To Love You Again

If possible, Lu Jin wanted to offer an alliance to Xiong Mai and Xiong Zhi.

However, it depended on whether the latter woman was willing or not.

Xiong Mai did not like Lu Jin's answer.

"How could it be an assurance? Your response does not satisfy my condition."

Lu Jin was silent. 

What could he offer as an assurance to make this woman agree?

No matter how much he thought, Xiong Mai was not a person who was easily swayed by power. What was more, Lu Jin felt that Xiong Mai might even abandon everything and fight him all out if ever he pushed the wrong buttons. 

That wrong button seemed to be her niece.

It would be really troublesome if that happened.

The quiet man made a decision.

Since Xiong Mai only wanted to not be involved deeply in this conflict and have a way out for her niece, Lu Jin decided to accommodate her wish.

He sighed. 

"I understand. I will do everything in my power to not let Xiong Zhi be deeply involved with this. If she gets involved, I will see to it that she will have a way out."

Xiong Mai smiled.

Now that was what she wanted. 

She did not care what would happen in Country C as long as she and her niece would be out of it. It was a war she did not want to get involved in.

"Alright. Since you promised me, I'll give you what you want."

The following discussion went smoothly and Xiong Mai gave her signature to Lu Jin.

Lu Jin finally filled up one of the two missing signatures.

There was only one left.

****

When Lu Jin finally left, the trusted assistant poured another cup of tea for Xiong Mai.

"President, will it be really alright?" 

She knew that her boss did not like to get involved in any shady dealings or troublesome matters involving the underground forces. But giving that signature was akin to giving aide to Lu Jin's plan.

Xiong Mai sipped on her tea. She did not answer but spoke instead, "Who do you think is behind that young man?"

"It is probably his father who disappeared from the upper society, Ming Zhi Yi."

"Ming Zhi Yi... That guy, he did not disappear from the upper society. He merely hid from the other factions' eyes while letting himself grow underground. That, we confirmed today." She looked thoughtfully at her own teacup before asking, "A snake pays a visit to a cave with little cubs inside, and then comes out after a some time, what do you think is the reason for coming out?"

The assistant understood Xiong Mai's words. "The snake... has finished eating the cubs..."

"That's right. Not just finished eating, it also fully digested the prey. The snake finally came out of the cave to hunt again."

The remaining words did not need to be spoken.

Ming Zhi Yi, who disappeared from the upper society for a long time suddenly appeared in the Tang's concert banquet last week. 

In front of the influential powerhouses, he revealed himself confidently.

What did it mean?

It meant that Ming Zhi Yi was ready to take action.

Xiong Mai took another sip.

Underworld...

If they had the means to control EU and was already in the process of eating a big apple, IAmFashionista, then it was a bigger reason to stay out of their way and not make an enemy of them.

Xiong Mai sighed.

She did not really want to get involved with them.

"For now, let's take advantage of this peaceful time before the real war starts," Xiong Mai said to her trusted assistant.

They needed to make proper arrangements for the upcoming storm.

...However, Xiong Mai would come to know soon that no matter how much she stayed put, she still had to act and become deeply involved in order to help a person she hold dear to herself..

****

Back in Country C, Linfeng and Xiong Zhi were not aware of Lu Jin and Xiong Mai's agreement. 

They were on their way to the Lu Mansion.

Xiong Zhi had informed Lu Yin Ze in advance that she had something to talk about and it was likely the investigation regarding the list.

Xiong Zhi had prepared the results of her investigation as well. This would be a long talk.

However, when they arrived, it was not only Lu Yin Ze who greeted them.

"Brother Linfeng!" Tang Yin happily ran to them. She was about to jump forward and hug Linfeng when Xiong Zhi's eyes flashed. 

With a quick move like lightning and wind, she pushed Linfeng aside and stepped in.

Tang Yin landed on Xiong Zhi instead, her petite height allowing her face to land on Xiong Zhi's upper chest and collarbone.

She was bounced back by the soft buoyancy below.

"Whose man do you think you are about to hug?" Xiong Zhi asked coldly. She did not expect Tang Yin would be here. If she knew, she would have left Linfeng in the car or choose another day where this woman was not present.

Tang Yin: ...Are you martial arts master in disguise? 

Such quick reflexes!

Linfeng coughed and put his hand on his girlfriend's shoulder to silently coax the erected hair of the vigilant kitten. 

He clearly saw Xiong Zhi's eyes glow terrifyingly earlier.

Lu Yin Ze caught up with them and dragged Tang Yin away from Xiong Zhi. 

He whispered to Tang Yin, "Don't be so rude. Don't jump on my guest anytime you want."

Tang Yin grumbled, "I am not even able to hug brother Linfeng."

Tang Yin glared at Xiong Zhi. Xiong Zhi coldly glared at her as well.

Lu Yin Ze coughed to get Xiong Zhi's attention. 

He greeted the pair politely.

"I prepared some refreshments. Come inside first."

Xiong Zhi nodded. She gave a warning look of 'get lost' to Tang Yin before hooking Linfeng's arm with hers.

Linfeng's lips turned up slightly and he chuckled.

Xiong Zhi turned to look at him with narrowed eyes.

"Why are you laughing? Do you not intend to evade her hug earlier?"

Linfeng chuckled again. He glanced at the people leading them ahead and pinched Xiong Zhi's nose. "Look at you, drinking vinegar the moment we arrived."

"You did not answer my question." 

Linfeng leaned down to whisper in her ears. "Of course I don't. Why would I when I know that my loving girlfriend will protect me?"

Xiong Zhi said seriously, "What if I am not fast enough and you ended up hugging her?" 

"From what I see earlier, you move fast like lightning," he teased.

Xiong Zhi pursed her lips, not realizing that it looked more like a pout in Linfeng's eyes. 

Really, she could not even relax for a moment yet her boyfriend was very relaxed.

She could not help but complain. "What if it is me and Yin Ze? Would you have acted?"

Linfeng's eyes narrowed instantly. He still spoke in the same light-hearted tone though. "If he plans to jump on you to hug you, I will make sure that those thin arms will break before they even reach you."

Xiong Zhi: "...."

Alright, he was more terrifying.

Lu Yin Ze suddenly felt a chill. Did the surroundings get colder?