Burning Passion

CHAPTER 72: I WON'T GO BACK TO MAINLAND CITY

Nina Shang studying Theo's presentation. She was watching the video while sipping the wine.

"So what do you think?" he asked impatiently.

"It's not bad. I like it."

"That still has alcohol, you shouldn't drink more when morning just began," he reminded the woman after he notices she poured another full glass.

Nina just chuckles, then begins giving her opinion. "It was a brilliant idea, and this wine tastes excellent."

"Then, I need not stay longer. I must return to Switzerland to take care of the promotion and the shoot for the commercial."

"Why hurry to leave?" Scrutinizing at Theo, Nina put down the glass and leans to the settee.

"You know I don't want to delay my work. I have to look for a couple for the ads," he reasoned.

"Regarding that, Theo. I want Min Xi to be the girl on this project."

"What?" His forehead quickly wrinkled after hearing Min Xi's name.

"Why not? She will be a part of the Shang family soon. She should be the face of our new product."

"No! I don't want her on this project! Find someone else!"

"Theo—"

"I won't work with her, you know that!"

Nina studied Theo's expression, contemplating how to convince him. Guess using 'immature' at Theo is not an ideal. "But this is what I want. It's better if you are the guy here."

"What? No!" he refused.

Nina frowned. She's now wearing a serious face, it means she's getting impatient at his attitude. Theo thought.

"The Shang Empire's 100th celebration is approaching. I think this is the best time to reveal our new product with a Shang couple representing it. We will serve this wine on that occasion," Nina pointed at the wine bottle.

"And you expect me to attend on that occasion?" He narrowed his gaze.

"You have to, even if the world turn upside down, you are Shang. Flesh and blood of Harry Shang. Besides, your grandfather will be happy to see you."

"Do you have to mention him?"

"Don't hate your father that much. He clothed you and gave you a better education."

"But he didn't do his part as a father, isn't it? I'm not speaking about his wealth; it is about the care he must show to his sons."

Nina Shang heaves a sigh. Again, she picks up the wineglass and peeks at Theo with an intent. "Truly he doesn't show affection, especially to his wife, and I gave up that hope a long time ago."

"Anyway, let's not talk about that for now. Since this is a surprise revelation, we cannot ask anyone about this project. And so, I need your father's approval and ideas," she went on.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I am the Chairman of this company, Theo. I will do what is best for my company, and that includes asking your father's opinion. I can make all the decisions, yes. But your father has a huge part in this company."

Theo gazes out at the wine bottle, then returns his attention to Nina.

"Okay, I won't protest anymore. But I don't want to be the man in this promotion nor be Min Xi as the image."

"And who do you want? This animated girl here? It looks pretty, but we should use a real woman, although I assumed there was a real woman behind this face?" Nina peeks at Theo then glanced at the Tab where displays all of his samples.

"Who is she? Do you prefer her instead?" asked Nina in a teasing tone... She wonders if Theo will be also like his father, who will only love one woman.

'She got me, again.' He glares, plainly replied. "Just a random image."

Nina passing him a meaningful stare. He hopes that she won't read him and would not perceive the secrets of this project. Truly, he got these ideas because of his dream and that woman.

"If you say so, just a random image of a woman then," Nina quoted. Intentionally, she sounded teasing him, ignoring when the guy raises a brow.

"I will set a meeting with your father today to talk over this proposal. How about if you accompany me? Let us have dinner with your father and—"

He narrowed his gaze at the woman. She knew that he didn't want to see him, but she casually joked about it.

"I have to check the details of the promotion. I will go back to the hotel to work further."

"Do you want some woman?"

Dark glares flashed across the office.

"Come on, I am just joking." Nina grinned.

He frowned and choose to ignore his stepmother. He stood on his feet, preparing to leave.

"Wait, Theo. Stay for a while, would you? It's been years since we haven't talked properly."

"Really? If it is not work-related you want to discuss, I better go back to the hotel."

"Why are you such in a hurry to go back to Switzerland? How about visiting your brother in Mainland City?"

Theo halted and tried to process her words inside his head. Later on, he sighed frantically.

"We will see each other during the gathering, anyway."

"Not, he cannot attend that gathering. Doctor Derek Williams prohibiting him from traveling."

"What do you mean? He can't come back to China?"

Nina shakes her head. "He can't. So he has to stay in Mainland City for a longer time."

"Are you saying he won't attend the Hundredth Anniversary of the Shang Company?"

Nina nodded. Theo placed both of his hands on his waist and sighed.

"Is this why you want me to come back here? To make sure I can proxy him during that party? That someone from Harry Shang's sons is present?"

Nina Shang takes her silence. He then laughed scornfully. "What do you really want from me, Nina?"

"I just want you to visit your brother, that's all... I know you don't want to go back to Mainland City. But why not have a quick visit before you returned to Switzerland?"

Theo takes a moment of silence and glare at Nina Shang.

"No. I will go straight back to Switzerland after Harry Shang approves the new product." He stands on his decision not to going back to Mainland City.

"Theo—"

Harry Shang is a major investor in Nina's Empire. Until now, she's insisting on this husband's thing decision inside their marriage. He knew very well, she's just using this opportunity to see him and speak with him longer.

"Lady Chairman Shang, do you know very well that Mainland City is the last place on Earth I would rather be," firmly, he reminded his stepmother.

After stating this, Theo picks up the case where the wine keeps secured. He did not wait for Nina to speak out once again.

Can everyone just shut up and not force him to do something he doesn't want to?

He just wanted a peaceful life atop of his lonely days....