Deming returned back to the w.a.n.g Palace late at night, his eyes were struggling to not shut. He was h.e.l.l tired today, maybe because of his heavy feelings. When he entered the living hall, he got greeted by the butler who informed him that Mr. Murphy was waiting for him. He gently nodded his head and signaled the butler to leave them alone.

Deming has already expected him but he didn't thought that he would wait for him this late. He nonchalantly walked into the living hall, where Murphy was was sitting and waiting for him.

Seeing him return, Murphy stood up and said in a stern voice, "Today I am here as you uncle who helped you in everything, doted on you, respected your decisions and has cared for you after your parents left you in my care. So for that sake, please be honest to me".

Murphy was the one who always remained on Deming's side and has cared for him as his own child or we can say pampered him more than he can do for his own blood and Deming knew it well. After his parents left this world, leaving him alone several companies, shareholders and other parties has tried to poach him to their side but he always remained unwavered.

Deming turned his head towards the home bar section leaving Murphy dumbfounded, "Deming, I am trying to ask you something. Is this how you respect me or are you trying intend that I have no value to you, that's why you are keeping secrets from me. Have I become that untrustworthy to you".

He didn't responded and continued to walk. "Okay, fine. I think now you don't need this uncle anymore. It's okay, I won't ask you this again. You will get my resignation letter tomorrow morning, just approve that and set me free", Murphy said in a wavering weak tone.

He was about to leave when Deming's voice broke out, "Uncle, wait for me. Don't leave me". His voice had a pinch of sadness which he tried to conceal within but still it came out.

Murphy's steps halted, he tilted his head slightly to look at Deming who has now grabbed a bottle of wine.

"Uncle, Hahaha. It's really rare when I call you that and I really love calling you, 'Uncle'. Thanks for being with me", he mumbled in a low voice but somehow the voice got into Murphy's ears. "Uncle , don't leave. Come and sit with me. Let have this, it's of fine quality. Let's taste this together and I will tell you the story", he lifted the flagon and made a clink sound using the wine gla.s.ses he was carrying.

Murphy heart ached looking him in this state. He thought to himself, "I was so right. He is hiding something really big which making him hollow inside. Am I late to console him, offer him my shoulder to lean on". He sighed when he looked at Deming whose eyes were now so honest.

They sat on the sofa in the living room facing each other. Deming handed him wine in the gla.s.s and started, "Uncle, do you remember my little girl from before?"

Murphy gave some thought and immediately nodded to him. How can he forget that cute girl. She was the only source of light in Deming's life after their parents left him alone. He still remembers her cute sensible talks which made Deming move out from depression. "Brother Ming, why are you upset? Your parents hasn't left, they are still looking at you and protecting you. The have become the bright s.h.i.+ning stars of the dark night . Look at me, my parents also left me, but I won't be upset because it will make them upset. So cheer up. Cheer up for them, this angle uncle and me".

Still remembering her cute talks made him smile. He was her angel uncle. He always accompanied Deming to meet her during the weekends. "Did you find her?", Murphy asked hastily. He knew that Deming was searching for her after returning but wasn't getting any trace of her. It was really hard to find her, when they even don't know her name or her family name. He regretted for not looking for her, he only knew her mother was somehow connected to the Zhuang as on her mother's tomb there was a symbol which represented them. He wanted to dig more about her, but Deming asked him not to.

Deming slightly nodded, "Yes, I met her but I was unable to protect her", with this a drop of tear rolled down from his eyes.

Protect her?

Murphy was confused. He looked at him and asked him in a nervous tone, "What do you mean by protect her? What happened to her? And when did you met her?".

Deming's face was filled with self guilt, he threw his head on outside back of the sofa to held back his tears, "Three months ago, she met with an accident. She was having depression from the past one and a half year. She met with an accident when she was not in the right state of mind".

Murphy was shocked, he wasn't able to believe that such a bubbly girl can get depressed. He said with concern, "What do the doctor say?"

"She is in vegetative state and the doctor are still treating her. They are uncertain when she will wake up or will she be eve able to wake up or not", he said in a depressed tone.

The atmosphere was got silent for few minutes but suddenly something confusing snapped into Murphy's brain. He voice out, "But why are you involving Miss Wu in all this. Is that because that land from Berlin? I came to know, that the land is registered under her name and that too for above 10 years".

Deming straightened up his posture lifting up his head from the back of the sofa. His eyes were holding an evil grudge. He gazed at Murphy with his intense eyes, "Do you really think that I will involve her for such petty thing?"

"Then?"

"It's because she was the reason that Jie met with an accident that day. It was because she insulted Jie harshly which made her lose her state of mind that now she is in this condition and look at her she is enjoying her life".

Murphy was taken aback looking at the scary expression on his face, "Are you sure, it was her mistake. I have known her for quite sometime and observed her very keenly. I don't think she is someone who can hurt someone intentionally.".

Deming looked out of the window, "I don't care. The thing that matters is that she is the reason of her such condition. She will have to pay for that. I will wait for the day when Jie will wake up and punishes her on her own, till then I will punish her according to my will".

________________________

Lifen was sitting on the windowsill, staring at the stars in the sky out her window. It seemed like she was questioning the stars about her life.

Suddenly a soft hand caressed her hair lightly, "Are you missing them? Don't worry they are always with you, looking at you and protecting you, like you say"

She turned her head slightly and looked at her mother who has come to her. "Mumma, do you need something? You should have called me. You should rest. Come and sit. Don't stand for long", she said in a concerned tone.

"My pretty girl, I am alright now. Do care for me so much. You will soon be leaving us, then how will I manage?" Mother Wu said with teary eyes, remembering something.

"Mumma, why are you mentioning that again. I am still with you. We should enjoy the present. Why we have to think of the future. We still have time", Lifen said making a sad face.