Chapter 5
Someday, I’ll bring you home
Wang Yi-An was already in bed by 9:00 p.m. sleeping like a baby, peacefully. Meanwhile, at Tian-Bo-Fu the heiress to the Tong Family came to visit Grandfather Yang. She regretted not being able to bring gifts with her to visit Grandfather Yang, this was because Yang Tian-Xu told her it wasn’t necessary for gifts, so they didn’t drop by a gift store. Still, Tong Yue-Yan felt ashamed to come empty-handed.
The moment the maids notified Grandfather Yang that his grandson had arrived, Grandfather Yang became too excited and cheerful. Gifts? He couldn’t care less about them. He was just happy to see his grandson; Yang Tian-Xu, “Tian-Xu! My boy! Finally, you decide to visit this old man!” The 87-year-old man wore a male hanfu. A hanfu—an old traditional Chinese outfit. He genuinely likes the traditional styles, and it indeed suited him because it makes him feel comfortable.
“Ye-ye!” He called his grandfather, ‘Ye-Ye’. It means grandfather, and it was one of the most loving ways for a grandson to call his grandfather. Grandfather Yang came over, and Yang Tian-Xu got pulled into his grandfather’s embrace. “You were supposed to be a filial child, yet, you take over three weeks to come to visit this old body of mine?”
“Ye-Ye, you might be old, but you are still very healthy! Work kept me busy, but I am here now, aren’t I?”
“Work?” he lifted his eyebrows, then he looked over to Tong Yue-Yan. “She looks like she could be much work!”
Grandfather Yang laughed and smiled at the girl. Making her face glowing red. Yang Tian-Xu immediately explains and introduce her, “This is Miss Tong Yue-Yan, she is the daughter of Mayor Tong from City A, she just came to City Y, so I took her out to show her around the city as a host.”
“Hello, Elder-Mr Yang.” modest and polite as she lowers her head and bows at Grandfather Yang.
“Oh please, call me Grandfather Yang! No need for politeness, we lived in a new era! It’s great to see you kids respect your elders, but that made me feel like a thousand years old!”
“Grandfather Yang, I am sorry I had not borne you any gifts today, for sure tomorrow I shall bring you some gifts as an apology.”
“Nonsense, child! Your aunt came today bearing plenty of gifts! I’ll feel ashamed to receive any more.”
Tong Yue-Yan was happy to hear her aunt had brought gifts to Grandfather Yang. She thought, “Yes! Thank you, auntie, I won’t forget to thank you later!”
“Come-come. Let’s go enjoy a good dinner. Today’s menu is your favourite dishes Tian-Xu! I had the chefs made them for you!” Grandfather Yang was a jolly old man. He loved to have guests over at his house, which had made Tong Yue-Yan less nervous.
They followed Grandfather Yang to the dining room, and they sat down at their respected seating. The table was a roundtable, Tong Yue-Yan sat next to her aunt, on the left side. Yang Tian-Xu’s mother would have him take a seat next to Tong Yue-Yan, and she’d be in the seat next to him on his left hand, then her husband, Yang Fei-Hung. Grandfather Yang sat in the seat to the left of his son, it was a roundtable, so the middle would be undetermined from each person’s point of view, but Grandfather Yang would undoubtedly be at the centre, in the Head-of-the-House seat.
The maids served them the dishes like they would be in a five-star Chinese restaurant. At the top of each seating area were public chopsticks and spoons. Used so they could pick their food into their plates. The table had a rotating centre in which the side dishes positioned.
Tong Yue-Yan felt like a new bride that just married into the Yang Family; she couldn’t hide her smile. She would use her public chopstick to take food for Grandfather Yang’s plate. The man was delighted, and he felt that this Miss Tong was indeed a wonderful girl. He would be more than glad to have her as his granddaughter-in-law.
Mrs Yang put all kinds of good words about Tong Yue-Yan, telling Grandfather Yang how great she be as her son’s bride—all while they waited for them to arrive. Grandfather Yang had a perfect impression about Tong Yue-Yan, not only was she pretty, she was very knowledgeable about the Yang Family’s history. As a man—so proud of his family heritage, he felt delighted to hear Tong Yue-Yan talk about how much she —admired the Yang Family.
Just like that Tong Yue-Yan had bonded into the Yang Family. Tong Yue-Yan had a fantastic talent to make other adores her. However, Yang Tian-Xu had remained unaffected by this. His heart and mind wandering off to a random stranger he knew nothing about! Yang Tian-Xu thought it would be impossible to tell his family that he had fallen in love at first sight, and the girl was undoubtedly not Tong Yue-Yan.
He doesn’t think he could ever tell his families he fell for some random girl. Yang Tian-Xu remains quiet for a while. Until his grandfather jokily asked him, “If only I could see you married and have my great-grandchildren, I would be happy to pass then.”
“Ye-Ye! Don’t say that! Ye-Ye will live long enough to see your great-great-grandchildren.”
