War of Love and Honor

Chapter Three: Point of Views

“Are you here to kill someone?” Daiyu bravely asked the man as they were dancing. She didn't have the chance to decline because the man forced her to dance with him.

“I heard you're looking for a husband,” the man countered instead.

Daiyu was quite offended by his remark. “I'm not desperate to get married,” she answered with a flat tone.

Daiyu looked around and noticed that everyone is looking at them, some are even gossiping. Her eyes wandered around to find his father and she saw him standing far from her and the man she's dancing with.

Mr. Zhang is just watching as her daughter is dancing with the man he thought wouldn't make it to the gathering.

“Why are they looking at us?” Daiyu didn't stop herself from asking but the man just shrugged and whispered, “ignore them. I'm just buying time.”

Daiyu frowned. “For what?” His statement is unclear.

“You'll know,” he asserted then he smirked.

The music stopped and Daiyu quickly distanced herself. “Stay beside me,” the man demanded as he held Daiyu's hand tightly. Daiyu glared at him and tried to free her hand from his grip but he gripped it harder.

“Just do what I say,” he added.

Daiyu followed him to his table and the way he checked his watch with an evil grin didn't escape from Daiyu's sight.

What is he up to again? Daiyu thought.

“It's time,” the man later mumbled. He folded both of his arms in his chest and gazed at the closed door.

Moments later, the main door flew wide open and a group of men in military uniform barged in. Everyone started panicking while some started gossiping. The governor-general bravely faced the intruders with a stoic expression on his face.

“Who gave you the permission to barge in uninvited?!” Governor-general Chen Feng Shi's voice echoed all over the room.

The man beside Daiyu stood up and joined the group of intruders. One of them gave him a military coat which left Daiyu stunned.

Just who is this man? Is he a member of the military? Daiyu speculated as she eyed the man.

“You should really start respecting my army from now on. Right now, I'm Head Commander Wang Jian Ling and I own the three headquarters of Shanghai,” the man who called himself Head Commander Wang Jian Ling boldly announced.

“Stop this nonsense, Jian Ling. Your army doesn't have a place here or at any part of China,” Xiaoli stepped in.

Jian Ling laughed, sarcastically. “You can confirm it any time from now but before that, tell your father to pack his things and retire.”

The anger in Chen Feng Shi's eyes is visible. Each of the military officials who attended the gathering are raging with anger.

“You spent your time here while I deployed my army to take control of the headquarters. It's a clever plan and you didn't see it coming.” Jian Ling took a few steps forward but Xiaoli pointed his gun at him to stop him from getting near Chen Feng Shi.

Jian Ling's army didn't stand idly, they pointed their guns at every military official in the room. Now, the room is filled with tension between the two opposing parties while the rest are left with uneasiness.

“You and your nameless army dared to subdue the three headquarters, do you think the public will acknowledge you as the new Head Commander?” Xiaoli spoke with a heavy tone.

Jian Ling didn't say anything, he just signaled one of his men. The man stepped in and gave three letters to Chen Feng Shi and as soon as the governor-general read them, he ripped off each of the letters. He didn't talk, he just stood there, clenching his jaw.

Daiyu kept her eyes locked on Jian Ling, she wanted to know what's running in his mind. Why did he cause this conflict in someone else's household?

“I know the public won't acknowledge me unless you release a statement stating I'll be the new Military Head Commander,” Jian Ling negotiated.

Daiyu, herself doubt Chen Feng Shi would do such a thing.

“You can't make me submit to your demand,” Chen Feng Shi disagreed. Of course, Chen Feng Shi won't concede and accept defeat that easily.

“I know you won't and I will make you do it by tomorrow.” Daiyu gaped at Jian Ling because of his brave statement and asked herself how can he make them do what he wants?

“Let me borrow your daughter until tomorrow, Mr. Zhang. I will return her safe as soon as they release the news I wanted the public to know,” Jian Ling added.

Daiyu gasped in disbelief. How could Jian Ling use her to get what he wants? Some of his men came and handcuffed Daiyu. She even protested but they're way too strong compared to her.

Everyone in the house is still in shock because of the conflict. No one dared to interrupt the ongoing dispute between the raging marshals.

“You can't take her, Jian Ling!” Mr. Zhang stepped in and stopped Jian Ling.

“I will return her unharmed if you put a good talk with your companions,” Jian Ling replied as he went near Daiyu.

