Wen Kexing's beautiful wife, Gao Xiao Lian, is murdered, and the police request coroner Zhou Zishu perform the autopsy. The police commissioner gives them fourteen days to arrest the murderer. But is this a simple stalking case or do they have a s...
Zhao Xie admired the bright new restaurant as he hung his suitcoat over the back of the chair. He loved the greenery, the bamboo furniture, the sound of flowing water. He smiled at Wen Kexing.
"Thank you for inviting me tonight," he said. "This is a little out of the way for us." His friend smiled back and took up his menu.
"Some people at work commented when it opened. They raved about everything, so I thought we should explore it. We seldom come in this direction; we might be missing out." He hesitated. "Warn me if I am poor company. I dreaded staying home alone." He shook his head and frowned.
"I understand. Are you ok?" Xie reached across the table and touched his hand.
"It's nothing. I imagined Gao and company yammering at me for going out before my official mourning period ends. I refuse to follow an outmoded convention and seclude myself in my apartment or the house. But I hear Lian encouraging me." He turned his hand and folded the long fingers around with warm pressure. "I missed you after you left the funeral. I meant to shield you from the family and introduce you to several business associates. My uncle Shenshen knows the important Shanghai people in health care and makes a good reference. If you are interested in areas outside Beijing." The handsome man looked his thanks.
"As long as my grandmother lives here, I plan to stay put. Besides," he grinned playfully, "all my friends live here. I belong to several clubs. I enjoy my job and an adequate paycheck. I've developed productive relations with my customers and sales staff. Everything in my life is good. Your fathers glared and your mothers mostly ignored me. But I recognized some people and chatted with them. I saw you were busy, so I escaped early." He squeezed the hand he held. Wen returned the contact but then withdrew. Xe wondered if he had gone too far. Painfully, he tried to accept that his feelings for this man ran more deeply than reciprocated. Lian played no part in the distance; Kexing loved her like a sister, not a wife. The three often attended events together. Nor were there other men, or women, between them. The relationship just lacked the love to move them forward. For Wen, they were friends with benefits. He wished with all his heart for Lian's presence, her warmth and laughter. He missed her so much.
"Would you like wine with your meal?" Kexing asked, unaware of his pain. "Since I'm driving, go ahead. I'll order the salad, followed by the vegetable fish and chicken noodles." The waitress appeared and looked expectant. Wen repeated his order and silently waited while Xie decided.
"I'll have water, the shrimp fried rice, the house soup, vegetable noodles," he informed her. She retreated and shortly placed soup, salad, and water before them. As they ate, they shared little stories about their day. Their entrees arrived and they sampled all the dishes, commenting on their favorites. Just as he thought about a joke from a mutual friend, Xie saw his friend's bright face change dramatically. Suddenly, he stared intently at the entrance, unmindful of his companion. He leaned forward and watched a man and two older women choosing seats near the window. An expression of desire so vibrant it burned the forgotten man revealed his rival.
"Do you know them?" he asked quietly. The man ordered beer for the table and the three talked and laughed happily. How striking he looked. His clothing custom-fit his compact body and he clubbed his hair in a fashionable bun. The women wore pretty flowered dresses, a little old fashion but expensive. Clearly, they adored their host. "Who is that?"
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