Haoyu Cheng invited the CEO of Savage Industries, Li Zhang and his son, Hu Zhang to lunch at the mansion. Haoyu Cheng plans marrying his second daughter, Megan off to the Zhang family, which would provide the perfect opportunity to expand his business empire.
The was a lot of cheer and food to go round, except for Anna who barely touched her food. She was physically present but her mind was with Ji-Hoon. They haven't seen each other in two weeks and his phone number isn't connecting. The thought of not seeing Ji-Hoon in two weeks was torture for her. And worst of all, she didn't know where he lives or any relation to enquire about his whereabouts.
After a while, Haoyu Cheng and Li Zhang went into his study to have a private conversation. Li Zhang was the first to notice the odd seating arrangement of the family. "Forgive me Maurice, I couldn't help but notice that your wife is seated very far from you. She should be seated beside you as your queen." Susan snorted. And Megan burst out laughing. Hu Zhang's confusion registered on his face, as he didn't know how what he said could be amusing.
"Am sorry. Did I say something funny?" This time Maurice burst out laughing even harder than Megan did. And in a split second everyone else started laughing. Including Hu Zhang who didn't know why they were laughing. At that moment, Anna felt like the ground would open up and swallow her. The embarrassment was a little more than usual. She knew if she spends anymore second in that room she may go crazy. So she quickly stood up from the chair and ran out of the house.
The sun was setting, and the picturesque hues of gold and grey reverberated throughout Central Park. The air was cold and appealing. Anna was seated on a street bench crying silently. There was a longing in her heart that only Ji-Hoon could fill, but he was no where to be found. If she would just see his face, she would be okay. Without her father, brother and now Ji-Hoon, Anna felt a crushing loneliness.
As the cold wind blew, Anna folded her arms to keep warm. Still the cold ravaged her without mercy. But she felt that her wounded heart was of higher priority than her body. There wasn't enough time to get some warm clothing before she left the house. But who could? Maybe someone with an ice pump in place of a heart.
As she thought deeper about her predicament, Anna wept bitterly. But out of the blue, something else took her attention. Someone was approaching. Anna could hear the sound of the person's shoe but wasn't interested to raise her head to see who it is. The person would probably pass and let her cry in peace without distracting her. But the person didn't pass as she expected. The person stopped right in front of her.
"Hello little Da Vinci". Anna couldn't believe what her ears just heard. There was only one person in the world who called her 'Little Da Vinci'. Raising her head slowly, Anna prayed for it to be true and not a dream. When she saw her brother, Anna's emotions switched immediately from sorrow to joy. "Richy? Is this truly you?" Richard nodded. "One and only."
Anna screamed as she pounced on Richard enthusiastically. Richard grabbed her and held her tight. As the both embraced each other, the pain of all they have endured melted away, like wax in the presence of fire. Anna's day was suddenly less shitty because of the sight of her brother. Richard on the other hand, felt profound bliss like nothing he has ever felt. Seeing his little sister again gave him hope.
As a big brother, he quickly checked her body for any marks or scars. Richard wanted to make sure that the I'll treatment of his sister never got physical, else he would rain fire and brimstone on the Cheung family. "Are you okay? Are you hurt? I hope none of them beat you?" His questions made Anna smile. She really has missed her brother's protective instincts.
"No one beat me Richy. My predicament didn't get that bad. But I was verbally insulted on a daily basis that I almost went crazy in there. As a matter of fact, I was just humiliated in front of a guest so badly that I had to run out of the house. How did you find me?" "I saw you run out of the house, and I followed you. For how long has this been going on?" Richard asked ominously.
Anna shrugged. "Uh… I think it started right after you were arrested, but it got worse as soon as you were sent to prison." Richard took in deep breaths and exhaled. "I am terribly sorry for all you have been through. And for not being there to protect you. But I am here now." Anna sighed. "It's okay Richy. But out of curiousity, I want to know if you truly did all those terrible things they said about you."
"No Anna. I was framed. The evidences presented by the prosecution was fabricated. But I don't want us to talk about that now. We will have enough time to talk about it. Right now, I want you to leave that God forsaken house and move in with me till I get you your own place." Anna threw her face down. "But I can't just run away from my marriage?" Richard's face reddened. "What the hell are you talking about? Do you like the way you are being treated there? Why did you even marry that looser anyway?"
Anna didn't know which question to answer first. But seeing that she has provoked her brother, she went for the most relevant question. "I married him because uncle Marcus threatened to disinherit both of us. He also promised to do everything in his power to ensure that you never get out of prison. So I was left with very little choice. Besides, Maurice was kind and loving then, but I don't know what changed him." Richard scoffed.
