Li Yexing opened the case's second layer, revealing two compact pistols he couldn't name, with ammo and magazines, two MP5 submachine guns with their magazines and ammo, and various accessories, including silencers, at the bottom.
He and Lilith quickly loaded the magazines for emergencies, then hid the gear under the bed, keeping only the loaded pistols. Li Yexing tucked his into his waistband; Lilith hid hers under her dress, secured by a lace garter. He grabbed her small purse, pulling out two earpiece communicators, handing one to her and inserting the other.
"Should be good," he said.
"Now what?" Lilith asked.
"Wait," he replied. "Until the client contacts us, we act like rich folks. Consider it a paid vacation."
…
Li Yexing and Lilith watched TV in their room for ten minutes, some incomprehensible show in a foreign language. Bored, they yawned.
Fed up, Lilith grabbed the remote, shut off the TV, and leaned into Li Yexing, pouting. He got the hint and kissed her. They locked lips until he was breathless.
'No wonder she's a BOW.' In Roples, few could handle his mercenary kisses, but Lilith turned the tables. Her kiss was aggressive, like she'd devour him.
Still flushed and licking her lips, her red eyes glowed with that familiar, back-breaking intensity.
"Let's do it," she whispered.
"Now? Here?"
Lilith straddled him, closed the curtains, and slid her hands up his waist to his chest, pinning him to the bed.
"Mercy…"
---
'That was intense.'
Panting, Li Yexing lay there, savoring the moment. Lilith, flushed, nuzzled his collarbone like a kitten.
'Who could resist this?'
A deep voice came over the ship's intercom: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard the Orianna. I'm Captain Osborn Fionn, honored to share this glorious journey. Your presence graces our ship. The Orianna is about to depart. Let's enjoy this splendid voyage."
A bright horn sounded. Li Yexing sat up, holding Lilith, and opened the curtains. The ship pulled away from the coast, the sunset bathing the port, lights flickering along the shore—a sight new to both his lives.
"Beautiful," Lilith whispered, gazing out.
"Yeah," he agreed.
"The world… it's so pretty…"
"Mm."
"But… so cruel…"
Her words caught him off guard.
"Why say that?" he asked, surprised.
"Nothing…" She shook her head. "Just wondering… those people we killed, did they see this beautiful world?"
Li Yexing didn't know how to respond.
"The world's beautiful but cruel," she murmured. "If I hadn't met you that night, or if it wasn't you, what would my world be like?"
Burying her face in his chest, she whispered, "A world with you is beautiful."
He hugged her tightly, words feeling inadequate against her love. A fierce embrace was the best response.
The ship drifted farther, port lights fading. A knock came. The daytime attendant reminded them of the banquet in the main hall. Li Yexing whispered to Lilith, "Get up, dress. We've got work tonight."
Reluctantly, she let go. He grabbed tissues from the bathroom, knelt, cleaned her up, secured her pistol, and carefully slipped her heels on. Lilith watched, her ruby eyes glowing with contentment.
"Done," he said, tossing the tissues. "Let's check out this banquet, see how the rich play."
Lilith stood, looping her arm through his, and they left.
The ship was aglow, bustling with suited crew, middle-aged men with companions, and young heirs. The women were either elegant or seductive.
Glancing at Lilith on his arm, then at the other women, Li Yexing felt smug.
Their pairing drew eyes: a young man with a subtle edge of menace and a doll-like silver-haired girl. Even seasoned elites stole glances, speculating. Was he a warlord's son? She a noble heiress? They hid their calculations behind composed faces.
Li Yexing was right—his face, with its lingering menace despite a smile, wasn't suited for a "pretty boy."
A nervous man in an expensive suit bumped his shoulder, muttering apologies. Li Yexing waved it off. The man hurried away, calling to a maid trailing him.
Li Yexing glanced at her and froze.
The maid, barely twenty, was tall, pale, with short dark-blonde hair, a black lace headband, and a provocative maid outfit: black lace gloves, thin black stockings, and heels. But her aura—mechanical, lifeless, gray eyes cold as a corpse—caught his attention.
Pain shot through his arm. Lilith stared, her red eyes accusing, ready to interrogate.
"Pretty?" Lilith asked coldly.
"Not as pretty as you," Li Yexing said, patting her head. Satisfied, she stayed quiet.
Following the crowd, they passed through ornate wooden doors into the banquet hall.
'This is high society?'
Even prepared, Li Yexing was stunned.
The two-story hall was vast, radiant, and opulent, with gold-and-red carpets and crystal chandeliers. A large balcony-like stage loomed over, where a band played elegant music. Waiters set out drinks and fresh dishes on tables. Guests clustered in small groups, chatting with refined ease, wine glasses in hand. Upstairs, solitary figures observed, some cheerful, others somber. Noble ladies giggled in groups, including the ones Li Yexing saw earlier, oblivious to him, lost in their chatter.
"Now what?" Lilith whispered, clinging to his arm.
"Wait," he replied, tapping his earpiece to signal her to stay alert.
They lingered at the hall's edge, in an inconspicuous corner, watching and listening.
"Yexing…" Bored, Lilith tugged his sleeve, pointing at the food. "Can we eat?"
He hesitated. Everyone was drinking, not eating. Letting her feast might draw attention…