88 Cao Xiaolian Has Secrets

There as a sudden ruckus inside Yi Lan Hospital. Everyone was whispering and their eyes were locked on one person alone.

With confidence and an expensive gift in her hand, a red-haired beauty named Cao Xiaolian paraded the hallway. Her face was calm and exuded an aura of a cool woman. There was nothing more to say than to admire her who looked so majestic in her all-white outfit.

Her stoic face was suddenly painted with a smile when she saw the nameplate of her dearest friend. Without hesitation, she knocked three times on the door before slightly opening it up and popping her head in. "Wei Wei?"

"Xiaolian!?" Hou Wei Yan exclaimed in surprise. She sprung up from her seat and placed down the papers she was checking out earlier to greet Cao Xiaolian.

"Did I disturb you?"

"Not at all" she immediately replied as she allowed Cao Xiaolian to seat on her couch. "I was just finalizing my team. What brings you here?"

Cao Xiaolian beamed a huge smile as she happily placed the huge white box with golden embroidery on Hou Wei Yan's lap. The small yet intricate name 'Golden Treasury' was placed in the lower right corner of the box. "The girls and I went shopping yesterday. We brought you something"

Upon hearing her statement, Hou Wei Yan immediately pouted. They went shopping and they didn't invite her at all? "Why didn't you invite me?"

"You said you were busy" Cao Xiaolian defended with a smile. Yesterday's event is something they must keep hidden from Hou Wei Yan or else she'll feel guilty for not being able to intercept them and breaking her promise to her mother.

After they had fun yesterday and gave Yue Xiaoli a little scolding for punching Fe Chungsa, they decided to buy a gift for Hou Wei Yan to make up for what they did and for not inviting her to the brawl.

Convinced, Hou Wei Yan nodded her head before she slowly unwrapped the golden laced ribbon. Her eyes went wide when she saw what was inside. "Wow! Pearl!"

What greeted Hou Wei Yan was a beautiful pearl shaped like a pear and held by a Sun shaped by small diamonds. It was chained with diamonds accented by gold. It was a masterpiece to behold and Wei Yan was lost because of how magnificent the pearl shone.

"That's the Le Peregrina Pearl. Liu Shan bought it abroad and made Golden Treasury do a little tinkering with it" Cao Xiaolian stated with a smile. The pearl was discovered near Panama in the 1500s and was given to King Philip II of Spain who then gave it to his wife.

La Peregrina translates to 'The Wanderer' and it weighs almost 56 Karats.

After the Queen died it was passed to the other Queens of France and Austria, and then to Napoleon Bonaparte. The pearl has been owned by some of the most influential women throughout history and they wanted it to continue through Hou Wei Yan.

"We know you always liked souvenirs that have something to do with the ocean. Do you like it!?" she added as she helped Hou Wei Yan check out the whole piece. The adorable glimmer in Hou Wei Yan's eyes widened Cao Xiaolian's smile.

Hou Wei Yan politely nodded her head and beamed her friend a smile. She then hugged Xiaolian and indulged in her embrace. "Thank you, Xiaolian"

"Let's chat for a while" she said as she parted with Cao Xiaolian. She was quite free before lunch break so she wanted to take this opportunity and learn what they did while she was absent from their shopping.

But obviously, she won't ever learn what happened that day.

Missing her greatly and wanting to bond with her more, Cao Xiaolian decided to stay even though she knew just how dangerous things can get if she stays by Hou Wei Yan's side. "Sounds good to me"

It was a normal day for the Palisades IT Team. They were each glued to their computer, typing codes, monitoring their assigned targets, and guiding their dispatched teams smoothly finish their mission. They were all hauled in their base they began to call Makio's Nest as they continue with their respective jobs.

Everything was normal.

Everything was going smoothly.

Until Yi Lan's CCTV malfunctioned once more sending Reizo into a frantic mode. He was instructed by Makio to keep a close watch on Yi Lan. The sudden malfunction last time became his homework as Makio's Disciple.

"Boss!" Reizo called out as he placed down his chopsticks and monetarily left his steam bun behind. "It's happening again!"

Makio who was at the far end of the room creating new plans for their weaponry suddenly halted. Without haste, he strode towards Reizo's assigned spot. The moment his eyes landed on the blank CCTV footage in front of them, he instantly knew something was not right with everything, and Fang Tao had most probably lied to him.

"I'm going there myself" he said with his fist clenched in vexation. Whatever he's hiding, he will find it out. Makio immediately took hold of his coat and pulled the driver assigned to him. "Fang Tao is clearly hiding something from us"

Reizo was in shock at how fast things are transpiring. Makio is a devious workaholic. Unless he's ordered to go out or asked to accompany their Boss, he would never leave his nest. And yet here he is, frantically preparing to head out. "Boss!"

