"Not necessarily. After all, my plan hasn't even begun yet—"
Zhang Qi smiled and turned his face toward the window.
Outside lay a dazzling, multicolored world. Hovercars streamed along translucent magnetic tracks, emitting a low hum.
GG advertisements were holographic projections, with enormous virtual idols dancing in midair—
"I nearly forgot about that—"
Shi Qiang laughed as well when he heard that.
He flicked the butt of his Zhongnanhai cigarette out through a gap in the car window. A faint red streak cut through the air before being swept away by the airflow from the cars behind them.
As they chatted idly, the car merged onto the main artery of ground traffic.
Shi Qiang did not mention work again, nor did he bring up those headache-inducing ET0s. Instead, he casually told embarrassing stories about his son as a child.
Zhang Qi listened quietly, occasionally offering a word or two in response.
He looked out at that world, both familiar and strange—
Eventually, the car stopped in front of a magnificent building.
This did not look like an ordinary hotel. Two rows of sentries stood at the entrance, ramrod straight in dark forest-green uniforms with no unnecessary adornments.
Shi Qiang pulled into a reserved parking spot, and several young men in black suits immediately gathered around.
They looked young, but their movements were crisp and capable. Spiral communication earpieces were tucked into their ears, and their eyes swept the surroundings vigilantly.
"Chief."
The young man in front dipped his head slightly toward Shi Qiang.
"Mm."
Shi Qiang responded, tossing him the car keys. "Take Dr. Zhang upstairs. His room has been arranged.
"Stay sharp these next few days. Don't let anything go wrong."
He turned to Zhang Qi and gave a brief introduction. "My men. Since those flies from ET0 aren't