Chapter 134 - An undisguised promise
Silence reigned in the car.
Xiong Zhi was a bit embarrassed when she blurted out her question.
But she knew she was right. In the past and even in the present, Xiong Zhi has a deep trust in Linfeng. To the point where she could trust him even when her eyes were closed. So this simple move of Linfeng was no doubt all for her.
But seeing Linfeng's blank and dumbfounded expression Xiong Zhi got embarrassed.
Did she word it a bit too much?
"Ahm. What I mean to say is, you only have my sake in your mind when you did that." Xiong Zhi said to explain herself and to shatter this deafening silence.
Linfeng tried to be calm and answered.
"Y-you're right." However, his voice still shook.
It was a big shock for him of how Xiong Zhi could see his thoughts.
He gestured for Mr. Ji to drive forward.
The car's engine noise was now the last saving straw for this loud silence.
After a while, Linfeng finally speaks.
"I'm deeply impressed with your train of thoughts, young miss. Even the track of my thoughts could not escape in your keen mind. Now, what would be your decision?" Linfeng moves on after he recovered his wits.
Xiong Zhi looked ahead.
"I think I should give it to Lu Yin Ze personally. Maybe after some time of his recovery. This box is for him after all. He should be the one to decide what to do with it. "
After a while, she added.
"But I doubt that he would handle it to Master Lu. Lu Yin Ze is not the type of person that likes to socialize. But he still makes a grand entrance today and uses his birthday to make his presence known to upper society. I think he is getting ready for the battle of Lu's inheritance. " Then Xiong Zhi reminisce the day she first met Lu Yin Ze.
"Besides, he has reasons why he needs to keep it from Master Lu. I think he will handle it by himself."
'Like how I want to handle personally the father-daughter duo who harmed us.' She silently added in her mind.
"So there's no need to worry about an incoming economic war. But if the worst comes to worst, I will still make it possible for my company to reach a higher ground after four years despite the war. "
Xiong Zhi looked at Linfeng with determination.
"This is my only chance. I will not lose it. I'll make it happen. You don't have to worry about me so much."
'I will not be weak anymore, Linfeng. I will not stand around while everything in chaos and let myself be swept by it. I learned my lesson after dying once.' Xiong Zhi silently added in her heart.
Linfeng really wandered how Xiong Zhi came up with such determination in her eyes.
Who could not believe in her with that determined voice and unwavering eyes?
"Alright. I believe in you. It looks like your ready to enter the third road in the highest society." Linfeng said.
'Third road?' Seeing the question mark in Xiong Zhi's eyes Linfeng gently explained.
" It is only a metaphor that we butlers used. The first road is knowing only the surface of the highest society. Like the road, you are in now. You only know the legendary families, the heirs, the people who hold power and those people that have a lot of connections in the highest society. But what you only know is the image that those people- the people who have true power- wanted you to see."
Xiong Zhi agreed. It's true she was lacking of the inside-informations.
"Second road, you have connections and authority. But not as deep. You may know the true situations of the legendary family. Like who was favored, who has backings, who was a great chance of winning the position. You may also know some secrets that your circle doesn't know. You are slightly advantageous. "
Xiong Zhi continued to listen.
"Third road, is where you have information that took years to discover. Secrets that you can use as a threat to some figures. You have power and authority. You have information that makes you manipulate some people. "
Xiong Zhi could not help but think of Xiong De. That dirty man holds many secrets of other people that made him manipulate them in a way he wants.
So it turns out entering deeply in the highest society was not easy as people think. You have to hold a secret weapon because some people might have some weapon pointed at you.
Xiong Zhi thought of her company.
IHZHI was just starting. It was fine if it was left alone. However, what if some enemy sprouted and wanted to take it down? It's alright if it was just a company with a humble background. But what if a person knows she was behind it, A Xiong was behind it, and target her company instead?
Her IHZHI might be her strength and the army that she was trying to build. But also, it might be her weakness. She might guard it perfectly.
Later on, Xiong Zhi promised she would tighten IHZHI's security.
"Then, how about you? Are you on the third road as well?" Xiong Zhi asked Linfeng. She guessed Linfeng was reliable when it comes to inside information, she was sure he was on the third road. Or maybe beyond.
Linfeng smiled.
"I'm a butler of young Miss. We are under a Xiong. And my father is the butler of Master Xiong. What do you think my road is?"
Linfeng asked her instead. He really enjoyed talking in circles with Xiong Zhi.
Xiong Zhi did not answer and stared at him.
