Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

Fuguiwan, Royal VIP Suite.

As soon as he entered the room, Lu Chen locked the door.

"Mark, Zhuang, you two go check the surrounding environment first, especially for eavesdropping and escape routes," Lu Chen instructed. "Even though it's a VIP cabin, it's always better to be safe than sorry."

"clear."

The two exchanged a glance, and their professional instincts quickly put them into action, as they split up to inspect every corner of the room.

While the two were in the inner bedroom and bathroom, Lu Chen quickly walked to the large sofa in the living room and made a thought.

[System Space, now open.]

An invisible ripple spread through the air.

The next second, several small black tactical backpacks appeared out of thin air in a hidden corner behind the sofa.

Those were the "hard goods" he had previously stocked up on at the Rome black market—several modified Glock 17s, a dozen fully loaded magazines, and a few stun grenades and smoke grenades. As for the heavier MP5s and shotguns, they were too bulky to fit in, so he had Tian Yangsheng smuggle them in secretly.

After doing all this, Lu Chen straightened his collar, sat on the sofa with a normal expression, and poured himself a glass of red wine.

A moment later, Brother Ma and Brother Zhuang came out after finishing their checkup.

"Boss, no problem. This place is a bit small, but the security is okay," Little Ma said, a toothpick dangling from his mouth.

"It's safe for now." Lu Chen pointed to the backpack behind the sofa. "Those are some 'specialties' I managed to get up here. Keep them safe for now. As for the really big stuff, it's too difficult to get through security, so it's all over in the warehouse. Mark, go ask Ah Sheng if the stuff has arrived."

Little Ma, with a matchstick dangling from his mouth, shoved an assembled submachine gun into a hidden compartment under the sofa, grinning. "Those movers were greedy, but greed is good; it makes things easier. I've already contacted Ah Sheng; their shipment is hidden in the ventilation ducts of the cold storage, ready to be retrieved at any time."

"very good."

Lu Chen tucked the pistol into his lower back and straightened his white casual suit to conceal the bulge at his waist.

"Mark, go to the lower deck and find Tian Yangsheng and the others. Have them distribute the equipment, then assemble here. Remember, don't alert the ship's security; now is not the time to draw your swords."

"Understood." Little Ma nodded, put on his sunglasses, turned around, and pushed open the door to leave.

Only Lu Chen and Xiao Zhuang remained in the room.

"Xiao Zhuang, grab the gear and let's go out," Lu Chen stood up, walked to the mirror and fixed his hair. "Let's go for a ride on the ship. There are some 'friends' we need to meet, just to say hello in advance."

Without asking any further questions, Xiao Zhuang silently tucked a pistol into a holster under his arm, picked up his briefcase, and followed Lu Chen like a shadow.

……

Deck level, outdoor pool area.

The sun was shining brightly, and a gentle sea breeze was blowing.

This is the most hormone-fueled spot on the entire ship. Bikini-clad beauties frolic by the pool, waiters carry champagne through the crowd, and wealthy men in sunglasses lounge on beach chairs, enjoying the sun.

Lu Chen and Xiao Zhuang attracted a lot of attention as soon as they appeared.

After all, a young tycoon who has just won the Golden Needle Award and is worth hundreds of millions is an absolute focus in Hong Kong's elite circles.

"Wow! That's Lu Chen!"

"He's so handsome! Even more stylish than in magazines!"

Lu Chen wore his signature gentle smile, nodding to the gazes around him, but his steps didn't falter. His [Perception Lv5] was fully activated, and he was searching for familiar figures in the crowd.

Just then.

"oops!"

A woman wearing a brightly colored bikini and with an extremely voluptuous figure suddenly "accidentally" bumped into Lu Chen.

"I'm so sorry! Sir, are you alright?" the woman exclaimed dramatically, while taking the opportunity to rub against Lu Chen, her big eyes, covered in mascara, radiating an irresistible charm.

Behind her stood a beautiful woman with a cool and capable demeanor, wearing a red, high-slit dress and her hair styled in an updo. She held a cocktail in her hand and looked helplessly at her companion's infatuation.

Lu Chen's lips curled up slightly.

found it.

