SOLID GOLD

(final to ASIB)
Author: Cynthia Muak

Chapter 1. 1

Chapter 2. 6

Chapter 3. 12

Chapter 4. 17

Chapter 5. 23

Chapter 6. 29

Chapter 7 (Final) 36

 

 

Chapter 1

 

After Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei retired to their East Sea Commune bungalow, they enjoyed a very quiet lifestyle; they seldom visited Seoul. Three of their children lived in Seoul, the eldest son BB (Bao Bao) taking care of Wen Rong Group Holdings, their other 2 children, BR (Bao Rong) and BZ (Bao Zhu), running MBS. Their youngest son BA (Bao Aun) lived in Busan in charge of Wen Rong Shipyard, and MY Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company Ltd.

This year in May, to celebrate MBS Founding Day dinner, Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei were in Seoul. That day also happened to be the birthday of their second son, BR.

Seeing the weather this early morning, being exceptionally cool and perfect for the month of May by Seoul’s standard, Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei decided to walk to a public park near their house, for some morning exercise.
==

“Old man, hey, wait for me!”

Shan Mei was panting by the time she caught up with Xiang Zhe.

“Why did you walk off without letting me know?” Shan Mei reproached her husband.

“You were busy chatting up that man exercising next to you, smiling so sweetly to him, I didn’t want to disturb you. How many times have I told you not to give that smile to anybody else but me!” As Xiang Zhe said that, he held out his hand to his wife, to help her along. His eyes fell on her face, all glowing and rosy, her delicious dewy mouth had trace of a slight pout.

“What do you mean chatting up that man? I was trying to get a soup recipe from him. He told me he never has a cholesterol problem even though he eats a lot of meat. He takes a special herbal brew every day.”

“Well, did you manage to get it? We can go to Dongdaemun herbal market and get the herbs later in the afternoon. Now you won’t have an excuse not to feed me your delicious pork stew.”

“He was just about to name the last few ingredients when you walked away.” Shan Mei’s gaze drifted away from him.

“Tomorrow you must get the recipe from him.” His heart was filled with sweetness. Shan Mei was thinking of him, even when she was doing her exercises. She knew how much he enjoyed good food. Since his bronchial and lung problems, which Dr. Kim and his team had in the beginning suspected were early stages of cancer, she had put him on strict diet. That was almost 14 years ago. A year ago, Shan Mei had introduced more meat and variety into her cooking so he wouldn’t find his meals so boring.

“Didn’t you just jealously accuse me of chatting him up?” Shan Mei answered. Xiang Zhe detected a tinge of playful teasing in his wife’s tone.

Yet, he couldn’t help but sound disconcerted, “I told you to get the recipe from him. I did not ask you to chat with him!”

Shan Mei smiled secretly to herself. [“This Xue Zhang, already 72 years old, yet still so easily prone to little, senseless jealous fits.”]

Xiang Zhe didn’t like it one bit. This was their first morning at this park, and his wife had already made some friends. They arrived 2 days ago in Seoul, to attend MBS Founding Day Anniversary dinner. Their children wanted them to stay longer, so the family could celebrate their mother’s birthday on the 7th of next month, 3 weeks away. Also, BR and Suzanne were expecting their 3rd child in two weeks’ time. This child would be the first Yin grandchild from them. Their first two, a girl and a boy, were surnamed Sung, and spoilt hopelessly by the Sung family.
=

Brother Sung took the grandchildren everywhere with him, sometimes even sitting in on his high level business meetings. Xiang Zhe used to laugh at the silly vision of nannies, nappies, feeding bottles and pacifiers in Bansung’s conference rooms. Brother Sung frequently called the couple on his mobile, saying how the babies reminded him of BR when he was little. Such a proud grandfather! Sometimes, when talking to Xiang Zhe or Shan Mei, he forgot it was ‘our grandchildren’, and rattled on about ‘my grandchildren’.
==

Earlier in the park before Xiang Zhe went off in a huff.
In another section of the park, on higher ground, where Xiang Zhe was standing by the swings, doing his usual stretching exercising routine, his eyes were on his wife doing her hip swiveling routine. He found her so beautiful and captivating, her smiles were just as sweet and dazzling. He continued watching her from where he was, and was shocked to discover he was aroused and seized with desire for her [at this hour of the day and away from their bedroom, at his age]. She had the kind of inner beauty and outer serenity that could only come with age and she did not look anywhere near her 66 years. Next month she would be 67, yet she looked almost the same as the day they celebrated her 50th birthday. Didn’t people usually describe the elderly as ‘old and ugly’? Shan Mei didn’t look ‘old’ at all; in fact, she was looking more and more beautiful and younger since they moved to the East Sea area. Unbelievable!

They held on to each other’s hands, after Shan Mei caught up with Xiang Zhe, as they strolled along. Xiang Zhe turned to look at his wife indulgently, his mouth curving in a contented smile. Shan Mei could feel his eyes on her. A feeling of warmth crept into her being. After all these years, Xue Zhang could still affect her in the same way as the evening they celebrated her 26th birthday at the Pier Restaurant, and she was moved but she had to think of him first. She didn’t want him to slip and fall. This path was not even. After she got the recipe from that kind man, it would be safer to exercise in their own garden. “Old man, your eyes should be on the path and not on me. Watch out for the loose pebbles.”

Xiang Zhe gave her an understanding smile, and, in a solemn tone, reminded her, “Tomorrow morning, no more hip swiveling exercise from you. You look too sexy and suggestive from where I was standing. Just stretching exercises will do.”

“Won’t you then complain I’m trying to show off my figure?” As she said that, she stopped in her stride, placed her hands on her waist, and struck a pose.

Xiang Zhe gave her a barbed glance and decided that was not a good idea too. “Okay, too many people walking around. Just do slow running on the spot.”

“Don’t you think my bouncing breasts will surely drive all the men crazy ?” She reminded her husband impishly, her eyes laughing at him with mischief.

“Yes…erh.. you’re right. Okay, just walk sedately around Mr. No Cholesterol until you get the recipe from him, then we leave. No more exercising for you in any public park. You’ve been kept in our East Sea commune too long, you don’t know how to behave properly any more in a public place.” Xiang Zhe looked at her with laughing eyes; his mouth had a teasing grin too. He waited for retaliation from her, it didn’t come.

Shan Mei must be tired to take his jibe so sedately, so he suggested they sit down on a park bench under the shade and rest a bit before going home. After they sat down, Shan Mei took out a towel from her small tote bag and wiped Xue Zhang’s face and neck of any perspiration.

Her husband drew her closer next to him. In a soft whisper, he asked her,
“Darling, did you notice the man in the yellow track suit, exercising near the swings?”

“You mean the one you were talking to?” she answered as she was wiping the perspiration off his forehead, at the same time, smoothing his hair away from his forehead, gently finger-brushing it towards the back.

“Yes, that’s the one.” He lowered his voice, and pinned his eyes steadily on Shan Mei. “He told me he and his wife do it 2 times a week…. Are you cheating me out of some fun, old lady?” Xiang Zhe puckered his mouth into a pout, his eyes wide open, calculating and somewhat accusing. Shan Mei was at this time wiping her husband’s chest under his tee-shirt when she stopped, and looked over him carefully.

Shan Mei couldn’t suppress a laugh at her husband. She thought Xue Zhang looked so adorable when he asked her that ridiculous question. Her eyes were so full of love for him. “Darling husband, open your eyes and take a good, long look at that man. Don’t think just because that man has peppery coloured hair as yours, he is the same age as you! That man is not even 50 though his hair may be grey, and streaked with white. Only 2 times a week?” Shan Mei scoffed. “I’d rate him an average performer. I remember when you were around that age, we were doing it …..” Shan Mei’s voice trailed off tantalisingly, her eyes dreamily focused on her husband, a knowing smile on her lips.

Xiang Zhe gave his wife a sheepish look and a roguish grin. “Okay, get your message. Again, I’m making wrong accusation, right?”

Before Shan Mei could reply with one of her clever retorts, he changed the subject.

“Dearest old lady, what are you going to give your old man for lunch today?”

“Anything you fancy.” Shan Mei was in good mood and sounded indulgent.

“In that case, super delicious sushi today, pork stew tomorrow, abalone chicken congee day after tomorrow, and hot, hot cuddles 2 days after tomorrow” and looked at his wife with expectant smile, and mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

“Don’t think just because we’re on holiday in Seoul, you don’t have to follow your diet regimen. I can allow a little leeway, but don’t try to take advantage.”

“Hey, lady, you can’t blame an under nourished man for trying” and shrugged his shoulders in resignation at his wife and her ‘diet control’.

Shan Mei smiled sweetly at her husband and she gave his cheek a gentle pinch as she put the damp towel back into her tote bag, and took out a small plastic drinking bottle with mineral water, popped up the sipping straw and handed it to Xue Zhang. He put the straw to Shan Mei’s mouth, “You sip first”. After she took a sip, he returned the straw to his mouth and sipped the remaining water, smiling at his wife at the same time, his mischievous eyes never leaving her face.

“Husband, don’t try to change the subject about food and you should be grateful I’m feeding you so well. So well that that man can assume you’re the same age as him.” She couldn’t stop laughing as she continued to look at her husband. “No wonder, with your healthy, rosy complexion and almost wrinkle-free face, you look much better than him. I’ll take you anytime, even if you can only manage less than 2 times a week or a month,” and she almost doubled up with more laughter.

Xiang Zhe stared back at his wife, his mind didn’t quite fathom what she was laughing so hard at; he asked, his mouth quirking, “So, is that good or bad?” handing the empty water bottle back to her.

“Definitely good, and I do love you so !” She giving him the eye as she let him take her hand into his when they got up from the park bench. As they were approaching the front of their house, Shan Mei felt a sudden urge to let her husband know just how much she really loved him, “Xue Zhang, you’re the best and I not only love you, but I’m still so in love with you.”

Xiang Zhe grinned broadly and planted a tender kiss on her irresistible lips. “I feel the same, too.”
==

A few nights later,
Xiang Zhe was in their bedroom, sitting down on the sofa, his mug of herbal soup on the table getting cold.

Shan Mei saw that, as soon as she emerged from the bathroom, a large bath towel wrapped around her and a smaller towel in her hand as she wiped her just-shampooed hair. She was about to remind her husband to drink up, when she noticed his forehead furrowed with all sorts of anxieties. He was looking down at the mug, his lips compressed in a tight line. At times, he released the tightness, to bite on his lower lip, after that he would pucker up his lips at nothing in particular. When she saw that facial expression, she immediately thought to herself, [“Aiya, why can’t this old man change his habits and expressions a bit to make my life more interesting? It’s no fun knowing what’s on his mind every time.”]

“Hey!” she called out gently and good-naturedly across the room to her husband. “What’s the matter? Why are you not drinking your herbal soup?”

Xiang Zhe looked up at her, gave her his special crooked smile, and patted the space next to him on the sofa. Shan Mei gave a sigh. After almost 39 years of marriage with him, she already knew what was coming next. He would need at least 2 times of coaxing from her before he would tell her what the problem was. If it was a big problem, she would have to coax him at least 4 times.

She sat down next to him on the sofa, and caressed his cheek with the back of her hand. “Darling, is something bothering you?”

Xiang Zhe shook his head slightly. “Just need your loving company to finish off this soup,” he said as he took the towel from her hand and began to towel her hair dry. When he finished, he tossed the towel away onto the top of the table, then lovingly wrapped his arm around her shoulders to draw her closer to him, his other fingers trifling casually through her almost dry hair.

Shan Mei gave her husband a tender kiss on his cheek. “If you don’t tell, how am I going to know?” When no words came from Xiang Zhe, she continued, “if there’s no problem, I’m going now to my dressing room to make myself beautiful for my old man.” Shan Mei got up from the sofa and made a show of walking away. Xiang Zhe caught on to her wrist to hold her back. He looked at her, his eyes appealing softly and briefly with her to stay.

She sat back down on the sofa next to him, picked up his left hand and began to play with the wedding band on his ring finger. She coaxed him sweetly, “is something on your mind?” He smiled at her and said nothing. [“He’s still not forthcoming. OK, I’ll rile him”] Shan Mei thought, using her sure-fire ‘special weapon.’

Looking at her husband with soft, limpid eyes, Shan Mei asked innocently, “You’ve a girlfriend? You want to set up house with her officially but are afraid to ask?” As expected, Xiang Zhe reacted to the baiting taunt.

“How can you think up of something so preposterous and improbable?” he shot back with baffled dismay at his wife.

“You’ve thought up of far worse things of me if I recall correctly.”

Xiang Zhe grinned sheepishly at Shan Mei, “Aiya, my darling old lady, why are you still harbouring grudges after so many years?”

“I’m not! You know I’m fine with anything except sharing my beloved husband with another woman. I haven’t learnt to be that generous yet. You were so reluctant to tell, of course I thought it must be a woman you’re trying to hide from me.”

“You’re the only one I love. I tell you this at least 5 times every night, more times during the day, and still you doubt me? How come my life is so pitiful? Aiyoo!” Xiang Zhe shook his head slightly in mock despair, slyly gauging his wife’s reaction through heavily hooded eyes.

“Hey Old man, loving me and wanting another woman are two completely different things. I’m not as stupid as before. I now know the devious minds of men.” And she gave her husband a smirk bordering on smugness.

“Wa! Very clever now, huh? Open your big, beautiful eyes and take a good look. Where is this 72 year old man going to find the energy to fool around with another woman? All my energy is used up keeping watch over you so YOU don’t go fooling around with another man, a younger man!!! As if you didn’t know it already, I’ve never lusted after a woman. With you, it has always been love, never lust! I want to share all my loving, passionate, intimate moments only with you, the woman I so deeply love.”

Shan Mei looked at him and openly admitted, “You may be old but you are still a handsome devil, and your credit cards will keep any woman busy and happy. She doesn’t need you around. Now, are you going to tell or not?”

Xiang Zhe drew Shan Mei back into his arms. “The other evening at the Anniversary dinner, Zian Da took me aside and told me it seemed like the end of the road for them. Yong Xi doesn’t want to return to Seoul. She prefers to stay with their daughter in America. He was so bored over there, with nothing to do except read newspapers and watch TV dramas. He got sick of the whole scene there. For Yong Xi, it was slightly better. After each drama episode she would spend hours on the phone with her cronies discussing the plot and the calibre of the actors. Now that he has returned to Seoul, he asked me whether it is possible for him to return to MBS. He doesn’t mind doing anything, even filing the daily news items. Just give him a legitimate excuse to drop by the News Office. At least he will feel useful, and have some decent company at the office. What do you think, darling?”

Xiang Zhe didn’t like doing Zian Da this favour, after what he and Yong Xi did to Shan Mei. But, in the utmost bliss of his own unparalleled happiness, he benevolently wished the whole world well. And at times like this, seeing how blessed his own marriage was, he felt sorry for Zian Da, and that Yong Xi was definitely not an easy person to live with. Zian Da himself was no angel, of course.

He was so relieved now. He had thrown the ball on to Shan Mei’s side of the court. He hoped Shan Mei would tell him there was nothing suitable for Zian Da but knowing his wife, with her compassionate nature, she would tax her brain, until she came up with something….

“This is the problem? I thought it was some major catastrophe. Next time, if you don’t tell by the second coaxing, I’m going to walk. My heart cannot take any more of this kind of stress. You know, I’m keeping my body functions in good working order so I can live to celebrate our Golden Wedding anniversary. And you better do the same by minding your own business.” This subtle warning scared Xiang Zhe. Shan Mei was right, they were no longer young. He had better play their games differently. He should have told Shan Mei right away, and not put her under any unnecessary duress.

Shan Mei gave her husband a light kiss, “Be good and finish off the herbal soup, while I think up of something. One thing is for sure. I can’t agree to have him work in the office. He came to you with stories of Yong Xi so you won’t blame him if he ends up with a mistress later on. When I first joined MBS, he was always sweet to the girls, especially that Xu Ying Mei. In that News Office, Li Qing Xi and I were about the only two he didn’t fancy. That’s so unfair to Yong Xi. We should help to get them back together.”

Xiang Zhe pulled his wife back into his arms and whispered lovingly into her ear, “He didn’t dare fancy you, because I’d very openly declared you as my property at the Company anniversary luncheon. And even if he fancied Li Qing Xi she wouldn’t fancy him at all, because she was way smarter than him. Ever since she worked in my department, I suspected she always felt Zian Da was too meek and weak to stand up and make a stance, with no strong leadership qualities.”

“Let’s see.” Shan Mei picked up the soiled towel from the table, dropped it into the laundry basket, then went to her dressing room to comb out her hair neatly. Xiang Zhe followed close behind her.

“Want me to get the tangles out of your hair?” he asked. Not waiting for an answer from her, he took a wide toothed comb from her dresser. She snuggled up close to him and he began to pull the comb gently through her almost-dry hair. The faint after-scent of her rose and jasmine shampoo drifted to his nostrils and though he tried to keep his eyes firmly on her hair, they kept drifting to her bare shoulders, then further down to where the towel gaped open against her smooth, creamy back.

The tangles were nearly gone now, but he liked touching her hair and smoothing his hand over her shining crown. He bent forward and whispered very softly into her ear.

“Tired?”

“No, not really” Shan Mei answered absentmindedly as she applied some hand cream to her hands and to her husband’s. Without intention, she happened to lift her eyes to glance into the mirror as she was capping the lid back on the tube of hand cream, and found Xue Zhang staring wistfully at her reflection.

“Good.” His eyes, gleaming wickedly and staring straight at Shan Mei’s in the mirror before him, seemed to convey a message that only the two of them understood. She flushed at the transparent, ardent message in the heated depths of his eyes.

Shan Mei walked to the antique chest of drawers, opened the top drawer to pull out a satin nightgown. She was about to pull it over her head when Xiang Zhe came up behind her, took the nightie away, and threw it onto the dressing stool. “Darling, you don’t need that tonight. I’ll keep you warm. Indulge me, okay?” his tone soft and sensuous as he nibbled around her ears.

 

Chapter 2

 

There was excitement in MBS building, as the receptionist in the main lobby buzzed down the lines that the Wen Rong limousine carrying Senior Chairman and his wife was just pulling up along the drive way outside of MBS main entrance. The chauffeur of the limo had alerted MBS Head of Security after collecting Senior Chairman and his wife from their house and was told by Senior Chairman to drop them off at MBS. Many of the new and fairly new staff members had never had the chance to really meet the famous couple although they had heard a lot about their fairy-tale love story; the man was rich, smart and handsome, the woman charming and clever, and the glory they brought to MBS.

One receptionist asked their Reception Supervisor, “Our current President and Director of Planning, B. R Yin, is very handsome too; does he resemble Senior Chairman?”

