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The hustle and bustle of the real world recedes like the tide.

Before the celebratory atmosphere of the wrap party for the new version of "Lurking" had completely dissipated, Su Ning had already returned alone to his quiet mansion by West Lake.

At this time, Chen Xiaojun and Fan Lin were both exhausted and had fallen asleep, which allowed Su Ning to come to the study to do his own things.

In his study, he had just finished reviewing the post-production progress report for "Lurking" and was preparing to consider the next steps when that long-lost, cold, and mechanical voice suddenly resounded in the depths of his mind:

【ding dong——】

[The host has completed the phase of the mission in the real world, and energy reserves are sufficient.]

[The new instance world has been selected... Spacetime coordinates are being located...]

[Positioning Successful: *Malèna*]

[Timeline: 1941 AD, during World War II.]

Location: Syracuse, Sicily, Italy.

[Host identity loaded: Su, a Chinese resident of Italy, owns a medium-sized but exquisitely crafted garment factory. She has some assets and connections in the local area and is one of the few Asian faces in the small town.]

Main quest released: Meet Malèna Scordia and change the course of her tragic fate.

[Mission Hint: Beautiful solitude is the original sin. Under the shadow of war, both the brilliance and ugliness of humanity will be magnified. Please act with caution; every choice you make may trigger unpredictable butterfly effects.]

[Teleportation preparation... 10... 9... 8...]

Suning's pupils contracted slightly.

Malèna, the beautiful yet tragic heroine played by Monica Bellucci.
That beautiful woman, consumed by the desires and malice of the entire town amidst war and gossip?

Sicily in 1941...

In Mussolini's Italy, World War II was raging, with the Allied and Axis powers intertwined, resources were scarce, and people were filled with anxiety.

He will intervene in this sensitive and complex time as a Chinese garment factory owner.

"Get to know Malena and change her tragic fate..." Su Ning repeated the mission in a low voice, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

This is by no means an easy task.

Malena's tragedy stemmed from her breathtaking beauty, her loneliness and helplessness after her husband went to the front lines, and even more so from the collective jealousy, greed, and hypocrisy of the town's residents in that particular environment.

To change all this means he not only has to get close to this "beautiful legend" coveted by countless eyes, but also has to confront the distorted ecology of the entire town, and may even be drawn into the vortex of war.

【……3…2…1…Teleportation initiated!】

The familiar dizziness returned, even more intense than before.

The scene before my eyes began to distort and blur, and the outline of the modern study peeled away like pieces of a shattered mirror.

He could almost hear the faint sounds of Italian conversations in the distance, and smell the salty, damp air of the Mediterranean mixed with the scent of old fabric and the steam from an iron…

At this moment, Suning was standing in a slightly crowded but well-organized shop.

The walls are a mottled warm yellow, and several well-made suit and dress patterns are hanging on them.

The air was filled with the smell of fabric and a faint scent of washing.

Outside the shop windows facing the street, the sun shines brightly on the somewhat dilapidated streets of Southern Europe, while in the distance, children playfully chatter in Italian and the faint sound of bells can be heard.

He looked down at himself. He was wearing a well-fitting, light-colored linen suit in the style of the 1940s. His fingers were clean, but his fingertips had calluses from long-term contact with needles and fabrics.

Fragments of memories about the identity of "SU" slowly surfaced in his mind: his ancestors immigrated here and established themselves in this small town with their superb tailoring skills. They ran a medium-sized clothing factory called "SU" and had flagship stores of "SU" custom clothing in major European cities. He was cautious and his skills and abilities were recognized by some respectable people.

He walked to the shop window and looked out onto the street.

The blazing sun shone on the stone pavement, and in the distance, Mussolini's recruitment posters were faintly visible in the square.

Women dressed in old clothes gathered around the fountain and talked, their eyes filled with worry about the war and numbness to their impoverished lives.

Su Ning took a deep breath of the air, which smelled of the sea and the rust of war, and his eyes gradually became sharp and determined.

