Cutting Off All Ties

Sliding her feet against the dark wooden floor, she struggled to keep her eyes open as she was guided to her grandfathers study. Wearing a blue midi dress that further emphasised her tiny waist, she held the large A3 envelope of documents she held in her hands. Rubbing away the tiredness in her misty eyes, the dark circles more prominent than ever.

The maid Xiao Lou opened the door for with a smile at her adorable looks, however remembering the previous incident she froze.

'How can a person so sweet an innocent looking have such a sharp tongue.'

"This way young miss."

"Thank you."

Despite those things, she was pleasantly surprised at how she was always polite with the maids and didn't cry or wither anymore at the presence of her grandfather. But rather joined him in his eccentricities and banter.

***

"Xiao Zhu! Look at those dark circles- do you want me to take your computer away from you?" Her grandfather asked her worried about her health.

"I had things to do." She explained rubbing her eyes with a pale hand.

Noticing the salt and pepper, bespectacled man whom she assumed was his lawyer. Placing down the envelope and giving a polite smile, she gave him her hand as she introduced herself.

Straightening his suit as he sat back on the leather sofa, he silently watched the strange girl who sat opposite him and poured him a cup of tea. Her grandfather sitting quietly beside her.

"I understand the situation although briefly, your grandfather mentioned something about a contract?" Getting straight to the point, a little displeased with her decision to cross dress.

"That's right. My intentions are to fully remove myself off the Liu family register, along with other specific terms." She said taking hold of her grandfathers hand.

"Will a contract need to be written up or have you prepared one yourself?"

"I have one prepared." Sliding a pale hand into the large brown envelope and removing the first two sheets of white paper from the front.

Handing it over, he raised his glasses further up his nose as he read the document interestingly. Placing a hand on his face thought everything through.

"You wrote this yourself?" He asked curiously.

"Yes." She expressed honestly. Secretly snickering evilly internally like the mature adult she was.

"Mr. Xie what a very mature and intelligent granddaughter you have." He praised softly, before looking at her. "Frankly I thought you were someone completely naive and had ill intentions in doing so. However, I am aware of how your parents have treated you and so I'll do my best to have him sign it."

"Thank you."

Looking at her grandfathers confused face he explained the situation properly. "To clarify Mr. Xie, Young miss has come up with the following terms, in the incidence of miss Liu Zhu Hua becoming her brother Liu Zhi Ruo for a period of time:

-On the premise that Zhu Hua become Zhi Ruo, an NDA with forfeit of 10% shares to Liu holdings will be given to Miss Liu Zhu Hua. That is if any of the following contract conditions is spoken publicly or leaked to the media.

-Because of the extreme inconvenience, time waste and the potential of ruining Miss Liu Zhu Hua's reputation and further prospects. A sum of 10 million yuan is to be given in reparation fees, after Miss Liu Zhu Hua graduates or the unconscious Liu Zhi Ruo wakes up. As well as her name on the Liu family tree removed, having no relation with the Liu family in entirety.

-Due to poor relations with Miss Liu Zhu Hua and the Liu family, throughout the period the contract is signed she will attend Oak Wood Private School for boys and will stay in a single room dorm. All expenses, include on site- personal and private use will be dealt with by Mr. Liu. Contact between parties should be minimal if none, if required should be through the contact of the Lawyer involved with this case."

"The school is in the capital so you won't be coming home anytime soon..." her grandfather said sullenly.

"Grandfather can call me anytime you want." Squeezing his hand.

"What do you plan on doing afterwards?" Lawyer Shen asked, getting both of there attention.

"Change my name..." She said glancing at her grandfather, "finish school and go to university..."

Standing up to leave, he picked up the document and placed it into his leather briefcase.

"If there's any trouble hand him this and tell him that this is just a copy. But there's more where that comes from." Extending her hand to give him the envelope, she smiled gently as she said her goodbyes unbeknownst of her grandfathers inner turmoil.

"What was that?" He asked her coldly.

"Oh... don't worry nothing illegal, just some of Mr. Liu's latest exploits: embezzlement of company funds for nefarious purposes of course, tax evasion With a smidgen of bribery."

"How did you obtain such sensitive-information."

"Oh... well I am very intelligent and what's a little hacking going to do?" Hooking her lips.

