The private jet descended through a sea of clouds, revealing the sprawling, high-tech skyline of Guangzhou. As the wheels touched down on the private strip, the group was met with a level of efficiency that even Nick found impressive.
Stepping off the ramp, the humidity of South China hit them, but it was quickly masked by the cooling systems of the terminal. Waiting for them near a fleet of sleek, black electric sedans was a woman who seemed to blend perfectly into the lush, green surroundings of the airport's garden terrace.
She stood with a calm, effortless grace, dressed in an elegant white and light blue traditional-modern fusion outfit. Her long, dark hair was intricately braided, and her sharp green eyes scanned the group with a mixture of curiosity and duty. She carried an aura similar to Kaelen's—rooted in nature, yet undeniably powerful.
"Welcome to China," she said, her voice smooth and melodic. "I am Mei Lin, your local liaison and the primary guardian of the 'Package' until the transition is complete."
Chase stepped forward, acknowledging her with a respectful nod. "We were told to expect a specialist.
Mei Lin offered a faint, enigmatic smile. "In this world, we adapt. Your arrival has already shifted the Lattice frequencies here. We should move before the stragglers of the Eastern 'Ascended' factions take notice."
The drive through the city was a blur of neon and silver. As the fleet pulled up to the entrance of a towering architectural marvel—a hotel that looked like a shard of crystalline glass rising from a forest—the group fell silent. The infrastructure was seamless, with holographic displays and floating water features that defied standard physics.
"Wow," Luna whispered, her golden eye darting between the shimmering columns. "Nick, did you buy this place too? Is this just another one of your 'side projects'?"
Nick shook his head, a weary but amused expression on his face as he handed his black card to the concierge who had already bowed in recognition. "Where do you think I would stay, Luna? I don't do 'standard' lodging."
"He's not joking," Olivia muttered, checking her tactical watch. "We aren't just in the penthouse. We're heading to the VVVVIP Suite—the 'Celestial Wing.' It's a self-contained floor with its own independent power grid and Essence-shielding."
As the private elevator shot upward, Ayaka leaned against the glass, looking out at the city below. "Four months in a place like this? Maybe this 'bullshit' mission won't be so bad after all."
Blood Eye, standing quietly in his new form, looked at his reflection in the elevator's polished chrome. For the first time in centuries, he wasn't looking for a place to hide; he was looking at a place to live.
The "Celestial Wing" was bathed in the soft, golden glow of evening as the group transitioned from the shock of the flight to the high-stakes theater of Nick's domestic life. Nick stood by the grand mahogany dining table, adjusting his tie with hands that were visibly shaking.
"Remember," he whispered one last time as the chime of the private elevator rang out. "Small shop. V.R. Electronics. I barely make enough to cover the rent on this 'discounted' suite. If she sees a single gold-plated anything, we're all dead."
The doors slid open, and Nick's first wife stepped into the light. Contrary to the sharp, intimidating presence Nick had feared, she radiated a gentle, soothing warmth. She wore a flowing, pale mint gown that billowed like mist, her dark hair pinned back with jade ornaments. She looked at the group through delicate red-rimmed glasses, her expression one of soft, genuine kindness.
"Nickolas," she said, her voice like the calm after a storm. "You didn't tell me your tech consultants were so... diverse."
"Mei!" Nick chirped, his voice two octaves higher than normal. "Meet the team. This is Chase, our... head of logistics. And that's Blood Eye, he's a junior technician we just... repaired."
As they sat for dinner, the VVVVIP suite felt impossibly large for the "struggling" business Nick was trying to portray. Sara and Olivia had successfully hidden the government surveillance kits behind a decorative silk screen, appearing now as mere administrative assistants in plain suits.
Mei leaned forward, her green eyes twinkling as she looked at Luna and Ayaka. "So, you two handle the heart of the machinery? It must be difficult working for such a small company. Nickolas always worries so much about the overhead costs."
Ayaka, wearing a plain sweatshirt to hide her usual designer flair, nodded vigorously. "Oh, it's a nightmare, ma'am! Sometimes we have to share a single soldering iron. It's a real 'mom and pop' operation."
