Chapter 542

542 Epiphany(Part One)

Hang Zhao had been groomed his entire life to be the head of his family’s main branch, and knew that his future wife wasn’t fully his choice. But he wanted to have final say on the selected candidates. So Mei had not been his only proposed match, but she’d been the one that he had picked himself..

At first, it was because she seemed like an easy-going and agreeable woman. Mei had always answered him sincerely, never raised her voice, and never demanded anything from him like the other candidates. In truth, it almost seemed like she had no intention of seeking a marriage, but their families had other plans.

Mei was an ideal daughter, and did everything that her father had ever told her to do. While any other girl would’ve been ecstatic when the Zhao family came knocking with a contract in hand; Mei looked liked she was going to be sick. Senator Lei had taken her into another room, but that hadn’t stopped their voices from carrying over, or the rest of their present family from following.

She pleaded with her father not to sign the contract, but another family member had stepped in, and berated her for being disobedient. When the Lei family had emerged again, Hang had offered to rip up the contract. But their families were adamant, and eventually Mei signed it with unshed tears in her eyes.

It was at that moment that Hang realized that she wasn’t a simple, obedient little girl. That there must’ve been a reason she didn’t want the marriage. The next time that they were alone, he asked if she loved another..

Mei had broken down, and told him that she did love someone else, but they could never be together anyway. Agreeing to the marriage was her only choice, no matter how she felt. The heartbreak in her expression tugged at his heartstrings in a way that Hang had never felt before, and found himself wishing that he could pull her into his arms, and comfort her.

Considering what they had just been talking about; Hang knew that he couldn’t be so brash with his future wife. But recognizing the urge had granted him a realization.. ‘Do...Do I actually care for this woman?’

Before Hang had known it, he’d started to look forward to visiting Mei. She was a tranquil reprieve from the mind-numbing tediousness of his daily life. Every day was the same, except for the time that he spent with Mei..

They talked about mundane things that they liked, and the conversations had always evolved into smiles and laughter. Hang imagined coming home to Mei daily, having children, and spending their lives together in that warm companionship until old age claimed them. Hang’s heart surged at the epiphany, and he swore that he would do everything he could to make Mei happy.

.....

Their wedding day had quickly shown Hang that Mei was barely willing to be touched by him. He had insisted that night that they wait until she was comfortable, but she had drank herself into a stupor, and pushed her tempting body onto him. Feeling an uncontrollable attraction for the first time in his life: they had consummated the marriage.

The months that had followed were filled with Mei falling into a cycle of depression and self-loathing that had nearly cost them their first child, as well as herself. Rukia was born two months early, and dangerously small. It was a miracle that she’d lived, and Mei as well.

She had come out of her state, and immediately jumped into her old mindset of being as amicable as possible. It seemed like she was back to her old self, but those closest to her knew better.. Especially Hang.

It took him quite a long time to realize why she’d been so distraught, and why she had miraculously recovered. After he had found out what was truly making her happy, Hang distanced himself by burying himself in his work. It all eventually cumulated into a hefty promotion, and a chance to step into the role of a Senator.

The seat had been his the moment he’d accepted it, but Hang’s high status was slowly applying pressure to a very sensitive subject: an heir.

While Zhang was more than happy to name Rukia the heir to his title of head of the Zhao family, and his pending title as head of the Lei family, their families refused to accept their daughter. Men had always been the head of their families, and they refused to break tradition.

The subject had been weighing on Hang for months. He didn’t want to force Mei to his bed, even though it was his right as her husband. And it wasn’t because he didn’t want her. Hang knew that he was in love with his wife, but understood that her feelings were not the same.

Forcing her was the same as rape to him, even though she was his wife. But his need for her pushed him to side with their families. He had convinced himself that it was necessary, and had been trying to approach it as callously as possible.. ‘If she’s going to hate me, then I’ll make it easy for her..’

This was Hang Zhao’s frame of mind as they dressed and left for the banquet...

************

On the surface, the diligent Senator was all business, and rarely showed a pure emotion. Every expression always seemed hollow, like it was a barely concealed attempt to care. However, the extreme apathy displayed in his usual personality didn’t show in his treatment of Mei, or in his work.

At least not that Tidas could see.

