Chương 105: A Rival's Arrival
Everyone was appalled by the sudden arrival of the man. He comfortably sat down at the bar counter without a care about the chaos that was currently happening beside him and even poured himself a drink. Laurens was the first to react to his nonchalant behavior. "Where the heck did this shrimp come from?"
There were five men left standing so Ye Zhe immediately took action while the others continued to stare at the man in bewilderment. After he was done, he also stared at the man and can't help but comment. "He looks familiar"
His curly brown hair and matching light hazel colored eyes were so striking. He also appears to be quite athletic based on his bulging muscles and 6'2" height.
While the others were busy figuring out who he is, Hou Wei Yan's eyes were already wide in surprise and shock for his face was something she can never forget. With her voice loud and clear, she called out to him. "Jinjin?"
The familiar voice that spoke out caused him to turn around and stare at her in a daze. Her blonde hair that was tied in a ponytail and her luscious emerald eyes immediately made him realize who she is. Without hesitation, he strode towards her with a huge smile on his face.
"Wei Wei!" he called out quite sweetly when he arrived in front of her.
"Fuck!" Fang Tao muttered before clenching his fist and grating his teeth in both disbelief and annoyance. "That's Zhou Jinhai!"
"Zhou Jinhai?" Laurens asked in confusion. He was someone who often forgets information that isn't directly involved in his mission, target, or personal issues.
When he heard what he said, Ye Zhe can't help but shake his head at his uncaring behavior. "Suitor Number 53 and one of the Madame's best friends in America"
What Ye Zhe said caused Laurens to swiftly turn his attention back to him. He carefully watched his expression but before he could finish observing him, the door opened wide once more, and in came another heap of men hired by Hong Xiaodan.
"Don't let them get closer to the Madame" he ordered before running at the front alongside the two maniacs of Palisades.
"Easy" Laurens muttered as he began rampaging once more, his smirk wider than ever because the number of men standing before him is obviously stronger and more plentiful than the last.
Zhou Jinhai watched the chaos that was currently ensuing. He was about to chat with Hou Wei Yan some more when a punch was suddenly sent his way. He easily intercepted it with his hands and he immediately flipped him over before glaring at the men who began targeting him.
Left with no choice, he stepped away from Hou Wei Yan and began fighting those who had the audacity to ruin his talk with Wei Yan. He landed a painful punch at someone before collaring another and snarling at him. "I'm not even a part of this fight but you made me join in!"
"He's on a rampage again" Hou Wei Yan muttered when she saw Zhou Jinhai thrashing around whoever attacked him.
"Ohhh, he's quite good at fighting...and handsome too" Xie Na commented as she inched closer to her. She carefully checked him out and was amazed at how good he is at controlling his body and how swiftly he moves. "He's your best friend in America, right?"
Hou Wei Yan nodded her head at her before glancing at Qiu Meixiu who offered her the drink she was asking for earlier. She accepted it without hesitation and took a sip before focusing once more on Zhou Jinhai's fight. Qiu Meixiu took a side glance at her before looking at Xie Na. "He was a taekwondo champion during his youth before he went to America with his family. He then joined the Martial Arts League and remain in that field even after becoming a Doctor"
"You know him?" she asked in awe. She was best friends with Hou Wei Yan but she never met Zhou Jinhai personally nor heard any personal information about him.
"Somehow" Qiu Meixiu answered before facing Hou Wei Yan. "He's your Ex? Isn't he?"
Xie Na can't help but gasp at this sudden news. So, he wasn't just her best friend but also her ex?! "Wait! He is?"
"No!" she immediately answered while shaking her head. There seems to be a misunderstanding brewing and she's not liking it. She and her husband just confessed to one another and began their official relationship as lovers, she doesn't want this misunderstanding to hinder their progress. "He was a suitor I rejected countless times...but still remained persistent until I left America"
"He must have followed you here then" Xie Na concluded while eyeing Zhou Jinhai. The loving gaze he gave Hou Wei Yan earlier is obvious evidence of his intentions.
Hou Wei Yan shook her head at what she said. How could he even find her when she used the Xings to cover her tracks? "I didn't disclose my location to anyone except my family. He couldn't possibly find out"
Xie Na hummed before wriggling her brows at her. "Then...is it fate?"
