Chapter 204 - Two Steps Away (II)

Butler Zhou Min was standing in the garden. He had excused himself since he received the call.

He needed to stop his son from doing things that he might regret.

His son's actions were disturbing the peaceful and unbreakable alliance of the Zhou family to the legendary Xiong family.

Butler Zhou Min was imagining the worst scenarios once Master Xiong found out that Linfeng was now unlocking the secrets of the treaty. And possibly, breaking it.

"Father," Butler Zhou looked up at the dark sky. He was listening to his son's stubborn words.

"I'm acting right now because I can raise the Zhou family. " Butler Zhou Min closed his eyes. He had guessed it.

"I am confident. " His son was truly incredible.

"The Zhou family can live without the Xiong family." Butler Zhou opened his eyes and showed a complex emotion within them as his son continued to talk.

He was once like his son. When he was in his son's age, he was the capable Zhou Min who wanted to fly higher. But the weight of the family's responsibilities and the pressure that the Xiong's have, made Zhou Min realized his place. He lost his passion to dream.

"Sigh." Butler Zhou Min let out a heavy sigh.

"I care about the Zhou family as well that's why I wanted to stop you. Do you think the business you are raising is enough for the Zhou family to lean on? Linfeng, most, no, all of our business is partnered with the Xiong Empire. Think deeply about it. Once our family is doubted, Master Xiong could pull it out. Though, I doubt Master Xiong would go that far. At most, he could abolish you and throw you at some distant place. And what if you succeded? Master Xiong would surely do that and the Zhou will be their enemy. Think hard about it Linfeng." Butler Zhou Min was not talking nonsense. 

He knew his son. With his son's nature, he knew that Linfeng would have built his own company without approval or any relation to the Xiong. He investigated it, but surprisingly his son was capable that he only managed to get the crumbs, not the whole thing. However, a company that was just built a few years ago was nothing compared to an empire build from three hundred years ago.

Linfeng listened. He knew it well. That's why he was being careful with everything. And that was also why he makes use of his time very well. He needed a lot of power, more resources, more money, more connections and more time. That's why doing nonsense in three days made him a bit irritated. It was fine if those three days were spent with Xiong Zhi. 

"I know it well. That's why I need to leave now. You just need to wait for what I can do. And please don't stop me."

The call ended without making any time for butler Zhou Min to say anything.

He stared at his phone. Their line was very secured that was why he was confident to speak these things with Linfeng on the phone. 

Butler Zhou Min was feeling complicated.

He wanted to stop his son from digging on the treaty and arousing Master Xiong's suspicions. He wanted to stay at what they were. But there was a burning feeling inside of him that was looking forward to what his son would be able to bring to the Zhou family. Would he be the person that Zhou Min had wished to be?

For some reason, Zhou Min was excited to see the storm the Linfeng would bring.

****

Linfeng gave the phone to his grandfather. He then went back to the master's office. He used his other phone that he used for private information. He dialed a number.

"Jang Shin, one of the south is asking for me, right? I want to meet him."

"Huh?! So soon! We are not sure if that man is serious about the offer. Besides, that man's business is just new. His company was just a few years older than us. Besides, it is riskier if you show your self now. I can still bluff you know." Jang Shin was really shocked. This move was so sudden that he could not believe it came from Linfeng.

"Jang Shin, that man has a connection to the big four. In due time, he will be standing equally among them. This is the right time to connect with him. I told you before I had a project in mind right?"

"Oh! Yeah! The big one? But I thought you will start it after three years.."

"That's right. But I think I need to move faster. Scheduled it for me."

"A-alright." Jang Shin knew that tone of Linfeng. He doesn't know why Linfeng was acting like this. But he felt that Linfeng sounded more aggressive than usual that no one could block his way.

(a/n: still remember? This one is mentioned in chap 69 )

Linfeng contacted some more people. As he went out, he talked to one of the butlers,

"Please prepare a jet plane for me." 

Linfeng looked up at the dark sky. He wanted to move fast. He wanted to see Xiong Zhi too. But the talk with his father made Linfeng thought back of what his working hard ever since he created SC. He made up his mind. He would settle his problem first before he could meet her. He hoped that she still waits for him.

