บท 102: I am your Best Friend
It was already three in the afternoon and Xie Na was currently detained in Hou Wei Yan's office as she tied her best to contact Zuo An. While she was busy contacting him, Fang Tao who decided to buy some snacks for the pregnant woman inside the office finally returned.
"Eat up," he said as he handed a tuna sandwich to Xie Na.
"Thanks, Fang," she replied as she accepted it and ate it up without hesitation. After the encounter and the current situation, she's under, she cannot help but feel hungry. While she was busy eating what he bought, she noticed that he was picking up his coat as though ready to leave. "Where are you going?"
"To check on the investigation." he immediately replied before he turned towards Qiu Meixiu who was calmly assessing their predicament. "Miss Qiu, can I leave them both to you?"
She smiled at his concern as she nodded her head to assure him that even if he leaves, they are in safe hands. "Don't worry. I'll protect them well."
"Thank you," Fang Tao honestly stated before he walked out of the office, now with a dangerous look on his face. He believes Makio and his team knew of this problem all along. They never leave any information behind so they must have found out about Zuo An's infidelity as well.
[ But why did they hide it from me? ]
"Is he still not picking up?" Hou Wei Yan asked impatiently after she finished her thesis report. Her eyebrows were already arched high and Xie Na knew just how much rage she was currently bottling up.
"No," she answered as she finished her tuna sandwich.
Hou Wei Yan could only sigh. She then stood up and sat beside her. Afterward, she handed her another tuna sandwich that Fang Tao brought for her as well. "Here. Eat first."
"But---"
"I know you're anxious but you need to stop worrying too much. It's not good for the baby," she stated as she placed her gentle hands-on Xie Na's belly. "You need to eat first and ensure that you maintain a stable mindset. You don't want to lose your child now, do you?"
"Of course not!" Xie Na replied without hesitation. Whatever happens to her and Zuo An, she already set her mind on making the baby live. Her baby deserves to live no matter who her father is.
"Sister, do you know about the Hong Family?" Hou Wei Yan curiously asked when she remembered the smirk on Hong Xiaodan's face as she announced to the whole world her identity as the Hong Heiress. She doesn't like to associate herself with the business industry anymore so she was quite afraid that they are quite higher and may inflict great misery on her best friend.
"Hmm, they mainly focus on furniture." Qiu Meixiu answered as she tried to remember how powerful they are. She then looked at Xie Na and shrugged her shoulders. "There's nothing much about them. Compared to the Xie Household which ranks 10th in the Royal Rankings, they simply can't compare."
"They're not even a part of the Ducal Houses," she added after remembering the current social ranking of the Regal Families and the Ducal Houses.
The Ducal Houses is a social ranking of influential families. They are illegible to be a part of the Regal Families but without all the approval of the twelve current rulers of the Royalties, they are stuck in a ranking below them and are then called the Ducal Houses. Only twenty families get to be part of the Ducal Houses. If a household's influence falls, it will be replaced by another family. That's why there's always a change in the Ducal Houses ranking, unlike the stable Regal Families.
Hou Wei Yan nodded her head. She was taught about how the Ducal Houses System works so she understood how insignificant Hong Xiaodan is in terms of influence and yet she had the audacity to flaunt her wealth in front of them. "Does Zuo An know your real identity?"
"No," she immediately said while shaking her head. She never bothered telling him the truth about her identity because she believed he will love her for who she is…not for what she had to offer him. "He knows me as Doctor Xie Na, nothing else."
Hou Wei Yan sighed at this before she flashed her a smile and ruffled her hair. "You did right in not letting him know. He should love you for who you are and not for your family background."
"I know," she replied as she dialed his number again. "I should call him again."
"Finish that first." Hou Wei Yan instructed when she noticed what Xie Na was trying to do. She only ate half of the tuna sandwich so she frowned and allowed her to eat all of it before calling his uncontactable boyfriend. "Zuo An can wait."
.....
Evergreen Estate was as bustling as ever with more trainees scattered on the lawn and senior officers strategizing at the many rooms inside the mansion. Everything was smooth sailing and tranquility seems to be within grasp.
However, it was shattered by a booming voice that echoed in Makio's Nest. "Shun Makio!"
"Shit!" Makio muttered after he spat out the gummies that he was chewing. He stood up when he saw the furious-looking Fang Tao and tried to hide or get away from him. Before his body could fully react, Fang Tao already collared him and cornered him at the far end of the room.
"You know about Zuo An's infidelity, didn't you?" he asked without hesitation with rage evident in his voice. His hands were tightly grasping Makio's collar.
He was trying to hide earlier but now that he was confronted by Fang Tao, he can't help but face him boldly. He sighed before he looked him straight in the eyes with seriousness. "Yes."
