Finally, the ZTZ100 was fixed. What needed improvement was improved and fine-tuned. The main battle tank was now better and stronger than it was before. Using it as the standard model, Thunder Horse Organization soon launched their plans of mass-producing the ZTZ100 main battle tank.
The Thunder Horse Organization didn’t need to worry much about orders. Their concerns were with the scale of production. The higher-ups had told Xia Lei to produce as many tanks as they possibly could. Funding wasn’t a concern and the availability of resources was essentially limitless!
Those words were a turning point. After that, the Thunder Horse Organization began soaring towards a better future.
Now that the ZTZ100 had its foundation, Annina and Sylvia could finally be at ease. The two German engineers soon welcomed their anticipated trip to Greece. Before they had departed, Xia Lei had made them each a skillfully crafted human mask, turning them into strangers. For safety sake, the man even assigned Alessio and Yelena to protect them in the dark. Annina and Sylvia were important talents to the Thunder Horse Organization and Xia Lei had to ensure their safety.
The second day after Annina and Sylvia’s departure, Thunder Horse Military Factory welcomed an unexpected guest.
Hattori Mei.
The Hattori Mei before Xia Lei was a corporate genius. She was clad in black office wear and frameless glasses. In Russia, the aura she had radiated with her luxurious kimono was something more feminine and alluring.
Qing Caiyue led her into Xia Lei’s office and was about to prepare some tea when Xia Lei dismissed her right away.
“I can’t believe you’re actually here.” Xia Lei let out an unfriendly scoff. For this woman, he only had one term to describe her. As poisonous as a scorpion.
Hattori Mei giggled behind her palm. “Yeah, I’m right here. What are you going to do to me? Kill me? Or are you planning to fuck me?”
Her entire being reeked of enticement and her words were laced with seduction.
“You really think I wouldn’t dare to kill you?” Xia Lei’s threats were cold.
“Why are you so hostile to me?” Hattori Mei had the audacity to look hurt. “Do you really hate me that much?”
“You had three tanks try to kill me. What else can I feel other than hatred? Am I suppose to like you for that?”
“That’s your reasoning?” Hattori Mei shrugged with nonchalance. “I’m just doing what I’m ordered to do. If I don’t execute the order, there will be others who will. You’ve threatened America’s strategic benefits. The number of people after your head is more than you realise.”
Though Xia Lei felt nothing but contempt towards her, he must admit that her words held some truth. His current existence had greatly tilted the power balance in Asia. There was no one else more eager for his death than the Americans.
“Xia Lei, I know you hate me but I must give you a piece of advice.”
“What do you want to say?”
“Avoid going overseas from now on. They might ambush you.”
Xia Lei grinned dangerously. “Thank you, you just gave me an idea on how to kill you and your father.”
Hattori Mei was taken aback. “Is your company working on producing drones?”
“That is a military secret. Send a spy if you dare,” said Xia Lei. Truthfully, Thunder Horse Organization had no plans on producing drones at the moment but there surely would be some coming soon in the future.
Hattori Mei laughed again. “Oh come on, please don’t kill me. After all, I’m a woman who you slept with. I’m sure we share some sentiment or are you really that heartless?”
Xia Lei didn’t know what to say.
This woman was not only cruel but also terrifyingly shameless. Hattori Mei possessed the two disdainful features but the uncanny thing was that it garnered her no hate.
“Alright, if you’re planning to kill my father, please do inform me before doing so. I’d like to arrange a good funeral for him,” mentioned Hattori Mei.
Something clicked in Xia Lei. “You did that on purpose back in India, right? You escaped and left your brother behind. You knew what the outcome would be but you still chose to do so. Now, you’re saying things like this in my office. Are you trying to…”
“You’ve got the answers. Why are you trying so hard to pry it out of my mouth?” Hattori Mei interjected with a sly smile.
Xia Lei could feel a surge of coldness in his heart. This woman had brought death to her brother, Hattori Geppa and she was now mindlessly spilling out her plans to get rid of her father. Describing her like a venomous viper or scorpion was no longer sufficient. She was better off compared to a black widow!
“Are you not afraid of me exposing your plans to your father?” After a brief pause, Xia Lei attempted to pry.
“If I was, would I choose to tell you? Sometimes, enemies won’t be enemies forever. In times of need, enemies can be great benefactors.” Hattori Mei winked at Xia Lei.