"Take care of things while I'm gone. It won't take long" he said as he shut the door. Reizo looked around to ask what actually happened, but all of them had the same expression written on their faces…disbelief.

30 minutes had already passed by the time Makio arrived at Yi Lan Hospital. He hurriedly headed towards Hou Wei Yan's office and he lingered his eyes for any suspicious person. While he was looking behind him, he suddenly noticed everyone staring ahead of him.

As though starstruck, they stood in their places while gazing in awe at the entities who walked out of Hou Wei Yan's office. He hurriedly turned his gaze ahead of him and almost had a heart attack at what he saw.

There stood in the hallway, two beautiful women smiling while gazing warmly at one another. The blonde woman was clearly their Lady Boss and the person with her, the redheaded woman with refined features, is unmistakably the one he's been looking for all these years.

Hou Wei Yan gave Xiaolian one last hug with a smile on her face. "I'll visit you soon, Xiaolian. I'll try to bring my siblings so Yingjie can have a playmate"

Makio's ears were sharp and thus he heard everything Hou Wei Yan mumbled. He immediately hid in the corner while clenching his chest as he processed the information he just received. [Xiaolian? Yingjie?!]

"I'll look forward to it, Wei Wei" Cao Xiaolian mumbled as she turned her heels and began walking away with a grin on her face. Cao Yingjie will feel ecstatic once he hears this good news.

Hou Wei Yan waved at Cao Xiaolian and worriedly gazed at her. "Be careful on your way back"

"I will" she replied as she finally disappeared from her sight. She returned to her cold and businesswoman demeanor as she took a turn towards the Elevator.

But before she could reach the elevator, a hand reached out to her and pulled her towards the staircase. Before she could even react, the door was shut close with a loud bang.

She flinched when her back landed on the cold cemented wall. The pain in her back immediately surged the anger within her. She gathered her courage and glared at the culprit of her pain. "What the he---Shun?!"

"I was right. It was you" Makio mumbled angrily. He wasn't mistaken. The woman who caused the malfunction, the woman who Hou Wei Yan refers to as one of her best friends, the mother of Cao Yingjie, and the woman hiding behind Fang's protection is none other than his woman. "Shino"

Hearing such a name made Cao Xiaolian shake her head. The name belongs to her but now it sounds so foreign and it feels like it no longer belongs to her.

And the reason why she had to forgo such a name is standing right in front of her and shamelessly pinning her on the wall. His pale complexion was still the same and so does his physique.

He never changed despite his old age of 36 and her anger for him never subsided as well. "I never expected you'd come here by yourself. You didn't hide behind the screens this time, huh?"

"Shino" Makio warmly called out before he hugged her tightly and buried himself in her shoulders. Something inside Cao Xiaolian surged the moment he did this. She doesn't know whether it was anger or the stupid love she buried deep in her heart resurfacing again. No matter what, she didn't have enough strength to push him yet as his embrace pulled her back to the past. "Why did you suddenly disappear, Shino?"

.....

A few years ago...

The Bei Family was known for its huge and wide businesses which placed them at the pinnacle of the Ducal Houses. Their achievements made them eligible to enter the Regal Families. Their power continued to strengthen as they entered the Military and became the well-known Families dominating it at that time.

But behind such a glorious facade is darkness only a few people know.

They managed Lorn Westeria, an organization geared toward eradicating other Families who threaten the Bei Family's position and used on illegal transactions that made the family wealthier than ever. This organization forced others to fear their family and because of their strong foothold in the Military, those who knew of their secret kept shut whatever they know and were forced to turn a blind eye. It was an indestructible organization for it was managed for a hundred years by each chosen leader of their Family.

Bei Jin Lin, the current head of Lorn Westeria and the beloved Grandfather of Ji Li Zhao, suddenly brought in a young child, rugged and filled with wounds and scratches. Her red hair attracted all of their attraction which caused Bei Jin Lin's introduction to become easier. "This is Shino. She will be one of our members now so treat her as your own sibling"

The others saluted at him and accepted the child without hesitation. "Yes, boss"

That child was Ieiri Shino, the young Japanese IT genius who soon made Lorn Westeria a terrifying organization no one should ever dare cross. She can hack anything and be considered the best person when it comes to information and technology.

Her abilities were unrivaled and because she was flexible and grew up with the rest of the members, she became one of their core members. She was their Little Miss and she reigned over the IT Team as their indestructible Queen.

