Chapter 591: Swinging Returns
Once in the past, Chen Xiaowan dreamed that she would be very rich in the future, but never dared to think that tens of millions or billions could be regarded as pocket money. The amount was simply too far away from her.
Before her eyes, however, her younger brother, who had been misunderstood by her back then even told her so openly that he would give her millions or even billions of yuan as pocket money... It scared her so much that her beautiful face almost lost color in fright and she almost choked to death by her own saliva.
Only after a very long while did she let out a charming smile and said, "Don't speak carelessly like that, brother. Let alone speaking about so much money that I dare not to even think about it, even if you do give me such an amount of money, I don't think I can even sleep out of worry. I don't have the courage to accept it. If you nowhere else to spend your money, just do charity! There are many rich people nowadays, but there are even more poor."
"I adopted a lot of street children and also helped the Star City Chinese Medical Hospital to set up a charitable fund. Notwithstanding the fact that the attempt is like a drop in the bucket, I will continue to exert myself on this in the future."
"Great!" Chen Xiaowan nodded with contentment and couldn't conceal the appreciation in her eyes.
During the time they were sipping and savoring the taste of their coffee while merrily chatting, a beautiful girl passed entered through the front door of the café. She was donning a black-colored martial arts training suit and was followed by two well-dressed females in black suits.
"Hi, Boss," greeted Kuwako Yamamoto as she came before Tang Xiu and cupped her first while bowing. The two females behind her knelt on one knee, lowered their heads and didn't speak.
Tang Xiu, whose back was against the front door of the café, turned his head after hearing Kuwako's voice. When he saw the actions of the two women behind her, he immediately frowned and spoke in a deep voice, "Get up!"
The moment Kuwako spoke, Chen Xiaowan also looked toward her, and her beautiful eyes suddenly stared with wide eyes after clearly seeing Kuwako's face. There was a disbelieving expression on her face as she abruptly jumped up from the sofa and looked restless.
Chen Xiaowan's abnormal reaction was captured by Tang Xiu, as he felt somewhat strange inside. Yet, he still looked at Kuwako and said, "You too know that I never like people being too straitjacket in front of me. Restrain your subordinates and instruct them to change their kneeling attitude whenever they meet me."
Kuwako was taken aback after hearing his words as a reverential expression was plastered her face. She quickly replied with a respectful expression, "Understood. This subordinate will teach them well."
Tang Xiu nodded in response as he got up and pulled Chen Xiaowan to his side. After she sat down next to him, he pointed to the sofa in front, hinting for Kuwako to take the seat. This time, however, Kuwako acted smarter and immediately instructed her subordinates to sit on the next sofa.
"All right, speak now! You left Japan all of a sudden to give something to me. What exactly is it?"
While placing the suitcase she brought in front of Tang Xiu, Kuwako respectfully spoke, "This is something my men snatched from some explorers, Boss. That team of explorers hired a very capable mercenary group overseas and got an astonishing harvest. And this object is by far the most important item from the harvest. I felt that this object was a particularly remarkable, so I immediately rushed over to present it to you."
Tang Xiu nodded in response and gently opened the suitcase.
"This is…"
Despite being strong mentally, Tang Xiu still couldn't hold back a gasp after seeing the item inside the suitcase. He was a Supreme in the Immortal World and had once obtained countless precious objects, but even the most precious treasures in the Immortal World couldn't make him so shocked.
The Chrono Crystal?
What was the object Tang Xiu most urgently needed right now? It was naturally the Chrono Crystal, for it was one of the treasures needed to cure his disciple, Gu Yan'er.
He thought that he would probably need to take a trip to one of the surrounding star fields once his strength was formidable enough. And he had to obtain this object whatever the cost, even if he had to go much more dangerous places. Who would have thought that the long-awaited Chrono Crystal was now in front of him? And the most unbelievable thing was that this Chrono Crystal was sent by Kuwako.
Suddenly, Tang Xiu raised his head, stared at Kuwako and asked with a sinking voice, "How and where did you get this object?"
