70 CLING EVEN TO DEATH

Assistant Chen looked at his boss as he worked like a high-efficiency robot. This scene was not unfamiliar, but there was a certain intense air around him that had not been present in the past. It was obvious that Zhong Feng had changed into a different person, shedding his old self.

This change… it had all begun when Hu Lei had disappeared. Though it had been over a year since the incident, Assistant Chen knew that the time had not healed any wounds for Zhong Feng. If anything, every single day seemed to bring more pain for him.

Chen Li was the one person who was clear on how much the simple departure of the little interpreter had caused the Young Master of the Zhong family to change. Outwardly, he still looked like the tough immovable man he had always been. But his assistant understood more than anyone that this god-like man carried an insurmountable burden in his heart. After all, he was the only thing that had not changed in the boss' life.

He still remembered when everything had changed, when the boss had chosen to abandon everything from his life.Zhong Feng had come back from Russia, looking gloomy, cold and just different. It was at that time that he had informed him that he intended to take over Zhong Industries.

At that time, he had been given Chen Li a choice. He could remain in Etude Technologies and get a promotion, or he could follow him as a simple personal assistant. Chen Li had considered this matter and made his decision with care.

Remaining in Etude would have been highly beneficial for him because he had exceptional qualifications in business administration and management. However, in the long run, he had not chosen this path. He had remembered that at the time when he had had no experience after coming out of university, a man much younger than himself had taken a chance on him.

He also knew that if Zhong Feng did not have a trustworthy aide at his side during the transition after taking over Zhong Industries, he would be at a great disadvantage. Though he would without a doubt succeed, he would have more difficulties. In addition, Chen Li completely believed in Zhong Feng as one would in a deity. Therefore, instead of remaining in Etude, it was better to serve as a little assistant before a god.

"CEO Zhong, if we do not leave now, you will be late for the party." He spoke in a low tone.

Zhong Feng looked up at him with icy marble like eyes. Over the past year, his eyes had become hard and completely emotionless. In the past, he had indeed had a cold personality. His natural introverted self and growing up in the high society had contributed to that natural aloofness.

This coldness was not the same. It was a biting chill that seemed to come from his very soul. Even Assistant Chen who was always by his side could feel the fear that this mighty man invoked. Perhaps, he felt it more because he had seen the changes in him up close.

Before that incident, Zhong Feng had been a kind and righteous person with a strong sense of morality. However, since she had disappeared, he had become hard, severe and cruel. Even now, in his office in the Zhong Industries headquarters, there was a prominent sense of bloodlust.

"Is it necessary for me to be there?" the man asked his assistant, turning back to his computer.

"It is unavoidable. You have still not solidified your standing in the company." Chen Li responded in his even professional tone.

He had also changed in the last year along with his boss. He had become a person who could provide reliable support to his boss. His resolve came from the single time he had made a mistake while in Etude. It was that occurrence when he had tried to play a trick on Hu Lei. He had believed that he was protecting Zhong Feng. However, he had only created an indelible stain on his reputation.

Since then, he had understood his role as an assistant clearly. It was to help his boss get whatever he wanted, not to be the judge of what he needed. If Zhong Feng wanted to draw blood, it was his job to sharpen and clean the knife.

Right now, he knew what Zhong Feng wanted most was the power that came with being the controller of the Zhong Industries. This power was essential because he needed everything to find the girl who seemed to have fallen off the surface of the earth. Chen Li understood that all had been done for this purpose, though he did not dare speak of this matter.

Unfortunately, grasping power did not always involve working in the office. It meant socialising with the business elite of the Supreme City and forming relationships. For Zhong Feng, whether it was in the past or now, this was an unpleasant thing. However, he had already sworn that he would do anything it took… anything.

"Feng'er, how could you be late for your own party?" a glamorous Chu Ling spoke in a soft reproving tone as she welcomed Zhong Feng into the lively conservatory at the old residence.

The large outdoor building had been setup to serve as both a greenhouse and an entertainment space. Somehow, the beautiful plants, the glass walls and ceiling and the elegant elite of Supreme City seemed to merge beautifully. It was obvious that someone had put a lot of effort into the party. Unfortunately, the beauty of the space was overlooked by Zhong Feng.

"Do not be so hard on the boy. He was probably catching up on some work in the office." Zhong Tian appeared beside his wife and spoke in his usual loud voice.

Zhong Feng greeted his parents before shifting his detached eyes to the loud room. He almost frowned as he took in the sight of countless people looking at him in awe. However, he held in his displeasure, favouring a neutral expression. As Chen Li had said earlier, he needed to solidify his standing and grasp all the power he could.

He could not allow anything to derail him from his goal. In his mind, an image of an adorable petite woman smiling at him, teasing him appeared in his mind. His heart, which often seemed dead, contracted painfully.

He had managed to track Hu Lei to Argentina after much difficulty, but then his people had lost every single track of her. The final place she would have been had only reeked of death. There was no one to tell them what had happened or how to find Hu Lei. But he was certain that the power that held Hu Lei was not to be trifled with.

Regardless of the captor, he would not abandon her. He had not known her for long, but to him, she was the treasure that he would cling to even to death. He could not explain why he felt what he did. He did not care. All he knew was she was his and always had been.

Currently, he did not have enough power to have influence outside of Asia. But he would soon have enough resources to overturn the globe until he held her in his arms. He would not let anything stand in his way to her.

If it took smiling with these people who saw him as a gateway to the Zhong fortune, he would do that. And if it took tearing down their companies to their little bits, he would not hesitate. Until he found her, he would not shift his focus even for a moment.

"Feng'er, you should have a drink. Today, we are celebrating your achievements. Come, let me introduce you to some people." His mother spoke enthusiastically while leading him around the conservatory.

He nodded politely as he was paraded before women and their daughters. His mother's intentions were clear. After all, she was not being subtle as she praised her friend's daughters using a range of metaphors and similes.

"I will take over." The laughing Zhong Tian interrupted his wife's parade. The heads of the powerful families in Supreme laughed with him, even if they hoped that their daughters would catch the young master's eye.

Chu Ling pouted prettily like a young girl, causing the women to also laugh. Zhong Mian appeared from somewhere and comforted her mother with a small smile. In simple terms, everyone was enjoying the party and envying the harmony of the Zhong family.

While the mood was good, Zhong Tian stood in front of the crowd and drew his only son to stand beside him. The two powerful figures commanded the attention of the entire room. Within a moment, the entire room fell into a hush. Everyone looked keenly at them.

"Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the achievements of my son, Zhong Feng. Within the months he has been the acting CEO, he has managed to propel Zhong Industries to higher heights that I thought possible." He paused and people applauded. "For this reason, I would like to announce that from today, my son will be the official president of Zhong Industries."

The booming voice could be heard in the entire room.

For a moment, there was complete silence and then, there was applause in the room. Everyone knew that this announcement was coming, but it was a surprise that the news had come this fast. Zhong Feng was not surprised. This was within his expectations.

"Let us drink in honour of this occasion. Cheers!" With that everyone lifted their glass and drank deeply with Zhong Feng.

When Zhong Feng finally drank from his glass, his eyes flashed as he recognised a certain taste in the drink. However, he did not dispose of the champagne. He sipped from it as he accepted the congratulations from the guests.