The Contract

"What's that?" Liu Zijian asked after seeing Han Meixiu came in the study with a package.

"It's the box I gave to my father but he returned it to me. I don't know why, though." Han Meixiu answered. "It's already open." She added after sitting on the sofa.

"How about checking what's inside, first?" 

Han Meixiu nodded and slowly opened the box. It contained quite a number of papers folded differently. She took out the thickest one and unfolded it.

She ran through it and as she read, her eyes widened. "Jian! This is my father's contract in black.com. It's like an agreement. Look!" She said and quickly went towards the man.

 "This...it clearly stated a specific date when he should be freed. But.. he was held back…" Liu Zijian muttered. 

"Would that mean Grandfather Han didn't really lie to my mom?" 

In short, when Old Han called Zhang Huiling, he was really expecting Han Yun Xiang to go back. But her father didn't show up. It probably wasn't because he didn't want to. 

"Probably. What about the other papers?"

Han Meixiu took the entire box and returned to Liu Zijian's side. As she opened one letter at a time, she actually chuckled. After opening at least three Han Meixiu stopped.

"These were for my mother." She said and her smile turned bitter and sad. "My mom never received any. They were confiscated." She continued. "But why did father send this to me instead of my mother?"

The two clearly met.

"Maybe it was declined or he wanted you to give it to her. He might be thinking that if it's you, your mom might pay attention and read them."

Han Meixiu nodded. She sighed before speaking again. "Even after clearing their misunderstanding, I don't think they would be able to reunite." Her voice was so faint that Liu Zijian barely heard them.

"That's up to them." He answered and took the letter she was holding, carefully placed them back into the box and finally closed it. "When do you want to send this box to her?"

"As soon as possible." Han Meixiu resignedly answered. Although she doubted it would affect her mother's decision, she still wanted those letters to be read by the intended recipient. 

*

The next day, when Han Mingxia went out to eat for breakfast, Liu Zilong was already waiting for her.

Maybe it was because of the medicine, she slept peacefully the night before. She actually woke up early but didn't go out of her room until she was called. 

She saw a middle aged woman busying herself in the small kitchen. She heard her came in earlier. 

"Good morning, did you sleep well?" The man warmly greeted. 

Hearing that his words were normal and well behaved, Han Mingxia answered properly. "Good morning. I slept well."

After simply nodding the two ate their breakfast silently. After finishing, Liu Zilong said they would talk in the room she's currently occupying. 

"Here." Liu Zilong handed her a folder. "I printed it out so it would be easier to read." 

The moment Han Mingxia accepted the folder, she began reading. As she read, lines formed on her forehead. 

"Infinite contract?!?!?!" She exclaimed. "Do you know what this means?" She asked almost hysterically the man sitting calmly on the chair. 

"I was informed, of course." 

Han Mingxia inhaled deeply. 

Infinite contract, as the name says, it doesn't have an ending. As long as the contractor is willing, the member would be bound to him or her. 

Most black.com members were actually seeking for this type of contract. It could give them a sense of belongingness. There's a sense that one would get an identity and not merely a code. 

An example would be a member becoming a part of the family of the employee. And he or she would live for the rest of her life being that person. 

It could also be a given identity of powerful families to do their bidding. 

But for Han Mingxia, it's the type of contract she didn't want. It's like a dead end for her. 

"First Young Master Liu, are sure about this?" Han Mingxia asked in a voice that was obviously sounded frustrated. 

"What do you think?" He lazily answered. 

"Can I make a call?" Han Mingxia asked.

"Are members allowed to have something to say about their contracts?" Liu Zilong asked as he clasped his hands while both of his elbows were rested on the side of the sofa. He slightly tilted his head as if waiting diligently for her answer. 

Han Mingxia lowered her gaze. Liu ZIlong was right. As someone who accepts a mission she has no voice to change the contract. 

After a few moments of silence, Han Mingxia continued to read the contract but her mind was already thinking of a way to possibly change its content. 

She didn't know that many people in the organization. She could only ask Red. The problem is, she didn't know how to contact the woman. Also, she's not even sure if she's well. The last role she did from the last mission was related to Red. 

It wouldn't be triggered unless Red didn't succeed. 

But if she would show up today, she would be questioned. She knew that even though Liu Zilong told her that she would officially start tomorrow, the moment she was taken in by her employer, her job already started. 

Thus, going to the base when she's currently in a mission is a big no-no.

"What would be my role tomorrow?" She asked after closing the folder. Her voice unlike before was already calm and collected. 

Liu Zilong brow slightly moved after seeing the woman's expression. He didn't see clearly the brewing emotions she had as her head was lowered. But looking that she gained her calm, he's impressed the way she could manage her emotions. 

"You'll be my assistant in trainee for a given time." He said. "There will be a package arriving later this day for you. Your first task tomorrow is to find a new house. Ask Miller for my preference." 

Han Mingxia nodded. "Do I have the rest of the day to do what I want?" She asked. 

Liu Zilong nodded before speaking. "Just be sure not to expose your face. If you need anything else, inform me." He stood up and before reaching the door he turned around. "Ah, there's a card on the third drawer. Use it to buy what you need." 

After the door closed, Han Mingxia weakly sat down on the edge of the bed. She understood her role. The words 'for now' simply meant she's gonna have multiple roles. It was like she's being sold to this young master. 

She actually didn't mind who would be her employer. But this situation wouldn't help her achieve her goal. 

Han mingxia massaged her temples before taking out the card from the drawer. It was a simple card without even a name embrossed on it. 

There was a clean one set of clothes on the bed. After taking a shower she went out and found that only Miller was outside. She simply greeted him and went out. 

Her main goal for today was to contact Red without informing the higher ups. Unfortunately up until she came home, she couldn't contact the woman. 

When it was dinner time, a big package arrived. "Aunt Ni Ni, I'll be in my room." Han Mingxia politely said. She finally learned her name earlier and also found out that originally, she worked under Liu Zijian's household but was now currently 'borrowed' by Liu Zilong. 

Han Mingxia immediately opened the package and was left dumbfounded with what's inside.

'WtF! What are these?!?!?'

'Fat suits! These are prosthetic fat suits!'

Oh well… Han Minxia didn't know if she would laugh or cry. This kind of weirdness should not faze her, because for sure, this would only be the first.

She performed her breathing exercises again and again before picking up the phone that was vibrating. It was included inside the package. 

"I got the package." She simply said right after accepting the call.