Book 4 Chapter 29 – Planning

　　Stargaze looked at the man who was slowly approaching him. Guo Xiang had such a grossly indecent expression that even with Stargaze's demeanor, she had a hard time resisting the urge of blowing him to dust. "Is this your way of treating a guest? Looks like coming here was a mistake."

　　Guo Xiang paused when he realized that the woman was referring to his erection. "Well, honestly is a virtue, so why hide things?" Guo Xiang came up with what he thought was a rather poetic line and continued his walk towards her.

　　"Hmmph!" Guo Xiang felt an icy gust of wind graze his back. However, Stargaze's coldness aroused him even more. He licked his dry lips and made ready to pounce on his target.

　　"Sorry for the inconvenience, Ms. w.a.n.g, he still has much to learn." An authoritative voice came from behind Guo Xiang.

　　Guo Xiang s.h.i.+vered from head to toes. He turned back. 'This guy?' Guo Xiang thought with irritation. Bing Shuai had lived in Guo Xiang's "home" ever since he was a child, and seeing that even his father appeared to display extreme reverence around the man, Guo Xiang feared him from the bottom of his heart.

　　"Go." Bing Shuai gave an uncompromising order.

　　"Yes." Guo Xiang nodded. He peeked once more at Stargaze and left in irritation, his aroused desired completely extinguished.

　　"What kind of abomination are you breeding here?" Stargaze swallowed down her anger. She would have walked away were it not for the things at stake.

　　"He's the son of one of my representatives. Sorry about that. Please come inside." Bing Shuai said with a smile that hid away all his worries from the last few days.

　　Ying Mei came with a tray of tea as soon as the two settled in the living room. She stood on the side quietly and scrutinized Stargaze. 'This is the woman that's reputed to be Bing Shuai's equal?'

　　"We made a pact ten years ago that we wouldn't mind each other's business." Bing Shuai said rather plainly.

　　"It didn't forbid us from visiting each other, did it?" Stargaze picked up one of the expensive crystal cups and smelled the tea inside. She had recovered her usual calm and elegant air.

　　"You aren't here just for a visit, aren't you?" Bing Shuai retorted calmly.

　　"What do you think?" Stargaze appreciated the sweet aroma of the tea for a moment before putting the cup back.

　　"You don't like it?"

　　"Tea should be served in a teacup." Stargaze glanced at Ying Mei.

　　"As you wish." Ying Mei left the living room immediately.

　　"You want to get involved in this?" Bing Shuai opened with a candid question they were left with to the privacy of the living room.

　　"It depends on what you mean." Stargaze played around Bing Shuai's question.

　　"You know, what I've been trying to achieve for a long time now."

　　"Oh? Are you making progress?"

　　"No, but other people are." Bing Shuai stared directly into Stargaze's eyes, hoping to see something that betrayed her undecryptable countenance.

　　"You trust me this much?" Stargaze smiled.

　　'It's not her.' Bing Shuai knew from Stargaze's reaction that she was not his enemy.

　　"I have two… interesting people in my house." After a moment of consideration, Bing Shuai decided to involve Stargaze in the affair. 'Li Huaibei by himself isn't too much trouble, but the people behind him… If my guesses are right, then it really is him. I'll be doomed alone, but with w.a.n.g Liping here, just maybe… She's probably here because she noticed something. I should use this opportunity to make her my ally. I'm sure that with how high the stakes are, she won't stay unmoved.' ¹