Miss Assassin is heavily addicted

Chapter 107, Section 23: The Beach Festival Where Everyone Makes an Appearance
He Ye never expected to see Lawrence here.

Lawrence held feed in his hand, and with each step he took, the greedy seagulls followed behind, hopping and skipping, scattering the feed in a straight line on the ground. He carried a fishing net on his shoulder, inside which several seagulls with clipped wings were already flapping their wings.

...Let's just pretend we didn't see it.

Although it's unclear why Lawrence is here, his beach attire clearly indicates he's trying to blend in, posing as a tourist at the beach festival and flirting with the seagulls. Perhaps he's just here for a vacation, and incidentally, to keep the local birds company; after all, those seagulls fly around so much every day, it must be exhausting.

He Ye tried to justify himself in his heart, but just as he turned around, a coconut blocked his way again.

Mark held up the coconut and offered it to He Ye:
"5 kronor, fresh and delicious beach coconut."

“…%＃￥ What kind of code is this?…” He Ye couldn’t hold back.

“A code? No, no, no.” Mark took off his sunglasses and grinned. “I’m just a coconut vendor now. The weather’s really nice today, so I came here for a vacation.”

"Vacation?"

He Ye, still somewhat skeptical, handed him the banknotes from her pocket, then took the coconut she had pried open and remarked:

"You'd better be realistic if you're talking about digging for treasure... like discovering lost pirate gold and silver and organizing a team. If it were really a vacation, that guy Lawrence wouldn't be here. When he's staring at the seagulls with that murderous look on his face, I suspect he's thinking about how to cook them."

"Haha, my good buddy." Mark chuckled wistfully, "I'm relieved that you still have such a great sense of humor."

"so?"

“I can’t exactly tell you the action plan, can I…” Mark scratched his head sheepishly.

He Ye thought this statement was very true. The scene of being tortured in the basement a few days ago was still vivid in his mind. Their somber expressions were inseparable from the increasingly serious situation. But from beginning to end, He Ye had no idea what they were worried about, busy with, or doing their best for.

"Well... have a nice vacation." He Ye tapped another coconut in his hand with the coconut.

Mark paused for a moment, then asked sadly, "You'll be leaving after the beach festival, right?"

"Yes, I've already bought the train tickets."

"That's good, that's good." Mark breathed a sigh of relief. "By the way, how's the life you've always wanted going? Have you found someone you like? If so, remember to tell me her name so I can write to congratulate you."

"Okay, okay." He Ye was too embarrassed to tell the truth; there wasn't a pretty girl with a great figure around him.

Fortunately, the beach festival was so lively that I saw at least a dozen mature and sexy beauties. I just needed to go up and chat with them to prepare for a wonderful encounter in the future.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now. You can continue selling your coconuts. I wish you great success," He Ye said.

"Have a safe journey," Mark said with a sigh as he bid farewell.

However, soon, looking in the direction He Ye left, Monica and Xi Wu were staying in that direction. If the group met, it would definitely not be a small matter. Thinking of this, the originally sentimental Mark's face suddenly turned panicked, and he quickly stepped forward to pull him back.

"Wait, wait, wait a minute!"

He Ye turned around: "What's wrong?"

Mark breathed a sigh of relief, then squinted, looking wistfully at a spot a hundred meters away. On the sun-drenched beach, the figures were blurred at this distance; only men and women could be vaguely discerned, their faces indistinct.

On the distant beach and rocks.

Monica, wearing a red bikini, sat on the rocks, gazing quietly below with a look that seemed to be observing an animal or watching over it. She held a pen and paper, occasionally writing something down, her eyes gentle.

Yugiri crouched down below, watching the crabs carrying sand out of the sand cave.

The sea breeze brushed against my hair.

The red crabs on the beach are very small. They use their two pincers to lift up the sand, crawl from their burrows to a spot half a meter away, and then put it down, going back and forth tirelessly.

Every now and then, waves crash onto the shore, soaking the sand and filling the burrows that the red crabs have just moved out with water.

They look so pitiful.

It is probably only children who find such commonplace coastal ecology novel.

“You’d better not go there… Monica and Sophia are there, they’re on vacation too,” Mark said slowly and subtly.

