Chapter 138 - My Wife

General Lei's men tracked Commissioner Tu in Tianjin. This took the military by surprise. It only meant that Rou Yanlin was nearby. Everyone else had expected him to go into hiding in a remote city, but apparently, he may just be sheltering right under their noses. 

Since last week, Rou Chunhua had not texted him even after asking about the possible hideouts of Rou Yanlin. He may have disappointed her more than he thought. 

He came to the lieutenant's office hoping to receive an update. Inside he found a girl in bob cut hairstyle seated in front of the desk. She turned to the door and their eyes met. It was Rou Chunhua. 

She immediately looked away. Directing her gaze to the lieutenant, she bid goodbye. "That's all the information my father gave me. I hope you get him… I best be on my way."

Chunhua stood up quickly and acknowledged the General's presence before heading to the door. Although she was speaking to him, her eyes only studied to the floor. 

"You look different," said General Lei. 

She had no choice but to look up and answer, "I got rid of the signs of captivity."

She smiled and took off after meeting his gaze and as she sped through the corridors, the General stepped outside the office not bothering to look away. 'She is avoiding me,' he finally realized.

After meeting the General, the first thing that Rou Chunhua did on her return to Tianjin was to book an entire day treatment at the spa. She had her hair cut, her body scrubbed and her nails done. The next day, she went on a shopping spree. Since a portion of the Rous' funds was given back to them, their family finally had some cash to burn. 

She wanted to start applying for a job but her father told her not to. Especially since the forex trading company, which was previously single-handedly managed by Rou Yanlin, will now be transferred to her father's name. She needed to help him, either in the business or by taking care of her mom. Since she had no idea how to handle a business, she decided on the latter. 

She studied Hotel and Restaurant Management and was particularly good at making cakes and pastries. She figured she could start by selling home-baked products while her mother is still recuperating. Eventually, she plans to open a shop of her own. 

Outside the military camp, Chunhua hailed for a taxi as she was in a hurry to meet up with some friends back in college. After being kissed by the General, she reconnected with her classmates hoping it would cover up her growing feelings towards him. 

Arriving at a local pub, she got off the taxi and went inside where her supposed college friends would meet her. 

Just ten meters away, a soldier in civilian clothes arrived in a motorbike and reported to his superior. "General, she went inside a pub in the center of 24th street. Should I go and follow her inside?"

"Yes. Follow her inside."

"General, what made you think the Rou Yanlin maybe after her?"

"Just a hunch. Don't question my decision and report to me her every move, who she meets and what she does."

"Apologies, General and affirmative to that. I will report back with every detail."

Back in Beijing, Andrea became unsettled after learning her third island in the Maldives was losing money. So instead of joining Lu Fang in his meeting with Harold Smith, she stayed behind at the office. 

She made a few calls and also took the time to study the nearby resorts so to determine where they were falling short, but she soon learned that they too were incredibly low in occupancy in the past three months. 

The Chaalu Maldives was located further out from the capital city that it could not be reached by seaplane. Guests would need to take a domestic flight and then a speedboat to reach the resort. This added to the difficulty in bringing in visitors. 

After coming up with her own strategies she asked for the General Manager and Marketing Directors of Chaalu Maldives to join her in a videoconference. 

"Muja," she addressed the Marketing Director, "May I remind you that you get paid to come up with marketing ideas."

"Use our other islands and come up with twin-island packages then you can give the transfer cost for free. Offer repeat customers from our other islands free transfers should they visit Chaalu on their next holiday."

"Lastly, Suresh, being the General Manager, please conduct a proper analysis on which market should we focus on.  My current data suggests that China has become a big market for the Maldives and while I am based in China, I might as well take the lead on this. However, I need you to make a comparison with the other resorts."

When Andrea finally finished their meeting, she went to the main conference room to join her husband and found them completely absorbed in a light conversation of boxing. 

"Lu Fang, you should come to the US and watch the next match! You would love it. It's far different from watching it on TV!"

"I'm loving the idea! It happens in a month if I'm not mistaken. I would not mind a trip to the US at the same time check on your laboratories myself."

Hearing his wife clear her throat, Lu Fang turned with a smile and called her over, "Babe, come over."

"Mr. Smith, this is Andrea. My wife," the man said as he pulled her closer to his side. 

It disappointed Harold to hear this, but his sources said otherwise. Thus, he had to clarify," How long have you been married?"

"We got married on paper just last week and we will hold the ceremony in three weeks," the man replied with enthusiasm. 

Harold was good to hide his dissatisfaction and still shook Andrea's hand. "I'm so sorry Mrs. Lu. I only bought a gift for Lu Fang. My sources did not mention he was married. Had I known, I would have brought something for you as well."

"You don't have to trouble yourself, Mr. Smith," Andrea replied and smiled back at him. 

"We just learned that we are pregnant so we are taking things fast forward," explained Lu Fang. 

'This is more complicated than I thought,' Harold Smith said to himself. 'However, they got married because she got pregnant? Could that mean, they were forced into the situation?'