Chapter 291: Quite the Ambitious Plan

“Are you happy? Excited? Feeling thrilled?” Loud laughter erupted from the phone as Wang Dong’s voice carried his unrestrained joy. “But, don’t get your hopes up too high.”

Xiao Yu, “…”

‘Of course, there’s a catch. Brother Wang is just as underhanded as ever.’

“Being called the leader of the Tenth Group is really just a formality. Get it?” Wang Dong’s tone was as shameless as ever, filled with self-satisfaction. “The truth is, the entire Tenth Group is just you. The nine so-called team members? Also in name only. But when we need you, you’ll have to come help out. That said, you do technically hold command authority most of the time. And whenever you need to you’ll have the power to mobilize all nine special ops groups.”

“Damn!” All that excitement was for nothing. Xiao Yu rolled his eyes. “So basically, I’m just your errand boy for the nine groups, right? And that so-called command authority and mobilization power… doesn’t that sound like complete nonsense?”

‘I’m just a cop. How am I supposed to command a bunch of State Security operatives? Who would listen to me?’

“Hey, this was all arranged by the big bosses,” Wang Dong said with a tone that screamed not my problem. “Your boss and our boss talked it over and reached an agreement. Bottom line, you’re both a cop and part of State Security now. You hold dual roles. Oh, and this means your police rank won’t be held back anymore. Your level will now be linked to our system. The big boss said you’ll be promoted three levels after earning seven first-class merits, enjoying deputy bureau-level treatment. 

“After all, as the Tenth Group’s leader in State Security, you can’t be seen as lacking authority. As for your State Security credentials, someone will deliver them to you in a few days. Anyway, that’s all. Talk to you later.”

Xiao Yu, “…”

Before Xiao Yu could even vent his frustration, Wang Dong had already hung up. Clearly, it was to avoid hearing a few heartfelt “greetings” from Xiao Yu.

Putting down his phone, Xiao Yu felt a mix of irritation and amusement.

So, what was he now—a cop or a State Security operative?

It gave him the feeling that he was stepping outside the realm of being a police officer and was about to become something far flashier, a full-blown State Security agent.

“I knew it. Getting involved with this bunch from State Security would never end well.”

Muttering to himself, Xiao Yu restarted the car and headed home.

Since Wang Dong had personally called, it was clear this was a done deal, and there was no changing it.

The good news was, he was still technically a police officer.

The bad news? He’d probably have to juggle both roles from now on.

But, as he thought about it, Xiao Yu suddenly realized something. It seemed like nothing had really changed.

Even before this, wasn’t he already running between two jobs?

‘Damn, what am I even stressing about?’

Humming a tune, Xiao Yu drove on home.

***

Summer was a season of cool refreshment. 

At least, that’s what Xiao Yu thought as he stood in the water park.

Watching people in brightly colored swimsuits leaping into the crystal-clear pool and having the time of their lives, he couldn’t help but smile.

He had just been in there himself, splashing around and feeling the exhilarating chill of the water.

Jumping, laughing—it was pure fun.

Now, sipping on an ice-cold drink handed to him by his wife, Xiao Yu felt a wave of coolness spread through his body. His gaze wandered to Mu Qingwu in her swimsuit, his eyes darting up and down as he gave a mischievous grin.

“Looking for a beating?”

Annoyed yet helpless, Mu Qingwu raised her fair little fist and made a small gesture.

It carried absolutely no threat.

“Hey!”

Xiao Yu pulled his sister into his arms, gently settling her on his lap. As he softly stroked her slightly rounded belly, his eyes wandered to the people joyfully playing in the water park. With a sigh, he said, “Sis, don’t you think this world is so unfair?”

“Huh?” Mu Qingwu chuckled. “Why do you say that?”

“Just now, when we were in the swimwear shop, I came to a profound realization.”

Xiao Yu began spouting nonsense with a perfectly serious expression, “When it comes to women, they have all sorts of styles and designs for swimwear. But for men? It’s always just a pair of trunks. Sis, is that fair?”

“Hahaha!”

Mu Qingwu burst out laughing, her delicate figure trembling as her enchanting eyes sparkled with amusement.

“Actually, what I miss the most is childhood.” Xiao Yu suddenly adopted a serious tone. “Back then, I could openly go into the women’s bathhouse– Ow!”

Before he could finish, his ear was twisted by a slender jade-like hand.

“Oh, really?”

Mu Qingwu’s laughter vanished, and she narrowed her eyes at her brother. “So, bringing me here to play was really just an excuse to ogle girls in swimsuits, huh?”

“Hold on, wait!” Xiao Yu raised the white flag. “Sis, you misunderstood. Being able to look at you for a lifetime is already the greatest honor of my life.”

“Hmph!” Mu Qingwu smirked coldly. “You’re celebrating that honor far too early.”

Xiao Yu, “…”

He sighed inwardly, ‘A man should never marry a woman who’s too smart. It’s asking for trouble. The ancients didn’t lie to us.’

“Speak.”

Mu Qingwu’s beautiful eyes glimmered with a dangerous light as if the wrong word might lead to divorce.

‘Think fast! As steady as a mountain in the face of disaster,’ Xiao Yu suddenly had an idea. “Sis, do you know why Zhu Bajie couldn’t beat Sun Wukong?”

Mu Qingwu, “???”

‘Are we talking about Journey to the West now?’

“Because Zhu Bajie left half his powers at Gao Laozhuang.”

Seeing his wife momentarily stunned, Xiao Yu pressed on with his fabrication.

“Huh?” Mu Qingwu’s train of thought was successfully derailed. Curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, “Why is that?”

“Because…”

Xiao Yu hugged his sister closer. “Men… well, we might all have a bit of weakness, just like Zhu Bajie. But in our hearts, there’s always someone we want to protect. Even if it means losing strength, we’d never regret it.”

“Is that so?”

Loosening her grip on his ear, Mu Qingwu leaned into his embrace, a gentle smile spreading across her face. “Even though I know you’re making this up, it still makes me happy.”

“Hehe.” Xiao Yu discreetly wiped away a cold sweat. “Sis, knowing you has been the greatest joy of my life.”

“Oh, really?” Mu Qingwu tilted her face up, smiling sweetly at him. “How happy are you?”

Xiao Yu nearly wet himself.

‘Sis, how can you play by your own rules like this?!’

The harsh reality is clear: unless a woman is in the mood to hear sweet talk, she will find a hundred ways to shut you down.

“Idiot.” Her gaze soft and alluring, like a gentle stream, Mu Qingwu pinched her brother’s handsome cheek. “Letting me control you like this, aren’t you afraid people will say that the naughty little brother is afraid of his wife?”

“My dad’s been under my mom’s thumb his whole life.” Xiao Yu grinned. “If he’s not afraid, why should I be?”

‘Ah, there’s no pain without comparison. Dad, I love you!’

“Hahaha!” Mu Qingwu burst into laughter again, playfully punching her brother. “You’re so bad! If your father-in-law heard this, he’d disown you on the spot.”

“Sis, there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask.”

Xiao Yu’s expression turned curious. “Why don’t you call my dad ‘Dad’? Why do you call him Father-in-law instead?”

Mu Qingwu, “…”

A strange look appeared on her delicate, beautiful face.

‘Whoa, Sis’s expression is so complicated,’ Xiao Yu was stunned.

“I’m afraid if I did…” Mu Qingwu leaned in, her soft red lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, “You’d answer first.”

Xiao Yu, “…”

Without another word, he scooped up his giggling wife and headed toward the changing rooms.

This couldn’t go unpunished. They had to go home.

As expected, his wife was a total demoness. In need of some serious taming.