The Cage Of The Past

Zion smiled to Han as he saw the little boy personally clipped a rib bone and put it into his plate. He saw Rouzhen quietly looking to his son's small face yet he didn't say anything. A bit awkward moment for the two of them that even little Han had passionate affection to him.

"Thank you, Han. You're too caring. Eat properly!" Zion said and patted Han's head.

Xiaoxi handed another bowl of soup to Zion again but suddenly Rouzhen stood up, "Han, are you done eating?"

The little boy looked at him puzzled but answered. "Yes, Dad!"

"Then it's time to go home now!" Rouzhen said quietly.

"But I promised brother Chao to play with him again after dinner," Han sad expression shown in his little face.

"No. We need to go home!" The short words indicate that he is not happy at all. His raging anger can't be hidden.

Both Xiaoxi and Zion was shocked by his reaction. "Rou Rou, you can go home first, I will send Han back to your house after they played. I can ȧssure you, he'll be safe!"

"Of course I will take care of him! Let him stay for a while!" Zion said and noticed Han has a slight expectation from his father.

Rouzhen looked back at him, his sharp eyes flashing unknown emotions. "Okay, if you promise to take care of my son, so be it!"

Xiaoxi did not speak, she quickly stood up and went to get the medicine and handed it to Rouzhen before he could leave. "Rouzhen, please take this medicine, don't forget to drink it when you get home!"

His eyes fell on her face, seeing her innocent look he tried to open his lips to burst out his emotions but he opted not to speak nor say something he might regret. He is struggling for a long time to control his jealousy. He has been courting and chasing this woman sincerely but she refused him several times, but with Zion around today, she shows her kindness and most loving smile that makes him feel mad. He doesn't know how to say his hidden feelings in front of Zion because he knows he'll be going to laugh at him.

He didn't pick up the medicine Xiaoxi had given to him, he turned and left without a word. In his mind, still full of jealousy thinking how happy Xiaoxi receiving Zion bunch of roses. Rouzhen stormed out quickly and his eyes were sparkling with inexplicable hatred in the situation inside Xiaoxi's house. He can't take it anymore, he decided to leave.

"Hey, Sir CEO, please stop! Take this medicine with you! You aren't cured yet!" Xiaoxi called him behind and followed immediately even she doesn't know the reason why Rouzhen had walked out.

Out of the door she has not seen Rouzhen anymore. She feels suddenly sad and still anxious to chase him. She went out to find him and few steps away from her house a sudden arm stretched out forcefully and slammed her waist. For the next seconds, she was brought into a warm embrace.

"Why are you following me?" she heard Rouzhen voice near her ear.

Almost no chance to breathe, his overbearing lips blocked her lips immediately when she turned to face him, and a lingering kiss fell so arrogantly into hers, seeking entrance into her mouth.

"Don't scream on me and don't force yourself to dodge, I won't let you go this time!" They are both panting after Rouzhen released her mouth. For a while, she was stunned, resting her head on his ċhėst and silently feel his heavy breath.

Xiaoxi returns to her calm breath and raised her head to look at him. She saw his eyes full of love and tenderness. Her red lips were slightly moving to say something. She wanted to scream at him but she just can't do it. Deep inside she realized, she liked him. Out of shyness, she pretends to be angry, "What the hell are you doing?"

"Be my woman! Please? Xiaoxi Chen, give me a chance! Could you do it? Look, if I need to beg you and kneel in front of you, then I will do it!" His voice is very low, he swallowed a little lump in his throat to stop the tears that started to form at the corners of his eyes.

Xiaoxi can't believe Rouzhen would beg her. She fell into a sudden illusion for a moment. Flashes of the scene come in her mind, how does she feel that Rouzhen's voice somehow sounds like Mr. Fox? In seconds, she pushed him away and said indifferently: "If you ask if we can be friends, I will probably accept it happily but being your woman, I feel disgusted thinking about it. Mr. Gu, I don't deserve to be your woman. I don't want to get entangled with you, not even in my dreams!" she lied to him.

