Chapter 129：The Traitor (13)

Zao Ming was cautious enough to read the contract again. The contract was indeed drafted mostly in their favor. There was only one small term that could be deemed not so beneficial to them and that was if they violated the contract at any given time before the contract ended, they would have to pay a hefty sum in reparation.

Zao Ming pointed this out to Lin Kang and the latter reassured him it was only a precaution, "After all, I have given you so many benefits, it's only fair that I have a little guarantee that you'll do a good job for me, wouldn't you agree?"

Lin Kang flashed a smile that was meant to disarm but it only made Lee Mu felt even more guarded. He pulled on Zao Ming's sleeve surreptitiously. Lee Mu communicated his worry with his eyes and Zao Ming whispered back in a hurry, "I know, I'm suspicious about that as well but what could he possibly want from us?"

Lee Mu had to admit Zao Ming had a point. If the contract had some nasty terms to it, then they might be more judicious but there was nothing in there that could trip them up... or so they thought.

Furthermore, Lin Kang's condition wasn't unreasonable. He wanted some security written into the contract, normally the terms wouldn't be so drastic but that was still common industry practice. Perhaps this was merely a sign that the man was used to working with big numbers.

Instead of picking up the pen that was before him to jot down his own signature, Lin Kang closed the contract and put it aside.

This action confused the two. It was Zao Ming who ventured to ask, "Mr. Lin Kang, aren't you going to sign the contract? Is there anything else you need to confirm with us?"

Lin Kang looked at him with amusement before adding, "Haven't I told you other negotiator are joining us? You're not signing the contract with me."

"Huh?!" Both Zao Ming and Lee Mu uttered in confusion.

Lin Kang picked up the contract and opened it to face the two of them. "Gentlemen, take a closer look at the signature line next to yours, do you see my name there?"

Lee Mu and Zao Ming focused their attention at the section that Lin Kang mentioned. To their surprise and sinking heart, indeed it was not Lin Kang's name that was written there. Instead, the signature space was left empty for a Miss Xiu Ling.

Zao Ming had not heard of this name before in his life but Lee Mu could have sworn he knew that name from somewhere.

As Lee Mu went over the memories in his mind, Zao Ming beside him demanded with a certain degree of displeasure, "Mr. Lin Kang, what is the meaning of this?"

"What do I mean?" Lin Kang asked in return with a relaxed tone. "It means everything that is written down in the contract. The terms have not changed one bit, only the person who would sign the contract has. So don't worry. Everything is just the same."

Lin Kang's words were technically right but Zao Ming could not help the feeling that they had been trapped. He pressed, "Then who is this Miss Xiu Ling? Where is she? Why isn't she here?"

Lin Kang smirked. "You'll know soon enough."

It was then that the teleprompter before Lin Kang lit up. Lin Kang pressed on it and the voice that Zao Ming could recognize as Yi Nian's drifted through, "Mr. Lin Kang, Miss Xiu Ling wishes to know whether all the preparation has been done."

Lin Kang smiled wickedly before answering, "Yes, everything is set in place. You can bring her in now."

Moments later, the door to the meeting room opened to reveal Yi Nian who walked in before a beautiful woman. Unlike today's women who would not leave the house without heavy make-up and a convoluted get-up, the woman had on a thin smear of cosmetic and a simple blouse and skirt.

Even so her dignity and grace was something that could not be eclipsed or suppressed.

If Lin Kang was the sun in all its majesty, this woman whom Lee Mu and Zao Ming assumed was Xiu Ling, was the equivalent of the moon. She was the epitome of grace and soft beauty. Her presence was not as glaring as Lin Kang's but one could not help but be captivated by her existence. Like the sun, Lin Kang demanded your attention but you would not be able to direct your gaze at him directly for too long; Like the moon, Xiu Ling might not grab your attention at first glance but her beauty was one that you could learn to appreciate.

While Lee Mu was naturally guarded around Lin Kang, Xiu Ling had this tendency to make him feel at ease.

Yi Nian led Xiu Ling to the chair next to Lin Kang and she took the seat beside her husband. Yi Nian nodded at his boss and his boss' wife before making his retreat out of the room.

Lin Kang handed Xiu Ling the signed contract after she settled in. She read through it and nodded.

She placed the contract down on the table and made her introduction, "I apologize for coming in late but tact is required in a situation like this. Please do not be alarmed, we will not change any terms to the contract you've just signed and we will hold ourselves to the terms that are determined in the contract to the tee.

"However, before I sign the contract, I simply wish for you to answer a few questions that I have. Don't worry, they are not complicated questions."