In her last life, she and Han Yaotian had visited this area once.
At that time, this area had been developed into luxurious commercial housing and villa residential property. Yun Xi had always wanted a house that faced the sea and was surrounded by flowers. After searching online for a long time, she had finally found this place.
As soon as one opened the glass door at the balcony of the villa, one could see the sea outside. Because of the high terrain here, there was no need to worry about tsunamis and high tides, so the price of the house soared as soon as it was listed on the market.
She immediately took a liking to one of the villas. She jokingly complained to Han Yaotian that she couldn't afford it then asked him to help her.
Without a word, he immediately purchased the villa. And when he signed the lease, he appeared as handsome as ever and made her feel that the whole world was as warm as spring.
But what happened after...
Yun Xi suddenly snapped out of the memory of her previous life. She touched the cool sweat on her forehead, sighed slightly, and stood up.
There was a lot of snow outside the window. Yun Xi raised her hand and studied the lines on her pal. When she was reborn, she found that she was no longer as weak as she had been in her last life.
This time around, she had schemes, means, manipulations, and calculations at her fingertips.
In the eyes of others, a woman like her probably came across as being too vicious and ruthless; so why did Mu Feichi like her?
No matter what, no prominent family would like a woman who was as calculating as her. Even Han Yaotian preferred gentle, demure and sweet-tempered women like Qiao Ximin. Yun Xi was so proud and stubborn, so she wasn't likeable.
Mu Feichi must have a peculiar taste in women to be attracted to someone like her.
Yun Xi went to take out a coat from the closet behind her. She also picked out a few scalpels from the drawer, then carefully inserted them along with the stitches of the edges of her clothes.
Regardless of whether they can lure Crocodile out this time or not, they must stay prepared in case of any emergencies.
————
In the Mu Mansion at the top of Tianyu Mountain, Mu Feichi was standing in front of the monitor screen in his study. He stared intently at the surveillance footage on the screen.
His phone rang, and it was Feng Rui. Mu Feichi pressed the hands-free button to answer.
"Young Marshal, the prey is hooked!"
Mu Feichi looked at the screen. "Switch the surveillance footage on the monitoring screen. How many people did Crocodile bring with him this time?"
"It's not clear yet. Judging from the monitoring of the nearby intersection, a lot of people have entered and exited this area in the past two days. Everyone is going to the beach for New Year's. There is no way to check every car. I have inspected the cars that entered and exited the villa area recently, and three cars are not in the register of the owner of the villa."
"Keep up with the inspections. All vehicle personnel going in and out must be carefully cross-referenced, and no resident of the villa area can go unchecked."
None of them has seen what Crocodile looks like. If he threatens a resident and makes a move, they wouldn't be able to do anything!
"Yes! I understand!"
"Also, find a suitable excuse to allow visitors and vehicles to enter the outpost parking lots of the major entrances and exits on the seaside for the next two days to avoid casualties. Remember, keep up the act so we don't alarm him."
"I understand!" The call ended. Mu Feichi turned around and pulled open the drawer. Only then did he remember that he had forgotten the bulletproof vest he had prepared for that girl!
He was just about to go and get it when the phone on the table suddenly rang.
He picked up the phone to answer, and Li Zilan's slightly anxious voice came from the other end: "Young Marshal, there's been an emergency. The Narcotics Enforcement Department and the Ministry of Public Security have just sent over videos and information. Tomorrow, Crocodile will trade at a port one kilometre away from the sea. This time, many drug-dealing organizations will be involved. Since these two things are happening at the same time, could one of them be a decoy?"
"No, Crocodile doesn't engage in dealings that he isn't certain would be profitable. Call for a meeting and I will be there right away!"
This time, Yun Xi and Mu Feichi planned to lure Crocodile out of hiding. Yun Xi wasn't sure if Crocodile would take the bait. Anything could happen before the trap was set.
It was rare for Mu Feichi to allow her to take part in a mission. Naturally, Yun Xi didn't want to disappoint him. On top of that, this was such a good opportunity for her to participate in actual combat.
After looking through the topographic maps of the sea and the seaside villa over and over again, she noticed a few omissions on the screen. Yun Xi then sent a message asking Grey Wolf for a more detailed topographic map.
