Mr. CEO, Spoil me 100 Percent! - Chapter 180

Chapter 180: Can’t Go Through Him

 

“So, you’ve really started to fall for this woman?” Grandfather Xi was still smart in his mind. Mubai’s sudden break wasn’t only for himself. It mostly likely had to do with Xinghe as well.

The fact that he was willing to defy his mother to cross the Chu Family for the sake of a woman means that, on some level, this grandson of mine cares about her.

However, there are many ways to break up an engagement. There was no reason to do something so callous.

Mubai didn’t admit or deny it.

However, it was obvious that it was a silent admission.

Grandfather Xi pursued with a hint of a smile, “So, are you two planning to remarry?”

This time Mubai replied, “It’s on my mind.”

“Not on mine,” Xinghe said suddenly. Her tone was crisp and firm.

She was not at all surprised Mubai had plans to remarry her.

Because she didn’t care what his plans was.

Grandfather Xi laughed, this time with a tinge of superciliousness. “You worry the Xi Family is not yet willing to welcome you back?”

“I assure you, that is not part of my worry.” Because I have no intention of returning.

“This one sure has quite a spine on her,” Grandfather Xi scoffed.

Xinghe didn’t want to waste any time on these frivolities so she cut right to the chase, “Sir, the reason I’m here today, other than to see my son, is to meet you. I wish to have his custody for a few years, I hope you will agree to my request.”

Mubai felt a headache coming.

Didn’t I warn you not to bring this up before my grandfather?

His grandfather was not as easygoing as the rest of them.

Sure enough, Xi Gang’s face fell. “What did you say‽”

“Grandfather, she spoke out of line because she cares too much about her son.”

“You stay out of it and don’t defend her! How dare she make such a demand! I, Xi Gang only have that one great grandson, where does she find the guts to issue such a demand‽ Who told her she can take the child away from the Xi Family‽” Grandfather Xi roared angrily, his gaze sharp enough to cut through stone.

“I did,” Mubai said without thinking.

His grandfather stared at him with surprise, even Xinghe was slightly shocked.

Mubai held his grandfather’s gaze fearlessly and continued, “Grandfather, there was a reason behind our divorce so many years ago. She was conned into taking the divorce, the fault doesn’t lie with her…”

“Then it was her own fault for being so dumb to allow herself to be conned!”

“…That was because she was suffering from amnesia and had no help from the Xi Family. She was cornered and temporarily lost her footing.”

“That is a sign of her weakness. My Xi Family will never welcome the feeble or allow our children to be raised by one!”

“Grandfather, you can’t use your standards to measure her.”

His grandfather scoffed and announced majestically, “In this family, I am the standard!”

“Which is why Xinghe is here to today to ask for your permission.”

“My answer is NO!” Grandfather Xi said with finality, not showing any sympathy towards a fragile woman’s feelings.

Thankfully, there was nothing fragile about Xinghe.

Even faced with Grandfather Xi’s impressive presence and verbal dressing down, she was completely at ease.

“You heard my grandfather. This is not the way to go.” Mubai tilted his head to look at Xinghe.

Xinghe stared at him and asked, “Does this mean you agree to let me take care of Lin Lin for a few years?”

“…”

What is wrong with her point of emphasis‽

Couldn’t she tell this was his way of helping her advance her arguments?

Of course, he hadn’t agreed to pass her their child, he just didn’t want her to stand alone in his grandfather’s line of fire…

Chapter 181: Marry Me

 

Xinghe noticed his reticence and asked with a raised brow, “What’s wrong? Did I misunderstand what you meant?”

Fine, I did mention something to that effect.

But the slip was only to help you win the argument… I didn’t really mean it.

His grandfather also interrogated him, “You really agree for her to take away the child?”

“He did, you heard him, right?” Xinghe chimed in, taking advantage of Mubai’s silence.

Xi Gang glared severely at her. “Don’t speak if you’re not asked. I’m only interested in his answer!”

“Didn’t he already answer you? There is no other way to interpret what he said.” Xinghe replied matter-of-factly.

“…” Mubai was at a loss for words.

The lengths she would go to mince my words. Isn’t this a bit too much…?

“Well, tell me. Do you agree or not‽” Grandfather Xi had his gaze zeroed in on Mubai. It was as if the moment Mubai nodded, he would disown him as his grandson.

