The ice cold water broke as Mùchén, gasping. He sat up in his bathtub, cracking his back muscles. Bleak, white walls, fitting for his mood.
Funnily enough, an ice bath has the opposite effect of helping.
It just makes him colder.
He carefully stepped out and wrapped a towel around himself, exiting the room.
In his bedroom, he slipped on a collared shirt, black trousers, and tugged on his socks. He fumbles with the buttons, muttering, "Is this part really necessary? We get it, I get dressed. Can we fast-forward to the action ala plot? This isn't a documentary about my morning routine."
-
The eggs released a sweet scent in the pan, along with the ham. Mùchén hummed "Cha-la Head cha-la" softly as he poured the eggs and ham and fist pumped in triumph. He picked up the plate and moved to the table.
Sitting down, he stabbed at the meal with his fork, scooping the eggs into his mouth.
He nodded, chewing thoroughly.
"简直好吃到飞起!" He squealed.
He stuffed the rest of the eggs and ham into his mouth hungrily. Swallowing, he washed it down with orange juice.
On the counter, a sleek, black tablet blinked to life, a red ladybug icon pulsing. Mùchén turned, glaring at the tablet like it personally offended him. "Oh, right on cue, little author. You just had to ruin my post-morning bliss, did you?"
He picked up the tablet, a sigh escaping his lips. "Alright, fine. Since someoneis taking forever to tell them, I will. Hello. I am Zhao Mùchén, an assassin. Codename is 瓢虫 (piáo chóng), or Ladybug for my English-speaking friends. I've been summoned by Shen Fen, a rather prolific mafia boss."
He stands and moves to the sink, placing the plate inside. "And no," he smiled, turning, a wry smile on his face. "I'm not excited. I wanted to stay home, maybe binge some To Be A Hero X or Dragon Ball Z but duty calls. And knowing my luck, it's probably about his aunt's fiftieth cat being delivered."
He groaned, staring up at the ceiling.
"I don't feel so lucky."
-
Mùchén sat before Fen, a greying man in his sixties. Fen was dressed in a bright red, high collared mandarin jacket, golden frog buttons glimmer in the morning light. Black trousers hug his thighs.
Despite his age, he was the pinnacle of youth.
To Mùchén anyway.
Fen cleared his throat before beginning. "I know you a busy man..."
Understatement of the year.
"But I need your help. It relates to my daughter."
Oh no....
"My daughter, Shen Lan."
I know who your daughter is. Get to the point before I zone out.
"You see—"
And...I'm zoning out. How does it work...for whales? Cause I tried and I didn't breath underwater. I know, I know. They're animals and not humans, but still. If a human could use their nose...
"赵先生," Fen's voice snapped him back to reality. (Mister Zhao)
Mùchén blinked, staring right at Fen.
Fen took a breath then bowed down low, his forehead kissing the tiled floor.
"I know you haven't forgive me for that errand I made you run with my aunt," he said, voice breaking. "But, my sweet angel Lan is my pride and jewel. She misses her mother and I would love if you accompanied her. Dangerous enemies will target her. Those of the Liu Clan. You know of them right?"
Mùchén grimaced.
Oh yeah...I remember them. I was drunk and accidentally peed on one of their foot. Xiaobo I believe. He tried to hit me but in my drunken state, I broke his entire arm. Then I passed out. On the floor. In my pee. I showered for two hours and even now...I still feel dirty.
"Yes, I know of them," he said, rubbing his neck.
Fen scooted over to him and grabbed him by the shoulders. "Please..." he sobbed, nose oozing snot, eyes leaking tears. "Please protect her..."
Protecting Shen Lan. In America. Full of Liu Assassins. This will be a hellish vacation.
Mùchén nodded, trying to hide his disgust at his face. "Yes, Master Fen. I promise to protect her."
The older man smiled through the tears and hugged him.
"Yay."
Mùchén patted his back.
Yay...
-
Mùchén stood outside, waiting at the airport in Shanghai. He wore a black jacket over a white sweater, black trousers, and hi-top sneakers.
He checked his watch.
8:00 a.m.
And no Lan. Or Liu Assassins.
I'm glad the latter hasn't happened.
The limo pulled up, and several men in black suits stepped out. Opening the door, a young girl with long, sleek hair braided into a bun stepped out. Dressed in a black jacket, blue jeans, and laced boots, she adjusted her green shades.
Please, please, please. Don't have an attitude.
