Ye Xiaoqi appeared in the underground parking space in the afternoon at 1710 hrs. She pressed a button on a remote an a champagne-coloured BMW 510li chirped, lights flashing. She walked over with her long legs flashing, getting ready to drive home.

‘No promotion and a reward of just 50,000! Go die, Ye Kun!’ Ye Xiaoqi was still cursing him.

Ye Xiaoqi couldn’t move when she got to her car because a red Ferrari FF four-seater supercar was parked next to hers.

BMW was a world-known car brand too but her 520li was like a scooter compared to this Ferrari FF. Her entire car value would just be equal to the cost of one Ferrari tyre.

‘It’ll be great if I had one too.’ Ye Xiaoqi couldn’t help fantasising about driving a car like this Ferrari FF.

The window of the Ferrari FF suddenly wound down and a handsome face looked out. He was smiling at Ye Xiaoqi.

“Mr Katou Takasuke, you...” Ye Xiaoqi held a hand over her mouth, so excited she could not speak.

Xia Lei smiled and said, “We meet again, Miss Ye.”

Ye Xiaoqi recovered and gave Xia Lei a dazzling smile. “Mr Katou Takasuke, why didn’t you give me a call? Didn’t we agree on that? I waited the whole afternoon for your call.”

Xia Lei’s voice filled with charm. “Rather than a call, I think waiting down here for you to get off from work is more sincere. I paid the security staff here a small fee and he brought me to this place. I waited for you here.”

“No, no,” said Ye Xiaoqi coquettishly. “I waited a whole afternoon for you but you didn’t call. I want you to accompany me.”

“No problem. Get in the car. I’ll take you out for a meal, then we’ll talk about compensation, yes?” Xia Lei reached out and opened the door of the Ferrari for Ye Xiaoqi.

Ye Xiaoqi looked at her BMW 520li, and at Xia Lei’s Ferrari FF. She hesitated for just one second before she got into Xia Lei’s car.

The Ferrari FF roared and Xia Lei drove out of the parking space. They entered the stream of traffic and the Hanwu Weapons building was soon left behind in the distance, disappearing from sight. Ye Xiaoqi’s thoughts were far away from Hanwu Weapons too. Her head was full of dreams. Who cared about promotion and rewards? Hooking a big fish like this Katou Takasuke was more important!

Half an hour later, the Ferrari FF came to Jingdu’s Hilton Hotel. Xia Lei handed the keys to the concierge, then lef Ye Xiaoqi into the hotel, to the restaurant.

Xia Lei ordered French foie gras and French truffles, paired with French steaks and French red wine. It made one feel like he was in France having a French meal.

Ye Xiaoqi looked at the dishes the waiter brought and was shocked. This meal cost at least tens of thousands. She was not some country bumpkin and also earned quite a bit at dozens of thousands per year, but she wouldn’t ever dare to come dine at a restaurant like this.

Xia Lei didn’t even look at the food and wine on the table. He dipped his chin and looked silently at Ye Xiaoqi. His eyes were gentle, full of emotion, and laced with a bit of sadness.

Nothing could surpass that gaze.

“Mr Katou Takasuke, you... Why are you looking at me like this?” Ye Xiaoqi was delighted but she put on a mask of shyness.

Xia Lei then “came to his senses” and hurriedly straightened up. He bowed his head in apology. “I’m sorry I’ve made you uncomfortable, Miss Ye.”

Ye Xiaoqi pursed her lips in a smile. “Are all you Japanese people so polite, Mr Katou?”

“Not all. There are crude people too,” said Xia Lei.

“You’re an exception, aren’t you?”

Xia Lei laughed. “My mother influenced me a lot. She taught me morals since I was a child. She taught be to be polite, to be humble, and to be gentle to women.”

“Your mother is wonderful.”

“She would be very happy if she could meet you,” said Xia Lei.

“Meet your mother?” Ye Xiaoqi looked hesitant. “This is... We...”

Xia Lei spoke gently, “You two just look so much alike. If my mother saw you, she would definitely think you’re Kyouka Minako.”

“I don’t want to be a substitute.” Ye Xiaoqi’s voice was small.

“No, you are not Minako’s substitute,” said Xia Lei. “I’ve been quite unhappy these past two years and I’ve finally managed to walk out of the cloud of sadness of Minako’s death. Did you know that I felt a warmth spread in me when I saw you in that cafe doorway today? You look a lot like Minako but you are not her. I will also not see you as her. You are you, Miss Ye. Please believe me, I...”

Ye Xiaoqi’s heart filled with nervousness, excitement and bliss. She spoke expectantly, “What are you trying to say?”

“I...” Xia Lei hesitated, then gathered his courage and said, “I like you. I liked you from the moment I saw you. Miss Ye, please be my girlfriend.”

“Huh?” Ye Xiaoqi didn’t know what to do.

