Cold Snake

In the end, Li Mucheng tried every possible method but still couldn’t see the mark she had left on Ye Feng.

"Miss, please make sure to review the knowledge I taught you. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now."

"Mm, teacher, does the new outfit fit well? Any discomfort?"

"Everything’s fine, thank you for your concern, Miss. See you next week."

"Mm, goodbye, teacher~"

Li Mucheng waved goodbye to Ye Feng, though deep down, she was reluctant to see him leave. However, the progress of the past two days’ lessons had left her quite satisfied. When she noticed Ye Feng’s shy and flustered demeanor around her, she knew that their relationship would gradually deepen, eventually leading to a happy life together, just like in a love story.

But as her feelings for Ye Feng grew stronger, Li Mucheng felt that two days of lessons were no longer enough. She wanted to be with him every moment.

"Ah Fu."

As she watched Ye Feng leave, Li Mucheng suddenly spoke.

"Yes, Miss."

"Does my father have a department dedicated to developing tech products?"

"Well... I’m not entirely sure..."

Li Mucheng immediately understood the meaning behind Ah Fu’s hesitant expression.

This wasn’t about not knowing—it was about him being afraid she’d cause trouble again, making him an "accomplice."

It seemed she’d have to handle this herself.

"Sigh, prepare the car. We’re going to the company."

"Understood."

......

Just as the car Ye Feng was in approached his apartment, he suddenly remembered he had promised to buy a cookbook for Xie Yuyan that morning. He immediately asked the driver to change course and head to the nearest bookstore.

"Ding-dong."

As the door opened, a crisp bell rang, and the female clerk inside stood up from her seat.

"Welcome~"

Ye Feng hadn’t expected such a warm reception at a random bookstore. He nodded in response and walked up to the clerk. "Hello, do you have cookbooks here?"

"Co... cookbooks? Are you looking to improve your cooking skills, sir?"

"Yes."

Of course, Ye Feng wouldn’t reveal anything about Xie Yuyan. He always remained 200% alert whenever he was out.

"In that case, we have a variety of cookbooks. You’ll find them in the third section, sir."

The cheerful clerk pointed toward the third shelf.

"Got it, thank you."

"You’re welcome. Let me know if you need anything else."

The clerk squinted as she examined Ye Feng’s appearance, her cheeks turning slightly pink. Unseen by him, she licked the corner of her lips.

Just as the clerk was captivated by Ye Feng’s looks, a man in a suit walked out from the room behind the counter.

The suited man adjusted his tie, glanced at Ye Feng who was browsing the books, and then turned to the clerk, whose eyes hadn’t left Ye Feng.

"Having fun, are we?"

"Just passing the time."

The clerk shrugged, sounding slightly annoyed.

"I thought this shabby place would be boring, but it seems there’s some entertainment after all."

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll report your laziness to *that* person?"

The suited man teased with a smirk.

"Only if you don’t mind me carving a hole in your chest."

"Hah, you haven’t changed a bit, Night Cat."

"Don’t get too familiar. I only came back from overseas to personally kill Cold Snake."

The clerk glared at the suited man, her tone growing impatient.

"Why don’t you scram? Your stench is unbearable."

The suited man wasn’t offended. Instead, he elegantly adjusted his black-framed glasses.

"Don’t be so hostile. I think we could cooperate, don’t you? After all, the reward for capturing Cold Snake is something no one would refuse."

"I don’t need anyone’s help. I’ll find her myself."

"Tsk tsk... After all these years, you’re still bitter about being second to Cold Snake. I can understand that feeling, the eternal runner-up..."

As the suited man spoke, the clerk’s smile faded, and her gaze shifted away from Ye Feng’s handsome face.

"If you say one more word, I swear I’ll stitch your filthy mouth shut with a needle. And then you, Evil Wolf, will be nothing but a dead dog~"

"Fine, if you’re not interested, I’ll drop it. Don’t say I didn’t warn you."

The suited man smiled faintly, picked up a book titled *Deadlock* from the shelf, and walked out of the store.

"I’ll take this one."

Ye Feng selected a beginner-friendly cookbook and handed it to the clerk.

"Hello, I’d like this book. Could you wrap it up for me?"

"Of course, sir."

The clerk blinked at Ye Feng, her previously cute demeanor turning sultry.

"It seems you’re quite interested in cooking, sir. Would you like to discuss culinary arts with me sometime~?"

Faced with the clerk’s charming appearance, most men would have been tempted, but Ye Feng remained expressionless and shook his head.

"Sorry, I’m busy. Could I just have the book?"

"Hmph, you’re really no fun, sir. Or are you playing hard to get?"

The clerk smirked as she stared at Ye Feng. She had finally found a man who suited her tastes, and she wasn’t about to let him slip away.

Just as she thought she could slowly seduce him with her looks and figure, Ye Feng snatched the cookbook, tossed the largest bill he had onto the counter, and said,

"Keep the change. I’m in a hurry, but thanks anyway."

With that, Ye Feng left the bookstore, leaving the clerk standing there in confusion.

As Ye Feng walked home, he couldn’t help but think about his encounter at the bookstore. While he couldn’t uncover the secrets of the people behind it, he had a hunch that the clerk was the same type of person as the man he’d met at the shopping plaza.

What kind of role did Xie Yuyan play in this organization? Why were so many people after her life?

It seemed he’d have to find some time to ask Xie Yuyan directly.

......

Meanwhile, the woman in the bookstore closed the door and walked straight into the storage room at the back.

"Cold Snake... as cold-blooded as your name suggests. Let’s see how long you can hide. Just don’t expose your weak spot~"

"Because I won’t hesitate to plunge my knife into your heart. The top spot in the organization belongs to me!"

......

"Achoo~"

At home, Xie Yuyan suddenly sneezed. She rubbed her nose, her lithe body coiling around Ye Feng’s pillow like a snake.

"Ye Feng’s scent... I can never get enough of it~"