The message was sent, but there was no reply. It wasn't his break time yet. She entered a series of codes into the computer. Just as she was about to hack into Grey Wolf's computer, Grey Wolf appeared on the video screen next to her. A few words instantly appeared on the screen, "Don't talk!"
Yun Xi did not dare to speak, and soon, she heard Mu Feichi's voice from the other end. "The defence on the sea will be re-adjusted tomorrow."
Listening to the conversation, Yun Xi realized that they were in a meeting. They were still in a meeting despite it being so late, and what she heard was completely different from what she had studied in the plans. There was also information about the drug deal on the other side of the port.
She thought about it carefully, and then she assumed that there must have been other unexpected accidents tonight. She turned her head and looked at the map of the sea. There was nothing in the vast sea, so it wasn't easy for Mu Feichi to deploy defences over such a broad area.
Choosing the location in the waters and making sure that it wasn't the high seas would make it even more difficult to deal with Crocodile.
How to lie in ambush would also be a big problem. Although Mu Feichi's special forces were all first-class military, a sea attack would not be easy. If it were done near a port with heavy sea traffic, then the freight ships and containers would make very good hiding places.
But would Crocodile choose to trade in such a dangerous place?
The most dangerous place was the safest place. Whatever Crocodile could think of, Mu Feichi could think of as well.
But from the beginning, she and Mu Feichi had decided to carry out the plan at the villa itself, but the unexpected accident at the port was likely to be the place where Crocodile would show up.
If she hadn't asked Grey Wolf for a topographical map, she wouldn't know that they had changed their plan. Mu Feichi wasn't planning on telling her about it. Did he want to exclude her from taking part in the action?
He still looked down on her, and he didn't want her to take part in the action at all!
After quietly listening to their meeting, Yun Xi had a vague understanding of what was going to happen. He did not want her to participate in the operation probably for her safety, but she was not that fragile.
To eliminate Crocodile, she also had responsibilities and obligations. Now that he has set up the plan, she could also become a crucial pawn in his plan.
She sent a message to Grey Wolf. Then, she hung up the call and searched the Internet for detailed information about the seaside port.
There was nothing wrong with reading up and making preparations, and since she had a good memory, she wouldn't forget what she had read.
A few minutes later, Grey Wolf sent over what she wanted. He also included a structural drawing of the internal structures of the ships in the port.
Looking at this detailed and complicated blueprint, Yun Xi couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed that Grey Wolf had guessed her plan and strategy.
She replied with the message, "Don't let the Young Marshal know!"
"Understood." Grey Wolf's reply was as straightforward as always.
Only this time, he added an extra sentence, "Be careful. Even if you want to prove yourself, you must be strong enough first."
"I know!"
When Yun Xi got up early the next morning, she spotted a black bulletproof vest on her desk, and without having to take a closer look, she knew who had sent them.
Even though he didn't intend to let her participate in the action, Mu Feichi still cared to send her body armour. She didn't know what to say.
She put on the prepared outfit and went out after breakfast.
She soon arrived at the bus stop at the gate of the villa complex and waited for the car sent by Jiang Qilin. But almost immediately, Feng Yang's car drove over.
The window of the car lowered to reveal Feng Yang's handsome side profile. The man turned his head to look at her, and after a long time, he said, "Why aren't you staying at home to celebrate the New Year?"
"I have something to do so I need to go out. How about you? Don't you need to entertain guests at home for the New Year's celebration? You're the eldest grandson after all."
"And aren't you the eldest granddaughter?" Feng Yang sneered, "I know where you're going. It's along the way, so I can take you there."
"..." Yun Xi froze, then furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at him. "How do you know where I'm going?"
"I'm headed to the port. Aren't you going to Jiang Qilin's seaside villa? Just get in the car."
When Yun Xi heard him say that he was going to the port, she understood that he had also received a special task. She didn't ask any further questions and climbed into the passenger seat.
Ever since she met him in Crocodile's den, she knew that Feng Yang's identity was not as simple as she thought.
He told her that he was also in the industry, so he should be performing the same tasks as Mu Feichi. Whether it was subordinate to the President or other departments, the ultimate goal was to defend the country and uphold justice.
The question was... since the President asked Mu Feichi to deal with Crocodile, how was Feng Yang involved?
Was this distrust of Mu Feichi? Or was there some other reason?
Mu Feichi must be aware of Feng Yang's involvement in Crocodile's incident. He didn't ask or say anything and even allowed him to get involved. What was he thinking?
