[COD] Newbie's Rise to Power

"Keegan... what do we do next?"

You swallowed the word "sergeant" back down.

Keegan looks at you: "Come with me."

You followed behind him, asking in confusion, "Where are we going?"

Keegan: "Go buy something important."

So you arrived at the door of a jewelry store.

You point to the jewelry store and ask incredulously:

"Keegan, the important thing you're talking about, it can't be......"

Keegan: "The ring."

ch.90: Is it reimbursable?

Even when you stand in front of the counter and the saleswoman slips a ring onto your finger, you still can't believe it.

"Keegan, was it really necessary to go this far?"

Keegan then pointed to another pair of rings in the glass case, and answered you:

"We must ensure every detail is perfect."

You lean closer to him and whisper, "You don't need to come here. You could just buy a couple of cheap ones."

This is a legitimate place that sells jewelry and wedding rings!

Looking at the prices of those rings in the cabinet, you feel like you're going to go numb.

Can I get this money reimbursed by the local police?

How about this one?

Keegan pointed to the ring on your hand, the one the sales assistant had just slipped on.

It's a classic shape, except that the two diamond settings on the ring are curved and connected to each other, and the diamonds themselves resemble the shape of an eye.

You readily replied, "It's beautiful and has unique features."

Keegan nodded: "That's right then."

After saying that, he took out his card and handed it to the saleswoman.

The saleswoman took the card with both hands, glanced at you, and then smiled generously:

"You two look very well-matched. Congratulations on your marriage."

It seems she's mistaking you for a newlywed couple who's buying wedding rings to prepare for your wedding.

After all, the store mainly sells diamond wedding rings, and most couples wouldn't be willing to come here to buy rings as couple rings.

You open your mouth to explain, but you don't know how to explain. It seems... you really are "husband and wife" now?

Keegan nodded to the saleswoman: "Thank you for your blessing."

Ultimately, when you step out of the store, you'll each have a matching diamond ring on your ring finger.

You still feel uneasy; those two rings cost more than two months' salary.

"Keegan, can I return this ring after the mission? Or... can I get reimbursed for it?"

"They" refers, of course, to the party that commissioned the task.

Keegan's voice was indifferent, as if he didn't care.

"We'll address this issue after the mission is complete."

You nodded: "Then we need to be careful not to break the ring."

Since you didn't apply for reimbursement when you bought the ring, if you can't get reimbursement later and the ring is damaged, you won't even be able to get a discounted refund.

The task of playing the role of a married couple is relatively easy, except for the need to rehearse for the target. There is no training, no fighting, and a rare period of free time and freedom of movement.

You and Keegan stroll through the city, admiring the country's unique scenery, experiencing different cultural customs, and tasting local delicacies.

After browsing for several hours, you have bought a lot of trinkets.

You put the things you bought into the car and then glanced at the time.

It's almost 4 PM, and there's still more than an hour before Aimen gets off work. After you take a break, you should head to the next location.

Around 5:50, you and Keegan walk into a supermarket.

Aimen comes to this supermarket every day after get off work to buy things she needs for cooking dinner.

Keegan pushes the cart while you link arms with him, looking every bit the affectionate couple.

What do you want to eat tonight?

Keegan is asking you.

Although we were doing a task, we still needed to eat dinner, so we bought it together.

You shake your head: "Anything is fine with me, Keegan. Is there anything you'd like to eat?"

Keegan suggested, "How about dumplings?"

Your eyes light up when you hear familiar food: "Sure!"

"However... I don't know how to make dough, and I don't know if they sell it in this supermarket."

You have doubts, after all, this isn't China, and not all food items are available here.

"Simple."

Keegan answered, then led you toward a familiar figure.

"What a coincidence, sir, to meet you here."

Keegan took the initiative to step forward and greet Aimen, who was selecting vegetables.

Aimen looked up at you.

You subtly tightened your grip on Keegan's arm, then smiled and gave the man a little laugh.

Aimen smiled slightly: "Indeed, are you also preparing ingredients for dinner?"

This time, instead of passively waiting for Keegan to deal with it alone, you took the initiative to speak up.

"Yes, but we'd like to make some dumplings, but we're not familiar with this supermarket. Could you tell us where the flour is? Of course, it would be even better if they had ready-made dumpling wrappers."

Emmen glanced at the items in your shopping cart, then pointed in a direction for you.

"The supermarkets around here don't sell dumpling wrappers, but they do have flour, in that area."

Keegan nodded to him: "Thank you, sir."

Then, Keegan pushed the cart, and you took his arm as you walked in the direction Emman had pointed.

Soon, you found the flour you needed there.

This chance encounter at the supermarket was something you planned in advance.

The goal is to integrate into the target's perspective from a relatable, everyday perspective, making him believe that you are truly living your lives.

After getting the flour and buying some other things, you and Keegan pushed the cart toward the cashier.

As luck would have it, Aimen was also carrying something and stood in line behind you, one person ahead of you.

You try to resist looking at him, but you can still feel his intense gaze.

He is watching you.

"Strawberry or orange, which do you prefer?"

Keegan suddenly spoke up.

You were a little confused when you were asked the question. What did it mean? Did you want to buy fruit?

But you've all come to the cashier now.

Forget it, I'll just make another trip.

So you casually replied, "Either is fine, buy both if you like."

Keegan suddenly chuckled softly, then his voice softened deliberately:

"You want both? Honey, you have such a good appetite."

You didn't react to his sudden intimacy, after all, you knew that Emman was watching from behind.

But you always felt there was something odd about Keegan's statement...

The next second, Keegan gave you the answer with his actions.

He leaned back slightly, then straightened up and tossed two boxes onto the cashier's counter.

One box is orange, and the other is red, which are strawberry and orange flavors, respectively.

Your face suddenly turned bright red!

That...that's...avoid...

You may not know if it's just your imagination, but you feel like everyone around you is looking at you.

Seeing your flushed face, the cashier tried hard to suppress her smile and picked up the two small boxes to scan.

You bag it, pay, and leave, keeping your head down the whole time, trying to pretend you don't exist.

"careful!"

Your shoulder was suddenly pulled, and you stumbled two steps, bumping into Keegan's arms.

It turns out that you were walking with your head down and almost bumped into someone.

You reached out and pressed against Keegan's stomach, gently pushing him away, and then whispered your thanks.

"Thank you."

Keegan nodded: "Watch your surroundings first, we'll talk once we're in the car."

You nodded repeatedly, then quickened your pace.