Pinnacles' Edge 10: Intensely Calm

The girl looked herself in the mirror. Her almond shaped tender eyes hid behind big round spectacles, her perfectly angled nose now had some deliberately made acne and blackheads. Her black lovely waist length long hair now hid behind a brown wig of shoulder length shorter hair.

She thought, *There was a of time when I would get ready everyday, maybe for school, maybe for college or for work, and would flatter myself about being the prettiest and now even though I changed the look, and am wearing new clothes with all this makeup, I just don't feel any good. Only the memories of my sweet time with my family is surging back again and again.*

Taking a deep breath and then releasing it, she looked up at the ceiling. *Okay. After today, the world shall no longer see this pathetic and weak self of mine. They would only know about a strong girl. Yes, that's what I should be. Now let's get down to the business.*

"The first thing I need to do is change my name and get a new ident.i.ty so as to be able to carry on with my journey without leaving a trail, in case someone digs around looking for me. By now I have acquired quite a number of enemies after all." The girl spoke as she changed the bandages around her injuries and took another pain killer. Even though her wounds weren't completely healed, but after medication and pain killers she took, they weren't much of a hinder for her at the moment neither did she have time to take care of them.

Xi Jingfei had once heard from her brother about some people who created duplicate and fake ids that no one could tell a difference about being a real or a fake, as long as they are paid enough. She had enough money to rent a luxurious hotel for a few days, so she definitely could afford the cost for the new id. But to lie low, she chose a motel to stay in. Fake ids were illegal, but a person on the verge of getting killed but still needed to live, could do anything to survive.

Her brother was a Doctor and came along with all sorts of people in the hospital everyday. *I remember, Bro Jiang once told me, one of his patients got quite close to him during his month long stay in the hospital and so the patient revealed that he was big boss of some firm that dealt in duplicate ID, doc.u.ments and other stuffs related to paperwork. That patient also told him his firm's address and asked Bro to visit in case of need. Both I and Bro Jiang had made fun of this saying we would always be upright citizens so why would we go to such place. But I had read the address in Bro Jiang's visitor's book anyway.* Xi Jingfei went to the address she remembered and asked them for the procedure to get a new id.

Upon hearing the discussion outside, the person in charge came out of his chamber to take a look at her. He then waved off his lackeys and invited her in his chamber locking it after they both entered. One look and anyone could feel uneasiness in Xi Jingfei's eyes and ashen expressions. She had suffered too much the past few days and thus had a hard time trusting anyone anymore. She looked up and saw the person with her crystal clear eyes. Though she had changed her appearance, she had not made any changes to her eyes or wore a lens. Even within her spectacles, her eyes sparkled as always.

The man took a closer look at her.

"Lixue!" The first word he said looking deep in her eyes. Not getting any response from Xi Jingfei, he continued, "As pretty and pure as snow you look, Lixue should be the best name to describe your exquisiteness. Since you are already here changing your name, maybe you could use this one."

Xi Jingfei was shocked for a second at the explanation. If it was her real look and someone would have said this, she won't be surprised, but now... She definitely looked like a country b.u.mpkin, how could she be called 'pretty and pure as snow'. *This guy sure knows how to do business, flattering his customer with a sincere expression. Maybe he should try his luck in entertainment industry, he could make better bucks. Almost made me feel familiar with the name as if it was my own.* The girl thought to herself.

Her eyes deepened as she asked, "Did you by any chance recognized me?" Being the direct person as she had always been, she didn't beat around the bushes. Her intuition had always been her guarding angel.

"Certainly. I've seen you a few times in the newspapers of City L and City U. But never really expected you to be here making such a request. Is there something the matter?"

"You think you are some ancient ruler of the country or something, that I need to answer any of your questions? Just satisfy my need and be done with it. Don't dig any further. And yes, in case someone comes looking for me, keep your mouth shut." Looking at the man the girl calmly said with a little annoyance in her voice. Even though her voice was not too loud nor was she glaring at the people around her, but the deathly aura surrounding her could be felt by anyone present.

