Chapter 26: You Know Too Much

As they cruised down the highway in the beat-up pickup truck they'd found by the roadside, Jiang Chen glanced at the little girl sitting next to him. Her name was Anna Bell, but Jiang Chen found it too long and cumbersome, so he had decided to call her simply, Anna.

The two had been driving for hours, with Jiang Chen humming a tune, feeling relaxed as the breeze swept through the open windows. Anna, who had been through a traumatic experience, seemed much more at ease now. Through their conversation, Jiang Chen learned that Anna had been separated from her parents and subsequently taken to a lab where she had been injected with Extremis.

"So, there are more labs like the one I torched," Jiang Chen muttered to himself, piecing together the information.

Anna's voice broke his thoughts. "Big brother, I saw you fighting that man yesterday. You beat him up! You're so strong! Can I be like you?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and Jiang Chen was taken aback by her liveliness.

He smiled and replied, "In theory, yes, but..." He hesitated, knowing full well the dangers of Extremis. While it gave people incredible regenerative powers and enhanced their abilities, it was also volatile. If things went wrong, it could turn someone into a walking bomb. For someone as young as Anna, Extremis was a ticking time bomb in her body.

"But you should avoid using your powers unless necessary," Jiang Chen advised as he drove.

Anna tilted her head, curious. "Why, big brother?"

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow and smirked, deciding to tease her a little. "Because people who play with fire often end up wetting the bed."

Anna's cheeks turned bright red. "I'm not a kid anymore! I don't wet the bed!" she protested.

Jiang Chen chuckled, pulling the truck into the parking lot of a small, rundown hotel. They were still far from New York, and honestly, Jiang Chen wasn't in a hurry to get there. After all, with his luck, he figured they'd eventually make it. But for now, food and rest were his priorities.

As they stepped out of the car and walked toward the hotel, a tall, attractive blonde stood at the entrance, her figure more than striking for such a remote, dingy place. Something about her felt off to Jiang Chen.

Why would someone like her be working at a rundown hotel in the middle of nowhere?

Before he could figure it out, the woman approached them, smiling warmly. "Hello, dear guest. We've been expecting you."

Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed. Expecting me?

"My name is Lisa, and I'll be assisting you during your stay here," she continued, gesturing for them to follow her inside. Though suspicious, Jiang Chen decided to play along. He wasn't too worried, and besides, it seemed like Lisa had no hostile intentions.

As they entered the elevator, Anna, who had been walking next to him, whispered with a mischievous grin, "Big brother, you're amazing. You even know such a pretty lady!"

Jiang Chen ruffled her hair, chuckling. "One day, you'll grow up to be just as pretty."

Once inside the elevator, Lisa pressed the button for their floor and said in a polite, businesslike tone, "Sir, someone has already booked this hotel for your stay. You can remain as long as you'd like. Breakfast and lunch will be delivered to your room."

As she spoke, Anna mischievously leaned over and gave Lisa a playful pat on the backside.

Lisa spun around, her face turning red with embarrassment. She glared at Jiang Chen, her eyes accusing.

Jiang Chen immediately raised his hands in innocence. "It wasn't me!"

Anna, with a completely innocent expression, pointed at Jiang Chen, making the situation even more awkward. Lisa shot Jiang Chen another glare before turning around, leaving Jiang Chen completely bewildered.

"What's happening to me..." he muttered under his breath, glancing at Anna, who stifled a giggle.

When they reached the third floor, Lisa led them to a spacious, deluxe room that seemed far too luxurious for such a small, remote hotel. The room had a massive two-meter bed and was fully equipped with all the amenities one could need.

"This is your room," Lisa said, her voice still somewhat frosty. "Here's your room key."

As Jiang Chen reached for the key, their fingers brushed slightly. Lisa blushed again but quickly turned away, muttering under her breath as she left the room.

Jiang Chen sighed and gave Anna a look. "You, little troublemaker, just ruined my reputation."

Anna grinned, unrepentant.

"You can stay with me tonight," Jiang Chen added, deciding that it would be safer for the girl to remain close, rather than alone in a room.

"Sir, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now," Lisa called from the doorway.

Jiang Chen gave a nonchalant "hmm" in response, turning his attention back to the room. Just as Lisa was about to leave, she suddenly turned around and gave Jiang Chen a swift pat on the backside.

She shot him a flirty glance before slipping out of the room.

Jiang Chen froze in place. What the hell just happened?!

He looked down at Anna, wide-eyed. "You should probably sleep in a room by yourself after all."

Anna blinked innocently. "Big brother, are you going to 'fight' with the pretty lady later?"

Jiang Chen choked on air, coughing in surprise. "Where did you hear that?"

"My mom and dad used to fight like that all the time," Anna replied with a mysterious smile.

Jiang Chen sighed, rubbing his forehead. "You know way too much for your age."

Anna giggled, gave him an encouraging thumbs-up, and ran out of the room, leaving Jiang Chen to shake his head in disbelief.