Chapter 620 - Displeased

After a long silence, a  low and distant feminine voice finally came over.

"I... honestly, I don't need your apology. I am just worried that you are fighting by yourself without telling me. Do you not plan to tell me in case Guan Gao Huan calls you out to some place to meet him for a fight? What will I do if something happens to you? I know you are good in martial arts, but I am your girlfriend, and I need to know these things. We agreed not to hide things from each other. I cannot help but worry. Please, Linfeng, don't do that again."

Xiong Zhi trusted Linfeng, but she could not trust herself that she would not panic if something happened to Linfeng. 

The memory of his bloodied and unmoving figure in her arms was her biggest scar.

Linfeng died facing Guan Gao Huan's men. And it was at the moment when he was fighting Guan Gao Huan's company.

When she first learned that Univ One was Guan Gao Huan's creation, this made her remember Guan Gao Huan's company and SC's rivalry. 

She trembled a bit. The happenings in her past lifetime were still happening right now even though many things had changed already.

That's why she called Linfeng after she heard the news.

When she heard that Linfeng was actually having a fight with Guan Gao Huan behind her back, this made her angry.

On the other side, Linfeng's fingers tightened on the phone as he felt a sense of regret well up in him. His lashes lowered.

...He had broken his promise with Xiong Zhi for the first time. He had made his girl unhappy and filled her with unease and worries.

"I'm sorry. I truly didn't mean to make you feel that way."

Xiong Zhi could feel his sincerity. She sighed. Even she wanted to scold him, this was not the time.

"...Let's talk about it more later. Right now, there's another pressing matter."

Linfeng pushed down his uncomfortable heart and asked, "What is it?"

"The Guan Empire announced that they will take Univ One as their subsidiary. They will support Univ One."

Linfeng was silent. 

He also had expected this. 

He looked at the window and at the clear sky outside.

"I understand. Don't worry, Zhi'er, I have countermeasures for it."

Xiong Zhi was silent for a moment. 

Based from Linfeng's tone, he had it all figured out.

She felt useless again.

She sighed. "Of course, you have. I think I should not worry about it anymore in the future, since you already knew it is Guan Gao Huan in the beginning."

"Zhi'er, I..."

"I will wait until you are free. We have a lot of talking to do."

"I'll try to finish my work as soon as possible."

"...And you still owe me a date."

Linfeng finally cracked a smile. "I will make it up to you, Zhi'er. Please don't be angry anymore, alright?"

"I am not angry. Just... a bit sad. You don't rely on me as much as I rely on you."

The man hastened to explain. "That's not true. I rely on you so much that I have to call you and see your face before the start and end of my day."

"...That's not what I am talking about." 

On the other line, Xiong Zhi scolded this man in her heart. 

She planned to be angry and scold him about this when they meet, but this man started flirting again. 

And she could not help but fall for it too.

Get hold of yourself, Xiong Zhi! Be mad! Maddd!

"Are you glaring, hmm? I want to see it. I really miss you, Zhi'er."

"...Please remember that I am still angry at you."

Linfeng chuckled and continued to comfort his upset girlfriend.

Xiong Zhi's call lasted for a long time. After some time, the man was finally able to cheer up his girlfriend and also get an 'I miss you' from her.

***

When Linfeng came back to the lab, he saw Jang Shin inside whose face was grim, while the other two were serious. It looked like the three had already learned the news.

All heads turned to Linfeng the moment he opened the door.

The three: ....????

Linfeng: ???

Why did the three men look at him with a confused expression?

"Did you receive the same news?" Jang Shin tentatively asked with a furrowed brow. 

Linfeng nodded. He was in a good mood after flirting--ahem, talking with his girlfriend. 

He belatedly tried to erase the smile on his lips. However, due to his good mood, the corners of his lips still rose.

"Yes, I just did. The Guan Empire took over Univ One."

The three: "....."

Why you so...

Jang Shin could not help but ask. "Why do you look so happy then? Is it... great news for us?" His face had a look of 'Am I missing something' as he wondered whether this was supposed to be a boon to SC. However.... 

"No matter how much I think about it, the Guan Empire backing Univ One is not a good thing at all! Our competitor's fame will rise once more after gaining such an outstanding supporter. Univ One with Guan Empire will be unstoppable now. How come you look so happy!"

Linfeng was still in a good mood. "It's not like we are not unstoppable either. We can just show them that our momentum is great and then open up more distance between ZD World and Univ One. We got the best headstart and resources, even if they try to outrun us, they would not be able to do it so fast." Linfeng then turned to Gu Zhen. "Do you think the upgrade is ready to be released in public?"

"Of course. It will at least take three days to one week for the update patch to apply to all users."

Linfeng smiled. He then looked at Shinichi. "May you give us the honor...?"

Shinichi understood Linfeng's unfinished words. 

He smiled. 

Finally, the time has come.

"Of course."

Jang Shin: "..."

Jang Shin: So I worried for nothing..?

*****

While the news of Guan Empire's acquisition of Univ One was spreading fast in every media platform, industry, and various countries, there was a person who was very displeased about it all.

Silence filled the mansion.

Butler Qian looked at the report with a dark expression.

'Gunan... has gone against the Master's order.'

His hands tightened on the file. The master would not be pleased about it.

"Butler Qian." 

A cold and heavy voice called out from the dark and spacious living room.

Butler Qian hurried his pace forward, bowed deeply, and passed the report to his Master.

Ming Zhi Yi coolly glanced at his stiff butler. 

The butler was expressionless, but he could tell that Butler Qian was quite troubled.

"You don't have to be nervous about it. I know Gunan's movements since the beginning, so even if I check the report, the fact that he disobeyed my order will not change."

Butler Qian whose back was cold immediately kneeled. 

His head hung low.

"It's my mistake, Master. I did not teach him well."

Ming Zhi Yi lazily opened the file. 

The report was about Univ One's progress and success, as well as the current difference it had with ZD World. 

"I know that Gunan is your favorite student. He is quick-witted and knows his place very well... However, recently, he had this look of ambition in his eyes."

The moment his last word fell, another butler came in and bowed.

"Master, Young Master Gao Huan is here."

"Let him in."

"Yes, Master."

"And also, bring my toys." Ming Zhi Yi added.

Butler Qian closed his eyes. The master was...very displeased.

"Yes, Master." 

The butler at the door subtly glanced at the old butler.

He silently lit a candle for their head butler and for himself.

Who would lose a finger today? If he read the situation clearly, it was the head butler's fault. But the head butler had already proved his worth and loyalty. It was either him or the head butler's another beloved student.

The butler then told them another news before retreating. "Also, Young Master Lu Jin is here."

Ming Zhi Yi had just finished skimming through the reports. 

His dark eyes looked up.

"This son of mine surely, is too soft." 

He lightly tapped on his chin as various thoughts ran in his mind of how to discipline his biological son and his adopted son.

******