"Kind and loving huh? I believe now you know better. You were used like a stamp to seal an alliance. And since you have been married to Maurice, has Marcus ever visited you or even called you?" "No" "That's exactly my point. But it all ends now. You were coersed into marriage, and your life has been miserable since then. But the time has come to take your live back."
Richard handed Anna his car key. "Take my car and go to my house and wait for me there." He gave her a piece of paper. "Here is the address. Get there and relax. I will be with you later today. Forget about whatever property or clothing you have in that house. I will replace it all. I know you haven't painted since you got married. Am I right?"
"Absolutely. Not a single stroke. I haven't even had a single inspiration. It's like my inspiration frequency got jammed. I tried several times to create something, but always came up empty." Richard shrugged. "How do you expect to be inspired to paint when you are always crying. Painting is not like music where artists can draw inspiration from their pain. So take my car key and go to that address."
Anna glared at the address on the paper and gasped. "Richard, where did you get the money to pay for a house at the Bund? And this car key is for a Maserati. How can you afford to buy such an expensive car. She enquired. "It's a long story Anna. One that I would love to tell you, later when I get back home. So please get going. I will see you later." Anna stared at the address for a moment and turned her gaze back at Richard.
"And what will you be doing? Why don't we go together to your place." "I want to study my enemies. I want to take a closer look at them in their comfort zone to understand how they think. Then will I know the proper action to take." Anna hadn't the slightest clue what her brother was talking about. "I know they hurt me. But that's not enough to call them your enemies. C'mon Richy, you are better than this."
Richard looked up to the sky. "There are a lot of things you don't know Anna. If you knew what I know, you will have the same animosity in you. But all will be revealed later. Just get going." And with that, Anna left him and headed to where his car was parked.
Richard strolled quietly through the street till he got to the building across the road from the Cheung's. Finding a vintage position, away from prying eyes, he then retrieved a compact binoculars from his pocket. The binoculars is an Olympus WP II 10x25 with a magnification of 10x. The body of the binoculars is nitrogen-filled to be waterproof, fogproof, and dirtproof.
But Richard retrofitted the binoculars with a small, yet powerful bluetooth antenna. And an increased relative brightness of 6.5. With a frequency of over 10 Hertz, the antenna could send or receive voice signals from a far distance, and includes a voice recorder. After activating the antenna, Richard peered through the lens of the binoculars and observed.
"I know Haoyu, but the government regulations make it very difficult." Haoyu Cheng sighed. "You are the president of one of the most prestigious banks in Shanghai. I don't see how it will be difficult. Except you don't want to help me. That would bring our alliance and friendship to an end" Li Zhang's heart skipped a beat. His friendship with the old man has quadrupled his income and increased his social class in Shanghai.
Before they met, he was just an ordinary 9-5 working accountant with no social standing. But now he's the owner of an aluminium factory and president of a bank. Li Zhang knows exactly what will happen if he looses the friendship and support of Haoyu Cheng. But what Haoyu Cheng was asking of him will destroy his career, business and life if caught. Li Zhang was stuck in between the devil and the deep blue sea.
"Okay, fine. I will do it. But you have to give me some time to put some protective measures in place for my protection." Haoyu nodded. "Of course. Take all the time you need. I will be standing by for your signal to move the money. I am glad that I can rely on you at times like this, because good friends are hard to come by these days." Li Zhang sighed. "It's not every day you launder money for the Triads."
Richard moved his binoculars from Haoyu Cheng's study down to the dinning room where Megan and Hu Zhang was seated alone. "You are even more beautiful in person Megan. I am glad to have come with my father." Megan smiled. "Thanks Hu, I am glad to hear that. You are not bad looking yourself." "I see Maurice is not comfortable with his marriage to Anna Yeon. Why doesn't he just divorce her and be done with it?"
"Well it's not that simple. Besides, any reasonable human being would have filled for divorce after being treated badly. But because she's poor and dependent on Maurice, she doesn't want to let go of Maurice. The stupid girl is just a leech." Hu Zhang nodded. "I see. Which means Maurice has his heart set on someone else." "Oh yes. He desires Yu Yan Xing." Hu Zhang squinted. "Yu Yan Xing the news anchor who her brother is married to the daughter of the King of Thailand?" "One and the same."
"Wow. He has taste. I wish him all the best though." "Yeah. Me too." Hu Zhang raised his glass of wine. "Here is to us." And their glasses clinked.
Richard lowered the binoculars slowly, enraged by all he heard. But he found consolation in the fact that he acquired sensitive information he will use against the Cheung's. The sweet, soft and friendly Richard has been hardened behind the walls of Kaishui prison. And the people who killed his father, sent him to prison, and impoverished him and his sister are about to feel the venom of accumulated pain, misery and malice.