"Good job."

The return trip was eerily quiet. Claudia congratulated Ouyang but got no reply.

Behind UV sunglasses, Claudia caught Ouyang’s face in the rearview mirror—a carefully calm mask hiding a trace of sadness, like a sulking teen after a lovers’ quarrel.

When Claudia dropped Ouyang off, she’d fully expected failure.

From the moment she assigned this task, Claudia had braced for Ouyang’s inability to complete the training.

Since the operation began, Claudia had stayed fully armed at Xiaomo, ready to rescue her.

Surprisingly, the good news came from two maids claiming to be No. 1 and No. 3, escaped from the castle.

The wine they carried brought Claudia unprecedented relief.

It was happy news, yet seeing Ouyang’s gloomy face, Claudia narrowed her eyes slightly. Could this guy have... in just three days...?

Blunt as always, Claudia asked directly:

"Are you in love?"

"Huh?"

Ouyang’s face flashed surprise and tension for a second before she masked it with cold anger. "No way."

Like a first-time lover, her icy expression betrayed a hint of awkwardness—an amusing sight.

Smelling gossip, Claudia smirked, eyes curious:

"Boy or girl? One of those castle maids?"

"Cut it out."

Ouyang turned away, glaring out the window in frustration. "I told you, I don’t have anyone."

Seeing Ouyang shut down—even prying her fangs out wouldn’t yield answers—Claudia snorted dismissively. She warned seriously:

"Hmph... You’ve been distracted since leaving the castle. Don’t show that face to Brother Long later."

Claudia exhaled silently, her expression turning serious as she stared ahead, lost in thought.

The mission succeeded too smoothly—suspiciously so.

Claudia’s search of the entire castle found no bodies of the Anderson brothers. It didn’t look like Ouyang’s solo work.

This raised strong suspicions in Claudia, a veteran assassin. Her gut whispered: someone secretly helped Ouyang eliminate them.

Glancing covertly at the silent Ouyang in the back seat, Claudia couldn’t guess the helper’s identity.

Xinglong Xiang had entrusted Ouyang to her to forge a hidden weapon within Xiaomo.

For an assassin, masking emotions was key.

Claudia sighed inwardly. Looks like our little assassin isn’t so cold after all.

At Xiaomo’s parking lot, Ouyang headed straight to Brother Long’s office.

"Brother Long, I’m back."

Clearing her mind of thoughts and questions, Ouyang gently knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Hearing his familiar, warm voice, she entered to find Brother Long’s excited face. He pulled her into a tight hug.

"Ouyang... I’m glad you’re safe."

His voice carried worry from the mission. Seeing her unharmed, he finally relaxed.

Brother Long’s hug felt utterly different from that guy’s touch.

Her body still held a lingering attachment to that moment.

She’d decided to burn away everything from the castle with that fire.

Remembering Claudia’s warning, Ouyang suppressed her tangled feelings. Suddenly, Brother Long praised:

"This operation was outstanding. You’ve truly impressed me."

Releasing her, he patted her shoulder lightly. His gaze was firm, full of future hope.

"The goal is achieved, but I have one question."

No one dared lie to Brother Long.

Ouyang tensely met his stern, icy stare.

"Where are the Anderson bodies?"

"I... don’t know."

Ouyang had searched every room and corner—no bodies, not even the heads and ropes hanging above the gate.

"Ouyang, remember this."

Brother Long’s hand on her shoulder suddenly felt heavy.

"Cut the grass, pull the roots. Mosterians are eternal enemies—they hurt you. Not one must escape. Eliminate them all."

Ouyang knew well: never show kindness to Mosterians.

"Understood, Brother Long."

"First test: 75 points. Second test, first half: 85 points. Progress. Pass all three tests, and the Rabbit position is yours."

"Thank you, Brother Long."

"You’re welcome. This is your earned reward."

Seeing his expectant face, Ouyang forced a smile.

The coveted Twelve Officers spot, once her dream, now filled her with desire and fear.

"Rest well first. For the second half of the test..."

At "second half," Ouyang recalled the remaining Catgirl outfit. Panic surged. She instinctively covered her backside—just imagining a tail inserted there made her shudder.

"Let’s put it on hold for now."

Ouyang breathed an inner sigh of relief. She’d dodged that bullet.

Brother Long coughed seriously, his gaze anxious. "There’s something I must entrust to you personally."

"What is it?"

Standing high above, both gazed at the peaceful Northern District cityscape. Brother Long, brow furrowed, spoke earnestly:

"Lately, the Northern District has been unstable. I need you to protect Little Qiu for me."