A new stage has been set, and the prelude to a story of salvation and change has officially begun.

This time, he is no longer a strategist emperor or an actor on screen, but a Chinese businessman caught in the torrent of history and the vortex of human nature.

His mission was to protect a breathtaking beauty and to fight against the prejudice and cruelty of an era.

“Marlena…” he murmured the name, as if he could already see that graceful yet lonely and helpless black figure.

……

Even in the late autumn of 1941, the Sicilian sun seemed to carry a hint of anxiety and unease.

Inside the "SU" garment factory, located in a corner of the town of Syracuse, Su Ning stood behind the shop window, calmly observing the town that was shrouded in the shadow of war, yet maintained a strange tranquility on the surface.

His shop has a good location, offering a glimpse of a corner of the square.

After observing for several days, he has confirmed that the legendary figure is Malena Scodia.

She would usually go to the post office alone in the afternoon to inquire if there were any letters from her husband at the front, and then go to the market to buy a small amount of the increasingly scarce daily necessities.

She always wore a well-tailored black dress that accentuated her stunning curves, and a small black veil hat that partially concealed her face, adding to her mystery and allure.

As she walked, her gait was composed, her waist swaying gently, as if she possessed an aura of aloofness that isolated her from the surrounding noise.

Wherever she went, men's greedy, infatuated gazes clung to her like spiderwebs, while women huddled together, trying to tear her apart with their sarcastic whispers and undisguised jealous looks.

However, Malena seemed to ignore this.

She raised her chin slightly, her gaze fixed straight ahead, neither responding to the burning stares nor heeding the malicious whispers, simply walking her own path silently and proudly, as if performing some kind of solitary ritual.

At this moment, she still firmly believed in her heart that her husband, who was far away on the front lines in North Africa, would return safely. That belief, born of love, was her armor against all the malice in the world.

The time is almost here.

Suning has prepared a thoughtful gift...

It was not expensive jewelry, nor gaudy flowers, but a piece of silk fabric brought from the East, extremely soft and smooth in texture, with a low-key and elegant pearl gray color.

He carefully wrapped it in plain kraft paper and arrived at the small seaside apartment building where Malena usually lived in the afternoon, around the time she usually returned home.

After knocking on the door, there was a brief silence, followed by the sound of the door chain being gently removed.

The door opened a crack, and Malena's figure appeared behind it.

She was clearly surprised, her clear yet slightly wary eyes scrutinizing the unfamiliar Eastern face outside the door.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Scotia.” Suning spoke in fluent and appropriately respectful Italian, bowing slightly with a gentle and non-aggressive smile on his face. “Excuse me for bothering you. I am Su, the owner of the ‘SU’ clothing factory in town.”

Malena didn't fully open the door, only looking at him through the crack, her voice cold and distant: "Mr. Su? Is there anything I can help you with?"

Her gaze swept over the exquisitely wrapped gift in his hand, and her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, clearly categorizing him as one of those with ulterior motives.

Su Ning was not surprised by her reaction. He maintained a polite distance, gestured slightly with the gift in his hand, and said frankly, "Please don't misunderstand, Mrs. Scotia. This is a small gift, a piece of silk from the East, which I think suits you very well. I am here today to discuss a formal business cooperation with you."

“Business collaboration?” A hint of doubt flashed in Malena’s eyes, but her wariness didn’t lessen. “Yes.” Su Ning nodded, meeting her gaze sincerely. “My clothing factory mainly serves clients with high standards for clothing, and we also have flagship stores in major European cities. I believe your unique temperament and… impeccable demeanor are perfect for showcasing our designs. I formally invite you to join my store as our exclusive clothing model. Of course, this will be a paid job.”

Malena was stunned.

model?

The word was a little unfamiliar to her, but she understood its meaning.

Should we have her showcase the clothes?
She subconsciously touched her black dress, a slight ripple passing through her heart.

