It was just one contract and the signing took only one minute, but the business talk that came before it took hours, stretching all the way to five in the afternoon. Xia Lei transferred USD 5,000,000 to the Hanwu Weapons account, and signed the name ’Katou Takasuke’ on the contract.

“Let’s work well together.” Ye Kun’s face filled with a smile. He shook hands with Xia Lei.

Xia Lei gripped Ye Kun’s hand and said, “Let’s work well together. Mr Ye, I am only signing this on Xiaoqi’s account. However, I have to remind you that according to the contract, your side has to supply 30% of the goods in a month, and the next 30% in the second month. All goods have to be delivered by the end of the third month. If you do not meet the deadline, you must pay a penalty of 50% of the order price. You will need to pay twice the purchase price if there are serious problems with the product quality.”

Ye Kun was unperturbed. “There is no need to remind me, Mr Katou. These are all written in the contract. I have to remind you, too, that you have to pay 50% of the total purchase price when we deliver the first shipment. Get the money ready. If you default on the payment you will also need to pay a penalty of 50% of the purchase price.”

“Money is no object. You can rest assured, Mr Ye. Would a client from the Middle East lack money?” said Xia Lei.

Ye Kun laughed. “It is late, Mr Katou. How about I be your host and we have a drink together to celebrate our collaboration?”

Ye Xiaoqi interrupted them. “Let’s go to the Hilton Hotel. It’s nice there.”

“I would like to go but I have to hurry back to the UAE. I have to get this contract back to my client and talk with him about your Shenwu assault rifle. My client actually called me to ask how things were going in China when I was in the bathroom. Next time, then. I’ll drink with you next time,” said Xia Lei.

“I see. Well, whatever is convenient for you.” Ye Kun had the purchase order confirmed so he did not need to act so friendly anymore.

Ye Xiaoqi, on the other hand, looked disappointed. “When will you be back, Katou?”

“I’d have to spend about three weeks there,” said Xia Lei.

“Huh? So long?” Ye Xiaoqi was upset.

Xia Lei went to Ye Xiaoqi and reached out to fold her into his arms. He spoke in her ear, “I can’t bear to leave you either but a man must put his career first. I have to be responsible to my client. Also, you can help me keep an eye on the situation in Hanwu Weapons if you stay here and send me updates via messages.”

Ye Xiaoqi was not willing to let him go at all, but she nodded.

Xia Lei then said, “Don’t worry. Once this deal is done you can quit working at Hanwu Weapons and come work with me.”

A small smile appeared in the corners of her lips. “Nn, I’ll wait for you.” She then put her hands on his face and gave him a kiss.

Xia Lei did not retreat from this advance. He was very into his role and actually took the initiative to kiss her deeply.

Ye Xiaoqi’s knees grew weak and she melted into Xia Lei’s arms. She looked like she wanted to melt Xia Lei and eat him up like he was a Haagen Daz ice-cream.

“Ahem.” Ye Kun could watch no further.

Xia Lei and Ye Xiaoqi pulled apart.

Ye Xiaoqi’s face was red and she avoided Ye Kun’s eyes.

Xia Lei said awkwardly, “That’s that, then. Goodbye. I’ll meet you again in three weeks.” He walked out of the office with his briefcase.

The weapons exhibition in China would have started after three weeks. That was when he would close his trap.

The winter night came especially early. It was just five, but the sky was as dark as ink. The city’s lights had been turned on long ago, winking and twinkling like the Milky Way. The red Ferrari FF could not move quickly through traffic since it was the peak hour – even a supercar could not outpace the small battery-cars.

Half an hour later, Xia Lei drove the Ferrari FF into an underground parking space. He was not Katou Takasuke any longer when he walked out of that parking space. He had even changed his clothes and there was no trace of Katou Takasuke left.

Xia Lei called a taxi and took it to Shentu Tianyin’s home. He turned on another phone in the taxi; the phone had several missed calls, all from Shentu Tianyin.

‘So many calls... What did she need?’ thought Xia Lei as he called her back.

The call quickly went through and Shentu Tianyin’s voice came from over the line. “What were you busy with these past two days, Hubby? Your phone was off whenever I called. I was so worried.”

Xia Lei’s heart softened at her words. “It was some business stuff. I can’t talk about it over the phone, so I’ll tell you when I get home, all right darling?”

“Nn, I’ll be home waiting for you to have dinner. Bye-bye.” Shentu Tianyin’s voice was gentle. She hung up.

‘I’ve cheated on her, but I can’t watch Ruyi jump off a building either... Ay... I’ll feel less guilty if I treat her better’ thought Xia Lei.

He was guilty about his and Jiang Ruyi’s relationship but he what he did with Ye Xiaoqi did not weigh on his conscience at all. It wouldn’t have been difficult for him to have sex with Ye Xiaoqi last night but he had used a toy instead of touching her. This was enough to prove that he didn’t feel anything for her.

Jiang Ruyi was an exception, because there was only one Jiang Ruyi in this world.

He arrived home, and Shentu Tianyin opened the door for him. She even placed some slippers on the floor for him. She did not put on any airs and was warm and gentle like a perfect wife. Her husband had come home from work and she was taking care of him, giving him the warmth of a home.

