581 Two Extremes

"Where do you want to go?" Gigi who had been assigned to Xiu's security was still stuck around here since Ying was busy with something else, lately and had no time. But Gigi didn't mind since it was quite a relaxing job at times. After all, Xiu would rarely go out.

Xiu had Nora's car at her disposal and she leisurely threw the car keys towards Gigi in the parking lot and smiled as she replied, "To the place you work at."

Gigi was taken aback by that response. "Umm..." She licked her lips hesitating before stating, "It's not that I can't take you there but you won't be able to enter. Civilians are not allowed in the HQ." In her opinion, even if Xiu had an unusual connection to her team leader Ying, it won't be enough to give entry to the HQ. 

"Your job is only to lead the way, how to find my way inside is my job," winked Xiu playfully as she alighted the car. She didn't want to explain the details to Gigi since she didn't think it was necessary for now. Besides, since seeing was believing, she would opt for only showing her how she would find her way inside the HQ where the civilians were not allowed.

Gigi was still reluctant but since Xiu didn't seem like she was kidding, she couldn't back off either. From what she had already seen it didn't seem like Xiu was a simple person so she didn't want to take her chances. And Xiu's confidence told her that she shouldn't be questioning it.

The drive to their destination wasn't as smooth as Xiu had imagined since they passed by different security checks. It was worse than the military base. It was only because of Gigi's identity that they didn't encounter much of hindrance. But when Gigi parked the car before her workplace, she said, "This is as far as my authority can take you along. Passing through these metal gates is up to you. My identity won't work for you from here on."

"Are you sure this is it? I can't even see any building." Xiu was craning her neck trying to look through the gaps between the metal gates but couldn't see a single building.

"The main buildings are about a mile ahead from here. It's hidden behind those tall trees." What she didn't explain Xiu was that the HQ was mainly underground. The facility above the ground was mostly just a cover.

"Oh... Ecological style. I like it."

Gigi eyed Xiu who was nodding in appreciation and said, "Shouldn't you be thinking about how to get inside?" She was really curious to know the reason behind Xiu's carefree mood. Shouldn't she be stressing here? This wasn't a normal place.

Xiu grinned at her and alighted from the car with her. While Gigi proved her identity, everyone's eyes stuck to her figure. Xiu was still grinning widely as she pulled out a card and said, "Will this work?"

Xiu was scratching her chin as she muttered, "Why? Something wrong? It won't work? How is that possible though? Everyone said this is like a free pass to anywhere in this country."

The same card was given to her by Xin Zimen himself and at that time, Dylan had even mentioned how lucky she was to get this free pass. She was quite certain that she'll be able to enter this place.

"Where did you get this?" asked Gigi.

"Ah? Ah-Xin gave it to me. I mean Xin Zimen."

"Chief Director gave it to you himself?" 

Xiu nodded her head innocently not knowing why everyone looked at her with such strange eyes now. It looked like there was admiration, jealousy, and caution mixed in their expressions.

Someone hurriedly connected to the main building and after a few short sentences asked Xiu, "Miss, what is your name?"

"Xiu. It's Bai Xiu."

With a nod, the person in-charge got back to work and within a minute instructed, "Open the gates. Let them in." He smiled complicatedly at Xiu and then turned to Gigi saying, "It's your job to get her to the main building."

"Got it!"

It took Xiu another fifteen minutes to reach the cluster of building connected in a unique way. But the one she was directed to was located right in the middle. After Gigi handed her over to another agent, she gave Xiu a nod and stood aside. 

"You won't join me?" Xiu inquired.

"My rank is not high enough to enter this building on will. I'll wait for you here."

After another series of winding paths, Xiu finally reached the office of the person she was looking for. And as soon as she entered, she slumped her shoulders complaining, "Ah-Xin, it's really not easy to meet you. I got tried even getting here."

Xin Zimen looked up at her who directly found her way to the sitting area at the corner and slumped down on the sofa. She looked like her energy was drained out. 

He stood up and came to her side. "Who told you to come to look for me here? You could easily see me at home."

Xiu opened her eyes and replied, "Yes, but I wanted to see just what kind of magic trick this card is capable of..." 

Xin Zimen eyed the card twisting around her fingers and said, "This is the first time you're using this card since the time I gave it to you and you ended up using to see me? Couldn't find any more useless thing to do with it?"

"I used it to see Ah-Xin, how is that useless?" pouted Xiu unhappily.

Xin Zimen sat beside her as he said, "You could have simply given me a call and that would do."

"Oh, that could also work. Why didn't I think of that?" Xiu knocked on her head.

Xin Zimen shook his head at her and asked, "Anyway, why did you come to see me here? What's the hurry?"

Xiu hurriedly gave the box in her hands to Xin Zimen saying, "This is for you. I couldn't wait because of this."

Xin Zimen took the box and peeled off the ribbon before opening it. Seeing the dark chocolate cake, his brows lifted up slightly. "This is...?"

"This is to show my gratitude for what you did for me," answered Xiu.

"Oh, you don't see me like family."

"Huh?"

"Otherwise you wouldn't be setting clear boundaries like this."

"That's not what I'm trying to do," retorted Xiu abruptly. "I would never think of that. If I didn't think of you as a family then why would I call you first? I didn't even think of anyone else but you."

"Then..."

Xiu lifted her hand to stop him from saying any further, "I just wanted to bake a cake for you. What's wrong with that? Didn't you also send your personal chef to cook such a hearty meal for me?"

"That was in celebration of your marriage," replied Xin Zimen.

"This is also in celebration of my marriage," Xiu argued back. "Now, stop with the talking already. Won't you even taste it?"

Xin Zimen squinted his eyes at her and contemplated for a while before saying, "I'll taste it but not before you tell me why you came all the way here?"

"Can't you just believe my words as it is?"

"Little lass, stop dilly-dallying around."

Xiu stared at Xin Zimen's face as she wondered, "Ah-Xin, with this personality how did you manage to get married? Didn't your wife mind this personality of yours?"

Xin Zimen's lips curled up slightly as he answered, "Hmm... If you'd have met my wife you'd also ask the same question to her."

"What do you mean?"

"If my personality is unbearable, she wasn't any better either. How they say it, like two peas in a pod but in a different way. That's the best way to describe us."

"Really?"

"Really!" stressed Xin Zimen. "If I'm too stiff, she was too lively. We both were like two extremes at two different ends."

Xiu pursed her lips thoughtfully, "Then how did the two extremes meet?"

Xin Zimen pinched her nose saying, "The two extremes found their own exclusive core."

"That sounds... beautiful."

"Is it?" Xiu nodded her head. "That's strange people often find it strange."

"Why? I really think it's beautiful. If two people who are the complete opposite of each other are willing to find a common and exclusive middle just for each other, that only proves how much they both loved each other." Xin Zimen's eyes widened at Xiu's words. "It's not only beautiful, but it's also heartwarming."

Xin Zimen rubbed her head, "Only beautiful people find everything else beautiful. And you happen to have a very beautiful heart."