Chapter 241: Agent 10’s Confession
In the hospital corridor, Xu Zhonghao and Ren Zirui maintained their vigilant watch outside Li Xinjie’s room, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of trouble. Inside the room, Sun Lixia and Li Chen stood by Li Xinjie’s bedside, their expressions reflecting a mixture of relief and concern.
Li Xinjie, still recovering from his ordeal, expressed his gratitude to his brother. "Thank you, bro. I owe you my life," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.
Li Chen’s response was resolute. "I won’t let anyone harm you again. We’ll put an end to this once and for all."
Sun Lixia voiced her determination to take action against the organization. "We can’t afford to be passive. We need to act decisively and eliminate the threat."
Li Xinjie, however, urged caution. "Let’s wait until my brother’s wedding. The presence of so many people will deter any attempts on our lives."
Sun Lixia remained unconvinced. "But they might try something before then," she countered, her concern evident.
Li Chen nodded in agreement. "We’ll bolster security to ensure nothing goes wrong. If anyone dares to disrupt our special day, they’ll face the consequences."
With their resolve strengthened, they prepared to confront the challenges ahead, united in their determination to protect each other and put an end to the organization’s reign of terror.
After chatting with Li Xinjie, Sun Lixia and Ren Zirui left the hospital room, leaving Xu Zhonhao and Ren Zirui to stand guard. Sun Lixia turned to Ren Zirui and instructed firmly, "Make sure no one enters here, keep my boy safe."
Ren Zirui nodded solemnly. "Yes, ma’am," he replied, his expression determined.
Once they departed, Li Xinjie sighed wearily and closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the recent events bearing down on him. Suddenly, he sensed a subtle movement, a woosh of cold wind from the nearby window. Li Xinjie’s eyes snapped open, and he turned his head towards the source of the disturbance.
The curtain rustled, and Li Xinjie’s senses sharpened as he braced himself for a potential threat. "I know there is someone there," he stated firmly, his voice echoing in the quiet room.
From behind the curtain emerged a figure cloaked entirely in black, their features obscured by the dim light. Li Xinjie’s heart quickened, his instincts warning him of danger.
With a mixture of caution and authority, Li Xinjie demanded answers. "Who are you? What do you want?" he demanded, his voice betraying a hint of urgency.
The figure advanced slowly, their movements deliberate and calculated. Li Xinjie’s nerves were on edge as he awaited their response, his senses attuned to any sign of aggression.
In a voice tinged with menace, the figure spoke, their words sending a shiver down Li Xinjie’s spine. "You know who I am, Li Xinjie," they stated ominously, their presence casting a shadow over the room.
Li Xinjie’s mind raced as he struggled to identify the mysterious intruder. Before he could formulate a response, the figure vanished into the darkness, leaving Li Xinjie to ponder the unsettling encounter alone.
Alone once more, Li Xinjie’s thoughts whirled as he grappled with the implications of the encounter. With uncertainty looming on the horizon, he resolved to remain vigilant, prepared to confront whatever challenges lay ahead in his quest to protect his family.
Li Xinjie’s muscles tensed as he listened to the man’s words, his mind racing with the implications of the situation. "You are sent by the organization, right?" he questioned, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.
The man nodded slowly, his expression conflicted. "Yes, but..." he trailed off, his gaze shifting uneasily.
A surge of apprehension washed over Li Xinjie as the man’s words hung in the air. "I know you don’t know me, but I know you... Agent 17," the man confessed, his tone tinged with a hint of familiarity.
Li Xinjie’s fists clenched instinctively at the mention of his former identity, his gaze darting towards the door as if contemplating escape. "And who might you be?" he demanded, his voice edged with caution.
The man flashed a disarming smile, his demeanor shifting unexpectedly. "Agent 10," he declared, settling into a chair with an air of casual confidence.
Li Xinjie’s mind raced as he processed the revelation, a sense of dread creeping over him. He knew he was no match for Agent 10 in his current state, and the realization filled him with a gnawing sense of vulnerability.