He understood what she meant but he remained unfazed. “You came all the way here just to tell me that?”
“Of course there are other formal matters to talk about. I’m merely trying to reminisce about the past with you.” Abruptly, Hattori Mei’s nimble fingers unbuttoned a button on her blouse and reached a finger into her cleavage.
In Xia Lei’s view, her smooth digit entered the pale cleft and pried her black undershirt to produce an off-white card.
Hattori Mei brought the card in her palms to the front of Xia Lei.
The off-white card had remnants of her scent.
Xia Lei declined to receive it but read the words written on top.
Mister Xia Lei, looking forward to seeing you at the Boao Forum For Asia.
Folsom, CEO of Lockheed Martin.
It was only after his comprehension of the written content that Xia Lei was willing to accept it. This was equivalent to an invitation sent to him by Folsom. However, he really had no clue why Hattori Mei had chosen to hide the card in her undershirt.
As if she could read his mind, Hattori Mei raised an arm and waved it lightly in front of his face. “I know what you’re thinking about. I did not bring a bag and had nowhere else to keep it. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind. After all, you’ve already gotten a taste of what’s hidden in my undershirt.”
“The theme for this year’s Boao Forum is The Peace and Stability of Asia. More than twenty countries will be sending their representatives to join the event. Madam Folsom is invited to the forum as a special guest. She’ll be meeting you there,” said Hattori Mei.
“Where will it be held?”
“You don’t know where the Boao Forum headquarters are? You should really pay more attention to things like this.” Hattori Mei continued, “The event will be held in its headquarters in Hainan. People like Bill Gates and Ma Yun have participated in the past.”
“I’m not a member. Why do I need to attend the Boao Forum?” Xia Lei was disinterested. Compared to relaying big ideas and noble concepts in some event, the man was keener on working in peace.
“After all, you’re a qualified businessman worthy of an appearance. Many would kill for an opportunity to make an appearance and yet you’re not interested.”
“I have never once thought of myself as a qualified businessman. I’m more skilled at producing weapons,” answered Xia Lei.
“So you mean you won’t be attending?”
“No. I won’t fly to Hainan just because she wants to meet me.” Xia Lei hummed mockingly. “What a joke.”
“But…” Hattori Mei itched to say something but halted herself.
Xia Lei added on, “I’ve received Madam Folsom’s invitation, you may leave now. It’s probably better for you to scurry away because a change of my heart would have you die here.”
Hattori Geppa was dead. The only heir left for the Hattori clan was Hattori Mei alone. Unfortunately, she was a woman and the Japanese held on to their traditional societal views strongly. Most family businesses were inherited by the sons and not the daughters. There was no guarantee that Hattori Masao would try to produce a son due to familial pressure. When that happens, Hattori Mei’s sweet dreams would come to an end. The simplest and most upfront solution to her problems would be to get rid of her father. With a personality like hers, she was only too eager for it to happen.
Not long after Hattori Mei had exited his office, Liang Siyao made her appearance. Today, her smile was wide and her pretty face looked like a blooming blossom.
“What’s the matter? Why do you seem so happy today?” The sight of Liang Siyao eased Xia Lei’s heart, making him shift his focus onto his lover.
The woman approached him, refusing to reveal much. “Take a guess.”
Xia Lei pondered and shook his head. “I have no idea. Can’t you tell me already?”
“Come on, you’re not trying hard enough. Think a little further, I’m sure you’ll be able to guess it.” Liang Siyao was firm on creating suspense.
Xia Lei pulled her onto his body and had her lay flat on his lap. He raised a palm and slapped her twice. He threatened jokingly, “Are you going to tell me now?”
“Nope, I’ll say nothing even if you slap me to death.” Liang Siyao giggled.
Slap slap slap!
Xia Lei’s palms drummed the surface of her meaty cheeks, triggering fervent ripples to resonate on her pink flesh. The slightly parted office lady skirt concealed a pair of black stocking-clad limbs.
“Jeez, you actually dare to spank me? Go on, spank me. If your son gets miscarried, it’s all your fault.” Liang Siyao turned her face around to glare at him. Her expression was a contrasting mix of disgust and enticement. Xia Lei was the only thing reflected in her gorgeous dark eyes, everything else around him blissfully ignored.
Xia Lei’s palm came to an abrupt halt mid-air. There was a silent pause before he spluttered, “You’re pregnant?!”
