Expecting Company

Bai Long Qiang tilted his head to the side as a tea cup sailed past his face to hit the wall behind him. He knew it was coming, just like he knew that it wasn't actually aiming for him.

"I'm home," he said, looking at both his father and grandfather sitting in the living room. His grandfather was holding a cup of tea to his lips like he didn't have a care in the world, but his father's hands were empty.

"Who?" His father didn't have to say anything else. One simple word was enough to let Bai Long Qiang understand everything.

"Ye Mei Hui, second daughter of the Ye Family," he said simply, dropping his backpack at the front door and going to sit down on the couch in front of his father and grandfather.

"The Ye Family?" asked his grandfather, gently blowing on his tea as if it was too hot.

"They make their money in the entertainment industry," replied Bai Long Qiang, getting comfortable. Picking up the teacup in front of him, he offered it to his father.

His father sniffed and accepted the cup, and Bai Long Qiang leaned back on the couch. Every Bai man had a temper, and, while sometimes it was hard to set it off, there were some instances that they just blew up. Like someone screwing with someone, they were supposed to protect.

"And they really think that they are big enough to challenge the Song Family?" asked Grandfather, raising his eyebrow as he placed his empty cup on the coffee table. Bai Long Qiang quickly refilled it before answering.

"She doesn't know who Wang Tian Mu is," he said. It was a fact. Otherwise, no one would even think to mess with the Song Family.

"Then why?" demanded his father. Bai Long Qiang shifted in his seat, uncomfortable for the first time since he entered his home.

"What are you not saying?" asked Grandfather in a deceptively mild voice.

"I was… friends… with Yu Mei Hui," admitted Bai Long Qiang.

"Did you fuck her?" asked his father, getting to the heart of the matter.

"No," answered Bai Long Qiang. "But not for lack of her trying."

"At least you know better than to stick your dick into just any wet hole," sneered his father.

Bai Long Qiang grunted, more than happy that he had dodged that bullet, too. If she was that jealous simply because they went out as a group a few times, then he would hate to see what she would be like if they seriously dated.

"The Song Patriarch is not happy," said Grandfather, pointing out the obvious.

Bai Long Qiang grunted again. It was no surprise that her grandfather wasn't happy. He wasn't happy.

"I'll go over and offer my apologies," he said, standing up. He tried to wipe the smile off his face before anyone could see it, but he wasn't fast enough.

"We will all be going," said Grandfather, standing up. He picked up a parcel beside his chair and held it out to Bai Long Qiang. "This is for Wang Tian Mu. It's a few study guides for grade 11."

Bai Long Qiang nodded his head but turned around and placed the package on the couch.

His grandfather raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"We'll have to make a quick stop," said Bai Long Qiang, not offering a reason for why he wasn't going to give Wang Tian Mu the gift.

"Understood," grunted his father as he grabbed his keys, and the three of them left for the Song residence.

----

"Are you sure you are okay?" asked Grandfather for the hundredth time.

"I am sure," I assured him, sipping from a glass of green tea. Dinner wasn't quite ready yet, and we were all sitting around the living room, drinking tea.

"You know, you can tell Grandma," smiled Grandma as she patted my hand. I was sitting between her and Mom on the couch while Dad and Grandfather had taken the chairs. "I might be old, but I do have a bit of power still."

"I know. Grandma is the best," I said, my childish voice soothing something inside of her. I watched her shoulders drop as she pulled me into her lap. Mom took the tea out of my hand before I could spill it all over myself, and Grandma hugged me in her arms.

I would like to say that I was incredibly uncomfortable in this position, but I would be lying through my teeth. I was happy. I couldn't remember the last time I had been cuddled like this, and I was going to enjoy it for as long as I could.

All of a sudden, there was a knock on the door, and Mom and Grandfather shared a look.

"I'll get it," said Mom, standing up.

"Don't be absurd," said Grandfather as he motioned for the silent butler to go and open the door.

Mom nodded her head and sat back down, picking up her cup of tea.

"Bai Patriarch, General Bai, and Mr. Bai," announced the butler as he led three men into the living room. Now I know why we hadn't had dinner yet. We were waiting for some company.

"Thank you, Peng Fei," said Grandfather as he dismissed the butler. The three Bai men split off and found seats, my father giving up his so that Bai Long Qiang's grandfather could sit beside mine.

"So, Bai Bing Wen, what did you find out?" demanded Grandfather as soon as the other man sat down.

"What? Not even letting me sit down before biting off my head?" joked Bai Bing Wen. "That's a bit harsh, even for you."

"You'll forgive me, but my granddaughter came home wet and covered in slime. I don't have much patience right now," conceded my grandfather, and I smiled.

"Grandpa got you something," said Bai Long Qiang as he knelt in front of me and held up a white box tied with a red ribbon.

 I raised my eyebrow, and he gave me an encouraging nod.

Untying the ribbon, I gasped at what was inside.