Chapter Sixty-Six: The Magpie's Nest, the Cuckoo's Occupation

Chen Yuxin found herself struggling to keep up with Liu Jingye’s unpredictable train of thought. Just moments ago, he was speaking with such fervor, and suddenly, the conversation shifted to matters of profit.

“I’ll pay you to help me. Name your price,” Chen Yuxin said.

“I’m really risking my life here. How much do you think is appropriate?” Liu Jingye replied, throwing the question back at her.

Chen Yuxin was momentarily speechless. After thinking it over, she asked, “Then what do you want?”

Liu Jingye scratched his head. “For a job that risks my life, the best deal is life for life.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, my parents are waiting for a grandchild. If something happens to me, the family line will be cut off.” Liu Jingye said, “Since you want me to gamble with my life, give my family a new life first. Then I can go all in!”

“You want me to have your child?” Chen Yuxin asked, stunned.

“A daughter would be fine, too.”

“I’m infertile.”

“Specializing in infertility for thirty years, find Lanxiang in the East of the Empire,” Liu Jingye quoted with a grin.

Chen Yuxin gave a wry smile. “What nonsense is this? Quit joking around and get me something to eat, and pour me a glass of water while you’re at it.”

“Hey, you really don’t treat yourself as an outsider.” The scene felt so familiar, like the trick Yuan Xiaoying had just used. Liu Jingye pointed at the fridge. “There’s Nongfu Spring, Tuan Tuan Yuan Yuan Daliyuan cakes, Master Kong iced tea—help yourself if you’re hungry.”

“I think you should eat more, just to shut you up.” Chen Yuxin shot him a glance and went to the fridge to find something to eat.

Just as Chen Yuxin finished eating, Liu Jingye’s phone rang again. It was his mother calling. As soon as he answered, she said, “Give the phone to Yuxin. I want to talk to her…”

Liu Jingye was at a loss for words. His mother really had forgotten all about him now that she had a daughter-in-law.

Chen Yuxin was adept at conversation and even better at winning over elders. The two women chatted away, covering topics from all over, their casual banter lively and warm. It felt nothing like a conversation between strangers who had never met; instead, it resembled a long-awaited reunion between mother and daughter.

Clearly, if Liu Jingye didn’t help Chen Yuxin, even his parents would be against him. If anything happened to Chen Yuxin and his parents returned to find her gone, he wouldn’t be able to explain.

Helping her was one thing, but Liu Jingye genuinely wanted to act. He didn’t see himself as some dark judge or as a vigilante. Years of military education had instilled in him the belief that the nation’s interests came above all else, and the vow to protect the country and its people was deeply imprinted in his heart.

Thus, he felt it his duty to rid the country of those who threatened its well-being.

The two women chatted for a long time, with Liu Jingye’s mother reminding Chen Yuxin that there were new bedding sets in the wardrobe—don’t use the hotel’s, theirs were the cleanest. She also told her that there were brand-new toiletries in the bathroom cabinet, so not to hesitate.

When Chen Yuxin excitedly took out the new bedding, both she and Liu Jingye were stunned. It was a bright red double set, meant for a wedding chamber, which left Chen Yuxin blushing with embarrassment.

Liu Jingye felt awkward as well and quickly changed the subject. “Since we have some time, introduce me to that secretary-general.”

Hearing business mentioned, Chen Yuxin composed herself. The two sat facing each other as she analyzed, “His name is Zhao Xue’an, fifty years old. He rose through the ranks from the grassroots, was the leader of Ningyuan County under our city’s jurisdiction, and was transferred to be secretary-general due to outstanding achievements. He’s performed well for several years and is the frontrunner for the next top position.

I’ve investigated him secretly for a while, but found nothing substantial. He apparently had a mistress, with whom his relationship was ambiguous, but she later married a wealthy heir. His wife often appears at various social events with a certain businessman. Once, his home was burglarized—the losses weren’t large. Another time, late at night, he was hospitalized for a period due to taking the wrong medication.”

Liu Jingye rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Let me sum it up: mistress stolen, wife seduced, illicit funds pilfered, Viagra failed!”

Chen Yuxin burst out laughing. “That’s about right, but nothing truly decisive.”

“While capturing the king first is the most effective strategy, we’re not yet able to reach that level,” Liu Jingye said, cigarette in mouth, smoke swirling around him, making him appear distant. “The most pressing issue now is your safety. The bomber is likely someone with military training and skilled with explosives—a close assassin for the big boss.

So, our best move is to draw him out. That way, we neutralize the threat to you and maybe get a clue about the big boss from him.”

Liu Jingye laid out the situation rationally, and Chen Yuxin agreed it made sense. “But the problem is, how do we lure him out?”

