The assassin initially paid no mind, assuming it was someone trying to pick up a woman.
After all, there were plenty of fools in this world infatuated with romance.
He didn't want to get involved, nor could he possibly manage it all.
But soon, he realized something was amiss.
He saw a few lecherous men slowly surrounding him, their eyes filled with lustful glares.
The assassin was stunned.
"Miss?"
Was that... directed at me?
"Are you new to the imperial city?" a young master asked again. "You must not be very familiar with it yet. How about I show you around?"
"That's right," the other young masters chimed in. "It's too dangerous for you to be out alone at this hour. We can protect you!"
The assassin froze.
After a moment of bewildered silence, came boundless rage!
I'm a six-foot-plus man, a proud, upright fellow, and you're calling me a miss?!
He desperately wanted to kill these idiots on the spot.
But as they say, this was the imperial city.
Besides, his primary mission was to deal with the target; everything else could wait.
As a person who prioritized tasks, he had this much self-control, even in his anger.
The assassin glanced at everyone and then casually walked away.
I'll let you go for now.
But I've made a note of this in my little black book. Cherish your last night!
However, his actions were interpreted entirely differently by the young masters.
Good heavens, he looked at me!
This clearly means he's interested in me!
As for him looking and then leaving?
After all, he's a lady, can't she be shy?
Women always say the opposite of what they mean, both in words and actions.
This is obviously a hint for me to follow!
With that thought, the young men quickened their pace and followed him.
"Don't worry, Miss, we are definitely not... cough, cough, we are definitely not bad people!"
"That's right, we know the imperial city like the back of our hands. Wherever you want to go, we can take you!"
"Don't worry, Miss, all expenses tonight are on me, Zhao!"
...
Each word they spoke struck a blow to the assassin's rising anger.
"Get lost! I'm a man!" the assassin desperately suppressed his fury to prevent it from erupting.
To prove the credibility of his words, the assassin deliberately raised his head to expose his Adam's apple.
The young masters were immediately dumbfounded...
If a voice sounded male, it was possible, but a clear Adam's apple was undeniable.
Damn it, after all that, it's a man.
What rotten luck!
Not only was it a disappointment, but they also felt a wave of disgust.
Damn it!
It’s one thing for a man to wear makeup, but he's also wearing women's clothes.
Is he sick?!
What a pervert!
Ptooey!
Without another word, the group turned and left!
"Cousin, why are we leaving?"
A younger cousin asked in a low voice, puzzled.
"Don't be an idiot. Didn't you see he has an Adam's apple?" his cousin replied exasperatedly.
His younger cousin had only arrived in the imperial city a couple of days ago, and today he decided to take him out for some fun.
"What about the Adam's apple?" the younger cousin asked, confused. "The girl I like has an Adam's apple too, and she's a really nice person!"
As soon as he said that, the young masters around him quickly stepped away.
"Brother Li, we have something urgent to attend to. We'll take our leave!"
"Cousin, why are they all leaving?" Seeing everyone flee as if from a plague, the younger cousin was full of questions. "What's going on?"
"They have urgent matters. Don't worry about it." The cousin subconsciously took a few steps back, subtly wiping his arm, which his younger cousin had touched.
"Right, cousin, when are you leaving?"
"Cousin, are you trying to kick me out?"
"No, no, I was just thinking of preparing some gifts to bring back to Auntie when you leave..."
...
What had just happened was a mere interlude for the assassin. He returned to his tracking mission.
However, he soon discovered that things were far more complicated than he had imagined...
Not long after, a few more young masters approached to strike up a conversation...
"Miss..."
"Get lost! You're the one who's a miss, and your whole family are misses!"
The assassin spoke again, raising his head to show his Adam's apple as proof.
After that, he prepared to leave.
After all, the previous perverts had all scurried away in disgrace after discovering he was a man.
However, this time, the situation was somewhat unexpected.
Though the assassin was somewhat small in stature, his voice was rather rough.
Coupled with his prominent Adam's apple, anyone could tell he was truly a man.
The young master trying to strike up a conversation naturally saw it.
But after a moment of stunned confusion, he did not leave like the other young masters.
This was because he suddenly realized something important.
He had always thought he only liked beautiful women.
But now, he realized his perspective had been too narrow.
Because he suddenly discovered that what he truly liked was simply beauty.
Whether it was a man or a woman was no longer important!
As long as they were beautiful enough, I'm game!
At this moment, a new door in his heart was completely flung open!