The early morning mist hung heavy over Zhonghai's skyline, blurring the towering silhouettes of skyscrapers that pierced through the haze like silent sentinels. Lin Feng stood at the floor-to-ceiling window of his temporary Apex Circle headquarters—an elegant, mid-rise building in the West District. A steaming cup of black tea rested untouched on the glass table behind him. His phone buzzed once, then again, and finally, he turned.
—"Apex Core logistics secured. No anomalies reported."
—"Media chatter around Qin Xue meeting is spiking—neutral to positive."
—"Lu Yuhan has confirmed the first recruitment shortlist for the 'Crimson Shadows' sub-project."
