Chapter 24 (2/2)

Ning Jing considered it and said, “It’s too late. Forget it. He’ll come in early tomorrow anyway. I am not good with machines, Master Xia, so can I ask for your help in assembling this compass?”

“Of course,” replied Xia Lei quickly.

“I’ll make a cup of tea for you,” said Ning Jing.

Xia Lei smiled and said, “Don’t stand on ceremony, Big Sister Ning.”

“I’ll make some tea to chase away your sleepiness. Go about your work, then. I’ll be back soon.” Ning Jing walked out of the room.

Xia Lei looked away from her slim, retreating back and started to work on reassembling the compass.

This was his first time doing work that was so similar to watchmaking so he had no prior experience to draw from. However, he had his great advantage – his eye. Using his eye, he could recall all the original places of the parts and easily see areas others couldn’t to put everything back in its proper place. Thus, though it was his first time doing this, he raced along like a seasoned professional, skilled and smooth.

By the time Ning Jing entered the room with a cup of Pu’er tea, Xia Lei had already installed the last piece in the compass.

Strangely, the golden pointer on the compass started moving right after the last piece was put in place. It pointed north.

Xia Lei dusted off his hands and grinned as he said, “Done.”

Ning Jing walked briskly over, her gaze fixed on the compass on the worktable. “How are you so quick?” she exclaimed delightedly.

Xia Lei smiled but said nothing. He had actually slowed down for safety’s sake while putting the compass together. If he wanted speed, he would have finished it while Ning Jing was still boiling the water.

“It’s moving. Did you use the repaired parts?” Ning Jing held her spectacles higher up the bridge of her nose but could not see which parts Xia Lei had used in the reassembly.

“I used the repaired parts. I felt that we should try with the original parts first, then with the copies and let you see which would give the better result,” said Xia Lei.

“You’re so thoughtful. Oh dear, I forgot to give you tea.” Ning Jing remembered about the Pu’er tea she was holding and shoved it into Xia Lei’s hands before rushing to examine the compass.

Xia Lei wasn’t actually thirsty. He took one sip before putting it aside and going to Ning Jing’s side to watch her fiddle with the compass.

Ning Jing’s body fragrance smelt great. She was totally unaware of Xia Lei next to her and did not see that her forward-leaning posture revealed snowy peaks below the V-neckline of her top.

Under the white light, the young and beautiful Doctor, mesmerising fragrance, seductive view and mysterious compass combined to give Xia Lei a strange feeling. It was as if something was getting restless, threatening to come out – it was hard to describe it.

“Master Xia, please install the new copies in the compass. It may give us a different result,” said Ning Jing.

“No problem.” Xia Lei was faster this time when exchanging the parts.

However, the compass did not move at all after the copies were put in.

Ning Jing inspected it quickly and mused, “How strange. Why is it like this? Master Xia, can you please put the original parts back in?”

Xia Lei thought it was strange too but he didn’t ask any questions and changed the parts. This time, the compass moved again and the golden pointer pointed straight north.

“I think… This compass looks like it’s made with pig iron but it must have some other special material inside. It’s amazing,” said Ning Jing admiringly.

“You guys need to study it more closely then. My part of work is done.”

At that moment, the room door was suddenly pushed open by someone and a familiar face appeared in front of Xia Lei and Ning Jing.

Expressionless Long Bing of the icy aura had arrived. She glanced at Xia Lei and Ning Jing before her gaze went to the compass.

“Why are you here?” Xia Lei broke the eerie silence.

“You’re done, so I came.” Long Bing walked to the worktable, reached out and took hold of the compass and turned around to leave.

Ning Jing grew anxious and hurried to block Long Bing’s way. “Miss Long, what are you doing? You can’t take the compass away!”

“Your opinion does not matter. Your Bureau Chief has no say either. Move aside. Don’t hinder my work,” said Long Bing frostily.

“No, no! You can’t take it away! Explain yourself!” Ning Jing stubbornly stayed put.

Long Bing suddenly delivered a knife chop to Ning Jing’s neck. Ning Jing let out a soft groan as her head tilted back and she collapsed backwards.

Xia Lei quickly ran forward to catch Ning Jing to stop her from hitting the floor. “Why did you do that? She was no threat to you!” he exclaimed in shock.

“She will wake in fifteen minutes. Take care of her. Our cooperation ends here this time. I shall contact you the next time I need your help,” said Long Bing calmly.

“Aren’t you even going to ask if I will agree to it? And I fixed the compass like you’d asked. Can you tell me what it does?” asked Xia Lei depressedly.

“Don’t ask about things you shouldn’t know. Goodbye.” Long Bing turned and left without wasting any further words.

Xia Lei held the unconscious Ning Jing in his arms and stared at the empty doorway. He was motionless for quite a while.