Chapter 1450 - Are You Free Now?

“Ah Ning, are you for real?. Have you been living under a rock all your life? Please don’t tell me you don’t know about the IRS. Never mind. You probably have been living under one.” Xiao Qiu lamented.

Heaving a sigh, Xiao Qiu began, “The IRS is the most prestigious family in the world. Mr Brown was born in the 1940s. Back then, he was touted as a revolutionary; A man beyond his time. He was only sixteen when he started his business. In just two years, he had garnered as much wealth as a country. However, when he was twenty, he gave up everything and devoted himself to the ideals of international law and charity. By the time he was forty, no door was closed to him. Every country wanted the honour of him visiting them.”

The kind of power he wielded was unfathomable to Lu Ning.

A profound respect for Mr Brown welled up from the deep recesses of Lu Ning’s being. The rich were a dime a dozen in the world, but too few of them possessed a heart of gold like Mr Brown.

People like Mr Brown, who passionately pursued their ambitions, were those worthy of respect.

“Ah Ning, who do you think the new Chief of the IRS is?” Xiao Qiu asked excitedly.

Lu Ning had no clue.

Her heart skipped a beat, “How… how would I know…?”

“Ah Ning, the whole world is on tenterhooks guessing who Mr Brown’s successor is. His successor must be a genius! It seems the new Chief has not let Mr Brown down. The drug lord codenamed ‘Ah Fu’ had operations spanning much of China and its neighbours. Had the cartel been left unchecked, the organisation would have successfully broken new ground in South Africa, opening more avenues for them to launder money. It’s a relief the new Chief managed to put a stop to it all, crushing Ah Fu’s schemes before they could come to fruition.”

Lu Ning’s heart raced, a premonition striking her. Could it be him? Was he the new Chief of the IRS?

She did not expect to find herself confronted with such a revelation so early in the morning. It was shocking, to say the least.

“Ann and her father were arrested on the President’s yacht. Do you think he’s in trouble too? I hope not. That would be the greatest misfortune imaginable.”

Lu Ning could not keep off the smirk that touched her lips. “There’s nothing to worry about, Xiao Qiu. He will be fine.”

“Ah Ning, how can you be so sure?”

“I have confidence in him.”

“Haha! Is that fondness I’m sensing in your words? Oh Ah Ning, are you in love?”

Lu Ning blushed. Trying her best to keep a straight face, she said, “Xiao Qiu, if you’re not careful, this will be the last time we speak to each other. One more word out of you, and I won’t speak to you ever again! I’m going back to sleep. Stop disturbing me.”

“Okay, okay. I won’t tease you anymore. Go back and enjoy your beauty sleep, you big slob.” Xiao Qiu chirped playfully.

…

Lu Ning hung up on her cheeky colleague, not wanting to continue their conversation. Laying back on the bed, she stared at the ceiling, unsure of what to think. Sleep was not an option; she was too excited to sleep.

Her mind was full of Yin Zhihan’s handsome face. Yesterday afternoon, he had sent them back to shore, taking no objections from her. That very night was when the raid took place. He had done it all to keep her safe.

When would he come looking for her?

Lu Ning fiddled with her phone, idly expecting it to light up at any moment. Zhihan had told her to wait for his call, and so she obeyed. Yet, it did not make the wait any easier on her. Time slowed to a crawl.

The day passed in excruciating silence. He had not called her.

Lu Ning felt her hopes deflate like a rubber ball to the point whereby they disappeared completely.

Zhihan was probably busy managing the aftermath. He would come looking for her when he was done. Lu Ning comforted herself with this firm belief.

The next day, Lu Ning woke up. As she was brushing her teeth in the bathroom, her phone rang.

Ah!

Lu Ning jumped up in fright, nearly dropping her toothbrush in the process. Rushing out of the bathroom, she scrambled for her phone. It was a number she recognised. Yin Zhihan was calling her.

“… Hello?” Lu Ning answered the phone hestiantly.

“Haha!” The sound of Zhihan’s magnetic laughter sounded from the other end of the line. Cheerfully, he asked, “What’s the matter? Have I kept you waiting?”

Lu Ning’s heart thrummed in a rising crescendo. She felt embarrassed and quickly denied, “Hah! No, I wasn’t waiting for your call. Don’t flatter yourself!”

“Ah-ha,” Zhihan snorted, deciding to play along for the moment. Lu Ning was cute in that way. “Are you free now?”

“Excuse me?” Lu Ning felt the corners of her mouth twitch, threatening to widen into a smile; A soft and sweet smile.