Yong Li slid into the driver's seat of his car, ready to leave for the daily commute. He was driving out of the gate when his gaze caught Zhi Hui standing there with her shoulders slumped, eyes distant, and lips trembling.
He paused, trying to make sense of it all. Without hesitation, he opened the door and stepped out.
"Zhi Hui?" He called her name softly, walking to her. "Are- Are you okay?"
At his voice, her head snapped up. A tremor ran through her, and before he realized it, she had rushed forward, collapsing against him. Tears fell in silent torrents as she buried her face in his shoulder.
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "Hey, talk to me, please. Whatever it is, you can tell me."
She shook, her voice choked. "I… I miss him. I miss my dad so much." She clutched at his suit jacket, tears steady and hot. "There's nobody left to talk to."
Yong Li stroked her hair. "Zhi Hui. I'm sorry. I understand how you are feeling."
She sobbed, and he gently guided her to sit on the low wall by the driveway.
"I just… I can't stop crying," she admitted, wiping her cheeks. "Every day… it hurts."
He leaned in, with a quiet but firm voice. "Zhi Hui, no matter what it is, you have to stay strong. It's okay to cry, as far as you don't lose yourself."
She looked at him, gritting through her tears. "Can you please follow me somewhere? Now? I know I have no right to ask for this from you but please."
He let out a sigh and checked his watch. "I am sorry but I have to be at the company now."
After the reply, he closed his eyes, like he was torn and her breathing caught but he shook away his sympathy.
"I am truly sorry but I promise to check in on you later, okay?"
Behind them, Li Na coughed, announcing her presence. She had been listening to their conversation. "Son, be a gentleman and stay with her, she's hurting."
Yong Li glanced over his shoulder, at his mother. "But mother, you know I am needed at the office and—"
She interrupted, maintaining a calm voice. "Don't worry about that. I will go, in your place. I'll handle everything."
The words hit him, and he turned back to Zhi Hui, who looked so fragile. He finally relented. "All right, Mom, thank you. I'll stay with her."
Zhi Hui gave a faint, grateful nod, tears still packed in her eyes.
He offered her a hand. "Do you maybe want to come inside and have something to drink? Just so you can have time to calm your nerves."
She shook her head. "No, I want… I want to visit my dad's grave now. I hope you don't mind coming to the graveyard with me?"
"I don't," he said gently. "Let's go."
After he helped her into the car and got in, they drove in silence, The ride was a gentle one. Soon, they got to the cemetery gate, and Zhi Hui paused, her hands clasped together and her lips trembling.
Yong Li stood quietly beside her, offering a respectful distance.
"That is where he is buried," she murmured, pointing in the direction, before walking over to the gravestone.
He stopped walking and Zhi Hui looked back when she noticed. "Why are you there?"
"You need the moment alone, so I will wait here for you. Take your time," he said gently.
"Not at all. Please come with me."
He nodded after hesitating for a few seconds before walking behind her as she approached the headstone.
Zhi Hui knelt to the polished stone, trailing a hand gently across it. "Hi, Dad," she whispered. "It's been so hard moving on. Why did you leave us? I'm trying really hard to be okay."
She stayed kneeling while Yong Li watched quietly. After a long moment, he knelt beside her, placing a hand over hers.
"Enough of the tears, he wouldn't be happy to see you this way."
Zhi Hui looked at him, forcing out a smile.
Wiping tears from her eyes, Yong Li added, "He loved you, you know that?"
She glanced at him, a small tremor in her lips. "I know."
Yong Li then stood up, while she reached into her bag and pulled out a single white orchid. "He loved white orchids."
Then she placed it gently on the grave.
Zhi Hui nodded, wiping under her eyes before she stood up, looking all drained and broken in a way that made it hard for him to just walk away.
She swallowed hard, almost staggering but Yong Li quickly held her hand. She smiled at him. "Thank you so much for coming."
From her voice, he could tell that she was finally feeling relieved, if only he knew all of this was an act.
"You are welcome. Do you feel okay now?" he asked once more, softly.
"No," she admitted in a tiny voice. "But I will be. I just… I'm not ready to go home yet."
Yong Li tilted his head slightly. "Where do you want to go?"
She looked at him with tired eyes. "I am not so sure but can we maybe get a drink or something? I need something to numb this for a bit. Just one or two."
He hesitated, glancing at his watch. Not sure he wanted to spend the whole day with her but of course, he had to be a gentle man like his mother asked.
She caught it. "I mean, you don't have to. I get it if you're busy—"
"No, no. It's fine," he interrupted. "I already offered to be here for you, so sure but just a quick one."
She stood and steadied herself, flashing him a faint smile. "Sure. Thank you."