"And why do you think I would agree to do that?" Moved by her calm fierceness but with his experience over the years, the man asked calmly while one of his people from outside brought tea for the two and shuddered lightly at the girl's intensely calm mien. The lackey lightly bowed to the two in the chamber and left closing the door again.

"Because I heard that you people also have your own set of principles and that you, Mr Gao, follow it without any underhand conducts. That's the reason I chose to come here of all places." Not moving an inch or hinting that she would take a sip of tea in front of her, neither changing her expression, the girl replied.

"You're quite conversant, Miss Xi. I'm impressed and flattered. Alright, I'll be tight lipped as always, not because of the business ethics but because I'm guessing for someone like you to come all the way here and ask for something, must have been for something really important… Then may I ask which name have you selected for yourself?"

"The name you gave me just now, Lixue, wasn't a bad one either. I would like to go with that." Xi Jingfei hadn't thought of any name so just changing to anyone would do for her.

"Very well. Surname?" The man asked as he noted it down in his journal.

"Take whichever suits except for "Xi" of course. Doesn't quite concern me." Shrugging without paying much attention to these details, the girl replied.

"Alright. It'll be done in two days. You can come back again after that and take your new id." The man told. "My name is Cao Gao by the way. Come find me whenever you need."

Only then did Xi Jingfei realized she hadn't asked for the man's name during the whole conversation. She only nodded in understanding. She was quite satisfied with the time frame. Clicking a picture for the ID in her new look and paying advance deposit, she left the place without further conversation.

Soon as the girl left, Cao Gao turned to his lackeys who were sitting there and said with utter coldness and decisiveness in his voice, "Don't let anyone find out about her visit and no one should know about our conversation either. Miss Xi Jingfei is one of those rare founded hard core government officials who believes in upholding the law and works selflessly for the citizens. Since she came here in such a rush and asked for a new ID, it must mean she is caught up in some huge mess. Even though we are doing illegal business but we should still respect those who have considerately worked for the society."

"Okay, Boss. We will clear any data related to this one." One of his people replied shuddering inside looking at his boss's cold expression.

"Not 'clear', don't even create it." Cao Gao instructed with a clear respect in his eyes for the girl who left.

Cao Gao then went back to his chamber and locked it from inside and picked up a key from one of his drawers in the table and opened a safe vault placed not too far from his chair on its left side. It contained a few files and folders. He lifted all the files and took out the last folder. His cold and fierce expressions immediately changed to loving and caring one as his eyes welled up. He was lost in some thoughts when he heard a knock at the door. Placing back the folder and locking it, Cao Gao cleared his eyes and throat before opening the chamber door. Another man, a tall guy in his late 30s, walked in and looked at Cao Gao. Both of them didn't say a word for quite a few minutes then locked the door and exchanged glances. Only then did Cao Gao opened his mouth breaking the silence engulfing the room.

"She... came here... today... She looked so pet.i.te... Only if...." In between his deep breaths to calm himself, Cao Gao attempted to speak clearly with his hoa.r.s.e throat as if some lump is eating away the words as they came out broken.

The next two days, Xi Jingfei did not go out much and rested and tended her injuries so that she doesn't take long to start over with her expedition. She ate and slept well too though he nightmares would jolt her awake almost every time.

Xi Jingfei was sitting by the window letting the sun beams fade away the darkness in her heart even if just for a few seconds. Sipping her Espresso, she simply looked at the newspaper delivered earlier by the motel staff. Stunned and shocked, for a moment, she couldn't believe her eyes. As if her hand lost its strength, the newspapers fell on the ground. With shaking hands she picked up the papers and looked again. The news headlines read,

{Public in rage, asking for justice}

{Country's daughter sold her soul to devil}

{An Administrative Chief or An Army Officer's murderer?}

{The mysterious death of a Special Forces Commander angered the public}

These were some of the news headlines which showed how discontented the public was, over a misunderstanding.

