CHAPTER 21
Return to GCS Headquarters
The team stepped through the reinforced glass doors of GCS HQ, their clothes still carrying the scent of gunpowder and party perfume.
The Directors were already waiting—four silhouettes atop the elevated command platform, with the Chief Director seated highest.
Ryan placed Silent Case 1-4V on the table.
General Li: Silent Case 1-4V retrieved.
Vice Director Voss nodded.
Chief Director: Good. You didn't disappoint us, Li Xuefang…
General Li: It wasn't me. The team's efforts made the mission accomplishable.
Ryan: [Man, look at her actin' all noble now…]
Vice Director Voss stepped forward.
Vice Director Voss: Prepare for the next phase. We now need Silent Case 5-7H.
A twitch ran through Li Xuefang's nerves.
General Li: (Suspicious, emotionless) [How did he know there's another briefcase…?]
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Department XA
Ryan groaned loud enough to echo.
Ryan: Bruh, these higher-ups tryna kill us? We just got back from a whole mission, and they throwin' us into another one without a damn break!
Archive snickered.
Ryan: Yo' laughing at me, boy ?
Archive: No. 🤐
Xynra's voice flickered on.
Xynra: Priority update. An anomalous signal linked to Subject Ren, Jiang, has been detected.
Li's head snapped up.
General Li: Where?
Xynra: Coordinates place him in the United States. Cross-referencing… He is currently inside the lobby of the Fairbridge Meridian Hotel, New York.
Ryan grinned.
Ryan: Oh naw… Boss Lady 'boutta commit homicide in public.
Li didn't respond—she was already gone.
Ryan sprinted after her into the parking lot, just in time to see her twirling his car keys around her finger.
Ryan: (arms wide) Yo—where the hell you goin' with my keys?!
General Li: (calm) To trail a puppy.
Her eyes were sharp and decisive.
Ryan: Aw heck no. I ain't sittin' in no car with you.
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Hotel Reception
Jiang Jiang Ren: How long is it taking, Colonel Mei?
He nearly dropped his travel bag when the automatic doors behind him slid open—because reflected in the glass was:
Short black hair.
A cold, military stride.
A presence that stiffened the air.
Li Xuefang.
Jiang Jiang Ren: Not here—NOT HERE—
He muttered under his breath, spinning toward the elevators.
Elevator: full.
Stairs: blocked by a cleaning cart.
Exit: too late.
He tried to "walk casually" toward the door—but looked exactly like a startled squirrel.
Too late.
Li was already behind him.
General Li: Ren.
He froze, then turned slowly.
She stood with one hand in her pocket, eyes sharper than any blade she owned.
Jiang Ren: General Li. Wow. What a… surprise. I was just—uh—leaving the country.
He tried to sidestep.
Li grabbed his collar, hoisted him over her shoulder with military efficiency, and tossed him onto the reception couch like contraband.
She planted one boot beside his leg, leaning down over him—faces close, breath cool against his cheek.
General Li: Running from me?
A shiver shot down his spine.
His heartbeat betrayed him.
Jiang Ren: I wasn't— I mean— okay, I was! But you're scary, Xuefang! You can't blame me!
Li tilted her head slightly, leaning closer, eyes drilling into him.
General Li: Says the one who followed me to America. Tell me—how should I punish you?
He forgot how lungs worked.
The receptionists pretended not to stare.
Jiang Jiang Ren: I–I'm not a recruit p—
Li leaned closer, intending to speak into his ear.
General Li: No. You're—my puppy.
Jiang jolted like he'd been tasered. At that very moment, his body wanted to grab her by the waist and do the unthinkable.
Ryan, who had just caught up, froze in place.
Ryan: [Ayo… should I get y'all a room? 😅]
But then Ren looked at her, their lips dangerously close. Ren's expression shifted—serious, grown, steady. He gathered what courage he had.
Jiang Ren: Li Xuefang… do you like me?
The question struck her like a stun blast.
Deep inside her body, behind her ribs, the AetherLock Wall—a holographic emotional barrier—began to crack.
Heat seared through her chest.
A second voice whispered—one no one, not even Xynra, had ever detected.
LUMEN-9: Easy now. Let me repair you.
The cracks sealed.
Her warmth shut down.
All emotion extinguished.
Li released his collar and stood straight, spine aligned like a soldier on parade.
General Li: Irrelevant.
Jiang stared, devastated.
Jiang Ren: [💔😢 You really are heartless… aren't you?]
Li turned slightly, giving him only a cold side profile.
General Li: We have to get going. Move.
Jiang inhaled sharply, forced a smile, and wiped away tears before they could fall.
Jiang Ren: Okay 😄.
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