3. Father and Son
Chapter three
Father and Son
Lei
I sat in the tea ceremony room.
The staff did an amazing job. Flowers and plants adorned the walls. There were so many delicate petals and woven leaves. It was as if the garden had come in and vomited all over the space.
I breathed in the air, taking in the subtle fragrance of cherry blossoms all around me.
Mmmm.
My mind drifted back to last night.
Moni and I had just been making love under a cherry blossom tree.
We lay together, naked and entwined among the grass and flowers, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight.
It was like we were Adam and Eve, alone in our own paradise.
I traced hearts on Moni’s back as she rested her face against my chest. “What is your favorite color?”
She turned slightly my way and smirked. “Is this some sort of test?”
“A test?”
“If I don’t say blue, will you get enraged and start setting fire to various parts of Paradise City?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “I am not that much out of control.”
“You are.”
“What is your favorite color?”
“Why? And when I tell you, will you be cool if I wear it?”
“As long as it is under blue.”
She rolled her eyes and returned to resting her head on my chest. “You and the color blue.”
“Are you going to tell me or not?”
She laughed and it was a beautiful sound that filled the night. “My favorite color is pink.”
“Hmmm.”
I returned to the present moment and my gaze roamed the beautifully decorated room once more. Among the myriad of colorful flowers on the wall, I spotted pink blossoms.
A warm feeling spread through my chest and the silliest smile hit my face.
Pink.
Chen leaned my way. “Are you okay?”
“Why?” I turned to him. “Do I not look okay?”
“You look like you have consumed a lot of drugs.”
“I’m not high, I’m just in love.”
Chen frowned.
“There’s a lot of pink on the walls.”
Chen checked the flowers. “You’re right. Do you want me to have our men take the pink flowers off and—”
“No. No. Moni likes pink. It’s her favorite color.”
Chen sighed. “Dear God.”
“What?”
“Nothing. I’ve just been over here worried that you were close to killing Uncle Leo, but apparently, you’re over there lovingly gazing at pink flowers.”
“Well. . .I can’t kill my father in front of all these cameras and ruin Moni’s tea ceremony.”
“Correct.”
I turned to where the wretched man sat.
The long table stretched before me, its polished wooden surface reflecting the soft glow from the chandelier that hung above.
I was seated at the center, serving as the focal point of this ceremony.
While Chen was on my left, my father sat on my right talking with Uncle Song and my aunts.
It was the first time in a long time that we had been this close without the shadow of violence looming over us. Surely, I wanted to grab my decorative sword and slice his throat, but I could tell he was ready for a surprise attack.
Hadn’t he taught me to be that way too?
I studied him.
In the chair, he sat with an alert readiness that was impossible to miss. His jacket was open, allowing easy access to the array of knives I knew he had concealed within. While his face was turned slightly toward Uncle Song and my aunts, engaging in casual conversation, his body was angled more towards me.
It was a subtle, almost imperceptible posture, but I recognized it for what it was—a combative stance, poised for action at a moment’s notice.
He’d taught me that very positioning too.
Meanwhile, I kept my own posture equally prepared, mirroring his readiness without betraying my intent.
This was a delicate balance of power.
A silent battle of wills played out under the veneer of civility.
The elegance of the room and the ceremony’s significance were almost overshadowed by the undercurrent of potential violence.
But for Moni, I would keep my composure and he would too.
At least we both agree that she’s important. For that, I won’t try to kill you today.
This tea ceremony would make Moni’s life much easier in the East and that was my only focus. Today, we all had roles to play and for now, mine was to honor her efforts and keep the peace.
I’ll kill you tomorrow, father.
I moved my view to the front of me.
Look at them. Ready to catch the big news of the day.
The tea ceremony room was not just a space for a gathering, it was also a stage. In front of us, news cameras and reporters had set up. The bright lights from the cameras illuminated the room.
Several reporters stood in a semi-circle with their eyes trained on us, microphones and notepads at the ready. Additionally, the cameras were positioned strategically, capturing every angle of the room.
Long, slender tripods held the lenses steady, their red recording lights blinking ominously. Wires snaked across the floor, leading back to the vans parked outside, probably ready to broadcast the ceremony live to the world.
A few reporters whispered among themselves. Their hushed conversations were a constant hum in the background.
Some of them adjusted their earpieces, possibly receiving instructions from producers and directors behind the scenes.
Others tapped away on their phones or scribbled notes furiously, preparing their questions for us at the end of the ceremony.
I forced myself to meet the gaze of the reporters and kept my expression carefully neutral.
This ceremony was more than just a ritual; it was a public performance, a demonstration of power and unity.
For Moni’s sake and for the sake of our future, I had to play my part well.
The East would be watching.
Behind the scenes, the real battles and decisions would take place, but for now, we had to maintain the facade.
Chen glanced at me.
I gave him a reassuring nod and my thoughts momentarily drifted back to the pink blossoms that had brought me a fleeting moment of warmth amidst the tension.
How could I honor her love with the color?
Perhaps, I would get some jewel that had pink in it.
Or a gown that had dominate blue with hints of pink.
Perhaps, I was thinking too small.
I could get her a pink car—to only be driven outside of the East of course?
Or a pink jet?
I’ll figure it out.
To the right sat Aunt Suzi and Aunt Min. As usual, they were elegantly dressed. Aunt Suzi’s eyes met mine briefly and she gave me a small, encouraging smile.
They’d made me late entering Lotus Blossom due to making me listen to their curses and threats for several minutes. I just stood there taking the verbal assault, knowing that once done, all would return to normal.
It was comical how they claimed in their rant to be old, defenseless women. . .when they had put twenty of my men in the hospital.
My crazy aunts.
And then to my surprise, my father turned to me. “Thank you for allowing this event to occur, son. I know it was hard for you to agree to this.”
I was momentarily taken aback by his relaxed words.
His tone was expectant, as though he were waiting for me to reject the sentiment.
But I didn’t.
I simply nodded, keeping my face neutral. “It’s what Moni wanted.”
“And you would give her anything she wanted?”
“Almost anything.”
“Love her as much as possible. I don’t think I showed you that in my love for your mother.” He let out a long breath. “I was. . .a stubborn, selfish man, only focused on what I wanted.”
I blinked.
“There were so many times when I ignored what Jing desired and simply did it my way. It didn’t matter how much she begged.”
I thought back to when I was a kid and how my mother had cried all night before my fight to win the East’s throne. She’d begged him to call it off. Then, the pleading shifted to her throwing things at him, so pissed off and disgusted.
I eyed him. “You regret how you treated Mom?”
“Of course.”
That shocked me to my core. “I didn’t think you regretted much.”
“I could have been a better husband and father. Instead, I focused on being the best earner, and. . .Mountain Master. I thought money and power were important and. . .they are, but. . .”
There was so much left unsaid, but I knew I was lucky to get this much out of him.
“Lei.” He threaded his fingers together and gave me a sad smile. “You cannot kill Marcelo.”
What?!
I widened my eyes.
Which one of my men told him?