The night was getting darker.

Tang Yuyan and Xia Lei led Shentu Tianyin to one of the many guest rooms in the Peace Mansion.

Tang Yuyan spoke, Tianyin, this will be your room for the night. Feel free to ask me if theres anything else that you need.

Shentu Tianyin nodded. Thank you. She stared at Xia Lei. She seemed like she wanted to say something else but decided to hold back.

Tang Yuyan smiled at her knowingly. You two should talk. Ill retire to my room now.

Yuyan, you Inexplicably, Xia Lei suddenly felt like he had done something wrong.

That prompted Tang Yuyan to turn around and spare him a smile. Theres nothing wrong with normal conversations. Its been a while since we last met each other. Im sure theres plenty that you wish to talk about.

Xia Lei's smile was lopsided. You can head back first, Ill join you in a bit.

Okay. was Tang Yuyans curt response before she walked away.

Shentu Tianyin voiced, She really has changed. I guess women change greatly after marriage. Perhaps she has found her true happiness now that shes right next to you. Im genuinely glad for her.

Despite the sweet words, Xia Leis heart was plagued by a strong, spiralling bitterness. He knew he was running out of time and the man could not bear to confess his impending doom to his lovers. Xia Lei had everything now- If he wanted the wind, hed get the wind; if he wanted rain, hed get the rain. He was married to several gorgeous women and his children were all gifted. Almost everyone envied him and Xia Lei seemed to be at bliss too. Sadly, what people could not see was his fleeting life. Who could understand the stress of having to put on a smile in the face of death?

This secret would go untold even to Shentu Tianyin.

Xia Lei, about that Shentu Tianyin brought up a topic that she was eager to hear an answer about.

Xia Lei snapped back to reality. He replied, About that Tianyin, could you please spare me some more time? I promise Ill come back with an answer.

Alright, Ill wait. Despite those words, the sadness reflecting off her eyes was obvious. When will you leave for Nigeria?

Xia Lei answered, Giovanna and the others wouldve completed their preparations tomorrow night.

Im coming with, said Shentu Tianyin.

What? Xia Lei was taken aback. Never in his life would he had expected Shentu Tianyin to come up with such an idea.

Shentu Tianyin was not a fighter. The woman had never once held a gun in her life, let alone been involved in fights. Plus, she was Chinas richest woman with an asset of over hundreds of billions. Shentu Tianyin was not fit to come on an adventure to Nigeria. This was literally madness.

How is that supposed to work? Why would you come up with that idea in the first place? Xia Lei rejected it directly.

Yet, Shentu Tianyins gaze was unwavering. Im the owner of the Alliance Mine. Now that the Americans are trying to make a move on it, its my responsibility to do something.

I dare confirm that the invaders are American Special Force soldiers who have been given orders to kill no matter what. What can you even do if you go? You cant possibly be thinking about a negotiation. They wont even spare you a chance to speak. Once they track you down, one missile will be enough to take you out of the picture, explained Xia Lei.

Surprisingly, Shentu Tianyin showed no fear. She retorted, But what about you? You too will face the same danger you described. Why are you still heading over? You have the choice to stay out of this and leave matters to the government.

Xia Lei smiled bitterly at that. Im sure Ive explained my reasons earlier. Our country has no overseas military bases and the distance renders us unable to take control of the situation over there. It took us a lot to overcome Americas advantage in aerial combat and if they turned the tables around, their strategies would no doubt become more aggressive. War might even happen.

The country is none of my business, Im only doing what I wish to do.

Tianyin, you

Shentu Tianyin pressed, I know things are complicated in Nigeria. Im aware that its going to be dangerous too. But youll be there to protect me, no?

Xia Lei was speechless. True, he would no doubt protect her but as soon as a war breaks out, shed become a burden. Bullets have no eyes and the CIAs assassins are trained to be merciless. While he could guarantee his own survival on the battlefield, he could not say the same for her. Even if he were to grant her protection, her safety was still not guaranteed!

I can tell whats on your mind now and Im not trying to be difficult here. Shentu Tianyins words were laced with sadness. To be honest I dont mind losing the Alliance Mine. I really couldnt be bothered about it. Do you really not understand why I yearn to come with you? I just want to experience a trip of a lifetime with you. I cant put down my ego and be with you like the rest of them. What Im asking for is something for me to look back on.

Xia Lei was silent. This decision was difficult to call as it was a matter of Shentu Tianyins life or death.

Also Shentu Tianyin stopped herself, the tip of her ears burning red.

She was also asking for a child, something she yearned for the most.

An exciting adventure of a lifetime that she could look back on and a child were her two wildest wishes. For the sake of realizing it, Shentu Tianyin had placed her own safety at the back of her mind. It mustve taken a lot of courage for a delicate woman like her to settle on these decisions.

