CHAPTER #10

Qihe wasn't needed as a security guard or bodyguard for a whole week. His father wasn't making him be anyones date either, so he had a lot of spare time, after school and on the days he skipped. He decided to find out more about his half-brother. Qihe had his friend with the motorcycle drop him off just outside the house where he'd found his father's mistress was living. That way he could tail the step-brother and find out where he went to school. While he waited for the guy to appear, Qihe overhead an exchange between his half-bro and the mother.

"Xiang Shao, take your umbrella it's supposed to rain today."

"I've got it mom, see you later!"

"Want me to drive you to school?"

"Mom, I'm not a child, I can take the transit."

"Okay okay, have a good day."

Qihe was hidden by a large tree, so he could follow Xiang Shao, without being overly suspicious. He wondered if his father had told the guy about being a mafia boss or even that he had other kids. Whatever the case was, so far there was nothing too special about Xiang Shao. As he'd told his mother, Xiang Shao got on the transit bus and rode it to a stop. There were other people in the same school uniform all getting off transit buses. So people wouldn't recognize Qihe or his school uniform, he was wearing his hoodie, with the hood up and pulled down low over his forehead. He kept Xiang Shao in view, but hung back a bit from the other school kids. The first thing Qihe noticed was that Xiang Shao didn't seem to have any friends, or at least the other kids all avoided him. Then he found out why.

"Look at who's decided to be a big boy and ride the bus to school." Sneered a guy wearing the same uniform, that was smoking a cigarette.

"Mommy too busy banging the Mafia Boss to take you to school?"

Xiang Shao kept his head down, hoping they wouldn't beat him up that day. He wished he could retaliate, but his mom had begged him not to cause problems at school. It's not like he thought he could win a fight against five guys anyway, even if she hadn't forbidden him to do so.

"The bastard boy seems to be mute today. Grab him, let's teach him some manners."

"Please… I don't want any trouble."

"Give us all the cash you've got and maybe we'll let you go with just a warning."

Taking out his wallet, Xiang Shao handed over the money. "It's all I have."

The leader of the bullies made a decision. "You're lucky today, I can't be late or they'll suspend me. This pays passage for you for now. We'll see you after school."

Qihe was angry on behalf of Xiang Shao and wanted to beat up those that picked on the guy. But he needed more information on what was going on, so he didn't take action. He did follow the bully leader and watched him climb over a fence, telling his friends to run interference at the security gate.

"Why do we have to do that?"

"Don't you remember? The security guard said he'll make me stand by the gate until after the second bell, because I stole his cigarettes."

"Right, sorry I forgot you did that. Okay hurry up and get to class, I've got you covered."

"Thanks man."

Once the friends had left, Qihe climbed the fence too and saw the bully run across the yard and into the school building. Qihe would follow and then go up on the school roof, so they wouldn't know he was there. Hopefully it wouldn't rain, but the sky looked clear so he'd take a chance. He was prepared to pick the lock to get on the roof, but the door opened easily. Right beside the door, was a broken chair, so he wedged it in the door, just in case it locked. It was more a precaution to not get stuck on the roof. He found a few more broken chairs and desks. Behind what he guessed housed the air circulation units, is where Qihe sat down. He checked his cell phone and the guy who had dropped him off, texted that he signed in for him and answered when attendance was taken. The first class had a substitute teacher, so no one would care that he wasn't there. It had worked out better than expected.

[Trigger Warning]

Qihe had time to wonder why the bullies didn't seem to be worried about the Mafia Boss and retaliation for bullying his son. They obviously knew that Xiang Shao was born out of wedlock. So why did they pick on his half-brother? And was the guy like Lu He, a pacifist and that's why he didn't stand up for himself? As he pondered the situation, Qihe heard the door bang against the chair, signalling that someone else was on the roof now too. Not willing to reveal himself first, he waited to see who it was. The shadow told him that the person was female. Then she came into view. To his alarm, the girl climbed up on to the lip of the roof. Without hesitating, he leapt into action and ran forward. Before she even registered someone else was on the roof too, he already had an arm around her waist. With his momentum pulling them both backwards, she fell on top of him.

"Damn it, let go!" She cried out.

"No. First promise that you won't jump."

"Who are you and why do you care?"

"No matter how bad your situation is, it's not worth letting, the people or person responsible for your pain, to win."

"Please… just let me go. I can't… I can't keep fighting to live in this shit life."

