Chapter 18: Surveillance (With Additional Content)

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The car drove through the slums, with shabby iron-sheet houses on either side. Dim kerosene lamps flickered through large cracks in wooden doors, resembling the faint phosphorescent light in a grave. The yellow, muddy ground, littered with garbage from the rainy season, was slick and treacherous, and the tires kicked up large splashes of dirty water as they passed.

Several drunken men, dressed in rags, leaned against the roadside railings, vomiting. Upon seeing the extended Maybach they were in, their eyes gleamed with greed, and as the car drove by, they spat at its rear.

In most areas of Z country’s cities, it was all like this—slums. Occasionally, there were a few bustling commercial areas, surrounded by trash and resembling palaces in a desert, like a mirage, appearing exquisitely false.

On the way back to the hotel from Emir’s palace, Tang Mi remained silent, gazing out the window and quietly smoking. Arthur and his teammates, who were disguised as his subordinates, were holding a meeting, and their voices occasionally drifted into her ears.

“Boss, it looks like today has started off well. Emir invited us to dinner two days from now, which will give us a chance to further assess the palace’s layout and structure. As soon as we find the main server room, I can crack the password to his wife’s room in seconds.”

The young man with red hair in the driver’s seat spoke first, his baby face still showing a few pimples, and his expression filled with eager excitement.

His name was Simon, a genius with an IQ of 170. He was the computer genius on Arthur’s team, responsible for monitoring, cracking passwords, and infiltrating various information systems to steal and sabotage. In simpler terms, he was a hacker, but he always referred to himself as an artist, an artist who created beauty and miracles with computers.

“Come on, Emir is a chief, he has four wives. Are you going to deal with all four women at once? They’d probably think your little brother hasn’t even fully grown, haha,” Simon’s burly teammate next to him let out a coarse laugh. His sparse brown eyebrows shot up, and the red scar under his eye became even more menacing with his grin.

The burly man’s name was JR, a sharpshooter and combat expert. He had killed nearly 300 enemies in the Iran-Iraq war, and the ugly scar on his face was his greatest honor. It was the “medal” he earned during a duel with the world’s top sniper.

“Don’t get too excited. We’ve only just approached Emir. He’s a tough character. Previously, spies from M country and R country tried to get close to him to steal that weapons contract, but those people disappeared without a trace. Not even their bodies were found,” said a middle-aged man sitting across from Arthur. His well-groomed mustache trembled slightly with the movement of his lips, and his olive-green eyes radiated an air of authority.

The man with the beautiful mustache was Yise, a mysterious figure. It was rumored that he had once been an officer in Mossad (Israeli Intelligence) but fled his homeland for some unknown reason. Military Intelligence had traded the lives of six Israeli senior spies to bring him back.

As for Yise’s specialties, they were as mysterious as his identity. All anyone knew was that he was fluent in eight languages and was also a Ph.D. in biochemistry and optoelectronics.

Yise glanced at Tang Mi, who was gazing out the window, lost in thought, and said, “It seems Emir has a good impression of Ann.” Then, he carefully observed Arthur’s expression, as if waiting for his response.

But Arthur didn’t look at him or respond. He just stared thoughtfully at Tang Mi. However, Simon, who was driving, couldn’t keep his mouth shut. He waved his hand back and said, “Right! Ann, that trick you did was amazing—infrared, ultrasound, and a flash—you really stunned Emir. I think you’ve completely mesmerized him.”

Tang Mi exhaled a smoke ring and said lightly, “Those are just basic photography techniques.”

In truth, Tang Mi didn’t dislike Simon. On the contrary, his way of waving his hand while talking reminded her of Richie. But whenever she thought about how Simon had helped Arthur learn her family’s secrets, the resentment in her chest would stir.

“Don’t be so cold, little beauty. We’re on the same side now,” Simon said, looking at Tang Mi through the rearview mirror. He was about to crack a joke, but when he saw Arthur’s expressionless face, he immediately stopped, shrugged, and continued driving obediently.

JR saw Simon’s discomfort and almost burst out laughing. However, the flash reflected in the rearview mirror made his lips tighten in an instant.

He lowered his voice and said, “Boss, there’s a car following us.”

Arthur looked back and sure enough, a black sedan was trailing them at a leisurely pace.

