The meeting place was a McDonald's in a commercial district, too crowded for any trouble to arise.
Leon Chen sat by the window, his demeanor relaxed. The sound of children's laughter reached his ears. Turning, he saw kids playing house in the McDonald's play area. A smile crept onto his face as he recalled a similar scene from his past.
He remembered the words of the girl who had rejected him back then: "Leon, be a good person, so I can be your bride! Hmph, what's a good person? A good person is someone who's a hundred times worse than a bad one…"
"A hundred times worse... Hmm... I guess I'm a good person now," Leon muttered to himself.
"Buzz buzz buzz!"
His phone's vibration interrupted his thoughts. He answered it, hearing Sienna's voice, a mix of teasing and concern: "Darling, have you lost your soul? What are you grinning about?"
"Uh." Leon wiped his mouth, relieved he hadn't made a fool of himself.
He saw a girl in a hat and scarf wink at him from another corner of the McDonald's.
Sienna's laughter came through the phone. "I see Smith. Be cautious."
"You really trust me?" Leon asked, perplexed. He was about to sell Sienna's precious item to her adversary.
Most people would have flipped out by now.
"Leon, you've got an honest face," Sienna said with a hint of melancholy.
Leon was speechless. Was that a compliment?
Ending the call, he saw the girl had turned away.
Leon gathered his thoughts and sipped his cola as Smith spotted him and approached.
"Are you Sienna Tang's assistant?" Smith's voice carried a hint of urgency.
Though he masked it well, Leon could sense his anxiety and unease. Leon replied in fluent English, "Yes, please have a seat."
Smith sat down.
"Would you like something?"
"Stay away from junk food," Smith snorted.
Leon shrugged.
"Are you really Dr. Tang's assistant?" Smith didn't recall seeing Leon at the lab, only remembering the beautiful assistant.
Leon produced a box.
Smith's eyes widened, reaching for it eagerly.
"Mr. Smith, aren't you forgetting something?" Leon reminded him with a smile.
"Fine!" Smith pulled out a check for thirty million.
Leon didn't hurry to take it. Instead, he said, "Don't rush. It's not every day I meet a senior programmer from Stargate. I have a few questions."
Smith frowned, scrutinizing the young man, wondering what his game was. Meanwhile, Leon activated his mind-reading ability, delving into Smith's thoughts.
"Are the four original stones with you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Smith's face was stern. The stones had long been transported to the research headquarters. Did he think he could snatch them from me?
So they weren't with him. A bit disappointing—Leon asked, "Where is Stargate Corporation? Can I join your company?"
"No chance," Smith replied bluntly. "But your teacher is very welcome…" This kid is so arrogant!
"Where exactly is Stargate Corporation? I'm very interested but couldn't find any information." Leon continued probing.
"The company is private. Don't waste your time. If you have talent, the company will invite you directly," Smith said coolly.
Smith hadn't thought much about the company, making it tricky for Leon. He decided to steer Smith's thoughts towards the company's location. Boldly, he asked, "If I find Stargate's headquarters, can I join?"
Smith was stunned.
A girl in front burst into laughter, choking on her cola and coughing repeatedly.
Is Sienna's assistant crazy? He wants to find the research headquarters? Even the U.S. government can't pinpoint it. I don't even know the exact location. This kid is truly naive… Sienna has poor judgment, choosing such an assistant…
As Leon expected, Smith's mind raced with countless thoughts. Smiling, Leon said, "Youth is great. If you manage that, the company will certainly welcome you as a VIP."
Leon laughed, smoothly shifting the topic.
In the ensuing conversation, which seemed ordinary, Smith didn't divulge any significant details. However, Leon's subtle guidance made Smith unconsciously follow his line of thinking.
Leon gleaned a lot of information. For instance, Stargate planned to purchase five original stones for one hundred million dollars. Smith intended to pocket some of the money, using five million to hire mercenaries to handle the problem, planning to split the rest with a designer named Michiel.
Greedy.
This reassured Leon. Smith, frightened by the mercenaries' disappearance, was anxious to wrap up the deal quickly.
Time passed, and Smith grew more agitated. Leon smirked, having formed a plan.
"By the way, Mr. Smith, Dr. Tang is having tea with the National Security Bureau after last night's incident."
Smith froze, fear flashing across his face. He quickly sipped his tea to mask his expression. "Really? How is she?"
