Just when the girls were about to finish their meal, the news on the television featured an interview with someone very familiar to the trio.

  “Doctor Kang, thank you for making time to join us today for the interview.” The emcee introduced him during a brief news conference.

  Jazzlyn’s gaze instantly turned up to the television.

  Benjamin… What is this? She thought to herself.

  “You’re most welcome. Thank you for having me.” Benjamin replied as Ellie and Isla sighed at the sight of him.

  Jazzlyn was glued to the screen. Her worries were boiling up, reading the ticker stating “The merger of Kang and Su hospitals.”

  “So, we have heard you have finally left the government hospital to help out with the Su’s. Tell us more about this endeavour.” The newscaster prompted.

  “Yes, the Kang family has always worked closely with the Su’s family for ages, and we are definitely looking forward to this beneficial partnership.” Benjamin conquered.

  “So, what’s the direction of the merger from now on, considering Su’s hospital was well known for cardiac expertise while Kang’s hospital is a smaller premise?”

  “Right, we will definitely still tap on and ensure cardiac remains the expertise. We look forward to bringing in more talent for this merger. Despite Kang’s hospital being small, they have very solid medical experts joining the merger.” Benjamin explained.

  “And you will be joining the merger as?”

  “Chief of the surgeon department,” Benjamin announced proudly.

  “Glad to hear that. Congratulations, Dr. Kang!”

  “Thank you…” Benjamin replied courteously.

  “And for our final question of the day to you, would the only daughter of the Su family join the merger as well?” The newscaster asked as Benjamin chuckled politely.

  “No comments.” He gave a typical answer as the newscaster laughed.

  “We look forward to the merger and …” Jazzlyn got up and went to the counter to settle the bill without listening to the rest of the interview. She was furious and fuming. She knew there were hidden agendas, especially from that night’s dinner. Dato Kang would not waste his time just to visit her to thank her personally.

  The girls quietly followed Jazzlyn out of the store as she tried to calm herself while storming Jonker Street.

  Meanwhile, Dato Su was very happy with the interview and quickly summoned Datin Su to pester Jazzlyn to come home. Datin Su was hesitating the call but she still called. Jazzlyn saw the caller ID and immediately cancelled the call.

  Anything, just text or call Isla. I’m switching off my phone. She sent it to Ethan.

  Ethan was taken aback, but could guess his gifts to his in-laws had begun to have an effect as he anticipated seeing what was next. He was tempted to visit the Su’s family house too but he knew Jazzlyn would be upset. Hence, he had to lie back and play by ear.

  Before he could relax, informers were rushing into the house. “Old man Loong! Young Master Loong!” Yelled one of the informers.

  “What’s wrong?” Su Qing came rushing to the door. “There’s Su’s bodyguards looking for Young Lady Su!”

  “It’s Youngest Lady Wang from now on. Quickly direct her and her friends to a safe place to hide. I will come to get them after the guards visit here!” Su Qing instructed as the informers ran off to make preparations.

  “You! Hide! Now!” Su Qing bellowed at Ethan, who was worried about Jazzlyn but knew they were in his territory. The villagers would keep them safe as they are always on the lookout for each other over the years. Ethan rushed back to hide in Su Huang’s room. Just in case they ransacked the house illegally, they would not easily find him in his room.

  Before Jazzlyn could go any further, when she had just bought the Hakka abacus seeds with Ellie and Isla, they were blocked by two villagers.

  “Youngest Lady Wang, you have to come with us this way with your friends…” Pleaded one of the villagers, who pointed to a tea house nearby.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Yes, please hurry. It’s an arrangement from Young Lady Su Qing…” Informed the lady villager, as Jazzlyn frowned but nodded and followed them.

  Isla received a text from Ethan, which she shared with Ellie.

  Follow the villagers’ arrangements. Su’s guards are here. I don’t want to send Jazz back alone.

  Isla replied. Alright, we are heading to a tea house on Jonker Street. Second floor.

  I will come once the coast is clear. Ethan replied and waited patiently for a commotion. True enough, the guards came to the Wang’s family house.

  “We are here for Young Lady Su to escort her home. Dato Su needs her in a family meeting.” The head of guard informed Uncle Loong, who laughed.

  “The Su family lost their daughter and came to another family's house to search for her? Do you have no shame?” Uncle Loong mocked as the guard was taken aback at his nonchalant action while he continued to tend his bonsai.

  “We have to search the house…” The guard concluded but got interrupted by Su Qing.

