Request
Bastard“You want to grab something to eat?” Henry asks as he walks casually with his hands in his pant pockets. Clad in a casual short-sleeve white button-up and black slacks, Mei Lin still feels underdressed in her plain navy tank top and white loose lace sweater, dark skinny jeans, and white sandals. “Well?”
“Uh…” Mei Lin looks at the sofa that they had just chosen.
“It’ll be delivered to your office,” Henry ensures, leading them to the car. “Come on, Mei, you look drained.”
With that, Mei Lin rubs her eyes, happy to be free of the mask of makeup, and agrees. Henry opens the door for Mei Lin and the two sit in the back seat together. She fidgets, constantly readjusting herself, as if that would make a difference, regretting not choosing a better outfit when she went home early to shower, eat, and change. Had Henry not seen her, she would’ve run back into her apartment and put on something a bit more classy.
“What are you nervous about?” Henry asks. Mei Lin stiffens and holds her hands. “Relax,” Henry chuckles. “What’s running through that big head of yours, hm?”
“Nothing,” Mei Lin lies, not looking at Henry.
Since Mei Lin won’t do it, Henry starts humming and singing to himself in hopes of getting her attention. The soft tenor melody is very much welcomed by the young lady. From the corner of his eye, even though Mei Lin is still facing the window, Henry can see that her eyes are closed, telling him that she’s listening. “I don’t mind spending everyday/ Out on your corner in the pouring rain. Look for the girl with the broken smile/ Ask her if she wants to stay awhile…”
“And she will be loved,” Mei Lin joins in. “And she will be loved.”
“Why did you stop singing?” Henry asks, hoping that she would go on.
Mei Lin takes the question in a different manner and says nothing. Luckily, they’ve arrived at their destination and the driver opens Mei Lin’s door first before letting out his employer. Mei Lin scans the area as she waits, ensuring that this will not be a repeat of The Pink Blossom. It reads: 天河利苑 Lei Garden Restaurant, which causes Mei Lin to whip around to see a smirking Henry.
“You didn’t think I would take you just anywhere for dinner now, did you?” Henry asks with a lingering chuckle. He offers his arm with a look of arrogance. The large crowd persuades Mei Lin to take it as they walk in. “Two.”
They’re led to a private room in the back, much to the dislike of those who have been waiting for almost an hour for seating. They’re seated and handed menus, which Mei Lin doesn’t even bother to open, knowing full well that the prices would drive Mei Lin out of the building faster than The Pink Blossom did. Henry orders some chrysanthemum tea and the two are left alone to their menus.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Henry says as he scans the menu. “I let you pay for your own couch; at least let me treat you to a good meal.”
“Looks like Yi Fan’s not the only one with expensive taste,” Mei Lin mumbles.
“Don’t compare me to him.”
“Why not?” Mei Lin teases.
Not wanting to talk about Kevin, Henry asks, “What do you want to eat?”
“I’m not picky,” Mei Lin says, still not touching the menu.
Henry almost snorts, “There’s a change.”
“You know I only whined back then about my food so that you would come over more often,” Mei Lin confesses. “Or give me reason to go see you.”
“You know, normal people would just say that they miss each other, rather than refuse to eat anything but their cooking,” Henry says, looking up from his menu.
“Since when have you known me to be normal?”
“Point taken.”
“I don’t see why you had to take me to such a place,” Mei Lin squirms a bit, feeling very out of place and extremely underdressed now. “One of us could’ve cooked—”
“Was that an invitation to your place? Or a suggestion that you want to come to mine?”
Mei Lin catches herself, realizing all too late as to how that might’ve sounded. “That was a suggestion that you don’t need to spoil me.”
“You cook?” Henry asks as the waitress comes in with the tea and to take their order. Henry orders in Cantonese before pouring them both tea. Mei Lin taps two fingers near the base of her cup, waiting for Henry to speak again. “Well?”
“Is it that surprising?” Mei Lin chuckles. “Don’t waste your money on me, Henry. You don’t owe me anything—if anything, it’s the other way around.”
“Sing for me,” Henry says suddenly.
“What?” Mei Lin blinks.
“You said you owe me. I want to hear you sing,” Henry smiles. “Either that or tell me why you won’t.” Mei Lin says nothing. “Can I guess?” She doesn’t stop him. “Someone tell you that you weren’t good enough? No, that can’t be it, it’s not like you do it for anything besides for fun. Uh, were you embarrassed?” Henry studies Mei Lin’s unchanging expression, knowing that it can’t be the case. “Why did you sing before?”