"We got it in the Alps Mountain Range," said Kuwako respectfully. "Two men among the mercenary group hired by that expedition party were elite talents groomed by my Yamamoto House. And fortunately, it happened that these two men sneaked back into the family a few months ago and met me. I controlled them and made them my trusted subordinates. Therefore, they reported the purpose of the expedition. This interested me enough to send them a lot of people to help, acquiring this harvest in the end."
The Alps Mountain Range?
A firm expression appeared on Tang Xiu's face as he decided to make a trip there. After all, to have a Chrono Crystal appear there meant that that place was extraordinary in and of itself.
At this time, his view toward Kuwako, which was originally only a chess piece to him, now changed, as he was truly grateful to her. He did rule her soul, yet the person herself followed him from the heart and even gave such an important treasure to him. This showed that she was very reliable and good, extraordinarily good.
Closing the suitcase, Tang Xiu took out two bottles of medicinal pills from his interspatial ring without being noticed by anyone. Then he said, "The things inside are your rewards. You did a very good job this time, making me very satisfied. This object may just be a crystal stone in the eyes of others, but it's the best treasure in my eyes. As for you, stay for a few days more in Shanghai! And I'll assign ten experts to follow and help you later."
Ten experts?
Kuwako immediately got excited. Though she didn't know what kind of reward was in those bottles, these ten experts were too important for her. She had witnessed those men and women under Tang Xiu, as each and every one of them possessed very formidable strength many people wouldn't be able to contend with, including herself.
This time was precisely the moment of intense struggles and fights between the members of her family for power and authority. Despite having been imparted the Soul Ruling Spell from Tang Xiu and being able to control the life and death of others under this spell, yet she still felt that the number of true experts under her was far too few. With the help of those ten experts, she believed she would soon be able to clear up the situation in her House and became the leader of the new generation, as well as the first successor of the family patriarch.
"Thank you, Boss!" Kuwako Yamamoto thanked him—a gratitude that came from her heart.
Tang Xiu shook his head. He wanted to rush to Jingmen Island right away after obtaining the Chrono Crystal. However, Kuwako had just come to Shanghai, after all, and there was also Chen Xiaowan at his side, thus leaving now would be quite inappropriate. After weighing it further, he too felt that he didn't need to be that anxious, for it was late already. It would be fine for him to wait until tomorrow before rushing to Jingmen Island.
After spending some time fiddling with the Chrono Crystal, Tang Xiu then stuffed it into his interspatial ring secretively. He then shifted his eyes toward the dumbfounded, tongue-tied Chen Xiaowan and said, "Sis Xiaowan, you started acting unnaturally since you saw Kuwako. What's the matter?"
Chen Xiaowan didn't even listen to the conversation between Tang Xiu and Kuwako Yamamoto. Her heart was fully submerged in stormy waves, because she had never expected that the subordinate mentioned by Tang Xiu before would actually be Kuwako Yamamoto.
At this time, she was as though just being awakened from a dream after feeling someone touch her arm. She abruptly stood up and asked, "Brother, wha… what is it?"
"Eh, what exactly happened to you, Sis Xiaowan?" Tang Xiu frowned. "You looked like you just saw a ghost when you saw Kuwako. Did you already know her before today, by chance?"
Kuwako looked at Chen Xiaowan's face for a while, as she shook her head and said, "I never met this young lady before, Boss."
Secretly, Chen Xiaowan gulped down. After a moment's hesitation, she spoke in a low voice, "Brother, She… she's the secret Big Boss of the Brisk Trading Group. I had seen her before at a company celebration."
Tang Xiu was astounded and so was Kuwako Yamamoto as she suddenly spoke after pondering for a moment, "Ah, you're talking about the Brisk Trading Group! I do have such a group company under the businesses I control. But I'm usually too busy, so I delegate most of my businesses to my subordinates to manage, and only pay attention to it occasionally."
Again, Chen Xiaowan's heartbeat accelerated and was even more shocked hearing the revelation of Kuwako's identity. After all, the Brisk Trading Group was a large listed company! And yet it was only one of her numerous companies... What a huge wealth she had!