Knocking her forehead with his heavy hand, she gasped as she held her head. "Stop being too hasty, even if he doesn't sign it I'll make sure you're protected- just don't do anything stupid."

'Sorry, I've never depended on anyone before. If I have to I'll do it.'

***

Director Liu's Office, The Capital (A couple of days later)

With furrowed brows and gritted teeth, Mr. Liu sat at his desk seemingly concentrating on the document before him. However, really all he could think about how stupid his son was for going drag racing in the middle of the night and getting into a car accident.

'Pathetic.' He growled, clenching his fists as he thought back to the previous phone call. Frustrated how that devil spawn- as his mother liked to refer to her, somehow started to get a bit of a back bone.

'Who the hell does she think she's talking to?, dirty wretch.'

Checking the time on his phone, hoping to leave and get his secretary to finish looking up at the financial report for the month. Pushing back the leather chair to stand, he clenched the hand that held the back of the chair in disgust when he heard a knock on the door.

"What is it?"

"Lawyer Jian is on line 1, regarding something urgent and I've just received a special courier of documents from Lawyer Shen that needs your attention." The soft and pretty voice sounded from behind the door, before bouncing in. A black dress tightly covered her curves as the small clicks of her heels could be heard as she approached.

Sitting down again, he watched as she placed the document on his desk and turned around. Staring at her lower back emotionlessly, teetering away. Although he had a good relationship with his wife, if not for his powerful father-in-Law who threatened to ruin him if he wronged his daughter. He probably would have indulged himself on his pretty little secretary.

"Lawyer Jian how can I help you?" He said a fake smile on his face.

"Save the greetings for someone who wants to hear it, you've really done it now!" He said exasperatingly. "Do you know who Lawyer Shen is? He's one of the best lawyers in the capital and he's your father-in-laws personal lawyer."

"What does this have to do with me?" He grunted as he opened up the 'contract' skeptically.

"I told you didn't I?, if you didn't want your kid at least pay for child support or remove her from the family register..."

"What are you trying to say?- you think I'm going to sign this fucking contract?!" Frowning in disbelief at the ridiculous terms.

"Hahaha don't you understand General Xie is threatening you now! Although he lives nowhere close to the capital, do you think you have more power and respect than these two people?!" He began to shout anxiously over the phone.

"What's worse is that he's threatening if you don't sign to bring the poor treatment of the youngest daughter of the Liu family to light- he wants to bring a court case against you."

"That fucking old fox... 10% forfeit though?!" Slamming his hand on his desk. "10 million yuan AS WELL?!"

"Liu Zhou Tian, they've also given you a present. Lawyers Shen's word exactly are there are more where that came from. You can keep the copy."

Listen to the silence over the phone, a sneer on his lips he continued.

"That's right you should just keep your mouth shut and sign the contract. They've compiled your latest exploits, so if you don't want to lose your position. You better do what I tell you." Lawyer Jian warmed under his breath.

Although Zhu Hua was rusty and her fingers were too small and not used to such aggressive movements. Her brother who was known for his hacking and shooting capabilities in their Flying Eagle special unit. Specifically taught her everything he knew because she was quick with numbers and had amazing memory retention.

That's where she got her gaming addiction from- helping her brother beat the big shots and steal their loot. Although she didn't really care about the level she had progressed to or where she was on the leaderboard, she only really did it to stimulate her brain when she was bored or to train her hand strength to help with surgery.

Gritting his teeth, although pissed off with the result of getting his own way at the end but not to his own terms. He signed the paper, almost puncturing the paper with the tip of his pen.

Taking deep breaths as he squinted, trying to see if there are any loop holes he could take advantage of or any countermeasures he could do afterwards.

Despite all of that she lived freely, completely unaware of how her own father was casually cursing her very existence. As well as the forums of the cultivation game 'Heaven In A Single Step' had blown up after she had downloaded the mobile version on a whim. Casually slicing people's stomach and making them throw up blood as Dr. C an assassin character, taking the 5th spot on the national leaderboard after two weeks of frequent playing.

***

Zhu Hua reading a book under a tree, looked at her surroundings and squinted at her phone at the side of her. Popping up with numerous notifications without stopping.

'Fuck it! I'm just popular these days' She thought before continuing to read, practicing her chinese comprehension.