Chapter 13: SUMMER PARADE

Lin Zoe was at the entrance of the hospital with the driver. They were going out at the agency to drop Zoe for the parade. At the parking lot, the driver opened the door for her to enter then started the engine. She spontaneously held her phone and ranged Shen Zi's number in a quiver feeling.

"Hello, did you find who was behind my attempted assassination?" 

As Shen heard this, he knew she was fine or she will be concerned by any critical injury or broken bone. Relieved, he opened himself to answer her question. "We found his identity! He is a young man who lives in Qinjing, apparently a dirty street."

As he was speaking, Zoe was thrilled and knew perfectly the place where that bandit lived. "You said... Qinjing? It is very dangerous! My mother got attacked one day as she passed by." She felt worried and said, "Pay attention! They're only tyrants in that street." 

He responded and said," Do not worry I will take care of myself." 

At that, he hanged and left Zoe stressed. She had to prepare for the parade and was worried for her love. 

"He will head to that dirty street. But I'm sure he is strong." 

She looked over the car glass and saw her agency right away. It was dark and rain was coming. Fortunately, the parade had to be done indoors. She opened the car's door and ran out to the agency door. The driver left and immediately headed to Shen's hotel. 

"Shen I will go and parade. Take care of yourself." 

...

As she rushed over the corridor, she was stopped by Laura who stood in a stupor. Laura did not looked happy and Zoe quickly found a way to retaliate. 

"Senior please excuse me. I was checking on my health." When she heard Zoe speaking about her health, she quickly found something was wrong and asked her a few questions. "If you said you went to check on your health, how is it?" Lin Zoe quickly responded, "I'm fine. The doctor prescribed me pills against pain." 

Laura dripped her anger and cooled down like ice. She did not have to worry anymore and Zoe seemed to have told the truth. She only growled at her, "I'm glad you are ok. Hurry up and get changed." 

Zoe walked to a makeup room and then did her makeup. All the makeup dressers had left and she had to do her makeup herself, it was the protocol. At the rear, there was a stack of dresses. Laura told her to take a pink sleeveless gown which was short, able to display her long legs. She neatly made her hair in a bun and wore a necklace to cover her skin surface. 

"I'm pretty. Now I have to get to stage." 

As she got out, Laura told her where she will get to the stage. She passed through a door and saw other models defiling through the podium. They were already closing for the parade and few models were left. 

"Lin Zoe you are late. You will be next after this model" 

As the woman spoke a model came back from the stage. 

"She just arrived. Now it's your turn." 

The public was waiting, then spots of light went over to Zoe. She was of a wonderful beauty and walked with grace. It was a delight to the public and they were over-excited as she came. They could see Zoe from closer and discovered she was extremely beautiful. The spotlights enlightened her figure and her slender body was revealed making ecstatic moves that showed beauty and delight. 

All was perfect and she looked just professional. 

As she left, they all acclaimed at her elegant moves. She entered the room of the backstage and did not had time to breathe. She sat over the sofa and wiped herself with a towel. 

Walking with perfect precision takes a lot of effort and exhausted her. 

"Zoe, what are you still doing here?" Laura asked as she was already heading for the makeup room

"No, senior! I'm coming right over."

It was just then, she remembered Shen Zi had to come and didn't came for the parade. She was sad and understood the reason for his absence. She stood up and went to the makeup room. 

When she sat in the makeup room, she removed her makeup and changed back to her casual dressing. She removed her bun and her necklace then let her long hair flow. She took her handbag ready to leave.

Laura arrived and said, "Zoe you had been wonderful! I think you are exhausted now." 

She sighed and walked outdoor. 

"I will have work later on. I need to prepare." 

Laura was aware of the platform tonight and smiled, "Don't worry you can get a rest. I will rest aware of anything else." 

Lin Zoe went out of the agency and walked to look for a cab over the rainy sky. With no umbrella, she tried to cover herself. Shen was now really busy and she could not stay calm when someone in liberty is trying to kill her. 