"The only fate happening here is this bar's ruin and the scolding I will receive from Brother Zian," She said while laughing at what Xie Na said. She was always perceptive so she knew this wasn't a coincidence or a play of fate. Zhou Jinhai chased her aimlessly before and he knew that she was originally from China. He probably came back to China to fix some family problems. He was quite a party-goer so and must have ended up in the most popular club in town.
"With that trio and a monster like Zhou Jinhai that's very much possible" Qiu Meixiu commented while carefully watching Fang Tao and the others who tried to protect them from the fight.
"By the way, Wei Wei" Xie Na suddenly muttered which earned both of their attention. "Everyone in the hospital was curious about your new ring. Placing it on your right ring finger means you're engaged"
Hou Wei Yan looked at the ring before taking it down with a smile. After a few seconds of admiring it once more, she places it on her left ring finger, a traditional place to put a wedding ring to be worn closest to the heart.
Xie Na squealed when she saw what Wei Yan did. "Ohhh, that means you're married!"
"Stop acting already. I know you know about my marriage" Hou Wei Yan muttered while rolling her eyes. She must admit, Xie Na will make quite a good actress. Perhaps Tan Jia shared a bit too much of her acting secrets.
"How---"
Hou Wei Yan inched closer to her before looking at her seriously. "Remember when I brought you home after finding out you're pregnant?"
She nodded in reply and patiently waited for Hou Wei Yan's next words. When she saw the smile on her face, she immediately knew that she must have clumsily slipped up something. "You looked so comfortable in the house and even knew where to go. I already had my doubts because of your actions and my husband confirmed that you know about us"
"And you're okay with me lying to you?" Xie Na asked in an instant while carefully figuring out the expression written on Hou Wei Yan's face.
She merely shrugged before ruffling her hair with a smile. "You didn't harm me...besides I'm already happy"
Hearing her confess that she's happy, made Xie Na smile. Ji Li Zhao is indeed the best man for her best friend. They may have a few problems to solve but she knew that he could make her happy…that he could make her the happiest woman there is.
She was grinning while imagining how she aided their romance to bloom when she suddenly saw a man sneaking up behind them. "Wei Wei! Watch out!"
Qiu Meixiu who was beside Hou Wei Yan instantly turned around and smashed her glass at the man's head. When he staggered from the sudden attack, she pulled her leg bag and concentrated her strength on it before delivering a heavy kick in the man's stomach which caused him to lay unconscious on the floor.
Once done, she turned to Xie Na and looked at her seriously. "Take a seat, Xie Na. Let us handle this"
Hou Wei Yan who was itching for a fight since earlier, smirked when she saw a man approaching them. Before Qiu Meixiu could intercept him, she already did a roundhouse kick. She managed to hit him straight in the face before she dusted her pants and huffed her falling hair away.
She then carefully scanned the room and met Fang Tao's gaze which was obviously reprimanding her from joining the fight despite their warning to her. All she could ever do was give him a peaceful smile before slowly retreating and silently standing at Xie Na's side once more.
"Where did she get all of these men?" he muttered after making sure that their Lady Boss is behaving on the sideline.
The number of men that keeps on flooding the area is no longer normal. Hong Xiaodan is rich but the number of men she could buy is only minimal. Besides, Xing Zian owns the place and he has plenty of men guarding the area. For them to get past all of them only means that their number and strength are enough to overpower them.
He can't help but be skeptical of the current brawl that's taking longer than expected. [ How could this happen when our enemy isn't even from the Ducal Houses? She overthrew Xing Zian's men and is even giving us a hard time finishing everything quickly. Is someone aiding her? ]
"Looks like someone is getting old" Laurens muttered near his ears causing Fang Tao to forget the thought building up in his system.
He glared at Laurens before raising his middle finger at him. "Fuck off!"
Laurens laughed boisterously at what Fang Tao did. His laughter, however, died down when their earpiece began beeping and Makio's voice began echoing in it. "This is Einstein. Our men are already outside"
"Don't let them in!" he shouted as he answered his call. He wasn't done having fun yet! It's been a while since he got to fight so he doesn't want such entertainment to end at such an early stage. "Not yet!"
Ye Zhe sighed at what their little maniac said. He clicked his tongue before answering Makio. "Let them in"
"Ye Zhe!"
