"I've heard some rumors going around. Mind if you clear those up for me?"
Ru was looking at the group of people on the second floor through the glass window when she heard Adrian's question.
"And can you please cut back on the liquor in your hand?" Adrian had already watched her drinking two whole bottles of bourbon without a break. He was afraid she'd be sick. But the latter was more than just okay.
"Being an Englishman, how can you even question this lord's deep-seated passion for booze?" Adrian twisted his mouth seemingly not quite impressed by her words. Seeing his dark look, she added, "You look like you might peg out[1] any moment now."
Adrian snorted, not very gentlemanly if one might add so. "Wouldn't you feel brilliant if I just peg out?" Taking a slight break to walk up to her side, he added, "About those rumors..."
"What rumors?" Ru asked absentmindedly.
"I heard that Knight Medical Sciences Research Facility is experimenting on mastering the art of human mind control. Is it true?" He chose his words quite carefully being cautious for some unknown reason.
"Haha..." Bouts of laughter rang in the dimly lit space. "Are you plastered[2]? That soon?" In between her hysterical laughter, she added, "Are you watching some sci-fi shows? The human mind is the most complicated thing in this world. How can one master the art of controlling it? We are called humans, not puppets."
Although her words sounded reasonable and sensible. But the more they sounded right, the more Adrian knew something was up.
"It's not really hard to believe the rumors if it's coming from Knight Empires. After all, everyone knows how much Alev Knight like to pull a blinder[3]." Adrian said in a calm voice as he sat with a straight posture.
Ru eyed him weirdly with a meaningful look in her eyes. Of course, she knew about the rumors. She had started the rumors herself but it was, in fact, just a rumor. The purpose was just to lure her enemies out. But obviously, the rumors were going to attract some unnecessary attention as well just like Adrian's attention which was completely unasked for.
"Blimey[4]!" Ru gasped in surprise. "I didn't know Mister Royal Highness of Dogdy[5]-Ville actually thinks so highly of this lord." Knocking him on the head she added, "I might like pulling a blinder but I'm still a human being. With no desire to control someone's mind."
"In my personal opinion, if I ever started researching that would be on the human heart." Adrian arched his brows in perplexion. "I want to see how a person can possibly fall in love. Because love is the most complicated thing for me. Just ask yourself, how can a person love another to the extent that they would want to lose their most precious thing called life for the other person?"
"Dear Chap[6], stop trying to twist my mind with your words. Answer with a simple yes or no." Adrian had definitely had enough of her. He knew how much this lord loved to manipulate with words.
"Did Charles announced anything regarding this?" Ru asked turning back to her serious self.
"No."
"Then why are you looking for an answer? Charles is the Head of my Research Facility if even he had not given an official statement. Then there is no truth in those rumors. They could be just another version of Chinese whispers[7]." Ru's answer convinced Adrian to some extent but not completely. He was sure there was more to it than meet the eye but he also knew with Ru's personality, she would never tell him straightforwardly.
On the other side of the continent...
Xiao Zhi Ren had been preoccupied with preparing a whole new project proposal for Alev Knight. For him, this Big Date Research Center was of utmost importance and he didn't want to lose out on a chance to have a collaboration with Knight Empires.
While he was working on his laptop in the evening, he received a call. "Hello, Grandmother!" He greeted the person on the other end politely.
"Zhi Ren, I've heard you have been in China for months and haven't been to the Old Residence. Did Grandmother raised you to be so unfilial?" The voice from the other end might be elderly but it was full of vigor and intimidation.
Xiao Zhi Ren didn't mind at being chided like this. Instead, he smiled. The only person who could reprimand him like that was his grandmother Mi. Also, he could feel her concern and love even in those harsh words.
"I heard my grandmother wasn't in the country. What would I do in the Old Residence without my Queen Grandmother?" He didn't have to say it directly for his grandmother to know why he was avoiding the Old Residence.
Sure enough, the elderly lady understood as she sighed out tiredly. "Zhi Ren, whether I'm there or not, that family is still yours."
"Grandmother-" Before he could deny this fact with his argument, she cut him off.
"Listen to grandmother first... I'm coming home next week and there is going to be a banquet at the house. I don't want to hear any excuses. You must come for my sake. Grandmother misses you." Her soft and pleading voice, eventually made Xiao Zhi Ren relent. How typical of him to fall for his grandmother's tricks.
"I'll be there. Just for your sake, grandmother." Xiao Zhi Ren promised and after an exchange of pleasantries, he hung up the call.
Xiao Zhi Yuan who had been leaning against the door of his study finally knocked to let him know of his presence.
"You agreed? Again?" Xiao Zhi Yuan was indignant.
"Yuan, I told you plenty of times... Our Grandmother is really important to me. I won't let you say a word against her." Xiao Zhi Ren gave Yuan a stern warning. Not paying heed to him grumbling all by himself, Xiao Zhi Ren added, "Have you seen your Oniisan?"
At the mention of Ru, Xiao Zhi Yuan's mood lifted up and he answered, "Oniisan is not home. Lily said he'd be gone for a while. He's a busy person."
"And I'm not?" Xiao Zhi Ren questioned his little brother as he arched his eyebrow.
"You are busy... But let's be honest here Big bear... You can't possibly compete with Oniisan's level of power. He has control over the entire stock market." Xiao Zhi Yuan didn't mind praising Ru before his own brother since, in his opinion, there was indeed no match between his big bear and his Oniisan.
"If you're done belittling your own brother, go back to your room." Xiao Zhi Ren shooed him away since he couldn't possibly refute his words.
Leaning back in his chair, he whispered, "My sworn brother is really at a whole different level." His voice held a touch of pride and satisfaction as if he was honored to have a sworn brother like Ru.
[1] 'peg out': die
[2] 'plastered': drunk
[3] 'pull a blinder': To "pull a blinder" involves achieving something difficult faultlessly and skilfully.
[4] 'Blimey': My goodness!
[5] 'Dogdy': Suspicious
[6] 'chap': friend or male
[7] 'Chinese whispers': rumors that have been circulated and watered down until they only vaguely resemble the truth.