There's a lot of build-up that I'm wishing I could make go faster, but a lot of action will be coming soon. I'm looking forward to that part. I can already see it in my mind.


Chapter 5

Shancai's eyes opened wide, and she looked at the others who urged her to answer.

"Yu Sao?" she asked. "Why are you calling? What's happened?" A long, agonized draw of breath rattled through the phone, and everyone leaned in and listened to the elderly woman's struggle to compose herself.

"Shancai," she said finally, "everything Asi said was a lie to protect you."

Dao Ming Si's housekeeper then whispered fast as she could, sounding like she had little time and a lot to say. "He tried for days to get to you. He was desperate to explain and leave London with you. He made it as far as a small park near your hotel before a van caught up to him. Shancai, they tasered him! God have mercy! She tasered her own son and is holding him captive at the house. He's sedated now, but when he can speak, all he says is that he loves you and is so sorry. Even in his sleep he whispers about running away with you. He didn't abandon you, Shancai! He didn't!

Shancai dropped the phone and covered her face. Tears wet her fingers and ran down her chin. She had heard him calling for her. He did not abandon her. Lei picked up the phone with one hand and pulled Shancai closer with the other.

"Yu Sao," he said in measured tones. "It's Huaze Lei. I'm here with my parents. Tell Asi that we're coming for him. We'll find a way before the wedding and get him to Shanghai." He glanced at his parents who nodded with determination. "I don't know how yet, but we won't fail him. Make sure he knows that."

"I will, Lei. I will. Bless you." She paused. "I can't talk much longer. I'm using a nice lady's phone behind the market. They're checking everyone's phone daily. I don't know how to reach you again."

Huaze Lan gestured to take the phone. "Yu Sao, it's Huaze Lan. Make an appointment at Shanghai Women and Children's Clinic next week. I'll let them know you're coming. They will give you a phone to use and a private room for our next call. It will look less suspicious as well."

"Someone is coming." Yu Sao lowered her voice further. "Shancai, he wants you to know that he calls you his wife. Even if he were forced to marry Xiaozi, he wants you to know that he would never be unfaithful."

For the first time since this terrible business began, Shancai's tears were happy ones.

"Tell him to fight, Yu Sao," she said, her voice growing stronger and more confident with every word. "Tell him that his family loves him and is waiting for him."

Yu Sao gasped. "My dear child! Oh! They're coming. I have to go." The call ended, and Shancai turned to face everyone with her chin held high. Lei grinned to see her fighting spirit return.

"What do we do now?" She asked.

Huaze He Di took the lead and ordered staff to transform the dining room into a war room while Huaze Lan ordered food and opened her satchel.

"Shancai, my dear," she said. "You may not know, but I am a doctor, and you need medical care. Come with me."

Shancai shook her head and tried to argue that she was well enough, but she could not face down the united front. Looking from one stern face to another, she gave in and allowed Huaze Lan to lead her away. Father and son watched the guest room door close.

"Son," his father said while staring straight ahead. "I have to ask you. Do you love Shancai?"

"Yes," Lei replied without hesitation. Turning to him, Huaze He Di frowned and folded his arms. Lei remained serene.

"Yet you want to see Shancai and Asi married?"

"Yes."

"Explain yourself, Son."

Huaze Lei shrugged and opened a drink. He took a long swallow, put the cap back on, and then addressed the question.

"I love Shancai, and I love Asi. Father, you should see them together. They're made for each other. Shancai brings out the best in Asi." Lei grinned. "Of course, they bicker a lot, but that's because they're both strong-willed. She is his joy, and he is her spark. They belong together."

"You haven't answered my question, Son," Huaze He Di said with a pointed look. Lei's expression turned solemn.

"I thought I loved Jing, Father, but I think now that it was a needy love, a childish version of the real thing."

"And now you know what the real thing is?"

"I do. It's to help Shancai have the life she wants, and that life is with Asi. I love her, Father, but I chose not to be in love with her. They both mean too much for me to choose the selfish road." Lei turned from his reflections to see his father's blank astonishment.

"Lei, I don't know what to say. I am most impressed. My son has become a man, a fine, fine man, but I sense some sorrow in not having the chance now to build your own life with her."

For the first time, Lei's neutral expression dropped enough to let his father see carefully hidden pain.

"I won't deny that I looked forward to it and to raising a child together."

Huaze He Di smiled sympathetically. "I can see that. Your eyes light up when you look at her. She must be an extraordinary young woman."

Lei acknowledged his father's sympathy and took a deep breath. He would not feel sorry to lose an opportunity that was not truly his.

"But I know that she would never be completely happy, and we would never share what a husband and wife should. She's Asi's, not mine." But even with those brave words, Lei could not hold his father's gaze, and Huaze He Di's eyes turned glassy. He pulled out an expertly folded, silk handkerchief from his suit coat pocket and blew his nose.

"I won't press you, Lei. I honor your decisions. Now let's get Asi home." Lei nodded and wiped away tears that his father pretended not to notice.


Thanks for reading.