Chapter 24

Page Twenty-Three Night Reconnaissance Operation (Part One)

What do you do when your brother-turned-sister says she likes you? It’s urgent, I’m waiting online.

Though I was playing a game, my attention couldn’t focus on it at all. My mind wandered, and I even imagined myself with Xiao Lěi, having silver hair in our old age with a full house of grandchildren. This bizarre scene led to ZHAO Lěi complaining, “Hey! Chairman, how could you not even pass a simple QTE? What are you doing?”

Really, does she think I’m distracted because of her?

Regardless, time passed and it became 10 PM, but the game progress was minimal. However, the operation still proceeded as planned.

Peeking through the balcony, I saw that my father’s room had turned off its lights, so he must have fallen asleep. Thus, Zhao Lěi and I slipped out under the cover of night, moving quietly.

My large-framed glasses were already broken, and wearing sunglasses at night made it hard to see. I had no choice but to go out without any disguise. Fortunately, everyone in the village went to bed early, so I didn’t encounter anyone.

Even though it was just about not wearing glasses, I felt like I was running naked.

Our home was close to the village entrance, and we feared missing Old Feng closing up, so we hurried there. Soon, we reached the last corner before Old Feng’s stall. At this moment, Zhao Lěi was huddled in a corner, covertly observing, while I stood guard behind a house.

In the earphones, Zhao Lěi’s voice came through, feigning a low tone: “MIC TEST, MIC TEST, Zero Two, Zero Two, this is Zero One, this is Zero One, please respond.” Wow, this guy’s joke is really outdated! Are you from the previous generation?

Of course, we didn’t use walkie-talkies; we used the network call feature of communication software.

“Yellow River, Yellow River, this is Sewer, please report the situation.”

“Sewer, Sewer, this is Toilet, target confirmed, no signs of leaving yet.”

… I really want to comment on the toilet and R/B/Q connection, but now is not the time for that. Maintaining restraint and silence is what a gentleman should do.

“Xiao Lěi, what is Old Feng doing now? Does he still have guests?”

“Xiao, Xiao Lěi?!”

Hearing me update her nickname, Zhao… Xiao Lěi responded almost like a scream, even without the earphones, I could barely hear it.

“Hush! Too loud, what if someone finds out… Besides, this is just a nickname format like Xiao Hai Tang, don’t get too excited.”

“Just being treated as a girl makes me feel a bit happy.”

From where I stand, I can still see her covering her face and twisting around…

Although this straightforward and honest personality is endearing, what will Zhao Zhao think of these words after transforming back?

“Cough, so what’s the situation?”

“Old Feng is sitting behind his stall, looks like he’s smoking, and there’s a table of guests eating… Ugh… Shit.”

Xiao Lěi suddenly swore and shrank back into the corner, looking nervous.

“Girls shouldn’t swear… Wait, why do I see you trembling?”

I couldn’t see Old Feng’s stall, so I wasn’t sure what she saw that scared her so much. Our village facilities are quite advanced, and under the streetlights, there shouldn’t be much to fear. Could it be a ghost story? There are indeed rumors about strange tales related to late-night food stalls…

Xiao Lěi looked like a startled deer, nervously glancing left and right, except she dared not look toward the stall.

“Chairman, let’s cancel tonight’s operation,” she suddenly conceded.

“There’s no problem with canceling… But you need to tell me what happened.”

She held one hand to the earphone and the other against the wall, slowly squatting down. Then, in the earphones, her voice mixed with panic came through.

“My mom… my mom and Wang Ma are eating late-night snacks at Old Feng’s… Since Old Feng isn’t cooking anymore, they should be finishing up. This is their way back, and if they find me, I might die.”

Why would I die? What kind of existence do you think your own mother is? Diablo?

It might be because Zhao Zhao isn’t coming home tonight that the former Empress Zhao Ma invited neighbors to socialize.

“Don’t be afraid, you’re not Zhao Zhao right now, you’re Xiao Lěi! They won’t recognize you. Even if you confessed to your mom, she wouldn’t believe you.” Having raised a son for years who suddenly turned into a daughter, this “raising children” thing is something no one would believe.

But Xiao Lěi clearly didn’t think so. Once bitten by a snake, ten years afraid of a rope, let alone being bitten by a “snake” for over a decade.

For more than ten years, he lived under the terrifying shadow of the former Empress Zhao Ma’s violent rule, becoming terrified of mothers. He developed Stockholm syndrome.

“Chairman, save me, my legs are weak!” Xiao Lěi cried out in a submissive manner. Oh no, such a pitiful and soft voice was somewhat cute.

I don’t know much about Zhao Zhao’s family situation. The few interactions with Zhao Ma didn’t leave a terrible impression. I always thought that despite her emphasis on martial prowess, Zhao Ma had decent values. Zhao Zhao usually got beaten up because of his own mistakes.

