Chapter 45

I'M LOSING YOU

It felt weird, coming here alone.

Shancai took another look at the gate of her parent's new house and took a deep breath. Here goes nothing, she thought as she let herself in, carrying the gift-wrapped box in her left arm.

Shage was the first to spot her arrival when he looked up from the grill where the smell of barbecue wafted.

"Shancai! You're here!" he exclaimed.

Upon hearing that their daughter has arrived, both Shancai's parents ran up to her and swept her up in a great hug, almost toppling the box from her hand.

"You're late!" her mother scolded afterwards.

"Traffic was bad." Of course that was not entirely true. She spent almost two hours trying to reach A Si to remind him of her mother's birthday, to no avail.

She handed the box to her mother. "Happy birthday, Ma," she said, kissing her mother on the cheek.

Excitedly Mama Dong took the gift, thanking her daughter profusely and handing it to her husband.

"Who else is here?" Shancai asked as they walked into the house, returning Shage's wave.

"Qing He, Mimi, Xiao Yo, Drew, and a few of your Papa's co-workers. Xi Men dropped by a while ago and left a present, but decided not to stay. You know why," she said, referring to Drew and Xiao Yo who now sat together at the sofa, chatting with Mimi.

"Hey," her mother remembered, turning to her daughter to fully face her. "Where's A Si?"

The moment that she was dreading. Shancai sighed inwardly and said the excuse she had been busy forming during the drive here.

"He was supposed to come, but something came up at the office that he had to attend to," she said, feeling bad about lying to her own mother. "He says Happy Birthday."

Her mother nodded, saying, "Well, it would have been better if he was also here. I only received a call from Hua Ze Lei and Mei Zuo greeting me, but I hoped my son-in-law would come. Oh well," she smiled cheerfully. "It is work, so I think I will forgive him."

I won't, Shancai thought grimly.

They had talked the previous evening about her mother's birthday and Dao Ming Si promised he would pick her up so they could go together.

But Shancai waited for about an hour, and tried to contact him for another hour. But his cell phone was off, so is Reeyu's. And the only thing the people at his office could tell her was that Dao Ming Si and Reeyu went out earlier during the day for a meeting and has not returned since.

Shancai sighed and joined the others.

Dao Ming Si glanced at the proposal one last time, and affixed his signature above his name.

He pushed the sheaf of papers towards Reeyu, who nodded and took the folder. "I'll have these faxed right away," he said and left the office.

Standing up, he stretched this way and that, easing the cramped muscles. He had been sitting behind his desk for the entire afternoon well into the evening. He glanced up at the clock and sighed.

Nine-forty-three in the evening. He did not notice the time passing by so fast.

Wanting some fresh air, he left his office and passed Reeyu at the fax machine, busily sending the communiques to Berlin.

He was striding in front of one of the clerk's table when he heard someone call out.

"Sir!"

He turned around and saw the employee assigned to take calls earlier. "Yes?"

"Your wife called the entire afternoon, but as you said, you would not be disturbed."

Dao Ming Si nodded, remembering his order not to be disturbed by anything, holding all his incoming calls.

"Did she leave a message?" he asked.

The clerk nodded. "She was looking for you, kept calling nonstop. I think she made about a dozen or so calls."

His forehead creasing, wondering what would make Shancai call so persistently, Dao Ming Si nodded. "Thanks," he said and walked back to his office.

Just as he was nearing the door, his eyes dropped on the calendar on top of Reeyu's table.

The thirtieth. Hmm…something bothers him about that date.

He was supposed to be somewhere...somewhere...

He slapped his forehead as the significance of the day occurred to him.

It's Ma's birthday!

As though chased by a thousand hurricanes, Dao Ming Si rushed to his office, grabbed his jacket and car keys.

Reeyu looked up as he stormed out. "See you tomorrow," he said briefly to the astounded secretary and literally raced out of the building.

While in the car he constantly wanted to bang his head against the windshield, scolding and cursing himself for forgetting. He promised Shancai he would be there and now he blew her off. Again.

Repeatedly he tried calling Shancai's phone but all he got was her recorded voice. She would not pick up.

Approximately twenty minutes later he stopped his car in front of his in-laws' house, noting several cars parked outside, recognizing that of Shancai and Qing He.

He did not bother to knock, and he did not have to. He entered the house and was welcomed by his tipsy father-in-law who was singing loudly with his friends.

His mother-in-law came forward.

"Dao Ming Si!" she exclaimed in unconcealed surprise. "I thought you were at work! By the way, Shancai explained, so do not worry."

