Sol glanced at Jane and noticed a faint plea shimmering in her sapphire-blue eyes, so he decided not to press his advantage any further.

He smiled slightly, pointing toward the gray wall of the alley. "I don't think this is a good place to talk. How about that Simmer Hot Pot Restaurant over there? We could get a private room and talk while we eat."

At his suggestion, Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, and Jane all took a quick look around the alley.

Although it was quiet and deserted—the icy chill radiating from that frozen statue was enough to make any ordinary person instinctively avoid the area—it wasn't exactly the right place for a proper conversation.

After all, this was still a crime scene. Discussing cooperation with Sol and Anby here didn't seem very appropriate.

Jane nodded at Sol. "As you wish. Let's head to the Simmer Hot Pot and get a private room to talk slowly."

Her slender white fingers slipped a black card from her breast pocket. With a soft curve of her red lips, she smiled at Anby. "To clear up the misunderstanding earlier—this time, dinner's on me."

Logically, the one who had handcuffed her with toy cuffs for ten minutes should be the one paying compensation.

But right now, she didn't want to get tangled up with Sol any further. She couldn't win against him anyway, and there was no need to let pride make it worse.

"The hot pot place doesn't sound like the right spot to discuss taking down an arms organization, does it?" Zhu Yuan frowned slightly, picturing the busy restaurant. A meeting room in the New Eridu Public Security office seemed far more suitable.

"The greatest secrets are often hidden in plain sight," Sol replied after a pause, smiling. "We'll just pick a quiet corner. Who would suspect people talking about such things in a hot pot restaurant? Besides… I'm hungry."

"Yeah, I happen to be a bit hungry too."

Jane ran a hand over her flat stomach and smiled pleasantly.

"Yes. I'm hungry too," Anby said expressionlessly after letting out a small burp.

In truth, after eating two whole buckets of popcorn, she wasn't hungry at all.

But she wasn't about to lose face to this infuriating Thiren woman. She'd eat three full bowls later if she had to!

"Fine then."

Zhu Yuan sighed, helpless.

Between a rising star of New Eridu and an experienced undercover veteran, she had no choice but to go along.

"Excellent, excellent." Qingyi nodded approvingly. "I ate there once with Belle—their broth is delightful. Too bad I failed the 'free if you finish the ultra-spicy challenge' deal. Even as an Intelligent Construct, I could only make it to the final moment before I collapsed."

And so, the decision was made—they would discuss major business at a hot pot restaurant.

Zhu Yuan and Qingyi worked together to move the ice statue onto the Public Security vehicle. Both nearly froze their hands off touching it, and only after wrapping it in several layers of protective cloth did they finally lift it safely into the car.

They couldn't help a moment of silence for poor Leena. How unfortunate—to provoke Sol Mercer. This was a new ability they'd never seen before. The temperature was so low that even they could barely touch it, let alone whoever was trapped inside.

While Zhu Yuan and Qingyi were busy loading the statue, Jane changed her outfit right there in the alley.

She was not someone who could show her real face in public, so going out required a disguise.

She took off her gray coat and tied it around her waist, conveniently covering her black leather shorts. Her white shirt slipped slightly off one shoulder, revealing a smooth curve of pale skin.

Then she peeled off the torn black stockings that hugged her thighs, exposing long, gleaming legs that were almost blindingly white.

She applied a layer of soft pink lip gloss, replacing her usual bold crimson shade.

Finally, she slipped on a pair of sunglasses. In just a few minutes, she had transformed from a hardened underworld queen into a fashion icon straight off a magazine cover.

And she did all of it right in front of Sol and Anby—without even the slightest intention to hide.

It was her way of responding to Sol's earlier words—when he had said he was a man she could never have.

Hmph. Men can say whatever they like, but they can't lie to their own hearts.

And since Jane was being so unflinching, Sol—the supposed gentleman—had no reason to avert his eyes. He watched the entire transformation from beginning to end.