Since the Zhou family has been a butler of many generations they surely held some deep secrets of the mighty figures. So there's no question of how wide their connections and knowledge were.
But what Xiong Zhi truly wanted to ask was about himself. Not about him being as a butler. But as a Linfeng who was struggling to cut off his shackles and fly higher.
She knew that in her past life, even Linfeng was so young, he achieved great heights, especially after he was freed from the Xiong family.
But since she had not truly captured Linfeng and she still hadn't gained his full trust, she decided to let it go. She would patiently wait for him to open up to her. About his goals, his ambitions, and the path that he wanted to take.
"I see. " Xiong Zhi just let out two words.
"Tomorrow, I'll send files to you about the legendary families and some mighty figures. Since you will attend the IAmFashionista, that information will be handy. "
Xiong Zhi nodded.
"That will be great."
"And also, from now on. Prepared to get busy. After this month and IAmFashionista, I will bring you to some social gathering to expand your circles."
"Alright. As long as you're there I will not get bored."
Linfeng just smiled at Xiong Zhi's remark. When Xiong Zhi attends the party in the future he would just watch her from afar. Like a butler should. She would be in the light and he was just standing and protect her in the dark.
(A/n: Again..with the light and dark. Are you really obsessed with that Linfeng?)
The car has long been stopped. Linfeng got out and went to Xiong Zhi's side to assist her.
When Xiong Zhi comes out holding his hands, she said.
"By the way, I forgot to add something earlier."
Linfeng looked at her serious face.
"You hid the box so I won't lose to my father's bet right? "
Linfeng was confused. She already mentioned it earlier.
"Yes." He still answered.
Xiong Zhi's eyes glint with mischief.
"Then I can also say you hid it because you don't want me to marry the man my grandfather chose, right?"
Linfeng was taken aback.
It was not..really the case.
'But that's part of the bet, so yeah it is?' This thought crossed his mind.
"So Mr. Zhou Linfeng is really interested in who I chose to marry in the future."
'That's not really true.' He wanted to say but keep it. He doesn't hold Xiong Zhi's decision in her life. He was just a butler born to assist her.
"Don't worry though, I will come to you before I marry." Xiong Zhi said as she smiled mischievously.
Linfeng was taken aback once again.
'When did she learn to smile like that? And even pick up those lines?'
But he finds it really cute.
"So, what you say?" Xiong Zhi leaned to him as she was eagerly waiting for something.
'What? An answer? It was not a question though.'
But to escape this he nodded and added a remark.
"Alright. If you want to marry in the future just look for me."
'Eh?'
Xiong Zhi smiled happily. Like she finally got what she wants to hear.
"Alright! That's a promise!" Xiong Zhi smiled widely. Then she turned to Mr. Ji who was standing at the side.
"And you're the witness!" She then ran forward and left the two who were both taken aback. Ah!! Seduce Your Man 3.0 was really useful today!
Linfeng was really baffled.
He felt there was something wrong with what he said. Even though it was the truth.
Today was really an unforgettable day. He could enlist this day as the day where he got surprised so many times. The day where he acted out of emotion.
When Xiong Zhi was already out of his sight, he turned to Mr. Ji and bowed. Mr. Ji bowed as well.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Thank you for your hard work as well, Mr. Zhou."
"The matter today.."
"Yes, this humble driver understands."
Mr. Ji knew that what the two were talking about was a huge matter that if it leaks out it would make the Xiong and the Lu at war. Besides, he had been chosen as the young miss personal driver. He knew well when to shut his mouth.
"I believe Mr. Ji is intelligent and trustworthy," Linfeng said.
If Mr. Ji wasn't trustworthy, he wouldn't let the conversation even started.
"I pledge my loyalty to the young miss since the day I drove the car with her. " Mr. Ji sincerely said.
Linfeng smiled. He knew it well. He just wanted to make sure that it would be clear to Mr. Ji that what they talked about was important.
Linfeng bid goodbye to Mr. Ji.
Mr. Ji watched the young man's back as it becomes small and small until he was swallowed by the dark.
He could not help but be impressed with the two youngsters. They were teenagers but their mind was greater than his. He went to the car and get the black box. He needs to get rid of this. He still remembered Linfeng's last word to him. As he remembered the young man, he remembered as well how the young man's got confused before their young miss left them.
'Ah. He is still a youngster. He doesn't even know he just gave his promise to marry the young miss.'
Mr. Ji thought as he crashed the memory card.
'Ah, it's so good to be young. '
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