CHAPTER 1
The wild flowers, unfurled their fragrance to the light breeze that blew in the garden. In the garden stood tall trees with rustling leaves. Variety of exquisite flowers bloomed on herbs and shrubs and creepers that rested on the ground. Lienna walked on the pathway lined by Lavender plants on the either side. Her lustrous long hair, dangled with her pace. She reached a placid blue lake located right behind her garden.
Lienna sat down on the stone laid near the lake and gazed at the water. The lake reflected her beautiful face. As she gazed, several drops of tears welled down her cheeks.
"Mom I miss you. I miss you a lot." She lamented.
As her tear drops fell into the lake, she saw something move underneath the water. A sudden wave of fear hit her. She stood up.
"Lienna dear" a voice called from behind. It was her aunt Meiling. Immediately, Lienna wiped her tears and smiled.
"Aunt Meiling. Why are you here?"
"The whole family is waiting for you."
"For what aunt?"
"It is a surprise... Follow me." Lienna followed her aunt. There was a strange sound from the lake after they left.
Lienna and Meiling reached the back entrance of their villa. It was huge and was painted baby pink. There were flower pots in every window. Lights inside glass jars were hung randomly in the wall.
They walked past the kitchen, dining area, the open yard and they reached the living room in the front part of the house. The living room was large and was decorated aesthetically like a fairy land. The whole family waited in the living room.
Lienna's grandparents Yang, Janice and her uncle Bolin were seated in the sofa, her twin cousins Yuyan and Yufan who were of age 26, stood behind.
The family had two managers Huan and Da Chun to manage their properties in Wuzhen, the native place of Lienna's grandparents. They also worked in the jewelry firm of Lienna's family. Huan and Da Chun were the children of the former manager of the great Yang family's businesses. They were young and always energetic. The managers and other servants too waited in the living room.
Aunt Meling settled in a single seater and said "The fun begins".
"What's the matter grandma?" asked Lienna. Her brothers smirked from the behind.
Her grandmother Janice started speaking. "Now is the time…"
"But for what?"
"For you to gain experience in life. You should learn to work and learn to live independently. You should also learn to understand people."
Lienna's twin cousins laughed out loud. Lienna glowered at them. Then her grandmother continued,
"I know my dear, you are a happy and carefree girl living with all sophistications, but you should learn to live on your own too. That's an important life skill. Your cousins did this part very well, they enjoyed every bit of it and now they returned to take care of our family business. Now is your turn. Search for a job dear and learn to explore life and be safe always. Of course, you can spend time with us in the weekends. You should work for five months. Don't reveal your family background to others unless it's necessary. You should work outside for five months."
"But grandma I don't want to live outside." She told in a sweet tone.
"You do this dear. It happens in our family usually." Said her grandpa.
"I'm just a little girl."
"You are already at the age of 23 dear. Yesterday you celebrated your birthday in such a grand scale. Forgot?"
"Don't worry child, we will always be there for you. If you find yourself in trouble, we are there to help you out." Her uncle said and he went to her, patted her head and left the living room. Her aunt too hugged her and left. As all left, her brothers and managers remained.
Lienna's cousins approached her. "What are you going to do sister?" they asked in pathetic tone and laughed.
She said "I've got my plans" and looked at the managers.
They understood Lienna's intention and started running around the room.
Lienna chased them and caught Huan.
"You will find a job for me Huan."
"But your grandmother will fire me if I do that."
"I will fire you if you don't."
"This is unfair Lienna, find a job on your own."
"Please help me my sweetest friends." She let a wave of sorrow cross her face.
"You always manage to do this Lienna." Said Huan. "I'll help you."
Lienna smiled at her brothers in triumph.