He Ye remained silent for a while after hearing the two names, and finally turned his head and asked curiously, "You two aren't really going to do something big here on the beach, are you?"

Mark realized he might have misunderstood something, after all, even Sophia was there, and the significance of this state-level assassin was too profound—but in reality, there really wasn't anything too deep involved.

It just so happens that the beach festival has started;
It just so happens that the sun is shining brightly here;

It just so happens that I need a little time to linger.

"It really is just a 'vacation,' Leon."

Mark paused for a moment, then said in a seemingly casual tone:
“Monica is treating Sofia’s psychological problems. She has insomnia, you know. Getting some sunshine and fresh air helps a lot, and there’s a vast sea here. Just the sea breeze is refreshing, isn’t it? Not to mention that anything new and interesting can attract her, even if it’s only temporary, it’s enough for her to forget some of her troubles.”

"Is your mental illness still not cured?" He Ye was a little surprised, after all, two months had passed.

Previously, when she was partnered with Yugiri, her psychological problems were rarely manifested in their subsequent interactions. She even became somewhat sleepy and needed to drink coffee to stay awake after 10 p.m.

Sure enough, once back in the organization, all sorts of problems would recur.

“Ah… um.” Mark shrugged helplessly. “I’m not a doctor, so asking me this won’t help… Monica said treating psychological trauma is very troublesome, especially for a girl like her with a very limited understanding of the world.”

"ok, I get it."

He Ye already knew that this beach was full of acquaintances. He was wondering if he should come back tomorrow, otherwise he might run into even more people after walking only a few steps.

He turned around and returned the way he came, leaving behind a waving figure.

"Then I'll be careful not to be seen."

Mark seemed to realize something as well, and he stammered out:
"Uh... we'll probably close up shop around 4 PM, so it won't stop you from enjoying the sunshine and pretty girls here!"

He Ye was speechless for a moment, only feeling that it was quite thoughtful.

Then I'll go out for a stroll after four o'clock.

……

—Gone Beach. Under the beach umbrella—

Nicole is playing games with her little sister.

The doll was taken out of the bag she was carrying. Next to it were some pots and pans made of sand. This was a classic pretend play game. Nicole played the husband who left early and returned late, while the little sister played the housewife. However, she said she preferred the latter role.

Because her husband had been gone for more than half an hour and hadn't returned, the game of pretend play had already progressed to its second round—in the previous round, she played the child and the little sister played the mother.

Although the game wasn't boring, Nicole was distracted and had a feeling that her husband might be doing something bad behind her back.

Under another parasol, a beautiful lady was reading a book.

She is Zhalan's wife, and as for the two men, they have already agreed to go swimming in the sea wearing beach shorts.

"As expected, the cool sea can really dispel the heat!"

"Want to have a swimming race?" Two figures could be seen talking loudly in the distance.

Nicole often sees the ocean, but she can't swim and is a little envious.

As they were playing, Mr. Brooke came over.

"Hey, why are you all alone here?" Brooke lifted his sunglasses. "Where did Leon go?"

"I don't know~" Nicole said with a hint of resentment, picking up the juice next to her and sipping it. It was a small drink that Professor Zaran had treated her to.

“Well, that’s a real shame. I was planning to tell him some good news.” Brooke sighed. “I just saw the star Xena at the east entrance. She’s a top model, wow, her figure and her face! I can only say that the guys at the neighborhood committee have good taste in hiring the right person!”

As if drawn by the news, He Ye, who had just returned, raised an eyebrow.

"real or fake?"

He had heard Brooke's long sighs from afar, and now he came up behind him to ask questions.

So, has this guy already pulled himself together?

"Leon? You've come at the perfect time! This news is absolutely true!" Brooke hugged He Ye without saying a word, excitedly saying, "Shall we go see it together now? They're preparing for registration at noon!"

"They're still registering at noon? What for? A competitive eating contest?"

"No, tug-of-war, surfing, sailing, and so on—Miss Xena is just a pretty face standing on the sidelines. It would be nice to just watch even if you didn't sign up!"

He Ye listened thoughtfully.

But as he was pondering this, he felt a resentful gaze from Nicole—who had gone from being resentful to pouting.

Come to think of it, it makes sense. I just got back and now Brooke is dragging me away again. We were supposed to spend the holiday at the beach together, but now she's here playing house with the little girl and I'm just leaving her here without a care. It's really heartbreaking.

