The next morning, a day where most people hate, a day that they don’t want to exist, Monday. Is there any other thing worse than a first day of work after spending a nice relaxing weekend? But well… not everyone can spend their best time on the weekend. As an example for the people in this house who had a chaotic weekend. None of those are the Bèi’s family.
As always for the morning routine, Quan and Wuying are having breakfast together but somehow Wuying can feel something is off. Quan is awfully quiet with an intense aura flowing out from him. Of course Wuying only knows it’s probably because of his work or from their arguments yesterday. However, there is something else in there. His mind is splitted into two things, obviously his work and the other one is from what his brother just told him yesterday. Not about Wuying but toward Dwei’s assistant.
“Until what time are you going to work, Gege?” Wuying is the first one to break the silence. Thinking that Quan probably feels awkward from their small misunderstanding.
“Six. I’ll be back before dinner.” Quan answers with his emotionless tone without looking at her. The worries grow higher in Wuying because Quan never acts this cold whenever they are together. But Wuying always has her AS card to win over in this situation.
“Are you still mad at me, Gege?” She asks with those puppy eyes, begging for forgiveness and shows full purity. She also uses the softest voice tone which can drag Quan’s attention in an instant. Based on his expression, he looks surprised and seems like snapped out of his deep thoughts.
“Of course not. Why would I be mad at you?” Quan answers softly with his sweet smile which also gets greeted with the same one from Wuying.
“Really? Are you sure?~” The voice is just getting softer along with her facial expression. It almost looks like even her pupils are almost covering her iris. Can’t stand this adorableness from his sister, the tip on Quan’s lips curves up.
“There ain’t no way I can do such a thing to this little cutie pie.” Quan replies and gently pats Wuying’s head. Their smiles grow wider with each other until the weight on both of them raise a little bit.
“You’re the best, Gege!” Wuying exclaims happily, “And… oh! Gege, do you know about–” suddenly her excitement gets interrupted by the ringing sound that is coming from Quan's phone. Of course they hear that as Quan immediately turns his head away to look at the source. His face suddenly changes gloomy with his eyes squinting by seeing the phone’s screen.
“Sorry, Wuying. I have to pick this one.” Quan says to excuse himself then stands up from his seat to go outside. It leaves the stoned Wuying with irritation paint all over her face but at the same time she can’t do anything about it.
“Really?” Is the only word that comes out in disbelievement from her mouth as she rolls her eyes in annoyance then goes back to her room, leaving her unfinished breakfast. Taking only a few minutes to prepare herself, she gets out of her room while holding on to her phone that is sticking to her right ear.
“Yea, I’m coming.” Is the only answer she gives and hangs it up right away. She leaves the house without saying anything to Quan and Hui. There is a car already waiting for her outside the house, right in front of their gate house. In a rush, Wuying gets in there quickly and closes the door behind her.
“Ready to go, Miss Wuying?” The man asks by seeing her though the center mirror. That person is just one of the executive drivers from Han’s company which also can assist Quan’s needs. Wuying doesn’t say anything but she nods in response as her eyes are still focusing on her phone. With that being said, they are now on their way somewhere that Wuying has planned before.
**Niu’s POV**
Next morning, I drive my children to the train station and say goodbye to them. How many times has it been since then? I forgot… but one thing for sure. No matter how many goodbyes we share together, the achness in my heart will remain the same. The tears are still coming out from my eyes once the car’s door closes and I give some time to letting it all out for a bit. Probably the only difference is the amount of time I need to calm myself down because I’m slowly getting used to it.
Back to my normal routine. Arriving back at home, I prepare myself and everything I need to open my shop. My employees come just in time, help me to put the things down, and I will wait for customers to come on my chair, cashier counter. This is my daily routine, nothing much changes as everything seems to be flat.
“Oh, right.” Remembering tomorrow is the schedule for some goods to other partners that they have ordered, I take out some files from the cabinet next to the counter. While taking out some orders on my notes and checking if the items are available, I sense there is someone steps inside the shop. Probably the customer is what I thought but when I raise my head up, it’s someone that I’m familiar with. Feng.
“Packed up?” He asks with that sweet smile with his eyes focused on the pile of files as he sits on the stool that is next to the front counter.
“Yep kinda since you know… orders.” Answering his question while raising one of the papers to show it to Feng who has had his eyes on me. In just a slight glimpse of him, I can see how the brightness is full of curiosity in his eyes just like a puppy. It makes me chuckle then puts down all of my work to approach him.
“What's on today's menu?” I ask him as he takes out some of the files from his backpack.
“Nothing much. Just the usual.” He replies and hands them to me. A report of my bank account along with some of the other property’s data.
“Seems to be just fine.” He says while I’m still looking through all of the papers in front of me. After giving it a quick check, I nod in affirmation and raise my head to face him. There is that tiny smile on him at first but then it quickly disappears as he takes another file.
“Well for Quan…” The first paper he shows to me is one of his properties. A land property to be precise.
“He sold one of them two days ago.” he continues while my face looks completely in shock just by knowing which property it is.
