Chapter 159 - SUDDEN CLOSENESS

"I don't know who that is,"

"Oh really?" His jaws tightened. "This is the same number that keeps sending me threat text. You really don't know who?"

"Yes, no idea."

"Then block the number. Or wait let me dial it." Without waiting for her permission he dialled the number immediately. 

Shiya could feel her heart pound faster. She prayed in her heart for the number not to go through.

"Switched off,"

Hallelujah! 

"I wonder why,"

"I'd try again later, but for now you've to continue cooking."

"Oh good, but can I have my phone?"

"No, why?"

"I just wanted to check what time it is."

Andy walked back into the room with the phone in hand.

*****

The photos on the table was disgusting to look at. 

"Take them away, I'll need them in the future."

And Riuwen quickly got into action. 

Zhaolin picked up his phone to place a call over to Xueyan, and the automated machine said. "The customer you're calling is on another call, please call back later."

Zhaolin frowned who was she talking to?

"Zhaolin, good day to you."

"Good day uncle,"

The man took out the three files he had in his hands, "I want you to take a look at this designs and consider it for our next year product."

Zhaolin was taken aback and let it show, Jingze couldn't hold his chuckle. "I'll give you time to go through it all. For now, take care." And he exited the room.

Xing Jingze was really a cunning man, though he has never joked with the matters surrounding the company.

Zhaolin picked one of the file up and examined it like there was a bomb in it and might go off if not handled softly. 

Zhaolin started peeking through it... His reaction, he was amazed.

Uncle Jingze must have kept this designs, to use them as a comeback after defeating father but unluckily for him I was next in line.

He pressed on the intercom and placed a call over to Riuwen and secretary Jiang.

When they stepped through the door and saw three different car engines on the three opened files, Secretary Jiang couldn't help but wow.

"This is a master piece," he couldn't help but compliment.

"Drawn after many thinking, I believe." Riuwen was also amazed. "Zhaolin, did you draw this?"

"No," Zhaolin answered. "That's the most important part of vehicles, now check out the whole file."

With every turn of the page, Secretary Jiang wowed. He took his time to inspect every detail. The interior drawn bits by bits, the sterring wheel, the window frame, the wheels and tail lights.

"This is beautiful!" Secretary Jiang didn't know when the three words left his mouth, but he didn't even feel attacked. He was so overwhelmed by the piece of paper in his hands containing the beautifully drawn parts. "Sir, can I now see the engines?"

"No," Zhaolin answered. "Make copies of that, there will be an emergency meeting tomorrow."

"Yes sir." Secretary Jiang bowed. "Anything else?"

"No,"

He left, while Riuwen stayed behind.

"You really didn't make those designs?" Riuwen asked immediately Jiang got out of the door.

"No, Jingze did."

Riuwen's mouth dropped. "Uncle Jingze?"

A simple head nod from Zhaolin confirmed it all. "There must be an ulterior motive..."

"Can we not think of that?" Zhaolin looked up at him and straight into his eyes.

"Yes sir, but don't lose guard." He turned and walked out.

Zhaolin quickly picked up his phone and called the last number there. It rang this time but no one picked up, he heard his stomach churn. He took out his phone to dial the number once again but a call came in instead. Without much delay he picked up. 

"Hello," his face warmed up with a very bright smile. 

"Hi," Xueyan replied then spoke to Qingran. "Come wipe this table princess."

"Yes mum, I'm teleporting over to you right now."

He heard her chuckle. "Do that fast"

"Zhaolin, I'm sorry..." She tried apologizing for leaving him hanging.

"No, I actually enjoy you two conversing."

It seemed like Qingran had come to wipe the table as she asked. "Mom? Who is that?"

"Shhhh," Xueyan tried to shush her.

"Is that daddy?" She bent to peek at the caller. "Mommy, is it him?"

"Yes."

Their conversation just now rang twice in his head.

Is that daddy? Mommy is it him?

There was a rumble in his stomach, was that out of happiness or...? He pondered.

"Hello, daddy?" 

He heard Qingran's excited voice and came back to reality.

"Qing'er, how are you?"