"Give it a try, I will promise you I will do everything that will make you happy! Xiaoxi Chen, I know the reason why you refuse me. I feel how you pretend not being touched by my kissed and caring. In this lifetime I only wanted to become your man, and serve you with all my strength," his tears suddenly fell from his eyes. His hand slowly touched. "Honey, please?" he begged her.

"Rouzhen Gu, I think you are bored with your life. You can find another woman better than me!" she said while looking down.

Rouzhen released her from his arm. "Why you can't love me? Is it because of Zion? Xiaoxi, am I not too pleasing in your eyes?" so much sadness flooded in his handsome face and wiped his tears harshly.

She felt guilty and she wanted to hug him and tell him that she likes him too but she can't do it, Mr. Fox clearly warned her not to be close to any man, "It has nothing to do with Brother Zion. He never courted me nor invaded my privacy. For me, he is just a big brother who showed his appreciation of all the things I've done the time I stayed in your company," Xiaoxi deliberately suppressed her emotions but found it's getting harder to control seeing Rouzhen in tears. She opened her mouth but almost eat up her words while saying, "Take this medicine! You need it and don't forget your son was worried about you. You still have him, I don't want to see your little boy in a sad expression. Please, Rouzhen, leave me in peace!"

She said indifferently, wiped her lips, and her trembling body almost collapse so she decided to turn back but before she could leave she heard Rouzhen's voice again.

She froze for a moment. Hearing Rouzhen's broken voice hurt her so much. She heard his stepped getting far and when she turned around Rouzhen disappeared. So silent and the darkness of the road nothing left but a little starlight in the night sky. Under the shadow of the moonlight, she stood alone and tears began to flow.

Saturday, GU Mansion.

The banquet is unprecedentedly amazing. Everything was properly settled and the whole business community is aware that tonight is the declared day for Rouzhen Gu to meet his future wife. The Gu family and relatives were too excited to see the woman that Lui Gu had arranged for his son. People from all walks of life will not miss the biggest announcement that will about to reveal. Well-known personality and rich businessmen came to participate in the banquet, they wanted to see the woman's face and soon to be the GU family mistress.

In the hidden corner, holding a glass of wine, Rouzhen's silhouette can be seen. He wasn't happy with this banquet, he can't accept the woman his father will going to choose for him. His heart only belongs to Xiaoxi, Han's mother. All the women who had hoped to come over and talk to him feel afraid of his cold appearance.

"Fuck! I hate this banquet! I hate this kind of situation!" he cursed silently.

Suddenly everyone looked at the main door when the crowd began to talk in chorus. The Wood Family entered the main entrance. Amy Wood is holding her father's arm walking towards Rouzhen's father. Arnold Wood wearing a white suit, although his hair was a bit white, he still looked handsome and dignified.

On his other arm clinging his wife, Amanda Wood. The noise became louder as soon as the press people started to do live coverage of the said banquet. Amy Wood looked pretty and dazzling with her below the knee halter gown made by a popular designer. She wore expensive pieces of jewelry that match her exquisite makeup. Her charm makes everyone admired. Her graceful and luxurious walk seems captivating everyone's attention but not to Rouzhen.

He was there standing at the corner while watching the whole moment once the Wood Family came in.

Arnold Wood immediately smiled and greeted his father: "CEO Lui Gu, you still have huge prestige! Amy, come here, greet your Uncle Gu!"

"Welcome, Amy! You look stunning and beautiful tonight!" Lui Gu said and he seems to be very satisfied with his future daughter-in-law, and his eyes swept the audience to search for Rouzhen figure.

"Wait for a moment, I will ask someone to find my son!" He excused himself and called one of his butlers but he immediately saw Rouzhen standing at the corner wearing a gloomy face.

"Butler Mo, tell your young master Rouzhen to come with us!" he said and went back to the Wood Family who is now sitting at the center table.

"Uncle Lui, I will be the one to call Rouzhen, Amy said gracefully!" she's smiling and turn to find Rouzhen.

