Ari didn't close her eyes all night; she imagined a thousand scenarios of what would happen in the mountains. As the first light of dawn broke, she opened the leather bag Fang had brought. It wasn't just practical clothing; it was a black combat suit made of premium leather—flexible and tough—accentuating her lithe figure and making her blue eyes shine with a newfound sharpness.
(Ari Internally, looking in the mirror: My God! Is this me? I look like a secret agent who just stepped out of a multi-billion dollar action movie! Look at this jacket.. it makes my waist look perfect. If Lu Ming sees me like this, maybe he'll be the one to lose his balance this time! Get a grip, Ari, you are now the secret "bodyguard" for the gorgeous dinosaur.)
She headed to the mansion's backyard where a black armored SUV was waiting. Fang stood by the door, his mechanical expression unchanged, though he nodded in approval of the suit's fit. As for Lu Ming, he stood a short distance away, wearing a long trench coat fluttering in the misty rain, his dark eyes scanning the horizon with terrifying focus.
As Ari approached, Lu Ming turned slowly. His gaze lingered on her for seconds longer than usual, his eyes narrowing as if re-evaluating the girl standing before him.
"You look ready," he said in a voice as deep and cold as the mountain frost. "I hope your survival skills are half as good as your appearance right now."
(Ari Internally: Was that a compliment? Or a wrapped insult? Doesn't matter, he looked at me for three whole seconds! I'm counting this as a total victory for my little heart. And my skills? I'll show you skills that will make you forget you're a T-Rex, Mr. Lu Ming!)
Suddenly, Fang shouted: "Master! Drones on the northern horizon. The chase has begun!"
Everyone scrambled into the car. Fang drove at a maddening speed through the winding mountain roads, while Lu Ming sat in the back next to Ari. His body was so close she could feel his suppressed heat. Suddenly, the sound of bullets clashing against the armored hull echoed.
Lu Ming spoke with lethal coldness: "Ari.. under the seat, there is a weapon for you. Do you know how to use it, or will I have to protect you while fighting my inner beast?"
(Ari Internally, pulling a high-tech weapon from under the seat: Did he just ask if I know how to use it? What a question! I'll show you how "The Storm" protects her King. Get ready, assassins, you're about to face a girl deeply in love.. and that's more dangerous than the T-Rex itself!)