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When You Shulang opened the door and saw Zhang Chen, he thought to shut it again but didn't trust Zhang Chen not to cause a scene in front of his neighbours.
“Zhang Chen,” he sighed, “why are you here?”
“What kind of greeting is that for your favourite didi?” said Zhang Chen, pushing past him into the house.
“Fine,” You Shulang conceded. “How are you? Why are you here?”
“I’ve been good, life’s been good, I’m getting married.”
“Married?!” Shulang exclaimed, releasing the front door. It swung shut with a click, locking them in awkward silence.
“Ah, yeah,” Zhang Chen rubbed the back of his neck and smiled at You Shulang. That smile meant he was here to ask for money. You Shulang walked around his brother and took a seat on the couch. He didn’t extend an invitation, but Zhang Chen predictably dropped into the seat beside him.
“Ga,” he said in that wheedling tone that made Shulang tense with anxiety. “You know how I’ve been working at that textile factory in town? Well the factory owner’s daughter took a liking to me and we’ve been dating for a while now. I finally got the courage to ask her to marry me, and she said yes, but her family won’t accept me if I can’t give them a dowry.”
“How much?” You Shulang asked without preamble.
“700,000”
You Shulang looked at his brother, who had the audacity to be smiling at him like he wasn’t asking for more than a cup of coffee.
“That’s a lot of money for a dowry,” he said.
Zhang Chen shrugged.
“Her family looks down on me for being poor so they set a higher dowry to keep us apart."
You Shulang really wanted to ask Zhang Chen how any of this was his problem, but before he could say anything a click from the front door had them both looking over. Fan Xiao entered with a bag of groceries in one hand and a sleeping Tiantian in the other.
“Baobei I’m home,” he said softly. He toed off his shoes and looked up only to catch sight of Zhang Chen staring at him in wide-eyed horror.
“You!” yelled Zhang Chen, jumping from the couch and pointing at Fan Xiao. Tiantian, startled awake by all the noise, looked around groggily from his father's arms. The look Fan Xiao shot Zhang Chen made You Shulang shudder.
“Me,” Fan Xiao growled.
“Par?” Tiantian caught sight of Zhang Chen. “Who’s that?”
“No one pum pui,” Fan Xioa soothed, bouncing Tiantian in his arms. “Just a visitor. He won’t be staying long. How about you go to your room for a bit and practise your letters. I’ll be in in a minute to check, and if you’ve done a good job I’ll make your favourite pudding.”
“The mango jelly?”, Tiantian asked, hopfully.
“The mango jelly,” Fan Xiao confirmed, setting his son down on the ground and patting him on the head. Tiantian cheered and ran to his room. Fan Xiao watched him go with the sort of gentleness that had You Shulang falling in love with him all over again. Then he switched his gaze to Zhang Chen and his face immediately slipped into cold fury. You Shulang felt his brother flinch and sidle closer to him, but he wasn’t having any of it. Standing up he walked over to Fan Xiao and gave him a kiss.
“Welcome back baobei. We have a visitor.”
“I can see that,” Fan Xiao accepted the kiss and wrapped his hand around Shulang. “What does he want?”
“Money.”
Fan Xiao snorted, as though it could be anything else.
“How much?” he asked You Shulang, ignoring Zhang Chen completely.
“700,000”
The amount didn't surprise Fan Xiao. It was less than he paid the last time but more than he wanted to pay ever again. He looked at the human leech polluting their living room with the sour smell of sweat and fear.
“In trouble with the law?”
“He’s getting married.”
That honestly shocked Fan Xiao. Who in their right mind would agree to marry a useless waste of space like Zhang Chen? And honestly why was everybody suddenly getting married around him?
“Someone agreed to marry him?” he asked, not even trying to hide the surprise from his voice.
“Apparently the factory owner’s daughter took a liking to him. They’re asking for a dowry.”
“An owner of a small textile factory would only set a dowry at 700,000 yuan if he wanted to keep someone out of the family,” said Fan Xiao, and watched in satisfaction Zhang Chen hang his head.
“Baobei we don’t have to,” Shulang leaned into Fan Xiao and whispered in his ear. “I was just about to ask him to leave before you came in.”
“It’s fine,” Fan Xiao whispered back, “the pharmaceutical business is doing well, we can afford to help. Besides, if he marries into a wealthy family maybe he won’t be our problem anymore.”
Shulang hummed in agreement and stepped back.
“Zhang Chen,” he said over his shoulder, without looking at his brother. “We will agree to help you out one last time, but this is the last time you understand? You will be a husband soon, so stand on your own two feet and support your family.”
Zhang Chen nodded, jumping up from the couch he tried to approach You Shulang but he pulled away from him.
“Ga…”
“Send us your details and we’ll wire you the money,” Fan Xiao said, and opened the front door. “Now get out.”
Zhang Chen nodded and quickly stepped around Fan Xiao and out the door.
“Oh and Zhang Chen?” Zhang Chen turned and shivered at the dark eyes boring into his. “If I ever see you around my family again, the next cigaret is going through your eye. Remember, I don’t make empty promises.”