The one who suffered the most because of the incident, was now turned into a murderer.

The one who should be feeling wronged having paid such a price for loving her country whole heartedly, was now being wronged by the same country.

*How could they do this? How could they believe circ.u.mstantial evidences without checking their authenticity? I'm the one who lost her family and name because of those b.a.s.t.a.r.ds and now I'm the one they are going to question!! How can they uphold justice this way?*

Xi Jingfei was sinking in her thoughts, when she heard the doorbell. Shocked because of the reports, she panicked thinking it to be the police, here to arrest her. But she didn't leave any traces so how could they find her so quickly.

No way! It can't be….. Abruptly a thought came to her mind, if it was her enemies… that could be worse than having been arrested by the police.

Not letting her imagination run wild, she peeped through the peephole in the door. Sighing, she confusedly looked at the person in front of her and opened it. It was Cao Gao. Not knowing his true intentions she didn't invite him in and just talked at the door itself.

"What took you so long to answer the door?" The man standing at the door asked.

"What are you here for? And wait a second, how did you find my address?" Baffled, the girl was a little louder than she was last time.

Cao Gao jokingly said,"Miss Xi, you sure have a knack of making it to the headlines. Miss, you're leading charts yet again. Congratulations!! "

Xi Jingfei replied with an irking expression, "You are changing the topic. I asked you how in the world you found me? I remember not leaving you with any contact information either."

Cao Gao, the man was calm as ever. "It's not that tough to find anyone in this City L, as long as I want to. And I'm here to give you your ID card. I've also prepared your visa, pa.s.sport and other necessary doc.u.ments such as your school and college mark sheets, even though it wasn't in the deal, because I believe you will need them in times like this."

Xi Jingfei continued to question him, "And what's your intention coming all the way here to deliver it?"

Cao Gao: "It was only for safety measure that I came here in person to give you this. I got it made urgently because one of my lackeys told me about today's headlines. Have you not read them yet?"

Xi Jingfei knew her boundaries and even though she did not like it, she invited him in. "I have. Come inside. I can't be seen."

As the two went in, Xi Jingfei closed the door and asked taking a seat in her bed while gesturing the other to sit on the sofa, "So, are you here to give me some more hurtful comments like many others? Or are you here to see if I'll be weak, so you can take advantage?"

Xi Jingfei had always been a direct person. She didn't like the back b.i.t.c.hing others did neither would she indulge herself in something of the sort. Not going against her usual practice she casually asked Cao Gao's opinion as she curiously looked at him with a little impatience and lingering suspicion.

Cao Gao took a deep breath before answering in a deep confident voice, "I don't trust anyone but my own judgement. It's not my first time seeing your work. The day you came to our place, I had already told my people to not create any accounts in your name because talking with you I vaguely predicted you would be in dire needs. Even in my line of work, people respect officials such as yourself because its souls like yours, that keeps the country going and lets it reach its pinnacles. That's why I'm here to give you your ID and pa.s.sport, you can leave this country whenever you want to. And please, don't degrade yourself to their level, to those who are disregarding your name, for I believe, there will come a day when they will realize whom they have wronged and that day the whole nation will have to sincerely apologize to you. It's up to you if you want to live in the country or leave the country, in any case I can make suitable arrangements for you."

"Why are you doing all this for me? I don't have that much of money on me, instead, if you hand me over to the police, you could gain more." In this very moment Xi Jingfei was no longer able to trust anyone, she had started doubting even her very existence let alone someone she had recently met. The whole world had turned against her without letting her explain. They had declared her guilty without any trials in the court.

Cao Gao replied calmly, "It's not about money. I can make money anywhere. Without you and with you, it's the same. But only a few out there are able to earn my respect and you are one among them. You still haven't remembered me, have you?"