212 Visit 2 in 1 (1/2)
Ever since Albert arrived, Ye Shuang suddenly felt like her life was filled with excitement. It was not Albert had done anything, but the problem was she could not tell whether the man had done anything. That was why Ye Shuang could not help but be worried, deathly afraid that one day her secret would just be exposed when she opened her eyes.
The unknown possibility was always scarier than a known tragedy because a known tragedy had already happened, and one only needed to consider how to resolve it. However, an unknown was an unknown. It was simply because one did not know what would happen that one would be worried.
On top of that, Han Chu probably was also worried about Anthony, so Ye Shuang heard that he had rejected all the jobs that would require him to leave the city. Therefore, a great number of dangerous people stayed behind to look after the possible threat to national security. Ye Shuang felt incredibly tired, and life could not have been more stressful.
…
Mother Ye looked at her child that had remained in her female form for more than a week already. Suddenly missing her 'eldest son', she tapped the edge of the bowl with her chopsticks and asked, ”How come you've been like this for the past few days?”
Even though Father Ye did not open his mouth to ask, he also turned his head to look inquisitively. It was obvious that he was concerned about this problem as well.
Ye Shuang was silent for a moment before lamenting in a sad voice, ”I think it is not so good for certain things to be too constant. If possible, I wish to maintain this current status for as long as I can. If it was truly impossible, I would find a way to rest for three days.”
Mother Ye shared a look with Father Ye. Both of them thought that this was quite a sudden change in the thoughts of their daughter. Father Ye put down his chopsticks and, after giving it some thought, replied, ”The idea is not that bad, and I agree that you should focus on cultivating one identity and not switch back and forth often like jumping channels, but if that is the case, there is an important problem that you need to consider—how do you plan to maintain a stable gender? Go to the kindergarten to kidnap children? Or go and find a boyfriend?”
Even though Ye Shuang did not bring this up, Father Ye had been trying to discuss this issue with her. The gender swap due to the DNA was something that they had somehow accepted. Even if Ye Shuang later found a way to extend her period of existing in a particular gender, she really should not have stayed in this condition of gender swapping for life. She had to find a way to stop that.
Mother Ye was more involved. ”I still think finding a boyfriend is the best solution. How are things lately with you and Yue Yue?”
Yue Yue‽ Ye Shuang was baffled, but the name Zhou Yue soon appeared in her mind. She could not help but cough. ”There is nothing between me and him.”
”Who is this Yue Yue?” It was rare for this to happen, but Father Ye also showed concern for his daughter's relationship problem.
”Cough! No one.” Mother Ye was originally not quite satisfied with the problem given by Ye Shuang, and she was about to urge her to pick things up, but when she heard the question that came from Father Ye, her words stuck in her throat. Instantly, she lowered her head and went back to her meal, pretending that nothing had happened.
Father Ye scratched his head, thinking that something was out of place, but his daughter's problem was still more serious, so he turned the subject right back. ”In any case, if you really plan to do this, then you have to have a solution. How do you plan to maintain your gender status? What can you do if there is an emergency solution? If the emergency solution fails, how do you survive those three days? Also, if you are really going to do this, then you also have to come up with an explanation for your other identity being absent for a prolonged period of time.”
”…I'm sure everything will work out in the end?” Ye Shuang said with caution.
Father Ye was silent for three seconds. ”…In that case, we'd better fix your problem of liking to push things until the last minute first.”
Therefore, the conversation ended without a final conclusion. Everyone returned to their food. After Father Ye finished his bowl of rice and was about to ask for another, he added, ”by the way, who was this Yue Yue that you have mentioned earlier?”
Mother Ye averted her eyes. You still remember that‽
…
Living close to an FBI profiler was too much pressure on her shoulders, so after Ye Shuang received the email from Zuo Feiyang, thinking about the fact that she had nothing to do lately, she decided to stop harassing the little boys and turned back to Brother Shuang and go to Chaohai.
”Brother Ye!”
When she exited the arrival hall, she could hear An Zixuan's voice. Ye Shuang raised her head and said with surprise, ”How did you find out I was on this flight?”
