Europa's mouth watered the moment she spotted the shrimp and meat rolls fried into a crisp, enticingly arranged on a big platter.
Sniffing her way closer to the table, the scent of garlic butter salmon and herb roasted chicken had distracted her from the previous dish.
As she was about to slid into her chair, her eyes caught sight of baked potatoes with a thick slab of melting cheese on top.
"Hmmmm! Everything looks delicious." Europa said as she stared at the food on the table.
"I can't wait to eat!" She added.
"Aww, my baby's hungry! Let Mama put something on your plate so you can start eating." Wang Reiji, who just arrived in the dining hall, said.
"But Mama, Uncle Yuvin's not yet here... Let's wait for him." Hesitating, Europa declined.
"Yay! Your uncle is taking a bath.
He will probably be ready in about 15 minutes or so. Do you still want to wait for him?"
Europa stared at her mother as her mouth curved downwards.
15 minutes? Oh boy, she can't wait for that long.
"I don't think I can wait that long, Mama..."
Europa who seemed determined to wait for her uncle, had a sudden change of heart as she betrayed her uncle in favor of the delicious feast in front of her.
"Alright then, which dish do you want to have a taste first?"
"Hmmm, I want to try the potatoes first!" Europa was giggling as she answered her mother's question.
"Okay, sweetheart. Here you go." Wang Reiji then placed some potatoes and added a few pieces of shrimp and meat rolls on Europa's plate.
"Thank you, Mama!" Her eyes dazzled upon seeing the food on her once empty plate.
She then shoved a spoonful of potatoes inside her mouth.
As she looked at her daughter who was enjoying every bite of her meal, the scene transported her mind back to the days when her mother was still alive.
They used to be like this, happy and smiling, even if it's only the two of them having lunch.
Ah, her mother, her mother who was accused of adultery and was divorced by her father when she was five.
Her mother who was forced to be separated from her. Her mother who died without getting vindication.
Wang Reiji's countenance darkened.
Her mother did nothing wrong, except loving a narrow-minded, self-centered man whose family only cares about their pride and reputation.
A family that would rather listen to what other people say than believe the words of their own family member.
Disgusting.
Wang Reiji sighed deeply, you cannot choose the type of family you will have, right? It's something predetermined, it's something beyond you.
It's either you accept them or reject them. In her case, her family rejected her, disowned her to be exact.
But instead of lamenting that, she was rather thankful it happened. Finally, she wasn't a part of a nauseating lineage anymore.
"We should do this more often, sis".
A smiling Wang Yuvin said as he approached the table, reverting Wang Reiji's attention to the current reality.
"Uh-huh. We should eat together more often. But it's either I go home for lunch, or the two of you will visit the office... at least until the school starts." Wang Reiji said as she placed two pieces of each dish on her brother's plate.
"Oh, what's with the contract again?"
Wang Yuvin who was about to stuff a spoonful of food to his mouth paused for a while before he drank his tea to clear his throat.
"I will try to buy some shares of The Hideout tonight." He answered, he then started eating.
Wang Reiji gently nodded her head as if telling her brother to continue talking.
"The Hideout is the only place here in Beijing where wealthy people can feel safe and secured aside from their own lairs."
"Hmm like The Safe Haven for the assassins... Interesting! Tell me more."
"Well, I am trying to consider the possibility that the people listed on the document, at one point, held their meeting in The Hideout since most of them were ----
" People? You mean there were names listed on the document?"
Wang Reiji suddenly interrupted Wang Yuvin's explanation, smoke steaming from her creased eyebrows, she hasn't thoroughly examined the contents of the folder yet.
"Yes, there are names listed on the document. Wait, don't tell me you haven't read it yet?"
"Uh-huh! I was planning to go over it this coming weekend. But looks like you beat me to it."
"You can't blame you, with the upcoming pre-opening of the hotel, your mind's focus is probably on the preparations."
"You're partially right about that. But what's really bugging me now is that that guy already knew about..."
Wang Reiji lowered her voice down as her lips slightly pouted, pointing at Europa.
Unconsciously, Wang Yuvin's head turned to the little girl who was busy indulging herself in good food.
Realizing he was giving his niece an odd stare, he took his eyes off her and turned his stare to the girl's mother instead.
"I still don't know how he found us out." She added.
Wang Yuvin's good mood suddenly became gloomy as his gaze changed from pleasant to icy cold.
So, what if that jerk knew? There's no way, even in other lifetimes, that he will allow Zhang Chenric to meet Europa. NO. NEVER. Even if it meant spilling blood.
However, he will gladly narrate to that lowlife how his sister suffered inside the correctional.
How she almost lost Europa because she initially refused the idea of jailbreak, believing that one day, Zhang Chenric himself will save her.
But wait, how did his sister found out that Zhang Chenric knew about Europa? Good heavens!
Did his sister and Zhang Chenric meet already? To satisfy his curiosity, there's only one way to find out. So he asked.
"Sis, I'm confused. How did you know about that? Is he threatening you? Should I eliminate him now?"
"Not so loud!" Wang Reiji scolded her brother as she stomped him with her foot.
The poor guy can only whimper in silence as they both looked at Europa.
Luckily, it seemed that the little girl doesn't mind their conversation.
"Sorry, that wasn't on purpose. Anyway, I went in his pad..."
"Y-you did what?? Wang Yuvin's eyes widened, his face full of shock as if his sister had dropped a bomb at him.
"What the hell are you thinking, sis?" He added.
Wang Reiji continued her story ignoring her brother's reaction.
"I went there to steal the document you were holding some moments ago. However, when I was searching through his files, I saw a photo of her."Wang Reiji then gave Europa a side glance.
"I didn't get to see what the contents were for he was already on his way inside his house," Reiki explained.
"Oh, I see. You did all that alone?"
Wang Yuvin felt relieved, glad that his sister didn't meet with Zhang Chenric.
"No, I asked help from Hanzo."
"Cool, Hanzo's here too?"
"He runs a shop somewhere in Shanghai. Why? Do you need him for your plan?"
"Yes, I intend to get in touch with him the instant the first part of my plan worked."
"I see. I will send you his contact info." Wang Reiji said as she took her phone out.
She was about to browse through her contacts when she saw what the time was.
It was already 12:45 and she need to get back in the office on time.
"Indeed, times flies so fast! Looks like we need to continue our talk later."
Looking disappointed, Wang Reiji put her phone back in her pocket and continue eating her meal.
"Wish me luck, I hope everything will end up well tonight." Wang Yuvin answered.
"Don't worry, everything will be fine. We have guardian angels watching over us."