"You sure, you're ready for this?" For the umpteenth time, he asked her.
"Really?" she asked.
"Really! I mean… if you don't want this then…"
"I already told you. I want this." She didn't hide the irritation in her eyes. Since they left the house, Chris had been asking her if she really wanted to do this. The man graciously drove her towards the hospital, then keep on talking about the Zhang Family.
The man wanted her to know the truth, but for some reason, he also didn't want her to go to the hospital now and risk seeing the whole Zhang Family. Yes, the original plan was for her to visit tonight and enjoy dinner with the old man before talking.
However, they received news that the old man had to go to the hospital.
"Alright. My people are going to keep you safe. In case… turn on the recorder of your phone. It will protect you against schemes. Currently, there were no people from the Zhang Family, yet. But they will soon come. I want you to leave immediately in the first sign of danger. I don't want them to bully you. You know what? Why don't I just accompany you inside?"
His words reminded her of a caring mother. She quite liked it. But then, she recalled how he wanted to use her. Perhaps he was only treating her like this because he was still thinking about using her against the Zhang Family? The thought stopped her from smiling.
She stared at him. "Thank you."
"Hmm. Put my number in your speed dial number one."
"Uhh… nope."
"That's needed."
Cross was speed dial number one. "Let me put you at number two."
"Why not number one?"
"Just number two."
"Why can't I be number one?" he continued asking.
"Just number two." And she continued saying the same thing. It was a deadlock.
Obviously, he isn't number one because someone else is already using that number. Is that so hard to understand?
"Alright… I will stay number two. For now."
She chuckled and shook her head. "Alright." She looked at him before she went out of the car and marched towards the entrance. She lowered the cap that covered almost half of her face as she walked inside the elevator and pressed the VIP floor where the old man was located. It took her a few seconds to find the old man's room.
For a few minutes, she stood at the door, staring at the number. She thought of the last time that she saw the old man.
By then, he should be around seventy. He was still active, he was playing golf with her father or uncle or adoptive father. She chuckled at the thought of it.
Perhaps, she should just start calling that man by his name. After all, they made sure to tell everyone that she wasn't a Zhang anymore on that night. She gave the door a soft knock and almost immediately, the door opened. A man, whom she recognized as her grandfather's assistant smiled at her.
He gestured her towards the old man that was lying on the huge bed. She roamed her eyes around the VIP room and discovered that it looked more like a hotel room more than a hospital. She immediately noticed the absence of oxygen tanks and pieces of medical equipment.
She inhaled, the smell of disinfectants was the only thing that reminded her this wasn't a hotel but a VIP room in a hospital.
"I have to pretend to get sick today and asked my people to refuse any visitations from the Zhang Family." The old man's voice was weak and croaky. "I wanted to make sure that no one would attempt to do something to you."
She stared at his wrinkled face. The last time she saw him, the white strands in his head were not that obvious. Right now, his hair already turned silver-white.
"Sit." The old man gestured her to sit on the table a few feet away from the bed. She complied.
The room was actually like a suite room in a hotel with complete amenities. She spotted a stove and oven in the kitchen to her left, a huge two-door fridge can be seen next to it. To her right, was the old man's queen-size bed, a few books can be seen stacked on his side table.
Sera watched as his assistant assisted him as he walked towards her.
"Do you want some coffee?" he asked.
"Tea would be nice. Thank you," she answered.
The old man's face froze before he looked at his assistant. "Bring her … her mother's favorite."
Mother…
The word was a bit familiar and unfamiliar to her. Growing up, she never really had someone who treated her like a mother would treat her child. She was spoiled, yes. But no one really took care of her like how Zhang Xin would take care of Zhang Ying when they were still children.
"You are here to hear about the truth?"
She opened her mouth wanting to say something but ended up nodding. She was indeed her to know about the truth.
"Ah, let me preface this by saying that… the only way that I could protect you and teach you the brutality of the real world is if I send you away. If you stood by my side, they will only attack you and turn you into someone else."
Again, she said nothing.
The old man took this as a chance to take a sip of his own tea. Judging from its strong smell, she knew it was must be some herbal tea. "Your mother was kind of like you. Spoiled, she was rude too. Oh, let me say that she was cruel and impatient." Despite his words, the old man's eyes were gentle. "My eldest… I thought loving her meant giving her everything that she wanted."
The old man let out a sigh, his face morphing into sadness. "I was wrong. But it was too late for me to realize my mistake. By then, she was already hurting other people and thought the world owed her something. Let me start her story by saying that she was actually the antagonist of her own life. The villainess who was raised by her controlling and authoritative father."