Crash!
The window was nearly yanked down by a tremendous force as Master Zhao's hook-like gaze shot towards the outside.
My heart skipped a beat, and I suddenly felt my brain go blank, my vision darkened, nearly passing out, a huge wave of fear almost tore me apart.
But instead of the expected raging storm, a gentle and concerned voice followed.
"What's wrong? Cold?"
Master Zhao turned his head, looking at me with concern, and smiled, "If you're cold, I'll close it for you."
I was taken aback, utterly astonished, and instinctively glanced outside, only to see the balcony was completely empty, no sign of that man's figure.
I was slow on the uptake for two seconds but soon snapped out of it, and managed to say I'd see Master Zhao out, yet as I turned around, suddenly there were footsteps from outside.
Looking in the direction of the noise, I saw the person who should have been on the balcony was now coming up the outside stairs.
With the lights inside the room bright, his silhouette and facial features became increasingly clear in my view.
I was shocked; I had only assumed he had climbed to the neighboring room along the edge of the adjacent window, but I could never have imagined he would actually descend, with the balcony being at least three meters above the ground.
If it weren't for that face, I'd even doubt I recognized the right person.
Master Zhao released my hand and walked outside, "Didn't you say you left early? Why have you only just arrived now?"
"There was trouble at the venue, I made a call outside," the man answered without a change in his expression,
Master Zhao discussed business with that man; I didn't follow, being with him for so long, he said he appreciated this about me out of his many 'goddaughters'—having the eye to know my place, to be contented, not to reach too far.
Like being in his position, few had clean hands.
The ways to make money always lie within the criminal law, even the current wealthiest man, Mr. Li, can't claim he hasn't done any illegal operations, but the rich have the power, and that can make things 'go round' as well as open back doors for them.
Nine out of ten officials keep mistresses; those who often appear on TV, who knows how many lover they've kept on the side? Where does the money come from? It's often by receiving those occasional favors from big tigers like Master Zhao.
I always knew Master Zhao had a protector behind him, which I once accidentally overheard. His face was a bit somber when he asked how much I heard, and I adamantly denied, swearing I heard nothing. That's why ever since then, whenever he dealt with business, I would intentionally keep my distance.
It just so happened that I was eager to deal with the evidence on me, but I didn't expect that just as I turned around, Master Zhao's voice came from behind me again.
"Huanhuan, make some tea."
"Okay, coming," I answered, regardless of my reluctance, I had no choice but to follow through.
Master Zhao and that man entered the study, each sitting on one side of the sofa, with a set of purple clay teapots on the coffee table between them, which Master Zhao had paid a lot for at an auction. I couldn't appreciate it and couldn't understand why anyone would spend tens of millions on a tea set, but I took extra care every time I made tea for Master Zhao, wary of breaking it.
I brewed a pot of Longjing tea and served a cup to Master Zhao. When it was the man's turn, he suddenly leaned towards me, his gaze burning into me.
His unexpected move startled me; I thought he was just a subordinate of Master Zhao's, which was why I was sure he wouldn't dare let Master Zhao know. But now it was different.
The Cantonese Circle is only so big, and the number of people who can sit down and have tea with Master Zhao can be counted on the fingers of one hand. This young man being able to sit down and discuss matters with Master Zhao, his status couldn't be simple.
His brazen gaze left me feeling uncomfortable, fearing the next second he would mention what I did before Master Zhao returned.
My heartbeat pounded like a drum, my hand holding the teapot turned white at the knuckles from the force I was using, and the standoff seemed to last an eternity before he curved his lips into a meaningful smile and spoke, "Got a tissue?"
We were so close I could clearly see the teasing and cunning that flickered in his eyes as he spoke.
Realizing I was being deliberately played, I was both angry and annoyed but dared not show a trace of it. I suppressed my voice and said I'd grab one, before turning back to the desk to fetch tissues for him.
As he took them, his fingertips grazed my palm ever so slightly, the slimy touch making my whole body shudder.
I glanced down at his hand instinctively, and saw a few glistening, semi-transparent droplets wrapped around his slender fingertips.
My heart lurched as it dawned on me that it was what I had rubbed onto him minutes before, and he hadn't wiped it off yet—
My face alternated between red and white when at that moment, his casual action also drew Master Zhao's attention our way.
"What's that on your hand?"