Reception Supervisor replied, “Well, he does, but there is mixture of father and mother. Now, their youngest son, not working at MBS, is the one who looks the most like Senior Chairman, exactly every thing, especially the way he walks, with his hands in his trouser pockets, the way he talks and the way he smiles. Sometimes, if his hands weren’t in his pockets, he would flex his hands about as he ambled along.”

“How did you notice something so small, seeing that he doesn’t come to the station that frequent?”

“One time Senior Chairman was here with his four children. As they strolled along the corridors on the ground floor, Senior Chairman was up in the front, the youngest son following up behind; it was so funny to see the Senior Yin and the youngest Yin doing the same thing with their hands unconsciously as they strolled along. Especially, other times when they were listening attentively to something, they would both have their hands clasped behind their backs, adopting the same posture.”

The receptionists became increasingly excited as they continued discussing this youngest Yin child with their Reception Supervisor.

“If this is so, why is such a gorgeous hunk wasted on those rough and tough Busan shipyard workers?”

“Don’t know, but it seems since young he has been fascinated with ships and boats and the sea. And the shipyard workers at Wen Rong are anything but rough. Nowadays, if one wants to gain employment with a top-rate shipyard, one needs a specialized technical college or university education.”

One young, pretty receptionist who had only joined the reception pool two months ago, sighed dreamily, “To be honest, I don’t mind working in Busan, with all that hunk candy around. Who knows, maybe my Prince charming is waiting to rescue me, a damsel in distress being caught in between two telephone poles in the shipyard!” Hoots of laughter echoed all around.

Another receptionist suggested, “Go visit our shipyard website. You can see how modern the shipyard is, integrating so well with the Busan Port Authority’s facilities. From the website, in the section on Management, you can see our Director, Mr. Yin Bao Aun, in action. He’s such a dreamboat. It’s a pity he’s married. You won’t believe it, but he’s father to 3 children already.”

“E.e.e.e.k…..How can that be? His wife a beauty queen or something?” asked another receptionist unbelievingly.

“His wife is the only granddaughter from this powerful Bansung Group family. She’s supposed to look only okay, but very clever. She speaks and reads Chinese and helps her husband in their pharmaceutical factory. Here she is, standing next to B.A Yin in this photo in the Photo Gallery web page. She doesn’t look bad in this photo.”

“Yuck, how can someone that gorgeous marry a woman looking so plain. I suppose it’s not a love match. Must be money talk, all the way.”

“Hey, stop being so mean. She doesn’t look bad. In fact, I think she looks classy in an understated way. All those things she’s wearing are expensive items even though of simple cut. Look at those shoes… so gorgeous.”

Another girl chipped in. “I heard one time when he and his wife were visiting MBS to meet up with his brother for lunch, there was talk going around the canteen that they were childhood sweethearts. In fact, he insisted they be engaged before she went off to university in America.”

Reception Supervisor’s voice came booming down onto the girls through their earphones. “Hush, you girls. Security guard is informing me that Senior Chairman has just arrived at the main entrance with his wife. Mrs. Senior Chairman is looking just as beautiful as he remembered her.” Reception supervisor whispered a question down her intercom to the security guard standing on guard by the entrance. She looked at the receptionists and they sniggered, when the guard confirmed, “Yes, Senior Chairman is holding onto his wife’s hand….tightly!”

“Just as romantic as ever,” Reception Supervisor sighed with a knowing smile.

“You mean just as possessive as ever!” Ha-ha-ha from all the girls around the Reception Desk.

“What about famous TV personality Miss Zhen Shan Mei?” asked the pretty receptionist who was new to all this. “Does her daughter look like her?”

“Well, in a way but the daughter is taller. If Miss Yin has on her 3” heels, she stands even taller than Senior Chairman! She used to look a lot like her mother, but as she grew older, her looks have become a well blended mixture of mother and father.”

Another receptionist chipped in, “Miss Yin doesn’t look as sweet as her mother, though. Aiya, make your own decisions when she comes in later.”

Reception Supervisor reminded the girls, “Miss Zhen is very friendly and sweet. She is bound to talk to the staff when she walks by. Be on your alert, and please be natural. The couple never likes pretentious people. You can call her Miss Zhen, Madam Yin or Mrs. Senior Chairman, she doesn’t mind whichever. And if she talks to you, she likes to address you by your first names, so make sure your name tags are prominently displayed.”

The pretty newbie asked, “What about Senior Chairman, if he talks to me?”

Reception Supervisor laughed, thinking the question was so funny. “Senior Chairman doesn’t talk to any females. I’ve worked here for 12 years. The only females I’ve ever seen him talk to are his wife and his daughter. The most you’ll get from him is a brief nod of his distinguished head. So you can stop building castles in any imaginary air you hope may be blowing your way.”

As expected, Shan Mei was nodding her head and smiling sweetly left, right and centre when they were waiting for the lift in the main lobby and when she made her way to Xiang Jie’s office.

Xiang Zhe decided to pay his second son a visit. BR now occupied his dad’s old office.

Xiang Jie was now the Chairman, but he didn’t move out of his old office. He preferred to stay where he was, making him even more popular with the staff. Jae Hoon, though semi-retired, came in often to visit his favourite girl, BZ, and did occasional dubbing for programmes for the station frequently. Other times, he would be at BZ’s place, visiting her children. In fact, Chris and BZ loved having him visit, sometimes asking him to take the children back to his place, leaving the young couple with some romantic time for themselves.

As soon as Xiang Zhe entered the DoP’s executive office, BR vacated his seat for his Dad. He sat down on the sofa facing his daddy. Xiang Zhe told him, “Your mum wants to see your Uncle and Uncle Jae Hoon; some project to discuss. All’s going on well here?”

“Yeah, apart from the usual problems, like staff wanting better benefits, etc.”
Xiang Zhe nodded his head slowly. He understood his son’s position precisely. He used to be faced with the same dilemma.

“How’s Suzanne bearing up? If the weather is too unbearable for her, get her to stay in the hospital. At least, she’ll get the proper nursing care. You never know, the baby may decide to come early.”

BR nodded his head. “This morning I was on the phone with Chris and that was what he recommended. I’ll talk to Sue later and see what she says. She’s quite stubborn and I’m quite afraid to upset her in her present condition. She finds fault with the slightest thing. This morning I just asked why the socks were put away differently from normal, she got quite cross and told me to take care of my own socks from now onwards.”

Giving his dad a swift glance to gauge his mood, he asked, “Was Mum ever like that?”

Xiang Zhe looked at his son from under his lashes, rubbed his eyes lightly with his fingers and laughed in an understanding way. “I was told women act strange when they are pregnant. Your mum is not your typical run of women. She tried her best to make my life as easy as possible. I know carrying such a load was hard for her, and she had trouble sleeping. Every time I asked her, she told me she was comfortable, and not to worry. The only times she didn’t listen to me were when I told her to stop working. Your mum’s a great little woman.”

He slowly stroked his chin, his mouth was curved in a self-absorbing smile, as his mind went back to the times Shan Mei was pregnant with BR and the twins. They spent a lot of their times at their love cabin. Shan Mei was happiest when she was sleeping under the stars. He thought they had to be more careful, the way they were when Shan Mei was pregnant with their eldest child, a pregnant woman becoming less active in her condition; instead Xiang Zhe discovered his caresses every night had Shan Mei moaning for him; on some nights they were both insatiable for each other’s love. No matter what, he was always very gentle and conscious of her comfort during such times. They only curtailed their loving activities during her 7th month of pregnancy, and stopped completely from her 8th month. During those times, he thought he restrained his ardour rather well. Because, if there was one thing he loved; he loved his wife almost to the point of obsession and he really loved making love to her. But soon they became rather inventive – really inventive, he recalled with a salacious grin – in bringing each other to fulfillment.

Before BR could ask his daddy for more advice, Shan Mei walked in on them, after her slight knock on the door went unanswered. Xiang Zhe rose from the chair returning the seat to his son. He made his way to the sofa, sat down and crossed his left leg over his right. Sensing they were having some kind of conversation, Shan Mei didn’t want to intrude. Instead, she made her way to the pantry, at the same time asking her husband whether he wanted coffee. She would make him a cup of weak coffee.

“Of course, darling, I’d love a coffee from you. But please don’t make it so weak, even a baby can drink it.”

“You’re my baby now; so you drink whatever I make for you. You’re lucky your son has Decaf Instant in the pantry, otherwise I won’t be able to offer you even a weak cup.”

“Can you then make me a cup with 2 teaspoons of Decaf, p.l.e.e.e.a.s.e?”

“Be good and take just 1 teaspoon, okay?” her voice soft and coaxing

He shook his head in mock despair, grumbling, “Haggling over something so minute!”

“It’s because I love you so much.” On hearing that, Xiang Zhe smiled at his wife, and gave her a wink. She winked back.

BR threw his parents an indulgent glance, mouthing silently to himself, “You two lovebirds……”

While she was in the pantry, her husband called out to her, “Darling, your son wants to know how to run a smooth, peaceful household with a fretful pregnant lady around?”

Handing her husband his cup of coffee, she looked at their son steadily, and asked softly, “Are you giving Suzanne trouble?”

BR gave his mum a wry grimace. “Me? She’s the one being unreasonable even though I try to humour her most of the time.”

“BR, Suzanne’s now carrying the most important load of her life, your baby; she doesn’t need your humouring. She needs your love and your understanding. She’s willing to bear the discomfort, simply because she loves you. You must help her as much as possible through this difficult period. When I was carrying you, your daddy was the perfect expectant father. Nothing was too troublesome for him, as long as I was happy and comfortable. That’s why I love having your daddy’s babies. I wanted more but, after the twins, your daddy put his foot down. This is not the first baby for the two of you. How did you manage with the first two?”

“Well, she was practically living at Godfather’s place. God-grandmother was fussing over her continuously, so she was in good mood all the time.” BR rubbed at the anxious frowns that had just gathered on his forehead.

Shan Mei went up to him, and circled her arms around his neck. “Darling, trust us. Just be understanding and loving and everything will work out right. When you hold your new-born baby in your arms, you’ll forget your wife was ever unreasonable.” Shan Mei paused and looked over to where her husband was sitting. “Daddy, didn’t you always tell me all the time I was the most beautiful pregnant woman?”

Xiang Zhe smiled as he recalled something. “You really were. Especially that time when you were carrying BR and attending that Award Ceremony. The newspapers reported even though you were 6 months pregnant, you were more beautiful and elegant than all the other ladies present. The radiance from your smile far outshone the largest diamond in that auditorium.” Giving his wife an indulgent look, as sweet memories came flooding back.

“Get off work early today, go home and make your wife happy. Only a happy and thoroughly loved pregnant woman can give birth to a handsome son. If you don’t believe mummy, go take a good look of yourself in the mirror.”

BR laughed at his mother. He felt much better. He gave her a hug and a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks mum. You’re the best. Daddy is so lucky.”

Shan Mei went back to the sofa. She frowned when she saw her husband’s crossed legs. “Hey, how many times do I have to remind you not to cross your legs when you are sitting down. Chris did mention this way of sitting is not good for blood circulation, especially at our age, didn’t he”

He uncrossed his legs and stood up, stretching his arms and legs about, then reached out and drew his wife into his arms. He whispered huskily into her ear as his embrace tightened, “you were really the most beautiful pregnant woman I’ve ever seen and I love you and our babies so infinitely much.” He slid his lips tenderly across her ear, her cheek.

Shan Mei gently nudged her husband slightly away, her face all crimson with sudden shyness, smile full of sweetness, her head slightly inclined towards their son in the same room, silently warning her husband to behave.

Xiang Zhe decided to have early lunch before the canteen overflowed with MBS staff. After the meal, Xiang Zhe was invited to sit down at the meeting in Xiang Jie’s office. They had come up with a project, involving Zian Da and Yong Xi. Jae Hoon was to prepare a story line and script. It would be a half hour show on radio.

“Radio?” Xiang Zhe sounded skeptical. “Would they agree to that?”

Xiang Jie gave the facts to his elder brother. Yesterday, after he received a call from his sister, he immediately checked with Drama Department. They didn’t have any production lined up with roles for senior citizens in the near future. “And, we can’t have them in front of the TV screen with a special programme of their own, in view of their age. You know how Yong Xi likes to take the driver’s seat with anything she is involved with. No sponsor will want to sponsor something from them. With radio, the sponsorship money required is low. Even Bansung can sponsor, plugging some of their products for senior citizens.”

Jae Hoon added. “This will be long running series about an old married couple and the daily happenings in their lives with their friends. You know how old people like to bicker all the time? It will be light hearted, fun bickering.”

Xiang Zhe smirked mischievously and turned around in his chair to look at his wife with a slow sweep of his big dark eyes, as he added his own musings, “Not only old people like to bicker. I remember one very adorable young lady who liked to bicker all the time with her boss. And if she didn’t get her way, she would either cry or pout. Worse, she would punish her boss by ignoring him until he surrendered, even if he had to fly half way round the world to pacify her.” Shan Mei flashed big eyes at him, silently warning him to keep their secrets to themselves. She thought of an idea to get back at him.

“Senior Chairman, since you remember so many interesting stories from your days at the television station, may be you want to enliven the programme by joining the cast? I’m sure you can contribute a lot, with your mesmerizing voice which should sound even better over the air waves,” fresh laughter gurgling at her throat and lightening up her eyes.

“What are you trying to do, Shan Mei? Bring me out of retirement, you slave-driver?” Xiang Zhe asked in a mock growl, his laughing eyes letting her know he was aware of her cleverly-disguised ruse.

Shan Mei let him off and continued with the meeting. “We’ll get Yong Xi back from America, telling her there’s a show waiting for her. We’ll do promotion on radio, on television and in the papers. BZ, you take care of inviting Auntie Yong Xi back from America. If she refuses, you let me know. After their quarreling on the radio, they’ll be too tired to fight at home. Senior Chairman, what do you think?”

Xiang Zhe smiled lovingly at his wife. She was still the best when it comes to ideas. He nodded his head, and told the kids to get cracking. “Who’s in charge?” he asked his wife.

“BZ is in charge of promo and sponsors, Jae Hoon in charge of script and direction, Xiang Jie is in charge of casting and production. Well, BR is in charge of paying the bills. How about that? BR, you have the easiest job, because you’re going to have a handful at home taking care of your wife and the soon-to-arrive new baby. BZ, did you manage to find a nanny for them?”

When BZ didn’t answer, BR confessed, “Godfather Sung told us he wouldn’t mind having Sue and the new baby at his place, if we can’t find a suitable nanny.”

“Well, I mind. Your Grandpa would turn over in his grave. His first great grandchild from you and you bring him over to the Sungs. No way. I’ll talk to some people and see what we can come up with. BZ, leave the nanny hunting to Mummy. You concentrate on this new radio programme, okay?”

Xiang Zhe was getting bored and impatient. “You people finish with your meeting? I want to go home.” BR immediately called his secretary asking her to get company car ready for Senior Chairman at the main entrance.

In the car, Xiang Zhe told the driver to take them to Westin Chosun. Shan Mei was in giggles when Xiang Zhe whispered to her, that he wanted to treat her to their crepes. When they walked through the impressive, newly-refurbished entrance, Xiang Zhe sighed. This place held so many loving memories for him. Their wedding banquet was the first wedding banquet to be held at Westin Chosun. And also the first and only time, he ever got invited to an overnight party hosted by his idol, was at this hotel.

He could still remember every little detail of that evening, the moment he stepped from the lift to make his way to the main restaurant at 7 p.m. He didn’t know whether he was going to meet his idol or an imposter. And when he entered the restaurant and saw this captivating creature in the most delectable black soft, lacy dress, he fell completely under her spell (again).

“And Mrs Yin, I have a bone to pick with you.” Then he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her closer to him. He whispered into her ear, “Why didn’t you wise me up about Ylang-Ylang bath salts? Letting me choose Lavender that soothed us so well that we were soon asleep like fully fed kittens, when I should have been romping about the suite like a hungry tiger.” Shan Mei heard the amusement in her husband’s voice.

Shan Mei smiled widely at her husband and picked her words carefully, before answering him. “It’s not my fault if you were so unenlightened on essential oils. But, honestly, I was so happy you chose Lavender?”

“Why’s that, darling?”

“In flower power language, Lavender means ‘faithful’, and you have been exactly that ever since our marriage.”

“Darling, you’re getting to be forgetful in your old age. I’ve been faithful to you ever since I first met you when you were a mere babe of 20. I wanted only you; no other woman.”

While enjoying their mango crepes, he asked his wife whether she wanted to spend the night in their special honeymoon suite upstairs on the 10th floor? He wondered what the newly refurbished suite would look like. Shan Mei smiled sweetly at him and shook her head. She leant towards him and whispered “I want to go to our cabin.” Xiang Zhe’s eyes shone, and nodded his head in agreement, excitement rippling through his body. They had been back in Seoul 7 days, and still didn’t manage to find the time to drop by their love cabin.

They asked their driver to take them shopping at a supermarket so they could stock up on food for the cabin. They bought a lot of dried food, snacks, cans of peach juice and packs of bottled water, and 2 roast chickens that smelt so good, Xiang Zhe simply couldn’t resist.

The afternoon was very hot. Xiang Zhe was responsible for storing the food away, while Shan Mei cleaned the tub and prepared the water. Everything had been kept in immaculate order. The children must be using the cabin frequently, which was good. No point in letting a good thing go to waste.

The children had also installed 6 extra built in closets: YXZ-YXJ-YBB-YBR-YBZ-YBA

“This is a good improvement” Shan Mei said gladly as she rummaged through the closet labeled YXZ.

“Hello, what’s this?” she asked in surprise when she lifted up a small Ziploc bag. It contained Xue Zhang’s Speedo swimming trunks and her bikini set.

She took the garments over to her husband, “Old man, think you can still fit into these?”

“If you can fit into yours, sure I can fit into mine.”

After changing, Shan Mei came out of the shower room and saw that Xiang Zhe had already changed into his trunks. She went to him and patted him lightly on his tummy, now showing a slight paunch. Not noticeable in his normal casual pants, but visible now in his tiny swimming trunks.

“Look at this. Where did you get this from? I’ve been very careful with your diet and your portions. Have you been stealing food from the kitchen?”

A look of guilt immediately flashed across Xiang Zhe’s face, his eyes looking down at his stomach, and not at his wife. “Hmm….erh…”

“If you’re hungry in between meals, you can go pluck vegetables from the vegetable plot. There are plenty of cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots to snack on.”

“I’m not Peter Rabbit.” Xiang Zhe answered flatly.

“Yes, and where’s Peter Rabbit ? I noticed he isn’t on your desk anymore when I clean your study in the mornings.”

“I’ve retired him. He has done such an excellent job keeping me company all these years, he deserves early retirement. Nowadays, I’m getting quite clumsy. I’m afraid I may drop and break him, so I’ve put him somewhere safe. In the kitchen which is out of bounds to me. In case I go first, he’ll keep you company and have lots of things to tell you about me.”

