Chapter 103: A Mother’s Concern, A Son’s Determination
Agent 17 meticulously arranged his tools of trade on the hotel room table, each knife having a purpose and a story. As the glint of the blades caught the dim light, he immersed himself in the ritual of preparation. His preferred method was personal, the intimate dance of hand-to-hand combat.
Selecting a custom-made knife with a lethal elegance, Agent 17 reflected on the countless missions where his signature wounds spoke louder than any message. The scars he left were his calling card, etched in the flesh of his targets.
The room filled with the rich aroma of a lit cigarette as Agent 17’s piercing gaze fixated on the blade. His reputation was built on precision, stealth, and the swift elimination of obstacles. He didn’t need guns; his knives were an extension of his deadly skills.
Just as the smoke curled around him, a call interrupted the solitude. With a smooth, "Hello," Agent 17’s attention shifted. The voice on the other end inquired about his arrival. Confirming his presence in Shanghai, he assured the client of the forthcoming proof.
The call concluded, leaving Agent 17 alone with his thoughts. Fingers idly playing with his beads, he muttered, "Here goes another one." The anticipation of the impending mission lingered in the air, a silent agreement between the shadows and the one who walked within them.
Meanwhile, Sun Gang’s eyes remained fixed on the mysterious pages of the manual, each line holding secrets and power. In the silent contemplation of the room, Master Kong, without a hint of courtesy, entered and took a seat across from Sun Gang.
Master Kong strolled into Sun Gang’s dimly lit study, his eyes fixated on the ancient manual that lay open on the table. Sun Gang, engrossed in deciphering its secrets, glanced up as Master Kong made himself comfortable without the courtesy of a knock.
Master Kong, leaning back in the chair, inquired, "Is the mission completed?" Sun Gang shook his head, "Not yet. I’ll receive an update once it’s done."
The master’s eyes shifted to Sun Gang’s unresolved family matters, "And what about your brother?" Sun Gang assured him, "I’ll have it sorted out."
Master Kong nodded in approval, "Good. This should only belong to you. You are destined for this." Sun Gang affirmed confidently, "Yes, it’s all mine, and no one can stop me."
With a chuckle, Master Kong lowered his head and hinted at hidden knowledge, "I have information on the 4th page. Once it’s confirmed, your job will be to go and get it." Sun Gang, excitement lighting up his face, responded with a confident smile, "Sure."
As they exchanged words, the room seemed to carry an air of secrecy and ambition, setting the stage for Sun Gang’s determined pursuit of the manual’s mysteries.
Master Kong rose from his seat, a sly smirk playing on his lips, and sauntered out of the office. As he passed through, the office staff couldn’t help but steal glances at the enigmatic figure. His routine, though unconventional, had become a subject of intrigue among the employees. The sight of this old man strolling into their boss’s office unannounced had become an accepted peculiarity.
Even the security personnel, who would typically question unauthorized entries, had grown accustomed to Master Kong’s unimpeded access. Since the boss himself never lodged a complaint, there was little they could do but observe.
Among the staff, especially the female contingent, there circulated hushed conversations about the mysterious old man. Some deemed him scary, while others found an aura of mystery that piqued their curiosity. The air of enigma surrounding Master Kong had become an everyday spectacle in the office, adding an element of intrigue to the otherwise mundane work environment.
In the midst of the unfolding events, Sun Lixia found herself grappling with deep concerns regarding the impending threat. The reputation of the agents from the First 20 loomed large, and she understood all too well that they were not known for failure. Strengthening security around Li Chen became her paramount concern, and she spared no effort in ensuring that protective measures were in place at all costs.
On the other end, Ren Zirui was deeply engrossed in preparations as well. His focus centered on unraveling the mystery of which agent had been deployed for the mission. Divisions were examined, and the numbers and details of the agents were scrutinized. Ren Zirui was determined to gather as much information as possible about the agent on their trail. While the First 20 agents remained faceless to most, he had extensively studied their methods and operational patterns. Ren Zirui abhorred surprises, and yet, the encrypted nature of the mission details posed a formidable challenge. Even Xu Zhonhao, renowned for his tech expertise, found himself stumped by the complex codes that shielded the information they sought.
