HER SISTER-IN-LAW

While Zhong Feng looked around and doubted the condition of his eyes, Hu Lei had snuck into a lingerie shop. As a modern woman, she knew that she should not feel embarrassed about such purchases. However, she did not know how to be casual about it. Luckily, she had maxed out her sneak skills. She could be invisible if she wanted.

With formerly unseen efficiency, she picked out the goods she needed, placing them into her basket with careless haste. She did not want to be found before she could finish her mission. It would be more embarrassing if Zhong Feng discovered her because he would find out the reason she had disappeared.

If that were to happen… it would have been better if she had directly brought him with her. She could only sigh in relief after the slow cashier packed her goods. Without further ado, she rushed back to the still confused Zhong Feng.

"Looking for someone?" She asked with a light laugh, appearing behind him.

He turned to her with a disapproving look on his face.

"Where did you go?" He inquired with those glorious orbs looking right into her soul.

"I thought I saw someone I know." Her response left a feeling of guilt in her heart.

"Mmmh… So you did not sneak off to buy some intimate goods because you were afraid of bringing it up?" His usually cold eyes held deep amusement.

Hu Lei's face flushed in embarrassment at the words. He knew! She checked her shopping bag and found it was as she had requested: non-descript. How had he known? Unfortunately for her, she confirmed his suspicions by looking at her bag. His question had been a simple guess based on his understanding of her.

"How did you disappear like that?" He could not figure it out.

Happy that Zhong Feng was not going to embarrass her further, Hu Lei sighed in relief.

"A beautiful magician never reveals her secrets." Her upturned nose and smug smile was both exasperating and amusing.

"In that case…" She felt the weight of her shopping bag disappear and her small hand captured in a large warm one. "We can't have you sneaking off again, can we?"

Hu Lei felt completely defeated because of the double loss she had dealt herself by running off. More importantly, she did not know how to respond to the current predicament. All she could focus on was the powerful hand gently but firmly holding hers. She took a deep breath and tried to will the redness from her face. She would be damned if she would show any embarrassment or shame.

"Where would you like to go next?" The man beside her asked after making sure she was not distressed by his familiar action.

"I have always wanted a super large TV." She smiled with anticipation, deciding to not focus on their joined hands.

With a clear destination, Zhong Feng pulled her alongside him. As they walked, Hu Lei discovered that there was a benefit of having her hand held. She could check out the stores and goods without worrying about tripping. Regrettably, by looking at other places rather than forward when walking, she was caught unawares by some unfriendly persons.

"Feng'er, I did not know that you were planning on shopping today." A gentle female voice startled Hu Lei who was stretching her neck to see if a certain dress on display would fit her.

"Hello, President Zhong." A sweet and shy female voice followed.

She knew those two voices, Hu Lei thought as she faced them grudgingly. As expected, it was Zhong Mian and Jian Ru. They looked harmonious, carrying a few shopping bags. She could not help frowning. What were they doing together? While she did not care for them, she was definitely wary about two people who did not like her joining forces.

Zhong Feng nodded perfunctorily at the pair. Deep in his eyes, there was a cold light. After some investigation, he had determined the truth of the events that had occurred on the night of the gala. How could he be pleased to see this employee? The only reason he had not acted was because of Hu Lei. Her exact words were: don't you think it's interesting?

"Hu Lei, I did not see you there. How have you been?" Jian Ru turned to her after failing to elicit a response from the powerful man.

In her eyes, a cocktail of emotion brewed, creating a crazy storm within. She felt jealous at the obvious closeness between the CEO and this small interpreter. She felt anger because she could not kill the woman immediately. She also felt regret at buying the drug that brought them together. If she had known, she would have used it in another way.

"Oh, Jin Rei, I didn't see you there. I am in great shape. But you seem a little sick. Did you eat something bad?" Hu Lei spoke cheerfully.

Jian Ru felt her face darken, and her hands formed tight fists, almost breaking her skin. If they were alone, she would have slapped the slut's face. She would flay that skin and feed her to the dogs. Her eyes became even crazier but her smile remained.

"Hu Lei, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have heard a lot of about you." The other woman pressed down on her dislike and spoke to the witch clinging to her brother.

"Blemished tales, I am sure." Hu Lei laughed lightly while looking with amusement at Jian Ru.

Lacking a way to keep talking to this shameless woman, Zhong Mian could only turn to her brother. He looked as apathetic as usual even as he kept a possessive hold on a delicate hand. His other hand held a simple shopping bag. As a regular at that certain shop, she was not ignorant about the type of contents concealed in the innocuous bag.

Had their relationship advanced even more since the gala incident? She gnashed her teeth in frustration, almost causing her carefully constructed expression to crumble. How could her brother not see that she was using despicable means to enslave him? If this continued, she was afraid that the evil woman would become her sister-in-law!