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The night before the announcement of Liu Leah's broken engagement…
Zhou Chun had endured an exhausting afternoon after parting ways with Leah and Zed following lunch.
When she arrived home, she immediately sensed that something felt different, though she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.
"Hmmm, why does it feel like I've walked into someone else's house?"
She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It must be the accumulated stress from work and the relief from finalizing the young miss's engagement breakdown."
With a smile, she headed toward her bedroom.
Zhou Chun hurried into her room as if there were no tomorrow. She dropped everything she was carrying, including her clothes, and made a beeline for the bathroom.
She took a quick shower before slipping into the bathtub.
Sigh—
"Nothing beats a good soak after a hectic day."
She pressed a button, and water began to flow.
The targeted water jets hit her back and shoulders while gentle currents from the bottom of the tub massaged her calves and feet.
"Ahhh, I made the right choice installing this baby."
Lying in what could hardly be called just a "tub," Zhou Chun sighed contentedly. A water-resistant pillow supported her head while her hands busied themselves with her skincare routine. Once her face mask was applied, she let out another sigh of satisfaction.
She stored her skincare products in a hidden compartment on her left, then turned to the right. Pressing a button-like protrusion on the wall, she opened another hidden compartment, slightly larger than the first. The small door swung open completely, and a flat surface extended outward like an armrest below the opening. Inside the compartment, a transparent glass container and a wine glass sat in the cool, chilly air.
Zhou Chun skillfully poured her favorite wine into the glass, filling it halfway from the container. She returned the glass container to its compartment and closed the small door. Taking a small sip, she savored the taste before setting the wine glass down on the extended board, which served as a makeshift side table.
She gazed at the night sky through the floor-to-ceiling window, letting out her third sigh of the evening.
Having grown up in one, Zhou Chun had never been fond of houses. She found them cumbersome to manage. Instead, she preferred high-rise condos like the one she currently lived in. They were easy to maintain, secure, and luxurious enough to suit her tastes. Plus, this particular location was conveniently close to her workplace and Leah's usual whereabouts.
While Zhou Chun was unwinding and cleansing both her mind and body, the rooftop of her building was bustling. Four unidentified humanoid figures resembling human shadows, were busy packing equipment. They were positioned on the outside rooftop level of Zhou Chun's building.
Bzzzrrrrttt~ Bzzzrrrrttt~
One of them paused and reached for the right chest pocket of his tactical vest. Without removing the vibrating device, he pulled out a wire attached to it and placed the earpiece in his right ear.
Click—
"Boss," the lean figure dressed in all black said in a low, clear voice through his face mask. His eyes scanned the surroundings and kept a watchful eye on the other three figures.
"Status update," the caller said, his voice cutting off after just two words.
"All locations have been searched. All originals were collected and replaced with replicas. We're at the final location, preparing to depart and return," the man reported promptly.
He then fell silent, waiting patiently for further instructions. After a moment, he heard a sigh on the other end.
Sigh— "Return safely."
"Thank you, Boss." He saluted while expressing his gratitude.
Beep—
His posture was impeccable and confident, but his eyes gave him away. His former team leader, now his boss, had never issued an order as questionable as the one they had just given. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, exhaled, and opened them again. The doubts were gone. He resumed his work as though nothing had disrupted him.
Within minutes, the team had packed their gear and lined up at the edge of the building. One by one, they jumped, gliding off in a straight line from one side of the building to the next. If observed from above, the four figures would appear to be gliding down in a tight formation until their silhouettes disappeared into the night.
Dressed in black wingsuits, they glided swiftly through the air. The first figure deployed a parachute, landing on the rooftop of another building shrouded in darkness. The others followed suit. This building seemed forgotten amidst the dazzling lights of the surrounding skyscrapers.
The rooftop door opened automatically. Without hesitation, they each entered, dragging their parachutes behind them. Once the last person was inside, the door closed on its own, and the rooftop returned to its quiet stillness as though nothing had ever occurred.
Inside the rooftop entrance, there was only one room: a spacious, windowless area painted white and lit by fluorescent lights. The four individuals stood facing different directions, each with a stool in front of them. They dropped their gear and stripped down to their underwear, then dressed in casual clothes found folded neatly on their respective stools.
Without exchanging a word, the two men and one woman walked toward the elevator and departed. The last man lingered, arranging a sealed package the size of a manila envelope. He concealed it inside his jacket and followed the others.
Outside the building, a broken neon sign hung above the entrance. Some parts of it still flickered with light, but the full text was unreadable without moving closer and looking up.
Neverland Hotel.
A place where strangers came and went without the need for reservations or identification. A place shrouded in mystery, operated by an unknown figure who accepted only cash transactions.
.
.
.
Fifteen minutes earlier, a tall, well-built man in a black suit was wiping down the countertop in a spacious kitchen. He removed his white apron and hung it up before dialing a brick-like phone with a thick antenna protruding from one side. He pressed a button and held the phone to his right ear, eyes scanning the kitchen's every corner.
Ring—ring—
"Boss," a voice answered promptly.
"Status update," the man ordered, holding a knife and examining its edge closely.
...
After finishing the call, he completed his inspection of the kitchen. Satisfied, he turned around, only to see Leah leaning casually in the doorway, smiling as her gaze traveled up and down his form.
In that split second, Zed—yes, it was Zed—dropped the satellite phone as many scenarios flashed through his mind. He quickly regained his composure, kicked the phone up, and caught it with his left hand.
He turned around, facing against Leah, stashed the phone in a drawer, locked it, and turned back around as if nothing had happened.
Clenching a fist to his mouth, he pretended to clear his throat.
Ahem—
"So this is what embarrassment feels like," he thought.
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