Chapter 329 - A Promise

The pair went straight to the East Wing Garden. With Xiong Zhi's instructions for everyone to leave the East Wing Garden, the whole place was covered in silence, a comfortable tranquility for the two alone.

They walked side by side. Now, they were no longer afraid to be seen, even Old Xiong could not say anything if he saw them walking close like this.

Summer just ended and early autumn already began to creep in, so the wind was a bit humid but refreshing. The new batch of flowers gave off a floral fragrance in the air, giving the two people a sense of comfort.

After the great battle determining their fates, their hearts which were hanging on a thread calmed down. Now, finding each other's presence, the pair could finally relax.

The two of them were the kind of people with few words, and they were both awkward in intimate social interactions. 

Thus, they find themselves immersed in this comfortable silence.

After a while, Linfeng held Xiong Zhi's hand. 

This small hand did not let go of him when he was facing the furious Old Xiong earlier. Such a delicate hand gave him so much strength.

Xiong Zhi felt his big, warm hand cover her own, their palms pressing together. The warmth tickled her palms and a strange sensation seemed to travel through the nerves of her hands, to her arms, and straight to her heart. 

A smile appeared on her eyes. Linfeng was really taking a lot initiative to touch her nowadays.

It was Linfeng who spoke first.

"The elders allowed me to handle the situation."

Xiong Zhi continued to listen.

"In two years, I will prepare the Zhou family to be independent from the Xiong family. A lot will change then."

"..." 

"I will be gone from your side for two years, so..." Linfeng held her hand tightly. He faced her.

Xiong Zhi looked up at his eyes.

"I will surely come back and be your trusted aide. So... It is selfish of me to ask this but..."

Xiong Zhi blinked. Linfeng's serious face hesitated. 

He knew of his Young Miss's affection and trust for him, but he was still nervous to ask her about this.

"Young Miss, you might be tired of hearing this," Linfeng awkwardly laughed. "But I still dare to ask this from you..."

He took a deep breath. 

"Two years, can you please wait for me? I will surely come back," he finally asked the inevitable question, but he added his promise quickly, afraid that Xiong Zhi would give up waiting.

Normally, no one would stay at the same place for a long time waiting for someone. The river of time affected everything, and nothing was for certain.

But he believed in what he felt for the Young Miss. He was also willing to believe in her.

For the sake of their bright future together.

Xiong Zhi blinked.

That was a given. The Zhou family needed to prepare themselves from the inevitable. She had prepared herself of that. But...

But actually thinking about it, could she really wait for two years? Not seeing Linfeng for a day or a week made her miss him so much. What about two years?

For the first time, Xiong Zhi showed hesitation.

Linfeng noticed that subtle change on her brows.

"I... I will come back! But it is fine to not really wait, I can just come back here every week..." Linfeng trailed off. Those two years would be extremely hectic, because after studying and analyzing for a long time, he would have to squeeze the supposed five years preparation into two years.

He revised his plans several time in order to shorten the span, and two years were the limit. Every single day was packed to the brim, and his rest time was planned to be sufficient enough as to not get sick, which would then ruin his plans.

He needed to accomplish his plans as soon as possible.

First, to lower the impacts of breaking the treaty to the Xiong Empire, because out of his expectations, the Young Miss had become the official heir.

And also, in order for him to have enough power to assist his Young Miss with the approaching battle of inheritance in a couple of years.

Now that his Young Miss was still not of age, the snakes hiding under the soil would definitely still hold back, making their own plans in the shadows. But once she reached the legal age, all hell would break loose.

But his efforts would be pointless if his Young Miss give up on waiting.

"...Yes, every week I will return." If he needed to sacrifice his four hours of sleep to two hours in order to meet his Young Miss every week, that would be fine.

Xiong Zhi's brows faintly furrowed. Since she came to handle IHZHI, she knew how busy a person has to be to handle such business. It was a good thing that she chose a hardworking and talented CEO, but even Fang Dien lost a lot of sleep. What more of Linfeng who needed to develop all of the Zhou's industry to be independent from the Xiong's, from scratch?

He could not ask help from the other Zhou members regarding his great plans, since this matter should be kept a secret. He could only take this upon himself.

It would be really difficult. Even if Linfeng did not say it, she could understand it all.

Her Lifeng would not have much time to rest if he flew here and there just to spend time with her. Knowing Linfeng, he would sacrifice his sleep. 

Xiong Zhi did not want to meet a zombie Linfeng.

"No..."

Ah, it pained her heart to say the next words, but she has to.

"Don't meet me in the next two years, Linfeng."

"..!"

"If you do, I won't even look at you after you come back."

Xiong Zhi bit her lips, feeling down. It was cruel, so cruel for her! 

Linfeng's eyes opened wide. To not meet her even once in two years?!

Could he even handle that? 

Could she...?

He at least planned to see her even once a month. He would have to make time even if he did not have much of that.

He opened his mouth in protest but then swallowed it down after noticing his Young Miss discreetly biting her lips. Her free hand was fisted. 

Linfeng's heart clenched.

She clearly did not want to, but she had said this for him. 

"Young Miss, you do not have to endure so much. I can spare some time every month."

Xiong Zhi shook her head. "I know that you will definitely be busy. I'm not sure what your plans are, but I have an idea that they are really incredible. In order to endure separating from a legendary family, you will need an independent power that will not be easily buffeted by other powerful families. If you get sick because of lack of rest, just to see me, I will blame myself."

"…"

Linfeng was speechless. He wanted to speak, but his throat felt strangely choked.

His heart warmed up, feeling both distressed and grateful to his Young Miss. 

Darn.

He reached out and gently put her head to his chest. He held her in his arms.

An obviously reluctant but still trying to be sensible Young Miss. How could she be so lovely? Her unique gentleness to him was making him fall deeper for her.