After the party, Quay started talking to Fei and Fuo more. Quay's father, Chiang Luo Hei did business with the Kwoks. He hoped to get her into the Kwok family because they were the wealthiest in all of Shanghai. Little did he know she already knew them. He was extremely over excited when the Kwoks had a business banquet at the Blossom Nightclub, and invited his whole family!
Quay didn't expect to see them because her father had told her it was just a regular banquet. She dressed very elegantly like she always did. She was beautiful that night in a charming evening gown. The first person she bumped into was Fuo. "Hi Fuo! What are you doing here?" she asked excited to see him because she was bored all night without anyone to talk to.
He smiled glad to see her also and replied, "I'm hosting this banquet for the new Shanghai Theater on Avenue Joffre."
"Oh really what will you be naming the theater?" she asked excitedly. He thought about it ad replied, "Something to signify our great country. War is breaking out everywhere. China has taken up so much hardship for such a grand country."
Quay quickly became bored of the subject since it was no longer about anything she was interested in. "Okay good luck. I need to go back to the banquet to meet my father. I'll see you later." She said walking off.
"Have a grand time tonight." He said as he also went back to walking around. She shook her head giggling as she walked back into the dance room. Fuo was so serious she thought to herself. He would be a great choice for Suet since Suet always talked about the country, pride and honor. But for her as long as life was happy, she was happy.
She was so lost in thought she didn't realize she had bumped into Fei. He was holding a glass of champagne and was talking to some French business partners as Quay bumped into him from behind. That champagne spilled all over his dress shirt. "I'm so sorry!" Quay shouted nervously. "I didn't mean it." She said again this time looking up to notice it was Fei.
"Its okay." he replied. "You didn"t do it on purpose." He looked at the French men and said, "M'excuser, j'ai besoin de nettoyer me." (Excuse me, I need to clean myself up)
Quay giggled as she heard him speak French. She didn?t know many Chinese men who spoke French so it really astonished her. When Fei came back from the restroom she quickly asked him, "Where did you learn French at?"
"When I went to a boarding school in France, I learned it." he replied. She lit up."Wow that's wonderful! I've never been out of Shanghai. How was it, was it fun?" she asked enthusiastically.
"No matter where I went, I found China to be the best country. What's more wonderful than your own native country, right?" he asked with a wink.
Quay shrugged her shoulders. "Yeah but I would love to travel around the world. Hopefully one day Phong can take me." she said dremily. Fei nodded. "That would be nice. You get to learn new things and see many new places." he said.
"Yeah and maybe you or Fuo can take Suet!" Quay exclaimed. Fei was astonished by Quay's comment. He nearly chocked on nothing. "Why would either of us take Suet?" he asked.
"Well I think you or Fuo would be perfect for Suet. You guys seem to have so much in common with her. You must have tons of things to talk to her about!"
"We ummm... but Suet, well she... he thought about it and decided not to say anything else.
"Let's not talk about Suet, why don't you tell me about you. I didn't really get to talk much to you during my birthday party."
"Oh okay." Quay replied. "What do you want to know?" she asked playfully. "Anything I guess." Fei replied. Quay smiled. "Okay but you have to tell me about you too" she responded and the two started talking about their lives from childhood to the present.
Quay talked about how close she was to Suet and how she met Phong along with a little of her own personal interest such as the movies, dancing, shopping, and talking. Fei also told her about his hobbies which were basically reading, writing, and learning new things.
"Wow seems like you like a lot of new things!" Quay exclaimed. "Is it like that with women too?" she asked teasingly. Fei chuckled lightly. "No when it comes to women I'm very faithful. I believe men and women are equals so a man should treat the woman he loves with respect." He said.
Quay giggled. "If most wealthy men are like you and not playboys the world would be a better place." She commented. Fei shook his head. "Not all wealthy men fool around. Look at my older brother Fuo, he's a sincere guy too." Quay shook her head laughing. "Yeah but he's boring unlike you." she said smirking. Fei laughed. "Can't help it, if I'm the more interesting Kwok." He joked.
Right then, a man walked by them and went behind Quay to quickly grab something on the counter behind her which knocked her from her position. Fei immediately caught her. "Are you alright?" he asked holding her. Quay smiled at him slightly. "Thanks for saving me." She replied nervously as she bit her lips and looked away embarrassedly.
"No problem." He replied taking notice of her blushing. "You're blushing." He remarked. she looked away. "Oh no!" she exclaimed covering her face. He reached for her hand to stop her. "Don't cover your face it brings out your beauty." He commented.
She blushed even more not realizing he was holding onto her hands. At that moment her father, Luo Hei walled by and witnessed everything. He was very excited as he left undetected. After a moment, Quay realized he was holding her hand and pulled away nervously. For some reason she didn't think of pulling away earlier. She didn't know why. "I'm sorry." He said. She shook her head. "It's ok. She said walking away.
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Suet was reading a school play skit on the park bench when someone sudden tapped her back. She looked but didn't see anyone so she continued reading, then received another tap. She looked behind her and once again didn't see anyone. So she got up and walked away. Right when she did the person tapping her started to follow her. She knew it and immediately turned around. "Finally show up, don't you!" she declared and playfully smacked him on the shoulders.
"You were so fixated on your reading so I wanted I'd help you relax." Phong joked. She glared playfully at him. "Yeahand how is playing tricks on me going to help me relax?" she asked sarcastically. "Seems like you're just trying to get me more stressed out!"