"Since we found out that she's pregnant," he added with honesty. They had known about it quite a long time ago but they decided it was better to hide it from Fang Tao and Xie Na in consideration of the child in her stomach. "Boss asked us to investigate because he was concerned for her. We ended up finding out that he was already engaged to Hong Xiaodan and still had plenty of women aside from her."
"What in the world," he muttered in disbelief. After a few more seconds, he remembered what Ji Li Zhao said when he visited him after the surgery. He said that Makio has a gift for him but it wasn't the right time yet. Is this perhaps the gift he was referring to?! "Why didn't you tell me?!"
"Because we know you would react like this!" Makio snapped out and freed himself from his grasp. Fang Tao allowed him out but he continued glaring down at him. "You just recovered and Boss didn't want you to create another havoc after you failed your mission!"
"Still---"
"If you knew then, would you sit idly by and do nothing?" he immediately asked without giving Fang Tao enough time to retort.
Fang Tao knew that if he found out about it during his berserk mode, he would kill Zuo An. He knew of this so he sternly looked at Makio. "Of---"
"Of course, you won't! You would march towards his place and would do your best to slit his neck. And what do you think would happen next?" Makio grumbled once more making Fang Tao raise his brows at him.
"I---"
"You could make us clean up another heap of mess. Boss let your mistake slip past because that was your first offense. He may be forgiving but doing it a second time around would cause you to lose everything." he blabbered on without minding the grim look on Fang Tao's face. He thought it was a normal reaction…but in truth, the wolf wants to gobble him whole and shut him up for good.
"You're on a strike, Fang...and we didn't want to lose you just because you got overwhelmed by your anger. Besides, slaughtering that man...would do you no good. Xie Na wouldn't like it if she learned that her child's father died in your hands."
What Makio said suddenly made sense to Fang Tao. If he did fill Zuo An without Xie Na knowing the truth about why the man should be killed, he would only look bad in her eyes and will appear as the murderer of her child's father. If that happened, he won't be able to rewrite his story or correct his wrongdoings. He looked at Makio in a new light but it disappeared the moment he continued talking without restraint.
"No matter how much of a douche he is in our eyes, in Xie Na's perspective, he is still the father of her child and as a mother, she will surely do anything to give her child a complete family." he chattered on and on like an animal. His chance of survival grew thinner the more words he released from his mouth. "So don't do anything reckless and stay put. Unless Xie Na asks for it, don't you ever dare lay a hand on him unless you want to be stripped of your title as Lady Boss' guard!"
"I---"
"I'm warning you, don't do something stupid!" he yelled out making Fang Tao collar him once more in utter rage. He had enough of listening to his chattering nonsense. He gets his point so there was no need for him to irritate him to this point.
Fang Tao glared at Makio and talked in between his grated teeth as he tried so hard to suppress his anger and not ruin his face. "Let me finish you lunatic!"
Despite such a heavy and serious atmosphere, Makio found himself laughing at Fang Tao's current state. In front of him isn't the tough robotic-like Fang Tao, but rather an emotionally shaken person. "Are you insane?! Let me go!"
"I get it so stop lecturing me!" Fang Tao shouted back at him. He never released Makio and instead tightened his grip on his collar before smirking widely at him, a devious plan slowly brewing in his head. "You won't even let me finish my sentence. Between us, you're clearly the insane one!"
"Help!" Makio yelled out when he realized what the dangerous glint in Fang Tao's eyes meant. "Laurens!"
Within a second, the door to Makio's nest opened up once more, and in came the maniac of the group, Laurens. "What the hell?"
"Help!" he called out to him as soon as they made eye contact. Laurens immediately flashed Fang Tao a dangerous glare as he strode toward them.
"Fang, you bastard!" he remarked as soon as he arrived beside them. He then turned towards Makio and smirked at his misery. "How could you not invite me!"
Makio felt a shiver run down his spine as soon as he saw his smirk. Things aren't turning out the way they should. He shouldn't have asked for his help! "Wai---"
"Urgh, Laurens! Let go!" Makio shouted loudly as he tried to release himself from his grasp. Laurens was now the one holding him by the collar and Fang Tao merely smirked on the sideline before he disappeared to prepare a room where they could torture Makio.
"This is going to be fun!" Laurens commented fully knowing where Fang Tao is going and what he is preparing.
"Heeeelp!" he attempted once more upon realizing where they will bring him. He looked around for anyone to help him in his miseries but his Juniors and underlings obviously cannot do anything when things like this happen because it involves those who are in the highest rank in the organization.