An Zixuan came over with his eyes glowing with excitement. Very naturally, he reached out to grab the suitcase, which was not especially big. ”It was Zuo Feiyang who told me. He was too busy fishing, and Zuo Yuanhang's schedule is full, so it is me who came.”
Actually, originally, only an assistant was arranged to receive Ye Shuang. After all, Ye Shuang would not be directly involved in the internal clearance of their organization. Zuo Yuanhang was being kind and polite to arrange accommodation for Ye Shuang; it was already being a good host on his part. However, he did not expect that An Zixuan would be so passionate after hearing the news. The man insisted on coming to the airport to welcome Brother Shuang. He had left early before anyone could stop him and had been waiting patiently at the airport.
Ye Shuang smiled. ”Looks like you're working well with Zuo Yuanhang's people in Chaohai. You're much better in person than when you were back in San Lin City.”
An Zixuan's face instantly darkened like he had remembered someone annoying. After a few more changes to his expression, he pouted and scoffed coldly. ”At least Chaohai's Zuo Yuanhang is indeed the person who they say he is.”
Just a touch annoying in terms of personality!
”Zuo Yuanhang has the pragmatic type of personality.” Ye Shuang walked An Zixuan out of the airport and explained, ”He doesn't like to spend time on meaningless conversation and does not like to waste his time. He does not like to do things that are not in his schedule or waste effort on things with low payout. If you were someone that would benefit him due to a possible cooperation, he would not have wasted time to even smile at you. Normal people have a hard time gelling with Zuo Yuanhang. It is normal that you are not feeling comfortable around him. However, as a business partner, Zuo Yuanhang is much more trustworthy than most people.”
An Zixuan's heart felt weirdly sour. ”That might not be entirely true. From how I see it, he is just being unreasonably arrogant. If not for our reminder, a big part of his company would have been stolen away by outsiders already.”
”That might not be true as well.” Ye Shuang smiled. ”Zuo Yuanhang already knew that there were some problems with the Xi Hwa Organization. However, the details he had were not as in-depth as ours. The transaction that has been going on with the Xi Hwa Organization was under his constant observation. Even though he might not have noticed the problem immediately, the money-laundering issue would definitely have shown itself after it occurred one or two times. Naturally, it would take more effort on Zuo Yuanhang's part to fix the problem, but I doubt it would lead to a crisis for the man.”
An Zixuan did not buy a car in Chaohai, but the Si Hai Organization definitely would have plenty of cars for their people. The private vehicles of the Zuo sibling aside, even the hotels under the Si Hai Organization had many high-end cars. They were purposely bought in for their customers. After leaving the airport, An Zixuan naturally took the driver's seat. Ye Shuang opened the car door on the other side and sat inside the car. When An Zixuan started the engine and left the car park, Ye Shuang asked, ”So, how is the situation now?”
”Hmm. They have found a group of people that might be problematic. They are not new people who joined the company recently, but they are old employees at Si Hai.” An Zixuan gripped the steering wheel and focused on the road. He continued without turning his head around. ”These people have quite low positions, but they have crucial posts at certain sections and departments.
”If they make a move all at the same time, it will be quite difficult to discover. Zuo Yuanhang has already requested for an internal investigation. The initial suspicion is that these people are either accepting brides or have some weaknesses that are being exploited.
”However, this is something that is worrying Zuo Yuanhang. The Xi Hwa Organization has no way of reaching this group of people, even through Zuo Feiyang. So, he believes that there is another hidden spy inside the Si Hai Organization who has quite a high position, and this traitor will be the key.”
”A lure by the promise of benefit…” Ye Shuang nodded. ”Then Zuo Yuanhang's plan is to flush the person out first before tipping his hand?”
”Indeed, or else leaving this time bomb behind will just create similar problems in the future.” An Zixuan gave a side-eye, signaling his disapproval. ”To be able to gain contact with so many people and gain their confidence on top of that, this internal spy must carry certain weight at the Si Hai Organization. This type of people must have worked beside Zuo Yuanhang for at least six or seven years already. Humph, wasting all those years to rear someone to bite him on the backside, and they say he's a business genius‽”
Ye Shuang smiled to herself. The man had been praising Zuo Yuanhang earlier, but now he had turned around to blame the man for having a lacking appraisal skill. Honestly, business spies were something that was hard to defend against. No one could guarantee that it would never happen. One reason was because of the profit-based nature of the relationship, and another was because of the shifting human heart. The people that were loyal six or seven years ago might not be as loyal six or seven years later.