But… there was something wrong! She was Tang Xiu's subordinate, and that meant…
Chen Xiaowan turned her head to look at Tang Xiu with a disbelieving expression plastered on her face.
The revelation that the company that Chen Xiaowan used to work at was actually one of the companies controlled by Kuwako was also unexpected for Tang Xiu. Recalling as how he accompanied her in her frenzied strolls all day long, and speaking about all the problems she met in that company, Tang Xiu suddenly felt that all that had happened was just an amusing game.
"Well, I'll introduce you to her then, Kuwako. This is my foster Big Sis, Chen Xiaowan. She treated me very well when I was young—my family was very poor back then, so I always regarded her as my own blood sister. This morning, however, she was still an employee of the Brisk Trading Group, but was treated unjustly and got fired from the company. It's a very interesting twist, don't you think?" Explained Tang Xiu with a faint smile.
Whish… Kuwako suddenly got up from the sofa with a tense expression as she said, "Boss, the fault is on this subordinate, please punish me!"
"No, I didn't have the intention to punish you." Tang Xiu waved his hand. "I just feel that my Big Sis can't be treated wrongly for nothing!"
Kuwako thought for a moment and racked her brains before she had an idea. She then said respectfully, "Boss, since your Big Sis Chen has been unjustly treated by the Brisk Trading Group, then I'll definitely make the person who did that to her pay a heavy price. Please give me an opportunity to invite your Big Sis back to work for this company. Also, I'll make her the CEO of the Brisk Trading Group in China, and it will later become her private property. What do you think about this?"
"I don't think it would be necessary to give such a proposal to Sis Xiaowan given her disposition." Tang Xiu waved his hand. "But making her assume the CEO position of the Brisk Trading Group is kind of a good idea, I think. What do you think, Sis Xiaowan?"
Chapter 592: A Loud Applause and a Loud Slap
Flustered, Chen Xiaowan hastily waved her hand and said, "No no no. Don't joke with your Big Sis, Brother! I know perfectly well what I'm capable of, and I'm afraid I'll make the company go out of business in no time if I were to be made its CEO."
Tang Xiu pondered for a moment before giving a simple reply, "Since you don't want to become the CEO of the Brisk Trading Group, how about becoming the Vice CEO? Isn't the husband of your classmate bully the Vice CEO of this company? For you to replace him in that position should be okay, right?"
"B-But Brother, this… is this the right thing to do?" Chen Xiaowan hesitated.
"The right thing? Then, how about I tell Kuwako to give you the whole Brisk Trading Group so you can do with it as you like?" Asked Tang Xiu back.
"No no no, don't!" Chen Xiaowan hurriedly said. "CEO, then. CEO it is! I'll make sure to work hard later."
"Hahaha!" Tang Xiu couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Don't tell me you haven't understood it yet, Sis Xiaowan? No one will dare to purposely create trouble for you no matter how halfheartedly you work in the future. You can be said to have a big tree to cling onto in the Brisk Trading Group. Also, call Kuwako directly if anyone dares to bully and push you around, and she'll take care of them for you."
"Big Sis Chen, you can do whatever you want with the Brisk Trading Group," said Kuwako quickly.
With eyes glancing back and forth between Kuwako and Tang Xiu, Chen Xiaowan suddenly felt that the world was rotating way too fast. She was so chagrined and confused about her future when she lost her job, but the plot of the drama suddenly changed 360 degrees just after frenziedly strolling and playing for a day! [1]
Having experienced it first hand is better than hearing it. And at this time, she really admired Tang Xiu, since the younger brother she had not seen for so many years was now powerful and also became her protector. [2]
Half an hour later, Tang Xiu sent Chen Xiaowan back to her residence and watched her walk into her apartment before starting the car and leaving. After some contemplation, he couldn't bear it any longer and decided to leave for Jingmen Island overnight.
In the next morning, after spending the night driving the Agera R sports car to the Everlasting Feast Hall, Ji Chimei, who had been notified in advance, was already waiting for him in the parking lot.
"Lord!"