The corners of her eyes were getting wet. Xia Lei, you gave me a chance once upon a time to choose between you and the Vientiane Group. I chose the latter. After that, every moment of my life was spent in pain, never happiness. Im begging you to give me another chance so I can truly move on. Please, allow me to choose you just this once. I really wish to experience those heart-pounding moments with you and make great memories.

Shentu Tianyin was practically on her knees now. How could he say no to her?

Xia Lei sighed heavily. Alright. But if youre coming with me, Id need to rearrange things. And from now on, youll need to leave your phone here and keep it charging for twenty-four hours.

Why?

Those four Americans have hacked into your companys system. Perhaps they might have pinpointed your GPS signal. Leave your phone in my house and do not accept any calls. That way, itll create an illusion that youve been hiding in my house. They would not dare to enter this place, explained Xia Lei.

Understood. Leave my phone charging and do not accept any calls. Shentu Tianyin repeated his words. Anything else?

Xia Lei answered, Leave the rest to me. Ill meet you after the preparations are done.

Mm. A smile was finally back on Shentu Tianyins lips again.

You should go rest now. Its about time for me to head back. Xia Lei fumbled over his words.

Shentu Tianyin still had her eyes pinned on Xia Lei, not willing to enter her room just yet.

Xia Lei could only offer her a sheepish smile before turning away to leave.

He marched over to the biggest room in the house and was immediately greeted by a gathering of five women. Jiang Ruyi was even using her tablet to search up news reports on the Nigerian situation. Without a doubt, his soon-to-happen Nigerian trip was their discussion topic. Their knitted brows and grim expressions had made it obvious that they were absolutely anxious about it.

Xia Lei closed the door behind him and approached them. He smiled. Im just going out on a trip. Theres nothing to be worried about. Relax, Ill be fine. Compared to my last trip to America, this is nothing. I can assure you that Ill be alright.

Liang Siyao sighed. The Boko Haram armed group is a notorious terrorist organization. They will not play by the game and youve never fought against terrorists. How can I not be worried?

Yeah. If you come across a roadside bomb or a suicide bomber, how are you going to handle it? Long Bings eyes were filled with unspoken concern.

Hubby, can you please not go? Jiang Ruyi sounded close to pleading. Jianghe is still so young. What do we do if you

She was unwilling to speak of ill fates.

Fan Fan seemed like she wanted to say something but the woman had stayed silent. But it was obvious that she was equally worried about Xia Lei too.

Though Tang Yuyan looked concerned, she did not try to persuade Xia Lei to give up on his plan. Among the women in this room, Tang Yuyan had faced the most difficulties and hardships to become one of Xia Leis wife. She cherished that and she would not wish to hinder Xia Lei at all. All she wanted was to offer her best to him, and that had included her personality.

Xia Leis chuckle felt a little forced. What is with you guys? This is not the first time Im going out of the country. Why are you making it sound like death? Really, theres nothing to worry about. I urge you to relax, I promise Ill be alright. Im not going alone, I have the Chinese Zodiac Battle Team and the Relief Society that the female knights had formed. Theyve got plenty of resources in the African branches and Ive also called Prince Harifah for him to send some Thunder Horse Organizations weapons over to Nigeria. Theres an army waiting for me there, is that still worrying to you?

The knowledge had allowed the women to ease up a little. They were fully aware of who Xia Lei was as a person. This man was stubborn, he would not change his mind on something he had decided on. Another thing was that their husband was also a cold-blooded killing machine. Many lives were lost to his hands. For a man like this, going into a battle was just as casual as going out for a stroll.

Sigh. Liang Siyao heaved. Alright, alright. Im not going to say anything else. Youre not going to listen anyway. We just hope that youll pay extra attention and be careful, okay? Be extremely cautious and think about us and the children always, yeah?

Xia Lei went forward and pulled her in by the waist. Do you really think I could stand to leave you and the children behind? I dont wish to be separated but some matters must be settled and some enemies must be destroyed, or else theyd come harm you instead.

Hubby, when will you be leaving? asked Long Bing.

Xia Lei too pulled her close. Tomorrow night. Giovanna and the others are already making relevant arrangements.

I see Fan Fan worried her lower lip. Looks like Ill be staying the night here since Xia Fan is already asleep now.

Jiang Ruyi said, Xia Jianghe is already asleep too. I Ill be sleeping here too.

Tang Yuyan was the most direct of them all. Then lets all sleep together tonight.

Xia Lei was speechless.

This was a paradise reserved for only Xia Lei to enjoy.

In another room, Shentu Tiayin laid atop the bed in her lavender underwear. She was zoning out while she stared at the charging phone at the corner. Her mind couldnt help but be fixated on some thoughts- Who is he spending the night with tonight? Tang Yuyan? Liang Siyao? Or Long Bing? Perhaps its

No matter who her mind had settled on, the tingling sourness in her gut was equally apparent.