“Like you said, for fun,” Mei Lin says.
“Why isn’t it fun anymore? Something happen?” Her eyes downcast a bit. “So, whose do I have to kick?” That earns him a weak snicker. Someone broke your heart and then some…
The food arrives but Mei Lin is shy to eat from the fancy plates before her. It isn’t until Henry threatens to feed her does Mei Lin help herself. “Why do you want me to sing so badly?” Mei Lin asks while poking at some shellfish.
“You’re the happiest when you sing and dance,” Henry says. “I doubt that’s changed.”
“There’s not exactly time for that now,” Mei Lin says with a bit of a sigh.
“Since when was that an excuse?” Henry asks. “Whenever I use to say that, you would tell me to make time. Hell, you would pout until I agreed.”
Mei Lin chuckles to herself at the memory when Henry would complain that he doesn’t have the time to see her or visit. “Are you going to pout until I agree then?”
Henry wipes his mouth with the cloth napkin and puffs his cheeks before pouting his pink lips, squinting his eyes a bit while staring at Mei Lin until she cracks into a loud laugh blended with giggles. She pulls out her phone and quickly snaps a picture of the sight before her. Surprisingly, Henry allows for the photo, granting him the sight of Mei Lin’s bright smile as she admires and laughs at the captured moment. He watches her for a few more moments as he sips some more tea before she notices his eyes.
“Why did you let me do that?” Mei Lin asks, realizing what really just happened. “This is grade-A blackmail material. What if Yi Fan sees this?”
“I guess I’m just going to have to trust you then,” Henry says, taking another sip.
Mei Lin doesn’t buy it and pushes her plate aside, already more than full. She replaces the space with her elbows and leans in closer to further examine her friend. “Hin Wah,” Mei Lin says in Cantonese, pulling the rest of his attention, before switching back to English, “What do you want?”
Her voice is skeptical and Henry knows that he’s been caught. Now the question is, does he tell her the truth or should he wait? He meets her eyes, which blur with curiosity and patience. With another sip before setting the porcelain cup down to the side, Henry leans in as well. Though shining, his eyes tell Mei Lin nothing, which prompts her to speak again.
Before the words leave her, she decides it best to drop the subject and tweak it. “Say, why are you spending your free time with an old friend like me? Surely your parents disapprove.”
“They don’t know,” Henry says. “And I’m sure yours don’t either.”
“We don’t talk,” Mei Lin admits. “I paid for college on my own and I send back money every month. That’s about it.” The waitress comes in and clears their table before laying out a fruit arrangement. “You never answered my question.”
“Maybe I want to catch up,” Henry says, taking an orange slice. “Maybe I want to make up for lost time.”
“Then be yourself,” Mei Lin sighs. “Stop spoiling me; we’re not kids anymore.”
“Do you know why I do that?” Henry asks.
“Because you can?” Mei Lin sighs. Money has never been an issue with the Lau family.
“No—well, yes, but that’s not the real reason,” Henry pokes some melon with a toothpick, “I spoil you because your folks don’t and because you never spoil yourself.”
“I don’t have that luxury, Henry,” Mei Lin says, helping herself to the dragon fruit. “You really should stop.”
“Think of it as practice for when I get a girlfriend,” Henry says.
Mei Lin’s eyes pop, “How the hell are you still single?”
“Oh Mei, I’m flattered,” Henry teases, putting a hand over his heart. “Haven’t found the right girl yet, I guess. Mother sets me up on blind dates every now and again but,” Henry sighs, “there’s no chemistry.”
“Oh be honest,” Mei Lin points out, “Just call them gold-diggers.”
Henry laughs at the term but then asks seriously, “Why did you always want to be around me then?”
“Hm?”
“If it wasn’t because I would buy you fruit or books, then why did you want me around?” Henry asks.
“Well, you can cook, you could sing, you could make music, you could speak different languages—” Mei Lin stops, unable to keep a straight face as she pulls Henry’s leg. She laughs, letting her friend know that those shallow reasons were only a perk. “I just liked being around you, I guess. It was nice having a big brother around to help you with your homework and tell you that you should wash your hands before you eat.” She looks off into the distance a bit to recall those times. “You made me laugh,” she chuckles. “You would tease and challenge me, gave me a reason to want to improve and beat you.” She laughs at the thought and how true it still is. “I…,” Mei Lin could feel her heart drop as she lets down her guard in a quiet voice, “felt safe.”