At this time, Ji Chimei was not yet aware that Tang Xiu had obtained the Chrono Crystal. But she could tell that something very important happened given the fact that he rushed here overnight.
"Give me back the Demonic Revival Grass."
Ji Chimei stared blankly for a moment before immediately taking it out from her interspatial ring and respectfully handing it over to Tang Xiu. Immediately after, the two people came before the entrance to the exquisite pagoda on the seabed, as Tang Xiu then spoke, "Guard this spot and allow no one to step into the exquisite pagoda. There is no exception, including Xiaoxue and the Light and Dark siblings."
"Understood!" Ji Chimei was bewildered, but she still answered respectfully.
On the seventh floor of the exquisite pagoda, Tang Xiu ignored the chilling air inside despite wearing thin clothes. He took a look at the Gu Yan'er lying on the bed of ice, as the Demonic Revival Grass in his hand instantly flew midair. He exerted his Star Force to press it and finally condensed it into a drop of concentrated verdant green liquid essence.
Tang Xiu then sent the drop of concentrated essence into Gu Yan'er's mouth and carefully placed the pebble-sized Chrono Crystal on the center of her eyebrows.
The instant after, a burst of unique violent energy broke out from Gu Yan'er's lying body. It was so powerful that it would have squeezed Tang Xiu's internal organs into a meat pulp if it wasn't for his powerful strength. In the meantime, a crevice visible to the naked eye emerged out of thin air two meters around Gu Yan'er, as a strand of pure energy thread sprung out of nowhere from the space and fused into her body.
Time passed by, as then lights began to gradually form a drape of light that shrouded Gu Yan'er's body. As time went by, the thickness of the light curtain increased and from the back, it looked like a cocoon made of lights that enveloped Gu Yan'er's body.
****
Shanghai.
At the HQ of the Brisk Trading Group, Taro Ono, the Chief Executive Officer of the company branch in China, had received a prior notice early in the morning that the female Big Boss would visit the company today; he was very excited to receive this sudden news.
He was only talented in economic business with a very low status, but was groomed by the House of Yamamoto a few years ago. Later on, after Kuwako chose him and sent him to attend training for two years, he was arranged to leave for China and was made the CEO of the Brisk Trading Group, where his status had suddenly grown by leaps and bounds all of a sudden. Therefore, he felt really grateful to her, even reminding himself many times to become her most loyal subordinate from then on.
After he came to China, the diligence he put into his work resulted in the expansion of the Brisk Trading Group. At the same time, he also learned that the status of his Big Boss in the Yamamoto House was in the constant rise. She had an equal chance with the others in the contention to become the family patriarch.
This news was like injecting him with a dose of stimulant! And he wished that he could show how good the Brisk Trading Group was and how it had developed and accumulated more capital for his Boss, Kuwako Yamamoto. As it would help her to have more capital to compete for becoming the Head of the Yamamoto House.
Therefore, he rushed to the company very early in the morning and arranged a series of arrangements and quietly waited for the arrival of the Big Boss.
In the spacious hall on the first floor of the Brisk Trading Group edifice, a group of dozens of top executives of the company stood in two rows, whereas hundreds of low-level staff of the management stood behind them. Taro Ono himself stood in front, as he kept pacing back and forth with anticipation plastered on his face.
Masakiyo Kato was the Vice CEO of the Brisk Trading Group and he could be said to be one person above thousand in the company, with a quite big authority and power. He was Kuwako's fellow student before and was then assigned to the Brisk Trading Group in China because of their relationship.
And today, he was also particularly excited that he even told his wife—Miao Xinran to dress up well for him. He wore a neatly straight suit with tie, and even his shoes were brightly polished.
"Kato-kun, take a look at my suit. There's no problem with it, right?" Taro Ono's pace suddenly came to a halt as he turned to look at Masakiyo Kato.
Masakiyo Kato hurriedly stepped forward and carefully observed Taro Ono's appearance, saying, "There's nothing wrong. You look great!"
Taro Ono nodded with satisfaction.