“Darling, that’s why I want you to be watchful with your diet. After what happened on the night of our 25th wedding anniversary, I’m afraid. Afraid that you’ll suddenly decide to go and leave me behind. I won’t be able to cope without you. You’re always telling me how much you love me. What’s the good of just talking and not doing anything about it? Chris has told you what are the best foods for you, the ideal weight for you, and the safest exercise routine for you. All this advice you throw to the wind. Okay, you do and eat what you like, see if I care!”

“Darling, stop nagging for once and let’s go lie down. I’ve missed you,” Xiang Zhe whispered into Shan Mei’s ear, as he took her into his arms, his hands gently sliding across her almost bare back, slowly unhooking her bikini top and pulling the top off her. His hands moved lazily up her body, gently stroking the outside of her breasts. Very soon he was gently cupping one breast, then the other. “They feel perfect,” he told her, his voice thick and slurred like melted honey. “They always feel so perfect in my hands,” he added even more throatily as he bent his head and tenderly kissed the breast sheltered in his hand.

Instinctively Shan Mei was aroused. She reached out, held on to his head and ran her fingers through his hair. “Darling,” she moaned, as she kissed the top of his head, “why don’t you give me another 5 minutes to clean up the closet then you may do with me what you will, okay?”

Xiang Zhe blithely agreed; the sight of his wife in her bikini minus top was enough to make him agree to anything. He gave her one last hard kiss on her mouth, one final suggestive squeeze of her delicious derriere before letting her go.

He made his way happily to the sun lounger while she picked up the discarded bikini top from the floor, then she went off to rummage further through their closet.

 

Chapter 3

 

After Shan Mei finished cleaning up their closet, she walked over to Xiang Zhe now lying on the lounger in the sun. She waved his pair of silk pyjama shorts in front of him. “Please take off your swimming trunks and put these shorts on. I simply can’t bear to see the elastic waist of the trunks so tight around you, leaving marks on your skin.”

“Where got?” and he pulled down the trunks at the waist to show his wife. A line of red mark was visible.

“Change into these, please. Go rest in the cabin. I’ll come and give you a nice back massage after I’ve cleared out the heap of old clothes.”

Xiang Zhe took the pair of shorts and went happily along to the cabin, without protesting. He gave her an indulgent smile. He knew Shan Mei cared a lot for his well being. Even a little red mark wouldn’t do.

Xiang Zhe felt so at peace lying on the quilted mat waiting for his wife. This was better than going over to the mansion where BB was currently residing. Xiang Jie continued living over there too, maintaining his old quarters, at the insistence of BB. Instead of leaving the house that Father had bought for him, in the same neighbourhood, empty he had rented it out to an American family.

BB’s children were very noisy, except their eldest daughter Wen Ching who was very close to Xiang Jie. This grand-uncle treated Wen Ching as his own granddaughter, and Xiang Zhe was very comfortable with that. He was relieved too, seeing that he and Shan Mei spent most of their time in the East Coast, there was Xiang Jie to help look after the grandchildren. Xiang Jie could look upon BB as his own son. Brother Sung was treating BR as his own son, not simply godson. Jae Hoon was like father to BZ, and treated her children as if they were his own grandchildren. Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei were understandably very close to BA and his children because they lived in the East Sea area, just outside of Busan.

Soon, Shan Mei appeared and began to apply soothing balm all round her husband’s waist on the front and at the back. “Aiyo, this line of red mark looks like a welt mark. People will think I’ve been whipping you.” Xiang Zhe laughed wickedly when he heard that comment. He gave his wife a devilish eye, then elbowed her gently in her ribs, “You’re now into S & M?” His voice was low with muffled laughter.

Shan Mei was stunned into silence for a second. Her mouth started to twitch into a smile which very quickly became a giggling bubble of laughter as she pinched her husband on his upper arm. “You’re terrible. I knew sooner or later you’d corrupt my mind.”

“Hey, who just gave me a pinch? If that’s not being sadistic, I don’t know what is?” Xiang Zhe rubbed his arm up and down several times and puckered up his mouth in mock pain, letting off several ‘in-pain oohs.’

Shan Mei decided to ignore him because she realized Xue Zhang in this playful, teasing mood wouldn’t stop at just words.

She continued to apply more balm to his waist, then some to his upper arm, just to shut him up. She gently rubbed the balm in. “Does it hurt anymore, darling?” Shan Mei asked softly her husband.

“Not now, after you applied the balm.” Sugar coating around his heart.

Shan Mei was about to start on the back massage, when her husband pulled her to lie down beside him on the mat. “It’s too hot to work. Lie down for a while. We’ll go have a dip later when the sun is not so hot.” He was about to pull the tiny T-shirt over her head when he noticed she was wearing a loose pair of shorts and not her bikini briefs. “Hey, why did you change out of your sexy bikini?” he asked reproachfully.

“It was getting a bit tight for me too,” she giggled and looked at him guiltily for teasing him about his little flab.

After a while, Shan Mei let off a long sigh.

“What’s the matter old lady? Getting bored with your old man?”

Titling her head to look up at her husband, Shan Mei skimmed her hand across his bare chest, giving him a sweet smile at the same time.

“I’m thinking I’m not a good grandma. Auntie Lee was really the most wonderful grandma. She took such good care of our children and Patrick’s children; we never had to worry about anything. I haven’t done much for our grandchildren.”

“You’re doing just fine. I know what you’re thinking. Even if we’re staying full time in Seoul, Sharon won’t like it if you fuss around them. Haven’t you noticed, every time BB has a question about the babies, she goes to her stacks of reference books for answers? Sharon has her way of bringing up and disciplining their kids. Don’t interfere so our son won’t be put in a spot. It may cause endless trouble. I still don’t understand, though, why she’s feeding the babies with food from those bottles, when there’s so much good, nutritious and fresh food around. What’s that food again?” Xiang Zhe turned to ask his wife with a disgruntled groan, as he tried to remember the name.

“YUMMY, I think.” Shan Mei volunteered the information. Husband and wife looked at one another and then laughed at that.

“Yes, YUMMY everything. Apple juice, banana and fruit puree, minced don’t-know-what else.”

Xiang Zhe sat up on the mat all of a sudden, gave an explosive sigh and shook his head in disgust. “Didn’t the thin congee we feed our babies when they were a few months old taste better? Later on, the thicker congee tasted even better and more nutritious,” directing the question to his wife who was still lying down on the mat, relaxed, her eyes closed. Seeing that, he bent his head to give her a swift kiss on her lips. He always found her too irresistible in this pose.

Shan Mei grinned at that statement. “So much so that you tried to steal half of BB’s congee every time you volunteered to feed him?”

“Aiya, just cajoling and helping him eat up his food, not stealing. Luckily for Xiang Jie, Wen Ching was the first born. That time Sharon was quite busy with her work, so he could feed the baby his way. He knew how BB used to be fed; he insisted Wen Ching was given same kind of food. Their housekeeper agreed with him that was the proper way.

BA’s children are so different, so well behaved and polite like our kids when they were little. You know why? You are there to teach them whenever they spend time with us. You see how Rose always comes to you and asks for advice about food for the babies, hearing from BA the good food he had as a baby?”

“Darling, I want to go back to Busan. I’m missing our grandchildren. BA just told me last night on the phone that Rose is 2 months pregnant. I want to take their youngest one back with us to our commune, so their maid will not have so much on her hands. What do you think, Xue Zhang?”

“That Rose is a good girl. BA really made a fine choice for a wife, same way as BZ has made fine choice for a husband. Chris disciplines their children well, and helps BZ to unburden. Jae Hoon tells me, every time he brings the grandchildren down to visit us during their school holidays, Chris insists on arranging for the air tickets, then giving him 1,000,000 Won as pocket money to spend on the kids and on us. He told Jae Hoon that we have given them so much. Yes, the twins have done very well for themselves; and to think we nearly lost them.” Shan Mei sniffled softly when she heard Xiang Zhe comment on that. Not only the twins, but she nearly had to leave Xue Zhang behind on his own. Just the thought was unthinkable, and too horrid to imagine.

“And do you remember why things happened the way they did? Again, you disregarded my instructions and went off on your own to Daeshan Village to meet that snake, Jin Enqi. If he had dared lay even a finger on you in my presence, I would have beaten him to a pulp.” Shan Mei smiled softly when she heard that threat. Xue Zhang was the most non-violent person she had met. He could lash out with his tongue but never with his fists.

He took her provocative face between his hands and stated quite simply, “Do you now believe the dangers of going out on your own? How many times do I have to remind you I’d take you to wherever you want to go whenever you want. You’re never leaving my sight again. At my age, I don’t have the courage to face the awful agony of being separated from you. Promise me.” He was very solemn. “Promise you’ll never go anywhere without me.”

“I promise, Xue Zhang,” Shan Mei whispered as she went into his arms and laid her cheek against his shoulder. He turned his body on its side facing her. His other hand automatically went out; he couldn’t get enough of touching her, of being close to her. He slid the hand down over her back, shaping the curve of her waist, her hips, cupping the soft roundness of her derriere, as he planted little kisses along her throat. Then his hand slid under her tiny top and feathered gentle sweeps along her stomach, slowly inching its way toward her breasts. He loved feeling those silky, smooth mounds and he loved teasing her peaks tenderly with his thumb. He pushed up her top, angled his head slightly so his mouth found and covered the fullest part of her breast. After a while, he sighed blissfully. “This, my darling, is the real ‘yummy’.”

He then moved to whisper into Shan Mei’s ear. “After Suzanne gives birth, we’ll fly back to Busan,” Xiang Zhe decided, giving Shan Mei a tender kiss on her forehead, as he brushed back a lock of hair from her face.

“Thank you, darling.” Shan Mei then brushed the back of her hand against Xiang Zhe’s cheek, telling him sweetly he already had enough excitement for the day; maybe they should take an afternoon nap before going for a dip in the Jacuzzi.
==

After two nights in the cabin, the Yins were back in their house.

Tonight, Xiang Zhe was not sleeping so well, missing the soft, lulling night breeze of the East Sea. He turned on his side, in his sleep, and stretched out his arm automatically, wanting to draw his precious bundle close to him, but felt only an empty space. He woke up; wondering, “Now, where’s she gone?”

He padded out to the landing. Light seeped through the crack of the door to the TV room, and some sounds were coming from the same room downstairs. “What’s she doing, watching TV so late at night?” Back in their East Sea bungalow, they would have been sound asleep by this time, and in another few hours; they would have roused to get ready for their morning walk. Xiang Zhe went back to bed.

Shan Mei suddenly jumped when the phone in the TV room started ringing.

Her first reaction was asking herself, [“Who can be calling so late? BR?”], then she quickly picked up the receiver.

“Hello?”

There was silence from the other side.

“Hello? Who’s there? BR?”

A low muffled male voice answered, “ Are you alone?”

Shan Mei was surprised.. “errr…h, huh?”

The disguised voice continued “Do you need company?”

“Who’s there?” Shan Mei was getting annoyed at the disturbance when the movie she was watching on TV was reaching its climax.

“I can make you very happy.”

Shan Mei could make out suppressed laughter from the other end.

“I’ll call the police if you don’t stop your prank call.” She slammed down the phone.

After the unexpected disturbance, she was in no mood to continue watching the movie. Shan Mei turned off the TV, switched off the lights, then went back upstairs.

She slipped back into bed and under the quilt. She looked over; Xue Zhang was asleep, lying on his side of the bed. Very gently, she moved up to her husband and stroked his bare back with her hand. As she stroked, she planted soft kisses here and there, on his nape, on his shoulder blade, along his spine, and very quietly whispered seductively into the hollow behind his ear,

“Are you alone?”
“Do you need company?”
“I can make you very happy.”

Xiang Zhe turned around and quickly caught her with his arms, laughing at her, “I’ll call the police if you don’t start making me very happy right now.”

Shan Mei at once pommelled his chest with her fists and pouted at him. “How can you frighten people so late in the night?”

“Who ask you to go off on your own again without me? You know I can’t sleep if you are not in bed with me. Come, give me a hot cuddle.”

His wife pushed him away. “I’m not talking you again tonight.”

Laughing softly, he began showering hot kisses on her face, her neck and then her mouth. As he came up to catch some breath, he lingered at her lobe and murmured hoarsely into her ear, “Come on darling, make me happy….” He kissed her mouth once again, this time lingering. His hands were slowly and tenderly caressing her, kneading her, until they were lost in their moans and groans. Xiang Zhe’s hand-phone rang. He chose to ignore the ringing, as he paid full attention to his wife.

As soon as his phone stopped ringing, Shan Mei’s phone began ringing. She shifted, wanting to make for the phone. “Don’t take it,” he told his wife, as he was kissing her tender flesh and was about to move over her.

Shan Mei whispered to him “maybe it’s BR”, and picked up the phone.

“Hello, yes, BR?” She sat upright in bed after what BR told her. “Good, you go home and get some rest. We’ll be there first thing tomorrow morning with BB.”

Putting her hand phone back on her bedside table, Shan Mei announced excitedly, “Darling, Suzanne just gave birth to an 8 lb. Baby boy.”

“Ehmm that’s good…… now, come back down here,” he told her, patting the space on the bed that Shan Mei had vacated earlier to take her call.

“Aren’t you excited, darling?”

“Of course I am, over something else more important here.” He pinned her down back on the bed and began kissing his wife again, his hands roaming all over her, caressing and lightly tickling her in all her most, most sensitive spots that only he knew where until she was soft and moaning, her arms going around his neck, pulling him closer.

Shan Mei was telling her husband how much she loved him. On their bed, that was almost bathed in moonlight, she could make out clearly a smug smile on Xue Zhang’s face before he dipped his head to continue his fiery onslaught of hot and wild kisses. His breath was hot as he rubbed against her cheek, telling her he loved her too, so much he didn’t think she would be able to fully comprehend the depth of his love, even after all these years.
==

At breakfast the next morning, Shan Mei urged her husband to show a little bit more enthusiasm for their new grandson. Xiang Zhe looked at her. “Hey, he’s already our eleventh grandchild. Once I know whether it’s a boy or girl; that’s good enough for me. I now only become enthusiastic and cooperative when my wife tells me she wants to make me happy.”

Shan Mei gave him a smirk. “Let’s see how long you can keep up your enthusiasm if I tell you I want to make you happy every night.”

He looked across the table at his wife with open delight. “Challenge accepted. Tomorrow we fly back to Busan. In our East Sea bungalow, your old man will show you what he’s still capable of.”

Shan Mei had gathered the dirty dishes and had moved to the kitchen sink to do the washing up. She turned around to look at her husband blankly when she heard what he said, wrinkling her brow at him, her mouth showing a trace of a smile, “Who’s challenging you?”

“Hey, you just threw me a line.” He rose from his chair and went to stand behind her, enfolded her in his arms, and nuzzled at the sensitive spot on her nape somewhere near the behind of her ear. “You don’t expect me to ignore it, do you? In any case, I know you will come up with excuses about my health. I’ll take that into account too. Two times a week, and I won’t accept anything less.” He let out a soft, happy chuckle.

“It’s pointless talking to you, when your mind is full of funny notions.” Looking at him from under her lashes and releasing a sigh at the same time, when she saw the eagerness in his laughing eyes.

“Pointless talking to me? Weren’t we talking very sweetly and agreeably in bed earlier this morning ? I couldn’t get enough of the honey that was dripping from your mouth…...” His voice was seductively low and husky.

Xiang Zhe ran his hot lips slowly back and forth against Shan Mei’s bare nape. Then he raised a hand in the front to caress the throbbing hollow at the base of her throat. He turned her slowly around to face him, so he could gaze lovingly into her liquid eyes, giving her a heart-stopping smile.

“It’s okay you don’t talk now. When we are back in our East Sea bungalow, I’ve my ways of making you talk.” He gave her nose a loving tweak, then walked off laughing secretly to himself, one hand lightly rubbing his eyes when he saw her puzzled look, the other hand loosely tucked inside his trouser pocket.

Frankly, he had no idea how to make her do anything she didn’t want to do. But he had discovered since their marriage, and over the years, if he addled her mind enough, she would become confused. And when she was in confused state, it was quite easy to play around her soft and tender heart. That was how he first got her to share bath with him on the third night after their wedding.
==

When he first suggested they take bath together so she could scrub his back, Shan Mei was horrified. He began to grumble that she didn’t really love him enough. She didn’t realize how tired he was, the whole day out visiting his father’s place for lunch, and later at her parents’ place for early dinner. All that socializing and drinking. He didn’t feel a headache yet, but he was sure that night he would suffer one if he didn’t get his back scrub.

When he was young, his nanny used to give him good back scrubs during bath time every evening to loosen his back muscles claiming the hour-long piano lessons his mother insisted he took were too rigid and too tiring for a seven-year old boy.

“When I was 9 years old, my mother sent my nanny away. She claimed the nanny was trying to seduce my father, which I didn’t believe. Nanny was way older than Father. She wouldn’t employ another nanny for me. My mother was always at the office, preparing for the start up of the television station and taking care of Wen Rong business, she barely had time for me. Our housekeeper tried her best to take care of me. So, since I was 9, I not only lost one good friend but also missed those back scrubs. You have to thank my nanny for having taken such good care of me; you now have such a strong husband. A few years later, when my father left us for the other woman; my mother’s mind simply went downhill. After school hours, Senior Zian Da became my home tutor and friend; he was at my house every afternoon. I also had a piano instructor who was very strict. Yong Xi would frequently drop by so Zian Da could help her with some of her school work too. When Zian Da entered university, and couldn’t spare time for me, I left school after 1st year of Senior High and decided to continue my studies in London.

After my nanny left, I never let another woman touch me. I missed having my back scrubbed. You were what I’ve been subconsciously waiting for all my life. I realized you were different when you walked away from me at the Kingston Hospital Trust car park, after you refused a car lift after the car accident.” Xiang Zhe then looked at Shan Mei with his big sorrowful eyes which reflected the deep hurt and yearning in his heart, very eloquently and very vividly.

She reached out and took his hand, and gently stroked it lovingly hoping to rub some of the hurt away. Shan Mei’s face had gone all red like an apple as she tried to look for the right words, not wanting to hurt her newly-wedded husband’s feelings. “But…, but.., Xue Zhang, that time you were just a little boy, now…you’re…aiyo…it’s so embarrassing….” She had tried to avoid the penetrating gaze from his eyes.

“What’s so embarrassing? We’re husband and wife already. It’s not like you’ve never seen me without clothes.”

“But.., but.., that’s different. When we’re in bed, we always have the lights off, leaving only one dimmed light on. And, we’ve only been married 3 days,” she reminded him. “We’re practically strangers, in that sense. And, I’ve never heard of husband and wife bathing…….erh…aiyoo…” She couldn’t continue and became flustered, waving one confusing hand nervously about in the air, not knowing how not to hurt his feelings.