Mei Lin had been looking to one side, using the wall like a projector screen for her memories. She didn’t notice Henry standing up and leaning over the small table, using his arms as support before kissing her briefly on the cheek. It was only a peck, but the contact was enough to make her heart pound louder and her eyes freeze. Her whole body suddenly feels warm and numb. Henry stays hovering nearby to gauge Mei Lin’s reaction. She doesn’t move, which disappoints Henry, who had hoped for something a bit more concrete. When she finally blinks a few more times than normal and closes her parted lips to try to swallow the lump in , Henry sits back down. Mei Lin keeps her eyes low as her quick heart begs for more air from her shallow breaths.
The waitress comes in to check on the two and Mei Lin takes the opportunity to bow slightly and leave, avoiding all eye contact on the way out. Henry makes no attempt to go after his friend as he pays the bill, knowing full well that Mei Lin is not a coward and will be waiting for him outside the restaurant with his car. She stands there with her feet together and her bag in her hands. Her eyes find the littered ground to be most interesting as she rocks back and forth a bit as her mind tries to process what had just happened. Footsteps approach from behind her and the two stand there in silence for a moment before the car pulls up in front of them.
Mei Lin gets in when the driver opens the back seat and Henry doesn’t move. When the door closes, she takes a moment to enjoy the solitude, but the driver comes back in the car. Looking out the window, Mei Lin sees Henry walking in a different direction. “Uh—”
“He said to take you home first,” the driver says. “Master Henry still has some business to attend to.” That was a lie, but Mei Lin will take what she can get at this point. She’s dropped off but the driver stops her before she could enter the complex. He goes to the trunk and there are a few bags in the back donning fancy designer logos. “A gift from the young Master.”
Mei Lin bows a bit before taking them. “Tell him I said thank you.”
The night is spent getting ready for the next day of work, putting away the various accessories, courtesy of Mei Lin’s new admirer, and Mei Lin drowning herself in ALS research in attempt to distract her. Sleep does not come easy that night and it’s obvious to even her boss the next morning that something is on her mind.
“If you have a problem with what I do with my life,” Yi Fan says, “you know where the door is.”
“Sir?” Mei Lin asks, not quite hearing what her boss had just said.
“I’m surprise you didn’t run to my father,” Yi Fan chuckles. “But I doubt you approve of what I do.”
“Does it matter what I think?” Mei Lin asks. “It’s never mattered before.”
“What matters is whether or not I can trust you,” Yi Fan says. “So tell me, why doesn’t this entire building know about my business? It’s been more than two days.”
“Is that what you wanted, sir?” Mei Lin asks, quite confused as to what it is that the blond wants.
“Of course not, but surely you have a reason for keeping your mouth shut,” Yi Fan says. “Are you that afraid of losing this job? You know you have another one in this company right next door.”
“I’m not afraid, sir,” Mei Lin says, choosing her words carefully. “But I’m not exactly confident either. Is it that difficult for you to accept that I respect your privacy?”
Just a bit. “So, you’re telling me that you can handle personal matters now as well?” Yi Fan asks.
“My job is to make yours easier, sir,” Mei Lin responds.
“Send the girl I was with some flowers and an apology card. There are far more interesting women in the world,” Yi Fan says, tossing his Platonic solid around. He watches as discomfort rolls under Mei Lin’s complexion. “And…” His tone is different. “Send my mother some orchids. Pink ones.”
Mei Lin makes note and plays along, “Will that be to the estate or—”
“The hospital,” Yi Fan says bluntly.
“Perhaps you should visit her,” Mei Lin says.
“Perhaps you shouldn’t tell me what to do,” Yi Fan snaps. “Just do as you are told.”
“Yes sir,” Mei Lin bows. “My apologies.”
“And Mei,” Yi Fan calls out before she leaves. “Remember, you work for me and no one else, you understand?”
Mei Lin bows again with a bit of a smile. “Sir.”
When she walks into the lobby, there’s a small box on her desk with a small note. Mei Lin looks around, but sees no sign of the giver. The note simply has her name in traditional script and the box reveals a silver Swatch. The other secretaries aren’t much help, even though they know that it had been Bai Fu who was the messenger. Gale finds her friend rubbing her temples.
