You also think wearing that is strange, right? (Seeking collection and recommendation votes)

"Eight o'clock tonight, book a hotel and have him come over." Zhou Yi waved a hand. "You all go make the arrangements."

"Yes, sir!" His subordinate nodded and quickly left to handle things.

Gisele asked curiously, "Why not have him come now?"

"Doing business—even if it's fake business—can't be rushed." Zhou Yi wasn't annoyed, since he had nothing else to do anyway, and he explained slowly, "I don't plan to actually negotiate with this drug lord, but since we need this as an excuse, we have to make it look convincing."

"So, we need a formal venue, a formal meeting, and a formal discussion." He paused and smiled. "Of course, the final result won't be a successful friendly agreement."

"After all, all you're missing right now is Reyes's palm print. Once you get that, you can move. And after the operation succeeds... whether Reyes still has the mind to bother me is another question. If he really sees me as his lifeline, he'll be disappointed—because by then, I'll probably be long gone."

"...Did you plan all this out beforehand, or did you just come up with it now?" Gisele asked.

"Just now." Zhou Yi yawned. "Ha~ If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have any interest in dealing with a drug lord..."

Zhou Yi wasn't lying to Gisele. Though he'd gone from an ordinary person to a rich man in just a few years, the upbringing from his past life's good family and schooling had instilled in him a mindset that never crossed into illegality. Almost everything he did stayed within the rules and let him feel clear of conscience.

That "almost" covered a few rare exceptions—like helping Toretto and getting them off the hook. After all, when he first arrived, it was Toretto who pulled him up, and there was a long period of looking out for him afterward. Turning his back on that would've sat wrong with Zhou Yi himself.

"So, what do we do now?" Gisele asked.

This was completely outside her wheelhouse, and she was totally lost.

"Do what you want." Zhou Yi said it with the straightest face, the words carrying a slight double meaning.

"..." Gisele rolled her eyes. "Can you not speak in riddles?"

"I usually call this operation 'Fabric Replacement and Coordination Adjustment,'" Zhou Yi said seriously. "Basically, something everyone needs to do every day."

"In words I can understand, what is it?"

"Change clothes."

That evening.

"Honestly, don't you think I look weird in a suit?" Gisele shifted uncomfortably.

"Not bad," Zhou Yi said with a smile. "If you ask me, you could try wearing armor."

"Armor?" Gisele stared at him, her expression reading, "I didn't know you had that kind of fetish." "You mean that full-body heavy armor?"

"No, no—the arms and legs still need to be exposed."

"Isn't that just a bikini?"

"Hmm... a bit more than a bikini."

"Like a regular swimsuit... armor?"

"With greaves and boots."

"What kind of weird outfit is that?"

"Ah, you think it's weird too, right?"

"Of course. Who'd be stupid enough to wear something like that... Wait, is that a camera you're holding? What are you doing with a camera?"

"Nothing." Zhou Yi nodded in satisfaction and put the camera away. "Just filming some fun little clips."

"...Something feels off..." Gisele was baffled. She had no clue what Zhou Yi was up to, but that didn't stop her from wanting to get to the bottom of it. Just as she was about to act, one of Zhou Yi's subordinates knocked on the door.

"Mr. Reyes is here."

Gisele's suit was specially prepared for that evening's unconventional "Hongmen Banquet." Zhou Yi was wearing one too, but his had been custom-tailored in advance and fit perfectly. Gisele's... her body proportions made it impossible to find a good fit off the rack, and there was no time for a custom job, so she'd settled for one that barely worked.

With a legendary figure of legs that started below the neck, finding the right size in standard suits was naturally tough.

So, when Gisele sat down, a stretch of her calf was exposed; only standing up could she barely cover her ankles.

Luckily, Reyes finally arrived, meaning their plan could officially begin.

Reyes was searched before entering. His men initially tried to stop Zhou Yi's subordinates from frisking them, but under the cold stare of those professionals, they flinched and froze, then gave up the fight at Reyes's signal.

One was a thug promoted to drug lord's head of security; the other was a veteran hired at a high salary from a professional security firm. Who was stronger wasn't even a question.

Reyes had no choice. He knew exactly what his men were worth—fine for bullying civilians, but against professionals like these... might as well give up and say goodbye.

Besides, Reyes was here hoping to land a big order from Zhou Yi, so he didn't want any conflict.

After some routine business pleasantries... (It's not that I can't write it, but I don't want you to call it padding—trust me!)

"In any case, Mr. Reyes, I do want to do business with you. But the prerequisite is—you have to ensure our safety while we're doing it." Zhou Yi swirled the glass in his hand. This time, it wasn't the usual plain boiled water, but proper red wine.

"I can guarantee that," Reyes said with a smile. "I won't boast about other things, but in Rio, I can absolutely guarantee safety!"

"..."

Zhou Yi set down his glass and shook his head helplessly. "Mr. Reyes, though this is my first time here, I'm not blind or deaf. I've heard about recent events. So, until you've fully resolved those matters... I'm sorry."

With that, Zhou Yi stood up.

The message was clear: time to leave.

Failed Author's Diary ↓

I can't even think of a diary entry anymore. Am I really worse than a failed author?