The Master's Mask Unveiled Again-Chapter 1006 - 1005: Director Qi, lighten up a bit

Actually, aside from being gentle with Lu Mian, Xiao Qimo is basically an iceberg around everyone else. The refined man unhappily reminded Yun Zhijuan, "There are only eight days left. If the second squad’s commander continues to handle the mission passively, please, Leader, don’t cover for him."

He paused. "Otherwise, I don’t mind sparring with you."

The deeper meaning behind ’sparring’ was real weapons and live ammunition.

Threatened by his junior, Yun Zhijuan’s heart trembled, feeling inexplicably guilty.

In addition to feeling guilty, he also felt utterly aggrieved. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

What was this? Everyone’s wings had grown hard, huh? Not taking him, the leader, seriously anymore, huh?

Fine, I’m done talking.

Yun Zhijuan let out a snide chuckle, tinged with coldness: "Junior, when you called me, did you hear my insurance sales ringtone? It sounded pretty good, didn’t it? Want to buy some insurance?"

Inwardly, Xiao Qimo cursed. As expected, the old rascal was being deliberately evasive even when he was discussing serious matters.

What’s the deal between the second squad and the leader that he’s so protective?!

"You’re... something else." Xiao Qimo didn’t engage further and directly hung up the phone.

On the other side, Yun Zhijuan looked at his now dark screen and spat furiously.

You don’t want to buy insurance? Fine. Wait till the second squad beats you senseless, breaks your bones, and leaves you to die alone!

The more he thought about it, the less satisfied he felt. The older one gets, the more precious life becomes.

This place of trouble is better left to the younger generation.

He was secretly planning—once the Chixia Sect matter was resolved, he would gather the commanders for a meeting and arrange a leadership transition.

Otherwise, the misunderstandings would only worsen, and he, as the leader, might truly end up in mortal danger...

——

Xiao Qimo hung up the phone and returned to the living room, only to see Lu Mian standing in the middle, looking troubled. She was poking her chin with her finger and wearing a rare expression of befuddlement.

Xiao Qimo found her unusually cute in this state. He walked up and gently wrapped his arms around her waist, planting a kiss on her cheek: "Baby, what are you thinking about?"

His gentle voice pulled Lu Mian out of her thoughts. She twirled in Xiao Qimo’s embrace, turning to face him directly.

She opened her mouth, rarely showing so much hesitation and indecision.

"What’s wrong? Something happened?"

Xiao Qimo’s smile remained as he savored her girlish emotions.

Soon, he heard Lu Mian speak in a faint, resigned tone, "Director Qimo... I think I’ve gained another identity."

Xiao Qimo’s smile froze on his lips, his hands around Lu Mian’s waist instinctively tightening.

"What identity?"

The man feigned calmness, patiently inquiring.

Lu Mian furrowed her eyebrows slightly. "Um, the leader of the Mercenary Alliance... seems to be me."

Silence. A deathly silence.

After a long pause, the hands around Lu Mian’s waist suddenly dropped limp. Xiao Qimo stared at the girl in front of him, suppressing indescribable emotions as he asked, "What do you mean by ’seems to be’?"

Lu Mian pursed her lips, remaining silent.

Xiao Qimo’s gaze drifted toward Mo Fan, whose guilty and sheepish expression clearly implicated him in this mess.

Mo Fan immediately acted obsequiously, offering up his phone: "Master Qimo, this feels surreal, even to me."

Mo Fan stammered as he recounted the whole event to Xiao Qimo. The more he spoke, the colder and stiffer Xiao Qimo’s expression became.

Mo Fan hurriedly expressed concern, "Master Qimo, are you alright?"

Lu Mian also expressed concern. "Baby Qimo, are you alright?"

I’m fine.

Xiao Qimo stood stiffly, staring at the group photo as if lost in thought.

Truly fine.

Some blows numb you the more they come.

Lu Mian felt deeply troubled and resigned.

This time, she genuinely didn’t mean to. She herself hadn’t realized she had this identity.

No wonder Tao Yuanpeng had been so polite, left her his number, and said he was on call anytime—turns out, this was why.

Lu Mian suddenly understood why, back when she was nearly assassinated by mercenaries, the assassins had looked at her with such shock in their final moments.

Meanwhile, the volunteer mercenaries working at the N Pole shed icy tears of regret.

Regret.

The parties involved felt intense regret.

Xiao Qimo forced himself to muster an expression, staring fixedly at Lu Mian, still unable to believe such absurdity existed.

Or rather, he couldn’t bring himself to fully accept that his wife had yet another layer of identity.

And this identity was so significant, so deeply entangled.

Xiao Qimo calmly analyzed, "Is there a chance you simply had dinner with them?"

"Yes, it’s possible. But I don’t remember." Lu Mian’s words were absolute and unyielding.

Soon, her phone vibrated twice. Since it wasn’t a special ringtone, she took it out casually to check.

The text was from Tao Yuanpeng: [I’m at the hospital, just off the operating table. Trust your eyes—you’re the newly appointed leader, the one who ousted me.]

The word ’ousted’ was cleverly chosen.

Lu Mian still couldn’t recall what had happened. She replied: [Are you sure?]

Tao Yuanpeng’s response was unhesitating and resolute: [I’m sure. I’m damn sure!]

Following this, he sent over several X-ray images and a new text message.

[The first image is of my three broken ribs. The second is my shattered calf. The third is my shoulder joint effusion. Thanks to you, I’ll never misidentify you again in my lifetime.]

Although the words seemed to carry anger, Lu Mian analyzed that, knowing Tao Yuanpeng’s character, this was merely his way of expression.

Tao Yuanpeng was still quite supportive of her.

Lu Mian showed Tao Yuanpeng’s reply to Xiao Qimo and Mo Fan, apologetically admitting, "Looks like I really am their leader."

Mo Fan looked utterly defeated, retreating to a corner to draw circles in despair.

Xiao Qimo clutched his phone tightly, almost cracking its small screen.

"Director Qimo, this time I really didn’t do it on purpose," the girl continued explaining.

Whether it was intentional no longer mattered to Xiao Qimo; only the outcome did.

He forced himself to accept the fact, processed it mentally, and finally cracked a numb smile: "Does my expression seem familiar to you?"

Lu Mian guiltily nodded.

It felt similar to last time, when she’d revealed her identity as Ya Qiao.

And the time before that, when she’d revealed her identity as Mi Lu...

"Anyway, Director Qimo, you should try to keep an open mind," the straightforward girl advised him sincerely.

Xiao Qimo nodded. Yes, he truly needed to keep an open mind.

Having such an all-capable wife meant he had to always be prepared for her to drop another identity.

Numbed.

So be it.

Let’s see what other identities Lu Mian might expose next!

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