“Nice sofa,” Gale says. There’s no makeup today and Mei Lin’s dark circles are clear. “You look like .” Her eyes follow Mei Lin’s to the open box. “Nice.”
Mei Lin simply lets out a sigh and mumbles to herself that there’s nothing wrong with the watch she has now. “How’s it coming?” Mei Lin asks, changing the subject completely.
“Oh, right. The new assistants are rookies and fried one of the circuit boards, so we have to—”
“You’re kidding me,” Mei Lin groans. “Which one?”
“Lian,” Gale says.
“No, I mean the circuit board, which one is fried?” Mei Lin walks into the lab and crinkles her nose at the burning smell. The three bow in greeting their supervisor with their eyes firmly on the ground. Mei Lin closes her eyes for a moment to restrain herself from letting loose a string of profanity and instead lets it run through her head. “That took a week,” is all that Mei Lin can manage to sigh. The three don’t need to know English to know of the disappointment in Mei Lin’s tone.
Lian, of whom Mei Lin can pick out without looking at his nametag, is shaking in fear of being fired before they even truly got started. Lucky for him, Mei Lin is very understanding and pulls up a 3D projection of what the board should look like. “This is what you broke,” Mei Lin says firmly in Cantonese. “This is what you’re making. The rest of you help him. If it took Gale and me a week to make it, it should take the three of you less than four days. Got it?” There is no objection from the three, only nods. “Go on now.”
The two go into Mei Lin’s office and plop down on her new ivory sofa. They both rub their eyes and foreheads at the thought of losing a week of progress. “This is going to cut into the project. We’re not going to have it ready by the conference if there are any more screw ups,” Gale sighs.
“It’s a good thing I have a couch now then, now isn’t it?” Mei Lin chuckles. “Come on. This thing isn’t going to build itself.”
They work until they feel their stomachs growl and Mei Lin decides to eat at her desk while she orders the flowers to be delivered. When she’s asked what should be on the note for the pink orchids, she says her boss’ name even though Yi Fan never mentioned a note. Her boss calls for her just as she’s about to finish her lunch and she is given a list of orders now that he knows that she can be trusted with other aspects of his life. Dry cleaning, dinner dates, movie tickets, and a list of specific items, all of which has to be picked up, dropped off, made, canceled, returned, or bought.
“And Mei,” Yi Fan says. “Put on some makeup; you look like .”
Mei Lin goes into her office and draws on a presentable mask before going around town and making phone calls. Once they are done, it’s back to her desk in the lobby to inform her boss of any updates or messages concerning clients and partners. If that wasn’t enough, her day ends with her working late in the lab to compensate for the new temps. Filing everything gets done when her watch says it’s well into the last hour of the day.
Humans are very adaptable creatures, and after a week of this chaos, Mei Lin finds herself juggling it all with decent sleep. She’s still reminded of Henry every time she sees the perfume on her dresser, but she doesn’t wear it, much like the watch that she was given. However, she has no choice but to wear the clothing because Yi Fan will complain if it’s anything below his standards.
As the days pass, the temps get comfortable with the equipment, and soon, they are back on schedule with their current project. Gale comes in and often finds Mei Lin already working and the progress since the night before when she left is a lot more than one human should be able to produce. Unfortunately, Mei Lin will hear nothing concerning a day off, and even when one of the temps forgot something in the lab, he finds Mei Lin working as well. It’s not long before the rest of the floor starts to look bad for not coming on weekends, and so Mei Lin finds herself with company more often than not. Yi Fan still only comes in when he’s required to, however.
The week that the next set of performance reviews are due, Mei Lin already has them typed and ready for Yi Fan to sign. “Sometimes I wonder if there’s two of you,” Yi Fan chuckles, referring to the amount of work Mei Lin is able to churn out and handle. “Where’s my—”
“In the car, sir, would you like me to have it brought up?”
Yi Fan gives his secretary an odd look, wondering if she’s messing with him or if she really can read his mind. “No, that’s fine. About tonight—”
“Already canceled, did you want to reschedule it for another night?” Mei Lin asks with her tablet and stylus ready.
“If you interrupt me again, I’ll have you packing,” Yi fan says, more annoyed than serious.
“Is that all, sir?” Mei Lin asks, brushing off the threat. “If so, I’d like to get back to work. The conference is in less than a month and there’s much to do.”
