119 A mother's instincts

"Thank you, Mr. Andre. I hope your daughter gets well soon." Lei Zhao said in fluent English as he shook Mr. Andre's hands. He has been working hard on this business now that everything is settled, Lei Zhao felt like a weight has been lifted from his chest.

"My pleasure. Sorry for the inconvenience." Mr. Andre apologized with a smile on his face.

"No, family first then business. I would have done the same thing if I was in your shoes." Lei Zhao beckoned at Ye Xing who was standing at the corner.

"I brought a few tonics and supplements for your daughter. I wish her good health." Ye Xing gave the package to Mr. Andre's secretary.

"Thank you, Mr. Lei."

Lei Zhao nodded, "I will leave now. I hope we can do business again."

Mr. Andre laughed, "Likewise. I hope you will invite me when you opened your mall."

"Alright." Lei Zhao said and gave the contract to Ye Xing.

"Mr. Lei, wait." Mr. Andre called out Lei Zhao when he reached the door.

Lei Zhao stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Mr. Andre.

"Is there any problem?" Lei Zhao inquired squinting his eyes.

Mr. Andre stiffened for a moment before shaking his head.

"No, have a safe flight."

Lei Zhao nodded, "Thank you."

Mr. Andre looked at Lei Zhao's back and a trace of light flashed through his eyes.

He heaved a sigh and raked his fingers through his hair. His fingers felt clammy and he slumped on the cushion with a defeated look on his face.

A shiver ran along his spine thinking about what he has done. He didn't want to but as a father, he had to protect his daughter. He hurriedly removed his phone from his pocket and sent a message to a series of numbers.

Mr. Andre: Done.

Just one word, but it contained the fate of two people. He tapped his feet and loosened his tie waiting for a reply but it never came.

Lei Zhao sat in the car and loosened his tie. It was already four days since he came here. No one knows how much he misses his wife. Even though they spoke every chance they get he felt it wasn't enough. Lei Zhao couldn't wait to get home, hug her, inhale her sweet scent, and plant kisses all over her face. 

Lei Zhao lips curved into a smile just thinking about seeing Yan Mei in a few hours. Ye Xing looked at his boss smiling from the rear mirror and raised his brows.

"Eyes on the road, Ye Xing. I need to get back to my wife in one piece." Lei Zhao joked.

Ye Xing rolled his eyes, 'Boss there is no need to show off in front of me.' Ying Xing said inwardly.

"Yes, Boss."

Silence fell in the car, Lei Zhao leaned against the seat. Suddenly he started sweating, a sharp pain hit his stomach, and felt he dizzy.

"Ye-"

Lei Zhao couldn't call out Ye Xing because a truck which bore on them, just when it looked like it would pass by harmlessly veered violently into their side. The impact spanned their car around. Glass sprayed in the interior. Ye Xing struggled with the wheel, knuckles bulging, and teeth-gritting. He steered the car to the right and managed to break free from the truck.

"Dammit!" Ye Xing cursed.

"Boss, are you okay?" Ye Xing said, but Lei Zhao didn't respond. Ye Xing's heart hammered in his chest and he turned to look at Lei Zhao.

He saw Lei Zhao was sweating profusely, his face was pale and his lips were turning blue.

"Poison!" Ye Xing exclaimed. He quickly picked up his phone to call for help. Unfortunately, he didn't get the chance to make the call.

Ye Xing widened his eyes when he heard a car horn. He looked up and saw a truck approaching them. He abruptly slammed on the brakes, but it didn't work. A rush of adrenaline passed through Ye Xing as he steered the steering wheel to avoid the truck, but in a blink of the eye, the car rammed into the passenger's side.

The car rolled over several times, breaking the glasses and inflating the safety bag. A moment of silence passed by after the impact.

Thick smoke filled the car. Ye Xing grappled the airbag and managed to push it one side. He struggled with the door before in his shock state he realized the engine has caught fire.

Ye Xing panicked as the car creaked and tilted. He tried to push the door, but it didn't bulge. Ye Xing scrambled to the other side, but his seatbelt prevented him. He grunted as he searched for the latch of his seatbelt. His lungs contracted as he coughed from the smoke inhalation. He fumbled with his seatbelt, Ye Xing knew he had to hurry to get Lei Zhao out of the car. A rush of hot air and fire spread to the roof of the car.

