Information Overload

In a span of 3 days, Han Meixiu was able to grasp the people dominating the higher society if Q City. It was thanks to Liu Yu Yao who seemed to have endless energy when she was 'informing' Han Meixiu. 

She actually learned so much in three days compared to the past decades she's been living in the city.

At first she wasn't that much interested about the different affairs of prominent people around Q City but Liu Yu Yao was an excellent storyteller that seemed everything came into life.  In every story and 'gossip' she told Han Meixiu it was as if the pregnant woman was watching an entire drama in front of her.

In short, she was really entertained. Some of the information made her even speechless. 

And what were those? 

*coughed*

They were about the Liu Family. 

Liu Yu Yao was actually hesitant when she started to tell Han Meixiu the story why Grandma Liu and the current head of Liu Family have a sour relationship. 

It turned out that, Grandma Liu was a secret lover of Grandpa Liu. Based Liu Yu Yao's words, Grandma Liu 'seduced' Grandpa Liu but the two didn't get married even after the original wife died. They waited until everything calmed down. 

Mr. Liu was also the only child of Grandpa Liu and his first wife, thus it was reasonable that he inherited the position of the head of the family. Also, it was Mr Liu's mother who assisted Grandpa Liu when the company encountered a set back. But since the couple was a product of an arranged marriage, there was no romantic feelings involved. 

They both treated each other as an honored guest and Grandpa Liu was only focused on expanding the Liu business so there wasn't really any problem in their lukewarm relationship. That is of course before Grandma Liu came in the picture. 

When Grandma Liu became the official wife of Grandpa Liu, everyone in the Liu Family wanted to hug her thigh, except for Mr Liu. He never once called her mother and was cold to her. He probably didn't acknowledge Grandma Liu and the thought that she was an other woman, made him feel disgusted towards her. 

When it was time for Mr. Liu to marry someone, he chose the most unexpected person. That was the current madam Liu. A shameless woman in the eyes of both Grandpa and Grandma Liu. It was seen as rebellion by the other family members because Grandma Liu actually arranged someone to be Mr. Liu's fiancee. 

Most of the members of the family were standing on a thin layer of ice during that time, There was a power struggle. They didn't know which side they would take as they wanted to avoid being dragged in the battle between Mr Liu and Grandma Liu. 

Liu Yu Yao parents were one of them. There was a time they avoided attending family gatherings. 

After Madam Liu and Mr Liu got married, Grandma Liu didn't stop to torment the two. It lasted for a few years before Grandma Liu eventually accepted her 'defeat'. 

According to the rumor, Mr Liu who didn't talk to his father that much, gave a warning that if Grandma Liu wouldn't stop, they should not blame him for whatever circumstances would happen. 

It was clearly a threat. And a threat will only be considered effective if it will come from a powerful person that's capable. That time, Mr Liu was already the head of the Family and on his hands he controls the power more than enough to make the threat happen.

While Liu Yu Yao was telling Han Meixiu in a hushed voice, she was also very vigilant. She was afraid that her little life might be in jeopardy if she made a tiny mistake. But she couldn't really stop talking after she started. She could only continue and wish her audience would be pleased. 

Han Meixiu was actually silent for a time. Although it said to be rumors, there could be some true information within. At least now she has an idea why there's a wall between Grandma Liu and her Liu Family. 

Was that all? 

Of course not. Han Meixiu wasn't spared about the rumor surrounding the Liu Young Masters. 

Liu Yu Yao wasn't bashful admitting she actually benefited by being a cousin of Liu Young Masters. Even though she never really talked to them, she still bragged she's their cousin. 

But the one who was always on the spot light was Liu Zilong. Liu Zijian was the mysterious type. 

Being popular, Liu Zilong was indeed sought after by young maidens. There was even a time that two girls who happened to be sisters wanted to become his girlfriend at the same time. 

It stirred up quite a big commotion as the two were both beauties and popular. But they were politely declined. 

After that incident, Liu Zilong popularity skyrocketed. He was given the terms 'ideal man', 'prince charming' etc. of the female populace in their university. 

Han Meixiu indirectly asked about Liu Zijian as she was more interested about her own husband rather than her brother in law.

"Cousin Zijian? He was labelled as an approachable man. Besides, unlike Cousin Zilong he didn't attend regular school. He was only visible to the public eye when he started university. But even then, he was still pretty isolated. He was always with the Ye brothers. There was even a weird rumor circulating before that he was into…" 

Han Meixiu paused and the two women looked at each other for a few seconds.

