Chapter 142: They Are Here

Out of gratitude, the exhibition owner presented Yang Changfeng with a VIP maintenance card. The owner owned several auto repair companies in Jiangzhou, some of which specialized in luxury vehicles. If Yang Changfeng ever needed to service his Raptor, he could drive it over at any time and receive immediate, skip-the-line attention from dedicated professionals.

Yang Changfeng actually wanted to refuse, as he had no use for it. In his mind, a car would only make him feel entirely safe if he maintained it with his own hands. Handing over one's vehicle to someone else for repairs was equivalent to entrusting one's life to another—something that was nearly impossible for someone like Yang Changfeng, whose time on the battlefield had forged a stubborn, specific sense of crisis management.

Seeming to read Yang Changfeng's thoughts, Princess Ye just smiled and said nothing. Sometimes, accepting favors was purely about maintaining human connections, completely unrelated to whether the favor itself was useful.

Yang Changfeng also understood that this card was meant not only to befriend him—someone who shared a casual friendship with Princess Ye—but also to show respect for him as Chen Aijia's husband.

After all, that was a massive corporate conglomerate. If the company ever needed promotional campaigns, it could easily forge ties with auto shows, and the organizer of an auto show was essentially someone who hobnobbed with the wealthy.

If Chen Aijia wasn't considered wealthy, then who was?

He touched the card in his pocket, which held a staggering balance of a million yuan. It was a card issued in his own name, yet Chen Aijia never questioned how much he spent.

"Well, this is just great. Even my pocket money has to be doled out by my wife," Yang Changfeng thought with a trace of self-mockery.

Princess Ye received a phone call. Glancing at the caller ID, a look of perplexity crossed her face. She stepped aside to answer it, and her expression changed drastically the moment she listened in, causing her to involuntarily glance over at Yang Changfeng.

The call was from Jiang Hai. Talk of the devil—Jiang Hai had personally called to ask if Princess Ye was currently in Jiangzhou.

As a high-ranking official holding down the fort at headquarters, handling a thousand matters a day, Jiang Hai certainly wouldn't have called over his own younger son's minor antics. This meant he had a specific mission to assign to Princess Ye.

Princess Ye was far from an idle person. The people she befriended in Jiangzhou—especially those whose economic influence could significantly sway the nation—had actions and words that could potentially trigger domestic economic turbulence. Whenever any of them let slip even the slightest hint of information, Princess Ye had to analyze it meticulously. The moment she detected any troubling signs, she was required to immediately contact the upper-tier think tank. In fact, she could be considered a consultant to that very think tank; otherwise, it would seem the Ye family had no one left of any consequence.

Jiang Hai's call was sudden, and the matter he brought up was even more abrupt.

Jiangzhou?

This massive, cosmopolitan metropolis had replaced New York and Paris to become the dazzling focal point of the entire world. What kind of incident could possibly happen here?

Princess Ye couldn't help but think of the vehicle she had seen on her way to the exhibition.

Could it be related to that military unit?

This was the primary reason she had instinctively looked over at Yang Changfeng's reaction, though she couldn't help a wry chuckle upon remembering that Yang Changfeng had already left that unit long ago.

"I am in Jiangzhou. Does Uncle Jiang have a mission to assign?" Princess Ye was no stranger to these high-ranking generals who held formidable military power. Strictly speaking, although the Jiang family was not under the direct command of Elder Ye, Elder Ye had served as the Chief of the General Staff on several occasions, meaning virtually all generals could be considered Elder Ye's subordinates.

Jiang Hai said with utmost solemnity, "This is a secure line. You know what this level of confidentiality entails. Listen carefully to what I am about to say, and you must ensure it is never leaked to anyone under any circumstances. This is a top-secret plan, and you are well aware of the consequences if outsiders find out."

Princess Ye smiled. "I understand. Please go ahead."

A six-digit phone number—how could it not be top-secret? It utilized an exclusive quantum communication satellite channel, ensuring that absolutely no one could intercept the classified data.