Xiang Zhe let off a laughing snort. “Only saw me in the dark? Practically strangers…? Have you forgotten about yesterday afternoon and this morning when we didn’t get out of bed until 11? True, we didn’t have the lights on, but, both times, it wasn’t dark either. I thought I was making you so happy…….” His lips were slowly sipping around her cheeks, under her chin and along her neck.

“And, darling, how many people have you spoken to about private marital matters? Your Ma? Come on, consider it your wedding present for your husband…? Darling, you’ve made me wait 8 long years; don’t I deserve a reward from you for my patience, huh? If you don’t feel comfortable enough to give me a back scrub, it’s alright. I am more than happy to give you one. It’s very relaxing. I promise.” Xiang Zhe coaxed and cajoled and wouldn’t let off; he could sense she was wavering.

Shan Mei looked at Xiang Zhe and then turned her shy eyes away. True, she would be too shy to ask even Ma about the intimate details of a marriage. The only advice she had, came from her Pa who told her Xue Zhang was now the most important person in her life, she had to be a good and understanding wife. After marriage, she would be considered a full-fledged woman, no more acting like a spoilt baby. She had to consider her husband’s feelings, to keep the peace. Finally, she glanced at her husband from under her lashes and gave him a shy nod.

Ripples of excitement tingled over Xiang Zhe as his wife prepared a tub of warm water for him. Shan Mei sat on her stool as she concentrated on scrubbing his back. Pleasurable sighs could be heard every time he told his wife, “Darling, you’re doing very well even though you haven’t scrubbed anyone’s back before.”

“Since you say this is my wedding present to you, I want to make it the best.”

“Darling, I want this present from you every day.”

Shan Mei softened hearing the joy in Xue Zhang’s voice, and sat on the stool to scrub not only his back but his arms and hands, his neck and his shoulders, massaging the back of his head working right down to his toes. He made sure her clothes became thoroughly wet. Then he suggested he returned the favour by giving her a good back scrub. She only agreed if she got into the tub with her clothes on. That was easy work for him. After a while, he coaxed her to remove one piece of clothing after another so he could do a better job. In the end, when Shan Mei felt so relaxed and happy after a good scrub, Xiang Zhe had no trouble getting his wife to agree to share bath or shower with him every time it was bath time.
==

At the hospital, when Shan Mei, Xiang Zhe and BB arrived, Brother Sung was already there, with baby in his arms. Shan Mei brought special seaweed soup she had prepared for Suzanne. Brother Sung handed baby over to the grandparents, telling Shan Mei how handsome the little fellow was. Then he took Xiang Zhe aside for a little bit of private discussion.

Xiang Zhe told the children, they would return to Busan tomorrow. Their mummy didn’t want to celebrate her birthday in Seoul, especially now with everybody so busy. And for this year’s wedding anniversary, their mummy wanted the honorary grandfathers to take the grandchildren down to Busan to celebrate, leaving the young couples free to celebrate their wedding anniversary on their own without any disturbance. BB and BR looked at their parents gratefully.

“Thanks Dad, Mum.” And both boys, standing on either side of her, kissed their mum on her cheeks.

 

Chapter 4

 

The Yins’ wedding anniversary was tomorrow. The gang from Seoul decided to fly down to Busan on 6 July, to give the kids in Seoul time to organise their own anniversary celebration. Wen Rong Shipyard arranged for a 30-seater bus to be at Busan airport to collect the celebratory party. By 10 a.m., Shan Mei, Xiang Zhe and BA’s family were excitedly waiting in the Arrival hall to receive the guests. The children were especially excited. The cousins would get to play together. They were going to spend two days together with their ‘family’.

Xiang Jie came with BB’s 3 children, 1 nanny and 1 maid
Brother Sung came with BR’s 2 children, 1 nanny and 1 maid
BR’s baby was at home with the new nanny
Jae Hoon came with BZ’s 2 children, 1 nanny
You Zhen and Minnie with their grandson
Patrick and Susie with 1 grandson from their son
Zian Da and Yong Xi
In Busan, BA and Rose with their 3 children
Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei. Almost like old times.

As soon as they boarded the bus, the elder two of BA’s sons huddled up to their grandparents Patrick and Susie. BA was relieved; he had worried that the outing might be a little too tiring for his pregnant wife with 3 kids in tow and one on the way.

They had 2 hours to kill before lunch time; BR had made reservations at the famous Dongnae Spa for the group. One spa area for the men, another larger area for the women and the children. Dongnae Spa was famous for its alkali water, with healing properties for all kinds of ailments. After a refreshing 2-hour session, the party boarded the bus which dropped them off 20 minutes later in Busan’s busiest upmarket commercial district for lunch.

The lunch was at Café D’Amigo, the newest western food outlet that rented their restaurant premises from BA and Rose’s ground level space in Busan’s most prestigious commercial block. The food was very good, not too foreign for the local’s taste, and the dishes from their Children’s Menu were agreeable to the excited grandchildren, sitting at a separate table, chattering with one another.

Seeing the happy gathering, Yong Xi couldn’t help commenting, “Xiang Zhe, I remember you telling me a long time ago when I was in London, that you didn’t intend to marry and have children, but look at the number of your grandchildren now crowding round the table, celebrating their grandparents 39th wedding anniversary, wanting your hugs and kisses one after another.”

Xiang Zhe looked lovingly at the woman sitting so quietly, but happily, beside him. He picked up her hand, and kissed each finger in turn, lingering his lips on her rings. He meant what he said about not marrying and having children. “If I didn’t meet this little lady, my life would be one big ‘Zero’.” In a serious voice, he looked at Shan Mei and declared, “Darling, you’re the catalyst for what is happening around my life. Luckily, I didn’t give up.” Looking at Yong Xi, he continued, “The first time we met, she refused to let me send her home. When I couldn’t see her around the university grounds, I went to the Students’ Mailroom every day to check whether there was any letter from Korea waiting for her. One day, I found a letter, and immediately used that as an excuse to see her at the English School for Foreign Students. I offered to take her for dinner. She refused, telling me she had to rush off to work. Imagine my surprise and secret happiness when I walked into the restaurant later that evening, and she was there. Two mornings later on campus, I finished off her lunch. She was angry with me, but forgave me later, because I gave her some language tips. Ever since that time, I’ve not been able to forget her captivating face or her enchanting smile and the extra sushi she shared with me during lunch breaks at uni.” He drew his wife to him, giving her a kiss on her cheek, his mouth silently mouthing “I love you.” Many wet eyes all around.

Shan Mei smiled shyly at her husband and exchanged a fleeting glance with him. In the months following their wedding and later on the birth of their first-born, Xue Zhang had conducted himself like a devoted, loving husband and father. She would occasionally chide him, “I cannot believe this is the same man who firmly declared that he wasn’t interested in a wife and children.” As she reminisced of their past student days, Xiang Zhe got her meaning; he caught hold of her hand under the table and began doodling heart shapes all over her palm. An instant, unbidden joy pervaded Shan Mei’s heart.

“Xiang Zhe, luckily for you, you impressed Shan Mei first, otherwise, I would have challenged you till the end. Anyway, thank you both for your generosity, I now have two of the loveliest grandchildren in the world.” Brother Sung hugged his two grandchildren to his side.

You Zhen stood up to make a toast. “From the bottom of my heart, I thank my sister Shan Mei and my brother Xiang Zhe for all that they have done for me. Brother Jae Hoon, I thank you too for your kindness to me.”

On hearing that, Xiang Zhe didn’t want anybody to ask any further questions or to make any more toasts. “Thank you, Brother Youzhen. Let’s not forget there’s another couple here celebrating their wedding anniversary. This toast should really go to our youngest son and his loving wife, Rose. Their children have really given us much joy during our quiet times in the East Sea. Let’s eat up fast, so we can take the grandchildren around to have some fun.”

After lunch, on their way out, Xiang Zhe went up to You Zhen and wrapped an arm round him. Jae Hoon came up to You Zhen’s other side and wrapped an arm around him too. The 3 men, hanging on to each other were talking softly and laughing loudly. Shan Mei looked at them, her eyes misted. [“Such true brothers!”].

The bus took them to Busan Aquarium, then to Geungje Fortress, one of the oldest fortresses guarding the Korean coastline, for some history lessons. The bus then dropped them off at the Yacht Club, from where they boarded a yacht that Roh Bin had arranged from the Busan Tourism Board. The bus was told to meet the party at the East Sea Pier. The yacht slowly sailed along the coast to see the new port facilities. Wen Rong had upgraded its ship repairing business, now able to handle larger ships; they even a special section just to handle 20’ and 40’ container repairs. The shipyard looked modern and sleek from where they were sitting and viewing on the yacht.

Xiang Zhe looked over to his son, BA, with pride when BA was explaining all these to the adults and the children. Further up the hill in front of them, he pointed to a large white factory building, with blue and red coloured tiled roof. “That,” he proudly proclaimed following the direction his finger was pointing, “is the MY Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant. We have just been awarded the ‘Best-managed Factory in Busan’ Certificate by the Busan Trade Ministry. Next month, we will get another business award for Best Achievement in Export Trading.

From Wen Rong Shipyard, Roh Bin saw the BTB yacht sailing past, and immediately called BA on the phone. “BA, Mr. Pei and his friends just dropped by the shipyard. They left some BBQ meat for us; then made their way to East Coast. They will meet you all back at the commune.”

“Thank you, Uncle Roh. We’ll see you and your family up at the commune later. Uncle Roh, stay the night. We’ll prepare a bungalow for your family.”

The yacht then sailed leisurely along the East Sea shoreline and soon docked at the Pier. All had an enjoyable time. Tomorrow they would go fishing. Tonight they would have BBQ feast. The bus took them back to the commune. When the bus arrived, BA saw the uncles already at the orchard picking ripe pears and peaches and piling them into large reed baskets. He also saw that the uncles had arranged ice boxes for drinks. The BBQ stove had been set up too.

Except for Yong Xi and Zian Da who were given the late Yin Senior’s bungalow, sleeping arrangements for the others were soon sorted out. The maids who were responsible for cleaning, washing and cooking stayed in a bungalow by themselves. There were so many bungalows. Zian Da was really impressed by the tranquility of the place. No wonder Xiang Zhe had this Zen quality about him, as if nothing could raise his hackles any more.
==

Later that night, out on the verandah of their bungalow before retiring for the night, Zian Da questioned his wife why his father-in-law had decided to sell off his shares in Wen Rong and MBS ? Of course, his father-in-law had told them the money from the sale was used to finance their stay in America, but at least he could have left some shares to Yong Xi so they could claim some legal right to remain in MBS. Seeing how successful the Station was now being run, occupying the No. 1 spot, Zian Da wished he could be a part of it. He was quite upset when he heard his father-in-law’s 10% shares were sold, half to Mr. Jin Jun Hao’s younger son and the remaining half to Sir Michael Dutton. Now both Jin’s sons were working at Wen Rong Heavy Machinery and he heard they were both doing very well, cooperating with Bansung to handle many China JVs successfully.

He never understood Yong Xi’s father. The old man, when he was alive, never really liked him. He didn’t even show up at their wedding although he did throw them a lavish banquet, but he chose to attend Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei’s wedding banquet, enjoying himself so much he didn’t want to go home; that night he together with Uncle Jin and Chairman Yin continued to party away in a suite at the Westin Chosun. They stayed there 2 nights.
==

On the third day after the wedding anniversary celebration, peace reigned again in the East Sea bungalow. Seeing Xue Zhang sitting so quietly in one corner of verandah, Shan Mei became worried. “Darling, do you need a back massage, seeing you have been exerting yourself so much? You’re very quiet since our visitors left this afternoon. Are you missing our grandchildren?”

“I’m missing my wife. These 3 days you have been running around making everybody happy, but me. How are you going to compensate me for your neglect?”

“How about giving you a good back scrub, then a good back massage?”

“Sure ‘good’? No cheating?” As Xiang Zhe asked, he eyed his wife with a dubious glint.

Shan Mei nodded her head and gave him a sincere look, indicating she meant what she had promised. Okay. He filled up their tub with hot water. He let it cool just a little bit, after that he hurriedly stepped into the water. He didn’t want Shan Mei to tell him the water had gone cold and not good for him. She got in when Xiang Zhe suggested they give each other scrubs. Shan Mei felt good and relieved. She didn’t realise she was so tired. “What about you, Xue Zhang? Are you tired? Come, turn around, I want to scrub you.”

She worked very hard in giving her husband a thorough scrub all over, spending at least 10 minutes at each section. Xiang Zhe was grinning like a Cheshire cat, and enjoying the pampering.

“Did you notice how the honorary grandfathers were enjoying themselves? I’m so happy for Xiang Jie. I’m not sorry my granddaughter prefers him to me.” Xiang Zhe was sincere when he voiced his feeling.

“Naturally, they were happy. They took full charge without the children’s parents hanging around. The grandchildren really adored them. I’m so happy for all three of them.”

“Michael must feel left out. Every one having grandchildren, not him. Maybe we should ask him to visit to see his god children.”

“You don’t have to feel sorry for him. BA has discussed with Rose, and if we agree, they want to name their forthcoming baby after Michael, something like Michael Dutton Yin. I thought it was so beautiful of BA and Rose. What do you think?”

“What if the baby is a girl?”

“Then it will be Michaela. But don’t tell Michael yet. I’m always afraid with our age, whether we can take sudden and unexpected news well. Let BA slowly break the news to him, like asking him whether Michael or Michaela will be a good name. Michael hasn’t grown stupid with age. He will surely catch on to their game.” Shan Mei sighed contentedly. She looked over to her husband and asked tenderly,

“Darling, do you want to get up and lie down a bit before I give you a back massage?”

“Are you going to lie down with me? Don’t try to run off and then tell me you have to do something else.”

“When do I ever do that?” Shan Mei asked, feigning innocence.

“All the time. I’m not as stupid as before. I now know how your mind works.”

Shan Mei laughed softly at him, this Xue Zhang still remembering her words.

“Wa, very clever now, huh? I won’t dream of lying anywhere else except next to you. Happy?”

Xiang Zhe, his face boyish with eagerness, immediately got up from the tub, wrapped himself with large towel, and went to lie on their bed. The hot water had made his body red with blood circulation. He needed to cool down, before Shan Mei got his blood circulating again with a mild massage, and something else, if he was lucky!
==

One early morning, middle of September.
Wild pine mushroom season was here again. Yesterday, Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei had quite a good morning with their picking. Although they couldn’t walk or work as fast as they did in previous years, the excitement of spotting their very first mushroom of the season was still an immeasurable delight beyond description. Shan Mei would usually tear off bits from the mushroom cap, sometimes fresh dew drops were still sitting on it, and feed it to her husband. Last night they had gone to bed early, wanting to make a good start in the morning for their mushroom hunt.

Xiang Zhe went into the kitchen to prepare some hot tea. Shan Mei was still sleeping. He went back into their bedroom and sat on the edge of her side of the bed, and looked down at his beautiful angel. He bent down to plant a soft kiss on her cheek, as his hand slipped under her thin cotton chemise to give her gentle strokes, a habit that began since their early days of marriage. “Hey sleepy head, time to get up. Your mushrooms are waiting for you.”

When she didn’t stir, he leaned further down and whispered into her ear, “if you don’t get up, then I demand we stay in bed all day today.” No reaction. “What happened?” he thought. Usually she would jump out of bed as soon as she heard his mild threat.

“Shan Mei, Shan Mei!!” his voice becoming loud and urgent when he noticed she was very still and not responding to his shakes. Hysterics broke out in loud frightened sobs as he felt around her body. Her body was warm. She was breathing albeit very faintly. He reminded himself, “Yin Xiang Zhe, this is not the time for drama, pull yourself together.”

He phoned Uncle Kim, their man in the nearby bee-keeping farm who was supposed to take care of hard labour around their garden and vegetable plot, or to drive them into town or the hospital in case of emergency. His wife, Auntie Kim, was also their housekeeper who came in twice a week to help Shan Mei with heavy cleaning around the bungalow. Xiang Zhe then called their son BA, telling him to arrange for the necessary at the Busan Wen Rong Hospital. “Daddy found your mummy unconscious in bed this morning. Uncle Kim is driving us down to Busan right away.”

BA could detect immense dread in his father’s voice. He tried to calm his own frayed nerves because he knew all hell would break loose if anything should happen to his mother. He sighed heavily as he finished the call, then punched Chris’s phone number into his hand phone.

In the back seat of the van, Xiang Zhe was cradling Shan Mei in his arms, quietly sobbing, “Darling, can you hear me? It’s Xue Zhang. Darling, please don’t scare me! If anything happens to you, I don’t want to live. What about our golden wedding anniversary celebration? Weren’t you planning for it? Don’t you dare cheat me out of it, do you hear?”

He held her tight and planted several soft little kisses on her forehead, her head, brushing stray strands of hair from her face. Tears were streaming down his cheeks. He lost his senses and his cool as more tears came. “I want my handkerchief back. Zhen Shan Mei, you wake up, you hear me? Give me back my hankerchief. Wake up, go get my hankie and wipe away my tears. Sha.n.. M.ei, S.h.a..n.. Mei…you never refuse me anything. I beg you, please wake up, go get my hankie and wipe away my tears.”

Xiang Zhe cradled Shan Mei closer to him. He buried his face into her chest and wept, the sound coming from him sounded like low growls. Uncle Kim was worried. He didn’t dare volunteer any words of comfort. Mr. Yin was in no sane state to listen to anything or anyone. Uncle Kim realized it was more important to concentrate on his driving and on the road, to get them all safely to the hospital.

Xiang Zhe was sitting on the armchair as he tried to answer the doctor’s questions as best as he could.
- His wife was seldom sick.
- Yes, she once passed out and remained unconscious for one night, but that was 41 years ago.
- Yes, he had noticed she sometimes pounded her heart if she became emotionally distressed. Again, that was a long time ago. They had been so happy, there was never any cause for her to be grief-stricken.
- Clutching at her heart in pain? Maybe she did, but he didn’t notice she did that when they were together and they had been together for 39 years already.

He looked wildly distraught at the doctor, “Doctor, what are you trying to get at?”

“Don’t worry Chairman Yin, only routine questions.”

Xiang Zhe sounded skeptical. “Only routine questions?” He turned to BA and bellowed, “Get Chris down here at once.”

“He’s already on his way. Please try to relax, Daddy.” His hands were on his dad’s shoulders, trying to offer some comfort and ease his distress.

“Relax? You kids don’t know what you’re talking about. If something happens to your mother, you kids won’t have an easy life.” Xiang Zhe’s head was dipped and buried in the palms of his hands, frantically going over yesterday’s events. What did they do? They went up the hill, spent about an hour searching for mushrooms. This time they went a little bit beyond their usual mushroom ground. They were not the only ones roaming the hills at that hour. Many of the bee keepers were out too, and they had come up to them giving them some of the mushrooms they had found around their own grounds.

