Chapter 27
After that, the life gets only better. Blanca is dismissed - or that's how Soo-ling wants to see it - with reference, and the two of them can be alone. They spend the rest of summer in a bliss of being together, with all other matters receding into background; they make love many times a day, in different places and positions. According to his promise, Soo-ling broadens his knowledge of art of love, and Yue-lung is more than happy to provide him with the occasions to practice; he never refuses his suggestions and sometimes giggles when Soo-ling says, 'You know, I read that...'
Sex with Yue-lung is an extremely rewarding thing, but Soo-ling knows it's not about just having sex. Even if he's gone crazy over Yue-lung's body and nothing pleases him more than holding him and kissing every part of his skin, it is Yue-lung's presence and daily coexistence that make him fulfilled. Sex satisfies his carnal desire, but love gives sense to his whole life. He feels so good he often wants to laugh and cry, and shout about his happiness to everybody around.
This state of insane infatuation is not going away; on the contrary, it seems to only intensify. Soo-ling has no idea if his feelings are reciprocated; he lacks courage to ask how Yue-lung feels about him. He vaguely suspects that his partner - how wonderful to say it - is someone who could never utter the words, 'I love you'. Yet, he believes with all his might that Yue-lung is capable of loving; all that Soo-ling receives from him can't mean anything else. Tenderness and concern, devotion and acceptance, honesty and trust - if they are not sign of love, then of what?
And it seems that the what's between them affects Yue-lung in a good manner. Even though the night romps exhaust him physically - Soo-ling sometimes timidly suggests a joint training in a gym, which Yue-lung response with a wince and bald refusal to - and he often complains about being sleepy, his movements are energetic like never before. He smiles a lot and sometimes even laugh merrily. He jokes, is ironic and enjoys verbal contests. He's in a good mood and seems to appreciate every day. He appears more courageous and self-confident. He appears to no longer doubt his happiness. He appears to not remember all those less pleasant things that used to dominate his way of thinking and governed his behavior earlier.
Soo-ling is glad that it's him who managed to make it happen, and still does. To see your beloved person feeling good because of you is probably the most important, the most wonderful thing about the relationship of two people. The greatest prize.
"I'm happy to be alive," Yue-lung says, very frankly for himself, as he's lying with his eyes closed and his breathing has already calmed down after orgasm. "I really am."
That confession moves Soo-ling so much that he can't say a thing for a longer while, so he only hugs him closer, pressing his cheek to his temple. Though he tries not to recollect it, another words Yue-lung once said come back to him, 'If not for hatred, I would've given up my life years ago.' He remembers all those situations when Yue-lung searched his death, as well as that suicidal attempt from the last year. What he heard now is the best proof that one should never lose hope.
"Me too," he whispers with gratitude. "Me too."
Yue-lung realizes that, for the first time in his life, he is truly happy... and that, if he wants this happiness to continue, he must keep Sing with him forever, make him part of his life. No matter how he wishes to believe they will be together like they are now - they hardly ever leave their rooms, have sex around the clock and sleep in strange hours, with Yue-lung having Sing only to himself and without need to share him with anyone - he is a realist and knows that sooner or later they will have to go back to normal life. Besides... Sing once said, 'Our conflict created bad situation'. Now there's a risk that their affair will create a bad situation. Even if Yue-lung managed to push into subconsciousness the fact they both have their respective duties for as long as two months, that matter begins to weigh upon him more and more as the end of the summer grows near.
There's no need to mention that it would be a total waste of Sing's talents if he were reduced to being just a toy boy... although Sing's talents are certainly broad and he only seem to discover new ones. Yue-lung asks about it one day.
"I have absolutely no gift for music," he gets the answer. "I couldn't sing the simplest song, even less play any instrument. And I can't cook."
"Me neither," Yue-lung informs happily. "We're a good match."
"How come is that a good match? A marriage of hungry people?"
Yue-lung says nothing. The jokes about marriage still confuse him pretty much.
In any case, one day he has a serious conversation with Sing about the latter's future... only to find out with terror that Sing has no plans whatsoever and isn't ever bothered by it, which is even worse. Yue-lung decides they must start with a thorough education. It appears that Sing never finished the junior high, which isn't that strange, remembering that around that time he became the leader of the Chinese gang and then got involved in that whole Banana Fish affair, on top of it.
