mother. He stayed until she fell asleep clutching her panda, and then left. It felt like a dream, something that never happened, but the intensity of her training doubled. Jia Ming was still strict, but now he started teaching her how to make and dismantle bombs. She remembered him saying he hated cream, so she ate it first. But until the whole cake was finished, he didn’t come back to share with her. Maybe it was because the birthday was over, and there was no need to fulfill her wishes anymore.

After she finished the cake, she washed the foam plate, wiped the cardboard box, and carefully put it back under the bed. She planned to take it back to Japan.

Of course, that was a story for another time.

…

…

The shocking fight in the Martial Arts Club was eventually calmed down by Tian Yu Zhengze through Yan Huang Jue Xing. The school gave Xun a disciplinary warning and a public reprimand, but there was no real punishment. The matter was settled, and although many people were dissatisfied and grumbled, there were basically no more people who dared to challenge the Japanese girl head-on after this incident.

On the other hand, Joseph, who was subdued by Jia Ming in the rain, woke up the next morning and finally left Sacred Heart Academy. He came mainly to seek help, not to make enemies. Knowing that the person behind Marylen and her daughter, as well as Xun, had shown mercy, he didn’t dare to provoke further. Since the other party was so powerful, they would naturally know his intentions. Marylen would also ask for help. As for the outcome, he could only wait. Anyway, the war with the Gambino family wasn’t going to happen now. Both sides were in the stage of accumulating strength.

After April, there was a three-day May Day holiday. Sacred Heart Academy’s school celebration was actually on May 2nd. This was probably to ensure that former graduates had time to attend. On the 30th, the performance program and requirements were announced to Dongfang Wan. Although she was surprised, she finally agreed.

May 1st was spent at the Huang family villa. Jia Ming watched cars come and go. Taking advantage of the May Day holiday, Huang’s relatives all came to gather. Even Huang Bingxiang, the provincial party secretary, returned to Jiang Hai. Although Huang Bingxiang’s career had been somewhat unsatisfactory recently, a dead camel is bigger than a horse (an idiom meaning even someone in decline still holds significant power). For a while, various mayors, directors, and other officials came and went in a flurry of activity. The usually quiet Huang family mansion became exceptionally lively.

Since there were no particularly close family members above him, Jia Ming’s position in the Huang family was basically insignificant. However, because of this, as long as he existed, others wouldn’t deliberately forget him. During these times, some necessary socializing was unavoidable, such as being called over by uncles and aunts to chat and be told to study hard. Even Huang Bingxiang, a busy man, would have someone call him over to reminisce about Jia Ming’s mother, his deceased sister, and then tell him to work hard. He had to listen to these exhortations several times a year.

Due to Huang Bingxiang’s influence, those who came to visit weren’t just people from the Jiang Hai official circles. Some familiar faces from the Zhang family, Han family, and Dongfang family also came. Around nine o’clock, Ya Han arrived from school in her car, accompanied by Xu Yiting, who looked a bit timid.

This was the first time Xu Yiting had appeared in front of the Huang family after Xu Changhong’s death in the casino.

“…Since Uncle Xu passed away, Yiting has been very depressed. She even tried to commit suicide at one point. Because I was close to her at school, I couldn’t bear to see her like that, so I took her in these past days. It’s my fault, taking such a liberty. Because…”

“Because to be honest, Yiting was influenced by Uncle Xu and had a bit of a drug addiction, but it wasn’t serious. These past days, through suppression and a combination of Chinese and Western medicine, her addiction won’t be a major problem anymore. I hope…well, I hope you won’t send her to a drug rehabilitation center. I know it’s for her own good, but she’s still a child. Once she goes there, it’ll likely leave a stain on her life.”