During the day, Shan Mei did her normal household chores like cleaning, laundry, gardening, then prepared a lunch of kimchi noodles with the mushrooms. They had early dinner of minced pork with mushrooms and rice, fresh peaches for dessert. They felt tired so they went off very early to bed.

BA could understand his daddy’s frenzied state. No one could love his mum more than his dad, same as no one could love his dad more than his mum. He pulled his chair up close to the armchair. He wrapped his arm around his dad’s shoulders. Suddenly, Xiang Zhe dropped his tired head within the lee of BA’s shoulder and started sobbing. The son quietly and calmly soothed his dad’s back.

Xiang Zhe began confessing he was not a good husband, giving so much trouble to his wife. He didn’t listen to her advice. He wanted change in his diet, he wanted meat every day. Whenever she made pork stew or 5 spice marinated pork, he would sneak into the kitchen while she was having her afternoon nap, and made himself a bowl of ramen with her pork. He wanted to help her around the bungalow, but she wouldn’t let him, always telling him he must not over exert himself. It was entirely his fault, drinking and smoking so much during his young days, he became a burden to Shan Mei. “Your mother did most of the bulk of heavy work around the bungalow, while she only delegated a few light chores to me.”

“Daddy, you don’t have to blame yourself. Mummy’s cooking is simply too good. You know, during our growing up years at Grandpa’s mansion, whenever Uncle Philip and Auntie Polly came to visit and stayed with us, mummy would make for them her fabulous sushi rolls, and keep them in the fridge. One day, we couldn’t resist anymore. Eldest Brother took the box from the fridge, and all four of us sat around the dining table and simply finished off the sushi. When Grandma returned from her shopping, we confessed to her. She made fresh sushi and kept them in the fridge for them when they arrived home. Thereafter, we would steal mummy’s sushi, and have Grandma made fresh ones for Uncle Philip.”

Xiang Zhe looked up at his son, “You did?” and grinned at him at the children’s ingenuity.

“There’s something different in her food.” BA mused as he recalled the taste of the sushi.

“Know what son? It’s her secret ingredient, she always tells me. Her secret ingredient of Abundant Love. The more love, the better the food will taste, she was always telling me.”

Father and son started talking of the days when the children were young. Xiang Zhe was telling BA how he and his youngest son Rong Yau were so alike. “That’s why your mummy wants to take him home with her whenever Rose agrees. You know what? Last month when we were playing around, he told me he loves boats. He told me when he grows up, he wants to follow his daddy to work, so he can keep an eye on his daddy’s boats. How’s that, BA? Your son already telling you he wants to be a sailor when he grows up.”

“Good! Then I can retire early and leave the shipyard for him to manage. I think I’ll then concentrate on the pharmaceutical factory and travel more often to China. Mummy was telling me about this fantastic herbal soup that you have been taking to keep your cholesterol level stable. After she gave us the recipe, Rose has been experimenting with it. Uncle Ding will be sending us some of the best grade herbs for this recipe from Jilin. And Uncle Ding wants to know when you and mummy will be visiting them again. He has recently received a batch of the finest grade of cordyceps from Qinghai. They have also recently found a new growth of wild ginseng in one of the Jilin mountains. He wants us to call on him on our next buying trip to China so we can bring the herbs back for you. These herbs are superior in quality to the ones he had been sending you since you first had the lung problem. ”

Talking of Jilin always reminded Xiang Zhe of the Dings’ fantastic hospitality. He then described the unforgettable scenic wonders of the beautiful Chang Bai mountain range. “Son, you must make sure when you are in Yanbian again, to go visit Chang Bai at least once in your lifetime. Fly to Linjiang to make the trek up to Chang Bai. The scenery is best at that stage. During our time, routes were not that easily accessible. We went up from the Yanji end. When we were up there at Chang Bai, there was no where else on earth more beautiful and serene. You must ask your Uncle Jun Mao to show you the film he took when we were up there the first time. That time, your mum and I were newly engaged. I looked at the pristine, crystal-clear waters on the lake up there, the sparkling snow all around and thought your mother had transported me to paradise. No wonder the world’s rarest herbs are found in this Jilin mountain range. Celestial beings must be living on those mountains.”

“That beautiful a paradise, eh? I’ll definitely want to take Rosie to visit.”

“Son, our sojourn didn’t just end there. Since marriage, your mother has continued taking me with her on her journey through paradise, and the journey is not yet over for us.” [I hope,] he quietly prayed, wanting to keep the faith.

BA was happy to see that a whimsical smile was back on his Dad’s face, most probably recalling some beautiful memories. While they were still talking, Chris walked in on them. He had just arrived from the airport.

 

Chapter 5

 

“Don’t worry, Dad.” Chris was consoling his father-in-law. He was relieved too. This morning when BA called, he thought his mother-in-law might have suffered a mild heart attack.

BZ then became frantic and nagged him about his medical expertise. “You graduated from the best medical school in U. K. and trained one year with the best cardiologist on Harley Street. Surely you can ensure that nothing will happen to my mother? If I lose my mother, it will mean losing my father as well. You don’t know those two. They’re closer and tighter than 2 peas in a pod. Even a waft of air won’t be able to find space between them.” With that in mind, Chris flew down to Busan.

“There’s nothing seriously wrong with Mum. She was too exhausted, eating too little and doing too much. At first I thought she might have had a mild heart attack, but it’s only a very slight problem of heart murmurs which can easily be corrected because everything else seemed to be just fine.”

“Chris, are you telling me the truth? I’m nervous when I hear of heart attacks, heart murmurs, heart bypass, heart problems….” Xiang Zhe sounded almost lost as he looked steadily into the eyes of his son-in-law.

“According to what you told me, she missed her afternoon nap yesterday. May be it was those mushrooms. Not that they were poisonous; if they were Mum would have been dead. But some of them could be a little bit different, being the first pops of the season. I suppose you took them too. Dad, did you feel any different? There may be clusters of rogue mushrooms popping up somewhere on those hills. Next time, just stick to your own hills. You never used to have problems with your mushrooms all these years until your batch consisted of some from the other pickers, right?”

“Well, now that you mentioned it, I did feel sleepy quite early on in the evening and slept extremely well last night. Can I go in and see my wife now?”

“No, not now, Dad. Later, perhaps. You may get her excited with your ramblings, whenever she comes around. Mum didn’t know she passed out when she opened her eyes fleetingly about an hour ago. Her mind is still a bit woozy. We’ve put her on drip, to get any mushroom residue out of her system. Some rogues from that batch of mushrooms you ate, might have some narcotic properties, since they’re wild. It’s very difficult to do testing with mushrooms. If they are inedible, they are poisonous. For those edible, some may give a drugged effort. To this day, poisonous mushrooms have not been completely classified or identified.”

For the first time in his adult life, Xiang Zhe felt that he had no control, that he was being sucked helplessly into a giant whirlpool of circumstances. And he didn’t like this frustrating limbo one bit. He wanted to see for himself that his wife was alright.
==

That evening, Chris had dinner with his father-in-law in Shan Mei’s private suite.

“Dad, today Dr. Park showed me around the hospital and we’ve discussed the facilities presently available in the hospital in great detail. Busan is growing very rapidly. Soon, it will catch up with Seoul. To service its growing population properly, I’ve decided to spend one day a week in Busan.”

“That’s an excellent idea. Have you spoken to BZ about this?”

“This is my job, she’ll understand. Since Dad and Mum live down here, I’m sure she won’t object at all. Once I’m back in Seoul, I’ll re-organise my schedules, then make a day free for Busan. Most probably Mondays, since Tuesdays and Fridays are my surgery days.”
==

Xiang Zhe was sitting by Shan Mei’s bed, her hands held captive in his. She was coming around, and moaning a little. Shan Mei finally opened her eyes, looked around the room and stared in Xue Zhang’s with dread and confusion. “Darling, what happened? Where am I? Why am I here?”

“It’s alright, darling, nothing serious.” He bent to comfort her, stroking her cheek. “I’m here with you.” He continued to stroke Shan Mei’s head, and talked in a low, soothing tone.

Shan Mei caught hold of one of Xue Zhang’s hand and in a frightened voice, told her husband she wanted to go home.

“Not yet, darling. There’s no hurry. Chris will tell us when.”

“Chris is here?” she asked as she looked around the room.

“Yes, since yesterday. He’ll come and see you later this evening.”
==

Xiang Zhe was so relieved. Finally, three days later, Shan Mei was discharged from the hospital. Back in their bungalow, Xiang Zhe helped his wife into the bedroom to rest on the bed. He kissed her and told her he loved her and she had to take things easy. When the kiss ended he had a two-handed grip on her hair, tipping her head back with the faintest tug on her scalp, and with frightening eyes, he said fiercely, “I never want to go through that ever again.”

“Neither do I.”

They let their eyes rove over each other’s faces. He released her hair and began stroking it back from her temples.

“Do you know how much I love you?” Xiang Zhe asked his wife, his face all solemn. Shan Mei stretched out her hands to him, taking hold of his hand between her palms, and giving him a weak smile, she nodded her head, “I know.”

“No, you don’t! If you do, you wouldn’t do silly things to frighten your old man. From now onwards, I want you to listen to my words, and do what I want you to do.” Xiang Zhe fretted.

“Oh, no. I know the kind of words and ideas coming from you!” Shan Mei looked nervously at Xiang Zhe, her brows almost pushed together.

“Darling, this time they’re going to be different. I promise,” he assured her with a sneaky smile.

“Your promises any good?” she asked doubtfully.

He gave her an exasperated look, tweaked her nose and pulled at her hair, for doubting him. “I want you to tell me to do the things you want me to do, and I’ll be good and follow through with your wishes.”

“True?” When he didn’t have that teasing twinkle in his eyes, Shan Mei believed he was serious and sincere. She smiled sweetly and lovingly at him, “No more meat every day for you? Maybe 2 times a week?”

“Yes, I agree.”

Shan Mei looked at her husband with puzzled eyes and crossed brows, not daring to believe his complacency. [“What game is this Xue Zhang playing?”] she thought.
==

It was the first day of the 4th quarter. When Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei went for their usual morning walk, they detoured to leave a portable radio and their flask of hot tea on the stone table in their orchard before walking off. This morning, Radio MBS would be airing the first installment of “More Salt Than Rice”. The Yins didn’t walk far, and made it back to their table in time for the radio programme. While enjoying the tea, they laughed at several jibes from Zian Da on the programme. They wondered whether that was the way Zian Da and Yong Xi bantered at home. Shan Mei recognised a few voices, Li Qing Xi, Shen Qi Tong, Zhao Di and Chen Sui. Jae Hoon and Xiang Jie were there too. “Hey, didn’t that sound like Patrick?” Shan Mei commented. Soon, the 30 minutes were up. The programme would be aired Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If MBS received more favourable feed back and stories from listeners, they might increase weekly installments. Shan Mei thought 30 minutes was good, not too long and not too short.

At first Shan Mei thought this would be a low-cost programme for Bansung to sponsor. But BZ had other ideas. She wanted KTB to sponsor, later they could have the bickering couple visit some tourist spots, to add more spice and dimension to the stories. Of course KTB could never refuse the charming Miss Yin Bao Zhu a simple sponsorship request as this. BZ had done many favours for KTB, receiving many visiting dignitaries from the West on their behalf. The visiting dignitaries were always captivated by Miss Yin, not just by her fluency in the English and French languages, but by her charm and beauty, her sense of humour and her vast, in-depth knowledge of current affairs.

During dinner that night, the radio show was main topic for the Yins. Xiang Zhe didn’t want Xiang Jie and Jae Hoon to put so much effort into the show. If the show became successful, that Yong Xi would start acting up, just like her time at MBS. That time, once she became main anchor for the 9 p.m. news, she didn’t want to be presenter for any other show. Shan Mei thought this time she would behave differently.

“Xue Zhang, Yong Xi and Zian Da are bored with their lives. They don’t have money problems, they don’t have to worry about their daughter. Where are they going to find something so fun? Don’t worry darling. Everything is in the pen. If Jae Hoon can write them in, he can also write them out, so simple. The one who controls the pen is also the one who controls the show. Xiang Jie is there. Yong Xi and Zian Da will play according to younger brother’s rules. And BZ is smart like her daddy. She knows what she wants out of the show. Don’t worry, darling. Leave it to the kids.”

Shan Mei continued to look at her husband, and decided to give him some enlightenment.

“Darling, you know why I love you so much? When it comes to the nuances of a person’s character, you’re still sweetly, innocently gullible. Everybody knows what they’re doing in this game except you.”

Xiang Zhe looked at his wife in a puzzled way, expecting further enlightenment.

“Yong Xi lets Zian Da return to Seoul because she is bored with him in America. Over there, he’s an ordinary citizen. If he returns to Seoul, she knows he’ll come to you asking to return to MBS. When he gets to return to MBS, at least he has a title and if she returns after that time, she’ll be so and so’s wife. Zian Da comes to you, knowing you’ll help him out because you treat Yong Xi as your special sister. He knows you’ll then come to me. For sure, he’ll then get something because I can never refuse you anything because I want you to be happy. And he knows I won’t put him into something menial because of face for you. I then go to my brothers to arrange something for him. He knows my brothers will come up with something good because they in turn can’t refuse me anything.

If Yong Xi and Zian Da don’t appreciate what you’ve done for them, giving them this show, then they deserve each other. I only worry that once Zian Da gets his fame, he’ll start his nonsense of going out to the karaoke clubs with his ‘stars’ from the radio station. You make sure you stay away from him.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, darling. I never liked those places. When I first started with MBS, he used to bring me along so he could have an excuse to stay out and someone to pay the bills. Those times, I wondered why Zian Da always liked going to those places to talk business. It was impossible to talk anything there with all the drinking and singing racket going on. Why couldn’t he handle business talks in the office?”

“Darling, please don’t come to me asking us to help them out, then warn me that Yong Xi may cause trouble. Next time, tell them to go see Xiang Jie.”

“Darling, I didn’t want to give them a special show, in this way, but….”

“I’m certain you didn’t,” Shan Mei said, full of understanding. She knew her husband’s strict sense of justice, his total determination, his gentleness with his children, his loyalty to his family and to his friends, his soft and generous nature. He could never bear any grudges for long, and he always looked for some peaceful solution out of any tricky situation rather than insist on unpleasant confrontation.

Shan Mei pulled her light woolen cardigan closer to her body, and then rubbed at her arms. “Darling, it’s getting chilly out in the verandah. Let’s go back inside.”

“Want me to keep you really, really warm under the quilt tonight?” Xiang Zhe asked as he took hold of one of Shan Mei’s hands and began gently stroking her palm.

Shan Mei looked at him briefly, then gave him a sweet smile and a nod of her head. They walked back into the house together, holding hands, Xiang Zhe’s mind still ruminating on what Shan Mei had brought to his attention.

Again, he was being fooled by that Zian Da, same way he was taken in when he first returned from England to join MBS. Those times, during meetings, Zian Da would be quiet, and was never the first one to suggest any ideas, but when it came to reward times, he was the first one with suggestions. He became another person, so alive, whenever there were celebratory outings at the clubs. That Zian Da was always thinking of his own skin and his own ambitions.

Was this the reason he volunteered to be his home tutor? So he could befriend his mother? After he finished university, he went straight to see Xiang Zhe’s mother wanting an opportunity to work at MBS; he was given a job in the News Department immediately. So leopards can never change their spots unless they get skinned. Xiang Zhe ran his tongue gingerly over his lips with trepidation at a distasteful thought. Right, he would leave the skinning to Xiang Jie, if ever the need arose!
==

It was still very cold in early February at the East Sea area and Xiang Zhe was sitting in his living room, wrapping his hands around a hot water bottle to keep them warm.

“Drat!” he mildly cursed when he heard his hand phone ringing. He had left it in his study and he would now need to get up from his cosy armchair in front of the television to get it.

BZ was on the phone, very excitedly telling her father to fly up to Seoul with her mother for Valentine’s Day. Xiang Zhe was not interested. “Princess, I don’t want to rush your mum back and forth in this cold weather. Anyway, what’s this excitement all about?” he asked as he laughed softly down the line, already imagining the angry pout on his daughter’s mouth. This girl was very spoilt. She never liked to have her wishes dashed. Besides her mother, Chris seemed to be the only one able to handle her very well. Xiang Zhe had never seen her throw a tantrum at Chris.

“Our radio show is very well received and has spawned a wide range of debates. At the beginning of the year, we ran a competition with several titles to be won, asking listeners to vote from among celebrities for the most romantic couple, the most perfect couple, the most beautiful couple, and the most blessed couple. And you know what? You two guys took all 4 titles. If I’m not personally involved with the scrutiny of the vote counting, I’d bet my last Won there was blatant rigging of votes.”

Xiang Zhe guffawed loudly at that. “Hey Princess, we don’t need those listeners to tell us. I don’t know about your mum, but I knew all along we were very blessed and that your mum and I were perfect for each other. You talk to your mum; if you can convince her to go, I’ll tag along to keep her company.” Xiang Zhe walked out to the garden, and passed the phone to his wife.
==

Xiang Zhe, Shan Mei, and BA and his family minus the new born babe flew into Seoul two days before the Valentine’s Day Event at MBS. BZ took her mother and Rose to select their gowns, while Xiang Zhe went with BA to Armani for suit fitting.

On the actual evening, it was like outing for the Yin family. Xiang Zhe was beaming all night, while Shan Mei felt as if they had cheated some couples of some awards. This show was televised live, and the results were no secret as the leading entertainment news papers updated the vote tally on daily basis.

KTB used the opportunity to push out their Most Romantic, Most Perfect, Most Beautiful and Most Blessed Holiday Destination tour packages, and on Valentine’s Day, 20 lucky voters would be the recipients of tour packages in the segment they had voted in.

Before the announcement of winner, the 1st and 2nd runners-up for each segment, MBS roving reporters had been out on the streets, asking the citizens why they chose the Yin couple as the most romantic.

The consensus was the same:
“I remember Zhen Shan Mei once telling the public that her husband, that time they were still unmarried, sending a rose every day to her.”
“There was one time when they both said they seldom celebrated February 14th as special Valentine’s Day because everyday of their married life was Valentine’s Day.”
“The couple is truly romantic. They never let money became a major factor of their love. Mr. Yin once said the best Valentine’s Day present he could give his wife was a sky full of stars. And they spent a lot of time sleeping under the stars. How romantic.”

When the couple was invited up to stage to accept their trophy, they brought their eldest son along to accept the trophy on their behalf. They thanked all their supporters for their love.

When it was the Most Beautiful Couple title, there was no need to elaborate. One look at them, no one could dispute they simply looked stunning together, with such impeccable taste. And the 2nd son they brought up on stage to collect their trophy was testament to the excellent genes he had inherited from his parents. Several viewers were interviewed for their opinions.

