The cold wind howled through the night of Qingzhou, and the world was bleak and desolate.

It was already past midnight, and not a soul was seen on the street. Occasionally, a car would roar past as if avoiding the biting cold.

A low-key black sedan drove into Hongqiao Mansion and finally stopped in front of Villa 21.

Ren Mingze got out first, cautiously observing the surroundings. Finding nothing unusual, he personally opened the back door.

If outsiders were to witness this scene, they would be utterly surprised.

In Qingzhou, who could have Ren Mingze personally open a car door for them? It’s too extraordinary.

A mysterious boy dressed in black bent down and got out of the car. He carried a backpack, wore a black mask and a baseball cap, appearing exceedingly thin, almost blending into the night.

The villa’s gate opened automatically, and the two walked in one after the other.

Hongyu stood by the door, her fiery red dress outlining her sizzling figure, causing the nearby security guards to struggle to control their wandering minds.

She toyed with a small, exquisite pistol, the cold weapon in her hand akin to a handy toy, highlighting the silent menace in her eyes.

Hongyu fixed her gaze unblinkingly on the approaching boy in black. As he drew near, she suddenly extended a long leg to kick against the doorframe opposite, successfully blocking the boy’s path.

The long leg extending from beneath the red dress was slender and pale, yet carried an undertone of burgeoning strength, firmly planted there.

The boy halted his steps and looked over.

Unfortunately, his eyes were obscured by the brim of his hat, giving only an unfathomable vibe.

"Are you PT?"

Hongyu eyed the boy up and down: "Wrapped up so tightly, how shameful are you to be seen?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly reached out to grab the boy’s hat.

The boy reacted faster, leaning backward, leaving Hongyu’s hand grasping empty air.

Hongyu frowned, and the leg supporting the doorframe swept across. The boy, in a light spin, slipped into the house through this gap, nonchalantly dusting his sleeves as if brushing off the dust brought by the woman’s entrapment.

Having missed repeatedly, Hongyu’s frowned deepened, the menace between her brows rising sharply. As she prepared to strike again, Ren Mingze stepped forward to stop her.

"Miss Hongyu, this is a distinguished guest invited by the gentleman, not to be offended." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Hongyu glanced sideways at the boy in black, lowering her voice: "Are you sure you’ve verified his identity? I find him very suspicious; be careful not to invite trouble into your home and harm the gentleman."

Ren Mingze’s tone bore traces of irritation, secretly thinking this woman was deliberately stirring trouble.

"If I hadn’t investigated thoroughly, I wouldn’t have brought him before the gentleman. Besides, didn’t you witness his contest with Mingxi firsthand? If you can find someone with better hacking skills than him, I’ll take him away immediately."

Ren Mingze let out a cold laugh: "I remind you, this boy has a bad temper. Agitate him and he might walk away, and how will you answer the gentleman then?"

Unwilling, Hongyu glared at the boy who extended his right middle finger, making a downward gesture—a blatant display of contempt. That infuriating expression made Hongyu’s head steam with anger.

"Just you wait."

"That woman is not worth your attention, just a lunatic. Her words have nothing to do with the gentleman." Ren Mingze walked beside the boy and lowered his voice.

The boy exhaled through his nose, replying with a faint "Hmm."

"As long as you help the gentleman accomplish this task, you are guaranteed endless prosperity and wealth. Otherwise..."

A warning as much as a threat.

The security guards patrolling on both sides each had a pistol at their waist, their expressions stern and eyes straight ahead.

Another person might be scared witless on the spot, but the boy remained nonchalant and indifferent.

Ren Mingze squinted slightly, wondering if the boy was truly bold or just fearless?

Earlier, when evading Hongyu’s moves, Ren Mingze could tell this boy was trained. According to his background investigation, Wan Heng grew up poor and was often bullied by classmates and street thugs, but he had an unyielding spirit. From being passively beaten to resisting and eventually taking the initiative, this fearless spirit prevented him from being easily bullied anymore.