Shentu Ren was watching a television programme in the living room and he spoke before Xia Lei greeted him. “Lei is back. Let’s start the meal. Us two shall have some drinks tonight.”

Xia Lei laughed and said, “Of course, Father. I’ll drink with you.”

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Shentu Tianyin pretended to be unhappy. “You two are drinking as soon as you meet. Are you turning into alcoholics?”

Shentu Ren chuckled. “Then we’ll turn into alcoholics. Who doesn’t drink?”

Shentu Tianyin drew close to Xia Lei’s ear and said, “Drink less. It’s not my safe day today.”

“Safe day?” Xia Lei paused and asked in surprise, “Are you in some sort of trouble?”

Shentu Tianyin pinched him lightly and said in embarrassment, “You dummy! You don’t know what a woman’s not-safe day is? It’s the third day after a woman’s period is over. It’s easiest to get with child if we have sex today.”

Xia Lei was speechless.

The words which came out of Shentu Tianyin’s mouth made Xia Lei see her in a new light again. He was intrigued and itched to get into a room and make babies with her right away.

Shentu Ren seemed to have heard a little of their conversation and he changed his tune. “Haha, forget it. I don’t feel so good today. Lei, let’s drink another day.”

“Yes, Father. As you wish.” Xia Lei agreed right away.

The meal begun in happy spirits and ended on a relaxed note. The house help came to clear the dishes away and Shentu Ren went back to watching television. He did not ask to drink tea or chat with Xia Lei to give him and Shentu Tianyin an opportunity to get frisky. He was the one who most wanted to hold a grandchild in this household, and his wish was going to come true.

Xia Lei followed Shentu Tianyin into her room.

Shentu Tianyin kissed him and said softly, “I’ll go get the bath ready.”

Xia Lei held her back. “Why aren’t you asking where I’ve been the past two days, Tianyin?”

“You have your own matters to tend to and I cannot ask about everything or you’ll feel like I’m too controlling and not giving you space,” said Shentu Tianyin.

Guilt flooded Xia Lei. “Tianyin, I...”

Shentu Tianyin placed a finger on his lips. “Hubby, you have a special status. What you’re doing for the country is a national secret, so there really isn’t a need to tell me.”

So kind, so understanding; so warm and thoughtful.

The wife-Tianyin and the Tianyin before becoming his wife were like two different people. Xia Lei could see how much importance she placed on their love for each other and this family from what she had said. She was enveloping all of him into her wide and warm embrace.

Xia Lei kissed the finger she had placed on his lips and held her wrist as he said gently, “Tianyin, marrying you was the most fortunate thing to have happened to me.”

Shentu Tianyin’s lips moved in a smile of some shyness, and a lot of bliss.

Xia Lei continued. “It was not Bureau 101 this time but about Thunder Horse Military Factory.”

“Is your military factory having problems? What can I help you with?”

“No need. I’ve already taken care of most of it,” said Xia Lei.

“Tell me - what’s going on?”

“Do you remember Ye Kun and Mu Jianfeng?”

Shentu Tianyin nodded. “Of course I remember. Did they cause trouble for you again?”

Xia Lei smiled. “They bribed two people to be spies in my factory, most likely to hinder my participation in the weapons exhibition. So I...”

He gave her a brief summary.

“Wait, wait, I’m confused.” Shentu Tianyin looked incredulously at Xia Lei. “You said you gave that spy the drawings for the Gust assault rifle, and those drawings are real? Then you disguised yourself as a Japanese arms dealer to place an order with Hanwu Weapons, and put down a deposit of USD 5,000,000... Hubby, are you sure you’re doing the right thing?”

Xia Lei laughed. “Of course I’m sure. Mu Jianfeng and Ye Kun have always been trying to stop the growth of Thunder Horse Military Factory, and not just once or twice. I’m sick of defending so I’m going on the offense now. I’m going to dig a huge pit of a trap for them and get them to jump into it.”

The corners of Shentu Tianyin’s mouth turned downwards. “I still don’t get it. If Ye Kun has your drawings and produces the Gust assault rifle, then where’s the trap?”

“The drawings he has are missing the most vital part. Without that part, the assault rifles Hanwu Weapons makes from the drawings would be a joke,” said Xia Lei with a smile.

“Huh? I see... You sure are crafty. I was fooled too.” Shentu Tianyin punched Xia Lei lightly but she felt proud of him.

“If I can fool even you, then that Ye Kun will never see it. I had the drawings given to Ye Kun and not Mu Jianfeng because of this. Mu Jianfeng is too sly and not an easy man to trick,” said Xia Lei.

Shentu Tianyin put her arms around Xia Lei’s waist. “Remember that whoever the enemy is, you are not fighting alone. I am your wife, and your enemy is my enemy.”

Xia Lei was touched. He kissed Shentu Tianyin’s cherry lips.

A minute later, Shentu Tianyin was flushed and panting as she said, “I’ll go draw the bath.”

Xia Lei gathered her up in his arms and walked towards the bed. “We’ll go take a bath later.”

Shentu Tianyin knew what was coming and she shut her eyes. She nodded shyly.

The coming night was sure to be a sleepless one.