Yu Zhenhai and his entourages had arrived at the Thunder Horse Organization with knitted brows. Their visit had successfully dissolved their anxieties away.
“Xia Lei, haha!” As he took a step out of the main entrance, Yu Zhenhai broke into abrupt laughter. His laughs were booming. “He really is a Chinese wonder! A man full of surprise! The whole world is going to shake in their boots!”
An entourage commented, “Chief Yu, this is great. We’ll soon be able to put up a good fight against the Americans!”
“Yeah! They’re always provoking us. Our brothers had suppressed their frustrations for long enough.” Another entourage continued, “We had to swallow our anger in the past because they owned superior weapons. Now, they’re no match for us. Everything is better now that we have Xia Lei and the Thunder Horse Organization. I’m definitely going to give them a punch square in their jaw!”
“Before today, I was worried about their fleet entering our waters. Now, I just can’t wait for them to arrive. We’re going to scare them shitless!” Another entourage exclaimed excitedly.
Soldiers were national barriers, the guardians of the country and its people. They were a group of hot-blooded people with a sense of honour! While they may speak arrogantly, this was to be expected from a soldier! If soldiers were as soft and reasonable as the literati, the country would fall.
Their cars were parked beside the Peace Mansion’s gate, a few policemen diligently guarding their vehicles in a line. Just as Yu Zhenhai and his entourage were about to head over, Long Bing, Liang Siyao and Jiang Ruyi just so happened to leave through the door.
Long Bing greeted Yu Zhenhai with a nod and a smile.
Yu Zhenhai reciprocated the friendly gesture, even extending it to both Liang Siyao and Jiang Ruyi.
Jiang Ruyi and Liang Siyao gave him a polite smile.
It was only until the car doors were shut that one of the commanders was brave enough to point out, “Xia Lei is quite the man. I heard these three women are his wives too.”
“I too heard of something like that. I wonder what Chief Fan thinks about this. The most shocking thing of all is that all three of them are pregnant as well.” Another commander commented.
“Haha. Judging from their bellies, Xia Lei is set to father four children soon. I’m sure things will be lively at home,” said a commander with a soft smile.
“Shut up!” Yu Zhenhai’s expression turned dark. “You’re free to gossip about anyone but not my Brother Xia. So what if he has four wives? Go get four women if you wish to talk.”
The commanders were effectively silenced.
To compare themselves with Xia Lei?
Perhaps no existing man would dare to do that, let alone bear the slightest hint of confidence.
Just as Yu Zhenhai and his entourage had left, Xia Lei exited the gates with Fan Fan in his arms. Carrying her weight, Xia Lei slowly made his way to the Peace Mansion. “Didn’t you just say that walking would help strengthen your body? Why are you suddenly tired? What is this?”
“Well, I just want you to carry me.” Fan Fan plastered her cheek against the side of Xia Lei’s face. “Carrying me is equivalent to carrying two souls. You’re a lucky man.”
What kind of reasoning was that? How was Xia Lei even supposed to give a response?
Liang Siyao, Long Bing and Jiang Ruyi watched the two inching over to their spot. There was no jealousy in their gazes, only pure happiness and joy.
“Jeez, you’re really doing that under broad daylight? Are you not afraid of someone seeing this?” teased Jiang Ruyi.
“Oh, sorry for making you see this. How about I have hubby carry you later?” offered Fan Fan with a dazzling smile.
That made the other woman giggle. “I’m not a little girl anymore. I don’t need him to carry me.”
“I can assure you that it’s super comfortable.” Fan Fan commented and rubbed her cheek against Xia Lei’s face like a kitten. Though her body was still hypersensitive as ever, she was now able to conceal it well.
Liang Siyao was suddenly reminded of something. “Sister Fan Fan, come down this instant. Please stop this at once.”
“What’s the matter?” Fan Fan was confused.
Liang Siyao warned, “It’s a rather inconvenient time now. If you set a fire, you’re going to have to fight it yourself. We’re not going to help you at all.”
It was only then that Fan Fan understood Liang Siyao’s words. She quickly wriggled in his hold. “Hubby, please release me. I don’t want to be carried anymore.”
All that was present on Xia Lei’s face was a gigantic smirk. “All four of you have starved me for months. Are you not even going to spare me some crumbs?”
“No, not at all. You’ve got to wait until we’re able to move around like before. When that time comes, you’re free to eat as many times as you wish,” replied Fan Fan.
Xia Lei placed her down carefully with a big pout. While he looked disgruntled on the outside, his heart was filled with shame with regret. How could he even say that he was starving? He had been well fed by the two Germans all this while!
Liang Siyao inched over and sneakily pinched Xia Lei’s waist. Though she said nothing, Xia Lei was already panicking inside. Liang Siyao knew all about his relationship with the two German ladies. In the last three months, he had been staying back at work with them. To say that nothing had happened was a blatant lie. Evidently, the pinch was to chastise him and a warning.