Tap tap tap…
The sounds of high-heeled shoes stepping on the floor came from the outside of the building entrance. Everyone's eyes shifted to the direction of the entrance in a flash.
"What's going on here?"
Taro Ono furrowed his brows slightly and there was an annoyed expression on his face, because the person he saw was not his Big Boss—Kuwako Yamamoto, but an employee of the Brisk Trading Group. He could vaguely remember that this woman was a staff in the Human Resources Department.
"Chief, Vice Chief, I apologize for being late."
Even though Chen Xiaowan had prepared her mind and knew she could do everything she wanted in the Brisk Trading Group with the backing of Kuwako Yamamoto, yet the difference in positions after so many years in the company made her nervous in front of Taro Ono and Masakiyo Kato. Most important of all was the fact that hundreds of high and bottom-level of the company management were also staring at her.
Anger brewed inside Taro Ono's heart as he spoke in a deep voice, "You should've received a notification last night to arrive at the company before 8 PM. Tell me the reason you are late."
"It's because she's already been fired. She's no longer an employee of the Brisk Trading Group." Miao Xinran rushed out of the crowd and spoke loudly after Taro Ono finished speaking. She slightly gawked as Chen Xiaowan appeared, but then turned ecstatic.
Taro Ono stunned and stared blankly, before angrily yelling, "THEN WHY DID SHE APPEAR IN THE COMPANY IF SHE HAS BEEN FIRED?"
"I don't know either, Chief," said Miao Xinran with a bit of sarcasm. "She had indeed packed her stuff yesterday and left our company. Who would have thought that she would come back now? Maybe the feeling of being fired was too painful for her and finally created a problem in her head, and she rushed here to act as a swanky great personage. You can see that her expression is very awkward now, Chief. She must be angry that I exposed her like this and must feel ashamed. How about instructing the security guards to drive her out?"
With an annoyed expression, Taro Ono spoke, "Since she has been fired, then drive her out!"
At this moment, Masakiyo Kato suddenly stood forward and said, "Please hold on, Chief. I think she must have ulterior motives for appearing in our company out of the blue after getting fired. I suggest instructing the security to not drive her out but detain her in the security room. We'll interrogate her again later after the Big Boss has finished the inspection."
Clap, clap, clap…
A loud applause was heard coming from the building's entrance. Kuwako Yamamoto, dressed in a professional outfit, then walked inside while clapping her hands, followed by a handful of Japanese people.
"Mr. Kato's seriousness and responsibility in work are great. Truly an old fellow student highly regarded by me! I'm so impressed by you that I almost want to make you the CEO of the Brisk Trading Group." There was a hint of contempt in Kuwako's eyes as she loudly spoke.
A shocked glint flashed in Masakiyo Kato's eyes upon seeing Kuwako's arrival. He immediately strode forward to greet her and said with an obsequious smile, "Hello, Boss. Thanks for the appreciation you have for me. I also welcome you for the working inspection on behalf of the company."
The move and words at this occasion should have been made by Taro Ono but were finally snatched by Masakiyo Kato. It made him secretly angry inside. However, he also knew that Masakiyo Kato was a former classmate of his Big Boss, so he could only sigh helplessly and moved forward to greet, "We welcome you for the inspection, Boss."
With a proud and cold expression, Kuwako nodded in response but then she asked all of a sudden, "Kato-kun, I heard you have married for a few years already and your wife is also an outstanding Chinese woman, is that right? I wonder if can see her."
Nearby, Miao Xinran's eyes lit up. The appreciation showed by the Big Boss to her husband made her full of excitement. The moment when the Big Boss mentioned her, she almost half running to come before Kuwako and respectfully said, "Hello, Boss. I'm Miao Xinran, Kato-Kun's wife.
"Ah, what a beautiful woman you are." Kuwako nodded, letting out a smile and said, "You seem to have a good skin care treatment and it should be very elastic, right?"
After saying that, Kuwako suddenly lifted her arm and fiercely slapped Miao Xinran's face. Along with it were appeared five bright red fingerprints as Miao Xinran staggered backward for a few meters and heavily fell on the floor.