Will Drawing the “Wife Card” Turn Me Into the Group’s Favorite? 51

Chapter 51: Familiar Faces

Tang Yu’an managed to find a passable outfit, a simple shirt with a hole ripped at the waist.

F looked disappointed, clearly disapproving of his taste.

After he changed, she insisted on applying makeup.

This made him wonder: “What kind of place am I going to?”

F, holding his head still, replied: “Just a hotel.”

“A hotel where you have to dress like this?”

She explained that it was the standard uniform, for the guests’ entertainment.

Tang Yu’an pursed his lips: “Is this hotel… legitimate?”

F chuckled, playing with his hair.

“It’s quite legitimate. They have a dedicated team to collect the bodies.”

Tang Yu’an: “!”

How thoughtful.

F worked quickly. After finishing, she handed him a small mirror, asking expectantly: “How do I look?”

Tang Yu’an replied honestly: “Like I got beat up.”

F: “…It’s smoky eye makeup! Smoky! Never mind, you wouldn’t understand. Hurry up and go, Iron Hand is waiting.”

Tang Yu’an wasn’t a fan of this look, and the stares he received on his way to see Iron Hand made him uncomfortable.

Hopefully, it wasn’t too outlandish.

Apparently, Iron Hand and F shared the same aesthetic. His first words upon seeing him were: “Not bad, you almost look the part.”

Tang Yu’an didn’t want to know what “part” he was referring to.

Iron Hand told him that Six was receiving a shipment today, the latest model of cybernetic enhancements.

“I’ve arranged for you to infiltrate as a server. Find a way to steal the goods.”

He checked his watch: “You have twenty hours until the poison takes effect. That’s enough.”

He had it all planned out. If Tang Yu’an succeeded, he would get the goods. If he failed, he would have to return and become his slave.

He retrieved a compact laser pistol from the armory, handing it to Tang Yu’an solemnly.

“Go. Show me what you’re capable of.”

Tang Yu’an accepted it with a forced smile, not believing this small gun could make a difference.

In fact, he wasn’t planning on helping Iron Hand.

He would find an opportunity to escape once he was inside the hotel, then use his health points to exchange for the universal antidote and find his way to Future City himself.

Iron Hand assigned One-Eye to escort him. The constant staring during the ride made him uneasy.

He repeatedly checked his face, making sure there was nothing on it.

This only earned him a sneer from One-Eye, who looked at him with disdain.

Tang Yu’an didn’t know what he had done to offend him, but with the large gun in his hand, he decided not to provoke him.

He feigned sleep in the backseat, ignoring him.

After a while, the vehicle slowed down, the scenery changing from wasteland to a small town.

Calling it a town was perhaps inaccurate. The buildings were scattered haphazardly, like loose threads.

The target hotel was the tallest building. As Tang Yu’an was about to get out, One-Eye grabbed his arm, saying cryptically: “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, boasting has consequences.”

Tang Yu’an didn’t reply. One-Eye, assuming he was intimidated, was about to continue his intimidation tactics when Tang Yu’an, his lips parting slightly, asked seriously: “Which boast?”

One-Eye: “…”

He tightened his grip: “Don’t play dumb. Even if your ability is real, don’t try anything funny here… But don’t worry, the boss has a backup plan. If you’re caught, someone will help you escape.”

He attached a communicator disguised as a brooch to Tang Yu’an’s shirt: “Or… you can just back out now. It’s not shameful, I won’t laugh at you.”

Tang Yu’an felt his logic was flawed, his words nonsensical.

“You still haven’t told me which boast.”

One-Eye: “…Are you playing dumb? The one where you asked the boss for a reward! You think you can be third-in-command? Dream on!”

Tang Yu’an realized he was jealous of his potential promotion.

But he didn’t want the position, and he didn’t want to waste time on his petty jealousy, so he simply nodded: “You’re right.”

This only angered One-Eye further, assuming he was being looked down on. He shoved Tang Yu’an out of the car, slamming the door shut.

Tang Yu’an didn’t look back, heading towards the hotel’s back entrance as instructed.

With so many eyes on him, he couldn’t be hasty.

Iron Hand had made arrangements. A staff member opened the door for him, attaching a small “Server” badge to his shirt.

He picked up a tray, entering the main hall, observing his surroundings discreetly.

F’s makeover had been a good idea – the hotel was filled with strangely dressed patrons; not blending in would have attracted unwanted attention.

