Jean shot Xiang Qian a look. "Not everyone is as filthy-minded as you!" Her phoenix eyes were full of coquettish charm, but they also carried a warning: he was not to make any more dirty jokes, and certainly not to tease the teachers she respected most.
Xiang Qian raised his hands in surrender.
After successfully putting her cheeky little man in his place, Jean Grey composed herself and explained why she had come. "There's been some unrest among the mutant community in North America. Certain signs have the Professor worried."
"What kind of unrest? And what's causing it?"
"There's a rumor." Jean's gaze held a deeper meaning. "It's about Worthington Industries."
Xiang Qian laughed. "Ah, no wonder. Is it because I'm a shareholder in Worthington Industries, or because the Five Elements Laboratory is working with the company?"
"Both." Jean's expression grew much more serious. "There are rumors that Worthington Industries is developing a drug targeting mutants?"
"Anything else? I can't imagine the Professor getting worked up over a baseless rumor."
"There are other rumors. We don't know if they're true, but they've already unsettled a lot of mutants. Supposedly, this drug can eliminate all mutants completely. Some even say it's a weapon of extermination designed to target mutants." Jean looked at Xiang Qian gravely.
"It's not just us who are worried. Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants are worried, too. Someone spotted the Brotherhood of Mutants reaching out to every radical mutant group in North America. The Professor thinks Magneto's actions are also connected to the rumors about Worthington Industries. The unrest in the mutant community keeps spreading." Jean pressed him for an answer. "We need reliable information. Is it a rumor or the truth? What exactly is this drug?"
"You're fishing for trade secrets, beautiful spy. Are you a Bond girl?" Xiang Qian asked with a smile, not answering her question directly.
Jean looked at Xiang Qian, then suddenly broke into a smile. Her serious expression thawed like spring wind melting ice, and her eyes brimmed once more with seductive charm. "If I'm a Bond girl, does that make you Bond? James... Bond?"
Hearing Jean's sultry voice draw out his English name until it overlapped with 007's, Xiang Qian realized he was having a hard time resisting this mature beauty's teasing.
Jean Grey knew exactly what made this cheeky little man tick. She decided to press her advantage. "James... Bond, as the world's most famous secret agent, would you be willing to share the information you have with your Bond girl?"
"Well... Worthington Industries is indeed conducting research into genetic drugs."
"Mmm-hmm..." Jean drew out the sound, her soft hum stirring the man's desire.
"This genetic drug..." Xiang Qian greedily admired her beautiful face, so close to his. "I can't tell you anything more."
Jean Grey's expression stiffened. She studied Xiang Qian's teasing look, bit her lip with a half-smile, and let her eyes turn dangerous.
"Okay, okay!" Xiang Qian's survival instinct warned him of danger. "There's one more thing. It has nothing to do with the drug itself, but it should put your minds somewhat at ease."
"Mmm-hmm..." Jean hummed softly again. Strangely, the same sound could convey completely different meanings. If the first had fanned the flames in a man's heart, this one was cold water dousing them, leaving Xiang Qian clearheaded enough to think carefully about what to say next.
"Worthington Industries' chairman is Worthington II. As far as I know, he has a son, Worthington III—and their family may have a serious case of naming difficulty—who is also a mutant. Worthington II loves his son dearly. I don't think he'd develop a drug that could kill his own child."
"He wouldn't develop a drug that could kill his son... So the drug won't kill mutants? Is that the news you wanted to give us?" Jean was frustrated with Xiang Qian's evasiveness.
Xiang Qian gave her a helpless smile. "Honey, you have to understand. I'm still a businessman. I need people to believe I'm a reliable partner."
Jean rolled her eyes at him. "Fine, I'll let you off this time. I'll tell the Professor."
She was just about to leave when Xiang Qian tightened his arms around her slender waist, holding the mature beauty firmly against him.
"Leaving so soon?"
Lying in Xiang Qian's arms, Jean knew that now the business was taken care of, her cheeky little man's playboy nature was coming out again. She sighed helplessly. "I have to go back right away. The Professor and the others are waiting for my news. They're all a little worried."
"I know. It's just that I haven't seen you in quite a while..."
Jean gave him a sidelong glance. "That's right. It's been quite a while. You haven't even called."
The atmosphere went from summer to winter in an instant.
"I can't exactly communicate freely. Didn't you just find that out? If you could reach me by phone, the Professor wouldn't have had you contact me through the Soul Realm." Xiang Qian smiled wryly as he explained. "We're in my Soul Realm right now, but can you guess where my body is? Somewhere in the skies above Central Asia. In fact, I fought terrorists just six hours ago."
Women in love could be so helpless. A minute ago, Jean Grey had been angry with Xiang Qian. Now she was worrying about him. "I thought a technical consultant just did research and offered advice?"
"There are always some responsibilities I have to shoulder, and some things I have to do." Xiang Qian shrugged unconcernedly. "The Professor founded a school, but he doesn't just teach. You're always fighting, too, aren't you?"
In the world of souls, emotions flowed naturally and honestly. Jean could feel the deep affection Xiang Qian had buried in his heart. She believed few people could touch that genuine part of him the way she could—even if this playboy had so many women he couldn't remember all their names.
Jean smiled, her every glance full of charm. "My little man isn't just a playboy anymore. Now he's a fighter, too."
Xiang Qian raised an eyebrow.
"But now I have to say goodbye to the brave fighter." Jean put both hands against Xiang Qian's chest and pushed. "If you miss me, don't call. I'll come knock on the door to your Soul Realm often."
Her eyes glimmered with desire, offering a clear invitation. But Xiang Qian's expression suddenly turned serious.
"Jean, you can't try to resonate with my soul again, especially without me guiding you," Xiang Qian said solemnly. "It could be dangerous for you."
"Why?"
"The Phoenix Force." Xiang Qian spoke of the presence that had been entangled with Jean Grey for most of her life, his expression complicated. "Too much contact with the Soul Realm could cause the Phoenix Force within you to lose control."