She stared right at Mùchén and scoffed.
"Are you my bodyguard?"
Damnit.
Eh?
I can't curse? What in the unfair?
Damnit!
Putting on a smile, he offered a hand.
"Hello. I am Zhao Mùchén. Your bodyguard assigned to you."
She dismissed the hand.
"I don't even want to go to America. My father's sending me away because he's tired of me!"
I'm already tired of you.
"It's for your own protection, my lady."
"He's just mad because I broke that bitch's nose," she murmured.
Ah. You messed with Xiaobo's daughter and karma came knocking for your a—
And you're mad?
Wait a minute...
She can curse?
Damnit!
"Well, we have a long, boring trip to New York ahead of us," he smiled, bowing.
"My mother lives in Texas."
Oh great. Road trip. With Miss Prissy over her.
Lan stormed past him as Mùchén trailed behind.
A woman wearing a bob takes off her shades.
"Yes, I see the target. She's being guarded by Ladybug."
"Is that a problem?" A voice in her earpiece inquired.
"No," she said, smirking. "He can't kill women, remember?"
Her smirk widened.
"This will be fun."
-
11:30 a.m.
Mùchén gripped the armrest of his plane seat nervously. Lan spots this and snorts.
"First time flying?"
"No," he smiled. "I just hate flying."
A small ping interrupts their small talk.
"This is your captain speaking. On behalf of the crew, we'd like to welcome aboard Air China, Flight CA1590 with service to New York."
Can we fly now?
Our estimated flight time will be approximately 14 hours and 55 minutes, none-stop."
Non-stop?
"We'll be cruising at an altitude of 33000 to 39000 feet."
Eh? So high?
"The weather en route looks good, and we anticipate a smooth flight."
That's the one bit of good news I received so far.
We're expected to arrive in New York at approximately 2:25 PM EDT. The weather in New York is currently cloudy with a temperature of 25℃.
"Please ensure your seatbelts are securely fastened, and all carry-on items are stowed either in the overhead compartments or under the seat in front of you."
Mùchén hurriedly pulled out some gum and handed it to her. "In case you're nervous."
Lan scanned him.
"You need it more than me," she said, brow arched. "You're shaking."
He turned to the man next to him.
"In case you're nervous."
The man smiled politely and took the gum offered.
"Kindly ensure your seatbacks are in the upright position and your tray tables are stowed for departure. At this time, we ask that all personal electronic devices, including cellphones and laptops, be turned off or switched to airplane mode for the duration of the flight."
Mùchén, seeing Lan's phone, snatched it out of her hands, immediately switching on Airplane mode before stuffing it into his pocket.
"Hey!
"If I die because you were on that stupid phone, and you survive—I will haunt you for the rest of your days."
Lan pouted, crossing her arms.
"We encourage you to watch the flight attendants' live demonstration."
Mùchén craned his neck to watch the women show how to buckle their seatbelts.
"This is so lame," Lan muttered.
He reached over and fiddled with her seatbelt. "Come, I won't have you die."
Lan smirked. "So my ghost doesn't haunt you?"
"So your dad's doesn't."
After demonstrating how to use the life vests, the attendants turned and went to the back as the pilot continued.
"Take a moment to locate the emergency exists near your seats, keeping in mind that the closest usable exit may be behind you."
Mùchén yawned as everyone looked around.
"Are you going to find the exits?" Lan asked, concern laced in her voice.
"No," he wiped his nose. "I know them already. And if not, I'll make one."
"You are the worst bodyguard-no-human being ever," she snorted.
Girl, I kill people for a living. I've got some blood in my ledger, not even Black Widow can compare. In fact, she'd probably be impressed or jealous.
Ah...
Natasha...
The plane slowly began to taxi towards the airstrip, jolting him back to reality.
"Oh no," he murmured under his breath.
"We thank you for choosing to fly with us today and look forward to a pleasant flight."
The takeoff won't be pleasant...
Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight.
No I won't, I can't, but thank you. I appreciate it.
The plane gained speed, the front wheels lifted off the runaway, and the plane soared into the heavens.
Mùchén screamed loudly, catching the attention of everyone on board.
I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!
Ah!
Oh my God!
F—
The plane, in the air, began to steady.
Mùchén stopped and looked around.
"First time," he squeaked.
The others nodded sympathetically.
Lan scoffed, staring out the window.
"How old are you?" She muttered.
Twenty-three, and too old for this shi—