Phoenix and Pegasus 2

Chapter 10

Last Chapter.... Here we go...

~X~

Xiao Zhan would have said it was nice that so many had turned out to say their last goodbyes to Guo Jingren, except he saw it for what it was – political maneuvering to see who would fill the empty spot the general had left behind. Those that had money came in droves knowing that military strength could be bought. Not many of them realized Guo Jingren's mercenaries were obtained through respect and not cold-hearted cash.

Apprehensive eyes watched him carefully. Xiao Zhan knew many were waiting to see what he would do. Out of the numerous executives present, he was one who had Jade ranking and significant wealth, so it was very possible he could insert himself into the political fold. However, other than to offer his condolences to Li Wuwen, Xiao Zhan refrained to speaking to him further. He kept his distance from those vying for the Dictator's time and attention and his demeanor left many wondering what his next steps would be. No one believed the CEO wasn't ambitious enough to take advantage of the situation. They weren't wrong. He definitely had plans, just not in the way they were thinking.

As he made small talk with a lower ranked executive, he noticed Li Wuwen in deep conversation with someone he didn't expect to see. The former CEO of Trimco plastics, Mu Xian, had the full attention of the Dictator to the dismay of the many executives still waiting to speak to Li Wuwen.

Xiao Zhan shifted himself to look past the executive he was currently speaking with to catch the eye of Liu Haikuan. When the other CEO met his gaze, he tilted his head slightly in the direction of Mu Xian and Li Wuwen. Haikuan's nod was imperceptible to anyone but Xiao Zhan.

Not soon after the ceremony and prayers commenced and the executives took their seats. Everyone had silently observed how general Guo had no relatives present, only his sworn brothers wore the mourning bands that were reserved for family.

Li Zen was currently being held under heavy guard in an insane asylum. Rumour had it she spent most of her days trying to seduce any male guard, doctor or nurse that entered her cell. Li Wuwen had gotten wind and had sent an escort to see to her needs. However she continued to try to sleep with any male that came within 3ft of her. When the psychiatrist questioned her about it, she claimed she wanted to practice so when her husband returned to her, she would be able to satisfy his needs. Xiao Zhan felt a tinge of sympathy for her; even in her insanity she was unable to find happiness.

Halfway through the ceremony Xiao Zhan started to wish that he had just taken Yibo and left everything behind. The thought of having to bring Yibo to Zhou Mingde's residence after this was making his skin crawl. From there Yibo would need to get Mingde to take him to his study and then make sure they stayed in there long enough for Haikuan and his people to hack into the system. The device would be sewn into the hem of Yibo's pants. He would need to be within 6ft of the console for it to work. When Haikuan said Yibo needed to stay in the room for five minutes, Xiao Zhan had argued to have Yibo leave the device in the room and get out of there as soon as he could. Haikuan had said absolutely not. He stated how it was too risky and Yibo wasn't trained to plant devices unseen. Plus it was imperative that the piece of technology would never be found.

He had no choice but to relent in the end. They had come so far and they couldn't go back now. Yibo assured him that he could keep Mingde occupied without having to be extremely intimate with him. The thought of Yibo being even a little intimate with the general was agonizing, but Xiao Zhan remained silent on the topic. Yibo's job was dangerous enough and Xiao Zhan felt the dancer could do without the additional stress of his own insecurities. There was no way he wanted to make things more difficult for his lover.