Chapter 16 – Follow the shadows

 

Xing Zhongwan slept for sometime before waking up at four in the evening. As he yawned and stretched, the blanket on his body slipped to the ground.

 

Xing Zhongwan glanced at the hospital bed but there was no one there. After being confused for a while, he called Zhong Gang’s secretary and asked her to come to the hospital to pick him up.

 

He got up and rubbed his head before putting away the computer. He then opened the door of the ward and walked out. After passing the nurse’s desk, he saw some news being broadcasted on the opposite LCD screen. The sullen man within the TV stood calmly as he shook hands with the visiting foreign representative. Xing Zhongwan stopped and watched for a while, his eyes drifting to Qi Yun’s abdomen inadvertently before quickly leaving the nurse’s desk with a snort.

 

Xing Zhongwan’s secretaries had just arrived at Zhong Gang’s office. No. 3 and No. 4 dragged their two small suitcases and respectfully greeted their boss, Xing Zhongwan.

 

Xing Zhongwan looked at them and nodded with satisfaction. There were finally two people who were pleasant to the eyes. No. 3 and No. 4 were twins who were responsible for the affairs of the entertainment department of the group. They were 175cm tall and both had long thighs. Their faces were the reason why Xing Zhongwan originally chose them and they have worked for him for more than ten years.     

 

Xing Zhongwan yawned and pointed to Emma who also just received the news, “You can pass them your work. If you have any questions, just summarize it for me and I will go to the meeting.”

 

No. 3 and No. 4 efficiently took out their computers from the suitcases behind them and looked at Emma. Emma chuckled, “Those from the head office seem cordial.”

 

Xing Zhongwan laid down on the sofa beside him, put on a blindfold and started to catch up on his sleep. The image of Qi Yun on the TV kept flashing in his mind. The person who was hunched over immediately stood up straight just for him while going to the toilet. Did the wound hurt? He sure liked to pretend to be pitiful in front of him while also pretending to be stoic in front of others. The more Xing Zhongwan thought about it, the more unhappy he became. He raised his leg and kicked the sofa heavily. The sound was so loud that the three women at the desk stopped their work and looked over.

 

Soon, the group of three simultaneously agreed: If you value your life, stay away from the boss.

 

Qi Yun was changing his clothes in the lounge. His shirt was soaked in sweat from the pain and the bandage was damp. The accompanying doctor handed Qi Yun some painkillers and replaced the gauze with a new, dry one.

 

The secretary helped Qi Yun put on his suit. Qi Yun raised his arms and frowned deeply from the pain of the wound, but did not say a word.

 

“You better return and rest. It’s not good that the wound is inflamed.” Qi Yun swallowed the painkillers and stretched out his hand to tap on his abdomen, “Call Wanwan, I want to have dinner with him tonight.” 

 

The secretary paused in surprise. He really did not dare to contact the young madam for a date.

 

“Go reserve a table.” Qi Yun adjusted his tie, prepared to go out.

 

“It’s better for you to ask for a date yourself in person.” The secretary was about to cry. Why was he always making it hard for him? He had mixed feelings every time he accepted his salary.

 

Qi Yun didn’t look back, “If I asked for a date myself, would I still have any use for you to make appointments for me?” 

 

The bodyguard opened the door of the lounge and Qi Yun walked out. The secretary collapsed instantly, he should really know his own place.

 

Xing Zhongwan was woken up by the phone after sleeping for more than an hour. He grasped around and found the phone after a long time before answering it impatiently.

 

“Young madam, I take care of an elderly person and a few kids. My youngest daughter is less than two months old. I can’t lose this job. I know you are a good person and you will definitely not turn a blind eye to another’s impending death. I will send a car to pick you up to go to the revolving restaurant on the 18th floor of Shanghai Building at 8:00 p.m. Young madam, I will pray and offer you a tablet of longevity to repay your kindness.”

 

The moment the call was done, the secretary let out a sigh and wiped sweat from his forehead. His assistant on the side was stunned for a long time before he said, “You’re not married, are you?”

 

The secretary glared at him, “What do you know?” 

 

The assistant looked bewildered…

 

Xing Zhongwan had a sleeping mask over his forehead and his mind was still occupied with the longevity tablets after he was inexplicably issued a ‘good person’ card.