Xinghe too was staring at him with a pair of shining eyes…

“…”

So, this is how it feels to be stuck between a rock and a hard place.

But how did it end up like this‽ What did I do wrong?

“I’m asking you a question! Do you agree or not‽” Grandfather Xi repeated with added emphasis.

“I…” Mubai opened his mouth to say but before he would continue, he pulled Xinghe up and said, “Grandfather, I think we will go see Lin Lin first, it’s not good to keep a child waiting. We will continue this conversation later.”

Under Grandfather Xi’s withering gaze, he dragged Xinghe out of the living room in a hurry.

He stopped and groused helplessly when they turned into the corridor, “Didn’t I tell you not to mention the custody in front of Grandfather?”

“I didn’t promise you I wouldn’t.” Xinghe struggled out of his grab and, in that moment, Mubai felt inexplicably disappointed.

He retracted the hand that still felt warm from her body heat and said, “But doing so would anger him. I don’t think you can handle the consequences.”

“What’s the worst that can happen? Have me murdered?” Xinghe said with a shrug.

Mubai chuckled, “Of course, he wouldn’t go that far, but he most likely will forbid you from seeing Lin Lin.”

“Forbidding me to take him away, forbidding me to see him, really, what’s the difference?” Xinghe sighed disconcertedly, lowering her eyes in distress.

She was going to die soon, if she couldn’t change her son’s fate before then, seeing him or not made no difference…

What she wanted was not to see him but to alter his destiny.

Mubai felt the sadness in Xinghe but he couldn’t figure out why.

He asked in a gentle tone, “You want to take custody of the child so badly?”

“Yes,” Xinghe answered without hesitation.

Mubai looked seriously at her for a heartbeat or two and he asked another question, “You mentioned you’re willing to do anything for this purpose. Is that still true?”

Xinghe raised her eyes to look at him, “What do you have in mind?”

“Marry me,” Mubai said unexpectedly, “Marry me again and the child will be yours, no one will be able to have a say against it.”

“…”

“Didn’t you say you’re willing to do anything for Lin Lin? Is this an exception?”

“I’m willing to do anything and promise you anything as long as it is not this,” Xinghe replied in a tone that was full of finality.

“Why not?” Mubai frowned, his heart strangely agitated, “Because you don’t love me?”

No, it’s not that. I married you once without loving you and I could definitely do it again.

The reason is because my intention has changed from laying claim to Lin Lin to temporarily taking him away from this death trap.

Even if I married you, I would still soon die and, after my death, you will eventually marry another woman.

According to my prophetic dream, Lin Lin will still be ignored and run away from home…

Chapter 182: Have Her Detained

 

The power structure within a modern rich and powerful family was not unlike that of an imperial harem. Everyone nursed their own aspirations and goals, plotting and scheming against one another.

It was her belief that no matter who Mubai eventually married, she would not love Lin Lin from the bottom of her heart.

She would have ostracized him or, even worse, harm him.

After all, Lin Lin was Mubai’s eldest son so he had the strongest claim to Xi Empire. He would have to be removed for the other woman’s own child to rise to the top.

Therefore, after Mubai remarried, Lin Lin’s situation would be dangerous and precarious.

Thus, she had to lead him away from this environment, to help him avoid all these power struggles, and for him to be independent and strong.

However, she couldn’t reveal all of this to Mubai…

If they knew she was dying and purposely hid that fact from them, it was certain that they wouldn’t let her take Lin Lin away.

How could they let Lin Lin grow up alone in the dangerous outside world without the support of the Xi family?

She swallowed her grievances because she knew she couldn’t rely on anyone but herself.

Xinghe looked at Mubai with fresh determination. “If I remember correctly, there is a rule within Xi Family that whoever manages to cure Old Madam Xi’s physical condition will be granted any wish that he or she wants. Is that right?”

Mubai narrowed his eyes at Xinghe. “You want to try your hands at this task?”

“Definitely!” Xinghe nodded, her eyes shining with confidence.

There was a smile in Mubai’s eyes when he replied, “It’s not that I have no confidence in you but can you really accomplish this? She requires a perfect artificial human limb; current medical research is not even close to understanding it.”

Xinghe replied with a winning smile, “If you don’t try, you’ll never know.”

