Shinyeok Group’s convoy left Distinguished Gathering at a moderate speed. Ahn Geungan stuck his head out the car window to look at Shentu Tianyin and Xia Lei cuddling. He had believed that Shentu Tianyin would compromise and become a woman of the Ahn family if he came personally to talk to her. Now, however, this hope was dashed. He knew too that his son, Ahn Suhyeong, would never have a chance to get close to Shentu Tianyin again.
However, this dashing of his hopes was not the worst for Ahn Geungan. The worst was that Xia Lei had all that dirt on him. He could not imagine how Xia Lei had got his hands on those pieces of evidence.
‘Only your death would assure me now.’ Ahn Geungan looked away from them.
The convoy disappeared from their sight and Shentu Tianyin immediately moved to stand in front of Xia Lei. She hooked both arms around his neck and pressed her body to his. She had a teasing smile on her face. “You know what, Hubby? You looked so sexy reprimanding Ahn Geungan. You’re the best thing to happen to me.”
Her softness pressing on Xia Lei made him relax too and a smile appeared on his face. “You’re the best thing to have happened to me too.”
“I now know how deeply I love you. I’ll never leave you.” Shentu Tianyin kissed Xia Lei’s lips.
Touching words, a sweet kiss… Xia Lei was content, blessed.
Fu Mingmei glowered at them kissing passionately and said in quiet envy, “They went through many twists and turns but are finally together. I suddenly really want to fall in love, too. I’ll start wearing a skirt tomorrow…”
Shentu Tianyin and Xia Lei parted at last. Xia Lei’s trousers had an obvious tent. He was quite embarrassed but he couldn’t hold his hand over it either. Shentu Tianyin held a hand over her mouth to hide her smile while her eyes stared closely at that place. She did not feel like Xia Lei had been rude to her – it was evidence of her attractiveness to him, and this made her happy.
“Let’s go to the Civil Affairs Bureau,” said Shentu Tianyin. Fu Mingmei was right behind and she did not want her to see her Hubby’s compromising tent.
“Nn, let’s go to the Civil Affairs Bureau,” agreed Xia Lei.
The two of them went to the carpark, hand in hand.
Fu Mingmei caught up with them, asking, “Where are you going?”
Shentu Tianyin looked back with a smile. “To the Civil Affairs Bureau.”
Fu Mingmei looked at the time on her watch and said, “It’s almost five. They’re going to be clocking out before you get there. You won’t make it today, will you?”
Xia Lei looked at his watch too and he wrinkled his brows. “Tsk, it’s almost five. We won’t make it. How about tomorrow?”
“No, today.” Shentu Tianyin took out her phone and said with smile, “I’ll call Mayor Hu right now and get him to greenlight the staff’s overtime at the Civil Affairs Bureau.”
Xia Lei paused, then laughed.
Fu Mingmei chuckled. “You’re so eager to get married, Big Sister Tianyin? Aren’t you too eager? Brother-in-law Xia will laugh at you.”
Shentu Tianyin glared at Fu Mingmei. “It’s you laughing at me, isn’t it? Should I dock your pay?”
“No, no. I’ll go get the car to drive you two over.” Fu Mingmei did not dare say a word more and jogged to get the car.
The silver Rolls-Royce Phantom glided out of Distinguished Gathering. The asphalt road was set aglow with the rays of sundown, and the shading of leaves. It looked like a road to love, and the setting sun and dappled shadows looked like petals coming from the sky, filling the atmosphere with romance.
In the car, Shentu Tianyin leaned into Xia Lei’s embrace, blissful. “Oh, right, Hubby. Can I ask you a question?”
Xia Lei stroked her smooth hair and his voice was gently. “What can’t you ask? What is it?”
“Those incriminating pictures – how did you them?” Shentu Tianyin looked at Xia Lei out of the corner of her eye.
Xia Lei thought for a bit, then said, “I am a consultant for Bureau 101. I have my own channels to get things like that. However, matters related to Bureau 101 are confidential so I can’t give you any details. Please understand.”
“Of course. I was just asking,” said Shentu Tianyin.
“Don’t tell anyone about this,” said Xia Lei. “I still have to use those pictures in exchange for the things Ahn Geungan is using to threaten you.”
“Nn.” Shentu Tianyin was all compliant. “I regret not listening to your warnings now. Gu Kewen’s a venomous snake. I’d never imagined that she would do such a thing, and working with Ahn Geungan against me too.”
“Be more careful in the future. Take more bodyguards when you go out and go to public places less often,” nagged Xia Lei.
“Nn.” said Shentu Tianyin. “Never mind, let’s not talk about these things. Today’s a celebration-worthy day – our marriage. Let’s not get upset over these matters.”
Xia Lei gave a laugh and thought of his father, Xia Changhe.
The call he had received in Distinguished Gathering had been from Yelena. The pictures he had used to cow Ahn Geungan had also been sent by Yelena. His father did not show himself but he knew that this was his father’s gift. Truthfully, only Xia Changhe or people like him would be able to get things like these. Xia Changhe had gone to South Korea to deal with Ahn Geungan!
