Welcome back everyone! I'm working on a few different stories at the same time so uploads will be slow. Sorry about that. I was able to finish this chapter while I was off of work sick this week, so I hope you like it, and as usual, this is uploaded from my iPad, so if anything looks funny, please let me know.
~Enjoy!~
There wasn't much going on in the Dong family residence on this rainy Friday night.
Shancai had come home from school more aggravated than usual and she was becoming more and more unable to focus on her homework. With a heavy sigh, Shancai walked into the kitchen to see if dinner was done.
[Oh? She lives. How's your homework going?]
Mrs. Dong smiled at her daughter. Normally the joke would continue...but not tonight.
Shancai pouted as she replied.
[Not funny. And for your information, it's not. I can't focus.]
Mrs. Dong was surprised. Normally Shancai could do her homework under any circumstance. Something serious must be wrong.
[Dinner's almost ready. Come here.]
Shancai's mother turned to her and embraced her as she lifted her arms for a hug. She stroked Shancai's head and smiled as her daughter pulled away slightly.
[How's that? All better?]
Shancai nodded and smiled back at her mother.
[Good. Then set the table.]
Shancai nodded as she pulled away from her mother. Damian, also known as Mr. Dong, came rushing in through their front door with Shancai's little brother in tow. Her brother was the four legged kind, a dog to be exact. A cute little black Lab by the name of Bear.
Bear pulled in a small wagon with what few items the family needed for tomorrow's meals.
[Did we miss much?]
Shancai shook her head as she grinned back at her father.
The raincoat Bear had been wearing seemed to have done a good job of keeping him dry, for he was wet from only his paws up to his knees. His face was a little damp, so after removing the harness to the wagon, Shancai's father wiped Bear's face of with a small towel and the removed his raincoat before drying his paws.
Shancai giggled as bear licked her father's face in thanks. He then lazily walked over to his food bowl where his supper waited on him.
The man smiled and rubbed Bear's head as he walked away, removing his coat as he did so. Mr. Dong then walked over to his wife, kissing her cheek as she set a lovely roast down on the table.
[A roast? Is it a special occasion?]
Mrs. Dong smacked her husband with a kitchen towel as he laughed. Shancai finished setting the table as her mother answered the teasing question.
[Rosealine sent it over earlier. An apology for causing us so much worry a few weeks ago. Came with a sweet note and everything.]
Shancai gasped slightly in excitement.
[How is she? Did she say anything? I haven't heard from her since she went back to America.]
Shancai took her seat at the table the same time her parents took their seats.
[She said she was doing fine. Also apologized for not calling back. Said she's been so busy since she got there that she keeps forgetting how to use a phone.]
They all chuckled slightly. Rise had a bad habit of not using her cellphone. She preferred speaking in person and writing letters. Sometimes a little too much. Maybe that was because she had a bad habit of losing said cellphone.
[Is she alright? The last time I saw her she was getting a cold.]
Mrs. Dong nodded as she handed her husband a bowl of rice.
[She sent us an Apple pie for reassurance on that as well. Come now, eat quickly and finish your homework.]
[Homework? I thought you would have done all of that by now.]
Shancai frowned back at her father in response.
[I can't focus, alright? So much has happened over the last few weeks that I can't even think properly.]
Her father sighed as he nodded.
[If Rosealine hadn't flown you out to the middle of nowhere, you wouldn't have gotten lost in the woods and almost eaten by wolves, you wouldn't be be so stressed]
Shancai rolled her eyes as she mumbled her response.
[That has nothing to do with it.]
Just then, Shancai's phone pinged with a new incoming text. She dug in the back pocket of her jeans and pulled out her phone. She smiled when she saw who's name was on the screen.
[Do me a favor and open your door. I sent you a surprise. Also, I found my phone again. It was lost in this mess that they call my office. I really need to organize this place…]
Shancai grinned as she got up from the table.
[Where do you think you're going?]
Her mother looked at her in surprise.
[Rose just texted me. She said there was a surprise at the door.]
Shancai's mother looked at her husband, dumbfounded. He returned the look just before they looked at the door. Shancai pulled it open to see Rose standing in the rain, phone in hand.
[No way!]
Shancai hugged her friend as she pulled her into the house.
[Surprise! I came to visit!]
[You should have said you were coming! We would have made the spare bed up for you.]
Rose was like family to the Dongs. Of course she could have stayed with them, if she had called first.
Shancai's parents grinned as Rosealine waved at them.
[I'm sorry to drop by unannounced, but I ran into someone I think you should meet.]
Another older lady came up to the door before Shancai could ask who Rose was referring to. Mrs. Dong's smile disappeared from her face as Shancai took both of the umbrella's from their guests and placed them in the umbrella stand.
