In the Zhuo Family Villa, a strange silence loomed upon its occupants. Two women, one middle aged and another a younger lady, were standing near the foot of the large staircase. If one were to listen close, you could hear that the two were sharing a whispered discussion filled with unabashed discontent.
Near them, a tall young man stood. He appeared to be in his mid twenties,with an unmistakable air of superiority surrounding his person. He appeared disinterested by the conversation of the two women, despite hearing some of their scathing words, having been used to the scene. After all, he did not personally think they were wrong— nor did he dare to think otherwise.
Gradually, another sound entered everyone's ears, making the whispers come to a stop. It was the sound of footsteps making their way down the mahogany flight of stairs. Both women's faces visibly darkened when they saw who had descended.
Wearing a white shirt and simple jeans, slightly hidden by an oversize denim hoodie, a girl about 18 years old, went down the stairs in a carefree manner. On one of her shoulders, there was a black backpack that seemed to have been used for years. The girl did not look at either of the women casting her contemptuous looks. Instead, she focused her gaze on the young man. The young man, whose name is Zhuo Fei, frowned a little.
"Uncle Nieshan is asking for you," was the only thing she said, her tone indifferent as if she was talking to a stranger. In truth, the girl and the young man, whose identities were a sharp contrast from one another— being the outcast adopted daughter and the recognized young master of the household, respectively— made them rarely interact with one another. So it was not surprising if neither felt any sort of relation towards the other. After informing Zhuo Fei, she continued on towards the front door.
"Wait!" a shrill voice suddenly called out just as the girl was about to reach for the door handle. Seeing the girl's actions pause, the voice continued on, "Zhuo Qing, are you really an ungrateful brat? You cannot even properly say goodbye to the hands that fed you for seventeen years?!"
It was the older woman who had spoken and it seemed that the girl's blatant display of ignoring her finally made her snap.
"I regret it! I regret the day that we took you in! I should have never let my foolish husband take you into the family registry!"
Zhuo Qing, who had been called out by the older woman, finally turned back to look at her.
"I have already thanked those that should be thanked," was her only response.
Wen Meirong felt extremely insulted by the girl's provoking words. Already thanked those who should be thanked? Doesn't that mean she, Wen Meirong, who has been the distinguished lady of the Zhuo Family for many years, was not even worthy of this brat's thanks?!
Wen Meirong had it all planned out. She would have this girl attend some backwater community college in the city then once she comes of age, she would force Zhuo Qing to marry into some politician's family. After all, with Zhuo Qing's grades, she would need to be extremely lucky to even get a job. The only redeeming point that Zhuo Qing had was her face. It was very alike to that b*tch's face from twenty years ago.
"Zhuo Qing, don't go too far!'' It was the younger lady beside the Zhuo matriarch who spoke this time. Her name was Fu Ziqi, Zhuo Qing's former schoolmate and the future young madam of the Zhuo Family. She had been Zhuo Fei's fiancée since high school. And it was because of this identity that Fu Ziqi felt that her words held more weight compared to the adopted Zhuo daughter that her future mother-in-law despised. "It's bad enough that you're disrespectful at school, but can't you at least learn to respect your elders at home? Just a simple thing, expressing thanks to aunty who has raised you, you cannot do? Don't be so shameless!"
If there was one thing Fu Ziqi was good at, it was trying to sow discord and create a deeper rift between Wen Meirong and Zhuo Qing. It had been that way ever since the two met eight years ago. Zhuo Qing, who had always preferred to keep to herself, unknowingly embarrassed Fu Ziqi after the latter tried to use underhanded means to get close to the Zhuo Family's only young master. Since then, Fu Ziqi would cause all kinds of petty trouble and blame it on Zhuo Qing. At some point, she had even framed Zhuo Qing of defacing their school's hundred-year-old mural. The real perpetrator was quickly caught, however.
Zhuo Qing did not react much to any of their words. After all, she was already accustomed to them. The more she'd try to answer, the more shameless these two would be.
"As I've said, I already thanked those I should thank," Zhuo Qing repeated, looking a little bored. This made both women even more mad.
"Zhuo Qing, you—!" Fu Ziqi quickly rushed towards the girl, her hand raised as if she would slap the other. However, before she could even go close, another hand reached out to her and pulled her back.
"Enough," it was Zhuo Fei who intervened. Fu Ziqi, whose arm was being held by the other, turned to look at her fiance, feeling wronged.
"Darling, she's disrespecting mother. Why can't I teach her a lesson in the name of family? We can't have her disrespect our Zhuo Family like this...."
Finally, Zhu Qing laughed.
