"We're even," Su Xiaoxi said with a smile. "Now what? We can't hide here forever."
Lin Yi took out the new phone and dialed a number. "002? It's me. The situation has changed... Yes, I've decided to continue the mission... No, this is final... Thank you."
Hanging up, he turned to Su Xiaoxi. "002 will handle things at the police station. We have a new safe house."
"Wait, the organization agreed to let you keep protecting me?" Su Xiaoxi asked in surprise.
Lin Yi's expression softened. "I requested a transfer. After this mission... no more field work."
Su Xiaoxi's eyes widened. "You mean..."
"I want to try living an ordinary life," Lin Yi said quietly. "With you."
Tears welled up in Su Xiaoxi's eyes again. She knew what this decision meant for Lin Yi—giving up the career he'd built for years, leaving the world he knew. She threw herself into his arms, careful to avoid his injuries. "I'll never let you regret it."
Lin Yi kissed the top of her head. "Never."
A week later, news broke of the S&W Lab scandal, exposing internal personnel colluding with a criminal syndicate to smuggle experimental drugs. Several people were arrested, including a police superintendent. With the case resolved, the threats against Su Xiaoxi disappeared.
Lin Yi officially concluded his protection mission—but this time, he didn't leave. He rented an apartment across from Su Xiaoxi's and began adjusting to ordinary life: no mission briefings, no weapon checks, just lovingly packed lunches waiting for him every morning and the girl who never failed to make him smile.
"You know," Su Xiaoxi said one weekend morning, curled up on the couch as she watched Lin Yi clumsily attempt to bake bread, "I'm actually grateful for that blurry photo."
Lin Yi raised an eyebrow. "Because it nearly got us killed?"
"Because it brought you to me," Su Xiaoxi walked over and hugged him from behind. "My aloof agent."
Lin Yi turned and pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply. Outside, the sunlight was warm, the breeze gentle—a brand-new life awaited them, one filled with love, burnt toast, and endless ordinary possibilities.
(The End)