The day and night alternated brilliantly, resembling a scene from a fairy tale reflected by the window—one half a clear blue sky with white clouds, the other half a dark expanse dotted with stars. The woman set down the fashion magazine beside her and lazily shifted to admire the rare view. Her makeup was bold yet tasteful, with her full lips painted a deep red, exuding danger while carrying a hint of seduction. Her inky waves of hair were casually pinned up, with a few strands falling gracefully around her neck, enhancing the allure of her bronzed skin, subtly revealing a passionate essence reminiscent of a Latin beauty. Every gesture was both sexy and elegant, her entire demeanor carrying a hint of contradiction that only made her more intriguing.
“Miss your wine.” The flight attendant in a purple uniform pushed a cart beside the woman, smiling as she offered a glass of red wine. The attendant’s appearance was undoubtedly striking, and on this flight, she could easily rival a beauty pageant winner. Her tone, service, and responses were all exceptionally professional, hinting at the extraordinary nature of this aircraft.
“Thank you.” The woman took the goblet but did not sip it immediately; instead, she gently swirled it in her hand. She removed the oversized sunglasses that had concealed much of her face, immediately eliciting a gasp of astonishment from the attendant.
Those eyes, deeper than the night itself, were captivating enough to draw anyone in at a glance. She masked the sharpness beneath her lazy demeanor, as if lingering too long would expose one’s innermost thoughts—dangerous yet lethal, wrapped in a mature exterior that continuously teased and provoked the soul.
The woman took a light sip of the red wine, the slightly tart flavor gliding down her throat, leaving a crimson lip print on the rim as she set it down. If she were a mistress, such charm would be essential. Yet, at this moment, she was merely playing the role of one.
Dong Enyu was the woman’s name, but she hadn’t heard anyone call her by those three characters in five years. While abroad, she had many names—some elegant, some ordinary, some peculiar, and some casual—but “Dong Enyu” was the name her parents had given her, one she cherished yet dared not reveal.
Because she was an undercover agent, a secret operative for the National Security Bureau, executing missions overseas for seven long years. Just a month ago, she had dismantled the largest human trafficking ring abroad, successfully capturing the criminal mastermind and breaking up the downstream organization. She had achieved great merit but had also squandered seven years of her youth. Now, returning to her homeland, her only goal was to apply for retirement and establish a stable family.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have landed at the airport. Please remain…” At that moment, the captain’s announcement indicated they had entered domestic airspace. Dong Enyu snapped back to reality and looked out the window, where a gentle rain fell in December.
This private jet was a gesture of goodwill from the police department, which Dong Enyu accepted with pleasure. Once she disembarked, six men in police uniforms immediately held umbrellas for her, carried her luggage, and signaled for her to follow them. Those unaware of the situation might have thought Dong Enyu was a wanted criminal, surrounded by police, but in reality, she was an international hero. For the sake of her safety, she could only enjoy this faint, ethereal honor in secret.
She was escorted in a black luxury vehicle. Upon seeing it, she raised her eyebrows and smiled slightly before getting in. During her time undercover, she had handed over all her house keys to the police department, so upon seeing the vehicle, she realized there was no time to return home for a nap and had to follow the police to the North District Police Headquarters.
A report was inevitable, so Dong Enyu changed out of her formal dress and high heels in the car, slipping into comfortable pants. Although her attire was casual, it did not diminish her sensual charm in the slightest.
The street scenery outside the car window flashed by—neon lights, traffic signals, and illuminated signs dazzled the eyes, intertwining with the madness of nightlife. Dong Enyu asked the driver to turn off the radio, listening to the DJ’s steady voice guiding listeners into the latest hit songs. She enjoyed the familiar yet strange city, feeling a mix of joy and sadness. Remembering her five years as an undercover agent, she couldn’t help but feel wronged and lonely, but her expression was well-masked, and no one noticed her unusual demeanor.
As one ages, it becomes easier to be sentimental, which was one of the reasons she decided to propose her retirement.
Half an hour later, the luxury vehicle drove directly into the basement, ensuring a discreet welcome for this returning hero.
“Miss Dong!” As the officer in the front seat got out to open the door for Dong Enyu, a man in a coat hurried over. He had a neat crew cut and a straightforward demeanor, and although he was wearing an overcoat, he was clearly in police uniform underneath, presenting a tidy appearance that gave the impression of a capable young man.
