CHAPTER #11

Both Xiang Shao and Ping began talking to Qihe and giving him reports, via WeChat. The Bully leader was hospitalized and the rest of his gang of bullies stayed out of their way. The girls had heard about Mafia Boy being both Ping's friend and half-brother to Xiang Shao, so they left them alone too. Whether it was to gain favour with Qihe or because they were fearful of retaliation, Ping didn't know. Qihe told Xiang Shao he'd be at that same basketball court on Thursday and they could hang out after that game. Ping said she'd watch them play and then go afterwards, so that the brothers could have alone time.

Thursday arrived and Qihe was at the court first, because he skipped his last class. Ping and Xiang Shao arrived together. The tall guy recognized Qihe and talked to him about the cash game. "You'll be on the shirtless team, we just need one more player."

"Put my brother on the team," Qihe suggested and called out, "Xiang Shao you're on my team."

Xiang Shao jogged up and handed over a roll of cash, then took their shirts over to Ping. She had a flushed face, so he asked, "are you okay?"

"Yeah, have a good game." There was no way she'd admit to being attracted to him or his half-brother, after seeing their abs.

The game began and there seemed to be more female spectators than usual. Unlike the previous game, the players were much more skilled and both sides had to work harder to score points. But the Crane brothers being on the same team became the deciding factor and in the end that's why the Skins won.

Both had a sheen of sweat glistening on their bodies, when they returned to Ping with their share of the cash winnings. She handed over their shirts and drinks, then quickly left, her face once more flushed.

"I think she's sick," Xiang Shao observed.

Qihe almost laughed, because he knew why Ping had been so red. It was obvious he had a lot to teach his half-brother. He also knew that Xiang Shao secretly had a crush on Ping and called him out on it. "You like her, right?"

"How did you know? Am I that obvious?"

"To me and some of the other guys, yes. But don't worry, I doubt she realizes it."

"How do I get her to notice me?"

"She already has after today's game," Qihe grinned under his mask.

"But every time I try to approach her, she turns in the other direction."

"Get me into your school at lunch and I'll help you get the girl."

"Really? Thanks dude!" Xiang Shao bumped knuckles with his half-brother. "Here take my gym jacket and pants, I just washed it this morning."

"You don't need it?"

"I'll wear my spare pair, that I leave in the locker. The pants are a little short, but I don't care."

"Cool. Let's go to the store to get drinks and snacks, that game made me hungry." Qihe put on his shirt and wiped his forehead on a sleeve.

"Qihe, why do you always wear a mouth mask?"

"Originally us twins had braces and they were ugly as all hell. Two years later when the braces came off, everyone was use to us wearing the masks and by then we started to model and do commercials too. The masks helped keep the media and fans away, especially when we would wear hoodies and caps. Now it's habit."

"Makes sense. I'm sure the girls like it too… they love mysterious shit."

Qihe laughed and winked at his half-brother. "Do you like to play online games?"

"Some, I don't like the role play stuff, but I do play shooter type games. I'm a killer sniper…. One day would you come over to my house and game with me?"

"That would alert our father that I know about his secret family."

"Exactly. He makes us seem like a dirty secret, so I want him to be nervous. I want him to own up to being an asshole," Xiang Shao said with venom.

"Let me know the day and time and I'll be there. Your mom might get pissed off too. She doesn't like me or my twin."

"She's got it coming too. Mom should've told me a long time ago."

"Okay, let's do it." Qihe high-fived him. "I'm glad I found out you're not an asshole too."

"I've always wanted a sibling, now I get two brothers and an older sister. That's so sick. When can I meet the rest of you?"

"After I gauge father's reaction. Sorry, but I kind of shocked you with my presence and when I found out I was hurt and angry too. Not at you, but at dad and the situation."

"Yeah it floored me all right, but I'm glad I know and you're cool. Now I have someone to talk to about stuff I'd never tell adults."

Curious, Qihe rose an eyebrow and asked, "like what?"