"Alright! Yeah, it's better!" Lui Gu said when she's about to leave. Deep inside he was worried that Rouzhen will not come to them.

Amy is undoubtedly the most beautiful woman on the scene. Wherever she goes, she can attract others attention.

On the other side, Xiaoxi who is unpacking the tableware with the other staff turned around and saw Rouzhen standing in a distance with a beautiful woman. She sees that Rouzhen looking directly at the woman's face while talking. Her hand that holding the tableware shook, this is the time she saw Rouzhen again after the day he left her in the middle of the night after his sincere confession. She wanted to come near him and asked if he is now okay?

She knows that today is Rouzhen's blind date that turns out into a banquet to meet his future wife. She felt jealous after looking at them. She notices that Han wasn't around. She didn't see the little boy's presence inside the GU Mansion.

"Xiaoxi, is everything okay? Please make sure that we could serve them properly," Weicheng walked over in a suit and asked her.

Suddenly when Xiaoxi come near the center table where the Wood and Gu settled, she saw someone's face. A familiar face that she hated to see, it was none other than her father Arnold. She breath harsh when their gazes meet.

Xiaoxi immediately turned her back, wanting to run away but she can't do it as the banquet had just started. Mixed emotions running in her head, now she knows that the father of Rouzhen's future wife, happens to be her father too. Fate played her.

Before she could hide, she heard Zion's voice calling her. "Sister Xiaoxi, can you please give me a cup of coffee, I don't want to drink alcohol tonight!" Zion's smiling eyes fell into hers. Approaching in her direction and asking for a coffee.

"Okay, brother Zion, give me a minute to do it!" she said.

"Are you okay? You look pale!" he said in a low voice.

"Y-yeah! I am okay brother Zion!" she tried to sound lively but her voice seems broken.

"I wanted to help you here!" Zion replied.

"Hey, no need Brother Zion this our job, not yours!"

Zion's concern words made Xiaoxi feel more depressed. She could feel that Zion had been longing for a little sister. He is the most caring and kind person she ever met, unlike Rouzhen who was full of arrogance and know nothing but to bully her. She deeply breathed silently to calm down her emotions. She felt discomfort after seeing her father inside the banquet hall.

"Brother Rouzhen, why you are hiding here! I don't come here today just to be rejected. She said while talking to him," Amy's voice comes out, yet she's glaring at Rouzhen.

Rouzhen frowned his eyebrows and looked at her sternly. He hated the glimpse of this woman who is now standing in front of him. "Miss Wood, you are very smart and beautiful!"

"So?" she cut him at the mid-sentence.

"So, you should find a man who will love you. Don't waste your youth to be a Gu family mistress and become a stepmother of my son!" Rouzhen's tone sounds rude.

"Hey, Don't you think that stepmother position and being a Gu mistress is a very challenging task for me. Having a Gu family name and knowing to be a wife of the most popular business tycoon in Beijing is very rewarding!" Amy raised her harmless little face and looked at Rouzhen's handsome face while saying it.

"Oh, Miss Wood do you think I will like you. You think my father can influence my decision?" he sneered.

"Brother Rouzhen, would should I do then? Our both family seems to agree with this marriage plan!" she smiled sweetly.

Rouzhen's gaze becomes cold and his sharp eyes send thousand of fire that made Amy shivered silently. "Miss Amy Wood, you are not my cup of tea. My real woman is inside in this place!"

Amy sees he is looking at the woman on the other side who is talking to someone. Rouzhen's gloomy face is even more visible. And she could see some jealousy in his eyes towards the man who is currently taking the woman's attention.

Amy immediately felt insulted and hurt by Rouzhen's words. She knew right at that moment Rouzhen has fallen in love with that simple and beautiful woman. Sadly she wanted to run away from this mansion but there are lots of people tonight who came to be a part of their engagement.

She silently asked in her mind, how did Rouzhen Gu suddenly fall in love with a simple woman who seems to be a waiter, the way she looks at her. Trying to get Rouzhen's attention she uttered: "Brother Rouzhen Gu, you mean to say that you don't like a woman who is more beautiful and elegant?"

