In the next two hours, Liwu went through every cleansing ritual Mada Xu could find on the internet. Finally, she was allowed to relax in the chair again. The romance movie had ended and credits were rolling. In its place, she settled for watching the sun setting.
Mada Xu watched over her as Liwu stuffed her mouth with fried chicken, fries and a big cheese burger. This was being washed down with soda.
"The coin has been sent to the special Bureau’s storage." Butler Chen announced.
Weijun wondered what else was being kept in that storage area. If he hung around Liwu more often, would he get the opportunity to take a look at it?
"You carry a lot of odd things around child." Mada Xu said to Liwu.
Liwu t her gaze calmly. "My bad luck has always been stronger than every artifact I have ever co across that was labeled as a cause for misfortune."
Mada Xu sighed. "Still, I do not advise you to seek death voluntarily. You are my son’s wife and while you are protected, it does not an it is the sa for him. I can only ask that you think twice before bringing such things ho from now on, after all, you don’t live alone anymore."
Liwu nodded. "I will be more careful."
Her dinner was polished off in mostly silence and when she was finished, Mada Xu rose first and took Liwu’s hand with surprising tenderness. "Co child, I will see you off to bed personally."
Weijun watched, bemused as his mother led Liwu upstairs. A line of servants followed, carrying the souvenirs that were left after the aftermath of a team led by Yuening. At the door to the bedroom, Mada Xu brushed Liwu’s cheek with her hand, a gesture both protective and possessive. "Child, you are strong, but strength must be tempered with peace."
Liwu bowed her head. "Thank you, Mada Xu, for everything tonight."
The door closed softly, leaving Liwu in the dimly lit room. She took a quick bath and lay upon the bed, exhaustion pulling at her bones. Yet her mind raced. She thought of Fan Tai-Hua and how he gaslighted his wife for years, but there would be no justice for her. She thought of her husband’s secret and his absent brother. What else were they hiding?
**
anwhile, Mada Xu sat across from her son, questioning the bruise on his jaw. "What happened to you?"
Weijun responded sarcastically, but with a smile, "So you have finally rembered that you have a son."
"Don’t act smart with ." Mada Xu responded sternly, "Does that bruise have anything to do with Liwu? I know she brings storms wherever she goes."
Weijun touched his jaw. "This was my fault. I used a trick to get her on the plane to Tie Ta to solve the murder." The very murder was being talked about on the news. Agents of the bureau were addressing press on the case, taking credit for solving the case. He gestured toward the television, "That very case. Liwu and her team solved it. The President of the country personally ordered to get her to the cri scene using all ans."
Mada Xu snorted. "So they forced my daughter-in-law to solve a case and soone else claid credit. How is this fair to her? She has dark circles under her eyes. She was in the hospital just hours ago. How dare the President take advantage of her? That is abuse of authority." She glared at her son. "Is this how you protect your wife?"
Weijun’s face lost the softness from earlier. He replied in a serious voice, "Mother, in politics, when the president of the country gives an order, you make things happen. My position is dependent on how much goodwill I have from the leader of our nation. I will make it up to Liwu."
Mada Xu threw a pillow at her son. "Make it up to her, no wonder she punched you. Weijun, you have not told her about the mix-up. Do not burn out any good will and positive feelings she may have for you before you confess."
He nodded. "I know."
"Stop being cowardly and do it already." She knocked her knuckles on the cushion.
He sighed. He was also tired, but his mother was acting as if she did not see it. "I am not a coward. I have also already started working on the process. I talked to her mother yesterday and I plan to talk to Old Tai tomorrow. After that, I will tell Liwu."
Madam Xu gasped, so did Mr. Shen. Both of them looked in the direction of the window, seeking for a shadow of a dragon in the sky.
"She was already aware." He inford them imdiately. "Grand aunt Yuening called her. I thought you told her to do this."
His parents shook their heads.
"I am afraid of Tai Alix, I don’t even have a way to contact her. Even if I did, I would not do it." Mada Xu shuddered.
Mr. Shen nodded, moving closer to his wife. She had spoken for them both.
"What did she say?" Mada Xu asked curiously.
Weijun stifled a yawn. "That she hoped Liwu’s ridiculous cotton candy business won the entrepreneurship competition of the Zhang family this year."
The couple frowned. What kind of odd answer was this? Where was the threat of fire and brimstone? How safe were their heads?
"Is that all?" Mada Xu asked.
Weijun shrugged. "Pretty much. She just hopes that my marriage to Liwu ends with a happily ever after. Sister Bai says we are a perfect match. You cannot argue with a legally bureau recognized matchmaker with a system which does precisely that."
The couple sighed.
"Thank God for grand aunt." Mada Xu sighed. "If she had not stopped us from being rude towards Liwu, we would have ruined your chances for a perfect marriage forever."
Mr. Shen was sure that Yuening was not the one to thank. It was Liwu’s bad luck which had scared his wife into walking the other way when she saw their daughter-in-law coming. After that, they had found peace.
Still, Mada Xu was certain that there was a threat sowhere in Tai Alix’s words. Things could not be so simple like they were assuming. "I think dragon lady will be angry if Liwu does not win that competition. That must be where the threat is. We have to make sure she wins. I need to talk to Cross and Xixi." Mada Xu pulled her husband up, then dragged him out of the house like an errant child. "Deal with Old Tai yourself." She shouted to him.
Weijun twisted his lips, dreading tomorrow before it even ca.
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