“So, you’re sure this will be another win for you?”

“Truth be told, it’s hard to tell for now but I have confidence in myself,” Xinghe’s eyes were practically glowing when she said this.

It was a light that shone from within her, an aura of dazzling confidence.

This was what Mubai loved most about her.

Whenever he saw her this way, his heart would be rocked, as if swept away by an April Shower.

At that moment, the attraction was at its hardest. The urge to have Xinghe detained and shackled, to keep her for himself rose up within Mubai!

But he knew he couldn’t…

The freedom was part of Xinghe’s beauty. Like a born-again phoenix, she needed the open sky to spread her wings, to extend her glory.

Mubai suppressed his inner feelings and looked at her with a burning gaze, promising, “Alright, since you’re so confident, go ahead and try. If you can accomplish this, I will grant you the wish that you want, so will the entire Xi Family!”

At that moment, Mubai no longer cared about the custody battle.

Because he wanted not only the child, but also his mother…

So, what if he gave her the child? In the end, Lin Lin would return to him because he aimed to make her his as well.

“For real?” Xinghe said with obvious excitement.

“Would I lie to someone as important as you?” Mubai replied with a light smile. There was obvious flirtation in his words but it flew over Xinghe’s head because she was too happy focusing on the fact that he had agreed to her request, albeit on conditions.

Looks like Old Madam Xi’s situation was indeed the biggest problem facing Xi Family…

“Your words alone mean nothing to me, I need your grandfather to swear to it too,” Xinghe said cautiously. In Mubai’s ears, marinated in the haze of infatuation, she sounded like a child asking an adult for a pinky promise.

He suppressed the urge to tousle her hair and responded with a wide smile, “You don’t have to worry about that because grandfather cares deeply about grandmother. He will do anything for her. In fact, if you’re still worried, why don’t we go confirm with him now?”

He then pulled her back to meet Grandfather Xi.

After listening to Xinghe’s offer, Grandfather Xi was both surprised and suspicious, “You have confidence you can accomplish this?”

“I’m 70 to 80 percent confident that it’ll be a success,” Xinghe replied truthfully but it was translated into impudence when it reached Grandfather Xi’s ears.

He glared at her and responded with a sneer, “Young lady, might I remind you that talk is cheap?”

Chapter 183: A Hail Mary

 

“Then I shall prove it with my work,” Xinghe replied confidently.

Grandfather Xi narrowed his perceptive gaze.

He had a knack for reading people. He could tell Xinghe wasn’t bluffing but he still didn’t believe she could possibly accomplish the mission.

Over the years, the Xi family had spent an uncountable amount of money to produce this technology but had failed; the odds were not in Xinghe’s favor.

“Grandfather, why not let her try since we have nothing to lose,” Mubai uttered beside her, “Furthermore, I believe in her!”

“You believe in her?” His grandfather was astonished.

There was no hesitation in Mubai’s reply, “Definitely.”

He wasn’t lying to appease his grandfather. For some reasons, he believed in Xinghe unconditionally.

Since she had his grandson’s vote of confidence, Grandfather Xi decided to give Xinghe a chance. He announced, “Fine! You can have a go at it, if you can manage this, I will honor your wish, but if you fail, you must willingly part ways with Lin Lin!”

“Then, it’s settled. You have my word!” Xinghe accepted the challenge with aplomb. Her win the horse or lose the saddle courage impressed everyone present.

Grandfather Xi, for some reason, started to look forward to her success.

If the woman was successful, he would have her remarry into Xi Family, that way both Lin Lin and Xinghe would stay.

Mubai was harboring the same plan; he wanted to keep both his son and his son’s mother.

Of course, Xinghe was clueless to their intention. However, she would just shrug it off even if she had known.

They couldn’t force her into the remarriage if she refused!

The news that Xinghe was to create an artificial limb for Old Madam Xi soon reached Madam Xi’s ears.

“What did you say?” Ruobing stared at the maid with bewilderment. “This Xia Xinghe said she can create the thing Old Madam needs?”

The maid nodded in response, “That’s correct, that was what Miss Xia said. The Old Sir has agreed to give her a chance and so did the Young Master.”

Ruobing chuckled sardonically. “Who does this Xia Xinghe think she is? This challenge is easier said than done.”