“Most Perfect Couple”. Husband and Wife complemented each other extremely well, in their career, their outlook in life and their family life. They were always supportive of each other, and no one had ever heard a harsh word passed between them since their marriage. Despite Zhen Shan Mei’s success in her own right, her husband was the ‘Boss’ of their household. They brought their beautiful and elegant daughter up on stage to collect the trophy on their behalf.

They were blessed, because they had everything. Fame, Money, Success, Beauty, Brains, a blissful marriage and Endearing Friendships. Not only four beautiful children, they had sons, a daughter, and a set of twins. The emcee for the night asked, “How can a couple be so blessed?”

“Senior Chairman, we want to know your secret.” The couple wore wide grins on their faces, as their youngest son accompanied them up to the stage to collect the trophy on behalf of his parents. Shan Mei wanted to dedicate the trophy to her late father-in-law and mother-in-law who made everything possible for them to enjoy a blessed life. A loud murmur broke out in the hall. The youngest son was the spitting image of his father. They were both standing up on stage, their hands behind their backs, same postures, same irresistible smiles. In fact, for some audiences, it was like being transported over the years back to that time when Yin Xiang Zhe was in his early 30’s.

The reporters present wanted an interview with Mr. and Mrs. Yin Xiang Zhe. When Xiang Zhe sent his children to accept the interview, the reporters said they wanted some words from the Yins first. “Since both are retired, what do you do most days?”

“We spend our days out on our East Sea property, quietly enjoying ourselves.”

“Mr. Yin, your youngest son looks the exact image of you. Are you jealous he’s as good looking as you? Many people have said he’s even better looking than you?”

“Jealous of him?” Xiang Zhe laughed out, thinking the question was so ridiculous. “I feel sorry for him. Because he’s so like me, he has to wear my hand-me-downs. His mother won’t let him buy any new suits, saying he has already more than 100 suits hanging in his wardrobe. Tonight is a special night, so he’s wearing something new.”

“You’re dressed very smart tonight. So Mr. Yin has always been a spiffy dresser?”

“Of course I had to watch what I was wearing. I had a lot of competition from many well-dressed, handsome and presentable young men trying to catch Miss Zhen Shan Mei’s eyes in those days.”

“But Mr. Yin, you yourself had a long line of female admirers in those days, girls from prominent families in Seoul, well educated and very beautiful. How come none caught your attention?”

“Were there? I guess I didn’t notice because my eyes were too busy keeping watch over Miss Zhen! Anyway, we brought our children with us tonight, because listeners wanted to know something about them. Please give them a chance to voice their opinion in the press. Thank you.” With that, Xiang Zhe escorted Shan Mei back to their seats.
==

Since all members of the family were together at the same time in Seoul, Xiang Zhe wanted to use the occasion to do grave-sweeping. All piled into 2 tour buses that BB had arranged. First stop was Xiang Zhe’s mother burial site. Yin Senior and Auntie Lee had their plots close by in the same area. Next stop was Shan Mei’s Ma burial site. Her Pa and You Zhen’s mother were buried close by as well.

A picnic lunch was spread out on the nearby grounds. Xiang Zhe had always thought this area where his in-laws were buried was very beautiful, every time when he used to come with Shan Mei. It was a little hillock looking out towards a placid lake.

BB noticed his Uncle was quietly sitting by himself under a tree, slowly sipping a can of ice tea, his mind seemed very far away. He went up to Uncle and slowly placed a comforting arm around his shoulders.

He gave his uncle an understanding smile and whispered into his ear, “We’ll take a week off next month and go to London, okay? Shari was telling me the other day it’s been more than a year she and the children haven’t seen her parents. We can visit the Duttons at the same time. We’ll drop by the Memorial Park to see whether its management had taken good care of Grandpa and Grandma Park’s plots. I’ll arrange the air tickets. You just make sure BR and BZ let you off.” Xiang Jie smiled indulgently at BB, his favourite nephew, and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Everyone in the family knew he treated BB like a real son.

Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei noticed this little exchange. They looked at one another, their smiles gratified.

Although Xiang Jie tried to hide his true feelings very well within himself, Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei couldn’t believe that he never felt lonely at times. The way he drowned himself in work and loved being surrounded by lots of his colleagues in the office, already gave him away.

Not that he didn’t have opportunities for girlfriends or marriage partners. At one time, he had girls waiting in line dying for just a glance or a smile from him, and he was in an intimate relationship with a Japanese lady for about a year when he was 36 years old. It was family circumstances that made him avoid any commitment of sorts at all costs.

Since that time when his uncle, Jin Enqi, tried to stir up trouble for Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei, and his mother was exposed as a home-wrecker on the hunt for money and an easy life, bringing such hurt to his father, he never wanted to be involved with a woman, unless he could find a woman like his sister-in-law. But that would be an impossible mission, because Shan Mei was unique. Didn’t the other two bachelors reach the same conclusion a long time ago? That was why they had settled for being grandfathers to Shan Mei’s grandchildren. At least, in this way, they would have a little bit of her.

Xiang Zhe found it amusing. The Italian Operatic world had its famous Three Italian Tenors: Carreras, Domingo, Pavarotti; Seoul had its famous Three Bachelors, Sung Han Yin. They were always spoken of in one breath, inseparable and much sought after by Seoul’s ambitious doyennes to grace their parties. Very handsome, rich, and eligible bachelors whose skills on the dance floors were legendary were difficult to find, and here in this tight-knit group, there were 3 of them. If a hostess could get one to attend her function, the other two would surely turn up.

There was an adage about falling in love. ‘It’s never too young or too late to fall in love.’ Xiang Zhe looked at his wife, drew her close to him and asked her softly whether there was still hope for Xiang Jie to find love.

“Darling, keep praying.” He locked his fingers with hers, and together they prayed.
==

Xiang Zhe came out of the bathroom after a hot shower, rubbed his hands together, and made a show of slight shivering all over his body.

“Good Lord,” he muttered, “it’s cold tonight.”

He looked at Shan Mei just emerging from her dressing room and pointed a finger at the bed. “Darling, would you mind getting into bed so I can pile up behind you and warm my feet?”

“Don’t worry about cold feet. I’ve warmed the bed with hot water bottles.”

Once settled snugly against their pillows, Xiang Zhe pulled the thick quilt over their bodies up to their necks, when Shan Mei placed a small album of photos on the quilt. After she leafed through the pages, she handed the album to her husband who had by now untangled his arms from her waist.
He very quickly flipped through the pages; all the photos were from the Valentine’s Day evening at MBS. He paused at one.

“Who are these people?” he asked his wife as he showed her the photo.

“Oh! That’s Keiko Satsumi with her husband and 17-year old son. Don’t you recognize her? She was Xiang Jie’s girlfriend from way back.

“Sort of vaguely. She used to visit little brother one week out of a month, over a year-long period, didn’t she? I thought they were going to get married. After all they were practically setting up house at the service apartment little brother leased around that time from the Hyatt. What happened?”

“Your brother ran scared at the last minute. He told me he couldn’t subject her to media vultures who would relentlessly bombard her with gossip and rumours they would dig up from the family’s past history. He didn’t want you hurt, our children hurt, father and his mother hurt. What happened in the past due to Step uncle’s mischief should best be forgotten and remain buried. Anyway, Keiko’s father was giving her pressure, too. Apparently, he had arranged a marriage for her with another industrialist’s son, and the match was supposed to be perfect because of similar social standing. Xiang Jie decided to let her go. Her husband was in Seoul over the last couple of days for a business meeting. Xiang Jie invited her and her family along to the MBS show.”

Xiang Zhe became pensive for a little while more before handing the photo album back to his wife. He settled on his side, braced his head on one hand, and immediately found Shan Mei’s hand, fit his fingers tightly between hers, closed them hard and kissed her knuckles.

“That boy could have been Xiang Jie’s son, if they had married. Anyway, I am glad BB looks upon him as a father, and has told Sharon not to interfere with the way Xiang Jie brings up their daughter. Wen Ching is in good hands,” Xiang Zhe voiced his thoughts aloud to his wife.

“Let’s forget Xiang Jie. Darling, right now I want you to think only of me.” Xiang Zhe gave Shan Mei a lingering goodnight kiss, while finding her bare foot beneath the blanket and covering it with one of his own. His kiss deepened, and the smooth sole of his foot rubbed the top of hers, then hooked her leg from behind and held it captive. The kiss ended and he nuzzled her jaw, the soft hollow beneath it.

“How can you smell like roses in the dead of winter?” he asked.

“With the bloom you gave me this morning. I scrubbed my face with the rose petals and they really left me feeling fresh and dewy. You really know how to steal a heart.”

“Yours is the only heart I want to hold captive.” As he murmured more sweet nothings, his lips began his soft caresses again, to one side of her mouth …… and the other …… then on her chin ……. and on her throat.

 

Chapter 6

 

Sunlight streamed in through the lacy curtains and the man stirred and stretched himself out languorously on the bed. Sounds of bird were rousing in the trees along one of the bedroom windows. “Hmmm….. what a heavenly fragrance!” Xiang Zhe thought to himself. He opened his eyes, hoping to find his wife next to him. Shan Mei appeared to have left the bed quite a while ago; her side of the bed was cold. He looked around and found a freshly cut rose on his bedside table. He lifted the rose to his nose and inhaled deeply, smiling sweetly to himself as he put the bloom back into its crystal vase. Time to get up and see what his wife had been up to, besides giving him a rose for his birthday.

While making his way down the stairs, the surrounding air heavily scented with fragrance of roses assailed his nose. He looked across towards the living room. It would be difficult to miss the big, round antique vase his wife had set up right in the middle of the room as its centerpiece, filled with masses of the most velvety rose blossoms from their hothouses. Xiang Zhe walked over and counted out precisely 73 Sweet Charmaine roses, their overpowering scent scarcely diluted by the early Spring breeze wafting through the French Windows. Small white butterflies were fluttering around the exquisite blooms. Sugar coating went round his heart as he acknowledged this lovely gesture from his wife. He heard happy chatter from the kitchen.

Xiang Zhe’s eyes sparkled when he saw the spread of food on the kitchen table. He walked up to his wife, softly thanking her for the lovely roses and giving her a hot, lingering kiss on her cheek. His eyes made slow, sensuous love to hers in the silence that followed, and his glistened with possession promising her sweet loving once they have the house back to themselves.

“Old lady, are you sure all this food is for me: seaweed soup, abalone chicken congee, six kimchi varieties, and later this evening, you’re organizing a BBQ party?”

Returning her husband’s kiss, Shan Mei smiled, “Today is your birthday. You deserve a big feast for being good. After tonight’s BBQ, you should check with Chris to see whether your cholesterol level has gone up. If all tests show normal, I’ll let you have meat three times a week. You look much better when you’re taking more meat.”

“Darling, are you complaining in an indirect way that I’m now no longer handsome enough for you? Have you found someone younger, fitter and better looking to fill my shoes?” Shan Mei noticed the faint amusement on Xue Zhang’s face, when he spouted his nonsense.

“Husband, what nonsense have you got cooking in your head? I think you are trying to find an excuse to tell me in an indirect way that you want to trade me in for a newer model with lower mileage,” Shan Mei laughed lightly at her husband. He looked as if she’d surprised him, and he too laughed, unexpectedly.

“Yes! A very young model with very low mileage,” answered Xiang Zhe without hesitation, and made a quick grab for his little grandson, BA’s 3 year old son, Rong Yau, who had flown up to Seoul with his grandparents and was now sitting in his high chair by the kitchen table, enjoying his breakfast.

Picking up his grandson into his arms and giving him a quick kiss on his chubby little cheek, Xiang Zhe asked, “Yau-Yau, do you want to be Grandpapa’s new and young girlfriend?”

Yau-Yau looked at his Grandpapa with a pair of confused eyes. “I can’t be your girlfriend. I already have my own little girlfriend. She’s much better than you,” he declared very solemnly. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Yau-Yau added, “Because she doesn’t have that!” and he pointed his little chubby finger at Xiang Zhe’s chin with overnight stubble.

The grandparents laughed. Xiang Zhe was surprised, and looked over to where Shan Mei was sitting, as if asking her with his eyes how come the children nowadays start their dating so very young!

“Oh yeah? Your little girlfriend must be really pretty. Does Grandpapa know her? Can I meet her?” Xiang Zhe was laughing as he tried to find out who the little girl might be.

“She’s not only pretty but very clever. She knows how to put all the Lego pieces together. She’s Grandpa Roh’s grand-daughter. I know you want to steal her from me. I’m not letting you meet her. She won’t like you any way, because you don’t know how to play with Lego,” the little boy huffed.

Seeing the boy turn and stretch his arms out toward Shan Mei, as if he didn’t want to be friends with his Grandpapa anymore, considering him the enemy, Xiang Zhe relented his teasing and ruffled his little head of hair with soothing strokes. “Okay, Grandpapa is sorry. I’ll stick with your Grand mama and not think of your pretty girlfriend. Okay? Will you now take your breakfast?”

Yau-Yau smiled and bopped his little head. He then sat down again obediently in his high chair, while Shan Mei fed him his congee.

“Good?” Shan Mei asked. “Yes,” Yau-Yau answered nodding his little head, trying to get Shan Mei to feed him another spoonful. Xiang Zhe wanted a spoonful too, seeing how much their grandson was enjoying his congee.

“Wa, what’s the matter with you? This is the same congee you have in your bowl, except I’ve pureed it a bit with the mixer for the little boy.”

Seeing his wife had been working so hard preparing the breakfast spread, he suggested they cancel their movie date. He would take her another time.

Yesterday, he had promised to take her to the movies, seeing one of Meryl Streep’s movies was showing at a cinema near their place. Today, he decided against it. Now, he wanted her to take a nap after brunch. Tonight, their brothers invited for the BBQ would surely want to stay late. He didn’t want to tire her out.

The early Spring weather was just right for an outdoor BBQ that evening. Not too cold, but pleasantly warm when they sat around the BBQ grill. Xiang Jie, Jae Hoon and Brother Sung brought along some great wine. Shan Mei didn’t want to spoil the party mood. She gave Xiang Zhe a small glass while the others had their regular sized wine glasses. Yau-Yau was getting a lot of attention from the granduncles and Xiang Zhe began teasing the men, claiming they were such losers in the ‘romance’ stake. Even a 3-year old boy had a ‘beautiful and clever girlfriend’ waiting back in Busan.

Brother Sung immediately replied, “Quite a chip of the old block, I see. Didn’t BA hog our little Rosie for himself since they were children? And my mother thought Rosie would make such a brilliant match for one of her grand nephews in New York! She didn’t agree at all to the engagement between BA and Rosie claiming the girl was still too young, until Father and I insisted that if the engagement didn’t go ahead as planned, Rosie would not be allowed to further her studies in America. Then you know what happened? When she carried baby Yau-Yau in her arms at the hospital after his birth, she took credit for arranging the marriage saying the couple were meant to be, seeing all three babies from Rosie were sons!” He slowly shook his head in amusement and scoffed, “My mother! I wouldn’t be surprised Mother was there at the hospital when Rosie gave birth to her baby boy last Christmas. God bless her soul and may she now rest in peace, wherever she may be. At least there will be many from the younger generation to help run the Bansung Corporation after I’m gone.”

Xiang Zhe laughed softly at that. “I wouldn’t bet too much on that. Yau-Yau has told us he wants to take care of his daddy’s ships. And Michael, when he was here in January to celebrate the full moon party of BA’s youngest son, has claimed the baby for himself. He insisted BA must send the boy to London when he reaches his 6th birthday, to live with him and be educated there. He has big plans for the boy to take over a major part of his business when he grows up, so he wants to personally groom him from young. Anyway, you can still bank on BA’s two elder boys.”

“Thanks a lot. I’m so grateful,” Brother Sung answered sarcastically.

Soon, it was bedtime for Yau-Yau and Shan Mei went back into the house with the little tyke, leaving the men at the table by the fruit trees, grilling and enjoying the meal and easy companionship.

After a while when she returned with a pot of gingko barley soup and saw a filled plateful of meat in front of Xiang Zhe, she asked her husband, “Aren’t you taking too much meat?”

To which her husband answered, “What about you, aren’t you working too hard? I’ll stop eating so much, if you’ll stop working so hard.”

“Who’s going to clean up then?”

“I will.” Xiang Zhe told her. Three other voices pitched in, “Me, too.”

“Shan Mei, take it easy. Didn’t Chris tell you to take it slow?” Jae Hoon reminded her.

“Here, sister, let me take the plates into the kitchen. I’ll get the fruits at the same time.” Xiang Jie was trying to take over some of the chores.

“Darling, why don’t you go take a rest, since Yau-Yau is already in bed? The boys will stay around a bit. We want to talk and then play some board games. Go lie down for an hour or so. I’ll come and get you when they are ready to leave.”

Shan Mei agreed. She did feel a bit tired, and it had been quite a while since the men had some private time to themselves. They usually talked about the children and the grand children. That Xue Zhang must again be complaining about BB’s children’s bottled diet. He used to complain she was a nag. “Look at him now, always fretting about Yummy, whenever he noticed those bottles on the supermarket shelves.” Maybe he was trying to find out from Brother Sung the diet for BR’s elder two. Let him.

“This new show you have on the radio seems to be quite popular.” Brother Sung was telling Xiang Jie.

“Not bad going. But that Zian Da and Yong Xi are trying to get star billing, already telling me they want more lines.”

Xiang Zhe threw his head back, pushed away from the table edge with both hands and exclaimed to the sky, “Not again!”

He leveled his chin and shot a withering glance at his younger brother from the corner of his eye. “So what else is new?”

“Well, so far, Jae Hoon and I haven’t paid any attention to their subtle hints.

Xiang Zhe tipped forward, clunked his elbows on the table, joined his hands in a hard knot and pressed them to his mouth. He stared at an empty spot on the table and thought awhile, before answering, “Just ignore them. You’re in charge. If Zian Da comes to me, I’m going to tell him to go to you. First, he has nothing to do. Now, you people give him such a good show, he doesn’t appreciate. If they don’t want to share equal billing, Jae Hoon, can you write them off? If their ideas were that good, how come Prime Time News and Morning of Eve, during their time at MBS suffered such poor ratings under them?”

Jae Hoon looked up immediately at Xiang Zhe. “Are you serious? We are thinking of changing the concept a bit for that time slot. BZ said it’s fine with her; her sponsors will OK anything she proposes. We want to give Zhao Di a juicier part, playing a few roles with her voice mimicry skill to go along with Chen Sui as her side-kick; meaning less air time for Zian Da and Yong Xi. Shen Qi Tong is fine with that, because the radio station controller has asked him to handle golf competition commentaries for the next quarter, so their current golf commentator can take an extended leave to visit many of the new golf courses sprouting up all over China. We’ll bring back the original ‘Salt’ in the 3rd quarter. By then if Zian Da still doesn’t realise we can make them or we can break them, he shouldn’t be in this business.”