"Wow~" Sol muttered under his breath, rating her performance in his head. "Smooth and sly… prime quality ham…"

This woman was truly a master of human psychology. Every motion was like a peacock spreading its feathers, her allure dazzling and impossible to ignore.

He had to admit—Jane had managed to stun him.

Especially that moment when she pulled her shirt down… Sol realized, with youthful honesty, that his earlier claim had been a bit too hasty.

For a fleeting second, he felt like Tang Monk, and Jane like the Queen of the Women's Kingdom—her graceful silhouette whispering silently: My dear monk, look at me. I don't believe your eyes are empty.

Stare~

Anby said nothing. She didn't look at Jane—only at Sol.

"Let's go. To Simmer Hot Pot."

Sol grabbed Anby's hand and walked straight out of the alley, ignoring Jane completely.

He sighed inwardly. As expected of Jane Doe—she still managed to give me a lesson.

Just wait. One day, I'll out-charm you, you cunning white-haired vixen.

"Heh. Men."

Jane gave a playful whistle and followed with light steps.

This round—she hadn't lost completely.

Beyond danger, she had added another label to Sol: youthful.

The most dazzling time of youth—this is where it begins.

…

Lumina Square. Simmer Hot Pot Restaurant.

This place was quite well-known across the Janus Quarter, always crowded with foodies and connoisseurs.

Fortunately, today wasn't a weekend, and it was still early in the day—most salarymen wouldn't be eating hot pot at this hour.

The waiter recognized Sol instantly and nearly drooled in envy. The last time Sol came, it had been with a pretty blue-haired girl—and he'd ordered half the entire menu.

What is this world coming to? the waiter thought miserably. Last time, it was one blue-haired beauty. This time, he brings four women—and each has a different hair color! There's no justice! Meanwhile, I'm still single, and rich guys are out here forming rainbow teams.

Still, no matter how turbulent his thoughts were, professionalism came first. He courteously led them to a quiet private room.

Steam rose from the yin-yang pot at the center of the table as they all sat around it.

The menu passed from hand to hand until Jane spoke up boldly. "Everyone, don't hold back. Tonight's bill is on me."

As an undercover agent, she rarely had the chance to share a meal with others.

Sol and Anby were, admittedly, a complicated pair for her—maybe not friends exactly, but at least decent company for a meal.

As for Zhu Yuan and Qingyi—they were good comrades. It was their first time meeting, but already there was a budding sense of revolutionary camaraderie.

"I won't hold back, then."

Sol skimmed the menu and immediately ordered half of it.

He'd already eaten the other half last time—with Belle.

From an energy perspective, he could absorb power from magnetic fields or even sunlight—but the pleasures of food were second only to other, more carnal indulgences.

"Sol, aren't you ordering a bit too much?" Zhu Yuan asked, puzzled.

"It's fine. We're all eating together," Sol said with a laugh.

After his bodily modifications, even half a menu wasn't much—he could finish an entire restaurant if he wanted to.

Which meant the Cunning Hares had just gained another bottomless pit.

"Money's no issue, order as much as you want," Jane said grandly, tapping her bank card. "It's not every day I get to eat with so many of my own people."

Among those present, claiming to be the second richest wouldn't be an exaggeration. Aside from Sol and his Hollow, the others were all practically broke.

Dennies weren't worth clinging to. A few billion was enough. If she ever failed an undercover mission, those dennies would just be a pile of cold numbers anyway.

The more Sol ordered, the happier she felt—this was the perfect chance to build rapport. As annoying as he was, maintaining a good relationship was still essential. That's the cursed logic of adulthood.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuan decided not to spoil the mood and ordered a couple of dishes symbolically.

Before long, the table filled with meat, vegetables, ribs, skewers, and more. Steam and laughter filled the room.

Chopsticks darted across the bubbling broth, and the food was delicious—the mood cheerful and relaxed.