"Talk to me about it first."

"Will you let go then?"

"Maybe. I'll let you sit up, but I'm holding onto your hand."

"Alright…. Who are you mystery guy?"

"Who are you mystery girl?"

"I'm Ping."

"Qihe."

She stared at him. "As in Mafia Boy? As in Seven Cranes Entertainment?"

He sighed and raised an inquiring eyebrow, "yes, is that a problem?"

Ping gasped, then stuttered, "no… n-no p-problem. But why are you here?"

"I'm watching Xiang Shao. Do you know him?"

"Everyone knows him. He's the bastard son of Mafia Boss Crane and his mistress. But he's not a fighter and gets bullied by both the guys and some girls."

"Why?"

"Easy target maybe, who knows. The girls here are all self-entitled bitches."

"Are you being bullied too?"

"By the same girls, but that's not why I…. They didn't push me to stand on the edge, if that's what you're thinking."

"Then what did? What's so bad, that you thought death was your only option?"

"Why do you care?"

Qihe shrugged, "maybe I can help or at least give you an ear to listen to what's wrong. I'm a stranger, so I'm totally impartial."

She sat beside him and then with her other hand brought out a switchblade. But instead of attacking him, she pushed down her sock and cut her own ankle.

"What are you doing?" He was alarmed and then saw the other marks her socks had hidden. "You do that a lot."

"I'm cutting. It's one of the ways I control the pain. I need it."

"The pain or the control?"

"Both."

"I want to understand, will you tell me more?"

"Using a rubber band and snapping it on my wrist, doesn't work anymore. The cuts help lock down my emotions, when I feel like everything is imploding."

"Is it driven by anger or sadness?"

"Anger towards myself more than towards others, I guess. Not really sad, but it's like life is trying to drown me. My mom says I'm worthless, my dad calls me a disappointment and I'm never good enough no matter what I do. My younger sister is the golden child, she can do no wrong. I don't blame her, but I just don't know what to do anymore. The girls in my gym class call me bipolar. Maybe I am, but my parents don't believe in mental health issues, they just say I'm weak."

"No one is perfect, even if we seem like we are. My twin is the golden child as you call it. I don't self harm, but I do have anger and rage sometimes. I release my pain by beating up others. I guess I'm a thug."

She smiled. "Are you a bully too?"

"Not really, I have a tendency to beat up bullies, they piss me off. Like you, there are things in my life I can't control. Fighting is my outlet. But I think you could control other aspects of your life, so you don't have to cut. Before I started fighting, I focused on my grades, sports, keeping my room neat, you know all the little things that gave me some control. All our choices we make, whether it's simply just the colour of socks we wear or hair colour or whatever, choices give us control and knowledge gives us power."

"I never thought of it like that. I guess I could do things that drive me forward, change things so I'm more in control without the pain."

"Everything that is worth while or a positive thing, sometimes can be harder than the negative things. It's tougher to get good grades, do sports, or whatever, but it controls our futures. One day I'm going to move out and live on my own. Less family drama that way. I work and save all of the money, to achieve that goal by the time I start senior secondary school."

"Will your parents let you do that?"

"It's not their choice, it's mine." He winked at her.

"You're clever and it's a little annoying."

"I get that a lot." He felt his phone vibrate and took a look, then pocketed it again. "Ping, anytime you feel like giving up on life or cutting, you can message or call me. And if you don't want to talk to me, there are online forums. I'll send you a link in WeChat. It's called /global. In the Anywhere In The World section, they list their online live chat forums and other sites. I had a girlfriend once who used the link called Seven Cups Of Tea. Sounds weird, but their chat line helped her. At the time I didn't know she was going through anything, because she bottled it up inside. I had thought she was cheating on me and tailed her, only to find out she was going to therapy. I blamed myself for our relationship failing, because she didn't feel safe with me or trust me enough to share her pain. So call me, even if it's to talk about nothing. I'm here for you."

"You sound like a teen councillor yourself. But thanks for the info… and for earlier too."

"Can I hug you?" He asked.

When she nodded consent, Qihe released her hand and opened his arms. She came into them and they stayed like that for a while, until Ping let go. He was glad to have been at the right place at the right time. He asked, "are you going to class now?"

"No, lunch starts soon. If you wear my school gym jacket, I can take you with me. See if it fits." She dug it out of her school bag and handed it to him.