"Somebody, restrain these two maniacs!" he shouted once they got out of his lair. When he saw a familiar man wearing a formal tuxedo, he can't help but feel relieved. "Brother---"
"1, 2, 3---"
"Stop counting you fucking bastard!" Makio snapped out when he heard what Brett was mumbling. He thought he would him but here he is counting for the number of seconds he's getting tortured.
"2 more minutes," Brett mumbled with a smirk on his face. He looked at Laurens and nodded his head before he walked away and waved his hands. "Just endure it for two more minutes."
"Hey!" he desperately called out but Brett hurriedly left the scene and soon, he arrived in the oven, a huge sauna-like room where the temperature can be controlled by whoever is outside. This is the room where Laurens and Fang Tao spend most of their time, trying to beat each other in the number of hours they can stay inside in the humid temperature of the room.
His eyes rounded in horror when Fang Tao opened it up and brought him inside alongside Laurens. "Waaaaait! Heeeeelp!"
.....
Hou Wei Yan scribbled on a piece of paper with her contact information in it the names of medicines and the number of days they should be taken. She handed it to the teenage woman waiting patiently for her prescription. "Take this medicine two times a day then come back here after two weeks for a follow-up checkup."
"Thank you, Doctor Hou," the woman remarked before giving her a polite bow and leaving the room. Qiu Meixiu immediately approached Hou Wei Yan and helped her arrange the medical charts on the shelf.
"That's your last patient for this day, Wei Wei."
"Should we go visit, Xie Na?" Hou Wei Yan asked once they finished cleaning her table. Qiu Meixiu nodded her head and allowed her to take the lead.
While they were walking towards Xie Na's office, Qiu Meixiu can't help but notice the calmness on Hou Wei Yan's face. She was obviously deep in thought but she was still calm, like Zuo An's infidelity was somewhat…expected. "You didn't look that flustered, Wei Wei. Were you expecting this?"
"Hmmm," she hummed as she looked Qiu Meixiu straight in the eye. After a few seconds, she looked straight ahead and sighed. "Sort off?"
"Sort off?" she curiously asked back.
"She never introduced him to me so I was suspicious." Hou Wei Yan honestly said as she thinks back to the countless opportunities where she could have introduced Zuo An to her.
Xie Na often introduces her boyfriends to her and when she doesn't it's mainly because the man she's dating has a past history or a certain attitude she can't surely condone. She was trained to read a person's personality upon meeting them so she was quick to find out if the man Xie Na is dating is worth it or not.
Hou Wei Yan doesn't like it when Xie Na associates herself with some jerk and she always ends up offended whenever she protects her man and ends up crying back to her. So, whenever Xie Na is uncertain of a person, she would rather hide it from Hou Wei Yan than hurt her. "She was probably hiding him purposely. Xie Na knows how perspective I am and I often tell her to reject those I do not trust."
"I hope things will get settled easily." Qiu Meixiu muttered while sighing. They just recently resolved the issue regarding Fang Tao and Xie Na and yet now they're caught up with another problem once more with regard to her pregnancy.
"If she loves him that much and he's willing to take responsibility, then I will forgive him as a gift to their child." Hou Wei Yan stated while clenching her fist. She hates cheaters but if he's willing to change then she will forget what he did.
Raising a child is hard and it causes plenty of trouble when the child grows up without a father figure. If he's willing to be a better man then she will support their relationship and wish for their happiness. But if he doesn't then there's only death waiting for him. "But if the bastard shows no remorse for his two-timing attitude, then I will personally cut off his balls."
Qiu Meixiu carefully observed her facial expression and noticed just how grim it turned when she thought of Zuo An not taking responsibility. She knows just how much she can do so she was already praying that Zuo An chooses the right choice or he will surely lose a precious part of his body.
"Wei Wei~" Xie Na warmly called out as soon as Hou Wei Yan entered her office. She was smiling at her but her best friend immediately saw through her mask. Worry was evident in her eyes and Hou Wei Yan was perceptive enough to notice that such a thing only implies one thing…their issue isn't resolved yet.
Nonetheless, she didn't bluntly reproach her but instead decided to listen to what she had to say. "How was it?"
"No reply yet," Xie Na replied as she glanced at her phone. She already called him more than a hundred times and texted him double the amount of that number and yet not a single reply was sent to her.
She felt distraught and the anxiety within her was growing the more she tries to contact him. The possibility of Hong Xiaodan telling them the truth is now a big possibility so she was more worried than ever. Of course, Hou Wei Yan felt even more distraught as she watches her best friend's pale complexion and worried gaze.
"Say, Sister Qiu." she gently called out with seriousness evident in her voice. She managed to catch both of their attention so she proceeded with blurting out what currently runs through her mind. "Would it be fine if we abduct someone abroad and bring them here?"