The beautiful woman in the red dress is one of the female protagonists in "City Hunter," also an undercover policewoman—Ya Zi (played by Chingmy Yau). And the busty woman who bumped into him is Ya Zi's infatuated companion who only thinks about marrying a rich man.

"It's alright, miss." Lu Chen gentlemanly steadied the busty woman by the arm, then smiled and looked at Yako behind him. "Miss, your friend seems to be a little... seasick?"

Ya Zi stepped forward, somewhat awkwardly pulling her companion back, and gave Lu Chen an apologetic smile: "I'm sorry, Mr. Lu, my friend... isn't feeling well, please excuse her."

"Oh? You know me?" Lu Chen raised an eyebrow.

"The renowned Mr. Lu of Golden Harvest, the recently much-discussed winner of the Golden Needle Award, who in Hong Kong doesn't know him?" Ya Zi raised her wine glass, her eyes filled with a hint of scrutiny and admiration. "I am Ya Zi. This is my friend."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Yako."

Lu Chen reached out and gently shook hands with Ya Zi.

"Mr. Lu, are you here on vacation too?" Ya Zi looked at the handsome man in front of her. For some reason, her intuition as a police officer told her that this man had a dangerous aura about him, a dangerous aura that was also fatally attractive.

"I guess so." Lu Chen smiled knowingly. "I heard there will be some great shows on this ship, and I don't want to miss them."

"Exciting program?" The busty girl immediately leaned closer, her eyes lighting up. "Is there a handsome guy performing? Or is there some kind of lucky draw?"

"They should all be available."

【Ding--】

[Key plot character detected: Yako]

[Checking in at the movie "City Hunter"]

[Check-in successful!]

[Reward: +1 Free Attribute Points]

The system notification sounded like heavenly music.

After acquiring the attribute points, Lu Chen chatted for a few moments before politely taking his leave: "Please enjoy yourselves, I have some business to attend to, so I'll have to go now. I hope to see you two beautiful ladies again at the banquet tonight."

After saying that, Lu Chen turned and left with Xiao Zhuang.

Watching Lu Chen's retreating figure, the busty girl cupped her face in her hands, looking utterly captivated: "Oh my god! He's so cool! Ya Zi, did you see that? The way he looked at me just now... I think I have a chance!"

Ya Zi rolled her eyes helplessly: "Wake up! He didn't even glance at you! Besides... I have a feeling this Lu Chen is not simple."

……

After saying goodbye to Ya Zi, Lu Chen continued to stroll around the boat.

His goal was clear: Meng Bo.

The City Hunter is a private detective with a big nose, a lecherous nature, and a greedy heart, but who is incredibly reliable when it matters most.

According to the plot, Meng Bo sneaked onto the ship because he didn't have a ticket, and he should be being chased by the crew now.

"Over there! He's over there!"

"Grab him! Don't let him get away!"

Sure enough, when Lu Chen walked to the vicinity of the kitchen on the lower deck, a noisy shouting came over.

A man dressed in white with a large nose was seen leaping between railings and pipes like a monkey. As he ran, he kept turning back to make faces at the crew members chasing him.

"Hehe! You can't catch me! You can't catch me!"

It was Meng Bo.

"This kid, he can't stay still anywhere." Lu Chen shook his head helplessly.

Just as several strong security guards were about to form an encirclement, Lu Chen gave Xiao Zhuang a wink.

Xiao Zhuang understood immediately, strode forward, and stood directly in front of the group of security guards.

"Who goes there?! Get out of the way!" the security captain roared.

"This is the person we're looking for." Xiao Zhuang expressionlessly pulled out a wad of US dollars and stuffed it into the security captain's pocket. "This gentleman is a friend of our boss. He was just joking with you earlier. This money is for the brothers to have some tea."

The security captain squeezed the thick wad of money, and his expression instantly changed.

"Well... since he's Boss Lu's friend..." He glanced at Lu Chen, who was smiling and watching them from a distance, recognizing the tycoon's identity. "Then forget it! It's a misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding! Let's call it a day!"

A group of security guards walked away happily with the money in their hands.

Meng Bo peeked out from behind a pipe, looking completely bewildered at the scene.

