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Zhong's Marriage                                                                    ( Fiction  Part 2)                                                                        By Lisa Lee                                                  Contents

Since the meeting in the airport, Jin Tao always came to Auntie Ping’s house. She thought that Zhong was an honest and mediocre man; he was not the kind of person who would be her ideal husband-rich and handsome. However, Zhong had an American passport. That was the chief attraction. If she married Zhong, she would emigrate to the U.S. very soon. Therefore, Jin Tao treated Zhong with great courtesy and let Sui Fong have no chance.

Compared with Sui Fong, Zhong thought Jin Tao was prettier and more positive, and her openness made getting along with her easier. Actually, they went out every day and very soon Zhong fell in love with Jin Tao. Two weeks later, when they were strolling in Yue Sui Park, Zhong plucked up all his courage up and muttered, “Jin Tao, will¦will you marry me?”

“Yes, my darling.” Jin Tao answered in English.

Zhong’s jaw dropped in surprise. He couldn’t believe his proposal to Jin Tao went so smoothly and Jin Tao could speak English.

“Frankly, I only know some very simple sentences.” Jin Tao said humbly.

Zhong said heartily, “Your capability in foreign language is better than mine. Now, when do we go to register?”

Jin Tao pointed at his nose with one finger and said, “You forgot a very important procedure.”

Zhong slapped his forehead. "Ah, you are right!"

They went to Jin Tao’s family and got her parents' permission. The old couple was very satisfied that Zhong was a decent young man who would tolerate their willful daughter.

Because of Jin Tao’s insistence, Zhong and Jin Tao had a simple wedding ceremony. They took a four days trip to Shaoqing as their honeymoon.

When they came back to Canton, Lan secretly asked her brother, “Hey, how was your honeymoon?”

Zhong smiled, “Fine.”

Lan said, "I have my doubts. Nowadays, most Cantonese girls yearn to have a big wedding party and very romantic honeymoon. Why Jin Tao”

Zhong interrupted. “Hey, what are you imagining in your little brain? Don’t be oversensitive. Jin Tao knows we have a big mortgage and she just wants to save money. How about you and Dak?”

Lan said, “So far we’re getting to know each other more and deeper. We plan to get married next month and I’ll wait for his immigration.”

sighed. “It’s a pity that I can’t stay because I have to go back on time. In addition, I need a lawyer to help me with Jin Tao’s immigration. I hope Jin Tao will come to New York with you.”

“No problem. I’ll bring your wife safely to you.” Lan said readily.

After four months, Jin Tao came to New York Lan and Dak. Zhong was so excited. “You are home, my dear!”

Jin Tao answered with a big smile, “Yes! My dream came true. Oh, America!”

Zhong took three days off and drove the car with his wife around New York City. Jin Tao did not act very interested in the Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center, Central park, or Empire State Building, but then they stepped in Macy’s, Jin Tao’s eyes brightened. She bought a lot of Chanel cosmetics, the finest dresses, high-heeled shoes and famous-brand handbags. When the cashier handed Zhong the bill, he could not believe his eyes. He thought: Fortunately, I brought my credit card. He wondered how Jin Tao knew about the goods of different famous brands. As if to answer his question, Jin Tao said, “Cantonese girls always talk about various famous brand goods. Dear, do you mind that I spent a lot of money?”

“No. Please don’t worry.” Zhong said and held all the shopping bags. Anyway, he liked his wife to dress in the modern style.

Life went on peacefully. Two years later, Dak graduated from Brooklyn College and found a job in a financial company. He helped to pay the mortgage, so Zhong could decrease his working hours and attend a professional college to study an electricity course. Lan was a skillful seamstress and worked in Midtown but kept going to evening school. Jin Tao disliked sewing and worked in jewelry factory, as a packer. Sometimes she came home late, but nobody paid attention to it.

One night, Zhong came home from school and found his wife was not home. He recalled the recently Jin Tao had been going out with her friends and had come home late. At 11 p.m., Jin Tao came home at last. Her face was red and she had an alcoholic odor. Zhong helped her to the sofa and asked tenderly, “Are you okay? Why did you drink so much?”

Jin Tao said unhappily, “I want to drink. I want to drown my sorrows!”

Zhong asked in shock. “Sorrows? Why do you feel so unhappy?”

Jin Tao acted like a spoiled child. “I get tired of living with a big family. Zhong, let’s move out.”

Zhong persuaded his wife patiently. “Dear, I had told you that we’re much attached to our parents and living with them. Before we got married, you had agreed to my only demand- to live with my parents.”

Jin Tao shouted, “I have lived with them two and a half years. That’s enough! I want my love nest!”

At this point, Zhong did not surrender. He insisted, “Jin Tao, please think fairly about our life. My parents do all the housework and let us have time to work, study, and rest; they treat you like their own daughter”

Jin Tao retorted, “I know your parents are the most important people in your life. I don’t want to listen anymore.” She walked into the bathroom and slammed the door. She did not talk to her husband for several days.

This was the first time they quarreled. Avoiding bad developments, Zhong nipped this problem in the bud. He tried his best to tolerate his wife to mend the crack of their love.

However, their marriage was being damaged.

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