Avril's father
Where are you going? Avril clung tightly to Xia Fei's arm as she asked nervously.
Xia Fei smiled and gently stroked Avril's golden hair a few times. Your father and second uncle want to talk to me. I'll be right back.
Pang Xing hurriedly turned his head to the side, trying his best to ignore the ambiguous relationship between Xia Fei and Avril. He had watched Avril grow up, so he naturally had very special feelings for her. In the real world of the universe, it would be an irreparable loss for Starlink Corporation if Avril married a nobody like Xia Fei instead of the other rich and powerful families.
However, Pang Xing, like his father, also wanted Avril to be happy. The two complicated conflicts intertwined, making his heart a mess, and he did not know what to make of it.
You mustn't go! Avril hugged Xia Fei even tighter when she heard that her father was looking for Xia Fei.
"My second uncle is fine, but my father strongly disapproves of us being together. The reason why you can't find me is because of my father. Just ignore them," Avril said angrily. She was clearly still angry at her father. "That's right.
Xia Fei pinched Avril's pink cheeks. Dont worry; Ill be right back. He's still your father, after all.
Avril reluctantly let go, and Xia Fei followed Pang Xing out of the pavilion. After walking along a winding path for about ten minutes, they arrived at the back of a rockery. Two middle-aged men were already waiting there, and there was a very imposing black hovercar parked by the side of the road.
Behind the rockery was a table and two chairs, with a few plates of fruits and tea on the table. A man in his forties was sitting there, his eyes fixed on Xia Fei.
He had a determined face and a broad chin. His eyes were bright and full of expression. He was not tall, but he had broad shoulders, giving off a trustworthy vibe. His gray suit was very fitting, the typical attire of a successful man.
Beside him was a middle-aged man of similar age. He was sitting in a hoverchair, his lower body amputated. He was wearing casual clothes and had a slight smile on his face as he squinted at Xia Fei.
Im Newman, Avril's father. This is my brother, Avril's second uncle, Barty, the middle-aged man introduced.
Barty nodded at Xia Fei from his wheelchair as a form of greeting.
Avril's second uncle was fine, but her father was a little too stiff. He had to be so serious even when he greeted Avril.
Im Xia Fei. Nice to meet the two of you, Xia Fei said politely.
"Please have a seat." Avrils father pointed at the chair opposite him, indicating for Xia Fei to sit down and talk. Pang Xing nodded at his master and quickly left. It was obvious that today's conversation was not suitable for outsiders to be present.
Xia Fei pulled over a chair and sat down. He lit a Hongtashan cigarette for himself and asked, "May I know why the two of you are looking for me?"
Newman poured a cup of tea and handed it to Xia Fei. Were it not for you, Avrils wouldve fallen into the hands of those kidnappers. Us brothers came here today to thank you for saving Avrils life.
"Thank you." Newman and Barton bowed deeply toward Xia Fei, their attitude quite humble.
Xia Fei took the teacup and took a sip. "Avrils and I are friends. I only did what I was supposed to do, so theres no need for you to be so polite. Right, have you caught the mastermind?"
Newman shook his head, looking somewhat dejected. "Unfortunately, though the capital's police are doing their best to investigate, they have yet to find the mastermind behind these kidnappers. Our Jian family has always been upright and upright, so just who would want to kidnap my daughter? How despicable!"
Barty patted Newman on the shoulder and comforted him. "Brother, dont worry. This is the capital. With so many bodyguards and the protection of the police, nothing will happen to Avrils."
Xia Fei thought about it for a moment before telling his analysis to Avrils father and second uncle. Newman listened and said, "Our Starlink Corporation has monopolized the entire Alliance's internet system. There are bound to be competitors, but none of them have the ability to compete with us. The family has been operating the interplanetary internet for so long, and it wasn't something that happened overnight. If we didnt build the interplanetary internet, the entire Alliance's communications will be paralyzed."
Xia Fei nodded. "I know how important the interplanetary internet is in the Alliance, but the enemy might not have made a grudge against you because of this business. Given how big Starlink Corporation is, you must have other businesses, right?"
Newman was slightly surprised. Xia Fei was right. Starlink Corporation was a huge company, and they did have many other businesses aside from their main business, such as mining, machinery, and even firearms. The company was just not as influential as the interplanetary internet, so if there was any friction, it could very well be because of these businesses.
He secretly made up his mind to thoroughly investigate all the business dealings of the company when he got back.
Newman nodded in agreement with Xia Fei's conjecture, but he did not continue the topic. After all, he was just an outsider, and it was normal for Newman to not want to talk about his company with an outsider. As for the Jian family, he did not even mention a word about it. After all, it was his family's business, and it was not Xia Fei's place to ask.
