Chapter 96: Meddlesome
News spreads faster when one wants it to. Especially to those ears who are waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Wei Xin (or Ray as we know him) didn't idle around in home after his return. He actively took part in looking for his brother. Liu Jian Yi took it as an opportunity to let their enemies know of his son's return. And the media was more than happy to break the news.
"The son of heavens, the eldest young master of Liu family has returned."
One of the major media outlets released an article with the abovementioned title. They didn't detail his adventures abroad but once again highlighted his past. His magnificence and charisma with which he once lived.
Wei Xin was the son of heavens for people before he left to study and train abroad for five years- at least that's what Liu family told everyone. And when Jian Yi spoke, the people in the upper circle didn't question it. Moreover, they feared what would happen to them after Wei Xin returned. Sadly, their dreams- no nightmares- came true.
But the funny thing was, there were not many who had seen Wei Xin. The Liu's had always been extremely stingy about their private life and had a pretty stronghold on the city. It was very rare for him to appear in public and it was even rarer for the media to get hold of photographs of any of the Liu family members.
All the hype and fame of Wei Xin was simply due to various prominent personalities praising him for years. It had unwittingly raised Wei Xin to the altar of an emperor.
Also, who didn't like beauty? When people often saw Jian Yi or Yi Qing appear in front of media or public, their flawless, elegant and charismatic aura always left everyone stunned. They were the definitions of aristocratic and formidable. Thus, when it came to how their children would fare left an obvious curiosity among the masses.
The major media outlet which broke the news of Ray's return this time was lucky enough to have found a picture of the so-called 'hidden son of heaven'- although it was not so much of a lucky coincidence. They published the enlarged photo with their article and let people have the very first "high-definition" look at their idol.
***
Ray: you released my picture to the media?
Ray questioned his father as soon as he read the article. He was slightly baffled by the old man's risky move. Their cover story was full of loop-holes in the first place and it won't do their situation any good if anyone got the wind of his elopement half a decade ago.
Jian Yi: (humming) It's only to distract the enemies.
They had solid information that Liu Jing was held captive by the young miss Yi.
She was hell-bent on marrying into the Liu family. She had just like others, grown up listening to the magnificent love story of Jian Yi couple and was smitten by them. And this young maiden's eyes once fell on young master Liu and rest is history.
Ray: (appalled) you want to feed me like a juicy bone to young miss Yi? Are you really my father?
Jian Yi: (smirking) I am only making use of the good looks you inherited from us.
Ray: (disgusted) Are you even my father?
Jian Yi gave him a look and didn't reply.
Ray was conflicted about what his father wanted to do and he was annoyed by the old man's meddling. But his younger brother's life was in question so, for the time being, he decided to go ahead with his lunatic father's faulty plan.
Ray: (raising an eyebrow) what if they find out that I am a superstar?
Jian Yi: (scoffing) none of them are capable of doing that! Don't you trust me? Your father?
It was Ray's turn to give his father a contemptuous look.
His father's move had almost harmed his personal plans. If not for him they wouldn't have found out about Liu Jing's abductor. It wasn't easy to kidnap a man who was on a mission and he had to hand it to Yi Meng's daughter for her capabilities. He was impressed would be an understatement.
Ray: (putting his foot down) you wanted me here to deal with your problems. So I ask you to let me solve them in my own way. If you interrupt even once after this-
Jian Yi: (enraged) you are threatening me!
Ray: (shrugging) probably and if you don't want mother to get wind of your plans I say you hold your peace old man.
After finishing his words, Ray walked away without turning around.
Jian Yi was left alone with a stomach full of anger. He was doing it for their family. No one understood but he was helpless. If Yi Qing got to know of what he was planning then she would skin him alive.
***
In the Yi residence,
Yi Meng sat looking at the young woman in front of him. His gaze was filled with love and warmth for her but they were all buried under the thunderstorm brewing inside his mind.
Back then when Liu's had held him captive, he had thought he was as good as dead. It was by a stroke of fortune that he managed to escape. And when he was in hiding, he reunited with his old fling. The woman he had slept with years ago had given birth to a baby girl- which was kept as a secret from him. Putting his past behind himself Yi Meng concentrated on his new family. His daughter was now the young miss of the Yi family named Ran.
Yi Meng had painstakingly raised this only daughter and had wanted to shape her into a weapon which would avenge him. He had passionately told her- more like complained- all that happened in the past and groomed her to be the beautiful and charming woman that she was today. He was extremely satisfied with her. After he honed her to be his hidden armament, he returned to the country.
But what he didn't know was that listening to his stories the young Yi ran had developed a fascination with the Liu family, especially with the quiet and cold Liu Jing. With time her fascination turned into an unhealthy obsession which lead to their current crisis.
To his utter horror, things didn't turn out the way he had wanted them to be.
Yi Meng: (stuttering) y-you d-did w-what?!
Yi Ran: (smiling) I abducted the young master of the Liu family.
Yi Meng felt his heart fall to the bottom of his stomach.
When did it turn out like this?
Liu Jing was no ordinary man. He was Major General in the air force. His achievements were scary for his puny mind to imagine. Not to mention, his half-sister Yi Qing. This time she would have him deep-fried in a pot of boiling oil. He almost lost his consciousness but held on stubbornly to question his deranged offspring.
Yi Meng: w-why?
Yi Ran: (softly) of course to marry him.
Yi Meng was thunderstruck.
Why was his beautiful, proficient and witty daughter having that lovestruck foolish look on her face all of a sudden? He couldn't understand a thing.
