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.
Chapter 98: Winters
Ray's eyes almost teared up but he held it back.
Last time he had seen Liu Jing was when he had run away. This young man had aided him in his plans for fleeing the country. Now the boy had grown up into a fine young man who had a number of accomplishments under his name to make their ancestors proud.
Looking at Liu Jing not a single word escaped Ray's mouth. He stood there gaping like a fish until Liu Jing's playful comment broke him out of his internal shackles.
Jing: (chuckling) did you not miss me?
Ray: (scowling) you brat! You gave everyone a fright!
Jing: (pouting) I just wanted to help Miss Yi. And you are still scolding me!
Ray kicked his brother playfully in the shin which earned a chuckle from the young man.
Both men settled down after exchanging some more words and a small banter. Yi Ran opened her mouth after seeing that they had both calmed down.
Yi Ran: Preparations from my side are almost done. I just need your aid to destroy the Yi family and keep the pieces to myself.
Ray: (shrugging) I don't mind but I need everything to be done in three days.
Yi Ran: (shaking her head) no, we can't rush at this critical moment. Give me a week.
Ray: (nodding) alright.
They shook on their deal while Liu Jing became the third wheel.
Ray: you still plan to marry into our family?
Yi Ran: (chuckling) it was just a small lie to convince my family and the world of my madness and obsession. Jing is my saviour but that doesn't mean I should marry him.
Ray looked sideways at his brother's darkened face. He had returned to his original brooding self.
It seemed like his Liu Jing had a long way to go before he could win this cold and calculative woman's heart.
***
After a week as promised, Yi Ran succeeded in bringing the magnificent Yi family down. Of course with the help from the notorious Liu brothers.
The army found Liu Jing held hostage in the Yi family dungeon- thanks to a tip from some unknown source. The business of Yi family was hit hard but what was worse was Liu Wei Xin took it as an opportunity to strike keeping up his end of the bargain.
Liu Jing gave the statement that he was abducted by Yi Meng and other elders of the Yi family in order to exact revenge on Liu family. He also claimed Yi Ran was innocent and had tried many times to save him but failed miserably. And it was Yi Meng who had spread all those false rumours about her.
The news then came that Yi Meng was found dead in his room. He had committed suicide. A note was found near his body. Thus, the remaining assets were all transferred to Yi Ran's name- the sole descendant of the main branch. She grieved for a while and then left for her home country to spend days with her sick mother.
Ray brought Jing back to their home and Yi Qing's happiness knew no bounds. She shared the good news with her daughter and told her to come back.
As for Jian Yi, he was happy and sad at the same time.
Jing's return was a great thing but it also meant that Wei Xin would once again leave them. But this time he chose to swallow this bitter medicine, no longer trying to come up with ways to hold him back.
***
A day after Liu Bo's arrival, Ray found his mother strolling in the gardens. He mustered up his courage to speak with her. After his several failed attempts Yi Qing decided to have mercy and help him.
Yi Qing: Wei Xin, don't beat around the bush. Just say what you want to say.
Ray: Mom, everything is fine here. So I was thinking-
He couldn't bring himself to say the words.
Yi Qing: (smiling) you want to go back?
Ray: (nodding) yes.
Yi Qing: I won't lie. I would have loved it if you stayed.
Ray: b-but-
Yi Qing: (caressing his head) I know. You miss my daughter-in-law and have promises to keep.
Ray: (hanging his head) I am sorry.
Yi Qing: don't be sorry. I am happy that you found your happiness. When do you plan to leave?
Ray: Tomorrow night. I plan to surprise them all.
Yi Qing: Oh that was why you stopped Bo from making that call yesterday?
Ray: (nodding) yes.
Yi Qing: (scolding) when are you going to let me meet her?
Ray: (grinning) Soon.
Yi Qing nodded happily and gave her approval for him to return.
***
As soon as Ray landed his first agenda was to find his woman.
It had been four months since he saw her or heard her voice. It would suffice to say that he had been miserable the whole time and was slowly dying from inside.
Though he wanted nothing more but to hold Ye-Jin in his arms it still wasn't the right time.
It was three in the morning and not to mention the freezing temperatures were acting against him. In his excitement of coming back, he had forgotten all about the winters (It was still fall in his home country) and was sadly not prepared for the attack from the dry and cold weather. With no other destination in mind, Ray hailed a cab and reached his shared dorm with other members of 5 Emperors.
***
Mui opened the door feeling extremely annoyed. They had all been preparing for their concert in three days and were busy. Thus, they had all returned to the dorm at two and fallen asleep a mere hour ago.
The sweet dreams were calling to them but someone had the audacity to incessantly knock on the door waking them all up. Though others ignored the knocks and went to sleep, Mui couldn't do so.
Mui wanted to give the person a piece of his mind but his words got stuck in his throat in surprise.
Mui: R-Ray? You're here?
Ray: yes it's me. Let's go in first.
Mui moved aside to let his brother in and closed the door before following him inside.
Kai was the only one wide awake and gloomily sitting in the living room. It came as a surprise to Ray that Kai was crashing with them.
He stared at the unexpected arrival with wide eyes.
Kai: YOU CAME BACK!!
Ray: (Sheepish) yes I did.
Kai: Why didn't you inform us? We were all so worried!
Ray: (Awkward) I wanted to surprise you all.
Ray smiled woodenly at the guys. Truth be told, he had completely forgotten about the guys. When Liu Bo told him that Ye-Jin was equally miserable he had only one thing in his mind- to hold his woman in his arms. To shower her with the love she deserved.
Kai: (frowning) Why do I feel like you're lying. Tell me the truth my friend, you didn't think of us until you landed right?
Ray's ears turned red in embarrassment.
Kai: (scoffing) Ha!
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
0 Power
stone You may also Like
Paragraph comment