“Yes, you go ahead and do that. I’m going to take Shan Mei for a long holiday visiting the country’s 2 top national parks, returning in time for Founding Day anniversary in May, so Zian Da cannot come to me crying. Anyway, I’m not going to get involved anymore. He has to go straight to Xiang Jie. You guys do what you think is best.”

Brother Sung was intrigued and asked Xiang Zhe, “Weren’t those the two guys who made trouble for you one time? Trying to get their cousin to make a play for you?” He let some seconds go before turning to Jae Hoon with a suggestion. “Hey, Jae Hoon, why don’t you play their game back on them in the radio show? Giving a young radio starlet the chance to flirt with Xian Da on the programme and see how Yong Xi will react to that ? ” Jae Hoon and Xiang Jie laughed softly at this.

Xiang Zhe reached out and put his hand around Jae Hoon’s forearm. “No, forget it. You go so public, my little wife is going to get mad with me. She’d accuse me of masterminding the whole thing. And they are really not worth the bother. Shan Mei gave them good chance sending them to Japan to work along CTN-Tokyo for 2 years. They didn’t do anything inspiring there. We spent too much money on them fulfilling their contract terms. Michael and I secretly agreed we wouldn’t extend their contract, not even to indulge Shan Mei.”

After that, the brothers talked of various things, especially the many interesting and profit-making projects going on in China. They soon became enamoured with their talks about China and asked Brother Sung to plan a 7 to 10 day tour to China for sometime in the autumn. “Where do you suggest would be a good place to visit?” Brother Sung asked. “Chang Bai Mountains,” answered the Yin brothers simultaneously. Hearing that and seeing the excitement on the two faces, Brother Sung slapped his thighs as if in agreement. “Okay, consider the trip as good as on.”

By the time the men decided it was late and ready to call it a day, they cleaned up the BBQ area and the kitchen, then left.

Xiang Zhe tiptoed silently into the bedroom in stocking feet. Rong Yau was sleeping soundly in his little cot by the big bed. Shan Mei was fast asleep too. He decided to have a warm shower in the bathroom attached to one of the guest bedrooms. When Xiang Zhe eased quietly into bed next to his wife, she turned around, still in her sleep, and snuggled up to him. He readily enfolded her within his warm embrace and tenderly roved his soft lips lovingly over her lips, her face and ears, his mind reliving all the years of happiness that both he and Shan Mei had shared, the chock-full of wonderful memories piling one upon another. Very soon, he too drowsed off, his face seemed smooth of wrinkles and was wreathed with angelic smiles.

It was morning already, yet Xiang Zhe was still in bed asleep, still smiling.
The wine from last night had gone to his head, not giving him a headache, but giving him sweet dreams. “Hmm, this feels good,” he murmured as he felt Shan Mei’s soft mouth nuzzling at his neck. He reached out and pulled her closer. “Oh, darling, you smell like a baby” he again murmured. He heard little giggles, then his hand phone ringing. He wanted to ignore it. He was in no mood for disturbance so early in the morning. Suddenly, the phone was at his ear. He cocked open an eye, wanting to chide Shan Mei, when he saw his little grandson sitting up next to him, and the person on the line was none other than the little tyke’s father. “Dad, did you have an enjoyable day yesterday?”

“Ehmmm” grunted Xiang Zhe. “Why are you calling so early?” scratching at his head, then rubbing the sleepiness out of his eyes as he asked his son, BA.

“Just checking to see whether Yau-Yau has been giving you trouble? Rose’s mother said she could take him for a few days, in case he was too burdensome for mummy.”

Xiang Zhe looked at his grandson through narrow eyes…. “I think I can still tolerate him for a few more days. We’ll let Patrick have him, after Rong De’s birthday. Don’t worry. We’re doing fine. Bye.” He handed the phone to his grandson, so he could talk to his dad. “Yes, yes, yes,” each ‘yes’ followed with slight nods of his adorable little head, finally a “bye.”

Rong Yau then cuddled up to his grandpapa. When Xiang Zhe asked him,

“Where is grand mama?”

“Kitchen.”

“So it was you trying to wake up grandpapa?” Xiang Zhe pretended to tickle the little tyke all over, then took hold of his little hands, unfurled the tiny fingers and brushed his little palms across his unshaven chin. Rong Yau tender palms felt ticklish and he yelled to grand mama for help.

Shan Mei came running slowly up the stairs into the room from the kitchen. Xiang Zhe was playing with their grandson on the bed. Shan Mei joined in the fun, and asked, “Yau-Yau, why were you screaming for help? What’s the matter?”

Yau Yau showed his grand mama his little palms, all red, and pointed to grandpapa’s stubble on his chin just as grandpapa was laughing out delightfully.

“Still haven’t given up on bullying the defenseless?” Shan Mei pouted at her husband.

“What do you mean defenseless? You were always so protected by your most potent secret weapon, your tears, and your claims that I was hurting you were so baseless. You were cheating all the time. My tickles and my stubble never hurt.”

“Hey, Yau-Yau, when grandpapa tickles you, does it hurt?”

Little baby pursed his lips and nodded his little head.

“You imp!” Xiang Zhe swept baby into his arms, and kissed him, telling baby grandpapa was sorry. He would give him a treat today. When baby looked up to him with quizzical eyes, he told him, “we’ll go into the tub together; grand mama will wash grandpapa, and grandpapa will wash little Yau-Yau. How about that? Then we’ll have some mangoes for lunch, okay?” After lunch, Yau-Yau can have jelly with ice cream.” Baby was gurgling and happy with that; he clapped his small little hands together.

Yau-Yau was splashing water all over his grandpapa, and wanted to wash his grand mama who was sitting on her round little 3-legged stool by the tub giving grandpapa a back scrub. He brought a towel saturated with water up to Shan Mei’s face, and splashed water all over the floor. In the tub, Yau-Yau kept playing with the anklet on his grand papa’s ankle, and kept asking “What’s this?”

Finally, Xiang Zhe got fed up with the little tyke’s persistent questioning, he replied “That’s grand mama.”

“I want grand mama too,” and stuck out his little foot at grandpapa. Joyous laughter could be heard coming from the bathroom.

It was at times like these that Shan Mei and Xiang Zhe were always so grateful to their eldest son for his foresight and thoughtfulness. He had installed non-slip tiles in their bathroom, kitchen, and plenty of wall rails in the bathroom, so many safety features for the elderly. The outdoor areas that they used constantly were also paved with non slip tiles too.
==

Rong Yau, whenever his grandparents were busy, would carry his little story book under his arms, sit on his little armchair, and wait for grandpapa to tell him stories. Xiang Zhe would look thoughtfully at him. The little tyke reminded him so much of BB, when he was little and the only baby in the house. He would do exactly that. If no one had time to tell him stories, he would be good and watch the afternoon’s children’s programmes on television. He never gave trouble to anyone.

“Grand mama’s food taste good?” Yau-Yau nodded his little head, and told grandpapa he wanted more, after he ate up his bowl of congee. He pointed to Xiang Zhe’s big bowl of congee. “What’s this?” pointing to the abalone and chicken pieces. “When Yau-Yau is old enough, Yau-Yau can take this. Not now, too hard for chewing, okay?” Again he nodded his little head, this time giving grand papa a wide, sweet smile, his eyes bright and happy. Xiang Zhe could not help but kissed him and kissed him. With that wide smile and his bright, happy eyes crinkled into crescent shapes, he looked so much like Shan Mei.

The next morning, while having breakfast, Xiang Zhe told his wife he wanted to take her for a leisure holiday around the country. They had always wanted to go on one of those local tours that KTB used to promote through MBS. He wanted to take her to Seorak and Songnisan National Parks and return to Seoul in time for Founding Day anniversary.

When little Yau-Yau heard what they were planning, he too wanted to go. “Not this time, precious. Another time when the weather is warmer.” The little tyke pursed his lips and was about to cry when Xiang Zhe tried to soothe him. “Hey, grandpapa cannot be so greedy and have you all the time. Your grandpa wants to spend time with you too. Don’t you love your grandpa too?”

“I love grandpa and grandma too.” In his small mind, he loved them all.

“You go with grandpa and when grandpapa returns with grand mama, we will take you to some place nice. How about that?” Yau Yau didn’t look convinced. His expressive eyes were still full of doubt. He had the same old promise from his own daddy all the time, but he never got to go anywhere with his parents except to visit Grandpapa and Grand mama, who would sometimes take him on an aeroplane and he would get to visit his other set of grandparents.

“Hey, how about tonight we play trick on grand mama? We’ll tickle her, okay?” Yau-Yau giggled secretly behind his little hands. This grandpapa was a naughty man.

Unfortunately, for Xiang Zhe, Shan Mei had the same idea. She got their little grandson to take her side to give his grandpapa a tickle. Grand mama had promised little Yau-Yau something, “You can sleep in bed with us.”

That night, Xiang Zhe tickled Shan Mei until their limbs were tangled and her cheeks were aching with her laughter. Half way through their games in bed, Yau-Yau began crying, shouting for them to stop. “I don’t want to hurt grandpapa!” Shan Mei and Xiang Zhe were stunned and immediately stopped jesting on the bed. He ran to cuddle up to his grandpapa, his little mouth planting small little kisses on Xiang Zhe’s chest, looking up to Xiang Zhe with his wet eyes, “Grandpapa, I’m sorry.” His little hands began to caress his grandpapa’s face. Xiang Zhe was so overwhelmed with infinite love for his grandson, he grabbed him close to him, “You silly baby, it’s only a game. Grand mama loves grandpapa very much, that’s why she tickles me. See, grandpapa is not hurt?”

Turning to Shan Mei, Xiang Zhe declared rather proudly, “See Old Lady, you bully your old man, even my grandson is on my side.”

Yau-Yau forgot his tears, and started giggling. “Grandpa calls grandma old lady all the time. Why are you calling grand mama old lady too? Grand mama is not old.”

“Oh my, is that right? What do you suggest we call her?”

Yau-Yau looked puzzled at the couple; he scratched his chest, his neck, his nape and his head a bit, then giggled when a thought came to him. “I want my grand mama to be Pretty-Pretty.”

Xiang Zhe laughed delightedly. “Wow! Yau-Yau is so clever and has such good taste. Grandpapa will give you a treat tomorrow morning.”
==

But, first things first, before Shan Mei would promise going away for a holiday with Xiang Zhe. They visited Chris at Wen Rong Hospital and Shan Mei insisted Chris gave his father-in-law a thorough body check-up, to make sure everything was alright. By the morrow, Chris gave his father-in-law all clearance. Shan Mei was very happy, and told her husband, she might sometimes give him meat 3 times a week.

“Darling, I don’t want meat 3 times a week. I’m happy with the 2 times a week. I want to keep myself in good health. I don’t want you to worry unnecessarily about my health every time I take meat. Please don’t worry anymore. You leave that burden to Chris.”
==

What present to get for their grandson, Rong De’s birthday?
Xiang Jie had told his elder brother and sister that Rong De wanted the newest movable 400% Limited Edition of Ultraman Robot from Japan. He had been harassing his parents; however, every time they were at the toy shop, they were told the shipment that just arrived had sold out.

Xiang Zhe decided to get his eldest grandson this toy for his birthday which was this Saturday. They went to the largest toy shop in town, but were told the robots had been sold out, except one that had been reserved. The man who reserved it, had confirmed he would collect it by 3 that afternoon. One look at the toy, the grandparents couldn’t understand why any child would want to play with it. And it was not cheap too, with a price tag of 400,000 Won.

“Why so expensive?” Xiang Zhe asked the store manager politely, simply out of curiosity. Not that they couldn’t afford it, but he remembered their children never had toys this costly. The most expensive ever were the model cars that David Dutton sent to Seoul from London and the children rode them in the garden for years. The model cars were extremely good value for money because the grand children were now playing with them, too. BA took his ‘Jaguar’ model down to Busan and that had kept his children busy whenever they were not watching television.

Holding up the Ultraman Robot and looking at it this way and that way, he asked the store manager, “What’s so special about this toy?” He wanted to know, again out of curiosity.

“Because it’s 400% the size of a normal Ultraman, and it’s from a limited edition range and it’s movable” replied the store manager, his eyes showing no respect for the elderly couple who didn’t seem to be aware of the latest craze in Toyland.

Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei had lunch at the cafeteria next door to the toy shop waiting, hoping to buy the robot from the man who was coming to collect the toy. Xiang Zhe managed to get the store manager to agree if the man did not show up by 3 p.m. he would sell the 400% Ultraman to them since they had waited from that morning when the shop opened its doors for business.

Xiang Zhe was a stickler for punctuality but this time, he was praying the man would be late, or a no-show. When 3.15 p.m. had come and was gone, Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei at once went up to Cash Counter to pay for the toy. “Whew” Xiang Zhe let off a sigh. They had told Xiang Jie they would get Rong De the Ultraman. If they showed up at the birthday party without the Ultraman, they wouldn’t dare imagine the consequences. Their grandson in a temper tantrum when he couldn’t have what he wanted, was a frightening sight.

“His temper is worse than yours,” Shan Mei pointed out to her husband.

“And yours,” Xiang Zhe countered, as he carried the large carrying bag with him. Outside the toy store, the two of them looked at each other, and laughed guiltily together.

“You + Me. No wonder, he’s like an unstoppable hurricane, roaring around his parents. Wonder whether Sharon has anything in her reference books to handle such abominable tantrum ?”

“Last time when BB asked her, she did say it was good for the boy to seek release of his extra energy in this way. It he bottled up his feelings, he would become more destructive at a later stage. I suppose Sharon has a point there.” Shan Mei tried to explain the sensible logic to her husband.
Xiang Zhe gave her a doubtful look as if the books were full of baloney again. “God help my poor son BB.” Xiang Zhe sighed, and shook his head in hapless resignation, thinking of his son’s soft nature.

 

Chapter 7 (Final)

 

Xiang Zhe watched as Shan Mei wrapped the birthday present up carefully with the wrapping paper they had purchased separately from the toy shop.
“Darling, there’s really no need to pay that much attention to the gift wrapping; that kid will simply rip off the paper to see what we have bought for him.”

“Husband, a little more effort doesn’t take up all that time. If you’re tired, why don’t you go off to bed first. I’ll come to bed, as soon as I’m through with this.” Shan Mei then gave her husband a kiss on his lips, one hand pushing him along.

In bed that night, as Xiang Zhe drew his wife into his arms, he told her they would never again waste a day waiting for some silly toy, and in that context, for anything.

“I’m done with waiting! Waiting for my father to come home after he left Mother and me for another woman, but he never returned. Waiting for my mother to wake up from her grief to show me some love, but the affection never came. Waiting for you to show up in my life, and what happened? You managed to turn up, but I had to wait 8 long years before I could make you my wife. Thank goodness I waited.” His voice wobbled as he tried to subdue painful memories.

“And, Darling, you know something? They all went away but left me nothing. Every one of them, and people at the MBS Station only wanted things or benefits from me, always wanting to know what I could give or do for them. You were the only one who gave me a memento when you left. If not for Peter Rabbit, I would have been so alone in this world. I wouldn’t have been able to handle the job at MBS. Especially that time, you resigned from MBS and left for London without a word. I never felt more miserable and alone. I thought you didn’t want me anymore. I was so tormented. Without Peter Rabbit, I really wouldn’t have been …….” his voice was cracking up again as he burrowed his face and tears between her breasts.

“Xue Zhang….. I’m so sorry. I thought you didn’t understand my position and got tired of waiting, so you used Youzhen Ge as an excuse to tell me to go. I couldn’t bear to see your stern face, hear your harsh words, so I left.” She reached out and held him, stroked him and he clung to her like a boy needing solace. Finally, his breathing slowed down as Shan Mei rocked him gently to sleep…. Agreeing with him there was no reason for him to wait anymore. He rolled over, drawing her close against the curve of his body as if he would make her a part of him. She loved him and was so thankful that they would be together forever.
==

A few days after Rong De’s birthday, Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei left Yau-Yau with Patrick and Susie, and began their romantic sojourn.

They boarded a domestic flight from Kimpo airport to Sokcho in north-east Korea, the nearest airport to Mt. Seorak National Park. When they arrived at Seorak, they checked into Seorak Park Hotel and were given the penthouse suite on the 12th floor, with its own balcony and small private garden.

Seorak’s main tourist season was Autumn. Xiang Zhe was thankful they had come in Spring, thus avoiding the main tourist crowds.

From their suite, early every morning, they could see before them seas of clouds spreading over the snow-capped mountain peaks. As the sun slowly rose, the sunrise shed its brightness over the snow playing on its iridescent reflections, the entire scene too magical and breathtaking to describe.

One morning, after appreciating such a scene, Xiang Zhe drew his wife closer to him and breathed into her ear, “Darling, this place more magical than that Japanese onsen ryokan in Hakone, agree? Luckily, you didn’t manage to run away to Japan, planning to leave me behind in Seoul. There would be no one to warm your back on cold days like these!”

Shan Mei laughed back at once and snuggled closer to her husband. “I need more warmth now.”

“Darling, this place is simply heavenly. Just the place to indulge in love-making. Too bad we didn’t think of spending our honeymoon here. I would have shown you just how much I loved you and couldn’t do without you, every minute of the day and the night. Now, we’re 40 years too late. Your old man is not able to show you much, though his spirit is very willing. Do you have any regrets?”

“Xue Zhang, you’re the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me, but I do have some regrets. I regretted I didn’t stay back in London the first time we met. We wouldn’t then have to circumvent around so many unhappy events, to waste all those years to be together, finally. I wished we had a few more children because you make such a doting and wonderfully understanding father. Your children simply idolise you. And I really regretted that sometimes I’ve missed opportunities to show you just how much you mean to me. You are really the love of my life, my dearest husband.” Her eyes had gone misty.

When Xiang Zhe heard that, he lifted his head and stared down at his wife, a feeling of sublime tenderness stealing over him. His thumb moved across the fullness of her lower lip with a reverence that made her want to cry.
“Forget about wanting more children. I’m yours to baby,” he said softly. “Always.” His lips curved into a slow smile that melted her bones. “For ever!”

They spent almost a month at Seorak, dividing their time equally at Outer, Inner and South Seorak. They even ventured to ride the cable car up to Gwonkeumsansung Peak, to the Gosung Unification Observatory Tower that looked across to North Korea. They were curious to see whether the mountain scenes high above in the clouds would evoke same feelings as Changbai Mountains. Even though the scene before them was breathtakingly awesome, in their opinion Changbai was still the ‘majestic king’ but for the ordinary Korean citizens who wouldn’t have the opportunity to visit Changbai, this was as close to heaven as they could get.
==

After Seorak, Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei visited Songnisan National Park in Daejeon. They traveled around Daejeon as guests of KTB. They stayed in a special guest holiday house provided by KTB in Sanae-ri, very near to Songnisan. Every morning, for a week, they enjoyed leisure walks around the beautiful park. Songni-stream, running through the park, was lined with flowering trees on both sides of the river banks. Along the river, Spring was already turning the grasses soft green, shading the woodlands with the tantalising silver shadows that would soon become colour. Beside the Songni-stream was an ochre-stoned path. Walking barefoot along this path was said to be good for the health, as the ochre path was said to have many medicinal, healing properties.

