70 Home Early

Liang Ju-Long sat behind the large mahogany desk that was the main feature in Liang Jian Amal's study. Hanging up his phone, the older man leveled his cold gaze upon his son standing in the open doorway. Leaning nonchalantly against the doorway, Liang Jian Amal acted as if had not been an unexpected and rude intrusion.

"What are you doing home so early in the day, Liang Jian Amal?" Tapping a finger against the desk, slowly, methodically, Liang Ju-Long questioned him as if he was an adolescent, earning an irked look. Crossing his arms, Liang Jian Amal returned the same look his father leveled at him.

"Have you properly greeted Miss Yan?" 

"Indeed, and I have already sent her home safely as well." Smiling coldly at his father, Liang Jian Amal calmly approached his desk. "It was indeed a 'pleasant surprise' you prepared for me, but please do me the favor of not being so gracious in the future."

"This is no times for your games, you would do well to remember that it would be most unwise to offend the Yan family at this time. While we may hold more wealth, they are an older family with powerful established connections. Connections that we need."

"Do not think that I do not fully comprehend the matter Chairman Liang. I have my own plan as to how I will handle it, you do not need to concern yourself with it. You need only to collect the money that is earned, and show up for the meetings where you are needed in your capacity as Chairman of the board. Why are you overworking yourself when you should be enjoying retirement?" Liang Jian Amal gave a winning smile to his father's withering one.

'You should just stay in your hole, you old snake.' Despite the smile he wore from practice, his eyes bored into the ones across from him.

"Fine, I shall trust in your judgement for now CEO Liang, do not prove me wrong." Straightening the black suit he wore as he stood, Liang Ju-Long left the paperwork he had been leafing through on the desk. "Do not be so quick to turn away Miss Yan, marrying a suitable woman will strengthen you in your position."  

"I already have."

"I hope you do not refer to that American girl you married on a whim. That would be a disgrace." Clicking his tongue, Liang Ju-long shook his head in disgust. 

"She is not someone with an inconsequential background, you know that she is a Dumont."

"That means nothing, do not try to disillusion yourself. She merely carries the name, it holds no weight, especially here. Do not waste your time further on this matter." Cutting his hand through the air, as if to cut off the conversation, Liang Ju-Long walked away after.

Looking at his father's black shadow leaving Liang JianAmal could not help but speak.

"Any time that I waste would be time not spent with her in my life. Did you not ever feel the same for my mother?"

Liang Ju-long turned as he was leaving and sneered at his son. "What a womanly thing to say. This is the business world, what we need are power and connections, not feelings." 

Going down the stairs, out of sight but of earshot from the study, Liang Ju-Long stopped.

"As for your mother, it has been so long, it is hard to say." Liang Ju-Long proceeded to leave without another word.

Running his hands through his hair, Liang JianAmal sat at his desk, looking over what had been scattered on the desk. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he shoved the stack to the side and tried to concentrate on what he had brought back from the office. Pushing what had happened earlier to the back of his mind, he opened the window to let in fresh air as he worked.

After a few hours, Liang Jian Amal received a call back from the flight captain and confirmed a a time to fly in a couple hours. Taking a deep breath, he smiled and allowed himself to relax a little. After having showered and changed into a pair of casual clothes, he went back to work still expecting a call back from Hao Jin Ying. After another hour, when he did not receive the call back, he dialed himself, only to hear the dialing tone going on without an answer.

All the relief he had received from having a time set for him to come back, disapeared in the long silent tones between rings.

'Why would Hao JinYing be unable to answer the phone? What is happening there? Damn it, wait for me, I will be there soon enough.'