A few years of her reign, another genius was taken in and that was Shun Makio. Shino taught him everything there is to IT and soon, Makio acquired a big role in the organization. He was a shy little boy at first but because of Shino and the rest of the team, Makio soon found himself calling them his family.

Together, the two fortified Lorn Westeria's defenses and made their information gathering a system everyone is envious of. Their compatibility with one another caused plenty of teasing from the members. Their teasing caused the beginning of Shino's destruction.

"Oh? So, Shino and Shun are a thing now?" Bei Jin Lin asked as soon as Shino and Makio came clean to him and asked for his blessing in their relationship. He was more than glad to see the two kids he nurtured become happy under his turf. "That's great news isn't it?"

"Master, please stop teasing us" Shino grumbled as she blushed at Bei Jin Lin's teasing smile. She had always looked up to him as her father so hearing such words from him suddenly made her bashful.

"Shino being shy is so cute" Bei Jin Lin said as he laughed. After his laughter died down, he urged the ten-year-old child sitting quietly on the couch and secretly observing them come closer to him. The child obeyed immediately and smiled politely at the two. "By the way, this is Ji Li Zhao, my grandson. I will be training him as my successor so pay attention to him"

Shino and Makio looked at one another in confusion. Ji Li Zhao was born to Bei Jin Lin's youngest daughter, Bei Qing Qing and he was neither his only grandson nor his first. So why would he appoint him as the successor when his first grandson, Bei Zixin, also holds a promising future?

They doubted his choices but as they were only his subordinates, they have to respect his choices. "As you wish, Master"

"I'm Ji Li Zhao. Please take care of me" Ji Li Zhao introduced. The Ji Li Zhao in front of them was but a child who was not yet tainted by the bloody world of his ancestors. He still had the air of innocence and warmness around him and they felt that he was out of place.

They may seem like cheerful individuals but they were only like this to mask the blood tainting their being.

Nevertheless, Shino accepted him warmly knowing well that her master is trying to change the bloody organization his ancestors created. She figured out that perhaps, the cute little kid in front of her is the key their master was looking for all these years. "Please take care of us as well, Young Master"

Bei Jin Lin trained Ji Li Zhao vigorously. He taught him everything there is to learn of the world and made him take control of his emotions. He was placed under extreme trials which caused him to lose his childishness and made him accept the painful reality he just received with his first love. At the age of ten, the best friend he adored was suddenly lost to him because of his carelessness. Wanting to become more mature and acquire the strength to protect her, Ji Li Zhao accepted his Grandparent's arrangements and took Xing Mei Yi's advice to momentarily stay away from Hou Wei Yan to make her live a normal life.

Even though he was forgotten, Ji Li Zhao still used Hou Wei Yan as his motivation to move forward and accept his Grandfather's offer of handling Lorn Westeria and cleansing it alongside him.

The child became the young master of Lorn Westeria but his position didn't last long. For Lorn Westeria suddenly disappeared and their home base, burn to ashes.

Bei Jin Lin and his members survived, but the Great Elder no longer wants to rebuild his fallen organization. Instead, he handed the reigns to his grandson, Ji Li Zhao, and allowed him to build his own organization.

An organization opposite to the ones his ancestors ruled.

Palisades.

A fence or defensive wall made from iron or wooden stakes, or tree trunks, and used as a defensive structure or enclosure.

That was the name chosen by the young child who wants nothing but to protect what he has. They changed their purpose and began aiming their strength at eradicating the evildoers and protecting the nation instead of building up their wealth. They began eradicating those who did unspeakable crimes and began helping the Military catch criminals they cannot easily trifle with.

The past members of Lorn Westeria joined his organization. Except for the young child, Bei Jin Lin took in, Ieiri Shino.

Shino decided it was time to settle in. The man who saved her, the man who took her in and cared for her was no longer the ruler, so she found herself at loss. She didn't want to join Palisades and wished to only treasure Lorn Westeria.

"I want to live as Ieiri Shino, not Einstein. I want to love and build a family of my own without the need of hiding behind a codename" these were the very words she said in front of Ji Li Zhao. He wanted to keep her on the team because he knew just how powerful she is, but he knew better than to keep a leash on his subordinates. When he created the organization, he promised them they could leave whenever they want and their opinions will never be regarded as useless and unimportant.

Because of her decision, Shun Makio became the pillar of Palisades' IT department. He built his own group and solidified the new organization. He became busier than ever. He dedicated himself to the organization and found fault in Shino who refused to enter Palisades.

"I told you, I don't want to join and young master accepted that! Why can't you accept it as he did?!" Ieri Shino shouted as soon as Makio began bringing up such a topic while they were eating in their apartment.

