Chapter Two: Gathering
1813 Words
Zhang family's mansion...
“Daiyu....” That was the first thing Daiyu heard from her father who she just met.
She just arrived home and saw her father patiently waiting for her at the main door. Daiyu knows he waited for quite some time. Mr. Zhang really wanted to meet her daughter after being separated for eighteen years.
Daiyu's eyes watered. “Father...” She barely uttered. For the past few years, she's been yearning for a father beside her. She was in constant pain everytime she thought about her father who's miles away from her.
Mr. Zhang locked her daughter in his arms and he cried so hard. This is the first time he reunites with her daughter after she and his former wife left for Europe.
“I've been thinking about you,” Daiyu confided.
“You don't know how I felt when you and your mother left. You just turned three when you left me, Daiyu,” Mr. Zhang asserted as he hugged Daiyu tightly.
Both of them exchanged their greetings and talked about the past years. Daiyu learned from his father that he's been saving up and expanding his business so that when she goes home, he will give it to her. She will inherit all of her father's business.
Mr. Zhang was all alone for the past eighteen years because he was waiting for Daiyu to come home. Daiyu didn't know everything her father had gone through because he never mentioned them in his letters. He only talks about his business and how much he's looking forward on meeting her when she comes home.
“As I've mentioned in my letter, we will be hosting a social gathering as soon as you arrive. I will tell the public that my daughter had come home from overseas,” Mr. Zhang informed her daughter.
Daiyu stayed silent for a while. She just got home and she doesn't know anything about Shanghai. She knows no one except her father but she wants to go out and observe how people socialize here.
Daiyu quickly scanned the house, everyone is busy preparing the house for tonight's gathering. She silently took a sip from her tea and took a deep breath. “I will make sure to make an appearance tonight, father.”
Mr. Zhang sighed with ease. “Good to hear that. If you're tired, you can go upstairs and rest. I will send someone to wake you up for dinner before the gathering starts,” he asserted then he called someone. A man in his middle 60's later approached them. “Fu, show my daughter her room. She has to rest for now,” Mr. Zhang added.
Daiyu got up from her seat. “I will take a rest now, father. Thank you,” she marveled before leaving to her room.
Fu, Mr. Zhang's assistant showed Daiyu the way to her room upstairs and when they arrived, he told Daiyu to rest well. Now that Daiyu is all alone, she decided to sleep and energize herself for tonight's event.
“I have to get myself ready for tonight's gathering.” Those were the things Daiyu have in mind before falling asleep in just a few seconds.
A continuous knock on the door woke Daiyu up and when she looked outside the window, the sun's already down. She glanced at her watch and sighed. She still has plenty of time to prepare before eight in the evening.
“Dinner is ready, Ms. Zhang.” That's Fu and he's calling Daiyu for dinner. “Your father is waiting for you at the dining table,” he added.
“I'll be down in a minute,” Daiyu replied as she fixed herself.
“Good afternoon, father,” Daiyu greeted her father when she arrived at the kitchen. Mr. Zhang has been waiting for her daughter to come down and join him for dinner.
Mr. Zhang flashed a smile and nodded. “Take your seat and let's have our early dinner.”
The early dinner started with silence, none of them are talking until Mr. Zhang broke the silence. “Do you have something to wear tonight?”
Daiyu paused for a moment. “Mother did prepare a dress for me but I don't know if it will suit the occasion. I haven't seen it yet, it's still in my suitcase.”
Mr. Zhang was silent for a few seconds. “Your mother surely picked the best one for you. By the way, my companions from the military will be joining us and...” he paused.
“And?” Daiyu asked. Why did her father stop?
Mr. Zhang cleared his throat. “And they will be bringing their sons with them. They wanted to see you,” he finally finished his sentence.
Daiyu didn't help but frown. “Why would they want to see me?"
Mr. Zhang put his chopsticks down. ”For years, they've been keeping an eye on your return. They want to strengthen the ties they have with our family by proposing a marriage between you and one of my companions' sons.“ His statement was followed by a deep sigh and Daiyu can feel how pressured her father is.
”They want us to finance their needs, right? The military expenses demand a lot of money and they're looking for someone to pay their expenditures and that would be us,“ Daiyu theorized. She knows how scheming they are and she's not going to submit herself to their needs.
She simply can't.
”You're right. I've been helping them with their expenses in exchange for security against the foreigners,“ Mr. Zhang mentioned.
”So, he signed an agreement with the military personnel?“ Daiyu thought.
