THE TALE

At the Phoenix Group.

After the contract signing, the grandfather and grandson pair were having a staring contest in the CEO's office. Assistant Li Mingyu stood at the side as if he were the referee and was ready to announce the winner the minute one party would break the eye contact. All he was missing right now was a flag in his hand and as whistle in his mouth.

After a couple minute, grandfather Zheng gave in. "What is it?" he asked exasperatedly.

"I believe you have some explanation to do." Zheng Yi Feng replied indifferently.

"You mean about Lu Xiuying?" Grandfather Zheng asked with an amused smile. This grandson of his would not usually ask about any girl and was not even concerned about matters regarding marriage and family as his main priority was the Phoenix Group.

"Grandfather, did you already know her? You already knew that Leah Lu is Lu Xiuying, didn't you? You want to match make Ms. Lu and me. Is that why you've been so focused on the deal with L&L Corp. ?" Zheng Yi Feng asked as if conforming rather than inquiring.

"Why do you ask? Are you finally interested in her? Are you considering in taking her as your wife? I'll help you woo her. But don't worry as half your work was already done by this amazing grandfather of yours when you were just a toddler. You should thank me you know." Grandfather Zheng was happy as his grandson was finally interested in someone. Even if it was only a little bit.

Zheng Yi Feng was speechless. A mere question could instantly flare up his grandfather's imagination. Grandfather Zheng looked at his grandson's incredulous expression and decided to tell him what he needed to know.

"Sigh... You see… Xiuying's grandparents were your grandmother and my childhood friends. At that time Lu family were better off under the leadership of Lu Jian Hong. They owned a small restaurant named Starlight Pavillion which later flourished to be ranked among country C's best restaurants having more chain stores opening in almost every city.

When Jian Hong's health started declining his sons started fighting over the inheritance of their father's legacy. And, as most families, the eldest son, Lu Jian Hao took over the business after proving his abilities to his father.

He married and had a beautiful daughter, Lu Xiuying, you were two years old at that time and so we proposed an engagement between the two of you."

Grandfather Zheng glanced briefly at his grandson's expression which was filled with disapproval for his actions. Before he could spout some spiteful word he continued his tale.

"Despite the marriage was arranged and not out of love, everything was blissful for the family. That was until a scandal broke out, 3 years later that the Lu family's eldest son, Lu Jian Hao was engaged in an extra marital affair with his secretary and even had a pair of twins.

His wife, Huang Ya Ling, after a few months divorced lu Jian Hao and took Xiuying with her and went to settle abroad. Huang family withdrew all their support and investments. all this ruckus put the Lu family info a disarray. No one knew where the mother qnd daughter were as the Huang family kept the information under wraps to protect the mother- daughter pair from any further troubles. Your grandmother and I tried our best but we too couldn't find her.

We thought that the engagement would break of. We didn't pursue it any further and left it up to fate. Then after a couple of years we got the news that Huang Yaling's second marriage was arranged with a military general Wang Zihao.

I tried to contact them with regards to Xiuying's whereabouts, but they would always deny saying anything." Grandpa Zheng paused to take a breather and quench his parched throat. This story telling was more tiring than nagging at his grandson. After taking the much respite, he continued on.

"But the goddess of luck seemed to really favor me. When I was at Country L two years ago, I met her, Lu Xiuying. But that was not the name she was known by. She was now Leah Lu. She looked so much like her grandmother that it was impossible to not recognize her. The same elegance, manner of speech and poise, but fiercer and resilient. A beautiful, capable and competent business woman in the making. Of course I wouldn't let anyone else snatch away such a fine young lady such as herself. Besides, your progeny would definitely turn out to be beautiful and smart. Just look at the two of you..."

Seeing that his grandfather was steering off the and in his own fantasy bubble, he decided to burst it, and did so viciously. "If I remember correctly, you were supposed to be in country L at that time with grandmother on a yet another vacation."

Grandpa Zheng's expression soured at the distasteful memory. Zheng Yi Feng had heard of it too. So, just to spite the old man he decided to recount the incident.

"I remember that you upset grandma and she kicked you out of the villa without your wallet and phone." He said with a taunting smirk plastered on his face. "You roamed the streets of the city till late and a young lady out of pity offered to treat you to lunch in a restaurant… is it..?"

Zheng Yi Feng looked at his grandfather when a realization struck him.

"Yes. It was Xiuying who treated me to a meal that day. Apparently, she had a business meeting in the area and she spotted me. She said that it was only natural to help someone and even more so when the person is an elderly and seemingly of the same birth country. Such a sweet child she is. OH…How I wish she were my own descendant."

Fondness enveloped Grandpa Zheng's heart when he spoke of Leah. It seemed as though his resolution to take her in as his daughter in law was growing even stronger by the minute.

"I spoke to your grandmother about her by the way. Though she has not met Xiuying yet, she already likes her as well." Zheng Yi Feng's love for his grandmother was as huge as a mountain. In comparison, his love for his grandfather was as big as the size of a peanut. Grandpa Zhen hoped that mentioning his grandmother would be able to influence his hard headed grandson.

"Sigh, even though I'm this old I have to play cupid." Grandpa Zheng muttered under his breath. It was definitely not going to be easy.