To Love You Again

Linfeng tried to ease the atmosphere. He changed the topic, "By the way, are you coming?"

"Hmm?"

"I have heard from father that the four families will hold a party. They will do it on a grander scale this time." 

Xiong Zhi was stunned. She hasn't heard it of it. "They will have a party? But Ming Zhi Yi is not found yet. We can't celebrate yet."

"The heads are aware of that. But they can't let the people under them fear the missing Ming Zhi Yi when they just gain victory, right? It is also to crush the hope of Ming Zhi Yi's people that remained in hiding.  They just have defeated Ming Zhi Yi in some sense. They need to gather power to construct again.."

Xiong Zhi was silent. That's right. Even though the fight hadn't concluded yet since Ming Zhi Yi was not yet found and punished for his crimes, the legendary families need to show off that they defeated Ming Zhi Yi. 

"Alright, I'll go. I think grandfather will drag me no matter what."

Lifneng chuckled. "Haha, I don't think so. Master Xiong is not hard on you like before."  His eyes were warm as he continued, "I will catch up to you then."

"Why? You are not coming together with me?"

"Unfortunately, it is Eric's birthday and the grand opening of his first branch out in city Z. All of us brothers have to come. But I will only stay for an hour or two. I'll join with you afterward."

"City Z is very far. You don't need to accompany me. If it's in the Tang family venue, then there's no need to worry. With many experts around, I will be safe."

Linfeng shook his head. "I couldn't do that. Ming Zhi Yi is nowhere. We don't know if he suddenly turned crazy and kidnapped all of the heirs as the last resort. I will go quickly to you."

Xiong Zhi felt warm at Linfeng's concerns. She smiled, "Alright. What can I do if my boyfriend is so cute?"

Linfeng smirked as he kissed her, "Then you have to spoil that boyfriend of yours." 

The office then filled with soft giggles and a warm atmosphere. Never the couple would imagine that Linfeng's simple jesting would come true.

....

On Ming Zhi Yi's company headquarters, the twenty floors that were always bustling were quiet and dark. Only on the highest floor had its light open.

Ming Zhi Yi's ȧssistant tried to call his boss for the nth time. While the phone kept saying 'unreachable', the man just put in a loudspeaker while he put all the documents on the paper shredder.

The large TV in the office was on. The lights from it illuminated his gloomy look and black bags under his eyes. 

It had been three weeks since his boss went missing. Their last talk in the call was when the shareholders suddenly withdrew their investment leaving the company in a mess.

Until finally, the main company had to shut its doors. His master did not even show up once. 

The TV from the side breaks the heavy silence in the room.

[...The national police are still investigating the ring founder of the illegal drugs...]

[... research of traceless and deadly poison are found in...]

[..the INTERPOL requested a Red Notice for a man named Ming Zhi Yi-]

The ȧssistant's dead eyes suddenly went wide. He turned to face the TV. While he listened to the news, his eyes were wide and his heart was tense. When he confirmed the rest of the news was truly about his master, a sense of defeat entered his heart.

His master had become a wanted man?

His master never leaves a trace so where did they get the evidence?

A foreboding feeling enveloped the man.

Losing was never in their dictionary. For all the years he was working under Ming Zhi Yi, they never once lost. And if they lost, which was a rare occurrence, they would recover so quickly that it felt like it never happened. The one who momentarily outsmarts them would be utterly crushed without leaving a body behind.

So the ȧssistant could not believe that their side lost. Even the company was slowly crumbling, he never once thought that this would be their last face-off. After all, they could just use another means to get back on their feet again.

However, with his master being chased like a criminal without the power of the underground market and the organization, it would be impossible to recover what they have before.

Their defeat was so sudden that it came without a warning.

If he was feeling lost and shaken like this, how about his master?

His master would not accept this humiliating defeat. Their formidable master would not just take it lying down...right?

But where was his master? Why he did not receive any mission from him? Did they really give up?

With his mission failed and gone, what he was supposed to do? 

"Master...where are you?"

He answered the call a bit dazed,.

"Xin." The familiar old voice immediately lit up light to Xin.

"Senior Qian?!"

"Yeah, it's me."

"Where is master? The company is all gone..."

"Don't fret. Master is finished with his preparation. He has some orders for you. Listen well..."

Xin nodded seriously. He finally had a mission. The feeling of loss immediately dissipated. However, when he heard the content of the mission, Xin froze.

When Butler Qian did not hear any reply from Xin, he called out. "Xin? Do you get the mission, Xin?"

Xin's eyes faltered for a moment. He looked at the window where the city lights filled his eyes. After a while, he spoke, "When will I receive it?"

"The delivery will come tomorrow morning. The party will be in the evening."

"I see."

"..."

There was a moment of silence. Butler Qian finally spoke some last few words to Xin.

"Master would like to thank you for your service."

"En. It's my honor to serve Master."

As the call ended, Xin just stared at the city lights with his mind empty.