“I know this is very sudden but I cannot resist your charms and my impulses towards you.” Xia Lei gave Ye Xiaoqi a look. “Please say yes, Miss Ye. I will be good to you. I’ll make you the happiest woman on Earth.”

“Mr Katou, I... We... This is too quick, isn’t it?” She said the words but her heart was screaming yes.

“Miss Ye, love is universal and without limits of time. Please believe me. Our meeting was fate’s arrangement. You are the woman I am fated to marry, and I am the man destined for you.” Xia Lei spoke fairly convincingly.

“I... We...” Ye Xiaoqi kept pretending, pretending to be reserved.

Xia Lei sighed. “This is indeed too quick. I’ll give you some time to consider it. I’ll let you see my sincerity during this period of time. Nn, let’s drink.”

Ye Xiaoqi pinched herself and scolded herself silently. ‘Why did I act the chaste girl? I won’t get this sort of chance for a second time in my life!’

Xia Lei poured two glasses of red wine. He handed one to Ye Xiaoqi, then clinked glasses with her. “For our futures.”

Ye Xiaoqi downed everything in her glass in one gulp.

“What sort of business are you doing in China, Mr Katou?” Ye Xiaoqi started investigating his background.

“I’m in international trade. Hm. I’m here in China this time to purchase weapons for my Middle East clients. Ah, I don’t know which company to choose over here in China. I know China’s Hanwu Weapons is an old name in the game, but Thunder Horse Military Factory is making waves too. The company’s doing well, especially their XL2500 sniper rifle. It’s said to be the best sniper rifle in the world.”

“You’re an arms dealer?” Ye Xiaoqi looked very surprised.

Xia Lei smiled. “It’s not just weapons. South African diamonds, oil from Iraq – I do whatever makes me money. I’m just so busy. I am always flying from one place to another. It would be nice if you could help me. I’ll be able to relax a little then.”

Ye Xiaoqi thought for a bit. “I’m not so familiar with the other industries but arms dealing is my specialty. You may not know it but I am the secretary of Ye Kun, the chairman of Hanwu Weapons.”

“Eh? You’re Ye Kun’s secretary?” Xia Lei looked surprised, then he smiled. “You actually can help me then. How about you choose for me between Hanwu Weapons and Thunder Horse Military Factory? My Middle East clients have no lack of money. They want the best.”

“I can’t give you recommendations right on the spot for something like this. How about you give me a day? I’ll think properly about it and give you an answer,” said Ye Xiaoqi.

“No problem. Let’s toast again.” Xia Lei smiled as he poured more for her, smiled as he clinked glasses.

Ye Xiaoqi was quickly drunk, not because she had low alcohol tolerance but because Xia Lei had added special ingredients to her wine.

Xia Lei brought her to a royal suite in the Hilton Hotel and put her on the bed. This suite was shockingly huge at about 200 square metres. It was done up in a classical style and oozed nobility and luxury.

“I’m not drunk. I can still drink...” Ye Xiaoqi gurgled.

Xia Lei retrieved the listening device from her collar and put it in his pocket. He then opened her clutch and rifled through her things. His focus was on her phone. He opened up the phone to take its memory card out and copied the information on it to his own phone.

“Ye Kun, you bastard... Go to hell! I got you the drawings and y, you didn’t promote me or increase my salary! I hate you!” Ye Xiaoqi was still talking drunkenly.

Xia Lei unbuttoned her clothing, took her skirt off and removed her underwear. This was not because he was attracted to her but because he was carrying out his plan.

“Go away... Don’t touch me. I want to marry you, my Mr Katou...” Ye Xiaoqi mumbled.

A snowy landscape met Xia Lei’s eyes. Majestic peaks, a flat stomach, white thighs, and... One could not deny that this gold-digger had something to exchange for gold. She was young, pretty, mature and sexy. She was the image of what most men wanted, and most men would be very willing to sleep with her too, no matter what the motive she had for it.

However, Xia Lei did something which most men would not do.

Xia Lei took out a toy from his briefcase and talked solemnly to himself. ‘Tianyin, I am not straying. This is for Thunder Horse Military Factory.’

The toy started to buzz. Xia Lei sat next to the bed and frowned at the writhing Ye Xiaoqi, and the toy. When the toy got loose, he reached out a hand to steady it, then continued maintaining the situation and making sure that the toy worked normally.

“Katou, my Katou... You’re my everything...” Ye Xiaoqi cried out deliriously.

Xia Lei sighed. ‘I’m not straying, Ruyi. I’m doing this because... Wait. Why do I have to apologise to Ruyi? She won’t mind me doing this. She slept with me behind Tianyin’s back, so she wouldn’t mind if I slept with anyone else other than her and Tianyin, right?’

These meaningless, empty thoughts were just to occupy his attention. Neither Shentu Tianyin nor Jiang Ruyi could hear him. If they could, he would never have a peaceful day in his life ever again.