“Miss Xia also mentioned she can produce the result in less than a month,” the maid added.

This time Ruobing’s smile froze on her face and she stared at the maid in total shock!

Even Old Madam Xi who sat beside them painting raised her eyes and commented, “This girl has such confidence?” Her tone was smooth without any obvious emotion.

“She does seem to possess incredible self-assurance,” the maid answered respectfully.

“Old Madam, I’m sure this Xia Xinghe is just bluffing. She doesn’t know the waters she has waded into. The unavailability of the technology aside, creating a perfect artificial limb in under a month is simply impossible.” Her tone was full of distrust and condescension towards Xinghe.

It was not that she didn’t want to trust Xinghe but over the past few decades, the Xi Family had burnt through plenty of resources to create a perfect human-emulated artificial limb but their efforts were all to no avail. All the supposed ‘experts’ had fallen to the wayside. Therefore, how could Xinghe, a woman who knows nothing, accomplish this incredible feat?

Furthermore, creating this technology required in-depth and esoteric computer and programming knowledge.

Needless to say, Old Madam Xi wasn’t bearing much hope either.

However, her wish to regain her complete self hadn’t been eroded by time, if anything, the passage of time only made her wish stronger.

This was the biggest desire in her heart.

If this wish couldn’t be fulfilled before her death, she would probably be deprived of a peaceful death.

She glanced at her right arm that was missing and her eyes flashed with abhorrence.

This was the ugliest part of her body, the greatest pain in her heart.

Chapter 184: Sorry for Being Late

 

She would live in constant torment if this physical scar of hers wasn’t healed.

Therefore, she would not let go of any hope, no matter how small it might be.

Old Madam Xi ordered resolutely, “Let her try! If she manages to pull this off, tell her she can name anything and, if it’s within my capability, I’ll gladly grant it!”

Ruobing’s heart skipped a beat. Restlessness troubled her heart at the appearance of a new threat.

However, she quickly calmed down.

This Xia Xinghe can’t possibly pull it off!

It’s ridiculous to think that this woman from nowhere can threaten my position.

She swore she would see Xinghe fail!

Old Madam Xi’s reply reached the living room quickly.

It was as Xinghe expected. The matriarch of the house was willing to let her try and promised, if she was to succeed, she would be more than willing to honor her wish.

Grandfather Xi leveled Xinghe his sharp gaze. There was a threat hidden in his words, “Now that you’ve given her hope, you’d better not disappoint us or you’ll never see your son again as long as you live, in fact, don’t think you’ll even be able to show yourself around City T again!”

Instead of worry, Xinghe felt relieved realizing how much Grandfather Xi cared for his ex-wife.

This observation told her that they would not go back on their promise.

Xinghe replied calmly, “Don’t worry. I will never promise anything that I don’t have confidence in completing.”

“You’d better not!”

“Now, can I see my son? I wish to meet him before I start working.”

Grandfather harrumphed but he still ordered the maid to bring Lin Lin over.

Xinghe held an expression that was as still as the surface of a lake during her confrontation with Grandfather Xi but she’d started to get apprehensive before meeting her son…

Her apprehension wasn’t manifested physically but Mubai could feel her nerves.

He noticed her breathing had become more rapid than usual.

He looked at her deeply, his heart a bedlam of emotions.

There was even jealousy in there…

He was jealous of the attention his son could elicit from her, the love that she reserved solely for Lin Lin.

He laughed inwardly at the ludicrous thought. However, he promised he would work hard so that one day he too would be deserving of her attention and love…

Xi Lin was soon brought into the living room.

The little guy had on a buttoned-up shirt and checkered shorts. His good upbringing and polite mannerism, coupled with the outfit, lent him an appearance of a prince.

The cutest, handsomest prince there ever was.

The boy had Xinghe’s dark and bright eyes as well as Mubai’s aquiline nose and perfect composure, an amalgamation of his parent’s best qualities.

He was the most beautiful boy Xinghe had ever seen.

Lin Lin could elicit adoration out of the most aloof of strangers much less his very own mother.

The moment Xinghe laid eyes on him, she realized she was willing to give up her entire life for him.

She had a deeper understanding of why Lin Lin was so valued by the entirety of Xi Family.

He was exquisitely precious.

No wonder Grandfather Xi’s first reaction when she raised her request was rage.

