Lan-Yee and Chun-On sat anxiously waiting for Li-Nam. Lan-Yee held onto Chun-On's hand. He patted it to reassure her he wasn't going to overreact. After all he had made a promise on his mother's health and Lan-Yee's life.
Li-Nam came in with a happy smile on his face. He was usually a very cheerful guy. "Hey." He said joyfully coming in. He noticed them holding hands and asked, "Why did you two invite me if you were going to have a couple luncheon? I don't want to interrupt such a loving moment." he said jokingly.
Chun-On did not waste anytime in saying what he needed to say. "Ho-Ying is pregnant." He said solemnly.
Li-Nam's smile is wiped off his face. He looks dumbfounded and confused. His happy joyful expression is now a mixture of shock, fright, confusion, and worry. "How? with who?" he asked panicking that it was another guy.
Lan-Yee comes forward, leaning slightly over the table and asks, "I don't know. I thought you were. Are you?"
Li-Nam rubs his eyes with the palm of his hands and moves his hands down to his cheeks as he lets out a deep sigh of relief. He was glad to hear he could be the father but didn't quite understand why. "I don't know. How long has she been pregnant?"
"I don't know." Lan-Yee replies. "All I know is that she is and she doesn't know what to do about the baby."
"Are you the father of the baby?" Chun-On asked in a serious tone.
"I don't know but....but..." he hesistated to continue. " I... I... think... I could be." Li-Nam replies slowly.
"What do you mean THINK!?!?" Chun-On shouts as he grabs Li-Nam by the collar, ready to strike him. Chun-On loves his sister very much and saying 'think' made her sound like some kind of prostitute.
Lan-Yee pulls Chun-On off Li-Nam. "Sit back down! We're in a public restaurant." she says. Chun-On slowly lets go of Li-Nam's shirt. Li-Nam pats his shirt and sits down. Lan-Yee holds Chun-On down and Li-Nam situates himself as he collects his thoughts.
"So now what?" Li-Nam asked exhaling as he laid back.
"What do you mean now what? YOU! have to marry her!" Chun-On shouts. "Do you expect her to marry anyone else? Who would want her now? You've ruined her life!"Chun-On continues to shout as he leans forward towards Li-Nam.
People start to look at them. Lan-Yee noticed and tugs on Chun-On. "Calm down." she said. He noticed he was making a scene and sat down. Lan-Yee then turns to Li-Nam. "So what are you're plans?" she asked.
Li-Nam looks at Lan-Yee. He still believes he has feelings for her but he didn't want his child to be fatherless nor did he want to ruin Ho-Ying's life. He nodded his head. "I'll marry her." he replied. Lan-Yee and Chun-On relaxed with relief.
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Li-Nam met up with Ho-Ying later that day. She had mixed emotions seeing him. She wanted to see him but she was afraid to because he didn't know about her pregnancy. He was unsure of his decision but decided to continue on with it anyways. They were eating dinner and he suddenly burst out the question.
"Ho-Ying?" he said tensely. She looked up nervously from her plate of food. "Will you marry me?" he asked uneasily.
Ho-Ying looked puzzled. She had no idea why he asked her to marry him. From her understanding they weren't even dating and he didn't even know about the baby. Could it be that he really liked her or maybe he was just trying to take responsibility for that night they shared?
"Why are you asking me to marry you?"she asked curiously as she noticed his facial expression.
Li-Nam remembered Lan-Yee telling him to not say its about the baby or responsibility because Ho-Ying would definitely not want that to be the reason, after all which girl would. "I've realized in my time of need, you were the one besides me, helping me, lifting me up. And I really like that feeling of having you besides me. So I want to marry you." He replied
Ho-Ying was touched. Could it be that he finally realized he loved her. She was so excited and nodded her head smiling joyfully. She couldn't believe the day she was waiting for was finally here! Li-Nam smiled and reached across the table for her hand to kiss it subtly. He pulled out a ring and put it on her finger.
She ran home to tell Lan-Yee and Chun-On about it. Of course they already knew but acted surprised so she wouldn't know that they knew. Quay was ecstatic because she knew Li-Nam was from one of the wealthiest families in Shanghai. She really hoped her daughter wouldn't have to suffer for the remaining years of her life. Suet is relieved also because she can finally relax about Ho-Ying's pregnancy and is relieved the guy took responsibility for the child. For some reason she thought about Phong and what he would do if he knew about Lan-Yee.
For the next few days, Ho-Ying and Li-Nam prepared everything for their engagement. Ho-Ying noticed Li-Nam wasn't so thrilled all the time but assumed he was stress from all the planning and ovelry concerned about his mother, who was still in the hospital. Over those few days she met his father, Phong for the first time. Phong thought she was a sweet girl and congratulated his son on such a fine choice.
Their wedding was scheduled to be 10 days after his mother will leave the hospital which would be August 12, 1956. Ho-Ying thought that would be a bit rushed but was so excited about the idea she didn't think too much about it. Suet on the other hand, prayed that Li-Nam wasn't just taking responsibility for the baby, she hoped he loved Ho-Ying too so they could be truely happpy.
