Chapter 69 - Linfeng's dream (II)

**** I tasted all the food and make sure that they are all not too salty and not too sweet.

"Prepare the soup. Don't serve it yet."

Zhi'er likes to drink the soup I made every morning. She liked it hot with smokes all around. Thinking of her expression whenever she tried to drink while it was still hot makes me smile.

I arrive her at her door and knocked.

"Young Miss, your breakfast is ready."

Silence.

"Young Miss Zhi..." I called her three times.

But there's no answer.

I took the keys in my pocket and ready to open it when the door suddenly opened and an unkempt Xiong Zhi appeared.

I was shocked for a moment. Then I noticed the dark circle under her eyes.

"What--" I began to ask.

"You are not leaving aren't you?" Xiong Zhi cut me off.

I was startled. Xiong Zhi was a silent girl and keep everything to herself. She did not let her emotions out or she just can't. But I can I feel them and differentiate all of them. This time, even her face was cold and calm her eyes were not. They were disturbed.

"Why are you asking that? Did I not tell you week ago that I will stay with you now?"

Right. After constant battle against myself, my feelings won.

That week without Xiong Zhi was the hellish week I ever have in my life. I can't celebrate the freedom I got. I can't work. I am worried. What if she got sick when I'm not around? Who would cook her a soup like mine every morning? What if the Xiong members leveled up their blackness and poisoned her food? She doesn't speak a lot. Nor complain if she felt uncomfortable. That was I was most worried about.

Zhi'er....what should I do?

Should I come back to you?

Should I surrender to you?

What did you do to me...

Finally , as I weigh everything including my feelings to Xiong Zhi I realized that I would rather work under the Xiong, be with her , give my heart a break , rather be a man who was chasing his dreams with disturbed mind and worried heart.

Of course I did not give up my dreams and the Zhou's dreams. I will balance my work, dreams and goals , and work it together harmoniously with my feelings. I don't know where it will bring me. But for now, I am happy to stay by her side.

"...I heard you...on the phone. You seem busy. The treaty is now broken. You don't have to work under Xiong." Xiong Zhi said as her eyes were inquiring. The look in her eyes clearly says that she felt afraid to ask this.

I can't help but pat her head, slide my fingers in her silky hair downwards to the tip of her hair.

"Yes. I'm busy. But I will still work for you. Is that you don't want me?" I said without even minding my words as I was captivated by the softness of her silky hair.

"No. I'm glad you're here." Her clear voice called for my eyes to stare at her clear eyes.

Even there was dark circles under it she was still beautiful.

"Did you not sleep because of that? That I will leave you?" I can't help but tease her a bit.

"Yes. I am afraid you will leave me..again." Her words got straight to my heart.

Did she felt betrayed that I almost left her a week ago? Did she cried? Did I hurt her?

Suddenly the image of Xiong Zhi in the balcony seeing me off came to my mind. She looked very lonely at that time.

Heat came to my eyes. My heart feel burned.

Losing my composure I hug her and told her a promise.

"I will never leave your side. That's a promise."

Zhi'er hugged me back.

"Okay."

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"The big bosses said that they would sign the contract if you are there personally. They want to meet the man behind SC. They said it is unfair if the bosses will come but your not. They can't sign if they can't see our sincerity for these collaboration. And Linfeng, you better come because I won't meet those arrogant CEO's anymore. I can't stomach them! I am also the man behind SC! Why they don't believe me?! Is it because of my baby face?! I am handsome as they are--!" Jang Shin continued to rattle on the phone.

I distanced my ear from the phone. Jang Shin was my 'friend' since middle school. We started SC when we are in high school. He contributed a lot, like promoting the company, attending the meetings and be the acting CEO of SC company, but behind it, was me. I created SC. I planned all the project. My calculations and mind games in every investments. And my meticulous choices to people who to connect. The reason I let him be the SC's face was because of my situation. I am working under the Xiong before. And because of the treaty and rules, I can't make my own company under my name without the approval or order from the Xiong.

Hence, people ( who have connections to SC company) thought that Jang Shin was the CEO. However, there were still intelligent people who could read behind the lines. Like the five big bosses that I wanted to collaborate to.

What I need their help for is for a BIG Project I am working on. I need powerful people with unlimited resources and wide connections for that.

" They are just teasing you. " What I really wanted to say was that they were just testing Jang Shin.

But knowing Jang Shin who was usually thick skinned but easily got insecure with people who are smarter and handsome than him, I kept quiet.

Jang Shin had negative view of those five bosses. Since they belittled him (Jang Shin) and made fun of him sometimes.

But it was actually good for Jang Shin as well. To overcome that weakness. Because having that weakness has never been good in this industry.

"I don't care anymore. But you have to meet them. I will send a ride to you in two hours. The bosses will arrive in three hours--" Jang Shin was about to hang up but I stopped him.

