The Inconceivable Flame: A Fallen Angel's Disguise

’Investor?’ Ru narrowed her eyes as she tried to read Xiao Zhi Ren’s real intentions. Why would a leading Tech company want to invest in a development project? Although it wasn’t anything unbelievable since everyone loved a bit more money.

But that wasn’t the case with Xiao Zhi Ren and Ru knew it very well.

Like a person who just got intrigued, Ru reclined back and crossed her long leg over the other while with her elbow on the arm-rest, her knuckles were supporting her face. She looked eloquent and curious but still mesmerizing.

"Mind if I ask why this sudden change of heart?"

Xiao Zhi Ren licked his lips before his lips curled in a smile. "I have my reasons."

"Reasons? More than one huh? Now I’m more intrigued." Seeing him keeping his lips sealed, Ru decided to take advantage, "What? Can’t talk about it with your sworn brother?"

Ru obviously wasn’t used to this title of sworn brother and it came out a bit sour from her mouth. It wasn’t her fault though. Even though she actually performed the ritual with him, she later realized that she can’t be his brother. After all, she was still a GIRL!

The reason she relented and accepted him as a sworn brother was actually very simple. No one had ever described her fears better than Xiao Zhi Ren. Perhaps, she couldn’t even explain those fears better than him.

Although the idea of seeing the light was scary, she always chose the path that scared her. Every dusk eventually has to face the dawn. She chose to accept that Xiao Zhi Ren was like that dawn that was inevitable.

On the other hand, Xiao Zhi Ren took her words quite seriously. "I can tell you but I just didn’t want to burden you with my problems."

"Ha! You should have thought about that before asking to be my sworn brother. Now, I’m already involved and you can’t do anything about that." Ru stated with her rebellious charms.

"I’m looking for a way to interact with the Ji Family members." Ru frowned at his reply.

"But if I’m not wrong, you are a part of Ji Family."

Xiao Zhi Ren: "If I actually used my relationship as the means, I’ll seem deliberate and suspicious. And I don’t want to stand out until I find the person I’m looking for."

Although Ru didn’t know who that person was, she didn’t bother pondering over it either.

Ru: "Hmmm... Ji Family is actually interested in investing in my company’s project. Is that the way you chose to enhance your chances of interaction?"

Xiao Zhi Ren nodded his head in agreement.

"Wrong choice." Xiao Zhi Ren frowned at her. "It’s not a secret that Ji Family Corporation is interested in this project but if you also got involved, that really will seem deliberate." Recalling something she added, "What’s the other reason for this sudden interest?"

Xiao Zhi Ren pressed his lips as he stared at Ru’s green eyes trying to intimidate him.

Sighing in defeat, he had to say out his intentions, "I heard Knight Empires is actually collaborating with Metrix Consortium for this specific project."

Ru’s face twitched a bit at this reason. She was only using Knight Empires name to lure people who knew Xiao Zhi Ren would be one of them.

"What does Knight Empires have to do with you?" asked Ru inquisitively.

"Nothing really..." Xiao Zhi Ren shrugged his shoulders. "But I admire the one behind the Knight Empires. Let’s say, I would love to make his acquaintance."

If Ru had a drink in mouth, she would have definitely sprayed it out by now. What the hell? He was actually admiring her? Make acquaintance? Someone tell this fool, I’m sitting right here before your eyes.

’I suddenly wonder what will his reaction be if he found out that The Alev Knight, he is so fascinated by, is actually his sworn brother.’ Ru was lost in her own world with these weird thoughts and didn’t notice that Xiao Zhi Ren was giving her odd looks.

Clearing her throat a bit awkwardly, Ru stated, "Zhi, even if Knight Empires is collaborating with me. It doesn’t mean Alev Knight will be involved directly."

"I know that. But we have to take a start from somewhere." Xiao Zhi Ren argued.

"Do you have something to eat? I need to process some details in my mind."

"What does food have to do with thinking?" Xiao Zhi Ren asked bitterly.

"Zhi Hyung[1], even a car needs some fuel to start. Why can’t I need food to think?" Saying that she actually sat up cross-legged on the couch as if claiming her right as a sworn brother.

"Wait here, I have some snacks at home." Xiao Zhi Ren didn’t know why he always relented before that green-eyed food-monster. But he still did it happily. He brought some chips, candied plums and almonds for her to munch on while he sat back to work.

After eating the whole bunch of snacks, Ru wiped her mouth elegantly and said, "I just thought of a perfect plan."

Xiao Zhi Ren lifted his gaze and closed the laptop asking, "What is it?"

"We have to make sure that the Ji Family comes to you and not the other way around." Ru smiled haughtily.

"And how is that going to happen?" He asked.

"Simple... It seems like Ji Family’s intention to be an investor is the same as yours. They want to have a connection with Alev Knight." Xiao Zhi Ren straightened up as he found her reasoning quite reasonable. "We just have to make it seem like you’re really close to the Knight Empires."

"How is that going to happen?"

"What am I here for? Did I build Metrix Consortium as a joke? Of course not! My company’s new project doesn’t really need investors since it’s a collaboration with Knight Empires but SnapVise Technologies does need some investors for their Big Data research center."

"What are you planning?" He asked cautiously.

"Until today, Knight Empires have yet to invest in Technology. How about the start with your company?"

Xiao Zhi Ren’s eyes lit up as he understood her meaning, "You want Knight Empires to invest in my project? To give the impression that Knight Empires is actually backing me?"

"Bingo!"

"You really are a crafty person. But what if Knight Empires opposed your decision?" Xiao Zhi Ren didn’t want her company to take a blow because of him.

"Who would dare to oppose?" Feeling that her tone was a bit odd, she tactfully changed her statement, "I mean, I have a very good relationship with Alev Knight. He’ll do what I say."

’How can I mind my own words?’

Obviously, Xiao Zhi Ren was oblivious to her thoughts. The news of Metrix Consortium having close relation with Knight Empires was already a piece of huge news for the financial market of Asia.

Ru suggested this solution because recently, it was brought to her attention that Xiao Zhi Ren had actually presented a proposal for investment from Knight Empires specifically years ago for the same project. Since the project was yet to begin, Ru thought to use it to her advantage.

[1] "Hyung": Older brother in Korean