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Nanyan Hotel.

An upscale establishment.

Mei, dressed in her normal clothes, stepped into the hotel. Immediately, she noticed two women with rather unusual figures coming.

"Welcome, please follow us," they said in unison.

Odd... Why do I feel like I'm being observed?

Accompanied by the two women, Mei proceeded through the lobby and into the elevator, ascending to the top floor of Nanyan Hotel.

The pinnacle floor of the hotel sprawled magnificently. The decor was opulent, the illumination radiant, and a multitude of uniformed women stood in two orderly rows.

Their movements were as synchronized as clockwork, with expressions mirroring one another perfectly.

Apart from these women, a pair of industrial figures bustled about on the floor.

Their actions seemed governed by some unspoken directive, moving in a precise choreography.

Recalling her initial arrival at the hotel, Mei noted that the female attendants below adhered to a similar routine.

Now, Nanyan Hotel resembles an enormous honeycomb.

These women were akin to worker bees.

Yet, one question lingered: Were there any male staff members here?

The answer was resoundingly clear.

No.

At that moment, Vex entered, adorned in a white skirt and fur coat, a smile gracing her lips.

"Lord Aurora gracing us with a visit is truly the greatest honor," She greeted warmly.

Mei surveyed the scene, then turned her attention to Vex, "004, have you ever heard the saying?"

"If people work without respite, they'll wear themselves out."

Vex blinked, catching Mei's drift, "Ah, you mean..."

"Ensuring employees have ample time to rest each day, correct? Rest assured, my dear Lord, you needn't worry about that. I prioritize their well-being above all else."

...

Mei followed Vex to a round table at the front, where a 3D stereoscopic model of Beiling City sat.

"This is the gift you mentioned?" Mei inquired, eyeing the model.

Vex shook her head, then gestured towards the northern suburbs, where a coastal industrial zone was depicted.

"No, this is it."

"I sensed that you might need an even larger and entirely secure base, so I acquired all the factories and land in the entire Minami area."

"Of course, this transaction went smoothly thanks to the ability you bestowed upon me," Vex added, her smile widening.

"All the factories and land in the entire Minami area?" Mei echoed, incredulous.

"Indeed, it's merely a modest beginning," Vex replied, her tone serene.

It couldn't be...

How did she manage that?

Acquiring such a vast expansion of land and numerous factories...

...

After a moment of contemplation, Mei's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of morning.

As breakfast was promptly delivered to her room, Mei couldn't shake off a nagging realization.

"Queen Bee's ability doesn't align with my initial analysis," She mused. Originally, Mei had presumed that Queen Bee could independently generate unique life forms, rather than relying on fluids to transform and manipulate humans.

"I'll have to discuss this with 004 later and obtain some blood samples for further research."

Just as Mei was deep in thought, Vex entered the room, breaking the silence.

"Lord Aurora, regarding yesterday's developments, what are your thoughts?" Vex inquired.

Mei nodded, "Quite promised. Proceed with the plans and, in addition..."

"Please provide me with a blood sample," Mei requested.

"Blood?" Vex echoed, her expression curious.

Mei meets her gaze, her intention is clear.

...

Afternoon.

With a black briefcase in hand, Mei descended the stairs. Along the way, she crossed paths with a young man.

"Um... Huh?" The man suddenly spoke, looking slightly puzzled.

Mei turned her head suddenly, spotting the young man accompanied by a girl with short hair. At first glance, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, yet Mei couldn't shake off a peculiar sensation.

It was akin to a mouse discovering a granary, or a vampire stumbling upon a blood bank.

"The finest... materials!" Mei's breath quickened, her mind racing with possibilities. However, instead of approaching the young man directly, she chose to discreetly snap a photo and send it to Fish-Man.

"Find a way to extract some blood from him," She insisted, "A mere 100 ml should suffice."

...

At that moment, Chino stood before a snack counter, his attention drawn to Mei's message, "Extracting blood... in theory..."

Was he supposed to kill the guy for it?

"Payment," Chino stated, producing some damp bills and laying them on the counter.

As he left, the stall owner couldn't help but find his departure peculiar, "Who wears a raincoat in this scorching heat?"

...

At nightfall, today Beiling City remains free from rain. Chino strolled down the street, periodically glancing at his phone.

"Are you certain he's here, 004?"

"Absolutely. The girl next to him is my brood bee. No matter where they roam, I can track them," Vex's voice emanated from Chino's phone.

"They've returned to this school at last, and their positions haven't changed since," Vex added.

Chino pocketed his phone, standing in front of a high school.

"Back to school again," he asserted to himself.

As he advanced, an uncle emerged from the security room, "Hold on there! Unauthorized individuals aren't permitted entry!"

"Sir, ever heard the tale of an old man who lived past 90 with the strength of a bull?" Chino retorted.

The uncle blinked, taken aback, "No, why?"

"Because he didn't concern himself with the world around him," Chino quipped, then delivered a swift kick to the fence!

As the uncle beheld this, his eyes broadened, but Chino fixed him with a steely gaze, prompting the uncle to retreat silently into the room.

Chino aims to enter, yet the uncle reemerged, wielding a fork!

"Don't think you can intimidate me!"

"Let me inform you, I used to be a bodyguard!"

"Even if there were two of you today, I wouldn't..."

Crack!

Chino quickly grasped the fork, applying just enough pressure to snap it in two.

The uncle stood stunned, speechless.

He abandoned the broken fork and retreated back to the security room, emerging with another fork!

"Even if Mike Tyson showed himself up, I...!"

Crack!

The fork splintered once more, prompting a cold chuckle from Chino.

"Old man, you're already halfway to the grave. Wouldn't it be wise to extend your time on this earth? Why hasten your own demise?"

The uncle clenched his teeth and launched a punch at Chino!

"I've mastered Tai Chi too!"

His punch carried a peculiar force, generating a fierce wind.

Observing calmly, Chino raised his leg and delivered a swift kick to the uncle's chest!

"I'm not here to end you. Stay out of my path."

Despite being knocked down and rolling on the ground, the uncle persisted, "I won't let you through. You said it yourself, I'm halfway to the grave, I have nothing to lose!"

"Ah!!"

Chino's punch landed squarely on the uncle's face, sending him crashing to the ground once more, unable to rise for a while.

As Chino prepared to enter the schoolyard, an aged hand seized his ankle.

"Hehh..."

The uncle spat blood, two teeth among the crimson fluid.

"Inside... is the nation's future. I can't allow you in... Can't let you..."

Chino repaired at the nearby monitors, all dismantled by a girl with wings.

With resolve, Chino raised his right foot and brought it down decisively!