12. Meeting

734 47 10
                                    


Small office where Zhao works are in its usual state: empty. Zhao hasn't there yet, only Daqing slouching in front of the computer surf the internet. Link Jing is nowhere to be sighted. They just finish the deadline – which Zhao let his hand go off - and it's only natural the other are recovering their energy to get ready for another phase. When Daqing about to go buy some lunch, Zhao opening the door entrance and walking in frenzy. He slammed his back to his chair, and kneading his forehead.


"Qing, Buy me some soup also?" Zhao glances at Qing who's wearing his parka.


Daqing goes unsteadily while nodding to Zhao, who now bowing to press the on button of his computer under the table. He is here not to work, but the office needs to keep operating, in case someone from the head office decides to pay a sudden visit. The computer is watching Zhao, as he snoring in a minute after Qing is gone. It's like their daily routine, a simple rest before the next deadline.

Daqing comes back and bring the soup to Zhao table, shaking him up a little, to let him inhaling the aroma of the soup. Zhao hungry stomach cries for it in a second. Not only doesn't he clean his apartment, Zhao also lack of self-care. If there's no one buying him food, everyone believes he just normally skips it. That is what's makes him happy when he's looking at the steaming hot soup he rarely seen. His finger skims the table to look for a spoon, and slowly slurping it. Daqing is gone to eat somewhere else.

The base of his bowl hasn't showed up, but his phone already rings so hard. Zhao put the spoon he holds dearly, and rummaging grabbing anything from his pocket. When at last he finds it, he said formally,


"Hello."

"So, Zhao Yun Lan. How are you?" the sound of the other side of the line sounded mockingly.

"I am sorry, but who is this?" Zhao asks.

"Ye Zun." He said again, now with deeper voice due to an insult.

"Right, sorry about that, I haven't saved up your number." Zhao scratching his jaw now and is making his voice change a bit.

"I want to meet you. Let's talk." Ye Zun utters and before Zhao could do anything, he already blurts out the address of one fine restaurant at the city.

"Sure, I don't mind."

"I'll meet you in an hour. Don't make me wait." He said that and hung up the phone.


'A very different tone from the big brother' is what Zhao think. Zhao woke up from his laziness and readying to go, not forgetting to call Shen before he step the gas on the car.

The swayed trunk of trees brings shadow to where Zhao walks, in front of the restaurant. He's sure Ye Zun already make a reservation under his name, or he himself already there, waiting inside. The waiter took him to the table they're supposed to meet, when Zhao mention Ye Zun name. Zhao quickly arriving at the table, Ye Zun already there, like Zhao expected. He gesturing Zhao to sit down, as he is gulping wine from his hand. Such a man, drinking under the sunlight.

"So, should we go for the courtesy or straight to the point, Mr. Zhao?" Ye Zun putting the glass down with a clink, as he speaks.

Zhao could understand the intonation he speaks with, and perceiving it


"I am fine with your choice, sir." Zhao smiles a little.

Ye Zun sit there; questioning Zhao with his glance, before he opens his mouth again.

"Very well. I like honest man. Tell me Mr. Zhao, why are you meddling into Shen Wei life?" Ye Zun act like the one he just asks was not important, averting his gaze away.

"Ah... about that. I was in the right place and time, Sir, at the first time we met. But is there something wrong? Does it bother him a lot then needing his brother to cast me away?" Zhao putting both his hand on the table, entwined. Zhao emphasized the word 'Sir'.


Ye Zun snorts. He recognizes the movement as someone who openly ready with the attack he's about to launch. Zhao is showing his courage on his relationship with Shen Wei, confident enough that he's not there for some childish play. Zhao keeps his career smile in the surface. There's definitely not a happy chatter and lunch by the brother. This meeting with Ye Zun making him abandons his surprise plan of saying bye to Shen Wei, yet he sits here like the same importance.


"He is just normal, looks healthy and well, for me." Zun pauses and is crossing his legs under the table.

"I heard it all, about how you bail him out of the jail. You are getting to his hotel one day, accompanying his daily training. Then what? Emptying his wallet?" Zun is scoffing with a nasty smile.


Apprehending his queries, Zhao really needs to hold his laugh. Ye Zun, this slick, hot tempered guy over here, is having a brother complex. Zhao is trained to give empathy for every story his informant tells, because only then, the real stories will be plucked out. So basically, this Ye Zun calling him here to protect his brother from any foreign threat. He's eliminating any danger comes across his brother, by that, Zhao is now hundred percent amused. Zun looks so serious, as it might not his first time.


"You don't have to worry about that. Shen Wei is a proper working adult, sir." Zhao don't forget to be in manner. "If you don't trust me, this is my card. I am giving you permission to dig out my root." Extending his hand to put the card.


Zun still looking at him suspiciously, until he finally grab the card in front of him. Zhao seems relax, he is now drinking his water. He gives time to Zun to study his card, because he's not afraid of anything, except his stern father. Zhao might be not someone so great, but his background never disappoints any girl or boys he ever meet. It gets messy, when there's someone taking a step on him with the knowledge of his family. Since then, he never easily spoils beans on every soil.

Zhao getting bored, but he waits, since he couldn't think any words that could satisfy Zun. Silence is a good move in here until Zun permit him to go or another question get throwed. Zun is ready to talk, when his phone ringing, making him lost interest in Zhao. He took his phone, read the caller and his face turn pale – well, paler. He's standing and receiving it, walking out of Zhao frame of view. Zhao couldn't hear what he talked about, but seems important.

After 10 minutes, he comes back, and again observing Zhao. Meanwhile Zhao stays calm, under Zun eyes, for Zun to trust him and sharing the news. It maybe is something equally important for both of them, like Shen Wei, for example. In the end, at the edge of Zun conclusions, he speaks.


"Shen is kidnapped." Zun trembling words spurts. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N

MY GOODNESS I AM SO BUSY AND TIRED!

(Btw that's like the first Zhao pic in this story. fufufufu)

but dreaming of Shen Wei is my favourite... :)


see you at the next word babe, 


RoughWhere stories live. Discover now