”Let's see how things unfold but I'm sure I won't marry one of their sons. Would you want me to marry just for the sake of strengthening the connections with the military?“ Daiyu shot his father with a question.
”You studied overseas and majored in architecture with a background in medicine. I wouldn't want you to waste your skills by marrying at the age of twenty-one. You have the right to choose who you're going to be wedded with,“ Mr. Zhang replied with a gentle smile.
A smile escaped from Daiyu's lips. ”Thank you, father.“
”Dinner is over. You can spend the remaining time getting ready before the visitors arrive. I'll send Fu to call you up when things are ready.“ Daiyu's mother had been telling her about how well-mannered and wise her father is. Now, Daiyu thinks he's also a respectable man with his own principles.
Daiyu instantly got up from her seat and bowed. ”I'll get going, father.“ With that, Daiyu left the kitchen and proceeded to her room to prepare.
The former Mrs. Zhang prepared everything Daiyu needs before leaving for China. She carefully packed everything including her daughter's pieces of jewelry and some cosmetics she bought for her. Living in Europe for years thought Daiyu to look prim and proper everytime because everyone there dresses glamorously.
Time flew so fast as Daiyu was preparing so, she had to rush. She wore the dress her mother bought for her and it was elegantly beautiful. It made Daiyu look decent and dainty.
After a while, Fu came and told Daiyu to go downstairs because the visitors are waiting for her. Daiyu had thought she was ready but now, she's nervous and pressured while going down the stairs because everyone is gazing at her.
Thankfully, Mr. Zhang held Daiyu's hand when she got downstairs. ”Everyone, please meet my daughter, Zhang Daiyu!“ Mr. Zhang introduced his daughter in front of everyone in the house. ”She just came home from Europe and she will be staying here for good,“ he continued.
The visitors gave applause and welcomed the only daughter of Zhang family on her return.
”Welcome home, Ms. Zhang,“ A man in his early 50's came and spoke to Daiyu. The first thing Daiyu noticed from him is his military uniform.
He must be a high-ranking military official. Daiyu mentally guessed. The medals hung on the left part of his chest made Daiyu conclude that he's indeed a high-ranking official.
Daiyu bowed as a respect. ”Thank you, Sir,“ she mumbled.
”Daiyu, he's Governor-general Chen Feng Shi,“ Mr. Zhang respectfully introduced the governor-general to his daughter.
”Good evening, Governor-general Chen,“ Daiyu greeted him with regard. The governor-general just gave Daiyu a nod and signaled someone to come over their direction.
After a minute, a man wearing a military uniform approached them. The governor-general tapped the man's back and said, ”this is my son, Chen Xiaoli.“
The man, Xiaoli is quite handsome and really looks kind. ”Pleased to meet you, Mr. Chen.“ Daiyu instantly covered her mouth when she realized she spoke in English. ”I'm sorry,“ Daiyu promptly apologized using her native language.
Daiyu has to get used to not using English because the majority use Chinese. Even the foreigners in her hometown can speak Chinese fluently.
”It's fine, Ms. Zhang,“ Xiaoli asserted.
Mr. Zhang, including both Xiaoli and his father, started talking about business and some military expenses hence, Daiyu decided to leave them. She left them and moved to the corner of the room to have a glass of wine.
Daiyu was having her time alone until she heard a cold voice behind her. ”So, you're the only daughter of Zhang family.“
Daiyu froze. ”What are you doing here?“ she asked, threatened. Daiyu didn't even bother facing the man so, he took a step forward and stood beside her.
”Your father invited me,“ the man said. Daiyu's eyes widened in shock and looked at him. ”Why would he invite you?“ she asked.
”Ask him,“ the man muttered with his grin, still pestered in his lips. He turned to Daiyu and said, ”I guess I'm one of the few qualified men to marry you.“
Daiyu's mouth slightly parted. ”You're what? How can you be qualified after mistreating me at the ship.“
The man's smirk vanished and was replaced by pure seriousness. ”I suggest you should keep it for yourself,“ he leaned closer and whispered.
”I never discussed it with anyone,“ Daiyu marveled.
”I know,“ the man murmured.
Both of them stayed silent when the band started playing a song. The people are dancing in pairs and Daiyu saw her father looking around and she knows he's searching for her.
Daiyu was about to leave but the man held her hand and stopped her. ”Let's dance,“ he suddenly said.
”Dance with me,“ he reiterated.
- Writer
