Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

Matthew slowly trudged towards Jimmy, who was glued to the floor. He stopped in front of Jimmy and extended his arm to help him up.

Jimmy just looked up in astonishment, his gaze alternating between Matthew's hand and that pair of russet eyes. After one large gulp, Jimmy cleared his throat and reached out to him. It only took one helpful pull for Jimmy to get back on his feet.

To his surprise, as soon as he did, Matthew forcefully grabbed him by the collar. "Young Master 

Xi?" Stunned by the sudden aggression, Jimmy stared at the now cold pair of russet eyes that emanated killing intent.

Meanwhile, Cecil, who was taking a peek of what was going on, witnessed what happened and could not help but let his eyes widen. "What -- what's going on?" He muttered under his breath.

"Three days ago I was instructed by someone to apologise on the behalf of someone, Mr. Feng." His tone lacked emotion, his russet orbs fixed on the pair of shocked eyes staring back at him. "So, my apologies, Master Feng." Aside from Matthew, no one knew what he was talking about.

At the same time, Dredd let out a muffled roar as his eyes glared at Jimmy. "Yo — Young Master Xi..." On the verge of weeping, Jimmy's entire body shuddered. 

He didn't know if Matthew was just toying with him. However, Jimmy didn't like the twisted aura exuding from that pair of russet eyes. It was as if Matthew would blow the light of his candle; ending his long yet short life just because he wanted to. 

"I hope we're good now." Matthew slowly let him go, taking a step back before shifting his head towards Cecil. "Don Cecil, why are you still on the floor? You make me look bad." He said, sighing as he shook his head nonchalantly. 

"Uh!" Cecil snapped, immediately assisting himself up from his pitiful pose. "I'm sorry, Young Master Xi." His mouth involuntarily moved, asking for his forgiveness for something Cecil didn't even know. 

"Mhmm," Matthew nodded his head, shoving his hands inside his pockets. "Paul, why don't you assist our guests to the garden?" He turned to Paul. His ever reliable assistant just bowed his head slightly as an acknowledgment to the order. 

"This way, please." Paul gestured, darting his head from Cecil to Jimmy. The latter was still traumatized, barely keeping his wits together. 

"Jim!" As Cecil followed Paul, he turned his head back sensing that Jimmy didn't budge a muscle. 

With that not so loud shout, Jimmy snapped from his trance. "Uh?"

"Come on!" Obviously annoyed, Cecil commanded through his gritted teeth. "This guy — how can he be so stupid sometimes?!" He mumbled irritably, having the urge to throw a huge fit and discipline Jimmy. 

However, they were still at Matthew Xi's mansion. Therefore, they should behave themselves. Cecil was well-aware that the owner of this place hated people who lose their composure and disrupt the peace inside his manor. 

They just escaped death. They couldn't push their luck further — especially Jimmy who thought that he had got over his head and offended someone who was close to the eccentric Young Master of the Xi Family. 

Little did Cecil know, the person Matthew was mentioning about was the one and only Zoey. Matthew, although it seemed like he had let it go, couldn't. He barely slept these previous three nights thinking whether Zoey was in greater danger or not.

*****

"I heard you had a meeting today?" Matthew asked, raising his gaze to the two men sitting across him. "Master Feng, please have some tea and enjoy the ambiance in my garden. I usually come here when I need to think and keep my composure together." Upon noticing that Jimmy was still in his daze, he spoke out of pure hospitality. 

Meanwhile, Cecil who could sense the sudden wall between Matthew and him had the urge to regain the latter's trust. "Uh, yes!" 

After clearing his throat, Cecil added. "If Young Master Xi is worried that the blackmailing is still an issue, I assure you in my name that I've settled it." He reassured, nodding his head as he shot Matthew a determined look. 

"Oh?" Matthew raised his right brow, his eyes glinted. "How?" He probed further, curious how Zoey settled her deal. 

To be fair, Matthew could ask Zoey. However, he knew that Zoey wouldn't just detail everything. Therefore, he chose to ask the other involved party instead. 

In other words, he wanted to gossip and admire Zoey. If... she didn't cower in fear and get threatened by this easy bunch of two. 

"Uh..." Momentarily, Cecil was baffled why Matthew was now asking for details. Although Cecil had swore an oath for transparency, Matthew rarely bothered with details. 

It was usually Paul Qian who would pay attention to details. But now, Matthew, himself was probing for details. Since Cecil knew that Jimmy f*cked up big time, he shrugged his curiosity at the back of his mind and cleared his throat for the nth time. 

"She wanted to close a deal with Feng Estate — I gave her three projects to work on." In a matter-of-fact tone, Cecil didn't beat around the bush as he explained. 

Staring at Matthew's reaction, Cecil's brows twitched. 'He's not interested?' He wondered, pondering whether this young man was just joking previously or whether this wasn't the answer he was looking for. 

"Errr, she also asked me for a favor." Uncertain if this information would pique the man's interest, Cecil studied his countenance but to no avail. Matthew's expression rarely changed. Even if he smiled at some events, the coldness in his eyes remained. 

"A favor?" His right brow arched, interested to know what kind of favor Zoey had asked for. 

"She said she's expecting a cargo in three months. She wanted me to pull some strings so that cargo will enter the pier without getting checked." Cecil nodded his head, furrowing his brows as he looked away and pondered. 

"Although I said I won't check it, I'm afraid it's a container of the same goods as mine. She might want to start a business and compete. She's very cunning, after all." Cecil rubbed his chin, getting relaxed as he contemplated the container that Zoey was expecting. 

There's only a limited number of goods that needed huge bribery and other means to get the cargo slipped inside the country. It could be smuggled weapons, other stuff that was stolen, or drugs. 

Cecil couldn't think of anything else rather than drugs. After all, that's the most profitable trade these days. It was dangerous but the money that flows in the said industry was huge. 

"I see..." Matthew nodded his head, the side of his lips curled into a smirk. "Tell me more about your observation about her." He added, returning his gaze back to the contemplating Cecil. 

"Ohh... to be honest, Young Master Xi, Miss Zhou has a lot of potential." Since Cecil felt comfortable as the air surrounding Matthew eventually felt lighter, he could speak his mind aloud comfortably. 

"Mhmm,"

"Yes, she even infiltrated my base's system — that's why I had to close a deal with her. I know this might not be the only copy, but she's clever enough not to push her luck further. Haha!" Cecil chuckled, recalling how amused he was at Zoey's preparedness as she pushed him to the edge. 

He left her with no choice but to sit down and listen to her demands. How commendable for a no name like her! 

"Ain't she interesting?" Matthew smirked, his eyes twinkled upon getting the grasp of what she had done.. Knowing Cecil, he wouldn't blurt things out, especially praises if he didn't truly think she's commendable.