Chapter 113: The Assassin

Even Yang Jiekai, who usually paid little attention to entertainment news, knew about the talent show "China’s Best Songs."

The reason was simple: the show was incredibly popular, with advertisements flooding TV screens months in advance.

Its defining feature was that contestants had to perform their own original music—the lyrics and compositions had to be self-written. An influential figure in the Chinese entertainment industry predicted that whoever stood out in this show would undoubtedly become the brightest new star in the entertainment world, with an unlimited future ahead.

After over a month of nationwide auditions, thirty of the most talented contestants were finally selected. The grand finale would be held in Anhai City.

As the two chatted over their meal, Yang Jiekai’s phone suddenly rang again. Seeing it was Lin Wen calling, he answered.

“Brother Yang, it’s me. Are you busy the night after tomorrow?” Lin Wen asked shyly on the other end.

“Not at all, I’m free every day. What’s up?” Yang Jiekai liked Lin Wen’s innocent and adorable nature; he always felt relaxed when they were together.

Lin Wen said, “Well, Brother Yang, I made it to the finals of China’s Best Songs. The finals are the night after tomorrow. If you’re free, I’d like you to come watch me perform.”

“You’re participating too?” Yang Jiekai was momentarily surprised. He glanced at Liu Yan beside him and smiled, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely be there on time.”

“Thank you, Brother Yang! I heard Liu Yan’s going to be a judge this time. She’s my idol. Just thinking about meeting her these days has me so excited I can’t sleep,” Lin Wen gushed.

Yang Jiekai chuckled, “Don’t worry, I’ll bring you a mysterious gift then.”

“What gift?” Lin Wen asked curiously.

“You’ll see when the time comes. Anyway, I’m eating right now. I’ll definitely be there the night after tomorrow.”

After hanging up, Yang Jiekai smiled at Liu Yan. “I have a friend competing in the China’s Best Songs finals the night after tomorrow. She says you’re her idol. If you have time, can I arrange for her to have dinner with you?”

“Of course,” Liu Yan smiled. “What’s her name? I’ll take care of her.”

Yang Jiekai paused and decided not to reveal Lin Wen’s name. Having grown up in the battlefield of the entertainment industry, he knew that to stand out in this world, one must rely on true talent. If he let Liu Yan open a backdoor for Lin Wen, it might not be good for her in the long run.

They ate and chatted until the dishes before them were cleared.

Wiping her mouth with a napkin, Liu Yan said contentedly, “I’m full. Thanks for the meal—I really enjoyed it.”

“No big deal, but I’ll pay. I may not have your money, but I can afford this little expense. Besides, I can’t let a lady pick up the bill,” Yang Jiekai replied.

“Ha, alright, then I owe you a meal,” Liu Yan laughed, not pressing the matter further.

After dinner, Yang Jiekai drove Liu Yan to the hotel where she was staying and was about to drive home when her phone rang again.

“What now, beautiful? Didn’t you just finish eating? Planning to get me to treat you again?” Yang Jiekai teased as he answered.

Liu Yan was silent for a few seconds, then spoke calmly, “Nothing really. I just forgot to tell you earlier. You mentioned having a little brother in the talent show, right? Why don’t you come over now? We should talk about this properly.”

Yang Jiekai laughed softly, “Alright, I’m on my way. What’s your room number?”

After Liu Yan gave her room number and the call ended, Yang Jiekai’s smile vanished instantly, replaced by a cold, sharp smirk.

He turned the car around and sped toward the hotel.

He knew something was wrong. Liu Yan was smart; she deliberately said he had a little brother in the contest. Although he hadn’t told her Lin Wen’s name, she knew it was a girl. Referring to her as a brother was a subtle hint.

When he reached Liu Yan’s room, he knocked lightly. After a moment, Liu Yan, impeccably dressed, opened the door.

“Mr. Yang, you’re here,” she said, forcing an unnatural smile. Yang Jiekai’s suspicions deepened—she usually called him by name, never “Mr. Yang.”

“Not going to let me in?” Yang Jiekai asked with a warm smile.

Liu Yan hesitated, then mechanically stepped aside. Yang Jiekai entered, locked the door behind him, and suddenly scooped her into his arms.

“Ah!” Liu Yan shouted. “What are you doing?”

Yang Jiekai threw her onto the bed and pinned her down, whispering gently near her ear, “It’s late at night. You called me to your room. What do you think I want?”