As he rode in the jet plane, Linfeng was thinking on how many days he would be gone for a while.

Two months. He could only shorten it for two months. Two more hectic months before he could return here in the capital. 

He hoped, sincerely hope, that Xiong Zhi's feelings for him would not die out.

**** 

The year was ending and there were three events that made Xiong Zhi looked forward to come.

First, was to see Linfeng again. She got the news from butler Zhou Min that Linfeng went to someplace to take care of the Zhou family business. Xiong Zhi was sad that they haven't met since that day. There was not any text or email from Linfeng. This made her sadder.

But what Xiong Zhi cheered up was the fact that Linfeng told her that he had feelings for her. And he asked her to wait for him. Xiong Zhi, of course, would be patient. 

And the second thing she looked forward too was Xiong Wuyue's birthday.

However, a breakfast with her grandfather made Xiong Zhi remembered a supposedly important day.

"M-my b-birthday?" Xiong Zhi was shocked. 

Old Xiong looked at her twice, wondering what her shock expression was for.

"Yes. Your birthday is coming. Just a week from now." Old Xiong explained to her.

"I already have anything planned. Today, you will have your schedule on checking your gowns, ah, I should not be the one explaining this to you. Sigh, Zhou Min, you explained it to her later, since your son is not yet obligated, it is your turn first."

Butler Zhou who was standing at the side, answered.

"Yes, Master."

That day, Xiong Zhi was excused in the class for the whole week.

***

The car was running smoothly.

Xiong Zhi was silent ever since that breakfast.

Her birthday...

For three years, her birthday was the most terrifying day she doesn't want to come.

For her, her birthday was a time limit that marks her ending in her past life. It signified her hopelessness, that her fate to be doomed was coming.

And on her birthday as well..

Was the day she and Linfeng had died.

There was not really any special or good thing on her birthday. For her, it was cursed.

Now, she had been told that it would be celebrated.

As she was too shocked by the news of her birthday, she forgot to ask her grandfather to keep it discreetly and privately like before. This what she had been asking for every year as she did not like gatherings. This was also the reason why the people in the higher class hasn't seen her.

Xiong Zhi woke up from her daze. Yeah! She should have asked to not celebrate it grandly like before.

"Butler Zhou!" Xiong Zhi's shout made butler Zhou a bit stunned.

"Yes, Young Miss?" Butler Zhou was beside Mr. Ji.

"Let's go back to the mansion. I forgot to tell something important to grandfather."

"Do you want to call Master now?"

"No. It's better to talk to him personally. "

Butler Zhou wondered what words were was so important that they need to go back right now. As he was about to order to Mr. Ji to turn around, Xiong Zhi spoke again.

"And, can you please help me to convince grandfather to stop celebrating my birthday?"

"?!!" Butler Zhou Min and Mr. Ji were stunned.

"Y-young Miss, what you are asking is.." Butler Zhou hesitated. But then he said it.

"Is impossible, young miss."

"Impossible? Grandfather doesn't really give importance to my birthday or to any Xiong family member's birthday." That's true. For Old Xiong, the Xiong's Empire anniversary was the most important. 

"Young Miss, Master Xiong had not yet attended any birthdays from the Xiong before. But this year would be different, Master planned to attend your birthday, young miss." Butler Zhou Min explained with a smile. It was good news to any Xiong if the Master of the Xiong attended their birthday. It means that the head of the family acknowledges that person.

Xiong Zhi was stunned.

"Why?" She was so stunned that she asked this. Never, in the past life, her grandfather attended her birthday. So why? What was different in this year? He had given her a gift, but because she earned it. So what she earned for her to be acknowledged by Old Xiong.

"Young Miss, it is better to wait for the special day. Master would give his speech then." Butler Zhou Min spoke mysteriously.

Xiong Zhi just looked down. Since Old Xiong was going to attend, this means that there's no way they could cancel her birthday.

Xiong Zhi was not a bit happy with this news.