Chapter 9 - Old Friends

Chen ushered them to the inside of the mansion, which was even more breath-taking than the outside.

It was gleaming all around and the floor consisted of a handwoven Persian carpet and a variety of floral, tender, and avian designs woven in a rich hue of vibrant colors.

A chandelier hung from the top like the bejeweled body of a giant spider. It alone was worth more than the combined annual incomes of the mansion staff. It dripped with the best cut gems and was made from white gold and silver.

Glistening lights were put up all around the room. The stairs ahead were twisted in a perfect spiral from each side. The inner edge was painted an antique emerald with a slight sparkle to it.

Suddenly, Mei heard the clattering of heels coming from the stairway.

A gorgeous woman, dressed in sleek and lustrous black gown came running down.

"Ai! They're here!", yelled Chen, waving his hands over to the woman.

She hurried to Mei and Feng and gleamed at them.

"Feng! It's been quite some time since we last met." she turned over to look at Mei. "Mei Ling? I haven't seen you in so long. 9 years perhaps? You've grown into such a stunning lady." Smiling, she caressed her face. "Just like her."

Chen walked over and stood next to her, taking her arm in his hand.

"This Is Ai, My lovely wife, She and your mother had been friends since middle school." he nodded while Ai muttered out, "The last day when I saw you Mei, was on...her funeral. Since then I couldn't bring up the courage to face you because I'm always reminded of my past. But now after 9 years, I finally got to meet you.' She looked gently at Mei, radiating with love and warmth on her face.

"The past is in the past. Why not enjoy this marvelous evening now?" Feng comforted them as he punched Chen's arm, "Let's head in now shall we?"

Mei chuckled when she saw her father acting so immaturely.

This was the first time in years that she saw her father being so cheerful and laughing out loud.

"Did you not bring Suyin and Xinyi with you?" Ai asked Feng.

"Oh, Suyin had to tend to an emergency, and well, Xinyi, You know how young adults can get." he responded, slightly pushing Mei to nudge her in.

She scoffed at her father, recalling how Suyin had reacted when Feng asked her to join them in the ball.

"Do you expect me to go to an inferior ball where you meet the low-life husband I have chosen for Mei? How would I show my face in the community?" she snarled while Xinyi added, "Keep your real family problems to yourself."

Ai grabbed Mei's hand as she lightly pulled her into the ballroom with the others following behind.

When Mei walked in, she gasped in surprise and caught her breath.

The room was four hundred feet long by two hundred feet wide, with the ceiling stretching up another one hundred feet above her head. It made her feel smaller than the grains of sand on the shores of the Nakanoshima, an island in Toshiba, Japan where Mei would often visit with her parents, and even after her mum passed away, her father would try his best to take her out to Nakanoshima, before Suyin, at least once a year to the place with her most sweet and attached memories. The walls were a glittering gold, so bright and shiny that Mei's eyes felt the need to shield herself from their glare. Two dozen glittering crystal chandeliers ran down from the ceiling, which was the exact shade of the night blue sky standing over the ocean, sending a lovely diffused golden light over the ballroom's occupants.

Mei had never been in a place where she ever felt so small, or so ordinary.

Ai took her hand as she walked her to a group of women who were flowing, elaborately-bejeweled ball gowns of the most beautiful shades of emerald, ruby, and amethyst.

Their fragrance reminded her of sweet lavender and daisies and every other flower which grew in the garden outside the mansion.

Ai introduced Mei to them, who lightly smiled and bowed down to greet them.

The women slightly acknowledged her and continued their low chatter as they talked among themselves and laughed, seemingly completely at ease.

She shrugged and smiled at Mei, leaning to whisper, "These women are the prestigious boasters of our parties. Gossiping about each and everything to their last detail, even the crockery. They only care about their appearance and how they present themselves in front of the media."

She looked at her and smirked. Looking at these women, she was reminded of Suyin.

Suddenly she heard some loud tapping sounds.

It was Chen tapping the microphone in the middle of the ballroom.

'Ahem Ahem! I apologize to disturb you, my dear family, and friends. But I would like to make an announcement.

As you all know, The reason why you are here is to celebrate the meeting of no other than our dear old friend, Feng Ling with his beautiful daughter Mei Ling."

Chen concluded and started clapping.

The claps of the audience were deafening as Ai walked over with Mei in the middle. They could hear booming hoots from the backs as Feng went over to his friend and beamed over,

Taking the microphone in his hand again, Chen bubbled,

"At last! Here he comes from the door. Mei, meet my son and your childhood friend,

Jian Liu."