Chapter 115: Luring the Tiger from Its Lair

Liu Yan was startled by those words, barely managing to say anything before the other party abruptly ended the call.

Shortly after, Yang Jiekai knocked and entered the room, causing Liu Yan to immediately clutch a pillow to her chest, fearful that he might do something rash.

Seeing her reaction, Yang Jiekai chuckled, “Where are your thoughts wandering? Tonight, you sleep in the bed; I’ll take the sofa.”

Only then did Liu Yan breathe a sigh of relief, feeling a twinge of shame for her earlier suspicions. He had come with good intentions to protect her, yet she had doubted him like a villain.

Yang Jiekai reclined comfortably on the sofa, hands behind his head, and looked at Liu Yan, who was dressed in a simple nightgown. “Just rest easy. With me here, not a single mosquito will dare bite you tonight.”

After everything that had happened these past few days, Liu Yan’s heart was uneasy. Yet for some reason, seeing the man lying on the sofa filled her with an unshakable sense of security—as if no matter how the world collapsed, she would not be afraid. Soon, she fell into a deep sleep.

Not long after Liu Yan drifted off, faint footsteps sounded outside. Yang Jiekai shifted on the sofa, ears perked. A subtle chill flashed in his eyes.

It seemed that Zhou Kai had really gone all out this time; the assassin sent was finally somewhat formidable.

Thinking this, Yang Jiekai slid off the sofa like a snake and swiftly moved toward the door with an uncanny agility.

The footsteps halted outside the door, then, through some unknown method, the locked door creaked open.

In that instant, Yang Jiekai lunged forward and delivered a heavy punch.

The opponent reacted quickly, blocking with one hand while swinging a tricky uppercut toward Yang Jiekai’s jaw with the other.

After exchanging three moves, the assassin realized continuing this fight meant certain defeat and turned to flee.

Yang Jiekai gave chase. The assassin was not only skilled with his hands but also incredibly fast. Yang Jiekai pursued him from the third floor up to the fifth, finally cornering him in the stairwell.

“Who are you?” the man asked sternly, knowing escape was impossible.

Yang Jiekai rubbed his nose. “I’m Miss Liu Yan’s bodyguard. Be smart and go do your own business, or I’ll have to take action.”

The man sneered. “The mission is complete. Why would I kill myself?”

Yang Jiekai froze. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

This was bad—he had been tricked, lured away from the real threat!

He hadn’t expected that the assassin Zhou Kai hired was not acting alone but was part of an organization.

They must have known beforehand that Liu Yan had a bodyguard in her room and used this ploy to draw him out.

It wasn’t that Yang Jiekai was unintelligent; ordinarily, such a trick wouldn’t fool him. But having spent so long in Huaxia without a worthy opponent, he had grown complacent.

“Die!” This time, Yang Jiekai struck without holding back, pouncing like a leopard and delivering a fierce kick to the man’s chest.

The assassin crossed his arms to block, but Yang Jiekai’s powerful kick shattered both arms and crushed his sternum. Without a sound, the man collapsed lifelessly to the floor.

Yang Jiekai sprinted downstairs at a near-unnatural speed, arriving at the room doorway in a single bound. He saw Liu Yan lying peacefully in bed, her chest rising and falling gently, fast asleep.

He was immediately puzzled. What was going on?

At that moment, a lazy voice came from the windowsill. “Long Jie sent me.”

Yang Jiekai looked up and couldn’t help but smile wryly. “How did she know?”

The figure sitting on the windowsill was none other than Old Stick, a man of unknown strength, always with drooping eyelids and the perpetual look of a heavy smoker. He said weakly, “That, I don’t know. You’ll have to ask her.”

Yang Jiekai exhaled in relief, pulled out a cigarette, and tossed it to Old Stick. “Is everything settled?”

Old Stick didn’t answer, lighting the cigarette slowly before leaping from the windowsill and vanishing.

Yang Jiekai shrugged helplessly. Though Old Stick said nothing, his presence assured him there were no more assassins lurking.

Yang Jiekai had never fully understood Old Stick. Not only was his origin a mystery, but his fighting style was untraceable to any known sect. Despite few direct confrontations, Yang Jiekai could never gauge Old Stick’s true strength.

To him, Old Stick was an enigma.

Yet Yang Jiekai never intended to pry or investigate. Everyone had secrets, just like himself—he didn’t want anyone to know where he came from.

They were brothers and respected each other’s boundaries. If one didn’t want to share, the other wouldn’t ask.

Though their time together was short, Yang Jiekai knew without doubt that if he were in danger, Old Stick would shield him without hesitation.

