No. 99 The Approaching Storm
It took Xiaodie a grueling hour and a half to perfect her dance routine.
Despite her meticulous preparations, the pressure of performing in front of a camera, coupled with my presence as her camerawoman, often caused her to falter. She missed steps, forgot sequences, and her expressions occasionally froze, demanding multiple retakes even when I thought her performance was flawless. She refused to leave any trace of “black history” on the internet.
The camera might not have captured it, but after an hour of intense physical exertion under the scorching sun, Xiaodie was drenched in sweat. As I turned off the camera, she stumbled towards me, her face pale, beads of perspiration trickling down her cheeks.
“Here.”
I handed her a towel.
“Thanks.”
A single swipe removed most of her makeup, revealing the sweat stains on her white thigh-highs beneath her dress.
“It’s so hot,” she complained, gulping down water. “This weather is terrible for dancing.”
I rolled my eyes. “I told you to wake up earlier. We could have filmed tomorrow morning. You’re going to get heatstroke.”
“But I promised my fans a new dance video today. I have to keep my promises.”
“It’s not like they’re paying you. They enjoy your cosplays and videos, but you’re not earning a single cent. You’re working yourself to the bone for nothing.”
Her dedication, her selflessness, made my heart ache.
I would rather she be a pampered princess, carefree and content, her needs met, her happiness secured. I could handle the financial burden.
“It’s not about the money,” she said, shaking her head. “Their support means everything to me. I wouldn’t be here without them. That’s why I have to keep my promises.”
“Is that so…” I sighed, deciding not to argue. “Pai Ge invited us to his place.”
“Huh? The arcade?”
“No, a luxury residential complex in Jiangnan District.”
“How luxurious?”
“He said we could go swimming. He has a private pool.”
“Will we be gone long?”
“Probably.” I thought for a moment. “Knowing him, he might drag us along for an entire afternoon of swimming.”
“If that’s the case, you have to help me with my homework tonight.”
“Of course. I’ll come over to your place.”
My stepbrother wasn’t moving in until tomorrow.
“You’re the best, Yi Yao!”
She threw her arms around me, her sweat-soaked body clinging to mine, her cheeks still flushed from her exertion.
As we drove towards the address Pai Ge had provided, I couldn’t imagine anyone living in such a remote, desolate area.
But I was wrong.
The taxi dropped us off in front of a sprawling mansion, its grandeur fit for a movie set.
It wasn’t part of a gated community like Xiaodie’s villa.
It stood alone, a solitary testament to wealth and power, surrounded by acres of manicured gardens and orchards, its entrance guarded by a tall, ornate iron gate.
“Are you Miss Yi Yao and Miss Huang Yingdie?”
An elderly man in a black tuxedo approached us as the taxi drove away. He stood ramrod straight, his demeanor impeccably formal.
I felt a surge of primal fear, a visceral reaction to his presence.
He wasn’t armed, there were no visible weapons concealed beneath his pristine uniform, and yet, my instincts screamed at me to be wary.
Like Ah Zhi, the masked man from Zero, this elderly butler exuded an aura of danger, a quiet strength that sent shivers down my spine.
“Yes,” I replied, my voice steady, suppressing the urge to draw my knives.
This was Pai Ge’s family home, the “Pai family mansion” he had mentioned. This butler was likely an ally.
“The Young Master informed me of your arrival. Please follow me.”
He bowed slightly, then turned and walked towards the gate. With a subtle gesture, the heavy iron gates swung open, revealing a long, winding driveway lined with flowering shrubs and fruit trees.
Xiaodie clutched my hand, her grip tight.
“Please relax. You are safe here. The Young Master has ensured your protection,” the butler said, his voice calm and reassuring, sensing our apprehension.
“Um…”
“In the future, please inform us in advance of your visits. We can arrange transportation. The Pai family is currently in a delicate situation. It’s best to keep our location secret.”
So this was their true headquarters.
“I apologize. We’ll be more careful next time.”
Although Pai Ge had promised to officially initiate me into the Pai family, this butler was clearly a long-time member, deserving of respect.
He nodded curtly, then continued walking.
We followed him through a grand hallway, past several rooms, until we reached an outdoor swimming pool.
“Young Master, I have brought the guests.”
The “swimming pool” was more like a miniature ocean—palm trees, a sandy beach, fountains, everything you would expect at a luxurious seaside resort. It was the size of several football fields.
Pai Ge, Lu Kai, Lu Yibing, and two elderly men, one of whom I recognized as Jesus, the leader of Zero, were lounging by the pool.
“Excellent. You may leave us,” Pai Ge said, waving to us from a beach chair. He was wearing a stylish shirt, his usual fedora absent. “Come join us, ladies.”
“You make it sound like a shady establishment,” I said, joining him, my gaze sweeping across the opulent surroundings. “What’s the occasion?”
The DK Corporation had just gone public. Pai Ge had mentioned being busy with work.
“Haha, just wanted to hang out, chat a bit.”
He took a sip of juice, then nudged Lu Kai, who was lying on a beach chair beside him, his upper body bare, his lean muscles glistening with sweat. He was wearing only swimming trunks and sunglasses. “Hey, aren’t you going to greet the ladies?”
“Shut up. They’re too young. Not interested.”
He punched Pai Ge playfully, then waved at Xiaodie and me. “Feel free to enjoy yourselves. Break something if you want. It’s on me.”
“That’s not very gentlemanly, Kai Ge. Especially for the heir to one of the three great families.”
“Mind your own business. My men are causing me enough headaches already. Don’t bother me.”
Unlike the charming, charismatic Pai Ge, Lu Kai was more like a stereotypical gangster, his demeanor gruff and arrogant.
“Haha, fine, fine. Enjoy your sunbathing.”
Pai Ge set down his glass and gestured towards the empty beach chairs beside him. “You know about the three great families, right?”
The three great families?
The three most powerful families in Yixian Province, controlling vast fortunes and influencing every aspect of society?
I had encountered them in my previous life, my hacking skills often employed to gather information about them. But I had never dared to delve too deeply, knowing they were far beyond my reach.
I settled down on a beach chair. “Not really.”
“Well, two of them are right here.”
He pointed at himself and Lu Kai.
“And the third?”
“You are.”
“Me?” I blinked, confused. “Pai Ge, don’t joke about that. I’ve never heard of a Yi family in Upper Capital City.”
“Not the Yi family. The Long family.”
“The Long family?” It finally clicked. “Long Fei?”
“Haha, you’re quick.”
Lu Yibing, who had been playing with the elderly men in the pool, swam towards us.
“Hey, Bing, can’t wait to get out of the water now that your girlfriend is here?”
She blushed, submerging her head, her mouth releasing a stream of bubbles.
Seeing her in that cute swimsuit, her usual aloofness replaced by a shy demeanor, I could hardly reconcile this image with the fierce, silent girl who had single-handedly defeated a gang of thugs.
“It’s not like you to invite me somewhere without Ouyang Dati,” I said, changing the subject.
Among the Black Dragon Society members, Ouyang Dati was the most trustworthy.
Unlike Pai Ge, who still kept many secrets, Ouyang Dati had been Long Fei’s designated confidant, and his military background had been verified. He wasn’t shrouded in mystery like Pai Ge and Lu Kai.
“Haha, you’re quite observant, little sister.” Pai Ge chuckled. “Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as you think. It’s just that… what I’m about to tell you is confidential. We can’t involve the military.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about… the zombie virus.”
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