“Oh, I could only wish so.” Grandfather Yang hasn’t seen his grandson in a while, so naturally, he would pull him over into the garden to enjoy the night scenery at Tian-Bo-Fu.
With just him and his grandfather, Grandfather Yang didn’t push around the bush and straightforwardly asked, “You seem absent-minded, and uninterested in Miss Tong. Is there someone else you might have liked?”
Surprised at how sharp his grandfather was, his parents couldn’t even tell that he had no interest in Tong Yue-Yan. However, Grandfather Yang certainly noticed it.
“Ye-Ye…” lost for words he didn’t know what to say, but Grandfather Yang reassured him.
“My good grandson, listen to Ye-Ye’s suggestion. Miss Tong Yue-Yan may seem to be the most compatible woman for you. However, if you have someone else you love deeply, don’t be afraid to bring her home to meet Ye-Ye. Ye-Ye will give you his full support, no matter who you love.”
Yang Tian-Xu and his grandfather had a good relationship. His grandfather always doted on him. After hearing his grandfather’s words, he felt like he could tell his grandfather everything. Before Yang Tian-Xu could open his mouth, Mrs Yang interrupted him. His mother called out, “Tian-Xu! It’s getting late; you should take Ms Tong and Yue-Yan home.”
“Yes, mother.” He replied and turned to his grandfather to face him. “Don’t you worry, Ye-Ye. When I meet the girl of my dream; I definitely will bring her here to meet you!” he gave a slight head bow to his grandfather and left.
Yang Tian-Xu looked at the time; 9:30 p.m. as it shows on his watch. As he tried to remain quiet the entire trip towards the Tong Family’s villa. He was driving so Tong Yue-Yan, and her aunt wouldn’t want to disturb him. However, they mentioned delightful things about Grandfather Yang.
Yang Tian-Xu would merely nod his head, and occasionally he would thank them for their kind words. Tong Yue-Yan felt that today wasn’t long enough, but to Yang Tian-Xu today so too long, he can’t wait until it’s all over. After he dropped them back to the Tong villa. Peace, at last, he can drive home alone without being pried at. His parents were to stay with Grandfather Yang for the weekend, so Yang Tian-Xu had the Yang Family’s Estate to himself, by the time he reached home it was already 11:05 p.m.
The western architecture of the Yang Family’s manor in the city differed completely from Tian-Bo-Fu. Instead of being traditional and grand, it was just a fancy modern mansion on top of a hill. With two live-in maids on the clock 24/7, one or two part-timers come in and out from the back door, cleaning, gardening and cooking for him and his parents. However, at night-time, the manor becomes a big empty house.
After a long day, Yang Tian-Xu headed for a quick shower to freshen up. Afterwards, he got out of his private washroom, and he was drying his hair with a towel around his neck. As he sat down at his desk, he opens his laptop and checks his emails. Assistant Tseng had sent him a detailed report about each student that was interview today. He even sent attached documents to his most recommended students. There was Wang Yi-An’s name on his most recommended applicant lists.
It was a shame that there were no photos, however, unlike other companies, at Yang Corps, they do not need the applicator to attach their photo. Yang Corps wasn’t about looking good, but talents. They need a capable employee, not a pretty ornament. However, that didn’t mean they can’t or would discourage those who want to attach a portrait to send in with their application. Some applicant had photos some didn’t. The images did not appeal to Yang Tian-Xu, he first looked at the recommended ones by his assistant instead of reading through the entire reports. He messaged his Assistant on his smartphone and said, “Okay, send them an official letter.”
It might be late, but his assistant was always on alert, as soon as he received the message. He messages back, “Yes, sir!” Then Assistant Tseng would jump out of his bed, accidentally waking his wife up, supposed to be asleep beside him, and confused she asked him. “What’s wrong?” she was still half-awake.
Tseng Kuan-Yin patted her back and told her, “Nothing, it’s work. Just go back to sleep, babe.” after she heard his reply, she would return to her sleep. He looked over at this sleeping wife and gave her a kiss before he went over to his desk. He opened his laptop, and with his already drafted emails, he immediately clicks on the send button, he was fast and efficient. Then took his cell phone, and he sent another message to President Yang. “Okay boss! All sent!”
Yang Tian-Xu replied from his phone, “Okay. Have a good rest.”
“You too boss!” Assistant Tseng breaths out, as he felt the burden lifted from his chest. He climbed back inside his bed and held his wife in his arms as he rubbed her big round belly.
With the last message sent to him from Assistant Tseng, he didn’t bother replying. Yang Tian-Xu drops his entire body down on his bed, the silent gave him peace. It was already late, the day may make his body tired, but his mind was still awake. He thought, If only my family would like you too, with those thoughts he gradually fell asleep.
Wang Yi-An wakes up from the alarm that went off at 6:00 a.m. sharp. She got out of bed; hit the shower while she brushes her teeth under the hot running water, she got ready fast within 15 minutes.
