The Brave Warrior off-road vehicle zoomed along the empty street. Xia Lei glanced out of the window, immediately spotting the sniper and overwatch stationed on top of certain buildings. There were also policemen and soldiers blocking the intersections leading to the building. Just with that lineup, Xia Lei had a good idea on who it was that demanded his presence.
“There’s no point looking around. You already know who it is, don’t you?” Tang Yuyan cast a glance over to Xia Lei, who was seated beside her. There was a faint smirk on the edge of her lips. She thought of Xia Lei’s promise to her. Two years… Two years later, she’d be allowed to be together with him. Just thinking of that alone was enough to fill her head with joy.
Xia Lei hummed. “You know it too. Why didn’t you say?”
“I’ve got orders to have it remain confidential. You know the rules,” answered Tang Yuyan.
“Fair.” Xia Lei could already see Bureau 101’s boring office block in the distance.
“Do you know? After learning about what you’ve pulled in the South China Sea, I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep at all,” uttered Tang Yuyan languidly.
Xia Lei averted his attention onto her, merely smiling in response.
“You really are the best man in this world.” Her voice was overflowing with tenderness and yearning. “I really wished two years had already passed.”
Was this her way of reminding him?
Xia Lei couldn’t help but smile bitterly at that.
Two years later?
He didn’t know if he’d still exist in two years. It was either he had died in the hands of the black-robed man or he had entered the ancient alloy box’s realm with no return. There was no third scenario.
The vehicle entered Bureau 101’s premise and a few bodyguards dressed in sleek black suits came over to welcome it. Some of them were armed with Gust assault rifles and some had black cases in their grips.
One of the bodyguards immediately came over to greet Xia Lei courteously as soon as the man pushed the car door open. “Mister Xia, this way please.”
“Alright.” Xia Lei allowed him to lead the way.
Tang Yuyan wanted to follow them but the woman was quickly halted by two bodyguards. One of them said to her, “I’m sorry but you can’t go with them.”
Knowing the gravity of the situation, Tang Yuyan remained rooted in her spot. She watched Xia Lei enter the office block, enamoured with the man ahead of her.
Tang Bochuan approached her from the other side of the parking lot. He swiftly pulled Tang Yuyan away to an isolated spot and whispered, “What is with you and Xia Lei?”
Tang Yuyan blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I’m your brother, okay? You can’t deceive me. You look too happy for someone who was tasked to deliver him. Did you and Xia Lei get together recently?” asked Tang Bochuan.
The woman scowled. “So I’m only normal if I frown all day long?”
“Alright, I’ll be honest. I’m asking this on behalf of Grandpa, he wants to know.”
The word ‘grandpa’ immediately chased away all good thoughts Tang Yuyan had earlier. “Why can’t he ask me himself?”
“You never fail to get agitated when he brings up the question. He sincerely does not wish to argue with you. He’s growing old, you should try and go easy on him,” relented Tang Bochuan.
“Am I not tolerant enough? What else do I do to please him?” Tang Yuyan was starting to lose her cool. “When I had a shot with Xia Lei, he had run into some tension from Hanwu Weapons and China Industrial Group. Grandpa and father were worried sick, they had no qualms in having me give up on Xia Lei. And I did. But Xia Lei managed to stay afloat and became even more successful. That when everyone started to devise plans to get me with him. When he needed help the most, I wasn’t there with him. What right do I have to reap the fruits of his labour? Now he is already married to Fan Fan and three other women, who are all pregnant with his child. Not only did you all stop me from contacting him, but you also never stop arranging matchmaking sessions with higher officers. It’s obvious the family is pushing for a political marriage. I am a woman for crying out loud! I too have the right to pursue my own happiness!”
Finally speaking her mind after years of suppression, Tang Yuyan felt infinitely lighter.
Tang Bochuan was silent. “Yuyan, you need to remember that in the end, you’re still part of the Tang family. Our clan has managed to stay intact for hundreds of years with what? Dedication! Holdfast!”
“Enough, I don’t wish to argue with you.” Tang Yuyan shifted away. “To answer you, we’re not together. That is my answer and if you’re not pleased with that, kindly direct the question to Xia Lei instead.”
“No, you’re wrong.” Tang Bochuan held his steely gaze.
Tang Yuyan was taken aback. “What are you trying to say?”
Tang Bochuan replied, “The battle at the South China Sea is a sign that Xia Lei is nearing the pinnacle of life. We know he has plans to enter the fighter jet airspace. When that time comes, he’d be at his peak.”
“Isn’t that a well-known fact? Nothing in this world can stop him. I believe that he’ll succeed.” Her eyes glimmered with admiration.
“You’re able to foresee that far?” Tang Bochuan smirked coldly. “When the planes are birthed, China’s military technology and capabilities will be at the top of this world. After that, Xia Lei’s worth would no longer be placed on his creations but his body.”
Tang Yuyan’s expression darkened. “You mean… The country will launch a research project on his body?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Tang Bochuan continued, “This matter can’t be openly discussed but it is inevitable. Xia Lei is the only human in the world that has undergone further evolution. His body is invaluable to the country’s people and future prospects. They will definitely do that.”
“And what does that have to do with me?” Tang Yuyan huffed. “I don’t want to hear it from you!”
“Tha Tang family wants a child with Xia Lei’s genes.” Tang Bochuan stated sternly.
“You… You…!” Tang Yuyan urged to scream about how shameless her family was, yet nothing managed to escape her lips.
