Being an FBI agent was like being everything — and yet, no one at all. A fleeting shadow, disappearing at will, reshaping the world around it and touching lives without ever being seen. Secrecy was the norm, and seriousness and discretion were the defining traits of every agent.

“There’s nothing here,” Jingyuan muttered, running a hand through his hair as he spoke into the comms device nestled discreetly in his ear — a sleek, matte-black earpiece that connected him to his partner stationed elsewhere in the house.

The villa was massive, and they’d managed to disable every surveillance camera. But in just a few minutes, the system would reboot, and they’d have to be gone. Ghosts in the night — invisible, silent, and quick.

“We need to move. Meet me at the window we came in through,” he said calmly, already heading toward the designated exit. He slipped through the window frame in a fluid motion, landing softly a few meters below. His lips curved into a smirk the moment he caught sight of his partner.

“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of heights.” Teasing had become second nature to him — a signature trait. He genuinely enjoyed it, though he always knew when to switch gears. His voice dropped slightly, tone sincere. “Come on. I’ll catch you. Jump.”