“Yes, of course…” She’s already bowed and gone. Damn.
She walks down the left hall, well past her own labs and deep into the Developmental Department. There, a small team of researchers and scientists are working with Mei Lin on her personal project. They specialize in medicine, namely serums. They have been running tests and developing different blends for about a month now. And seeing how Mei Lin practically oversees this department, it has gone unnoticed by the Wu’s.
“Chan,” one of them says timidly. “I checked with the company’s database and—” Mei Lin’s gaze cuts her off. “There’s no record of this project aside from the ones that we’re writing, ma’am.”
The rest of the team looks up at Mei Lin. They had no reason not to trust her and even from the start, some suspected this to be sketchy. Now there’s a voice for them to stand behind and Mei Lin lets out a sigh, knowing this was coming. The lack of alarm present tells the rest of the team that their jobs are not in danger. “This is personal,” Mei Lin says. “And has nothing to do with the company directly. My sister has ALS and I would like to help her to the fullest of my ability,” Mei Lin lies. “You are all welcome to leave at any time, but I ask that you stay and help. No one outside of this room knows about this and if you choose to no longer be a part of this, I ask that you keep it a secret. However, I have no control over what you end up deciding to do.”
Mei Lin goes back to work as if nothing has just occurred. “So what’s stopping us from going to the boss right now?” a young lady asks.
“Nothing,” Mei Lin says honestly. Her sincere smile is oddly refreshing, and after some whispering and talk from the team, they return to work. “Thank you.”
“If we get caught, it’s all on you,” the middle-aged man says.
Mei Lin smiles at the comment and even gives it a short laugh. “Then I better hope that we don’t get caught.”
“You’re quite confident,” the woman points out.
“I wouldn’t say that,” Mei Lin says.
“Then what it is?” the young man asks.
“I just trust you, is all.”
Mei Lin’s eyes never meet the ones of those who are working at other stations, but she doesn’t need to see to know that they’re exchanging puzzled looks. She can’t blame them for being skeptical of her. How can one honestly trust a team of strangers on something that could get them all fired?
“I’m going to take my lunch break,” the middle-aged man announces.
No one pays attention, but just before he leaves, Mei Lin says, “If you’re going to tell the boss what I’m doing, then at least have the stones to be honest about it.”
He stops halfway out. “Okay, I’m telling Yi Fan.”
“You’re all welcome to leave,” Mei Lin says. “Not sure how he’s going to react to all of this and it wouldn’t be right if you were to get fired for this.”
“You have more power in this department than he does,” the young lady says. “Unofficially, of course.” Mei Lin takes a look at the girl in front of her, questioning what she just said with her eyes. She simply shrugs, “If I had the chance to save someone I love, I’d take it too.”
“You’re risking your career,” Mei Lin says.
“So are you—”
The doors open and the boss, along with the rat, comes in. “What is the meaning of this?!” Yi Fan nearly bumps into a table with vials.
“What did he say?” Mei Lin asks calmly, matching Yi Fan’s use of Cantonese.
“Does it matter what he said?” Yi Fan is furious, boiling with anger. His mind is scrambled enough for him to switch between dialects. “What’s going on?”
Mei Lin is about to answer when the young lady speaks. “Mei Lin’s sister has ALS and we’re—”
“You don’t have a sister,” Yi Fan says, spitting the words out like a bad taste. The room’s atmosphere changes unlike Mei Lin’s expression. The team had been lied to, so what’s going to happen to all that trust now? It hits Yi Fan harder than the rest of them though. “ALS…”
“Sir?” Mei Lin asks. “Are you alright?”
“What are you making?” Yi Fan asks, still dazed.
“We’re working on a serum that will help Mei Lin’s, uh, sister,” the young man says.
Yi Fan stares at his secretary with glazed eyes as the middle age man hands him a copy of the files. “Why didn’t you tell me?” His calm voice confuses all those in the room except for Mei Lin.
“Things like this take time and it’s hard to say whether or not this would yield results,” Mei Lin says.
“I could fire you for this,” Yi Fan says, the rat smiling. “I could fire all of you.”
“You sure could,” Mei Lin agrees, making the rest of the team uneasy.
Yi Fan looks over the files again, but his lack medical knowledge makes the writing appear to be Greek. He blinks his eyes dry and shakes his head from the amount of characters that he’s never seen before. “How long have you been doing this?” There’s no negative undertone; Mei Lin breathes a bit easier, knowing that Yi Fan is being swayed.
