Chapter 6 (Revised)
After receiving Graves’s promise to give her double the bonus, YN showed him a faint smile. Although her expression seemed somewhat insincere, unnatural, and forced—far from heartfelt—she still called him “Boss” both in front of him and behind his back. Particularly now, when she greeted him with that fake smile, Graves found it rather gratifying. He had money, and she liked money. In a way, they made quite the perfect match.
The shadows watched YN circling around Graves like a little bunny, unable to help but admire—Graves really was Graves, managing to turn the tide so quickly!
Turning the tide was impressive indeed, but even more so was how YN, who was clearly afraid of him before, suddenly seemed unafraid in such a short time. Seeing Graves with that painfully fake smile plastered on her face, barely fitting, was telling.
When Shadow-9527 had a moment to spare, he pulled YN aside and teased her, “Graves gave you some ‘magic potion,’ huh?”
“Magic potion” was their secret code between YN and Shadow-9527—it actually meant orange soda. Shadow-9527 had caught the scent of orange soda on YN when he got close. Of course, it was he who had let Graves in on YN’s fondness for orange soda.
“Yeah, he bought me orange soda,” YN said, her smile fading as she continued to Shadow-9527, “He… he also tipped me in gold coins.”
Tipped in gold coins?
Shadow-9527 hadn’t known YN for very long. Over the past month, whenever he wasn’t on a mission, he and YN met almost every day. They would sit together in the sweepers assigned to YN, sharing various snacks. Naturally, Shadow-9527 bought all the snacks because he had finally realized one fact: YN had no money in her pockets.
He noticed that YN’s thoughts and words sometimes unconsciously revealed a childlike innocence, only to those she trusted. There was no romantic feeling whatsoever between him and YN.
Even Graves squinted suspiciously and asked him, “Really none?”
Really none.
In this world, there were so many kinds of feelings—between women and men—why couldn’t there be feelings beyond romance?
He simply wished YN happiness every day and wanted misfortune to stay far away from her. YN wished the same for him. That was enough.
Shadow-9527 popped open a can of Coca-Cola and thought for a moment. YN’s “tipping in gold coins” probably just meant a generous tip.
YN couldn’t hide her joy; she looked truly happy. She told Shadow-9527, “I just cleaned his gun, and he gave me a $10,000 tip.”
Shadow-9527: “What?! You cleaned his gun?!”
The can had just been opened when Shadow-9527 was so shocked by “YN cleaned Graves’s gun” that he slammed the Coke down on the table. The bubbles fizzed out with a “zzz” through the opening.
Hastily, Shadow-9527 lifted the corner of his balaclava and quickly took a sip of the fizzing Coke.
Coca-Cola was really delicious, even though he had sworn off it not long ago.
Confused by Shadow-9527’s sudden outrage and shock, YN explained further, “Yeah, cleaned his gun.”
Shadow-9527 made a “stop” gesture toward YN. His feelings were complicated.
Yes, he had told Graves about some of YN’s preferences and habits. Her identity was somewhat suspicious… but that didn’t justify him “destroying a flower with a ruthless hand”!
In matters of relationships between men and women, respect and equality were paramount!
He never imagined that Graves, so upright and proper, would break his own rules once he took a liking to YN… even though YN wasn’t a “Bunny.”
Nor did he expect YN to go that far for money…
No! YN was such a lovely girl; she could never be motivated purely by money! She must have been pressured by Shadow-1—Philip Graves’s intimidation—to do such a thing!
His dear friend YN was so pure! His boss Philip Graves was full of wicked schemes!
It was all Shadow-1 Philip Graves’s fault!
“Did he kiss you?”
YN: “?”
Shadow-9527’s gray eyes grew moist; his voice hoarse. He felt awful for having “betrayed” YN and was scrambling for excuses in his mind.
After taking a large gulp of Coke, he turned to ask YN again, “Shadow-1, Philip Graves—did he kiss you?”
It hurt—his heart ached.
Philip Graves, the infamous Shadow-1, could not be allowed to break all rules!
How could he ask pure-eyed YN to do such things without any emotional foundation?!
YN felt puzzled. She placed one hand on her forehead, then stretched the other to touch the balaclava-covered forehead of Shadow-9527.
On one side stood her benefactor, on the other her dear friend. Without any emotional basis, her benefactor had done such things to her friend…
He was truly distressed now.
Ah, his heart was breaking apart.
“You’re not even feverish. What nonsense are you talking about in broad daylight? Why would Shadow-1 Philip Graves kiss me for no reason?”
Shadow-9527 was too lazy to argue with YN. She was touching the balaclava covering his face—a fabric mask—and she could feel nothing at all!
He gently removed her hand from his forehead. “YN, if Graves ever bullies you, tell me…”
Though he couldn’t really do anything to Graves.
