The Tiger Inside

by Nasu Hasami

Orthopaedic surgeon Mulan Hua is dedicated to her career and determined to rise above the statistics of her profession. But that shouldn't mean she has to compromise on the things she wants. Surely, in the 21st Century, a girl can have everything. (Flash fiction series. Companion story to The Nightingale's Song.)

100. Forever

The Tiger Inside

By Nasu Hasami

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"但惟獨與你從來沒結果只有愛."

~Kary Ng~

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100. Forever

'What does this red thing do?' asks Guozhi Li.

The rambunctious almost three-year-old smacks the emergency stop button before his parents can stop him.

Guozhi hits the button a couple more times when he realizes it stops the elevator.

It's one of those godlike buttons his mama doesn't like him touching.

It's been a very long time since Mulan Hua and Shang Li were trapped in an elevator together. The husband and wife are sharing the same thought as they blush at each other. The little boy smacking buttons might have been made on that day, in that elevator.

'I think the universe is trying to tell us something,' says Shang.

Mulan smiles as she pulls him in for a kiss. It's slow and lazy and only comes to an end because a small boy is pulling on his father's jeans, desperate to be picked up and held.

'There's a Snickers in my bag,' says Mulan. She tosses the bag to the floor and wraps her arms around Shang's neck. Guozhi is too busy looking for the treat to be disgusted by his amorous parents.

'What exactly is the universe trying to tell us, Doctor Li?'

'Something,' Shang smirks. 'Something very important, Director Hua.'

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Notes

1. 但惟獨與你從來沒結果只有愛. Translation: Only with you, it never ends; always love.