Chapter 1479: Cooperation
The Enforcement Team couldn't force Xu Huo to hand over all of Zeng Lou's belongings. After saying "Thank you for your cooperation," they began using their enforcement recorders to gather evidence in the room. Since this might involve certain forces related to Bai Kou and the Platinum Eye, Xu Huo was politely asked to leave.
Killing a Zeng Lou didn't mean the problem was solved. On the contrary, the longer he stayed in Platinum Eye, the higher the risk. Judging by Zeng Lou's attitude, the person who sent him might disregard Platinum Eye's laws and the Enforcement Team's deterrence to send someone else to attack him again. Such a person was either foolish or someone who could stand above the law, believing that even if they killed a player under the Enforcement Team's protection within Platinum Eye, there would be no consequences. For now, only one player had been sent, likely because they thought one was enough.
Perhaps even walking out the door now could lead to an attack.
Seeing Xu Huo's troubled expression, one of the Enforcement Team members comforted him, "This kind of thing won't happen a second time. Don't worry."
Xu Huo's brow relaxed slightly, and he brought up another matter, "I think their real goal is to make me disappear from Platinum Eye."
Whether by death or by being forced into the game, either would do. And Bai Kou was a factor. Normally, the culprit would be either her partner, a controlling parent, or a crazy admirer.
Xu Huo was only a C-grade player. Someone like the mayor of Platinum Eye or the mayor's wife wouldn't be so petty. Besides, there was no news of Bai Kou being married or engaged. So the most likely possibility was her partner or an admirer...
Just as this thought crossed his mind, Bai Kou sent a communication request, asking about the attack. Her tone was as indifferent as ever, but her choice of words seemed meaningful. Finally, she even asked, "Are you injured?"
Xu Huo glanced at the person on the projection screen as if to confirm something, then let out a low laugh. "Thank you for your concern. The Enforcement Team members are very dedicated."
He sat on the sofa, tapping the tabletop idly. "Still up so late? Is the city government that busy?"
"We've had a lot of guests recently," Bai Kou said. "I happened to hear about the incident at Yongxing Hotel and thought I'd ask how you were doing."
"Just a clown," Xu Huo said with a smile. "Do you have time tomorrow? How about a meal together?"
"Sure," Bai Kou replied without any change in expression, but her answer was quick. "But I don't have time during the day. Let's talk about it in the evening. I'll send a car to pick you up."
After the communication ended, Xu Huo turned to the Enforcement Team player who had comforted him earlier. Meeting the other's curious and probing gaze, he politely asked, "Would it be possible to go to the mall tomorrow?"
This was a request to the Enforcement Team to arrange the trip.
"It's best to stay in the hotel..." The player paused, then changed his mind. "But I can discuss it with the captain."
"I appreciate your trouble."
"No need." The player who had sympathized with Xu Huo just minutes ago walked out of the room, closed the door, and cursed under his breath, "This is ridiculous!"
Because the incident involved Bai Kou, the Enforcement Team had sent people to protect Xu Huo. But now that the two were going to dine together, the Enforcement Team members, familiar with Bai Kou's style, felt their relationship was somewhat unusual. They not only increased the level of protection but also hastily planned an itinerary to ensure he wouldn't be assassinated on the way and miss dinner.
Not all Enforcement Team players were professionals. The next morning, a cheerful female player joined the team. She was very good at socializing and repeatedly probed whether Xu Huo and Bai Kou were in a romantic relationship.
Although Xu Huo didn't understand what Bai Kou was trying to do, she had helped him. Returning the favor, he was willing to follow her script, but he wouldn't fabricate facts.
After smoothing things over, he prepared to leave the hotel to pick out a suit for the evening meal.
Without a formal invitation, eating some dry food together would have been fine. But since it was arranged a day in advance, it had to be a formal occasion, and wearing appropriate attire was basic courtesy.
It was clear that Bai Kou was well-liked within the Enforcement Team. The people following to protect him had secretly changed shifts three times, and the numbers floating above their heads were jumping between "7" and "8," their colors not exactly bright—generally speaking, not a sign of goodwill.
The female player was supposed to accompany Xu Huo to choose his suit, so she followed him into the clothing store. During their conversation, she revealed that Bai Kou had many suitors, including members of the Lang family, who had already confirmed a marriage alliance with Platinum Eye.
The person getting engaged wasn't Bai Kou—Xu Huo had figured that out from Xin Rong and the others' conversation that night. Based on scattered information, such as the mayor and his wife being married for twenty years, it was clear that one of them wasn't Bai Kou's biological parent. Since the engagement wasn't for Bai Kou, it was likely that she had become a member of the mayor's family through her mother's remarriage.
On Platinum Eye's message collection terminal, information about the mayor's family members was varied, but there was no solid evidence about their composition. Since Bai Kou was the most well-known, many assumed she was the one getting engaged. However, wealthy young men like Xin Rong, who had access to certain information channels, knew the inside story.
"I'd like to give a gift to Miss Keke's sister. I'm new here and don't know what's popular in Platinum Eye," Xu Huo said with a smile to the female player.
"Miss Peipei loves dolls. Miss Keke often buys dolls for her," the female player said, opening her communicator to show the latest princess doll.
Seeing the price tag indicating it was a children's doll, Xu Huo paused. "I see... But Miss Keke might have already given her this latest model."
"That's possible," the female player nodded. She enthusiastically helped pick out a gift box set. "Miss Keke only gives limited editions. Although this gift box set has a decent print run, it's a classic."
Xu Huo asked her to buy it for him. The female player looked at him expectantly. "Don't you need to prepare a gift for Miss Keke too?"
"I have something else in mind," Xu Huo said, sending her off.
Shortly after the female player left, a drunken woman stumbled into the fitting room, her eyes seductive. "Oh, I'm in the wrong place..."
She wobbled toward Xu Huo, reaching out to steady herself against him. "Where's the restroom? I'm looking for the restroom. Can you take me there..."
As she got close, Xu Huo stepped aside, watching her stagger and fall to the ground in a relatively graceful pose. He said, "Due to prolonged fighting, training, and the effects of evolution agents, female players in the game tend to have relatively symmetrical, athletic bodies, full of strength and wild beauty... But sorry, I prefer the fragile type."
(Chapter End)