Pei Ye left after dropping them off, saying he had to go to headquarters for overtime.

Going upstairs, Ruan Xing opened the door and lightly shook their intertwined hands. "Shower."

The two of them had been holding hands the whole way and never let go.

Fu Zhi's ears turned red, and then, as if thinking of something, the skin on his neck reddened too.

Fu Gui buried his head into the gap of the sofa. [I am not listening, I am not listening!]

Fu Zhi said, "I'll go heat up the water for you first."

Because of the moth incident, the base's water supply had gone through another round of purification. The water pressure wasn't as strong as it had been before, so it took a while for hot water to come out. The weather had also turned colder, and going straight into an icy bathroom could easily cause a cold, so it needed to be warmed up first.

That way, when Ruan Xing came in, it would already be warm.

Ruan Xing took off his coat, then his shirt, and trousers.

Fu Zhi rolled up his sleeves, holding the showerhead over a basin to run the water, and tested the temperature with his hand. The water left in the basin wouldn't be wasted since he would use it for washing clothes or flushing the toilet.

Over twenty years of life in this world had already deeply shaped his habits.

Hearing the sound of slippers, Fu Zhi didn't turn his head. "Later, put your underwear at the door. I'll wash it together with the laundry."

He said it casually. The water was already hot, causing steam to fill the air, which made his face look hazy.

"Wait until the bathroom is warmer before you come in…"

Fu Zhi closed his mouth, his gaze glued to Ruan Xing.

"It's a little cold."

The young man was wearing only a pair of white cotton briefs, arms folded across his chest as he shuffled in. With Fu Zhi's sharp eyesight, he could even see the fine goosebumps on his skin through the mist.

Surprised by how cold it was, Ruan Xing moved closer to the water heater. His long hair fell over his shoulders, and his slender, pale fingers took the showerhead from Fu Zhi's hand, letting warm water run over his body.

The warmth drove away the chill, and the young man let out a long sigh.

Fu Zhi stood up.

Ruan Xing thought he was leaving, but unexpectedly, he closed the bathroom door, turned back, and said hoarsely, "Your hair is too long, it's not easy to wash. I'll help."

Ruan Xing agreed. The hot water soaked his long hair and dampened his cheeks. Water clung to his long lashes, adding a touch of fragility.

Ruan Xing sat on a small stool, with his head tilted to the side. Fu Zhi only had to lift his gaze to see the young man's smooth, slender back, which was lightly defined with muscle. Water rolled down the gentle curve of his spine before disappearing into the hollow below.

Fu Zhi's breathing sped up.

The hot water washing through Ruan Xing's hair also eroded his rationality.

After rinsing the shampoo, Fu Zhi handed him the showerhead. "I'm going to change clothes."

His clothes were already soaked in large patches.

Ruan Xing caught his hand. "Take them off and leave them here. We'll wash them together later."

Fu Zhi hesitated for a moment, then quickly took off his wet clothes.

"Help me with the body wash."

The young man lifted his long hair, revealing his smooth back. Fu Zhi's calloused hands pressed lightly against it, trembling slightly.

Ruan Xing turned his head, meeting Fu Zhi's gaze.

There was a barely noticeable smile on his lips.

Then Ruan Xing leaned in close to his face. "Nervous?"

He was so close that his lips nearly brushed Fu Zhi's as he spoke.

Naturally, Fu Zhi closed the distance, pressing his lips to his.

Ruan Xing's arms slipped around him from below, hugging him and deepened the kiss.

The sound of running water in the bathroom felt natural.

Two hours later, Fu Zhi came out in a bathrobe, heading back in with a set of pajamas.

More than an hour passed. By the early morning, Ruan Xing walked out, his face warm and flushed.

"Where's Fu Gui?" Ruan Xing turned to ask Fu Zhi.

The man was cleaning the bathroom, his open bathrobe revealing his broad chest, with faint red mottled marks.

"When I came out for the pajamas, the window was open. It probably went out to play."

—

In a small meeting room, An Mao's gaze swept the room.

The core members of First Squad were present: Su Xiaona, Fu Zhi, Pei Ye, Bai Xu, Chen Yihang, the man in the black suit, and Chen Fu.

Chen Fu straightened slightly. The content of this meeting wasn't important, but its very existence represented the Enforcement Division's stance, or rather, An Mao's stance.

"This secret meeting, with only a few of us here, is a matter of necessity. The incident happened suddenly. Although the Enforcement Division has made its position clear, the Administrative Department has a different opinion. But we can't delay any longer. We have already experienced the months. Who knows if there will be mosquitoes or Godzillas next time?"

An Mao made a joke, but no one laughed.

"I know you all have your own reasons, whether it's revenge or something else. The goals may differ, but the outcome is the same.

"Today, I'm asking for your help and cooperation."

An Mao lowered himself, bowed, and focused his gaze on Ruan Xing and Fu Zhi. It was clear that these two were the main figures today.

Their abilities spoke for themselves. An Mao knew a bit of the inside story. While the meeting was indeed for Bai Xu and the others, more importantly, it was to secure cooperation from Fu Zhi and Ruan Xing.

