Reborn To Live Without You (and other stories)

In This Life, It Wasn't Meant To Be (part two)

Shao Fen died at the age of sixty four.  The business world agreed that he was far too young and out of respect, they chose to wait until after his funeral to see what would become of his business empire.  They would never say no to a piece of his vast wealth should it fall into their open hands.

The Will was read by his lawyer in front of Shao Fen's blood related paternal family, his marital partner, his long term and loyal servant and a young boy.  The child was only about ten, kept close by the side of Shao Fen's maternal grandmother, but his mother frowned; she did not know this boy, just that her mother had claimed to be his guardian.  The lawyer and the servant did know, however and acknowledged this in curt and silent exchange. 

The lawyer looked to her assistant, who opened up his light brain and began recording the proceedings.  This had, for a long time, been a practice amongst the wealthy and elite, though it was also becoming popular amongst the lower classes as well.  Too many families were shattered by money, tainted by their greed in a way that blood no longer remained thick.

"Before I begin," she said, catching their attention, "I wish to confirm that my client was of sound mind during the making of this will.  The doctors of the Imperial Central Hospice have also confirmed that my client was mentally sound and could speak for himself without aid, thus his words have not been misunderstood.  I have the entire interview between myself and my client recorded.  There was no other individuals in the room, what he said has been psychologically confirmed by a leading specialist as having not been spoken under influence or duress of outside influences."

She watched as several of Shao Fen's family members glanced at each other.  Madam Shao, Li Xingya had dabbed her reddened eyes several times over the past ten minutes, but the handkerchief remained dry, while the old Madam, Fan Yong didn't bother to hide the fact that she was not saddened by her son's death.  Instead, her eyes were slightly curved upwards as if counting the credits before they'd reached her bank account.  Her living son held much the same expression, while her granddaughter and grandson simply looked bored.  Shao Dong at least had cried at some point, but earlier the lawyer had caught the old Madam yelling at him to 'shut up' when he had sniffled and he had swiftly complied.

The lawyer felt like rolling her eyes as she once more pitied her client for having such a family.  At least seated at the other side of the room there were signs that he'd received love.

Fan Mei sat in an almost regal way, blinking back the tears as she also lamented.  The boy at her side glanced at her often and she in turn sent him reassuring looks.  Her hand discreetly reached out more than once to squeeze the hand of the man standing behind her as well.  She was well away that Fa Xian was far more than some mere servant. 

As for Fa Xian, he couldn't help but feel somewhat numb.  The white of his eyes had vanished beneath a haze of red, his throat still sore from the nights he'd poured his heart into his pillow and he couldn't help but feel that this was all wrong that things had not meant to turn out this way.

"Any questions?" The lawyer brought them all back from their individual thoughts.  No one spoke a word.  "Then I will begin." She selected an option from the screen upon her light brain that only she could see and a small hologram was projected.  It was of her client from when he was alive and still inside the medical pod during his last days.

"This is my, Shao Fen's last will and testament," he said.  His words were clear and firm, much like they had been before he had become encapsulated in order to extend his life those precious months.  However there was a pause following the sentence as he breathed, his lungs straining with exertion.  Fa Xian felt the sting of tears once more fill his already sore eyes.  "I haven't been the best husband, the greatest father and as for being a son... well, I can't say much about that either.  I can't say I've died without regrets and I can't say that I've died peacefully.  I wanted to live.  But the sun still rises in the east and sets in the west.  The living go on, while the dead can only lament, right?"