67 Guardian Angels (1/2)
Europa's mouth watered the moment she spotted the shrimp and meat rolls fried into a crisp, enticingly arranged on a big platter. Sniffing her way closer to the table, the scent of garlic butter salmon and herb roasted chicken had distracted her from the previous dish. As she was about to slid into her chair, her eyes caught sight of baked potatoes with a thick slab of melting cheese on top.
”Hmmmm! Everything looks delicious.” Europa said as she stared at the food on the table.
”I can't wait to eat!” She added.
”Aww, my baby's hungry! Let Mama put something on your plate so you can start eating.” Wang Reiji, who just arrived in the dining hall, said.
”But Mama, Uncle Yuvin's not yet here... Let's wait for him.” Hesitating, Europa declined.
”Yay! Your uncle is taking a bath. He will probably be ready in about 15 minutes or so. Do you still want to wait for him?”
Europa stared at her mother as her mouth curved downwards. 15 minutes? Oh boy, she can't wait for that long.
”I don't think I can wait that long, Mama...” Europa who seemed determined to wait for her uncle, had a sudden change of heart as she betrayed her uncle in favor of the delicious feast in front of her.
”Alright then, which dish do you want to have a taste first?”
”Hmmm, I want to try the potatoes first!” Europa was giggling as she answered her mother's question.
”Okay, sweetheart. Here you go.” Wang Reiji then placed some potatoes and added a few pieces of shrimp and meat rolls on Europa's plate.
”Thank you, Mama!” Her eyes dazzled upon seeing the food on her once empty plate. She then shoved a spoonful of potatoes inside her mouth.
As she looked at her daughter who was enjoying every bite of her meal, the scene transported her mind back to the days when her mother was still alive. They used to be like this, happy and smiling, even if it's only the two of them having lunch.
Ah, her mother, her mother who was accused of adultery and was divorced by her father when she was five. Her mother who was forced to be separated from her. Her mother who died without getting vindication.
Wang Reiji's countenance darkened. Her mother did nothing wrong, except loving a narrow-minded, self-centered man whose family only cares about their pride and reputation. A family that would rather listen to what other people say than believe the words of their own family member.
Disgusting.
Wang Reiji sighed deeply, you cannot choose the type of family you will have, right? It's something predetermined, it's something beyond you. It's either you accept them or reject them. In her case, her family rejected her, disowned her to be exact. But instead of lamenting that, she was rather thankful it happened. Finally, she wasn't a part of a nauseating lineage anymore.
”We should do this more often, sis”.
A smiling Wang Yuvin said as he approached the table, reverting Wang Reiji's attention to the current reality.
”Uh-huh. We should eat together more often. But it's either I go home for lunch, or the two of you will visit the office... at least until the school starts.” Wang Reiji said as she placed two pieces of each dish on her brother's plate.
”Oh, what's with the contract again?”
Wang Yuvin who was about to stuff a spoonful of food to his mouth paused for a while before he drank his tea to clear his throat.
”I will try to buy some shares of The Hideout tonight.” He answered, he then started eating.
Wang Reiji gently nodded her head as if telling her brother to continue talking.
”The Hideout is the only place here in Beijing where wealthy people can feel safe and secured aside from their own lairs.”
”Hmm likeThe Safe Haven for the assassins...Interesting! Tell me more.”
”Well,I am trying to consider the possibility that the people listed on the document, at one point, held their meeting in The Hideout since most of them were ----
” People? You mean there were names listed on the document?” Wang Reiji suddenly interrupted Wang Yuvin's explanation, smoke steaming from her creased eyebrows, she hasn't thoroughly examined the contents of the folder yet.