“Hello.” Dong Enyu stepped out in her cloth shoes, not putting on airs, and nodded at the man who appeared to be a junior.
“Miss Dong, thank you for your hard work on the way!” He suddenly stood at attention, fingers together, and gave Dong Enyu a formal salute. His bright smile, however, conveyed an inexplicable warmth. “Director Chen is waiting for you in the office. Let me lead the way.” He walked ahead and pressed the elevator button. While waiting for the elevator, the man introduced himself simply; his name was Yuan Zhongfang, a newly promoted officer in the North District responsible for managing gang fights and public safety. He had come specifically to welcome Dong Enyu at the order of the headquarters.
Listening to him chatter on without interruption, Dong Enyu occasionally responded to show she was listening. As the elevator ascended from the basement to the twentieth floor, she suddenly remembered it was already past two in the morning. Most officers had likely finished their shifts, and the streets had been quite empty, making for a rather quiet welcome… Yuan Zhongfang led her out of the elevator, turned into a corridor, and arrived at the last room. He knocked twice on the door and then looked at Dong Enyu.
“Director Chen instructed that he wants to speak with you privately. I’ll wait outside and not disturb you.” He gentlemanly opened the door for Dong Enyu.
“Thank you.” Before stepping inside, she offered a faint smile and whispered her thanks. Her voice was slightly hoarse, soft and pleasant to the ear, enhanced by the subtle fragrance she exuded, making one instinctively want to draw closer.
Dong Enyu closed the door behind her, decisively blocking the view of the man outside.
The office was simply decorated, with an entire wall filled with iron cabinets, housing folders of various sizes and colors. On the other side was a small sofa for resting, and behind the desk sat a man who stood up to salute Dong Enyu upon seeing her, showing his respect. His hair was graying, and he appeared to be in his fifties, but he lacked a middle-aged beer belly and maintained a good physique.
On the desk was a triangular nameplate engraved with “North District Police Station Chief – Chen Zheng.”
“Welcome back, Dong Enyu.” Chen Zheng gestured to the chair in front of the desk, inviting her to sit down for a conversation.
Once seated, they exchanged no unnecessary pleasantries. In terms of their relationship, Dong Enyu had known this “Uncle Chen” since her middle school days. Her father was an officer, and when she was ten, he went on a mission overseas and never returned. Her mother was a secret spy, and similarly, after Dong Enyu left for school at fifteen, her mother also vanished without a trace. Essentially, they had skipped both funerals. While sadness was undoubtedly present, after losing two family members, Dong Enyu had only cried for a night upon receiving Uncle Chen’s phone call, and afterward, she no longer mourned.
Family was a foreign concept to her, and so was kinship.
From the moment she was born, she had lived an extraordinary life. She had parents, yet she had to live in foster homes because they were extremely busy, and they could only meet for a few days each year. Moreover, every so often, she had to move and change her foster family, all for her safety. Dong Enyu had never blamed or complained because she understood that it was all beyond their control.
Perhaps it was in her genes. When she applied for high school, she immediately enrolled in the police academy, attracting considerable attention from the upper echelons. Thanks to her father’s old colleague, Chen Zheng, who provided her with a lot of advice and direction, she didn’t have to worry about money or accommodation until she graduated from the police academy and began her career as an undercover agent.
Counting it all up, she had already accumulated fifteen years of experience in this field. Throughout the years, she had gone through periods of being undercover, healing, and returning home, leaving her in a state of disarray. She had carried the mission of national security and honor, risking her life to execute tasks for so many years. Now, she was tired and no longer wanted to pick up a script to play a role, nor did she want to seduce politicians and businessmen with a highball glass, or dodge armed bandits while carrying a machine gun. It had become a struggle for her, both physically and mentally, causing her an overwhelming burden.
“NO.” Dong Enyu interrupted Chen Zheng, her lazy fingers intertwined on her lap as she looked up and said, “I came back to apply for retirement, so take these documents back. I won’t accept them. The seven years abroad made me think a lot; please don’t waste my life any longer.” The desk was cluttered with numerous documents, all of which Dong Enyu pushed back to Chen Zheng, naturally causing his expression to darken.
