My Crush is the Mafia

Chapter 18

3rd Person POV

After those words had slipped out of Li Zhen's mouth, the silence in the room was deafening. Jack and Zhao Zi looked at each other in shock. Tang Yi looked towards Shao Fei. Shao Fei looked back and forth between his mom and Tang Guo Dong. 

"What do you mean by that? Dad was part of the mafia?" Shao Fei asked in disbelief. He looked at the two for an answer from either of them.

"Your father, Chen Wen Hao, was a close friend of mine and one of my trusted brothers. He knew of my work and what I do, and yet he stayed friends with me. He asked me one day to join our group in desperation. He said he needed to support his family as finding a stable job during the time was rough. I was hesitant at first, but he begged me. I could see his desperation so I reluctantly allowed him to join." Tang Guo Dong explained.

Shao Fei looked at his mom, her eyes were looking down with a sad expression in them. He placed his hand on top of hers.

"Mom, is this true?"

Li Zhen looked into Shao Fei's eyes, seeing the confusion and distrust in his eyes. It pained her to see it, but she nodded.

"Your dad told me that he and Tang Guo Dong had been friends before we were together. After a few years, we got married and eventually had you. But then work was hard to find and we didn't have much to take care of you. When he told me what he did, I didn't approve of it and was scared for his life. But he convinced me that everything was going to be ok. I was reluctant, but I trusted his words."

Shao Fei gets up from the bed, trying to take everything in. Tang Yi sees a distant look in his eyes. He cautiously takes his hand and squeezes it, indirectly telling Shao Fei that he's here for him. Shao Fei looks at Tang Yi, then at Jack and Zhao Zi who also send an indirect sign. He looks back at his mom and Tang Guo Dong and sees a sad look in both their eyes.

"What happened to him? What happened to my dad?"

A tear falls out of Li Zhen's eye while Tang Guo Dong turns his face away.

"Mom?"

Li Zhen takes a breath and wipes her face.

"Ok, I've kept this secret from you for so long. You deserve to know the truth.

20 Years Ago

"Make sure you be careful, ok" Li Zhen said to Chen Wen Hao who was getting ready in their bedroom for a mission. In her arms, she was holding a 3-year-old Shao Fei who was fast asleep on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, I've been doing this for a while now. I'm always careful." he said smiling at Li Zhen who still had a worried look.

He saw the look and let out a small sigh at his wife's worriedness. He walks up to her and places a comforting hand on her forearm.

"Hey, you worry too much. I've come this far and nothing has happened. I trust that Tang Guo Dong will do everything it takes to make sure his brothers are safe. Me joining him has helped us get a better life. I'll come back to you when it's over."

Li Zhen looked down and slowly nodded. Chen When Hao could see the doubt in her eyes. He tilted her head up so they were looking at each other.

"You trust me, don't you."

Li Zhen gave a small smile.

"Of course, I do."

Chen Wen Hao smiled and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. He ruffled Shao Fei's hair and placed a kiss on his head.

"I'll be home soon."

He walks out of the room and heads for the front door. Li Zhen follows behind him.

"I love you." she calls out.

Chen Wen Hao turns back and smiles at her.

"I love you too."

Flashback ends

"That was the last time I saw your father." Li Zhen said, tears in her eyes.

"Then, what happened next?" Shao Fei asked, looked toward Tang Guo Dong.

Tang Guo Dong looked towards Li Zhen. Li Zhen nodded her head in approval. Tang Guo Dong sighed and looked at Shao Fei.

"Well, it started when I sent a message to your father."