Fang Tao glared at Laurens's insensitivity. He slowly walked towards him and looked at him straight in the to make him understand why its necessary to end the fight. "This is no longer a competition. Xie Na is pregnant, we need to get her out of here fast"
His words caused Laures to look at Xie Na who was meekly sitting at the VIP seats and patiently waiting for the fight to end. She looked so comfortable but he could still see that she was already exhausted and he knew that exhaustion is something a pregnant person should avoid.
He nodded his head at his two companions. His approval was instantly received by Makio. Within seconds, a hundred members of Palisades surrounded the club and infiltrated their place. They easily apprehended every armed man and those wreaking havoc with Xing Zian's men.
Their swift backup greatly impressed Xie Na so she turned to Hou Wei Yan and gave her a knowing smile. "Your husband sure knows when to time his arrival"
Hou Wei Yan could only shake her head at her before offering her hands to him. "Come on, stand up"
Her best friend smiled widely at her as she stood up with the help of Hou Wei Yan. They walked steadily toward Fang Tao and the others but before they could make it to them, Zhou Jinhai intercepted them. "Wei Wei!"
"Jinjin" she replied back as she flashed him a smile. She took a glance at Fang Tao who was already frowning but she didn't want to be rude to Jinhai. "What are you doing here?"
"I came for a drink?" he stated as he tracked down where her gaze was headed. When he saw three men glaring down at him, he can't help but gulp down and nervously chuckle.
"No. Here in China" she corrected and allowed Xie Na and Qiu Meixiu to head out first. "Did you return with your family?"
"My family came here before me. Grandfather is ill and will soon hand over his inheritance to his children" Zhou Jinhai muttered before grinning at her. "I wasn't planning on attending their family trifle but when I heard about your name, I decided to come"
Hou Wei Yan's brows arched high when she heard his statement. So, his arrival in China is not fate at all just as she suspected. She already had her suspicions but his answer is something far from her expectations. She thought he hired someone to investigate and find her and eventually slipped past the Xing but that doesn't seem to be the case. "Hear my name? From where?"
"Mrs. Cheng" he muttered before showing her a picture on his phone. Her eyes turned serious when she saw that it was Cheng Ying's stepmother together with Zhou Jinhai's family. "She has a little bit of connection with my mother and she complained to her. She relayed the news to me when she heard your name"
"I see" she muttered without emotions. So, she got tracked in the end because of Madame Cheng's blabbermouth.
Zhou Jinhai carefully observed her and saw her change of expression. Because he didn't want to end their conversation yet, despite the burning glare he was receiving from her guards, he decided to continue. "Everyone in the family got surprised. Who knew that the doctor they always called out names in the past is actually Princess Xing's daughter!"
Hou Wei Yan sighed at his words. In the past, the Zhou family scoffed at her for befriending Jinhai and even accused her of seducing him when he began courting her. No matter how much she explained that she only saw Zhou Jinhai as a friend, they still cursed at her. Fed up and her time in America finally ending, she left without saying goodbye to them. They had bad blood when she left but now…it looks like they will be kissing her boots the next time they meet.
"So, everyone now knows?"
"Just my parents and siblings. They tried getting in contact with you" he remarked before looking at the guards once more. His gaze at them lingered for a few seconds before he looked back at Hou Wei Yan and flashed her an innocent smile. "I guess they failed because you didn't even know that they were already here"
"I don't like him" Laurens muttered when he saw ZHou Jinhai's actions. He was clearly checking them out earlier and sizing their capabilities. It even looks like he was about to spill the bean that they are keeping enemies and possible headaches for Hou Wei Yan at bay.
Fang Tao's frown became more apparent when he saw Zhou Jinhai acting all innocent in front of her. He glared hard at him before he turned to Laurens. "I share your sentiments"
"Einstein, why is that man here?" Ye Zhe asked through his earpiece.
"He's a doctor in Yi Lan" Makio answered after his team finally found the reason for his sudden appearance. Before they could react to the sudden news, he immediately said the next bad news. "He's Han Yu Shou's representative in the Foreign Recruitment Project"
"That bastard!" Laurens muttered the moment he heard Han Yu Shou's name and his great involvement in this problem. He always gives them headaches and he never stopped despite working in Yi Lan Hospital.
