Chapter 20
Looking out the window to the view below him, he sat there thinking to himself. After transferring from his learjet to the chopper to go to his best friend's house, he began wondering what surprise was there in store for him but decided not think too much about it. He'll soon find out…
"We're approaching the Dao Ming mansion Sir," he heard the pilot reporting to him through the headphones he was wearing. Nodding his head, he looked out and saw the sprawling grounds below him that formed part of the mansion's garden. The garden where his friends and him had played in since they were little kids, from games like hide and seek to acting as pirates with their swords to just a place to hang out and relax.
When the helicopter touched down on the landing pad situated near the back of the house, Hua Zhe Lei stepped out and breathed in the air. Taiwan…. Feels and smells like home.
Walking briskly towards the house, he looked at his watch and saw that it was already 7.30. She said that the gathering was scheduled to start at 7. Well considering the fact that he had to fly in from another country, he didn't think that she would mind his tardiness.
He figured that they would be in the family hall, hanging out and having some drinks before dinner was served. True enough as he approached near that part of the house, he could hear their laughter and voices. They sounded like music to his ears. His friends… his family.
Sauntering casually into the room, he saw them all there. San Chai sitting on the big comfortable couch with Dao Ming Si by her side, Mei Zhuo and his beautiful fiancé opposite them and Xi Men standing near the floor to ceiling windows. All of them engaged in animatedly engaged in conversation with each other.
Suddenly he heard a loud scream, "Leiiiiiiiiiiii!" He didn't have to guess, he could have recognised that voice even in his sleep. She came running towards him and began to hug him, "it's been too long," she whispered softly to his ear. "Gosh woman, did you have to shout so loud," her husband said while taking his fingers out of his ears. Glaring at him, she replied, "I was just excited, unlike some people here who don't seem to care that their good friend has come back".
Dao Ming Si came over, shook his hand and gave him a hug as well, "welcome back Lei" he said. Soon everyone came over to his side and greetings were exchanged. By the time everyone had their fare share of hugging and started going back to their seats, he began to notice that he had missed someone out during his first glance of the room. There was another person among his group of friends. A beautiful lady… A familiar face…. Xiao You…
"Ah… that's my surprise Lei, Xiao You is back here in Taipei. She's going to be here for some time," San Chai began to tell Lei once she saw him looking towards her direction. He moved towards an empty seat next to her and they both smiled at each other. "It's been awhile…" Xiao You said to Lei.