Chapter 12
Meanwhile back in the family hall, San Chai and Xiao You were busy catching up. Each telling the other what has been happening lately in their lives and the people in it.
"So you sure you're not hiding something from me on purpose? Like maybe the presence of a guy in your life? Or the many suitors that has to line up to go knocking on your door?" San Chai quizzed her friend before sipping the cup of ginger tea which helps settle her often queasy stomach.
"No, goodness I've been too busy with work to even think about guys ok, let alone go dating. Everyday its wake up go to work, come back home, go to sleep, wake up go to work, come back, go to sleep. The routine never changes. Sometimes I have to do a bit of travelling but it's always for business, so even then I hardly get to visit the places that I go anyway," Xiao You said describing her life back in London.
Looking around at the plush and understated elegant surrounding, she continued teasingly, "I don't have a rich husband like somebody here to depend on you know. I've got to work to put food on the table or go hungry on the street."
"Oh please," San Chai said rolling her eyes, knowing full well that Xiao You's father has been doing extremely well in Canada with a business of his own there. "But seriously, tell me, jokes aside, there must have at least been some boyfriends right? I mean it's been so long since., "San Chai wasn't sure if she should complete her sentence.
"Since Xi Men you mean, "Xiao You completing it for her, she couldn't help but feel melancholy and wistful whenever she thought of him or hear his name mentioned. "No. No one since Xi Men," she said softly and almost whispering his name at the end, looking down into her cup of tea almost as if the reflection she sees inside can give her an image that will provide the answer to her never-ending heartache.
"Oh Xiao You.," San Chai cried out while rushing towards her friend, knowing how it feels to love somebody but not be able to show it or receive the affection in return.
Then suddenly, "Hey honey, I'll be going out tonight," Dao Ming Si called out to his wife then suddenly halted in mid-stride upon seeing his wife's expression and her friend's while they were clinging on to each other. "Whoa," he thought to himself, "What's happening here? Must be some kind of talk they've been having. They were happy and laughing during dinner just now."
"Err San Chai? Sorry to disturb you guys," Dao Ming Si said apologetically to the both of them. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm going out. Meeting up with the guys. Mei Zhuo finally managed to pry Xi Men away from his work to have a drink with us," while talking he noticed how San Chai's hand was holding on to Xiao You's. He also didn't miss it when his wife squeezed Xiao You's hand when he mentioned Xi Men's name. "Hmm., "he thought to himself.
"Oh ok. Fine, go have fun then, "San Chai said smiling to her husband. She knew he must have felt kind of awkward and must also be wondering why Xiao You and she were hugging each other when he first entered the family hall.
"Don't bother waiting for me yeah. I'll probably be back late anyway," Dao Ming Si told his wife, walking towards her to give her a kiss before he leaves. "Don't forget to take your vitamins before you sleep too. I left them on your bedside table already," he continued before giving her a peck on her cheek.
"So I'll see you soon Xiao You. It's really nice to see you again," he said to Xiao You on his way out, "Bye, you guys." "Don't stay up too late honey!" he called out to his wife.
While he was driving towards VS, Dao Ming Si thought to himself, "Hmm. Should I tell Xi Men that Xiao You is back?"
Meanwhile back in the family hall, San Chai and Xiao You were busy catching up. Each telling the other what has been happening lately in their lives and the people in it.
"So you sure you're not hiding something from me on purpose? Like maybe the presence of a guy in your life? Or the many suitors that has to line up to go knocking on your door?" San Chai quizzed her friend before sipping the cup of ginger tea which helps settle her often queasy stomach.
"No, goodness I've been too busy with work to even think about guys ok, let alone go dating. Everyday its wake up go to work, come back home, go to sleep, wake up go to work, come back, go to sleep. The routine never changes. Sometimes I have to do a bit of travelling but it's always for business, so even then I hardly get to visit the places that I go anyway," Xiao You said describing her life back in London.
Looking around at the plush and understated elegant surrounding, she continued teasingly, "I don't have a rich husband like somebody here to depend on you know. I've got to work to put food on the table or go hungry on the street."
"Oh please," San Chai said rolling her eyes, knowing full well that Xiao You's father has been doing extremely well in Canada with a business of his own there. "But seriously, tell me, jokes aside, there must have at least been some boyfriends right? I mean it's been so long since., "San Chai wasn't sure if she should complete her sentence.
"Since Xi Men you mean, "Xiao You completing it for her, she couldn't help but feel melancholy and wistful whenever she thought of him or hear his name mentioned. "No. No one since Xi Men," she said softly and almost whispering his name at the end, looking down into her cup of tea almost as if the reflection she sees inside can give her an image that will provide the answer to her never-ending heartache.
"Oh Xiao You.," San Chai cried out while rushing towards her friend, knowing how it feels to love somebody but not be able to show it or receive the affection in return.
Then suddenly, "Hey honey, I'll be going out tonight," Dao Ming Si called out to his wife then suddenly halted in mid-stride upon seeing his wife's expression and her friend's while they were clinging on to each other. "Whoa," he thought to himself, "What's happening here? Must be some kind of talk they've been having. They were happy and laughing during dinner just now."
"Err San Chai? Sorry to disturb you guys," Dao Ming Si said apologetically to the both of them. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm going out. Meeting up with the guys. Mei Zhuo finally managed to pry Xi Men away from his work to have a drink with us," while talking he noticed how San Chai's hand was holding on to Xiao You's. He also didn't miss it when his wife squeezed Xiao You's hand when he mentioned Xi Men's name. "Hmm., "he thought to himself.
"Oh ok. Fine, go have fun then, "San Chai said smiling to her husband. She knew he must have felt kind of awkward and must also be wondering why Xiao You and she were hugging each other when he first entered the family hall.
"Don't bother waiting for me yeah. I'll probably be back late anyway," Dao Ming Si told his wife, walking towards her to give her a kiss before he leaves. "Don't forget to take your vitamins before you sleep too. I left them on your bedside table already," he continued before giving her a peck on her cheek.
"So I'll see you soon Xiao You. It's really nice to see you again," he said to Xiao You on his way out, "Bye, you guys." "Don't stay up too late honey!" he called out to his wife.
While he was driving towards VS, Dao Ming Si thought to himself, "Hmm. Should I tell Xi Men that Xiao You is back?"