After meeting with the Huang family’s decision-makers, Ya Han spoke to them privately. She sincerely explained what had happened in the past days and made a request. The subsequent matters were easily resolved. Ya Han was the apple of Zhang family’s eye, while Xu Yiting was just an insignificant member of the Huang family. To kick someone when they’re down was just a matter of thought, and to be kind was also just a matter of thought. Since Ya Han was willing to vouch for Xu Yiting, they had to give her this face.

After everything was clear, someone took Xu Yiting to pay respects to her father. Ya Han was tired from preparing for the school celebration. Finding Jia Ming in a corner, she said, “Whew…finally settled. I thought I’d have to talk a lot. Hey, let me sleep on your bed.”

“My bed? Can’t you find someone to arrange a guest room for you?”

“Please, others will think I came just to find a place to sleep. That’s worse than driving home…Hey, hey, hey, we’re friends. Don’t leave me hanging. Such a small matter…”

“Alright, alright, I’m scared of you.”

He led Ya Han to his room, enduring her constant chatter along the way. Entering the room, it was still the same simple space. Ya Han sat on the bed, looking around. “Speaking of which, this is the second time I’ve entered this room.” Her tone was full of emotion.

“Yeah, after the kidnapping incident, you didn’t dare come again because of Huang Haoyun.” Jia Ming chuckled, tidying up a few small items on the table.

“I remember you were just a little kid who had just graduated from elementary school back then. I had just returned from abroad, not even twenty years old. I was anxious about everything…What a curse.” Taking a deep breath, Ya Han looked at him. “It’s been four years since I met you. You were still a little kid back then. But this room…it hasn’t changed much…”

“I don’t often sleep here, so I don’t pay much attention to it.” Looking around, the room was simple, only containing a bed, a desk, a chair, and a pile of textbooks from elementary school to present day in the corner. Sha Sha had given him a baseball bat, which was also there. He could have added some bookshelves, but Jia Ming didn’t want to. There was a world map on the wall, no idol posters that teenagers usually liked.

“The first time I came in, there was a dismantled radio on the desk. I thought it was interesting back then, a twelve-year-old kid dismantling a radio. Your test papers were also a bit strange.” Without hesitation, Ya Han kicked off her high heels, sat on the edge of the bed in flesh-colored stockings, hands on her chin, reminiscing about the past, her eyes sparkling. “Your attitude was fierce back then.”

“I was making bombs back then.”

“What?”

“That radio,” Jia Ming chuckled. “It was actually the detonator and remote control for a bomb.”

“…Wow.” Staring at Jia Ming for a while, Ya Han sighed, looking around the room. “That…if I had found out back then, wouldn’t you have killed me?”

“I don’t know what you learned abroad, but if you had a chance to discover it, I think I would have.”

“Oh my god…you were only twelve back then. You monster…” Ya Han rolled her eyes, but Jia Ming just shrugged helplessly. After a moment, Ya Han concluded, “Karma…we really have karma…”

“Can you stop using such ambiguous words, okay? Go to bed, I’ll go out. I’ll have lunch sent to you.”

“Alright, good night.” Stretching out her long limbs, Ya Han smiled sweetly on the bed, then jumped up as if she had been electrocuted. She rummaged on the bed. “Hey, there isn’t anything strange on your bed, right?”

“Please…” Jia Ming sighed softly and walked out of the room, closing the door. Ya Han lay back on the bed, pulling the blanket over herself, and comfortably closed her eyes.

Not long after, the eyes on the bed suddenly opened, staring at the ceiling, then looking left and right, turning to face outward, then inward.

The bed…smelled like him.

************************************************************

At twelve o’clock, the Huang family villa was bustling inside and out. More than ten dining tables were set up, familiar faces chatted and laughed, the housekeeper arranged the seating, servants scurried back and forth, and bodyguards in suits or casual clothes were stationed around the villa. Pushing open the door, Jia Ming heard Ya Han’s voice.

