Another Time With You

VIII - Suffocating

Tang Yi is sitting at his veranda, while having a smoke; he only smoke sometime though. He remember during their conversation in a VVIP club room in the cruise. Chen Wen Hao finally back here in Taiwan, and he’s going to kill him when the older man fall into his trap.

Putting off his smoke on the cigarette tray, Tang Yi closed his eyes.

When he’s a kid, he ran away from house. It’s the greatest decision that he had ever do. If he stay, what will happen to him? He would not meet Sir Tang, Hong Ye and Brother Dao Yi. As a kid, he longed for love. His foster father would get mad at him and slapped him, as if he was a disgrace and a sinful child. Sometimes, he even wonder why parents would do that? Taking them, but making them suffer. What kind of paradox is that?

When Sir Tang took him in, he got the care and love of a father from him. He gave him good clothes to wear, he taught him how to cook, he got to learn how to fight and play as much as he want. He’s happy during that time.

He also remember that time when he helped Hong Ye. His lips slight went upward as he remember the good old days with Sir Tang and Hong Ye. He and Hong Ye care for each other just like a sibling would, also got Sir Tang as their father figure. It was blissful days, but now, it was all gone. Gone the moment Sir Tang said he wanted to meet with someone.

When he saw Sir Tang lying on a pool of blood, nothing registered in his mind and when he saw Chen Wen Hao, he was shot near his heart. Whenever he thought about that day, his heart would tightened and it hurts a lot. Sometime, it’s as if Sir Tang is still alive; his presence still lingering around, and he would hear Sir Tang calling for him. But, reality is Sir Tang already buried six feet under and he cannot retrieve him. Death people would not always dead as they are alive in our heart and everything about them still fresh in the mind.

Suddenly, a pair of arm hug him from behind.

“Why are you still awake?”

It’s Hong Ye.

“Nothing. And you?”

“I heard that you are visiting a man.”

Tang Yi turned around and look at her, “how do you know?”

“If I tell you, you would fire another guy. Hey, are you sure you’re not tangled with a dangerous man?”

“I am not. He’s a good guy.”

Hong Ye raised her eyebrow, “really?”
“Yes. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Hong Ye then continue to talk to him to be careful and she doesn’t want him to be targeted by someone weird. Tang Yi just play it cool with her because he knew how much Hong Ye care about him. They are family even though not related by blood. They are brother and sister taken in Sir Tang, but Tang Yi has his own way how to do things.

When Tang Yi went to the hospital, he bring along chicken porridge,chicken soup and apples for Shao Fei to eat. For goodness sake, he can feel how thin Shao Fei was. What did he eat?
Upon arriving, Tang Yi knocked first. When he opened the door, no one inside. He put down the food first. Where would he be?

Although his wounds are getting better, Shao Fei should not move too much. Is he with Zhao Zi? No. He knew how Zhao Zi was. Jack? Unlikely. He went to the counter and asked the nurse if there’s anyone who come by. The nurse shook her head and said that no one ask about Shao Fei’s room number. Tang Yi thanked the nurse and proceed to the cafeteria, in case Shao Fei were there.

No. He’s not there.

Where can he be? Rooftop? He then went there, and he saw Shao Fei was there. Sitting in a wheelchair alone as he spacing out. His face still pale. Tang Yi slowly walk towards him, and when he was near him, Shao Fei turned his head to his way. Alright, Tang Yi really did not like this. Shao Fei’s eyes and smile were droopy.

“Oh...hey Tang Yi.”

“What are you doing up here?”

“Enjoying the air up here. What else?”

Tang Yi just nodded, but it was not convincing enough for him.

“Don’t worry. A nurse helped me. What are you doing here?”

“To visit you of course. Now, let us go back now.”

“Okay.”

On their way to Shao Fei’s room, Tang Yi cannot help but feel that Shao Fei was meeting someone. But his excuse was plausible enough. But, he won’t prode him about it. He have to let his suspicion go.

Entering the room, when Shao Fei saw the food, his eyes went slightly wide. “You shouldn’t have bring me food. Zhao Zi will come here later. Plus, the hospital will also give us food.”

“I don’t think there’s any wrong for me to come here, and you’re too thin.”
Shao Fei just smile and shook his head.

Tang Yi set out the food on the table as Shao Fei sat down on the couch. Shao Fei sniffed in the aroma, and he can’t deny it, the food made by Tang Yi smell delicious and appetizing. He eat the porridge slowly, while Tang Yi watching him eating. Shao Fei’s mind seems to be somewhere else, however.

He didn’t even look at Tang Yi as he eat the porridge and sip the soup.

Shao Fei didn’t finished the food, but he’s full already. When he look at Tang Yi, he tilted his head and raised his eyebrow slightly. But, Tang Yi shooked his head and said that it’s nothing. He then close the container and thermos and put them back into the plastic bag.

“Can you eat any more? If you can, I’ll slice you an apple.”

“No, I’m fine. Thank you so much, Tang Yi. It’s really delicious. Did you cook it?”

Tang Yi smirked, “of course.”

“Wow... your future wife are lucky.”
Tang Yi just smirk, yet his heart felt uneasy hearing that words. Why?  And he can even feel it, Shao Fei are not his usual self. Odd, really odd.

“Want an apple?” Tang Yi asked again, forgetting that Shao Fei already said no.

Shao Fei just giggled and said no again. “Really? Just by saying future wife, and you’re like this?”

Tang Yi just shrugged it off, and just put the apple on the table.

Tang Yi went home when Zhao Zi finally came.

“What’s wrong with him?” Zhao Zi asked. He can feel that Tang Yi giving off suffocated vibe.

“Nothing. By the way, did you know when is his birthday?”

Now, Zhao Zi doesn’t know whether he should or not check into Shao Fei’s mind. Tang Yi is one thing, now Shao Fei also giving out a different vibe. So, in the end, he chose not too. He felt like it’s not going to be something he like. Zhao Zi just told him when, and then peeled an apple for Shao Fei. He’s thankful that Tang Yi fed Shao Fei and even coming here to take care of him.