14 When family support matters

"Pa it is true? Uncle Li was holding grandpa in ransom?" Ray asked.

"He was, but he retracted that earlier, he said someone had paid the price on behalf. When you left he wanted to run some other stories but that died down ..."

"Grandpa is asking that Uncle Li lays his hands off. And that he wants a clean start for you"

"Pa there was nothing in the beginning"

"Ah Zhen.... you don't have to explain, the entertainment industry fundamentals are that they make money from any possible angle, truth or not they are not bothered as long as the story sells and traction is there, the story will continue to run."

"So you being away for 2 years plus is good in away but now that you are back, I've discussed with grandpa that you should position a come back that feature more on the future you and the past shall be played as a black and white theme and that's gone, overlay with the future thereafter - I thought Ta Ge briefed you on it during the auditions the other day."

Ray probably realised Ta Ga had been careful on over revealing too much info to him that Ray might retaliate and walk away from the plans.

"Pa I want to arrange it myself I don't like the way how it feels now" Kay explained

"I know you and Ta Ge have discussed this and how it should be plan out but I want to be taking the lead on this." Ray interjected again.

"Well your grandpa is asking for Uncle' Li's help so we are still in away indebted and obliged to follow what they feel is suitable, they need to be comfortable it will sell well. Ray's dad explained.

"Pa when I was away I have been writing under a pen name, I want to bring some of those works into light Pa but i still want to keep the pen name as part of the work"

Ray's dad raising his eye brow now "You....have been writing? Since when did you write I don't recall you honing any skills in writing"

"Mmmn, Pa well it's probably something that I do in my quiet time apart from music and art, I just wanted to go low key on that, wanted my own space and anonymousity you know like "non de plume" like how the French says it."

Now Ray's dad is intrigue even more, he is aware that Ray likes classical musicians both western and eastern and infact reads about them including historical arts but writing is probably a new thing all together.

For Ray it was his healing channel, his space to let his emotion run transparently not governed by all constrained and expectations that stereotype and restrain his thoughts.

"Oh come on dad don't look at me like that.. you guys were curious when I venture into my own business and I manage the financials well too pulling all the right levers so you and Ma probably have great genes for me to able to excel in whatever I feel like doing" He teases casually.

"So how do you want to do this?"

"Let me talk to grandpa and uncle Li I'll convince them that - on letting me arrange for it and that I'll be working with a 'script writer' to arrange for the story line.

"As in you are the script writer?" His dad clarified. "Oh Zhen well I guess you are big enough to know what you are doing....just make sure you stay out of trouble"

That evening Ray went back to his home for the weekend. And as morning strikes he was up early, busy at the little marble table outside at the garden where it was filled with beautiful Peony flowers blooming.

"Ah Zhen.... how come you are up so early? what's this that you are painting??

Ray's grandma startled him as she approached nearer and called out.

"Ah grandma you frighten me...." catching his breath he helped her down next to him

"Hmmm it's just something that I wanted to do occupy myself with this morning as I couldn't sleep back in. I was admiring the flowers out here and thought it would be a pity not to capture it with the morning sun greeting all of them and them smiling back so sweetly.

"Well Zhen....it's not any flower it's a Peony. It has great significance in our history. Wait why are you mixing it with this?"

Grandma pointed to the red rose next to it.

"I don't know grandma I just drew it" he said and continued on with outlining the peony. Soong Jie had good green fingers to be able to plant these white, red and pink Peonies

across the garden. It greets the family especially Ray when they sit out here in the morning enjoying the serene scene.

"Ah Zhen...you know Soong Jie told me you were strumming your guitar till late into the night yesterday after dinner, and in morning instead of seeing my usual grand son naughtily disturbing me in the kitchen you are quietly tucked away here painting"

At that Ray stop "ah Ma you should be happy I'm not being a nuisance again..," and he gave his grandma the morning dose of sweet smile and he put down his brush.

"Owh owh don't pinch my cheeks Ah Ma, later not handsome" Ray yelled out.

"Okay this seem more like you.... hmm Ah Zhen are you seeing anyone? You seems to be disturbed lately, a little distracted... you are usually focused on what you do when you put your mind on it like when you decided to go back and help your Pa and Er Ge but you seem quiet lately."

Ray look down sensing his grandma probing and concern on his well being "Nothing Ah Ma, you know just ....busy with everything"

"Come on tell grandma- I've live long enough to see through you your ups and downs"

"Nothing Ah Ma... I'm good... really just thinking through things and oh well when you are all grown up, you tend to be quieter than the usual noisy nuisance boy" he was trying to bring the cheerful behaviour back out.

"Well Ah Zhen whatever it is... you know how Ah Ma and all of us are very stern with you when you were still small and schooling, we didn't want you to get distracted by anything else other than graduating successfully and mastering the skills needed including what your parents drum into you.

We nagged you about being picky and careful about relationships because you are very precious to us and we want the best for you. However, it also comes a time we will need to let you go as your happiness is what we want, so as much grandma hate to say it, of course we all have expectations. You know, like when you date this person or when you decided to marry this person...if it was your grandpa's view, he would put it as a marriage is arranged because of family ties connection, business needs etc.

Nevertheless, if none of that makes you happy truly, we don't want you living your life not being contented. We are also not going to be here forever to dictate what you should be doing. Hence, do what makes you happy but also remember when you have decided you need to stick to it, so the other person is not let down by you.

If you are concern about perception or worry about what others think - at the end of the day, what matters is that you feel it's the right thing that makes you happy. Remember Ah Ma and all of us want you to be truly happy in your heart and that you have no regrets years to come be it your career or your life partner." Kay's grandma spoke as she held his hands and continue ...

"Like you said, 21st century you want to go what virtual dating so be it, Ah Ma and Ah Kong can't control everything but of course when time comes we do want to meet this person.... don't be flustered if it's what you want then talk to us, Ah Ma will help you intervene okay but don't go quiet and run away and all those nonsense again"

Ray was moved and speechless. He kissed his grandma's cheek and hug her.

"Ah Ma... thank you" he wasn't sure what to make out of this conversation and what his grandma was trying to say exactly but he knows she will be his pillar of support, like his mother ..just knowing the right words to say.

"Okay you quickly finish up here, everyone is waking up for breakfast soon don't be late, Soong Jie cooked Tantan Mian this morning so don't waste her effort.

"Wow! Will finish up soon Ah Ma!" Ray responded excitedly at the sound good food coming through from Soong Jie.