Luna, trying to keep her tentacles perfectly still under her yellow hoodie, took a loud slurp of tea. "Yeah. I practically live on instant noodles. Nick here is a real... uh... penny-pincher."
Mei smiled, a look of pity crossing her face as she turned to Nick. "You see, Nickolas? This is why Mother is so concerned. You work so hard for so little. If you had a more... robust partnership, perhaps you wouldn't have to stay in these 'discounted' wings. I heard the Governor's daughter is quite skilled in international trade."
Nick choked on his water. "No! No, no. We're doing great! Small and scrappy, that's the V.R. way!"
The dinner continued on a knife's edge. Chase maintained a stoic silence, while Blood Eye looked down at his new, unscarred hands, wondering how the "God of Assassins" had ended up playing extra in a billionaire's family drama.
Just as the tension seemed to subside, a soft, green light flickered from Mei's jade pendant. Her eyes sharpened for a split second, a trace of something ancient and powerful—the same Green Essence Mei Lin had displayed—fluttering behind her glasses. She looked toward the foyer, where the "Package" was supposedly being held in a secure, hidden room.
"It's a lovely room, Nickolas," Mei said softly, her kind smile returning. "But it feels a bit... crowded. Don't you think?"
Mei's "soft and sweet" exterior begins to show cracks as she senses the presence of the Goddess in the suite. Meanwhile, the government agents Sara and Olivia receive an emergency ping: the Order of the Shattered Sky has followed them to China.
The dinner had reached a stalemate of awkward silence, with Nick sweating through his designer shirt while Ayaka and Luna tried to look like they hadn't seen a paycheck in months. Mei set her teacup down with a soft, rhythmic clink that seemed to vibrate through the entire VVVVIP suite.
"Nickolas, dear," Mei said, her voice dropping into a tone that was impossibly sweet yet carried the weight of an inescapable truth. "You can stop holding your breath. You're turning a rather unflattering shade of blue."
Nick froze, a piece of bok choy halfway to his mouth. "I... I don't know what you mean, Mei. This tea is just very hot."
"I know you are lying about your wealth, and more importantly, your mother already knows as well." She reached across the table, her soft hand covering his. "She has known since you bought that 'small' electronics shop with a budget that could have funded a small nation's space program. You shouldn't worry so much; we are only here to help you."
The table went dead silent. Chase glanced at the Goddess, who simply closed her eyes, sensing the shift in the room's energy. Nick slumped in his chair, the "scrappy CEO" persona evaporating instantly.
"If she knows... why haven't I been summoned to a tribunal yet?" Nick muttered.
"Because she was curious to see how long you would play the part," Mei giggled, a sound like light catching on glass. She stood up and walked around the table, gracefully settling onto Nick's lap. She leaned in close, her red-rimmed glasses catching the neon glow from the window. "But let's speak of more pressing matters. What is the 'package,' Nickolas? And is it related to the American government?"
Nick sighed, leaning his head back against the plush chair. "It is. But I have no idea what the package is, and frankly, I am not trying to find out. I'm just the wallet and the transport on this one."
Mei ran a gentle hand through his hair, her expression shifting to one of protective devotion. "As long as you are safe, that's all that matters."
"That's a relief," Nick whispered, though his eyes remained wide with a different kind of fear. "Tell me the truth, Mei... is my mother going to get me another wife?"
Mei's smile widened, bright and terrifyingly cheerful.
"Oh yes, most definitely. You are in so much trouble for trying to deceive her. She's already looking at candidates from the Northern Essence Clans."
Nick let out a long, defeated groan that seemed to echo off the holographic dragons on the ceiling. He finally gave up, dropping the charade and embracing Mei tightly. "Forget it. I will deal with that later. For now, I just want to survive this four-month 'vacation'."
From across the table, Luna leaned over to Ayaka. "Does this mean I can stop pretending to be poor and order the $500 wagyu steak now?"
"Order two," Ayaka whispered back. "I think the 'small business' budget just went out the window."