A Chance Encounter

Tartar Restaurant was one of the finest upscale establishments in New York County. Reservations and waiting lists were not enough to reflect its exclusivity; it was open only to members, with an annual membership fee of twenty thousand federal dollars. Perched atop the Manhattan Financial Building, it was a massive revolving restaurant where diners could enjoy a meal while taking in the night view of all Manhattan. Consequently, it was a favorite among New York County's upper crust, serving as a prime choice for dates and business dinners. By comparison, the flavor of the food was almost secondary. What delicacies hadn't the wealthy tasted? What they sought were privilege and prestige. A black sedan pulled up below the Financial Building, and the doorman stepped forward promptly to open the car doors for the guests. Zhang Yuanqing stepped out of the vehicle, dressed in a sharp suit. Behind him followed Brother Red Chicken, who was ordinary in looks and height, yet solidly built. The two walked into the Financial Building side by side, Brother Red Chicken resembling a bodyguard. "I heard this restaurant is badass," Brother Red Chicken said excitedly in the elevator. "Bring a chick here for dinner, and you can do whatever you want with her at night." "Have you been riding the Night-Shining Jade Lion or the Wu Zhui horse lately?" Zhang Yuanqing asked offhandedly. "The Bone-Penetrating Dragon!" Brother Red Chicken chuckled. *A cycle in his aesthetic taste?* Zhang Yuanqing gave an acknowledging grunt and said no more, watching the elevator numbers shift as they rose rapidly. Today, he had disguised himself as Tongtian Jiaozhu disguised as Jumang to stage a chance encounter with Donna here. Since he was coming to a restaurant for a meal, he naturally had to bring a friend of Jumang's. Few people came alone to such a high-end restaurant; dining solo would look far too contrived. So after weighing his options, Zhang Yuanqing had chosen Brother Red Chicken. First, Brother Red Chicken was plain enough that he wouldn't steal Jumang's thunder, whereas World Returns to Fire and Zhao Chenghuang were both quite good-looking. Second, Brother Red Chicken was simple-minded and wasn't a blabbermouth. If you told him they were going out to eat, he genuinely believed it was just dinner and wouldn't overthink things. In the eyes of the Hunter Guild, Jumang was Tongtian Jiaozhu in disguise, and Brother Red Chicken was Tongtian Jiaozhu's helper in disguise. As a Level 6 Dream Master, altering an ally's appearance was a simple feat. In Donna's eyes, Jumang was the real Jumang, and Brother Red Chicken was the real Brother Red Chicken. *Ding!* The elevator doors slid open; they had reached the top floor. Zhang Yuanqing approached the reception counter at the restaurant's entrance, produced a black card bordered with silver scrollwork, and said, "We have a reservation." The membership card had been given to him by Catherine, and the reservation was made by her subordinates. In this country where capital reigned supreme, the only difference between orthodox and evil organizations was that the former could mobilize official state resources. In terms of unofficial resources, however, evil organizations were in no way inferior to orthodox ones. They were unlike the evil organizations in the Second District, which had to be cautious and furtive in everything they did. The blonde waitress, dressed in a burgundy women's blazer, took the membership card and swiped it on the reader. After confirming the details, a sweet, polite smile blossomed on her face. "Mr. Smith, please follow me!" The two followed the waitress into the revolving hall and were seated at Table A203 by the window on the left. Brother Red Chicken enthusiastically flipped open the menu, took one glance at the English, and decisively tossed it to Zhang Yuanqing. "You order. While you're at it, ask if they have fresh-boiled congee, white-cut chicken, and fresh chicken soup." Zhang Yuanqing said bluntly, "How about I get you a few platters of sashimi instead." "Sashimi works too! Sashimi is fresh!" Brother Red Chicken agreed. *Pity they don't have pork intestine sashimi here, or I'd get you an authentic original-flavor batch,* Zhang Yuanqing grumbled inwardly. He signaled the waitress, ordered several dishes, and once she withdrew, he pulled out his phone and sent a message to Annie: *I've arrived at Tartar Restaurant, seated at Table A203.* *** Inside the restaurant, in Private Room 3. Donna Caroline sat by the window, savoring king crab deconstructed by a waitress. Her rosy, thin lips were glossy with oil, radiating a luscious sheen that made one itch to take them into their mouth and suckle hungrily. The private room wasn't large, housing only a round table that seated six or seven people. Those seated around it were Donna's trusted Saint confidantes, each one a beauty picked from thousands. Annie was among them. Annie was originally a confidante of Diana, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the headquarters of the Association of God of Beauty. But upon arriving in New York County, she had swiftly won Donna's trust and appreciation, becoming a close aide at her side. Donna elegantly finished a crab leg, picked up a warm moist towel to wipe her lips and delicate hands, and sighed with feeling. "The last time I dined here, Sean accompanied me. Now that the situation in New York County is growing increasingly tense, even Dominators fear assassination. Aside from going out on missions, he hardly leaves his quarters." Although Tartar Restaurant was quite bustling, there were only several dozen to a hundred people. If they could hunt down a Dominator, the evil faction wouldn't care in the slightest about sacrificing that small amount of Morality Points. As long as they didn't go crazy and slaughter an entire city, the worst that would happen was lying low for a while and slowly grinding back their Morality Points—then they'd be back in