Zhao Zhao, who faced thugs with pride, would act like this in front of his mother.

I didn’t respond to Xiao Lěi’s plea. Instead, I asked, “Are you like this at home too?”

“At home, as long as I don’t make mistakes, everything is fine. My mom is reasonable.”

“So what mistake did you make now?”

“Now I’ve made the big mistake of being out past curfew in women’s clothing. If found, I might die!”

In the microphone, Xiao Lěi’s teeth chattered, producing a “click-click-click” sound. No good, this person’s mind is completely confused, unable to distinguish between being Xiao Lěi or Zhao Zhao.

“Staying hidden like this is pointless, you don’t know anything. Go check how far they’ve eaten.”

Hearing this, she gathered courage and peeked out from the wall… but then her neck shrank, and she started shaking again.

She whispered, almost crying, “They’re coming over! Chairman, save me, I can’t move!”

She stretched her hand towards me from the corner, hoping I’d pull her up. I scratched my head anxiously.

How do I save her? If I step forward, the chance of being recognized by Zhao Ma would be higher than Xiao Lěi. At least, Xiao Lěi and Zhao Zhao look very different.

But Xiao Lěi’s fearful appearance would surely attract attention if seen by Zhao Ma and company. Who knows what could happen next.

Caught between advancing and retreating, is this the White Gate Tower?

Though I couldn’t see them, I heard the loud laughter of Zhao Ma’s group approaching. I dashed out from my hiding spot towards Xiao Lěi’s corner.

“Don’t panic, stand up first!”

I rushed to Xiao Lěi’s side. It was too late to drag her away, especially since she was wearing Zhao Zhao’s oversized shoes, making it impossible to run. As Zhao Ma turned, I pulled her into my arms, wrapping my hands around her slender neck, facing her back to the road.

“Hold tight,” I whispered in her ear.

Her arm went under my armpit, gripping my back, her whole body pressing against mine, feeling the almost non-existent slight tremor.

Zhao Zhao, who was originally 1.9 meters tall, remained nearly the same height as me even as Xiao Lěi. Face-to-face, eye-to-eye, when the shampoo scent entered my nose, my heart raced again.

Xiao Lěi wasn’t much better. Her panicked expression was diluted by the embrace, replaced with infinite shyness, her beautiful big eyes clouded over, looking somewhat lost.

For a moment, it was an awkward staring contest.

But I lost the staring contest, involuntarily turning my head.

“Sorry, circumstances forced me. I couldn’t think of a better solution,” I dryly explained.

“I understand,” Xiao Lěi used one hand to adjust my head, forcing me to continue the staring game.

And her blushing face drew closer, as if she was about to kiss me…

I instinctively leaned back.

Finally, she pressed her forehead against mine, whispering, “Don’t move, my mom is coming.”

Behind us, the older ladies were chatting.

“Oh, how romantic young people are nowadays.”

“In our time, we didn’t have such good conditions to date.”

“This girl is so tall, she needs to find a taller boy.”

Being short is truly a disadvantage. What can I do? I’m also desperate.

“For example, Zhao Jie’s son would be suitable.”

“Oh, my son shouldn’t go out and ruin other girls.”

This must be Zhao Ma’s voice. I agree with this view, even Xiao Lěi nodded slightly… Talking about yourself, is that okay?

“Does that little boy look like Xiao Chang Kai?”

“It’s impossible, Xiao Chang Kai is playing with my son tonight.”

Sorry, Zhao Ma, although I appreciate you clearing me of suspicion, I’ve disappointed your expectations.

The ladies’ voices gradually faded away, and I sighed in relief.

“Alright, my mom and the others are gone. I feel like my heart is going to jump out.”

Xiao Lěi, leaning weakly on me, still had a blush that hadn’t fully faded, like a half-ripe peach.

“I was also extremely nervous. If it had been exposed, only I would have been recognized.”

“Chairman, thank you. Without you rushing over and holding me, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”

“Why be polite? My task tonight was to ensure your safety. And compared to the beatings you took for me during the day, this is nothing—”

“Peck~” Xiao Lěi suddenly stood straight and kissed me on the cheek unexpectedly.

“A reward for the loyal knight~ Or is it because I’m Zhao Zhao, so you don’t like me?” She winked playfully, her hands behind her back. I couldn’t associate this girl with Zhao Zhao, but in fact, she was my best friend.

Ah, what did Zhao Zhao look like again? Why can’t I remember?

“Rather than dislike, it’s more complicated.”

“Mm-hm, I understand… I can imagine how you feel now.” Xiao Lěi nodded. “More importantly, Chairman, can you keep that thing below steady? It’s been poking me in the leg ever since you hugged me… and it’s warm.”

“Hmm? Hmm!”

Sometime, Xiao Chang Kai NP 200%, already in supercharged state.