[Darling. It's been too long.]
[Mother.]
Mrs. Dong spat the word out like venom. Rose was taken aback for a moment before she could speak again.
[Mother?] "You two know each other?"
Rose and Shancai spoke in union. Apparently Shancai had been taken aback as well.
The older lady smiled back at Rose.
[I apologize for deceiving you, Rosealine. I simply wanted to find my daughter and…]
[And nothing!]
The older lady was cut off by Mrs. Dong's outburst.
[You are not welcomed here. Get out of my house!]
[Now hunny. Please calm down.]
Mr. Dong tried to calm his wife who had stood up and slammed her hands down on the table in the heat of the moment.
[Calm down? Calm down?! You know exactly why she's not welcomed here!]
[I know dear, but maybe…it's time. She is your mother after all.]
Mrs. Dong crossed her arms as she pouted slightly.
[Come now, Yue. You're father and I haven't seen each other in years. Let's at least talk for a bit, hm?]
Shancai looked at Rose.
[Is she my Grandmother?]
[I guess so.]
Their voices were nothing but whispers as the older lady sat at the table a cross from Mrs. Dong.
[I thought she was dead?]
[So did I. I thought Mrs. Min was just an investor at our company. Said she wanted to meet the girl who modeled my new street wear designs.]
Shancai pursed her lips as she and Rose stared at the Dong family.
What had started out as a nice evening…had now turned tense.
Rose walked up to the table with Shancai.
[I'm sorry, Mrs. Dong. If I had known…]
[It's fine dearie. Sit. Eat with us. We've missed you.]
Rose sat beside Shancai as Mrs. Dong passed two new bowls to her. Rose sat one in front of Mrs. Min.
Shancai looked at her mother as they ate dinner in silence.
[Mom.]
[Not now.]
Mrs. Dong looked at Mrs. Min as she started to clear the table.
Rose helped with the clean up and pulled Shancai over to assist with the dishes. Shancai couldn't help but stare at Mrs. Min as her mother sat back down across from her.
[What brings you here, mother?]
Mrs. Min looked at Shancai before looking back at Mrs. Dong.
[How long do you plan on holding me responsible for your father's actions?]
Mrs. Dong crossed her arms.
[In every life after this. You've seen me. Now leave.]
[Darling, please. You can't avoid me forever.]
[Watch me.]
[Yue. That is enough now. You know I had no choice.]
[You had a choice! And I made mine!]
Mrs. Min sighed heavily.
[I didn't come here to argue with you. I've been trying to make a life for myself these past years and I've managed to get out from under your father's thumb. That's how I met little Rosealine here.]
Mrs. Min motioned at Rose as she smiled.
[When I saw her new design line, I had to ask who was modeling it. When she told me, I knew I had to meet her. She's your spitting image, you know.]
Mrs. Dong tried not to smile.
[She's just as disobedient, too.]
[I am not!]
Shancai pouted as the two of them laughed.
Mr. Dong and Rose finally let the breath they had both been previously holding out like a long slow sigh.
Then all of a sudden, the tension that was built in the room, looming over them like a heavy fog, began to dissipate.
Rose went to Shancai's room as she dragged her along with her. Shancai protested but not for long. When Rose noticed the unfinished pages of Shancai's homework, Rose offered to help her so that they wouldn't disturb the others.
Shancai leaned towards Rose as she whispered.
[Do you really think she's my grandmother?]
Rose shrugged as Shancai turned back to her homework. After everything they had been through already, how would a family secret like this be of any surprise? Yet…it was.
Shancai sighed and leaned back in her chair when she had had enough of studying. Her homework had been finished for a little while now. Yet Rose made her stay in her room. She was certain that going into the other room and disturbing the others was a bad idea. Shancai on the other hand, couldn't let it go. It bothered her.
[If she's my grandmother, how could my mom tell me she was dead?]
Rose shook her head as she slid her phone back into her coat pocket.
[I'm fairly certain that their relationship is rocky at best. With the way your grandmother tells it, it's all your grandfather's fault but I still think she's to blame as well though, I'm trying to stay out of it.]
Shancai nodded as Rose leaned to look through the crack in the door. Mr. and Mrs. Dong were still talking to Mrs. Min. The conversation had gone down to a harsh whisper and Mrs. Dong seemed angry again.
Shancai got up and stood behind Rose as she too, leaned to look at the others.
[How are you and Lei doing?]
Rose smiled as she looked up at Shancai.
[How are you and Ah Si doing?]
Shancai sucked her teeth and looked down at Rose.
[I'm not talking to that pineapple head ever again.]
[Still that mad, huh?]
[Lei doesn't even know you're here, does he?]
Rose shook her head as she sighed.
