Ever since telling Auntie Soh that he wanted to learn from her the secrets of his grandma’s chili noodles, Ray had been spending time. and even investing in the business to keep it running efficiently with online order integration into the business structure. He had been communicating with Jin about his moves on the small-scale business and they both had agreed that the business should be kept alive.
At least, there’s still something for all of them to fall back on in case anything goes wrong in Rahi’s or Ophal’s business. With that, Jin decided to invest with Ray in the business operations as a shareholder. While Ray still tried to master the cooking part which he left for Auntie Soh at the moment to deal with, he was coordinating the orders and deliveries.
Despite being relatively busy, he was still remotely keeping an eye on both Ophal and Rahi's operations matters. Rahi’s end had since slowed down due to no one to replace Jason on talks. They had been hiring for close to two months but yet they just couldn't find suitable candidates as good and promising as Jason or Nick.
Nick, ever since he was discharged nearly a month, had been spacing out aimlessly at his own house which Marcel had been staying with to keep him accompany. However, as Nick had been diagnosed with depression recently, Ray stepped up to take care of Nick instead and kept an eye on him when Marcel was too busy with Ophal’s side over at Landsfield. Ray had tried to bring Nick out of the house but he just wouldn’t barge leaving Ray with no choice but to get Nick’s doctor to sedate him. That way, they moved Nick easily to Ray’s grandma’s place which was more conducive for Nick, especially with the greenhouse which Nick was instantly attracted to when he was awake.
As Marcel had the mandate of the Ophal family to act on behalf of the directors and shareholders and his influence at the Ophal was strong, Marcel’s presence in the operation matters had slightly suppressed Jeremy’s activities. However, it wasn’t enough to stop Jeremy from continuing with his illicit business. He had been busy negotiating more deals of money laundering in progress.
Jin, who had been juggling with his studies and tracking Jeremy’s activities with the help of Uncle James’ minions, had picked up on a trace. It led him to a piece of dangerous news related to Melody’s family which was worrying.
“Ai Yu, dinner’s ready…” Cassandra said as she place the bowl of soup on the dining table while Jin sat quietly reading his results on the laptop.
“Jin…” Cassandra went over and held him on his shoulder as he relaxed a little into her arms. Cassandra read his findings on his laptop and saw it was of Jeremy’s latest movements but what took her attention was when she saw the money laundering activity involved a loan scheme to the public.
“What is going on?” Cassandra asked shockingly as she squatted next to Jin and read closer on his findings.
“He set up a loan company that loaned to the public with low interest and the innocent could repay slowly but in actual fact, the money loaned out was laundered from the sale of drugs. They extort back the money as and when they need it back and not as per the agreed installments.” Jin explained as Cassandra gasped.
“This is absurd! We must stop this!” Cassandra said in anger.
Jin sighed worriedly and Cassandra noticed something else was bothering him. She held his hand in his.
“What is it? What else is wrong? Tell me…” Cassandra coaxed as Jin showed her another finding.
She saw the details of the victims on the tablet but had no clue what was wrong. Noticing nothing was alarming to Cassandra, Jin took the liberty to explain to her.
“I think one of the names there is the father of Ryu’s fan. Do you know the fan’s family name?” Jin asked as Cassandra shook her head. “We should speak with him,” Cassandra said as she continued to study the list again before the house’s lift rang.
“Speak of the devil… You’re back! Come have dinner with us!” Cassandra said as she hurriedly went to the kitchen while Ryu nodded in response.
“How’re things with Ray and training?” Jin asked, turning around to face Ryu while Ryu walked over to sit in front of Jin’s desk.
“The usual. Nothing much…” Ryu said as Jin cleared his throat feeling a little awkward to ask his next question.
Ryu raised an eyebrow at his brother’s strange self. “What’s wrong? You seem to have something to tell. About Jeremy?” Ryu asked curiously while Jin show him the name list but Ryu didn’t seem to catch anything sinister from it.
“What’s your fan’s family name?” Jin asked Ryu as he Ryu frowned.
“I… Which fan?” Ryu asked as Jin showed him the picture of Melody on his tablet.
“How come you have her pictures in your investigation tablet? Is there something wrong with her?” Ryu questioned worriedly.
“Not with her but possibly with her family. Jeremy is undertaking a new illegal loaning business and if her family’s name is Ting then you better….” Jin explained as Ryu gasped recalling it was indeed Ting as he nodded at Jin assuringly. Jin wasn’t sure whether to tell his brother to stay far away or to watch over them as he only knew that Ryu was close to Melody but he wasn’t aware of how close exactly they were or how far Ryu was willing to go for her.
“I know what to do. Thanks, bro.” Ryu said as Jin /took out his glasses and placed them on the table.
“If you need help, just let me know. I will arrange with Uncle James.” Jin offered as Ryu nodded knowing it was a very serious matter.
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During that week’s revision together, Ryu was going to ask Melody about it but last minute, she sent him a message saying she was unwell as an excuse. He noticed she hasn’t been active online much recently either as he wondered if she was in school. Feeling uneasy about her situation after knowing about Jin’s findings, he couldn’t help but head to her family’s restaurant that night.
He was beginning to worry seeing the bright-lighted restaurant was a mess as he saw the employees were cleaning up. It looked as though there was a fight before that as he took noticed Melody’s mother was treating her husband’s injury at one corner. He scanned the entire restaurant for Melody but there wasn’t a trace of her.
He decided to leave instead as he walked down the walkway, quietly hoping to see her on the way but to no avail. Still feeling uneasy, he decided to give her a quick call. To his surprise, a vibrating sound was heard nearby as he followed the source of the vibrating sound only to find it was her mobile phone. He knew something was wrong with her as he searched the entire place frantically.