They set up a date for their parents to meet. (August 2, 1956) They would have their engagment that day also. Especially since Hong Dao was leaving the hospital fully recovered that day except she would, be in a wheelchair for probably the first month.
On this fateful day, August 2, 1956 a world of past and present will collide. A secret revealed, a past remembered, a future destroyed, and memories revived...
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August 2, 1956
Suet ran around the house trying to make everything look perfect for the future in laws. It wouldn''t be right to have the house in a mess. She ordered the servants to make the best dishes and dress in their best clothing. Today was a very important day for everyone, especially Ho-Ying; so she wanted to make everything perfect.
Quay worried over how presentable Ho-Ying was. She wanted Ho-Ying to look exceptional on her wedding day. She even hired a photographer for the event! And during this time period photographers were highly expensive. She knew how much Ho-Ying loved Li-Nam so she was thrilled that her daughter was able to marry the man she loved and live worry free for the rest of her life. She didn't want anything more for her daughter than happiness.
Meanhile Chun-On was adjusting his tie in front of his mirror. No matter how much he adjusted it he kept frowning. Something was wrong with it. Lan-Yee came into his room giggling. "Here let me help you." She said pulling his tie tighter around his neck playfully.
He pretended to gasp for air and pulled back from her. "What are you trying to do, kill me?" he said jokingly.
She smirked at his question and loosened the tie. "Are you excited?" she asked as she adjusted his tie correctly this time.
He nodded, "I'm more than excited. I'm relieved." He replied as she finished tying his tie.
She smiled and said, "Me too. Me too."
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "You know what I'll really be excited about?" he asked.
"What?" she asked wrapping her arms around his waist.
"When we get married." He replied.
"Who said I'll marry you?" she teased.
"You have to marry me because, no one else wants you." he said pulling her nose.
"Since no one wants you either I guess we're stuck together." She said playfully pulling his nose also.
They smiled at each other and brought their noses together and shared a bear kiss (tickling their noses together). Then they leaned together even closer and kissed each other lovingly.
In their moment of affectionate they didn't realize Chun-On's room door was still open. Quay walked in to make sure Chun-On was dressed appropriately. She was horrified at the scene before her because she felt diminished. They heard her gasp and were startled. They were petrified to see her just as much as she was horrified to see them together.
"What is going on here?" Quay yelled. "What do you two think you're doing?"
"Mother, I... we..." he started to say.
Lan-Yee tried to help the situation, "We were just practicing a skit from a play. There is nothing going on between us." She lied.
Quay was smarter than that and immediately slapped Lan-Yee. "I let you into this household, I put a roof over your head, I raised you when no one would, not even your own mother, and this is how you repay me!" she shouted full of anger. "You try and take advantage of my son! How dare you! You're almsot related!"
Lan-Yee was petrified. Quay had never slapped her or any of the kids before. She had always spoiled them and given them everything they wanted. Tears were now streaking down Lan-Yee's face from the pain of the slap.
Chun-On immediately checked to see if Lan-Yee was okay. "Mother! Calm yourself! There's no need for violence!" he shouted angrily at his mother as he held Lan-Yee in his arms.
Quay was also in surprise. Chun-On, her filial son was now shouting at her. He never raised his voice at her before. He was too pious, but now for Lan-Yee he was shouting at her.
She almost chocked as she spoke. "You're yelling at me because of this tramp! Do you know what she's done to your father! And your uncle? Do you know the wrath that follows her?" Quay yelled loudly.
Suet was coming up the stair to make sure everything was set when she heard the screams. Ho-Ying was only in the next room and came running over to see what had happened.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" he asked Quay as he held Lan-Yee behind him. Lan-Yee though was trying to come forward to figure out what Quay was talking about.
Ho-Ying and Suet finally walked into the room together as Quay shouted, "The reason your father and Uncle Fuo is dead is because of HER!" she shouted pointing at Lan-Yee.
Lan-Yee looked terrified. "What do you mean me?" she asked pushing Chun-On out of the way.
Suet immediately rushed over to Quay's side. "What nonsense are you talking about?" she said trying to stop Quay from continuing. She wanted Lan-Yee to know she was her daughter and to know about the past, but now was not a good time, especially when Quay had blamed such a horrible thing on her daughter.
"Shut-up!"Quay yelled at Suet. "It's you and YOUR daughter!" she shouted pointing at Suet.
Everyone was disoriented. Chun-On and Ho-Ying looked at Lan-Yee in astonishment.
Lan-Yee was especially thrown back. She did not expected Suet could be her mother. All these years, all these lies, all the pain, anger, sadness, and loneliness she felt as an orphan while her mother has always been by her side! She was hurt and in pain more than anything else. Tears came falling down her cheeks as she became full of anger and resentment for the mother that was always around but never there for her.
