1 THE START OF SOMETHING GREAT
Muna Aslan took a last look at her room, it was a very large room with lots of space. The walls had been repainted blue, after she felt at 13, that she was too old for pink. All her things had been removed and only a few things remained. The Rosewood table set against the wall where she studied, was a near distance to her queen-sized bed. Everything in her room screamed at the wealth of the people who lived there.
Absently she wondered if her father would let her repaint her ceiling. She liked what her mother's ex-boyfriend Taylor had done with hers. They had painted the starry stars together, it had been what bonded them. Her mom had come in then, taken one look at her, with her hair all over the place, paints on her flushed cheeks, and her clothes in disarray, and had been appalled.
But she hadn't scolded her.
She doesn't know what her mom had seen on her face that day, but whatever she had seen had made her pick up the paintbrush and they had a lot of fun painting and positioning the stars together. It had been the beginning of the mend, between her and her mom's relationship.
Her lips curled up with a slightly bittersweet smile when she thought that. Taking one last glance at her room, she softly closed the door and headed downstairs.
"I hope you didn't forget to pack Muna's favorite desserts, her grandmother stated, peeping into one of the packed bags on the floor.
"I got everything, madam, housekeeper Zheng reassured her for the tenth time with a small smile. Don't worry I packed everything myself we absolutely cannot let the young miss go hungry."
"Don't worry Grandma, I trust Aunty Zheng's skills, she won't forget anything."
Li Muna who had heard their conversation hurried down the stairs and held her grandmother's hand while shooting a smile at her Aunty Zheng. Grandma Yan looked at her favorite grandchild with doting eyes and a loathing-to-part look.
"If you are done, go and say goodbye to your grandfather. He is in his study."
She reluctantly let go of her hands. Li Muna smiled softly and gave her a quick hug.
"Okay, grandma I will be going now."
She let go and made her way to her grandfather's study. Reaching the study, she knocked and on hearing the indication to come in, pushed the door in and entered.
The study was a large space, the decorations were done with extreme care, and the gold and rich brown painting gave it an intimidating look without being unsettling. The porcelain vases, calligraphy, and paintings that can be seen, pointed at the refined tastes of the owner. The floor-to-ceiling shelves were filled with books, resembling a mini library. But the library was not as imposing as the man currently occupying it. Her grandfather, who was seated behind a mahogany table going through some paperwork.
She quietly came and sat on the sofa in the study, took a book on a shelf behind her, and began to read while waiting for him to be done.
Age has treated him kindly, her grandpa's features are quite ordinary, but at 79 years, he doesn't look a day past 60. And doesn't look like the tyrant who traumatized her when she was young. Remembering that still gave her a shudder. This is why she still doesn't dare to be impetuous in front of him, though he is already aware of her presence.
Seeing her guarded look, Grandpa Yan inwardly gave a helpless smile, it's all his fault. He came from a martial arts family and he also carried that legacy. Except, none of his two children had any talent for martial arts, which always gave him a sore feeling, especially when he saw his friends and rivals showing off their children's talents. So he became too excited when he realized his granddaughter's high affinity. Especially since it contrasted greatly with his grandson's low talent. 'Cough, cough' he couldn't help himself, so he accidentally trained her too hard and she became afraid of him.
But just looking at her makes him extremely satisfied. She has both strength and wisdom, he doesn't have to worry about her and he is more likely to be worried about her enemies. Whether she passes that legacy to her children or not, he has promised himself not to be concerned with that, his family's legacy will finally not end with him. He can be satisfied with that.
"Are you all packed," he asked, looking up from his paperwork.
"Yes grandfather" she answered straightening up. Her grandfather reached for a drawer near his desk, opened it, and took out an envelope before handing it to her. On opening it, she found her household register, a deed to an apartment in the city made in her name, and a platinum card. Surprised, she looked up at her him. He was looking straight at her, seeing her eyes shoot up, smiled benignly, and stated.
"I know you are wondering about the apartment."
'Indeed' she thought, the card didn't surprise her and she will need the register for her school enrollment.
"I know it was my idea, to send you to your father for your last year of high school". He held her gaze and she slowly nodded that she was paying attention.
"You are a brilliant girl, you might have already understood some of the reasons."
"Yes Grandpa, you want me to form my connections."
She had already guessed it when her grandfather first mentioned sending her to her father. The affluent have always had their way of forming connections that will benefit their businesses and one of the most important, is connections formed from the young, usually while in school.
This is why the nouveau riche will pay an arm and a leg to send their kids to the most prestigious schools, even if they could only become the lackey of a wealthy kid, just the crumbs from their table can elevate them greatly. This is their long-term investment. Just having your kid mention a kid's name, again and again, will give you an impression of them, that alone is enough to give a second look to a file bearing that surname.
She is not interested in the politics of the wealthy, if left to her, she would rather continue to stay in the suburbs, which her grandparents had bought for their retirement, racing her bike on the mountain road with nothing but the wind on her back and her thoughts to accompany her. Reading by the river bank, practicing her abilities freely without being thought of as a freak or something to be feared, then going back to the city. The city gave her nothing but pain and confusion.
But she's not the girl she once was, she will do as her grandparents wished, both for her grandpa and for herself. She needs to face the 'her' of the past. The little girl rejected, feared, and hated for the things she knew and the things she was capable of.
"Yes I want you to form your connections, you kids are the future of every legacy and therefore the best investments. He answered, nodding. That is the difference between the 'rich' and the 'wealthy'.
But that's not all. I know you haven't seen your father since the divorce and you might have some prejudices against him, but he's still your father and he was the one who suggested, you spend your last year of high school with him.
While I don't have any goodwill towards your father, since he reached out himself wanting to mend your relationship, I still chose to give him a chance.
"Forgive me, my child, I know this might not be easy for you". Grandpa Yan looked at this grandchild of his softly. She has suffered. Both his daughter and her ex-husband, none of them were good to this child. But he has watched her relationship with her mother, ease over the years and couldn't help but hope.
We old people have always upheld filial piety, but that doesn't mean I will let your father bully you.
Please give him a chance, if you ever say that you don't want to stay with him, I will welcome you back, no questions asked.
I also prepared the apartment for that same effect, if you got tired of staying at their place you can move into the apartment then call me and I will handle everything.
But give yourself a chance, your family will always be here for you.
Xu Ruoruo felt her eyes misting, even though she might have already understood some of it. But hearing her grandfather say that he will always side with her, was what she needed to hear. "Don't worry grandfather, I will give him a chance and I will be okay".
'Your teachings all these years, Muna remembers.'
She stood up, bid her grandfather goodbye and softly closed the study room on her way out.
She met with her grandmother, on the first floor of the villa, and had to listen to a whole new lecture admonishing her to be careful, and not trust anyone in the city as she led her to the car.