The Yi family was as good as dead.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sanchi94
Sanchi94 I had a terrible writer's block while writing this chapter.
My vocabulary fell short and many other problems!
Aghh!
Chapter 97: Play along
Yi Ran: (innocent) are you alright father?
Yi Qing had paled a considerable amount in fright. His legs were shaking uncontrollably.
He had only planned to bring the Liu's down in one or the other way but he had never foreseen this outcome. Bringing down the Liu family was the farthest thing from his mind. His daughter had planned the downfall of his home. She was bringing the army to their doorstep.
He was so lost in his thoughts that Yi Meng didn't hear Ran's question.
Yi Meng: h-how long has it been since you kidnapped him?
Yi Ran: (surprised) Oh! Almost three months.
Yi Meng's retort stopped short when the butler of the Yi family came in holding the newspaper. He glanced distastefully at the old man for his terrible timing. Could he not tell that he was busy with Yi Ran?
He wanted to reprimand the old man but the headlines of the newspaper caught his eye. He snatched the newspaper to take a good look and was horrified. All blood drained from his face.
Liu Wei Xin was back!
Yi Meng finally couldn't hold on anymore and fainted on the spot.
Yi Ran: (cooly) I never expected you to be so faint-hearted.
She told the butler to call for a doctor and nonchalantly picked up the newspaper. Her small smile turned to a huge grin after reading the headlines.
Yi Ran: (chuckling) He's pretty handsome too. But not my style.
***
For the following three months Liu Wei Xin worked hard to get the smaller bugs annoying the Liu family to submit to them. For those who didn't listen, they were disciplined the hard way.
In no time, the threats surrounding the Liu family were all suppressed and taken care of.
Jian Yi was shocked silly at his son's quick and ruthless handling. He had assumed him to be a kind and forgiving person. When he expressed his thoughts to Yi Qing all he received in return was her scorn.
Yi Qing: (sneering) he's my son. You dare to look down on him!
Jian Yi: (sheepish) hee hee! I am just surprised!
Yi Qing: (scoffing) hmph! He's eager to return to my daughter-in-law. Something you'll never understand.
Jian Yi felt like his heart was being pinched by her harsh words.
Jian Yi: (expectant) when will you forgive me? It was never my intention to let Yi Meng escape back then. And I've brought Wei Xin back. Aren't you happy?
Yi Qing: (rolling his eyes) you think I don't know about what you tried to do a few days ago? You wanted to use Wei Xin as bait to trick people. Is my son some kind of piece in your game of chess? You're turning senile with old age! You're no longer the man I fell in love with!
Jan Yi was stunned to silence by her accusations. All he wanted to do was ensure his family's safety and make his son stay with them for life.
Yi Qing: (firmly) I will not say this again Jian Yi. Our eldest son, Wei Xin is happy with his new life. Don't interfere and don't try to bring him back.
She walked away leaving Jian Yi speechless. In order to make Yi Qing happy he had never once thought about Wei Xin's happiness. Yi Qing was right. He had turned senile with age.
***
After another fortnight of 'spring cleaning', Ray arranged a meeting with young miss of Yi family.
It was fifteen days for their concert on new year's eve and he had a promise to keep. He was done playing games and was dying to return to his woman. In order to keep her safe, he had restrained himself from contacting her.
They were leisurely dining and discussing business in a private room of a restaurant.
After taking her seat opposite Ray, Yi Ran spent a good five minutes sizing him up.
She had to admit it, Liu Wei Xin's aura and presence were different from those of Liu Jing. The army officer was more restrained, quiet and dangerous but his elder brother was charismatic, outgoing and much more dangerous.
Yi Ran: (smiling) I never imagined young master Liu to be this handsome in real life.
Ray: (smiling in return) Thank you for your compliments. State your terms.
Yi Ran: (chuckling) I never thought that you were this impatient. We just met.
Ray: You abducted my brother and spread the rumour that you wanted to marry him. But all you actually want is to rule over the Yi family. What I don't understand is why you involve my family into this?
Yi Ran: (surprised) you've done your homework. I like men who are smart. But do you really think that it would be possible for a weak woman like me to kidnap an officer of his rank? Also, who said that I want to rule over the Yi family? I want to crush them.
Ray had thought about this long and hard. Yi Ran's social connections were all clean. She could not possibly have enlisted help from the underworld. The only possible way for it to happen was if Liu Jing had played along with her.
Yi Ran: (continuing) Well, the thing is simple. I met Liu Jing three years ago when I was still being trained by my father as his weapon. Jing saved me back then. He didn't have to but he still did and I am grateful to him till date. When I came here I learned of my father's true intentions but it didn't matter since I had my plans.
Ray: (completing her story) but you had obstacles in your way. The elders and the side branches in the Yi family all looked down on you for being an illegitimate child. Dealing with all of them was not possible for you alone. And you somehow got Jing to play along with you. It would give Liu family a reason to uproot the Yi family and do the cleaning for you.
Yi Ran: (grinning) Indeed as expected of the son of heavens. You looked through me in mere minutes. What we never factored was your return but it was a good thing. Your brother actually smiled when he got the news.
Ray: (frowning) So where is Jing?
Yi ran didn't reply and smiled sweetly. Soon a man walked into the room from behind her with a huge grin.
Jing: (happily) Long time no see, big bro!
Ray stood up from his chair. His younger brother was standing in front of him grinning from ear to ear. He looked safe and healthy to him.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Sanchi94
Sanchi94
Another two chapters and the main story will be completed.
Later there'll be a few short stories and it'll conclude Ray and Ye-Jin's journey.
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