“You have the destiny to change the fate of Middle Kingdom” A creepy old lady said with an all-black clothing. She was holding a wooden staff with a red snake encircling it, its eyes are made of gold that it seems alive but it’s not. Its fangs look sharp like a dagger because the snake’s mouth is wide open like it want to bite at any moment.

“My destiny? How-“ She was about to ask that old lady but she heard foots steps coming, so she looked at its direction only to find out it was a young lady holding a pink cape with flowers gorgeously embroidered in it.

“My lady, are you talking to someone?” She asked, she was about 10 years old wearing plain green old fashion dress with a long hair cleanly fixed. As soon as she asked that she suddenly remembered that old lady and quickly turned to her direction but the old lady is gone.

“Say, have you seen the old lady standing there when you arrived?” She asked while pointing to where the old lady was.

“Hmmm, no I only saw you here alone. By the way My lady, here’s your cape its getting dark and cold we better go back.” The young lady answered as she dresses the cape to her lady.

“Are you sure?” She ensured while looking at the young lady observing if she’s just playing tricks on her.

“Yes I’m sure My lady. I only heard you talking as I arrived. Is everything okay?” She asked.

“Okay then, let’s go” Dismissing what her companion asked.

As they go to their way she noticed a very beautiful scenery, a manmade pond with school of colorful koi. The ground is filled with green soft grass, a colorful, lovely flowers and bonsai trees that was carefully decorated. Beyond that was the sun setting. The clouds were painted gold and the surroundings are getting darker. The day was about to end, it looks sad but very beautiful.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

*Ring ring ring riiinnnnnnnggggg! * Faith woke up when she heard her phone annoyingly ringing. She got her phone and lazily turned it off she didn’t even bother to see who’s calling. As soon as she turned it off a stabbing pain came rushing to her head. Right! Hangover. She remembered she got wasted last night. She attended a class reunion until it went into fun drinking.

“Apryl! Are you there?” She shouted as she massages her temporal. Damn! This headache! I promise I will never get wasted again! She pledged as if she’s really going to do it.

*Knock, knock * Faith heard a soft knocking at the door.

“Come in.” She said, then she saw Apryl--her maid coming in.

“Please brew me a tea… A ginseng tea would be nice. And a porridge anything that’s gentle to my stomach.” She requested while still massaging her temporal.

“Right away ma’am.” Apryl answered then went out of her room.

I need to take a bath I reek of alcohol. Then headed to the bathroom. When she is taking a shower she remembered her dream. “You have the destiny to change the fate of Middle Kingdom?” That was a dream right? And why would I suddenly dream of that? Weird. Maybe that was a movie that I watched somewhere and from my memory, my brain just replayed it. Hmm it must be because it was talking about the destiny of the Middle Kingdom weird. She thought assuring herself that it was just a movie she watched somewhere.

When Faith finished her bathroom rituals she went out feeling clean and fresh. She saw her tea and porridge sitting on her small table near the big window. Beyond that window was the sun setting. Oh, it is already noon? The clouds were painted gold and the surroundings are getting darker. This scenery feels familiar. She smiled. “Hmm, It’s sad, but very beautiful.” She commented.

One week slipped and Faith was in her office. Her office at 21th floor in Xu city. In there the view of China is exquisite. Even though the surroundings are busy she can still enjoy what the sunset has to offer. However, as pleasing as the sunset goes Faith can’t ignore her paper works.

“Ma’am, I’m here to inform you that your parents arrived at the airport at this moment.” Her secretary announced. Faith sighed, removed her glasses and stretched her arms up.

“So, did they told you that I have to go to the airport to lovingly welcome them?” she said with a hint of sarcasm. She knows that her assistant is simply informing but hey, she’s tired she’s working 36 hours straight. She can’t go to the airport to welcome them if that’s what her parent’s want right? She can welcome them at home.

“No, ma’am but your grandparents are with them.” Her assistant said casually. “And you have to go home early as they instructed.” She continued.

Great! Just great her grandparents! “Hey Kacey, what year is it?” Faith asked her assistant.

“Year 2018 Ma’am?” Kacey answered. Her face has question mark on it. Like why would her boss suddenly ask what year is it.

“And we are at the same age right?” Faith ask another weird question.

“Errr, Yes?” Kacey answered. Okay, her boss is sometimes weird.

“Lastly, what age are we now?” Faith asked again.

“We are 23, if I’m right you are turning 24 in 1-month ma’am. Ma’am are you… okay?” Her assistant hesitantly asked.

“Ha-ha! Well I’m just testing you. You, suddenly informing me that my grandparents are here is not normal. I thought maybe you are dreaming and decided to sleep talk on me. Well… you know just like what happens on movies.?” Faith answered like she wasn’t sure if that really happened on movies.

Kacey is holding her laughter, her boss is really cute when embarrassed her ears and cheeks are really red. It is very evident because her skin is smoothly white. She wanted to tease her but that can cause her, her precious salary.

*Cough* “Okay then ma’am. I will assume to my post.” Kacey said dismissing herself.

Faith was really embarrassed! Thank God her assistant did not decided to tease her. Who would buy that lame reason? And sleep talking? That is really plain lame. But scratch that embarrassment there is a bigger problem she was about to face--her dear grandparents! Her grandparents lived in Japan because according to them since young, they always dreamt of living there. They are very old fashioned from their way of clotting, manners, traditions and most especially on beliefs. But they are genius when it comes to business and if not because of them she can’t be handling branches of supper malls right now.

Yes! She is Faith Wu from the famous Wu family. The Wu family is one of the business genius among 5 families. When it comes to business they almost owned the most of the malls and factories in China so they make and sell. She is the sole heir of Wu Business empire because of one child policy. You may have guessed it but she’s well protected, loved, and spoiled so she’s a natural bitch that’s why she doesn’t have friends because people can’t handle her attitude.

