That evening, the Shen’s who had been invited to the launch event earlier were invited to the yacht. They were expecting a dium sized yacht, nothing too fancy.
But their jaws nearly dropped when they saw the real thing. It was three hundred feet long, gleaming like a floating palace. Its decks were polished so brightly that even the sea gulls were hesitant to land on them.
As they crossed the beach, they couldn’t help noticing that it was crawling with agents of the SOB and private bodyguards. All of them were ard in so way, and all of them were well trained.
Liwu walked beside Weijun, her expression calm as always. But inside, she was excited. It had been so long since she last spent a day with her family without having to worry about her bad luck ruining the day for everyone.
"You are trembling." Weijun whispered to her.
Liwu exhaled, to calm herself. She had solved murders, cracked conspiracies, and stared down gang bosses without blinking. But tonight, she was attending a family event where everyone would be looking at her with smiles, not wariness. Those with babies had even brought the little ones!
She would hug them all and vie for the position of favorite aunt, cousin, or whatever relationship they had.
As soon as they set foot on the yacht, Madam Xu touched her chest. "The quintuplets are everywhere. Sets upon sets of them wearing almost similar clothes."
With a giggle, Weijun said, "They had a copy and paste button which was pushed too many tis during creation."
So were tall, so short, so scholarly, so cold, so warm, so mischievous--but almost half of them identical in their sets. Weijun had already been dragged through their chaos at the launch party. He was expecting madness and noise, but surprisingly, they were chill.
Chill but rowdy.
So were lounged on deck chairs, arguing about sports. So were racing paper boats in a the swimming pool! One group was playing cards, loudly accusing each other of cheating. Kids were running around with water guns threatening to soak anyone who refused to smile.
The Shen’s smiled so much that they showed teeth!
One of the younger boys tried to spray Weijun but Liwu tackled him and revealed her handcuffs. The kids run off squealing with joy.
Different relatives pulled mbers of the Shen family to join different activities. Yuening went away with the water pistol gang. But Weijun firmly remained at Liwu’s side.
"This is manageable," he whispered as they found a place to sit in a loft that had a great view of the sunset and happened to be near the kitchen.
She raised her eyebrows. "Don’t get too excited. You haven’t t Elder Zhang yet."
As if summoned by her words, the old man appeared. He was a stern figure, his back straight as a mast, his eyes sharp enough to slice through a stone.
"Did you get surgery on your spine?" Liwu asked sarcastically.
The old man sat in a chair, and made a gesture over his shoulder. His assistant set a cup of tea on his side of the table. He didn’t respond imdiately, but sipped his tea with the solemnity of a general preparing for war.
Liwu gestured over her shoulder. Elder Zhang’s assistant nodded and delivered a soda to her and a glass of wine to Weijun.
"So," Elder Zhang said, voice gravelly, "this is your husband."
Liwu nodded. ’Yes, great great grandfather. This is Shen Weijun."
The old man’s eyes narrowed. "I seem to recall your husband’s na being Weifeng. Is there a reason why you did not call and inform that you were married to the mayor of this city?"
Liwu’s lips tightened. "Old Tai said he would relay the news."
The old man narrowed his eyes. "Don’t pretend not to understand girl."
Liwu replied stiffly, "We are not on the best terms, when was the last ti we talked to each other over the phone? And honestly, I didn’t tell you because I knew what you would do. You’d try to use Weijun. You always do. Every connection, every marriage, every alliance--you twist into profit."
A gasp ca from the door. Then, a teenager spun around and shouted, "Cousin Liwu and elder Zhang are having another face off."
"Ten million on Liwu." Soone shouted.
"Ten coins says the old man explodes." Another person scread.
Weijun jaw almost dropped. This seed like a serious matter. Why were they treating it in such a joking way?
Elder Zhang’s jaw clenched. He went on as if the betting outside did not affect the lounge where they were. "Did you think hiding it makes you clever? You insult . You insult this family."
Liwu refused to respond. Silence was the best dicine against the old man. It infuriated him more than her sharp retorts.
Weijun was not a silence supporter and he did not like feeling like a rabbit trapped between two tigers. "Sir, the subject of my real identity was a complicated one. I had my reasons to hide it. Liwu had her reasons to remain silent when she discovered it. I respect every decision she makes. When I am with this family, I am one of you, not the mayor."
But Elder Zhang’s glare was fixed on Liwu. "You think you can outwit ?"
Liwu’s eyes blazed. "I think I don’t want myself or my husband to be pawns in your sches. It was enough that I married as part of an alliance and you got the rights to build a branch of Zhang construction and an estate in the city. To ask for more favors is to be greedy."
People flocked into the lounge.
One of the kids boldly said, "This is better than TV."
Alix and Caishen made their way through the crowd. "We are here to relax and have a eting of the families for Weijun and Liwu which never happened. Elder Zhang, Liwu, behave." She warned.
Elder Zhang snorted.
Liwu snorted.
At the sa ti, they both picked up their drinks, sipping in the sa arrogant manner.
Weijun scratched his nose on the tip, wondering if the two sworn enemies knew that they had so similarities!
The tension was broken when one of the younger Zhang quintuplets accidentally fired his water gun at Elder Zhang’s shoes. The old man’s glare shifted and the seven year old squeaked, "Sorry!"
But, the kid was trigger happy. He decided to unleash water on everyone. Laughter erupted as they bolted back to the deck. Even Elder Zhang followed, with a rare smile on his face.
"I am glad that’s over." Weijun said.
Liwu snorted. "If it was a girl that had sprayed his hoes, the old man would not be smiling. He prefers boys over girls. He treats us well, but he prefers boys."
"Then, he must be jealous of Old Tai," Weijun mused.
Liwu pulled him to the deck, to join the others in having fun. Her husband was about to regret playing gas with identical quintuplets who had mastered the art of cheating by distraction and substitution.
"Did I ntion that Cross is here?" he asked.
Liwu twisted her lips. "He is getting acclimated. As long as its not Manman and Weifeng, I am okay with your people being here."
Weijun sighed. Would this crack ever be fixed?
User Comments
0 comments from readers