However, she would not surrender because of this.

She had to alter Lin Lin’s destiny.

Xinghe took unconscious steps towards her son while Lin Lin stared unblinkingly at her. His slight figure was like hers, rigid due to nervousness.

Xinghe stopped before him, got on her knees and looked in his pretty eyes. Her words were full of guilt, “Lin Lin, forgive Mommy for being so late.”

Chapter 185: Only You

 

When they left Xi Family’s old family mansion, the sun had set.

Mubai’s towering figure strode in front while Xinghe followed his back. There was an unspoken familiarity between the two of them.

Xinghe was pricked by a sudden inspiration and she turned to see Lin Lin standing at the villa entrance staring at her.

Xinghe read on his face the reluctance to part.

She too was broken-hearted. If possible, she would grab him and run.

But she knew it wouldn’t work…

Grandfather Xi, to emphasize his intent, forbade her from meeting her son before she could produce the result.

If she failed to come up with anything within this one month, he would personally make sure the mother and son never got to meet again.

After all, Xinghe promised him success. Grandfather Xi would never allow her to renege on her promise.

If she failed, there would be hell to pay.

Xinghe wasn’t worried about completing the mission. In fact, she felt the period of one month was too long. She wished to see her son before then.

“If you want to meet him, come to me. I’ll make sure the two of you have the chance to see each other,” Mubai’s low voice rang beside her ear.

Xinghe kindly demurred, “It’s fine.”

She had to suppress her desire to see her son so she could focus completely on the task at hand. If not, she would spend every waking minute thinking about Lin Lin.

Her maternal instincts were hard to silence but the long period of time after her divorce when she had been prevented from seeing Lin Lin was indeed a great help.

The next one month would be a critical period so she couldn’t allow herself to be distracted by thoughts about her son.

With this purpose in mind, Xinghe steeled herself and swiveled away from the gaze of her son. “Let’s go.”

Mubai looked intensely at her but offered no words. He helped her with the car door. After she got in, he rounded the car and climbed into the driver’s seat.

Then, he started the engine…

Through the rear-view mirror, Xinghe realized Lin Lin was still standing at the same spot.

She felt tears pricking her eyes. Her memory went back to their first real conversation after her divorce.

Yes, today’s meeting was the first time the two had ever spoken to each other face-to-face.

She expected resentment from him but Lin Lin’s feelings towards her was pure and simple.

He didn’t blame her for abandoning him, he didn’t even ask about the past. Instead he consoled her, Three years is not too long.

The little fella took her apology at face value and was answering her seriously.

Don’t you blame me? Because you should. Xinghe had said conscientiously.

I had faith that you would come, and you see, you really did, so how can I blame you?

But what if I didn’t come…

But you’re here, aren’t you?

Then, I apologize for making you wait. That couldn’t have been fun.

It wasn’t very fun, but it must’ve been harder for you. At least I have Daddy but you don’t have another son.

Silly child, of course I only have one son. As long as I may live, you’ll be my only one.

For some reason, in that moment, Xinghe had felt the need to tell her son that.

Lin Lin broke into a bright smile. Me too, I only have one mommy and I swear, you too will be my only one.

Xinghe couldn’t help but laugh.

It was an objective fact that she was his only biological mother. Regardless, the child’s insistence that she was his only one mommy warmed her heart.

Even now, thinking about it made her lips curled into a tender smile.

Mubai captured the slight smile that bloomed on her face and his gaze deepened.

“In one month, even if the project fails, I will hand the child’s custody over to you,” he suddenly promised.

Chapter 186: A Few More Words

 

Xinghe was taken by surprise; she really didn’t expect for him to suddenly say something like this.

Mubai looked at her sincerely and said, “I’m not kidding.”

“What about the rest of the Xi family?” She responded lightly.

Mubai gave a confident smile. “When necessary, I can represent the entire Xi Family.”

For her sake, he was willing to repress any and all voice of objection from his family’s side…

Even though she had no feelings towards Mubai but she was appreciative of his offer.

However, she couldn’t let him do something like this.

Lin Lin would one day return to the Xi Family after her death. Mubai was the only one who would support him unconditionally. She couldn’t let Mubai turn on his whole family because there were no benefits in that.

