Si Mansion
"I heard from Jiayin that Bingbing is doing great in Europe. That girl is really admirable. I can't expect anything less from Jiayin's daughter," Grandpa Si laughed merrily as he gazed at Si Weizhe, "Don't you agree, Ah-Zhe?"
Si Weizhe only looked at his grandfather without answering. He closed his eyes after.
"She really fits being part of our family. Hmm, tell your brother to visit her there," Grandpa Si spoke enthusiastically while sipping on his tieguanyin tea.
"Grandpa, why don't you just call eldest brother? Why do I have to be your messenger?" Si Weizhe asked disinterestedly in between yawn. He leaned on the couch as he looked unconcerned even though the old man gazed at him furiously.
"You brute!" Grandpa Si stood before he waved his hand as if about to hit Si Weizhe's head.
Si Weizhe's body automatically reacted as he covered his head, "Grandpa!" He shouted as he waited for Grandpa Si's hand to land on his head.
However, Grandpa Si stopped as he put his hand on his back before he spoke with such authority, "Tell Weimin that he needs to visit Zhou Bingbing."
Si Weizhe uncovered his head as he gazed at the old man's retreating form, "Haist! Argh! Why do they always have to involve me in their dispute? Aaarrggghhh!"
Si Weizhe was so annoyed that he scratched his head before he ran his hands on his face. It was still too early for him to wake up but the old man asked Butler Mo to wake him up and insisted for him to go down for breakfast. He was still sleepy and he needed some rest. He had been partying at Royal Night for the past few nights. Since he got a new girlfriend who was a rookie celebrity from Leading Light, they had been enjoying themselves until they could party no more.
He really felt like he was being bullied in the mansion by his grandfather.
Feeling aggrieved, he took a deep breath before he reluctantly took his phone. Upon dialing his brother's number, he waited for him to answer.
"Weizhe,"
Hearing Si Weimin's typical cold and distant voice, he almost choked. He didn't know why he should be the one telling it to him. His eldest brother didn't feel anything for Zhou Bingbing and everytime he heard her name, he suddenly had a bad mood.
"Why did you call?" Si Weimin asked.
"Ah… bro… ahmm –"
"Did you just bite your tongue?"
"Can you just let me finish?" Si Weizhe replied exasperatedly.
"If you keep stuttering like that, it will take the whole day before you finish."
"Argh! Why do I always have to be caught in the middle?" Si Weizhe cried. He pitied himself as he slumped on the floor.
"Stop being emotional. Hurry. I have somewhere to go."
Si Weizhe sulked. He was really upset that his whole morning was ruined by his grandfather and eldest brother. Why would he even bother telling Si Weimin? It would be a lot easier if he just let them clash. He laughed silently at his thought, 'Isn't it nice to see them fight it off? I'll wager that grandpa will win.'
However, he immediately shrugged off the idea. He knew that he would be in the disadvantage if that happened.
"Speak!"
Hearing the irritation on Si Weimin's voice, Si Weizhe's body trembled slightly. He swallowed hard before he spoke, "Eldest brother, please tell grandpa to call you directly. I'm not your walkie-talkie, for fuck's sake!"
"Is that all?"
"No!" Si Weizhe answered immediately. He felt suddenly afraid that his brother would end the call so he blurted in one go, "Bro, grandpa said that you should visit Sister Bingbing in Europe. He's very adamant about it."
"When did I ever say that I'd be willing to visit that woman?"
"B-but bro, grandpa will be very displeased if you won't go."
"I'm no longer a kid, Weizhe. I will do what I want."
Hearing the conviction on Si Weimin's cold and distant voice, Si Weizhe only sighed. It was hopeless talking to his brother since he knew that he was resolute about his decisions,
"Tss. I feel burdened about you and grandpa. Argh!"
"If that's all, I'll hang –"
Even before Si Weimin hang up the phone, Si Weizhe asked, "Is there no way you could accept Sister Bingbing?"
"Don't ask such rhetorical question."
****
Harvest Condominium – Si Weimin's Apartment
Ever since Si Weimin acquired the apartment unit at Harvest Condominium, he seldom went to his mansion in Spring Valley. He wanted to make sure that he could be as close to Xu Jia Li as possible.
He smiled at the sudden thought of Xu Jia Li. He really had a great time last night. It was such a memorable moment. He knew that they would have as many sweet memories together. Now that he had her, he would never let her go.
The phone on the bedside table rang. Si Weimin picked it up upon seeing that it was Si Weizhe. He frowned a little, knowing that his younger brother won't call him unless his grandfather told him to do so.
After the call ended, he shook his head in dismay. There was no way that he would visit Zhou Bingbing just to appease his grandfather.
He placed his phone back on the bedside table before he walked towards the floor to ceiling glass wall. He stood in front of it as he gazed outside. He put his hands on his pockets as he inhaled and exhaled as deeply as he could. His eyes focused on the beautiful cityscape in the morning light. The sun was just about to rise since it was still early.
The beautiful autumn day once again brought warm to his dampened spirit. He was reminded of Xu Jia Li's beautiful and mesmerizing autumn colored eyes. It excited him since he got to spend the rest of the day with her.
He called Wang Guo last night asking him to prepare a day and night tour around Simatai Great Wall. It was one of the most magnificent sections of The Great Wall. It was also one of the sections that could also be visited at night.
Since many people visited the place especially during weekends, he had to ask to close Simatai Great Wall for the two of them. He really had to pull some strings to make it possible. He wanted to give everything that makes Xu Jia Li happy. When she's happy, he's happier.
The continuous ringing of his phone cut his thoughts. He strode towards it and saw Ru Tengfei's name on the screen. He answered it as he walked back in front of the curtain wall.
"Fei…"
"Boss, there's nothing wrong with the cctv of the opposite building. I've checked it for a couple of times and see nothing suspicious. There was no one in the rooftop that night. It's like someone appeared and vanished in thin air."
"Are you sure? That's the same answer you've given me five days ago."
"I'm sure, boss. I even went there personally. The cctvs aren't breached at all. Everything seems normal."
"Fei, I need you to triple check… no hundred checks if possible. I have a bad feeling about it."
"I will run through it again, boss." Ru Tengfei sighed in the other line.
"Any news about Thomas?"
"Boss, one of his platoon officer said that he was on a special mission. He already sent them leads."
"So, he was indeed in a special mission?" Si Weimin clarified as he furrowed his brows.
"Yes, boss. But if you want, once I received a message from him, I'll immediately track his location."
"Hmmm."
After Si Weimin ended the call, he put the phone on his pocket. Then, he brushed his disheveled hair by his right hand while he observed the moving cars getting to and fro below as the city began to bustle with life.