024 What on Earth is Love? (2)

Dong—dong—dong. A rapid series of knocks on the door abruptly interrupted Chu Rui's deep - seated recollection.

"Come in."

The door creaked open, and in walked Qin Ge.

Qin Ge, the deputy general manager of Fengwu Jiutian and Chu Rui's sworn brother, took one look at Chu Rui and exclaimed, "Big brother, you look like you've been through a war! Are you feeling under the weather?"

"Nah, just a bit peeved. How about a drink tonight?" Chu Rui rubbed his temples vigorously and sat up straight from the reclined position in his chair, as if shaking off a bad dream.

Qin Ge didn't give an immediate answer. He plopped down on the chair opposite Chu Rui and then slapped the files in his hand onto the table in front of him. "Take a gander at these first. This is all we could dig up so far. Shen Yunyi's info was relatively easy, but getting Kang Hao's was like pulling teeth. His data is all top - secret."

Chu Rui cast a cursory glance at the files on the table and nonchalantly picked one up.

Kang Hao's father is the commander of the Ice City Army, and his mother is the sole heiress of the Han Group.

Kang Hao joined the army at nineteen and quickly became a soldier of legend. At twenty - one, he was hand - picked for the special forces and later rose to become the captain of the special forces codenamed "Wolf". In battle, he was as swift as a lightning bolt and as decisive as a guillotine. He left the "Wolf Team" at twenty - four and vanished abroad. The country he went to is a mystery, and there's a four - year black hole in his life from then until he was twenty - seven. He resurfaced at twenty - seven. On the surface, he seems ordinary, but in reality, he's already a high - ranking major general in the army.

He's so young! In this regard, he's truly one in a million.

Chu Rui rubbed his eyebrows in frustration. "Those four blank years after he went abroad... Kang Hao might just be a real wild card." As he thought this, a sly smile curled his lips.

Qin Ge caught Chu Rui's expression, and his eyes flashed with concern. "Kang Hao is one tough nut to crack. It looks like he came with a game plan."

Chu Rui remained silent. He picked up another file.

Shen Yunyi's father is a physics doctor and the dean of a university in Xizi City. His mother is a world - famous painter. Shen Yunfei, Shen Yunyi's twin brother, died in a tragic accident at nineteen.

Shen Yunyi graduated from the Capital Academy of Fine Arts, then flew off to Italy for further study, and later became the protégé of the world - renowned Italian painter "Del". Now, he's a household - name painter.

After finishing Shen Yunyi's file, Chu Rui slumped into the big high - back chair. His gaze casually landed on Qin Ge, as if his mind had wandered off to another dimension.

Seeing Chu Rui's silence, Qin Ge couldn't hold his tongue any longer. "Big brother, what's your take on this?"

Chu Rui's gaze passed right through Qin Ge and landed on the closed door behind him. It was as if his eyes could pierce through the door and peer into the far - off distance. "Who's the fox and who's the wolf? Let's just wait and see. The hunter's still lurking in the shadows."

Qin Ge grinned. It had been ages since he'd seen his big brother with such a fierce, imposing aura. Since Ming Xichen came into the picture, his big brother had changed. He'd become softer, more approachable, but he'd lost that old - school harsh edge.

"Coming with me tonight?" Chu Rui asked his grinning brother, his eyes turning as cold as ice.

Qin Ge quickly wiped the smile off his face. "Big brother, I really can't make it. There's a ribbon - cutting ceremony for a resort hotel under Fengwu tomorrow. You and Xichen have to be there."

"Wasn't it supposed to be you going?" Chu Rui's tone was deceptively calm, but it sent shivers down Qin Ge's spine. "Big brother, don't be mad. I'm just trying to create some quality time for you two."

As he said this, Qin Ge even twiddled his thumbs together, looking as silly as a schoolboy.

The corner of Chu Rui's mouth twitched. "Create opportunities? I bet you've dug yourself into a hole and can't get out, right?"

"Hehe, big brother knows me like the back of his hand. Can't you just play dumb this once? I...", Qin Ge scratched his head in embarrassment. "I really messed up. You see, your sister - in - law is pregnant. A while back, I couldn't resist a fling. It was just a one - night stand, no strings attached. But the problem is, she showed up at my place a couple of days ago, saying she's pregnant. This made your sister - in - law want to abort the baby in her belly. I've been bending over backward to calm my wife down. I just don't have the time to go."

Seeing Qin Ge in such a sorry state, Chu Rui burst out laughing. His laughter made Qin Ge's heart skip a beat. "Big brother, don't rub salt in my wounds. I'm already in so much trouble. My wife has gone back to her parents' place with our baby in her belly. If she aborts it secretly, my parents will tear me apart. I'm really in a bind here."

"Just thinking about the severe punishment his foster parents would give him because of the baby in his wife's belly, Qin Ge broke out in a cold sweat."

"You're in trouble?" Chu Rui raised his eyebrows and gave him a scathing look. "Why didn't you think about the consequences when you were having your little fling? You're a married man, for crying out loud! You deserve every bit of this!"

"Okay, big brother. I promise I won't do it again. Could you please take my place tomorrow? I've already talked to Xichen, and she's on board."

"I better not see a repeat of this," Chu Rui narrowed his eyes menacingly. "Or else you can go and join the third brother in Africa. The sun there is'so warm'." Chu Rui smiled sweetly, but Qin Ge's blood ran cold. He didn't want to go to Africa at all. The sun there was like a furnace. Warm? Big brother was so devious. The third brother there wore a headgear during the day, and except for his face, his whole body was as black as coal.

Qin Ge scurried around the table and stood behind Chu Rui, kneading his shoulders like a sycophant. "Big brother, you see, this is a crucial moment. I can't leave your side. I want to stand by you against these outsiders."

"Okay, go back and get your act together." Chu Rui swatted away his fawning hand.

"Great, then it's a deal." Qin Ge skipped out happily. Just before closing the door, he popped his head back in and winked at Chu Rui. "Big brother, that resort is perfect for lovebirds. You two, you..."

"Pa..." Chu Rui grabbed a pen from the table and hurled it at Qin Ge. Qin Ge quickly ducked and closed the door.

"Tomorrow, huh... Five days. Kang Hao, I'm itching for a showdown." Chu Rui still looked calm on the surface, but his eyes were filled with a cold, menacing fire.