"So tell me, why did you suddenly appear?"
"What do you mean?"
Zhaolin: "I thought you would have gotten married over there but who would have thought you'd still be single with so many men over there?"
Feng Jiu: "I didn't go there to get married! Now tell me, why you married her? Don't tell me you love her because that's a pure lie."
He knew who the her meant without a doubt, but for the person he loved? "Hehe, then tell me whom I love. Do you have any idea?"
"Of course, I do. Should I go chase her for you?"
He looked away, "Did you come here for this?"
"Certainly not! I came looking for Riu, but I didn't find him. And for you as well. Don't tell me you will allow that man run for the presidential election, he is using the connections he have with you to get what he wants! Can't you see it?"
"I do not concern myself with the government because I have nothing to do with politics."
"Xiao Haixin, is a big criminal. He is safe because you are his son-in-law, he needs to be locked up."
"You are speaking nonsense. Do not concern yourself with the government of this country, Riu is at the hotel."
"Hotel? Does he have a lover?" She immediately changed the subject.
"You're crazy!" A voice said behind her. She turned to see her brother glaring at her.
She smiled at him, "I was only joking, how can an abnormal person like you have a lover?"
"Jiuwen..." Zhaolin called out. "How can you call him abnormal? It's clear you're the abnormal one!"
Riu came forward and passed Zhaolin a drive.
"Little Zhao, how can you call a normal person like me abnormal to please my brother? And you, brother, did you go on a secret mission? What is that thing?"
"Young master Xing is right! Stop poking your head into people's business!" Riuwen said. He was glaring at her but she didn't look at him. Annoying sister.
Feng Riuwen left the office.
"I haven't forgotten about you. Don't tell me you plan on spending the rest of your life that..."
Zhaolin didn't respond.
"Little Zhao, why did you marry her in the first place? This marriage of convenience is something you should have never agreed on!"
"I did it for him. For him to be happy! For him not to miss motherly love. For his happiness, I'm willing to take on a thousand pain. He is worth it all."
"It could have been someone else. Why her?"
"She loves me! And she is willing to do anything for my happiness."
Feng Jiu didn't speak again. Yes, he is right, she loves him. She will be willing to sacrifice her happiness for his. "It seems I came back at the right time. Have you seen her yet? I did see her." She stood on her feet. "Won't you ask who it is? Oh... I'm certain you must have met with her already. Bai Xueyan." She searched his face but there was no reaction.
"I should leave. Be happy." She left. When she came out of the office she scanned the area looking for that numberless man. He should be thanking the heavens that I didn't see him. He needs some of his bones crushed.
*
Jiangyang watched her from his office, what is she looking for again. He went to pull the door open but before he could get there the elevator door and she disappeared.
*
Zhaolin sat in his office, lost in his own universe. Why wouldn't he ask who it was? It's because he already knew who Jiuwen was referring to. Where had she been all this while? Had she been good? Did she have a good life? No one can answer my questions except her. He took his suit and strode out of the office. He sent a text to Riuwen.
*
When Riuwen read the message he was stunned, find her himself? He sat for a while, then rushed out. He sent over to Zhaolin.
*****
Xueyan moved around the room, humming a tune. She had sent Qingran off to school. This was her first day, will she bring back exciting news or would she cower away and say she wouldn't go anymore? No, she would certainly be happy! That's for sure. My little princess would be so happy!
"Mother, when I return from school, you'd have to ring grandpa! He needs to know I'm now in school!"
"Yes."
"Yay!" The little girl cheered with utmost happiness. She left the room, it had been tidied up to the nines. Looking extremely brand new. She smiled at her work and bounced away happily.
*
She rushed to the apartment that had been provided for them by the hotel.
*
The doorbell rang and Qingran bolted out of her room, rushing toward the door. Before her hand could touch the knob her aunty blocked her, "Your shouldn't be so excited to open door for strangers!"
"But that's no stranger at the door... it's."
"Shhhhhh." Yuxi shushed her. She pulled the door open and the sunlight streamed in.
The first thing Xueyan heard was her daughter's complaining voice, "Mom, granny forgot so many things at home. My clothes especially." Xueyan frowned.
"Aiya, Ranran-ah. I told you already, it was a mistake. Even your aunty offered to go bring them but you refused saying you would wait for your mother and now..."
"Granny, I'm not painting you bad, just that aunty might still forget somethings again if she goes to get them."
She smiled at her mother. Xueyan went forward and lifted her, "You shouldn't forget to welcome your mother... Now tell me, how was today."
Qingran frowned a little, "I don't want to..."Everyone's eyes turned to her. Look how serious they all look... haha.
"Ever miss school!!!" Xueyan eyes misted up.
Yuxi gave a thumbs up, "Good, good. Make sure you never miss school!"
"Yea, never miss school again! Bless you my child." Mrs Bai ruffled the little girl's hair. Qingran giggled.
"YESSSSS! I will never miss school." She ran back to the room and brought along with her, her school bag. "Look mom, I did my homework already... Come take a look, Teacher said these are wild animals... How true is that, mom? Teacher, said we can't keep the kind of bigger cats as pets because they might feed on us. This is a domestic animal..."
Qingran's tiny voice resonated in her head, drowning away the other words. She is happy, how could I have expected her to be sad and come home crying saying she wouldn't go again.
I don't want her to go... but at the same time I have to let her go. She's so happy, so many children would cry and follow their parents back home, they hadn't even gotten to the school gate and Qingran sent her back, "Go, go...Bye mommy! Bye! Bye mommy."
"Mommy, bye. Make sure granny prepares my favourite mix pudding! Make sure you help me out with my homeworks! Mommy... mommy... mommy. Go now, go." Her little bun is happy and that's all that matters.
Now she would work and make money to sustain them both. She couldn't possibly rely on her father anymore.