NOVPUBThe Hidden Pavilion was not the shady underground organization Shen Roujia had imagined. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It had a grand building right in the busiest part of the street. Its operations were out in the open, functioning as a legitimate employment agency. The walls were covered with notices of various bounties, and the hall was bustling with people, some looking to hire and others simply curious.
The interior was furnished with pearwood and the floors were paved with redwood. The building had a circular central hall, with two levels both above and below ground. The roof was made of transparent, colorful glazed tiles. The Hidden Pavilion exuded a sense of understated luxury and restrained flamboyance.
Shen Roujia snapped back to reality and saw Chang Sheng talking to Gu Zhi. She pulled back her veil slightly, revealing one eye. “Chang Sheng.”
Chang Sheng nodded, “It’s crowded down here. Let me take you upstairs.”
Shen Roujia glanced at Gu Zhi. Once they were upstairs, it was instantly quieter. A few people in black passed by, each bowing to Gu Zhi.
“Boss.”
Gu Zhi seemed used to this. Shen Roujia was a bit dumbfounded. The story hadn’t mentioned any connection between her and the Hidden Pavilion. What was going on? She blinked and looked at Gu Zhi. “Zhi Zhi, you seem quite familiar with the Hidden Pavilion.”
Gu Zhi chuckled softly, “Yes.”
Shen Roujia was still confused. At that moment, she looked up and met a pair of complicated eyes. She found herself facing the male lead, Xiao Sinian. Her mind went blank. What was going on? Why was Xiao Sinian here?
Gu Zhi greeted Xiao Sinian naturally, as if his presence here was normal. Shen Roujia forced a smile and waved lightly, “Prince Xiao.”
Xiao Sinian frowned, “You… why are you here?”
Shen Roujia, puzzled, replied, “Why can’t I be here?”
Xiao Sinian, with a grim expression, turned to Gu Zhi. “Gu Zhi, I don’t recommend you take that mission.”
Gu Zhi’s face remained calm, her mouth a thin line. Shen Roujia scratched her nose, even more confused.
“Wait a minute, can someone explain what’s going on? I’m really lost here.”
Gu Zhi looked at Shen Roujia, her tone carrying a hint of affection she didn’t even notice herself. “I am a first-tier assassin of the Hidden Pavilion, codenamed Shadow.” She paused, “And you haven’t been here for almost ten years. Even I only found out later that you were the master of the pavilion.”
Shen Roujia, just recovering from her shock, then looked at Prince Xiao. Xiao Sinian smiled wryly, “Let’s go inside and talk.”
Xiao Sinian pushed open a carved wooden door, and the smell of dragon incense wafted out, making Shen Roujia feel slightly uncomfortable. Xiao Sinian’s voice was deep.
“I really didn’t expect you to be willing to come back.”
Shen Roujia, lacking memories of her original self, could only force a smile. “Last time, someone recognized me.”
Xiao Sinian didn’t seem to find Shen Roujia’s behavior strange, as if everything she did was reasonable.
“No problem. When I saw you again in Huizhou all those years ago, I knew you wouldn’t return.”
Shen Roujia was taken aback. Huizhou? She was only seven or eight when she came to the capital from Huizhou. Suddenly, a realization hit her. No way… Was the original host not only the male lead’s first love but also his childhood sweetheart?
Seeing Shen Roujia’s strange expression, Gu Zhi frowned and said, “Xiao Sinian has guarded the Hidden Pavilion for ten years. Jiao Jiao… you didn’t forget, did you?”
