Lu Sheng awoke in a VIP ward to see Xia Lei and Xia Xue standing by the bed. His first words were, “What’s this nice room for? A normal ward will do.”

Xia Lei was touched. “Don’t worry about this, Big Brother Sheng. I’ve already talked with the hospital. I want them to use the best medicine and the best doctors. They will treat you well.”

Lu Sheng smiled wryly, “I won’t die so easily. It’s just… I’m sorry for scaring Xue.”

“No, don’t ever say that again, Big Brother Sheng. Xue would have been in a much worse situation if you had not been around. I don’t even dare to think of it. You saved her life and you got stabbed three times. I will not let your sacrifice go in vain.”

Lu Sheng seemed to have guessed what Xia Lei was about to say and he quickly cut him off. “It is part of my job as bodyguard.”

“We both had the same Master and you are still considered my Senior Disciple. What’s this about being a bodyguard? Xue and I have never seen you as an outsider. I’ve already decided - your annual salary of 200,000 is now your monthly salary.”

“Huh?” Lu Sheng was so shocked that he could not close his mouth. 200,000 a month meant 2,400,000 a year. If he added bonuses and whatnot the total would be close to 3,000,000! A salary like this was not much different from what high-ranking people in large companies make. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that a small bodyguard like him would be able to earn so much!

“Thank you, Big Brother Sheng,” said Xia Xue.

Lu Sheng smiled wryly. “What’s this, you two? You don’t have to do this, really. How can I take so much from you?”

“Don’t talk that way, Big Brother Sheng. What’s mine is yours and your matters are my matters from now on. Just ask if there is anything you need me for. I won’t treat you like my brother anymore if you refuse.”

“All right, I can’t out-talk you.” Lu Sheng stopped protesting.

“You exchanged blows with that person, Big Brother Sheng. Can you tell me about it?” Xia Lei changed the topic.

Lu Sheng furrowed his brows as he recalled the incident and a hint of fear appeared in his eyes. “That person.. He covered his face but I know he’s young, about your age, probably. His body shape is similar to yours too. I’ve never seen anyone as vicious as him. He was quick - so quick that it’s hard to defend against him. He stabbed me three times and I could not dodge the first two. I barely managed to move away on the third stab, otherwise I would not be here right now. Lei, if you meet him, you have to be careful. That guy is definitely an experienced killer. The things he can do are things we who practice martial arts cannot understand.”

The aim of martial arts was to strengthen the body and mind. The aim of killers was to kill people. Two different aims meant two different fields of study so martial artists and killers could not discuss two disparate things together. Another way of saying it was that a Wulin pract.i.tioner would most probably defeat a killer in the fighting ring but put their lives on the line and the killer would likely kill off the Wulin pract.i.tioner outside of the ring.

“I don’t care how strong that guy is, Big Brother Sheng. I will right this wrong for you,” said Xia Lei.

“Don’t!” said Lu Sheng hurriedly, “I don’t want you to trade blows with that guy. He is even more difficult to deal with than that American Bruce Long, I tell you. Really. I cannot describe what I felt back then - it was too frightening.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t act without thinking. Rest. I’ll come see you tomorrow,” said Xia Lei.

“No need. Just go do whatever you have to do. This little injury can’t kill me,” said Lu Sheng.

Xia Lei nodded. He brought Xia Xue with him and left the hospital.

The cool night breeze blew across his cheeks as he walked out of the hospital. The anger in his heart went down to a smoulder. Then he saw the woman standing next to his black BMW M6.

Black dress, black heels, black handbag, standing tall with a look of indifference. Her aura was a mixture of three things - s.e.xiness, mystery and danger.

“When did you arrive, Big Sister Bing?” Xia Xue went over in welcome and greeted her warmly.

Long Bing spoke evenly, “An hour ago. I flew over once I got the news. Get in the car first. I want to talk to your brother alone.”

“Nn.” Xia Xue agreed obediently and got into her brother’s car. Long Bing was not a candidate for Sister-in-law in her world but she was definitely a Big Sister. She would listen to Long Bing.

Xia Lei walked over to Long Bing. He did not find her appearance strange because it was not weird for her to have such information due to her ident.i.ty.

“Don’t be impulsive.” This was the first sentence Long Bing said to Xia Lei.

“Do I look like I’m going to do something impulsive now?” said Xia Lei.

“I know you’re not an impulsive person but this concerns Xia Xue. I cannot predict how you’ll act. This is why I flew over,” said Long Bing.

“Xue is my only family in the world. I won’t let off anyone who tries to hurt her,” said Xia Lei.

“I know that. The person on the other side went off when Xia Xue returned because you’re here to protect her. They didn’t want to waste resources but the unexpected happened. I will guarantee you that this will never happen again,” said Long Bing.

Long Bing’s guarantee gave Xia Lei some information, and that was that he was still very valuable to Bureau 101.

“Right, so where do you suspect that person’s from?” asked Long Bing.

“I suspect the Gu clan,” said Xia Lei.

“You sure?”

