One Year Time Bomb

The Cost

Lan Tian, "please, take a seat Mr. Wen, Mr. Jiang, and Mrs. Jiang."

Jiang Fengmian replied, " I rather stand but I'll be polite."

The Lan elders paused for a moment. They did not expect this person would appear in one place, much less in a measly normal house.

"Appreciated." Wen Rouhan said when Jiang's secretary handed him tea. The secretary took the liberty to prepare the tea. Bullshit right? Well, seeing their madam beat someone out of commission the house won't be able to serve their visitors.

Wen Rouhan, "It's becoming of you. Your typical bourgeois nonsense, Lan elders."

Lan Tian, "Yes, it is quite a bit of nonsense, I must agree but necessary nonsense I'm afraid. Can I offer you a cigar? My collection spans the globe."

Wen Rouhan did not reply as he seeped some tea, "you may be wondering why I came here.."

Lan Tian, "the Patents, Mr. Wen..."

Wen Rouhan, "Yes, that is correct. The patents. Perhaps we should cut to the chase, Mr. Lan. We are both businessmen, are we not? No need to beat around the bush. But now that I found my precious child being beaten around... I guess, it puts our deal off... And I am taking my grandson with me..."

"Mr. Wen... Wei Ying will come with us, the Jiangs..." Yu Ziyuan said sternly, "It's better if he's monitored twenty-four/seven."

Wei Wuxian just stared at them in disbelief, "do I have the choice in this?"

"No..." Both parties said. However, Jiang Fengmian as diplomatic as he is, interfered, "I guess we have no right of choice here... Why not assign someone to look over him if you two are going to have a war on this?"

Both Wen Rouhan and Yu Ziyuan scoffed and glared at Jiang Fengmian who merely smiled.

"Zhuliu..." Wen Rouhan called, the man called Wen Zhuliu came forward and await Wen Rouhan's order.

"Madam Yu..." Wen Zhuliu bowed.

Yu Ziyuan nodded. Wen Rouhan smiled and said, "starting today you are to check on my Ying'er... I hope the arrangement would be fine for the Lans?"

And who is the Lan to disapprove?

"And..." Wen Rouhan smiled devilishly, "do what is needed if anyone who hurts my Ying'er."

The chill suddenly crossed the bank.

"Yes, Uncle..." Wen Zhuliu said and turned to Wei Wuxian, "take good care of me, A-Ying.."

Wei Wuxian could no longer speak. His elders decided and he had no power to change their minds when it comes to his protection. They have been—always been overprotective of him. Seeing him getting slapped angered them. Refuting would be no better option or else he'll go home with them.

He turns around, but Yu Ziyuan has moved. He looks around and stands before his aunt. Surely she is upset.

The Lan's had their defeated face, "now... Lan elders... How should we ask for reparations then?"

The tone Wen Rouhan used is dangerous! It's like negotiation is not an option.

"Grandpa! What reparations?" Wei Wuxian panicked.

But Wen Rouhan merely glanced at him and tucked him by his side. The eerie smile Wen Rouhan gave ordered Wei Wuxian to shut up. His granddaddy is anger—no wait!—beyond furious. The light tap on his shoulders was one thing that assures his grandpa he is fine, but looking at those dangerous grey orbs, Wei Wuxian does not want it...