Makio angrily looked at her as he placed down his chopsticks to counterattack her sudden outburst. "Palisades is still Lorn Westeria so why can't don't you just join?! I want to work with you again and fight with you by my side"

"Shun, I don't want to fight anymore" Shino said as she settled back down on her chair. She was a part of Lorn Westeria. She grew up in it and fought bloody battles with her comrades. She stayed because of the debt she has for Bei Jin Lin but she was already sick of everything. Now that she has a choice for escape, she won't miss it. "I want to live"

"Do you think that by not joining Palisades, your identity is safe?! All the crimes you did using that hand can no longer be erased! Why are you stopping now!?" Makio suddenly exclaimed making Shino look at him in anger.

"Because I'm tired! And Father is no longer the one leading the organization" she honestly stated as she toppled up his outburst. They never fought in the past but everything changed when she declined the offer of joining Palisades. She tried to understand him countless times, thinking that perhaps the workload is getting into him, but his repetitive outburst towards her is making her hotheaded as well. "I don't want to join and replace my memories of Lorn Westeria. That place was my home and you will never understand that because you joined in when everything was falling apart!"

"Don't speak like that to me! Lorn Westeria was also my home and I witnessed how great of a leader Master Bei Jin Lin is!" Makio remarked, not liking what she just said. "Ji Li Zhao is still young but he has a bright future ahead of him. He will bring Palisades to the top again so just stop resisting and join me"

"I won't and if you don't respect that then you're not respecting me as a person as well" she replied back as she pulled out their engagement ring and slammed it on the table."We better end this bullshits now!"

She looked at Makio, her eyes filled with anger and resentment before she stormed out of the room.

Shino was someone who sticks with her decision and Makio knows that. She left the house that day and decided to wander off. But no matter how much she rationalizes her thoughts, it always ends up with Makio's sullen face.

They had never fought like this in the past, that must be why Bei Jin Lin was wary of their relationship.

Both of them can't handle a fight and their pride always gets the best of them.

That night, unable to answer her questions, she returned home to settle it again. If things don't end well, she was already set on leaving.

"Shun?" she called out as she entered the apartment. When there was no reply, Shino decided to fully enter the place and ended up venturing towards their room. To her utter surprise, someone was occupying it and the noise their making is making her head and heart hurt.

Lewd noises came from their room and Shino stood outside petrified as words she had never heard from him before echoed in their apartment. "Shit. Why are you so good at this?"

"I was reserving myself for you all this time" the man said in between his moans and panting. Tears began flowing down her cheeks the moment he said such words and her heart was torn to pieces.

"That bastard" she mumbled in both pain and anger. She had always loathed cheating bastards so without hesitation, she took all of her belongings and left without a word. Before their relationship, she had always told him that if he ever cheats on her, she would leave and never appear in front of him again.

So without looking back or thinking things through again, Ieiri Shino left Shun Makio.

She had always hated cheaters and she told him that countless times. Because of cheating, her family was destroyed. Her mother left her and was replaced by an evil stepmother. If Bei Jin Lin didn't save her back then, she could have been beaten to death just because she ate the portion of the meal meant for her stepsister.

But that decision made her feel stupid as she looks at the pregnancy test in her hands. She's pregnant and she needs to raise it by herself!

"Miss, are you okay?" someone asked from behind her as she vomited in the sink. She's currently inside the comfort room of a park. She decided to run away from China and hid in the huge and bustling country of America. The pregnancy test she was holding on earlier was thrown away in the trashcan as she tries to plan out her next actions.

Shino shrugged the woman's hands holding her shoulders. "I'm fine"

"No, you're not" she blurted out worriedly as she looked at her complexion. She was as white as snow and her lips were turning paler by the second. "You're pale"

"I told you, I'm---"

The woman's eyes widened in surprise as the stranger staggered and collapsed in her arms. She gently caressed her face in hopes of waking her up but to no avail. "Miss!"

It was already dark outside by the time Shino woke up. She was lying in a bed and there was a brunette woman sitting beside her, worriedly gazing at her as she began to sit up. The woman offered her fruits with a smile on her face. "Here, eat some so you won't feel weak again"

"Where did you take me?!" Shino asked as she lingers her gaze around the room. The place looked so exquisite and luxurious so it never came to her that she was inside a Hospital.

"You're in the hospital" the woman said as she smiled at her. The room belongs to her and where Shino lays is nothing but a visitor's bed in the gigantic room her mother prepared. "I'm undergoing treatment here. I was allowed outside earlier when I met you in the comfort room, crying your eyes out"

"You collapsed so I asked my mother to bring you here with me" she added as she peels an apple for her.