Damn Michiel, how could he get caught by the National Security Bureau?
"Thank you for your concern," Leon said, producing the box. "Oh, and Michiel mentioned he'd testify against you."
Smith's hand shook, almost spilling his drink.
I shouldn't have trusted that idiot. If the company finds out I tried to pocket the money, I'm dead.
Seeing Smith's trembling, Leon knew he had him where he wanted.
Leaning in, Leon whispered something.
Smith's pale face regained some color. He stared at Leon, increasingly terrified. His fearful thoughts made Leon feel a bit satisfied.
Is this what Snow meant by being a good person who's a hundred times worse than a bad one?
"Alright." After a long internal struggle, Smith sighed, rewriting the check with a new figure.
"I trust you, Leon." Smith's condescension was gone.
"I'm very trustworthy. Don't worry!" Leon smiled.
Smith couldn't muster a smile.
Leon handed over the box. Smith glanced at it and hurriedly left, unable to stand another moment.
Watching him flee, Leon chuckled, glancing at the check. In an instant, he had become a millionaire.
The girl who had been observing Leon approached. Her model-like figure drew the gaze of every man in the McDonald's. Her high, shapely hips and long, slender legs were incredibly enticing. When she removed her scarf and hat, revealing a stunningly beautiful face, the restaurant erupted in gasps.
It was Sienna Tang.
Leon smiled wryly. It seemed Sienna only avoided attracting attention in her old archaeological outfit. He heard the envious thoughts of everyone around.
"Leon, what were you talking about with him?" Sienna frowned, puzzled by the seemingly irrelevant questions.
"Nothing much, just making small talk." Leon took a sip of his cola, glancing at Sienna. She was filled with confusion and unease about the transaction, though she tried to appear calm.
Leon reassured her, "Their research won't uncover anything significant." Not only that, but Leon had also installed a tracker in the crystal to locate Stargate's research facility.
Sienna glared at him playfully. "You act like you know everything."
"Look at this." Leon handed her the check.
Sienna took the check, her mouth dropping open. She had expected fifty million but saw the figure: one hundred million dollars!
"Leon?"
"Why not take the money?" Leon grinned.
"You're really…" Sienna, at a loss for words, said, "Here's a kiss as a reward." She quickly kissed Leon's cheek.
As they left McDonald's, they walked hand in hand like a loving couple, turning heads everywhere.
Sienna clung to Leon, her soft, supple chest pressed against his arm, making Leon's heart race.
"One hundred million dollars, we'll split it fifty-fifty. You can't refuse," Sienna declared. She wasn't as excited as expected. Learning that she planned to give forty million of her share to the families of their fallen comrades, Leon insisted they share the burden. This sweetened Sienna's feelings, making her feel like they were a real couple.
Leon blushed, hearing her thoughts.
"What did you say to him at the end? He looked terrified," Sienna asked, her voice seductive.
"I said the extra fifty million was compensation for your mental distress," Leon joked. Of course, he couldn't tell her he'd promised to take care of Michiel in exchange for the money. From Sienna's intention to give a million to Michiel's family, Leon realized this seductive teacher was truly a good person.
"Call me Sienna or Autumn Heart from now on. Adding 'sister' is fine too. Don't call me teacher; I'm not that old," Sienna murmured. "Besides, it's weird for a teacher and student to be together."
"What's weird about that?" Leon wondered.
As they walked and chatted, Leon heard Sienna's thoughts.
Does this little rascal hide things from me because he's worried or doesn't trust me? Does he only trust his girlfriend? Hmph, I took such good care of him last night… He's so ungrateful…
Leon almost choked.
"You're so adorable, not even drinking cola properly." Sienna patted his back.
Leon stared at Sienna, his face hot.
Could it be? Did she really do that?
"Falling for your teacher?" Sienna's cheeks flushed, her wink seductive.
Leon, his heart fluttering, pulled Sienna close.
"Not here, on the street…"
He kissed her tender lips. Sienna's resistance was weak, and within seconds, she surrendered to Leon's kiss.
Mind-reading off!
Cost: Hot kiss!!!
After the kiss, Leon looked at Sienna, his face flushed.
"Are you satisfied, you beast?" Sienna glared at him, blushing.
This is too much.
Leon smiled sheepishly.
At that moment, a black car pulled up in front of them. Several men in black suits rushed towards Sienna and Leon.