“Melody!” Ryu called out softly as though could sense danger was lurking around.
Melody could hear someone calling out her second name softly nearby and only a few people would call her by that. The voice was getting closer to her as she shivered in fear while hiding in a tarp. Soon, she could see the light of a mobile phone from the tarp. It was illuminating a tall figure carrying a backpack. Melody was in the dark alley lurking for a long time, ready to fight the gangster who was harassing her family’s restaurant with a piece of thick stick. She quickly opened up the tarp wanting to fight him only to get her stick smashed and broken into half.
That sudden action startled Ryu and Melody for a moment but when he noticed the frail, shivering figure standing in front of him was Melody, he embraced her tightly in relief. “Melody, you’re alright!” Ryu exclaimed softly in relief.
“Shhh… the gangsters are still around,” Melody whispered as she shut the lighting of both their mobiles and pulled him under the tarp. He was shaking his right arm which was used to break the plank earlier. He noticed her force was strong that his wrist was a little injured. “Did you learn martial arts before?” Ryu asked as Melody shook her head.
He patted her head. “You have a good force. I could teach you.” Before Melody could reply, they heard footsteps as he pulled her closer to him under the tarp till the footsteps faded.
“Could you tell me what’s going on? Why are you hiding?” Ryu asked softly as Melody shivered in terror a little.
“I… I… I don’t know why are the gangsters after my family’s business. My family had taken up a loan recently as busi..business has been bad…” Melody instantly cried quietly in his arms at her family’s misfortune as Ryu hugged her to comfort her.
“It’s alright. It’s alright. Melody, listen. Those are gangsters whom your family owes. Do you know that?” Ryu asked seriously as Melody shook her head.
“You didn’t know?” Ryu was surprised and realised Jin’s findings were accurately spot on.
“They… They told us that… they could lend us money at low interest and repaid in installments monthly but …within a week they came to hunt us for repayment…” Melody shook in his arms in fear as Ryu patted her head gently.
“It’s alright… It’s alright. How much did your parents borrow?” Ryu asked. “Nearly thirty thousand…” Melody voice’s choked as Ryu held her closer to comfort her.
“Come, let us head back to the restaurant first. I can help you with this.” Ryu offered as Melody stopped crying but was a little doubtful.
“How?” She asked worriedly as he helped her to wipe her wet face before they get out from under the tarp.
“Let me speak with your parents about this. If we meet the gangster on the way, I will help you settle the debt first.”
“No! You can’t. I can’t…” Melody broke down in front of him.
“Melody, if we don’t get rid of the debt from the gangster, it will only bring more harm than good. It’s better for your family to not be involved with them.” Ryu warned in all seriousness.
“But… but where will you find so much money? Your family business is in trouble too…” Melody pointed out as her words unexpectedly made Ryu’s heartache as he subconsciously caressed her cheeks.
“You’re in trouble yet you worry about others… You’re really something, Melody.” Melody couldn’t help but blush at his last sentence. “Let’s head back to the restaurant first. I will explain.” Ryu persuaded as Melody finally nodded.
Being brought up and trained in the business industry, Ryu had a solid plan to help out Melody’s family business. He first prompted on the business situation before he gave his suggestions and came up with a business proposal on refurbishing the menu and repairs and maintenance of the restaurant’s upkeep. Mr. and Mrs. Ting was very satisfied with his proposal but that wasn’t enough for them to get rid of their worry.
“You don’t need to worry about money. I want to help to pay off the debt of the business.” Ryu offered.
“But it is a very huge amount, don’t you need to discuss it with your family first? After all, you’re not obliged to help us too. We will feel bad letting you do it. So please...” Mr. Ting said as Melody felt guilty and fidgeted.
“Who said I will be your creditor? I would like to be your shareholder instead if you don’t mind. I don’t need any huge dividends or fees. I just need a small salary every month for doing consulting work. Fair enough?” Ryu suggested as he could see both Melody’s parents were less tense than before.
“But the amount is huge, wouldn’t you need to discuss it with your family first?” Mr. Ting came back to his concern again.
“Don’t worry, it’s my savings. As long as we keep to the deal, they would not give us any trouble.” Ryu said as Mr. Ting was contemplating. His first sentence did send the three of them by a surprise for a moment but Melody, knowing his background as the sales and marketing assistant manager in Ophal’s real estate all along, it does make sense for him to save that much all those years from the salary he received.
“Look, it’s never a good idea to deal with gangsters. Let me help you resolve this first before you get into deeper trouble. The rest, let’s discuss on another day. I could get one of my brothers to come and speak with you further. If you’re not comfortable with me alone investing, I could also get my brother to invest together. We will stick with reasonable fees or monthly salary as suggested.” Ryu explained further as Melody held her dad’s hand.
“Daddy, let’s go with that for now. The debt needs to be clear quickly.” Melody persuaded as Mr. Ting pondered awhile before he nodded in agreement.
“Deal.” He said as he held his hand out to shake Ryu’s.
“Thank you very much, young boy… Your parents must be very proud of you. You have very good business sense. Rest assured we will repay you the debt in your and your brother’s monthly salary.” Mr. Ting said as Mrs. Ting shook Ryu’s hand.
“Your family is free to come anytime and enjoy anything for free, Ryu.” Mrs. Ting offered as Ryu smiled.
“Thank you, Auntie and Uncle Ting. Glad to be of help. I will make arrangements to send the money tomorrow.” Ryu said as the old couple both nodded in agreement before letting Melody see him off.
Melody smiled happily when Ryu met her eyes along the way out as she begin to realise the butterflies she felt in her stomach were now growing in her heart too. She wondered if he felt the same about her.
“Only time will tell.” She told herself as she waved at him who was boarding the taxi home.