“Hah!” Faith released a big sigh. Her grandparents are really a big pain in the ***. When the heads of the family suddenly came, it’s not always a good news, for Faith especially. As what Kacey said she’s 23 years old so her grandparents will stress her about marriage. She isn’t sure if it’s about marriage but still it could be her marriage. Dealing with her grandparents will be tough, maybe tougher than working 36 hours straight.

*Ring Ring Riiinnnnggggg!! * Her phone rang, she saw her mother listed on the caller’s id. She’s angry at her Mom why didn’t she warn her about her dear grandparents? If only she did maybe she could have done something… Something like running away from them!

“Hello…” She answered her phone. She tried her best to hide her irritation but still her voice sounded angry.

“Hey Faith! Are you at work?” Her mom answered. She could hear her granddad and father talking about business.

“Yes, I’m at my office and was about to head home.” She answered. Shit! I’m not dreaming! My grandparents are really home!

Author’s Note:

Hello! Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you so much for reading. Please like and comment below. I can accept criticisms as long as it can help in improving my story. As you’ve observed the names of my characters are from western. I’m sorry but I don’t know any Chinese name. I think it’s much better to remember them when are from western. This story is not based on historical events that happened in China long way back, so don’t expect anything. The names, characters, places and scenarios are pure imaginations. They did not happen in real life.! As the story goes by it will explain every detail so it will have a lot of chapters. Lastly, bear with my wrong grammars I do recheck them every time but I still miss some.

Again thank you so much for reading!

“Okay then, head home right away because your grandparents are here.” Her mother reminded.

“Mom, why didn’t you warn me about them coming home?” Faith said with a pout on her face. She can’t really hide her irritations.

“Excuses! Young lady, I called you last week but you just turned off your phone on me. So erase that pout on your face and just come home straight.” Her mother said as if she can see Faith pouting. Wait- She called? I can’t recall. Faith opened her call history and there was indeed a call and it was last week when she woke up with a hangover. Gosh, should I just run away instead? My grandparents coming home is surely trouble for me. She thought.

“And don’t even think of running away I can smell your thoughts!” Her mother said, she can hear her father laughing beside her mom.

“Okay! Okay, I’m coming home and I won’t run.” She said, gave up the impossible plan, and prepares herself to home.

Wu’s Mansion…

Faith went home and she can see the maids busy cleaning and preparing for dinner. “Are they home yet?” She asked Hana--one of the maids.

“Yes, Ma’am. Your mother is resting in their room while your father is at his library, probably working. Your grandparents are resting in their room.” Hana informed.

“Okay then, just inform me if it’s time for dinner.” Faith instructed and went straight to her room. Okay, Faith! You need to take a bath, you have to be clean and calm when facing your grandparents. You can do it! Probably. She thought as she went to the bathroom.

At Dinner…

Faith went to the dining room. Her parents and grandparents are already there. As usual, they are in their casual clothes. According to her granddad eating together is a simple family bonding and everyone should be in their casual clothes to show respect to food and to family members. But to Faith’s own understanding of being in casual clothes during a meal is like training a business meeting to some business person and the so-called ‘bonding’ is a blatant lie because every meal, their topic is always about business.

“Faith! My lovely granddaughter. You looked prettier than you were before.” Her grandmother Gemma Wu told her. She was the one who noticed her first.

“Haha, oh come on grandma. Surely you jest!” She said and went to her seat. Her grandmother is still the same. She’s old but her beauty isn’t fading. There are wrinkles on her face but it’s not noticeable. Her dark eyes still look healthy, her skin still smooth, her hair is already gray but she’s still gorgeously sexy. Is she working out? She’s wearing a dark green old fashion Chinese dress, green jade earring, and a golden necklace. She’s imposing but elegant.

“Nah-ah, I’m not joking dear. You really looked prettier than before. You look…” Gemma observed Faith from head to toe. “Matured and intelligent. It looks like you are managing our business effortlessly!”

“Well, I can’t say it’s effortlessly but yes our business is in good hands. Actually, Dad here proposed to build a museum in our main mall.” Faith said then turns to her father and swallowed her food.

Harold--her dad was surprised when Faith opened about his business plan--museum. He knew she just wanted to talk about business so that his parents won’t focus too much on her.

“Oh yes. I’m thinking it will be a good idea. I observed that we have a lot of artifacts here. It will be a waste if we will just keep it. I want to show people our legacy.” Harold said while looking at Mitchery Wu--her grandfather.

“Well, yes that’s a good idea. However, we may have a lot of artifacts but it will never be enough to build a museum. And a museum in a mall? Hmmm, that’s a first!” Mitchery critiqued.

Mitchery is always fast at critiquing business ideas. Wrinkles on his forehead are visible because of business stress? He looks strict, unsociable, imposing, and still handsome despite his age but when it comes to her granddaughter he is a doting grandparent.

“True, but do you remember that land in Shone? Faith bought it.” Harold said. Shone is their new property; it was a large land that is infertile and looks creepy, so other people think that the land is cursed but Faith herself purchased it. She plans to build a factory there.

“Shone? The land that is infertile? I heard that was cursed! That’s why no one lives there, even trees or green nature can’t grow there.” Mitchery exclaimed like it was a bad move to purchase it.

“Yes, that’s the point. I want to build a factory there because nature can’t survive in it. So why waste the land? Just build a factory so that we can benefit from it and… the land is cheap. So it’s a business win!” Faith argued. She was always practical, why would she be afraid if people think it was cursed? Just build something to make her richer at least the land is not wasted.

“But child they said that land is cursed! What if bad luck falls on us?” Gemma worriedly said.