 

Asking him out to dinner? Who was it? Who else could it be? Qi Yun, this son of a bitch!

 

Xing Zhongwan put one foot on the sofa, “Laozi, who wants to eat with you?!”

 

The three women at the desk turned around at the same time before quickly turning back to continue working. The trio came up with another line of thought: The boss is crazy, retreat quickly!

 

Qi Yun was stopped by someone when he was about to get into the car. Old General Chen was upset, “Why are you being so difficult?”

 

Qi Yun retracted his foot and stepped out of the car before speaking expressionlessly, “If the general acts too arrogantly, I’m afraid it will cause trouble for you in the future.”

 

General Chen’s forehead twitched, even if he acted arrogantly, it was his own business. Qi Yun was the one overstepping his boundaries!

 

“Qi Yun, I advise that it’s better for young people like you to be sharper.”

 

Qi Yun stretched out his hand to the secretary and the secretary handed a file to him.

 

Qi Yun handed the documents to General Chen, “You are an elder I have always respected.”

 

General Chen took the documents, “What is this?”

 

He opened the bag and glanced at it. His expression changed quickly and he immediately stuffed its contents back.

 

“Someone has done a lot of things with the Chen family’s name. If they were to be implicated in the future…” 

 

General Chen’s face was ashen, “It was because of my poor discipline.”

 

“This time it will be Qi Yun that has overstepped his boundaries. The Chen family has always been on good terms with the Shen family. My grandmother and you went to school together, so I truly respect you as a grown-up.” Qi Yun spoke calmly.

 

General Chen looked at the cold man in front of him. He couldn’t refute what Qi Yun had said. He could only suppress the anger in his stomach.

 

“I caught wind of a rumour that you’re doing all this for a man… Qi Yun, you said that our families have been friends for a long time. Now at this critical moment of the general election, even the slightest unfavorable rumor will affect the final result. You have to think about this clearly.”

 

The general turned and got into the car in the front. Qi Yun watched the car leave before turning around and entering his own car. Think clearly? He had already thought about it very clearly five years ago.

 

He said to the driver in front, “Go to Qingyuan Building.” 

 

The secretary said, “I have already sent someone to pick him up.”

 

Qi Yun raised his hand to check the time, “No, I will pick him up in person.”

 

Of course Xing Zhongwan was not obediently waiting for that unexpected date. He couldn’t even choose where to eat, so he took his two secretaries who had never been to this country for a big meal. Walking to the door of the building, Xing Zhongwan yawned indifferently. He was growing so old that he couldn’t remember how long he slept for during the day after staying up all night. As soon as his front foot stepped out of the door, he quickly retracted it. As a multinational investment company, although the 56th floor was Qingyuan’s top floor and did not compare to the head office, the front entrance was still quite elegant. There was a big fountain in front of the building, which was rated as a landmark attraction of the year previously. However, there were currently many bodyguards lined up beside the rows of cars on the main road in front of them, causing many passers-by to constantly gawk at them.

 

Xing Zhongwan pulled down his sunglasses and the corners of his mouth started twitching. What was all of this for? Those who didn’t know better, they would’ve thought that there was going to be a funeral with so many cars following closely.

 

The two secretaries behind him looked at each other and their first reaction was, “Boss, do you need us to call the police?”

 

Xing Zhongwan snorted, it was useless to call the police here.

 

The door of the car in the middle opened as Qi Yun got out of the car wearing a light gray coat. He looked at him with a smile, “I’m here to pick you up for dinner.”

 

Xing Zhongwan gulped and held his breath, possibly wanting to curse. The two secretaries behind him were very interested in the man who called out to their boss.

 

Handsome people were always likable, especially one with this kind of unworldly passion. Even if they could not spend their life with this person, he was still a pleasure to watch.

 

The handsome man in front walked up to their boss, but after looking at the boss’s face… No. 3 and No. 4 took two steps back. It was better to keep a distance.

 

“I’m not eating.” Xing Zhongwan didn’t even think twice.

 

“Meals must be eaten.” Qi Yun had a good temper.

 

“After looking at you, I have no appetite!” Xing Zhongwan gritted his teeth.

 

“Then I won’t let you see me. I’ll find a place where you can’t see me while you eat.” Qi Yun raised his hand to touch Xing Zhongwan’s face which was a little haggard.