She was not without material desires; although her husband's salary was enough to make ends meet, it was still insufficient during the war.

An extra, respectable-sounding job is undoubtedly attractive.

Moreover, the way this Easterner proposed it seems... very formal?

However, the long-term covetousness and isolation made her afraid to easily trust anyone.

A flicker of struggle crossed her beautiful eyes, but caution ultimately prevailed.

“Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Su.” Her voice remained calm, yet distant. “But I currently… have no plans to work. My husband’s salary is sufficient to support our lives.”

Su Ning clearly caught her fleeting moment of attraction and understood her rejection.

He showed no disappointment or urgency, but nodded understandingly, as if the answer was expected.

“I completely understand, Mrs. Scotia.” He gently placed the silk wrapped in kraft paper on the low cabinet by the door, his movements natural yet brooking no refusal. “Please accept this gift; it is merely a token of my appreciation and has nothing to do with any work invitation. It should suit you well.”

As he spoke, he took out a simple business card from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. It only had the shop's name "SU", the address, and a phone number on it.

“This is my business card.” He placed the card next to the silk wrapping, his tone gentle yet firm. “Please reconsider my proposal. This is not a spur-of-the-moment decision; I believe you possess a quality that can imbue clothing with soul. If you change your mind, or if there is anything you need help with, please feel free to come to the store to find me, or have someone pass on a message.”

He bowed slightly again, his face still bearing that comfortable, gentlemanly smile: "Then, I won't bother you any longer. Have a pleasant afternoon, Mrs. Scotia."

After saying that, he turned around decisively without any hesitation and walked away steadily along the way he came, his back straight and composed, without looking back even once.

Malena stood behind the door, watching the departing figure of the Eastern man, then looked down at the simple gift and the small business card on the low cabinet. For the first time, she felt a different emotion regarding the discussions about her.

This man's eyes seemed to hold appreciation, but not the nauseating greed; his invitation was direct, but not coercive.

He... seems to really just come to discuss cooperation?

She gently closed the door, leaning against it. The lake in her heart, frozen by loneliness and wariness, seemed to have a tiny pebble thrown in, creating barely perceptible ripples.

She picked up the silk, and the smooth touch on her fingertips gave her a long-lost feeling of being treated with respect.

……

"SU Garment Factory" is located in a relatively quiet neighborhood near the port in Syracuse.

Unlike the exquisite suits and women's dresses displayed in the front shop, the back half of the factory and the warehouse were piled with dark green military uniform fabric, brass buttons, and military overcoats being sewn.

The hum of the machines contrasted sharply with the tranquility of the shops in front.

Su Ning knew very well that in Sicily in 1941, establishing a good relationship with the powerful military was an essential shortcut to gaining a foothold and wielding influence.

The identity the system assigned to him cleverly included a connection to a mid-level quartermaster in the Italian military…

Major Carlo Ferrante's "classmate" relationship.

Although this relationship wasn't particularly close, with appropriate transfer of benefits and deliberate management, it was enough to open the door to military orders for "SU Garment Factory".

That evening, a small dinner party was taking place in a private room of a rather respectable restaurant in the center of town.

The dining table was covered with a clean white tablecloth and set with silver cutlery.

Although wartime rationing had made many delicacies scarce, Suning still managed to procure some decent local wines, fresh seafood, roast lamb, and some rare cheeses.

The air was filled with the aroma of food, cigar smoke, and a harmonious atmosphere.

Seated at the head of the table was Major Carlo Ferrante, an Italian officer in his thirties with a slightly protruding belly and ruddy complexion. His uniform was impeccable, and his eyes held the shrewdness and satisfaction typical of bureaucrats.

Accompanying him were two adjutants brought by Ferrante.

“My dear Su,” Major Ferrante raised his glass, which was filled with deep red wine. He had clearly already had a few glasses, and his tone was particularly warm. “I must commend you again! The quality and speed of delivery of this batch of uniforms shipped to North Africa are impeccable! They are even better than those old factories in Palermo! You have made a contribution to us and to the Kingdom of Italy!”

