Everyone was dressed in black. The atmosphere was heavy with various emotions—some cried openly, others stood silent, staring at the grave marker that bore the name, Mei Lien.
"Miss Lien was an angelic soul who showed nothing but kindness to the world. Yet, the world threw her away," a voice echoed over the gathering, as mourners shook their heads in silent agreement.
"May her gentle soul rest in peace," the officiant said.
"Ahhh!" Xiabo collapsed to the ground, wailing uncontrollably as others wept quietly around her. After the burial ceremony, Lei Wuije stood alongside her, his face streaked with fake tears.
"Why is it so hard to keep this act up?" she whispered to him, wiping her eyes as though they were still wet with emotion.
"This is your best friend's funeral," Lei reminded her.
"I know. I'm not blind; her name is right there." They exchanged a brief smile.
"Mr. Lei!" A group of women approached them, their faces filled with sorrow.
"Hello," Lei said softly, waving as they neared.
"We're so sorry for your loss," one said.
"Thank you for your kindness," Lei replied, a tear sliding down his cheek.
"You need to let go. She wouldn't want you to suffer."
Or maybe she'd love to drag us with her, Lei thought grimly but kept his face solemn. "I'll try to move on," he said aloud.
The women gave him sympathetic nods and left.
"Mr. Lei!" Lin Ba called as he walked over.
"Mr. Lin," Lei greeted him, shaking his hand.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
Lei sighed deeply. "Did you attend the ceremony?" Xiabo asked Lin Ba.
"Yes," Lin Ba nodded, "Mr. Lu was there too, waiting in the car."
"Mr. Lu? Lien didn't really know him well, did she?" Lei asked with a nervous smile while keeping a solemn face.
Lin Ba shrugged. "She occasionally visited the company."
"Hmm," Lei nodded, his thoughts elsewhere.
"Mr. Lei," Lin Ba spoke again, "Mr. Lu is waiting for you."
"Alright."
Lin Ba gestured toward the car, and Lei followed. When Lei entered the sleek black vehicle, Mr. Lu sat inside, wearing dark sunglasses, his expression unreadable.
"Mr. Lu, thank you for attending the funeral." Lei greeted, his eyes filled with panicking yet his lips curved in a smile.
"You don't need to thank me. It's a boss's duty. And I'm sorry for your loss." Mr Lu spoke coolly, barely glancing at Lei.
Lei sighed deeply again, his head hanging low. "It's going to be hard to move on without her," he muttered, his voice breaking.
"Hard?" Mr. Lu turned to him, his voice flat. "Even a fool could see you never truly loved Miss Lien."
Lei looked up sharply. "What do you mean by that?"
"You know exactly what I mean," Mr. Lu replied, his gaze fierce.
Lei eyes narrowed, his voice low and even. "You have no idea what my love life is like." He said, his voice tight with restraint, the smile on his face not reaching his eyes.
Mr. Lu smirked. "Your love life is as complicated as scientists trying to figure out how God exists."
Lei clenched his fists. "You know nothing!"
"Do you love yourself, Mr. Lei?" Mr. Lu's voice was calm, but his words cut deep.
Lei's breathing quickened. "You don't know anything," he snapped and reached for the car door handle.
"If you leave, you're fired," Mr. Lu said coolly.
Lei paused. "I work for your grandmother, not you."
"How will she know if I fired you? She's still in the States and wouldn't care what happens to workers like you." He said brushing off a barely seen dust of his black jacket.
Lei hesitated and sat back down, glaring at Mr. Lu. "Just ask your question."
"Why was Miss Lien out of the house that night, under the heavy rain?" He settled back into his seat, with one leg crossed over the other, his hands clasped tightly together in his lap. His voiced was calm, but the intensity in his eyes couldn't be hidden.
Lei scoffed. "It was just a normal argument between a couple." He responded, adjusting his seating position with unease.
"I would believe that if it weren't for the coincidences." Mr Lu said,staring at him intently.
Lei narrowed his eyes. "What are you implying?"
"Miss Lien was killed that night. And soon after, the mortuary was set on fire." His voiced laced with suspicion.
Lei leaned back, staring out the window. "You must enjoy watching the daily news, Mr. Lu."
"Don't forget, the Lei company is under mine. Whatever happens, I'm always informed."Mr Lu stared at Lei as he desperately tried to avoid eye contact.
Lei gritted his teeth. "You shouldn't be overjoyed listening to such news."
"The only reason you're managing the Lei company is that your mother knelt and begged for your promotion after all those years of hard work." Mr. Lu said, his eyes gliding to the rear view mirror, his eyes flashing with disdain as he gazed at him.
"Don't remind me of the humiliation my mother went through!" Lei shouted, anger flashing in his eyes.
Mr. Lu's gaze remained steady. "You should be angry at yourself, not me."
Lei panted, staring fiercely at Mr Lu.