As the Lee family has an in everywhere, even the Ministry of Education, Yue-lung manages to get him the junior high certificate only based on a written exam. Sing has no troubles passing it - he's very smart, and his erudition clearly exceeds that of his peers - although he doesn't want to read any fiction and complains about learning chemistry and biology. Well, it's not like Yue-lung plans a career of a doctor for him... and Sing's knowledge of human anatomy is enough already to please them both.
The next stage is a high school. Physical attending to one is out of question, so Yue-lung forces Sing into home tutoring and later checks what he's learned. It's not that rare that he exclaims, 'How can you not grasp it?' or, 'Are you really that dumb?' or, 'It's so easy that even a grade-school kid would understand it!' Sing takes all this without any comment and only presses his lips in a thin line, clearly hell-bent on giving his best in order to deserve Yue-lung's praise.
And only sometimes in bed, where they usually end in after Yue-lung's questioning, he says pointedly, "I'm glad that at least here you have no reason to criticize me."
Their existence together continues without any disturbance. Nights are still filled with passion and the most fancy sex. During the day, Yue-lung tends to the business matters, and Sing studies hard to become his right hand one day, although he doesn't neglect the gym and shooting practice either. As for his gang, he entrusted it to his number two, Yang, some time ago. In fall, he and Yue-lung celebrate their respective birthdays again: Sing turns seventeen, and Yue-lung is nineteen now. Sing is again a few inches taller than the last year, and his shoulders are much wider now; despite that, he doesn't seem to stop growing anytime soon. Also, his facial features have become sharper, and it's quite incredible; when he was fourteen, he looked like a ten-year-old kid, and now, just three years later, he looks like an adult man. For his part, Yue-lung hasn't changed at all, but he's perfectly aware of the change that has happened inside him over the last year. When he looks in the mirror, the look in his eyes is entirely different that before; it's the look of a man self-confident, happy and resolved to defend that happiness if needed.
The Lee Syndicate prospers, having regained its previous standing. Yue-lung feels more and more confident as a leader, and he finds it a bit easier to make his decisions. It soon becomes a habit of his to consult them with Sing, who, for all his impetuosity, is very skilled at analyzing the situations and finding the best solution. Yue-lung has no doubt that once Sing assumes an official post in the organization, it will benefit them all. Sometimes, he takes him to the meetings with the business associates, but most of the time he spares him that torture. Sing is such a decent man that spending time with those corrupt people is terribly displeasing to him.
One day, however, he learns that leaving Sing home wasn't a good idea, after all. A president of a certain constructing company that has been making aggressive advances all over Manhattan recently, shows his utter stupidity and tries to get more than his fair share. He invites Yue-lung to his office and after a good dinner, quite mediocre wine and empty talks, he finally gets to the point. Yue-lung's people are shot dead on spot, and the guns are pointed at him. In the frst place, Yue-lung is amazed by the fact that someone really wants to mess with the Chinese mafia.
"Now, Mr Lee, I'd like to talk about passing the ownership of that area to me," that idiot says with a smirk, showing the certain parts of Chinatown on a map. "It's a good location, and you must agree with me that it deserves some proper apartment complexes." And then he starts to elaborate on his visions.
Yue-lung stares at that man who resembles an old frog, without showing his real emotions. In such situations, it's the mixture of awe and veiled encouragement that works the best, although he feels only disgust and no fear. "Mr Taylor, I thought we should have a social meeting, and I prepared myself for such," he says in a soft voice, lowering his gaze. "I don't have any proper effects to conclude such an agreement with me; I need my secretary. If you would like to send a message to my office that I request the presence of Soo-ling here, then we could deal with your offer at once and without any trouble." It's a good thing Sing always introduces himself to the outsiders with his surname only.
"I see we understand each other. Doing business with you is a real pleasure, Mr Lee," the guy replies, still smiling. "But I'd rather you call your secretary yourself. It will be faster, right? But I ask you to refrain from trying anything. One of my man speaks Chinese, he will know right away if you say something... ah, unnecessary."
The phone is put under his nose, so Yue-lung grabs the receiver and dials the direct number to his room. He's just become convinced that Taylor is a total moron and an amateur. He would outplay him with just one finger and his eyes closed, but leaving here without help is another thing. He glances at the clock: it's almost six. At this time, Sing is usually finished with his lessons and before his evening gym session, so he should be home, and the ringing in Yue-lung's bedroom will certainly make him pick up.
"Hello?" he hears the familiar voice.
