Once Upon A Star

"Mr Feng, I'd like to form an alliance with you. You have connections to places that others cannot reach. I am also aware that you are in a position where you are able to do this covertly." Yuan Xing saw him look amused at this. "Needless to say, I also have something that will make this deal mutually beneficial to you."

Su Feng sighed in exasperation at the change in topic and placed his napkin down. He was really hoping that he would grow closer to her during their time, but Yuan Xing was not the type to kiss and tell. His Muse was a very cautious person and kept her cards to herself, not bothering to ask others for assistance. 'Small steps, Su Feng,' he reminded himself. In any case, this 'alliance' of theirs will give him ample opportunity to court her. He needed a reason anyway, why not use his title as her partner in crime to keep watch and protect her?

"Miss Xing, you saved my life that night. I am very grateful for that, however, I'd like to ask; why is it that you have not asked me who I am? For all you know, I could be a serial killer."

Yuan Xing took a moment to puzzle over his questioning. She sipped her drink leisurely. "Mr Feng, or whoever you may be, I don't so much as give a crap as to who you are. This is simply a transaction between two people, why the need to share so many secrets? To each their own, just as you have your secrets, I also have my own. You forget Mr Feng, that some of the most dangerous things come from the smallest of packages."

He leaned back and chuckled easily despite her warning. His Muse was so s.e.xy when she was angry. If Yuan Xing knew his thoughts right know, she might have clipped his head. "Apologies, I did not mean to pry. So, what do you offer me in return for my services?" To be honest, if you asked Su Feng, there was no need for an alliance. He would have given her anything free of charge without hesitation, however, he doubted that she would accept his ridiculous reasoning of 'I just want to be with you' or better yet, 'I want you as my wife'. She'd probably file a restraining order.

Yuan Xing was observing the numerous emotions flitting over Su Feng's face but couldn't make much of them. Su Feng may seem playful but make no mistake that he was far from being harmless. She clenched her fists and thought of what she'd be giving away. Her last connection to him. The last thing that reminded her of her family. 'For them,' she promised herself. "I can give you one of the latest technological developments that this world has yet to see, the very first and perfectly programmed AI."

A deafening silence hung in the air. Su Feng had to say that even he wasn't expecting this. An AI? That would shock the world as we know it. Their had been prototypes and models of would-be AIs, not anything like Yuan Xing was suggesting. 'What on earth? How did she...?' He then remembered something and felt guilty, because he knew what it meant to her. He didn't want to take it away from her but how else was he supposed to explain himself?

Su Feng opted to take the deal, because he knew what kind of trouble the AI would bring if it remained in her hands. She was right, because any country in its right mind would give up trillions just to get their hands on it.

"I'll hand you the AI within a week's time. You can expect it to arrive at around Sunday, assuming that we have a deal?"

Su Feng grumbled his acceptance and Yuan Xing couldn't figure out why he was so upset. Considering that he would be the first man in the world to receive his own AI, he should be celebrating his triumph. It was at that time her phone vibrated. Her message alerted about the news concerning the bug she planted in the police. She stood up with a small smile. It seemed like Su Feng wouldn't be the only one celebrating today. "Mr Feng, if you'll excuse me, I have things to attend to. Here's hopes to a lasting partnership."

They shook hands and Su Feng walked her to his door, solemnly watching her drive off. Butler Shi smiled and reassured his pouting Master. "There are plenty of chances left, Master. With Master's ways, I'm sure that in time, Miss Xing will fall in love and become your one and only wife."

Su Feng coughed shyly and didn't realize his p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e was all over his face. "What kind of nonsense are you saying?! You can take your leave now!" Butler Shi chuckled and went on with his work.

Yuan Xing was currently in her isolated warehouse, checking the results of her bug. She had set up the bug in the police's record files so that it could temporarily freeze their computers and allow her to bypass access controls to search for a name. Traces of a name to be exact. Hatsu Kobayashi. He was a murder victim of a random mugger. A Japanese middle aged man who had no family or background that was noteworthy.This particular victim though was an acquaintance of someone she knew.

19 years ago, Kobayashi arrived on the borders of China for secret business, and not one month later, he turned up dead. The police had no useful information except one piece of odd eyewitness record, which stated that a foreigner woman was seen with him on the night of his murder.