Chapter 35: Disguise and Infiltration

Tang Yan walked through the streets, noticing how everyone was absorbed in their own tasks—heads down, hands busy, moving with quiet purpose. After a while, she finally spotted a flower shop. Inside, every single bloom was a rose.

“Hey boss,” Tang Yan said casually, stepping up to a bouquet. “How much for these roses?”

The shopkeeper smiled warmly, eyes crinkling at the corners as he approached. “This bunch just came in this morning—fresh as they come. One bouquet is 185 yuan. Cash or card?”

Tang Yan chuckled and pulled out two red bills from her pocket, handing them over. She added, almost as an afterthought, “You know, your shop’s kind of weird. Most florists stock all kinds of flowers, but you’ve got nothing but roses.”

The man laughed softly. “Well… I just really like roses.”

He handed her the bouquet. “Here you go, miss. Have a great day.”

Tang Yan stepped out, clutching the flowers awkwardly. She’d wanted to linger inside, take a closer look, but the shopkeeper clearly wasn’t interested in keeping her around. She wandered the block again, but found nothing worth noting—no hidden clues, no surprises.

Nightfall sat on the couch, book in hand—but it wasn’t the one on the cover. The real pages were filled with detailed reports about the island. After two hours of reading, she finally heard Tang Yan’s footsteps approaching.

“You’re back?” Nightfall didn’t turn. Her posture remained cool, composed, like a statue carved from ice.

Tang Yan entered, holding the bouquet, glanced around the room, then placed the flowers on the entryway cabinet.

“What made you buy flowers?” Nightfall glanced over, catching sight of the roses.

Tang Yan shrugged. “I thought the shop was odd, so I went in to check things out. But nothing useful came up.”

Nightfall patted the space beside her on the sofa. “Come here, Yangzhao. I’ll tell you about tonight’s plan.”

“Go ahead,” Tang Yan sat down, but kept a careful distance.

Nightfall noticed the subtle shift—just a fraction of space between them. Was it joy? Or sorrow? She couldn’t tell.

“Seven o’clock tonight, there’s a festival procession across the island. Even though it’s a tense time, this event means a lot to the locals. There are guards everywhere now—so we’ll blend in. We can’t let the suspects spot us. You wear this—one for you, one for me.”

Tang Yan took the small earpiece. “This thing’s expensive.”

“Don’t worry. It’s funded from above.” Then Nightfall explained a secret hand signal only they would understand. They spent the afternoon huddled together in the living room, planning.

Finally, Tang Yan stretched, yawning, her body tired from the mental strain.

“You hungry?” Nightfall looked at her gently. “I’ll cook.”

Tang Yan hesitated, then spoke quietly. “Nightfall… I’ve been meaning to ask you for a long time. Why have you always been so good to me? Even during our first fight—you risked your life to save me.”

Nightfall turned slowly, her gaze deep and intense. Tang Yan met her eyes without flinching.

Then Nightfall gave a soft, teasing smile. “Because… I like you.”

She turned and walked into the kitchen, humming a tune under her breath, light and carefree.

Left alone, Tang Yan stood frozen. *What? Did he just say… he likes me? That’s impossible.* Her heart pounded. She silently cursed herself. *Why am I freaking out like this?*

Dinner passed in silence. Nightfall stayed calm, collected. But Tang Yan couldn’t focus—her eyes kept darting toward Nightfall, stealing glances, lost in thought. She tried to reason it out: *It’s not love. It’s just gratitude. He saved my life. That’s all.*

But Nightfall didn’t speak to her again that night.

At exactly seven, both were dressed and standing by the front door.

“Yangzhao,” Nightfall said, voice low and firm. “Stick close to me tonight. Don’t wander off, little wildcat.”

“Don’t call me that,” Tang Yan snapped, turning to leave on her own.

Before she could take more than two steps, Nightfall’s hand shot out—fast, sure—and grabbed her wrist.

“I said stay with me. Didn’t you hear?” Her tone hardened instantly. Tang Yan froze, instantly obedient.

“Let’s go.”

Nightfall tugged her forward, guiding her into the crowd.

The street had always been sacred ground for island processions—tonight, it was alive with energy. A sea of people surged past, and if it weren’t for Nightfall gripping her tightly, Tang Yan would’ve been swept away.

“Be careful,” Nightfall said, slipping an arm around her waist while shielding her head with his other hand.

Tang Yan looked up at him. The man was focused—eyes scanning the crowd, alert, serious. Not once did he glance at her.

*He’s actually kind of handsome when he’s serious,* she thought. *But damn, his attitude is still unbearable.*

She kept her eyes sharp, watching everything around her.

Nightfall’s heart raced. His mind was buzzing with excitement, but he masked it perfectly—professional, controlled, like a soldier on duty.

“Yangzhao,” he murmured, “watch the group on your left. The guys with the candy.”

Tang Yan glanced sideways. Each of them wore clothes slightly bulging in odd places. And the candy in their hands? Never touched. It looked like they were using the large sweets to hide something else.

“Nightfall,” she said flatly, expression unchanged. “Watch their hands. Watch their bodies.”

Nightfall’s grip tightened. Tang Yan pressed against him, her body flush with his.

Then he leaned down, lips brushing her ear.

“They’ll cause a scene soon. You get out of sight. I’ll handle it.”

“I can help,” Tang Yan blurted out—she didn’t even know why she said it.

Nightfall smiled, satisfied. “I know you’re strong. But not this time. Just do what I say. Be good.”

He reached up and ruffled her hair—light, affectionate.

Tang Yan’s fingers curled into fists. The fabric of his jacket wrinkled under her grip.

“Fine,” she whispered. “I’ll wait for you.”

“Good. Don’t lose the thing I gave you. Stay low. Don’t let them see you.” He lifted her hand, then brushed his lips gently across her knuckles—soft, tender.

Then, in the chaos of the crowd, Nightfall moved—slipping through the throng, changing his appearance in less than three seconds. One moment he was himself; the next, a completely different man.

Tang Yan slipped away unnoticed, making her way to the edge of the square.

Nightfall adjusted his baseball cap low over his brow, stepping deliberately toward the group. As he drew near, his eyes widened.

They were all wearing bombs. And each one carried more than one.