"I need you to come here as well. I need to see you in two hours."

"Why?" Jang Shin's day was bad. So he got irritated that there were things to do. He just wanted to take a break and be drank.

"Just come here I'll tell you later. If I don't see you later, I will not go." Then I hang up.

Two hours later Jang Shin came with a helicopter.

I throw the keys to Jang Shin.

"Look out for the mansion."

"There are a lot of people here. Do I need to look out for this big mansion?" Jang Shin pointed those maids and butlers around.

"It is a SERIOUS MATTER." Then I got nearer to him, I whisper.

"Protect Xiong Zhi. Just stay in this mansion until I arrived, okay?" Jang Shin just looked at me. Staring at my serious eyes, I am showing to him that this favor he was doing was a great favor.

Zhi'er is important to me.

Jang Shin sighed. He knew he will be lost against my determined gaze.

"Fine. I'll do my best. Just staying here right? Just come back soon." with a dejected expression Jang Shin walked to Xiong Mansion and drank his wine there.

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The talked with the five bosses was like a refreshment to me. Jang Shin was right. They were arrogant and not easy to pleased. But as the bosses of the Big Major banks all over the East and South-Western, they have the right to do so.

They were all capable and intelligent. Like the veterans in war, no second was wasted within the talk. We had reach an agreement and I was satisfied.

It was night when I arrived at the Xiong Mansion. Jang Shin heard the helicopter and he came out.

"Did the talk go smooth?"

"Yeah, we had reach in a fair price. ZHENG DUO (ZD) will start anytime now." I said smiling.

It was a big accomplishment. The ZD was an all-in international project. Surely without a doubt, this project will take him and the SC company to skyrocket in business industry. Making the SC company a legend. I could imagine what glory it will bring in the future. With this, I could stand at the same status of the Xiong and maybe... maybe in my wishful thinking...marry Zhi'er.

Then I smelled alcohol. I looked at Jang Shin's unkempt figure.

"Have you been drinking?"

"Yeah. To relax my mind. You know I'm not smart as you, so talking to those bosses really way over the line for me." Jang Shin said bitterly. He probably felt bitter of what happened. He also understand that he was still too green in the face of those veteran businessman.

I pat his shoulder. No one was perfect. Everyone has a weakness.

"You should rest. Sleep here. There's a lot of room in this big mansion. Is she asleep already?"

"Probably. " Jang Shin just shrugged.

I looked at the East wing, in the third floor. There's no light. She must be sleeping.

I began to walk down stairs when Jang Shin call me out again.

"Oh. By the way, her cousin drop by."

My steps halted. Cousin? Xiong Zhi was never close to her cousins. She was only close to her Aunt Mai and Uncle Nuen.

I looked again at her dark window. Suddenly I had a bad feeling.

"Who? Which Xiong?"

"A pretty girl, the butler told me it was Wuyue."

Wuyue. Xiong Wuyue, daughter of Xiong De. I knew her. And her father. I knew their businesses. And their greed. And of course, their blackness.

I ran downstairs. I ran to the east wing. As I ran upstairs to the third floor, my mind began to question and solve puzzles.

Why.

Why they chose this day to visit her?

They had been silent for a time after they got the right to be her guardian. They knew I was here protecting her. So they never came to her or do any schemes.

Just today , I was gone.

I ran until I reach her doors. I knocked.

"Zhi'er!"

*Knock

"Zhi'er!"

Please be there! Please tell me your just sleeping. That you will open this door and ask me why I came late.

The maids and butlers were awoken by my pounding. Jang Shin caught up with me. His eyes were wide as he was also thinking the same thing.

"The key!" I shouted at him.

He handed me the key. With my shaking hands I put the key in the hole. I tried for three times before I got the right key. My heart was beating loudly. I got a bad feeling. A very bad feeling.

No.

No.

I opened the door and ran to her bed. I put the blanket away. Not here.

I check her bathroom. Not here.

Her closet room . Not here.

The balcony, under the bed, everywhere. I checked everywhere.

Not here. Not here.

She was nowhere.

Nowhere...

My entire being was shaking.

I kept thinking..maybe she went in the garden. I went to her balcony and shouted her name.

"Zhi'er!!"

"Zhi'er!!"

I should have not went out. I shouldn't take my eyes off you. Even I can't get that project I don't care!

Regret came over me. It was just today. Just today that I was not by her side.

'I am afraid you will leave me..' Her voice kept ringing in my mind.

"Zhi'er!!" I kept shouting. She needed to hear me. She need to know I'm here.

My vision blurred. I did not even noticed I was crying.

"Zhi'er...I will look for you. Just wait for me. You will not wait for long." I promised with gritted teeth.

But once again I was wrong.

It took me years to find her.