"Don't laugh, but I've never… been with a girl. I've kissed a few, just not much else and not as a teenager, so it doesn't count."

"Nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone does things at their own speed."

"Qihe, have you… have you had sex?"

He nodded, "it was with the eighteen year old nanny when I was thirteen. Lu He had sex when he was fourteen. As for my sister, I know better than to ask."

"So what advice can you give me?"

"Hmm… If you can't talk about it with your partner, then you shouldn't be doing it. Pay attention to her wants. Make her happy first, because she'll double it in return. Ask for permission and check if she likes what you're doing. Always wear a condom and don't leave it up to the girl to bring one. If you're too nervous and your equipment fails… don't laugh, it happens… use your hands and mouth. Nothing pisses off a horny girl more, then when you go on and on about failing. Be honest, but do it graciously."

"That last one is dangerous."

"Exactly. The most important thing in any relationship; school, business or personal, is trust and communication. Without those two, nothing lasts and nothing works."

Xiang Shao nodded, "very true. See this is why I needed a sibling. I've never had a close friend and the guys at school are shit talkers, I bet half of what they brag about isn't true."

"Usually the ones that talk the most, haven't done anything."

"Really. That's interesting."

"Why do you like Ping?"

"She's pretty, yet not vain. But mostly it's because she's not a gossip, never bullies anyone, has good grades…."

Qihe nodded in agreement, "intelligent girls are very sexy."

"What's your ideal type?"

"Smart, confident without arrogance, adventurous and spontaneous too. A girl that respects me, my privacy and can fight. That's my ideal and I haven't met her yet."

They laughed together and clinked their pop cans in cheers. Xiang Shao suggested he come over tomorrow after school, to play games and stick it to their dad. Especially since Qihe was sneaking into Xiang Shao's school to help him win over Ping. From there they'd go to Xiang Shao's house.

"No matter what happens, will you promise me to never stop being my brother?" Xiang Shao asked anxiously.

Qihe held out his hand, "I promise as long as you never betray me."

"I swear on my life and the same to you."

They clasped hands and did a half hug. Qihe ended his visit. "I've got to go, see you tomorrow and prepare yourself for the confrontation."

Friday found Qihe with Xiang Shao, in the cafeteria. As usual Qihe was skipping his last few classes, but told Xiang Shao not to do the same. It was nice out, so Qihe would wait for him on the school roof. Later, while in the cafeteria, Qihe gave his half-brother a lesson in approaching a girl.

"The key is using the element of surprise." To prove his point, he put a hand on the back of Xiang Shao's chair and leaned in, making eye contact. "I like you."

Right at that moment a girl walked by and stared at them. At the same time the brothers turned their heads and looked at her. She blushed and rushed away.

Qihe smirked, but the mask hid it. "Even though what just happened wasn't my intent, it still got the girl to stop and look."

"Okay, I get it. But she probably thinks we're gay."

"Doesn't matter and nothing wrong with being gay or bisexual or whatever."

"I thought you'd be homophobic."

"Why?"

"Dad is very homophobic."

"You think I'm like him?"

"Some times, yeah. You're confident, a skilled fighter, smart and can handle dangerous situations."

"I guess in that way yes, he's conditioned me to have similar traits. But knowledge is power and I know that love can take any gender. I might be heterosexual, but I take it as a compliment whenever someone of any gender is attracted to me."

"I like that train of thought. I suppose I'm the same. What about our other brother?"

"Lu He? I'm not sure. And no idea what my sister is into these days. She's usually filming overseas."

"Right, I remember you said she's an actress."

"What time is your last class?"

"Today it's 3pm."

"Okay I'll meet you outside your school gate at 3pm, then let's go to your place."

"Cool that will give us an hour of gaming, before mom get's home from her hair appointment."

"See you later." Qihe left and found the stairs to go to the roof.