Fang Tao sighed when he heard this news. He knew Han Yu Shou would fuck up sooner or later but this blow is far too great. "I knew it. We shouldn't have entrusted it to him"
"You're ordered to capture Han Yu Shou so return immediately. The Boss is already waiting in the Mansion" Makio finally said after he allowed them to suggest the grave mistake that Han Yu Shou did. They need him to pay for the consequences of his actions. They did their best to keep everyone who would probably cause Hou Wei Yan headaches away and yet he allowed the most annoying one with open arms.
"Roger" Fang Tao replied before walking towards Hou Wei Yan and patting her back. "Madame, we have to go"
She immediately nodded her head at him before she smiled at Jinhai. "I'll see you around, Jinjin"
"Yeah" he answered while waving his hands. Laurens who was the last to exit the room saw the smirk on Jinhai's face that he can't help but get irked at him. "See you around"
Everyone immediately left the Club and made sure no one would take any photos or leak any information. They protected Hou Wei Yan and Xie Na to the best of their capabilities. Once inside the car, she quickly texted her elder cousin for an apology before turning to Xie Na worriedly. "Xie Na, you should stay at the mansion"
She knew that with this sudden turn of events, Xie Na's plan to announce her pregnancy to the Xie Family with be postponed. She needs support and attention right now until she fixes herself enough to face her clan.
"Okay" Xie Na replied before cuddling close to her and closing her eyes. "I'm tired"
A smile made its way to her face when Xie Na acted this way. She accepted the blanket that Fang offered her and placed it on Xie Na's shoulders before kissing her hair. "Rest up"
Silence dominated the car once Xie Na fell into slumber. They watched as she peacefully sleeps and once they were sure she won't wake up no matter what noise they make, Fang Tao found the right time to speak up his thoughts. "Madame…about Zhou Jinhai"
"Hm?" Hou Wei Yan hummed curiously as she looked at him who was at the front.
Fang Tao gulped down before looking at her seriously. "Do you...like him? or liked him in the past?"
"He's a friend" she immediately answered without any hint of hesitation or lie. He was quite sharp when it comes to reading a person's eyes so he knew that she wasn't lying at all. "I view him as a friend"
But no matter how sure he is, he can't help but have doubts. Zhou Jinhai is quite a character. He has the looks, the wits, the body, and the money. Of course, he can be viewed as inferior to Ji Li Zhao but if he sticks close to Hou Wei Yan, he may cause her to get attracted to him… especially when her husband continues to hide behind his mask.
"Not even once?"
Hou Wei Yan stared at him for a few seconds before she sighed and looked to the side as she tried to remember what Zhou Jinhai is back in America. "He's handsome and quite proactive, many girls are after him...but I don't share their sentiment. When I met him, my only goal was finishing my studies, besides he approached me as a friend so I accepted him in my life as a friend"
She never really bothered with romance back in college. There was only one time she gave it a shot but it failed miserably that's why she never looked at Zhou Jinhai in the same way. She screened everyone as mere friends and not possible love interests to avoid damaging her already damaged heart and already confused mind.
The only time she felt that she genuinely loves someone is when she realized her feelings for her husband. She was blissful and she knew she could entrust her heart to him. She knew from his actions that he won't break it and he will treasure it.
Fang continued to look at her as she got engrossed in her own thoughts. He was wondering what she was thinking but what her mind contains is beyond his capability to predict.
Once they arrived at Li Wei Mansion, Fang carried Xie Na who was still in deep slumber. Hou Wei Yan looked at him before smiling at him. "Thank you, Fang"
He nodded his head and walked inside the mansion with her. Gu Man already prepared a room for Xie Na so they only had to place her in the bed. When he finished placing the blanket, he looked at Hou Wei Yan as he walked out of the room. "We shall leave first"
"Where are you going?" she curiously asked when she saw the three men who accompanied them earlier all huddled together.
Fang looked at his companions before smiling at her. They are going out to have fun with the best target there is. "To the playground"
"At this hour?"
"Yes"
"You sure have weird hobbies" she muttered before waving her hands at them. "Have fun then and take care"
The trio looked at one another before smiling at her in synch. "We will"
.....
