To Love You Again

"It was a shocking news that rocked the high society when Master Xiong announced yesterday night during the Xiong's Anniversary Banquet that they voluntarily dissolve the treaty that lasted for many generations—"

Click.

"—It's really shocking. I watched as the two families bowed to each other as a sign of respect for their relationship that precipitated over the years—"

Click.

"—a big question was circulating everyone's mind. Why did the legendary Xiong family break the treaty, which had been followed through for more than three hundred years with the Zhou family so suddenly? Many people questions this—"

Click.

The channel changed once more. Another scene in the 150-inch Ultra HD television played. 

There was an old man in ancient clothing standing vigorously. He gave a bow of respect to a butler beside him, neither humble nor arrogant, but as if to an equal. Then after a while, a stunning girl in a pale rosy dress gave a short speech and bowed as well.

Guan Gao Huan tapped a finger on the arm rest as he watched the woman in the television intently. His brown eyes appeared more golden with the light shining from the screen. His hair had a tinge of brown and his usual gentle smile was gone as complex thoughts ran wild inside his mind.

Then in the next instant, another man appeared in the screen. 

The tall man bowed and kissed the woman's hand.

Guan Gao Huan's finger paused. His golden brown eyes turned darker. 

'So that was it', he thought. 'These two people played well.'

His fingers resumed tapping. After a while, he called out to his butler standing quietly in the shadows.

"Call Xiong De."

In a short while, the butler came back holding a phone. The third master of the second branch, Xiong De, was on the other line.

Guan Gao Huan casually put the loud speaker on, put the phone down on the table, rested his back on the soft couch, and stared at the screen in front of him.

"Master Gao Huan."

"Third Master De, I think you get the idea why I'm calling you?"

There was a bit of silence before Xiong De spoke again. "Of course. Master Gao Huan has nothing to worry about. Everything is going well according to plan."

"Your time is up, you know that."

"...Yes, I know. You should have heard some news, the old tiger's health is deteriorating. He skipped some gatherings as well to recuperate—"

"Skipped some gatherings?" Gao Huan's tone was light and there was a light chuckle at the end.

His golden eyes stared at the screen. The old man was standing there robust and healthy. 

"Do you know what I am seeing? I can see an old man who is supposed to be dying standing straight in front of the crowd, with a rosy color on his cheeks. He can even bow forty-five degrees a few times. You call that dying?"

"..."

"Are you kidding me?" Guan Gao Huan's voice turned deeper as a dark and gloomy look appeared in his eyes.

Xiong De's voice was tensed. "But you should hear the news recently! The tiger did not make much appearances this past year, sending Young Miss instead—"

"These are not news but rumors. Are you sure you are not exposed? Maybe, it's just someone's work, who figured out what you're doing, played along, and let you hear what you wanted."

"...I-I am not mistaken. They are just playing the strawman to fool the crows. In due time, the old tiger would surely succ.u.mb to death."

"Xiong De. Don't test my patience. Your two years' time is up. I want to see the results in a few days."

"Master Gao Huan—"

Guan Gao Huan hung up. He was really annoyed right now. 

Two years was enough to kill a person using that rare poison, even if only a whiff of it was inhaled. Around this time, the effect should have started showing. Yet, the old man did not show any symptoms during the banquet. 

Of course, he had heard of the rumors that Old Xiong's health was deteriorating. That was why the old man allegedly could not attend all the events that needed his presence. So far, it was his successor, the heiress Xiong Zhi, who replaced him. 

After a long time, it was in the Xiong's Anniversary Banquet that the Old man made an appearance again in the high society.

Tsk.

It felt like they were played. He knew well the effects of the poison. The old man should not be able to even move away from the bed at this time, due to constant drowsiness and sluggish movements. Yet none of it showed on the old man on the television screen.

Did it mean they failed? No, the real problem was, Old Xiong was ahead of them and must have known their plan. But knowing the ruthless old tiger, he should have counter-attacked and banished Xiong De right after learning of his schemes. 

Especially because it was all about poisoning him to death.

Then what was it? Why wait up until now? Did they really know? Or like Xiong De said, they were just playing tough and strong but in reality, the old man was already dying inside?

'Hmmm...'

Guan Gao Huan was troubled. He kept tapping on his armrest. This was not a good feeling, not knowing what was lying on wait on the road ahead. 

He had a strange nagging feeling in his gut.

It was not really a good decision to put all this to that useless man, Xiong De. It seemed like he had to prepare for cleaning up in case this plan failed. It must not be traced back to him in any way if ever they find out.

Guan Gao Huan glanced at his phone. By now, for sure that man would have seen the news. 

As if it heard his thoughts, the phone suddenly rang.

Guan Gao Huan's heart skipped a beat, but when he saw that it was not that man, he calmed down. 

He took the phone and answered the call.