"Soo-ling, listen to me without interrupting because it's important," Yue-lung says in a perfectly calm voice, acknowledging the risk that Taylor spoke the truth and one of his man really knows Cantonese. "I wish that you take all that's necessary and hurry here..." He gives the detailed address. "I must sign a deal of transferring the ownership of some areas of Chinatown. But wear a proper suit, of respect to my counterparty. I'm waiting for you, Soo-ling. You know what to do."
He hangs up, wondering distractedly if Sing will be mad at him for putting himself in danger. He looks at his opponent again, not that someone so pathetic deserves to be called that. Taylor seems pleased, especially that his man translates Yue-lung's words, confirming that nothing in the conversation indicated the factual state of things. Bunch of idiots. But how could they know about the Moon Dragon, once a secret weapon of the Lee clan...? They think they managed to seize a weak rich boy, a figurehead at the top of the organization.
"I think Soo-ling shall be here within fifteen minutes," he says softly, then lets his head fall back on the rest of the armchair. "I'm sorry... I don't feel well..." he gasps as if there's not enough air in the room and unbuttons his collar. "Could I lie down for a moment...?"
From under half-closed eyelids he sees that Taylor casts a startled look at his men - he clearly didn't expect that - then looks at him again and licks his lips. "O-of course, there's a sofa in the next room, and the window can be opened, too. If you only make it there..."
Yue-lung gets up, pretending to feel dizzy. He walks to the door in a swagger, then stumbles and leans on Taylor. It fills him with disgust - he doesn't want to touch anyone but Sing - but he must play. Taylor grabs him, which is even more disgusting, and helps him onto the sofa. Before he manages to move away, Yue-lung stretches his hands behind his head and whispers, "I think you could get more than just Chinatown from me," hoping that Taylor understands the suggestion properly.
Apparently, Taylor does, as he sends his men away and even has the door shut. A retard. When he leans over him again, Yue-lung sticks a needle in his neck - he always have them on him whenever going out, usually hidden in his hair-fastener - paralyzing his respiratory center and ending his life. He leaves the body by the edge of the sofa and stands next to the door.
It doesn't take more than just a few minutes when the knocking can be heard. "Mr Taylor... I don't want to disturb you, but Mr Soo Ling came to see Mr Lee."
Yue-lung opens the door and enters the room. "Mr Taylor is unwell," he says in a calm voice, looking only at Sing, who, in a suit and holding a suitcase, looks like a thoroughbred businessman... not exactly a secretary.
Soon, in the two rooms, there's no-one alive but the two of them, and everything was handled in an absolute silence. The bodyguards probably didn't even notice they were dying, but Yue-lung no longer thinks of them as Sing is already beside him, taking him in his arms and crushing in his embrace, and kissing violently. Yue-lung returns the kiss with all his might.
"Am I not too late? Are you all right?" Sing asks in a fervent whisper, having torn their mouths apart, and stares at his unbuttoned shirt. Then he glances over his shoulder at tha body still leaning over the edge of the sofa in the adjacent room. "He didn't do anything, right?"
"No chance," Yue-lung replies as silently. "I wouldn't have let it anyway. I wouldn't let anyone."
Sing kisses him again, as if wanting to make sure everything is fine with him, then pulls him close to his chest and touches his hair with his cheek. Yue-lung thinks he can hear his fast pulse. "I almost died of fear," Sing whispers. "You can't do such things to me."
"I knew you would come," Yue-lung replies. "I wouldn't let anyone kill me before that."
"I'll never let you go anywhere alone again."
"It's an overkill. Everything's okay..."
Sing embraces him even tighter, and Yue-lung takes delight in the sense of security Sing's arms give him. Even though he wasn't scared for a single moment - he was perfectly certain of both himself dealing with such a mediocre enemy and his one-man army coming to his help as soon as possible - now he feels he's come home.
"I want you, Sing," he says softly, brushing against his groins. "Now."
"Here?!" Sing asks in a mixture of panic and shock. "I didn't know you were aroused by danger..."
"There was no occasion for you to learn about it," Yue-lung mutters, clasping his neck.
"Wait until we're home," Sing asks. "A copter should be here any moment. There's at least ten men on this floor, and probably around twenty in the whole building..."
"Then we'll do it quiet."
Sing bites his lips to suppress his moan and, in the end, only nods.
"And then," Yue-lung adds, checking his laugh, "we'll do it in a heli as well."