Chapter 221 - Got spotted

Xiong Zhi could not fall asleep even though she had tired herself out this whole night.

Her mind was still thinking of Linfeng, especially the mysterious glint in his eyes when he said to 'figure it out' herself. 

The charming sight when he pressed her lips against her palm.

The scorching eyes which looked at her without restraint.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The rhythmic sound of her heartbeat reverberated in her ears. 

Xiong Zhi laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling dazedly. She raised a hand to press down on her chest.

Was it the aftershock? With her heart beating so loudly, how would she be able to sleep?

'Did Linfeng safely leave the Xiong Mansion? Would he leave far from the capital? When will he be back? When will I see him again?'

The deep, masculine voice sounded again in her mind. 'Soon.' 

She stroked her necklace. Their names engraved on it made her feel more assured that she would see him again.

It had not been long, but she missed him already.

Xiong Zhi wanted to see his unrestrained smile, his gentle voice, and his warm touch. How she wished she could teleport right to his side and hug him tightly. Even just for one second. She would be contented with that.

Sigh. Her eyes glistened, watery with yearning.

Xiong Zhi turned to her side. Her thoughts were all about Linfeng, Linfeng, and more Linfeng.

The shocking approval of buying Guan's share, the unexpected two percent share of the Lu Empire, and the official heir title... seemed so small now in her eyes as they were all thrown at the back of her mind.

She spent hours on her bed just dazedly thinking of him. 

A while later, she sighed and sat up, realizing that her mind really could not sleep yet.

She went to her bedside drawer and pulled out her treasure box. Inside the box, there was only one photograph.

Xiong Zhi took out the photograph from the box and gazed at it intently.

In the photograph, she and Linfeng were both wearing a pair of couple shirts. Linfeng was smiling helplessly, a bit embarrassed, his long, narrow eyes clearly reflected a happy light. She, on the other hand, was trying to smile beautifully at the camera, but it turned awkward due to inexperience.

Xiong Zhi laughed at their picture. She decided to have an enlarged copy of it, she would have it framed and put up in her room later.

After a while, she walked to her pile of birthday gifts. She had not opened them yet. Since she could not sleep, she thought it was the best time to check her gifts instead.

She first opened the small gift box from Gu Zhen.

Inside, there was only a small note.

[You can write down names here up to three people. A rare offer from me, I will hack their accounts and computers or you. It's priceless, so think carefully about it.]

"..." It was indeed an interesting gift.

Xiong Zhi carefully put it back. She had two people in her mind. But it can wait. Gu Zhen's gift was very helpful. 

But Xiong Zhi knew that she could not just randomly use up Gu Zhen's help whenever. When dire opportunities presented themselves, only then she could take advantage of this gift.

She then went to open Song Xuantin's gift box. It was not as big as the box Song Xuantin had given to Lu Yin Ze before on his birthday party. 

It was just the right size for a book.

Xiong Zhi opened it. Inside was a cute notebook.

Xiong Zhi turned to read the first page.

[I have compiled everything I gathered regarding seducing a man. The detailed opinions of the professionals were inside as well. I only had one week to prepare this! Imagine the rush. Anyway, this would be definitely a weapon to gain favor from our men. Good luck, Zhi!]

Xiong Zhi smiled. She could imagine Song Xuantin's racking her head in frustration while pondering of what gift could please her. 

Xiong Zhi really appreciated it.

Inside the spacious room, only the sound of pages turning could be heard. She read every page carefully.

Like what Song Xuantin said, there were a lot of shared experiences from happy wives, psychologists, professionals specializing in romantic relationsh.i.p.s, and so on. Xiong Zhi seriously studied every single one of them.

With a serious and solemn face, she especially took a long time reading the section of 'how to get your first kiss from the man you fancy'.

Then she came across with Song Xuantin's lines again.

[I remember I promised you an operation before. But because I was busy of that—you know, I totally forgot about it. As a gift, here is the Operation B.]

'Operation—Seducing Linfeng: The Junior and Senior Trip'.

[Senior Linfeng will soon graduate. So before he goes, leave him a strong impression! Fighting, Zhi! For love!]

Xiong Zhi's eyes sparkled. She studied the 'Operation B' that Song Xuantin planned out for her.

A long time had passed when she finally closed the book. She was already imagining that day when the Operation B was a total success. She was very excited and thrilled with Song Xuantin's gift.

Soon, she came to a stop when she realized one thing. Linfeng was so busy. Seniors have practic.u.ms or internsh.i.p.s so it was a given that they were mostly not at school.

Would he come to this trip then?

She hoped so.

Xiong Zhi proceeded to open Lu Yin Ze's gift. His gift was in an exquisite and expensive casing.

She opened the casing. It was a bit difficult to open because it was tightly secured.

Then, she saw it.

It was a single glassy blue rose within a crystalline glass container. The petals were like crystals. Xiong Zhi somehow knew they were genuine gems. There was a button at the bottom. She pressed it.

The petals glowed softly. There were tiny LED lights within the flower. The exquisite spectacle illuminated her room in gentle light, sending soft blue reflections on her walls, reminiscent of the ocean. 

The flower slowly spun. A soft healing music that sounded very tranquil and soothing came from the glass container. It was a fusion of a lamp and a music box, but made into such a delicate craft. It was very beautiful.

Xiong Zhi felt like she was floating in the middle of the ocean as she dazedly listened until the last echo. The musical lamp contained a five musical pieces. Xiong Zhi wondered if Lu Yin Ze had the gift made especially for her. He was truly a caring friend.

Xiong Zhi let it play as she laid back on the bed. 

Her eyelids slowly drooped down. She finally fell sleep, the tranquil music and the soft ocean lights accompanying her.

*****

The debut of the Young Miss of the legendary Xiong family occupied the front news of every media outlet.

"After the vacancy of almost twenty years, Mr. Xiong Wacai, the head of the Xiong Empire, finally announced yesterday on his granddaughter's birthday that his granddaughter, Young Miss Xiong Zhi, will be titled as the official heir of the family and the Empire—"

Click.

The channel was changed to another.

"It was such a shocking news which shook the high society when Mr. Guan Sho suddenly announced yesterday that Young Miss Xiong Zhi, the newly appointed heir of the Xiong Empire, is given permission to freely acquire shares from the Guan Empire. In the three centuries-long history of the four legendary families in Asia, it was the very first time that a—"

Click.

"Good day, Capital! We are now live with Mr. Cameron Chi, the one and only Master of Ceremonies invited to host Young Miss Xiong Zhi's debut. Can you please share with us your experience on that day that left an indelible mark in our country's history?" A host asked his guest politely, both were sitting on the couch. The large windows at the background showed the prosperous capital.

"Sure thing. First of all, I am really honored to be able to host such a great event. Thank you, Master Xiong, for choosing me. I am truly, very lucky to be able to witness the sensational scene. Imagine my shock when Master Lu generously gave two percent of the whole Lu Empire to the Young Miss. It is the Lu Empire we are talking about. How blessed! Young Miss Zhi is truly lucky to have such two godfathers from the legendary families."

"Wow. You were probably muted to speechlessness back then. Is there any precondition—"

Click. The screen turned black. The room sank into darkness, with only the glowing city lights from outside the floor-to-ceiling glass windows dimly illuminating the interior.