Chapter Forty: Waiting Slowly

Las Vegas, one of the four great gambling cities in the world, is often a place where it's impossible not to gamble—because the city itself seems to be a giant casino. Whatever you do here, there’s always an element of risk, a wager, woven into it. Unless you leave or end your life, it’s nearly impossible to avoid the game.

The wealthy, especially, rarely come to Las Vegas without trying their luck at least once. Yet now, there are a few extremely rich men who are able to resist this temptation. In the presidential suite, Otney paced with his protruding belly, breathing heavily. “What’s the meaning of this... He brought us here, then vanished without a word. Not even a note. What is he playing at? Even when his father, Xiao Lin, was around, he never put on such airs!”

Will and Zhou Ao sat quietly. It was already the second day. Though they could handle company affairs online, their schedules were typically booked months in advance. Now, everything had been postponed, and all that remained was to wait.

Will, who had been the nominal richest man in the world for over a decade and actually possessed the wealth to match, had patience—though his silent curses were ten times more vicious than Otney’s. Zhou Ao, raised by his family to be cultivated and resilient, displayed impeccable endurance. Beside him, the snow mountain spring water he had ordered had just boiled. Zhou Ao carefully began to brew his gongfu tea.

As Will perused company documents on his electronic communicator and Zhou Ao brewed tea, Otney’s patience finally snapped. “Chairman, President, we’re not like him. There’s so much to handle at the company, and we haven’t shown our faces for two days. God knows how many news stories are circulating now. Many important matters are delayed. How can this go on?” Otney turned, unable to hold back, addressing Will and Zhou Ao—one his master, the other an aristocratic heir, both his supervisors. He kept his tone controlled.

Will acted as if he hadn’t heard, continuing to review documents with his electronic pen. Zhou Ao, knowing Will was waiting for him to speak first, sighed inwardly—after all, Will was his boss.

The tea was ready. Zhou Ao offered it with both hands, “Chairman, please.”

“Oh… thank you.” Will, startled, smiled and took the cup.

Zhou Ao poured one for Otney, who accepted it with thanks. After everyone had tasted the tea, Zhou Ao spoke. “Otney has a point. This isn’t a solution, but now we can’t contact him. It’s troublesome.” He turned to Will. “Chairman, what do you think?”

Will finally set aside his papers and gently pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses. “This is the new head of the Xiao family’s first meeting with us. All we can do is wait.”

Zhou Ao sneered inwardly. This man wanted to offend no one. If not for the power behind him, Will, the second-largest shareholder of Meihua, would have been ousted long ago. The Zhou family couldn’t surpass the Xiao family, but they could easily deal with Will—if not for his untouchable backer.

“Well, it seems that’s all we can do,” Zhou Ao said, beginning to brew a second round of tea. Will resumed reading his documents. Otney’s eyes bulged, nearly faint with rage, but he dared not utter a word.

Xiao Tianci had spoken with Fang Meng for a long time. Though Fang Meng wasn’t talkative, he answered every question. Xiao Tianci learned much from him, including details about the Ghost.

When the conversation was nearly over, Xiao Tianci told Fang Meng to rest. The plane would continue circling, and tomorrow they’d fly to Las Vegas.

Fang Meng stood, thinking for a moment before speaking. “Boss, it’s been many years, and I know nothing about the Ghost’s current state. Before, even our passive defense was barely enough. I’d like your permission to go on the offensive.”

Xiao Tianci smiled, shaking his head. “I understand, especially since you have to protect me, and I’m not exactly well-behaved. It’s easy to give them an opening.”

Fang Meng, not one for explanations, remained silent. “Boss, it’s like two fighters—if their abilities are similar, just defending leads to defeat. Attack is the best defense.”

He was puzzled. Xiao Tianci had asked so much about the Ghost. The previous incident, though strange, was certainly the Ghost’s doing. Yet after all the questions, Xiao Tianci only wanted him to defend. Was the new family head afraid of death, keeping Fang Meng close? That didn’t make sense—his performance against the Monkey was well known. What did it mean? Did he really want to reconcile with the Ghost? Fang Meng immediately dismissed the idea; even if Xiao Tianci wished it, the Ghost would never agree, not after hating Xiao Lin to death.

Now that Xiao Lin was gone, the Ghost would surely target his son—he’d already warned his boss about this. So why?

Fang Meng stood there, still not fully understanding Xiao Tianci’s decision. But some things weren’t ready to be revealed. Xiao Tianci, skilled in managing people, knew that if subordinates found him completely transparent, trouble would soon follow.

“Ah…” Xiao Tianci stood and stretched. “Honestly, I was fine a moment ago, but now my back aches. I really need to train more. You should teach me sometime.”

Fang Meng nodded. Xiao Tianci, smiling, walked over—his bedroom was inside—and patted Fang Meng’s arm, since reaching his shoulder was difficult.

“Don’t worry. I have confidence in you, and you should have confidence in yourself. Besides, he’ll soon have no time for me. Rest early. Once we wake, we’ll join the others for a good drink. I haven’t met everyone yet.”

With that, Xiao Tianci headed toward the bedroom corridor, suddenly stopping to look back. “Remember, you promised to teach me. I truly want to learn!”