The tension in the air was palpable as Sun Lixia and Ren Zirui worked tirelessly, each driven by the urgency to safeguard Li Chen from the impending threat, a threat that was shaping up to be a formidable test of their skills and resilience.
As Li Chen sensed his mother’s worry, an equal concern weighed on him. While confident in his ability to protect himself, he couldn’t bear the thought of any harm befalling his mother. Stuck in the hospital, he yearned for an early discharge, hoping to be close to his mother and ensure her safety.
Sun Lixia, standing by the window in Li Chen’s hospital room, was lost in thought. Li Chen attempted to reassure her, "It will be fine, Mom."
Her bitter smile betrayed unspoken fears. "You know, the main reason I stayed hidden was this—I feared I would jinx your life with bad luck, making you a target of sinister things."
Li Chen, seeking to dispel blame, insisted, "This is not your fault. Stop blaming yourself."
Expressing her yearning for answers, Sun Lixia sighed, "I just wish I knew who ordered the hit and why."
Li Chen, optimistic about the truth surfacing, reassured her, "It will all come to light soon. Don’t worry."
Sun Lixia, referring to the First 20, voiced her concerns, "The First 20."
Li Chen interjected, "Well, since I have this drug in my system, it means I am more or less part of the First 20."
Asserting that he wasn’t, Sun Lixia emphasized, "No, you are not. Those people are animals, killing machines. Not just because of the drug that eliminated any type of remorse in them, but because of how they were trained. They were trained to be brutal in their attacks. You are not ready to face people like that, and honestly speaking, I don’t want you to."
Li Chen questioned, "Afraid I will be a heartless monster too?"
Sun Lixia confirmed with a heavy heart, "Yes, that is what your dad and I were trying to protect you from."
As they spoke, a doctor entered the room and declared, "I have to check how our patient is doing." Li Chen inquired eagerly, "When do you think I can be discharged, Doctor?" The doctor responded, "I will know after this check-up."
Sun Lixia, concerned, urged the doctor, "Please make sure he is okay before you discharge him." The doctor proceeded with the check-up on Li Chen, and upon completion, he delivered the news, "Well, it seems like you are ready to go home."
Sun Lixia, still worried, questioned, "Are you sure? Is he fine? Doesn’t he need more rest?" The doctor reassured her, "Of course, he does, but he can get it at home. He doesn’t have to stay here."
Li Chen chimed in, "Mom, I am fine. I also want to go home. I hate hospitals." Sun Lixia sighed and reluctantly agreed, "Okay, okay, if you say so. But promise me you won’t be hard on your body." Li Chen smiled, saying, "I promise, Mom."
The doctor suggested, "Well, since it’s settled, I will sign his discharge papers, and you can go and make payment and take him home." Sun Lixia expressed her gratitude, and as the doctor left, she turned to Li Chen, expressing her concerns. Li Chen reassured her, "I know what you want to say, but I can’t stay here. How can I protect myself lying in this bed?" Sun Lixia countered, "I have men protecting you." Li Chen, with a smirk, replied, "No offence to your men, Mom, but I prefer doing it myself."
Sun Lixia then contacted Ren Zirui and instructed, "Prepare the car; we are going home." Turning to Li Chen, she added, "I have moved my things to your house." Li Chen responded casually, "No problem."
Despite the lingering worry about the threats surrounding them, Sun Lixia couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. Living with her son was a long-awaited dream coming true. She had yearned for this for years, and now, amidst all the chaos, it was finally happening. This move meant more than just a change of residence; it symbolized the opportunity to build and strengthen their relationship, making up for all the lost years.
Soon, all the discharge procedures were completed, and Li Chen, accompanied by Sun Lixia, walked out of the hospital. They headed straight to Pinnacle Estate. Li Chen felt a pressing need to intensify his training, determined to ensure that he could protect the ones he loved in the face of growing threats. The journey home was filled with a mix of determination and anticipation for the challenges that lay ahead.
