What Jing Tian said cleared up my mind.
“So you are saying he only came to me because of you and my little uncle?” I asked hesitantly.
Jing Tian smiled. “Why don’t you think about it yourself?”
“If he came to either of you, it would be too obvious, but this job has to be done in private. Furthermore, if something bad happens, he can’t just cut you two off. Even he can’t ignore the forces of Dragon’s Gate and Ardent Flame Alliance. However, there is nothing to stop him from abandoning Sky City. What can we do to him? I have no idea he is so calculating! Plus, through me, he’ll gain you and my uncle’s help too!” My heart chilled.
Jing Tian stood up and smiled. “Nanxing, you think too little of him. He is a father. For his daughter, he would do anything. Plus, it is the exact opposite of what you thought. As you said, he knew coming to you would get your little uncle and me involved. That means that it would put him in a less advantageous position should he have to deal with us. Think about it for a man of his status. He could have used another method to give Mai Qi her freedom. So why did he pick this most difficult method which might bring him the most trouble?”
I looked at Jing Tian*. Why?*
“Because he loves his daughter. He is making a bet, a bet on humanity. If he bets right, then he knows his daughter will have a good friend for life.”
“What if he bets wrong?” I asked.
“Well.” Jing Tian smiled. “With his power, he can make the Seven Brothers disappear just like that. What is there for him to be afraid of?” My breathing halted.
Jing Tian looked at me. “So, at least he is a good father. But that love can nourish and destroy.”
I thought about it and said thoughtfully, “Jing Tian, I get it now.”
Jing Tian pulled me into his arms. He gave me a gentle hug. “Nanxing, you’re destined for great things, so don’t hold back. Tong Le and I will be behind you. We’ll be there whenever you turn around. We won’t walk your path for you, but we’ll protect you.”
I snuggled in Jing Tian’s arms and said in a muffled voice, “Jing Tian, I love you.”
Jing Tian’s arms around me tightened.
…
The new contract threw Mai Qi and me into busy mode. Mai Qi was a true workaholic. When I was tired from work, she was still thrilled. She seemed to derive actual happiness from work.
My home became our office.
Mai Qi was surprised when she saw the new contract. She couldn’t understand why I took the job. Naturally, I didn’t tell her the truth. I just said it was because the pay was good.
Mai Qi shrugged.
We had to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Mai Qi accepted it readily. When it came to the work, Mai Qi was very reasonable.
As we worked deeper, we accumulated more and more secrets. We knew things that were not privy to people outside the government. Our reaction went from shock to acceptance and finally serenity.
One day, after finishing another job, Mai Qi sighed and leaned back in her chair. I turned to her in confusion.
Mai Qi told me a story. There was a man who came from a backward village. He slowly changed his fate. He moved to the big city and married a rich wife. He had children, a high position in the government, and a high salary. However, one day, he started to change. Money was the greatest sin. He started to embezzle.
Everything went smoothly. However, the man still wore old clothes to work, used his old bicycle and when his wife said their son needed money for tuition, the man said their son had to learn the lesson of hard work. Money didn’t come by easily.
“Wait, isn’t he rich?” I was confused.
Mai Qi nodded. “He bought a big house on the other side of the city. His family didn’t know about this. The money he has embezzled is stored under the house’s only bed. The man would go there once per week, not to do anything but to count the money. When he was done, he would ride the bicycle back home.”
“Is the man crazy?” I sighed.