After a moment, she finally realized—it was Tuesday.
There was something missing from him, something she had grown used to and relied on for so long—  a sense of security.
When she was with Li Xin, no matter what happened, she felt an inexplicable peace.
Li Xin’s gaze always followed her, cold yet focused and gentle, filled with undisguised love and protectiveness.
That look—burning and sincere—was like a flame warming her cold heart.
Li Xin liked her, loved her; this much she could clearly feel.
But Tuesday was different.
He had repeatedly claimed to like her, to be willing to take risks for her, yet his eyes lacked that pure affection.
His smile was simple and earnest, and his tone sincere, but it always felt like there was a layer between them, preventing her from fully trusting him.
Especially thinking back to how he had deceived her as Ye Lan’s undercover agent, the bitterness in Mu Xi’s heart only deepened.
This uneasy feeling grew stronger and stronger, like a tiny seed taking root and sprouting inside her, turning into a lingering doubt she couldn’t shake.
Mu Xi instinctively slowed her pace, putting some distance between herself and Tuesday.
Tuesday seemed to notice her distance, slowing down as well.
He turned his head, a hint of concern in his voice, “What’s wrong? Are you tired? There might be some danger ahead, let’s slow down and be careful.”
His words sounded caring, yet Mu Xi only felt more suspicious.
Danger?
What danger could be here?
Or did the “danger” he mentioned mean something else?
Was he really back just to take her away this time?
Or did he have another purpose?
Countless questions flooded her mind, and her heart sank deeper.
The two continued forward.
The musty smell in the Underground Tunnel grew heavier, the damp, cold air wrapping around her, causing Mu Xi to frown slightly.
Above was a low arched passage, so narrow it was hard to breathe, barely wide enough for two to walk side by side.
The walls were rough and uneven, cold water droplets occasionally sliding down and hitting the ground with a faint “drip” sound.
That sound echoed endlessly in the silent tunnel, striking Mu Xi’s eardrums and pounding on her heart, making her inexplicably restless.
The passage widened and the view opened up, a fork in the road appeared ahead.
Tuesday’s steps slowed, as if he was thinking something over.
His broad figure blocked Mu Xi’s view, obscuring the path ahead.
All she could see was his wide back and his slightly stiff shoulders.
He hesitated?
Mu Xi’s heart tightened, a surge of unease rising instantly.
Logically, this Underground Tunnel should be the way he escaped, so he should be extremely familiar with it.
So why the hesitation now?
Had he never taken this path before?
Or had he forgotten the way?
Or was he deliberately pretending to confuse her?
All sorts of guesses raced through Mu Xi’s mind.
Recalling Tuesday’s earlier deception and his identity as Ye Lan’s undercover agent, the bitterness and suspicion in her heart completely consumed her thoughts.
She didn’t trust him—not even a little.
Tuesday finally moved, walking toward the left fork, glancing back at her to signal her to follow.
His face still wore that honest smile, and his eyes remained pure like a child’s.
But Mu Xi felt that behind that smile, something lay hidden—something she couldn’t see through.
She didn’t immediately follow but paused, her eyes quickly scanning the surroundings.
The fork was dimly lit, only a faint light filtering in from deep within the tunnel, making it impossible to see where the paths led.
She took a deep breath, fingertips quietly brushing the knife hidden in her sleeve.
The cold touch of the metal brought her some comfort.
After moving forward a bit more, Tuesday suddenly stopped, lowering his voice, “Look, what’s that ahead?”
Mu Xi followed behind him, completely blocked by his tall frame, unable to see anything ahead.
She leaned forward, trying to peek over his shoulder, but saw nothing, only asking in confusion, “What is it? What’s ahead?”
Tuesday remained silent, as if frozen by something, not uttering a word.
Mu Xi’s heart skipped a beat—could there be Ye Lan’s men lying in ambush ahead?
How were they supposed to get out?
Thinking this, her mind briefly drifted.
Just as she absentmindedly took a small step forward, almost bumping into Tuesday’s back, he suddenly spun around!
His movement was sudden and lightning-fast, ruthless—his broad hands lunging for Mu Xi’s neck like folding fans opening wide!
But Mu Xi was prepared.
From his hesitation at the fork to this sudden act of trickery, her guard had already been raised to the highest level.
The instant Tuesday struck, a flash of cold light slipped out from Mu Xi’s left sleeve—the fork met his grasping hand with precise force.
“Pfft!”
The soft sound of the fork’s tip piercing flesh was faint but exceptionally clear in the silent tunnel.
Caught off guard, Tuesday cried out in pain, his eyes wide and bloodshot, staring at Mu Xi in disbelief that she had a weapon.
He instinctively tried to grab Mu Xi’s left hand, attempting to wrest the fork away.
But Mu Xi’s right hand moved too.
Another flash of cold light—the knife.
The blade ruthlessly sliced toward Tuesday’s wrist.
“Hiss—!”
Tuesday winced again, the sharp pain forcing him to release his grip.
Clutching his bleeding right hand, his face twisted into a grimace, eyes glaring at Mu Xi with murderous intent as if he wanted to tear her apart alive.
“Why?” Mu Xi asked coldly, her voice crisp with a slight tremor barely noticeable, though she tried to keep calm and steady.
Her right hand gripped the knife tightly, the tip aimed directly at Tuesday; the fork in her left was ready to strike.
Her small frame tensed like a beast ready to fight.
Tuesday didn’t answer, only stared fiercely, eyes filled with anger and unwillingness.
Blood dripped steadily from his wounded wrist, falling onto the damp ground with heavy “plop, plop” sounds.
He gritted his teeth and took slow, deliberate steps forward, closing in on Mu Xi again.
In her past life, Mu Xi had been just an ordinary worker, never faced great turmoil, let alone combat.
But now, at the brink of life and death, she felt an unfamiliar strength surge through her body, as if the instincts of this body were driving her.
Her mind raced, searching rapidly for any chance to counterattack Tuesday.
She stepped back step by step, feigning weakness, cornering herself against the wall.
Tuesday pressed relentlessly, his towering frame looming over her like a mountain.
Mu Xi feigned panic and helplessness, trembling against the cold wall.
“You have to die.” Tuesday’s voice was low and hoarse, filled with unyielding cruelty.
“Why?” Mu Xi’s voice trembled, carrying a hint of sobbing as she struggled to appear weaker and more pitiful.
Tuesday said nothing, silently advancing with a sinister gaze as if looking at a lamb ready to be slaughtered.
Seeing this, Mu Xi intensified her act.
She seemed to completely break down, throwing the knife and fork aside and crying out in a broken voice, “Please, spare me—I don’t want to die…”