Meanwhile in a large office, a young man was seated, enjoying a lighthearted moment with one of his employees. Laughter echoed through the room, blending with the soft music playing in the background. The atmosphere was relaxed, with no hint of the serious matters that often occupied the young man’s mind.

As they bantered, a sudden urgent beeping sound disrupted the carefree ambiance. It took the young man a moment to register the source, but when he did, his expression shifted abruptly. Pushing the woman away, he exclaimed, "Get the fuck out of here."

The employee hastily gathered her scattered belongings, casting a curious and slightly embarrassed glance at her boss. As she exited the office, the young man briskly moved to his desk, his demeanor transforming from playful to serious. The urgent message on his computer screen demanded immediate attention.

Recognizing the coded communication, he activated a secure line with a press of a hidden button. A holographic screen materialized, revealing the stern visage of a woman—the head of the organization.

"Agent 17," she spoke with authority. "We have a mission for you in Shanghai. Departure in one hour."

Agent 17, now fully aware of the gravity of the message, nodded solemnly. The holographic screen vanished, leaving him to prepare for a mission that promised challenges and secrecy. In a swift and precise manner, he donned a tailored suit and armed himself with an array of concealed gadgets.

Within the hour, Agent 17 was aboard a private jet bound for Shanghai.

Seated on the jet, Agent 17 seized the opportunity to delve into the mission details. The urgency of his departure had left him with only fragments of information, but one thing was clear – his task in Shanghai involved the elimination of two individuals, and the compensation promised was enticing.

Among the renowned First 20 agents, Agent 17 was known for his playful nature outside the missions. However, when it came to assignments, he was a consummate professional. No mission had ever eluded his success, and his track record of never failing or compromising his cover was a testament to his skill and discretion.

As he scanned through the encrypted files on his device, the details of the targets unfolded before him. Each piece of information added layers to the complexity of the assignment. The jet, flying at high altitude, provided a secure space for him to absorb the nuances of the task at hand.

Agent 17’s reputation for completing missions seamlessly had earned him a place among the elite, but this particular task seemed to carry a weight that resonated with the gravity of the espionage world. The prospect of eliminating two individuals in Shanghai stirred a mix of anticipation and calculated focus in the seasoned assassin.

Within the encrypted file, a particular detail seized Agent 17’s attention – the woman. The dossier outlined a mission involving a mother and son, yet it was the image of the woman that captivated the assassin. As his eyes fixated on her photograph, an inexplicable sense of familiarity washed over him.

Struggling to comprehend the source of this connection, Agent 17 found himself drawn to the enigma surrounding the woman. It wasn’t a recognition born of prior encounters; rather, it felt like an echo from a distant memory, an elusive puzzle piece waiting to be placed.

In the world of covert operations, where detachment was a virtue, Agent 17 couldn’t fathom why this woman stirred something within him. The intricacies of the mission became momentarily overshadowed by the mystery surrounding the woman, and a nagging curiosity crept into the recesses of his analytical mind.

As the jet continued its journey toward Shanghai, Agent 17 grappled with the enigmatic allure of the woman in the file. The mission’s objectives loomed ahead, but an unexpected undercurrent of intrigue had woven itself into the fabric of his professional detachment. The answers to the questions lingering in his mind would have to wait until he set foot on the grounds of Shanghai, where shadows concealed secrets, and every step could unravel or deepen the mystery.

Meanwhile Sun Lixia couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Li Chen’s side, her worry etched deeply into every line on her face. Ren Zirui, attempting to ease her burden, suggested she go home for a while.

"Ma’am, you should go home and freshen up. I’ll take care of Li Chen here."

Sun Lixia, however, was resolute in her decision, the connection between mother and son stronger than any advice.

"I can’t leave him, Ren Zirui. Too many nights away from him haunted me. Now that I’m here, I won’t let him wake up without me by his side."

Ren Zirui, recognizing the unwavering dedication of a mother, persisted in his attempt to convince her.

"He might not be happy seeing you like this."

Sun Lixia, with a determined glint in her eyes, responded firmly.