"It's a little short in the arms, but I'll just push up the sleeves. What if the rest of them recognize me?"

"I'll tell them you're my cousin?"

He laughed, "where does Xiang Shao eat?"

"I don't know, sorry. If you don't tell anyone why I was up here, I'll take you to where all the kids go after school. Xiang Shao likes basketball and often gets in on a few games there too. Those guys that bully him, they usually catch him near the transit afterwards. They don't make trouble by the basketball courts, because there's a real gang that frequents them to play. Rumour has it that the leader might join Xiang Shao's father's thugs. So he doesn't let anyone flex in his territory."

"Makes sense. Give me your WeChat QR code Ping, so you can message me when it's time to go."

"Why are you interested in Xiang Shao?" She asked, but when he didn't answer, figured it out herself. "Wait, are you called Mafia Boy, because Boss Crane is your father too? So that means Xiang Shao is your half-brother?"

"Smart girl. Our father hid the fact that Xiang Shao even existed. I found out accidentally."

"Are you trying to see if he is worth your time or do you want to beat him up?"

"I want to know who he is, what he's like and so on. Then I might see if he knows that he has siblings."

"Plural… oh right, you have a twin brother who acts and models too."

"And we have an older sister, who's an actress."

Ping put away the knife and pulled up her sock. "I doubt that Xiang Shao knows you guys even exist. He's quiet, withdrawn and hates confrontation. I think he's ashamed about having a father like Boss Crane. I'm not his friend or anything, but he gets bullied more than I do." She stood up and offered him her hand.

Qihe let her help him get upright. Ping didn't let go of his hand and tugged him towards the stair door. Only then did she let go. Together they went down the stairs and into one of the school's halls. He kept his hood up on his hoodie, that was under her school gym jacket. He preferred not to be recognized, but he didn't have to worry, because everyone's attention was on Xiang Shao and the girls bullying him.

"Aren't you going to help him?" Ping whispered to Qihe.

"I could ask you the same thing. Also, I don't hit girls."

"Oh." As they walked by, Ping found courage to stand up to the girl bullies, but only because Mafia Boy was beside her. "Leave him alone already! Does it make you feel proud to pick on someone you know won't fight back?"

"We'll get you next Ping, just you wait."

She turned and shrugged, "nothing you could do worse, then what I do to myself. If that's what you need to feel good about yourself or superior, why wait, do it now."

"Let's go girls, looks like Xiang Shao has a girlfriend."

"They're both losers," another bully girl laughed.

Ping helped Qihe's half-brother stand. "Next time speak up for yourself, I have enough of my own problems to deal with."

"Thanks Ping and I'm sorry."

"You owe me one." Turning to Qihe, she added, "let's go or all the good food in the cafeteria will be gone."

As they walked away, he could feel that Xiang Shao trailed after them. When they sat down to eat, he sat near them too.

After lunch was over, Qihe left the school grounds, the same way he got in. He took a taxi back to school, while waiting for the school day to end. Ping sent him a message on WeChat where the basketball court was, but that she would meet him near by if he couldn't find it. He texted the motorcycle guy and asked to borrow his ride again. Once confirmed he could, Qihe relaxed. Between classes, he called his sister.

"Hey, how are you?"

"I'm good, what's up?"

"I have a favour to ask… can you send my friend a voice message on WeChat?"

"You'll owe me."

"Better to owe you, than him."

"Okay, send me the details…. Lu He said you've been distant. Anything you want to talk about?"

"Nothing you need to be concerned with."

"Qihe, I might be busy all the time, but I'm still your older sister. I'm here for you, just remember that."

"I know and thanks. I've got to go, be safe." He ended the call.

His debt to his friend was paid and he found out that Lu He was complaining to their sister. But Qihe wasn't about to involve her too, until he knew more about Xiang Shao. It's not like his sister could do anything, she was filming overseas. He decided to have his gang find out about his half-brother's bullies and the basketball court gang. Like he had told Ping, knowledge was power.

After school he rode the motorcycle over to where Ping said she'd be waiting. Pulling up beside her, he threw a thumb at the passenger seat. She got on without hesitation and pointed forward. They rode off and she flipped her thumb out so he could see where to turn. On arrival he parked and then she got off.

Waiting until Qihe removed the helmet, Ping said, "that was fun. Will you give me a ride home later?"

"Okay. Are you sure my half-bro will be here?"