YN looked at Shadow-9527 as if he were a fool and said, “What are you talking about?! He’s the one who tips in gold coins—he’s like our ‘daddy’…”
He wasn’t crazy; he was perfectly composed. At least, he could secretly complain about Graves with YN or share “whispers” about him in private.
But YN’s words, at first hearing, were not only correct but made perfect sense—Graves really was their financial benefactor.
With a snap of his hand, Shadow-9527 suddenly seemed to have an idea—
Even if Graves couldn’t resist “ruining the flower” first, as a man, he had to take responsibility!
Graves: male, age… older than them. CEO of Shadow Corporation, annual income… Shadow-9527 hadn’t bothered to calculate, but Graves’s strength and wealth could easily conquer or buy out a small country.
YN: female, age… younger than Graves. Currently a cleaner at Shadow Corporation, annual income… even if it was $120,000, YN had no money, but she had Graves’s favor.
They didn’t need to concern themselves with such trivial differences in status. What mattered most was—neither had a family.
Graves had no family; YN had no family. Shadow-9527 had already outlined his next priority in his mind—Graves and YN, start a family!
·
“Complete this mission with full dedication! Also, I don’t want anyone getting hurt!”
Graves was giving his final orders before the Shadow team deployed. All the shadows under his command were carefully selected blades—his pride and effort.
YN noticed something, though she wasn’t quite sure yet. Every shadow on this mission, without exception, called Graves “Shadow-1” formally, but during ordinary times, they simply called him “Graves.”
The soldiers even joked with him, though not always seriously.
After Graves said, “She is YN, not a ‘Bunny.’ And don’t make jokes about her,” the shadows truly stopped making the kind of jokes they had on the plane.
·
Knowing YN held his secret orders, Graves did not restrict her freedom, threaten her, or intimidate her—nor did he kill her. “Stay at the base and wait for me to return.”
Unlike his commanding tone with the shadows, his voice softened noticeably when he said this to YN.
At present, he had accurately found her weakness—she wanted money, and he could provide it. The balance of mutual benefit was delicately maintained.
Undoubtedly, his Shadow Corporation was a good place to belong. Graves felt quite proud of this.
“All right, boss. I won’t go anywhere. I’ll just wait here for you.”
The shadows present were once again astonished. Their blue or green eyes furtively glanced at Shadow-9527’s head, as if little green sprouts were growing there.
Among those eyes, some pitied Shadow-9527’s love, some were glad their boss was finally showing some affection, and some remained neutral.
Graves patted YN on the shoulder.
After these days together, she noticed another thing—Graves liked physical contact. When praising her for cleaning the gun well, he patted her shoulder like this.
To be honest, at first, YN instinctively felt he was abusing his position to sexually harass her. The moment his hand touched her shoulder, her body stiffened.
But since cleaning the gun earned her $10,000, she forgave her boss for that.
Later, during a meeting with the 141 Special Forces, Apple Dog’s plan was even better, and Graves praised her highly. When he tried to pat Apple Dog on the shoulder, Ghost suddenly pulled her close: “She’s not your subordinate.”
YN, brewing tea inside the tent, watched the entire scene. She felt the skull-masked “Ghost” exuded a strong sense of security and masculinity.
“Ghost…” Graves looked at his hand hanging in midair and said, “I only wanted to express my appreciation for Apple Dog.”
There was no gender distinction on the battlefield, only brave warriors.
Graves’s way of showing appreciation was like this—whether to men or women.
Patting men was one thing, but patting women… YN thought, when necessary, she’d have to tactfully remind her boss.
From YN’s observation, her boss seemed a bit “itchy-handed.” His hands had to touch someone, or he felt uncomfortable.
During a stopover at an airport in the Middle East, he personally roused the dozing shadows one by one.
During mobilizations or mission briefings, his hands always patted people.
Ghost’s possessiveness over Apple Dog was almost overwhelming. This little episode made the meeting atmosphere a bit awkward.
YN set the freshly brewed tea down in front of everyone. Though she thought her boss’s indiscriminate “patting” was indulged by his subordinates, outside, some might not tolerate it. She hadn’t expected that day to come so soon, but she found Graves’s embarrassed expression quite amusing.
To ease the awkwardness, YN stepped between Ghost and Graves. She first presented the tea to Ghost: “Sir, your tea.”
Then she walked a few steps toward Graves and raised her shoulder slightly: “Boss, please have some tea.”
Graves understood and patted her shoulder.
YN’s tone was bright: “Thank you for your appreciation, boss.”
Graves nodded. See? The people of Shadow Corporation were the best.
As she left the tent, after YN’s deft handling of the situation, Apple Dog and YN exchanged a wink. Leaning on Ghost, Apple Dog turned and gave YN a thumbs-up.
Smart girl, truly charming.