"Hey! Big Nose, aren't you coming over here?" Lu Chen waved to him.

Meng Bo hesitated for a moment, but when he saw Lu Chen's outfit and the lavishness of his spending just now, his eyes lit up and he immediately put on a playful expression and came over.

"Hehe! Boss, thank you so much! You've helped me out in an emergency. If you ever need my help again, just let me know!"

"Forget about later, there's something I need you for right now."

Lu Chen grabbed Meng Bo's shoulder with such force that Meng Bo couldn't break free.

"Come with me. I have something important to discuss with you."

……

Inside the Royal VIP Suite.

"Gulp, gulp..."

Meng Bo gulped down a whole bottle of mineral water, then sprawled out on the leather sofa without any regard for appearances, grabbed an apple from the table, and took a big bite.

"Phew—I was dying of thirst! Hiding in that kitchen, I almost got roasted like a suckling pig!"

As Meng Bo chewed on an apple, he looked around the ridiculously luxurious suite, his gaze finally settling on Lu Chen with a hint of wariness in his eyes.

"Boss, let's not beat around the bush. You paid me to get out of this mess, and then brought me here. What exactly do you want? I'm not after your money, but as for sexual assault... hehe, you don't seem like the type to have that kind of interest."

Lu Chen sat opposite him and did not answer immediately, but instead gestured for Xiao Zhuang to lock the door.

This action caused Meng Bo's muscles to tense up instantly.

"Let me introduce myself. I'm Lu Chen, the boss of Jiahe Group." Lu Chen looked directly into Meng Bo's eyes. "I know who you are. Meng Bo, nicknamed 'City Hunter.' The top private detective in the industry. For enough money, I can find anything."

"Oh? I didn't expect I to be so famous?" Meng Bo chuckled. "But Boss Lu, I have a mission right now... I'm not taking on any other jobs."

"Don't be nervous." Lu Chen poured himself a glass of red wine. "I know what your mission is, and I also know that you came aboard this ship to find Ms. Imamura Kiyoko, who ran away from home. The reason I'm helping you is because we need to cooperate."

Lu Chen's expression turned serious. "Meng Bo, you should have noticed that a group of uninvited guests have infiltrated this ship."

"What do you mean?" Meng Bo's playful smile vanished, and his eyes sharpened.

"I have definite intelligence," Lu Chen lowered his voice, "a group of international terrorists have infiltrated this ship. The leader is called McDonald, and their goal is to hijack the Fugui Maru, kidnap all the wealthy people on board, and demand a huge ransom. Moreover... they don't intend to leave any survivors."

"What?!" Meng Bo jumped to his feet. "Terrorists? Kidnapping? Are you kidding me? This is the maiden voyage! Security is so tight..."

"Security check?" Lu Chen sneered. "Even the first mate has been bribed. What's so difficult about bringing weapons on board? Besides, their people have probably already taken control of the bridge and communications room. This ship is now an island at sea."

Meng Bo stared at Lu Chen, trying to find a trace of a joke on his face.

But it didn't.

Lu Chen's gaze was calm and resolute, exuding a power that compelled one to believe him. Moreover, given Lu Chen's current status and wealth, there was absolutely no need for him to fabricate such a lie to deceive a poor detective.

"Damn it..." Meng Bo scratched his head, looking annoyed. "I just came to find someone, and now I'm running into this kind of bad luck again! Does that mean Qingzi is in big danger? And Huixiang... No, I have to go save them!"

"Don't rush." ​​Lu Chen pressed Meng Bo down. "That's why I came to you. You're a city hunter, very skilled, and I need help."

"Then what makes us think we can cooperate?" Meng Bo was anxious, but his mind was still clear.

"Because I have this."

Lu Chen pulled the magazine of the Beretta pistol from under the sofa and tossed it to Meng Bo.

Meng Bo took the gun, skillfully pulled back the bolt, and checked the magazine.

"This gun is for your self-defense." Lu Chen glanced at his watch. "It's four in the afternoon. I'll give you two hours to find them and bring them here. We'll discuss our strategy then. It's safe here for now."

"And what about you?" Meng Bo asked.

