“How did you answer them?” Fan Fan was even more anxious than Xia Lei was.
Shentu Tianyin answered, “I didn’t entertain them much on the topic. I merely acknowledged their request and then rushed over. Director Xia, I know you hold a great presence internationally and the Thunder Horse Organization is a well-known arms dealer. If we both can work together, we might be able to start mining the rare metal.”
To mine something that had no value in a war-stricken area wouldn’t be an issue. However, things would be different if a rare material is involved. The Nigerian government, rebellion force and terrorist organizations would flood over. That wasn’t even the worst-case scenario. The worst would occur when the American government decides to be involved. When that happens, Vientiane Group wouldn’t be able to keep the mine to themselves.
That explained Shentu Tiayin’s visit. The Nigerian mine was undoubtedly a large cake and yet she was willing to share it with Xia Lei.
“Hubby, you should go check out the sample.” Fan Fan continued, “I’ll go report this to the chief now. Give me a call after you’ve seen the sample so I can report further details to the chief.”
Liang Siyao, Long Bing and Jiang Ruyi said nothing. All they could do was stare at Xia Lei. This whole thing had happened so suddenly that they couldn’t get comfortable with it.
Xia Lei understood that they didn’t want him to follow Shentu Tianyin back to the Vientiane Group. However, he hardened his resolution and said, “The Americans have targeted us with a Dragon Slayer Project. Lockheed Martin is the middle of creating a super fighter jet to suppress our military power. If they manage to get ahold of that rare metal, it would be equivalent to the Americans getting ahold of Thunder Horse’s Alloy X. This will allow them to restore their air combat advantages. If that happens, it will be a nightmare to our country and the people.”
“Go.” Liang Siyao finally caved in. After all, this was an official matter that involved national interests. Compared to it, a jealousy fight between women was not worth mentioning.
“Be careful, okay?” reminded Long Bing.
“Come back soon. I made you soup for tonight,” said Jiang Ruyi.
A smile bloomed across Xia Lei’s face. “Then I’ll head over and take a look.” He lunged forward to whisper in Jiang Ruyi’s ear, “Is it that kind of soup?”
Jiang Ruyi nodded and replied in equal volume, “Of course.”
“Ruyi, I need you to help look after my daughter for a moment,” said Fan Fan.
“No problem.” Jiang Ruyi agreed.
Fan Fan cooed to Xia Fan, “Xia Fan, mama needs to leave for work. Is it alright for you to stay with your fourth mother for awhile?”
“Yeah. Fourth mother, milk.” Xia Fan spread her chubby arms wide, beckoning Jiang Ruyi to pick her up.
Jiang Ruyi looked like she was stuck between laughing and crying.
Before Jiang Ruyi could pick Xia Fan out, Xia Jianghe quickly expressed her displeasure to the other baby. “No! Not for you!”
Laughter erupted.
Shentu Tianyin wished to laugh too but she found it hard to do so. She couldn’t help but fantasize how life would’ve been like she hadn’t divorced Xia Lei. If she and Xia Lei had children, would their children be as intelligent too?
“Can I hold the baby?” Inexplicably, Shentu Tianyin had the sudden urge to hold Xia Lei’s children.
Xia Lei answered, “Sure. You’re free to hold anyone.”
Before the woman could even decide, Xia Long quickly offered himself. “Auntie, hug.”
“Oh, my. You’re such a good boy.” Shentu Tianyin held the boy up from his stroller and praised, “You’re so firm and solid! I can’t believe this. Your son is only so small but his intelligence is already comparable to older children.”
Out of the blue, Xia Long reached up and tugged on Shentu Tianyin’s collar. He gurgled, “Auntie, milk please.”
“Huh?” Shentu Tianyin was caught by surprise, the awkwardness sinking into her mind. “I… I don’t have milk.”
Long Bing quickly stepped over and spanked Xia Long’s buttocks. “You little rascal. Aren’t you ashamed of asking for milk from any woman you come across? You’re just like your father.”
Xia Lei froze. “I… I what?”
It was then that Long Bing realized that she had said something she shouldn’t. “Go, go. Be back soon, we’ll be waiting for your return at dinner.”
Xia Lei followed, “Tianyin, let’s go. Bring me to the sample you got from the mine.”
“Alright.” Shentu Tianyin gently returned Xia Long to his mother and followed Xia Lei out.
It was only after their departure that Jiang Ruyi spoke, “It’s such a surprise to find Shentu Tianyin here. I really don’t know if the rare metal she speaks of is true. I feel like she has some kind of ulterior motive.”
Fan Fan, who had yet to leave, replied, “When I talked about going to visit the chief, she didn’t have anything against it. I’m sure she wouldn’t lie about something like that. I believe that the rare metal she speaks of is real.”
Liang Siyao said, “Don’t worry. Hubby will see through his promises.”
“I’ll be leaving now,” said Fan Fan.
“Mama, milk before leave!,” said Xia Fan.
“All you know is to eat, eat and eat. Go ask your fourth mother to feed you milk, Mama needs to leave now.” Fan Fan turned around and fled.
Jiang Ruyi could only watch her leave in silence.
