In another unnoticed corner, a muffled laugh sounded: "This is the first time I've heard someone say they're worried about scaring Boss Rong!"
Rong Xiao's menacing aura suddenly receded as his gaze turned toward the corner, annoyed: "Get the hell out here."
Ye Ming stuck out his tongue, rubbing his curly hair as he stepped from the shadows into the light, staring at Yan Yang without blinking.
His earnest posture seemed as if he were trying to spot something extraordinary about her.
The malevolence in Feng Sixi's eyes grew even heavier.
What was wrong with these people—why did they all like staring at her so much?
He turned his face slightly to the side, and Yan Yang, sensing his gaze, made suggestive faces at him, her striking features turning into an innocent charm.
She was indeed quite pretty.
Feng Sixi silently turned his face back, his expression growing even darker.
"You're Yan Yang! Where did you learn your hacking skills? Why are you so good? Can you give me a live demonstration right now, or maybe I could become your apprentice…"
Ye Ming's mind held only what he cared about most; everything else was completely ignored.
Rong Xiao barked sternly at him: "Ye Ming! Remember your place!"
Ye Ming pouted: "Got it, boss."
He stepped aside, quietly waiting for Rong Xiao to negotiate with Yan Yang.
"Miss Yan, regarding your application, we've already discussed it internally. Upholding our principle of never letting talent slip by, we can approve your application to join The Neighborhood Office."
Rong Xiao placed a contract on the table: "You can review the specific terms first before deciding whether to join us."
Yan Yang casually flipped it open, quickly scanning the relevant content.
Joining a security department naturally meant undergoing a background check, and becoming one of their members came with numerous rules.
Compared to ordinary jobs, it was far more stringent, but such a department inherently occupied an independent position—highly unique—so one couldn't paint everyone with the same brush.
Besides, only by getting in here could she accomplish all her plans.
A few minutes later, Yan Yang decisively nodded: "Fine, I can accept these terms."
Her tone suddenly shifted: "However, I have one more condition."
Rong Xiao was somewhat displeased: "Miss Yan, in our organization, you can't just make arbitrary demands."
"Then starting now you can. If you want me to join, you must agree to this request of mine."
"You're the one who proposed joining—it's not like we're begging you."
Seeing how this was going, Ye Ming felt things were about to take a turn and urgently reminded him: "Boss!"
They absolutely couldn't let talent like this slip away. In other words, even if Yan Yang wasn't truly talented—or even if she were a High-Risk Entity—she still had to operate under their watchful eyes.
Otherwise, if she ever became their adversary, she would turn into a terrifying enemy. They absolutely couldn't take that risk.
Rong Xiao shot Ye Ming a glare, warning him to shut up, then continued negotiating with Yan Yang in a solemn tone: "Tell us your condition first, and then we'll consider whether to agree."
Yan Yang's eyes curved gently as she suddenly reached out and grabbed the wrist of the man beside her: "I want to join together with him."
"What!"
"Impossible!"
"Are you insane?"
The first two exclamations came from Ye Ming and Rong Xiao, while the last was Feng Sixi's immediate reaction.
He furrowed his brows: "Yan Yang, whatever you're doing has nothing to do with me. Don't drag me into this."
Yan Yang was slightly surprised. "Who said it has nothing to do with you? Your business is my business. Don't forget…"
She leaned in close to Feng Sixi and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "You still owe me four million."
Feng Sixi's eyes darkened. He was increasingly unable to figure out what exactly this woman was scheming.
The other two were equally puzzled.
Rong Xiao rejected Yan Yang's request without a second thought. "We can only accept you. No one else is under consideration."
"Why?"
"He hasn't undergone our assessment, so he's not qualified to join."
"He can come in as my assistant. I can't work without him."
Yan Yang said with complete seriousness, "Only with Sixi by my side can I calm down and focus. Otherwise, if the mission fails, that wouldn't be good."
Rong Xiao was clearly unconvinced and remained firm. "First of all, regardless of whether he can actually be of any help, his background check alone doesn't pass."
Yan Yang pressed on. "Why doesn't it pass?"
Ye Ming quietly added from the side, "Because he's been to prison. We absolutely do not accept members with a criminal record here. It's a hard rule, not discrimination."
Feng Sixi's expression remained unchanged. He didn't grow angry at their mention of his past, but simply watched intently as Yan Yang stepped forward and began to haggle with them.
"It seems your information is a bit outdated. The police have already reopened the review of that case. Once the new verdict comes down, Sixi can apply for compensation and have all his records cleared. That incident wasn't his fault."
She was resolute and decisive. "He shouldn't have gone to prison, and he shouldn't be misunderstood."
Rong Xiao paused before speaking. "Even if that case can be retried, he was sent to juvenile detention center at fourteen, which also left a criminal record. Although a minor's record is permanently sealed, we have the authority to view it."
After hearing his words, Yan Yang smiled lightly. "Oh, you mean that matter. That one will also be retried. By then, all his records will be expunged. With no criminal record, there shouldn't be any problem with him joining you, right?"
Rong Xiao questioned, "How can you be so sure? Are you planning to use your skills to do something illegal?"
"Boss Rong, I'm about to have a permanent establishment. Why would I do anything unlawful? I guarantee we'll resolve this strictly through proper legal procedures."
Yan Yang smiled innocently and methodically fought for this opportunity on Feng Sixi's behalf.
Feng Sixi stared at the back of her head, his gaze gradually drifting down to her slender neck, his expression deep and unfathomable as the sea.
He had almost forgotten what happened when he was fourteen.
But she remembered it clearly.
Standing across from them, Rong Xiao found himself caught in a dilemma. This hadn't been discussed with his superiors beforehand, so he wasn't sure whether he could allow it.
Yan Yang was about to offer a new bargaining chip when the back of her neck was suddenly caught by a slightly cool hand.
Feng Sixi's voice was low and hoarse. "Yan Yang, I won't join this department. Don't waste your time."
Yan Yang turned around, puzzled. "Why don't you want to join? You don't have a job right now anyway. Coming in would be perfect."
"I will soon."
Feng Sixi's attitude brooked no argument. He had no intention of discussing it with Yan Yang, nor would he easily cave in.
Yan Yang furrowed her brows slightly, poking the man's cheek with her finger, her red lips pressed tightly together: "I'm your creditor now. Whatever I tell you to do, you have to do it. You've already sold yourself into servitude to me."
Rong Xiao and Ye Ming: ??
Is their relationship really that explosive?