Hammer cast aside his identity as a hundred-billionaire tycoon and personally took on the role of driver.
The car door opened.
Renjie and Android 18 stepped into the luxurious, supremely comfortable Rolls-Royce.
Soft leather seats and an expansive interior enveloped them in quiet opulence.
As Hammer moved toward the driver's seat, he dialed a high-end restaurant he had reserved in advance, issuing instructions without hesitation—
Replace all the dishes with fine cuisine.
If they didn't have it, buy it.
Buy the best. Buy the most expensive.
"Boss, you must be exhausted from the journey. Shall we go for dinner first, or return to the hotel to rest?"
Hammer gripped the steering wheel tightly, asking in a low, cautious voice.
"Back to the hotel."
Renjie's reply was concise, absolute.
He wouldn't eat anything tonight. The reason was simple—
Now that he was under the watchful eyes of multiple factions, there was always the possibility that someone might poison his food.
Better safe than sorry.
"I understand…"
Hammer forced an awkward smile.
The idea of dining with the boss to strengthen their relationship was clearly dead on arrival.
He set aside all distractions and focused on driving, the Rolls-Royce gliding smoothly toward the prearranged luxury hotel.
Twenty minutes later
The Rolls-Royce came to a steady stop at the hotel entrance.
Hammer sprang out, opening his umbrella as he jogged around to the rear door. He opened it for Renjie, even thoughtfully placing one hand above the doorframe to keep him from bumping his head.
Renjie stepped out of the car.
What greeted him was a freshly laid crimson carpet.
Under the fine drizzle, ten moderately well-known, stunningly sexy female celebrities stood as greeters, dressed in strapless white gauze gowns.
Though the rain had dampened their dresses, they maintained impeccable professionalism, smiling warmly from the heart.
They lined both sides of the red carpet, welcoming Renjie's arrival.
The provocative sight made Renjie pause for just a moment.
So this was the decadent sweetness of damnable capital
Sinfully rich, sinfully indulgent.
No wonder this was a land of excess. With money and power, one truly could do whatever they pleased here.
Unfortunately—
Renjie already had a beauty like Android 18 by his side.
And there was also Ada Wong—an elegant, mature woman far more in line with Eastern aesthetics—hovering in a haze of unspoken intimacy.
These actresses before him could not capture his attention. At most, they were merely pleasing to the eye.
Hammer, holding the umbrella, flashed a knowing smile—the kind only men exchanged.
He had checked the weather in advance. That was why he'd chosen white gauze dresses.
Seeing the faint smile on Renjie's face, Hammer knew—
For once, he had finally done something right.
Guided by Hammer, Renjie entered the opulent hotel lobby.
At the conductor's cue, the orchestra began playing the world-renowned Ode to Joy.
The deep tones of the cello drew out a familiar melody.
Then came the full orchestral accompaniment, instruments joining one by one as the piece swelled.
Children from a church choir stepped forward, holding flowers, their faces lit with pure smiles as they sang Ode to Joy at the top of their voices.
Sweet, crystalline vocals intertwined with the solemn yet celebratory symphony.
Majestic yet vibrant. Innocent, radiant with sacred light.
Hammer had truly put his heart into it.
At the very least, this welcome ceremony left Renjie thoroughly satisfied.
"Are you pleased with the reception, Boss…?" Hammer asked respectfully from the side.
That smile on Renjie's face was the greatest affirmation he could hope for.
"You did well, Hammer."
Renjie's praise was brief, but it sent Hammer into near delirium, his face flushing with excitement.
"It is my honor to serve you."
Hammer bowed with a gentleman's grace. Nothing brought him greater pride than earning this boss's approval.
The two crossed the lobby and took the elevator to the presidential suite upstairs.
Before entering the room, Renjie glanced at Hammer's mischievous grin and instantly knew—
A "surprise" was waiting inside.
"Hammer, I have two tasks for you."
"Have a production workshop ready by six tomorrow morning."
"Also, use your connections to find a physicist named Ivan Vanko."
"He's in the most remote region of Country E. Bring him back—along with his 'bird.'"
Renjie issued the orders without wasting time.
Hammer froze for a moment, then asked in confusion—
"Wow… you really picked the right man."
"Across the world, Hammer Industries' production facilities are second to none."
He lifted his chin proudly. His rise to a hundred-billion fortune had been built on an immense industrial foundation.
"We'll talk after I see it."
"And don't forget the physicist."
Renjie didn't fully trust Hammer. After all, Hammer's proudest creation—his so-called 'Ex-Wife' missile—had long since become a joke.
Renjie valued decisiveness and results.
He despised people who talked big but delivered nothing.
For example—
The man standing right in front of him.
With that, Renjie opened the door and entered the suite together with Android 18, leaving Hammer outside.
"Good night, Boss…"
Hammer bowed deeply, offering a bitter smile with his blessing.
Tonight would be a sleepless one for him.
Before dawn arrived, everything had to be arranged.