Xia Lei silently endured it, not daring to make a single noise.
Long Bing too was fully aware of his little affair with the German ladies. But the woman felt nothing about it. In regards to this aspect, Xia Lei had to admit that Long Bing was his favourite.
Returning to the confines of his home, Xia Lei began to speak of formal matters. “My loves, I’m going to the southern waters in one week.”
“Huh? You’re heading there? It’s crazy messy over there. Why are you going there?” Liang Siyao couldn’t help but worry. “If the soldiers want your drone, they could just bring it there themselves. There is no need for you to be present personally. I won’t be able to sleep well knowing that you’re there. Can you please not go?”
Xia Lei replied, “I need to go there for some businesses. I wouldn’t go there without reason with a sane mind. If I’m not going, you’re not going, he’s not going, then who else will go?”
Liang Siyao knew better than to continue convincing Xia Lei. She understood his temperament well. If Xia Lei made a decision, no one else was going to be able to change it. Despite that, she still wasn’t quite ready to give up just yet.
“Hubby, could you please listen to Sister Siyao?” Jiang Ruyi joined in. “Things are crazy over there. There’s no guarantee that you won’t be caught in a crossfire. If you went and something were to happen to you, what will become of us?”
“Hubby, it’s better to not go. Just hand them the drone and end it there. The military will have its own drone manipulators. You won’t be of much help even if you’re there,” said Fan Fan in a calm tone.
Xia Lei mustered out a wry smile. “Hey, what’s gotten into everyone? I’m not going as a front liner. There’s no way I’ll be met with any kind of accident. There’s no need to worry. Other than driving the drone, my main goal is to collect some information about the American aircraft carrier fleet. I must go to the southern waters.”
The four pregnant wives looked at each other, hearts riddled with heavy concern. Despite that, they knew full well that further persuasion would be futile.
“Darlings, don’t worry. I too wish to embrace my own sons and daughters. I have no plans to die so soon,” said Xia Lei as he wrapped his arms around Liang Siyao and Jiang Ruyi.
As soon as his words fell, Jiang Ruyi quickly slapped a palm over his lips. “Don’t say that, it’s not auspicious.”
“Alright, alright. I won’t say it again.” All Xia Lei could feel was warmth. Truthfully, he too couldn’t bear to leave his expecting wives but this trip was a must. Other than studying the American aircraft carrier fleets, he too would stand a chance at controlling Phantom and obtain data from real battle engagement. This information would serve as the foundation to Thunder Horse’s next step. Fighter jets!
“Be careful, alright? No matter what you do, please think of us and the children.” Liang Siyao’s voice was a gentle lull.
Xia Le nodded. This was his promise, simple but heavy. “Let’s talk about something else. I haven’t been spending time with you for a while now. How about I give you four a massage? Pregnancy must be hard on your bodies.”
“No, no, no. We don’t want your massages.” Fan Fan began to panic.
Xia Lei flashed them a grin. “I mean a real massage this time with no ulterior motives. Go sit on the sofa, I’ll tend to you one at a time.”
That earned a genuine smile from the four pregnant women. Their husband was a gentleman. To be wedded to a man like this had left them with no regrets as a woman.
Xia Lei began to work his knuckles diligently. It took him a full hour to be done with it.
Doot… Doot… Doot…
Xia Lei’s satellite phone began to ring. Alerted, he quickly answered it. “Hello?”
“It’s me.” Xia Changhe’s voice reached his ears. “Listen well, I only have one minute to spare.”
“Father? Where are you ?” Xia Lei’s voice trembled with emotions.
The four women immediately turned their attention onto him.
Xia Changhe did not answer his question. “The Israelis had excavated four statues from the ruins of the pyramid. They’re currently digging at the ancient tomb beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.”
Xia Lei froze, his mind immediately replaying scenes of the ancient tomb. There were also two faceless warrior statues there and that tomb had belonged to the prehistoric chosen one. He was only able to access the tomb all thanks to the compass. How were the Israelis even able to pinpoint such a secretive location?”
“All the statues will be shipped to America, the AE Research Centre would most likely head research. I’m still investigating this, I’ll contact you again when I find something new.”
Xia Lei asked, “What are the Americans going to do with the statues?”
“So far, I have no idea what their goal is…” Pausing for a moment, Xia Changhe questioned, “So… When are my grandchildren going to be due?”
“Soon.” Xia Lei replied, “I hope that you can be here with us during their births. Would you be able to make it home?”
“I’ll do my best. Also, please be careful when you’re in the southern waters,” reminded Xia Changhe affectionately before hanging up.
The call had ended on the one minute mark.