Tranxending Vision - Chapter 324

Chapter 324: 324

Xia Lei and Shentu Tian-Yin left Ahn Retreat and checked-in to a hotel called Aloft Seoul Gangnam .

Xia Lei opened his room with the room card . There was a female service staff member in his room but she was not doing any work . She was sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed and enjoying the view of the bustling street outside the window . She looked away when Xia Lei entered .  

A wry smile appeared in the corners of Xia Lei’s lips when he saw her face . “You should know that it’s not good for you to appear here . Ahn Suhyeong might have sent men to follow me . ” 

The woman on the sofa was Long Bing .  

Xia Lei did not know if she knew he would be getting this room or if she had entered it after he got his room card . It was always astonishing to see her appear; it was her style .  

Long Bing spoke evenly, “I wouldn’t be here if I can’t even handle one Ahn Suhyeong . ” 

Xia Lei sat next to the bed . “What about the sword?” 

“It’s on its way to China through secure means,” said Long Bing .  

Xia Lei let out a breath . “That’s good . The sword’s most important . It’s best that it’s not in Korea . Ahn Geungan and Ahn Suhyeong won’t trace it back to me no matter how they look . ” 

“You did well this time, but…”

“But what?” 

“Your guy is not clean . ” A tiny wrinkle appeared between Long Bing’s brows . “Our target is just the sword of Attila but he also stole a few pieces of Ahn Geungan’s collection . You were there - why didn’t you stop him?” 

“Did you come to hold me accountable?” 

Long Bing said nothing; she stared at him silently .  

“I was there, true, and Qin Xiang took a few items but I didn’t think much of it . He’s taking such a great risk and Bureau 101 isn’t giving him any reward either . If this fails you won’t admit that he was working for you guys - he could even lose his life in Korea . Is it so wrong for him to try to get some repayment?” said Xia Lei .

Long Bing sighed . “Don’t misunderstand . I’m not here to hold anyone accountable . I will keep this quiet and won’t report it . But you have to tell your guy that the things he stole cannot resurface within the next five years or it’ll bring trouble . If he becomes the target of Ahn Geungan’s investigation because he was trying to sell what he stole then he will have a terrible end . ” 

Xia Lei understood what she meant . Qin Xiang would indeed have a bad end if something like that did happen, because he would have to deal with not just Ahn Geungan’s investigations or pursuit but with Bureau 101 too . And it was difficult to guess how Bureau 101 would choose to handle the matter .  

“I will warn him,” said Xia Lei, “Where is he now?” 

“He left after handing the sword of Attila to me . I think he must have some way to leave Korea . I found out that Ahn Geungan had lost some other artifacts too after I listened in on the police channel, so I’m coming by specially to talk with you about this . I don’t want him to become a danger, and I won’t allow him to be a danger . You understand what I mean?” said Long Bing .  

Xia Lei smiled wryly and nodded .  

He’d thought that Qin Xiang should have some benefit too and that was why he had not stopped him but he had not thought that it would bring so much danger . However, he was confident that he could persuade Qin Xiang not to sell those artifacts .  

“There’s a flight tomorrow afternoon, 1300 hours . You’ll have to leave no matter if Shentu Tian-Yin is leaving or not . Someone will get you at Incheon Airport,” said Long Bing .  

“Shentu Tian-Yin says that she will leave right after the groundbreaking ceremony, so I think it’s going to be no problem . I’ll go straight to Incheon Airport if she doesn’t leave,” said Xia Lei .  

“Be careful . ” Long Bing left with those words .  

Xia Lei sat in the room and thought about his world after Long Bing’s departure . The process of how they had taken the sword of Attila replayed in his mind, especially the part where he held the sword in his hands .  

‘The ruins in the White Hun Tribe was built in the time of the Huns’ prosperity . The Ming dynasty compass also pointed there . These two pieces of history are separated by a thousand years, so how are they related? And the weight of the sword of Attila was obviously not right . It’s definitely no ordinary sword . Too bad I didn’t take a close look at it earlier… When I go back I must have a good look at it before I hand it to Dayetia…’ thought Xia Lei .  

Knock-knock-knocking came from the door .  

Xia Lei’s thoughts were interrupted and his gaze went to the door . His left eye twitched and the person behind the door entered his field of vision .  

It was Fu Ming-Mei and she looked annoyed . She knocked twice more on the door .  

Xia Lei got up and walked to the door as he said, “Who is it?” 

“It’s me . ” 

Xia Lei opened the room door . “What is it?” 

“Big Sister Tian-Yin is inviting you for a cup of coffee . She wants to talk with you,” said Fu Ming-Mei .  

Xia Lei glanced at the watch on his wrist . It was already past ten in the evening but he did not refuse . “Sure . Where?” 

“In the hotel cafe,” said Fu Ming-Mei, “Follow me . ” 

Xia Lei left the room and followed Fu Ming-Mei to the cafe .  

“I heard you had a duel with Ahn Suhyeong and you won, eh?” asked Fu Ming-Mei casually in the lift .  