"I'm good, you? Where are you? Have you had anything to eat? Are you still hungry? Mommy prepared Nigeria jollof rice I can bring some to you..." She paused then tilted her head to the side at her mom. "I can, right mom?"

Xueyan facepalmed. You already told him you can, why are you still asking me?

"Is that a yes, mom?"Qingran pulled Xueyan's hand from her face.

"Yeah, yes. Yes you can, princess." Xueyan said and flashed the little girl a smile.

"Yes! Daddy, I'm on my way."

She didn't even give him time to answer all the questions she had asked then concluded on herself that he was hungry... A smile hung on his lips.

Qingran already hung up, but her voice kept echoing in his head.

*

Downstairs at the lobby...

"Who are you looking for, little girl?" The receptionist asked.

"My daddy," little Qingran answered clutching the lunch bag in her hand more tightly.

"Who's your daddy?" The receptionist questioned.

"Zhao... No, I mean Mr Xing Zhaolin." 

The receptionist thought she heard wrong. "Sorry, come again."

"Hunh?" Qingran was getting nervous, she shouldn't have come alone.

"Who's your daddy?" The receptionist asked for the second time.

"Mr... Mr Xing Zhaolin."

"Are you mistaken? The ceo only has one child, a male at that. Tell me the name of your father or leave."

Qingran mouth hung open as she didn't know what more to say. Qingran started looking around the whole place.

The elevators door parted and Xing Jingze came out with five shareholders as they discussed about the December production.

Jingze who was at the front had his hands tucked in his trousers pockets. He happened to notice the little girl. As they got closer, the receptionist bowed and it made Qingran turn to see who it was.

Jingze and Qingran's eyes met, then his heart skipped more than a beat. Who is this little girl? And why does she look so much like...? He tried recalling who the little girl looked like but as the face came to mind it disappears and he gets confused.

He had long paused in his strides, the shareholders stopped too to know what was wrong.

"What is your name?" Jingze didn't know when the question left his mouth. He took two large steps and covered the space from where he had been standing and where she was standing.

Jingze bent down after pulling his hands out from his pocket. "What is your name and who are you looking for?"

All the shareholders watched in bewilderment.

They had never seen this side of Jingze before.

Qingran looked the man from his head down to his shoes and swallowed. Blinked twice before opening her mouth to say. "Xing Jingze,"

Jingze mouth fell open and slowly a smile crept up in his face. "You sure is gutsy." He touched her cheek. "Now answer me," he wondered why he was so curious on knowing her name and this attachment he felt for her... Where was it coming from? This sudden closeness...

"Bai Qingran. I'm looking for my d..."

"Qing'er," Zhaolin called.

She looked up and a smile spread on her face, he quickly strode over and picked her up.

"Where you having troubles getting in?" He asked.

"No, you are here now."

Now Jingze was back on his two feets. "Who is she?"

"Uncle, I don't know you as someone who gets in other people's business." Zhaolin raised an eyebrow.

Jingze couldn't take his eyes off the little girl. Bai Qingran. Bai Qingran. The name echoed in his head.

He gave Zhaolin a dirty glare before walking away.

Zhaolin didn't mind, "Let's go princess."

The receptionist had been quiet watching everything go down.

Sir Jingze had spoken to that little girl. Even the ceo came to carry her. Why didn't I let her go in. She hit herself on the head. I should apologise to her... Who is she, by the way?

*

Zhaolin gently dropped Qingran on the chair and went back to draw the curtains shut. He had seen eyes turn at them. But no one had dared to say anything.Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click <a href="#&apos;s-love_13372375705587405/sudden-closeness_48556724931583793">#&apos;s-love_13372375705587405/sudden-closeness_48556724931583793</a> for visiting.

"So, what do you have for me?" Zhaolin used his most coolest voice.

"Here," Qingran stretched out her tiny hands holding onto a flask and pushed it close to him.

Zhaolin took it and kept it by the side.

"Why are you alone?"

"I know you would want to see mom but she's busy for now. She will come over here once she's done, she doesn't want you worrying about her." Qingran said in the most consoling voice Zhaolin had ever heard.

His eyes couldn't help but shook, he swallowed twice before speaking.

"Okay, let's eat then."