Perhaps their ambition got ignited after their position changed or perhaps the person had experienced something momentous in their lives. A more important person had appeared at the company to divert the attention that Zuo Yuanhang should have given them. In any case, the fact that they could deal with this swiftly after the problem surfaced was the best result; prevention before the problem arose was too much to ask for.
Ye Shuang chatted with An Zixuan inside the car until they reached a seaside bungalow. Due to the warm temperature and a vibrant tourism scene, it was a famous tourist spot around the country. There were many villas and holiday homes for rent there, and many would come here to avoid the winter during lunar new year. An Zixuan was averse to staying at hotels, and he was not lacking money, so he dropped a stack of cash to rent a whole villa. Originally, the place only had him and the employees like maids and chefs that he had hired, but now Brother Ye would move in with them.
Zuo Feiyang, of course, knew about Ye Shuang's arrival. After all, An Zixuan got his news from Zuo Feiyang. After Ye Shuang was done unpacking and she finished lunch with An Zixuan, Zuo Feiyang's call came. After their interaction at the casino, Zuo Feiyang considered himself a friend of Ye Shuang's. ”Brother Ye, do you want to come over to my place for dinner tonight? We have not seen each other for quite some time already. We can use this chance to catch up.”
”I still need to clear up some time to meet the trader.” Ye Shuang smiled, and she gave the following arrangement after giving it some thought. ”Do you mind if I come over after 6 pm? The man will only have the mood to discuss business after the market is closed. After calculating the time and the distance, I can only arrive around then.”
Zuo Feiyang smiled. ”Of course, it is fine. You do know about my big brother's madness for scheduling. He will get off work sharp at 6 pm daily, and the dinner time for our family starts punctually at 7 pm. I hope you won't think that is too late.”
If that was the case, then there would be no problem.
After hanging up, Ye Shuang turned to ask An Zixuan, ”You coming with tonight?”
An Zixuan harrumphed. ”A robot, a dummy, a model lady. Only the two kids are quite palatable, but even so, it is really not by much.”
Ye Shuang laughed, ”Then so be it. I'll go alone, and we'll have our own gathering tomorrow.”
”Okay!” An Zixuan's eyes shone and his face lifted up with colors of joy.
Ye Shuang rested for a while. When it was noon, she drove out of the place when the sun stopped being so hot. Her timing was spot on when she reached the trader. She got herself brought up on the latest situation. She found out that the Si Hai Organization had rearranged their assets, so there should not be any future problems on the trader's side in the near future. After hearing that confirmation, Ye Shuang left with a relieved heart. She wandered the streets, looking at the store, for a while and then calculated the time she needed to hop into the car to head to the Zuo family's villa. She arrived at around 5:30 pm.
There were workers trimming the branches in the courtyard and a graceful-looking young mother drinking tea and reading under the parasol. Not far from the young lady was a boy around three or four playing with a puppy. Standing next to them was a nanny. Ye Shuang did not have to find a spot to park the car. When the security saw the driver's plate, he knew it was a private car for the Zuo family. Those who would drive this car were either the people of the Zuo family or Ye Shuang, who Zuo Feiyang had mentioned that afternoon.
After she drove into the courtyard, there were people who came out to help her park the car. When Ye Shuang walked over, the young lady under the parasol already started to lift her head. Even the boy who was playing with the puppy titled his head up with open interest. After getting a close look of Ye Shuang, the young lady was slightly startled, but she quickly recovered. She placed both of her hands on her stomach and stood up to bow slightly to Ye Shuang. ”Is it Mr. Ye‽ Please have a seat.”
Ye Shuang thanked her with a smile and sat down on the small table under the parasol. The nanny immediately came over to set up a new tea set. She poured a glass of black tea and placed it next to Ye Shuang before retreating to the background like a trained help.