Chapter 72

She had originally planned to finish this obligatory meal as quickly as possible, immediately, without overthinking, abandoning all pretense and dignity, disregarding Aka’s air defense systems entirely, flying straight to him, pouring out her longing, kissing him, tearing open that gilded gift box, pulling out the sapphire to examine it closely, venting, releasing, tumbling in passion, just as she had in those countless hazy dreams…

But another sudden phone call interrupted her plans.

“Captain Yang, your… relative…” Liu Siyuan paused, then continued: “Your uncle, aunt, cousin brother, and cousin sister have arrived—they found our Jueguan Bureau… What would you like us to do?” His tone was cautious, the final question almost anxious.

Yang Yi sat at the head of the banquet table, surrounded by Wucheng’s leaders. Her face had borne a faint, polite smile until she took the call—then the smile slowly vanished, replaced by icy indifference.

“Of course, if you’re too busy to handle it… should we just—like last time? I can take care of it for you…” Liu Siyuan, unsettled by her silence, hurriedly offered a solution.

After the previous incident involving “Yang Yi’s mother,” and from listening to Yang Yi’s conversation with her, he understood her rough upbringing—he believed she might handle this the same way again.

Liu Siyuan glanced at the four people scrutinizing everything around them with Tiaoti , and a flicker of revulsion crossed his eyes.

Long moments passed without reply. Just as he assumed Yang Yi had silently agreed, her calm voice came through the phone:

“No, I’m coming back. I’ll handle this myself.”

&&

Capital Jueguan Bureau, Reception Hall.

Liu Siyuan maintained a polite smile, but it grew increasingly forced.

“Our Yang Yi lives in a place like this? Just the fourth ring? I heard the best houses in the capital are all in the first and second rings!” said a middle-aged woman heavy with fat. Her foundation was too white, clashing with her slightly yellowish, dark skin; she’d applied it only to her face, leaving her neck its natural color—like she was wearing a mask.

Liu Siyuan had reviewed the files; he knew her name was Chen Cuilan, Yang Yi’s aunt.

“That’s right! Our Yang Yi is now the top awakened, the only S-class, a world-famous figure—how can she live here? The state should at least give us a big villa!” said a tall, thin middle-aged man.

Liu Siyuan glanced at him—he was Yang Yi’s uncle, Yang Guangchang, formerly a worker at a chemical plant near Yangzhen. There was a faint resemblance to Yang Yi in his features—both had broad foreheads—but while this trait gave Yang Yi an air of openness, on him it looked shallow.

“Dad, I heard the most expensive villas are in the second ring—first ring doesn’t even allow villas. If we’re moving here, we should pick Fenghuang Garden, Jinzun Garden, or Ruize City! I checked online—these three are the capital’s most expensive villa districts! Over 200,000 per square meter!” said a slender young woman with facial contours vaguely similar to Yang Yi’s, but whose expression was sharp and cruel. She clung affectionately to Yang Guangchang’s arm, cooing.

Liu Siyuan slightly curled his lip but said nothing. She was Yang Yi’s cousin sister, Yang Hui.

“By the way, you’re Liu Siyuan, right? What do you do?” said a tall, broad, dark-skinned young man who scanned the room before finally fixing his gaze on Liu Siyuan.

Liu Siyuan looked at him—he knew he was Yang Yi’s cousin brother, Yang Ze. He replied calmly and evenly: “I’m Captain Yang’s assistant and driver.”

At this, Yang Ze gave him a dismissive glance and ordered imperiously: “Perfect. I want to ask you—my sister Yang Yi has done so much, saved so many people, even rescued top UN officials—hasn’t the government given her any rewards? Is she really stuck living in a dormitory—in the fourth ring?”

Liu Siyuan stared straight ahead, refusing to look at them, and answered firmly: “The organization has awarded Captain Yang rewards, including villas. But she believes living in the Jueguan Bureau dormitory is more convenient for her work.”

“Perfect!” Chen Cuilan clapped her hands, delighted. “If Yang Yi doesn’t want to live there, the villa’s just sitting empty—since we’re moving to the capital anyway, why not move right in? After all, family should live together! Yang Yi can come visit us often, right?”

“Where’s the villa?” Yang Guangchang asked anxiously, “How much per square meter? Is it in a rich area? If it’s out in the middle of nowhere, we won’t accept it!”

“Fenghuang Garden, Jinzun Garden, Ruize City! Only these three! I checked online—they’re the capital’s most expensive districts! So many billionaires and celebrities live there!” Yang Hui chimed in eagerly.

Liu Siyuan frowned slightly but said nothing.

“I’m asking you! Why aren’t you answering! What kind of assistant are you?” Yang Ze, seeing his frown, jumped up and shouted.

“If Captain Yang wishes to live in a villa, she may choose any location herself—it’s entirely her decision,” Liu Siyuan said with a faint smile. “She’s been too busy to handle such trivial matters, so she’s temporarily put them on hold.”

“What? Too busy? How can something this important be too busy?!” Yang Guangchang stamped his foot in frustration. “This is a villa in the capital! You can live anywhere you want, even pick it yourself—how can you be too busy? Just pick the most expensive one! We took out a loan for a 108-square-meter pre-sale apartment in the city—we checked on it every single day! Now a villa’s handed to her on a silver platter, and she says she has no time to choose? Is this girl stupid or what…”

“Exactly! Cousin sister is way too careless about priorities!” Yang Hui sneered. “She ignores her own family’s business and runs off to help others.” Then her eyes lit up. “Hey! Since she’s so busy, why don’t we pick for her?”

“Yes, yes! By the way, your name’s… Xiao Liu, right?” Chen Cuilan beamed, pointing at Liu Siyuan. “Go get the property maps—help us pick!”

Liu Siyuan stood still, expressionless. “The property is a reward granted solely to Captain Yang. Others have no right to interfere.”

“What kind of attitude is that?!” Yang Ze leapt from the sofa and shoved Liu Siyuan hard—but failed to move him, instead stumbling back two steps.

Yang Ze’s dark face flushed crimson with rage. “How dare you? Look at your own position! You’re just a lowly assistant—dare you defy me? I’m Yang Yi’s brother! Do you think I can’t fire you right now?”