Rings

"Miss Han, this will be your room." One of the servants showed the young woman her room.

"Thank you." She politely answered.

She looked at the entire room. It was simple but spacious enough for her. It reminded her of her room when she was still a young mistress of Han Family. It has that serene atmosphere giving her an impression that indeed, it's a real room where someone could really relax.

The apartment that they moved into, was too big for the two of them including the three servants.

After the brief talk in the hospital with the Second Young Master Liu, she never saw even the shadow of the man again.

'I guess you're not that different from me, Han Meixiu. Here I am, I thought I could live better now that I am you.' Han Meili mockingly told herself.

She could still remember how she was abruptly woken up that night and whipped. Though she was puzzled at first, she finally understood when the people stopped after she contained 'enough' wounds on her arms and body. She was then transferred to a certain place and received an order with detailed instructions.

The show has finally begun. She's been honed to be the perfect replica of her own cousin. From the moment she came back after her visit to the old Han, her physical appearance was changed and her 'training' began.

She then began to 'study' the movements and mannerisms of Han Meixiu from the limited sources that was provided. Most of those video clips were actually when she was still a student. But then again, only the movements could be imitated as the vivid expressions couldn't be clearly seen on those clips.

Still, she tried. It was her last chance to prove her existence.

She remembered the times Chen Dewei would invite her to have a tea together. Although they didn't talk, that soft gaze he would give, gave her a feeling akin to a lover's longing. During those times, she would deceive herself.

She would be happy inside the illusion she created.

But reality would slap her once those times ended. She knew it wasn't her he was seeing. Still, she's happy receiving those type of affection.

'Han Meixiu, what do you have that I don't?'

Just how many times she asked those questions on her head? Hundreds? Thousands maybe?

She thought she would live beside him by being 'Han Meixiu' but she was wrong. Now that she was ordered to be here, it was clear that the real Han Meixiu was in his possession.

She almost wanted to kill herself the moment she realized what was happening. She lost herself again and again.

But every time she would remember his words, 'show what you have learned', she would go back to her stupid self. Holding that tiny bit of hope, that she's a relevant chess piece for him.

Should she cry? But there's no more tears coming out?

If she would do well, would he take her back?

She didn't know if Chen Dewei hated Liu Zijian, but if she could destroy the latter, would he be happy?

But based from the treatment she's receiving, that would be a little impossible.

Then again, she was informed that Liu Zijian lost his memory. Then she could at least have an advantage.

But, how would she start if she couldn't even see him?

Then, how about start from his mother?

During her stay in the hospital, aside from nurses and doctors checking her, Madam Liu was her constant visitor. It was clear that Han Meixiu was loved by the older woman.

Madam Liu reminded her of her own mother that she couldn't even visit.

She walked towards the living room. She didn't have her own mobile phone thus she could only use the one in the living room.

*

Ye Ming finally woke up. The first one he saw was the man whom he wanted to see.

"You're not allowed to move. You have to be fully healed before you can go back to work." Liu Zijian firmly said. He knew Ye Ming would force himself to assist him if he would not be strict.

"Second Young Master Liu, I'm okay...." Ye Ming wanted to continue but seeing that firm face covered with coldness, made him change his statement. "...after few days rest.."

"Good. I'll expect you to see me after a week."

"Understood." Ye Ming simply answered. But inside he thought that one week was too long. He already felt better though he had to admit it's indeed hard to move. Still, if he would show up earlier than a week, he would be scolded again.

After his visit to Ye Ming, Liu ZIjian went to his office in LCG. He summoned the people he asked to investigate. Since there's no Ye Ming around, there was no one he could fully trust, thus he borrowed his brother's assistant. Though this man couldn't work as efficient as Ye Ming, he was still able to help him with confidential details.

Hearing the summarized reports, Liu ZIjian could cross out Zhang Yu.

The meeting after the said even in Yang's property was about the project proposed of this Madam Bai. It was a resort like nursing home targeting the well-off aged population of the country.

Chen Dewei was invited as his family was the best option for medical facilities. Zhang Yu was for financial assistance of the project. The construction company was still undecided and the land targeted was owned by the Yang's.

In outsider's perspective, the meeting wasn't really conspicuous. It seemed like an ordinary meeting.

But this Madam Bai, upon investigation was someone who seemed to be a shady character. There wasn't enough information to gather to verify her identity. The middle aged woman seemed to popped out of nowhere. Yes, she had this usual background and such but the records showed too doubtful information.

Chen Dewei on the other hand didn't have any doubtful actions from the past up until the abduction of his wife. He already ordered to closely monitor this man even though in normal circumstances Chen Dewei could be crossed out, too, if he would follow the usual process and analysis. But he couldn't shake off the feeling that this man had a history with Han Meixiu.

He couldn't actually believe that until now there's still no solid evidence to prove that he abducted her.

Could there be something more here that he didn't know?

He tightly held the pair of wedding rings hidden inside his shirt. It was his and his wife's. Han Meixiu's wedding was inside her bag that was found inside that sunken car. She has a habit of removing it when she's in her training. She would put it back when she's on her way home.

The warmth of the ring from it's owner has long been gone, but the thought that it's an item she wore every single day, have Liu Zijian an illusion that she's just near him.

'Meixiu, where are you?'