The door swung shut and Zhang Chen ran like his life dependent on it, because for a moment he genuinely thought it did.
****
“Xue Bao Tian is getting married!” You Shulang exclaimed. They’d put Tiantian to bed and were cuddling on the couch, drinking wine and scrolling on their phones.
Fan Xiao froze. He hadn't given the wedding invitation to You Shulang which means he must have found out about the wedding through social media. A part of him wanted to pretend he didn’t know about it, but he knew better than to do that, He knew what that could cost him.
“Yes, Shi Lihua mentioned it to me the last time we caught up and asked me to give you this,” he got up and pulled out the envelop from his jacket pocket. Handing it to Shulang, he watched wearily while he read the invitation.
“Hmmm,” You Shulang rested the invitation on the table and looked at Fan Xiao, “and how long have you had it?”
Fan Xiao didn’t quite meet his eyes and busied himself topping up their wine.
“Oh not long…”
“If I remember correctly, the last time you went out with Shi Lihua was two weeks ago,” Shulang reminded him.
“That sounds about right,” sighed Fan Xiao, and looked remorsefully at Shulang. “I’m sorry baobei.”
“Why did you keep it from me?” You Shulang sounded curious and Fan Xiao thought carefully about how to answer that question without sounding pathetic.
“I know you’re friends with Xue Bao Tian now, but he and I haven’t really kept in touch since, you know…” he trailed off.
“So maybe this is a good opportunity to reconcile,” Shulang draped himself over Fan Xiao. “I know Xue Bao Tian misses you."
“He does?”
“Of course,” sighed Shulang, like it was obvious. “You’ve been friends for years Fan Xiao. He values you. Also he never blamed you for any of that stuff. He knows what your family is like.”
“Why didn’t he say anything?”
“Well, you know Bao Tian, he’s twitchy and awkward.”
“Should you be saying that about your friend?” teased Fan Xiao.
Shulang shrugged.
“He knows how I feel.”
“So you want to go to the wedding?”
Shulang smiled.
“Of course! I’ll get an opportunity to show off my dashing boyfriend in front of all the glitteratzy of Thai and Hua society. As if I’d miss a chance like that.”
Fan Xiao laughed.
****
The wedding was as grand and pretentious as anyone who had a hand in raising someone like Xue Bao Tian could have made it. There wasn’t an inch of space that wasn’t draped in red velvet and ostentatious gold. The cutlery was gold, and thick crystal glasses reflecting multicoloured light alined on every table.
“That’s Swarovski crystal dear,” Xue Bao Tian’s mother informed, haughtily, when she caught You Shulang spinning a glass on the table.
“Ah, yes ma'am. They are beautiful.” He immediately steadied the glass and stood up to greet her respectfully. “Many congratulations on your son's marriage.”
“Mmm, yes,” Mrs. Xue assessed him from head to toe, and must have reached some sort of approval because a moment later she leaned over and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. “And where is your beau dear? My dear friend President Shi tells me you’ve let the terribly handsome Mr Bowen go and reconciled with that trouble maker.”
You Shulang forced a laugh. Word travelled fast in the mouths of gossiping women.
“Fan Xiao? He’s around. I believe he might have stepped away to give Xue Bao Tian his regards.”
“Oh good,” Mrs Xue pressed a hand to her chest. “Maybe they'll finally settle things between them. Honestly,” she leaned in, conspiratorially, ushering You Shulang closer. “I don’t know what was going through Bao Tian’s head. Him and Xiao have been friends since primary school. My Bao-er was terribly bullied you know? It was Xiao-er who looked after him back then. Always beating up the bullies and walking him home.”
“Is that so?” You Shulang smiled, already picturing how much fun he will have teasing Fan Xiao with that information. “I didn’t know they went so far back.”
Mrs. Xue waved her hand and snatched a Champagne flute from a passing waiter.
“That’s nothing. Fan Xiao also helped Bao-er with his Thai when he first moved here. He even gave him some of his Thai staff that spoke Chinese to start him off.”
You Shulang nodded.
“At first I was confused when they had that falling out. It’s not like we don’t know about Xiao-er’s family situation. If anything his willingness to testify against those scumbag relatives of his is proof enough that he is a good boy.”
Mrs. Xue sighed and You Shulang watched her eyes zero in on something behind him. He turned around and saw Fan Xiao approaching the happy couple at the head table. Xue Bao Tian was leaning into his husband, telling him something, when Zhang Chi gestured behind him and Bao Tian turned around. When he spotted Fan Xiao they both seemed to freeze for a moment, but then Zhang Chi was standing up and offering his hand to Fan Xiao. They shook amicably and then Bao Tian stood up and did the same. He said something to Zhang Chi who nodded, and Bao Tian and Fan Xiao wandered off together.
“I hope that settles it,” said Mrs. Xue. “That boy is like a son to me.”
You Shulang looked at her.
“He is,” she said. “Ever since his mother passed away I’ve been terribly worried about him, so angry at the world and surrounded by those power-hungry vultures” she shook her head. “I’m glad he found you. You’ve changed him dear. He’s happier now, more settled.”