[He's still not talking to me since I asked Jing to model at the company. I'm not entirely sure if he's still angry with her or if he's upset that I didn't ask him if it was alright first. He's so confusing sometimes.]
Shancai nodded as Rose smiled.
[Do you think they'd be alright with me talking to her?]
Shancai couldn't help but wonder. Why would her mother have lied to her about her grandparents? If her grandmother was alive, was her grandfather alive as well?
Rose looked out into the kitchen again as Mrs. Dong angrily stood up from the table. She then slammed her own bedroom door shut.
[I think I should go now, Shancai.]
[Already?]
Rose nodded as she stood up from her chair.
[I think maybe you should wait a bit with the questions. I know it's hard to process all of this…but your mother seems…extremely upset right now. Maybe ask her tomorrow. Mrs. Min and I are in the same hotel so we can come by together later. I'll check in on you guys in the morning, alright?]
Shancai nodded as she hugged her friend. They were like sisters and Shancai knew that if anyone could get her mother to talk…it would be Rose.
Though, knowing Shancai like Rose did, the odds of Shancai being able to wait, weren't good.
Shancai walked out of her room behind Rose. Mr. Dong smiled at the both of them as Mrs. Min pulled a decent sized photo book from her oversized purse.
[Here, darling.]
Mrs. Min offered the photo book to Shancai as she looked at her father in unease.
[It's fine, hunny. Go ahead and take it.]
Shancai nodded as she took the photo book from Mrs. Min.
[My personal number is on the inside. If you have any questions, feel free to call me.]
Shancai nodded again as Mrs. Min headed to the door.
Rose apologized to Mr. Dong for the intrusion as she bowed and he hurried over to her to pat her back. Reassuring her in a low voice that she was always welcome in the Dong household and it was just personal family business and not to feel upset with having brought Mrs. Min over. He understood that Rose had no idea who she was to them and that, once Mrs. Dong cooled off, things would be fine.
Rose nodded and waved at Shancai as Mr. Dong walked her to the door. Shancai waved back as Rose smiled and thanked Mr. Dong for having them. When Rose and Mrs. Min were gone, Mr. Dong closed the door and locked it with a slight sigh.
He walked over to the table and sat back down as he looked at his daughter.
Shancai sat back down in the seat next to her father. The questions she did have could be answered if her father was willing to talk.
[Is she really my grandmother?]
Mr. Dong sighed pretty hard as he nodded.
[Keep your voice down. I don't want your mother to know we're talking about her.]
Shancai nodded as she set the photo book down on the table in front of her.
[I thought mom said she was dead.]
[To her, yes, but literally no.]
The confusion on Shacai's face was evident.
Mr. Dong knew that the story was going to have to be told eventually, though he wasn't sure if it was he who should be telling it.
[Why does mom dislike her so much?]
Shancai pouted slightly as she opened the picture book and started looking at the photos.
[You should wait until your mother is ready to tell you…]
He trailed off as their bedroom door started to open. Mr. Dong quickly helped Shancai close the picture book and hid it under the table.
Mrs. Dong came back out and started making tea. The silence was deadly.
By the time Mrs. Dong sat back down at the table, she was all but ready to snap the handle of her cup off. The aggressive stirring of her tea steeping spoon was your que.
With an extremely heavy and overly dramatic sigh, Mrs. Dong took a sip of her tea and sat the cup back down on the table before looking at Shancai.
[That woman is not to be let in this house again. Am I understood?]
Shancai nodded at the same same time her father did.
[Yes that woman is your grandmother but I don't want to hear a word about her any more. Understood?]
Shancai nodded again as Mr. Dong placed a hand on his wife's shoulder.
[We can't keep this from her any longer dear. If we don't tell her, she will, or Rose might once she gets the story from your mother.]
Mrs. Dong glared at her husband as he gave her a slight smile.
[It's time, Yue.]
[I am not discussing it!]
Shancai flinched slightly at her mother's raised voice.
Mr. Dong nodded in agreement then slid a simple photo in front of his wife.
[You don't have to discuss what happened, just start with this.]
Shancai sat up on her legs as both she and her mother looked at the photo in front of them.
There in the faded sepia tone landscape was a man and woman holding a newborn baby standing in front of house with a for sale sign marked sold.
Shancai couldn't tell who the man was, but the woman looked a lot like her mother and a small smile spread across Mrs. Dong's face as she picked the photo up.
[This picture is as faded as the story I remember being tied to it.]
Mr. Dong sat back down as he encouraged Shancai to talk.
[Who are they?]
Mrs. Dong looked at Shancai and sighed.
[They're my parents.]
I really struggled with who to place in the picture but I do hope the choice was a good one.
Hope you all enjoyed it! Stay tuned for the next one!
~Leave some love~