Chapter 163 - You're Ready To Go (update about 1mo of activities, can skip)

Qing Chen had been most busy on his first week back to work. It was as if the meetings never ended. More than a few times, he had stayed past working hours to finish his tasks.

On one weekend he had taken Qing Lok in Chengshi University.

"You're really serious about putting me back to school, are you?" Qing Lok asked, shivering in his coat while they walk to the building.

"I am," Qing Chen answered. "This time, you're going to choose something that you really want to do. You have to finish your schooling."

Qing Lok rolled his eyes. "But I'm doing just fine."

Qing Chen recalled his conversation with his father on the first night they were back. "Father's being temperamental lately. Who knows, maybe he'll take you out of the will. You'll need something to fall back on. And you have to do it now while he's still willing to pay your living expenses."

"Chen," Qing Lok said, "No one is telling me anything. I think it would really help for me to keep up on what is happening in the company and the mafia, or whatever issue it is you and Father are going through."

Qing Chen put his arm around his brother's shoulders. "I know you've been hearing things."

"Yeah, some of the people are saying you're starting a war with Father."

Qing Chen laughed. "We're not really at war. I think we're just getting started and laying out the our plans for each other."

"What if he takes you out of the company? He's trying to get a hold of the mafia again."

"I know," Qing Chen huffed out, his breath almost a puff of white smoke. "But he's not really doing anything with it."

"Yet." He stopped walking and Qing Chen stood his ground. "What if…" Qing Lok licked his lips. "What if he throws you out, Chen?"

"He's not going to throw me out," he answered but he was not sure himself. 

"What if…" started Qing Lok but the words died down on his mouth.

Qing Chen knew exactly what would follow it. What if Father wouldn't let you change the mafia, and if you protest, he'll have your head?

Qing Lok changed the question. "Do you have enough money in case he disowns you?"

Qing Chen barked laughter. "I think you already know the answer to that."

"But—"

"Stop worrying about me, Lok," Qing Chen interrupted. "The only thing I want you to think about is getting back on track with your grades and attend school by next semester. It's supposed to be a school holiday today but the president agreed to tour us on the campus."

Qing Lok only nodded and watched the steps he was taking. The campus was empty and that was just how he felt, thinking that his own family could be on the verge of collapse.

**

Wuming on the other hand, hadn't made progress with Camille. Every time he was almost close at knocking at their gate, he would always chicken out and retreat on his tree. That was where he mostly spent his weekends, just watching over the small house. The grandmother had returned and Camille looked the same.

She would get up in the morning and go to work. Wuming would follow her with the help of disguises, making sure she got there safe and then he would come back just in time she would go home and he would trail her again like a shadow.

He knew it was creepy. But he had been waiting for a chance. That maybe one of these days his heart would finally have enough courage to face her.

If she had wanted to talk to him, then she should've called. He had sent her messages almost every other two days, just asking how she was doing. She never replied. 

Well, nobody would've wanted to be associated to an assassin anyway. He should be thankful she hadn't turn him in to the authorities already. But he just wished he knew what was going on in her head.

He could see it now, the end of the tunnel. It wasn't light that he saw. 

**

While the Qings were busy picking up where they left off back in the city. Feng Xuan was focused on getting herself stronger. She needed to be more. More in everything. Finally out of distraction, she had improved dramatically. With limited time, Master had taken her out of the daily duties so she could use the extra time in improving herself.

She had never felt a greater fatigue than her days here in the assassin school. It was like she was back on her first week wherein she would just drag herself to shower and drop on her bed. But this time, she was actually doing more.

Her body ached. It was as if every muscle of her body was hurting. In the mornings, her pain the day before rewarded her. Things got easier and she advanced to the other fields of training. 

Around a week after the Qings left, Master had finally let her hold a blade. She shook her wrist, feeling the weight—which was not that different from her wooden sword. Two weeks later, she was double-wielding again. With her improved body, at last, it could keep up with the things she wanted for it to do. She was already applying the lessons she learned when she was younger and it was all paying off.

Feng Xuan spun, keeping the blades close to her as a form of shield. Master had jumped away, aiming a slim sword at her. She twisted and did a flip kicking the blade away. Master moved to counter her other leg but she braced herself added force on it. Master dropped to the floor and she pointed the blade at his neck. 

Her chest was heaving for air but she was grinning back at Master. The old man still had it.

"I think you're ready to go out."