A sleek black Mercedes idled at the curb. Baitu ushered Gaoyang into the backseat. The driver, a middle-aged man with a composed expression and dressed in a tailored suit, had the precise demeanor of a private chauffeur—someone accustomed to serving VIPs and tycoons.
After boarding, Baitu slipped off her shoes and began painting her toenails, this time with a shade of deep purple.
“You’re really into nail polish, aren’t you?” Gaoyang commented idly.
“Oh, absolutely. I change it seven or eight times a day. While others mindlessly scroll through videos, I pass the time with polish.”
“Careful, or your nails might rot.”
“As if.” Focused and absorbed like an artist engrossed in her craft, Baitu meticulously brushed each nail with smooth, symmetrical strokes. Gaoyang found himself mesmerized, a sense of calm and aesthetic satisfaction washing over him.
By the time she finished one foot, nearly ten minutes had passed.
Baitu examined her work with satisfaction, blew gently on her toes, then glanced up at Gaoyang. “How does it look?”
“It’s… fine.”
“Yeah, I think so too.” She stashed the nail polish away. “Though, soon enough, I’ll probably hate it and want a new color.”
“That’s obsessive-compulsive behavior.”
“It’s not! I just have a foot thing!”
Gaoyang sighed, deciding to change the subject. Trying to sound casual, he asked, “The lady who runs the barbecue place last night…”
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“What? Still thinking about her?”
“No, just curious if she’s formidable.”
“Couldn’t say—never fought her. But she’s no ordinary person,” Baitu replied.
Gaoyang cast a wary glance at the driver in the front. Sensing his concern, Baitu reassured him, “Don’t worry, he’s one of ours.”
“Alright, then I’ll ask openly. Why doesn’t the organization recruit her?” Gaoyang hadn’t expected much information, just casual inquiries since his lack of knowledge about Liu Qingying would put him at a disadvantage in their future ‘collaborations.’
“She’s a free spirit, not interested in joining, and honestly, the organization isn’t interested in her either.”
“Why not?”
Baitu leaned forward, resting a hand on Gaoyang’s shoulder, speaking with a grave sincerity. “As I said earlier, once someone’s weaknesses are exposed, death is near.”
“What does that have to do with my question?”
“Don’t interrupt! But some people… have no weaknesses.”
“Are you talking about the owner?”
“Yes, and not only that,” Baitu clicked her tongue. “Someone with no vulnerabilities is bound to have ambitions. This woman has hidden her ambitions so deeply, it’s unnerving. A person like that is too dangerous, too unpredictable—a huge liability in the organization.”
“Makes sense,” Gaoyang agreed.
“See? It’s not my opinion; it’s the captain’s.” At the mention of him, her eyes sparkled with adoration, like a fangirl in awe.
“The same captain who’s my long-lost brother, right?” Gaoyang mocked.
“That’s right, exactly!”
“Will I meet him today?”
“Not a chance; he’s tied up right now. But everyone else, except for him and the deputy, is here.” Baitu glanced out the window. “We’re here.”
They stepped out, and Gaoyang was taken aback. “The Millennium Tower!”
“Yes.”
Built five years ago, Millennium Tower, also known as the Licheng International Financial Center, dominates Licheng’s most bustling District 1—Daxu. Strategically positioned at the junction of the pedestrian street and Furong Road, this towering structure integrates a sprawling shopping and entertainment complex, luxury offices, serviced apartments, and a five-star hotel.
The main tower stands at 430 meters, with 90 floors, while the secondary tower reaches 305 meters with 60 floors. The complex spans 74,400 square meters with a total construction area of one million square meters, making it the tallest building in Licheng.