————
After hours of intense work in the fashion industry, pencils and scissors laid lifeless with the many scraps of fabrics scattered on the tables and on the floor. Mannequins set up in rows in a total of twenty.
Standing in the center of the room, Yue Ling held her chin with one hand while her other hand held the elbow. She pout her lip in thinking.
After she arrived, no one wasted any more time and started working. The designs on each of the twenty mannequins are the first set of designs. They still have two more sets of twenty to finish. However, she wasn't going to make her design team try and finish it all in one night.
Glancing to the time, it was already 2:30am. Looking back at the designs, she was quite satisfied. Everything had turned out exactly like how she had sketched it.
"Alright, we'll call it a—"
She turn away from the mannequins and when she saw what was behind her, she was dumbfounded.
"…."
All of her designers were already asleep. The twins, Gui Tian Lan and Gui Zhongming sat on the floor, their backs against each other's and their head tilted back on each other's shoulder. Lian Ni Shang sat on a chair and Ju Suo's petite figure looked like a cat using the woman's thighs as a pillow. Shan Sinan looked like he didn't care about where he is and laid flat on the floor.
Turning her head to another part of Uncle Zhi's shop, Yue Ling was even more dumbfounded. Tang Zhong Hui had somehow taken the other guy's coats for use. One as his bed sheet, the other as a pillow and the third one keeping himself warm. However, that wasn't the reason that made her dumbfounded.
She didn't know when, but Tang Zhong Hui had moved some of Uncle Zhi's expensive items onto the floor and turned that layer of the shelf into his bed.
If someone else was to see this scene, they'd probably think they were inside a homeless shelter.
"Boss!"
Liu Shan's voice sounds from the end of the shop catching Yue Ling's attention. Moving her eyes away from her team, she walks towards the two people still awake in the room. However, when she got to them, she suddenly remember something.
"Where is Qi Li?"
"He went out with Uncle Zhi to smoke."
This time, it was Lin Hui who spoke. He leaned against the chair and both hands placed on the back of his head. Yet, his eyes were focused on all the screens in front of him.
Yue Ling nod her head and looks at the screens. She frown when her eyes land on one of the screens. It wasn't moving as if it was put on paused. Arching a brow, she looks at Liu Shan.
"Is this it?"
Nodding his head, Liu Shan taps on his keyboard allowing a few more other videos to show on one screen. Each video showed the same person, a man in a grey suit from different angles.
"He seems to be a hacker too. I don't know his reason, but he seems to be controlling some of the surveillance cameras. I tried hacking into his computer but each time I'm one code away, he somehow manages to decode me out. However, I was able to use the surveillance cameras to capture a few images of him."
Saying this, Liu Shan frown and leans back on his chair. He's a very high tech hacker, yet, this unknown man comes and disrupts his image. Thinking of it, he couldn't help but think about the time they went to save Jingxu and Ting.
The unknown team from the other mountain had a very cunning hacker too. Could these two be the same person? But that can't be possible, right?
While Liu Shan was lost in his thoughts, Lin Hui held in mixed feelings. His skills as a tech was just slightly under Liu Shan's, but if this unknown person is this great… does that mean he's third now?
Thinking of being third, Lin Hui frown. Sliding the chair back, he solemnly stood up.
"I need some fresh air."
Not waiting for his boss's approval, he strides in big steps out of the shop to join Uncle Zhi and Qi Li.
Yue Ling: "….."
Liu Shan: "…."
Everyone else: "Zzzzzz…"
Hearing the sound of the door closed, both boss and assistant were dumbfounded. Yet, with the loud sound of the door shutting, none of Yue Ling's design team woke up. Each individual continued to enjoy their slumber.
Shaking her head, Yue Ling sighed and shakes her head. Her team is not just weird, but very weird. Glancing at Liu Shan who's attention is back to the screen of the man, she sighed again. Lifting one hand, she pats her assistant on the shoulder.
"If you're that curious, I'll let you in on something."
Hearing her words, Liu Shan's head dart to look at his boss. He didn't say anything, but his expression was enough to show what he was feeling.
Looking at him, Yue Ling didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She glance at the screen then turn around to leave. Just as her body half turned, her voice sounds the answer.
"His name is Xu Long."
Like Lin Hui, this time it was Yue Ling's turn to leave. She didn't wait to see Liu Shan's reaction because she already knew how it will look like.
Following his boss's figure, Liu Shan stare at the woman with his jaw dropping to the floor. Lifting both hands, he dig his ears because he could not believe what he had just heard.
After a long while, he slowly turn back to look at the screen on his laptop. If what his boss says is true, then everything makes sense now.
Xu Long isn't the assistant of the business king for no reason, the man had his sources. Not only that, when Yue Ling first set the decision to move to Imperial, he had done some digging.
This man name Xu Long is very capable as an assistant and always succeed in his job.
Thinking of something, Liu Shan's eyes dimmed. If Xu Long is this good at hacking, he needs to step up his game. He can't have anyone hacking into his database and learn about his boss. Even if that person is the almighty business king himself.
Yue Ling reaches the door as the sound of clicking echos throughout the shop. She shook her head and felt pity for Xu Long. Anyone who is a genius hacker is a competitor to Liu Shan. Lin Hui just happened to be one of the lucky ones to be able to work with the man.
However, she never expected that the clumsy assistant by her baby's father would also be hacker. Maybe she should ask Lu Tian and have both assistants meet.
Thinking of Lu Tian, she caress her stomach and smile warmly. If Liu Shan's instinct is correct, then that means Lu Tian must be keeping a close eye on her.
Did he think she wouldn't be able to protect herself?
Shaking the thought away, she reach her hand out and grab the door handle.
*baaaang!!*
The metal door was suddenly pulled open with great force stopping Yue Ling's hand in midair.
The sudden sound wakes up the sleeping design team. Everyone's expression didn't look like they had been sleeping at all. Each one's attention was to the door. Liu Shan also stood from his chair. Seeing the person, he frown and looks at the person who had open the door.
Unlike her team, Yue Ling did not falter what so ever. She remained calmed and slightly tilt her head at the person.
"What is it, Uncle Zhi?"
Everyone's eyes stayed glue to the middle aged man. His expression was grave and loss of all colors. Following behind him were the two security guards. Their expression were no different from the man's.
Uncle Zhi's eyes looked to each person inside his shop, then to Yue Ling. His lips pressed tightly together, before he spoke.
"Members of Black Dragon showed up here. Lin Hui and Qi Li went after them. I dispatched some of my men to follow."
Hearing his words, Yue Ling didn't show an ounce of fear. However, her bluish green eyes slowly blink as they dimmed into a dangerous shade.
"Liu Shan, hack every surveillance camera in Imperial to locate Lin Hui and Qi Li. Since Chu Li Xiang made his move, we will welcome him with ours."
———————