Xia Fei narrowed his eyes and smiled. He knew that Newman's real goal was not as simple as catching the culprit. He must have something else to say to Xia Fei.
As expected, Newman and Barty looked at each other and exchanged glances. Barty appeared to be indifferent, while Newman was quite determined.
Turning to Xia Fei, Newman sternly said, "Xia Fei, everyone in the Jian family is grateful to you for saving Avrils life, but do you know that Avrils is different from you? She is the first successor of the Jian family, so she has a lot of responsibilities."
Xia Fei shook his head. "I didn't know that before, but I do now."
Though Newman looked very serious and honest, he was still a businessman at heart, and he was far more astute than the average person. He just needed to say what he wanted and let Xia Fei figure out the rest.
Xia Fei understood what he meant. He was warning Xia Fei not to get too close to Avrils, and everyone knew the reason.
Acting like he did not understand, Xia Fei said, "That is indeed the case. Many eyes are watching Avrils, so we must be more careful with her safety. Hopefully, something like a kidnapping will never happen again."
Newman knitted his eyebrows, feeling somewhat suspicious. From the information he had gathered, Xia Fei should not be a fool. Everything he had done over the years could be described as astute, so there was no way he could not understand what he meant. Could he be just brushing him off?
Barty, who was beside him, chuckled, looking indifferent. It was as if he did not object to Xia Fei and Avrils being together. Xia Fei was slightly surprised, and he began to observe Barty's every expression out of the corner of his eye.
In any case, since you saved Avrils life, the Jian family has to do something, or else we will be laughed at by the high society. Ive prepared a big gift for you, and I will get someone to give it to you when you leave the capital. Newman used a different method to express his intentions.
His words had two layers of meaning. First, he was telling Xia Fei that they belonged to the high society and were not on the same level as Xia Fei. Second, he was telling Xia Fei that leaving Avrils life would bring him a lot of benefits.
Xia Fei shook his head with a bitter smile, thinking to himself, A businessman will always be a businessman. Even his words are beating around the bush. Are you tired or not?
Standing up, Xia Fei cupped his hands at Newman and Barty. Elders, if there is nothing else, Ill be heading back. Avrils still waiting for me in the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
Barty smiled and waved at Xia Fei. Oh, then go quickly. Dont let Avrils wait too long. That girl has been spoiled by us, so she has quite a temper.
Newman stood up and sighed. Xia Fei, I still hope that you will consider my words seriously.
Xia Fei smiled. There is no need to consider it. Saving Avrils life is part of my duty. As for the gift, I think you can forget about it. If I accept it, my brothers will look down on me and think that I am a greedy person.
What he said was ingenious. He rejected Newman's request while maintaining the dignity of both parties so that the Jian family would not look too bad.
With that said, Xia Fei turned around and left without looking back.
Newman sighed as he returned to his seat, looking very dejected. Do you think Xia Fei will accept my offer if I offer a bigger one?
Barty shook his head. I think he is quite determined. Hes probably not going to agree even if you give him a mountain of gold.
Newman was speechless. It was not that he hated Xia Fei. After all, Xia Fei risked everything to save Avrils life, which was not something an ordinary person could do. It was just that he stubbornly believed that a small fry like Xia Fei was not worthy of his daughter. Avrils current was only temporary, and she would definitely regret it when she grew older. As a father, he had to stop this from happening.
That was when Barty suddenly laughed, muttering to himself. Anyone else would not give up. Is there a bigger mountain of gold than Avrils in this world? Xia Fei is a smart man. Of course, he knows how to make the right choice to reap the most benefits.
In the pavilion in the middle of the lake, Avrils was resting her chin on her hands as she waited for Xia Fei. She was feeling a little uneasy, afraid that her father and second uncle would say something to anger him. Avrils, who was already in love, was most afraid that Xia Fei would leave her again. Reality had proven that Xia Fei was indeed someone who could disappear at any time.
Avrils was not worried about her second uncle. Due to his broken legs, Barty was not in charge of the company. He spent his days touring and living a carefree life. He was also a lot more easygoing than her father.
She did not have many opportunities to go out, so chatting with Xia Fei over the interplanetary internet and listening to her second uncle talk about the outside world became Avrils greatest joy. To her, both of them were very good to her, and she enjoyed spending time with Xia Fei and her second uncle.
On the contrary, the word 'father' was very vague in Avril's memory. Due to Newman's busy work, he left Avril in Pang Hai's care. Although Pang Hai provided for her every day, material things were not enough for a child who had yet to grow up.
While Avrils thoughts were running wild in her head, Xia Fei was making his way back along the quiet path.
Dont you think that Avrils second uncle is very strange? Xia Fei asked.
Why do you say that? Phantom was puzzled.
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