Hair still wet as she rushed to dry them with a single towel. Regardless of how damp her hair was, she sped out of the house. On a usual school day, she would have grabbed two bags of the prepared food she made last night and place them in her lunch bag, but because it was a Saturday. No school and only work, her workplace was at a restaurant, and the owner provides her food; packing lunch became unnecessary. It was 6:20 a.m. her mother had already left the house at 5:30 a.m. for work.
Wang Yi-An’s mother works at a walk-in clinic as a receptionist. The clinic opens every day, 24/7, and her mother would have to start her shifts at 6:00 a.m. every day. The clinic was only about a 15-minutes ride from their home, but they don’t drive so taking the bus requires them to be early.
Wang Yi-An’s shift starts at 7:30 a.m. The restaurant she works at was nearby, it’s not like they needed a car, when buses in City Y runs 24/7; it was cheap and convenient as they lived closed by a bus station, just a block away from home. Paying for insurances every month would get expensive, and gas prices go up, and only a limited amount of parking spots for electric cars in their neighbourhood. It’s better to take the bus instead of owning a car, with bus-stops at every corner it’s just more affordable for them.
Living nearby her workplace, she had a bike she used to travel around with, every day she would stroll around her campus, work, and ride her bike home. The restaurant was so close by, she could walk if she wanted, but she loved her bike, so she used it every day.
Wang Yi-An and her mother had to save as much money as possible. Their little home was a recent purchase her mother invested in. They need to pay for mortgages and house bills. Wang Yi-An does not want to be a burden on her mother anymore. She worked hard for her allowance since she was old enough to wash dishes.
The restaurant Wang Yi-An worked at named, ‘Happiness’ and her mother used to work there at night-time as a dishwasher when she was still only a fetus. Now she was a lot older, she can help out; so her mother stopped during the night and focus at her job at the clinic. Wang Yi-An often comes here to work during her summer vacations since she was young.
Wang Yi-An had a close relationship with the owner, almost like she was a second mother to Wang Yi-An, the owner was a widower, with a son who was five years older than her. He used to watch over her and play with her a lot when she was younger. However, when children grew older, they changed, but they all treated each other like family. The owner, Madam Fung always wanted to have a daughter like Wang Yi-An. She hoped that her son would marry Wang Yi-An, but who could have thought their relationship was nothing more than a brother-sister feeling.
Wang Yi-An rode her bike and parked in her usual spot; she bent down to lock it in place. As she was locking her bike, someone ruffled her hair, “Hey!” she shouted, “stop that!” as she got up and shooed the man away, he was the owner’s son, Fung Qi-Wei.
Fung Qi-Wei was average in looks, but like an older brother to Wang Yi-An, he loves ruffling her hair and annoys her. “You came early today.” He said as he smiled at her.
“Why should I have come later?” she ridiculed him as she shooed his hands away. Yet, he still attempts to try again.
He laughed, “Okay, okay, thank you for coming so early! I need your help in the kitchen today!”
She replied “Okay!” to him happily like a little girl, and they would walk into the restaurant together, Fung Qi-Wei would place his hands on her shoulder and ruffled her hair again like she was a little girl. Of course, she would be mad and tried to fix her hair as they got in.
The restaurant was almost like a 24/7 restaurant, they closed shop for two hours from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Madam Fung and her son, Fung Qi-Wei were the owners since it first opened, left to her by her late husband. The mother and son often work together, but they hire other staff members to cover their shifts when they aren’t around. Wang Yi-An had worked for them for so long, they trusted her and gave her the managing position at the young age, and most of the time she’ll help them deposited money in the bank for them. However, they want her to focus more on school, so she only managed on the weekends.
Happiness Restaurant was a bustling restaurant on the weekend as more people were reluctant to cook on their days off. Regularly, on the weekend the mother and son would take the days off and leave everything to Wang Yi-An. But, during good weather, they would come back and help host the busy crowd. It was a beautiful day outside; no one wants to stay cooped up inside. Spring was an excellent time for businesses to be promoted—specifically on the weekends. So Madam Fung and Fung Qi-Wei came in for work today.
After a long day of work, Wang Yi-An worked hard the entire day, and before she realised, it was already 10:00 p.m. On the weekends she would always get off this late, while on weekdays she had a shorter shift, depending on her school. Madam Fung sometimes worried about Wang Yi-An, because she worked too hard. Madam Fung paid her under-the-table and gave her cash every day, all the staff members shared the tips, once a week they would receive their tips. Wang Yi-An received her pay daily, and before she went home, Madam Fung paid her salary, they smile at each other before Wang Yi-An returned home.
The entire day, Wang Yi-An had been busy, but what about Yang Tian-Xu? The weekends were his days off, he didn’t have to work hard while in school. Because his parents were wealthy, unlike Wang Yi-An, who had to work while attending school. He works a simple 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, as the President of Yang Corps. Such a tremendous difference between the two.