You Shulang blushed, and thanked her. She waved her hand.
“Thank me by letting me plan your wedding. I know Yi Chen Shi will ask you soon, so I wanted to get in first.”
You Shulang gapped at her, but before he could correct her she carried on.
“Or at least let us do it together. I absolutely must participate.”
“Ma'am…” You Shulang trailed off. “We’re not engaged.”
“What?!” Mrs Xue exclaimed. Her eyes darted down to study his bare fingers critically. ‘That is absolutely unacceptable!” She grabbed his hand and began to pull him through the crowded ballroom and to the balcony where You Shulang could see Fan Xiao and Xue Bao Tian standing together, chatting amicably.
“Fan Xiao!” exclaimed Mrs Xue., stalking towards him in that terrifying way that reminded Fan Xiao of every time he misbehaved in her house. “This boy tells me you are yet to be engaged, and I find that egregious!”
“Auntie…” Fan Xiao looked flustered. It was a look You Shulang wasn't familiar with, but made soft butterflies flutter in his chest.
“I won’t hear any excuses. I will leave him here, with you, in this romantic atmosphere, and you better make good choices.”
With that she released You Shulang, swept up her son by the sleeve of his white tuxedo, and marched them back inside. The snap of the balcony door behind her felt like a parting slap.
“Ah…” You Shulang and Fan Xiao started speaking at the same time, then looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“Mrs. Xue is really something else,” said You Shulang, coming over to wrap his arms around Fan Xiao.
“She’s my god mother,” said Fan Xiao, slipping his hand into You Shulang’s back pocket. Honestly those pants had no business being so tight. “My mother and her were high school friends. Even though my mother was the daughter of a street vendor, and Mrs Xue’s family own a conglomerate empire, they were very close. Mrs. Xue introduced my mother to the Fan’s, and I think she blamed herself for what happened. Not the tsunami, but everything else,” Fan Xiao looked over the balcony at the three tier fountain of angels with trumpets alighting on cresting waves. “I think she thought introducing my mother to my father would make my mother’s life easier, elevate her status in society and provide the financial backing she needed to share her art with the world.”
“She meant well,” said You Shulang gently. “She cares about you a lot Fan Xiao”.
“I know,” sighed Fan Xiao and turned to wrap both arms around You Shulang. “But sometimes she meddles where she’s not needed. Don’t mind her.”
“Oh,” You Shulang pulled away. “So you don’t want to marry me?” His tone was teasing but his heart was racing in his chest. He watched Fan Xiao carefully.
“I… Of course I want to marry you!” Fan Xiao hurried to say. “I just…I…”
“What?” You Shulang prompted.
“The ring…it’s at home,” Fan Xiao finished lamely, and You Shulang burst into laughter.
“You bought a ring?”
“Don’t laugh!”
“I’m not laughing about that!” You Shulang said, delighted. “I just can’t believe you bought a ring. When were you planning to propose baobei?”
“After the wedding…I didn’t want to overlap with Xue Bao Tian’s day, and I wanted to do it somewhere special just for us.”
“Aw,” You Shulang pressed his face into Fan Xiao’s neck and laughed in between nibbles.
“Hypothetically,” said Fan Xiao, running his hands up and down Shulang’s back to hide his nervousness. “If I were to propose, what would you say?”
“Hypothetically?”
“Mmm.”
You Shulang grinned into his neck.
“You’ll just have to ask me and find out.”
*****
President Shi was sitting in her office looking over the new talent for the upcoming fashion show when her assistant flagged an incoming call from her friend Xue Li Shan.
“Put her through,” she sighed, already knowing what this was about.
“Hello darling!”
“Oh don’t gloat.”
“I would never,” Mrs. Xue exclaimed in a tone of such exaggerated outrage that made Yi Chen Shi smile in spite herself.
“I suppose you want in on the wedding planning?”
“Well you can hardly manage it all on your own, not with that new boy toy diverting half your time.”
“I’m very pragmatic Li Shan, or did you forget I run a company?”
“As though you’d let me forget,” a very unladylike snort followed that statement “So what do you want to do?”
“I’m happy to share,” Yi Chen Shi conceded. “As long as you promise not to go over the top on the gaudy decorations. My Shulang has very refined taste”.
“Excuse you! Gold and finery are never out of fashion for anyone who can afford them. Did you see the ring?”
Yi Chen Shi scrolled through her social media until she pulled up a photo of the happy couple. You Shulang was smiling, his head tucked against Fan Xiao’s chest. He was holding the back of his hand to the camera, displaying an impressive 4 carat ring in a platinum band. Behind him Fan Xiao's expression could only be compared to that of a satisfied panther. They were in some storage unit, stacks of crates behind them. Not what one would call a romantic venue for a proposal, but Yi Chen Shi suspected there was a story behind it, one she desperately wanted to know.
“No Swarovski crystal,” she said, returning to the call. “On this point I won’t conceded. It’s Josephinen flutes or nothing.”