"Yes. He actually asked if I'd come watch him play today. We exchanged WeChat QR codes. Do you want his?"

"Why not. Here's your gym jacket back." Pocketing the motorcycle keys, after locking the helmet to the bike, he turned to follow her.

"If you want to get in on a game, talk to the tall guy holding the basketball. He sets up the teams and refs them."

"That's more organized than a normal street ball game."

She shrugged. "If you need water, I'll be sitting over there. Have fun." Ping walked to the other side of the court.

Qihe took off his sweatshirt and brought it to her, then walked over to the guy she had mentioned. "You setting up a game?"

"Want to play?"

"Yup. Is it cash or friendly?"

"I'll let you know later, before we start the game. You good with both?"

"Definitely."

The basketball was handed to him and he went onto the court. He did some layups, a few three point shots and then just dribbled until another guy came to pass the ball to. Glancing over to Ping, Qihe saw her nod behind him. Xiang Shao had arrived as promised. More guys showed up and they formed teams. The game was friendly, no cash, but Qihe was still looking forward to playing. They were evenly matched for the first part of the playing, then Qihe's team started to pull ahead. He even heard Ping yelling encouragement to him, to go for a difficult shot. In the end his team won.

"Good game! If you want to play for cash, come here on Thursday, same time."

"Thanks." Qihe walked over to Ping, who gave him the bottle of water.

Xiang Shao came too and asked, "Ping do you have another water?"

"Is Ice Tea okay?"

"Even better thanks. You're a good basketball player, are you on a team?" Xiang Shao asked Qihe.

"Couldn't be bothered with the school team, too much politics. Thanks though, you're not bad yourself."

"I'm Xiang Shao."

"Qihe."

"I haven't seen you around here before."

"Today was my first time in this area."

"Why?"

Ping spoke up, "he was visiting me."

"Are you his girlfriend?" Xiang Shao was a little disappointed and couldn't hide it.

"No, we're just friends."

"Oh, cool."

"Shit, they came," Ping swore.

"Who… oh, those assholes."

Qihe raised an eyebrow and then saw his half-brother's bullies had arrived. "I've got your back if they cause shit with you."

"Really? Thanks."

The cigarette smoking leader of the bullies smirked and pointed towards them. Qihe looked at Ping, "those gang guys here?"

"Not yet. They don't always come, but that tall guy has their cell number. If things escalate he'll call them here."

Qihe cracked his knuckles, "I hope they escalate, I need a workout."

Xiang Shao laughed nervously, "you can't be serious. You just played a hard game, I'm wiped."

Ping decided to inform him, "he's Mafia Boy, fighting is his thing."

Xiang Shao looked from her to him and back. "Sorry, but am I supposed to know who that is?"

"You'll find out soon enough, those jerks are coming over here." Ping stepped back and behind Qihe.

"Hey Bastard Boy, did you think you could escape us?"

"Get behind me," Qihe said to his half-brother and didn't look to see if he obeyed.

Ping pulled Xiang Shao's shirt until they were behind Qihe.

"Who the fuck are you?" Bully Boy asked.

"Their bodyguard. Step off unless you want to eat pavement."

The bully leader spit his cigarette towards them and laughed, but threw a punch straight at Qihe's head. It was so telegraphed, that he easily stepped aside. That angered the bully and his friends encouraged action. Again the guy wound up for a swing, so Qihe moved back a pace and it missed, but the bully wasn't as nimble. He stumbled and received a foot to the ass, causing him to sprawl sloppily on the ground. Two of his friends went to help him up and three others attacked Qihe. His natural stamina, that came from being exactly what his father had trained him to be, kicked in. One big guy was already breathing hard, from chasing Qihe around the court, as he danced out of reach from the punches. Some of the people that had been watching the game that had just finished, started laughing at the newcomers. Qihe dodged, almost like he had a basketball and was defending against other players.

"Fuck, stand still!" One bully demanded.

The bully leader had been watching and learned a little. His haymaker swing he aimed for a spot three feet behind Qihe's back. But Qihe deeked the other way and forward. The fist went through empty air, so Qihe bent his knees and smashed his elbow up into the guy's kidney, using one of his favourite moves. The guy sunk to the ground groaning in pain.

"Last chance to walk away, before I smash your faces," Qihe warned.

The tall game organizer overheard and said something into his cell. Then he began to record the fight on his phone.

