Each ressurection brought unpredictable circumstances.
By now, she was used to it.
But this time, everything was too peaceful… almost comfortable…
Darkness surrounded her, yet she could feel something soft beneath her.
A bed.
A very comfortable bed.
She instinctively stretched, letting out a soft, contented sigh.
With a crisp *click*, the bedside lamp in the room suddenly lit up.
Dim yellow light filtered through the lampshade, casting a gentle warmth.
A man sat beside her—tall, with a lean frame and short, tousled hair. His back was to the light, shrouding his face in shadow.
But she could hear his ragged breathing, as if he’d just woken from a nightmare. It felt like he was watching her, his hand braced on the sheets, fingers slowly curling inward. The veins on the back of his hand stood out sharply under the light.
He was holding something back, but his voice, hoarse and trembling, was barely above a whisper.
“You’re here.”
Wan Tong hadn’t received the plot download from the system yet, but fragments of memory were already surfacing in her mind. She felt a faint fear toward the man in front of her.
She sat up, but the man remained still. By the lamplight, she caught a glimpse of half his face.
A familiar face, yet it did nothing to quell the resistance rising in her heart.
Wan Tong turned her head away, and just silently received the plot in her mind.
The man in front of her was named Li Shen—yet another boss with a tragic past.
Li Shen’s parents were both gamblers. When he was sixteen, they attempted to take him with them in a charcoal-burning suicide inside their rented apartment. But in the end, Li Shen opened the window and jumped from the second floor, landing on the grass below. He was rescued, but his parents died.
After that, he was adopted by a foreign couple. He became silent and withdrawn, developing a maturity far beyond his peers.
Unfortunately, although the couple was kind-hearted, their past work had provoked the wrong people, and they were hunted down by mercenaries.
Li Shen hid inside a wardrobe and watched with his own eyes as the couple was killed right in front of him.
He stayed in that blood-soaked room for a long time before a returning mercenary took an interest in him and secretly smuggled him out of the country for training.
A sixteen-year-old boy, having narrowly escaped death twice in such a short span, became a wild beast in the training camp, recklessly growing, absorbing everything he could.
At twenty, he went on his first mission with the mercenaries. That mission ended with all his companions behind bars, while he secretly orchestrated events to draw the attention of police forces from three different countries, leading to the destruction of the mercenary training camp.
Although he erased all traces of his involvement, the officers in charge of the case felt things had gone too smoothly. They suspected something was amiss but could never track down the anonymous informant.
Later, a veteran detective from Z Country found Li Shen and persuaded him to become an informant, sending him undercover into an organization called Fengrui Group.
Li Shen had long been investigating the group responsible for his adoptive parents’ deaths. Since their goals aligned, he agreed.
Infiltrating the intelligence division of Fengrui Group, he gradually worked his way into the core of the organization. His undercover mission went smoothly. He dismantled all of Fengrui’s strongholds, collected decades’ worth of evidence on economic crimes, human trafficking, and even murders.
The once-mighty group collapsed overnight, shocking the entire nation. With the veteran detective’s help, Li Shen enlisted in the military, eventually joining the special forces. After retiring, he became a criminal investigator.
Through sheer ability, he climbed the ranks, earning the title of a genius in criminal investigation, a hero admired by all.
And yet, at the height of his career, this hero chose to disappear.
Before long, he resurfaced under the codename ‘S,’ establishing a secret intelligence organization called ‘WT.’ He had the world at his fingertips, knowing everything that unfolded each day.
Some called WT an evil organization and sought to crush it with global efforts, but apart from its name, they had no further information.
No one knew where WT’s headquarters were, in which countries it operated, how it obtained intelligence, or how many people worked for it…
Yet, the organization had no impact on ordinary citizens. Instead, international news frequently reported terrorist activities being thwarted and crime syndicates being dismantled, often due to intelligence seemingly provided by WT. Over time, the organization became legendary.
Speculation about the mysterious leader ‘S’ ran rampant, with many suspecting he was none other than Z Country’s criminal investigation prodigy, Li Shen, though no one could prove it.
As for Wan Tong, she barely existed in the world’s recorded history. But her memories were growing clearer.
Here, she was Cen Wantong, a girl who had died ten years ago. Her father had been the director of Fengrui Group’s intelligence center. Li Shen’s infiltration had relied on her.
At eighteen, she was naive and trusting, placing her faith in the young man who had once saved her life on the street. She invited him into her home multiple times.
Li Shen used those opportunities to crack her father’s communication methods with the intelligence center, triggering an internal purge within Fengrui. She had watched intruders stab her father to death. After being wounded in the leg, she saw Li Shen arrive with the police.
