What else could she have done? They wouldn’t budge no matter how hard she pressed them. The situation at hand had Long Bing helpless. She had no experience in handling high-profiled characters such as Yu Shanhe. As she started to worry, Xia Lei tugged on her sleeve, motioning her to follow him out.
Long Bing exited the room behind Xia Lei. “What did you want to say?”
Xia Lei replied, “This case should be handled by Boss Shi. If he didn’t want to get involved in this, why did you accept the task?”
Long Bing answered, “He offered it to me personally. How could I say no to that? Plus, I began this case, it was only natural for me to handle the finale.”
“These men are not ordinary men. Anyone who gets involved will be faced with significant consequences. Do you not know that?” Xia Lei was starting to feel nervous on her behalf.
Weirdly, Long Bing was smiling. “Of course I understand that. But if everyone avoids the problem, who would deliver the justice they deserve? Someone has to do this, I’m not afraid of them. I’m going to head back in now, you should stay out of this. You’re a busy man, any potential risk would just delay your progress. I’m not afraid of problems, I’ll just have everything come to me.”
Xia Lei pulled her over. “No, you should just walk away from this. I’ll help you with this.”
“You?” Long Bing stared at him in shock.
Xia Lei answered, “Yeah, I can help you. I’m a member of Bureau 101 too. I’m a supervisor for crying out loud. If you can take over this task, I can take over too.”
“But…”
Xia Lei stopped her. “Enough, you need to trust me. Let me handle this. If you’re not afraid of problems, then problems fear me. Do you get what I mean?”
Long Bing was taken aback, but she must admit that what Xia Lei said was true. Though she was unafraid, the problems would surely find their way to her. Xia Lei’s situation was very much her opposite. The man was able to go against people like Yu Shanhe and Ling Han. He even had a powerful ‘fiancée’ like Fan Fan. Would Yu Shanhe and Ling Han’s associates dare to challenge Xia Lei?
He then led her towards Shi Boren’s office.
“What are you trying to do?” Long Bing began to feel nervous.
“You know what I’m trying to do. Say nothing later, okay?”
Long Bing wanted to reject him but Xia Lei’s stern expression and rigid stance rendered her silent. Inexplicably, though Long Bing was forced into heeding his will, the woman felt glee. She quite likes this feeling of being spoiled with tenderness.
Coming to the front of Shi Boren’s office, Xia Lei activated his left eye instead of knocking the door.
Inside, Shi Boren was talking to Tang Yuyan.
“Godfather, shouldn’t you handle the interrogation? Why did you have Long Bing see to it?” Tang Yuyan continued, “She managed to solve Yu Shanhe and Ling Han’s case. Her contribution is hefty and significant, like capturing a massive beast all alone. Letting her take care of the finale is also allowing her to receive merit. I have done nothing worthy of the head of Bureau 101, how are the people going to see me? How would the higher-ups look at me?”
“You’re too young. You don’t understand the risk this will bring.” Shi Boren explained, “Yu Shanhe is no small fry. The man has a lot of people behind him. Those people would’ve felt threatened as of now. Under such circumstances, could they stay silent and do nothing? Anyone who takes over the job is bound to face risks. There is no need for you to worry about the outcome of Long Bing’s interrogation. Yu Shanhe will never cooperate with her. This whole matter would eventually be handed to the higher-ups. We’re merely following the protocols to have Yu Shanhe and Ling Han warmed up.”
Tang Yuyan heaved a sigh. “Godfather, I… I felt like I’ve wronged Long Bing.”
Shi Boren replied, “There’s nothing to be sorry about. This is work. I’m sure she’ll understand you.”
Xia Lei scoffed in his heart. What Shi Boren had really meant was, ‘Long Bing is too honest for her own good. If she perishes, she perishes. There’s nothing wrong with this.’
Long Bing couldn’t hear the ongoing conversation inside nor did she know that Xia Lei was spying on Shi Boren and Tang Yuyan. Curiously, she touched his elbow and stared at him. Though no words were said, her confused gaze was asking him why they were standing before the door for long.
Finally, Xia Lei reached out to knock on the door.
Tang Yuyan moved over to answer it, immediately welcomed by the sight of a stern-faced Xia Lei and Long Bing. Inexplicably, her heart thumped harshly. “You… What’s the matter?”
Xia Lei brushed past her shoulder, ignoring her to head towards Shi Boren. Without any hesitation, he spoke, “Boss Shi, Yu Shanhe and Ling Han are not cooperating at all. How about you leave this to me? I can handle the job.”
“You?” Shi Boren had surprise written all over his face.
“Yes, me.” Xia Lei continued, “I guarantee that I can complete this task.”
“No can do.” Shi Boren shook his head fervently. “Yu Shanhe is no regular person. You won’t get anything out of him.”
“Why are you so sure about that? You should at least let me try.” Xia Lei could feel fury bubbling in his heart.
