Old Master Cinri was waiting at his private dining, it was those rare days when he could convince his
third son to have dinner with him. He wasn't sure what Xian would like to eat, so he had asked the chef to prepare almost everything. As a child Xian used to love eating herb rice and seasoned chicken prepared by him, so the old man had cooked that himself for Xian.
"There comes our CEO, How are you doing my boy?" Senior Cinri's eyes sparkled when he saw Xian.
"Better than your expectations." Xian replied with a straight face, he had always been cold and distant with his father, there was a deep seated reason, which had created this void. Xian avoided interactions with his family as much as possible.
Senior Cinri was habituated with his son's cold treatment and over the years he has realised that he deserves it.In the past he had wronged some people who loved him, and Xian was one of them. With his advancing age he has understood, what he did in the past couldn't be amended, neither it was possible to win back the love and trust, but still he was determined that he would try to atone Xian.
***
"Did you like her Xian?" the beautiful boy nodded his head, several years back. She was the only girl Xian allowed to touch, after losing his mother. Mr.Cinri had taken Xian with him to the port city, as advised by the doctor staying near the sea might help the boy to come out of his trauma.
Mr. Cinri's comrade, Mr.Tan lived there, so he decided to pay a visit to his old comrade, Xian accompanied him. It was a windy spring morning, when Mr Cinri arrived at the Tan Manor, he was informed that, Mr and Mrs Tan weren't at their Manor House, they had lost their daughter and Son in law in an accident recently, the couple had went to complete some formalities.
However, Senior Cinri saw a little girl playing at the beautiful rose garden, she
was no less beautiful than a rose, she was running around at the garden, fell down and hurt herself. Unexpectedly Xian gave her a rose to distract her, and, hurriedly picked her up, to his utter surprise the girl didn't flinch, she hugged him back "uncle is so warm." The beautiful little girl said gladly, her almond shaped eyes sparkled brightly. A warm smile come on Xian's face after almost half a year after losing his mother, and Mr.Cinri could do anything to see that smile again.
Since that day he had decided to make this beautiful girl his daughter in law.
Senior Cinri was lost in his world of old thoughts, when Xian spoke, "I don't think you called me just to have a meal. Did you?"
"Of course not, how can an old man like me dare to waste the time of the CEO of the Cinri Corporations."
Xian smirked, "you have a way with words, but I would like you to bring it on straight."
"It's about the marriage, I had mentioned, I mean you signed the documents."
"Yes I did, because that was the condition you had given me to become the CEO, but I hope you know it well, marriage isn't something that interests me. Why did you bring that up today?" Xian's face had darkened, his eyes were terribly cold.
"Don't give me that cold gaze of yours, I am your father, don't you dare." Mr Cinri asserted, "Tomorrow the marriage will be registered, tomorrow on wards your wife will be living with you, I would suggest you to make the arrangements carefully, so that she doesn't have an any problem in living with you."
"Treat her well."
"What is this? Some sort of decree? I am not your puppet, don't expect I will do as you say, because I won't. I don't want a bride for a gift. Who had asked you to choose a wife for me?"
"I didn't choose her,
you did, several years back. Believe me, I did all I could do as your father to get her for you." Senior Cinri retorted.
Xian was confused now, he didn't remember choosing a wife for himself, "Another lie! Is she some sorry of property that you would get for me! It's a marriage, it's about life. Father, I have stopped believing in you ever since I lost mother. You are lying to me again so that you can have your way." there was a pain in Xian's eyes.
Senior Cinri looked hurt, but still continued, "I don't care. If you want to keep your position, do as I say, live a happy married life with her, she is your legal wife so treat her the way a good husband must treat his wife."
"I have nothing to prove to anyone. I have achieved this position, so I don't need to be scared." Xian snapped.
Senior Cinri clearly saw that he was losing this bargain, although the papers were signed, but if he didn't accept the girl, there was no point of this marriage, so he decided for his last resort, "Xian, if you have grudge against me for being a bad husband to your mother, then avenge me by becoming a good husband. Prove me that even if you are my blood. You are different." Xian was stunned, he never expected his father to speak about such a sensitive matter at this moment. Over the years, Xian had never brought up his mother, neither did his father. "If your mother would have been here, then she would have wanted you to get married and have a good life, she would have expected her son to become a good husband, unlike her own husband." Tears rolled down the old man's eyes, his voice was choked.
Although a storm was going on inside Xian, he couldn't bring himself to console his father, he couldn't forgive him over the years.
Xian stood up to leave, "Wait, here's an envelope with her details." Senior Cinri handed over a sealed envelope, and insisted "have a look at it by tonight. Make the arrangements to bring her tomorrow." The old man looked at Xian with a pleading gaze, "here, I cooked this herb rice and chicken for you myself, like old times.Take it home."
Xian took the envelope and left.