Qiu Meixiu blinked a couple of times before she flashed Hou Wei Yan a wide smile. If he doesn't want to show himself, they can just force him to face them. Money isn't an issue right now and so does manpower. One word from her and Zuo An will be sent straight to them. "Why not?"
"It's a great idea, isn't it?" she beamed as she took a side glance at Xie Na who was fidgeting more than ever. "I've been thinking about it on our way here. If he doesn't want to show up, then we'll force him to show up."
"Wei Wei." Xie Na called out worriedly. Hou Wei Yan turned to face her and showed her the frown dominating her face.
"Then tell me what I should do, Xie Na?" she asked as she slowly approached Xie Na and made her realize that her anxiousness is affecting them greatly. "Should I continue watching you anxiously gazing at your phone?"
"No,"
"I'm worried about you and the child you're carrying," Hou Wei Yan stated with a sigh. She doesn't care what happens to Zuo An. All she cares about is Xie Na and the child she's carrying. All that matters to her is her best friend which she treasures so much.
She's willing to give up anything, just to ensure the safety of her loved ones.
"He created that child with you and yet where is he now? Instead of appearing before you, his so-called fiancée came instead. If you're in my position, would you sit idly by and watch me get mistreated like this?" she exasperated making Xie Na tear up.
"No," Xie Na answered in between her cries. If Ji Li Zhao did this to Hou Wei Yan, she would be utterly enraged and she would storm at him without a second thought. She knows that her best friend is capable of finding out the truth and bringing him Zuo An and yet she held back to respect her. Hou Wei Yan is worried about her and yet here she is defending Zuo An until the end.
"I don't know what I should do. I'm worried that what that heiress said is true!" she honestly stated as she clung to Hou Wei Yan's embrace. She softly cried in her arms while the latter caressed her back with gentleness. "What will I do then?"
"What do you want to do?" Hou Wei Yan immediately asked.
"What?" she questioned and looked up. Hou Wei Yan smiled warmly at her as she tucked a few strands of her hair in her ear.
"If it is true then you need to decide for yourself what you want," she remarked as she hugged Xie Na once more. She knows Xie Na is a strong woman and she is capable of raising a child alone. All that matters now is her willingness to do such a thing.
Will she remain the strong independent woman that she is?
Or would she rather choose to foolish cling to a hopeless romance with Zuo An?
Hou Wei Yan caressed her back and kissed her head as she allowed her to cry. "Do you want to break off their engagement and raise your child alongside that man? Or would you rather raise the child alone?"
"I...I...I don't know," Xie Na honestly said as she continued crying. What would be better for her child? If Zuo An indeed toyed with her then that proves just how big of a jerk he is and how unworthy he is of becoming a father.
But would her child think that as well? Or would she blame her for not having a father as she grows up?
"You don't have to think about it yet. Who knows, perhaps everything that lady said is a bluff so don't worry too much," Hou Wei Yan suddenly said when she noticed that her crying was going further than it should. She slowly cupped her face and wiped her tears away with a smile on her face. "Whatever you decide I will support you."
"Thank you, Wei Wei," Xie Na muttered as she too beamed her a smile. Her decision will now solely lay on how Zuo An conducts himself when they meet. If he learns of her pregnancy, would he take responsibility?
A few minutes after their hugging session, Qiu Meixiu noticed that Xie Na's phone was ringing. "Xie Na, your phone."
Xie Na wiped her tears away before she crawled toward her phone and checked her notifications. As soon as she saw a familiar name pop out on the screen, she didn't hesitate to check it. But after she did, her eyes went wide making Hou Wei Yan worriedly look at her. "What's wrong?"
"Zuo An," she whispered in surprise. "He replied!"
"Really?" Hou Wei Yan asked before slowly crawling towards her as well. Now curious about what he texted back and when he will meet them. "What did it say?"
"Just a location," Xie Na worriedly said before she showed Hou Wei Yan the text message she received from Zuo An. "To the bar we frequent."
"What is he planning?" Hou Wei Yan asked after she checked the name and location of the bar. She glanced at Qiu Meixiu and exchanged a worried look with her.
What is the bastard planning now?!
ความคิดของผู้สร้าง 
themilesaguanta
themilesaguanta VOLUME 2 is finally here. From here onwards, there will be more Ji Li Zhao and Hou Wei Yan interactions as our beloved Mr. Ji gets forced to slowly reveal himself.
Please continue supporting the novel and share it to others. The delay of the update was because of my sudden interest in reading comics. I got too caught up in reading. But now, everything is okay. TEMPW is back on track. Enjoy the rest of the evening with the mini mass release.
Also, a lot of details was changed in the previous chapters so you might need to reread it if you have time.
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