The silver Rolls-Royce Phantom zoomed towards the direction of downtown Jingdu under Shentu Tianyin’s steering. She had not brought her bodyguard/driver, Bo Mingmei along this time. Perhaps she had wished for some privacy to spend with Xia Lei. With Bo Mingmei around, some things would’ve been left unsaid.
“Tianyin, do you recall how the four Americans looked?” Xia Lei disrupted the silence in the moving vehicle.
“I really like your children. Your sons and daughters are all so lovely.” Shentu Tianyin did not answer his question.
Xia Lei smiled. “You too can have children of your own. I’m sure they’d be smart and cute too.”
Shentu Tiayin cast a look over. “But who’s going to make them with me?”
“Uh…” Xia Lei was at a loss for words.
A sigh rolled out of Shentu Tianyin’s throat. “Perhaps I’m destined to be lonely for the rest of my life. That mistake has cost me my happiness. When you grow old, you’ll have your children’s company. My father is bound to leave me someday and I can’t escape age too. I feel awful every time I think about my future. I can’t help but ask myself this. What the hell am I trying to achieve through earning so much money?”
A sourness began to settle at the pit of Xia Lei’s heart. He attempted to comfort her, “Tianyin, please don’t take things that way. Keeping an optimistic mindset is very important. Plus, you deserve the best man in this world.”
“But I’ve already lost him,” answered Shentu Tianyin.
Xia Lei fell silent once again.
“Can you bear to see me live my life in absolute loneliness? When I grow old, I’ll have no child to look after me.” The corners of Shentu Tianyin’s eye grew moist.
She was a prideful woman. There was no way she would fall for someone else, which seemed to solidify her destiny to not have children with another man. As she grew older, other than those greedy for her wealth, she wouldn’t be graced with any genuine company. Let alone receive the filial piety of her own children. Even if she could earn billions, what was the use of it?
Wealth would never be a standard to measure mortal happiness.
“Do you wish for me to end up like that?”
Xia Lei hesitated. “Tianyin, is there anything I can help you with?”
Shentu Tianyin trembled as her words escaped her lips. “Children. I want a child.”
“What?” Xia Lei was stunned.
Shentu Tianyin explained, “When we got married back then, I wanted to give you a son and a daughter so I’ve never gone on any birth control. Despite that, I have no idea why I’ve failed to be pregnant.”
Back then, Fan Fan had yet to create the antidote.
“Tianyin…”
“You’re the only person in this world who is allowed to touch me. No one else is allowed to do the same. I know they don’t wish for you to be with me and it’s too late to reconcile. I just want a child, a child made by you and me. When I grow old, they’d be able to take care of me and go on long strolls together. They’d be the successor to the Vientiane Group too. That is all I’m asking for, can you grant me that? I’ve never needed to beg anyone in my life but here I am,” pleaded Shentu Tianyin.
Xia Lei felt sad. Seeing Shentu Tianyin reduced to this state made his heartache. But the woman was asking for a child. That alone spelt trouble to him.
“You don’t need to answer me now,” said Shentu Tianyin. Tears were starting to roll in her eyes.
Xia Lei thought to himself darkly, “My life is seeping away and I’m bound to die within a year. Could I bear to see her age with loneliness after my departure? I’ve left Thunder Horse’s original shares for Siyao, Ah Bing, Ruyi, Fan Fan and even Tang Yuyan along with children. But all I’ve ever given Tianyin was mental torture. This is too unfair for her…”
“Will you consider it?” While Shentu Tianyin had agreed to spare Xia Lei some time, her impatience was obvious.
Xia Lei braced himself and probed, “Well, uh… Tianyin, do you want it artificially or naturally?”
Inexplicably, Shentu Tianyin’s cheeks turned red. “Is there a difference?”
“Is there no difference?”
“I… I actually did go for a consultation. The experts told me that artificial insemination could possibly cause deformation and I don’t wish that to happen to my child. Plus, I heard the process is pretty uncomfortable. As you know, I’m not a fan of pain.” The redness to her cheeks grew stronger.
While she did not state her preferences, her words hinted at her answer. Clearly, she wanted natural insemination.
“I… I’m just asking. Can you please give me some time to think this through?” Xia Lei’s nerves were edged.
“Sure.” The woman replied curtly, a smile finally forming at the corners of her lips.
Who was she? Shentu Tianyin was Xia Lei’s ex-wife. She knew Xia Lei like the back of her hand. She had a firm understanding of everything related to him. She knew him almost as well as she knew herself. For Xia Lei to show such a response was within her expectations.
“Now can you please tell me about the four Americans?” Xia Lei switched the topic. If they went on, he would’ve been rendered speechless.
Shentu Tianyin answered, “They were all Caucasians. I’m not quite sure how to describe their appearances but I think all Caucasians look about the same. I have surveillance footage in the office, you can have a look when we’re there.”
“Where are they now?”
“They left after I talked to them briefly. I have no idea they’re headed to after that.”
“Are they aware that you have a sample of the rare metal?”
“I don’t think so. I didn’t tell them that. Frankly, you’re the first to find out about it,” said Shentu Tiayin.
The silver Rolls-Royce Phantom continued its journey into Jingdu city.