Memories and Preparation

Days passed quickly and in a blink of an eye, Friday came.

There were air traffic that day for one sole reason: People who were invited to a certain anniversary were flying over from foreign countries to China. And every one of them were riding a private plane.

Xiong family, well-known businessmen, some legendary figures and media were all preparing for the Anniversary banquet that would happen that night.

Since it was the 325th Anniversary of Xiong Empire, Old Xiong use the ancient theme for this banquet. All decorations, tools and even stuffs uniform were all ancient. It was a brand new material however the design were all from ancient China. It was the same for the dress code. People must wear accordingly to the theme.

In the biggest bedroom of the Xiong Ci Mansion, maids were coming back and forth. They were carrying boxes of hairpins, earrings, etc.

In front of a mirror, two young professional make up artist and one fashion designer were attending a teenage girl.

The younger makeup artist were drawing the girl's thin brows gracefully and cautiously. After how many hours, the two makeup artist let out a sigh of relief and wipe the sweats on their forehead.

The girl look at her image from the mirror and titled her head in every angle.

The two makeup artist and the fashion designer began to lick her boots.

"Wooow...with just a little effort from us, you, a beauty originally surpassed the goddess! I wish I have the same beautiful features as you." Little effort my ass! That's the longest time I did makeup to someone. The younger one said while her eyes shown deep admiration contrary to her thoughts.

Originally, they were eight makeup artist, but this Xiong girl was a tyrant! If one make a single mistake no matter how little it was, they would be fired immediately.

"Yeah...for sure later, no one can compare with your beauty! All men there will glued their eyes on you." Said the fashion designer. They were fifteen earlier. Every one of them had special tasks, she, the last one that remained was tasked to provide a pair of earrings. It was good that she picked the most expensive one. The three young women continued their praises while examining the girl.

Xiong Wuyue was very pleased. She looked like a goddess. A seductive one. Her long curly hair was tied up in a beautiful bun. Beautiful braids surrounded the bun. How they managed to do that was a miracle itself. Some strands of curly hair on both sides were loose. Teasing the gentleman to put it behind her ear. Hair ornaments that cost millions were dangling around her hair. A phoenix pin was added to make her more noble. Her thin brows were exquisite. Black and pink shades was extended in the corner of her eyes making it more alluring. Her lips were full red. Her long neck was exposed and a little cleavage was winking at them. Her pink hanfu that made of silk and cotton was hugging her curves. It was embroidered with lotus and plum blossoms. It restrained the seductive aura that was emitting in Xiong Wuyue's body. True to the young women words, Xiong Wuyue looked like a goddess of beauty. However the look of contempt in her eyes and her smirk that was looking down at people destroyed the admiration of these young women. This miss was a beauty indeed however her inner self was not.

"True. In that banquet, I'll seduce all man. No one can resist my charm."

Xiong Wuyue said while examining her slender neck.

'Including that man....I will not believe he will not fall from my charms...'

Then she smiled evilly.

'I will make sure that he will stay at my side.'

At the same time, in Xiong Mansion. Two older maids were busying themselves of putting makeup and braiding the girl's hair. The girl raised her hand to stop the older maid who was about to braid her hair.

"Make it simple.",then the girl turned to the other maid.

"Please put light make up." And they continued.

After a while, Xiong Zhi stand up and was lead into the dressing room. There, three beautiful expensive hanfus were displayed. Xiong Zhi studied them for a moment before she walked and touched the simplest one. This dress brought her memories. To be precise, it was a sad and yet a loving memory.

\I was looking at the plain white hanfu that was brought to me. It was beautiful even it was plain and nothing on it. No maids could help me since it was a tradition that the descendants of the deceased must dress themselves in plain white clothe alone. However, it was my first time seeing this kind of dress. I never touch one so I did not know how to put it.

