You are my mission

"She left when I was five." Lin Yi's voice remained steady, but his fingers unconsciously traced the edge of the sofa. "Couldn't handle life as a soldier's wife." 

Su Xiaoxi didn't know what to say, so she simply placed her hand gently over his. Lin Yi didn't pull away, though his muscles tensed noticeably. 

"My dad passed away early too," she said softly. "Car accident. I was only seven. My mom raised me alone... It wasn't easy." 

Lin Yi turned to look at her, his gaze holding a tenderness she'd never seen before. They sat quietly like that, hands overlapping, sharing a silent understanding. 

Suddenly, Lin Yi's phone rang. He quickly withdrew his hand to answer. "001 reporting." 

A muffled voice spoke on the other end. Su Xiaoxi watched as Lin Yi's expression grew solemn. 

"Understood. When?... Roger that." He hung up, his brow deeply furrowed. 

"What happened?" Su Xiaoxi asked anxiously. 

Lin Yi took a deep breath. "HQ has decided to assign 002 to take over my mission. Handover is the day after tomorrow." 

"What?" Su Xiaoxi shot to her feet. "Why? Did you do something wrong?" 

"On the contrary." His voice was eerily calm. "They believe I've become... too invested. Violated professional protocol." 

Su Xiaoxi's heart sank. "Is it because of me? Did I distract you?" 

Lin Yi didn't answer directly. "002 is excellent. You'll be safe." 

"But I don't want someone else!" Her voice rose involuntarily. "I trust *you*!" 

Lin Yi stood, maintaining a careful distance. "This is an order, Su Xiaoxi. I have to comply." 

His tone had reverted to the detached professionalism of their earliest days, as if the closeness they'd shared had never existed. Su Xiaoxi felt her eyes grow hot. She turned and rushed into the bedroom, slamming the door before throwing herself onto the bed. 

Outside, Lin Yi remained standing for a long moment before slowly sitting back down on the sofa. He picked up the old photo Su Xiaoxi had found, his thumb gently brushing over his father's stern face.