"Well maybe I can help ease your mind a little if I help you. What is it that you're reading?" Phong asked coming closer to her. She showed him the script she wsa reading. "I'm trying to get a part in the school play so I need to work carefully on these lines." She said excitedly because he was coming closer to her.
Phong turned his head and looked at it. "Hummm... that looks like the same play Quay and I are trying out for. Is it the play titled, "Shanghai Story?" he asked. She nodded rapidly. "Yeah, are you two trying out for the same play? Which part?" she asked enthusiastically.
"The part of the leads, Tin-Luong and Ka-Liet of course." He exclaimed. "I'm sure Quay and I can act as the loving couple in this play perfectly." Suet tried to manage a smile. She was also trying out for the part of Ka-Liet. She really hoped that he could play the part of Tin-Luong and they could have just a moment of love, even if it was just a role in the school play. "Well I wish you two, good luck!" she said reluctantly as she walked away from him.
He grabbed her by the arm. "Hey why are you leaving so quickly?" he asked confused. She turned away. "There's nothing more to talk about." She said plainly. He let go of her hand and stared at her for a moment. She stood there and looked away. She didn't want to look at him. It hurt her too much to be so close to the man she loved and have to watch him love someone else. He didn't know what was wrong but he didn't like Suet upset. It hurt him to see her so upset. "Come on.? He said holding her hand.
Suet couldn't bring herself to take her hand away from him. She wanted their hands to be together. It fit perfectly she thought looking at it as he dragged her along. They ran for what seemed like only 2 seconds to Suet but was actually ½ a mile. Phong stopped at the school auditorium which wasn't very big but it was empty, perfect for practicing for a school play. Suet looked around the dim stage they were now standing on. "Why are we here?" she asked confused.
"I can practice with you and you can practice with me!" He exclaimed. She nodded happily. Now in her own little word with him. He pulled out his script and she pulled out hers. "Which part did the play writers give you to practice?" he asked. Suet showed him her script again and he nodded. "I have the same script too, so it'll be easy." He said with a smile. ?Ok let?s start,? he said motioning for her to start.
Suet nodded and got into her role. "I'm sorry, Tin-Luong. I must leave you." she said reading her script. He smiled at her then looked at his script. "Why must you leave? I love you so much." Phong said reading his script. She turned away. "My brother needs me. I cannot stay with you and let him live a lonely miserable life on crutches." Suet said reading her lines.
"But don't you love me?" Phong said reading his lines. Suet suddenly lost her script. It became a blur to her as she replied. "I love you more than you'll ever know." She said. gazing at him. He was looking at his lines. "If you love me, don?t leave. Stay with me and I'll help you care for your brother too." Phong said still reading his lines. Suet leaned into his embrace. "I love you." she said holding him tightly.
Phong dropped his script and held her tightly. "I love you too." He said softly as he embraced her in his arms. After a moment, Suet pulled away and stared at him. She realized she was no longer reading her script. She couldn't do this. He belonged to Quay not her. She couldn't do this. Without a word she ran off as quick as she could with an expression of confusion across her face.
He was curious to why she left. Why did she seem so upset? Weren't they just reading their script? Then he realized he dropped his script and picked it up nervouosly. Somehow it felt different holding Suet. It felt as if she belonged in his arms. 'Why was that?' he asked himself as he left the auditorium.
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Two weeks pasted and all three of them tried out for the roles in the play along with many other students in the school. In the end, Suet was given the role of Ka-Ling and Phong was given the role of Tin-Luong. Quay got a smaller role in the play. She was upset that Suet had got the role of Ka-Ling, but not because it was the lead but more because Suet would have a chance to be close to Phong. She still couldn't forget her insecure feelings when she saw Phong around Suet.
Quay congratulated Suet but her heart was aching because she would have to watch the man she loved play a loving couple with another woman. Which woman could actually stand this? But Quay tried to be calm about it telling herself it was only a school play.
Suet was enthusiastic as her and Phong rehearsed for the role. In the play Phong had a scene where he wrapped his arms around her. She almost fainted from the mere touch of his warm hands. How she wished to be embraced by him forever.
Phong did not seem troubled or nervous at all. He was at ease with Suet. He felt a special bond between him and her. Kind of like best friends but also because he felt she was one of the people who understood him. He also tried to make Quay feel better about her role as a maid to Suet's role. Quay didn't want him worried for her so she assured him she was okay with everything.
When it was time to perform in front of the school they all did their best. One of the scenes stayed forever in Suet's mind and she reminisced on it throughout the days. The scene was when Phong proposed to her in the play, "The Shanghai Story".
Phong came walking into the kitchen as Suet was preparing the vegetables for cooking. Suet turned around and said, "Tin-Luong, what are you up to now?"
"Nothing, why did you think I was up to anything?" Phong asked with a mischievous grin. Suet turned to him "I know that look on your face. It tells me you're up to something." Suet replied.
Phong put his arms around Suet. "Nothing ever gets passed you." Suet smiled and fell into Phong's embrace. Phong whispered into her ears but loud enough that the audience could hear, "Ka-Ling will you marry me?" Suet's eyes became watery with tears. "YES! YES!" she replied as she threw her arms around him for the finale of the play.
Quay watched uneasily. She didn't like the words they both said. It was heart breaking for her. Seeing the man she loved and her dear cousin declaring undying love for each other. Even though it was a play it scared her tremendously. She ran to a vanity table cursing herself for acting like it was nothing earlier when she knew it was something.
After the play Quay became even more jealous of the friendship Phong and Suet shared. She became more distant from Suet. She didn't know how to explain her feelings but she knew she felt scared, worried, anxious, and confused all at the same time.
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