The night was deep, and Qi Taiguo stood on the balcony with Ning Ge, discussing the most secretive matters.
When he heard Ning Geās words, Qi Taiguo was shocked and conflicted. He hadnāt expected that beneath this manās flippant and unserious exterior hid such an identity.
"Do your big brother and Old Master Ning know about this?" Qi Taiguo took a drag of his cigarette and asked.
"Besides you, no one else knows," Ning Ge glanced at him.
Qi Taiguo fell silent, then said, "You donāt plan to tell them?" He paused before adding, "There are no walls that can block the wind forever, one day they will find out."
"Iāll talk about it when the time comes! If I told them now, they probably wouldnāt let me continue!" Ning Ge chuckled lightly, "In their eyes, itās better for me to remain a good-for-nothing!"
"Nonsense, Chief Ning and Old Master Ning have high hopes for you," Qi Taiguo blurted out a rebuke.
Ning Ge merely shrugged noncommittally.
"Espionage always lurks in the shadows, itās inherently a covert identity. Once a person is sacrificed..." Qi Taiguo pursed his lips and said, "Once sacrificed, the person wonāt be publicly acknowledged but will forever be buried in the archives."
Spies cannot be exposed to the light; even if sacrificed, they will not be recorded and will remain in eternal darkness.
"I didnāt take on this role for personal glory," Ning Ge said, shrugging.
"Thatās the point, in the public eye, one always carries more value. Being an agent for the state or something along those lines is better than being a spy," Qi Taiguo said. "If you really want to continue in this line of work, with Chief Ningās support, getting into the National Security Department wouldnāt be a problem."
"Weāll see. I donāt have that intention for the time being!" Ning Ge replied.
Qi Taiguo ground his teeth in frustration at Ning Geās nonchalant demeanor.
"Whatās the mission this time? What exactly is that document, did you really steal it?" Qi Taiguo asked again about the dayās events.
Ning Geās expression turned stern as he said, "Itās the alliance contract terms with Japan. Our goal this time is to sabotage their alliance."
Qi Taiguo was slightly startled, "Then, taking it away is enough to sabotage them?"
"Of course not, thereās much more to do. You also know of the strategy of sowing discord?" Ning Ge raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly.
Qi Taiguo pursed his lips.
"Donāt worry about this matter; itās not your business," Ning Ge advised.
Qi Taiguo huffed, "You talk as though itās simple. We are responsible for the mission; now that thereās been trouble, weāre the ones who will take the blame."
"Relax, nothing is more important than national interests. No blame will be cast upon you," Ning Ge patted his shoulder.
Qi Taiguo dodged his hand, finished his cigarette, and said, "No matter what youāre doing now, take good care of yourself. And, donāt say anything in front of Cheng Su; sheās a smart woman. Be careful not to slip up in front of her."
Thinking of Cheng Su, a gentle look flickered in Ning Geās eyes, but it quickly faded as he looked down and feigned composure, "Iāve got it in my mind. She wonāt find out." And he thought thankfully it was nighttime as he sternly reminded himself not to indulge in baseless fantasies.
"Accidents can always happen. Sheās smart, but sheās still an ordinary woman. Some things are not meant for her to bear. I only hope that she can lead an ordinary, peaceful life, just like now, doing business, reading books, thatās all," Qi Taiguo said.
Ning Ge gave him a look and said, "Donāt underestimate her. Sometimes, she is much stronger than youād think."
"However strong she is, sheās still a fragile woman," Qi Taiguo stared at him. "I donāt want her living in constant fear, understand?"
"Fine, fine, Iāll be careful to keep it hidden, happy?" Ning Ge raised his hands in surrender.
Qi Taiguo snorted coldly and turned to go back to the room behind him, "Iām going to sleep. You should leave."
Ning Ge did not say a word, he just slowly finished his cigarette, deep in thought.