Guilt gnawed at him. Obviously Shancai covered up for him.

He smiled and kissed his mother-in-law on the cheek. "Happy birthday, Ma," he said lovingly. "I came as soon as I was done with what I was working on."

"You are working too hard," she reminded him, looking at him with concern. "Why, you lost some weight since I last saw you! Are you still eating and sleeping right?"

Unable to say anything, he simply nodded. He looked around. "Where is Shancai?" he asked.

"She was with Drew and Xiao Yo a while ago," she replied, looking around. "Why don't you go around at the den? That's where I left them."

"OK, thanks," he said and made his way to the den, noticing just how much this place improved since it was first built a few months ago.

When he came to the den, Shancai was not there, only Drew and Xiao Yo.

Drew grinned at him upon his entrance. "A Si!" he exclaimed in surprise. "I thought you were not coming!"

He greeted the American with a tap on the shoulder. "Well, here I am." He nodded at Xiao Yo.

"Hi, Dao Ming Si," Xiao Yo said almost shyly. "Are you looking for Shancai?"

He nodded.

"Drew put her into the room," she replied, pointing to the guest room. "She drank quite a lot, and she could not hold it in." Dao Ming Si was already moving towards the guest room, Xiao Yo and Drew following closely behind.

"She threw up and then lost consciousness altogether," she finished as Dao Ming Si threw open the door and saw his wife on the bed, sound asleep.

He breathed heavily, noting she was completely inebriated. No wonder she threw up. He turned to the two.

"How much did she drink, exactly?"

Drew and Xiao Yo glanced at each other, then looked at him.

"Let's just say she drank more than I would," Drew said simply.

This was all the answer he needed. He strode forward and scooped his wife from the bed. She did not even stir when he heaved her up in his arms and proceeded to walk out of the room.

As an afterthought, Xiao Yo reached for Shancai's purse and handed it to Drew. Reading her mind, Drew took the purse and hurried after Dao Ming Si.

After saying goodbye to his in-laws, Dao Ming Si walked straight to his car. He nodded thankfully at Drew, who took his car keys from his pocket and opened the car door.

After depositing the still sleeping Shancai on the front seat, Dao Ming Si turned to Drew.

"Thanks," he said, accepting the purse and the car keys from the other guy.

Drew simply nodded, looking at Shancai. "She would have a hell of a headache when she wakes up tomorrow."

Dao Ming Si chose not to remark on this. "You better get back inside," he said, walking to the driver's side.

"A Si." He turned enquiringly at Drew, who was looking at him intently.

"Yes?"

Drew shrugged. "I know she is drunk and all, it must have been the wine talking, but..." His lips thinned. "A word of advice. Give more time to your wife."

They stared at each other for a long moment, and Dao Ming Si realized there was no reproach whatsoever in Drew. He meant well.

He nodded, and smiled a little. "Thanks, man."

Dao Ming Si got into the car and, throwing one sad look at Shancai, who was still asleep, undisturbed by everything that goes on around her.

Shaking his head – and thoroughly hating himself for letting her down yet again– Dao Ming Si revved the engine to life, and left Drew standing there with concern on his face.

Like a thousand drums beating at the same time in a corner of his head.

That is how she felt like when she opened her eyes.

Shancai stifled a groan as she rolled over to her side, willing the drums to quiet down a bit. But they would not.

Knowing there is only one way to ease this, she forced her eyes open and climbed out of bed. Throwing one look at the empty bed beside her, she sighed.

She is home, in her own room. How she got here, she does not know…but Dao Ming Si's side of the bed was fixed, as though no one slept in it.

Gripping her head, biting her lip to keep from crying out, she lugged herself into the bathroom and stood under the cold shower, letting it ease the pain that throbbed in every inch of her body. And her head, oh God, her head!

A good twenty minutes later she walked out of the bathroom, slightly refreshed, but not quite. She glanced up at the watch. Half past nine. She is already late at her office.

Not bothering with anything to eat, she quickly changed and hoped she would last this day.

She was about to leave the room when her eye caught a small note on the bedside table. It was from Dao Ming Si.

"If you wake up and I am still not there, do not leave. Stay in bed. I just went out to get some breakfast. Luv, A Si."

Shancai laid the note down.

Sighing she sat back down on the bed, thinking hard.

So it was him who brought her home. She shook her head. Then, without giving herself time to think further, she grabbed her purse and left the room.

She was already gone from the house when Dao Ming Si's car drew up the driveway of their house, laden with food he bought from Sombrero.

Puzzlement set upon him as he entered the quiet house, their empty bedroom and the note back on the table.

