Chapter Seventy-Four: Introduction to the Dark Night

Shangguan Renran waited for a response from the other side, but after a long time, there was still no news.

Could it be? Was he angry?

But she hadn’t said anything wrong! Ye Zuo didn’t even like her, and the reason he never left her side was because her grandfather had asked him to. Her grandfather meant well—she couldn’t possibly go against his wishes, could she?

Shangguan Renran wore a look of distress. He hadn’t replied to her messages at all; he must be angry.

Was she the type to sit around and do nothing?

Absolutely not, so...

“Mo Lina, I’m heading out for a bit. I’ll leave these matters to you.”

“Yes, Minister.”

Today, Shangguan Renran was driving a red Porsche Panamera. She never cared much for cars, but whenever a new model came out, someone would deliver it to her.

Her garage always housed about fifty cars of various brands, styles, and colors.

Today’s car matched her handbag and shoes perfectly.

Ye Xin and Ye Zuo each had their own garage as well, always filled with the latest models. Most of the time, Ye Xin wouldn’t drive herself—if Ye Zuo was driving, it would be inconvenient for her to take another car.

Today, Ye Zuo was behind the wheel of the latest dark-colored Maserati Ghibli, which had been improved in details and upgraded with premium materials. Notably, the new model featured an updated electronic gear lever bearing the brand’s logo.

They followed behind Shangguan Renran and saw her head to the Huangpu Group.

After parking their cars, Shangguan Renran walked up to them.

“You two just wait here, or feel free to look around nearby. Remember to find somewhere to eat later! There’s no danger for me inside.”

With those words, she left quickly.

Ye Xin watched her young lady’s lovestruck demeanor and couldn’t help but smile.

But she soon noticed Ye Zuo, standing off to the side, gazing absentmindedly at their young lady’s departing figure. This worried her; she would rather Ye Zuo expressed himself, otherwise she always felt uneasy.

“Ye Zuo? Shall we find somewhere to eat?”

“No, you go ahead. I’ll just wait here.”

His glasses hid most of his expression, making it impossible for Ye Xin to read his eyes or gauge his mood.

“But the young lady will probably come back after eating. If you don’t eat…”

“But I want to wait here.”

Ye Zuo’s response was firm and brooked no argument. His eyes remained fixed on that spot, unmoving.

She stood beside him as if to keep him company. “Alright, then we’ll stay here.”

“There’s no need for you to wait here. You should go eat.”

Ye Xin didn’t move. Suddenly, she was overcome by curiosity. “Ye Zuo, can you tell me why you like the young lady?”

Why did he like her?

Because she brought him hope for life. She had always been his goal, his hope!

He wanted to protect her, always.

...

“Trash like you—how do you expect to become one of the Night Shadows in the future? Huh? How will you protect your master? You can’t even protect yourselves. You’d be better off as servants or slaves for the rest of your lives.”

That year, a ruthlessly strict training officer arrived. He took away all the most outstanding orphans.

The rest, if they were smart, would be trained as elites—decision-makers, managers; others would be trained as servants for the manor.

Some of those taken away were sent to closed-off training; others went to study, travel abroad, and serve in various industries—teachers, lawyers, judges, prosecutors, medical examiners, entrepreneurs, artists, soldiers, designers, civil servants, and so on—all by their own choice. Yet there was one condition: they would all serve the Ye family. This was the secret to the Ye family’s enduring strength over a century. Another group was sent all over the world to gather intelligence for the Ye family.

These Night Shadows came in endless waves, one generation after another.

All were orphans adopted from around the world. If, later on, any wished to leave the organization and lead an ordinary life, it was permitted—but the conditions were harsh. They had to repay five times the cost of their upbringing and training, and if the organization ever needed their help, they were obliged to comply. Betrayal of the Night Shadows was strictly forbidden; any traitors would face a death warrant and relentless pursuit.

But most would never leave, for they had joined of their own free will.

They had no families, no purpose for living. In a world where they were bullied and starved, they would rather endure hardship with pride than live in humiliation.

So most never betrayed the organization, and almost all repaid it a hundredfold.

If you were exceptional enough, you would earn recognition and enjoy a life of unparalleled status that others could only dream of.

What moved them most was something Ye Hai had once said: “As long as the Ye family stands, I will protect all of you for life. But if anyone betrays me, betrays your organization, then be prepared for a lifetime on the run.”

Thus, those who could become Night Shadows felt a particular sense of honor. They could protect their masters, though the path was arduous and harsh—but they had no regrets; they chose this willingly.

Ye Zuo and Ye Xin had both volunteered for training as Night Shadows.

Ye Zuo’s batch had just so happened to encounter that especially strict training officer.

From ages five to fifteen, they learned basic skills: all kinds of knowledge, fundamental boxing techniques, medical basics like bandaging their own wounds, proficiency with firearms and weapons, familiarity with luxury brands, detailed information on all high society figures (especially in Country Y), and a complete grasp of the world’s four major nations’ industries and financial chains, and much more.

After fifteen, they began real-life strategy and field training, protecting assigned targets, and carrying out missions in various places.