“I’m coming back,” came Long Bing’s voice from the satellite phone. “I’ve given up…”
Her voice filled with fatigue and disappointment.
“That’s good, that’s good.” Xia Lei could finally relax. “Come home. Leave the rest to me.”
“Mm.” Long Bing grunted in reply.
“Don’t forget, you’re not alone. You have me. No matter what, we will be together.”
“Mm.”
“Be careful on the way back.”
“Mm.” There was a pause. “You be careful too. Have you caught the spy yet?”
“Not yet, we’ll catch the spy together when you’re back,” he said.
“Mm, I’m hanging up.” Long Bing hung up.
She had always been a woman of few words but it was enough for Xia Lei.
He proceeded to keep his phone.
Liang Siyao and Fan Fan leaned over, asking at the same time, “Ah Bing’s coming back?”
Xia Lei smiled. “Yes, she’s given up on her mission. She’s coming back.”
Fan Fan said, “That’s great, Ruyi’s coming back soon too. Then our family will all be together again.”
Liang Siyao smiled. “You must be thinking of having us as your bridesmaids, right?”
“What bridesmaids?” Fan Fan held Liang Siyao’s hands. “I’m just having the ceremony first. We’ll have three ceremonies for each of you.”
Liang Siyao was stunned. She looked at Xia Lei. “Is that true?”
Xia Lei pulled her into his arms. “Of course, where do you want our wedding to be?”
Liang Siyao buried her face into his chest, emotion and joy welling up within her. “I...I’ll let you know when I’ve decided.”
Every woman wanted to have their own wedding. However, there were times where it was just not possible. Her situation with Xia Lei was a special one and she did not expect to have a wedding ceremony with him. However, how could she still not want one?
“I think I owe you all an apology,” said Xia Lei. He felt guilty.
“Don’t say that. You don’t owe anyone an apology.” Liang Siyao shushed him gently. “This is quite nice. Other people’s families aren’t as bustling as ours.”
“Yeah, our family’s the noisiest, the most peaceful and the happiest,” said Fan Fan with a smile.
All three of them hugged.
“Don’t you think this is too corny?” A woman’s voice came.
Tang Yuyan had arrived at that moment.
Tang Yuyan was clad in a black tuxedo, standing at the doorway looking solemn. After becoming the head of the Bureau 101, her clothing style had changed.
People changed. Change was the only constant thing in the world.
Tang Yuyan’s words were like a stick hitting on the lovebirds, who separated instantly.
“Yuyan.” Xia Lei shrugged. “Couldn’t you have knocked?”
“You didn’t even close the door, what do you mean knock?”
Xia Lei was speechless.
Fan Fan said, “Tang Yuyan, what are you doing here?”
“I’m looking for Xia Lei,” said Tang Yuyan. She was cautious with Fan Fan here, not daring to do anything brash.
Liang Siyao said, “Yuyan, what are you looking for Xia Lei for?”
Tang Yuyan furrowed her brows. “I don’t think I need your clearance to talk to Xia Lei, do I?
She had no reservations about Liang Siyao, raging at her whenever she pleased. She did not care about Liang Siyao’s feelings.
“You…” Liang Siyao was irritated and didn’t know what to say. However, that was just on the surface. She was actually very happy. Liang Siyao was as good at mind games as the Tang family’s princess.
As expected, Xia Lei said, “Siyao, don’t be angry. It’s bad for the baby.”
He shouldn’t have spoken, for Liang Siyao suddenly gagged and covered her mouth as if she was about to puke.
He quickly patted her back and said caringly, “Are you alright? Do you want me to bring you home for some rest?”
Liang Siyao continued to feign ‘morning sickness’.
Xia Lei continued to pat her back.
“That’s enough of acting, Liang Siyao. Can you stop it?” Tang Yuyan was smirking condescendingly.
Xia Lei said, “Tang Yuyan, you should go.”
“You…” Tang Yuyan’s heart sank into despair.
Xia Lei dumped another bucket when he said, “Doesn’t matter what you wanted to talk to me about. I’m not available today. Let’s make another appointment to meet.”
Tang Yuyan looked at Liang Siyao, who was leaning into his arms, then looked at Xia Lei. She welled up instantly. She was the one whose feelings were hurt, why didn’t Xia Lei comfort her? He scolded her instead of comforting her!
Liang Siyao glanced sideways slightly from within his arms, then winked at Tang Yuyan.
It was a challenge.
Tang Yuyan wanted badly to beat her up but she finally swallowed her anger. With a deep breath, she said, “Siyao, I’m sorry, I was wrong. I am here to talk to Xia Lei about the spy. It’s very important.”
