OK. Things are moving and will start picking up speed. Whee!


Chapter 3

Before the plane landed, Lei contacted his house and gave instructions to prepare a bath, guestroom, and a light meal for Shancai for when they arrived. He would not consider taking her to her place. For one thing, there's was no food and, more importantly, she was too sick to fend for herself. The family chauffeur would be waiting for them with drinks, snacks, and other supplies in the limo to make her trip to his house as comfortable as possible. As they taxied to the gate, he roused her.

"Shancai," he said quietly, "we're here." He nudged her gently until she opened her eyes. She had been holding her arms crossed over her abdomen. Her pinched face looked slightly more alert, and she looked up and around confused.

"So soon?" She asked. "I only just fell asleep."

Lei smiled as did the woman across the aisle. Their eyes met over Shancai's head, and the woman nodded. She gestured to Shancai's abdomen.

"Unmistakable," she whispered. "Plenty of liquids and tell her to eat as often as she can when she can. It's gets better after the first three months." Lei's face turned white, and the woman chuckled. "It's not as bad as all that, young man, and I've been watching you. She couldn't have a better young husband. She'll be fine. You'll see. How long have you been married?"

Lei could only nod numbly. "We've been together for a while now."

The woman winked. "Best of luck." She looked askance. "Your child will be beautiful, mark my words."

Lei nodded again and held Shancai to him until everyone else had left. He gestured for her to stay seated while he retrieved their overhead bags. Gently, he helped her out of her seat and led her to the arrival area as soon as possible, expertly guiding her around the surging crowds. His chauffeur waved them over and ushered them into the car.

"Would you like a blanket and pillow, Shancai?" Lei asked. "Or fruit and crackers? You didn't eat much, and I'm concerned."

Shancai looked up at him, saw his worried frown, and forced herself to take some grapes and crackers. He encouraged her to drink, so she took a water bottle and sipped and nibbled. He watched over her, thinking through what the woman on the plane had said. He would not dismiss it entirely, but he hoped with all his might that she was wrong for everyone's sake.

"Why aren't we going to my house?" Shancai asked when the car turned away from her exit. "Are we going to your house?"

"Yes," Lei said while staring out the window. Shancai nodded and settled back into her pillow.

"OK."

Lei knew then that something was terribly wrong.

Over the next week, Lei watched her carefully, so much so that Ximen and Meizuo joked that he was acting like a protective husband; however, their teasing hid their grave concern, and the three of them often sat glumly in Ximen's game room, musing on the situation and Asi's welfare. At least they could watch over Shancai for their absent friend, but all of them noticed and were worried about her drastic decline. Qing He was beside himself with anger, and Li Zhen did her best to engage Shancai and provide amusing diversions, most of which she declined. At the week's end, Lei went to a drugstore and raised eyebrows with his purchase.

"It's usually the women who come in here for this," the clerk said. "You're brave."

"It's for a friend," he replied. He ignored the clerk's disbelieving smirk. "She's alone now. Her boyfriend can't help." The woman's smirk turned sour.

"The ass," she said with contempt. "How could he?" She put her hand on Lei's arm. "Thank God she has you. I wish you both all the best."

Lei took the brown paper bag, wondering at all the good wishes he and Shancai had been receiving. More and more, he felt himself entwined in her fate, but he turned his mind toward finding the answer that he dreaded knowing.

"What's that?" Shancai asked when she saw the bag. "Something for nausea?"

"Did you eat today?" Lei asked.

"Yes," she said. "More than I have since London, although I couldn't hold anything down this morning. What's wrong with me, Lei? Can it be how I'm feeling, or am I sick?"

Lei closed his eyes and held out the paper bag. "Take this."

She opened the bag, took out the package, and collapsed on the couch. Pressing her hands to her eyes, she shook her head over and over.

"It can't be, Lei! It just can't be!"

"Are you telling me it's impossible?"

Looking down at the thin box, her face crumpled, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

"No," she said in a small voice, "it isn't."

Lei took a deep breath and faced her squarely.

"Did he pressure you?" Her face burned red. "I wouldn't believe that of Asi, but I have to ask."

She shook her head and then covered her face.

"I'm so ashamed. I should never have…. We should never have…. Oh, God! My parents! How can I face them?"

Lei sat next to her and took her hand.

"I think no less of you, Shancai, but you must know. We will find out together. You're not alone."

Despite her despair, Shancai managed a small, grateful smile.

"I'll never forget these last days and how you've been there for me."

"I always will be. Take the test, and then come out. We'll see the results together. She nodded, walked slowly to the nearby guest bathroom, and closed the door quietly. Less than a minute later, she came out holding the slim stick. She placed it on her lap in a tissue, and they huddled together, breathing in unison. Too soon the pink stripe appeared. She collapsed into his arms, crying so hard that she struggled to breathe.

"Oh Asi! Oh God! What am I going to do? I can't! I can't!"

Lei held her in his arms and rocked her back and forth. The worst had come except for Asi or Shancai dying in a terrible accident, but Lei had planned for all possibilities, and he had the words ready. Carefully, he disengaged from Shancai and turned to her to face him. He must be sure that he had her full attention, so he moved in so close that their noses nearly touched.

"Shancai, with all my heart, I won't let you face this by yourself. Will you marry me?"


Woo-hoo! Go Huaze Lei!