Xinghe smiled. “Sincerely, I thank you for your offer but I wish to approach this fair and square. Don’t worry, I have confidence I will make your family give me Lin Lin’s custody willingly following their own terms.”

Mubai said directly, “My Xi family has a state-of-the-art medical laboratory. From now onwards, you are allowed unconditional access to it. If you need manpower, materials or information, do not hesitate to come to me.”

“I appreciate it.” Xinghe didn’t reject his kindness. After all, she did require a good lab to work in.

Xi Family’s lab was the best in the country, just what she needed.

Old Madam Xi was the lab’s only beneficiary so its equipment was the best of the best.

“Of course, you’re welcome to bring your own people to aid you,” Mubai added.

Xinghe shook her head, telling him she would tackle the design alone.

Xiao Mo and Xia Zhi couldn’t be of help because their skills weren’t good enough for this project.

Furthermore, they were busy handling the day-to-day running of the company.

Xinghe handed the company over to Xiao Mo because she was averse to administrative work.

She preferred to do this alone. After all, this was not going to be a walk in the park. Without the necessary skill, any lackluster helper was only going to bring her down.

“I will go to the lab tomorrow,” Xinghe said.

“Okay, I will have someone escort you there.” Mubai nodded, he went on to describe for her the situation inside the lab.

Only when he stuck to the topic of the mission would Xinghe continue the conversation.

However, this topic quickly ran its course. Mubai tried his best to extend their conversation, “Aren’t you a little bit curious why my grandmother is missing an arm? And why she is so adamant to have it fixed?”

Xinghe deterred his effort outright. “Not interested.”

“…”

Why is she making it so hard to have a few more words with her?

Mubai powered on regardless, “That might be so but I still have to tell you, this mission doesn’t only involve my grandmother, it is a permanent scar on my grandfather’s heart as well. It is an issue that tied them together for life. In fact, I believe my grandfather will be willing to give you half of Xi Family’s estate if you manage to solve this problem.”

“I understand.” Xinghe nodded. She had no interest in the Xi family’s money.

Even though the amount would probably be astronomical.

The information itself though carried certain weight for Xinghe.

She was glad to know that this issue was treated with such importance by the Xi Family.

That way, her hard work would pay off lucratively.

It allowed her to accomplish her plan in one fell swoop!

The car soon reached Purple Jade Villas.

When Xinghe revealed her address earlier, Mubai was both glad and shocked. He had no idea she had moved in to a place so close to his house.

Of course, he wasn’t conceited enough to think that the move for his sake.

It was obvious it was because she wanted to be near Lin Lin…

Chapter 187: Caress Her Head

 

Once again, Mubai started to feel jealous of his own son. The little guy was probably the only one who could make Xinghe’s heart flutter.

Nonetheless, half of Lin Lin technically came from him.

However, he wasn’t narcissistic or selfish enough to think Xinghe loved him vicariously through Lin Lin.

Mubai chuckled at the sudden kooky thought that popped up in his mind.

Xinghe heard him laughing when she was exiting his car so she turned back to ask, “What’s wrong?”

Mubai stared at her intensely and posed his own question, “Under what circumstances you do think people start to have selfish thoughts?”

“…” Xinghe looked at him quizzically like she was looking at an idiot.

Where did this question come from?

“I think I had one right now because I’m selfish enough to want to make you mine,” Mubai said as he pushed out his hand to caress her head.

“And I think it’s time for your medicine,” Xinghe sharpened her gaze. Her head was not to be touched by anyone.

She stormed out of his car and strode away without once turning back. Her annoyance was obvious.

However, Mubai was not worried but instead rather delighted from teasing her.

He rubbed his fingers together feeling the sensation from Xinghe’s hair that was left on his skin. His smile grew even bigger.

Who knew touching her head would be so delightful…

Then, hugging or even kissing her… would those experiences be like snorting heroin then?

I’m sure it will be fantastic!

Mubai wanted to experience those sensations immediately but he understood he had to be patient.

For Mubai’s whole life, he was never lacking a woman’s companionship. If he wanted, any woman would be at his beck and call.

Therefore, he had never truly desired a woman before.

However, this time he realized he had fallen for a woman, and fallen deep…

The desire was even stronger than his passion for computer technology.

While in a delightful haze of desire, soon Mubai returned to his home. However, the moment he stepped through the door, there was Chu Tianxin.