This one is the third widest that belongs to Bèi’s family. Based on what Niu knows, Bèi’s family, especially Quan, bought so many properties for long future assets of where it might be at a higher price. The problem is that Quan bought this land three years ago which means the price won’t change significantly. Only slightly different and it’s totally the opposite of how they planned it to be.
“Are you sure he is the one who sold it?” I ask Feng while raising my head with confusion all over my face. Something is off and my guest is most likely going to be correct for this one.
“From the report that I got, the land was sold under Chang Bèi.” He answers and points out the seller name that I just missed from the paper I’m holding on. Just knowing which land it is, it’s enough to freeze my thoughts for a moment. The fruit really can’t fall far from the tree, huh?
“I see.” The words that are able to come out from my mouth. It is expected to come out like that but still gives me goosebumps of how they keep thirsting for each other blood. What a shame.
This is just one of the billions of examples of what the siblings had done behind Quan’s back. Of course, there is a thought in my head that comes through as thinking if he doesn’t realize any of it? Or at least know about it? Let’s say if he knows about it, there are another half and half options. He just lets it flow like that or tries to talk it out with them but they just ignore him. However, if the second option happened, they wouldn't do such things up until now, right?
Just thinking about it, it’s enough to give me a headache. The greediness of wanting wealth on them is just on another level that might be beyond the devil. Not only that but I also feel bad at the same time. No matter what Quan has done to me, he is still my husband, the head of this family, the father of my angels.
“Must be hard, huh?” Suddenly Feng speaks up which makes me quickly raise my head up to look at him. Only to find that, he has those sympathetic eyes on it. Eyes that say “caught you.”. I don’t say anything back. Just a tiny smile, nod, and look back to the paper I’m holding on.
“But well, there must be an end to it, right?” He says with that smile while leaning to the front with his arms crossed on the counter. From the way he said it, I recognise that he’s trying to comfort me. Everyone has their own ways to comfort people anyway and thanks to Feng, he lifts up some of my overflowing emotions.
“Thank you, Feng. And yeah… hope for the best for everything.” Replying back and once again raising my head to look into his eyes.
But this time is not the same as before because something catches my eyes. Behind Feng, a little bit far away, is in front of my shop. There is just arrived a black car, a familiar one. A car that is usually driven by Quan from the train station after he gets back from Lijiang. Seeing this car, of course I’m expecting that it must be Quen who comes out from the car. However, those thoughts disappear right away when I see a woman's feet step out from the car. Once again, a fancy yet familiar high heel.
“Oh my,” Is the first word that comes out of my mouth which also makes Feng change his facial expression. He looks at me confusedly until he turns around to follow where my eyes landed on. Not long after that, it reveals the person who is inside the car. Both of us probably have the exact same expression.
White overall dress, a bit longer than her black coat, to be more precise right on her knees. Black leather boots that cover her calves. There is also a fancy looking purse hanging on her right shoulder. On top of that, the familiar black long layered hair with her sunglasses on. A feature that won’t go away easily, a detailed picture in my head.
“What a surprise.” I say.
It’s Wuying.
**Third Person POV**
“Ma’am, is that..” Feng slowly turns his head to look at Niu who is still staring at the person who just got out of the car. He reads her expression, Niu just standing there, staring at her deeply but no anger in sight. Also one thing he notices is that Niu has that tiny smile which is the one she always uses to greet her customers.
“Mhm, and I guess I need to greet our special guest.” Niu says and puts all of the papers on the counter then approaches her. Meanwhile Wuying is still standing which actually becomes the center of the attention of Niu’s workers. Different from Niu, Wuying has those flaring angry eyes on her but fortunately it is covered with her sunglasses.
“Welcome, sister. What may I help you with?” Niu greets her with the usual smile she always wears with them. The last time Wuying came to this place was when her mother was still alive. Getting such a greeting, Wuying squints her eyes, a bit disturbing for her with how Niu behaves even though she always got that before.
“Inside. Now.” Is Wuying’s answer to Niu’s warm greeting as she walks past her by, not minding all of the stares from Niu’s workers and customers. Well, this is the kind of reply that Niu expects whenever she comes to her house. How long has it been since she sees those deadly furious eyes of Wuying? Ahh.. right. After that funeral.
Wuying gets inside first with her arms crossed in front of her as Niu just follows her from behind. Once they are alone in the main room, Wuying slowly walks and looks around the house not minding Niu who is standing behind her next to the closed door. This pattern, Niu knows so well of what Wuying is going to bring up so she just plays along with it.
“Nothing much changed, huh? Since the last time I came with my mother.” Wuying breaks the silence. Not long after they get inside, Qiu shows up, noticing that there is someone else other than Niu who just got in.
“Qiu, can you–” Before Niu can finish, Wuying cuts it off.
“Ahh… Hi there, Qiu. How have you been living in this luxurious place of my Gege?” Wuying says while approaching her then puts one of her arms on Qiu’s right shoulder.
“Uhh.. Umm..” Because of surprised, Qiu can’t reply to Wuying’s greeting as she just stands there, looking puzzled not knowing what kind of situation just happened. It happens because whenever someone comes to visit, they will at least let Niu or Quan know about it, then later will inform Qiu to prepare something for their guests.
