Xiaozi grabbed Shancai's hand and gave it a firm squeeze.
"Shancai," she said, "we won't fail. Your child needs its father, and you need your husband. We'll get him back."
"We promise," Lei said. "We promise."
Chapter 8
Dao Ming Feng tapped a slim finger against her phone, her mind swiftly calculating the new development. So, Xiaozi wanted to come to London to spend time with Asi? That made sense since her father was improving. Feng smiled thinly. Xiaozi was in obviously in love with Asi, and a beautiful woman willing to give herself would appeal to his vanity. If she got pregnant sooner rather than later, the baby would seal the deal. Asi would never abandon his child. That much was certain. Besides, wasn't it an act of good faith to welcome her into the family home at a time like this? Yes, a most welcome development. Only Asi needed to be healthy and alert. Well, he knew what would happen if he went against her now. Men stationed in Shanghai kept her abreast of Shancai's whereabouts and actions.
So, she's with Huaze Lei now. My, she works fast.
Dao Ming Feng could not fathom how and even more why these young men were interested in a such a common girl. Were they too used to privilege and beauty that they wanted to slum it? She had raised her son for better, but men could be inexplicable in their desires. She summoned her housekeeper.
"Xiaozi is coming to spend time with Asi," she said, watching Yu Sao carefully for a clue to her allegiance. She would be sent to Shanghai immediately if she betrayed the slightest disappointment. The elderly housekeeper smiled.
"Excellent news, Ma'am. That means that her father is recovering. I'm happy for her." She shook her head. "It must have been a terrible time for her." She looked innocent and sincere, which she was since she chose her words carefully. Dao Ming Feng stared at her for another moment before nodding.
"I want the gold suite cleaned and prepared for her, and I want her paid every attention." Yu Sao nodded.
"It will be done according to your standards, of course."
Asi's mother summoned her assistant.
"Prepare Asi prepared to receive her," she said. He nodded. "Take him off his medication. He's recovering and no longer needs it and remind him what's at stake should he prove uncooperative."
"Yes, Ma'am."
She waved them off, and Yu Sao walked away with a spring in her step. The battle plan was in motion, and the soldiers had taken up positions. For the first time in weeks, she felt spry.
"May I use the house phone?" she asked.
"Why?" one of Dao Ming Feng's security guards asked with a scowl.
"I need to make a doctor's appointment."
"For Asi? Why?"
"For myself!" she said, "and, as for why, do you want to hear about what gynecological issues a woman my age can have?"
The man blanched, stepped back, and waved toward the phone. Yao Su nodded and dialed the clinic. She took a deep breath and hoped all would work out.
"May I help you?" the receptionist asked.
"Yes. My name is Yu Sao, and I need to make an appointment for continuing difficulties. I was told that Dr. Wu specialized in my situation?"
The minion stepped closer and motioned for her to put the phone on speaker. The receptionist paused, and Yu Sao took a deep breath.
"Of course, Yu Sao," she said smoothly. "I just pulled your file and see that Dr. Wu has taken your case. You received our notice that he joined our staff recently?"
Yu Sao exhaled and smiled.
"Yes, I did. Are there any appointments available this week?"
"Let me check. Is your concern urgent? Now, let's see. It's Monday. When would you like to come in?"
The elderly housekeeper squirmed, and the security guard cringed.
"Sooner rather than later, I think."
"Would tomorrow work for you? We have an appointment open at 4:30?"
"That would be fine. Thank you."
The guard grabbed the phone out of her hand and slammed it down.
"You'll be escorted there and back."
"Do you want to sit in on my appointment as well."
In Shanghai, Asi's team delved deep into its resources to make a miracle happen.
"Hello? Zhuang? It's Meizuo. Asi's in trouble, and we need your help."
"Hello? Chen's Wig Emporium? A theater production needs three men's wigs. Short hair but longer on top. Black hair, yes. Great. How soon can they be ready?"
"Yes, thank Dr Wu for his cooperation. She's made an appointment for tomorrow? Good. Please thank the receptionist as well for her flawless performance. Yu Sao will explain when she gets there. Be aware that she may have security guards with her. Thank you for your discretion."
Huaze He Di had the most interesting call to make, and everyone wanted to listen in.
"Are you sure he'll remember you?" Huaze Lan asked. Her husband snorted.
"My college roommate damn well better! Besides, we've kept up."
"But Harvard was so long ago!"
"A fraternity brother is a brother for life. Hush. The phone is ringing."
"Hello. Heathrow Airport. Office of the CEO. May I help you?" Everyone leaned closer.
"I want to speak to Giles Davies, please. Tell him it's Huaze He Di."
"Do you have a call scheduled?"
"No, but it's urgent."
"I'm sorry, but he's in a directors' meeting now and asked not to be disturbed." Everyone frowned, but Lei's father grinned.
"Directors' meeting, eh? Just give him my name and tell him that I have a bucket of water for the Wicked Witch of the East. He will understand."
A moment later, a distinctly English voice boomed into the phone.
"He Di, old boy! Jolly to hear your voice. So, what's this about Dao Ming Feng? Planning mischief?"
"Of a kind, Giles, and we need your help."
"Anything within reason, old boy. The woman is a scourge."
As Huaze He Di outlined the situation, omitting Shancai's pregnancy, the man on the other line started cursing under his breath.
"Outrageous," he said. "Her own son? What about the police?"
"She has the means to deny it and deflect the authorities."
"And the young lady who was supposed to marry him?"
"I'm here," Xiaozi said loudly in passable English, "and I want to help."
"And you want to get him out through Heathrow, am I right, He Di?"
"Yes," Lei's father said. "We need to get him out before Feng catches on."
"Count me in then, old boy, and I'll go one better. Alice? Patch me into British Airways Headquarters, Office of the President, direct line." A moment later, another British voice joined the conversation.
"Giles! Why have you come calling today?"
"Good to hear your voice as always, Perry. Listen, a good friend of mine is also on the line, and he needs our help. Dao Ming Feng, your favorite corporate jet owner, is holding her son, Asi, captive in London to keep him away from the girl he loves. Feng's henchmen tazed him in a park while he was trying to reach his girlfriend, Perry. Can you believe that? And now she has him sedated and under guard at their London house."
"Good God! What do you need from me? Help in a jailbreak?"
"Exactly that, right He Di? Hmm, yes. We need to get this poor boy through Heathrow and onto a flight bound for Shanghai without being caught. Your staff must let him on regardless of the circumstances. We'll also need a disguise of sorts to get him off the plane safely. He Di has his friends at his house working on how to get Asi from the house to the airport and from the airport to somewhere safe. I will have my security looking out for Feng's people, wretched woman. Can you have your people looking out for him if he runs into trouble?"
"I'll go myself, Giles. I wouldn't miss this for the world."
"Perry, that's brilliant! I'll join you, and after it's over, we'll clink glasses. We'll work out details tomorrow. Good enough for you, He Di?"
Shancai motioned to take the phone, and Huaze He Di handed it to her without a word. Clutching it with both hands, she took a deep breath.
"He Di?" his old roommate asked. "Are you still there?"
"My name is Dong Shancai," she said in halting English. "I am very grateful." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Asi proposed, and we were to be married, but she stole him away. Thank you for helping us. I need my husband, and our child needs his father." She passed the phone back and wept on Lei's shoulder.
"That tears it," Giles Davies said with heat. "Together we will teach Dao Ming Feng a lesson she will never forget."
"For Asi!" Huaze He Di said. Voices cheered around the world.
"For Asi!"