When had the Tang family’s princess lowered her head for anyone?
This was probably a first.
Liang Siyao then came out of Xia Lei’s arms. “Hubby, just talk to her. Sister Fan Fan, let’s go knit in the house.”
“Mm, I’m still lacking a sleeve for my baby’s sweater. I’m not good at knitting, you’ve got to teach me.” Fan Fan walked out with Liang Siyao.
Xia Lei was speechless. “Alright, let’s talk. Have a seat.”
Tang Yuyan did not move as tears flowed out of her eyes, and down her cheeks.
Xia Lei was terrified of crying women. He said worriedly, “Why are you crying? Alright, I’ll apologise to you too. I… I was too harsh.”
“You know she was acting to provoke me!” whined Tang Yuyan.
He wrung his hands. “She bears my child, I need to help her.”
Tang Yuyan did not speak.
Xia Lei said, “Let’s talk business. Today, I’ve tried baiting the spy but to no avail. Siyao said that the spy could be an elite from the CIA. Catching the spy won’t be easy, it’s best if you don’t take action yet. This person is very cunning. They might run the moment you do something, maybe even take extreme action to escape.”
“I heard you’re marrying Fan Fan this Spring Festival?” said Tang Yuyan.
Both of them were supposed to talk business but she was still most concerned about his private life.
Xia Lei sighed. “Yuyan, I’m sorry but it’ll be impossible between us. You know I’m going to get married soon, and…”
“And it’s a group marriage, right?”
Xia Lei smiled. “I don’t think much of it. As long as everyone’s happy. I don’t care what other people think.”
“Then I…” Tang Yuyan’s lips quivered. “Congratulations.”
He nodded. “Thank you.”
“Alright, let’s talk about serious matters.” Tang Yuyan said, “The authorities only gave me one week. I don’t have much time. If you can’t catch the spy within two days, I will have to take action. Everyone other than you here will be liable for background checks.”
“Two days? Are you joking?” He frowned. “Yuyan, I’ve made it clear that I was unsuccessful. I have to think of another idea. How are two days going to be enough?”
“I won’t interfere with that, but I can only give you two days. After that, I will take over this case and everyone within the Thunder Horse Group at Jingdu headquarters will have their freedoms limited. They cannot leave the country.” Tang Yuyan’s tone was determined.
“So you’d rather accidentally ruin one thousand innocents’ lives than let one spy go?”
“You can put it that way. This relates to a country’s military situation. I’m sure you understand its capabilities.”
Xia Lei fell silent. “Yuyan, you’ve changed so much since you became head of the Bureau 101.”
“You’re wrong. If I have changed, then it was because of the day you left me for Fan Fan.” As she spoke, she suddenly lost her composure. “You’re a liar!”
He didn’t know what to say.
“One more thing,” she said. “Long Bing called to apply for termination of her mission. I did not approve of it.”
His face darkened. “Why?”
“The FA organisation is launching attacks similar to the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. It is the most dangerous threat our country has ever faced. As a warrior of the nation, she should not retreat on the battlefield.”
He suddenly raged. “She’s your friend!”
“I have to put my personal feelings aside for the good of the country.”
“You knew she was pregnant, yet you still let her take such a dangerous mission!” Xia Lei roared. “What the hell do you want?”
“I’m just thinking about the good of the country, you should put your personal matters aside too!” Tang Yuyan did not back down.
She seemed to have changed into a different person. A stranger.
Xia Lei laughed sarcastically. “The good of the country? Hehe, are you really going to make me say it? You and Boss Shi shunned Long Bing so that you could succeed him. She completed it and hence stayed. You then sent her on such a dangerous job to Japan. Are you really that worried that she’ll replace you? Let me tell you this, she’s coming back to resign from Bureau 101 this time! She will not interfere with your position as the head of the bureau!”
Tang Yuyan was stunned. She did not know this.
“Is this what you really want? Or what your father or grandfather wants? The Tang family’s more important than the country, right?” Xia Lei said coldly. “Ah Bing’s people have already been caught by Japanese intelligence. How will she complete the mission alone now? And you, you aren’t even sending reinforcements! Tang Yuyan! Do you really want her to die this badly?”
“I…”
“You should go. I don’t want to see you again.” Xia Lei heaved a long sigh. “Also, it doesn’t matter if you don’t approve. If Ah Bing can’t come back, I’ll go to Japan to help her. I’d like to see how you can stop me.”
Before she could speak, Xia Lei turned and left.
Within the room, Tang Yuyan stood quietly for a while.
Tears were streaming down her face and did not stop.