The Fengrui Group’s crimes were exposed, forcing its leaders to flee. To them, the Cen family were traitors, the ones responsible for Fengrui’s downfall. Their revenge came swiftly.
Her mother was left in a vegetative state after a hit-and-run, the perpetrator escaping. Her brother, Cen Lingyu, disappeared. As for herself, she died in the hospital, under heavy guard, right in front of Li Shen.
Wan Tong processed both the world’s plot and her own memories, realizing just how unfriendly this world was to her.
Now, Li Shen was thirty, having just founded WT. Meanwhile, the Raider had arrived a year ago.
The Raider’s name was Damon, Li Shen’s current psychologist.
[Tongtong, urgent update: the Raider’s mission has changed. I suspect the strategy system detected an anomaly in the world.] Shishi warned Wan Tong.
That ‘anomaly’ was, of course, referring to Wan Tong and Shishi’s existence.
[What’s the new mission?]
[Plunder the boss’s fate and drive him to die in agony and despair.]
Wan Tong listened, feeling as if the Raider had given up all pretense and was going all-in.
Killing Li Shen, wouldn’t that cause this world to collapse? Could the Raider escape unscathed?
[This is a powerful Raider, and their system level is high.] Shishi said gravely.
Wan Tong pressed her lips together in concern.
Meanwhile, the man before her stirred. He reached out, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder, gently pressing her down beside him.
His palm was warm, yet he quickly withdrew.
He lay on his side, facing her.
Wan Tong gazed at his face, momentarily dazed. Each time she entered a new world, she felt lost and uneasy. But the moment she saw this face—saw him—she would gradually calm down.
“I thought… you weren’t coming to find me anymore,” Li Shen murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid of disturbing a fragile illusion.
Wan Tong quickly understood. Li Shen was mistaking her for a hallucination.
According to the plot, his physical health was always strong, but he suffered from deep psychological issues. He was in a constant state of repression. Yet, his self-control was formidable, so his depression never significantly impacted his life.
A year ago, the Raider arrived and approached Li Shen under the guise of the psychologist Damon, using psychological suggestion to worsen Li Shen’s condition. Over time, Li Shen began experiencing hallucinations.
Li Shen had always been cautious. He had already sensed something was wrong, yet he did not stop the treatment.
In his hallucinations, he saw the person he longed to see. He indulged in it, unable to extricate himself.
If this continued, Li Shen would surely lose his mind.
Due to the lingering influence of her body’s memories, Wan Tong still couldn’t adjust her attitude toward Li Shen. She reached out to push him away, turned around, and shut her eyes.
Behind her, there was a silence so profound it was as if even breathing had ceased.
Her mind was in a daze. She decided to sleep first.
Li Shen inhaled the faint fragrance on the girl’s body, reluctant to close his eyes until they became dry and sore.
The scene from ten years ago was like a brand, seared into his heart.
One moment, she had red-rimmed eyes, telling him to leave. The next, a bullet hole had appeared on her forehead. Her once bright, tear-filled eyes had dulled, staring lifelessly in his direction.
Ten years had passed. He couldn’t see her in his dreams, but recently, she had begun appearing in his hallucinations.
Sometimes, she would even talk to him.
She said, “Brother Li Shen, it’s raining heavily. Come home with me first.”
She said, “Brother Li Shen, there’s no one at your house. Want to have dinner at mine?”
She said, “Brother Li Shen, I’m an adult now. Liking you isn’t considered puppy love anymore, right?”
Back then, she still didn’t know that her beloved Brother Li Shen had blood on his hands, that he had approached her with ulterior motives.
Perhaps because the familiar scent had invaded his senses, Li Shen gradually relaxed and slowly closed his eyes.
He had forgotten how long it had been since he last slept so soundly. When he woke up, daylight had already flooded the room.
After getting up, his gaze landed on the wooden box between the two pillows, faintly emitting a light sandalwood fragrance. His eyes darkened.
He picked up the glass of water on the nightstand. The cold liquid slid down his throat, easing the dryness.
Soft rustling sounds came from ahead. He lifted his gaze and saw a slender figure emerging from the bathroom.
She was wearing a beige dress with a bow at the neckline. She had no shoes on, her pinkish feet pressing against the floor.
His eyes lingered for only a moment before he withdrew his gaze. He had already grown used to her presence. As long as he didn’t touch her, as long as he didn’t focus on her, she would always remain there, quietly accompanying him.
He slowly set the glass down and walked barefoot across the floor.
