"And, that's basically a rundown of what happened tonight."
"A ring? You've alerted us to the possibility that the target was or is married? Well done, as always."
"Thank you. But finding the ring was honestly just a stroke of good luck."
Jian Qingshan glances at the sparkling ring resting in her palm.
Was he actually married? Or does that ring have some other meaning?
At this point, she doesn't know anything yet. She couldn't possibly give herself a pat on the back simply for finding the ring.
"You're being modest. You wouldn't have gotten that lucky if you hadn't out yourself in the right place at the right time."
"…"
"Now then, regarding your next mission. Your real work is just beginning. You are to acquire Code X from the target."
"Code X?"
"Wang Zhixin's company has been focusing a lot of energy on developing artificial intelligence-related technologies. They've already released a number of AI products marketed for personal use."
"WGTC is supposed to be announcing the release of a new AI product any day now. Supposedly, Wang Zhixin made the trip back to China specially because the announcement is set to take place here."
"Evidently, there's a possibility that the new product will come loaded with a special virus."
"…"
"When WGTC releases a new product, it immediately becomes the new world standard. But if that AI device were to release a virus—"
"It's a scary thought. Especially the virus was to attach military facilities."
An AI launching indiscriminate cyber-attacks. If it happened to get control of the military system.
Just imagining it was enough to make her shudder.
In the hand of the wrong person, that kind of power could thrust the world into chaos.
As an FBI agent, Jian Qingshan was used to getting all kinds of jobs. Many of her clients works for government agencies. And, this job was probably from one such client.
"This Code X, is that something that deactivates the AI?"
"Excellent guess! Yes, it's the code that crashes the AI's program. Naturally, we expect the code you're looking for is under WGTC's control. You are to obtain the necessary code and use it to destroy the AI."
"I understand."
"This is a big deal. It could be a nation-sponsored cyber terrorism conspiracy. I have looked into the target's personal history, but I wasn't able to find anything about him prior to his time in the university. It's all very suspicious."
A CEO of a multimillion corporation with a hidden past? No matter what Jian Qingshan thought, it must have been intentional.
Wang Zhixin controls the largest information gathering company in the world. It would be nothing for him to pull something like that off. There must be some dark secrets lurking in his past.
A thought came into her mind, if all the information she received today was all true, she wouldn't rest until she exposed him for what he really is.
Wang Zhixin is a shrewd man; she absolutely cannot let her guard down around him.
"Ha-ha. It's unusual to see you so cautious of an adversary. You're an excellent agent, Qingshan. I
know you'll be able to pull this off with no problems."
"Of course. I'll get my hands on this Code X and crash the AI."
"I'm just praying your loyalty isn't compromised."
"Compromised? I would never betray you, Boss."
"I trust you. Still, hearts can be swayed."
"I hate to think your trust in me is less than absolute, but if you're ever worried. Just remember the ironclad rules that bind us together."
A traitor's only reward is death.
FBI agents must live by a variety of rules, but that's the most severe of them all.
If you fail to carry out your assigned duties or betray the agent, you must pay with your lives.
"I'm definitely not ready to die yet."
"I guess that last joke of mine crossed the line. Well then, I'll be praying for your success."
Once the video call has ended. Jian Qingshan closes the laptop and run her fingers through her hair.
Now that she was free, a wave of fatigue crashes over her.
Just then, she became aware of a scent other than her own. It's a familiar smell, reminiscent of the winter sky.
Probably because they were pretty close back then that his smell must had transferred onto her clothing.
Wang Zhixin.
If the man was planning on committing a crime, to Jian Qingshan, it was her responsibility to stop him at all cost.
Huo Qubing, the boss had saved her life once, a long time ago. She owes him a debt of gratitude. Completing this mission was for both her boss and for her own sense of justice.
The new mission could not be an exception. She will have to execute it flawlessly, just like all the others she had completed.
She turns to look at the night sky and heaves a sigh.
-
The following day.
The girl at the reception desk hangs up the phone, looks up and smiles.
The China headquarters of Wang's Global Tech Company occupies a building on the grounds of Heaven's Gate Resort.
The entrance, while grand and spacious, also feels somehow refined. Jian Qingshan expects no less of a global tech company.
She assumes the security would probably be appropriately tight as well.
Expertly controlling any nervousness she felt. She toys with one of the small earrings glittering on her right ear.
The receptionist takes notice of Jian Qingshan right away, and politely but thoroughly looks over her.
"Nice to meet you. I'd like to see Mr. Wang."
"Let me take a look at that."
Jian Qingshan hands over the business card prepared for a woman named Wu Nianzhen. A consultant. No perfumes and accessories kept to a minimum.
This was all part of the disguise she crafted specially based on the kind of relationship she's hoping to build.
"Ma'am, I'm so sorry. You don't seem to have an appointment."
"That's right. I didn't make one. Yesterday, I accidently went home with one of Mr. Wang's belongings."
"…"
"It's actually this." She holds out the handkerchief and gives her a glimpse of the ring inside.
"Wait just a moment."
Time seems to be passing painfully slowly. Jian Qingshan swallows thickly, waiting to see how the situation plays out.