"It doesn’t matter. I need to be here when he wakes up. He needs me."

Understanding the strength of a mother’s resolve, Ren Zirui nodded, leaving Sun Lixia to maintain her unwavering vigil by Li Chen’s bedside.

Sun Lixia gently caressed Li Chen’s hand, her voice filled with a mixture of love and concern. "I am here, my boy, and I won’t ever leave again. Just come back to me. I promise I will protect you with all my might." Before she could finish, Ren Zirui entered the room, a sense of urgency in his demeanor.

"Ma’am, I am sorry to interrupt, but there is an emergency," he conveyed, prompting Sun Lixia to stand up. "Let’s talk outside," she suggested, and they moved to a quiet corner, away from Li Chen’s hospital bed.

Ren Zirui shared unsettling news, "I just received word that a file containing a photo of you and Li Chen was sent to the sub-division of the organization."

Sun Lixia’s eyes narrowed, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Someone has placed a hit on us," she stated, a steely resolve underlying her words.

Ren Zirui confirmed her fears, "I am afraid so, ma’am."

As they navigated the dangerous waters of an impending threat, Sun Lixia pondered the potential orchestrator behind this peril. "The person who wants us dead must have paid a large sum for them to activate The First 20," she surmised.

"What’s your command, ma’am?" Ren Zirui inquired, awaiting her directive.

Sun Lixia, despite the imminent danger, displayed a courageous stance. "Get in touch with Xu Zhonhao and gather all our best men to protect Li Chen."

Concerned for her safety, Ren Zirui questioned, "What about you, ma’am?"

Her response echoed with unwavering trust, "You are here, aren’t you?"

Ren Zirui, appreciating the trust bestowed upon him, expressed gratitude. "Thank you for trusting me."

Sun Lixia affirmed her trust with a poignant statement, "If I don’t trust you with my life, who would I trust?"

As they navigated the intricate details of their predicament, Sun Lixia revealed a desire to confront the looming threat head-on. "I want them to find me. I am ready for them. I am tired of running. I need to settle down and take care of my future grandbabies. Can’t do that if I am always on the run now, can I?"

Ren Zirui, understanding her resolve, nodded in acknowledgment. "I understand, ma’am."

With a final instruction, Sun Lixia added, "Get going, and oh, before I forget, release Deng Chenglong. I want to see what Sun Gang’s next move is."

The tension in the air lingered as they prepared for the storm that awaited them.

Ren Zirui bowed respectfully and withdrew, leaving Sun Lixia lost in her contemplations. As she returned, she encountered Xu Zhonhao, Zhang Mei, and Tang Ziyi standing in the hallway. Approaching them, she greeted, "Hey, how are you doing?"

Zhang Mei, who had already met Sun Lixia, expressed her concern, "Madame Li, how is Li Chen?"

Sun Lixia reassured them, "He is in deep sleep right now, but the doctor said he would be fine." Zhang Mei released a sigh of relief. Sun Lixia continued the conversation, "By the way, this is Xu Zhonhao and Tang Ziyi. We all live with Li Chen."

With a polite nod, Xu Zhonhao acknowledged the introduction, and Tang Ziyi respectfully added, "Your son has been a great help in my family. I just want him to get well."

Sun Lixia, appreciating their concern, said, "You can go and see him for a while." Zhang Mei expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, ma’am." The trio entered Li Chen’s room, and Sun Lixia decided to give them privacy, turning her attention to the impending threat looming over them.

Sun Lixia sensed that this was merely the commencement of a more significant conflict. Despite lacking information about the orchestrator behind the hit, one thing remained clear: she was prepared to confront it directly. Viewing this threat as an opportunity, she contemplated leveraging it to approach the organization strategically, systematically eliminating their top agents.

Her animosity towards the organization ran deep, fueled not only by their actions against Li Chen but also by the loss of her husband. Sun Lixia harbored a profound desire to dismantle the organization, determined to safeguard her only remaining family member from meeting a similar fate. In the face of adversity, Sun Lixia steeled herself for the challenges ahead, ready to take on the organization with unwavering resolve.