The next few days passed in a blur of activity. The contractors worked tirelessly on the apartments, and every evening, Mr. Zhang updated me on their progress. Reinforcements were nearly complete, the solar panels were being installed, and the secret compartments were taking shape.
While they worked on the apartments, I focused on logistics. The Jiang Mercenary Group had confirmed our meeting, and I had spent hours refining my pitch to secure their allegiance. But it wasn't just muscle I needed—I needed loyalty, the kind that only money and foresight could buy.
It was early evening when Mouse began growling softly at the door. His ears were pricked, his posture alert.
"What is it, boy?" I asked, rising from the couch.
The twins and Xue were playing on the carpet, oblivious to the tension. I moved toward the door and checked the peephole. A figure stood just out of view, their shadow long and distorted in the dim hallway light.
I opened the door cautiously, revealing a courier in a simple uniform.
"Delivery for you, sir," he said, handing over a package wrapped in brown paper.
I eyed it warily but accepted it. "Thank you."
As soon as the door clicked shut, I carried the package to the kitchen and set it on the counter. Mouse was at my side, his growls low and menacing.
"Stay here," I told him, ruffling his ears to calm him down.
Unwrapping the package, I found a small black box inside. When I opened it, a single slip of paper fell out, along with a familiar item—a jade pendant engraved with intricate designs. My chest tightened as I recognized it. This pendant had belonged to me in my first life.
The note was written in elegant script:
"We know who you are. And we're watching."
My blood ran cold. This wasn't just a threat—it was a statement. Someone else knew about my reincarnations, or at least suspected enough to taunt me.
I clenched the pendant tightly, my mind racing. How? Who could have left this?
That night, I couldn't sleep. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the note over and over in my mind. It was a warning, but it was also a challenge. Whoever sent it wanted me to know they were a step ahead.
But they underestimated me.
By the time dawn broke, I had formulated a plan. If someone thought they could play games with me, I'd show them just how dangerous I could be.
The next morning, I left the kids in the care of the nannies and headed to my meeting with the Jiang Mercenary Group. The rendezvous point was a secluded warehouse on the outskirts of the city.
When I arrived, two guards escorted me inside, where a long table awaited. Seated at the far end was the leader of the Jiang Mercenary Group—a man known only as Jiang Wei. He was a tall, broad-shouldered figure with scars crisscrossing his hands and a gaze as sharp as a blade.
"You're the one requesting our services?" he asked, his voice deep and gravelly.
"Yes," I replied, sliding a folder across the table. "Inside, you'll find the terms of our agreement, along with an upfront payment of 50 million MNB."
Jiang Wei raised an eyebrow but opened the folder. As he read, his expression remained neutral, though his fingers tightened slightly on the papers.
"You're asking for a lot," he said finally.
"And I'm paying for a lot," I countered. "You'll provide personal protection for my family and me, assist in the fortification of our properties, and scout for potential threats. In exchange, I'll provide consistent payment, resources, and—when the time comes—an alliance that will secure your position as the leading force in the region."
He leaned back in his chair, considering my words. "You speak like a man who knows the future."
"Let's just say I have a knack for predicting outcomes."
Jiang Wei chuckled softly, but there was no humor in it. "You're an interesting one. Fine. We'll take the deal. But if you betray us—"
"I won't," I said firmly, meeting his gaze. "Because I need you just as much as you'll need me."
By the time I returned to the hotel, the weight on my shoulders felt marginally lighter. The Jiang Mercenary Group was a powerful asset, one I couldn't afford to lose.
As I stepped into the suite, I found the kids playing with Mouse, their laughter filling the room. Xue looked up and toddled over to me, arms outstretched.
"Dàgē!" she squealed.
I scooped her up, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Did you miss me?"
She nodded enthusiastically, her tiny hands clutching my shirt.
For a moment, the world felt peaceful again. But in the back of my mind, the pendant and the note lingered like a shadow.
Whoever was watching me had just made a critical mistake. They revealed themselves too early.
And now, it was my move.