If she didn't think about the incident with Crocodile carefully, she wouldn't have noticed the risks and benefits, but the more she thought about it, the more frightened she feels.
If Feng Yang and Mu Feichi were on opposite sides, then she should not confide too much in Feng Yang. She didn't want him to indirectly ruin Mu Feichi's plan.
"How did you know that I was going to see Jiang Qilin?"
Feng Yang turned his head to look at her. "In Jingdu, it's not that difficult to find out what I want to know."
"Then why are you heading there?"
"I heard that Crocodile has come to Jingdu." When Feng Yang said this, he turned his head to look at Yun Xi's calm expression. His grip tightened around the steering wheel. "Why? Didn't the Young Marshal tell you?"
"He did. And he told me that Crocodile is allegedly targeting me. I don't think there's bad blood between me and him. I don't understand why he's targeting me? If they were to target anyone it should be you since you were already caught by them before!"
"Who let the Young Marshal mess up his hiding place for you! Who else could be a target besides you?"
"In that case, I feel really unfortunate!"
Feng Yang chuckled lightly. "Since you can still joke about yourself, you don't seem to be very scared!"
This girl was extraordinary!
If an ordinary girl was kidnapped, she would have been scared to death. Now, after finding out that she was being targeted by the kidnappers who were part of a major international drug ring, she could remain so calm! How impressive!
Although he had seen her in the minefield previously, he still felt that wasn't all of her capabilities.
He was looking forward to seeing this girl's capabilities!
"When you get to Jiang Qilin's villa, don't run around, lest Crocodile gets his hands on you. There is a deal at the port today. If Crocodile appears at the port, then you are safe! Before he gets caught, you have to be careful when you travel."
"I know, so I won't fall for anything."
What Yun Xi wasn't expecting, however, was the fact that there was always a chance of getting caught off guard!
The car stopped at the gate of the villa area, and the security guard stationed there called the owner for permission before letting her drive-in.
Yun Xi didn't want to delay Feng Yang's affairs, so she stopped him from escorting her to the gate. She just told him to open the gate and she walked in by herself.
Feng Yang watched as she entered the villa, then drove off, heading to the port. He had bigger plans today. Catching Crocodile was still their top priority.
Yun Xi walked up the driveway. She kept in mind the house number that Jiang Qilin had given her, and she checked each house she passed. Soon, a man in a black coat hurried towards her from not so far away.
"Miss Yun, I'm sorry. The Young Marshal asked me to take you to Young Master Jiang's villa!"
Yun Xi sized up the man in front of her. The special forces under Mu Feichi's hands were all first-class special forces. Their behaviour, appearance and speech had a unique military style.
It was an aesthetic that was hard to put a finger on. One could feel the awe-inspiring aura just by looking at these people.
One's countenance was a reflection of one's inner cultivation.
But the man in front of her was different from the members of the special force of Tianyu Mountain she had been in contact with. He had a deliberately suppressed sense of hostility.
The soldiers of Tianyu Mountain rarely had hostile vibes. No matter how aggressive they were, Mu Feichi would train them till they were worn out. To borrow Mu Feichi's words, "They only have passion and aggression within them. The passion is for protecting their homes and defending the country. The aggression is for courageous attacks against the enemy."
A soldier who was not restrained and could not control their temper, could not qualify as a good soldier.
Although Mu Feichi occasionally got hot-blooded, in many cases, he was more calm and restrained than anyone else. For example, every time he flirted with her, he could restrain himself.
He was a passionate man and an aggressive soldier.
She couldn't help but look at the man in front of her a few more times. He had dark circles under his eyes and a gaunt face. He looked a little tired as if he hadn't rested for days. This was different from Mu Feichi's men. No matter how much Mu Feichi's soldiers continued to fight, they appeared to be in good spirits because they were honed through long-term training.
Seeming to think of something, Yun Xi slightly tightened her hand in her pocket, and she chuckled faintly. "The Young Marshal asked you to come?"
"Yes! He said that when you come back, I should send bring you to the villa complex immediately."
"Okay then, let's go! If you weren't here, I would never have been able to find my way!"
The man smirked, then turned around and led her to the right. Yun Xi glanced at the long driveway on the right and curled her lips playfully.
She could already guess the identity of this person.
"Have you been here before? Why are you so familiar with this place?!"