"Fu Ziqi, do you really take yourself as part of the Zhuo Family already? You are only the fiancee of Zhuo Fei. You're not the young madam yet. Yet you think you can punish me in the name of the Zhuo Family? I never dare to use the name of the Zhuo Family. Aren't you the shameless one?" Zhu Qing mocked.
Fu Ziqi's face reddened further with embarrassment and fury. This... this Zhu Qing... is really hard to beat!
Even Zhuo Fei frowned when he heard Fu Ziqi's words. As a promising figure in the military, he knew it was better to have more backing. And while his own father was already a 1st Class General, it was Fu Ziqi's family— who held important positions in the government— that made him accept his mother's insistence of him dating Fu Ziqi. After all, feelings could be cultivated but connections are a must.
"Ziqi, stop. I already told you not to get into fights with her," Zhuo Fei said.
"But—" any other response was stopped by Zhuo Fei's warning gaze and tightening grip. Feeling aggrieved, Fu Ziqi could only silently clench her fists.
Seeing that the other had already stopped, Zhuo Fei's grip on her relaxed. Zhuo Fei then turned to look at Zhuo Qing.
"I will not stop you since Father has already agreed. But no matter how reluctant you are to use the name of this family, do bear in mind that on paper, you are still part of this Zhuo Family." So do not do anything that will implicate our family, this warning was left unsaid.
But Zhuo Qing clearly understood his meaning.
"Don't worry... 'brother.' I will not do anything to tarnish your family's reputation." Or rather, get her relation traced back to them. Because even if she wanted to be or not, she was still registered under their family. And this connection was dangerous enough if her identity was to be accidentally exposed at some point. She did not want to owe the Zhuo Family any more than she already did.
Zhuo Qing cast a fleeting glance at the three. Wen Meirong's and Fu Ziqi's faces resembled bright red tomatoes while Zhuo Fei's usually stoic face had a slight frown. These three people... for so many years, they had never treated her like she was part of the Zhuo Family. Even Fu Ziqi was more of a family to them than the one who was reluctantly adopted by them. They were all too different from her. If not for Zhuo Nieshan, the uncle who had insisted on adopting her back then, perhaps she would never have even crossed paths with them. Now, it was time to burn bridges for everyone's sake.
"Then, I'll be going," Zhuo Qing said in a curt tone and slight nod as she turned to the door again. This time, neither Wen Meirong nor Fu Ziqi stopped her. The three people could only watch as Zhuo Qing's slim figure disappeared behind the door.
Click. The door closed.
"I'll go see father now," it was Zhuo Fei who spoke after a while of silence. He did not wait for either woman's response and quickly went up the stairs to his father's home office.
Without anyone delaying her further, Zhuo Qing was able to quickly make her way out of the Zhuo Family Villa's main gates. Once outside, Zhuo Qing saw a black Ferrari parked a few metres away. She made her way towards the car and entered the passenger side. On the driver's side, a beautiful modelesque woman sat. This woman is called Huo Jing.
"Good morning, Boss!" This was how Zhuo Qing was greeted by the woman. "And I heard you just graduated yesterday so... Congratulations, Boss!"
Zhuo Qing gave her a non-committal nod in response. However, she cannot deny how warm it felt in her heart to be congratulated by someone she knew sincerely. She cast a glance at Huo Jing. Actually, this could be the first time she had even met the other in person. But with how much they had interacted over the phone and through secret messages for all those years, Zhuo Qing considered Huo Jing as more than just a loyal subordinate. She was also her friend. "... Thank you," Zhuo Qing finally managed to say after a while. Hearing that, Huo Jing grinned. Zhuo Qing looked away, clearing her throat. Without waiting for the other's remarks, Zhuo Qing asked, "How long are we travelling for?"
Huo Jing didn't mind that her boss had obviously changed the subject. "The estimated travel time is two hours, depending on the traffic condition," Huo Jing replied as she started the car.
"I see," Zhuo Qing didn't say much as she looked out of the window. The girl was absentmindedly looking at the changing scenery of the city she grew up in as they passed. If all went as she had planned, this was most likely the last time she would ever set foot at Hangzhou again.
"Boss, should we drive straight to Shanghai or do you want to stop over later when we reach the next city?" Huo Jing asked after some time. With her boss's personality, Huo Jing knew better than to start talking about nonsense. So, despite her usual loquacious nature, Huo Jing was quite well behaved as she drove. Even so, the silence was not as awkward as Huo Jing had originally thought. It was actually a... little relaxing.
"Just stop over for gas then continue on. I want to reach Shanghai as soon as we can," as Zhuo Qing spoke, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
"Copy, Boss."
The rest of the car ride was then spent in a relaxed silence.