“Only about a month. We can’t say there’s progress seeing how we’re still creating—”
“How did I not know about this?” Yi Fan isn’t upset; he just wants to know.
Mei Lin chuckles a bit. “With all due respect, sir, if you did your job, then maybe you would’ve noticed.” The team is uneasy again. This isn’t the best time to tease the man who could have everyone on the streets by the end of the hour.
“You,” Yi Fan says, pointing to the middle-aged man, “You’re fired.”
“What?!” (Hard to say who said this with so many voices at different times.)
“Uh, sir, he did nothing wrong,” Mei Lin says.
“You’re defending him?” Yi Fan asks.
“Well, yes? He did nothing wrong.” Mei Lin is confused as to why Yi Fan would do something like this.
“Fine,” Yi Fan says. “You can stay so long as it’s alright with her. However,” he says to Mei Lin. “We’re seeing my father, now. The rest of you, back to work.” Yi Fan’s long legs makes Mei Lin practically run to keep up as the impatient young man doesn’t bother to wait for an elevator and heads up the stairs instead. “How did you get her files?”
“I talked with the doctors,” Mei Lin said.
“How did the bookkeepers not notice this?” Yi Fan asks, wondering who he should fire in the Finance Department.
“I used my own money, sir, so—”
Yi Fan stops quickly, causing Mei Lin to bump into her boss, almost knocking her down the stairs before Yi Fan grabs her shoulder with one hand and pulls her to meet his eyes. He searches for any signs of deception and finds none. “What are you trying to pull?”
“You off of me?” Mei Lin asks, feeling the pressure from Yi Fan’s strong grip.
He lets go and keeps walking but he takes slower steps now to allow himself more time to think. “So let me get this straight. You went behind my back, dove right into my personal life, started a secret project, and used your own money, all in hopes of what?”
“That she gets better?” Mei Lin thinking this was obvious.
“Why didn’t you just tell me?”
“I might be organizing almost every aspect of your life now, but you wouldn’t let me near your personal life with a ten foot pole. Besides, we said we would never talk about this. Even if I openly offered my help, you would’ve shot me down, or worse, make sure that I never even get a chance to try. I didn’t want to get caught in case it doesn’t work out and—”
“Okay.” Yi Fan feels a migraine coming on. “You’re too good for your own good, got it.” He sighs before storming into his father’s office and slapping the file down on his table.
“What is the meaning of this?” Mr. Wu demands.
“My secretary has been secretly working on something that might help mom and they’re going to keep on working on it, but with the support of the company. This is me letting you know.”
Yi Fan turns to leave but his father stops him. “How did this go unnoticed?” Mr. Wu asks, flipping through the file.
“That’s my fault, sir,” Mei Lin says, knowing full well that she’s going to lose her job today.
“How’s it coming?” Mr. Wu asks.
“We’re still in the creating phase but—”
“You have an idea?” Mr. Wu asks.
“It’s complicated, sir, and I don’t want to bore you, but in short: yes. I have a plan.”
The air is tense and silent and Mr. Wu considers everything: the secrecy, the lying, the use of this company’s lab, everything. “And all this happened without you knowing, son?” Mr. Wu chuckles. “Maybe it’s about time you got that promotion. But tell me this: what made you use your own money?”
“I didn’t want to get caught should it fail,” Mei Lin says. “It would be wasting the company’s money as well as its resources if—” Mr. Wu holds up his hand and Mei Lin stops talking. She then bows deeply and says, “I take full responsibility, sir, and—”
“You certainly will,” Mr. Wu says, closing the file. Mei Lin swallows and braces herself. “I want reports every week; back to work now.”
“Sir?”
“You heard me. Have Wang send over someone to change the title on your door. It’s your department now; do as you like.”
“But, sir, that’s Yi Fan’s department—”
“That was his department,” Mr. Wu says, causing his son to internally cringe. “Maybe now you’ll focus on the other one that you’re in charge of. That means the annual charity fundraisers and galas, as well as all the public events, are in your hands.” Yi Fan gulps at the thought of all that work and pleasing other people. “I expect you to be at every meeting. Someday you will run this company and it would be nice if there’s a smooth transition.”
