Xia Lei, Liang Siyao, Qin Xiang, Liu Zhengnan.
Liang Siyao was given the position as CEO of Thunder Horse Group. She was their first CEO too. Xia Lei was the owner of the Group while she was its manager. She had studied business management at Harvard. In the past, she had done a very good job of managing Thunder Horse for him. Now that she had returned, she was going to pick up where she left off.
Her return did not just bring that, her return brought Peace Mansion and Thunder Horse a woman’s touch.
Xia Lei announced Liang Siyao’s position at a high-level meeting. Some of the high-level members were shocked, some understood, but there was always room for discussion.
“Why has a CEO suddenly been appointed? She’s so young, and we haven’t met her before.”
“It’s fine, do you know who she is?”
“Who is she?”
“She’s Director Xia’s first girlfriend. She even helped him with the setup of this company. She’s his sister disciple too.”
“Oh, I see. I understand now. Hehe.”
“She’s a prodigy from Harvard. She studied Business Management too.”
“Yeah, don’t underestimate Miss Liang. She is actually good.”
When Xia Lei announced Liang Siyao’s position as CEO, he knew he could not avoid some debate and odd glances. However, after some explanation, everyone agreed. Even if they didn’t, he did not care. This was his company, he could put whoever he wanted as the CEO.
After the meeting adjourned, Qin Xiang came to talk to Liang Siyao with a smile. “You’re finally back. I’ve been waiting for this day.”
“Really?” They were quite close so they spoke casually. Liang Siyao said, “I hope that’s not sarcasm?”
“Sarcasm? You’ve always been the lady boss. I have always been impressed,” Qin Xiang said with a grin. “That man needs a woman with him or he’ll become too reckless.”
“You’re hinting that I’ll meet problems, right?”
“Sharp as always.” Qin Xiang leaned to her ear. “Doesn’t it bother you?”
Liang Siyao replied, “Hey, he bullies me and yet you’re not on my side. Plus you’re teasing me!”
“Of course I support you. I didn’t even support Shentu Tianyin, it’s always been you.”
“Hehe, I like what I hear.”
On the other side, Xia Xue pulled Xia Lei aside and whispered, “Brother, what’s going on?”
“What?” Xia Lei feigned confusion.
“You and Sister Siyao…” Xia Lei trailed off.
Xia Lei grinned. “Me and Siyao what?”
Xia Xue rolled her eyes. “Do you really want me to sound it loud? Are you and her together?”
“Is that bad?”
“No, I don’t have any comments. I’m just worried Sister Fan Fan will…” Xia Xue looked concerned. “Also, Tianyin and Ruyi won’t be happy.”
Xia Lei smiled. “Don’t you worry. Our family is different from other families.”
She pouted. “My family is a mess.”
Xia Lei chuckled awkwardly.
“Fine, I’ll leave you alone. When I get back, I’ll call Tianyin and tell her about Siyao. We’ll see how she deals with you.”
Xia Lei smiled bitterly. “Don’t you dare cause trouble.”
“Then you don’t cause trouble! Last night, Zhengnan proposed. Although he didn’t say, I know it must be your idea. You’ve caused me so much headache. I must take my revenge!” Xia Xue looked mad.
Xia Lei was happy. “Tell me, did you say yes?”
“Could I have said no? He brought me his grandmother’s jade bangle, a bouquet of a thousand roses and said a bunch of romantic stuff.” Although she sounded like she was unwilling, there was a sweet smile on her face. It was obvious she was super willing to go through with it.
“When’s the wedding?”
“Mid-autumn festival next year.”
“Such a long time?” Xia Lei furrowed his brows.
She rolled her eyes. “Are you so worried your sister won’t marry anyone? Why are you so impatient? I’m still a university student.”
“Fine, fine. Next year it is. I won’t hurry you both.” Xia Lei smiled.
Xia Xue said, “If you don’t hurry us, I won’t tell Tianyin about this.”
Xia Lei smiled bitterly. Even if she didn’t tell, Tianyin would still know. This was going to be a headache. However, his life was messy enough. So what if it was a little messier?
Liang Siyao walked in with a friendly smile. “Xiao Xue, you’re getting prettier every day.”
“Hehehe…” Xia Xue couldn’t help but giggle. “Sis, you really know what to say.”
Liang Siyao grinned. “I’m not your sister-in-law. Your real sister-in-law would be unhappy if you thought so.”
“It doesn’t matter. My brother has already handed you his company.”
“I can’t win this argument. I have something good to show you, come to my office.” She grabbed Xia Xue’s shoulder and led her away.