  “Aren’t you afraid we will report you for trespassing? Who are you to walk into other people’s property to search? Where is your warrant?” Su Qing reprimanded while standing in front of the head of guard fearlessly. It was one of her admired traits.

  She once was keen on martial arts and nearly signed up to be a policewoman, only for Uncle Loong to stop her. He loved all his children so much that he just wanted them to enjoy a peaceful, healthy life. So Su Qing resorted to botanical studies instead.

  “Then tell us where we can find Young Lady Su?” The head of guards was a little intimidated by Su Qing as he took some time to regain his composure before he pestered.

  “Like my father said, another family lost their daughter. Why are they searching in other people's houses? Are we living in the dinosaur era? Is there no phone or no connections to look for her? Why is it that they had to come to an enemy house to look for their missing daughter? Is this an accusation?!” Su Qing’s sharp, piercing voice was heard throughout the whole house.

  The head of guards had no choice but to retreat. However, from experience, the head of guards was still lingering in case the Wang’s family revealed the hidden location of Jazzlyn or they were acting suspicious.

  “Pissed me off! How dare they demand this?!” Su Qing cursed as Su Huang gave her some red dates tea to calm her when Ethan rushed down the stairs.

  Su Lan looked worried as Hilbert pushed her wheelchair closer to Ethan, nearly like a chase. Ethan shared a brief quiet gaze with Su Lan. He knew she was worried. She knew he was worried and impatient about saving his wife but she wanted him to becareful. Both siblings as usual did not need much words to convey such message. Once Su Lan was certain, she nodded slightly. Ethan wanted to rush off, only to be stopped by another hurdle.

  “Stop!” Su Qing yelled at him.

  “Are you stupid? They had just less than 5 minutes left! You would be walking into their trap!” Su Qing reprimanded as Ethan obediently walked back to the dining table as Su Huang served him tea. Su Huang stole several smiles, knowing she did not have to worry about educating this young boy. Su Qing was fierce enough.

  “Don’t worry. You know where my sister in law is. Just wait, alright?” Su Huang whispered as Ethan nodded meekly.

  The informers were monitoring the movements of the guards, who indeed were waiting for a long while but finally gave up when the skies were darkening. It was because they received a call from Dato Su to retreat as he had better plans.

  That night, he had Kang’s family over for dinner, and Datin Su was too lazy to entertain them. So, she faked a headache and had dinner in bed before pretending to be resting in bed.

  She missed her daughter as she sent her a text, knowing she might still ignore her.

  Wei Wei, mummy knows you wouldn’t reply to me, but that’s alright. Why didn’t you tell Mummy you liked the young master of Wang’s family? Then I wouldn’t have agreed to your father to betroth you to the Kang’s family back then. Sigh…

  Argue less with your father. He’s old and you’re no longer single. You need to learn to treat your in-laws well. Mummy does not wish for you to return with your husband or drink your tea or see you walk down the aisle or be your witness. I just hope you will send me a picture of you and your husband during the tea ceremony. That would be enough for me to remember my daughter, who is finally living a good life.

  Datin Su sent the message as she blinked away her tears before falling back to sleep, missing her daughter dearly.

  When Ethan and Su Huang finally went to pick the girls who were enjoying tea and nyonya kuehs*, Jazzlyn knew the guards were gone.

  “Didn’t I tell you, you will be alright?” Ethan assured her as she hugged him tightly.

  “Yep, the town villagers and local residents would help to monitor and take care of each other against outsiders. So, you don’t have to worry.” Su Huang comforted the trio as Ellie and Isla nodded.

  “Let’s go home! I’m sure you’re all hungry for the roasted pig you brought!” Su Huang announced, as everyone laughed, recalling the funny roasted piglet from the gifts.

  Since there were two cars, Ellie and Isla decided to follow Su Huang, leaving Ethan with Jazzlyn to drive his car home. When Jazzlyn was in the car, she finally gave in to a strange urge to switched back her phone which began since she was seated in the tea house.

  That was when she saw her mother’s message.

  She began to cry which shocked Ethan who was driving. He had to pull over to comfort Jazzlyn as he read the message too. Ethan knew the only reason she still cared about Su's family was because of her mother. He reminded himself to treat his mother-in-law nicely the next time. But first, he picked a picture of them, dressed in their traditional costume, chatting and laughing happily, which Su Huang had sent to him earlier today. He sent it to Jazzlyn, and then he sent it to her mother, which she saw but did not protest. She held him tightly as she sobbed, thereafter knowing she was in good hands.

  Glossary:

  * Nyonya Kuehs - bite-sized peranakan desserts found in Southeast Asia, most commonly