The Ball Is in Changying's Court

Wang pulled up outside Changying's house and sat in his car. He knew who Baozhai was inside and out and despite all her flaws he loved her as he had their whole lives together. He realised now that to her he was just another person to do her bidding, defend and support her against the family and do as he was told. He wasn't angry so much as hurt. He knew from what Changying had told him about her life that she had experienced far worse than the verbal lashing Chen had dished out or the slap. Although he wasn't happy about it, it wasn't worth the family drama and the effect it would have on Changying to make a big deal out Baozhai's involvement. He knew how to deal with his sister now that she had shown just how little she cared about his happiness. He was sure that by the end of the week she would understand just how much of a mistake she had made by trying to remove Changying from his life.

There was a tap on his window, and he realised he had been sitting there for a long time sorting out his feelings about his sister. He popped the locks and Jack climbed into the passenger's seat.

"You're freaking Chunhua out sitting out here for so long," Jack said warily trying to gage Wang's mood. His temper was well known within the family and Jack was half expecting an explosion.

"Yeah, I was just thinking. How's Changying doing?" Wang asked quietly surprising Jack.

"She was happy the moment she got home. The perfect patient. She has a big bruise on that hip but other than that she's physically fine. She'll need to rest for a few days. It will be pretty sore. She's upset that she caused drama in the family for you," Jack explained. "She blames herself entirely."

"I know, I've asked the guys not to tell the rest of the family, I'll deal with Baozhai in my own way," Wang's voice had hardened again as he spoke. "It's not worth the drama think about what happened to Lucy. I don't want Changying to be the catalyst for another scene like that. She'd never forgive herself or me for letting it happen."

"Sure, whatever you want. I'm not about to let her off the hook so easily, but I can do that with a cold shoulder as well as anything. If Ben and I step back she may find herself regretting her actions a little more than usual," Jack agreed.

"My thoughts exactly," Wang nodded. "Thanks for looking after her," he jutted his chin toward the house indicating Changying.

"From what I saw she doesn't need much looking after, she can hold her own. She's more worried that you are upset than anything. She's a keeper," Jack gave a half smile. "If she was anyone else's girl I might have made a move on her myself after she charmed the family at lunch that day."

"I warned you not to kiss my girl again, right?" Wang chuckled for the first time since receiving Changying's distressed call.

"Yeah, but just so you know if you ever fuck it up with her, all bets are off," Jack grinned.

"Speaking of which I better get in there and make sure Baozhai hasn't fucked it all up for me," his face clouded over again, and he got out of the car and walked around to where Jack stood. "Thanks," he embraced Jack and walked into the house.

"Hey Chunhua, sorry to get you to come home early from work, I didn't want her coming home to an empty house when she was so upset," Wang bent to kiss her cheek as she let him into the house.

"Of course honey," Chunhua patted his back. "I haven't quite worked out what exactly happened."

"She ran into Chen in the street when she went out for lunch, and they got into it. Changying was talking back for once you would have been proud of her, until she got hit and fell over," Wang explained the general incident.

"Oh dear," Chunhua looked sad. "She's been so happy since starting her new job I thought, well it doesn't matter what I thought. She's stronger than anyone realises." She looked worriedly at Changying's door. Her guilt over how she had treated Changying in the past resurfacing.

"She is indeed," Wang forced a smile to his face. "I'm just gonna make sure she is okay for myself."

"Oh yes, go, go, go," Chunhua shooed him away from her.

"I'm so sorry, Wang," Changying said as he walked through the door. "I never meant to cause you so much trouble, I should have gone a different way, or walked faster or something, I should never have said those awful things to her." She began to cry again the tears rolling down her cheeks as she looked at him.

"You did nothing wrong, stop apologising," Wang soothed her gathering her into his arms and holding her close. "It's over and gone, and unless you want to press charges, no one will mention it again."

"Really?" Changying looked up at him blinking.

"Really," Wang smiled. "The balls in your court, I'll have words with Baozhai, but there won't be any family drama, no one else will know what happened, if that's what you want."

"I don't want to cause problems between you and Baozhai. I don't know why she doesn't like me. We have barely spoken to each other. Just let it pass, if we could just forget it happened I promise I will try harder to be her friend."

"It's not you. Her problem is with me. Baozhai's never had to share my attention before, and she doesn't like it," he smiled. "You have done nothing wrong. We've done nothing wrong. Baozhai will either learn to accept that we are going to be together forever or she won't, but that is her choice, and there's nothing we can do to change that." He kissed her then for the first time since arriving.

"I love you," Changying whispered as the kiss broke. "I'm so sorry I ruined you day and caused all that fuss with my call but your family can be so overwhelming. I'm not used to having people care if I get into an argument or not, let alone go to all the trouble they went to for me. I guess I just freaked out that I had caused it all and I just wanted to come home, be in my own space and forget it ever happened. They wouldn't let me, so I called you. You're the only person I wanted to be with and talk to about what happened."

"It doesn't matter if it's a good day or bad day. You're the one I want to be with all the time and talk to about everything," Wang smiled widely and genuinely. "So about this hip injury," he smirked and ran his hand down her body.

"Doc Jack gave me some lovely painkillers," she said and a small grin appeared on her face.

"Then is my turn to play doctor and I think a full physical is necessary before I sign off on his diagnosis," he murmured as he kissed her his hand working to remove the short nightgown she wore.