Imaginary Lock and Key

The elevator doors opened and Li Xiuying and Little 4th walked out hand in hand.

Little 4th: "Big Sister YingYing should I meet you downstairs at 4?"

Li Xiuying: "12:30 Lunch. Canteen."

Little 4th had a big grin on his face.

Li Xiuying knocked on Qin Jingfei's door.

Qin Jingfei: "Come in."

Li Xiuying and little 4th walked into the office.

Little 4th stopped smiling when he saw his brother from the corner of his eye. He turned towards him: "Big Brother what are you doing here?"

Qin Song walked over and greeted Li Xiuying: "Dr. Li"

Li Xiuying curtly replied: "Mr. Qin"

Qin Song looked down at little 4th: "Are you not happy to see you brother?"

Little 4th didn't answer straight away. He didn't want to lie but if he told the trust he would probably hurt his older brother's feelings.

Qin Song: "I'm here to spend some time with you."

Little 4th eyed his brother suspiciously: "That's fine but I'm meeting big sister YingYing for Lunch at 12:30 in the canteen."

Qin Song: "Fine."

Li Xiuying patted little 4th's head and then left the room.

Qin Song and little 4th walked over to the sofas and sat down.

Qin Jingfei looked at one big Qin and one little Qin stare into each other's eyes. It looked like they were having a silent battle. This was the little 4th she was used to seeing. Qin Jingfei was always shocked when she saw little 4th's transformation with Li Xiuying. He became a docile house pet. No it was even worse he became a stuffed animal. She could probably put him around her neck and wear him as a scarf and he would be happy.

Qin Jingfei ignored her cousins and continued preparing for her meeting.

20 minutes later Qin Jingfei looked up from her stack of papers. Qin Song and little 4th were still staring at each other unmovingly.

Qin Jingfei: "I'll be leaving then."

She didn't receive a response. The stare off continued.

Qin Jingfei rolled her eyes and left closing the door behind her.

Qin Song could see that little 4th had no intention of talking to him.

Qin Song gave in: "Little 4th how was your sleepover?"

Little 4th: "Good."

Qin Song: "What did you get up to?"

Little 4th: "Eat, question time, read and sleep."

Qin Song: "Question time?"

Little 4th: "Cousin Jingfei kept asking Big sister YingYing questions. We ignored her."

Qin Jingfei: "Cousin Jingfei is annoying."

Little 4th nodded once in agreement.

Qin Song's voice contained a hint of curiosity: "What did you read?"

Little 4th: "A book"

Qin Song: "What else did you get up to?"

Little 4th brought his right hand to his lips did a locking motion and then threw away his imaginary key. He crossed his arms.

Qin Song saw that his small talk wasn't getting him anywhere.

Qin Song: "Okay I won't ask anymore. Let's talk about the agreement we had. Little 4th, you agreed to help me make a better impression on Li Xiuying and in exchange I would help you spend more time with her. However, as soon as you saw Li Xiuying you disregarded our agreement and even criticized me by calling me a 'lame superhero'. Little 4th we made a verbal agreement and as a man it's important to keep your word. Your word is your bond. Additionally as a family we should help each other in difficulties. It is an unwritten rule that family should help each other in times of need. Your loyalties should be with your family. Blood is thicker than water."

Little 4th stared at Qin Song. He was as peaceful as a Buddha statue.

Little 4th undid the lock on his mouth using the spare key in his pocket.

Little 4th: "Big brother I have a few things to say. 1. I'm not a man, I'm only five. 2. A verbal agreement isn't legally binding. 3. I did put a good word in for big brother but you're just so annoying that the damage you did can't be undone. 4. I'm going to tell mommy and daddy." He emphasized his points by showing the numbers with his fingers as he spoke.

Qin Song looked at his little brother in front of him. Little 4th was pouting and his cheeks looked extra round and pinch-able. He had his four little pudgy fingers outstretched in front of him.

Qin Song sighed. He really shouldn't have taught little 4th how to construct a logically argument using his opponents words against him.

Qin Song tried bluffing: "Is that the best you can do?"

Little 4th tutted: "Big brother you shouldn't have pushed my hand. 5. I'm going to tell big sister YingYing."

Qin Song: "You wouldn't dare! If you told Li Xiuying then she would know that you were a part of the plan."

Little 4th: "Is it a risk you're willing to take? You're already in Big sister's bad book."

Qin Song stared incredulously at little 4th who's face clearly said checkmate. 'Why can I never an argument against this menace?'

Qin Song admitted his defeat: "You win." Little 4th climbed down from the sofa and patted his eldest brother on his arm. Qin Song picked up the little bun and placed him on his lap.

He started reminiscing back to the days when little 4th would idolize him and follow him round like a second shadow. The simpler times when little 4th would argue with everyone but him. He sure missed those days.

..........

Li Xiuying's office

Li Xiuying opened the door to her office. Jiang Huan was at her desk typing away at the keyboard.

Jiang Huan looked away from the screen: "Good morning Dr. Li"

Li Xiuying nodded: "Good party?"

Jiang Huan was initially confused but then remembered her lie: "Huh? Oh, yes, yes the party was great thank you for asking. Ha ha." she laughed nervously.

Jiang Huan: "Dr. Li I've rearranged your schedule due to the transplant on Friday. Only those participating in the operations will be present within the actually operating theater. However, I've heard that the seats upstairs in the viewing platform have all been filled. There's even a waiting list. Oh and I've also sent a mass email stating there will be no lecture this week."

Li Xiuying sat at her desk and looked at her rota this week and next week. She grabbed a notebook and pen and began jotting down the changes she wanted implemented. She then left her desk and handed the notebook to Jiang Huan.

Jiang Huan looked at the list: "I'll change your rota for the next two weeks right now and inform all parties involved."

Li Xiuying was about to leave when Jiang Huan spoke.

Jiang Huan:" Dr. Li I wanted to ask if I could possibly leave early next week Tuesday. My grandmother has fallen ill and she lives alone so she doesn't have anyone to look after her. My family and I made a rota yesterday to decide who would be with grandmother when. Initially I did arrange to look after her this Sunday but there was no one available to look after her on Tuesday. I would be really grateful if I could leave at 12:00?" Jiang Huan felt more confident lying this time round.

Li Xiuying frowned slightly. 'Why did everyone always use the grandmother excuse? There was always something happening to someone's grandmother.'

Li Xiuying guesstimated that Jiang Huan would use the death of her grandmother as an excuse next week Thursday or Friday to take the day off or maybe even ask to take several days off.

Li Xiuying didn't bother giving Jiang Huan a response and just left.

Jiang Huan: "Erm Dr. Li?"

Jiang Huan stood from her seat and watched as Li Xiuying got further and further away: "Is that a yes?"