384 Impressed

July 19, 20X2 (Sunday)

Unregistered Boat, Upper Docks

"Wake up, kiddies."

Chang stirred abruptly when he felt a kick to his back. He wondered if he cursed out loud will his adopted mother miraculously know about it? For being an understanding woman, Mei Lin wasn't soft.

Blinking away the sleep in his eyes, Chang shifted his position to look at the grinning psychopath. His hands grew cold in fear, but he was the oldest of the three, and he needed to be brave. 

Chang asked, successfully masking the dread in his veins, "What do you want from us?"

As if Chang has not spoken, David ignored everything and went on his merry way to kick Ling Ling and Wei Linjun awake, "Did you have a nice sleep?"

Chang wanted to kick the man too. How dare he hurt his sister! In spite, Chang replied, "If I can have a pillow, maybe. Answer my question, what do you want from us? Money?"

"Do you want to eat?" David ignored him and said while gesturing for the people behind him. Suddenly, the only door of their cage opened, and in came people carrying three trays of food. "If so, you have to answer my question."

Chang sneered, "Not as long as you don't answer mine!"

"Do you know where the Xing Family hides their heirlooms?" David bent down after asking his question and mockingly eyed Chang, clearly demonstrating the height and power difference between them. 

Chang felt as if he was lower than a cockroach in front of this madman. He was grateful that Ling Ling did not dare to quip her own words. It will be a terrible move if they anger their captors. Now was not the time for that. Now was the time to gather more information.

The first lesson he learned from his favorite book, "Art of War" by Sun Tzu, was to choose which battles to fight. He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

David's eyes unconsciously gaze on his eyes multiple times already. He chose to interact with Chang than Ling Ling, who looked easily fooled. Chang decided to address the first concern he had, "You like my eyes?"

David's only answer was to snort, his grin widened. Chang didn't have to be a genius to know that the answer to that question is a resounding no, but he could see his David shift his eyes away from him, avoiding his eye contact for even for a second. 

Why did he avoid his gaze? If Chang wanted to intimidate someone, he would not falter. That short lapse of action showed many things; it might indicate he is nervous, shy, some medical condition, or is it just his behavior? 

Suddenly, Chang remembered the psychopath's words before.

That leaves, Nervousness... There was no universal sign of deception, but there are clusters of behavior pattern that suggests it. This man was not lying, but there is something more. 

Chang gulped, hoping to contain the fear he felt, before he asked, "Do you like my mother's eyes then?"

David's grin faltered, and Chang felt as if he had hit the jackpot. They had passed the night with nothing happening and no confirmation from their captors that they were planning their escape with sign language. If they did, they would have taken the teddy bear now.

"NO," David grin thoughtlessly at the young kid, who dare to ask him questions. He drawled, "She and I are destined. Only I can have her. Her heart, her body... her eyes." 

The three kid's eyes narrowed. The man that towered over him was trying to be intimidating. And honestly, it worked, but the way the man's body stiffened at his question means that it was unexpected, and the fact that he answered it means that he was willing to entertain any questions that involve his beloved adopted mother. 

Chang knew he shouldn't curse, but he did. Only in his mind, of course. He hated what he was about to do, but if talking about his adopted mother was the only thing that can make this madman respond, then he just has to say sorry with knees bent and head lower than the ground to his mother later. 

They must first know the enemy more. How many were around them? There must be a change of shift between them. Chang noted to himself to thank Sun Tzu when he died of old age and met the man in the afterlife or something. He clearly knew what he was doing. 

David's eyes flashed with malice as he continued to drawl, "Now, I answered one of your questions. Answer mine."

Chang could imagine the adrenaline in his blood. He recited the famous words from his favorite book, "All warfare is based on deception. "

Chang needed to mask their plans. They needed to show their compliance. He doubted he will survive the torture if he didn't. Ling Ling might be a strong girl, but she is still a kid too. Wei Linjun is a miracle, but Chang will not make more instances where being beaten up is an option.

"We don't know anything. When Mother and Father adopted us, we had to take up Mother's surname, and we were not allowed in certain places on the mansion."

David's eyes flashed in confidence and asked, "Which rooms?"

Chang showed his reluctance. He visibly let his fear show, shifting from one side to the other, and his eyes going from the left and the right side to show contemplation. For a while, he did not answer, but he did, and he enumerated the rooms that Chang knew was dangerous and left the real passageway to the heirlooms out of the way. 

They must be planning to raid the manor since their mother would be in the hospital still, the rest of the Zhao Family must also be in Aunt Qinyang and Uncle Yu Rong's bedsides, and their father was on the search for them. If they go, that means they're fewer people to guard them. 

Chang had to hide the smugness he felt when the tray of food was put in front of him, and the ropes where untied. Nobody stayed to watch them eat. The sound of chews was the only thing heard; they did not know that the kids were already plotting how and when to escape.

Wei Linjun was impressed. He might have the grit and the stubbornness to survive, but these other kids had the ways to live. After months of captivity, Linjun dared to hope once again.