 

Xing Zhongwan slapped it away and the two secretaries behind who heard the sound also felt their hands hurting.

 

The back of Qi Yun’s hand immediately turned red and Xing Zhongwan said without any emotion, “You pervert!”

 

The secretary behind him took two steps back. Their boss was furious and looked like he was at a rating of hundred in terms of anger.

 

Xing Zhongwan was impatient, “Are you two behind me stupid? Why don’t you go and drive the car here quickly!” 

 

The two secretaries holding their briefcases came forward to stand beside him. Qi Yun’s beautiful brows instantly wrinkled as his secretary behind him looked away. The two secretaries were so damn good-looking. With that figure, they could be supermodels.

 

Xing Zhongwan pulled down his sunglasses and pointed at him, “What are you looking at? You have an elderly person and kids to take care of? My daughter was born less than two months ago, huh!?  If you dare to look at my secretaries again, I will gouge your eyes out.”

 

The face of Qi Yun’s secretary turned red as Qi Yun gave him a cold look. He shuddered. Why are you glaring at me, it was not easy for me to get a date for you with the young madam…

 

No. 3 and No. 4 stepped away with their high-heeled shoes and walked to the basement. Xing Zhongwan narrowed his eyes at Qi Yun, “You’re all really similar, all full of lies!”

 

Qi Yun sighed, “I just wanted to invite you to dinner, I don’t know what he said to you.”

 

“It doesn’t matter!” Xing Zhongwan pushed him away. Qi Yun groaned as his wound was hit. Xing Zhongwan saw Qi Yun clutching his lower abdomen and a thin layer of sweat covered his forehead. 

 

It shouldn’t be so coincidental, right? Xing Zhongwan was speechless.

 

“Boss, why are you here?” A passing female voice made Xing Zhongwan look up. His unhappy face suddenly turned into a bright smile, “Eh, why are you here too?”

 

This obvious change made Qi Yun unable to bear it. He looked back at the woman approaching them from not far away. She was not young, but her sense of style made it hard for others to forget her.

 

The woman glanced at Qi Yun and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, “Why are you here too?”

 

She looked at Xing Zhongwan. Did you two know each other? As if he had found his savior, Xing Zhongwan hurriedly pulled the unknown woman aside, “Come, come. Long time no see, I’ll invite you to dinner, let’s go.”

 

Looking at the two figures being intimate and getting farther and farther away from him, his face became dark.

 

“So you’ve been looking for a lawyer recently?”

 

Xing Zhongwan tilted the glass in his hand while looking at the woman in front of him who had delicate makeup, but even that was unable to hide her tiredness.

 

“I want to obtain custody of my daughter, but you know my ex-husband. Even good and powerful lawyers dare not take my case. I have no choice but to ask Zhong Dong for help.”

 

Xing Zhongwan put down the glass and said, “That year, when you wanted to marry him, I already tried persuading you. With someone of his identity, your marriage will be difficult. You are registered for marriage in China and the divorce lawsuit can only be fought here. If a good lawyer dare not take your case, your ex-husband must have put pressure on them. It’ll be all good if it were in country X, but the lawyers in country X can’t fight the cases here. But sister Ming, don’t worry. I have a solution.”

 

Xie Ming was the first idol to work and develop the branch of their entertainment company in this country. The female star was more than ten years older than Xing Zhongwan, but the two always had a good relationship. Later, Xie Ming married and retired, but Xing Zhongwan always allowed her studio to continue working with the branch.

 

“If you want to come back, you’re welcome anytime.”

 

Xie Ming’s eyes were red, “I really don’t know how to thank you, boss. I want to go back to my daughter without thinking about the rest. I want to take her back to country X and I want to continue acting. Although it may be difficult, I don’t want to give up.”

 

Xing Zhongwan smiled, “It’s alright, I’ll help you. I said the same when you left, that you are welcome back at any time.”

 

Not far away from the two, Qi Yun sat down in the corner as he finally breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out that it was not the kind of relationship he had thought. Looking closely at the woman, Qi Yun had some memories of her. They had met once at a dinner party. Did she want to file a lawsuit? Thinking of the other party’s ex-husband, Qi Yun remembered that the man was a skilled professional in the industry and was indeed not an easy party to deal with.