According to the intel, Six and his men were on the second floor. Tang Yu’an walked around, noticing several guards outside a private room.

Although they weren’t wearing uniforms, pretending to be guests, their movements and expressions betrayed their true purpose.

This made infiltration difficult, stealing the goods and escaping even more so.

He felt Iron Hand hadn’t intended for him to succeed, simply using this as an excuse to turn him into an obedient tool.

Fortunately, he wasn’t afraid of his poison. He scanned the area, looking for an exit.

He had to escape, change his appearance, and disappear.

But his hopes were quickly dashed. Iron Hand’s men were guarding every exit!

Damn it, the poison wasn’t enough; he was also preventing him from escaping?

Just as he was contemplating his options, a familiar figure caught his eye.

A chill ran down his spine. He pushed past some drunken patrons, approaching the figure.

In the dim light, he finally saw the man’s face clearly.

It was Wang Wen.

His first reaction was joy. He was alive, standing right here!

Wang Wen, not noticing him, was chatting and laughing with another man, holding a wine glass.

Tang Yu’an’s heart pounded. Meeting a familiar face here was a blessing; he no longer felt so alone.

He suppressed his excitement, approaching Wang Wen, who looked at him—

And asked coldly: “Can I help you?”

Tang Yu’an froze.

What was going on? He didn’t recognize him?

Was it the makeup?

“It’s me.”

Wang Wen didn’t reply. His tall companion, however, was intrigued, interjecting: “Leggy, you know him?”

Seeing Wang Wen’s silence, he pressed further: “So pretty, when did you sleep with him?”

Tang Yu’an then noticed his prosthetic legs.

Wang Wen scratched his head: “I can’t remember… Hey, when did we hook up? Last year in Future City?”

Tang Yu’an took a step back. This wasn’t Wang Wen.

He immediately dismissed the idea of amnesia. Not just his voice, but his mannerisms were different.

It was as if… this “Leggy” had stolen Wang Wen’s face.

His mind reeled, a sense of unease washing over him. It was like a stranger wearing his friend’s skin, every movement unsettling.

He tried to leave, but Leggy stepped forward, blocking his path, a slightly embarrassed expression on his face: “Don’t go, did I get it wrong? Sorry, no disrespect, my memory is terrible… Here, quit your job and have a drink with me. How about that?”

His breath reeked of alcohol; he was clearly drunk.

Tang Yu’an was about to refuse, but he desperately wanted to know what was going on, so he nodded, letting Leggy lead him to a small private room, right next to Six’s.

Such a coincidence made him suspect Leggy was with Six.

His suspicion was quickly confirmed, as after another drink, Leggy turned into an information-leaking machine.

He boasted about his debt-collecting exploits, single-handedly taking down ten people, losing his legs in the process, then started cursing his boss.

“That old bastard Wang Six, hoarding all the profits from the prosthetics business, he deserves what’s coming to him…”

Strangely, Leggy’s tall companion didn’t stop him, letting him reveal confidential information to a complete stranger.

Leggy finally passed out, leaving only the two of them conscious. Tang Yu’an, sensing danger, excused himself, saying he had to get back to work, but the tall man stopped him.

He calmly but firmly pulled him back, offering him a mixed drink.

“Pretty boy, sit.”

His voice was smooth and oily, like a slippery fish, making Tang Yu’an’s skin crawl.

After he sat down, the tall man stood behind him, placing his hands on his shoulders, leaning close to his ear: “Work must be tiring. Want to hear a symphony?”

Tang Yu’an didn’t know what he was talking about, but the pressure on his shoulders reminded him that this was another enhanced human. He could only nod.

The man glanced at the clock, muttering: “It should be starting soon.”

Tang Yu’an assumed he was referring to a performance in the main hall, but instead of music, gunshots erupted from the next room.

He froze, remembering Leggy’s words about Wang Six “deserving what’s coming to him.”

The tall man did a little dance as gunshots echoed, then clinked glasses with him.

He stood before a large oil painting on the wall, spreading his arms: “Whoever you are, thank you for spending this wonderful time with me.”

Tang Yu’an, assuming he was insane, replied politely that it was his pleasure, but his manager was looking for him, he had to leave.

He reached the door, but the chain on his shirt was yanked, pulling him back.

The tall man spun him around like a dance partner: “Sorry, but today is too important, I can’t let anyone ruin my plans… Besides, you’re not a server here, are you?”