“JR, when we get to the hotel, take a detour to the opposite street corner. Wait until you can clearly see the license plate and the driver’s face before coming back to the hotel,” Arthur instructed in a low voice. Then he turned back to the others in the car and said, “Emir is a very cautious person. He doesn’t trust us, which is why he’s sending someone to follow us. What we need to do next is show him exactly what we want him to see.”

As he spoke, the corners of his mouth curled slightly, as if smiling, but the chill emanating from his emerald green eyes was bone-chilling.

The coldness slowly spread through the confined space of the car, and Tang Mi instinctively wrapped her arms tightly around herself, just like that night on the stormy grassland.

“Darling, we’re at the hotel,” Arthur said as he wrapped his arm around her trembling shoulder and gently pulled her slipping shawl back in place.

In the middle of the night, Tang Mi suddenly woke up. She had dreamed of her biological parents, the sea, an explosion, the walls of an orphanage, a man’s crazy and evil gaze, and Emir’s final calm, cold smile. Scenes flashed before her eyes like a movie reel, each transition accompanied by the lingering sensation of massive waves.

She hadn’t dreamed of these in a long time, so long that she thought she had forgotten them. But tonight, they returned, like old adversaries standing in the darkness, smiling at her after many years apart.

She sat up straight, her left hand instinctively reaching to pull the blanket, but instead, she brushed against a firm male arm. Turning her face, she saw Arthur’s strong, muscular body outlined perfectly beneath the blanket.

He slept peacefully, his eyes gently closed, his long, curled eyelashes resembling a butterfly’s wings folded at rest. The soft light from the window bathed his face, giving it an ivory hue, so still he looked like a statue.

Yes, she was lying in the same bed as him, just like countless couples in love, but they were not a couple.

There are usually two reasons why two people, who are not a couple, share a bed: one is physical desire, and the other is because there is only one bed in the room, and they fell into the latter category.

Last night, when they were about to enter their hotel room, Arthur had stopped her and then signaled to Simon. Simon quietly opened the door and slipped inside like a nimble cat. Not long after, he came out, carefully closing the door behind him. “There are two listening devices, one in the living room and the other in Ann’s room, and the files and laptop in the drawer have been tampered with. The technique is skilled, it was done by an expert.”

Arthur nodded, his face showing no surprise, as if he had already anticipated the situation. “Although Emir invited us back to the palace tonight, he didn’t mention the weapons deal at all. I knew he would take some action.” He stroked his chin, a dark light flashing in his eyes. “Simon, how long can the power for those listening devices last?”

In the middle of the night, Tang Mi suddenly woke up. She dreamt of her real parents, the sea, an explosion, the walls of the orphanage, the mad, evil eyes of a man, and Emir’s final, calm, cold smile. One scene after another flashed before her eyes like a movie replay, with each switch of the scene accompanied by the ever-present, inescapable giant waves.

She hadn’t dreamt of these things for a long time, so long that she thought she had forgotten them. But tonight, they came back, like old opponents standing in the dark, smiling at her.

She sat up straight again, her left hand automatically reaching to pull the blanket, but instead, she touched a strong male arm. Turning her face, Arthur’s tough and muscular body showed a perfect outline under the blanket.

His sleeping posture was peaceful, eyes gently closed, long and curled eyelashes like folded butterfly wings. The soft light from outside hit his face, giving it an ivory glow, as still as a statue.

Yes, she was sleeping in the same bed as him, just like countless couples in love, but they were not a couple.

There are usually two reasons why two people who are not a couple share a bed: one is because of physical desire, and the other is because there is only one bed in the room. They belonged to the latter category.

Last night, when they were about to enter the hotel room, Arthur stopped her and then gave Simon a look. Simon quietly opened the door and slipped inside like a nimble cat. Not long after, he came out, carefully closing the door behind him. “There are two listening devices inside: one in the living room and the other in Ann’s room. The files and laptop in the drawer have been tampered with. The technique is smooth; it was done by an expert.”

Arthur nodded, his face showing no surprise, as if he had already anticipated this. “Tonight, although Emir invited us back to the palace, he didn’t mention the weapons deal at all. I knew he would make a move.” He stroked his chin, a dark glint flashing in his eyes. “Simon, how long will the power for those listening devices last?”

“The micro probes use CR2032 lithium-ion coin cell batteries, which can last for 20 hours. Each one has a listening range of 30 square meters, and the hotel suite is 70 square meters, so they needed two devices,” Simon replied.

