"You're quite the conversationalist, Li. It's been a pleasure," Atwood said, forcing a smile despite his discomfort. "Time flies, and I wish we could chat longer…"
"We can!" Li Yexing said eagerly.
"I'm afraid not…" Atwood gestured to the group of heirs watching from afar, barely hiding his nausea. "My friends are waiting."
"Oh…" Li Yexing feigned disappointment. "Go on, we'll catch up later."
With a polite farewell, Atwood left.
"Mr. Atwood doesn't like Yexing," Lilith said. "He looked like he wanted to vomit talking to you."
"Really?" Li Yexing shrugged. "I thought we hit it off. I insulted his mom, and he didn't even flip. Gotta say, rich folks have class—great attitude."
Truthfully, when Atwood approached, Li Yexing hoped he'd pull some cliché rich-kid stunt, like flashing cash and saying, "My dad's this, my mom's that, hand over your girl." He'd have loved to play the face-slapping hero, but with no big faction behind him, his only move would be to riddle Atwood's face with more holes than his fancy watch.
As Atwood left, boredom crept back. Soon, a suited middle-aged man took the stage on the second floor.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please, a moment of silence."
The hall hushed instantly.
"Good evening. I'm Jason Parker, owner of this ship."
Li Yexing glanced up, startled. Wasn't this the nervous guy who bumped into him earlier?
Studying Parker, Li Yexing noted his timid demeanor, constantly wiping sweat with a handkerchief. He lacked the nobles' poise, more like a servant from a drama than a tycoon. His speech dragged, full of empty platitudes, boring Li Yexing and visibly annoying the elites. Sensing their disdain, Parker mopped his brow, rushed his speech, and announced the next event.
The ball.
Elegant music swelled, and couples glided into the dance floor. Single heirs approached their chosen ladies, who offered a hand, leading to graceful dances under the soft melodies.
Li Yexing recalled his old boss, who, after drinks, bragged about high-society parties. If a girl danced with you, he claimed, you could take her to your room for "fun." Li Yexing thought he read too many fantasy novels.
As he watched the dancers, a girl approached. He didn't notice until she stopped before him.
Short black hair, big blue eyes, a cute round face, pale skin, and a yellow dress. But her height—barely over 1.5 meters—stood out among the tall Western crowd.
Blushing, trembling, and near tears, she stammered, "S-sir, c-can I… ask you t-to… d-dance with me?"
Lilith's eyes sharpened.
Li Yexing raised an eyebrow, glancing at her.
'Oh, boy.'
Li Yexing glanced at the quivering girl, then at the giggling noble ladies across the hall, egging her on. He got the picture.
While he stayed calm, Lilith was livid. Without a word, she glared, her killing intent nearly knocking the girl over.
"Eek!" The girl squeaked like prey before a predator.
"Easy, don't scare her," Li Yexing said, patting Lilith's head. Turning to the terrified girl, he said, "I'd love to dance with a beauty like you, but as you see, my wife minds."
"W-wife?!" The girl gaped. "B-but she looks so young!"
"No need to be nervous. I won't eat you," Li Yexing said. "Neither will Lilith."
"I will," Lilith said flatly.
The girl looked even more terrified, her legs visibly shaking through her dress.
"Sorry, I can't dance with you," Li Yexing said, bowing slightly.
"S-so sorry for b-bothering you!" The girl, near tears, gave an exaggerated bow, nearly smacking her head on the floor, and scurried back to her group. The noble ladies patted her shoulders, seemingly encouraging, but their smirks were catty.
Li Yexing scoffed.
"Well, you're hard to find…" a familiar voice cut in. "Such a grand party, and you're hiding in a corner? What a waste."
Li Yexing turned, scalp tingling.
Ada Wong.
In a red high-slit gown, wine glass in hand, she sauntered over. "What, interrupting your girl-watching?"
"You just waltzed onboard?" Li Yexing asked, stunned.
"How else?" Ada tilted her head.
"I thought you'd tail the ship in a speedboat, sneak on with a grappling hook or something," he said.
"Why freeze on a boat when I can lounge in a luxury cabin waiting for the party?" Ada countered.
"What's your cover then? Not a noble, I bet."
"Of course not," she smiled. "I'm a senior consultant for a rising Chinese biopharma company."
"Shenya Biopharma?"
"What's that?"
"Forget it," Li Yexing shook his head, realizing it was only 2006—Shenya hadn't hit the 'Resident Evil' stage yet.
Ada ignored his comment, studying Lilith with growing astonishment. "I saw the intel, but up close… this girl's a perfect BOW. The most valuable I've ever seen, hands down."
"She's my girlfriend," Li Yexing said, annoyed at Ada's weapon-like praise. Pulling Lilith close, he added, "She's a person, not a tool."
Ada raised an eyebrow at Lilith's hostile glare. To her, BOWs were emotionless killing machines, but this girl felt… human.
"Alright, my apologies," Ada said. "She's beyond my understanding of BOWs. No wonder her creators are panicking like ants on a hot pan."