“What’s the matter with you today? I regret having you over. You should focus all your energy onto creating weapons. That’s your responsibility to this country. You shouldn’t waste your time on tasks like these.” Abruptly, Shi Boren landed his gaze on Long Bing. “Oh, I see it now. You must be worried that Long Bing is overworked. Long Bing, tell me. What kind of relationship do you share with Xia Lei?”
“I… We…” Long Bing found it difficult to admit.
“Boss Shi.” Xia Lei suppressed his anger. “I think it’s better if I say this. She’s my woman.”
In that split second, Long Bing felt her heart melt into a mushy puddle. This was the first time Xia Lei had ever addressed their relationship publicly. Never had she expected something like this under such a situation. Plus, he said it to Shi Boren’s face. Those words were like a house, a house Xia Lei built for her.
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On the other hand, Tang Yuyan could feel her heart shatter into ruins. She was desperate to receive his affection but Xia Lei had given his heart to Long Bing right in front of her.
The same sentence had both Long Bing and Tang Yuyan brimming with tears. Long Bing’s tears from sweetness while Tang Yuyan’s tears were from her heart-breaking reality.
“You both...” Shi Boren pointed at Xia Lei as he glared daggers at Long Bing. The older man was pissed beyond words. Xia Lei was challenging him!
Xia Lei’s tone was calm. “Boss Shi, there are some things that I kept to myself for a while. I figure I should say it now.”
“Well, go on!”
“Long Bing is my lover, I just wish for her to live a happy life. It’s just a simple wish, I hope you could help me make it come true.”
Shi Boren said nothing.
Xia Lei went on. “I want to help her complete this task. Please let me handle this. I don’t want her to get troubled while I literally have no fear of that.”
“So you think you can do whatever you want just because you’re capable now? Long Bing is your lover. If you really think she’s wronged here, you could just take her away.” Shi Boren’s emotions were spiralling out of control.
Xia Lei replied, “I’ve offered her that but she declined it. She loves this country and she loves her job. I would never ask her to give up on something she loves, but I’ll be glad to help her.”
“You’re such a love expert! But I’m the decision-maker here. No means no.”
Xia Lei threatened, “It’s alright if you disagree. I’ll immediately resign from my supervisor position. The next time Bureau 101 faces difficulties, forget about consulting me.”
“You…” Shi Boren was rendered speechless. Though Xia Lei worked for Bureau 101 occasionally, the man was undeniably a core member. His resignation would mean a gigantic loss to the bureau. Tang Yuyan’s future would be greatly affected too!
“Godfather, just say yes.” Tang Yuyan’s voice was hoarse.
Shi Boren glared at her briefly, then pointed at Xia Lei again. “You… You bastard… You…”
Xia Lei let out a little laugh. “Boss Shi, what are you trying to say?”
“If you want to handle it, what are you still standing there for? Get out and work!” exclaimed Shi Boren.
“Alright then, I’ll be leaving now. Thank you, Boss Shi. Thank you, Yuyan.” Xia Lei thanked them and exited the office. The man had suppressed his wrath from the beginning till the end. Shi Boren and Tang Yuyan were no foe, they were friends. Though he was angry about how they mistreated Long Bing, the fact that this was a result of workplace politics would never change. Politics were never clean. It was a fact that Xia Lei understood well.
Generosity was a must when treating friends and family, that was something he practised all the time. A man’s heart must be big, so then it could contain mountains and oceans!
When Xia Lei exited out of the door, Tang Yuyan immediately chased after him.
Long Bing remained at the door, opting to not follow suit.
“I hope you won’t blame me for this.” Tang Yuyan’s tears were rolling in her socket, threatening to drop down at any given second.
Xia Lei couldn’t find a heart to say anything. Instead, he sighed. “I understand that there are some things you have no control over. I won’t blame you for that.”
A bitter smile appeared at the corner of her lips. Tearily, she asked, “If that was me, would you help me this way?”
Xia Lei answered, “What kind of question is that? I gave you all my clothes back in Dawang. What else can I help you with?”
“You still had your underwear on,” teased Tang Yuyan, her mood clearly better now.
“That’s enough, I’m going to work now.”
“Last question.” Tang Yuyan stared intently at Xia Lei. “Just now… When you revealed that Long Bing was your lover in front of me and my godfather, I felt like my heart was torn apart. I’m not jealous of Ah Bing. In fact, I’m happy for her. You’re the best gift life has to offer. But if I were in her shoes, would you say something like that?”
Xia Lei shook his head. “No.”
Tang Yuyan was surprised. “W…Why?”
“Because you’re the Tang family’s daughter. You don’t need that.” With that, Xia Lei left her behind.
Dazedly, she watched him leave. Two beads of tears silently slid down the curves of her cheek.
Long Bing slowly walked over, giving Tang Yuyan’s shoulder a pat. “The things you want, he can’t give. The things he offers, you don’t want. When you finally understand what you truly want in life, I’m sure you’ll be able to find happiness too.”
Abruptly, Tang Yuyan pulled Long Bing to her front. Then, she buried her face into the crook of Long Bing’s shoulder.