Don't You like Little Dogs? Now that I'm Taking Liberties, You're Suddenly Reluctant? - Chapter 31

The fleeting touch in the study had been like a pebble cast into a deep pool, sending layer upon layer of inescapable ripples through Pei Ye’s deathly still yet turbulent heart. For days, he found himself unable to fully withdraw from that state of trembling trance.

Jiang Si appeared entirely unaware of it, or perhaps, he simply chose to ignore it. His demeanor remained commanding and calm to the point of cruelty. However, in the finer details, things were quietly changing. He no longer viewed Pei Ye as a mere weapon.

Tasks that were originally handled by the adjutant, involving core information or requiring absolute trust, began to trickle into Pei Ye’s hands. For instance, he was tasked with personally delivering an encrypted hard drive to a secret contact point. Other times, when Jiang Si held brief, private meetings with high-profile figures, Pei Ye was stationed at the innermost door. This meant he could hear the muffled voices inside, a silent yet monumental gesture of trust.

Pei Ye approached these tasks with a near-religious devotion. He completed them meticulously, becoming even more taciturn than before, suppressing all his churning emotions beneath a cold, stern mask. He knew this was his Master’s re-evaluation and recognition of his value, and he could not afford a single mistake.

In the afternoon, Jiang Si was listening to the adjutant report on recent disputes over several peripheral territories. Pei Ye stood silently in a corner of the study as usual.

The adjutant’s pace was steady and his logic clear. “Regarding that underground casino in the north of the city, several of Crocodile’s former subordinates are getting restless. They want to start their own business and have privately contacted people from Obsidian.”

Jiang Si’s fingertips tapped rhythmically against the desk, creating a steady sound. His eyes remained indifferent. “Dispose of them. Let the others see exactly what happens.”

“Yes,” Ji Churen nodded, then shifted the topic slightly. “However, that area is currently under the defense coordination of the First Squad. Should we notify Goshawk first?”

Before Jiang Si could answer, the internal phone rang. Pei Ye stepped forward to answer it.

“Fourth Brother.”

A deep, steady, and emotionless voice came from the other end of the line. It was Goshawk, the captain of the First Squad.

“I have noticed some movement at the north casino involving remnants of the former Fourth Squad and contact with Obsidian. Does the First Squad need to intervene?” His tone was as calm as if he were reporting the weather, but the content cut precisely to the issue at hand.

Pei Ye covered the mouthpiece and reported in a low voice to Jiang Si, “It is Goshawk, the captain of the First Squad.”

Jiang Si took the phone. “Your information is always timely.”

“It is my duty.” Goshawk’s voice remained steady. “The opponent’s movements are not large, but their intentions are clear. If a cleanup is needed, the First Squad can resolve it completely within an hour without leaving any subsequent trouble.” He used words like “resolve” and “trouble,” carrying a sense of cold efficiency.

Jiang Si contemplated for a moment. “Fine. Keep it clean.”

“Understood.” Goshawk’s response was brief and lacked any unnecessary words. Just as he was about to hang up, he seemed to remember something and added, “Additionally, Fourth Brother, we recently monitored that Obsidian seems interested in certain details of the previous Dark Snake mission. They might try to find a breakthrough via personnel who participated in the task.” His words were suggestive without being explicit, serving as a cold reminder.

“I know,” Jiang Si replied, his tone unchanged. “Do your job.”

“Yes.” Goshawk paused for a beat. His voice betrayed no emotion as he stated a fact. “Number Six, Pei Ye, used to be very skilled at handling this kind of infiltration and counter-reconnaissance. If you have no other arrangements, the First Squad can temporarily call upon his expertise if necessary.”

This sounded more like a professional suggestion based on mission efficiency rather than a personal request. Standing nearby, Pei Ye heard everything clearly. His body tensed slightly as he awaited Jiang Si’s response.

Jiang Si’s gaze happened to sweep over him. His tone was flat. “He has other matters to attend to right now.”

“Understood. Then, leave the north of the city to us. Out.” Goshawk ended the call decisively, without any lingering or extra inquiries.

After hanging up, Jiang Si spoke to the adjutant. “Send word down that the north city matter is to be handled by the First Squad. You are responsible for following up on the conclusion.”

“Understood,” the adjutant replied, his gaze inadvertently brushing past Pei Ye. That look was professional and calm, revealing no emotion, yet Pei Ye keenly perceived that the adjutant seemed more silent than usual.

With the tasks assigned, the adjutant gathered the documents to leave. When he reached the door, he paused and hesitated for a moment before turning back to Jiang Si. “Fourth Brother, the efficiency of the First Squad is beyond doubt. However, when Goshawk and his team act personally, the scene is usually absolute. Although this is just housecleaning, involving Obsidian might overstimulate the other side and lead to unnecessary regional conflict.” His suggestion was reasonable, made entirely out of consideration for the bigger picture.

Jiang Si simply waved a hand. “Goshawk knows his limits. If they have the ability to clean it up, they have the ability to control the consequences.” His tone reflected absolute trust in Goshawk’s ability, judgment, and the First Squad.

The adjutant said no more. He bowed slightly and withdrew from the study.

Once the door closed, only Jiang Si and Pei Ye remained. Jiang Si picked up a new file as if preparing to continue working, but then he suddenly spoke, asking casually, “Goshawk mentioned the follow-up to the Dark Snake mission. Where do you think Obsidian will start?”

