Chapter 5

Shangguan Xueying set foot on American soil and checked into The Peninsula New York. Opened in 1928 and known as the “Grand Dame of the Far East,” the hotel radiated a strong sense of history and luxury.

On her first day, Shangguan Xueying, still weary from jet lag, knew time was pressing. After a brief rest, she forced herself to perk up. She stepped out of the hotel and onto New York’s bustling streets, beginning to familiarize herself with the surroundings. Sunlight poured over the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 55th Street, where throngs of people bustled about. To her delight, she discovered that the area was filled with malls and supermarkets—treasures seemed to be waving at her from every corner.

During the day, Shangguan Xueying wandered the streets like an ordinary tourist. Dressed in casual wear with a stylish wide-brimmed hat, she seemed carefree, but her sharp eyes carefully scanned every store that might carry what she needed. She visited one luxury boutique after another, noting Levi’s, CK, Guess, Tommy, and other brands of clothing and skincare. The exquisite designs and fine fabrics tempted her, but she knew this was not the time to indulge. Instead, she quietly memorized the styles and prices, planning to take action once night fell.

She paused in front of a Levi’s store, where jeans in all styles were on display—especially the iconic San Francisco originals, which caught her eye. The texture of the denim drew her to touch it, and she imagined the endless possibilities these fabrics could bring.

At a Coach boutique, she noticed an exquisite handbag and memorized the location of the Washington branch, anticipating a better deal there.

Inside an electronics store, Apple products gleamed with technological allure. Shangguan Xueying already knew their features and performance by heart and was planning how best to add them to her collection.

A concept store offered surprises like solar-powered flashlights. She lingered there, weighing their practicality and value.

As night fell, the dazzling lights of New York lit up the city. Shangguan Xueying changed into her night gear—lightweight, blending perfectly with the darkness, and designed to conceal her presence so completely she became almost invisible.

Like a phantom, she slipped through the night. Using her psychic abilities, Shangguan Xueying sensed every detail of her surroundings: the layout of security systems, blind spots in surveillance cameras, and the patterns of guard patrols. Following her pre-planned route, she first entered a luxury store. Inside, silence reigned except for the faint flicker of security lights. With catlike agility, she avoided the cameras and slipped in. Her goal was clear—she swiftly gathered the jewelry she had marked earlier and stored them in her personal spatial dimension.

Next, she moved on to a fabric shop, selecting the finest denim with practiced precision.

In a supermarket, she found all kinds of delicacies—sweet corn porridge, tender lobster rolls, spicy buffalo wings, and fresh king crab. Each one went into her collection.

Every time she succeeded, she vanished without a trace, leaving no sign she had ever been there.

After careful preparation, Shangguan Xueying finally established contact with an anonymous seller. The man’s voice was low and cold, carrying unquestionable authority. After finalizing the details, they agreed to meet in an abandoned warehouse.

On the day of the deal, the sky was heavy with clouds, as though a storm loomed. Dressed in plain clothes, Shangguan Xueying drove to the rendezvous point. Her psychic senses swept her surroundings, ensuring no surveillance or traps.

Soon, heavy footsteps echoed through the warehouse. A man in a black trench coat emerged from the shadows, sunglasses hiding most of his face. Without a word, he gestured for her to check the goods.

In a corner, stacks of weapons and dangerous items waited—cold military firearms, sharp restricted blades, and deadly explosives, each radiating menace. Shangguan Xueying inspected them one by one. Once satisfied, she handed over the cash she had prepared.

The transaction went smoothly. The man departed quickly, his subordinates loading the goods onto the large truck Shangguan Xueying had arranged. She knew that any carelessness could spell disaster.

Driving away from the warehouse, she remained alert, scanning constantly for tails.

Finding a remote, quiet spot, she looked around carefully. With a deep breath, she lifted her hands. The weapons and supplies vanished from the truck as if drawn into thin air by an invisible force.

Back at the hotel, Shangguan Xueying collapsed on the bed. Closing her eyes, she replayed the events of the past days—it all felt like a long dream, both real and unreal. Yet she knew that no matter how hard this journey became, she had to face it with courage.

Over the next few days, her operations grew more efficient. She harvested even more supplies from malls and supermarkets.

At an auto parts store, she collected fuel and oils of all types—gasoline, diesel, engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and differential oil—choosing carefully to cover every need.

From specialty shops, she picked up Wisconsin ginseng, Hawaiian Kona coffee, California Napa Valley wine, Vermont maple syrup, and unique souvenirs.

At a Disney store, she selected limited-edition keychains, pins, glassware, and plush toys, their childlike charm lifting her mood.

In cowboy country, she bought handcrafted hats and boots, soaking in the spirit of American cowboy culture.

By the sixth day, Shangguan Xueying had gathered a staggering haul. Sorting her loot in her hotel room, she felt a surge of accomplishment. But she knew her journey wasn’t over.

On the seventh morning, sunlight streamed across her face. Rising early, she packed her luggage and booked a ticket to her next destination: Germany. At nine o’clock, she stepped out of The Peninsula New York, her heart full of anticipation for the road ahead.

New York remained as vibrant as ever, but her figure slowly faded into the distance.