After Xixi left, Yang Yi sat in a daze for an hour, feeling a sense of loss. "I really can't do without this little one," Yang Yi shook his head slightly, sighing to himself. Xixi's every smile and frown had already been deeply etched into his mind, as if she had become a part of his life. Just moments after she left, Yang Yi found himself missing this clingy little one!
However, Yang Yi was someone accustomed to solitude. When he stood up, his gaze turned resolute.
Since he had come into this world, he ought to do something worthwhile! Even if he avoided repeating past mistakes and stayed away from the life of a killer, he shouldn't waste this beautiful time!
What was the first thing Yang Yi wanted to do?
Well, it might sound a bit amusing—he spent three hours thoroughly tidying up the place.
It wasn't just about cleaning up the mess left by having a child around; he completely rearranged the furniture layout!
The original Yang Yi had been a disciplined person, so there weren't any disgusting dirty corners left behind. But damn it, Yang Yi had long wanted to complain about his predecessor's taste and style!
How could anyone be so uncoordinated?
Two small sofas weren't placed on opposite sides of the coffee table; they were crammed together!
The TV cabinet was shifted a hand's width away from the center axis of the living room, and the TV wasn't even centered on the cabinet!
And the clothes in the wardrobe—neatly folded, sure—but why were pants and tops stacked together?
Unbearable, right?
If it weren't for Xixi, that clingy little one, Yang Yi would have tidied up long ago!
Finally, it was done!
Yang Yi poured himself a glass of iced lemon water, sprawled out comfortably on the sofa, and looked at the symmetrical arrangement of the room. Every cell in his body seemed to be singing with delight.
But it was a pity—Yang Yi wouldn't be staying here forever.
"The space is too small, not comfortable," Yang Yi thought. Compared to his predecessor, he was quite different, placing more emphasis on quality of life.
Soon, as he lay on the sofa in a state of blank relaxation, Yang Yi came up with a new plan.
He wanted to rent a two-story small building. He and Xixi would live on the second floor, and he'd open a small coffee shop on the first floor.
Like other artistic youths, the Yang Yi from his past life had occasionally dreamed that if he could shed his identity as a killer and live a stable, peaceful life, he would definitely open a coffee shop.
It didn't need to be bustling, didn't need great business, and didn't need as many staff as Starbucks—just a simple little coffee shop. Though it sold coffee, it was more about selling a sentiment!
But the problem was: where would the startup funds come from?
Yang Yi's pockets were empty now. The few thousand yuan he had left had been spent on food and drinks with Xixi.
In a few more days, he'd be out of supplies, let alone have startup funds!
If it were the old Yang Yi, he'd probably be racking his brains over this!
But this Yang Yi didn't see it as a problem at all. After all, he had only been a law-abiding citizen for a few days; his mindset was still stuck in that of a shadowy, unconventional killer!
Laws and rules were nothing but a joke.
It was just money! In his past life, Yang Yi had never worried about money!
...
Of course, he wouldn't rob a bank. He wouldn't stoop to taking ill-gotten gains.
On Monday afternoon, Yang Yi, wearing a cap, appeared in Shanghai. He went to a bustling tea house. He didn't do much—just ordered a pot of tea and a few plates of snacks, silently reading a newspaper and sipping tea all afternoon.
There were hardly any young people in the tea house; it was mostly elderly retirees. They used to work in government offices, spending their time the same way—with a cup of tea and a newspaper.
Now retired, this tea house had become the best place for them to gather and chat.
After two days, Yang Yi had gathered the information he needed.
On Wednesday evening, Yang Yi walked into an internet café, found a secluded corner, and began searching for information on his target.
He had some knowledge of hacking, but clearly, the code from his past life didn't work in this world—the logic was off.
Fortunately, this world also had search engines! And Yang Yi, familiar with some hidden logic, didn't have much trouble finding certain dark web sites.
On the dark web, people sold information. Through these channels, Yang Yi quickly obtained the address he wanted.
"Luo Jinrong, Building 5, Unit 306, Chang'an Residential Area, Guiqiao Street, Jing'an District, Shanghai!" Yang Yi looked at the note in his hand, which listed several properties. One of them immediately caught his attention as potentially problematic.
This Luo Jinrong was the newly appointed deputy mayor of Shanghai and the former top official of Jing'an District.
From the old men's gossip, Yang Yi learned that Luo Jinrong had stirred up widespread resentment in Jing'an District. In fact, when he left, some people even set off firecrackers to celebrate!
Of course, if it were just these iron-fisted tactics, Yang Yi wouldn't have chosen him as a target!
Based on the information Yang Yi had gathered, during Luo Jinrong's seven years in Jing'an District, many old housing renovation projects had been carried out. The demolitions and compensations had sparked significant controversy, but under Luo Jinrong's iron-fisted suppression, these issues never came to light.
"If he didn't line his own pockets, I'll eat my keyboard!" Yang Yi thought disdainfully.
Compared to the corrupt official Yang Yi had killed in his past life, this Luo Jinrong was much more low-key. He had many properties, but none were the kind of lavish villas. Still, Yang Yi, who had thoroughly understood the mindset of such corrupt officials, trusted his judgment.
Yang Yi wasn't one to procrastinate. He immediately left the internet café, returned to his hideout, and changed into dark clothes.
His current physical condition was far from what it was in his past life. After all, he had only recently taken over this body and hadn't had time to practice his skills. Leaping across rooftops and wielding a sword like rain, as he had before, was out of the question.
Fortunately, this body was in good shape and had some martial arts training. It was enough to handle a minor corrupt official!
...
Around two in the morning, Yang Yi appeared at the door of the target property. He pressed his ear to the door, confirmed no one was inside, then pulled out two metal strips. After fiddling for a moment, he unlocked the thick security door.
Clearly, this old residential property wasn't Luo Jinrong's main residence—he usually lived in the government compound. Yang Yi guessed that the slightly more luxurious properties were where Luo Jinrong entertained his mistresses.
In such an old house, installing such a high-end security door made Luo Jinrong's intentions obvious!
Of course, when Yang Yi walked in, he saw only an ordinary house. It was fully furnished and seemed to be lived in, kept clean and tidy.
In the bedroom drawer, Yang Yi found a gold chain and some scattered hundred-yuan bills, as if left behind by a female occupant.
But this was all just a facade!