“This is an order from above; you don’t have the right to say NO.” The “above” he referred to was the higher-ups of the National Security Bureau, while Chen Zheng was merely the director of the North District Police Department, responsible only for relaying messages. However, it was clear that Dong Enyu did not want to accept this mission.
“I’m sorry, but since I got off the plane until now…” She glanced at the clock and lightly parted her red lips, “It’s only been an hour.” The implication was that she hadn’t received the rest she deserved and had no personal space. Her seven years of dedication had led her straight from the airport to the police station, only to find the welcome event so cold and even being summoned by the chief to accept another job.
…Damn.
Dong Enyu wearily closed her eyes, choosing not to look at the data on the desk that irritated her.
“Enyu,” Chen Zheng sighed upon seeing her reaction, his tone softening as he rubbed his short hair in frustration. “I understand your desire to retire, but this task is crucial. The students graduating from the police academy are not capable of executing it, and it’s not a good idea to assign other officers. You just returned, and all your background information has been updated, making it difficult to verify. Plus, with your extensive undercover experience, it would only be beneficial.”
“I want to retire.” Dong Enyu reiterated her stance clearly.
Chen Zheng was taken aback, furrowing his brow as he said seriously, “Enyu, I must remind you that both your identity and passport are fully managed by the National Security Bureau. If you refuse the mission, you can forget about having peace.”
“Are you threatening me?” Hearing Chen Zheng’s words, Dong Enyu slowly opened her eyes, her dark gaze revealing her displeasure.
“I’m not threatening you; I’m just reminding you.” He emphasized the word “remind,” fearing she might misunderstand.
But he wasn’t wrong; after all, Dong Enyu’s identity was special. Until she officially retired, she had to rely on the upper echelons for her status, which meant she often had to play various roles—sometimes a businesswoman, sometimes a teacher, or even a widow, and occasionally an officer. Regardless, she couldn’t live a stable life under the guise of an “ordinary person.”
Dong Enyu understood that a small shrimp couldn’t compete with a big whale… Seeing that she had not retorted for a long time, Chen Zheng realized she had compromised. He then pushed the data back toward Dong Enyu, saying, “In the seven years you were abroad, the district experienced considerable turmoil, and many of the dominant figures in the underworld have been replaced with new blood, altering the power dynamics.”
Dong Enyu took the data Chen Zheng handed her and skimmed through it. She knew that the higher-ups were not asking her to infiltrate the underworld, as that was something ordinary officers could handle. However, upon comparing several documents, she immediately noticed discrepancies in the reports. The timing and delivery points of the black market drugs and arms entering the docks were perfectly misaligned with the police’s intelligence.
In simple terms, there was a mole.
Many police officers had infiltrated the underworld as undercover agents, and similarly, there were individuals with underworld backgrounds holding police positions.
This was the current situation. Every time the police station received information from an undercover agent, when a large number of personnel were stationed at the docks, the drugs and arms transactions would be completed even earlier or relocated, which severely impacted the police station’s efficiency and the safety of the public.
“The higher-ups want you to identify the list of moles mixed between the police station and the gangs.” Chen Zheng observed Dong Enyu pulling out a cigarette from her pocket, and he casually took out a lighter to help her light it.
This was Dong Enyu’s habit; whenever she needed to calm down, she would smoke a cigarette to relieve stress.
Puffs of white smoke escaped from her red lips as Dong Enyu rubbed her temples, staring silently at the documents on the desk.
“As long as you complete this mission, I will process your retirement application and help you secure the benefits you deserve.” This was the only thing Chen Zheng could do for her.
“Deadline?”
“The sooner, the better.” After finishing one cigarette, the matter was settled.
“What about the script?” The woman reached out as if to ask Chen Zheng for something, her eyes carrying a hint of teasing.
Every time she went on a mission, she would receive a “script” from above, indicating what role she should play.
Seeing this, Chen Zheng merely shook his head with a smile, casually saying, “This time, there’s no script; you’ll have to come up with it yourself.”
Come up with it herself… Just right.
Dong Enyu stood up, preparing to leave. Before opening the door, she turned slightly and chuckled, “This time, I’ll just play Dong Enyu.”
