The White House, USA
The President sat in his office, repeatedly watching the National Day parade of China, his brows furrowed in worry.
Today was the last day of the Chinese National Day holiday. The former president had promised to send China a congratulatory gift involving an operation by an agent known as XO, but nothing had happened yet. The President couldn't help but feel anxious.
"Mr. President, Secretary of Defense Gomez requests an audience," his secretary called.
"Quick, send him in immediately," the President said excitedly.
After Gomez entered the office, the President dismissed everyone else and secured the area.
"The gift?"
"Mr. President, the gift has been arranged in Xi Jing. We are just waiting for the agent to act."
"There won't be any mistakes, right?" The President asked cautiously.
"Absolutely not!" Gomez assured with a smile. "Rest assured, Mr. President."
"Good, that's reassuring," the President nodded.
"This time, no matter what, China will lose a top hacker!"
...
Lying on his bed, Leon Chen marveled at the data in his hands. The technology was astonishingly advanced, akin to reading an esoteric tome where a single error in any detail could cause everything to collapse.
For the past few days, Leon had been using his ability NO.104: visual memory to copy the data he received from Turing. By yesterday, he had almost completed it and planned to send it all to Grace Wang.
Leon activated the storage function on his watch, scanning all the data into the watch's memory.
In this world, perhaps even a bank vault wouldn't be safer than the Heavenly Realm's watch.
A few minutes later, Leon finished the scan.
Afterward, he shredded the papers and burned them, flushing the ashes down the drain. He was well aware of the value and danger of such confidential information. If it ever leaked, it would cause a massive upheaval.
Just as he finished, someone knocked on the door.
"Hi, Leon!" It was Cynthia, the French girl, smiling sweetly.
"What brings you here?" Leon asked.
"Do you have some time?" Cynthia asked in return. "Lily hasn't come back yet, and I want to buy something. Can you accompany me?"
"Sure," Leon agreed readily.
Xi Jing, a rapidly emerging major city in the China, had risen in just a few years. While it didn't have the deep political and historical significance of the capital Jingbei, nor was it the financial hub like Shanghai, Xi Jing attracted global attention with its commitment to becoming the world's first "green warfare city." Global Fortune 500 companies had set up branches here, and the number of factories and malls was staggering.
A famous saying about Xi Jing was: If you can stand out in Xi Jing, you can make a name for yourself anywhere in the world.
Indeed, Xi Jing, combining politics and economics, was such a testing ground.
Leon and Cynthia walked along Chang'an Road, the busiest street in Xi Jing, mingling with the bustling crowd.
Cynthia wanted to buy a cellphone. Chinese knock-off phones were famous worldwide, loved and hated in equal measure, and Cynthia was among the former.
She adored the designs of knock-off phones, from watches to earrings, marveling at the creativity of Chinese manufacturers.
After visiting dozens of large phone stores, they walked from Chang'an Road to Great Wall Road.
Leon sat on a bench, catching his breath. Looking at the numerous shopping bags, he felt a bit helpless.
Was that why Cynthia invited him out?
"Leon," Cynthia approached with two ice creams, smiling.
Leon took an ice cream and joked, "Trying to bribe me into being your servant with just one ice cream?"
"Didn't realize I bought so much," Cynthia stuck out her tongue.
Sitting on the bench, eating ice cream, Cynthia tossed her hair back, smiling, "Xi Jing is much prettier than Paris."
Leon glanced at the French beauty, saying, "Really? Paris is the most romantic city in the world. Countless couples dream of honeymooning there."
"You've been deceived," Cynthia said dismissively. "Paris isn't that romantic. Men urinate on the streets, and there's dog poop everywhere. It's disgusting." Her tone was filled with disdain as she spoke. "Maybe people think all those public kisses are romantic, but they're really not."
Leon chuckled. He recalled a recent news story about Japanese tourists in Paris who, seeing the garbage-strewn streets, voluntarily picked up trash. It seemed it might be true after all.
After finishing their ice cream, Leon asked, "Where to next? The luxury center in the west?"
"No way. I've seen enough luxury goods in Paris," Cynthia shook her head and pulled out a flyer for a newly opened mall. "Someone gave me this while I was buying ice cream. Let's check it out; there might be discounts."
"Alright."
"Leon, you seem reluctant. Want me to make it more romantic? I won't tell Lily," Cynthia teased, licking the ice cream off her lips flirtatiously. "Remember our first meeting? We already had an 'honest encounter.'" The last phrase was particularly suggestive.
Leon shivered, defeated by her. "Your Chinese is quite good. Let's go before the mall closes."
Cynthia laughed and followed him.
At the new mall, there were already many people. Heavily armed security guards watched the guests closely, as if expecting trouble.
Passing by the men's section, Cynthia insisted that Leon try on some outfits, saying they were for her brother.
Leon agreed and spent some time in the fitting room. The last outfit, a classic black-and-white slim-fit casual suit, made Cynthia's eyes light up.
"Leon, what do you think?" Cynthia asked, satisfied.
"Not bad," Leon considered buying it for himself.
"Then it's settled."
After paying, Leon prepared to change back, but Cynthia stopped him. "You look great in this, keep it on."
"Why would I wear clothes meant for your brother?" Leon laughed.
"They're not for my brother; they're for you, Leon," Cynthia giggled.
Leon was taken aback. Cynthia continued, "Actually, Lily asked me to buy this for you. She said you've helped her a lot, so she wanted me to pick something for you."
"Really?"
"Of course. Lily is a good friend, and I wouldn't steal her boyfriend," Cynthia assured. "But did something happen between you two? Why didn't she come with you? This is something a girlfriend should do."
"Maybe she's mad about the kiss," Leon made up an excuse, knowing Lily's real reason was avoiding crowds of men.
Cynthia nodded in understanding.
Leon looked at the suit, scratching his head. Suddenly, Cynthia exclaimed, "Leon, look! It's your class monitor!"
What?
Leon turned and saw, through the glass of the opposite elevator, a girl whose cold beauty created a natural barrier, making nearby men hesitant to approach.
Such an utterly cool demeanor was hard to imitate.
It was Isabella Xiang!
"It's Isabella! Let's go greet her," Cynthia said excitedly, pulling Leon towards the elevator.
"Why are you so excited?" Leon asked, bemused.
"She's one of H University's legendary beauties. I've always wanted to meet her," Cynthia's face was flushed with excitement.
"This might be tough."
"Leon, you have to help me," Cynthia pleaded, putting her hands together. "She's your class monitor. Help me get introduced."
"I've barely spoken ten words to her," Leon tried to refuse. Who knew if Isabella even remembered him.
"That's amazing! I heard no guy has ever spoken more than ten words to her. Please, Leon, I really admire her," Cynthia begged.
"Alright, I'll try. But no promises she'll remember me."
"Thank you, Leon!" Cynthia cheered, giving Leon a quick kiss on the cheek, making the other men in the elevator envious.
Leon blushed. This French beauty was truly enthusiastic!