Chapter Seventy-Two: Encounter with the Fire Phoenix Once More

Page 1 of 3

Prodigal Son Without Barriers, Chapter Seventy-Two: Fire Phoenix Appears Again

Zhou Renjie was the head of the Zhou family and the true owner of the third largest share in Meihua Corporation. Although his son Zhou Ao handled all affairs on his behalf, legally, Zhou Ao was merely a caretaker. With his current status, Zhou Renjie’s question to Xiao Tianci was perfectly appropriate. Xiao Tianci smiled and nodded, saying, “Uncle, you’re always so concerned about Meihua. Zhou Ao and I are still young—if we do anything wrong, we’ll need your guidance!”

This result was no surprise to Zhou Renjie; he had expected it. He had reviewed Xiao Tianci’s information many times—even personally looking into details about his childhood friends and their frequent interactions. Most of Xiao Tianci’s prior records were public, and people of Zhou Renjie’s influence could easily access them.

From these documents, he understood Xiao Tianci to be exceptionally intelligent, with a strong drive—someone who always strived to lead, even among a group of three. His determination and achievements, while not reaching genius level, far surpassed the ordinary. Yet, since inheriting his fortune, some of Xiao Tianci’s actions had puzzled Zhou Renjie.

He kept making unexpected moves, so Zhou Renjie had instructed his son to exercise patience, to maintain stability, and not to get involved or entangled.

“Haha... ha... I can’t keep up anymore. This world belongs to you young people now. I’m getting old.”

“Oh, come now! With your health, most fellows in their twenties couldn’t compare to you. Watching you race cars, I’m genuinely impressed.”

“You really know how to talk,” Zhou Renjie laughed, raising his tea for a sip. “Tianci, our two families have been close since my grandfather and your great-grandfather—practically as one family. My generation with your father, even more so. Now it’s up to you and Zhou Ao...” He motioned for Zhou Ao to step forward. “You brothers must support each other from now on.”

“Uncle, rest assured. I’ll definitely learn from Zhou Ao. I was just saying earlier—I’ve been a wild child since I was young. Meihua’s affairs will depend on Zhou Ao in the future.”

Zhou Ao replied with polite words. At that moment, the chief steward standing behind Xiao Tianci pressed a finger to his ear to listen more clearly, then bent down and whispered in Xiao Tianci’s ear, “Sir, someone outside reports that Fire Phoenix is here and wishes to see you.”

Oh—Fire Phoenix, why had she come? Xiao Tianci guessed Azure Dragon would likely agree to his proposal and come looking for him, but he hadn’t expected it to be so soon, and certainly not that Fire Phoenix herself would be sent.

Talking with Zhou Renjie was always exhausting. He couldn’t simply wave things off with the attitude of a junior, unlike with Will, where he could do as he pleased—though even there, caution was needed because a single sentence could hold a trap. Most importantly, these conversations never touched on anything substantive. Xiao Tianci could clearly read their stance: observing.

If they didn’t participate, it saved much trouble; as long as they weren’t opposing him, that sufficed. Thus, the conversation felt dangerous yet entirely meaningless. Xiao Tianci apologized, “Uncle, I’m truly sorry. A friend is urgently looking for me. When you have time, I’ll visit you properly.”

“Oh, you have business? Then go ahead. Let Zhou Ao keep me company for a while. Ha... ha... you, the big boss, must give him some time off.”

Page 2 of 3

“You’re being too modest. In our own company, taking a break is easy enough. We pay those guys millions every year; they’re not paid for nothing, so let them get to work.” As he spoke, Xiao Tianci rose, and Zhou Renjie, gracious as ever, stood as well and shook his hand once more as the head of the Xiao family.

After seeing Xiao Tianci and his party off, Zhou Renjie gazed at the gate. “What do you think of Xiao Tianci?”

Zhou Ao considered a moment. “From his dossier, he seems steady yet daring—a risk-taker. But in recent interactions... his actions are always unexpected, sometimes even bordering on outrageous—yet it doesn’t seem like an act.”

Zhou Renjie turned and walked toward the racetrack. Someone handed him a racing suit and helmet as he changed. “You’re too simplistic in your thinking. Remember the information on Xiao Lin—you forgot they’re father and son. You should compare them. I tell you, in the broad sense, their styles are very similar: always doing what others wouldn’t expect, yet succeeding.”