Although An Mao was Fu Zhi's superior, when assigning tasks, he always left it to Fu Zhi to decide. As for Ruan Xing, there was no hierarchical relationship at all, so sincerity was necessary.

An Mao said to Ruan Xing, "The Execution Department will give its full support to this operation."

"Full support?" Ruan Xing asked.

"Full," An Mao said firmly.

"We will provide cover for you, the most advanced equipment and gear, and eliminate any interference."

It was clear that he was referring to public opinion and other unexpected incidents.

"What do you need?" Ruan Xing asked.

"We still need some information." An Mao replied in a low voice.

Those crucial documents were in the Tower, which they couldn't access.

Ruan Xing understood.

The Enforcement Division might cover for them, but they still wanted to control the public narrative and wouldn't openly provoke a confrontation. This was why the operation had to be secret, with no official responsibility taken.

But without making a move, they would never get what they wanted.

In the end, their paths aligned. With full support from the other side, Ruan Xing had no objections, and Fu Zhi had even fewer. If Ruan Xing agreed, so did he.

An Mao breathed a sigh of relief.

They discussed the specifics of the plan. Ruan Xing glanced at Fu Gui, noting the large dark circles under his eyes. [Where did you go yesterday?]

Fu Gui pecked Ruan Xing's hand and snorted. [Went to pick up girls.]

Ruan Xing's face flushed slightly, and he patted its head. [When this mission is over, I'll buy you snacks.]

Fu Gui's eyes lit up, all worries forgotten, and he cried out, "Daddy, I love you!"

Fu Zhi also came over, taking Ruan Xing's hand and squeezing his fingers.

Fu Zhi asked quietly, "Is your waist sore?"

"It's fine. You can massage it for me when we get back," Ruan Xing replied.

"What about the protesters outside?" Chen Fu asked.

"Tonight, we will take them away," An Mao said.

"That many?!" Chen Fu was startled. "If we kill them all, there will be public outrage!"

An Mao looked at him as if he were ridiculous. "I said take them away, not kill them. Use tranquilizing gas, understand?"

Chen Fu's mouth twitched.

The plan was set for tonight. Once the Enforcement Division put the protesters to sleep, they would move in.

Fu Zhi adjusted Ruan Xing's collar against the piercing midnight wind. They were already in combat gear.

The protesters outside wore all sorts of warm clothing. Some even wrapped themselves in blankets.

Fu Gui muttered, [Working in shifts for 24 hours straight. See? In the end, they are the ones overworking themselves, no capitalists involved.]

The Enforcement Division had been sly, clearing the surrounding area early for "safety," which allowed their operation to proceed almost unnoticed.

The lead protester was still looking at his wrist device, while others hugged their blankets and dozed.

At three or four in the morning, people were at their sleepiest.

The leader, his foot in a bandage, opened a certain website with bloodshot eyes, continuing to scroll through his own post.

[How to survive after being targeted by a strong opponent?]

[OP, did you post in the wrong section? This is not the chuuni forum!]

[LMAO, who are you even? Some famous organizations' undercover?]

[Oh hell, I just remembered today's incident! That guy was really pitiful.]

[Me too! Must be the same thing we are talking about. Serves him right!]

The rest were just pointless replies, which annoyed him.

There was a sound nearby, but when he looked up, he saw nothing unusual.

Gradually, his earlier alertness faded. His eyelids grew heavy, and not even the insults in the post could rouse his will.

Around him, more and more people were out cold.

He suddenly realized something was wrong. Why were there figures in black combat gear in his vision?

He wanted to open his mouth to wake the others, but it felt as though it were glued shut.

Then his head tilted, and he collapsed.

On his device, the latest reply read: [Do not overthink it, OP. That strong guy probably does not even remember you (dog head).]

Passing by, Bai Xu pointed at him. "This guy is really studious, looking at his device all night."

Ruan Xing thought the man looked familiar, but in the darkness, he didn't bother to check. "Just an ordinary person."

Bai Xu turned to the man in the black suit. "You're just gonna leave them here?"

"Of course not," the man said, directing his colleagues to carry people away. "We're taking them."

In recent days, they had investigated most protesters. They were marginal inner-city residents. Poor, with nothing to their name except for low pollution levels.

They had been hired. Some of them were retirees taking on extra work, earning 300 daily.

The money came from suppliers of anti-pollution medicine or other Tower resources.

No wonder they were the first to oppose action against the Tower. They were just protecting their own interests.

The black-suited men would make sure they were settled somewhere. By midday tomorrow, they would witness a new order.

Of course, they might wish to tear the Enforcement Division apart.

But it was already too late by then.

Ruan Xing changed into a sleek black combat uniform. His figure was tall and lean, and his long hair striking. Passing the lead protester, he didn't even look back.

An Mao assigned Chen Yihang and the others the task of securing the key data.

On the other hand, Ruan Xing's goal was simple.

What he had lost, he would repay with interest.

Evidence didn't matter. Will had to die.

And yes, he also planned to raid his house clean.