“Hmm…嘤…唔…don’t…”

“Uh…” He looked towards the bed in confusion. Ya Han was frowning, her blanket kicked off halfway, her skirt slightly askew, her long legs wrapped in stockings rubbing gently, a scene that was absolutely tempting to commit a crime. Her hands were also moving weakly, seemingly resisting and struggling. Hearing the “don’t,” Jia Ming furrowed his brow.

“Having a bad dream?”

She shook her head. Jia Ming walked to the bedside and gently patted her cheek. “Hey, wake up. They’re preparing lunch outside.”

“Don’t…don’t…” After the pat, Ya Han shook her head even more violently. Her hands swung forcefully toward Jia Ming, then with a bang, they were pinned to the bed.

Then, a voice came from outside the door: “Gu Jia Ming, what are you doing!?” Turning his head, Huang Haoyun, who had always had a crush on Ya Han, was staring at the scene in shock. Ya Han was sleeping in Jia Ming’s bed, Ya Han was disheveled, Ya Han was saying no, and Jia Ming was holding her hands…All these factors combined, it looked like Jia Ming was committing a heinous act against his teacher…Oh, no, it was a scene of sin.

However, before he could react as expected, Ya Han’s first words after opening her eyes in a daze turned him into a fossil.

“Jia Ming ge ge…don’t…”

With a “poof,” two streams of blood shot out of Huang Haoyun’s nose.

**Glossary:**

* **Yan Huang Jue Xing**: A fictional organization, possibly a national security or intelligence agency.

* **Azure Sky Below**: This is part of a title in the web novel, likely referring to a particular chapter or volume.

* **Da Nei Chang Du**: This refers to a powerful figure in a fictional imperial court, a high-ranking official in the inner palace.

* **Yuan Lai Chao Chuang**: A reference to the founder of the Kamakura shogunate in Japan (1147–1199).

* **Dongfang Lu**: A name, likely referring to a location or character, possibly a street name or a person’s name.

* **Yan Huang Jue Xing**: This is the name of a fictional organization, likely a national security or intelligence agency.

* **Xiong Mao Shao Xiang**: A notorious malware program that spread widely in China in 2006, also known as the “Panda Burning Incense” malware.

* **Bluebird Music Group**: A Chinese rock band formed in 2000.

* **Dongfang Jia**: A family name, most likely referring to a fictional family in the web novel.

* **Tan Su Yan**: A name, likely referring to a character in the web novel.

* **Jiao Fei Chao Ren**: A fictional character or term.

* **Zi He**: A river name, possibly the Zi River in China, known for its purple color.

* **Cui Guohua**: A name, likely referring to a character in the web novel.

* **Xiu Dao**: A Chinese term, similar to “goofy” or “silly” in English, often used in a comedic context.

* **Duo Luo**: A Chinese term meaning “堕落,” literally “fall,” often used in a negative sense to describe a person’s moral or spiritual decline.

* **E Mei Shan**: A famous mountain in Sichuan province, China, known for its Buddhist monasteries and stunning scenery.

* **Ni An**: A Buddhist temple or nunnery, a place for Buddhist nuns.

* **Yin Guo Xian**: A Chinese term for “因果线,” referring to the threads of cause and effect, a key concept in Buddhism and Chinese philosophy.

* **Hui Qing**: A Buddhist name, possibly referring to a nun or other Buddhist figure.

* **Lu Jing**: A name, likely referring to a character in the web novel.

* **Sha Sha**: A name, likely referring to a character in the web novel.

* **Dong Feng Po**: A famous Chinese song by Jay Chou, its title means “Breaking through the East Wind,” evoking a feeling of breaking free.

* **Du Chang**: A Chinese term for “赌场,” meaning “casino.”

* **Xun**: A name, likely referring to a character in the web novel.

* **Yue Se Fu**: A name, possibly a western name like “Joseph,” indicating a foreign character.

* **Chi Hua Qian Huan**: A name, likely referring to a fictional entity or place in the web novel.

* **Zhong Guo Gong Fu**: Chinese martial arts, a cultural icon known for its historical significance and dramatic fighting styles.

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