It was already late in the evening and Han Yu Shou was sound asleep in his apartment. His place was enormous and he lived by himself so his worries about any disturbances are often unfounded. But on this particular night, a loud and annoying sound reached his ears. He shifted from his sleeping and slowly opened his eyes when the noise didn't die down. "Hm?"
Although still groggy, he did his best to stand up to look at the intercom. But before he could reach it, he walked past the huge clock in his living room and found himself halting in surprise. It was already twelve in the evening. Who in their right mind is disturbing his precious sleep at such an hour?!
Hurriedly, he walked towards the intercom to see the visitor, but he wasn't able to finish analyzing who it is for a loud thudding sound erupted followed by fallen scraps flying everywhere from his now broken door. "Bloody Hell? Who---"
"I found you" a dark and ominous voice blurted out of nowhere causing Han Yu Shou to flinch. This scenario feels awfully familiar and he doesn't like where it's heading.
"Laurens?" he nervously called out when the dutch military man of Palisades entered with a smirk on his face. "What are you doing here?"
"We were instructed to abduct a stupid criminal" Laurens mused while walking steadily toward his current position. Han Yu Shou took careful strides back but the pressure from Laurens caused him to halt and question his attention once more.
"Who?"
Fang Tao also stepped inside the apartment and looked at him angrily. "Han…Yu…Shou"
"What are you---"
Before he could maneuver any defense and attack position, Ye Zhe took him by surprise by swiftly attacking his neck and paralyzing him. Without even knowing the purpose of their sudden visit and the unfair treatment he's receiving, Han Yu Shou fell on the ground, paralyzed and unable to do anything to stop their kidnapping. Laurens immediately stepped in and gagged his mouth before he carried him on his shoulders like a sack of rice.
They immediately exited the place after handing the responsibility of fixing the damages done and covering the sudden kidnapping to their trustworthy juniors. While walking towards the car, Laurens can't help but blabber away despite Han Yu Shou lying paralyzed in his grasp. "You little brat. Why did you have to choose Zhou Jinhai as your representative?"
"Speed up, Shin" Fang Tao muttered once they got inside the car. "We need to deliver this fast before the boss blows up"
A few minutes after the abduction, Han Yu Shou finally managed to gain control of his facial expression and his voice. He looked at the crazy men all staring at him and began thrashing around with his muffled voice. Annoyed, Ye Zhe looked at him seriously before smirking. "If you don't stay silent, you'll have to crawl towards the base"
The dangerous glint in his eyes caused Han Yu Shou to immediately shut up and he miraculously remained silent until they arrived at Evergreen Estate. "Boss! We brought him"
Ji Li Zhao looked at them before laying his eyes on Han Yu Shou who was already glaring down at him. He nodded his head and his men took immediate action by taking out the gag in Han Yu Shou's mouth.
"What the hell is this Ji Li Zhao?! You promised me that you wouldn't kidnap me like this again!" he protested with the loudest voice he could ever muster. He huffed in annoyance when he saw all of them glaring down at him.
"I wouldn't do this if you didn't do anything worth all this trouble" Ji Li Zhao answered before sitting in front of him for the interrogation. He wouldn't have bothered him if he didn't employ Zhou Jinhai.
"What did I even do?"
Ji Li Zhao suddenly felt irked when he heard this. His lack of awareness is something he should really applaud to. "Why did you choose Zhou Jinhai?"
"Zhou who?" Han Yu Shou asked in confusion making Ji Li Zhao frown. So he's acting naïve now to escape their punishment?!
"Zhou Jinhai"
Han Yu Shou raised his brows toward him when he heard the name once more. He's not deaf so his question was pertaining to his identity and not for them to restate his name. He heard them just fine but what confuses him is their hostile tone towards him even though he has nothing to do with this Zhou Jinhai. "Yeah...I heard you but who's that?"
When he heard his answer, Ji Li Zhao suddenly sighed while shaking his head. He has a bad feeling about this. "Tell me, how did you choose your foreign representative?"
"I randomly picked...without caring whoever gets chosen. I pulled a random paper and made Zhao Qiao send it as my final candidate. Why?" he nonchalantly answered forcing Ji Li Zhao to face-palm while the others had their jaws hanging in disbelief.