Pei Ye was startled but quickly entered a professional state to analyze calmly. “At that time, the mission details had a very high security level, and the direct participants have been properly settled. The most likely breakthrough point would be secondary nodes that provided sporadic support but knew the movements of some personnel. Or,” he paused for a moment, “they could make inferences and tests by looking at personnel who clearly changed positions and moved closer to the core of power after the mission ended.”

He was almost certainly referring to himself.

Jiang Si looked up from the file and watched him for a while. “That aligns with Goshawk’s judgment.” He closed the file. “It seems that bringing you back has indeed made certain people pay more attention.” This was not a question, but a statement. His tone did not reveal whether he thought this was a good or bad thing.

“I will be more careful and will not leak any information,” Pei Ye promised immediately.

“I have never doubted your ability,” Jiang Si said. His tone was flat, yet it carried weight. “That period with the First Squad polished you well.”

Pei Ye remained silent. His time in the First Squad had indeed been the critical period of his rapid transformation into Night Crow. The way Goshawk and the others polished people was cold yet extremely effective, precisely removing all weakness and uncertainty, leaving only core combat capability and absolute obedience to orders. That process was painful but efficient.

“Goshawk recognizes your potential,” Jiang Si added, his emotion unreadable. “He believes you should have played a greater role in a more suitable position.”

Pei Ye’s heart tightened slightly. He was unsure what Jiang Si meant by that. Was he simply stating Goshawk’s view, or was it some kind of test? He answered cautiously, “Captain Goshawk’s standards have always been high. I was able to meet them because I knew I had to be useful to you.” He skillfully steered the core of the conversation back to his utility to Jiang Si.

Jiang Si looked at him with a profound gaze that seemed to see through all his careful disguises. A few seconds later, the corner of his mouth hooked up imperceptibly, and he did not pursue the topic further.

In the evening, the adjutant brought news of the First Squad’s successful operation. The process was as efficient and thorough as expected. The targets were eliminated, all related traces were erased, and no room was left for Obsidian to use the incident as an excuse.

Goshawk’s report came through an encrypted channel, consisting only of the brief words: “Mission complete, area cleared.” He was as calm as if he had not just presided over a bloody cleansing.

After hearing the adjutant’s relay, Jiang Si simply said, “Tell Goshawk to follow up with monitoring.”

“Yes,” the adjutant replied, but he did not leave immediately.

“Is there something else?” Jiang Si looked up.

The adjutant seemed to weigh his words before speaking cautiously. “Fourth Brother, regarding Night Crow, should Pei Ye’s recent task arrangements be re-evaluated? After all, he just went through,” he paused, not explicitly mentioning the cruise ship incident, but his meaning was clear, “certain circumstances. Some peripheral, lower-risk tasks might be more suitable for his current recovery and state adjustment. The movements of Obsidian are also worth being wary of.”

From the adjutant’s perspective, these words were irreproachable and based on a reasonable consideration of organizational assets and personnel status. However, Jiang Si’s eyes turned slightly cold.

“His state is fine,” Jiang Si said in a tone that allowed no doubt. “I have my own plans for his task arrangements. As for Obsidian,” he paused, a hint of chill entering his voice, “they had better not entertain thoughts they should not have.”

The adjutant immediately lowered his head. “I overthought it.” He said no more and quickly withdrew.

Silence returned to the study. Jiang Si put down his pen and turned his gaze toward Pei Ye, who had been standing silently in the shadows.

“What do you think?” he suddenly asked.

Caught off guard, Pei Ye looked up. “Master?”

“The adjutant thinks you should take on some safer tasks,” Jiang Si said, his gaze deep. “What do you think?”

Pei Ye’s heart leaped. He immediately straightened his back and spoke with a firm voice, “I do not need them! I can complete any task you give me! I have no problem!” He was eager to show his attitude, even showing a trace of imperceptible panic, fearing he might truly be moved away from Jiang Si’s side to handle insignificant, safe tasks.

Jiang Si watched the flash of flustered urgency in his eyes and said nothing. After a few seconds, he said slowly, “Come here.”

Pei Ye followed the command and walked to the desk. Jiang Si stood up, walked around the desk, and stopped in front of him. They were very close, and Pei Ye could clearly smell the crisp scent of cedar on him.

Jiang Si reached out, his fingertips lightly touching the new scar on Pei Ye’s side where the stitches had been removed. The skin there was still delicate, and the touch brought a slight itch and numbness. Pei Ye’s body tensed slightly, but he did not shrink away.

“Does it still hurt?” Jiang Si asked in a low voice.

“It does not hurt anymore.”

Jiang Si’s fingertips slowly moved upward, grazing over the old scars, finally stopping over the left side of his chest where his heart was. He pressed lightly through the fabric of the shirt.

“What about here?” he asked, his gaze locking onto Pei Ye’s eyes.

Pei Ye’s breath stopped instantly. He could feel the skin beneath those fingertips, that name, burning wildly and thudding against his chest. He opened his mouth but could not make a sound. All his reason and disguise were fragile and powerless under that touch and gaze.

Jiang Si did not wait for an answer. He slowly withdrew his hand as if that intrusive touch and question had never happened.

“Remember your words,” Jiang Si said as he walked back behind the desk, his voice returning to its usual coldness. “You can complete any task. And I do not need a safe knife.”