Chapter 1296: Chapter One Thousand Two Hundred Seventy-Nine: Intelligence Officer

Gao Yang immediately averted his gaze. He felt it was improper to stare at a nude portrait of a woman, especially when the woman was sitting right next to him. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Eileen, however, looked on with admiration and said, "It’s so beautiful, truly stunning."

Christina smiled and said, "You’re Yake’s friend. If you want, I can paint a portrait for you."

Eileen exclaimed excitedly, "Really? That’s wonderful! How long will it take?"

Gao Yang, Number Thirteen, and Yake all coughed simultaneously. After the fit of coughing ended, Yake waved his hand and said in a low voice, "Christina, I’m leaving."

Christina’s face instantly turned pale, as white as a sheet.

She released Yake’s hand, picked up the cup in front of her, took a sip, and said, flustered, "Oh no, it’s so bitter! The coffee is too strong. I’ll go get some sugar."

Instead of taking sugar from the small dish on the table, which was right in front of her, Christina stood up, walked to the cabinet, grabbed a container of sugar cubes, and then turned around, speaking nonchalantly to Yake, "You’re leaving? How long will you be gone this time?"

After setting the large container of sugar cubes on the table, Christina didn’t sit back down. However, the hands she rested on the table clenched tightly, her knuckles turning white.

Yake suddenly looked irritated. He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, slapped it onto the table, and pushed it toward Christina, saying loudly, "Take it."

Christina picked up the paper and, trembling, unfolded it. In a shaky voice, she asked, "What’s this?"

Yake took a sip of coffee and said impatiently, "It’s ten million dollars. The password is your name. Call the number on it, say the password, and you can transfer money to any bank account you want. Deposit it into your personal account and withdraw the funds. Remember, transfer small amounts each time; large sums will draw attention. If I have time, I’ll transfer all the money in this account to your personal account in a way that avoids taxes. Maybe. If I do, I’ll let you know."

Christina forced a smile and said, "Okay, I’ll keep it for you. No rush. You can handle it yourself when you come back. I don’t know much about these things."

Yake suddenly snapped, "What do you mean keep it for me? Did I ever say it wasn’t yours?"

Gao Yang picked up his coffee and took a sip. It was bitter, unpleasant, yet oddly satisfying. He held onto the cup, savoring it diligently.

Christina froze, her face turning even paler, completely devoid of color. After Yake’s outburst, she sat down, looking helpless, and said cautiously, "Darling, I’m sorry."

Yake shouted angrily, "Why are you apologizing? Why are you apologizing to me? Don’t you understand? I’m not coming back! I said I’m leaving, and the money I’m giving you is just so I can cut ties with you cleanly. Isn’t ten million enough? Not enough? How much do you want? Say it! How much do you want!"

Christina bit her lip tightly. Then, she suddenly turned her head and said, "Darling, I’m sorry. You don’t have to do this. If you’re leaving, then just go. I’ll wait for you to come back. It’s okay. I can be alone; I’ll wait for you. Just give me a call when you’re back. Or... I’m sorry, if it’s inconvenient, you don’t need to call me. Really, I’ll be fine. I have no problem at all."

Yake shot her a look of utter disdain and said coldly, "I’m not coming back. You should understand that. You’re just one of countless women in my life. Don’t overthink it. That’s all."

Tears began streaming down Christina’s face. She murmured, "But your painting isn’t finished yet."

Yake stood up and said firmly, "Let that painting go to hell. I hate paintings the most. Ever since my father forced me to paint as a kid, I’ve despised it."

After speaking, Yake turned to Gao Yang and said, "Are you not leaving? Do you really want to finish that awful coffee before we go?"

Eileen started to say something but shrugged her shoulders instead, eventually standing up to follow. Gao Yang could only awkwardly set his cup down.

Gao Yang wanted to say something, but this was Yake’s personal matter. No matter what choice Yake made, Gao Yang had to respect it and had no right to object.

Number Thirteen shrugged and said helplessly, "People blinded by love, sigh. Let’s go."

Yake strode away. As he reached the restaurant door, Christina suddenly shouted, "Wait!"

Yake stopped and said irritably, "What now?"

"Do you truly love me?"

Watching Christina trembling all over, Yake replied impatiently, "I’ve said it before—you’re just one of many women in my life. Is that answer clear enough for you?"

Christina grabbed the piece of paper representing ten million dollars, crumpled it in her hands, and suddenly hurled it at Yake, screaming at the top of her lungs, "Get out! Take your money and get out of my house! Leave with your friends! Get out of my house right now!"