business. The Desire class, however, had no such worries, especially Dominator-level Desire practitioners. Only a demigod could bear the heartache to kill a Desire practitioner of Donna's caliber. Yet given the status of a demigod, barring a personal vendetta, why would they bother targeting a mere Dominator? A blonde woman covered her mouth and giggled. "Is Madam President missing Executive Officer Sean? If he won't come out, you could always visit him at Heaven's Punishment's branch office." Donna smiled without answering, then turned to Annie with an amused look. "I spoke on the phone with Minister Diana a few days ago, and only then did I learn that the person you served back in China was Yuanshi Tianzun." The women around the table were taken aback, then turned looks of mingled envy and regret upon Annie. Annie's expression darkened, and she said in a low voice, "Madam President, he has already returned to the Spirit Realm. Please don't mention him." She wore the look of someone whose deceased lover was her one true love, where bringing him up would only drive a dagger through her heart. Donna had intended to ask more about Yuanshi Tianzun, but seeing her state, she found it hard to press further. With a sigh, she said, "From antiquity, heroes have ever been fated to die young. What a pity. Yuanshi Tianzun was a genius with the caliber of a demigod. The last person to show such innate talent was the Demon Lord." Both peerless prodigies had once been targets of investment for the Association of God of Beauty. This was very different from latching onto established tycoons. Figures nurtured from low levels possessed a degree of trust and intimacy toward the organization that no powerhouse one simply attached oneself to could ever match. Alas, whether Demon Lord or Yuanshi Tianzun, both had returned to the Spirit Realm. Donna lifted her goblet, took a sip, and changed the subject. "Has Jumang contacted you lately? If I recall, you were quite taken with him at the last banquet." At this, Annie put on a helpless look. "I tried to contact him, but he either doesn't respond or acts very polite. He seems uninterested in me. Of course, it's also possible he simply guards his chastity." These words were spoken deliberately for Donna's ears, because Annie knew full well that Donna liked reserved, conservative men and disliked playboys and seasoned romantics. A young, upright, and conservative little man was guaranteed to strike right at President Donna's fancy. Indeed, although President Donna kept quite a few lovers, that did not stop her from favoring conservative young men without much experience—much like how potbellied middle-aged uncles forever harbored an affection for eighteen-year-old girls. That afternoon, she had received an order from Mr. Yuanshi: *Help me seduce Donna!* Annie's fragile heart had shattered into pieces at the time. Even though Mr. Yuanshi claimed it was merely playing along for the act—who was he kidding? Who could possibly resist President Donna's charms? Yet Annie could not disobey Mr. Yuanshi's command. This was both an order from headquarters and her own resolute determination to align with Yuanshi Tianzun. Thus, she could only subject herself to self-cuckoldry and don the green hat through her tears. Sure enough, upon hearing Annie's words, Donna's starlike eyes glittered with interest. "So he's actually a conservative boy? Isn't he a Wood Monster? I recall Wood Monsters having an intense reproductive drive." "Wood Monsters are indeed like that," one of the blonde women nodded in agreement. "Back when I was still a Transcendent, I had a fling with a young master from the Five Elements Alliance. He wore me out from dusk till dawn—for the next several days, I had to support myself against the wall just to walk." Another dark-haired woman giggled. "Did you make him pay a sufficient price?" The blonde woman shook her head with regret. "He was a Saint back then while I was only a Transcendent. I couldn't cross a whole major realm to force him to pay the price. Still, he gave me plenty of gifts." Annie waited patiently for her two colleagues to finish before explaining to Donna, "Wood Monsters have diverse personalities. While a strong reproductive drive is a trait of most Wood Monsters, there are also passionate and unrestrained ones, quiet and reserved ones, and honest and shy ones. Just like different plants have different properties." Donna had an epiphany, then said, "Jumang is a junior of exceptional talent. Even though he was obscure before and hasn't shown much aptitude for clearing instances, his strength is unimaginably formidable, and he possesses immense talent in combat. Although he doesn't measure up to Yuanshi Tianzun or the Demon Lord at present, his future prospects are foreseeable. Since he has no interest in you, I'll invite him to visit the branch tomorrow." Annie let out a displeased huff in her heart. President Donna's subtext was clear: *Since you're useless at it, you can't blame me!* Just then, Annie's phone on the table buzzed. She nonchalantly picked it up, checked the message, placed the phone face down, and continued drinking and chatting with her colleagues and the president. Only when a female colleague stepped into the private room's en-suite restroom did Annie stand up as well, saying, "Madam President, I'm heading to the restroom." Since the private room's restroom was occupied, she had an excuse to step out. Passing through the corridor into the revolving dining hall, Annie swept her gaze across the room and locked onto Mr. Yuanshi by the massive floor-to-ceiling windows. Without batting an eyelid, she continued forward into the restaurant's public restroom, washed her hands briefly, and returned to the private room. "Madam President, guess who I just saw?" Annie said with a flirtatious smile. Donna's heart stirred. "A friend of mine?" "Friend" was a euphemism for lover. Annie shook her head, leaned in close to Donna, and said with a smile, "It's Jumang!"