He was already told to be mindful when choosing a representative and here he announced the shittiest way he chose. Fang Tao knowing that he will be having a hard time guarding Hou Wei Yan and blocking Zhou Jinhai can't help but snarl at him. "You just chose Zhou Jinhai as your foreign representative!"
"Oh, so he's my representative" he mumbled before raising his brows once more. "But why are you angry?! He's a decent doctor, isn't he?!"
"He's Lady Boss' most annoying suitor" Fang Tao replied back in utter rage. Just thinking of the troublesome days about to come made him hate Han Yu Shou even more. He was fine with him hanging out in Hou Wei Yan's office but inviting such a troublesome man is simply unforgivable. "You just invited a rival for the boss!"
Ji Li Zhao sighed after hearing Fang Tao's statement. He just received the long-awaited confession from Hou Wei Yan and they are still stabilizing their relationship. Having Zhou Jinhai around is going to mess up a few things and he's not liking the thought of it. "I shouldn't have trusted you with choosing who to employ"
"I can fix this! Let's just kick him out!" Han Yu Shou yelled out in panic. He didn't know! He forgot about the many suitors that Hou Wei Yan had and he didn't look at the paper so he was unable to intercept this problem and stop it. All he can do now is fix it to preserve his life!
"Yeah and create a scandal?" Ye Zhe muttered seriously. That was supposed to be their first move but Zhou Jinhai was swift enough and made countermeasures they never expected. "That man already broadcasted to the world that he's employed in Yi Lan. If we kick him out for this reason, we'll only get in trouble for ourselves"
Han Yu Shou bit his lower lip when he heard this. Even without meeting this Zhou Jinhai, he already hates him to the core. "Now what?"
"You must keep him away from my wife...do anything you can so he won't have any chance to pursue her" Ji Li Zhao ordered calmly. The problem is already here and since they cannot get rid of it yet, they must make sure it doesn't cause plenty of damage. He needs someone to keep Zhou Jinhai in check and the most qualified person to employ is already in front of him.
"And if I don't do well?" he nervously asked when he saw his best friend deep in thought.
"I'll do as Xie Na suggested" Ji Li Zhao muttered while looking him straight in the eye. Without any hint of silliness, he remarked. "Leave you in the middle of the sea"
Han Yu Shou immediately gulped down when he noticed the seriousness marked in his best friend's voice. He knew better than anyone that when he was like this, there is already no room for negotiation. "I'll do well. I promise. Now let me go"
Ji Li Zhao stared at him for a few seconds before standing up. He then turned towards Fang Tao and patted his shoulders. "Fang, do what you do best"
"Roger" he replied with utmost obedience.
Han Yu Shou shivered when he heard their remarks. When he saw Ji Li Zhao leaving with some of his men, he can't help but call out loudly to him. He wants him to reconsider his order because having Fang Tao, Laurens, and Ye Zhe around could cause him to go into cardiac arrest. "Wait!"
"In the oven, you go" Fang Tao muttered before pulling him by the collar. He slowly dragged Han Yu Shou out. He struggled and tried to free himself but no matter how hard he tries; they were already set on punishing him thoroughly this time. "How long should we cook him, Ye Zhe?"
"30 minutes"
"When did you become gentle?!" Fang asked after laughing at his gentle statement. 30 minutes is just a warm-up to them! "We'll go with one hour, yes?"
"Make it two!" Laurens enthusiastically shouted before running ahead of them to prepare the substance they need to make Han Yu Shou regret ever crossing the line.
"No!" he shouted in rage. He doesn't deserve this treatment, not when he already agreed to their conditions. "Fuck! Let me go! You lunatics!!!"
"We'll let you go" Ye Zhe muttered calmly once they got inside the preparation room.
Yu Shou immediately sighed in relief. So, it was all just a prank?! "Thank---"
"When you're already cooked" he added now donning a smirk on his face. Not a moment too soon, after the preparations were done, the three crazy people of Palisades placed Han Yu Shou in the oven and smirked at him before they closed the door while laughing at his pleading look.
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
themilesaguanta
themilesaguanta I was deliberating about this for a while now...and I finally decided to post a mini-series. It's just some random scenarios with TEMPW characters and I will post it on twitter this Monday. I hope you can support this out of the blue project.
By the way...say hello to Zhou Jinhai. You'll be meeting him more often.
I'll update tomorrow. See you!
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