\After a while, I just put it according to my instinct. It has three layers on it. The thinnest one that I thought the inner garment was put first. Followed by the thickest cotton, then a silk. I tied it with a white ribbon. I let my hair down since I don't know what to make of it. I went to the mirror and stare at my cold empty eyes. It was the same I saw everyday. And I always have the same feeling. However today, I felt my gaze become colder and emptier if that could make sense. In reality, I'm not close with grandfather. We treat each other as a neighbor. Well, I treat all people near me as a neighbor, nothing else. But that old man kept me since I was seven. Unknowingly, even I don't want to, I become a little dependent to him. What could I say? He provides me everything. He was...my home. Not a home that one can feel safe, but a home that can provide your basic needs. Now, I wonder, was that I was feeling. I'm not sad to the point of shedding tears. I was just felt....a little lost. A little worried. What will my future will be? There are battles in inner family. Relatives were pulling me to their sides but I can't trust them. Grandfather said in his testament that I would be married of to the Guan family. However, was that guy was trustful? Decent? A good man? I...don't know....I don't know anything. For the first time, I felt hopeless. I can't trust no one, but I don't have anywhere to go.

\Suddenly a knock came. Linfeng came in his black suit. My aide walk in and examined me for a moment. Then he smiled gently.

"Young miss, you put it wrongly."

"...."

" Do you want me to help you?"

"Please do." I said. It was good I always maintained my cold expression but the heat still reached my ears. It was embarrassing.

I untied the ribbon and began to undress.

"Wait!" Linfeng yelled while his one hand stopping me and the other blocking his face.

"What's the matter? Didn't you say you are going to help me?" I asked. We have no time to waste.

"Yes . I said that. But not this w-way. You just have to listen to me."

"Oh. I see." I tied the ribbon again.

Linfeng put down his hands and I could see his face was red.

He turned to me and smiled bitterly.

"Did you ever think me as a man?"

Huhh?? He is a man right?

"Nothing. Did you put the thinnest first? Then you should....."

He continued on then he left. After I put the right arrangement of this hanfu. I walked out of the room. Linfeng met me. We were now walking towards the hallway, at the end of it was the door connected to the funeral area where many people I don't recognize would be. I was about to opened the door when my hand shook. I stared at it. Even I denied it....my body couldn't. That truth was, I'm afraid. I just stand there in front of the door for how long.

Then a hand covered my shaking hand. I looked up to the owner of that hand.

Linfeng smiled gently and tightened his grip to my hand. It did not bring pain, but warmth and safety instead.

"Don't worry. I'm here by your side. I will not leave you. Can I call you Zhi'er? So you can know I'm promising this not because of my duty. But being Linfeng, a close person by your side."

I just stared at him. I met him since I was sixteen. Two years just passed. Could I really trust him? Could he really care about me when he just met me two years ago? What if he was taking advantage of my downfall? Targeting my inheritance?

I looked down. I can't trust anybody. I'm alone since young, maybe I could survive this.

I did not answer him and just opened the door.

Yes, I'm afraid, but I have no choice./

Xiong Zhi's grip on the clothes tightened. What follow after that funeral was storm. Her uncle and cousin duo won the internal battle of inheritance of Xiong. Their true colors were exposed. Assassination on Xiong who worked with Old Xiong and the loyal Zhou happened. Those who left were forced to support those evil duo. Some just fled. Some took advantage and cooperate with the two. Like that beast.

However in good side, Xiong Zhi witnessed how Linfeng defended her and never left her. This....was how she came to trust the man. As he promised, when the treaty between Zhou and Xiong was broken, Linfeng chose to stay at her side. He never once left her.

Another images flashes in her mind. The time when they got separated.

Xiong Zhi immediately shut her mind. Those memories....she did not want to remember.

But it did not mean she would let it go. Those who made them suffer...

'I will return it to them tenfolds!

'Third Uncle

'Xiong Wuyue

'Guan Gao Huan

'I'll never forget what you did!!'

"--Ms?Young miss? Are you okay?" The old maid asked.

Xiong Zhi turned her gaze to the old maid. The old maid was shocked and she almost fell to the ground.

"I'm okay. I'll choose this."

Xiong Zhi chose the light blue one that was embroidered by white flowers. The simplest among the three.

While changing she was also calming herself. Her heart was raging and her hands were itchy. Her legs wanted to run a lap.

On the other side, the old maid was still pale and sweating. The older maid noticed it and asked.

"Are you okay? We almost done. Just hang on."

"Y-yeah." The old maid replied with her head down. Until now she could never forget the look of their young miss earlier.

It was full of hatred and killing intent.