Meeting the family

"So, what's a mafia meeting like? I read in a novel before that high end celebrities always attend such meetings, will I finally get to meet the first end class celebrities? This is so exciting, hey mafia leader, do you think…"

"SHUT UP!"

Lian slightly winced at his sudden shout and his surprise must have reflected on his face because Ding let out a sigh.

"Enough with the questions, you've been rambling on and on since we arrived. What are you? A high school girl who is gossiping about a handsome man that just walked by?"

Lian pout his lips and mumbled," I was just curious, no need to go and insult me."

Ding looked at the sight before him and pursed his lips together forming a thin line.

"You look like…"

Before he could say anymore, he bit his tongue and turned his head away.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, let's go," he said and quickened his pace.

"What's with him all of a sudden?" 

Shrugging the thought aside, he hurried after Ding as they walked through the front doors.

"Whoa!"

The exterior of the mansion was magnificent and glamorous but the sight before Lian at the moment was something straight out of the novels he read. 

"Come along," Ding said after reading the atmosphere.

He had had enough of Lian's questions and he was not about to put up with more of his endless questions. Side by side they walked down the hallways and made their way to the main hall which was filled with people who were elegantly dressed in expensive garments. If Lian wasn't given the suit he had on, he was sure that if he had put on clothes from his own closet, he would stick out like a sore thumb in this type of environment. He didn't want to admit it but he was actually glad that Ding gave him some clothes that made him fit in in the current atmosphere.

"Brother! You made it!"

Tsun walked up to the two and swung his right hand over Ding's shoulder.

"Young master…"

"What? Can't I hug you now?"

"That's not.. I-"

A sigh escaped his lips and Tsun smiled before playfully poking Ding's cheek with his finger. Lian who was silently watching this interaction couldn't help but notice their strong bond. He didn't need anyone to tell him of the relationship between the two. Although Tsun did not have the complete absence of conscience and empathy like Ding, he did have a loving and friendly aura. Tsun tilted his head looking at Lian as if he just noticed his presence by Ding.

"Oh, hello there," he said and pushed Ding aside so that he was face to face with him," I can't believe Ding managed to get someone as cute as you all for himself. What's your name? Am Tsun, half brother to this cold bastard here."

"Am Lian."

Lian looked from Tsun to Ding and back. Tsun had long blond hair, which he tied up at the back of his head in a bun but some hair rested on his shoulder. His blue eyes had a warm glow which were welcoming and his bright smile would most probably warm the hearts of people completely giving off an opposite effect compared to Ding's black hair and cold golden eyes.

"Nice to meet you Lian, do let me know if Ding does anything to you. I'll make sure to teach him a lesson," he said and lightly pinched Lian's cheek," oh, your face is so soft."

"He's not up for grabs young master," Ding said and the two looked at him with amused expressions on their faces.

"Am sorry?"

Ding let out an exhausted sigh and grabbed Lian pulling him to his side," Don't just touch what belongs to me young master."

Tsun smiled and raised his hands in mock surrender and before he could reply, their father walked into the room. The bustling hall grew silent as he made his way to the front and Ding's fist tightened by his sides.

"Thank you all for coming to this important meeting. I would like to formally introduce my son. Tsun."

The guests clapped as Tsun made his way towards the front where his father stood.

"As you all might have found out, my time here is limited so I would like to leave all of my businesses in the capable hands of my son," he said placing a hand on Tsun's shoulder.

"I won't let you down father."

"I know you won't," he said before turning to the crowd once more," I would like to say one more thing. Although he is not my blood, I raised him like my own child. Putting him through vigorous training because I knew he would reach his full potential…"

Murmurs began arising among the crowd but this did not stop him from speaking.

"… and now, I would like to welcome Ding."

Ding froze at the mention of his name and Tsun had to walk towards him and pull him to the front.

"Isn't that the child of his mistress?"

"Rumour has it that his mother led to the death of the real lady of the house."

"And now he is appointing him as an heir to stand by Tsun's side?"

Tsun leaned in close to Ding's ear and whispered," Head high, don't take what they say seriously."

Ding managed a small chuckle at this," Have I ever cared about what they say? They are just envious."

"That's the spirit."

"And now, I will leave my company to my two sons," their father said concluding," you may resume."

With that, he walked out of the hall and Ding moved to walk away when Tsun pulled him back.

"Father wants to talk to us in his study."

Ding nodded and walked towards Lian," Be good and wait for me."

"Where are you going?" Lian asked curiously.

"To talk. I won't be gone long."

After that quick talk, Ding and Tsun made their way out of the halls and into the study. Lian looked around the room glass in hand, there was no way he would sit obediently waiting for that guy. He had to find a way out, his escape in the room wasn't successful since Ding had made sure all the exits apart from the door were glued shut. He decided to try his luck down the path to the right. After walking for what seemed like ages, he arrived at a hall. He looked out the window and realised the fall won't be fatal since it was on the first floor. He turned the knob and let out the breathe he was holding once the window clicked and opened. After making sure he was in the clear, he leapt out and landed on the pavement.

"Now to find a way out."

He kept in the shadows and advanced towards the gates which were crawling with more guards than before.