Chapter 120: A Pillow Delivered While Sleeping

"Since Mr. Zeng is unwilling to admit anything, detaining you for two days on charges of being a stowaway seems reasonable," Tioya said, pouring a glass of wine for Zeng Shen.

"But I heard about your bet with Jack and the others, where you have to appear on camera every day," she continued. "If you're detained here and don't show up, won't you lose the bet and have to fulfill your promise to them?"

Zeng Shen, confident with the wormhole tracking card, teleportation, and invisibility skills at his disposal, shrugged off the threat. "What if you detain me, and yet the person you think I am still appears on camera?"

"In that case, I'll arrange for your immigration paperwork and offer you a position under my command," Tioya replied.

"Why?" Zeng Shen was puzzled. Did this female general have her sights set on him?

"I admire your calm demeanor. Even if you aren't who I think you are, your composure makes you a promising candidate for espionage," Tioya explained.

"Oh, I see," Zeng Shen thought, realizing he'd misunderstood her intentions. He glanced at the camera in the room and said, "Then you might as well send me back."

"The cameras have been disabled by my people, so there's nothing to worry about," Tioya reassured.

"You really think I'm this Mr. Zeng," Zeng Shen remarked, picking up his chopsticks before hesitating. "Are we waiting for someone?"

"No," Tioya replied, picking up her chopsticks to grab some sweet and sour pork.

Just then, a female officer knocked on the door, announcing, "General, Admiral Bayard has arrived and is on his way."

Ignoring the announcement, Tioya continued eating, "This dish is a specialty from the northeast of Daxia. I order it every time I'm here. Jason, why don't you try it?"

Jason was the name on Zeng Shen's fake ID. Just as he was about to take a piece, the door swung open.

Standing there was a man in a gray-blue police uniform, his face pale with lines of fatigue, eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep, staring intently at Zeng Shen. Beside him stood Keke Lin, dressed in a white dress, looking a bit worn.

She, too, was studying Zeng Shen.

Tioya, unperturbed, sipped her wine and said, "Admiral Bayard, I don't recall inviting you to join us."

Ignoring her, Bayard turned to Keke Lin, "Is it him?"

She shook her head, "No."

Frowning, Bayard sat down with her, saying to Tioya, "Now I am."

"You're a brute," Tioya remarked but didn't ask them to leave. Instead, she turned to Zeng Shen, "Jason, is it okay if we have company for dinner?"

"Fine by me," Zeng Shen shrugged.

Bayard scrutinized Zeng Shen, "Your name is Jason?"

"Yes, Admiral," Zeng Shen replied.

Bayard's gaze bore into him, questioning, "Which state are you from? Where do you live now? Have you seen..."

"Bang!" A pistol slammed onto the table, Tioya's hand on the grip. "Bayard, if you can't eat nicely, get out."

Bayard's bloodshot eyes widened at the gun, his face darkening with suppressed anger. "Tioya, you're not welcome in Old Gold Mountain. Take your people back to Los Angeles and stop interfering with my work."

"My people have already left the east side of the city. How am I hindering your work now?" Tioya retorted coldly. "Besides, I'm just having dinner with a friend. How does that interfere with you? If anyone should leave, it's you, the uninvited guest."

"You..." Bayard was left speechless, swallowing his anger before storming out.

Keke Lin followed him, but not before giving Zeng Shen a final glance, mouthing silently: "Don't turn on your Daxia phone."

"Does she know it's me too?" Zeng Shen wondered, feeling frustrated at the apparent holes in his disguise.

After Bayard left, Tioya continued the meal as if nothing had happened. "It's rare for a Skull Society member to willingly cooperate. Even if they don't catch their target in five days, unless..."

"Unless what?" Zeng Shen inquired, curiosity piqued.

"Unless I help facilitate things," Tioya replied.

"So you arranged this dinner here, knowing someone would inform Bayard, and then you sent him away to show you're not allied with them?" Zeng Shen deduced with a smile.

"Jason, does this mean you're admitting your identity?" Tioya asked slyly, sipping her wine.

Zeng Shen didn't admit anything directly. After a few more bites, he said, "General Tioya, I'm considering your spy proposal."

"Can I take that as a sign you're willing to cooperate with me?" Tioya asked.

"Yes, but what do you want me to do as a spy?" Zeng Shen queried.

"In other words, you're asking what benefits this brings to us both?" Tioya interpreted.

"I don't want to be used as a tool without enjoying any benefits," Zeng Shen expressed his concern.

"You export raw materials to Daxia. The Brotherhood members from my state and others want in. Also, the deposit should include a piece of Green Emperor's Jade. In a year, our members want to know the mine's location."

This woman likely had spies in Bayard's ranks to know so much, Zeng Shen mused.

But then he felt a thrill—this was like having a pillow delivered while sleeping. Tioya seemed more reliable than Jack, and her involvement could facilitate collaboration with the major corporations on Jack's side.

With that in mind, Zeng Shen stood, extending his hand, "Becoming your spy seems like a rewarding deal. I hope to see you in five days."

Tioya shook his hand, "I'll arrange a signing ceremony in Los Angeles, with reporters and suppliers waiting for you."

Zeng Shen nodded, releasing her firm yet gentle hand, and resumed his meal. After finishing the wine, he feigned drunkenness, saying, "I've had too much. Need to hit the restroom."

"Go ahead," Tioya waved him off but warned, "Bayard might still be waiting downstairs. If you're not confident, leave with me."

"No need," Zeng Shen replied, dropping the act. He summoned Lin Keke from the adjacent room to join him.

The spacious restroom was spotless, with individual stalls. Zeng Shen pulled Lin Keke into one, storing her in the replica card.

He then turned invisible and exited, spotting Bayard and several officers approaching.

With a slight smile, Zeng Shen slipped past them, casting a spell for acute gastroenteritis as he left the Golden Mountain Hotel.

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