He Ye hesitated for a moment before asking, "Are you coming?"

Nicole's eyes lit up: "Can I go too?!"

"Of course... as long as you don't mind."

"great!"

Nicole patted the sand off her hands and comforted the little girl next to her, saying that she had to leave for a while. Although the little girl was reluctant to leave, she obediently nodded and then returned to Miss Kaoru's side, who was reading a book, and sat quietly, hugging her doll.

The three of them headed in the opposite direction from Mark's direction, towards the temporary wooden shed commercial street.

The population density here is indeed much higher.

Most of them are male.

In the distance, there was a stage that had been erected, which would probably be turned into some kind of performance venue in the evening. Right now, there were only people queuing up and notices about the beach festival's schedule painted on a huge curtain hanging down.

There are no preliminary rounds or selections; there is only one competition where one out of a hundred people will be chosen.

As Brooke said, there are indeed many matches.

As for the celebrity Xina he mentioned...

He Ye looked around until he saw a stunningly beautiful woman on the stage wearing a hot bikini. She was blowing kisses to everyone around her and giving them seductive glances. She had healthy tan skin and a tall, slender figure.

It's really good to keep quiet about things that need to be said... Beach Festival.

Brooke whistled and pointed forward, which caught the attention of the hot female star on stage. Upon seeing this, she winked and gave him a flirtatious look, which was truly breathtaking.

Nicole tugged at He Ye's sleeve, and said awkwardly:

"Sir, please stop looking."

"Of course, I didn't look at her."

“But I remember the magazines you collected…” Nicole muttered softly, “most of them were like this, both revealing and seductive—”

"Okay, okay, okay." He Ye surrendered immediately. "Let's go. Is there anything you want to eat or do?"

Despite saying this, He Ye felt melancholy. Sigh, she thought, "I'll find another place to hide when I get back; this girl has figured me out completely."

After listening, Nicole tentatively asked, "May I learn to swim, sir? Please teach me!"

"No problem," He Ye thought for a moment and agreed.

After all, we can kill time until 4 p.m.

"Hehe." Nicole was overjoyed.

Brooke, who was traveling with them, was surprised. He looked at the two of them, who had already turned their heads away, and asked incredulously, "Hey bro, you're leaving already? Aren't you going to sign up for any competitions like tug-of-war or anything?"

He Ye thought to himself, "If I don't leave, my XP will be exposed to everyone through her nagging."

All I could do was give him a meaningful look and say goodbye.

"I'm not participating, I'm not participating."

"I'm going swimming with my husband!"

Seeing this, Brooke noticed Nicole's happy expression as she held He Ye's hand and suddenly realized that this wasn't so bad. If she didn't want to participate, then so be it; spending time with this little girl would be fine too.

As for himself—

Brooke had already rolled up his sleeves and was pushing his way up with a ferocious momentum. The bar was open at night, but the beach obstacle course he wanted to sign up for was in the afternoon. It was said that the first place winner would receive a kiss on the cheek from Miss Xena, which was not to be missed!
"Me too, I want to sign up too!"

Seagulls swept over the densely populated area, looked at the bustling beach, let out long cries, and circled away.

And on the roadside not far away.

The Gladys Beach Festival committee has specially planted brightly colored flags here to indicate safety; they flutter in the wind like waves.

In the speeding car, someone leaned out the window to look out at the vast, azure sea.

"Is today the beach festival?" Isabel belatedly realized the time.

The driver smiled and answered, his back ramrod straight:
"Yes, Section Chief. This is the annual celebration. Some factories and companies give everyone a special holiday to enjoy life. The planning started a month ago."

"It was supposed to start in mid-June, but apparently the Astronomical Society observed that there would be heavy rain in June, and the beach festival would be soaked to the bone. So they moved the celebration to this time."

"But it's not bad either, after all, the sun is strong but not scorching at this time of year, which is perfect for sunbathing."

The police officer and driver talked on and on, as if they would be participating in the event tomorrow or the day after and giving an advance report on their experience. Isabel just listened quietly, her eyes fixed on the figures on the beach, her emotions unreadable.

Then, she brushed her fingertips through the silver hair beside her ear and sighed softly.

(End of this chapter)