“So, after 20 hours, the listening will stop working, and the living room won’t pick up sounds from the room, and the room won’t pick up sounds from the living room.”

“The documents and laptop files were intentionally placed by me, to make Emir believe in our identities. Since he wants to eavesdrop, let him hear what he wants to hear,” Arthur sneered, lowering his voice as he spoke to Simon. “Quickly intercept the audio signals from the listening devices to locate the vehicle receiving the signals and inform JR.”

“JR, you know what to do,” Arthur turned and looked at JR.

“Of course. Find those bastards, then plant our listening devices in their car,” JR blinked and smiled, the scar at the corner of his eye wriggling like a worm.

Finally, Arthur smiled at Tang Mi: “And you, my dear, I’m afraid you’ll have to sleep in my room tonight. I’ll tell you in advance everything you’ll need to say in the living room.”

Simon whistled, a sly grin spreading across his face.

Tang Mi snorted coldly through her nose, not looking at Arthur. Instead, she provocatively smiled at Simon, who was making faces at her: “But I’d rather share a room with Simon.” After saying this, she watched Simon’s eyes widen and his mouth fall open in disbelief.

“That’s fine, but we’ll have to check with Simon first. Simon, do you agree?” Arthur laughed as well, slowly turning to look at Simon.

Simon, who had his mouth open, quickly snapped it shut when Arthur looked at him, shaking his head rapidly like a drum: “No, no, I have sleepwalking issues. I like to get up at night and hit people.”

So, Tang Mi had no choice but to squeeze into a room with Arthur tonight. Meanwhile, her original room had been set up with a recorder that would automatically play the conversation they wanted Emir to hear.

Suddenly, the bedside lamp turned on, and Arthur’s lazy voice came from behind: “What’s wrong? Can’t sleep? Do you also like to get up at night and hit people like Simon? Or are you just not used to having a man lying next to you?”

“No, I’m just not used to having you next to me,” Tang Mi didn’t turn around, curling her legs and resting her chin on her knees, staring blankly at the ceiling. It was a habit she had when she couldn’t sleep.

“You’ll get used to it soon,” he sat up and walked to the bar area in the room.

“I wonder why you don’t sleep on the floor?” she said angrily, glaring at his back.

He was shirtless, and the dim light fell on his broad shoulders, looking almost…

“You’ll get used to it soon.” He sat up and walked to the bar in the room.

“I told you, why don’t you sleep on the floor?” She glared at Arthur’s back, speaking indignantly. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, and the dim yellow light fell on his broad shoulders, flowing like water over his tight, sensual back muscles and narrow yet powerful waist, sliding down the deep line between his waist and hips, his firm, narrow backside reminding one of a cheetah on the grasslands.

In that instant, Tang Mi had the urge to pick up a camera; occasionally, she would take some very dynamic nude photos.

“I don’t have the habit of sleeping on the floor, nor do I make the women around me sleep on the floor.” Arthur poured himself a drink, took a sip, and then walked toward her.

His golden hair casually fell on his shoulders, his strong, muscular chest rising and falling slightly, his green eyes carrying a lazy look from just waking up, with a hint of danger as he got closer to her.

Luckily, you don’t have the habit of sleeping naked!

Tang Mi cursed inwardly, but the thought made her feel inexplicably thirsty. At that moment, Arthur’s wine glass was right in front of her. “So, do you still like my body?” he asked, leaning in close, his lips curving into a tempting, mischievous smile. His warm breath, along with a hint of his masculine scent, tickled her nose.

Tang Mi’s heart skipped a beat. Her eyes involuntarily traced his chest muscles down to his toned abdomen and long legs. Suddenly, she smiled, took the wine glass and took a sip, saying, “Not bad. In fact, if you agree, I can take some photos for you.”

“Hmm, good suggestion. And then?” Arthur leaned in, one hand resting on the edge of the bed beside her, his nose almost touching hers. His voice was rough and magnetic.

“Then sell them to DNA (a famous Australian male celebrity magazine). I believe it will tempt a lot of readers,” Tang Mi said, tilting her face up and smiling seductively, her eyes sparkling like a cat ready to pounce.

“Could that tempt you?” Arthur’s pupils darkened with a surge of desire, unmistakably and unabashedly.