“Aww… Look at you. You’re still so tiny and don’t change at all. Did she not give you food or something? Poor you…” Wuying continues, not letting Qiu give her a proper answer. Since Qiu still can’t manage her posture, she glances at Niu's side for a second. However, Wuying quickly raises her other hand to grab her face to look at her.
“Why don’t you come to my place in Lijiang, hm? You can meet and work together with your Meimei.” Wuying says and brings her face close to Qiu who it seems like to be her hostage. After saying that, Wuying finally glances toward Niu but what she finds is just the opposite of how she wanted it to be.
Niu is just standing there, staring at them with her usual blank eyes, and without any expression at all. Both of her hands stay still and her expression looks completely unbothered. Seeing this reaction of Niu, it only boils the anger inside Wuying but also confused at the same time. It only makes her smirks and finally takes her hands off from Qiu. At the same, Niu notices that as well so she takes off her gaze from Wuying and focuses on Qiu. In just a second, Niu’s eyes softened when looking at her.
“Qiu, can you please make tea for both of us, please?” Niu orders calmly with her sweet smile. Qiu is still freezing there and can’t say anything. Therefore, Niu speaks up once again and hopefully it will wake her up.
“Black tea, okay?” She speaks once again and it seems like it worked as Qiu quickly nods and turns around to leave the room. Now the atmosphere in the living room backs to the intense once as only the sound of clock ticking is filling the place. Both of them stay on their spots until Niu speaks once again.
“Please take a seat.” Niu says and walks to the nearest sofa. Not bothering how intense Wuying’s glare at her with those outraged eyes. As a person who has a patient just as thin as a tissue, this behavior of Niu just snapped all of Wuying’s resistance to hold back her anger. Instead of listening to what Niu just said to her, she rushes forward and pushes Niu’s shoulder harrassly. Thankfully at that moment, Niu knows that coming so she manages to put on the right position to not fall from it.
“Do you forget who you are?!” Wuying says intimidatingly, increasing his voice tone as if she is just growling at her.
Even after that push, Niu’s body is facing her but her face just remains the same. There is a gap between her lips but Wuying can only find shock and confusion on her face. No more fear, anger, frustration, or any other things like how it used to be. It freezes Wuying once again, feeling disbelievement of what she is witnessing right now. Noticing that in a second, Niu raises her hand and gently puts it on Wuying’s upper arm. The hand she just used to push her.
“Please take a seat first. Let’s talk it out.” Niu offers gently while leading her to sit. Getting such treatment, Wuying quickly wipes off Niu’s hand from her with that disgusted expression as if she is just getting touched by insects. On the other hand, Niu, who keeps getting treated harrassly, still remains the same as she only looks at her worriedly. This is the first time Wuying gets treated like this by Niu. There is no sign of forcefulness in her action and it completely seems so natural.
“Seriously, what game are you playing?” Wuying asks suspiciously with her intimidating voice and looks at her from top to bottom. Refusing to sit on the sofas because she is in a statement full of awareness. Meanwhile, the person she is talking with looks completely normal, just like how she usually is. This scene makes Wuying look like a fool who is anxious over small things.
“Sorry, I don’t get it. Do you want to play with me? Or–” As always, gets cut off whenever Niu speaks up.
“Don’t give me that shit! Remember your place, bitch!” Wuying shouts and stomps her right leg, trying to cornered her prey. However, the one who she keeps attacking doesn’t flinch at all. Niu stays without moving an inch as she is still looking at her worriedly. How shameful it is and it mixed up with anger as well.
“You see all of these?!” Wuying shouts once again and points her finger circling the room, it hits every single thing that is in the room.
“All of it belongs to my brother! And these walls, floors, cars, and everything of it is because of Gege Quan! You’re nothing!” She lets out all of her emotions through her brief speech. A hatred speech full of insulation.
Nothing changed. Nothing goes as the way Wuying wants it to be. She wants to see those glassy furious eyes of Niu’s. Veins that pop out on her temples and hands. The gritted, a face that is full of resentment. Wuying finds none of it on Niu’s top to bottom. She only sits there with her hands on her lap and stares at her expressionless. A flat face as if none of her words get into her ears. Therefore, it leaves Wuying speechless with her chest moving up and down like she is trying to catch her breath from running ten miles.
The complete silence is still there until one of them breaks it up. And of course, the one who does it is the prey, Niu.
“So… umm… Is there anything else?” Niu says awkwardly while rubbing the back of her neck. Wuying has enough. Loss of words, looking like a patchetic, unworthy opponent in front of Niu.
“Prepare yourself! Gege will come for you!” Wuying says while pointing her finger directly into Niu’s face. Then in those seconds, her face changes into the smug, the one she always uses to face Niu.
“Just enjoy your time while you still can. The truth will always win.” Those are the final sentences she says before storming out from the room. Meanwhile Niu’s eyes are still locking at her until she is not in her sight. Now she is finally alone and a tiny smile forms on her face
“You’re right. You’re always right.” Niu says and turns her face to look at the family photo that is hanging in the room. Her eyes landed directly into her husband.
“The truth will always win."
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