As he passed by her, his footsteps noticeably slowed.
Wan Tong turned slightly, looking at his retreating figure. Then she said, “I want a pair of shoes.”
It seemed his condition had worsened significantly. Otherwise, at this point, he wouldn’t still believe she was just a hallucination.
Her words made Li Shen freeze.
Suddenly, he recalled last night—when, in a moment of confusion, he had actually touched her.
Was his hallucination worsening? Had he even begun to hear things?
He continued walking, but as he turned back at the sound behind him, he saw the girl had put on his slippers, her head lowered as she looked at the oversized soles.
The sunlight streaming in from the window behind her was dazzling, making it hard for him to see her clearly.
Wan Tong sat by the bed, listening to the sound of water from the bathroom. Her mind gradually calmed.
If she were to seek justice, then Li Shen was the very person who had brought ruin to her family. But in truth, the ones who had killed her family were the fugitive members of the Fengrui Group.
Li Shen had joined the special forces, become a criminal investigator, and even established an international intelligence organization, all to hunt those people down.
Whether in the first twenty years of his life or in the decade that followed, Li Shen had never truly lived for himself.
Wan Tong’s heart was filled with both resentment and sympathy, and thinking of the past made it ache faintly.
She pressed her hand against her chest, taking shallow, steady breaths.
When Li Shen stepped out of the bathroom, she looked up and met his gaze from across the room.
He turned and walked away.
Wan Tong immediately got up and followed.
Since he believed she was just a hallucination, she wouldn’t break the illusion. She’d see when he would finally wake up.
The slippers were too big, making crisp *clack, clack* sounds as they dragged against the floor.
Even without turning around, Li Shen knew she was struggling to keep up with his pace.
Subconsciously, he slowed down.
This villa was situated by the sea, and the faint scent of seawater lingered in the air.
Li Shen’s bedroom was on the second floor. As Wan Tong followed him down the spiral staircase, she noticed a young man in the living room.
He had a scar running from his forehead to his brow, a cold expression, and an air of deadly precision, making him look more like a bodyguard than a servant. However, since he was carrying a breakfast tray, Wan Tong assumed he must be the housekeeper.
He clearly noticed Wan Tong and appeared momentarily startled. Then his gaze shifted to Li Shen’s bare feet and the oversized slippers on the girl’s feet.
He quickly withdrew his gaze, as if he had seen nothing.
He never dared interfere in Li Shen’s personal affairs.
“Wu Li, when is Damon coming back?” Li Shen asked in a low voice as he approached.
“He returned yesterday. Do you want to see him, Brother Shen?”
“No need, let’s reschedule another day.” Li Shen waved his hand.
Wu Li nodded and placed the tray in his hands onto the dining table. There was only one serving of breakfast on it. He hesitated for a moment before asking, “Brother Shen, do you need me to bring another breakfast over?”
This was just a temporary residence, with no in-house chef, so he had bought the breakfast from outside.
“No need.”
Since Li Shen had already said so, Wu Li could only nod. However, before leaving, he glanced at Wan Tong, who was sitting diagonally across, feeling a bit puzzled.
After Wu Li left, Li Shen didn’t touch the breakfast in front of him.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that she had been staring at his breakfast.
“This is what Tongtong likes to eat…” His thin lips moved slightly as he murmured softly.
Wan Tong was momentarily stunned. He then pushed the breakfast in front of her.
She didn’t hesitate and immediately lowered her head to eat. Croissant with sausage, orange juice. Indeed, her favorite.
Wu Li quickly returned and was once again shocked by the scene at the dining table.
Li Shen leaned against his chair, gazing quietly in the girl’s direction, as if lost in thought.
Meanwhile, the girl had already finished the entire breakfast.
Wu Li concealed his astonishment and leaned in to whisper something into Li Shen’s ear.
Li Shen then spoke in a cold voice, “Bring him in.”
Wan Tong’s hand trembled slightly. She lifted her eyes to look over.
Wu Li had already left. Li Shen lowered his head slightly, his elbows resting on the edge of the table. His thin lips parted, but this time, his voice softened, “Tongtong, later… don’t look at anything.”
Wan Tong didn’t respond. She stood up and walked upstairs.
Li Shen opened his mouth, wanting to call her back, afraid she would just disappear like that. But in the end, he forcibly suppressed himself.
Moments later, her figure disappeared up the spiral staircase.
Li Shen withdrew his gaze, his temples throbbing violently. The searing pain never ceased.
Wu Li soon returned with two burly men in black uniforms. One of them was dragging a bald middle-aged man whose hands were tied behind his back.
