Penelope
The past week have been both exasperating and heart clenching, but we pulled it through.
The distraction dinner date with Zhin Feng was a success and Dao Ming’s plan was a success.
Like we presumed, Feng indeed kept records of all his illegal transactions and dealings in his diary. And that was enough proof to get the MJIB to open an investigation on Zhins T&T.
Lei was also able to retrieve the contract papers and the papers of transaction between Ager and Zhin T&T my father had hidden away in his office.
Thankfully, my father was indeed cornered into making that transaction, and hence we got our leverage over the whole matter. I was so proud to find out that my father wasn’t the fraud Zhin Feng painted him out to be.
Even though my father didn’t intentionally make such transactions with Feng, he couldn’t say otherwise because of our safety- mine in particular.
That was also the reason why he was very hasitant to accept Mr Winfrey’s help. But, everything turned out successful at the end.
Yesterday, an official arrest was made to Zhin Feng and he was jailed. My father broke off my engagement with his family after his mother cussed at me and called me ‘badluck’.
Some of my uncle’s who were in my father’s shoes, got their necks saved all because of Mr Winfrey. While the rest, who weren’t at all innocent would go down with Zhin Feng.
Me and my family are grateful to Mr Winfrey, so my mother invited him to our house for dinner.
I’ve been on edge all day today, and the minute his car drove into the driveway, my anxiousness increased by 100%. Mostly because I had something important I needed to tell him, but I’m not so sure I’ll get the chance to do that today.
I excitedly went downstairs to greet him at the door and tried my hardest not to look too nervous. He was looking very handsome and dashing, my already racing heart increased it’s tempo.
I welcomed him inside as he handed over a large sized gift bag to me. I eyed him suspiciously as I accepted it, thinking what could be inside.
He’s well informed that he must present gift to the elders who are about to host him in their home (a unique asian culture). If my family didn’t already like him, then they surely will after tonight. He is the most caring and considerate person I’ve ever met.
I led him straight to the living room to meet my parents. He immediately gave them both a customary bow and greeting, surprising me.
-If you haven’t noticed from my arranged marriage with Zhin Feng, my family is kind of old fashioned when it comes to customs and traditions- So, this very simple actions of his are highly commendable.
When he stood up, he looked over at my brothers as well and bowed to them- but not on his knees like he did with my parents.
When he straightened himself, he then spoke in Mandarin and I must confess, he puts a certain seductiveness into my native language.
“Hello, my name is Daniel. It’s so nice to meet you again uncle. I must say, I’m quite honored to be here…” he first addressed my father informally but politely, before facing my mother.
“… thank you for inviting me to your home this evening aunty. Your heart truly matches your beauty- and that’s quite rare.” He complemented, making her blush a little as my father cleared his throat.
Mr Winfrey is one hell of a sweet-talker, and I’m impressed. I’m almost excited to see him sweet-talk his way out tonight. This should be interesting.
“Oh please… it’s the least I could do after all you’ve done for my family. Please, make yourself at home.” My mother instructed with a smile.
She must really like him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile this much at anyone before.
Mr. Winfrey smiled back at her before his eyes darted back to my brothers.
“Xiang Lei, Xiang Dao Ming, it’s nice to see you both again.” he greeting informally, then looked at my 3rd brother. “… I don’t think we’ve met before. Hello, you must be Xiang Xiao. I’m Daniel, your sister’s… ehm…”
“Boss. He’s my boss.” I interrupted, rescuing him from the awkwardness that would have swallowed him after whatever word he was about to say.
Xiang Xiao arrived today from Singapore where he’s band held a concert. He’s the lead guitar player of the popular boyband pop music sensation, DaLin- under Vice Entertainment.
He is kind of the prodigal son of the family after Dao Ming.
Mr Winfrey then stretched his hand for a hand shake with a smile, and Xiao reluctantly shook it before returning to his phone.
Dao Ming and Mr Winfrey are of same age, which means Xiao is younger than Me Winfrey. But he lacks respect thinking he’s some big shot these days.
All I could do was glare at him since he’s older than me.
“Ma, Pa? Mr. Winfrey didn’t come empty handed.” I stated as I placed the gift bag he had handed over to me earlier, on the table.
“Really? But you shouldn’t have” my mother exclaimed calmly.
If he hadn’t brought anything and came emptyhanded, it would have been disrespectful.
“Please aunty, it’s nothing much really. You invited me to your house to dine with you and your wonderful family, it’s the least I could do.” He replied back, as he began to take out what he bought, one after the other.
“Here you go Uncle. Someone told me you love them” he said to my father as he handed over a box of ginseng roots he bought for him.
My father’s obsession for those roots bought a way to his heart,
“And this is for your beautiful skin aunty” he said to my mother as he handed her a limited edition of Fivor crystal smooth cream and oil.
He went all out with that one and I must commend him for that.
“Xiang Lei, this is for you. I noticed you use one similar to these at the office.” he said as he handed him a small rectangular box.
Lei opened it and inside was a Faber-Castell Ondoro fountain pen that cost over $1000. I’m sure Lei would love it since he uses an identical one.
“And this is for you, Dao Ming. I noticed you have a peculiar taste in wristwatches.” he commented as he gave a box of 2020 edition of I. N. O. S Men’s watch.
The smile on Dao Ming’s face showed he loves it.
“Xiang Xiao, I don’t really know what you like. But I got this for your guitar, I hope you like it” he stated cautiously as he handed him an ethos customized guitar strap.
This caught Xiao attention immediately, pulling him away from his phone for a while.
These were all gifts given after careful observation, there’s no way he picked all these out just yesterday. Mr Winfrey must have been very confident that his plan would work, and hence prepared for a celebration
But he didn’t get me anything, not like I needed anything more though. He had given me my life and my freedom back, I’ll always be grateful to him for that.
Few seconds later, my dad cleared his throat to speak.
“It’s true what they say, ‘sometimes strangers become family’. We appreciate your efforts tonight, but above all I want to show my gratitude to you for adamantly rescuing my company and the integrity of the Xiang’s household from ruin. You’ve brought back the sweet genuine smile on my daughter’s face. I hope she forgives me. Her life and happiness were traded for my integrity, but she never once complained. For that I’ll forever ask for her forgiveness” my dad confessed with a brokenheart, and that broke my heart.
“No, pa. You have nothing to be sorry about, neither do I have anything to forgive. You did what you had to do to protect our family as the head, and I had a responsibility to fulfill as the daughter of this family.” I countered with a glimmer in my eyes as my mother helped console him.