“Mubai…” Tianxin appealed to him with her puffy red eyes.

His mother also said gently, “Son, you’re finally home. Tianxin has been waiting for you since morning. You had no idea, but she has been crying for the whole day.”

“Mubai, are you serious about breaking off the engagement with me?” Tianxin started crying her sad tears again. “Please don’t be so cruel towards me! I know I’ve done some terrible things and I really regret all of them. So, no matter what you want me to do, I will be willing to do it to redeem myself.”

“Mubai, the thing that happened so many years ago really had nothing to do with Tianxin. Don’t blame her, if you want to blame someone, blame me,” Old Mrs. Xi said apologetically.

Mubai was normally an easy-going person, and was generous to the people around him.

He would normally agree to their demands unconditionally with a shrug.

Therefore, Tianxin and Old Mrs. Xi thought as long as they put up an apologetic face, Mubai would soften his heart and forgive them.

However, they didn’t know that Mubai’s easy-going appearance came from his indifference. The moment he set his sights on something though, there would be no budging.

“So, you’re here to ask for redemption?” Mubai stared at Tianxin with an overcast face.

Tianxin nodded like a puppy that got her treat. “Yes! No matter what you have me do, I’ll gladly do it as long as you’re willing to forgive me.”

“Accept that the engagement is over without a fuss, and I’m willing to put any other offense behind us.”

Tianxin’s eyes widened. “You still want to break up the engagement? But no, I don’t want to leave you Mubai…”

“You have no right to say no.” Mubai interrupted her plea roughly and Tianxin’s face blanched.

“Also, you’re not welcome here anymore.” Mubai dropped another bomb before heading upstairs without another look at her.

Tianxin spiraled into despair.

Mubai had snuffed out all the hope in her heart. It was over. There was really no turning back now…

Chapter 188: An Early Surprise (End of Patriarch Arc)

 

In just a day, not only did she lose her right to marry him but also the hope of redeeming herself.

Tianxin couldn’t have predicted so many things would happen in just one day.

Her astonishment and surprise were shared by many.

The broken engagement between Mubai and Tianxin aside, Xinghe even boasted she could create a perfect artificial human limb.

The task that the Xi Family had spent 20 twenty years trying to achieve but still with no results, she said she would finish it in a month.

Other than that, Mubai planned to remarry her as well!

Overnight, Xinghe slammed into everyone’s heart like a stray asteroid.

No one could have thought the woman who left without causing even a ripple three years ago would reappear in such a grandiose manner.

She appeared at Xi Lin’s birthday party with a high profile and now once again, dropping so many bombshells on Xi Family.

No matter if it was those who knew her or not, they watched her return with complicated feelings.

Of course, there were some that wished for her to complete a perfect comeback while others prayed for her to fail miserably.

Yun Ruobing was of the latter camp!

This was because it had to be her who pioneered the near perfect artificial technology. She wouldn’t allow anyone to steal her thunder!

Therefore, Ruobing arrived at the lab early the next day, ready to ‘welcome’ Xinghe.

…

Early that day, Mubai’s luxurious Rolls Royce appeared before Xinghe’s house, obviously waiting for her.

When Xinghe exited her front door, she clocked him sitting in the back.

The rising sun shone on onyx the colored vehicles and its rays reflected in a fractal of shimmering lights.

Mubai, who wore an expensive suit, pierced her with a gaze that was even fierier than the sun.

When he saw her appear, he descended from his car, held the door and ushered her in with a dazzling half-smile. “Get in. I’ll bring you to the lab.”

Even his voice was full of magnetic masculinity.

Which woman wouldn’t want their door to open to a handsome prince offering to escort you to work in his expensive car while flashing you his ten million watts smile?

The answer is none, because every woman would be touched by this early morning surprise and some might even promise to marry him on the spot… well, almost every woman.

Xinghe barely batted an eye. She was not at all impressed by Mubai’s romantic gesture.

She asked with a curiosity that was barely there, “Didn’t you say you’d have someone fetch me?”

“Well, that someone is me. It just so happens that your place is on my way to work, it’s for convenience’s sake,” Mubai answered with a wicked smile.

And yes, the convenience happens to be an everyday convenience as well.

Well, it was her fault for choosing a residence so close to his house anyway.