Agent 10’s words took on a cryptic tone as he continued, his gaze lingering on Li Xinjie with unsettling intensity. "I always knew there was a beautiful face behind that mask," he remarked, his voice laced with intrigue.
Li Xinjie’s confusion deepened at the unexpected compliment, his guard momentarily lowered by the enigmatic stranger’s words. "Is that so?" he replied cautiously, unsure of Agent 10’s intentions.
Agent 10’s smile widened, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes as he leaned closer. "Yes," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, leaving Li Xinjie to grapple with the unsettling implications of their encounter.
Agent 10 took a deep breath, steeling himself for the vulnerability of his confession. "Li Xinjie," he began, his voice steady but tinged with emotion, "there’s something I need to tell you. Something I’ve kept hidden for far too long."
Li Xinjie, seated on the edge of the hospital bed, turned to face him, his expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "Go on," he urged, his tone cautious yet receptive.
"I’ve spent years concealing this part of myself," Agent 10 continued, his gaze unwavering as he locked eyes with Li Xinjie. "But I can’t keep pretending any longer. Not when... not when it concerns you."
Li Xinjie’s brow furrowed in confusion, his mind racing to grasp the significance of Agent 10’s words. "What do you mean?" he pressed, his voice barely above a whisper.
Agent 10 exhaled softly, gathering his courage as he prepared to lay bare his deepest truth. "I... I’ve always felt something for you, Li Xinjie," he confessed, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "More than just professional respect or camaraderie. Something... deeper."
Li Xinjie’s eyes widened in surprise, his heart quickening at the unexpected revelation. "Agent 10..." he murmured, his thoughts spinning as he struggled to process the magnitude of his colleague’s confession.
"I know this is sudden," Agent 10 continued, his tone earnest, "and I understand if you need time to process. But I couldn’t bear to keep this hidden any longer. Not when... not when it might be too late."
Silence hung heavy in the air as Li Xinjie grappled with the weight of Agent 10’s words. Caught off guard by the depth of emotion laid bare before him, he found himself at a loss for words, his mind awash with a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
Agent 10’s words lingered in the air, heavy with the weight of his feelings. "I know I may not offer the same protection as your family," he admitted, "but my love for you knows no bounds."
Li Xinjie sighed, grappling with the flood of emotions and the unfamiliar territory of Agent 10’s confession. "But... I’m not gay," he murmured, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Agent 10 gently pressed on, his gaze searching. "Are you certain?" he asked softly. "Have you ever explored that side of yourself, even in the quiet recesses of your mind?"
Li Xinjie faltered, his thoughts racing as he grappled with Agent 10’s probing question. The notion of exploring his sexuality in such a manner had never crossed his mind, leaving him tongue-tied in the face of Agent 10’s earnest inquiry.
Agent 10 stood up abruptly, his movements filled with a sense of urgency. He reached for a piece of paper, swiftly jotting down a string of numbers that held the promise of a new beginning. With a determined expression, he extended the paper towards Li Xinjie, his eyes pleading for understanding.
"Here is my number. I hope you will call me when you have thought about it."
Li Xinjie’s gaze flickered between Agent 10 and the offered paper, uncertainty clouding his features.
"I... I don’t know what to say."
The weight of Agent 10’s confession hung heavy in the air, mingling with the tension of the moment.
"I won’t let them kill you... But I don’t know how long I can protect you if you don’t give me a clear answer."
Taking the paper tentatively, Li Xinjie felt the weight of the decision resting in his palm. The offer of escape or alliance, intertwined with the revelation of hidden desires, left him reeling with conflicting emotions.
Agent 10’s presence, both compelling and unsettling, lingered in the room as he spoke of protection and love.
Agent 10 stood next to the window, his silhouette outlined against the night sky, a symbol of both freedom and danger.
"Agent 11 has been watching you... What your brother did with Agent 3, that was ruthless."
Li Xinjie was still processing the whirlwind of emotions when Agent 10 leaped out of the window, disappearing into the darkness.
In the quiet of the hospital room, Li Xinjie was left to confront the weight of his choices and the tumultuous path that lay ahead.