A guy that looked like a bull dog, came charging in. He could move more agile than he appeared and although Qihe felt small due to the guy's size, he wasn't worried. Planting his back heel, Qihe leaned in and launched a flurry of heavy punches, with fast and precise shots, finishing with an uppercut to the fat chin. It almost looked comical when the hit landed and the flabby skin absorbed the punch. The bulldog was on his way down, when Qihe kicked him in the liver. He was just getting warmed up, when a sharp whistle blasted the charged air.

"It's about time they showed," Xiang Shao said.

Ping called out, "Mafia Boy didn't start this."

Everyone froze, except the leader of the gang that had come to break up the fight. "Crane your dad?"

Xiang Shao drew in a sharp breath as he realized who Mafia Boy really was. Qihe raised an eyebrow at the asker and shrugged.

The tall ref dude came over. "He didn't start it they did."

"Those idiots are lucky we came. You must be in a good mood, they're still alive."

"I was just getting started when you guys interrupted. Seems like they need a good lesson."

"Not here. Even you aren't allowed to fight here."

Qihe smiled, but it was behind his mask, "are you guys going to stop me?"

"Um… is that a challenge?"

Ping put her hand on Qihe's arm, "you promised to give me a ride home. If you fight, I don't get that ride, until they're all bleeding on the ground."

"You know who I am and how to find me. If you want to accept that challenge, come to my turf."

"We know you'll win."

"So you decline?"

"You're not someone I want to mess with, unless I really have to. You've killed people, I haven't."

"Wait, WHAT?" Bully Boy and Xiang Shao exclaimed.

Qihe laughed, "that's just a rumour."

The gang leader looked him straight in the eye and then just nodded. They both knew the truth, nothing more needed to be said between them.

"You idiots don't even know what this guy is capable of. You better hope he's not coming after you later."

Qihe instinctually felt, more than heard the Bully Boy pull out a knife to slash him. He pulled the knife arm forward and smashed his fist into the Bully's nose. It exploded and bone bits got swallowed. The guy screamed clutching his face. This time no one moved and everyone held their breath.

"If you EVER come near my half-brother or Ping again, I'll put you in the ground permanently." Qihe threatened. He turned to the leader guy. "You guys going to make sure I don't have to come back to this district, unless it's for a basketball game?"

"Yes sir!" Mr. Gang Leader bowed.

"Keep that promise and I'll return the favour later." Qihe winked at him.

Xiang Shao came forward, "you're my b-brother? I-I didn't know… dad never… what is going on?!"

Ping suggested, "let's get off the court and go somewhere to talk. Maybe the convince store across the street?"

"Sure." Qihe gave a nod to the gang and followed Ping.

Xiang Shao scrambled to join them. He looked back and saw that the gang leader was thrashing the bully and his friends. At the store he remembered he had no cash, but Qihe paid for their drinks and snacks.

Ping asked, "so you never knew that your dad had another family?"

"No, I just thought he didn't marry my mom because of his illegal business. How… how did you know?"

Qihe sighed, "I found out recently by accident. I haven't told Lu He, my twin, or my older sister."

"You came to check me out first." It was an observation and realization. "Does Dad… our father, know you know?"

"Not that I'm aware, but little gets past him, so maybe. He hasn't said anything. Xiang Shao why do you let them bully you?"

"I'm not a fighter like you, never learned anything like that. And anyway my mom asked me not to get into trouble."

Qihe closed his eyes slowly and sighed. "Well, if you get bullied again… and this goes for you too Ping, let me know. I'll handle it. As for those girls, maybe they'll leave you alone when word gets around who I am and what went down here."

"Will you tell your other siblings about me?"

"Do you want me to?"

"For now no. I want dad to tell me or even mom. Does she know about you?"

"I've met her before, so she does. She knows my mom too."

"Thanks for helping me out today…. Can we hang out again sometime, maybe even just play basketball one on one?"

"When I find time. Get my WeChat from Ping." Qihe answered his phone. "What? Yeah keep doing that, I'll explain later. Where are you?…. I can bring you the bike soon."

Without being told Ping turned, "Xiang Shao we have to go. I think you'll be safe to catch a ride home today. See you at school."

Qihe added a few words of advice. "Don't be ashamed of who you are Xiang Shao. Be proud and stand up for yourself. Only you can change what happens going forward."

Ping groaned, "you should be a preacher. Let's go already, your friend is waiting."