The thought of having to share a ride to and from work every day with Xinghe made Mubai’s heart do a celebratory cha cha.

Xinghe thought of that too and she instantly regretted her moving choice.

“Give me the lab’s address. I can go on my own, I do not wish to trouble you,” she said nonchalantly.

“It’s no trouble. Come on, get in. Due to this mission, we’ll be spending a lot of time in close contact, so you might as well get used to this,” Mubai offered in an official tone but of course, his actual meaning was much more ambiguous.

Xinghe stared at him and Mubai held her gaze with his own that was burning with passion.

In the end, it was Xinghe who first moved her gaze away.

She relented and got into the car.

After all, if Mubai was willing to be her driver, she didn’t mind one bit.

To be fair, she probably wouldn’t mind whatever tricks he wanted to pull because he was that unimportant in her mind.

She was too lazy to argue with him about these frivolities. She just wanted to focus on finishing her plan.

Chapter 189: Simple and Direct

 

But her indifference was, for Mubai, an advantage.

If Xinghe wasn’t averse to his arrangement, at least it looked like she wasn’t averse to his companionship.

Mubai’s heart soared just thinking about it.

However, he cautioned himself to not overdo it.

He knew that he couldn’t push himself onto Xinghe because Xinghe was no ordinary woman. If he angered her in anyway, the opportunity to get to know her, to get close to her, would be forever closed.

Inside the car, Mubai made sure to limit their topic of conversation to the artificial limb technology.

He didn’t venture into anything else.

He did well on his part because at least Xinghe didn’t jump out of his car.

Soon, they reached the laboratory building.

Mubai instructed her, “I have a meeting to attend so I won’t be following you in. However, I’ve arranged for an engineer to wait for you. He’s the vice-leader of the lab and his name is Luo Jun. If you have any needs, don’t hesitate to tell him.”

Xinghe nodded, her hands were on the car handle.

“Wait…” Mubai called after her, “If there’s anything Luo Jun can’t handle, come to me.”

“Okay.” Xinghe left his car without a goodbye. Luo Jun was already at the building entrance waiting for them.

He rushed outside to pay Mubai his respect and, after Mubai drove away, he kindly introduced himself to Xinghe.

“Miss Xia, nice to meet you, I’m Luo Jun. I will do my best to aid you in your project so if you have anything you need done, please order me to do it.”

Luo Jun had a kind and approachable personality. Obviously, Mubai had specifically assigned him to her.

Xinghe nodded. “Lead the way.”

“Please,” Luo Jun said with a bow.

To fulfill Old Madame Xi’s wish, the Xi family had burnt through a lot of money.

The lab building alone had five levels and each level housed at least ten individual laboratories.

Bustling inside them were scientists and engineers in white lab coats.

Many of them were the top of their fields.

The place was filled to the brim with medical devices…

All of the equipment scattered about the labs were the most cutting-edge products available in the world.

There was pride in Luo Jun’s voice when he introduced this place to Xinghe, “The best mechanical artificial limb currently on the market is created here. If we can perfect the artificial human limb technology, Xi Empire’s name will resound all over the world, grabbing all kinds of awards and accolades. Miss Xia, do you want to tour each of the five floors?”

“Not necessary,” Xinghe rejected politely but firmly, then she ordered, “Bring me your lab’s latest product and design. I need all the information you can gather. Now, show me to my lab and I will wait for you there.”

Luo Jun was taken aback by the simple and direct way Xinghe handled things.

He was impressed by her authority and commanding presence.

Then again, of course the person whom CEO Xi personally instructed him to support couldn’t be someone pedestrian.

Luo Jun performed his role as the host to the tee and quickly brought her to her lab, to prepare the things she ordered.

However, the most important design paper he couldn’t acquire!

…

Luo Jun explained with difficulty, “All the design papers are under Leader Yun’s care. She said the papers are all top-secret information so she can’t give them away to anyone.”

“Yun Ruobing?” Xinghe asked.

“Yes, it is Leader Yun Ruobing. This should be easy if Miss Xia knows her. I’m sure Leader Yun will hand over the design paper willingly when she finds out it is Miss Xia who made the request,” Luo Jun concluded optimistically.

Xinghe replied, “I’m afraid it is because she knows it is me that she’ll refuse to part with the papers.”