After a week at Songnisan, Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei went to Yeseong Hot Springs Resort. KTB owned about 6 guest bungalows at a quiet, secluded part of the resort. Each bungalow had its own private garden and a small hot spring pool. The bungalow allocated to Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei reminded them so much of the Japanese onsen ryokan in Hakone, near Tokyo. They settled in very easily for a three-week stay. Everything was perfect; well, almost perfect, if the rains had kept away during some of the nights. The rains drumming down against the roof of their bungalow made the kind of music that Shan Mei found very soothing and calming, but most nights, husband and wife had to stay indoors, unable to enjoy the soak in the pool unless they dared to venture into the pool for a rain bath!

This evening, Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei were strolling along the well-lit tree-lined path bordering part of the Yeseong Hot Springs Hotel Resort. Though the afternoon warmth still lingered, the air was soft, cooling as sundown approached. They were nearing the end of their beautiful 3-week stay at this spa resort. As they strolled leisurely along, they recalled many sweet and loving memories throughout the 48 years of their beautiful ‘togetherness’. They cherished all the times they spent together. Shan Mei’s eyes misted. [Xue Zhang is so right. He has given me the best present ever, his friendship].

“I know you don’t like to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I only hope we can reach our Golden wedding anniversary together. Let’s take each year at a time, and the 50th year will be upon us before we know it. This July will be our 40th year as husband and wife. I can still see you, very clearly, you with your curly hair when you were 20 years old.” Xiang Zhe’s voice tailed off as he tenderly smoothed down wisps of hair tendrils blowing around Shan Mei’s face.

After a while, he continued, “That time when I returned to Seoul from London and saw you at the park, I realised I had missed you so dreadfully much. I told you to keep your voice down, and tried to keep a decent distance from you, then hid my hands securely in my trouser pockets. My arms were aching to throw themselves around your shoulders. I was trying to cover up my impatience, and I wanted to hold you close and kiss you. I can still remember that day, your infectious laughs and the dazzling smile you gave me.” He tapped at the back of his head with his finger, “All securely locked up here.” As they walked on, he continued, “I was trying to drop hints about the way I felt about you, telling you I was envious of Youzhen, and if he still ignored you, to forget him and come to me. You being so naïve didn’t take me seriously at all.”

Shan Mei didn’t say anything, but huddled up closer to her husband. Xiang Zhe led his wife to a wooden bench that was just ahead of them. After they sat down, he murmured softly into her ear,

“Darling…. when we attended the company’s 20th founding day anniversary, it was a year after our first date. I wanted to propose. Would you have accepted?” As he asked, he held her stare. Shan Mei shook her head, feeling uncomfortable with the way Xue Zhang was watching her.

“Why not?” Although he couldn’t help being disappointed with her answer, Xiang Zhe was relieved he had waited and not rushed her. He had felt she wasn’t ready for him at that time.

“Because you were the Boss and the Chairman’s son. My heart wasn’t prepared. I didn’t know whether you were serious. If you had asked and I had accepted, later on if you had a change of heart, you would feel obligated to marry me regardless, you being the kind of responsible person you are. I didn’t want that, because I didn’t have the confidence that I could keep you by my side. I was very vulnerable at that time. I couldn’t even keep a simple man like Youzhen Ge, how could I hope to hold on to such a special man like you who has even refused to consider such a great match like Yong Xi?

Also, gossips were rife in the office saying I managed to be broadcaster only with your back-up. Xue Zhang, I care too much for you to want your staff to think their DoP was a person who couldn’t separate his personal life from his corporate life. I had to stay away from you, because of that. I didn’t want to be a burden to you.

Now, I’m old and have been married to you for almost 40 years, I still don’t understand why you’re still by my side after all these years, when the so-called experts claim you would tire of me after a few years.”

“Aiya, darling, if you already knew I were a responsible person, you should realise if I didn’t really love you, I would not have proposed. Why I’m still sticking around after all these years? Very simple! Because I’m more in love with you than ever! By next year, I will be loving you even more.

I was serious right from the beginning, right from that time in London. It has always been you and no one else. Especially that time you rejected me when you found out I was Director of Planning at MBS. I was walking around miserable all the time and trying to hide my misery under a cloak of coolness! But, whenever I saw you, everything seemed to fall perfectly into place. That’s the effect you had on me. I then promised to myself no one but you would be my wife. You can ask Peter Rabbit, if you don’t believe me. He’s my witness. All the other girls, Yong Xi included, wanted me because of my looks, my status, my fortune and my position at MBS, while you were the only one who rejected me for the very same reasons. You really were so unique.

That night when we took a stroll in the park near your house, you questioned, ‘Why does it have to be you?’ I finally understood your thinking. If I was not the boss of MBS, you would have accepted me easily a long time ago, right? You didn’t want people to get the wrong impression that you accepted me because of my position, because they were already spreading rumours around the Station that you were selected as the co-host of the morning show only because of me, and not because of your efforts. No matter how good you were, people would always claim you made it because of me, right?

It’s the same logic of you and You Zhen; because of my jealousy, I couldn’t accept your concern for him. I knew it was right for you to go to help You Zhen because you owed it to his mother for helping to bring you up. That was also your compassionate and caring nature putting other’s welfare before your own. I wanted to be supportive and told you it was okay to go and do whatever was necessary to help him, but I later realized it was easy to talk. When I actually saw how you cared for him, I couldn’t help suspecting he was the one you wanted. I’ve since always berated myself for not being able to keep an open mind, and to trust you. Luckily, I didn’t lose you.”

Xiang Zhe rested his eyes on his wife for a long time; sometimes he still couldn’t believe this adorable woman was his wife and had brought such joy and blessings into his life. “Even though you may be old, in my eyes you’re looking more beautiful than ever and you’re my most precious gold.”

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed each of her fingers tenderly, “Thank you Shan Mei for your unfailing love and all these wonderful years.”

Still holding on to one of her hands and looking up towards the sky, Xiang Zhe released a big sigh of relief.

“Why such a big sigh, darling?” asked Shan Mei, as she rubbed his arm in a soothing manner.

“I can finally let go of some of my greatest fears.”

Shan Mei crossed her brows at him, her eyes questioning him silently.

“In London, at the first TV Sales Convention after you joined CTN, when I saw you with a new hairstyle and new image makeover, my mind went at once to our first real date in that park in Seoul That time you came with new hairstyle and new dressing style; you later bade farewell to You Zhen with your blessings. I was so afraid you would do the same to me. Treat me to a delicious dinner; then send me packing off with your blessings, never wanting to see me again.

When you were carrying the twins, we found you bleeding at Daeshan Village. You went into premature labour and when Dr. Kim told me the delivery would be very difficult, I had to prepare myself for the worst. I knew if anything should happen to you, I wouldn’t want to live. That time, I told Xiang Jie and Patrick to help Father bring up BB and BR.

The fear I dreaded most is ‘what if’ every time I think back to the car accident at the traffic light crossing in London. If the traffic light had not turned green and still remained red, you would have walked past me and out of my life. I wouldn't have known you, I wouldn’t have known what ‘love’ is, I wouldn’t have known what ‘family’ is, I wouldn’t have known what ‘blessing’ is, I wouldn’t have understood what ‘forgiveness’ is, I wouldn’t have a ‘future’ to look forward to.

I would have gradually drunk and smoked myself to death with hatred and pain in my heart. I was never interested in MBS. Even when I was back in Seoul on a few rare occasions during my college days, I never bothered to go to the studios to see what was going on there. I was completely estranged from it and the life in Seoul. And I have been afraid to wake up one day and find that all this contentedness and bliss is just a dream. At least now, even if it’s a dream, it has been a beautiful 40-year old dream, being so loved by you.

When my father summoned me back to Seoul to take up a position in MBS, I didn’t promise him anything. I had wanted to spend time with you and try to help you get over your You Zhen Ge. I told my father about ‘the girl I had met in London and I would only consider staying in Seoul if she decided to stay on too. She just graduated from university, and had not decided what she wanted to do’. On our first serious date when you told me you had applied for Broadcaster’s Selection Course and later that day, shouted your farewell blessings to You Zhen, I confirmed with Father that same night I would join MBS. A few days later, I reported for work at the TV Station. I was confident you would be accepted for actual training course after completing the Selection Course. If not for that, I would have persuaded you to return to London with me.”

“No wonder your father asked whether I was the girl you met in London when you introduced me to him at MBS Founding Day 20th Anniversary.” Shan Mei was no longer puzzled.

“My father was eager to meet you, and nagged me every few days why I was not bringing you home to see him. He thought I was making up stories, to stop him from encouraging the Liu family from submitting marriage proposal. And that Yong Xi tried to bring the ‘marriage’ matter up every time I met her in the office, or for drinks or meals. I had tried to let her know I just wasn’t interested. She already knew I was interested in you.”

“Darling, you can’t blame Yong Xi. She has expected to be your bride……”

“Of course I blame her. I never ever encouraged her in any way. If she thought being close to my mother would automatically mean I would marry her, she should think again. She should have let her parents know that I had rejected her even when she was in London. Instead, she still continued on as if we were a couple. When I returned to Seoul and went to Madam Kim to get some pants, around the time before I joined MBS, we needed some alterations to the pants. When Yong Xi was there about a week later and Madam Kim mentioned about the pants being ready, she insisted on taking the pants with her, letting them assume she was very close with me. I hated this kind of subtle innuendo of intimacy when in fact there was none.”

Turning round to face her husband, Shan Mei gave him a sweet smile and asked whether he was feeling the chill. “Shall we make our way back to the hotel? Let’s talk of happier things on the way.”

“Before I can talk of happier things, you’ve got to put me in a happy mood”. Xiang Zhe gave his wife an expectant look, his dark eyes soft as velvet, his mouth lifted in the corners in a suggestive curve.

“You! I’m sure you’ve it all planned, how to put yourself in happy mood.” Shan Mei gave him a teasing smirk.

“Of course. You’re always complimenting me for being the best Director of Planning. Are you going to be an obedient wife tonight and follow orders?”

“That’s not a problem, if your orders are not too outrageous or difficult to follow..” She laughed softly, swinging their clasped hands along as they walked.

“Simple. It’s been quite a while since we’ve really bathed under a moonlit sky. Tonight’s the first night since we arrived at Yeseong that we have a clear sky and not too cold for a soak in hot water. Don’t let our private hot spring pool go to waste. We’re only going to be here for another 2 nights. Let’s make the most of it. After bathing, it all depends on where your mood takes you, Mrs. Yin .…….?”

The night was really beautiful and serene, the weather balmy. Husband and wife eased themselves gently into the warm water. Shan Mei found a flat rock sitting in a shallow spot of the pool. She rested on it. Her husband moved quietly in the water, and soon waded his way towards her side. Xiang Zhe was throwing admiring glances at his wife, as he rubbed her back. “Hey, why do you still insist on wearing your chemise when your skin is all warm. And it’s no longer chilly!” As his hands moved to her front, he found the little damp slip of clothing clinging to her body in the way.

“I want to take off this chemise.” His voice was soft and sensuous. Shan Mei sat up with a start when she realized he was pulling the slip over her head. As he ran his fingers softly along her skin with tenderness, he was so overcome with love, he couldn’t help but kiss her along. “Darling, it’s incredible your skin is still so smooth, soft and unblemished. What’s your beauty secret, may I ask?”

“No secret at all. Simply being nourished by my husband’s love,” she baldly stated. And she believed it wholeheartedly. Her husband never let a day go by without letting her know how much he loved her, either by words or by deeds. He had never tired of telling her he had been waiting for her all his life. And he had never really demanded for anything in return, except her total love and devotion.

Dark clouds were gathering quickly, and it felt like rain would soon come. They left the water and went back to the safe, cosy sanctuary of their room. Shan Mei was pouring out hot green tea into 2 delicately-looking teacups when her husband gazed at her thoughtfully and asked, “Darling, has 40 married years really flown by so fast and blissfully?” She turned to take a lingering look at her husband, her eyes overflowing with tenderness. She reached out and planted her lips softly against his heart. “Xue Zhang, I love you with all of me. You’re still the best.” As she thought of his love, his understanding, his support, his everything all these years, big drops of tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Aiya, old lady, you’re the one always making me break my promise not to make you cry” Xiang Zhe chastised teasingly when he saw teardrops rolling down her cheeks. He caught her hand, pressed his mouth against her palm, and hesitantly released a sigh. “Sometimes, this caring too much is a curse, you know, darling. Before I met you and loved you, I feared little on earth. Now, I have peace, happiness, and contentment I’ve never known. You’ve given me so much, it gives me fear of losing it all. Sometimes I find myself staring at shadows, frightened to receive some news I do not wish to hear.”

Shan Mei, with happy laughter as she tried to wipe the tears away, soothed him, “Sorry, this time it’s really my fault”. She turned to give her husband, now lying back so comfortably against big silky, downy cushions on the padded sleeping mat, a thorough kiss, her hands gently and slowly caressing him in some of his most, most sensitive spots that only she knew where. He was moaning softly with pleasure.

“Hey, old lady, be careful, take it slow and easy. You’re now handling a fragile 73-year old man.” Xiang Zhe teased as he caught his wife tightly to him. He began kissing her in return, murmuring sweet nothings along the way. “Darling, I love you, I ..w..a.n.t…, I ..w..a..n..t…e.hmm…… Hey, stop squirming around.”

He gave her delectable derriere a smack.
“Ouch ! That hurts. See how red your hand print is” Shan Mei chided, pointing to the red mark on her derriere, giving her husband a delicious pout.

“Branding always hurts.” He laughed wickedly.

“Now, are you or aren’t you ready to make me happy?” Xiang Zhe demanded to know as he caught his wife back into his arms, laughter spilling all around them.

Later that night, as Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei settled down for the night, and looked out through the glass sliding door, lightning was dancing across the dark sky, followed by the rumbling of thunder.

Her head pillowed against Xiang Zhe’s shoulder, Shan Mei said drowsily, “It would rain now, the plants around the garden will start to blossom, after we are ready to start for home.” Xiang Zhe gently rubbed her arm warm as a gentle wind from the coming rain wafted in through the slight gap purposely left open between the half-closed sliding doors. “Let’s go to sleep now,” he coaxed softly as he ran his fingers gently through her hair. “We can always come back in another few months, if you really want to watch your ‘adopted’ garden in full bloom.” Outside, the rain began to fall.

After lunch, three days later, KTB’s limousine was at the hot springs resort to collect Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei. They enjoyed the 2 and a half-hour drive back to Seoul, taking in and commenting on the beautiful country scenery and new constructions and developments along the way. When Xiang Zhe didn’t answer a question Shan Mei asked about stopping off somewhere for snacks, she sighed, looking over at the peaceful, sleeping form of her husband hugging so contentedly to her waist, thinking how time had flown by so quickly, as the limousine cruised smoothly along the Seoul-Daejeon Expressway.

They were back in Seoul busy preparing for MBS Founding Day 63rd Anniversary Dinner only a week away.
==

As the soft, glorious days and nights of late Spring drifted in, Shan Mei hoarded up a miser’s wealth of memories of the past few weeks, memories she’d treasure forever. And, as long as her beloved Xue Zhang was with her, nothing else mattered; she had known what it was to love and be loved to the exclusion of all else. She lived and ate and breathed that love, drawing her strength and courage from him.

Now, lying awake in bed, next to her sleeping husband, Shan Mei couldn’t dispute the fact that Xue Zhang had kept his promise; he wanted to fill her days with happiness. She was so thankful and so grateful, wondering, “What did I ever do to deserve such a wonderful husband? We’re now enjoying our twilight years, yet he has never strayed from his mission.”

Gripped by a sudden intensity of love and gratitude, Shan Mei leaned over her husband as he slept so soundly beside her. Her lips lightly touched his cheek as she whispered ever so softly into his ear, “My darling husband, I love you so much, so much until my heart aches.”

Xiang Zhe stirred. He turned and half-opened his eyes in drowsiness, to look directly into the eyes of his wife. “Yes?” he murmured, drawing her closer to him.

“Nothing. Just want you to know that you’re the most wonderful husband in the whole wide world, and my heart aches with so much love for you.”

Xiang Zhe at once became wide awake as her words penetrated his drowsy mind. He propped himself up on an arm, to search the honesty of her words in her face, wanting to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. He ran a finger tenderly down her cheek and jaw line and neck as he planted a swift kiss on her lips, at the same time asking, “Any reward?”

“Yes! I’m going to kiss you so hard, so long and so deep until you hurt all over,” she laughed with delicious warmth.

He rumbled with delighted mirth that ended in a groan as Shan Mei gently pushed him back against the pillows. Her mouth teased his mouth with hot, biting kisses, then her mouth caressed its way along his throat and along his jaw. Her lips touched first the damp of his Adam’s apple and then slid moistly downwards to lick the perspiration from the hollow at the base of his throat. She could feel the heat suddenly burn under Xue Zhang’s skin, the perspiration beading his throat as he started to shudder so deeply and violently that for a second it actually alarmed her, afraid the whole play was a little bit too much for his heart.

But when she moved to withdraw from him, his arms clasped around her arms, holding her against his body as he begged, through gritted teeth, “Dearest Shan Mei, don’t stop now. For God’s sake, don’t stop now….. If you only know what you’ve started …… Darling, … erh …don’t forget that secret spot behind the ear that you know so well….. yes … , yes …… and my lobes…. I love the way you sipped at my ear lobes, especially the left one.”

Shan Mei stopped what she was doing and gave her husband a withering sideways glance. “Hey, I thought this was going to be my show. If you are so keen to direct, then you go and kiss yourself.” Slight amusement danced around the corners of her mouth.

“Darling, now that you have me hot and panting, why kiss myself when I can gain more pleasure kissing you?” Xiang Zhe shifted over her; he then opened her mouth with one sliding, sensual thrust of his tongue. It was better being kissed by Xue Zhang this way, so much like the first deep kiss he gave her when he proposed marriage Shan Mei thought to herself, and she gave herself over to the incredible pleasure of carrying him, flowing into him, being completely possessed by him.

In time, Xiang Zhe lifted his head. His face was flushed and his breath raspy. He touched Shan Mei’s face – as flushed as his own – and looking into one another’s eyes, they laughed.

In joy,
In wonder,
In love,

Today,
Tomorrow,
Forever.
==

**** And They Lived Happily Ever After ****
Shan Mei and Xiang Zhe
HAPPY GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
(in 10 Fantasy years’ time)