A Billion Dollar Exchange

It wasn't until 4 pm that Manager Su released Liling. She made sure that they went through all the songs in her notebook, one after the other. She commended Liling since most of the songs were amazing, by the time they were through, time was far spent.

When Liling switched on her phone, it was already past four. She quickly dialed her Chauffeur's number to know if he was around.

''Hello, I'm so sorry, I had to switch off my phone, where are you?''

She apologized sincerely as she made her way out of the company.

''No problem Ma'am… Miss Liling, I'm waiting at the parking lot.''

''Oh my God, hope you haven't been waiting for so long?''

Liling asked, feeling guilty that she had kept him waiting.

''No, I just arrived.''

 He lied, although he had been waiting for her since morning, he would not tell her that. He was paid to drive her, so he had no reason to complain.

''That's a relief; I'll be heading out now, where are you exactly?''

''That same place I parked yesterday.''

He chose to park at one spot so as to make it easier for her to locate him.

''Alright, I'm coming.''

Liling disconnected the call and hurried up to the parking lot. As she approached, she saw the chauffeur driving out, so she immediately waved at him.

He sighted her and stopped the car immediately then alighted and opened the car door for her.

''I'm so sorry about my phone, hope you were not worried?''

Liling asked again as they drove out of the company.

''No, I would have been worried if it remained switched off by seven pm.''

Liling sighed and relaxed back on the back seat. She quickly took out her phone and dialed Liu Wei's number.

The number you are trying to call is currently switched off

'Switched off? Why will his phone be switched off? He should be home by now.'

Liling pouted her lips and threw the phone into her bag.

As she arrived home, she quickly rushed upstairs to Liu Wei's room and pushed open the door without knocking.

''Baby, I've missed…''

Her words paused on her lips as she could not find anyone in the room. The bed was still as arranged a she left it earlier that morning.

She stood at the door for a while before walking into the room. She went to the bathroom and pulled it open slowly.

The bathtub was dry, showing that no one had used it. Liling felt a cold shiver run through her spine; she walked out of the room immediately and dialed Xin Yong's number.

''Xin Yong, is Jin Yue there with you?''

Xin Yong was taken aback by the sudden question.

''Yes, he's…''

''Is Liu Wei there?''

''No, we're heading to your place now, I thought he's with you?''

Liling slumped on the floor close to the stairs. She took in a deep breath and forced some words out of her mouth.

''Can you give him the phone?''

Xin Yong was surprised by her friend's tone.

Why would she be asking about Liu Wei? He should be with her.

''Is anything wrong? He's not back yet?''

''Can you give him the phone please?''

Liling did not have the strength to explain anything to Xin Yong, at that moment; she wanted to be sure that he was okay.

''Okay, let me give it to him.''

Xin Yong handed the phone over to Jin Yue who was driving. He took the phone and put it to his ear.

''Hello Liling?''

''Jin Yue, have you spoken to Liu Wei today?''

Jin Yue was surprised by the question, he chuckled lightly.

''No, we talked yesterday and he told me that he was coming back today; he should be home by now since his flight was by nine. Isn't he home?''

Jin Yue's brows creased slightly. He could hear muffles from the other end of the line, but Liling did not utter a word. He looked over at Xin Yong who was watching him with worry written all over her face.

''Hello? Liling, are you there?'' 

Jin Yue asked again, seeing that she was no longer talking.

Liling swallowed very dry saliva and forced some words out of her lips.

''His phone is switched off and he's not back yet. His flight from Japan to China should be three hours, so he should be home by two o'clock, I don't know why he's not back yet.''

Liling could feel hot tears pouring down her eyes. She just had a bad feeling about everything.

''Okay, just stay where you are, we're coming now. He might have had something urgent to do before coming home. He'll be back, okay, stop crying.''

Jin Yue tried to comfort her, although he felt something was off, but he could not tell it right to her face.

Liling could not reply; she was so weak to even say a word. She just sat on the floor staring blankly into space.

''Hello? Liling, are you there?''

Jin Yue did not receive any response from the other end, so he gave Xin Yong back the phone.

''Liling, Liling, are you there?''

Xin Yong asked worriedly. She had overheard the conversation so she was sure that her friend would not be okay.

''Yes…''

Liling weakly replied after a while.

''We're coming right now okay, don't do anything rash. Just stay where you are; okay?''

''Okay.''

As soon as she disconnected the call, Liling began dialing Liu Wei's number again and although it kept telling her that the number was switched off, she could not get herself to stop.

Jin Yue took out his phone from his pocket and dialed Liu Wei's number and as she had rightly said, it was switched off.

Luckily, he had the secretary's number too, so he dialed it immediately.

The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off

It was on loud speaker, so Xin Yong heard it all. She immediately looked at Jin Yue who at the same time looked at her.

They were not saying anything, but their silence said it all.

Now they really had to worry