“What Grandpa is trying to say is that regardless if you and Xia Lei are together or not, the Tang family must obtain a child with his genes. It’d be best if you are the one carrying it,” revealed Tang Bochuan.
“Hahaha…” She broke out in a peal of laughter.
“What are you laughing at?” Anger adorning his features, Tang Bochuan growled, “Don’t you dare forget how you got to the top of Bureau 101. I was the one who let you take it. The future of the Tang family is mine to dictate. You must listen to me!”
“Brother, do you really think I don’t respect you?” Tang Yuyan finally stopped laughing, evidently disheartened by his harsh words. “I’m clear of what you’re trying to pull. You’re asking me to seduce Xia Lei, let him bed me and get pregnant with his child. However, you won’t be satisfied. The next step after me getting pregnant would be making sure that I become part of his family to obtain proper gauge of his future developments. He will also certainly draft a will for me and my child. If he’s met with any misfortune, the child and I will get ahold of a portion of Thunder Horse’s shares and that will eventually become the Tang family’s. That is the plan, no?”
Tang Bochuan was quiet. His silence was a confirmation.
“This plan was made because of Xia Lei’s ability to defeat the Seventh Fleet, right?” Tang Yuyan posed the question.
“Give it some thought, okay? When you consider it, please be mindful that you’re a part of the Tang family. Give me an answer after you’ve given it some thought. I’ll make the relevant arrangements.” Tang Bochuan let his sentence fall and turned around to leave.
Tang Yuyan stood blankly at her spot, not willing to move for long.
In one of the numerous multifunctional conference rooms in Bureau 101’s office building.
Xia Lei shook hands with that person. He used both hands and the person reciprocated the motion. His smile was returned with a smile as well. It felt almost as if the two had become friends.
“Comrade Xia Lei, you have accomplished something very important to the country. You managed to ease tens of years of tension that we had to shoulder. I should’ve come to visit you once you returned from the south but my schedule just couldn’t afford to do so. I’m terribly sorry that this visit had to be pushed back to this date.” The person was apologetic.
“Chief, you’re too courteous. For you to wish to visit me is already an honour,” said Xia Lei confidently.
“You’ve done a great deed. Tell me, what reward would you like in return?”
Xia Lei merely offered a polite smile. “Chief, the country has already given me enough support. I generate enough income for my bloodline to last generations. I don’t think a reward is necessary. Seriously, I don’t need it. Our country isn’t that rich, to begin with. Our population is extremely dense and that alone is an economic burden. Please take my reward to aid those in need, they need it more than me.”
The man nodded. “I’m extremely comforted to know that you’re a considerate man. To have a talent like you is the country’s pleasure!”
“I’m honoured to be able to contribute something to my motherland.”
“Hehehe. Comrade Xia Lei, there’s no need to be so formal. You don’t wish to receive money and you don’t wish to assume a position in the government. But to not offer you any form of reward feels inadequate. You’ve contributed a lot to the country and the people, we should really do something for you. There’s no need to be so bashful, I’m able to give you anything you ask for as long as you say it out,” persuaded the man.
Xia Lei pondered about it and probed, “Chief, can I really say it out?”
The man chuckled. “Look at you. I already made myself clear. Come on, say it. What can I do for you?”
There was a beat of hesitant silence before Xia Lei confessed, “Chief, can you cancel off the pending research on my body?”
That seemed to occur as a surprise. The man blinked. “Sure, I can try to do that. Your body may be the culmination of the best of human evolution but we can cancel off the plan if you don't wish to participate. In the future, when you reach the end of your life, you can donate your body and allow studies to take place. Is that a better plan?”
Xia Lei smiled. “That will be great! Thank you, chief.”
To donate his body to the country after his natural death was already Xia Lei’s plan in the first place. But to hear such a promise escaping the lips of a higher figure was a guarantee that had also served as respect!
Plus, it was only natural for a country or a person to not be able to fight the temptations of learning more about human evolution.
“However, Comrade Xia Lei, this is not a reward. We can consider that your suggestion just now is settled. I can promise you that there will not be any research posed on you from today onwards. Now, please think harder about what I can do for you.” The man’s smile was unwavering, tone and body language open and approachable.
“Wow, you’re really adamant on rewarding me.”
“Come on, I’m sure there’s something we can do for you.”
Xia Lei thought again. “Okay… Chief, so… Other than Fan Fan, I also have another three more women. They’re all due soon. Can you see if it’s possible to grant me a wedding certificate of some sort? I need it for the children.”
“...That’s all?”
“That’s all.”
The man cackled. “Jeez, you’re excellent in all areas but your private life. I’m not unaware of your affairs. I know everything about you. As a man, I have to admit that you’re full of charm. Don’t worry, I’ll help you settle the issue.”
Xia Lei was gleeful. “Thank you, chief.”
In China, one man can only have one legal wife. But his request was to be wed to four women legally. This reward was one of its kind. But to a national hero like him, to receive such a special reward was worth it.
“You’re the only one in this country that can receive such treatment. Do you feel special?”
“Yes, very.” Xia Lei smiled sheepishly. “Sorry for the trouble, Chief.”
“What are you going to offer in return?”
“Within two years, Thunder Horse Organization will produce the world’s most advanced fighter jets and bomber planes for the country,” declared Xia Lei.
“Excellent! That’s a deal!” The man stood up and shook Xia Lei’s palm firmly.