After the crisis passed, Yang Jiekai called Long Xiaoman, asking her to quickly send someone to handle the corpse on the fifth floor and to inquire how she had known about the situation and secretly sent Old Stick for protection.

Long Xiaoman’s reply was simple: “You’re my man. How could I not know what you’re up to?”

After hanging up, Yang Jiekai smiled wryly, thinking how strange women could be.

The next morning, Liu Yan woke early, unaware of the night’s ordeal. Seeing Yang Jiekai still sound asleep on the sofa, she felt a pang of guilt.

Just as she moved to cover him with a blanket, Yang Jiekai awoke.

“Good morning, beautiful. How did you sleep last night?” he asked with a smile.

Liu Yan nodded. “With you protecting me, of course I slept soundly. By the way, nothing happened last night, did it?”

Yang Jiekai rubbed his nose, deciding not to tell her about the previous night’s events. Instead, he said, “By the way, how do you plan to deal with your ex-boyfriend in tonight’s final?”

Liu Yan sighed deeply. “Whatever happens, happens. If he performs well tonight, I’ll light up for him just the same. That’s professional ethics.”

Yang Jiekai shrugged. “Alright then, I’ve got things to take care of. You focus on your own business. After you’re done tonight, let’s have dinner—I’m treating.”

Turning to leave, he was stopped by Liu Yan’s call.

“Wait.”

“What is it?” he asked, turning around.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to look after your friend who’s competing tonight?” Liu Yan asked with a teasing smile.

Yang Jiekai paused, then laughed. “You just mentioned professional ethics. Don’t worry, I trust her abilities.”

After leaving the hotel, Yang Jiekai drove to the eastern suburbs and found Gongsun Tiedan gambling with Qin Feng. Without a word, he slapped Gongsun Tiedan on the head. “Damn it, you’re such a blabbermouth! How can you spill everything?”

At that moment, Yang Jiekai realized why Long Xiaoman had known—it must have been Gongsun Tiedan who told her, since he’d mentioned it when he was stealing the computer.

Gongsun Tiedan grinned slyly. “Long Jie said from now on, anything involving you has to be reported to her immediately.”

“Damn!” Yang Jiekai cursed. “Are you my man or hers? Why are your elbows sticking out?”

“What do you mean, elbows sticking out?”

Just then, Long Xiaoman arrived, dressed in a tailored black trench coat. She smiled at Yang Jiekai. “Weren’t you the one who told them to join the Dragon Hall? If there’s anything related to me, they have to report it.”

“Then what does that make me?” Yang Jiekai asked, feeling wronged.

Long Xiaoman shot him a glance. “Who told you not to join the Dragon Hall? You’re an outsider now. Go play somewhere else. I’m having a meeting with my Dragon Hall brothers.”

Yang Jiekai looked at Old Stick and Qin Feng, who remained silent but wore knowing smiles, making him feel even more wronged.

That evening, the Huaxia Singing Competition final was held as scheduled. Just before it began, Yang Jiekai called Lin Wen.

He had intended to offer some words of encouragement, but hearing Lin Wen’s confident voice, he swallowed his worries.

Though she usually appeared delicate, Lin Wen was fiercely determined for this competition.

“Don’t worry, Brother Yang. Tonight, I’ll perform my best. I believe in my abilities!”

“Good. I believe in you. I’ll be applauding for you in the audience.”

The Huaxia Singing Competition was renowned for requiring all contestants to perform original songs—lyrics, composition, and arrangement all their own. This set a high bar for participants.

Since its debut last year, the show had quickly become a sensation throughout Huaxia, heralded as the greatest star-making platform in the industry. Those who stood out in the competition saw limitless futures.

As Yang Jiekai sat in the audience, the show’s opening captivated him.

These finalists, having emerged from fierce competition, truly possessed remarkable talent. Their singing and songwriting rivaled even the most celebrated stars.

When the host announced the next contestant was Zhou Kai, Yang Jiekai’s interest peaked. Zhou Kai appeared pale and scholarly, polite and gentlemanly on stage.

But looking at him, Yang Jiekai sneered inwardly. Who knew what a venomous heart lurked beneath that facade?

Though Zhou Kai had gained some fame in Huaxia over the years, setting aside his character flaws, his music did have distinctive qualities. After his performance, several judges—including Liu Yan—gave him high scores. Liu Yan had been right; personal grudges aside, she upheld her professional ethics.

“Next, please welcome contestant Lin Wen!” the host announced loudly after Zhou Kai left the stage.