After settling the affairs of the beach, Old Tai and his companions that arrived on a yacht twenty minutes after his grand entrance were driven to the Shen manor. He had co with his wife and Zhang Alix. The first item on the agenda was to et the in-laws.
The very people that t Liwu when she arrived were the sa that t with the old Tai couple and Xixi. Everyone was polite, and all smiles.
"So, you are that baby matriarch of the Shen family." Old Tai blurted out after greetings were over with. "How does that work? Do they really follow your instructions?"
While stroking her bunny with her right hand, Yuening tilted her head from side to side. "Sotis they do and sotis don’t, I am still learning how to grow into my power."
Old madam Tai nodded. She found the answer to be perfect. Not too forceful, as if the girl was pushy but also not submissive. She knew the disadvantage she had and she acknowledged it. But, she was not letting it stop her. "Don’t be hesitant to approach with any questions that you may have on running a family like this one." She offered advise. "And don’t leave all the family finances in the hands of soone else. If you don’t understand them, ask Liwu for help. She has always been good with math. If that is not enough, hire an accounting firm from outside to monitor the books."
Madam Xu cleared her throat. When everyone looked her way, she smiled but said stiffly, "In-laws, this is our first ti eting. We should at least sip so tea and know each other a little better before offering such advise. But, in case anyone needs to know, I am fine with any expert looking over the books. I run a clean and tight ship."
Old madam Tai nodded. She liked that Madam Xu had a spine. If she allowed visitors to walk over her, then the family would be considered weak and ripe for picking by Elder Zhang, that vulture.
"Where will you be staying?" Shen Deng asked them. "We are willing to entertain you here for as long as you want."
Old madam Tai shook her head, but she kept on a smile. "Thank you for the offer, but please, don’t trouble yourself. We have bought a house in Jingwan, not too far from the harbor. My husband needs to be near the sea in case of ergencies."
Old Tai nodded. "And Xixi bought an apartnt in Fla district. She.."
Before more could be said, Zhang Alix started to sniffle. Old Tai and everyone else turned their eyes her way. One tiny drop slid down her cheek, and suddenly the room transford into a battlefield of competitive compassion.
Shen Kaiwen, who disliked Xixi the most because her na was Alix leapt from a chair. "Who is it? Who made you cry? Tell and I promise to destroy them." His eyes widened as soon as he said it and he covered his mouth.
Madam Xu made her way to the front and clutched Xixi’s hands, "What do you need right now? Ice cream, a sweater, new shoes? Tell and I will buy it all for you."
One by one, people made declarations and threats. Even the family pets were not to be outdone. The bunny brought a carrot and laid it at her feet like tribute. Dogs brought chew toys, whimpering in solidarity.
Things took a ridiculous turn as Shen Deng suddenly turned on the music and started to dance, attempting to sing a codic hip song, though he only knew two lines.
"How about a vacation anywhere in the world?" Madam Xu asked.
"I am going to draft a new will and leave everything to you." Shen Yulan decreed.
Madam Xu and Yuening were already discussing a surprise party for Xixi.
anwhile, Liwu sat relaxed in a chair, arms crossed, shaking her head. "Here we go again," she muttered. "One tear and everyone is hypnotized. Stop it all of you, this is like a spell"
But no one listened. Shen Weijun was even pledging to na all of his children after Alix.
Shen Ruiming knelt down, asking for her hand in marriage, even though he had firmly rejected her when she was the bride intended for the marriage alliance.
From sowhere, a hamster climbed into Xixi’s lap, squeaking like a tiny knight ready to defend her honor. As Shen Deng stripped off his shirt as an offering to Xixi, Liwu decided that it was enough of the ridiculousness.
She stood up abruptly and marched over to her sister. Then, she dragged her by the arm, marching her outside to the deserted courtyard.
"One more sniff from you and I will arrest you." Liwu threatened her.
"I didn’t an to, I swear." Xixi said in a soft voice.
Liwu wiped her younger sister’s eyes, like she had done many tis in their lives. Xixi had always been the most manipulative of them sisters [but not in a cruel way], and the most sensitive. She knew the power each tear wielded when she cried, and she also knew that many people resented her for it.
So, she often held in her emotions, only crying when she was pushed beyond what her heart could carry.
Just as Liwu had her struggles, so did she.
"What happened?" Liwu asked her.
Xixi pushed her hair back slowly. Her big doe like eyes found Liwu’s. "It was Qin’s birthday yesterday and he did not invite to the party. I went over to his house before the party started, to surprise him and I heard him say the most horrible things about ."
Liwu hugged her sister.
"He said that he couldn’t stand anymore, that my crying is annoying." Xixi sniffled. "He told his mother that I manipulated him into being with by crying when I confessed my love to him. He is in love with another woman, but he can’t leave because he is afraid of . He called a monster!" She broke into sobs. "Oh Liwu, what am I to do? I have never manipulated him into staying with , I swear. And I did not confess to him, he confessed to . I only cried when I was accepting flowers from him on that day. Why would he turn around and say such things about ?"
The birds around them circled above, dropping twigs and flowers--anything that they could find to appease Xixi and put a smile on her face.
For Liwu, they gifted so shit!
Agitated and disgusted, Liwu moved Xixi from the courtyard to the pool side. But as soon as they left, Cross Ho jumped down from the tree where he had been resting. He had a sly smile on his face.
"The most perfect weapon and woman in the world and soone thinks she is a monster. What a fool?" he muttered. He rotated the gold ring around his thumb and made a firm decision. "She is mine."
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