Liu Yan was panicked and flustered, unsure whether he understood her hint or misunderstood her intentions, and didn’t know how to explain.

Yang Jiekai’s hand rested on her delicate crystal strap, slowly applying pressure, causing one strap to slip off her shoulder.

Just as Liu Yan closed her eyes, overwhelmed with anxiety, a gentle male voice sounded nearby: “Miss, doing this with you while someone’s watching isn’t exactly appropriate, is it?”

Liu Yan blinked in surprise, confused by the sudden remark.

Suddenly, Yang Jiekai sprang up, performing a backflip off the bed. He stormed toward the wardrobe, smashed it open, and pulled out the solid wood door along with the person hiding inside.

Bang!

Yang Jiekai landed a heavy punch on the man’s jaw, knocking him unconscious. Clapping his hands, he said, “Stop hiding. Come out, all of you—I’m too lazy to find you one by one.”

Suddenly, five or six burly men armed with guns burst out of the bathroom, their barrels aimed at Yang Jiekai.

Liu Yan screamed and quickly hid behind him.

“Yang Jiekai, today is your last day!” one of the men growled.

Yang Jiekai leisurely lit a cigarette and exhaled smoke. “I’ll give you one chance. Tell me who sent you, and maybe I’ll spare your lives.”

The men were stunned, thinking he must be out of his mind, oblivious to the danger.

“I’ll count to three. If you don’t speak, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Yang Jiekai slowly took a drag and exhaled smoke, then suddenly shouted, “Three!”

In their momentary distraction, Yang Jiekai flicked the cigarette butt from his fingers with deadly precision.

Pfft!

The smoldering ember struck one man squarely in the eye.

At the same time, Yang Jiekai moved like a shadow, grabbing the stunned man’s wrist, twisting the gun toward the others, and firing several shots.

The sound of shell casings hitting the floor echoed as the other men collapsed, each shot to the forehead leaving no chance of survival.

Yang Jiekai elbowed another attacker in the waist, causing him to double over in pain.

Grabbing him by the hair, Yang Jiekai raised his gun to the man’s forehead and said coldly, “Last chance. Who sent you?”

The man trembled violently. “Please don’t shoot! It was the Red Kid from the Southern Suburbs who hired us.”

“The Red Kid from the Southern Suburbs?” Yang Jiekai was taken aback. He never expected this person to send assassins after him. He had no conflicts with the Southern Suburbs’ faction, had never even met them.

Moreover, even though the Eastern Suburbs had been brazen lately, if anyone wanted to target him, they’d likely go after Long Xiaoman, not him, who had always played the subordinate role.

Pondering this, Yang Jiekai asked sternly, “Why do they want to get rid of me?”

The man shivered uncontrollably. “I don’t know. We were just paid to take care of your troubles. We followed you because Red Kid said you’re a strong fighter. That’s why we used this method to deal with you…”

Before the man could finish, Yang Jiekai pulled the trigger. The silenced gunshot was quiet but deadly.

The man collapsed, eyes wide open.

“Liu Yan, I need a favor.” Yang Jiekai tossed the gun aside and approached the still-shaken Liu Yan. “Listen carefully. Whatever happened today stays between us. I’ll have people clean up this mess like it never happened. Otherwise, it will cause serious trouble. I’m taking you somewhere safe.”

Liu Yan nodded mechanically. Yang Jiekai told her to pack up briefly and called Long Xiaoman to bring some people to handle the aftermath.

Just as Yang Jiekai was about to leave with Liu Yan, he suddenly stiffened and violently pushed her aside.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Several bullets pierced the solid wood door, flying dangerously close to Yang Jiekai’s face.

He dodged and returned fire a few times, then threw open the door. There was no one inside, but footsteps echoed in the hallway.

“Damn it!” Yang Jiekai cursed under his breath. “Who on earth have you pissed off, Liu Yan? Why are there killers everywhere trying to take your life?”

Liu Yan’s legs gave out; trembling with a tearful voice, she stammered, “I… I don’t know!”

Yang Jiekai was like a man on a hot pan—this was strange. Either no one came, or suddenly, all came at once.

The first wave of assassins was identified and eliminated, but these shots just now weren't aimed at him. Though the gunfight lasted only seconds, Yang Jiekai saw at once that the attackers were experts—otherwise, they wouldn’t have escaped so quickly.

That meant this second wave of assassins was targeting Liu Yan!