“You!” Liu Jingye said bluntly. “The explosion just now made it clear—they want you dead. As long as you’re alive, they won’t stop. So, you can publish more articles or reports implicating the secretary-general—not through official channels, but on forums and message boards. The big boss, feeling the heat, will likely strike more aggressively, giving us a chance.”

“You want me to be bait?” Chen Yuxin exclaimed.

“It’s clearly the only viable option,” Liu Jingye replied helplessly.

“Let me think about it.” Chen Yuxin felt nervous. Though she possessed the honor and conviction of a professional journalist, this was a matter of life and death—she needed to consider carefully.

“Time waits for no one,” Liu Jingye said lightly. The more casual he sounded, the harder it was for Chen Yuxin to decide.

Finally, she gritted her teeth and said, “I’ve already offended him. Sooner or later, he’ll retaliate. Might as well go for broke—it’s either him or me. But I believe evil can never defeat justice, right?”

Chen Yuxin wasn’t entirely sure herself, placing all her hopes in Liu Jingye.

Liu Jingye stood and stretched. “Since you’ve decided, don’t overthink the future. Do your best, and leave life and death to fate.”

“That’s awfully irresponsible. Hey, do you even have confidence?” Chen Yuxin’s anxiety returned.

Liu Jingye ignored her and began making the bed with the bright red wedding quilt his mother had saved for his marriage.

“This is what your mother gave me to use,” Chen Yuxin said.

“Didn’t you notice it’s for two? It’s meant for a double bed, and mine is the only double bed in this hotel.”

“You scoundrel!” Chen Yuxin squinted at him. “No matter how nonchalant you act, you can’t hide your intention to take advantage of me.”

“Then stop resisting.” Liu Jingye smiled. “No matter how reserved or strong you act, you can’t escape the fate of eventually being conquered by a man!”

The two bantered back and forth, with Chen Yuxin always keeping the upper hand, her witty remarks leaving Liu Jingye at a loss for words.

Though it seemed like bickering, it was helping Chen Yuxin regain her confidence. She was naturally strong-willed and competitive; the explosion had left her shaken, but now she was regaining her composure.

As Liu Jingye was about to climb into bed, Chen Yuxin pulled him out. “Don’t even try it.”

“You’re mistaken.” Liu Jingye smiled sincerely. “I’m not trying to take advantage—it's just that you’re in great danger now. The mysterious bomber could be lurking nearby. I just want to protect you closely.”

“Closely or intimately?” Chen Yuxin squinted, as if seeing through him with X-ray eyes.

Liu Jingye scratched his head, retreating to advance. “All right, I’ll go!”

He turned to leave, and Chen Yuxin got under the covers. Weighing risks, she still felt uneasy about the daytime explosion and quickly called out, “Don’t go… but you can’t share my bed.”

She threw down the pillow and the original bedding. “Sleep on the floor!”

Of course, Liu Jingye wouldn’t give in. Just then, Chen Yuxin grabbed the phone and called Liu Jingye’s mother, starting with, “Auntie, Liu Jingye is bullying me…”

Oh dear… Liu Jingye felt goosebumps all over. It sounded like lovers’ playful banter, or a future daughter-in-law whining to her soon-to-be mother-in-law.

He hurriedly grabbed the bedding and spread it on the floor. Even though he could sleep on the sofa, he chose the floor, afraid of what she might say next. He feared nothing but his mother’s loving nagging.

It was still early—not nearly bedtime. But with a single man and woman alone in a room, there was nothing to talk about beyond anti-corruption; anything else would become ambiguous.

So, Chen Yuxin got into bed, Liu Jingye settled on the floor, behaving himself. Chen Yuxin hugged her computer in bed, apparently playing games, but ready at any moment to call his mother.

“She’s even tougher than Yuan Xiaoying!” Liu Jingye sighed. Yuan Xiaoying had chosen him randomly; but Chen Yuxin was methodical, calculating every step. As a journalist, she had her own footage, so tracking him down was easy. But he hadn’t expected her to trace things all the way to his second aunt and use a blind date as an excuse to stick around.

Liu Jingye squinted, full of mixed feelings. Women these days were truly hard to understand.

At the same time, he pondered the bomber’s situation. Clearly, the killer was skilled at using explosives, adept at setting traps with them. In urban combat, such a person could be extremely effective. Judging by his methods, he must have seen real fighting—truly troublesome.

“Hey, are you asleep?” Just then, Chen Yuxin called from the bed.

Liu Jingye was startled. “What, feeling remorseful after taking over the nest? Want me to join you?”

“Don’t even dream about it.” Chen Yuxin replied irritably, “I can’t sleep. If you’re still awake, turn on the TV—I want to watch the news.”