Yi Fan turns around and leaves. Mei Lin bows again before quickly running to follow her boss. “Sir!” Mei Lin calls, but Yi Fan is already halfway up the steps, causing Mei Lin to run. She trips and has to break her own fall. “Ow…” At least that got him to stop. She stands up and brushes herself off, grateful of the janitorial staff for keeping these stairs clean. “Sir,” Mei Lin says again. “I won’t accept the position if you disagree with it.” Yi Fan waits for the reason. “I work for you, remember?”
He stands about five steps above Mei Lin, analyzing her with his hands in his pockets and narrowed eyes that would’ve sliced Mei Lin three months ago. He turns around and opens the door, stepping onto the roof. Mei Lin follows, but stays four paces from his left. The sun is pounding down and the light breeze is heavy with August humidity. They stand there, one with her eyes squinting at her boss while the other has his eyes closed to think. He eventually gives up on trying to understand why Mei Lin does the things that she had done and just accepts the fact that she can be trusted. And with no ulterior motives detected, Yi Fan is forced to accept the fact that she is genuine and actually cares.
“Keep the offer,” he finally says. “You do it better anyways.” Mei Lin bows even though her boss can see it as a silent acceptance of the sarcastic compliment. “I might be head of the PR Department…”
“But?” Mei Lin asks.
“They usually take care of themselves,” Yi Fan says. “That or Henry takes over.”
Mei Lin flinches at her friend’s name. “So this is a good thing, right?” Mei Lin asks, still squinting at the sun. “You’ll have less work.”
“And a smaller paycheck,” Yi Fan smirks. Anything to give the old man a reason to knock me down a bit. “It’s not like I do very much as it is,” Yi Fan admits. “You do most of the work. Maybe you should take over the company.”
“I’m flattered, sir, but I honestly would much rather be in a lab tinkering with possibilities,” Mei Lin says.
“So then why are you still my secretary?” Yi Fan asks.
“Are you firing me, sir?” Mei Lin asks, the smile audible in her voice.
Yi Fan smirks at the thought, “I might be lazy, but I’m not an idiot.”
“So what does that mean?” Mei Lin asks.
“It means…” Yi Fan lets out a reluctant sigh. “It means that I still don’t want this job. It means that life still . And it means that I’m not giving you any breaks.” They stand in the blistering sun for a bit longer. “I took your advice,” Yi Fan says, making Mei Lin’s ears perk up. “I visited my mother.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, how is she, sir?”
“As decent as anyone in her situation, I suppose. She asked me to do something though.”
“And what was that, sir?”
“She asked me to try.”
Without a face to determine the severity of this conversation, Mei Lin wonders if it’s safe to speak. “So what are you going to do, sir?”
“So long as she’s still breathing, I’ll give the old man less of a hard time,” Yi Fan says, turning around. “Her last memory of me shouldn’t be one of a lazy jackass, yes?”
Mei Lin could’ve sworn she saw him smile, or maybe it was a smirk. Regardless, it’s enough to make Mei Lin beam brighter than the unforgiving sun. Mei Lin practically skips down the steps as she tries her best not to show her excitement. There are already workers on the doors of Mei Lin and Yi Fan’s offices, scraping away one title and replacing it with another.
“What the is going on?” Gale asks.
“Long story; I’ll tell you later. All you need to know is that that team I had, it’s yours now.”
“You got promoted, didn’t you?”
“No, she got fired,” Yi Fan says loud enough for the whole lobby to hear. “Now get your in here, Mei.” Gale glares at the blond for his thick sarcasm and Yi Fan rolls his eyes in return. “You just gave your friend your old job, didn’t you?”
“Wow, you actually know who my friends are,” Mei Lin says sarcastically.
“Don’t get cocky just because you have a fancy new title now.”
“Yes sir,” Mei Lin says, bowing a bit.
“Go down to resource and fetch the new contracts. Deliver the performance reviews while you’re at it.”
“Yes sir.”
Translations/Author's Notes:
-
The lyrics that Henry and Mei Lin sing at the beginning of this chapter are from the song "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5
-
天河利苑 Lei Garden Restaurant = Expensive but high quality place. The food has a Hong Kong and Taiwanese style, suiting Henry and Mei Lin's background.
-
"Mei Lin taps two fingers near the base of her cup" = She also did this when she had lunch with Amber. There's a story behind where and how this custom oiginated but it simply means "thank you" when someone else is pouring you tea.
Comments