Lifen was sitting on the windowsill, staring at the stars in the sky out her window. It seemed like she was questioning the stars about her life.
Suddenly a soft hand caressed her hair lightly, "Are you missing them? Don"t worry they are always with you, looking at you and protecting you, like you say"
She turned her head slightly and looked at her mother who has come to her. "Mumma, do you need something? You should have called me. You should rest. Come and sit. Don"t stand for long", she said in a concerned tone.
"My pretty girl, I am alright now. Do care for me so much. You will soon be leaving us, then how will I manage?" Mother Wu said with teary eyes, remembering something.
"Mumma, why are you mentioning that again. I am still with you. We should enjoy the present. Why we have to think of the future. We still have time", Lifen said making a sad face.
"Aigoo! silly girl. Don"t you know I would miss you. These years when you are with us, especially after Yifeng went missing...", Mother Wu said with tears in her eyes but halted her words when she came across Lifen glare.
"Okay okay I won"t ever mention that again. Don"t give me your dangerous glare" , she sighed, "I wish I could keep you for more years but I don"t think Elder Li would allow that now. Last time when I asked him to extend your stay, he was very persistent to not allow that but looking our conditions after Yifeng got missing, he allowed but now if we ask it would not be fair with him as you still belong to him".
Lifen hugged her tight, her tears rolled down her cheeks, "Mumma, don"t say that. I am still your daughter. You can"t deny it like this. It would make hard for me". Warm tears rolled down from their eyes as they hugged each other.
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Soon it was next day, "Mumma, I am leaving. Will be back in the evening as I have some important work today", Lifen said as she tied her shoelaces and was ready to leave.
"Wait, have something before leaving and where are you going this early. It"s a weekend, don"t you have a off day today", Mother Wu rushed with a plate of toasted bread and omelette for Lifen.
"Mumma, why are you working in the kitchen. You should rest and I have already prepared your breakfast", her brows furrowed slightly.
"I know, but what about your breakfast? Here, have your breakfast before you leave", Mother Wu retorted.
"Mumma, you need not to over exert yourself. You got discharged yesterday and here you are working in the kitchen again. And for my breakfast, that"s the reason I am rus.h.i.+ng. I have to reach there on time, grandpa is waiting for me and I have to accompany him somewhere", Lifen said and picked the toasted bread, placed omelette in between them and munched it. She didn"t wanted to waste her mother"s hardwork.
After that she left on her bike. She was dressed formally in her white pants and navy blue full sleeved blouse.
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On the other side, Deming was sleeping in his bedroom. He had drank quite a lot yesterday after Murphy left.
He was turning and twisting on his bed. In his dream, he can see the sobbing face of Jie, "Brother Ming, I love you. Please save me, I am willing to live with you". And then her face faded away in the air of darkness. But soon he heard the giggling of a small girl. Her face was extremely adorable. She was running after a young boy, screaming his name but she wasn"t able to catch him. At last she just sat on the ground huffing, "Brother Ming, don"t run now. I am tired. I can"t run". The young boy came and sat beside her. She lifted her head and looked at him with dreamy eyes, "Brother Ming, you are so good to me. I really like you. Please never abandon me". An adorable smile was on her lips and then again the picture got vanished in the thin air.
Then again a soft voice was heard in his dream, "My love, I won"t ever leave you. I will work hard for our love". And soon Lifen"s pet.i.te face appeared with an adorable smile. It has some resemblance with the smile of the little girl.
Deming snapped open his eyes and sat up on the bed, "What was that? No, I can"t think like that. I have to think about Jie, no one else. I have promised her and she is also in such a condition now. I am partially responsible for her condition ".
He gently tilted his head which was aching due to hangover, pulled the drawer of the side table and took the pills for his hangover, "Right now, I have to focus on Lifen "
Deming picked his phone and dialed Lifen"s number.
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Lifen was riding her bike when she received a call. A smile came on her lips as she picked up the call, "I am on my way, grandpa. Wait for me. I should hang up now or else I would be late. Bye".
She quickly hanged up the call and resumed riding her bike but again her phone ranged. She halted paddling her bike and took the phone out.
Looking at the caller-id her expression sank, it was Deming. Last night she changed his contact name on her phone. She shrugged her thoughts and declined the call and again resumed riding her bike.
Soon she reached the restaurant where was going to have her breakfast with her grandfather. She parked her bike and walked to the entrance looking at the time on her watch.
"Young Miss, you are here. President Li is waiting for you"
Lifen lifted her head to look at the man, her lips curled up, "Oh Uncle Fei, it"s been long since I met you". She quickly paced to walk inside the restaurant with him.
"Am I late. How is grandpa? Is he angry?", She asked nervously.
Huang Fei shook his head, "Not at all, Young Miss. How can President Li get angry at you? He dotes on you".
Lifen smiled and walked inside the restaurant and headed to the regular private room. A man in his late 60s was waiting inside the room. His eyes beamed with happiness when he glanced at the girl standing at the door. His eyes were cold but one look of her innocent smile, replaced it with warmth.
Lifen went inside the room and bowed with due respect. Then she rushed towards the old man with stretched arms and clung on his neck from behind, "Oh grandpa, I missed you so much".
Huang Fei entered the room and closed the close the door behind him. He adored the sight in front of him. His president rarely smiles or he can say that he only smiles around Young Miss.
"Really? Do you remember your grandfather. I thought you have forgotten this old man for that Wu family", he retorted .
Lifen pursed her lips, "Grandpa, don"t say like that. You know I love you and have always missed you".
"Yeah, I know you missed me alot that I haven"t received any call from you", he pouted.
Lifen giggled, "Sorry grandpa, but you knew that I was having my entrance exams and after that my college got started. You know, I was busy".
"You were so busy, that you joined w.a.n.g Corporation", he glared at her.Lifen turned to look at Huang Fei but he avoided her eyes.
The old man continued, "LiLi, you know your true ident.i.ty. Just because I let you live with Wu family doesnot mean that you belong to them. I allowed you because you were fond of them and has lost your parents at a young age. I didn"t wanted you to miss your parents that hard. And even I wasn"t able to accompany you everytime, so to be with them under their care was not wrong. But don"t forget that you are still a "Li". Your future is Li Corporation".
He continued, "I agreed all your conditions. You wanted to hide your true ident.i.ty, I agreed that. You refused to go study abroad, I agreed. You refused to take the CEO position of Li Corporation until you establish your own successful company, I agreed that too. But don"t try my limits".
Lifen could see that her grandpa was really sad this time. It was true that he never objected any of her decisions. He doted on her and treasured her like she was the most precious and valuable person in this world.
She spoke, "Grandpa, don"t get mad. I am just playing and gaining experience from w.a.n.g Corporation, nothing else. And you know there is a good news".
She gave a smile and continued, "Grandpa, you know I cracked the deal you wished with Ming Co.Ltd. yesterday for Li Corps. Now please cheer up, don"t be sad".
At that instant there was a knock on the door.