Mr. Lu lips curled into a cold smile, his tone dripping in sarcasm, as he said. "If you hadn't sabotaged your colleague's work you wouldn't have gotten yourself a black list in the company"
Lei's breath hitched. "I didn't sabotage anyone's work," he muttered.
Mr. Lu raised an eyebrow. His voice dropped to a low, even tone, each word deliberate. "If you don't want your mother begging again, watch how you pretend to love people."
Lei's face twisted in rage. "You know nothing!"
"And neither do you." Mr. Lu lips curled into a smirk, watching those guilty yet hidden eyes of Lei.
Lei panted with anger but finally opened the car door. "I'll take my leave," he spat.
"I'm sure, someone important awaits you" Mr. Lu said, watching as Lei stormed off.
Lin Ba slid into the driver's seat. "Shall we head anywhere, Mr. Lu?" He asked.
"Anywhere quiet," Mr. Lu replied, sighing.
****
At home, Lei Wuije slammed the door behind him and began throwing things across the room in a rage. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the space.
"I know my son—he wouldn't hurt anyone. I believe him!" His mother's voice rang in his head.
"Baby!" Xiabo ran towards him, but Lei shoved her onto the couch.
"Leave me alone!" He crouched, holding his head in his hands.
"What happened?" Xiabo tried again, but Lei continued to smash everything in his path.
"Lei Wuije!" she yelled, her voice trembling. "Lei, we can talk this out," Xiabo moved towards him slowly, watching him cautiously.
"Mom!" Lei finally broke down, collapsing into Xiabo's arms.
"It's okay," Xiabo whispered, holding him tightly.
"They will pay for this," Lei sobbed.
"They will," she agreed. "But we have to be strong, We still have a long way to go." Xiabo gently strikes his back, patting him.
She continued, "We can't let them see our weaknesses. We have to stay strong, okay?"
Lei nodded weakly. "I want them to end like shattered glass—unable to ever piece themselves back together." His tone dripping in anger.
"Don't worry, you have me." Xiabo hand lightly striked through his hair, her lips momentarily resting on his forehead.
Lei managed a small smile. "Starting from the very foundation," he whispered.
Xiabo smiled back. "Just wait and see how we bring them down."
"Thanks, darling" His eyes resting on hers.
"It's okay" she assured him with a smile. " Besides, what happened between you and Mr Lu?" Xiabo asked curiously.
"It's nothing" Lei shoved the topic away.
****
In his quiet room, Lu Si Cheng worked late into the night, his desk cluttered with files. His phone buzzed loudly, breaking the silence.
"Hello, who's this?" he answered.
"Are you serious right now?" the voice on the other end said.
Mr. Lu rubbed his temples,the late-night work and growing headache takes a toll. "Who?" He asked, his tone exhausted.
"You never call us unless we do," the voice continued.
"Huh?" Mr. Lu raised a brow, confused.
"You even forgot my number, didn't you?"
He quickly checked the contact. The dialer name saved as MOM. "Mom! How are you?" Mr. Lu face lit up with a mix of affection and dread as he responded.
"What have you been up to?" she asked.
"Me? Just…having fun." He said trying to convince his mom and hiding the truth of him currently working.
"You mean, working all day?" His mother asked.
"Not at all, Mom," he laughed, trying to shove away the topic. "Uh....fun...work....same thing, right?.
"You didn't even recognize my number. You must be really out of it." His mom pressed.
"I was just stunned, Mom. Honestly."
"Did you see something you weren't suppose to see?" His mother teased.
"Mom, stop being dirty-minded!" Mr Lu exclaimed, rolling his eyes.
"Have you found a girlfriend yet?" His mom continued, deliberately moving the topic further.
"Mom!....How's America? I heard the burgers there are incredible!" he said quickly, desperately changing the subject.
"Don't shut me, Si Cheng," his mother pressed.
"Okay, okay, Mom." Mr. Lu sighed, accepting his defeat.
"You should get a girlfriend soon. Living alone with all those machines is starting to sound scary." His mom continued, laced with concern and worry.
Lu sighed, as he reassured her. "Mom, I'm fine and why would the machines be scary?"
"Well, I heard about a man marrying a robot. Who's to say you won't end up like him?" Her tone filled with sarcasm, yet concerned.
"Mom, you think pretty too much!" Mr. Lu said.
"You think I'm joking. Get a girlfriend soon, or I'll pick one for you!" Her voice raising.
"Alright, Mom." he replied.
"I'll be back soon."
"Already? Aren't you supposed to stay another month?" He said quickly.
"I miss my favorite Chinese food too much." His mom said, sighing over the phone.
"Alright, Mom," Mr Lu chuckled wryly.
"Take care, son. See you soon."
"Mom!–" The call ended, and Lu stared at his phone, sighing deeply.
"We're doomed," he muttered to himself.