With a perfectly measured smile that was neither obsequious nor overly respectful, Su Ning raised his glass and lightly clinked it against the other's: "Major Ferrante, you flatter me. It is 'SU's' honor to be able to contribute to the soldiers on the front lines. Ensuring quality and speed is our most basic responsibility."

He took a sip of his drink and continued sincerely, "Moreover, without your trust and support, 'SU' wouldn't have had this opportunity. I will always remember this kindness."

These words were very pleasing to the ear, and Major Ferrante felt very pleased. He laughed heartily and patted Su Ning on the shoulder forcefully: "Well said! Su, that's what I admire about you. You know how to be grateful and you're reliable! Unlike some people who cut corners once they get an order!"

He leaned closer, lowered his voice, and spoke with a hint of alcohol and the intimacy of "one of us," "Don't worry, as long as I, Carlo Ferrante, am in this position, you'll have no shortage of orders to come!"

“Thank you so much!” Su Ning expressed his gratitude at the right moment and personally poured Major Ferrant’s glass. “With your support, 'SU' will definitely do even better. I’m already considering introducing some new equipment to further improve efficiency and ensure that we can respond immediately to any needs the military may have.”

An adjutant chimed in, “Mr. Su is indeed one of the most efficient businessmen I’ve ever met. We would have been in real trouble with that batch of urgently needed shirts if Mr. Su’s factory hadn’t worked through the night to produce them.”

Another adjutant nodded in agreement: "Moreover, Mr. Su is a straightforward person who never delays payment of wages, and the workers are willing to work hard for him."

These seemingly casual compliments are naturally based on Suning's usual "management" of things.

As the wine flowed and the atmosphere grew warmer, the atmosphere became even more harmonious.

They talked about the situation at the front, complained about the difficulties in allocating supplies to the rear, and also chatted about some romantic tales in the small town.

Major Ferrante had clearly heard of Malena. With a knowing smile between men, he said vaguely, "Su, I heard you went to see that... beautiful Mrs. Scodia a few days ago? How was it? That 'iceberg' is not easy to approach."

Su Ning's heart skipped a beat, but she remained outwardly calm, only smiling helplessly as she replied in a frank tone, "Major, you jest. I just felt that Mrs. Scodia had a very unique air about her and wanted to invite her to be a model for our shop's new season's clothing. After all, as you know, besides military uniforms, we also take on some custom orders. Unfortunately, she declined. Mrs. Scodia... seems to care a lot about her husband's reputation on the front lines."

He cleverly shifted the focus to business cooperation and brought up Malena's husband, both to clear himself of suspicion and to imply Malena's "chastity" and unapproachability.

Major Ferrante raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised, then waved his hand. "Oh? I see. That woman... hmph, she is indeed a beauty, but also quite arrogant. Never mind, let's not talk about her. Come on, Su, let's have another drink to our upcoming cooperation!"

"Cheers!" Su Ning readily raised his glass.

The dinner party continued late into the night in a joyful atmosphere for both hosts and guests.

After Su Ning handed over the kickback to Ferrante and his adjutant, and then saw off the slightly tipsy Major Ferrante and his adjutant, Su Ning stood alone at the restaurant entrance. The cool sea breeze of the night dispelled some of the smell of alcohol on him.

The polite smile on his face gradually faded, and his eyes regained their clarity and calmness.

This relationship with the military is one of his most important assets and resources in the world right now.

It not only brought stable orders and income, but also provided an invisible protection, giving him a status and voice that ordinary businessmen could hardly attain in this small town during this sensitive period.

This will be a very important step in his subsequent plans.

He glanced back into the depths of the town, in the direction of Malena's residence, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

To change her fate, a job offer and gentlemanly manners alone are far from enough; he needs more means and... power.

This relationship with the military may play an unexpected role at some crucial moment in the future.

...(End of chapter)