Granting You A Second Life

Li Wang looked at the phone in his hand contemplating the meaning of life. 'Did that really happen?"

Li Wang took a deep breath and called His contact at Theta bank. He wiped his sweaty palms on his slacks.

Male voice: "Hello Theta bank. I'll be your adviser Kang Liang. How may I help you today?"

Li Wang: "Liang it's me Li Wang. I wanted to ask about the status of..."

Kang Liang spoke in a hushed voice: "Wang! You've got some nerve! Do you know how much trouble your niece has caused me?"

Li Wang was confused: "What are you talking about?"

Kang Liang: "Your niece Li Xiuying cancelled her account with Theta bank. All her funds have been transferred. She switched account on Saturday the 13th. My manager is breathing down my neck for losing a multi-million dollar account."

Li Wang: "What?! How could this be? On Saturday? Liang listen to me I truly have no idea what's going on."

Kang Liang: "Who do you think you're fooling with your innocent act? Do you know how much I'm suffering right now? My manager is watching me like a hawk! The only reason I can talk to you now is because he was called away by an urgent matter. Li Wang mark my words I won't be suffering alone."

Li Wang could hear Kang Liang try to slam the receiver down but miss. After some more slamming the line went dead.

Li Yu Yan handed a cup of tea to her father: "Daddy have something to drink."

Li Wang looked at the concern etched on his daughter's face and felt his anger slightly dissipate. he took the cup from his daughter's hand and leaned back on the sofa.

Li Mei Wu: "Honey, what's going on?"

Li Wang: "It seems that Li Xiuying has cancelled her account with Theta bank and switched to City bank."

Li Mei Wu looked perplexed: "How did she manage to close the account without any passwords or login details?"

Li Wang: "She switched the account instead of closing them down directly."

Li Mei Wu asked in trepidation: "Do you think that she's switched all the accounts?"

Li Wang: "It seems likely. I have to call the other banks now." Li Wang picked up his phone once again.

Li Wang called City Bank first.

Adviser: "Hello, how may I help you today?"

Li Wang: "I would like to talk to Bao Fengge. This is Li Wang."

Adviser: "Mr. Li Wang. Could you please wait a moment while I transfer you to..."

Li Wang immediately hung up the phone. Something in the back of his mind was telling him that if he continued waiting he would be transferred to the CEO of Unity bank.

Li Wang called his contacts at the Bank of Guozijian and Rednaxela commercial bank. The conversations he had were almost identical to the one he had with Kang Liang.

Li Wang let out the anger he had suppressed: "How dare these lowly ants talk to me in such a way! Who gave them such confidence?!! They even dared to threaten me!" He threw his cup as he shouted. It smashed against the wall and the shards scattered all over the floor.

No one in the Li family had ever seen Li Wang so angry. But why would they? Li Xiuying was his obedient money making machine. She earned him millions and allowed him to make contacts with the upper echelons of society. With Li Xiuying around he would never have to toil away in an office ever again.

Sister: "Ge, I think we should go down to Unity hospital right now and drag that s.l.u.t back by her hair!"

Brother-in-law: "Wenyan is right! We need to go and teach that immoral little wretch a lesson!"

Li Mei Wu: "Darling. We have a right as her elders to help her back on the right path after she has strayed so far from it."

Li Wang: "Did all of you forget our plan with the Chen Family?"

Li Yu Yan: "Daddy. I want to believe in Uncle Chen's plan but we may have to take matters in to our own hands. Didn't you say that Huang Fuhua is having his operation at Unity hospital now? They have failed at the first hurdle. Little sister must be truly troubled by something. May be is we can find out what it is we can rectify the situation and everything with return back to normal."

Li Mei Wu tried to persuade Li Wang further: "Dear. Yu Yan is right. She has never led us astray. Li Xiuying has always been so obedient something must have happened for her to change so drastically. We should act now. She's already run away from home, switched all her accounts and even cancelled her engagement in such a shameful way."

Li Wang was beginning to come round to the idea.

Li Na: "Uncle, auntie, mommy, daddy. What are we going to do for money now?"

Li Na's parents started to panic. How would they afford their expensive lifestyle now?

Li Wang: "Wenyan, Deming you'll have to restrict your spending for the time being until this situation is resolved. I'll still help cover the cost of your daily necessities but you'll have to fund anything extra yourselves."

Li Na immediately protested in a whiny voice: "But Uncle I've reserved a handbag at my favorite store and a watch from Leban and shoes from..."

Li Wang spoke sternly: "Enough!"

Li Mei Wu: "Little Na, you've always been such a thoughtful girl. We all have to do our parts right now. When Li Xiuying sees the error of her ways you'll have even more spending money."

Li Na wasn't happy when she was about to voice her discontent her mother gave her a cold look.

Li Na swallowed the words she was about to say and looked down into her l.a.p.

Li Yu Yan: "Uncle, auntie why don't you both go home and rest? It's been a tiring day and I'm sure things will look brighter tomorrow. We'll be sure to keep you updated."

Li Wenyan was feeling weary after today's events. She was about to ask if they could stay here tonight when Li Mei Wu spoke.

Li Mei Wu stood up: "Wenyan, we'll contact you later on today with our plans."

Li Na and her parents followed the maid out unhappily.

Li Wang, Li Mei Wu and Li Yu Yan remained seated in the living room.

Li Yu Yan: "Daddy do we have no money at all? I have a little saved up if you need it?" Li Yu Yan was reluctant to part with her savings and she only offered to fulfill her role as their good daughter.

Li Wang felt he was truly blessed to have such a wonderful daughter. He spoke in a gentle tone to: "Baby girl how could you underestimate daddy? I've been transferring some of Li Xiuying's earnings in to my different personal accounts over the years."

Li Yu Yan giggled in joy: "Daddy is the best!"

Li Wang: "Yu Yan why don't you go and get some rest. Nothing will be decided until tomorrow morning."

Li Yu Yan kissed Li Wang on the cheek and left the living room.

Li Mei Wu grabbed her husband's: "Honey you're a genius. You've always made sure Yu Yan and I had everything we needed. You're the most wonderful husband anyone could ever have!"

Li Wang smiled at his wife.

Li Mei Wu: "Darling how much money do we have?"

Li Wang: "We have a couple of million dollars in the accounts. I've also invested in various lucrative businesses."

Li Mei Wu squealed in joy. She suggestively said:"Honey why don't we have an early night as well?"

Li Wang: "You go up first. I'll join you shortly."

Li Mei Wu practically skipped her way to the bedroom.

Li Wang picked up his phone and sent messages to two people who owed him very large favors.

Li Wang put his phone in his pocket then walked over to the drinks cabinet. He took out a glass and a bottle and poured himself a drink.

Li Wang swirled the drink in his glass. He would never tell his family about the extent of his bank balance or investments. He knew his wife's and daughter's personalities well enough to know that they would spend even more frivolously and become more arrogant. They would brag endlessly and the details of his investments would be known by the whole capital by the end of the week.

Li Wang would never trust anyone apart from himself. He especially wouldn't trust his family. How could he after everything that occurred with his brother?

He finished the contents of his glass in one go and made his way to his bedroom.