After making another phone call, the receptionist looks up at her and smiles.
"I was able to get the confirmation I needed. Someone will be down to greet you in a moment."
"Thank you."
Great! Step one: Completed.
Raking her hands through her hair, she took a breath. She allowed herself to feel relieved, however her formerly narrowed ling of sigh widens. She noticed something that escaped her earlier.
It was a poster of Lu Junyi, titled China's most beloved husband. He was a famous actor that won Best Actor of the Year, 10 executives years in a roll. Lu Junyi also did some advertisement a few years ago for WGTC.
Jian Qingshan was fangirling over her all-time favorite actor. To her, the older the man gets, the more handsome he becomes.
As she was staring at the poster, the expression of the security guard next to her softens. She offers him an addable smile of her own, but her mind still swimming with thought of the actor.
Truthfully, she could lie about other things, but she couldn't pretend not to love what she loves.
"Thank you for waiting, Mrs. Wu."
Instantly abandoning her romantic ruminations, she slapped on Wu Nianzhen's face and smile like nothing ever happened and follows the secretary.
Although WGTC headquarters are obviously closed to the general public. There are some areas not even employees can enter without special security clearance. She made it this far because of the ID the secretary accompanying her is carrying.
"WGTC really is a world-class company. Just walking through it like this is kind of overwhelming."
"Ha-ha, yes. I supposed it would be."
"It's not every day I get this sort of chance. I'd love to talk business while I'm here."
"That sort of thing is a little above my pay grade."
The secretary's perfunctory smile intensifies, and Jian Qingshan grimace.
"Well then, if there's a next time. I'll contact you through my company, Persona Solutions."
"We'll ne eagerly awaiting your call."
It was rubbish coming from her. The woman couldn't care less. Persona Solutions is a fake company made up to go with Wu Nianzhen alias. Yet, the secretary just shuts her down before she could even get started.
The secretary seems absolutely certain that Persona Solutions wasn't good enough for WGTC.
The only reason Jian Qingshan was allowed in the building was because they believe she was associates with the CEO in his personal life.
Unfortunately, flirtatious tactics are all but useless against the man.
She had come up with a number of strategies, because plans have to change depending on the target.
"I'll show you into the president's office. Please wait just a moment—"
"Wait, please!"
Wang Zhixin seems to have a visitor. And, by the sound of it, it sounds like they're arguing.
"I'm so sorry, Ms. Wu. If you would be kind enough to wait in another roo—"
"I won't make any excuses about the losses we incurred!"
Before the secretary can finish speaking, the conversation on the other side of the door gets even more intense.
"Please, don't you think you could give me another chance?"
"You failed. Nothing matters to me but results. I don't have time to waste listening to nonsense spouted by a loser. If you'll excuse me."
"Not even, if I were to get on my knees and beg?"
"I don't expect you to grovel before me. Please, don't disappoint me any further."
"B-but then what about your engagement to my daughter?"
"It's off the table, obviously. You'll have your hands full getting your own affairs in order."
Engagement? It meant Wang Zhixin was really single, just as the data led her to believe. Her early suspicions have been confirmed.
The ring is just a ring, and the woman she met last night wasn't someone he was cheating with. The woman was simply his girlfriend.
While lost in thought, the moment Jian Qingshan looks up, and in that moment, Wang Zhixin appears.
In the president's office, she caught a glimpse of an older man, hanging his head low.
The man was no other than Mr. Xiu Ouyang, President of Xiu Market Corporation. This man was a big deal, and the guy was downright merciless with him.
Jian Qingshan doesn't know whether she should be surprised or the opposite.
"President, this is Ms. Wu Nianzhen I mentioned earlier."
"Long time no see."
"You—"
Jian Qingshan casually nod hello, and the man begins to approach her, only to stop in his tracks.
"You're not wearing it today?"
"…"
She considered what he could mean by 'you're not wearing it.' When she realizes what he meant, every hair on her body stands on end.
"What do you mean?"
"…"
Obviously, the woman knows what he was referring to. But she needs to be careful about the way she reacts. One wrong move and she could be in trouble.
If she was to let him know he's referring to the perfume that would be tantamount to admitting the perfume has meaning.
"You look me right in the eyes with no hesitation. What a strange woman."
"Was I being rude?"
"No, I wouldn't call it a negative thing at all."
Once the two shared a quiet look, Wang Zhixin abruptly averts his gaze.
"Forget I mentioned it. It was a pointless comment anyway."
It was a surprise to her. They've only met once, and he remembers such small details. But then again, it's this man obscenely high IQ that allows him to compete as he does on the world stage.
"Anyway, what brings you here today?"
"This."
Swallowing her nerves, she removes the handkerchief and ring from her bag.
"…"
Wang Zhixin's eyebrows twitch, jumping upwards.
When she sees this, she was so relieved she have to stop herself from letting out a sigh.
"Very well. I'll listen to what you have to say. What's your name?"
"Wu Nianzhen. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Wang."
It was a good start for Jian Qingshan. Now, all she has left is to acquire unlocking the location of Code X.