"First of all, I am dispatching two operatives to ensure your safety..." Jiang Hai's tone grew increasingly grave as he spoke.

Upon hearing the details, a fine layer of nervous perspiration beaded across Princess Ye's forehead. If this wasn't classified as a top-secret mission, then what possibly could be?

A deep sense of reverence welled up inside her, and Princess Ye replied, "Uncle Jiang, there's no need to send anyone. I... well, there is a former member of the Fire Phoenix unit here, and we are currently friends. I believe that with him around, my safety can be guaranteed."

Jiang Hai paused for a moment, then blurted out, "You mean that little lunatic surnamed Yang?"

A lunatic?

Princess Ye was stunned. She chuckled softly and said, "Yes. It seems he has already left that mercenary outfit and is now in Jiangzhou, romantically involved with the eldest daughter of the Chen family. Sun Zhaoxing recognized him earlier as well. Oh, by the way, Jiang Chengyang just challenged him to a spar, too."

Jiang Hai burst into laughter, shaking his head. "So it's that kid. Then I can rest easy. This operation carries immense danger for you—however, we must still send people. Since the little lunatic has shown up, his former superiors are unlikely to turn a blind eye; they will definitely assign him other duties. Your primary task is to ensure your own safety. That is of the utmost importance."

After ending the call, Princess Ye knew that from this moment on until a certain designated point in time, she would never enjoy such leisurely days again.

"Let's go. Drop me off at home first," Princess Ye said, wearing an expression that suggested she had a lot on her mind.

Yang Changfeng couldn't help but feel puzzled. What kind of matter was so urgent that it had to be discussed on the way back?

Yet, throughout the entire return journey, Princess Ye didn't offer a single word of explanation to Yang Changfeng.

Jiang Hai had instructed that Yang Changfeng's identity was extremely sensitive, making it inappropriate for him to be brought into the loop from the very beginning. It was better to let things take their natural course; when his former superiors needed his help, they would step forward and find him.

Forget it. Better not let him know about this just yet. Recently, Chen Aijia's company still required someone with an iron fist to hold the fort, and he himself still had a brutal battle ahead of him. It wasn't the right time to let him get distracted.

Upon arriving at the entrance of Jiangwan Gardens, Princess Ye suddenly changed her tune. "Let's head to the Tea Man Teahouse instead."

What was the meaning of this? Why were they doubling back in circles?

Seizing the opportunity to negotiate terms, Yang Changfeng pressed, "Fine, but you're buying me some pastries to take away!"

"Understood. Takeaway pastries!" Princess Ye retorted sharply.

"Alright," Yang Changfeng said earnestly, "Make it a lot."

*May you choke on them, you ungrateful wretch! Don't you see such a great beauty sitting right beside you?*

*Have you no appreciation for breathtaking scenery?*

*No wonder people call you a lunatic, you're truly out of your mind!*

When they reached the entrance of the Tea Man Teahouse, Yang Changfeng was about to get out of the car when he suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure walking into the teahouse lobby. He couldn't help jogging over a few steps to take a closer look, but upon arriving, there was nothing to be seen.

"Who just went in?" Relying on his familiarity with the teahouse owner, he asked the young female receptionist directly.

Maintaining a polite smile, the young woman replied, "Sir, our policy..."

"Fine." Yang Changfeng waved his hand dismissively, suddenly feeling a strange reluctance to find out who that familiar figure actually was.

He suddenly felt a deep-seated fear of truly facing those familiar people. Although facing them was inevitable upon his return, Yang Changfeng realized he wasn't mentally prepared for it yet.

Princess Ye walked over and asked with a teasing smile, "What's wrong? Have you taken a fancy to our little reception beauty?"

"Cut it out, I'm not in the mood for jokes." Yang Changfeng frowned in deep thought, then stamped his foot in frustration. "Whatever, just hurry up and get my takeaway pastries. I need to get back, there are still matters at the company waiting for me to handle."