Having not raced enough due to Xiao Tianci’s visit, Zhou Renjie cast a meaningful glance at his son before pulling the hood over his head. “This will be an unprecedented storm. Go home and reflect well. Remember—maintain relationships and look after yourself.”

With that, he donned his helmet and climbed into the car. The roar of engines sounded once more...

A silver convertible, with a beautiful woman inside, sat nervously—who would be nervous? On the battlefield, hiding among rotting corpses, she was never afraid, yet now she felt uneasy.

Fire Phoenix would never admit her nerves, but her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. She couldn’t help recalling the moment she woke to find herself bound, the heaviness in her heart; those people had received Azure Dragon’s orders.

She was deeply afraid, because she remembered Azure Dragon once suggesting she leave this world and become an ordinary person. She had laughed then: how could someone like her ever be ordinary? Azure Dragon had replied, “It’s not impossible. As long as you’re given new memories...”

Fire Phoenix immediately understood—through drugs and hypnosis, it could now be done. No matter how she shouted or struggled, no one paid her any heed. Those people were waiting for a definite signal. She had never felt such terror—her heart shattered. She knew that once her brother... once she herself was stripped of her memories...

“Hey... beautiful,” Fire Phoenix was startled from her reverie, her hand already gripping a gun.

Swish—the guards’ weapons were trained on her, and Fang Meng quickly moved to shield Xiao Tianci.

Xiao Tianci laughed and patted Fang Meng, who realized Fire Phoenix’s reaction was merely reflex, not a true threat to the boss. Fang Meng stepped aside, leaving room for a quick response, and signaled the others to lower their guns.

“Heh... Miss Fire Phoenix, if you don’t put that gun away, I might really have to hide.”

Fire Phoenix snorted and put the gun away, not knowing what her brother was thinking. After returning, he had scolded her and made her come apologize to this scoundrel, drunkard, and reprobate. Worst of all, he’d made her the liaison for their collaboration—which meant prolonged contact with him. The thought infuriated her, but her brother was truly angry this time; if she disobeyed again, she’d be confined to base for a whole year.

Remembering a year stuck at the base, Fire Phoenix could only grudgingly come to meet this infamous scoundrel, drunkard, and degenerate.

Page 3 of 3

She said coldly, “Get in. I have something to discuss with you.”

Xiao Tianci touched the car, “Hmm, nice car. I bet it’s fast.”

Fire Phoenix snapped, “What’s wrong, Xiao big boss? Afraid the car’s too fast, or afraid I’ll kill you?”

Xiao Tianci shrugged, “Half and half, actually. My fears are just the opposite—I’m afraid your car isn’t fast enough. I was just in a racing car on a professional track, and if I ride in a slow car now, I might not adjust. As for the other part, I’m afraid to be alone with you—what if you really ‘kill’ me?”

He deliberately drew out the word “kill.” Fire Phoenix, though fiery, was no match for Xiao Tianci in verbal sparring, whose wit was honed from such exchanges.

Fire Phoenix’s foot pressed both the brake and clutch to the floor, stalling the engine. She gripped the wheel hard, wishing the man under her feet was Xiao Tianci himself, so she could stomp, stomp, stomp...

Seeing she had come alone, and her attitude, Xiao Tianci knew—she’d been sent by Azure Dragon’s orders. Her barely concealed fury made him wonder how she was tormenting him in her mind.

Yet her unhidden anger made Xiao Tianci want to laugh, want to be happy. Maybe it was because most people he met always smiled, forcing you to guess their meaning, or even when they didn’t smile, you had to guess—never truly showing their intentions. So the fact that Fire Phoenix didn’t pretend, didn’t flash a smile while plotting to stab him, made him really like her.

“Ah... the weather’s wonderful today. It’s my first time here. I feel like wandering the streets.” Intentionally teasing her, Xiao Tianci really strolled off in a random direction.

“You... I...” Fire Phoenix’s hand hovered over her gun; she wished she could shoot him, or at least shoot his leg—let’s see how he walks then.

The thought cheered her, and Fire Phoenix, once furious, couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Xiao Tianci, having walked a few steps, turned back just in time to see her radiant smile. The sunlight reflected off the car, gleaming as brightly as Fire Phoenix’s smile.

Xiao Tianci was utterly confused—she’d been so angry just moments ago, as if she would tear him apart, and now she was smiling so happily. He couldn’t help but look himself over—nothing seemed amiss...

(Everyone, please support with recommendations and monthly votes...)