Rouzhen did not look at her anymore and just said faintly: "Miss Wood you are not suitable to be my woman and a stepmother of my son!"

"Oh?! So that lady over there who is wearing a waiter suit is more suitable for you?" she asked naughtily trying to piss him off. Rouzhen looks at her harshly and she successfully gets his attention.

His eyes fell on Amy's face and said: "She is indeed suitable for me. And she's the woman I love and want to be my son's mother!"

With a slight smile, Rouzhen's mouth twitched and left her.

On the other side, Xiaoxi's sight can't help but look at them. The woman is beautiful and looks dazzling. She wanted to ask that woman what is her relationship with his father. In her mind, running a certain thought that Amy Wood is her father's daughter in his second family. She hated his father for abandoning them and made her mom sick. She envies her silently to be Rouzhen's future wife. She thought that finally Rouzhen will stop chasing her and he finds a good stepmother for Han.

Rouzhen been hiding in the corner, avoiding Amy's presence even though he knows his father will get angry. He doesn't care at all, his eyes are on Xiaoxi at this moment who is busy doing all her tasks.

"Sister Xiaoxi, the coffee you made for me is so delicious!" Zion said with a smile on his handsome face.

"Thank you so much brother Zion. What should I do then to often make you this coffee?" she smiled back at him trying to show she's okay even deep inside she's hurting.

Zion suddenly looks at her eyes and met her gaze. He admired this woman's strength and no wonder Rouzhen has gone crazy chasing her since she left Gu Corp. "Sister Xiaoxi you look beautiful!" He walked towards her and captured her hands and hold it tightly.

"Bother Zion?" Xiaoxi stunned by his gesture. She did not expect that he will hold her hand at that moment. Nervously she blurted out, "Bother Zion, don't joke around, people looking at us!"

"Oh my god, sister Xiaoxi, I was brought on by my sudden emotion, I remember someone who happened left me. She's my adopted sister!" Zion's eyes turn sad and his loneliness is unexplainable.

"I see. You must love her, won't you?" she asked.

"Yeah, a kind of love that only me know since she came into my family!" Zion said still wearing a sad voice.

Rouzhen saw what was going on between Zion and Xiaoxi. He was so angry and holding the wine glass tightly. He wanted to smash it and his raging anger is uncontrollable. He felt betrayed by Zion. How can he called him brother, when he wanted to take away Xiaoxi to him.

Rouzhen somewhat realized that his anger getting into his whole mind and making him feel wronged. Even though he wore a gloomy face, the sultry atmosphere makes it worse.

His eyes glanced at Xiaoxi and Zion, this little woman testing his patient. How could she easily flirt with other men? So hateful!

The party has just started and his father called him. And the music rang.

Xiaoxi saw that Rouzhen and Amy walked towards the center and started to dance. Under the gorgeous lights, the two pairs are very well matched, and people who are there can't move their eyes and admired them.

Rouzhen is a man who can't be ignored. And Amy is elegant and beautiful with decent family background. Xiaoxi thought that she's suitable to be Rouzhen's wife but why she feels pain thinking about it.

"They look good isn't it?" Weicheng suddenly appeared on her side and slammed her elbow.

She turned her gaze at him and said: "They are meant to be!"

"But would you be happy if Rouzhen will marry another woman?" Weicheng shocked her.

"I---- Brother Weicheng what do you mean by that?" she asked.

"Sister Xiaoxi know the exact answer, brother Weicheng!" Zion clearly said while he smiled at her.

"Brother Zion, you got it on point! I honestly feel that our Rou Rou was madly in love with Sister Xiaoxi!" Weicheng said without hesitation. "I noticed it a long time ago, even he hasn't told me!"

Xiaoxi blushed and couldn't speak. She now realized that the two men seem to know something going on between her and Rouzhen yet wouldn't dare to ask it directly.

"We must ask Rou Rou directly once this banquet ended. I felt bored staying here but I can't say no to him. I feel a bit sad seeing him suffering from his father's intrusion in his life," Zion replied in a sad tone.