"Honey, one of your twin sons is here…. He's with Xiang Shao playing video games…. No idea, neither has said a word to me." The mistress of Mr. Crane and Xiang Shao's mother, explained into the cell phone. She had immediately called Boss Crane, upon walking into the house and seeing the masked boy. To her relief, their father would be home shortly to handle the situation.

It didn't take long for Mafia Boss Crane to arrive at his mistress's house. Walking in, he saw the boys gaming. Because of the platinum silver hair, he knew then which twin it was. He should've expected that Qihe would figure things out. "Qihe, Xiang Shao, stop gaming and come to the den."

Since his half-brother immediately obeyed, Qihe reluctantly paused his controller too. Together they walked into their father's office or den as he called it. Qihe sat down in an easy-chair, while Xiang Shao remained standing, until invited to sit.

"Who approached who?"

Before Xiang Shao said anything, Qihe retorted, "that isn't the question you should be asking."

Mr. Crane could hear the hostility in his son's tone of voice, but he wasn't a man to be disobeyed. "I won't ask again."

"We met accidentally. Qihe protected me from some bullies at the basketball courts."

"Was it truly accidental Qihe?"

"What do you think Father?" He sneered.

"Xiang Shao, step outside a moment and close the door behind you." Mr. Crane waited until his other son left, then stared at Qihe. "What do you want?"

"The truth and don't even try to blame this on mom."

"Well you already can see the truth. I have a son with my mistress. He's two years younger than you."

"Why did you hide him?"

"I thought I was protecting my family."

"Protecting yourself or us, from learning that you're a cheating bastard?"

Mr. Crane's eyes narrowed dangerously, "watch your mouth!"

Qihe's rage was building, "respect is earned and that's something you don't deserve."

"Is this the reason why you fight, why you skip classes and cause problems for your mother?"

"It's what you want right? You want me to follow in your footsteps, that's why Lu He and I were trained to fight."

"I trained you so you could defend yourself, but obviously I'm not against you coming into my organization."

Qihe stood, "are you telling mother or am I?"

"Does Lu He or your sister already know?"

"No."

"I'll talk to your mother and let her decide when to tell your brother and sister." Mr. Crane sighed, "tell me what you want."

"You're buying my silence until you confess?"

"Call it what you want, answer me," Mr. Crane demanded.

"When I start senior high school I want to live on my own. I'll get an apartment and pay for it myself."

"Fine. When you get a driver's license I'll buy you a car and pay for the insurance. If you want to get it before you turn eighteen, I'll give you a fake ID to do so." Mr. Crane sat back in his chair. "Tell me about Xiang Shao's bullies and what happened."

"I handled it, they won't make trouble again." Qihe did mention the gang from the basketball courts and told his father the name of the leader. "Why didn't you train Xiang Shao to be able to defend himself?"

"His mother asked me not to get him involved with anything to do with my work."

"They call him a bastard boy at school. He's already involved with you."

"I plan on divorcing your mother and marrying his, before the end of this year."

"That won't fix anything, except if he goes to a senior high school out of this district."

"I can arrange that…. Xiang Shao, come in here now."

"Dad?" Xiang Shao looked nervously from Qihe to his father and back.

"Sit down, both of you." Mr. Crane waited until they had done so. "I know I didn't handle my duty as a father very well, but leave this to the adults to sort out."

"Okay Dad," Xiang Shao agreed.

"You have until the end of next week to confess to mom, or I tell her everything. That's not a threat, it's a fact." Qihe announced.

"Will you let me at least tell Lu He and your sister, when your mother and I choose to?"

"Fine. Xiang Shao, I'm taking off now. Talk to you later." Qihe walked to the door.

"Qihe…son… thank you for protecting your half-brother."

Qihe turned back and made eye contact with his father, then gave a nod and left. He was pissed off, but this confrontation had told him a lot about his half-brother's relationship with their dad. Qihe didn't believe for a minute that their father had wanted to protect anyone, but himself. As he made his way home, Xiang Shao texted him about hanging out again and maybe playing another cash basketball game. He agreed and they made plans for Sunday.