“Brother, I’m leaving.” They both left.
Liu Zhengnan came to Xia Lei’s side and said slowly, “Brother, they seemed to have become allies, should we both ‘forge a deeper friendship’ too?”
Xia Lei turned and stared at him.
“Uhh, let’s pretend I didn’t say anything, it’s useless.” Then Liu Zhengnan left.
Xia Lei smiled and shook his head, returning to Peace Mansion.
Liang Siyao was back. The weight on his shoulders had lifted a little. He had a little more time to do what he wanted now.
The four women from the Knight Hospitallers were in a room. The windows were closed, the curtains were shut so outside could not look into the room. This didn’t stop Xia Lei. He used his left eye and suddenly, the doors and walls disappeared.
It was the Grey sisters’ room.
The four women were having a meeting.
Giovanna said, “One month has passed and we have not found where he hid the sacred relic. The leader will not be happy about this.”
“Do we have any other choice? People are everywhere and we don’t know anyone. How will we look for it?” asked Rosa.
“Maybe we really can try the other way,” said Stella.
“Are you saying we lure him? Then make him happy with our bodies?” said Theresa.
“My goodness, even thinking about it makes me feel dirty. Let’s not talk about that anymore. I’m not going to pleasure him, ever,” said Rosa.
“Really? A few days ago I saw you eyeing him,” said Stella.
“Hey, what are you talking about? I was studying him for the reports. I think you like him, alright? I saw you staring at him, smiling, “said Rosa.
“Stop it, you two. Based on our agreement with him, we have to give him information on the FA headquarters in a months time. But we haven’t received any news from the headquarters. What should we tell him?” said Stella.
“Just say no?” said Rosa.
“How would that work? He's not a reasonable man,” said Giovanna.
Xia Lei coughed and walked in.
The four women seemed frantic but quickly regained composure.
Xia Lei knocked on the door. “Excuse me, is anyone in there?”
“He’s here,” Giovanna said in a low voice.
“Could he have heard us?” asked Stella anxiously.
“I don’t think so. I’ll open the door.” Rosa walked over and opened the door.
He strode in and spoke, “I believe you know what I’m here for. It’s time to talk.”
“Mr Xia, welcome,” greeted Rosa.
“I’ll get you some water.” Giovanna quickly got him some water.
Stella grabbed a chair for him.
“You don’t have to.” Xia Lei thought it was funny. “I’m not here to relax, we have to talk about the agreement. One month has passed. I need to know where the FA group’s headquarters are and when you all plan to act.”
“We…” Giovanna laughed nervously. “Mr Xia, it’s like this, we are still waiting for news from them.”
Xia Lei frowned. “Are you beating around the bush? I paid you all fifty million dollars, let you stay here, feed you food. Yet you show me such results! Are you taking me for a fool?”
“Mr Xia, drink some water, calm down.” Giovanna passed him a glass.
He suddenly swatted the glass away.
Crash! The glass of water shattered on the floor.
They were stunned. Xia Lei had always been a gentle, civilised man. They didn’t know that he had a temper within him.
“Do you think I’m a patient man?” roared Xia Lei. “Let me tell you this, I’ll give you an hour to contact the Knight Hospitallers headquarters. I want to know where the FA headquarters are and your plans. Or you’ll never see your sacred relic.”
“Wait, Mr Xia, calm down,” said Giovanna stubbornly. “Please give us some time. We’ll find it.”
“Yes, we swear on the honour of the knights, we will definitely fulfil our agreement,” said Rosa.
“That's enough!” said Xia Lei sternly. “One hour, not one minute more! I’ll give you two choices- either pack up and leave or contact your headquarters immediately. I want to talk to your leader personally!”
“Mr Xia…” Giovanna trailed off.
He looked at the watch on his wrist. “You have fifty-nine more minutes. “
“How could you do this?” Rosa was furious too.
“Yeah, give us more time!” Giovanna looked angry too.
Xia Lei sat on the chair and crossed his legs. “You have fifty-eight more minutes.”
“How can a minute pass so fast?!” Stella was annoyed.
“Yeah, a minute isn’t that short!” Theresa was annoyed too.
He smirked. “Time passes faster when I’m impatient. You have forty minutes left.”
“You... “ Giovanna wanted to yell at him but couldn’t.
Three of them glared at him in fury.
“You still have…”
“Wait!” Giovanna cut him off. “I’ll call the headquarters immediately.”
Xia Lei smiled. “That’s all I ask.”