Even Zhu Yuan, who had initially felt guilty about "slacking off" on duty, was starting to enjoy herself. It had been so long since she'd eaten a proper meal, and after endless cases at Public Security, she realized that slacking off felt amazing.

"So," Jane said between bites of tender beef, letting out a satisfied hiss of pleasure, "how exactly do you plan to deal with the Black Panther organization?"

"Go in directly, wipe them out completely?" Sol asked casually as he bit into a lamb rib.

His super brain told him that using his super strength didn't consume any of his super brainpower.

Zhu Yuan, mid-bite, nearly choked. "No— no, absolutely not!"

She hurriedly swallowed and added, "The Black Panther organization is just a mid-tier underground trading network. Their strength is nowhere near Public Security's level."

Qingyi calmly sipped her tea before saying, "Public Security could've wiped out Black Panther long ago. But destroy one, and another pops up—Black Horse, Black Cat, you name it."

Jane nodded. "My mission undercover in Black Panther is to obtain their arms transaction records. Once we secure both their suppliers and buyers, we can uproot them completely."

"So only after you get that transaction record can you fully close the net," Sol realized, frowning. "In that case, I might not be much help."

He wasn't upset about helping—he was upset that it meant the Black Panther's dennies wouldn't end up in his pocket.

Seeing his worried expression, Jane thought, this was never about you anyway. You just want a cut of their money.

But, well… if she wanted to win him over, she had to play along.

Jane waved a finger. "Not true. Public Security will need to mobilize major resources for the raid. If your intervention spares them the effort, it's only fair you receive compensation for your trouble."

Zhu Yuan wanted to protest—that wasn't in the regulations.

But Qingyi, multitasking with chopsticks in one hand and a gentle pull on Zhu Yuan's sleeve with the other, stopped her. The seasoned agent had seen far worse under the director's nose. This kind of thing barely counts as a ripple.

Sol set his chopsticks down with a frown. "Then I'd just be a low-level thug-for-hire, wouldn't I?"

Just fighting and smashing things—it made him sound like a man with no technical value.

And besides, it'd feel like he was stealing credit from Public Security—a cheap move.

Jane sighed. "Then what do you suggest?"

Sol rubbed his chin thoughtfully, glancing at Anby, who was still happily eating.

After two buckets of popcorn and now this, she was still going strong. Remarkable. My Anby never disappoints.

He turned to her. "Anby, how about going undercover to get the arms records?"

"Un… der… cover?"

Anby's cheeks puffed up as her eyes sparkled.

Scenes from their movie night flashed through her mind—an undercover mission full of thrill and tension. It hit right at her adventurous heart.

"That's right—undercover." Sol wiped a trace of red broth from her lips with a napkin. "We'll go together."

"Okay!"

Anby agreed at once.

The idea of going undercover sounded fun—and even more so with Sol by her side.

"Then it's settled." Sol nodded, ruffling her hair. "I'll play the role of a black market boss with new weapons. You'll be my bodyguard."

Then he looked at Jane. "And you'll introduce me to the boss of Black Panther."

"Huh?"

Jane tilted her head, dumbfounded that Sol had just drafted such a sloppy plan in a few sentences.

Zhu Yuan and Qingyi both looked ready to protest. Did Sol think undercover work was that simple?

If it were, New Eridu wouldn't have so many criminal syndicates.

Meeting their doubtful gazes, Sol raised his chin proudly. "You don't understand the gold standard of the Tiger Eagle!"

He was, after all, the heir to that man's legacy—whether it was Tiger Eagle, Hero or Falcon Action 1949, Yàn Shuāngyīng was at the pinnacle!

"Aren't you the 'Half-Man, Half-Ghost, Gun God'?"

Qingyi asked curiously—the nickname she'd heard from Nicole.

"Cough, cough—those are my alt accounts," Sol replied modestly, waving his hand.