How could he tell Shentu Tianyin the truth about this?
Anything involving Xia Changhe had to be buried in Xia Lei’s heart. He could not even tell his own sister!
‘Is Dad going to handle Ahn Geungan and Ahn Suhyeong like this? I’m so worried for him… but I can’t fight alongside him…’ Xia Lei brooded over this.
“Argh, can you two stop being so lovey-dovey? Think of this lonely single.” Fu Mingmei said from the driver’s seat, interrupting Xia Lei’s thoughts.
Shentu Tianyin untangled herself from Xia Lei’s arms and slapped Fu Mingmei upside the head, saying fiercely, “Concentrate on driving.”
“Heh heh.” Fu Mingmei was still playful. “Brother-in-law Xia, do you have a younger brother? Best if it’s a twin brother. Introduce him to me; I want to fall in love too.”
Xia Lei was speechless.
Shentu Tianyin gave her a slap straightaway.
Haizhu’s Civil Affairs Bureau staff really were working overtime and waiting for Shentu Tianyin and Xia Lei to register their marriage.
Under normal circumstances, one would need to go through this and that formality, and get stamps from here and there in order to get the certificate. It could get so busy that eight legs wouldn’t be enough for all the running around one would have to do. However, Shentu Tianyin and Xia Lei were not regular people – this same thing only required a phone call of them. Additionally, the staff were fairly hospitable and feared keeping Shentu Tianyin and Xia Lei too long. The staff had had everything prepared by the time they arrived, just waiting for the photograph-taking and signing.
“Smile! Good, just like that. Okay.” The staff took a marriage picture of Xia Lei and Shentu Tianyin.
The director of the Civil Affairs Bureau then said, “The photograph development process will take some time, Miss Tianyin and Mr Xia. Please come have a seat in my office. You can get the certificate once the photograph is done.”
“Nn, okay. Thank you.” Shentu Tianyin was polite.
Just then, Xia Lei mobile phone rang all of a sudden. He looked at his phone screen and said, “Excuse me, I’ll be taking this call.” He walked out of the photo-taking room.
Shentu Tianyin made to follow, but she hesitated and gave up on the idea.
She was a smart woman and knew that nothing good would come out of a woman holding onto her man too tightly or minding his business too closely.
Xia Lei accepted the call in the corridor.
A male voice came over the line. “Are you really getting married to Shentu Tianyin?”
This was Xia Changhe’s voice.
Xia Lei held his excitement in check. “Dad, why do you ask this? I’d wanted to tell you this for some time and I would like you to attend my wedding but I had no way of contacting you.”
It was always Xia Changhe initiating contact, but he had no idea how to contact Xia Changhe.
“You’re getting married. As your father, I should be happy for you,” said Xia Changhe, “but I’m going to give you a warning.”
“What are you trying to say, Dad?” Xia Lei was confused.
“Your mother and I were in love. I thought I’d be able to grow old with her, but your mother… Never mind, I’ll just say it simply. You’re up against the CIA and the FA’s independent agents. They will not let you off. I know their modus operandi and I know their capabilities. And you can’t relax in China either. China Industrial Group and Hanwu Weapons will not let you off. They’re waiting for you to make a mistake, an opportunity for them to chase you out of the arms market. You have enemies within and without – can you also manage your marriage well?”
Xia Lei was silent for a bit. “Dad, I am aware of what you just talked about but I’m not afraid of the, I believe I have the ability to manage my marriage well, and that I have the capability to protect my wife.”
“You lack neither bravery nor capability. You were able to do all these in a short period of time, but…” After a pause, Xia Changhe went on, “Son, I have not met my daughter-in-law face-to-face but I know her very well. She is a woman with ambition. She knows what she wants. She’s also too eye-catching. You and her together… Honestly, I don’t think well of your marriage. Believe in my instinct and my analysis. You will get divorced not two years after marrying her.”
Xia Lei was rooted to the spot. He did not know what to say.
Fathers normally gave their blessings when their children were getting married but his father was throwing cold water in his face and telling him that he and Shentu Tianyin would get divorced in under two years.
“Are you still listening?”
“I’m listening, Dad.” Xia Lei took a deep breath. “There is some sense in what you’re saying but what I want to tell you is that I’ve always wanted a normal life. Do work that I like, marry someone I like and have two children with her, then nurture our children. I don’t want to be a hero. I just want to be a regular man. A chance for this is right before me now. I don’t want to miss this chance – and I cannot let Tianyin down.”
Xia Changhe sighed. “You think you’re still a regular man now?”
Xia Lei paused. He could not answer this simple question.
“Forget it. You really are like me when I was younger. All right, I give you two my blessings,” said Xia Changhe. “I will solve this Ahn Geungan problem. You get your things in order and quickly go find the next treasure location.”
“Nn.” Xia Lei made a sound of agreement.
Their conversation ended, just like that.
Shentu Tianyin came out of the room. “Hubby, the photograph’s done. Come on.”
Xia Lei smiled toothily and walked towards Shentu Tianyin.