She received a notification on her phone and tried to hide the rain with her bag as she tried to tap her phone. 

It was a notification from Zhang You telling her to come over to her home for a chat about the platform. It was her the person who had to go to the platform with Zoe and she tried to hide it so far. She clenched her fist hard and disdainfully looked at the message. 

"You want me to walk in the rain and go to your home right?" 

It was now she had a phone call from the same person. As she accepted her call she said," What do you want?"

Zhang You responded, " You know we will get to the same platform together. I know you weren't informed lately but it is still important to know how things will go on right?" 

Lin Zoe was angry and sheltered over a building. She took her phone and texted rapidly. "If you want to know about the platform you can still ask to manager Laura. I'm sure she will take pleasure to explain you."

Zhang You was nervous and tried to persuade Zoe. "It is better if we talk to each other. After all, you have been close with her and I don't know if she is still free. You're the main host for the platform and I'm the one accompanying you. Do you really look down on me?" 

Now Lin Zoe could not refuse. Zhang You could misuse her name in the company and they will say she looks down on juniors and is unwilling to help her colleagues. This will completely ruin her reputation. 

After a long gap of silence she said, "I will come to your home. What time do you want? There is all night long for the platform to start. Ah! Also, give me the location to your house." 

"Fine! All what you need. Let's say 7 pm. The show is at eight pm right!? It will be just a little chat and then I will send you over the location."

Zhang You ended the phone call and sat comfortably over her sofa. 

"Prepare to die bitch!" 

...

Shen Zi arrived in his car near a little house in the large street. As he clattered over the rain, Lu Jin came out handing him an umbrella. 

"Mr. this is the house." 

Shen Zi approached the house and only said one thing. "Bring the bodyguards and ask them to bring out the man taking care of this house." 

The bodyguards came out from the car and crashed into the house. It was not long before they came out with a man who was shouting and screaming like a madman. He looked shabby and irresponsible. A woman and two kids came out trembling as they held themselves. 

Shen Zi advanced himself to the man who was trying to hold out from his bodyguard's grasp. 

"What do you want? I'm telling you that you will not have a happy ending." 

Shen Zi was relaxed and said, "Mind your words when you are talking to me" 

He revealed a terrifying aura when he spoke and this man has angered the worst person he has ever encountered in his life. It was the almighty Shen Zi, boss of several international hotels and always secured by his bodyguards.

The man stood quiet and could not stare at those cold eyes which were staring at him. How could he stare at such a figure? Himself, he stood quiet and felt chills all over his body. The rain engulfed the sound made by the house. 

"Do you know who I am?" he asked sternly looking closer at the man

He felt shivers and could not encounter that mighty figure displaying such a frightening amount of cold. 

He deceitfully responded, "Who are you?"

"I'm Shen Zi, CEO of Diamond Platinum and many other international hotels. I have many bodyguards and today you have offended my wife." 

The man was even more frightened. He has offended this cold figure with all his might. How could he be forgiven? 

Shen Zi was not stupid he knew something like that could not be of hazard. Such a poor man could not attack himself to a person like Zoe unless he was sent by someone in her circle. 

"Lu Jin come with the money."

Lu Jin went to the car and came back with a handful of money in his hands. He handed it over to Shen who was still talking with the man.

"I know you will not have killed my wife by yourself right!?" 

"Please have pity of me. What you saw was not my intentions."

Shen looked at his secretary and exchanged smiles. "I will not kill you but let's negotiate." He was now being bossy and overbearing not leaving a single chance for him to speak. "Take this money and you tell me who sent you to do such a thing with the location of his home." 

Shen smoothly appeared closer to him and whispered in his ears, "If it is the wrong person, I will make sure you will live a hell on this earth." 

The man was trembling and sweated all over his body. Shen Zi threw the money at him and asked Lu Jin to write down what he will say. 

"Zoe I will put out justice for you!"