Shino looked at the woman strangely but she never dared suspect her of doing this with an evil intention. The woman was beautiful but she looked so fragile and vulnerable in her current skinny state. Even though she was sick herself, she still helped her so there is nothing but gratitude in her heart right now. "Thank you"

"I heard the doctor's diagnosis earlier" the woman suddenly remarked after she managed to empty out the plate of fruits she prepared and carefully peeled herself. She glanced worriedly at Shino as she stared at her stomach. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine now" Shino replied, not willing to open up to her regarding her pregnancy. She was already set on raising the child alone and never appear in front of Makio. The next thing she needs to do is find a job and research how to safely go through with this pregnancy.

"Oh, by the way, my name is Hou Wei Yan" the woman enthusiastically introduced herself. She then beamed Shino a warm smile no one could ever resist. "What's yours?"

Something inside Shino's head immediately clicked the moment she heard her name. She was always with Ji Li Zhao during his training and the little kid opened up to her regarding what he went through and how he ended up in his Grandfather's place.

Shino thought to herself, [Hou Wei Yan? Ji Li Zhao's lover?!]

"What's wrong?" Hou Wei Yan suddenly asked when she saw the confusion written on the woman's face.

"Nothing" she immediately replied and dismissed her suspicious gaze. Now fully decided on leaving her past identity, Shino smiled and introduced herself to the new identity she managed to acquire. "I'm Cao Xiaolian"

Hou Wei Yan smiled at her and offered the woman a handshake that she accepted warmly and without any form of hesitance. "Nice to meet you, Cao Xiaolian"

Shino—now Cao Xiaolian, smiled alongside the woman and her mind began wondering about Hou Wei Yan. [This woman...why am I suddenly drawn to her?!]

Because of that simple encounter, Hou Wei Yan became a part of Shino's life. The 31 years old maiden, Ieiri Shino became the young single parent, Cao Xiaolian. When she found out about her circumstances, Hou Wei Yan offered her a home and together they raised Cao Yingjie.

Raising her child together allowed Shino to have a glimpse of Hou Wei Yan's agony.

She realized that just as how she was facing some struggles, others are fighting their own hard battles as well. Some fighting a less bloody one, and some, fighting great battles.

"Wei Wei, I'm planning on returning to China" she suddenly said one day as she tends to the now 3 years old Cao Yingjie.

Hou Wei Yan looked at her with confusion. She stopped washing the plates Cao Yingjie used and began to seriously look at Cao Xiaolian. "Huh? But you said your ex is there?"

"It's okay" she replied back fully knowing what concerns Hou Wei Yan. "Thanks to you, I now have the courage to face any obstacles life may bring"

"Xiaolian" she still called out worriedly. After a second of silence, she decided to leave the sink and face her head-on. "What are you planning?"

"I'm going to build my own company" she confidently said. She did a few jobs after she gave birth but all of it was thanks to Xing Mei Yi's interference and recommendations. The more Cao Yingjie grows, the more the finances grow. She didn't want to burden Xing Mei Yi anymore who was busy enough helping the Xing Empire and monitoring Hou Wei Yan's unstable condition. She wants to raise Cao Yingjie with the money she earned through her skills and hard work. "I will show you how far I can reach with this gift"

"Don't do that for me" Hou Wei Yan suddenly said as she hugged Cao Xiaolian. She didn't like how Cao Xiaolian phrased her words.

"Please do that for yourself. Reach for your dreams" Hou Wei Yan whispered in her ears with a huge smile on her face. She praised her talents countless times to help her realize her gift. Whatever future she envisions, it needs to revolve around her and her son. "Your dreams, not mine"

"Wei Wei" ao Xiaolian called out as she glanced at her and her son who were busy nibbling the fruity cookies they created for him. A smile made its way to her face before she hugged her back. In her mind—Hou Wei Yan used to only exist as Ji Li Zhao's lover, but after all these years, she's now her precious best friend. "Once I reached it, please be there to congratulate me"

"Of course!" Hou Wei Yan happily stated as she parted enthusiastically with Cao Xiaolian. "I will cheer you on and won't miss such an event!"

Both of them smiled at one another but they were suddenly interrupted when Cao Yingjie decided to run around and make a mess of the kitchen with the chocolates he managed to seize while they were busy hugging each other.

.....

"I didn't disappear, Shun Makio" Cao Xiaolian mumbled before he pushed him away from him. She didn't entirely disappear. In fact, she was always with Hou Wei Yan but he didn't even bother to check most probably because Ji Li Zhao didn't have the guts to see her while she was still in therapy. Not looking hard enough is Makio's fault and he missed 8 years because of it. "You just didn't look hard enough"