Fortunately, the seatbelt came undone. Ye Xing kicked himself out of the driver's seat, coughing violently. He felt weak and nauseous, but he knew he couldn't give up. Lei Zhao was waiting for him. He would rather die than let anything happen to Lei Zhao. With a supreme effort, he opened the passenger's seat.

"Boss, Boss." He called out frantically.

Lei Zhao couldn't speak or move his body. His bones, muscles, joints and organs felt like they were being crumbled and smashed inside a tiny box.

He knew his body better than anyone. Lei Zhao knew someone had poisoned him. When or How? He was not in the mood to think about that now.

He wanted to live. His wife was waiting for him. Lei Zhao had promised her that he would come back safely. Suddenly small droplets of fire started to fall on the roof of the car, burning Lei Zhao's back and hands. The frantic cries of Ye Xing fell in his ears. 

Ye Xing dragged Lei Zhao out of the car, coughing. Terror thundered on Ye Xing. He knew he had to hurry to get Lei Zhao out of there. If the fuel tank catches fire, this would kill both of them. Struggling, he managed to get Lei Zhao five yards from the car before the car erupted into flames.

Lei Zhao's eyes fluttered, and at that moment images flashed across Lei Zhao's eyes. Images of his family, brother, and last clips of his wife.

He saw Yan Mei's smiling at him. Lei Zhao saw her mouth moving slightly, uttering, "I love you."

That's the last thing Lei Zhao remembers before he floated into complete and utter darkness.

Ye Xing felt paralyzed as he stared at Lei Zhao's body. He struggled to break free from whatever trance he was in but he couldn't. He whimpered painfully as he stared at Lei Zhao. Lei Zhao was covered in blood. His beautiful eyes were closed with bruised purple. A thin, red liquid oozed from his mouth. Judging from the smoke coming from his suit, Ye Xing knew his back was severely burnt. Then suddenly everything went black.

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Lei Xiao Tong dialed Yan Mei's number to check on her. She had been busy these past few days that she had not gotten time to check up on her.

Lei Xiao Tong called Lei Zhao earlier but he didn't pick up so she called Yan Mei instead.

After a couple of rings, Yan Mei picked up, "Yan Mei speaking."

"XiaoMei, it's me."

"Mom! How are you?" Yan Mei asked as leaned against the chair."

"I'm good! How are you? Why haven't I heard you? I was worried sick about you?!" Lei Xiao Tong complained bitterly.

"Sorry, Mom. I have been busy." Yan Mei chuckled.

"Is Lei Zhao with you? I called him but he didn't pick his phone." Lei Xiao Tong heaved a sigh, asking.

"Mom, Lei Zhao is on a business trip." Yan Mei said softly. 

"Oh okay, he must be busy then. When you get time let's have lunch." Lei Xiao Tong suggested.

"Alright. Mom."

"So, are you staying alone by yourself in the big house?" Lei Xiao Tong asked with a frown on her face.

"No, Mom. I'm staying with my grandfather until he comes back." Yan Mei mumbled.

"Okay, you must be busy. I would leave you. I will call you again soon. Take care!"

"Bye mom. I will." Then the line went off.

Lei Xiao Tong put her phone down and made her way to the kitchen. Her stomach was protesting for food now. She removed food from the fridge and walked to the microwave to heat it while humming a soft melody.

She sat on the counter with her chin in her palms. She fidgeted, feeling a little restless. Lei Xiao Tong brows knitted together.

Ignoring the dread gnawing inside her, she took a plate and walked towards the microwave. Just as she was a few steps away the plate slipped from her hands and hit on the ground.

The deafening sound echoed in the quiet kitchen. Lei Xiao Tong's face turned ashen as she clutched her heart. She felt like someone was inserting a thousand needles in her heart. Her breathing quickened and her lips felt dry.

Suddenly a feeling of impending doom surrounded her. Lei Xiao Tong didn't know why, call it a mother's instinct, but she blurted out Lei Zhao's name.

"Lei Zhao!" She bellowed, her voice full of fear and agony.

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