A Love For Keeps

Status

(DAYU)

"If I just knew that you will be here, I would have not kept everyone waiting," Mrs.Wang smiles appreciatively. "How are your parents, LuBao?"

Ah yes. Her smiles are directed, not to me but to the guy sitting beside me, Chen LuBao. Or BaoBao.

I feel really grateful for BaoBao. When I saw him entering with Qing's brother, Dr.SengYou, the dread that I am feeling for being in the Wang residence lessened considerably.

Plus when BaoBao whispered that he volunteered to come as his support for me, I knew at once that he was lying. But it's good that he is lying to make me feel better.

Now, Qing's mother is showing preferential treatment to the guests her sons took home. BaoBao and I sat between Qing and his brother. My lover beside me.

On the other side of the table, the man celebrating his birthday, Qing's father, is sitting between his wife and father, Grampy's archenemy, Dr.Wang Guan.

The Wangs have a fine home. Beautiful really. And the dinner set up on the table, elegant and tasteful. Qing's mother obviously has a fine taste in life. She and my mother has a common interest in that but they are not really in a friendly mood with each other. So...

Let's move on.

"They are fine, Ma'am." BaoBao replied respectfully to Mrs.Wang's inquiry about his parents.

"Oh LuBao, call me Auntie." Mrs.Wang only has her eyes on BaoBao. She is completely ignoring me.

Which in a way, is good. I think I would prefer that she ignores me the whole night instead of throwing malicious looks on my way.

But Qing's father is a different matter. He is determined to include me in the table conversation.

"Dayu ah," he called my name. I was surprised at first, he also called my name when Qing and I first entered the house and Dr.Wang welcoming us. Someone else from Qing's family aside from Wang SengYou is calling my name. "I saw your father yesterday."

"You did?" That's a surprising news.

"Yes," Dr.Wang nodded. "Asst.Minister Feng and I saw each other in a restaurant while he was having lunch with his colleagues. We said hello to each other and I mentioned that you will be here tonight as my guest for this dinner. He said you mentioned it to him."

"Yes, I did." I delicately pressed the linen napkin on my mouth. "I asked for my Baba's opinion because I wasn't really sure if it is appropriate to come here but he counseled me well...and here I am," I smiled at Qing. "I think my father is a wise man so I usually listen to his advices."

"Good. I think your father is a good man. A gentleman," Dr.Wang agreed with me.

"Oh let's not be hasty on that one." Mrs.Wang chuckled humorlessly. "Calling the man who punched my son a good man is like jumping the gun too quickly..."

"He already apologized for that, Mama." Qing retorted back.

"Your son is right," Qing's father agreed with my lover. "And let's not talk about what happened that night. That's over and done. We all made mistakes that night. I am just glad we get passed that."

"Sure," Mrs.Wang equipped blandly.

Qing took my hand in his and I gave him a reassuring look. I took a deep breath and console myself that this night will also pass and it will be over soon.