The military officials are still pointing guns at each other while Jain Ling, together with Daiyu and his men slowly exited the room.

“I'll be fine, father. I'll go home by tomorrow.” That was the last thing Daiyu told her father before they finally left the crowded room.

“You surely know how to read between the lines.” Daiyu hissed when she heard what Jian Ling said. “You surely are cruel. You used me,” Daiyu mumbled.

“Get inside the car,” Jian Ling marveled as soon as they arrived outside. His men are still pointing their guns at Chen Feng Shi and his men who followed them outside.

Daiyu did what Jian Ling told her, she got inside the car and they left the house. Daiyu knows her father is worried sick of her that's why she won't forgive Jian Ling for what he did tonight.

“Looks can't kill,” Jian Ling finally broke the deafening silence. He's aware of the glares Daiyu is giving him since they left up until now. “You must've wanted to kill me badly,” he continued.

Ignoring what Jian Ling said, Daiyu looked away and then moments later, the car stopped in front of a huge mansion. Jian Ling was the first one to get off the car then he opened the door for Daiyu.

Daiyu looked around and scanned the building. The word, Main Headquarter was hugely inscribed at the main door.

This must be where he will be staying. Daiyu mentally noted.

“Shall we?” Jian said as he motioned Daiyu to follow him inside. His men are still following them. They are making sure Daiyu won't do something foolish.

The building is spacious but Daiyu didn't have the chance to scan it since they directly went to the second floor. All of them stopped in front of a room but before going inside, Jian Ling told his men to wait outside.

“You will be sleeping here,” Jian Ling asserted when he and Daiyu entered the room.

“This is your room,” Daiyu stated and looked at Jian Ling. “I won't sleep in your room,” she added. An unmarried woman shouldn't sleep in a man's room.

“Then stay up all night.” That was the last thing Daiyu heard from Jian Ling before he left her sitting in his bed with both of her hands handcuffed.

Daiyu stared at Jian Ling's back as he was leaving the room. The man isn't a nameless stranger anymore. His name is Wang Jian Ling and he is the new Military Head Commander of Shanghai.

While Daiyu was left alone in Jian Ling's room, the young head commander and his men started discussing in his main office.

“Zhang Liquan will do anything to salvage his daughter even if it means cutting his alliance with Chen Feng Shi if he won't do what I want,” Jian Ling claimed. His plan has to succeed, he has to win the negotiation and give his army a home to settle down.

“Chen Feng Shi needs Liquan to finance their military expenses. Even though we took down all the headquarters, he's still the governor-general and he can't give up his position.” Yi Tian, Jian Ling's assistant pointed out.

Jian Ling nodded and took a sip from his wine. “Feng Shi won't give up his position because he doesn't want to see his enemy's son rule the entire Shanghai. I will let him watch as I take everything he has just like how he robbed my late father's position.”

The young Commander of Shanghai is really determined of taking down his father's former comrade who betrayed him. After a, he swore to avenge his father and his family.

Chen Feng Shi, you won't escape from what you did thirteen years ago. I saw what you did to my father and I will do the same to you. Those were running inside Jian Ling's mind.

Jian Ling was twelve when his father was murdered in front of him. He saw who did it but the man didn't know Jian Ling was in the room when his father was killed. The murderer was so ruthless to attack the Wang household in the middle of the night while everyone was sleeping. Jian Ling's father could've survived the attack if it was a fair fight.

Getting up from the table, Jian Ling instructed Yi Tian to stay with the other men as he takes a rest. “Yi Tian, stay with the others. I have to rest but wake me up when you receive a call from Chen Feng Shi.”

Yi Tian bowed. “Take a rest and I will wait for Feng Shi's call.”

Jian Ling left the office and moved to his room to rest. When he entered his room, Daiyu was nowhere to be found but when he scanned his bed, he saw her sleeping soundly.

A smirk escaped from Jian Ling's lips as he stared at the woman peacefully sleeping in his bed. “What happened with not sleeping in my bed?” Jian Ling uttered, still looking at Daiyu.

Jian Ling did send someone to follow Daiyu and make sure she wouldn't talk and surprisingly, she never talked about the incident on the ship.

“I guess I have to work overnight.” Jian Ling can't sleep with Daiyu in his bed because it'll be disastrous.

Moving to his study table just beside the bed was the last thing he did to distance himself from Daiyu.