Chapter 99 (1/2)

Mysterious Father

The nights in the beginning of autumn were cool but Xia Lei was so busy that he perspired all over. He’d started cooking at five in the afternoon and only stopped close to seven in the evening. He was tired but his efforts had produced a table of delicacies. There was steak with Italian-style sauce, Sichuan spicy chicken cubes, Australian lamb chops, French roast goose and so on. These various dishes were made from recipes he had found off the internet. Though it was his first time making them and he couldn’t speak for their authenticity, the power of his left eye enabled him to see the fusion of the ingredients and the dishes ended up looking quite decent and smelt good.

This was also Xia Lei’s first time taking so much time and effort to make such a feast for someone. This was all because the guest today was Long Bing, a person he sincerely wanted to thank. He wouldn’t know how badly the situation could have turned out if Long Bing had not intervened at the construction site.

Xia Lei put a bottle of Chanyu red wine on the table and glanced at the time on the grandfather clock on the wall. It was seven O’clock.

‘It’s already seven. Why isn’t she here yet? Did she get some sort of mission and can’t make it? If that’s the case, who’s going to eat all these dishes I made?’ Xia Lei grew anxious and walked to the balcony.

The sky had already darkened and the older residents in the neighbourhood were taking their evening strolls or dancing in the green areas. It was a lively night. Xia Lei scanned the area and didn’t see Long Bing but he saw Jiang Ru-Yi.

Jiang Ru-Yi was sitting on her balcony eating some watermelon. She wore casual home clothes. The soft material clung to her skin and her breasts were pushed high, her buttocks were also round and perky - definite eye candy. Looking down from his balcony, Xia Lei could also see the soft whiteness peeking out from under her collar, the beautiful pale groove deep without end. The sight of her aroused certain thoughts and tempted one to do this and that to her.

Jiang Ru-Yi seemed to have eyes on the top of her head; while Xia Lei was looking at her, she spoke without looking up, “What are you looking at? Shameless.”

Xia Lei found it strange, “How did you know I was looking at you?”

Jiang Ru-Yi put down the watermelon rind in her hand and looked up at Xia Lei, “Your shadow appeared at my feet when you popped up. You know what? Your shadow is as vulgar as you are.” She stretched out a finger and pointed at the floor between her legs.

Sure enough, there was the round shadow of a head on the ground between her legs. The position made it look like the shadow was peeking at some landscape between her legs.

Xia Lei smiled wryly, “Ru-Yi, I didn’t offend you in any way. Are you in a bad mood today? You seem to be annoyed at everything I do.”

“When have I ever not been annoyed at you?”

Xia Lei was speechless.

“She’s not here yet?” asked Jiang Ru-Yi.

“Not yet,” said Xia Lei.

Jiang Ru-Yi smiled, “I can smell your dishes from my flat. Treat me to dinner if she doesn’t turn up. I haven’t made dinner yet.”

Xia Lei was about to agree when a graceful, slender figure entered his line of vision. Long Bing had arrived. She was dressed in a long, black dress, black high heels, matching black bag and black Calot hat. She was poised, elegant and exuded mystery and icyness. Long Bing stood out as always and was easily recognisable from the masses in the neighbourhood.

Xia Lei smiled, “She’s here. I’ll invite you over if we have any leftovers.”

“Go die!” Jiang Ru-Yi snatched up a watermelon rind and flung it at Xia Lei but he had already disappeared from his balcony when she swung her arm.

Long Bing walked towards the stairwell.

“Hello, Miss Long,” Jiang Ru-Yi greeted.

Long Bing gave a slight nod and entered the stairwell.

Jiang Ru-Yi shrugged and muttered to herself, “I’ll buy a dress like that tomorrow. I’ll even get black underwear. Let’s see who’s more like Black Widow!”

Long Bing did not hear what she said. She reached the second floor and knocked on the door.

Xia Lei opened the door with a smile on his face, “You’re here. Please, come in.”

Long Bing spoke quietly, “I could have come earlier but I was temporarily delayed by something. Um, I didn’t even have time to get you a gift.”

Xia Lei laughed, “What is with the formalities? You haven’t eaten, have you? I cooked up some dishes - let’s eat.”

Long Bing removed her Calot hat embellished with black-yarn and placed it on the sofa, then followed Xia Lei to the dining table. She was surprised upon seeing the wonderful spread of various dishes on the table. “Did you make all these dishes?”

“I’m the only one here so who else could have made these? Try it. I don’t know how well I made them either,” said Xia Lei.

“Judging from the colour and smell, it should taste quite good. You are making me more curious about you. You can process high precision parts, speak several languages and even cook such delicious looking dishes though from the information I have gathered, you are just a high school graduate. What sort of background story do you have?” said Long Bing.

Xia Lei smiled, “Is this part of your investigation?”

Long Bing seated herself, “Let’s talk as we eat.”

Xia Lei sat himself and poured a glass of red wine for Long Bing, then one for himself.

Long Bing clinked glasses with Xia Lei, took a sip and said, “Do you know why I was investigating you?”

Xia Lei shook his head, “No, but I don’t think it’s out of curiosity, is it?”

“Let’s talk about your father.” Long Bing looked at Xia Lei, her gaze odd.

Xia Lei paused, “Why are we suddenly talking about my father?”

“I’m suddenly very curious about him. Why, is it not convenient to talk about it?”