They left the graveyard in silence and drove straight into the city. Zhi Hui gave directions to a place that seemed more upscale than he'd expected. When they pulled into the parking area, she stepped out first, composed but still putting on this depressed look.
They entered an upscale but quiet bar, Zhi Hui led the way straight to the counter, and leaned in close to whisper something to the bartender, who nodded and handed her a keycard. She turned to Yong Li.
"VIP section," she said lightly. "Private, no one disturbs us."
He looked at her in a discomforting manner. "Is it necessary? You didn't have to do that."
"I know but I just do not want to talk about my dad while someone's ordering shots in the background," she replied with a shrug, walking ahead.
"Okay, if it makes you feel better."
She nodded and they made their way into the private room. It was quiet, cushioned seating arranged around a polished table. She dropped onto the seat and let out a heavy breath. "I needed this."
He sat beside her, hands folded. "So tell me how you feel now."
"I feel incomplete," she muttered, sniffing back her tears. "I don't just know why it's so hard for me."
He stared at her hands and noticed that they were trembling. "Zhi Hui?"
"There's this emptiness. Losing Dad was like the last anchor in this family disappeared."
He reached out to hold her hand. "At least, he raised a strong daughter."
Her lip quivered. "I don't feel strong."
He leaned in. "You're allowed to not feel strong, not after this loss. You're allowed to cry but it doesn't make you weak."
She nodded slowly. "I appreciate you being here with me. I feel a lot better than I felt earlier today."
She immediately hugged him and even though he wasn't expecting it, he hugged her back. It was starting to look like Zhi Hui wasn't planning to let go.
"Do you plan to hug me to death?" He slowly asked with a light smile, reminding her that he was a human not a teddy bear.
"I'm so sorry," she said with a little laugh, tearing away from him. "You just felt so comfortable."
He smiled uneasily but Zhi Hui looked over it and picked up the menu, ordering a bottle of wine and two glasses. Yong Li stayed quiet, watching her movements.
The bartender soon arrived, poured the drinks, and left swiftly.
Zhi Hui lifted her glass, then paused and frowned. "Wait, I think I left my purse in your car."
"You sure?"
She looked around, then back at him, "Yes, it's not here with me."
"Alright, I'll go get it," Yong Li said immediately, already standing.
"I hope you don't mind?"
He nodded. "Of course not. I'll be back in a minute."
Zhi Hui gave him a sweet smile. "Thank you."
As soon as he was out of sight, her entire demeanor changed. With a calm and focused look, she reached into her breast and brought out a small container. With practiced ease, she emptied a portion of the powdered mixture into his glass and stirred gently.
Her eyes moved to the door and Yong Li was still not in sight.
She capped the container, dropped it back where she had taken it from, and straightened up just as Yong Li re-entered with her purse.
"Here. Found it," he said, handing it to her.
She took it with a smile. "You're the best."
He picked up his drink, hesitating slightly before she raised her own.
"To better days," she said.
Yong Li tapped his glass against hers. "To peace of mind."
They both began to drink. In between that, Zhi Hui kept on having small talks, drifting between childhood memories and how much she missed their times together.
Yong Li nodded along, offering small responses but after twenty minutes, his speech slowed.
He blinked several times, rubbing at his temple.
"You okay?" she asked, pretending to look concerned.
"I don't know… I feel weird." He let out a soft laugh. "It's like the drink hit all at once."
"Maybe you're tired."
"Maybe."
His head lolled back against the sofa, and his limbs relaxed completely. His eyes were open, but his expression dulled.
"Yong Li?" She called his name again but there was no response from him, so she quickly reached into her bag and pulled out her phone, dialing a number.
"Come in now," she whispered.
Within minutes, Lei Feng entered the room, wearing a low cap pulled over his brow. He scanned the room, then locked eyes with her.
"Is he out?" he asked.
"Barely conscious. Help me get him up."
Lei Feng walked over and lifted Yong Li without much struggle. Zhi Hui grabbed his phone and wallet from the table before flinging her purse over her shoulder.
She staggered slightly, faking a tipsy gait.
They got outside, and Zhi Hui suggested that they use Yong Li's car. Lei Feng obeyed and placed Yong Li in the back seat of the car. Zhi Hui climbed in after, still swaying a little.
As soon as the doors shut, she pulled off the drunk act.
Lei Feng turned slightly. "To the hotel, right?"
"No, change of plans," she said coolly. "Take us to my house."
He gave her a look. "You sure?"
She smiled darkly. "Positive."
As they drove through the night, Zhi Hui glanced at Yong Li's unconscious face.
"My soon-to-be husband," she whispered with a dark smirk.