“Maybe you could try and see,” Tang Mi lowered her lashes, staring at his lips. The corner of her mouth curled into an alluring smile as she spoke each word slowly and deliberately.

This time, Arthur didn’t say anything. He pulled her head back, his hand gripping the back of her neck as he suddenly leaned down. His lips were about to meet hers, but just as they were about to touch, he stopped, his other hand quickly grabbing something—an incoming object: a small, delicate foot.

Shit! She almost kicked him. Tang Mi cursed inwardly, her eyes wide as she watched her foot stop between his legs, her ankle held tightly in his grasp, as if he were pinching a delicate twig.

He wasn’t fooled in the slightest. Even in the midst of passion, he remained highly alert. His level of control made Tang Mi wonder if the person in front of her was human or a machine running a precise program.

“You really are like an untamed little lioness,” Arthur chuckled softly, biting her lip, but not rushing to press forward. Instead, he gently caressed it, his tongue tracing the shape of her lips, slowly prying open her clenched teeth, and delving deeper.

His hands pinned her wrists, the pressure just enough to prevent her from escaping.

Arthur’s kiss was tender yet incredibly teasing. Tang Mi felt her mind go blank for a moment, her body instinctively softening and warming under the pressure of his lips and tongue. It was as if her nerves suddenly short-circuited. When her awareness slightly returned, his scorching lips were already trailing down her neck and across her collarbone, his fingers strong as they traced her body, sending waves of heat through her.

No matter how much she resisted internally, she had to admit that this man had a kind of magic that made it impossible not to follow his rhythm, gradually losing herself in it.

“Seduction is a compulsory lesson for every agent, right?” Just as his hand slowly moved up along her waist, she suddenly said this in a low voice.

Arthur stopped his movement and raised his head to look at Tang Mi, the intensity in his eyes gradually fading as he regained his usual calm.

“You don’t need to worry about me losing control. Ma Jin’s life is in your hands. Until the mission is completed, I will cooperate with all your work. So, there’s no need for you to do this.” Tang Mi turned her head away, lowering her lashes as she spoke indifferently. She knew that during the German Civil War, East Germany had used the honey trap to lure many women working in the West German government into becoming spies, stealing a significant amount of valuable information for East Germany.

For women, nothing is more easily controlled than love, and conquering her body is the quickest and most effective way to invade her heart.

Arthur remained silent, merely focusing on her, the corners of his mouth tightening, and that cold, sharp edge in his gaze resurfaced.

Even without looking at his face, Tang Mi could sense his anger. The silent rage hovered over her like the low-pressure clouds before a storm, and all she could do was helplessly wait for the first thunderclap. The fear of this wait made her shiver involuntarily.

But the storm she anticipated did not arrive.

Arthur sighed, his hand gently brushing her cheek. “I don’t need these to control you. I want you because I like you. What happened before can’t be changed, but I never intended to hurt you.”

Tang Mi turned her head in surprise. His eyes were as deep as a lake, with soft ripples of tenderness that slowly engulfed her figure.

For the first time, he left her feeling speechless.

“Sleep, you’re tired,” Arthur whispered, kissing her forehead, turning off the bedside lamp, and gently wrapping an arm around her waist without making any further moves.

His body heat seeped through his pajamas and into Tang Mi’s skin. The warm touch felt oddly magical, easing her tense nerves. Sleepiness filled every pore of her body, and, as exhaustion washed over her like a wave, the fingers she had intended to use to push him away slowly relaxed.

The two of them slept embraced, their hair tangled together. It was hard to tell who had conquered whom, or who was controlling whom. Perhaps it was mutual, though neither of them knew this. Some things, like sleep, are inevitable when the time comes.

A sliver of dawn slipped through the partially drawn curtains, casting a hazy, golden light on the wall, which spread like the finest silk blanket over their silhouettes. Faint sounds of roosters crowing began to rise from the horizon; daybreak was approaching.

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Author’s note: I feel a bit sorry for Arthur; he’s often rejected by Tang Mi. My heart softened, so I decided to give him a small reward.

Not too much, though—just enough to savor gradually.

I want to thank all the readers who have supported me all this time. I love you all! And if you post a comment with more than 25 characters, you’ll receive points to purchase VIP chapters. Most of you probably know that already, right?

So, whether it’s flowers or bricks, feel free to throw them my way!