But for mere street-fighting experience to suffice in dodging Hongyu’s assaults seemed a stretch.

Hongyu’s earlier words replayed in Ren Mingze’s mind. Looking at the boy beside him enshrouded in black so you couldn’t discern his true face, a trace of doubt sprouted in his heart.

But he quickly shook his head. Information gathered from online investigations remained superficial, so he immediately dispatched someone to Wan Heng’s hometown to inquire. The findings matched the information, and after questioning a few of his childhood neighbors, they confirmed there were no issues with Wan Heng.

Who doesn’t have secrets? Perhaps he’s not only a genius hacker but also has a knack for martial arts?

In truth, Ren Mingze didn’t like overly smart people because they were hard to control. But now, as the gentleman urgently needed capable individuals, if this boy could help him complete the mission, it would be fine. If he failed or harbored other thoughts, it wouldn’t be difficult to discreetly eliminate someone in Qingzhou without a trace.

Thousands of thoughts flashed through his mind before they reached the door to the gentleman’s room.

Ren Mingze collected his thoughts as the door opened from the inside, and it was Han Li who opened it.

Han Li waved, and security personnel immediately stepped forward to check them thoroughly, confirming the absence of dangerous items. Han Li said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, "It’s a special period; please excuse us. The gentleman has been waiting for you for a long time."

With those words, he stepped aside to clear the way.

The boy walked in.

Han Li stared intently at the boy’s side profile, seemingly wanting to see through the disguise to discern his true face.

The boy walked in unhurriedly.

The man sitting on the sofa looked up. Those sharp, probing eyes were more than most could bear. The boy glanced briefly before deflecting his gaze, as if the man on the sofa was just ordinary.

The man squinted his eyes slightly.

Next to him was a full set of computer equipment, all top-of-the-line configurations.

The boy’s eyes fell on these computers.

Han Li approached and said, "I believe President Ren has already briefed you on your mission. If you have any difficulties, speak up now. How about this setup? Are you satisfied?"

The boy glanced at the computers, then pulled out a slightly heftier laptop from his backpack.

"High-quality ingredients usually only need simple cooking. The same logic applies; I only need a laptop."

With those words, he chuckled: "A poor student has many supplies."

The young man immersed in the computer suddenly jumped up, glaring at the boy: "Who are you calling stupid?"

"Whoever the shoel fits, I guess."

The young man slammed his keyboard, ready to roll up his sleeves for a fight, but was stopped by a glance from Han Li, who sulkily glared at the boy.

Han Li stepped forward with a serious expression: "You must understand the importance of this mission. If it fails, everyone here will face eternal damnation, including you."

A gun was slapped on the table in front of the boy.

The boy didn’t even flinch, skillfully opening his laptop: "Isn’t it just money laundering? Let’s get this over with quickly; I’m busy."

With that tone, huh, he must not realize he would be up against the world’s most developed financial system, the most secure, personally overseen by the global top hacker Phoenix at Tianlu Bank.

The boy flexed his fingers, and the computer screen reflected his pair of pitch-black eyes, like an owl lurking in the night, patiently waiting for its prey.

At the same time, in the VIP ward of Mingren Hospital in Jingzhou.

The inpatient ward was so quiet a pin drop could be heard. The nurse at the nurse’s station was nodding off.

A young man in a lab coat and mask moved like a ghost, stopping at a patient room door at the end of the hallway.

Two bodyguards as gatekeepers sprawled asleep on the long bench outside the door, utterly unaware of the approaching footsteps.

The young man’s cold eyes swept over the two sleeping hulking guards; his mask-covered lips curled into a mocking smirk.

A little extra in the dinner, enough for these two to sleep till dawn.

He placed slender hands on the doorknob, gently twisting it like a key unlocking fate.

Those dispassionate eyes hidden in the night held nothing but endless indifference.