Immediately he reached for his phone and dialed her number.

Her voice was groggy when she picked up. "Yeah?"

"Shancai!" he said, worried. "Where on earth are you? Did you not see my note?"

She breathed deeply and he could just imagine what a headache she has. "I did. But I had to go."

"Go where? You are in no condition to go anywhere!"

"Look. I am fine. I just picked my car up over at my parents' and now I am on my way to the office."

"Get back here," he said imperiously.

There was a pause, then she said, "Sorry, A Si. But like you, I also have to work."

She hung up.

Dao Ming Si looked at his phone in incredulity. He could not believe this!

Her secretary looked at her strangely as she sauntered into her office with her hand on her head. Shancai smiled at her.

"Don't ask. Could you have some painkillers brought in, please?" she requested and went inside her office, wondering for the nth time why she had to come.

But she knew why. She was still sore at Dao Ming Si, and if she stayed inside the house with him, she did not know how it would all turn out.

The painkillers came, and they helped ease the throbbing a bit. About an hour later, she felt better, thinking the day would go by tolerable at least.

She was in the middle of studying another business proposal from a prospective client when her secretary's head popped around the door.

"Line 3. It's Mr. Zhong Er Lang."

Wondering why Xi Men would be calling, she picked up.

"Xi Men."

"Shancai, I'm glad I caught you. Listen, I could not talk long, I am in the middle of something, but I just thought there's something you should know."

"About what?" she asked.

"I received a call this morning, telling me to withdraw my deal with you about Skylark taking care of the vacation tour of my employees to Beijing next month."

Her past conversation with Jing returned. "Who called?" she asked, her suspicions now heightened.

"Somebody from the Dao Ming Group."

Shancai exhaled loudly. "Thanks, Xi Men."

"Anyway, I just thought you should know. Don't worry, Shancai, Skylark will still sponsor the trip. Dao Ming Feng has no hold over me."

"Thanks," she said and hung up.

Her mind made up, she put on her jacket and grabbed her purse. When her secretary looked up as she went out of her office, all she said was, "I am meeting someone. I won't be long."

She has to settle this once and for all.

Surprise was etched all over the face of the receptionist at the offices of Dao Ming Feng when she recognized Shancai.

"Miss Shancai!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" She had strict orders from above that neither Dao Ming Feng's son nor his wife will be allowed inside.

Ignoring the receptionist's question, Shancai said, "Is your boss in? I want to speak with her."

"You need an appointment to do that."

"I do not need any bloody appointment! Now tell her I am here to see her!"

Shancai was fuming mad and the receptionist could see that. But she is more scared of the President breathing down her neck, so she stood her ground.

"I am sorry, Miss Shancai, but rules are rules."

Her eyes spitting fire, Shancai raised her voice, not caring that the others in the lobby could hear. It must be the wine still working in her.

"Tell her she will talk to me right now, or she will regret it!"

Suddenly she heard a voice to her right.

"That is not necessary."

Shancai turned to see a distinguished-looking man looking at her. He was probably a good ten years older than her, and he was looking at her intently.

"Who are you?" she asked.

He moved forward and extended his hand. "I am Xu Li." Shancai merely glared at him, without bothering to shake his hand. Embarrassed, he withdrew his hand.

"So you want to speak with Dao Ming Feng?"

"Do you work for her?"

He seemed to think on this for a moment, then shook his head. "Not really."

Her eyes gleamed. "Then get out of my way," she said and turned away.

"But I think I know why you are here." She turned to look back at him. He smiled. "If you would just follow me."

When she looked at him with distrust he spread his hands wide. "Take your car. I don't care."

"This better be good," she said and walked out of the building, with him following her.

Xu Li led her to yet another tall building in the middle of town. As they rode up the elevator, she was aware of him looking at her from beneath his lashed, but she said nothing.

When he showed her into an empty room and closed the door behind them, she whirled on him.

"What is this? What are we doing here?"

"Please be patient," he said.

"I want answers now!" she demanded. "Tell Dao Ming Feng she will talk to me, and explain to me why she is talking my clients into pulling out of Skylark!"

Xu Li looked at her patiently. "I do not think there is a need to see her or talk to her, Miss Shancai."

"What? Why?"

"Because Dao Ming Feng has nothing to do with this. And she is not my boss."

Shancai paused, looking at Xu Li more closely. "If she is not...and you...who are you working for, then?"

A voice spoke from behind. "Me."

Slowly Shancai turned around upon hearing that familiar voice.

When she saw who it was, her eyes widened.

"You!"