Hidden Assassin 274

Here is the translation of the chapter:

**Volume 3, Chapter 27, “Living Together Era”**

February 8, 2013

The dimmed lights in the yoga practice room of the upscale female-only recreational center didn’t affect the visibility. The low, soothing music and the elegant decorations highlighted the woman’s slender, beautiful figure. She was wearing a pink silk scarf around her waist, and her long, dark hair was tied back, revealing her independent and elegant demeanor.

She was a beautiful urban white-collar woman with a refined temperament, possibly holding a higher position than a typical company employee. From her demeanor, one could sense that she commanded respect, and her athleticism was already evident even when she wasn’t sick. It was difficult to describe this aura, but it was palpable.

As she was about to leave the yoga room, she greeted a fitness instructor who was also leaving. Glancing at the clock, she saw that it was already 5:40 pm, almost 6 pm. This high-end recreational center offered various services, including beauty, health, and fitness classes, such as yoga, aerobics, and sword-play. It was a place where women came to refine their bodies and minds.

She was running a bit late and had reserved a single room for her yoga practice. As she changed out of her workout clothes, she briefly chatted with the manager, Wu, who was also leaving.

“Manager Wu, heading out?” she asked.

“Yes, I’m off,” Wu replied. “You’ve been practicing yoga lately?”

“I just started,” she said with a smile. “I was sick and decided to take it up again.”

Wu seemed skeptical, but didn’t press the issue. “You didn’t shower before leaving?”

“No, I’m in a hurry,” she said, not wanting to reveal too much.

As they walked out of the center, they ran into some men standing outside the hotel across the street. One of them, wearing a suit, called out to Wu, and she reluctantly responded with a smile.

“Manager Wu, long time no see.”

“Ah, King, what brings you here?” Wu asked.

“We’re here for a negotiation,” King replied. “It’s really tiring, like chopping off someone’s head.”

“Oh, you’re with the Sanda Gang,” Wu said, recognizing the gang tattoos on their arms.

As they exchanged a few words, a man emerged from the hotel, and Wu’s expression turned uneasy.

“Ah, Meng, you’re here too,” King said.

“Yes, I’m here to introduce you to our Young Master,” Meng said, eyeing the woman beside Wu.

“This is Miss Zhang Yahuan,” Wu introduced.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Zhang,” Meng said, his gaze lingering on her.

As they exchanged a few words, it became clear that Meng was interested in Yahuan, and Wu seemed uneasy about it.

…

After the conversation, Yahuan drove her car back to her residence at Sacred Heart Academy, already feeling late. As she entered her apartment, she took a deep breath and began preparing dinner.

Just as she was done cooking, the doorbell rang, and Jia Ming walked in, saying, “I’ll help you with the dishes.”

Yahuan smiled, “You’re quite the servant, aren’t you?”

As they chatted, Yahuan told Jia Ming about her encounter with Meng, and Jia Ming’s expression turned serious. “Be careful around him; he’s not someone to be trifled with.”

Yahuan nodded, “I know. He seems to be hiding something.”

As they continued to talk, Yahuan mentioned that she had seen Meng’s uncle, and Jia Ming’s expression darkened. “That guy is from the Lyu family; we should avoid him.”

As the evening wore on, Yahuan and Jia Ming continued to chat and tease each other, their playful banter filling the air.

…

As the night drew to a close, Yahuan couldn’t help but think about Meng and the strange encounter. She knew that she had to be careful around him, but a part of her was curious about his true intentions.

The next day, Yahuan saw Jia Ming off to school and then headed to her own classes. As she walked across the campus, she saw Sanda fighting with someone, and Lu Fan, who had been giving her trouble, was among them.

As she watched, a foreign boy with a lean, athletic build approached her, his smile seeming somewhat menacing. “You’re Moonlight Pool’s Yahuan, right? I’ve been waiting for you. I hope you’ll accept my challenge.”

Yahuan’s instincts told her to be cautious; something about this boy didn’t feel right…

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