Xi Corporations Headquarters, 7:00 p.m.;

"Are you seriously trusting him, brother?!", when Xi Yuan briefed Xi Fang about what elucidation Xi Chonglin provided with him the day before, Xi Fang was enraged, "And firstly, why did you not tell me about any of this, beforehand? I have no issues with Senior Zhi Xi tagging along with you. I really don't. He is family, after all. But that still doesn't justify why I was kept out of it all."

Xi Yuan rolled his eyes, as he pointed his chin at his younger brother, "Maybe because I didn't want another family dispute. Between you and Uncle."

"Brother-", Xi Fang realized the man's words the moment they left his mouth. He hadn't even realized how much it was affecting everyone involved in the middle, until now.

"Don't, Fang.", Xi Yuan waved his hand in dismissal, waving his hand at him, "I understand your anger. I also know that me getting attacked and going into a coma for all those months, was barely a breaking point for you and that it wasn't the only reason why you called him out then.

"But recently, it's been impossible to have a decent gathering without you two not making a scene. I am aware of Uncle's temperament. He has to have the last word. But you? You used to tolerate whatever he did before. What changed?"

"I..."

"President Xi, the clients from the Song empire are here.", Xi Yuan's assistant stepped into the office. Xi Yuan simply lifted his index finger authoritatively, "Cancel the meeting.", he commanded. Family was much more important. Xi Fang was much more important.

As the employee closed the door behind him, Xi Yuan reverted his gaze back to his brother, "Yes?", he raised his brows.

"Brother, it just hurts.", Xi Fang sighed, "How he doesn't care what I want. How he doesn't consider what you mean to me. How he feels that it's okay for him to control my life. I just... it's suffocating."

"All my life, I've wanted him to feel proud of who I am. But it's never enough for him. No matter what I do. And what he expects of me is not something I would ever give him. I'd rather die than even think of it."

"What does he really want?", Xi Yuan chuckled, tapping the leather-clad arms of his executive chair, "This seat?" Noticing Xi Fang's silence, the man stood up from his seat and walked around the table, placing a hand over the man's shoulder, "I don't mind, Fang."

"But I do.", Xi Fang smiled wryly, "For me, the position I have in this company is already sufficient. I love assisting you. I enjoy watching you rule this kingdom grandfather left behind. No one can do what you do better than you. Not even me. You might've trained me for managing all of this, but I am still not you."

"Moreover there's this work pressure that comes with this power. I've seen how you stay up late nights, and how you cancel plans with Sister-in-law at the end moment because of emergency meetings. You work more than all the employees of Xi Corps. combined do. I am not built for it."

"You don't have to be me. You're already best at being you.", Xi Yuan smiled, "But if you are not ready for it, it's okay too. I just need you to know that, in Xi Corporations, nothing is yours or mine. It's ours. You have every right to expect my place. And whenever you want it, all you have to do is say it.

"As far as your father is concerned, Fang, I am not going to meddle into your relationship. I realize how hard all of this must be on you. But stay away from him until I figure out what exactly happened. This involves Xinghe, and the truth concerning our Grandparents I feel I deserve to know."

"I won't be any hindrance to you, brother. You have my word.", Xi Fang promised, his tone much determined this time.

_______________________

Military Chief Office, 8:00 p.m.;

The girl was stirring her coffee, the sugar cube blending into the milk gradually, when the Defence Minister made himself comfortable into one of the chairs facing her, "You summoned me, Military Chief?", he asked.

"A little birdie told me that the Defence Minister has been calling shots for the Military, without any prior discussions with me. How true is this... Mr. Bo?", the girl blinked, her face giving away no expression.

Stunned, the old man's eyes traveled from the girl to Shou Wu and then back to her. Realizing that there was no way out, the man smirked at the woman, haughtily, "There is a limit to how much we can get from the Central Finance Ministry, Ms. Rong. Not to mention, domestic businesses provide employment to thousands of youngsters, which the need of the hour."

"I see.", Rong Xinghe chuckled coldly, the atmosphere around her dropping down a few degrees, "And do they deserve death too? Because I am pretty much sure, none of them are skilled enough to design and construct the level of advanced ammunitions Country X's Army requires. Forget foreign powers, they'd be killed right there and then, while expanding the domestic businesses you're personally investing into.

"Coming to the point of financial limits, maybe... we wouldn't face that issue if you'd just stop using the money over your political campaigning, don't you think? Also, it's Military Chief Rong for you."

The minister gritted his teeth, as he broke into a sweat, his shocked wide-open eyes never leaving the girl half his age. How could the information, he'd tried so hard to conceal, get leaked to her so soon? It hadn't even been an hour since he'd been ordered to show up at the place.

"I want your resignation by tomorrow morning on my table.", Rong Xinghe stood up, her orders resounding through every corner of her office, the tone of her voice still indifferent, "I don't plan on dealing with filth like yourself till the next elections. I am afraid I'll run out of patience. It's insulting to me; working with you.

"And be forewarned, if you don't resign by tomorrow yourself, I will make the Prime Minister issue a termination letter for you. In the middle of the up and running parliament.

"Trust me, I am capable of being that dramatic.", with these words, the girl walked out of her office, playing with her darling's card in one hand, her phone and car keys in another.