"I just asked the security guard at the door when I first came here."
"Really? What is your name? What should I call you?"
"My surname is Yu, so you can call me Xiao Yu!"
Yun Xi squinted her eyes and paused. She raised her eyebrows and looked at the man. She was keenly aware that something was wrong, and she had to keep reminding herself to calm down. She suppressed the panic in her heart.
She took a deep breath, curled her lips, and chuckled, then said casually, "Or, should I call you Crocodile? Isn't that more appropriate?"
"..." The man in front of her suddenly stopped. He abruptly turned around and looked directly at her. A sharp murderous expression flashed across his face.
"I don't understand what you're trying to say..."
"You don't have to pretend. I know you understand. I never expected Crocodile to be so young though... And you already have such a high body count at such a young age. How shocking!"
When the man saw that his identity was exposed, his face was instantly filled with murderous intent. "You haven't seen me before, so why are you so sure that I'm Crocodile?!"
"It's not just me. I think there are probably many people who have never seen you. Your identity has always been a mystery. There are also probably many fake Crocodiles that you keep around you to take the fall for you. You rarely show your true identity. I was able to recognize you because you accidentally exposed yourself."
"I'm very curious about what I did to expose myself and make you suspicious."
He had always been extremely cautious and highly suspicious of everyone, and he had never expected that his disguise would be seen through by a young girl. This girl's intelligence had greatly exceeded his expectations and shocked him very much.
"There's a saying that one's true colours can be seen from one's appearance. You have a sinister aura, and you don't look like an upright soldier. You have a completely different vibe than those of Mu Feichi's special forces members who I've come into contact with. This is one of the ways that you exposed yourself. Secondly, you've probably never been to this place before, but the group that developed and built this villa area always had an unwritten rule. If the head of the household was a male, the villa is usually on the left. If the head of the household was a female, the villa is usually on the right. When you headed toward the right at the intersection just now, I realized something was wrong."
She had been told about this unwritten rule by a real estate agent when she came with to look at nearby real estate in her previous life.
At the time, she'd asked why she couldn't choose a villa on the left side. The reasons given by the real estate agent ranged from astronomy to geography. The reasons were so complicated and far-fetched that she had to believe they had studied them.
Then she pointed to the dark circles under his eyes and said, "There are heavy dark circles under your eyes, and you look very tired, unlike members of Mu Feichi's team. They have experienced many battles, and their stamina is better than that of ordinary people. You're different. You had to rush from City Y to Jingdu, and you had to hide your whereabouts and avoid the anti-narcotics people and the Ministry of Public Security, as well as the pursuit of Mu Feichi's people. Therefore, you couldn't possibly still feel energetic."
She had hit the nail on the coffin regarding all of these points. Crocodile couldn't help but nod in admiration. She was very smart and very observant. Even in the face of an enemy like him, she could still talk calmly. He was getting more and more curious about this young girl who Young Marshal Mu had his sights set on.
"Just these few blunders made you guess who I am. Little girl, it seems that I underestimated you!"
Crocodile suddenly raised his hand and waved. The people who had been hiding around the villa rushed out and surrounded Yun Xi.
This was the villa area that had the female heads of household. One hardly ever saw the people who lived there. It was easier for Crocodile's band to hide here.
Yun Xi glanced at all the mercenaries in camouflage uniforms who were holding guns. All of them had unfamiliar foreign faces. There were six people, and six guns were aimed at her head.
Yun Xi narrowed her eyes and glanced at these people. She wasn't sure if she could handle so many people at once.
Moreover, Crocodile couldn't have only brought these people. If there were snipers on the commanding heights, it would be even more difficult for her to fight them.
She had a strong sense of self-preservation. Resisting at this time wasn't part of her plan.
Crocodile smiled smugly when he saw her face showing fear. There was a fierce murderous rage and smugness on his sullen face.
"Even if you guessed who I am, so what? Now, you have still fallen into my hands. Now that I have you, Mu Feichi will obediently give up. I used a small ruse to lure him away. You're a little sheep all alone at my mercy now."
Yun Xi smiled mockingly and said, "If you think that Mu Feichi could be fooled so easily, then you must be really stupid."
Upon hearing this, Crocodile's expression changed, and he said, "What do you mean?"
"You might have lured him away, but how do you know that he has no backup? And why are you so confident that your people are a match against his special forces team?"