“I’m not 100% sure but maybe 70 to 80% sure. The Gu clan lost three people in the previous affair and Gu Ding-Shan’s pride was hurt. I’m also an existence which Gu Ke-Wu wants to erase. No one else is as unscrupulous as the Gu clan, so it makes sense for them to go after my sister. If it’s the CIA, they would go after me and Annina but they didn’t,” said Xia Lei.

Long Bing’s expression was like ice. “Huh! He thinks the Gu clan is one of the Four Great Clans in the Song dynasty or something? They would be fine if they’d just let things be. Their actions bring them closer to death’s door.”

Xia Lei smiled wryly. “You say that but the Gu clan is still a force to be reckoned with. They’re a collection of powerful people with interests which align with each other. It’s difficult to shut them down, otherwise they would’ve been shut down long ago.”

Even s.h.i.+ Bo-Ren had been unable to help him the previous time. This was a real-life example of their power. If it hadn’t been for Gu Ke-Wu’s impulsiveness in trying to frame Hu Hou for his murder, Thunder Horse Manufacturing would probably not have had its suspension cancelled.

A faint smile appeared on Long Bing’s lips. “Gu Ding-Shan is one to take down. You think it’s easy? Anyway, don’t make any reckless moves during this period of time, and don’t try to get revenge on the Gu clan. If you do that you fall into their trap. You’re a smart man. You should know that they are expecting you to do this.”

Xia Lei nodded.

“About your situation here, I’ve decided to take Annina back to Jing-Du tomorrow. And Xia Xue. She’ll come with me too. I’ve arranged for her to have foreign language lessons and some self-defence training or something. She’s your sister so she will run into some dangerous situations in the future. She cannot be as weak as she is now,” said Long Bing.

“You want to train her?” Xia Lei asked probingly, “You want to turn her into someone like you?”

“What’s so bad about learning more skills?” said Long Bing.

“Training is just training. I won’t let her join Bureau 101 - no negotiating,” said Xia Lei.

“You think it’s so easy to get accepted into Bureau 101? She’s not qualified even if it’s just up to me to decide,” said Long Bing.

Xia Lei relaxed a little at that. He had just one sister and as the head of the household he felt like her father too. Xia Xue was the daughter of his heart and he did not want her leading the dangerous life of an employee of Bureau 101.

“Let’s talk about that other thing too,” said Long Bing, “I believe Annina has told you. Have you thought about it?”

Xia Lei knew she would bring it up. “Annina did tell me about it and I did consider it. I will agree but I have two conditions,” said Xia Lei.

“Say them.” Long Bing looked at Xia Lei. There was a hint of happiness in her eyes when he said he agreed.

“The first condition is that Annina has to return to my side,” said Xia Lei.

“That’s no problem. She’s bent on following you so she’s not willing to go anywhere else. I wouldn’t have sent her to ask you otherwise.”

Xia Lei nodded. “The second condition - I don’t have that much money to start production lines and I need at least 500 million in loans. If the government loans the amount to me there will be no interest charged and 30% of the goods delivered will be used to repay the loan till the repayment is complete.”

Long Bing for silent for a while before she spoke again, “Then how high of a quality can you guarantee?”

“It will definitely not be as good as the one I modified for you since it’ll be ma.s.s produced but it should be no problem to get them to the level of the most advanced in the world. Annina and I will be working together - you know our capabilities. If we can’t do it then n.o.body in China can,” said Xia Lei.

“All right. I’ve already reached a consensus with Boss s.h.i.+ so I can promise you your first condition. About the second condition, you’re asking for a loan of 500 million. I have to report back to Boss s.h.i.+ and let him make a decision. Additionally, I have to give you a bottom line. A production line of this type cannot be built here. It must be built in Jing-Du,” said Long Bing.

“Why?” Xia Lei was surprised.

“You should read up on military affairs. This is a coastal area. What military factory will be based here other than the s.h.i.+pyard? If war breaks out the first thing the enemy will bomb is your factory. This is military tactics - you’ll have to agree to it even if you don’t want to,” said Long Bing.

Xia Lei shrugged. “Sure. I’ll have it built wherever you want but you foot the bill for the cost of the land. You can’t charge me money.”

Long Bing smiled. “You’re becoming more and more of a businessman.”

“I was a businessman from the start, okay?” said Xia Lei.

“Go back. You have to persuade Annina. She’s a stubborn German. I’d promised her that I’ll let her stay for three days but I’m taking her back tomorrow morning. She may throw a fit,” said Long Bing.

“Okay, I’ll persuade her. Want to visit?”

“No need. I have other things to do. Goodbye.” Long Bing turned and left.

Xia Xue stuck her head out the window. “Brother, why’s Big Sister Bing leaving? Did you invite her to our home?”

Xia Lei smiled wryly and shook his head. “It’s not as if you don’t know her. Let’s go home. Oh, right, you’re going with her to Jing-Du tomorrow. You’ll be safer with her. Nn, Xia Mei is going with you too.”

Xia Xue smiled. “Okay, Wester-in-law is going to Jing-Du too. I was just thinking of learning English from her; German too.”

“You cheeky monkey. What ‘Wester-in-law’?”

“Am I wrong? Do I actually have a fated Sister-in-law? Who? Tell me!”

Xia Lei was speechless.