“Just playing around with him . ” 

“Heh heh,” chuckled Fu Ming-Mei, “How could you play with him? He’s your love rival, remember? You won the fight so Big Sister Tian-Yin will add more points to your score . ” 

Adding points again . Xia Lei didn’t want to hear about it but he did not show his thoughts on his face .  

Xia Lei spotted Shentu Tian-Yin right away upon entering the cafe . She was sitting with her back against the sofa at a table which was next to the floor-to-ceiling glass window, watching the streets outside the window silently .

The Gangnam district was Seoul’s busiest business district and one could indulge in a life of luxury here .  

Xia Lei sat opposite Shentu Tian-Yin . A waiter came over and he ordered a cup of black coffee .  

“I can’t sleep . I’d like to chat with you . ” Shentu Tian-Yin broke the silence between them . There was a special look in her eyes as she gazed at Xia Lei .  

Xia Lei gave a laugh . “I couldn’t sleep either . What shall we chat about?” 

“Do we have to search for topics to have a chat, the two of us?” The tone of Shentu Tian-Yin’s voice carried a hint of reproach .  

Xia Lei said a little sheepishly, “Actually, I do have several topics I’d like to talk with you about, but…” 

“But what?” 

“Nothing . ” Xia Lei didn’t know what he should say either .  

Shentu Tian-Yin sighed and moved her gaze to the window . Her thoughts went up and down in the monstrous and multi-coloured streetscape, her heart seeming to float and sink along with it . “I miss the times we spent together . We talked about everything . You could even throw your life away to protect me . To help me, you went ahead with my act even though your ex-girlfriend Liang Si-Yao would misunderstand our relationship…” Her voice carried a trace of hurt . “But now it feels like there’s a layer between us . I don’t understand why . Can you tell me why?” 

Xia Lei did not have such feelings . He was silent for a bit, then said, “People will change depending on their environment . It can’t be helped sometimes . ” 

Shentu Tian-Yin’s gaze went back to Xia Lei . “So have you changed, or have I?” 

Have you changed, or have I? 

This was a simple question but Xia Lei could not respond .  

Shentu Tian-Yin was a very proud and excellent specimen of a woman . She was stubborn too but she had opened her heart to Xia Lei in the past . If he had put in a little more effort then he could have had all of her but he had chosen Liang Si-Yao instead .  

Then Liang Si-Yao betrayed him and the pain she caused resulted in him not willing to risk his feelings . Add his expanding business in a sensitive phase to the mix and he had no mind at all to be thinking of relationships . He’d missed the best time and opportunity to conquer Shentu Tian-Yin .  

On Shentu Tian-Yin’s end, she had changed because of the betrayal of her family and she would not trust anyone easily either . Her heart, which had opened for Xia Lei, was also slowly closing up again . She knew that she liked Xia Lei but he had to become the most excellent man if he wanted her, and he had to conquer her heart again .  

The answer to this question had already been answered . Both of them had changed because of what happened to them and their environment had changed too .  

“Forget it . Let’s talk about business . ” Shentu Tian-Yin changed the topic . “I heard that you’re building a military factory in Jingdu . That’s impressive . Not anyone can do business like that but you’ve done it . ” 

Xia Lei smiled . “It’s not bad, being able to help the Chinese military with defence and earning money at the same time . Our country should open up this sector and allow more private capital in . ” 

“You’re already in, and you will be a pioneer . I am in admiration . ” 

“Let’s not talk about my little business . It’s nothing compared to yours,” said Xia Lei, “Let’s talk about you . I’ve been wanting to talk with you . ” 

Shentu Tian-Yin’s brows wrinkled slightly . “You want to talk to me about Gu Ke-Wen?” 

She was sharp . Xia Lei couldn’t help a wry laugh . “Tian-Yin, I know it’s difficult for you to accept my opinion but I still have to warn you . Gu Ke-Wen is no simple woman . I’ve fought with her for so long and my impression of her is that she is a venomous snake . Would she truly be accepting about you borrowing her power to buy the previous assets of the Gu clan?” 

“I’ve given her a sizeable commission . We have just a business relationship, so what use is there for her to be accepting?” 

“Tian-Yin, those assets are actually state-owned assets which Gu Ding-Shan took . You…” 

Shentu Tian-Yin cut him off . “I purchased them through legal means . There will be no problems . You, on the other hand… This was such a good opportunity for you to expand your business quickly so why didn’t you make a move? You’re a man, so you should have a man’s ambition . ” 

Xia Lei sighed to himself . She was as headstrong as ever and didn’t listen to others . It was impossible to say what he’d wanted to say anymore . His warnings were falling on deaf ears anyway so what was the use in warning her? 

A group of people walked through the doorway of the cafe just as the atmosphere turned awkward between them . There were uniformed policemen as well as plainclothes policemen . Leading the group was none other than Ahn Suhyeong .  

Xia Lei was on high alert upon seeing Ahn Suhyeong turn up with a large group .  

“What’s he doing here?” Shentu Tian-Yin wrinkled her brows .  

Ahn Suhyeong had spotted Shentu Tian-Yin and Xia Lei by the floor-to-ceiling glass window and he strode over . The group parted to let him through, then followed him to surround Shentu Tian-Yin and Xia Lei .  

He was surely ill-intentioned; no one well-meaning would come .