Masaichi Xiu pursed his lips as he stared at the steam emerging from his hot black coffee . His eyes were dazed and his brows were furrowed . He recalled his conversation with his son when he visited City T .
"Mantkun, I have something to ask . "
"Sore wa nan desu ka, Otousan?*" Manta blinked adorably as he looked up to his father . Since he was in City T, he was used to speaking the language more often . However, he still perfectly converse in his grandfather's native tongue .
"Did you really tell your aunt that Okaasan had a baby when she left to see me . "
The little boy pursed his lips then nodded . His eyes were starting to water .
"Who told you that?" Masaichi kept his gentle tone .
"Okaasan . . . she said that I will soon have a brother . . . or a sister . . . and she will give it as a present for you . . . but she . . . " Manta was already sobbing .
"Sshhh . . . It's okay . . . Don't cry . Otousan believes you . "
"Tousan . . . I could've been a brother right?" Manta looked up at his father, seeking confirmation that he had a correct understanding of things .
Masaichi pursed his lips, deeply sighed before answering, "Hai . " He embraced his son who let go and cried all he wanted .
At that moment, he had confirmed that his wife was indeed pregnant when she died . However, he could never believe that it was not his child . He still believes that his wife will never cheat on him . This was actually strengthened by his son's account that the baby would be a present for him .
Masaichi's thoughts abruptly ended with a knock on his office door .
"Come in . "
Secretary Ta came in her professional smile . "CEO, the CEO of ZFC is here for your requested meeting .
_
Hours prior, Dan was pacing back and forth on his condominium unit . Secretary Ta informed him just the night before that his brother-in-law had requested an audience .
His jitters even become worse when he got a message from his wife .
[MXZ: Hey, I forgot to tell you . Brother knows I'm pregnant . Have a great day!]
[Why are you telling me this just now?!]
[MXZ: I told you, I forgot . I just heard from Riley that they told you to meet him for a 'business partners.h.i.+p'
]
[You really want me dead, don't you?]
[MXZ: Of course not, I love you!
]
[If he kills me, remember that I love you . ]
Dan pulled out a dozen of suits, s.h.i.+rts and ties . On a normal day, he could wear his work clothes with not much thought on them, but still coming out in stylish combinations . However, this is definitely not a normal day, and his wife was miles away so he could only decide for himself .
_
Dan came into the CEO office wearing a pair of black suit, under which was a plain white s.h.i.+rt and narrow black tie . It was rather plain looking, but because of his face and his height, he looked das.h.i.+ng in the outfit .
His goal in deciding on this was to not get too much attention which could trigger his brother-in-law .
He was convincing himself that he will not get killed . 'It's business . They did not lie to my a.s.sistant . It's just business, Dan . You will not face him as your brother-in-law, but the CEO of XCG . That's right . It's gonna be fine . . . '
Though these thoughts run through his mind, he kept an indifferent face .
'It's gonna be fine . You're fine, Dan . ' When the door was opened into the office, he gulped . 'I'm fried . '
Masaichi Xiu walked towards him and offered a hand to shake .
Verdan Zhou shook the hand firmly but briefly .
"I will be back with refreshments . " Secretary Ta bowed before leaving .
"CEO Xiu, what can ZFC do for you?"
Masaichi Xiu gestured that they sit on each sofa, directly facing each other .
Dan complied without a word, keeping his indifferent expression .
Masaichi Xiu sat, elegantly crossing one leg over the other .
"Shouldn't you be calling me 'Brother' by now?"