Both Jazzlyn and Ting Fang were startled by Isla’s knock on the window. “Speak of the devil! Here’s Isla! Didn’t I tell you not to trouble them? I’m sure Ellie is somewhere!” Ting Fang reprimanded Jazzlyn, who was opening the window for Isla.

  “Shhh… not so loud! The old man can hear you!” Jazzlyn told her mother, who squinted her eyes at Jazzlyn.

  “Isla!!! Oh, Ellie!” Jazzlyn jumped in joy, hugging Isla, while Ellie hastily reached the window after a short while of struggle.

  “Are you alright?” Isla asked amid the jump as Jazzlyn nodded.

  “Quick! Save your husband! He is committing suicide by meeting your parents! He has gone crazy!” Ellie announced while panicking everyone. She didn’t notice Ting Fang was in the room.

  “What?! What is he even doing here?! Why did you bring him along?” Jazzlyn exclaimed as Ting Fang held her hand.

  Ellie gasped at the sight of Ting Fang.

  “Auntie…” Ellie greeted, followed by Isla, as Ting Fang nodded in acknowledgement.

  “Calm down. Let’s go see him. I’m sure Su Hong has his plans.” Ting Fang urged. The trio wanted to head outside, but noticed the door was locked.

  The only way they could escape was through the window and the wobbly ladder. “Mum, stay here…” Jazzlyn said, but Ting Fang stopped her.

  “Who said your mother can’t climb? I have been exercising when your second sister in law was around. Sigh, I miss my beloved Olivia…” Ting Fang lamented while preparing to climb over the window, which worried the girls.

  “Mum, you’re sure you’re alright? Let me get down first so that I can watch over you?” Jazzlyn fussed as Ting Fang waved her away and, with strong agility, climbed down the ladder better than Ellie, who went next, before Jazzlyn made her way, and lastly Isla.

  Isla wanted to lead the way to the main entrance when Ting Fang leisurely walked past the guards with the girls. The guards couldn’t do anything since the lady of the house was escorting them all except to inform their head of security.

  The head of security, upon receiving the news, was in the midst of trying to stop Ethan from barging into the study, but to no avail. Dato Su was agitated at his presence.

  “What audacity you have to barge in here? Looks like your parents didn’t teach you well about respecting the elders!” Dato Su bellowed.

  “They just learn from you, who didn’t teach your daughter well either. Aren’t you all close friends once?” Ethan provoked Dato Su.

  “Guards! Drag him out!” Ethan held them back by holding one of the guards with one of his arms behind him, threatening to break it anytime.

  “I’m here as Wei Wei’s husband to escort her home. It’s only right to come pay my respect to the elders first. But since I was stopped, I had no choice but to make my way to you despite all odds. I want you to at least let you have a good look at your son-in-law in person.” Ethan explained as Dato Su scoffed.

  “I never agreed to the marriage, nor do I even want to see you. Now, get out of my house! My daughter is not for sale this way!” Dato Su scolded.

  “Then, putting her up for a corporate marriage is your way of selling her off?” Ethan challenged him.

  “You! That’s not your business to care!” Dato Su tried denying.

  “Have you ever asked her what she wanted since young, once, genuinely? Did you ever ask her what her feelings were after you imposed everything on her every single time?” Ethan questioned, which made Dato Su ponder, though he harumphed in discomfort.

  “Do you know how much she had suffered all this while?” Ethan questioned.

  “How is it that she suffers when she decided to leave this house?! I had to always drag her back when I needed her at home. Look where she is now cause I have family business with her. Be careful of what you say, I’m warning you!” Dato Su reprimanded right when the trio and Ting Fang arrived in the hallway to listen to their conversation.

  Ting Fang halted the girls and told the guards not to make any movements.

  “We both, only want the best for her. We both, love her very much. We never meant to bring harm to her, but we only want the best for her. So, I am asking you to change the way you love her, cause she doesn’t understand your love language…”

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Who are you to teach me how to love her or teach her a lesson?!” Dato Su vented.

  “'Cause she didn’t understand mine either at first… Not till I changed my way and spoke with her to work things out. There were so many unspoken words she didn’t say because she was always so selfless. She cares about her patients and is very dedicated, yes. But she cares about her dearest people even more than herself. I don’t want to see her perish from trying to save you.” Ethan’s words sent everyone, including Ting Fang and the girls, sombre.

  “You…” Dato Su wanted to retaliate, only for Jazzlyn to step in, but she stopped halfway when Ethan presented him with a box.

  “If you ever get into trouble or if the family does, there’s always help from us in Wang’s family. Dad had been waiting for you to have some tea someday. This…” Ethan put down on the table the box of tea.

