After a busy day, old Kolev thumped his lower back, a contented smile on his face. Humming a folk song he'd just learned, he returned to the surface pirate port he had just established.
Warm light spilled from the villa windows.
Smiling, Kolev climbed the steps. He was about to verify his biological information when the door unlocked by itself and swung open a crack.
Clever little Lü.
"Mm-hmm-hmm."
Kolev hummed his way inside, hung his top hat behind the door, changed into his slippers, and started chatting to himself.
"The employees here are quite decent. They know how to respect an old man. As long as I act a little gentle, they think I'm a trustworthy old fellow who's easy to fool. Hahaha..."
Kolev's voice trailed off as he looked at Yang Ming, curled up on the sofa.
"Oh, what's wrong? My dear nephew, whenever you look so serious, I start to worry."
"A little trouble," Yang Ming said, breathing out softly. "Come take a look, Ko—cough, Uncle Haton."
Kolev realized how serious the situation was.
The kid had nearly forgotten to call him "Uncle Haton" and used his real name instead.
Kolev went over and looked at the projection screen in front of Yang Ming. A video was playing on it.
A beach, a remote road, and a flashy convertible hovercar.
The driver was a middle-aged man with short brown hair. He had chiseled features, a handsome face, and a strong physique. A smile with dimples tugged at his lips, and he radiated confidence.
"Whoa, what a charming man."
Kolev murmured, "At first glance, he's either a rich playboy or a movie star who likes seducing women."
Yang Ming smiled. "Don't be prejudiced against movie stars."
Kolev grinned.
Yang Ming lightly swiped a finger, and a string of