Yake didn’t even glance at the crumpled paper flung toward him. He turned and walked out, while Number Thirteen muttered in frustration, "Blinded by love, foolish idiot. You couldn’t have handled it differently? Do you realize how awkward this is for the rest of us?"

Hearing Number Thirteen’s words, Yake snapped angrily, "Shut up, you idiot!"

Gao Yang wasn’t sure what Yake was thinking. He gave Christina an awkward smile and quickly followed Number Thirteen, stepping briskly down the stairs.

As Gao Yang descended, he heard sounds of shattering cups from the restaurant above. Christina rushed out, tore the crumpled paper into shreds, and shouted, "Get out! Leave now!"

Yake said nothing. He moved to the entrance, opened the inner glass door, and then pulled up the outer rolling gate, motioning for Gao Yang and the others to hurry up and leave.

After they left, Yake pulled the rolling gate down from the outside. Just as the four were about to leave, items began raining down from the upstairs windows. First came an oil painting, which depicted Number Thirteen, followed by a painting frame, brushes, and a palette.

Gao Yang and Eileen watched helplessly as Christina threw things out the window. Number Thirteen murmured to himself, "Wait up, I need to grab my portrait."

Finally, Christina raised Yake’s unfinished portrait. After several attempts to throw it, she ended up clutching it to her chest, crying and shouting, "Yake, I’m sorry! Don’t abandon me..."

Yake coldly turned and left.

Number Thirteen shook his head and said, "Ridiculous. Women hopelessly trapped in love, men deluded into thinking they’ve found solutions. Will it solve anything? Of course not. But they keep doing it anyway. Why? Because they’ve lost their minds."

Number Thirteen muttered philosophically, and as he watched Yake’s figure retreat into the distance, Christina broke into sobs, holding her oil painting and crying uncontrollably. Number Thirteen picked up his portrait from beneath the window and slowly walked toward Gao Yang and the others.

He shoved the oil painting into Gao Yang’s hands, looking irritated, and said, "Let’s go. How long are you planning to watch this cliché farewell scene? Mate, I’m still hurt—doesn’t anyone plan to help me out here?"

Gao Yang held the oil painting in one hand and supported Number Thirteen with the other. He sighed and said, "Matters of the heart—such a headache."

Number Thirteen walked slowly, so the three of them moved at a sluggish pace. Meanwhile, Christina’s sobs echoed down the street, lingering even as the group turned the corner.

Around the corner, Yake leaned alone against the wall, irritated. "You guys are walking too slow."

Gao Yang complained bitterly, "F**k! What the hell are you doing? You didn’t say you’d leave like this! What kind of twisted ideas are you thinking? Can’t you be a little more creative?"

Yake exhaled and said, "I acted impulsively, that’s all."

Number Thirteen said mockingly, "A British gentleman, your methods are outdated and ineffective."

Yake exhaled again, pointed toward Christina’s location, and said to Gao Yang, "Actually, I regret it. If you tell me you don’t need me right now, I’d go back and comfort her, then stay here for good. Would you let me? If you can’t find someone better than me, then keep quiet."

Gao Yang replied decisively, "Fine, go back. I don’t need you. I’d rather look for another intelligence officer than watch a woman cry this miserably."

Yake hesitated for a moment, then said, "What’s wrong with you? Sacrificing an intelligence officer for a random woman you’ve just met? Makes no sense."

Gao Yang shrugged. "That’s just how I am—Eastern thinking, you wouldn’t understand. Just like I can’t understand some Western ways even now. Plus, Christina has no connection to me, but she does to you. I think you’ll regret walking away, and as a friend, I feel obligated to help you correct your mistake."

Yake smiled wryly and said, "Alright, alright. I take back what I said. I’m definitely not going back. I don’t want to be tied down in one place for the rest of my life, so just forget I said anything and let me remain your intelligence officer."

Gao Yang said helplessly, "Why can’t you handle things differently? Why must everyone go through such pain? Christina’s willing to wait for you, so let her wait. It’s not like we’re fighting battles every single day with no breaks. You could visit her during downtime—it’d be so much better. Why make it so hard?"

Yake went quiet for a moment, then said seriously, "Buddy, people like us don’t get the luxury of making promises to women. As mercenaries, if you love a woman, the best thing you can do is stay far away from her! Now, I just want to know—am I still your intelligence officer?"

Gao Yang shrugged. "Of course you are. You’re still our intelligence officer."

Yake smiled lightly and said, "Good. Then can we leave now, Boss?"

(To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)