  “...is your favorite from him. Spring picked Pu Erh leaves and roasted them with rose petals. He said, “Let the bygones be bygones in your generation. The old don’t give way, the young ones wouldn’t be able to grow.” Dato Su was touched for a moment before he let his ego take over once more.

  He swept the box to the floor to find the leaves were well wrapped inside. It was all part of Ethan’s plan.

  “Drink it well. I will bring Wei Wei to visit often if you permit.” Dato Su wanted to retaliate, only for Ting Fang to walk in.

  “Stop reprimanding him. Don’t even dare to throw a tantrum.” She said to her husband as she crouched to pick up the gift.

  “Look at this gift. It’s your favorite…” Ting Fang commented as Dato Su harumphed again.

  “Mum…” Ethan greeted Ting Fang as he bowed. Ting Fang stood to reach out to him.

  “Have you been well? Is everyone well in the family?” She gladly asked as Ethan nodded.

  “Yes, Mum… Sorry for having to meet you both this way…” He apologised.

  “So polite and tactful… Your father and sisters brought you up very well, Su Hong. Mei San will be so proud and happy…” Ting Fang praised.

  “Thank you, Mum…” Ethan said politely as the girls peeped.

  “No, it’s thank you for helping me fulfil my promise to Mei San to marry you both and this. Thank you so much…” Ting Fang showed the butterfly to Ethan, who smiled.

  Dato Su’s gaze softened at the brooch. He remembered the good old days when the four of them were gathering in the Wang’s old house. It was always so lively till the men’s fallout and Mei San’s passing.

  “It’s only right for you to keep it…” Ethan said as Ting Fang finally smiled. Dato Su scoffed, wanting to leave the room, only to be startled when the three girls standing outside, equally startled.

  “Uncle…” Isla and Ellie greeted out of respect. Jazzlyn rolled her eyes.

  “Hmph!” Dato Su walked off in defeat. He knew his situation with Jazzlyn had reached the point where he had to let go of his daughter, since he refused to let go of his power and business. He was very troubled by an impending storm as he envisioned the demise of his business in the hands of his useless sons. The fact was too abrupt and harsh for him to digest in such a short time as he caressed the box of tea in his room. He wondered if it was time to make amends with this old friend.

  “Alright, enough, enough. Save it for the ROM, Mum. Go get help from the second sister in law! We got to go before the old man started hunting again.” Jazzlyn cut short Ting Fang and Ethan’s meeting as she couldn't bear to stay another minute in the house.

  “Bye, Auntie!” Both Ellie and Isla said as Ting Fang walked over to them.

  “Sorry to trouble you two, as always with my naughty girl.” Both Ellie and Isla suppressed their laughter.

  “It’s fine. Take good care, alright?” Isla told Ting Fang.

  “Alright, go go… off you go. Everyone, be careful. Soon, I will get the gardeners to help maintain the ladder.” Ting Fang said absentmindedly.

  “Mum…” Jazzlyn called her gently. “Did you ever think of leaving this house?”

  Ethan and Ting Fang were caught by surprise.

  “Leaving this family. And him. Like Olivia and I did.” Jazzlyn asked as Ting Fang’s expression softened.

  I did, but it’s not as simple as you think it is, Wei Wei. I’m old, unlike you both. Sigh, my darling Olivia… And You… Ting Fang lamented her rotten luck to herself.

  “Leave. I have my own life. I will decide for myself.” Ting Fang shrugged it off as Jazzlyn hugged her tightly.

  “See you at the ROM, alright? Find Olivia…”Jazzlyn reminded Ting Fang as she nodded, watching the couple leave.

  “Su Hong…” Ting Fang called out.

  Ethan turned around. “If I can’t go, don’t forget the pictures.” Ting Fang reminded him.

  Ethan smiled and nodded, knowing she knew it was him who had sent the traditional wedding pictures via Jazzlyn’s phone.

  “Mum, you must come!” Jazzlyn pleaded with a pout.

  “I will try… Now, go…” Ting Fang waved her hands as though chasing them to leave.

  Ting Fang watched the four of them leave as she reminisced about the old feeling of getting up to mischief like she did with Mei San. She missed the good old days, which made her itch to sneak to the ROM with her favourite Olivia, to work out a plan.

  As she dialled her number on her mobile, she didn’t expect to catch her at the wrong time.

  “Mum…” Olivia’s sad voice was heard.

  “Olivia! What happened? Are you alright? What’s wrong? Where are you now? Let me come over to find you! Are you home?” Ting Fang panicked as Olivia broke down into tears.

  “Aww, don’t cry yet! Wait for me to come!” Ting Fang rushed to grab her belongings and car keys since she was out for mischief before driving out after successfully coaxing Olivia to tell her she was home.