Upon seeing Li Shen, the men threw the bald man to the floor and respectfully stepped aside.
Wu Li stepped forward and reported, “Brother Shen, this old man was indeed hiding in T Country. His subordinates have already been dealt with.”
“Who are you—” The bald man, with his hands bound, was forced to kneel on the ground, struggling even to lift his head.
Li Shen stood up. Wu Li, in sync with him, handed over a pistol.
Li Shen played with it in his hand, causing the bald man to struggle violently in fear. “I have an offshore account! How much do you want?!”
He anxiously looked toward Wu Li and the two uniformed men, pleading, “Let me go! I’ll give you as much as you want!”
But the living room remained silent. The way they looked at him was as if they were watching an ant struggling in vain.
*Click*
The sound of a bullet being chambered made the bald man’s voice even more shrill. “What do you want?! If you kill me, you’ll get nothing!”
He had never been so terrified before. Time stretched endlessly in the silence, amplifying his fear a hundredfold, a thousandfold.
Finally, Li Shen raised his foot and kicked him hard in the chest. The intense pain nearly knocked the wind out of him.
The next moment, a cold, dark gun barrel was aimed at his forehead.
Li Shen spoke slowly and clearly, “Do you remember the Cen family from ten years ago?”
The bald man’s pupils dilated, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. Meeting those emotionless black eyes, his voice turned shrill, “The Cen family—? It wasn’t me! They wanted to eliminate traitors, it had nothing to do with me!”
“Where are they now?”
“I don’t know! After that incident, they went into hiding!”
“Hmm.” Li Shen blinked expressionlessly, his thin lips curling into a cold smile. “Then what use do you have left?”
He lifted his hand slightly, about to pull the trigger—
A small, pale hand suddenly rested on his wrist.
The two uniformed men had initially wanted to stop Wan Tong, but Wu Li silently signaled them not to interfere.
Li Shen froze, unconsciously withdrawing his hand under the gentle pressure of hers.
The bald man thought his savior had arrived and started kowtowing frantically in Wan Tong’s direction. “Please, save me! I really don’t know where they are!”
However, everyone’s attention had already shifted away from him.
“…Tongtong,” Li Shen looked at the girl beside him, his throat tightening as he uttered her name with difficulty. The searing pain in his temples roared in his eardrums.
The bald man’s eyes darted around, and he suddenly tried to make a run for it.
A tiny red dot appeared between his brows, locking onto him. In his terrified gaze—
*Bang!*
Wan Tong’s eardrums buzzed. In that instant, a pair of arms wrapped around her, pulling her into an embrace.
Even so, she could feel tiny droplets of warmth splattering onto her calf.
The bald man’s screams were cut short. A bullet hole gaped in his forehead, and his body collapsed onto the floor. Blood gushed from the wound, like a spilled tube of red paint.
Wan Tong slightly lifted her head from Li Shen’s embrace and saw a small figure appear on the third-floor railing.
It was a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy, carrying a sniper rifle. With one hand gripping the railing, he leaped down, caught the second-floor railing, and jumped again, landing directly on the ground floor. His agility was like that of a monkey in the mountains.
He glanced at the corpse of the bald man, let out a pleased “da” from his throat, then turned his gaze to Li Shen, standing there quietly, as if waiting for a reward.
Locking eyes with Wan Tong, the young man showed a hint of curiosity again, but he held himself back and did not move.
“Dispose of it.” Li Shen’s voice was low and indifferent.
A uniformed man brought over an Oxford fabric bag and, with practiced ease, cleaned up the body as if he were taking out the trash.
Wan Tong snapped back to her senses and reached out to push against Li Shen’s waist.
Li Shen did not let her go. Instead, his arm tightened around her, constricting her even more. His deep, dark eyes churned with mist, dangerous and chilling.
“Let go…” Wan Tong felt as if her waist was about to be crushed by his grip.
At the sound of her voice, the cold ruthlessness in Li Shen’s eyes flickered for a brief moment. His powerful arms tightened around her waist, lifting her up. The next second, he threw her down onto the sofa.
The sofa was soft, and Wan Tong sank into it completely. Li Shen followed, leaning over her, both hands braced against the back of the couch, his presence completely enveloping her. The violent, icy aura around him nearly suffocated her.
She had no doubt that he could strangle her in the next second.
The scene made the men nearby hold their breath in fear, though what truly shocked them was Li Shen’s rare emotional reaction.
Who exactly was this girl?
Watching as the ‘trash’ was cleared away, Wu Li forced himself to remain calm and dragged the dazed boy away.