While the whole of the Internal Revenue Department for Sai was in controlled chaos, the files and papers themselves were meticulously organized. The haphazardly-stacked documents had been out of order, but the contents of each case file were methodically written out. Including copious notes, and updated addendums.

Tidas had been impressed by the files, but was quickly disillusioned by the department’s general state. Cases were backed up by the years, and at least half of them needed to be reinvestigated due to the time lapse. The department was understaffed and underfunded. Most likely caused by the corrupt senators themselves.

Whether he was brilliant or daft, Tidas wasn’t sure yet. But he did know that Hang cared for Mei a great deal. They had only met briefly, but the sincerity on Hang’s face when they spoke about her was unmistakable.

‘So why does he look like the whole of existence is beneath him right now?! He has his daughter and wife: what more could he want? ...That’s right...It’s not him pushing them, from what Skye’d said.. But why-‘

“Well? Speak, Nephew, or will you not say because you already know that I won’t like the answer?” Genie pressed, receiving only a stony glare two minutes ago.

The commotion within the banquet quickly died down as the guests turned their attention to the drama unfolding at the front of the room.

Mei turned paler than a ghost as her head bobbed from her uncle to her husband. A sudden chill claimed the air in the room as the two men stared menacingly at each other.

Tidas stood up, ready to act as mediator when Hang replied; “Not that it is of concern to you, but my wife is fine.”

His retort was akin to throwing logs onto a crackling fire as others began to gather closer. Seeing how quickly things could turn bad, and how easily irreparable things could be said; Tidas grabbed his glass, and started to laugh falsely, but very loudly..

“Ha, ha! You two! Stop messing around and eat! There’s delicious food all around! Oh! And I must thank you both for showing me around your government buildings today! It was very intriguing to see how well the people of Sai can work together towards the good of all it’s people..”

It was a very cryptic way to tell them to shut up, or they might say something that would stop their work together. But the two ignored Tidas’ easy out, and began to use targeted phrases to make subtle jabs at each other. Genie’s tone even made Tidas hesitant to break them apart, but the other Senators were beginning to gossip.

Having heard enough of their sardonic threats, Skye calmly stood, then glared at the two in turn before speaking in Saianese; “I beg your pardon, dear hosts, but you are ruining the diplomatically-charged party that you’re currently throwing for us..”

Skye’s demeanor shifted, and her tone turned menacing as she continued in a low voice; “Not to mention that my sister looks ready to faint, and my sweet niece is close to tears.. If I have to lose My temper, gentlemen, then not a stone will be left in this castle’s foundation by the time I’m done. Now-”

After straightening up and clapping her hands, Skye grinned cheekily at them as she added; “I am going to take these two for a bit of air. I suggest you two allow Tidas to help, and disappear from the gathering eyes around us until you’ve settled down.”

Tidas had to force a prideful smile from appearing on his face while he watched two of the most powerful men in Sai cower like rebuked puppies. Skye was like a hurricane when angry, and Genie knew it. Looking at Hang’s forlorn expression let Tidas know that Skye’s words had caused his hesitation.

Seeing that his grip had loosened, Skye grabbed Mei’s free hand, and started to drag her away with a slightly annoyed expression. Peggy, Klaus, and Kari followed behind them as they cut through the crowds, and made their way out of the banquet room. Hana and several other guards were explaining that Lady Mei felt ill, so the Alconian Princess was going to heal her when Tidas cleared his throat.

“A variety of gossip is starting to spread as to why the women left, but it will soon be overtaken by the previous events. I suggest that we find a room to calmly speak in, like the women have, and continue your...lively debate, in private.”

His smile was wide and his words sounded helpful, but Tidas’ eyes glimmered with silent anger at their behavior. If Genie couldn’t get along with Hang, then it would become much harder to track down whomever was smuggling weapons into Sai. On top of the hurt their issues would cause Mei and Rukia.

Genie sighed deeply, then led the way to his second office. He was supposed to use it for meetings anyway, and this was the perfect opportunity. As they walked out of the room, Hana and Hang locked eyes for a fleeting moment.

A small grin tugged at the corners of his lips as Hana’s face remained stony. As he passed through the doorway and Tidas quickly stepped into his place, the two also locked gazes. What Tidas saw reflected made little sense to him, so he just nodded and continued on as Hana had turned away, embarrassed.

As they strode down the main hallway, Tidas wondered if Hana loved, or hated Hang..