 

After talking about her matters, Xie Ming relaxed a little, “Boss, you and Qi Yun know each other?”

 

Xing Zhongwan almost snorted coldly while biting the steak in his mouth, but held back, “I guess I do.” 

 

Xie Ming lowered her voice, “It’s better to have less contact with Qi Yun. The boss may not be aware of the fact, but only a few people in China dare cross him. Moreover, the rumors about his private life are also very bad.” Xie Ming’s words were vague, but even fools could see that Qi Yun was interested in him.

 

After dinner, Xing Zhongwan ordered No. 4 to take Xie Ming home. He took No. 3 out of the restaurant, and sure enough, Qi Yun was already waiting at the elevator entrance.

 

Someone as smart as No. 3 has long been aware that this man was interested in her boss, but her boss looked at him like he was looking at the god of plague…

 

Xing Zhongwan put one of his hands in the pockets of his down jacket and pointed to Qi Yun, “You never stop. Don’t make me angry.”

 

Qi Yun held a hand warmer and handed it to him, “It’s cold outside, you should take a hand warmer.” 

 

No. 3 looked at the yellow duck pattern hand warmer in Qi Yun’s hand and almost laughed. Xing Zhongwan’s eyes narrowed so much that they were going to cramp up. He threw the hand warmer at Qi Yun. It was only a coincidence that this cute little duck landed on Qi Yun’s wound. Xing Zhongwan used so much strength this time that he saw blood oozing out of his white shirt. Qi Yun’s secretary gasped. Xing Zhongwan thought, I couldn’t be that unfortunate, right?

 

The wound was delicate and swollen after the afternoon meeting. It was agitated by Xing Zhongwan and now it was finally hit by the hand warmer again. They ended up going to the hospital again for Qi Yun’s wound to be re-stitched.

 

When he came out of the outpatient operating room, Qi Yun’s face was pale and he was in pain. As soon as the doctor saw Xing Zhongwan, he slapped his forehead and said, “How did you take care of the patient? You don’t want this injury to heal, is it? The next time it is torn open again, you won’t need to come to the hospital again.”

 

Xing Zhongwan said in his heart, Is it all my fault? Qi Yun, this guy, is he also relying on me to fight for his future?

 

The most annoying thing was that even his own secretary said that he was being too rough. Boss, he is injured, can’t you treat him a little better?

 

As if I give a fart about treating a patient well.

 

Xing Zhong turned around angrily and left. Qi Yun clutched his stomach and quickly followed. Xing Zhongwan turned his head back, his eyes were red with anger, “What the hell are you trying to do? You’ll be happy if I bring harm to your name, right?”

 

“I…” Qi Yun wanted to explain, but a sharp pain from the wound hit him after walking too quickly. His body, which had been holding on for the whole day, could not withstand it anymore and his legs went soft. He fell towards Xing Zhongwan who had no choice but to stretch out his hand to support him. He looked back and around. Was no one going to step forward to help move Qi Yun away? I’m going to leave, what are the many bodyguards of the Qi family doing?

 

Qi Yun leaned against Xing Zhongwan and said, “Wanwan, it hurts.”

 

Xing Zhongwan thought, Your pain has nothing to do with me. It would be best if you felt more pain.

 

No. 3 drawled, “Boss, you have to take responsibility. You beat someone till their blood came out.”

 

Xing Zhongwan shouted, “Whatever I do, I’m the most innocent.”

 

The most innocent Xing Zhongwan finally sent Qi Yun home. Because no one dared to touch Qi Yun, he kept himself buried in Xing Zhongwan’s embrace while groaning in pain. The doctors and nurses all looked at Qi Yun with sympathy before looking at Xing Zhongwan with a look of blame.

 

Xing Zhongwan couldn’t bear it anymore. Holding onto Qi Yun’s shoulder, he whispered lowly, “I must’ve really owed you in my last life. Get up and walk properly.”

 

Qi Yun turned his head and looked at Xing Zhongwan’s brows, which were particularly furrowed because of his unwillingness and endured his urge of wanting to kiss it, “I want to eat shredded chicken porridge.”

 

Xing Zhongwan shouted, “I’ll send you to heaven to eat!”

 

T/N: Insert ‘another one’ meme here

 

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