"I'm going to get some 'big stuff'," Lu Chen said with a mysterious smile. "You can't beat a submachine gun with your bare hands. I've discovered the enemy's armory; I'll go borrow some equipment later."

This was obviously a lie; his weapons were all in the system space and with Tian Yangsheng, but he still had to give Meng Bo and everyone on the ship a reasonable explanation afterward.

【Ding--】

[Key plot character detected: Meng Bo]

[Checking in at the movie "City Hunter"]

[Check-in successful!]

[Reward: +1 Free Attribute Points]

Facing the upcoming battle, Lu Chen decided to focus his efforts on improving his physical strength.

Stamina: Lv5 (Perpetual Motion Machine)

[Evaluation: Your physical condition is already exceptional, capable of maintaining high-intensity mental concentration for 12 consecutive hours. Whether it's an all-night battle in the business world, a life-or-death struggle on the battlefield, or some indescribable "late-night overtime," you will always be the winner who never complains of being tired and is always standing at the end.]

A warm current flowed through his body, and Lu Chen felt his energy instantly replenished.

"Okay! See you in two hours!"

Without further hesitation, Meng Bo turned and rushed out of the room.

……

Time passed by, second by second.

At six o'clock in the afternoon, the setting sun dyed the sea red, gilding the Fugui Maru with a layer of blood.

Inside the Royal VIP Suite.

Meng Bo ran in, panting, followed by two girls and a lewd-looking middle-aged man.

One is Huixiang, with long hair, a dashing figure, and long legs; the other is Kiyoko Imamura, wearing a white dress and with a sweet and lovely face. As for the lewd man, he is Huixiang's cousin, Big Foot.

"I'm exhausted! There really was something wrong with the ship; there were spies everywhere on the way back!" Meng Bo plopped down on the floor. "Boss Lu, did you get the weapons?"

Lu Chen smiled slightly and clapped his hands.

"Splash—"

The inner door of the suite opened.

Six men wearing tactical vests and exuding a fierce aura walked out; they were Tianyang Liuzi.

Each of them was carrying heavy weapons, ranging from AK47s to M4A1s, and even grenades.

In the corner, Little Ma was wiping his dual pistols, while Little Zhuang was adjusting the scope on his sniper rifle. The entire suite instantly transformed into a mini armory.

Meng Bo's jaw nearly dropped. Pointing at the weapons scattered on the ground, he exclaimed, "This...this is the weapon you were talking about 'stealing'? You've wiped out that terrorists' hideout, haven't you?!"

"A stroke of luck. Now all these weapons are ours." Lu Chen pointed to the sofa. "Ladies, please have a seat. It's safe here. Meng Bo, Big Foot, come and pick out a weapon that suits you."

Qingzi was terrified when she saw the room full of guns and muscular men, so she hid behind Meng Bo. Huixiang, on the other hand, was excited and her eyes were shining when she saw these real guns. If Meng Bo hadn't been holding her back, she would have been ready to fight.

Meng Bo swallowed hard, picked up an MP5 player, and tested its feel: "Boss Lu, I really believe there are terrorists now. Are these people crazy...?"

"Alright, let's get ready quickly."

Lu Chen glanced at the clock on the wall. The hands pointed to six o'clock.

"The show is about to begin."

……

Meanwhile, in the banquet hall.

Under the enormous crystal chandelier, hundreds of well-dressed tycoons and celebrities were raising their glasses, chatting and laughing.

On stage, the captain, dressed in a white uniform, is holding a microphone, ready to deliver his maiden voyage address.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard the Fugui Maru..."

"Bang!"

A gunshot rang out, shattering all the noise.

A bloody hole appeared in the captain's forehead, and he fell straight down. Blood stained his white uniform and the stage.

Screams erupted instantly, but were quickly drowned out by the dense barrage of gunfire.

"Da da da da da!"

Dozens of heavily armed terrorists rushed in from various entrances, their dark gun barrels pointed at everyone present.

And next to the railing on the second floor.

A foreigner dressed in a white suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and holding a silver revolver was elegantly blowing away the gunpowder smoke.

McDonald's.

He looked down at the trembling tycoons below, a cruel and insane smile creeping onto his lips.

Good evening, everyone.

"Welcome to...my party."