63 GIVE UP ON HER

"I know your work here has been educational and fulfilling. But it is time for you to come back." Zhong Tian spoke boisterously while walking around casually in his son's office.

Zhong Feng did not respond because this was a conversation that they had had two weeks ago when he had dropped in at the old residence. He had made it clear that he did not want to go back to Zhong Industries. While he knew the discussion was not over, he had not thought that his father would come to confront him directly this quickly.

"If you are attached that much to this little company, you do not have to sell it. I will allow you to include it as a subsidiary of Zhong Industries." Zhong Tian offered generously though his face showed that he did not think much of Etude Technologies.

"Father, I am quite busy. I am currently not interested in Zhong Industries. Let us revisit this matter at a later time." The response was spoken in a stiff tone.

Zhong Tian looked at his son with anger in his eyes. However, though he felt that his son was disrespectful, he could not help being proud. This son of his was talented, good-looking, moral and disciplined. When he returned to the family business, he would become a force to be reckoned with. With that thought, Zhong Tian felt more gratified.

"I will give you six months to return to Zhong Industries." He declared. He did not want to push his son too much, but he could not allow him to ignore his duty anymore.

Zhong Feng did not respond. He knew that this matter had been decided without his approval. He could also hear the threat in his father's voice. If he did not comply, he was quite certain that his father would use the power of the Zhong family to force his hand.

Unfortunately, right now, he did not have time to think about his father's future nefarious plots. He had more important matters to handle. His eyes darkened as he thought about Hu Lei. He did not know where she had gone, and his concern for her rose with each passing minute. After hacking into multiple airlines, he had not found the signs of her leaving the country. It was as if she had disappeared into the thin air.

"Where is Doctor Hu's daughter?" His father asked suddenly.

Zhong Feng became alert because of the tone that his father had used. In the past, he always spoke fondly of Doctor Hu and encouraged him to be as kind as possible to the girl. Now, his voice held a thorny edge.

"She left the country for a vacation." His words sounded casual.

"And who paid for this vacation?" The older man laughed cynically.

Zhong Feng felt anger at his father's rude tone and underlying implication. How could he speak in such an uncouth way about Hu Lei? Even though he no longer seemed to hold her in high regard, there was no need to be insulting.

"Father, I would like for you to leave." He spoke with a cold tone.

Zhong Tian showed impatience with him and did not turn to leave.

"So what Mian'er says is true? Are you attached to that girl this much?" He asked angrily.

"That is my business." He would not give way in this matter.

"Oh, so you think that you have outgrown your father's wisdom? Let me tell you, a woman who would poison you just for a moment in your bed is not worth your time. I know I have always spoken to you about the importance of morals and faithfulness. But you must only give these to someone who deserves respect." The tirade continued. "Though this girl did save your life when you were younger, she is not the same. She has grown into something else. I will not stand for it while she drives you to an early grave. There are countless girls a thousand times better her."

Zhong Feng could not bear to hear the insulting words spoken by his father, but he could hardly call his security personnel to throw him out. He stood up suddenly while his father continued his speech. He picked his phone and a brown envelope from his desk and walked to the office door.

"Father, please close the door when you leave."

His departure left his father angrier than ever. This older man could not help thinking that his son had truly been bewitched by that girl. Regrettably, she had left for her vacation before they could deal with her. Zhong Tian did not think that there was need to look for her. He would deal with her once she returned to Supreme City

Zhong Feng drove to his Westend apartment after leaving the office. He was anxious to open the envelope sent by his private investigator. He had been planning to check it in the office before his father came in unceremoniously. His hands shook lightly in anticipation and fear. He hoped that those old caretakers were right about Hu Lei just being impulsive.

The open envelope revealed a few sheets of paper with some clipped on photos. He had requested for a full background check along with her current whereabouts. While he had promised himself not to conduct this type of check-up on Hu Lei, he felt that her disappearance left him no choice. If it was possible, he would have preferred to handle the matter personally. However, there was no information about her except on official government systems. It was almost like another hacker had deleted her.

He checked the last document for details on her whereabouts first. As he read the report, his face seemed to lose its colour. She had indeed left the country but under an alias. Moreover, she had not used an airline. He looked at the photo of her at the border, dressed in black, holding a motorcycle helmet.

She did not have the gentleness and light that he had been used to. However, looking at her, he still knew that she was the one, his one. Though she seemed like a stranger and he did not seem to understand her action, he knew that she was still his Xiao Lei. It did not matter who she was or what she became.

He would not give up on her.

He looked thoughtfully at the photo. If she felt it was necessary to leave in a covert way, something must have been wrong. He had always known that she had been hiding a lot of secrets. Once she returned, he would uncover everything. For now, he needed to find her and make sure that she was safe. He looked at the rest of the documents in his hand with hesitation before placing them back into the envelope without reading the background report.

After keeping the documents in a safe, he dialled his private investigator's number.

"I swear that is all I could find." The man on the other end replied before Zhong Feng could speak.

This PI was San Mo. Obviously, this was not his actual name. However, when he had been in the military, he had gotten the nickname, and it had stuck with him. He was quite reliable and enjoyed a good relationship with the great Zhong Feng.

"I need you to follow her and find her location." Zhong Feng did not bother responding to his earlier statement.

"That might be a little difficult." San Mo replied honestly.

"Are you saying that you can't do it?"

Feeling the fear brought on by the mighty Zhong, San Mo bowed to pressure.

"I will do all I can. But it will take some time."