Unreceptive Audience

Japan - Local restaurant

Tang Tingzhe and Jiang Huan were currently dinning in one of the most popular restaurants in the area. It was no wonder that this restaurant was popular with locals as well as visitors. The delicious aroma of the various dishes weaved its way through the spaces of the restaurant. The dishes were a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.

There wasn't a single empty seat in the whole restaurant. It was a tourist hot-spot so a melee of languages and accents could be heard intermingling in the air.

Everywhere corner of the restaurant was filled with happiness, laughter and conversation. Well everywhere except the secluded corner Tang Tingzhe and Jiang Huan were sitting in. The air around them was lacklustre and strained.

They were finishing their desert which consisted of an assortment of Daifuku.

Throughout the dinner date Jiang Huan tried to converse and keep the romance alive but was constantly met with Tang Tingzhe strained smile. His forced demeanour killed the mood.

Jiang Huan looked down at her half empty glass of water and swirled it around whilst Tang Tingzhe paid for their meal. She sighed internally for the 24th time.

They both left the restaurant and Tang Tingzhe was about to call for a cab.

Jiang Huan: "Why don't we just walk back? It's a beautiful night."

Tang Tingzhe nodded. He held Jiang Huan's hand in his as they made their way back to the ryokan in silence.

Jiang Huan sighed for the 25th time. Tang Tingzhe just wasn't himself. Anyone who looked at him could tell that he was preoccupied with his thoughts. .

Jiang Huan cleared her throat: "Tingzhe."

Tang Tingzhe absent-mindedly responded: "Mmm."

Jiang Huan: "Does your friend's mother need the operation right away?"

Tang Tingzhe: "No I don't think so. She currently doesn't have any symptoms the surgery was schedules this Thursday because it was the earliest available time. If we didn't take it she would have had to wait another six months."

Jiang Huan: "Could she possibly wait until next week Tuesday?"

Tang Tingzhe: "The hospital Chung found doesn't have anything available next Tuesday."

Jiang Huan: "The hospital may not but Dr. Li has a free slot next week Tuesday on her general surgery list."

Tang Tingzhe abruptly stopped walking and looked into Jiang Huan's eyes; "Huan what are you talking about?"

Jiang Huan: "Chung's mother can get a place on Dr. Li's theater list next Tuesday. I'm sure Dr. Li won't mind."

Tang Tingzhe faced morphed from perplexed to elated. He picked Jiang Huan up by the waist and spun her around; "Thank you so much!"

Jiang Huan laughed along with Tang Tingzhe.

Tang Tingzhe: "Huan are you sure it will be okay? I mean Dr. Li is really busy and from what you said she never has any free slots. I don't want you to do anything that will get you into trouble."

Jiang Huan: "Don't worry about anything. It's fine. I know Dr. Li's schedule like the back of my hand. So trust me okay? Next week Tuesday at 1 pm Chung's mother will be able to have her surgery. Just give me all her details and I'll add her to the list on Monday."

Tang Tingzhe: "Huan are you 100% sure that it will be okay? Would Dr. Li be willing to add a patient to her list on such short notice? The surgery isn't urgent; we still have the appointment on Thursday. I don't want you to do anything that could put you in a compromising situation."

Jiang Huan: "Stop worrying. I know what I'm doing."

Tang Tingzhe kissed Jiang Huan's forehead and hugged her tightly: "Thank you Huan! I can't wait to tell Chung the good news. You don't know how much this means to me."

Jiang Huan was smiling to herself as she returned Tang Tingzhe's enjoying the warmth of his embrace.

Tang Tingzhe was also smiling at having accomplished his first task. He caught his reflection in the tinted window of a car. He shamelessly thought to himself 'Was there any doubt? I mean who could resist?'

....

Apartment 5 - Living room

Li Xiuying, little 4th and Madam Qin were each indulging in a slice of strawberry gateau.

Madam Qin: "Xiuying how was your day?"

Li Xiuying: "Fine. Yours?"

Madame Qin looked at her phone and smiled: "I just got a message from Song. He's such a considerate person. I had forgotten to get something when I was shopping earlier and he offered to go and get it even after working hard for so many hours. He's always one to put his loved one's first." What Madam Qin had neglected to mention was that Qin Song had actually replied that he would get Cao Shan to get the item, but it's the thought that counts right?

Both Li Xiuying and Little 4th frowned at Madam Qin.

Madame Qin: "Song has been that way since I've known him. He's always been accepting of others and understanding. I thought he may be upset and object to me marrying his father but he was the first to give us his blessing."

The frowns on Li Xiuying's and little 4th's faces deepened.

Madame Qin decided she had said enough about Qin Song for now. Her audience clearly wasn't receptive. She changed the topic of conversation: "Oh that reminds me! The item that I wanted was actually lobster for a dinner party this Friday. Xiuying if you're not doing anything this Friday evening why don't you come as well? We would love to have you."

Li Xiuying: "Sorry, Date."

Madame Qin was confused: "Are you not available on that date? Are you working?"

Li Xiuying: "I have a date."

Madame Qin: "A date with a man?"

Little 4th gloated: "I went shopping with big sister YingYing to pick out her dress for Friday. She looked like a fairy. That was the day big sister YingYing bought me the paint set and the personalized stationary for school." My big sister is the best.

Madame Qin kept her shock well hidden. 'Xiuying is dating?! Song has competition already?! He hasn't even been able to hold a proper conversation with Xiuying yet!!!"

Madame Qin asked with curiosity: "Xiuying do you know the man? Who is he? What does he do?"

Li Xiuying: "Not personally. Lawyer." She didn't elaborate because she didn't know if Ren Daiyu wanted to keep it private.

Madame Qin: "So it's a blind date?"

Li Xiuying nodded.

Little 4th began happily chatting away with Li Xiuying. Of course he already knew that she was going as moral support for his enemy Ren Demon as he liked to call her. Otherwise Little 4th would have been the first to protest to sharing his big sister YingYing.

Madame Qin became lost in her thoughts. She would have to get Little 4th to tell her all the information regarding Li Xiuying's date, but how? He clearly didn't want to share the information as he never mentioned anything until now.

Madame Qin had a difficult obstacle ahead of her i.e. to conquer Little 4th's stubbornness. It would be easier to get blood out of a stone than to make little 4th talk when he didn't want to.