บท 64: Never Play a Hero
Li Nuxie's traveling bag was already in the compartment of her car. She opened it and took the bag out. They would use Li Chanying's car going to their meeting place.
"You called them already?" she asked as she opened the backseat and threw her traveling bag inside.
Li Chanying nodded as she lowered herself in the car. "They're already waiting for us."
Li Nuxie went to front and occupied the passenger seat. "Did you inform them of the basics?"
"Yes," Li Chanying nodded. "Both are excited," she further said, pushing the start button of the car.
Li Nuxie didn't say anything. She just closed her eyes and a moment later, she drifted to sleep.
=0=
At the other side of the city, Xu Ming rode the private elevator towards the penthouse of Octagon Hotel. It served as his office slash temporary abode whenever he felt skipping his grandmother's nagging.
Xu Hina didn't pester him that time about the sudden engagement with Li Chanying. But that was because there was a stranger and his grandmother hated to reveal their regular banters with a random woman.
He tapped his shoe against the floor as he looked up, counting how many floors to go before he can lay down on his bed.
His mind wandered to a certain woman. He knew Li Chanying because of his sister. Chang Lianna was an avid fan of the ready-to-wear line of Ying Design Limited.
He must admit, Li Chanying was talented. Although she was adopted at eight years old, she grew up under the tutelage of the Old Madam Li. She knew how to carry herself and conduct herself in public.
That was what Xu Ming liked about Li Chanying. She doesn't lose her cool during nerve-wracking times. She didn't have the business acumen of Hong Chi nor the elegance of Li Nuxie but she has a certain charm that made people curious about her.
However, that doesn't include him.
Xu Ming pressed his lips together as the elevator door parted, revealing a black and white interior of the spacious room.
Women were creatures that use their charms to get what they want. He was burnt once. Not gonna do it twice.
He strode towards the side door. Pushing it open, he loosened his tie, unbuttoned his long sleeves and headed towards the bed.
Xu Ming let himself gave in to gravity. As soon as his back touched the bed, he sighed. He put his one arm over his eyes while thinking how he can get out of the sham engagement.
He knew Li Chanying felt the same. Both of them do not want to get married. Maybe, they have different reasons. But still.
On normal days, Xu Ming would not do that. He only have one rule in his life when it comes to women.
Never play a hero.
But he broke his rule big time. The man on the bed shook his head inwardly.
It was a good thing that Li Chanying was not the type to covet the Xu Family's name. If not, Xu Ming was in big trouble.
He sat up right, rubbing his face with his palms before his fingers ran through his hair a little forcefully.
His father kept calling him but he didn't pick up even once. Let grandma handle that, he thought.
Xu Ming's father would just lecture him about the family rules. Of course, he would ask about Li Chanying.
He doesn't mind about the interrogation of his father since he doesn't have plans to marry Li Chanying. If ever he needed to do it, it still doesn't matter since Li Chanying was adopted. Her blood was different from the Lis. However, Xu Ming was worried for his elder brother.
Xu Wei was hell bent on marrying Li Nuxie. And Li Nuxie was the Young Miss Li. Aside from him, no one knew about it. He knew that the bad blood between the Xus and the Lis ran deep.
Xu Ming was sure the Elders of the Xu Family would oppose to the union of Li Nuxie and Xu Wei. Unless his elder brother leave the Xu Family, there would not be a chance in hell that Xu Wei and Li Nuxie can enter the Marriage Affairs Bureau.
Damn. Matters of the heart are frustrating.
The mobile phone on the bed side table rang, destroying the stillness of the room. Xu Ming extended his arm and reached for it. When he saw the caller ID, his eyebrows drew together.
He accepted the call.
"Investigate Li Nuxie's whereabouts right now," Xu Wei's voice went through.
Xu Ming rolled his eyes. Although he was at beck and call of his elder brother, tracking down Li Nuxie was hardly difficult. Why it must be him then?
"Elder brother, you're more proficient than me when it comes to computers. Why are you even telling me this? Li Nuxie is your woman. You should do that," he said, not daring to take a breath.
Xu Wei didn't answer. Uh-oh. Was his vacation forfeited now? Xu Ming asked himself. He braced for the bad news.
The other line chuckled. Xu Ming's hands became clammy. What evil ideas his elder brother concocting now?
"I made a promise that I will not track her down. But you didn't so the job falls on you," Xu Wei told him.
Xu Ming took a deep breath. So, his vacation leave was still safe.
"Okay. I'll do it. Anyway, there will be a board meeting next week. Are you attending?" he asked his elder brother.
"I will be out of the country. Take charge," Xu Wei said.
Xu Ming stood up and went outside the bedroom. He strode towards the executive table, sitting down in front of his computer. He put his mobile phone on the phone stand, pressing the loud speaker.
"Where are you going?" he asked as his fingers flew expertly over the keyboard.
"You don't need to know," Xu Wei said.
Xu Ming raised an eyebrow. Was his brother would meet a potential business investor? Xu Wei doesn't keep secrets from him unless it was high-level meetings with powerful people.
After a while, Xu Ming's computer displayed a certain part of the City S where the Chang Condominium was located.
The red dot kept on blinking inside the building.
"She is at Chang Condominium," he informed his elder brother.
Xu Wei on the other line leaned his back on the sofa. His feet was placed on the edge of the coffee table.
"What was she doing there?"
Xu Ming shrugged his shoulders. "How would I know? Are you not her boyfriend?"
"Oh, shut up."
Xu Ming's laughter reverberated throughout the room.
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