Suet shook her head, tears streamed out of her eyes as she saw the pain her daughter was in. She continued shaking her head. "No. No it's not like that, it's not what you think."She said as Quay continued with her rampage.
"If it wasn't because you wanted to keep Lan-Yee, Fuo wouldn't need to cancel the wedding! If it wasn't for the cancellation of the wedding, Fuo and I wouldn't have thought that Lan-Yee was Fei's child. Fei wouldn't have tried to leave me and he wouldn't have drowned if it wasn't for Lan-Yee's existence."? Quay burst out as she suddenly became faint.
Ho-Ying immediately caught her mother. She was still overwhelmed by what just happened and look at Chun-On who seemed even just as confused.
Lan-Yee held her head shaking it back and forth. So many thoughts were running through her head. How could Suet be her mother? Was Fei her father? Was Chun-On her brother? Was Ho-Ying her sister? Has she been living in the Kwok residence all this time because she was a Kwok?
Suet touched Lan-Yee's arm to come closer to Lan-Yee in order to comfort her. Lan-Yee shoved Suet's hands away. "Don't touch me?" she yelled. "Don't come near me!" she said running out of the room, out of the house, trying to run far away.
Suet fell to the ground losing balance on her knees. She covered her face crying and hurt that her daughter had just run off on her like that. Even more painful was her cousin's betrayal.
Chun-On looked at his mother who was worn out from screaming and yelling about the past, he looked at Ho-Ying who was dressed so pretty for her big day, and finally at Suet who looked very sad, angry, and betrayed. And after contemplating for less than a minute he ran after Lan-Yee.
Suet noticed Chun-On run after Lan-Yee. She knew he would take proper care of Lan-Yee or at least find Lan-Yee and bring her home. There was nothing else she could do right now except go through with the the Ho-Ying's engagement, this day of sorrow. With anger still strong in her and tears still streaming down her cheek she walked over to Quay and Ho-Ying.
"The Li's will be here shortly." Suet said in a calm fierce voice as she wiped away her tears and straightened herself out.
Quay looked at her and realized what she had just done. She realized that out of a moment of anger and impulse she just blurted out the truth. A truth she was supposed to keep until her grave or at least until Suet was ready to tell Lan-Yee.
"Oh No! What Have I done?" Quay said softly.
Suet helped Quay stand up. Ho-Ying also assisted her mother. Suet adjusted Quay's dress and smoothed it out. "There you look perfect now. Nothing wrong with your dress." She said resentfully.
"Suet, I... I..." Quay stuttered but Suet interrupted her with a bitter slap to Quay's face which stunned her. It was worse than anytime that Madam Kwok had punished her because this time she actually felt very remorseful.
Ho-Ying immediately helped Quay balance herself because Suet's slap was too sudden causing Quay to lost balance. "Auntie Suet!"she shouted at Suet for hitting her mother.
Suet smiled sarcastically and said, "Now Ho-Ying, you have to get ready to meet you future in-laws. You can't look so disoriented. They won't like it. Now hurry and go put some blush on." She smiled with teary eyes.
Ho-Ying hesitated. SHe didn't know what to think. Suet looked so sad and her mother looked so remorseful. She waited for her mother's clarification that it was okay to leave. Quay nodded and sent Ho-Ying back to her room. She knew Suet would not hit her again.
"I'm sorry I don't know what got into me." Quay started explaining. "I... I..."
Suet cut her off. "It doesn't matter if you meant it or not. You said it. There are some things no apology or excuse can change." she said walking over to a crystal flower vase on the shelf and picked it up. "Like this." She said dropping the vase. It shattered onto the wooden floor. "Some things cannot be mended." Suet said bitterly.
Quay shook her head. "I didn't really mean what I said. I... I'm... Please..." Quay pleaded.
Suet cut her off again. "You must have had some intention or thought about waht you said in the first place. After all it came out of your mouth so organized! It wasn't random at all!" she shouted. Quay looked away.
Suet circled her. "I can't believe that after all these years and you still think I had an affair with Fei?" Quay looked down. She didn't know if she still thought so or not.
"Do you remember how Fei died?" Suet asked. Quay nodded. "Then you should know he died trying to save you. You almost fell into the river that night and he sacrificed his own life to save you!" Suet shouted. "If he hated you or loved me he would have just let you drown and married me after you died!"
Quay covered her face. Tears streamed down her face as memories of that night flooded her mind. All these years she has tried to forget what happened that night, the night Fei fell into the river, the night her heart died.
"Enough!" Quay shouted covering her ears. "Enough!"
"Well, if that is enough, then you should get ready to see the Li's. They'll be here soon." Suet said as she walked out of the room back to her own room.
Quay immediately tried to calm down. She couldn't let her new in-laws see her like this. She rushed to the washroom to clean herself up and freshen up her makeup.
Suet fell into despair in her own room. She couldn't concentrate. Where did Lan-Yee go? Will Lan-Yee be okay? Did Chun-On find Lan-Yee? When would Lan-Yee come back?
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