Rebirth of the Interstellar Pope <Mecha>

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

"Anshuo: Anno, my brother, we once promised each other that we would never betray one another. During the Great Rebellion, I betrayed religion, but I never betrayed you!"

On the day of the business meeting, Rufeite, Anno, and Yunxiu donned formal attire and flew to Jindi aboard a sleek space shuttle.

Though labeled a meeting, it resembled a lavish dinner party attended by a multitude of businessmen.

The gathering was held in a building located in the bustling business district. From the outside, it looked like an ordinary office building, concealing the fact that Hades' business meeting would take place there that day.

Rufeite led Anno and Yunxiu into the venue, where they verified their identities at an automatic ID machine at the entrance.

"Don't be nervous, Yunxiu," Rufeite reassured. "Today, you're Bolai Yun, a distant relative of the Bolai family. Just tell anyone who asks. No one will doubt you." After a brief pause, he turned to Anno and added, "Baby, you look incredibly handsome today."

Yunxiu had spent several days living with Rufeite and Anno, and he was beginning to grasp the unique dynamic between them. It was clear to anyone that Rufeite's gaze lingered on Anno with a possessive intensity that was hard to miss.

Dressed sharply in a tailored suit, Anno casually slipped one hand into his pants pocket. With an air of calm confidence, he replied, "I've always been adept at feigning power."

They entered the conference center, where six circular elevators awaited them. As they boarded one, a voice broke the silence. "Rufeite?"

Turning around, Rufeite recognized a woman in her fifties standing behind him. She wore a stunning dark blue evening dress, adorned with a silver necklace, and white gauze gloves. In her hand, she held a dark blue goose down fan.

With a warm smile, the woman extended her hand. Rufeite took it and gently kissed the back of her hand. "Aunt Tom, it's been too long! You're as beautiful as ever."

"I remember your mother mentioned you just the other day," Tom replied, her eyes sparkling. "Alice didn't come today, of course. You know how she is; she never attends these gatherings. You really should visit her more often."

Rufeite chuckled, "I recall quite clearly that the last time I wanted to visit, she was off traveling!"

Tom nodded knowingly. "That's because Alice underwent a gene transfer operation. She's absolutely radiant now, just as charming as she was at eighteen."

A vein throbbed subtly in Rufeite's forehead, prompting Anno to suppress a laugh. It seemed the saying "like mother, like son" held true.

Rufeite introduced Yunxiu to Tom, explaining that he was a distant relative visiting to see the world. Tom, as an elder, readily agreed to look out for him during the meeting. Yunxiu's polite demeanor in his suit was endearing, and Tom's husband was unable to attend, allowing the two of them to pair up.

When the elevator reached its destination, Tom took Yunxiu's arm and entered the venue with a smile, nodding farewell to Rufeite and Anno.

As the doors closed, Anno smirked at Rufeite. "If you keep this up, you might get addicted, you know."

Rufeite glanced at the retreating figures of Tom and Yunxiu before turning back to Anno, a mischievous glint in his eye. "In a world meant for two, there's simply no room for a third."

They entered the main venue, finding a corner where they could observe. In the center of the space, a layer of biofilm formed a square, dividing the area into two distinct levels. Inside the biofilm, several individuals sat at a long table, their expressions serious as they engaged in hushed discussions. Outside the biofilm, a lavish banquet unfolded, complete with clinking glasses and laughter.