“Remember everyone, I have a very important guest coming today. I need the place to be spotless!”
Su Yuying was frantically pacing around her home, inspecting every little thing in anticipation of her business partner’s arrival.
She was both nervous and excited.
Today would be the day she would show her father the fruits of her efforts.
It would be the first time she gave him something to be proud of.
“You, over there!”
The maid who had been addressed jolted in response
“Y… Yes, Ma’am?”
“You’re doing an excellent job, keep it up!”
“Yes, Ma’am!”
The maid continued her work with vigour.
Yuying breathed a sigh, exhaling some of her nervousness.
“It’s fine. Everything’s going to be fine.”
***
“The young miss seems to have placed great importance on this,” said the head butler. He was speaking to the master of the house. “I do hope she won’t end up disappointed.”
“That depends on him.”
“Verry well. I shall remain on standby. Should the need arise, I am fully prepared to-“
Sensing his daughter approach, the master of the house raised his hand.
“That will be all.”
***
“You seem to be quite excited about this,” said the father to his daughter.
“Of course I am. If only you knew what’s to come, I don’t think even you would be able to contain yourself.”
“You think this product of yours is that impressive?”
“Most assuredly. The world has never seen anything like it.”
“Hmm…”
“What is it, Father?”
“Well, I can’t help feeling there’s something sinister about this.”
“Something sinister?”
“Yes. To put it simply, I can’t see why this business partner of yours is working with you.”
“Ought I be offended?”
“That was not my intent. I’m just pointing out that you’re not much when compared to your old man.”
“Is that right?”
“Indeed, it is. I would have bitten off at least seventy percent.”
“In your dreams.”
They both laughed.
“In all seriousness,” said the father, “I fear this business partner of yours may have ulterior motives.”
“Oh? As in?”
“Well, your appearance isn’t least among my concerns.”
“M-My appearance? Is there something wrong with my face? It’s my stomach, isn’t it? I thought I was gaining a little weight. Oh, this isn’t good at all.”
The daughter immediately pulled out a hand mirror and conducted a thorough analysis of her features.
The father was taken aback.
He placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder.
“There’s nothing wrong with you, princess. What I meant to say was-“
She slapped his hand away.
“Don’t lie to me, Father! Admit it! You think I look like a donkey, don’t you?!”
“A donkey? Where is this coming from?”
“Why didn’t I notice it earlier? I wondered why you kept buying me makeup, even though I never wore it. Was that you giving me subtle hints?”
“Ying’er…”
“Forgive me, Father. I had no idea my appearance repulsed you so. I’ll be sure to wear makeup from now on. You’ll never have to see me without it again.”
She covered her eyes with her sleeve and turned to run.
But her father grabbed her arm.
“Yuying! You are in no way-“
“Got you.”
When next he saw her face, she had her usual cheery expression.
“You really ought not play tricks on your father. I’m not sure my heart can take much more.”
“Don’t worry, Father. I am fully aware that I’m stunningly gorgeous. How could I not be when I’m my mother’s daughter?”
The father struggled to suppress a smile.
“Then, my daughter, are you also aware that you’re stunningly conceited?”
“How could I not be when I’m my father’s daughter?”
The smile broke free from its restraints.
“Then I’ll have you know that your good looks also came from my side of the family.”
“Really? Then I suppose I ought to be thankful to grandmother and grandfather. It’s a shame about their son, though.”
“Yuying, I’m appalled. How could you say such vicious things about your uncle?”
Both laughed.
“If nothing else, it would appear I inherited my sharp wit from you, Father.”
***
Just after the sun had set on that same day.
Hei walked through the town streets, the glow of red lanterns illuminating his figure.
It was an atmosphere that brought to mind images of walking home with his mother in his youth.
One hand would be holding a sweet of some sort, often a lollipop, and the other would be enveloped by his mother’s.
They usually didn’t say anything on these trips, opting instead to take in the ambience of their surroundings.
He would often get lost in thought, arriving at the house before he knew it.
Much like he had done just now.
But there was one thing different.
He didn’t belong here.