"Into what?" 

"Into… you see…" Liu Yu Yao didn't really dare to utter the word. She didn't have the guts to blurt it out. She could only use a roundabout way. "He was always with Ye siblings and he never liked being approached by women...so… some frustrated girls concluded that he's...But I never believe them! I swear!"

Han Meixiu sighed. She heard from her Mommy Yi some of Liu Zijian's reputation but not this type.

"He's not."

"I know! I can actually imagine how they were shocked when his marriage came out in the open. Some were even still skeptical about it. They said that those were probably only for show but they were all silent after some of your sweet photos were shown to the public."

"Sweet photos?" Han Meixiu wasn't aware about it. 

"I think those were taken from your secret wedding and dates." 

"Dates?" The pregnant woman became even more confused. It seemed that Liu Zijian needed to explain something to her. 

"Yes! They were in a magazine. Both of you looked lovely that nobody dared to question your feelings for each other again." 

That particular night, Han Meixiu waited for her husband patiently. It was almost midnight when Liu Zijian arrived and he was surprised seeing Han Meixiu still lingering in the living room. 

"You're not yet sleepy?" Liu Zijian gently asked after giving Ye Ming his suitcase to be placed in the study. 

Han Meixiu nodded and reached out her hand. She slowly walked beside him.

"Did Yu Yao behaved well?"

"She's as noisy as the first day she came."

"If she's giving you a hard time…"

"She didn't. Although I honestly regretted I agreed to spend time with her at first, I think I can tolerate her now."

"You don't look well, though." Liu Zijian cupped her face and using his thumb he softly caressed her cheek. 

"Just a little headache. I'm probably suffering from having information overload."

Seeing Liu Zijian's eyebrow raised, Han Meixiu continued.

"I learned quite a lot from her. I just wanted to confirm something."

"What is it?"

"She heard that our picture appeared in a magazine. Specifically our wedding picture. Did you do it?"

"En." Liu Zijian quickly answered. 

"What about those pictures during our date? We didn't date…"

"Those were compilation of stolen shots taken by Mom." 

"Mommy Yi?" 

"En."

"How come I never noticed it?" Han Meixiu murmured. 

"She's good with it. Is there anything else?" Liu Zijian asked her again. There would always be a reason why his wife would sacrifice her sleeping time like this, and wait for him. 

Sometimes the reasons were bizarre. Like she just wanted to pinch him and shuffle his hair. There was also time she just wanted to sit on his lap and sleep. No matter how weird it would be, he would always give in.

If only he could bring her with him, he already did. But, his daily itenerary would be too much for her.

"The rumor about you…" Han Meixiu said in a soft voice.

"There's a lot. I never pay attention to them." Liu Zijian nonchalantly answered.

Han Meixiu swallowed whatever she wanted to say. Right, he's Liu Zijian. She just wanted to see his reaction with regard to the rumor that he's into men. But then again, he's not someone who would bother himself with this unnecessary things. Just wahet did she expect?

If it were about her, then she could probably get some decent reaction from him. Han Meixiu sighed. 

'You're no fun." She said pouting before striding towards their room leaving the confused man behind. She felt utterly disapppinted.

"Did I upset you?" Liu Zijian quickly followed after he realized that her mood seemed to change.

"You don't care that people are slandering you? Saying you're into...into m..men?"

"Should I care? They're opinion isn't important. You know the truth. That's all that matters."

Seeing that Han Meixiu was still somewhat sulking, Liu Zijian continued. "What reaction do you want me to have?" He could never understand her mood swings but he could at least ask her what he should do to calm her down. 

"I also don't know. I was looking forward to see your reaction but,.."

"You want me to get angry?" 

Han Meixiu didn't answer but only looked expectantly at him.

Liu Zijian felt troubled. It's a bit hard to fake a reaction like that but he could try. Inside his head, he tried to think how to possibly show a reaction that he's angry.

He inhaled deeply before he spoke in a firm voice. "How dare they!"

Han Meixiu broke into a smile. "That's too fake." She said and started to giggle. 

"I'm not a good actor. But at least I made you smile." Liu Zijian answered, feeling acomplished. It's really nice to end the day seeing her smile.

"En." She answered and snuggled herself in his embrace.