73 THE WORLD STOPPED TURNING (1/2)
Xuan Chaya paced around the house, restlessly waiting for Cheng Jian's return. Several times, he thought he heard the doorbell. On hurrying to the door, he found that no-one was on the other side of the door. He had only imagined the doorbell ring.
Finally, Xuan Chaya heard the doorbell again, but as he didn't want to make a fool of himself again, he waited and listened attentively to make sure he had heard correctly.
Some seconds passed and the doorbell rang again. This time, Xuan Chaya was sure that Cheng Jian had returned. The thought of it lifted his spirits and he found himself smiling.
He hurried to the door. Feigning apathy, he opened the door to let Cheng Jian in; welcoming him with no more than a light nod.
”Hey,” Cheng Jian greeted as he walked into the apartment. His voice light and cheery.
”Hey.” Xuan Chaya returned his greeting. Cheng Jian had barely sat when he asked. ”How was your date?”
Cheng Jian smiled and shook his head. ”It wasn't a date.”
”It wasn't?” Xuan Chaya asked hopefully.
”No. I only went out to see... An old friend.”
”Is that so?” Xuan Chaya asked rhetorically. Smiling.
”Yes. And I have good news for you.”
”What news?”
”Have you heard about Shenhua Corporations?”
”Of course, I have. It's only the most popular company in China's entertainment industry.” Xuan Chaya replied. ”What about it?”
”The friend I went to see. He's the son of the owner of that company.”
”You are kidding me.” Xuan Chaya said. Immediately wondering how Cheng Jian got to know such a prestigious person.
Cheng Jian continued. ”He's actually the president of the company and its only heir.”
No longer able to contain his curiosity, Xuan Chaya asked. ”And you know him how?”
Cheng Jian stared at Xuan Chaya. He was almost very sure that Xuan Chaya didn't want to know the truth of how he met Hua Zhendan. That was his past that he wanted to keep buried by all means. With a shake of his head, he said. ”That isn't important. What's important is that I do know him.”
Xuan Chaya was immediately uneasy. Cheng Jian always spoke without filtering his words. Seeing him web his way around a conversation was out of character for him. Still, he didn't feel the need to force information out of Cheng Jian. ”What's the good news?” He asked.
”My friend,” Cheng Jian continued. ”Many people don't know this, but he is adopted.”
Xuan Chaya was relieved and confused at the same time. Relieved that Cheng Jian was back to speaking without thinking; this sort of thing is a family secret that shouldn't be spewed to just anybody thoughtlessly. Perhaps, Cheng Jian didn't think of him as 'just anybody.' The thought of that immediately made Xuan Chaya smile. Xuan Chaya was confused because he didn't see how Hua Zhendan's family background could bring him good news. All in all, it was nice gossip; and gossip about other people's lives is always delightful to hear. ”Okay?”
”His mother,” Cheng Jian said. Gesturing as he spoke. ”The owner of the company, I mean. She is an evil, manipulative witch, so he has a love-hate relationship with her.”
Xuan Chaya shook his head. Disapproval written all over his face. ”I always think of mothers like gods. I don't have much respect for people who don't love theirs.”
”This mother isn't a god. She is the devil herself. Do you know? The first time Hua Zhendan fell in love, his mother tried to pay his lover to stay away from him. The second time, she did the same thing.”
Xuan Chaya's feelings were suddenly divided. He could never find a fault in the things his own mother did. Even when she had wronged him in the past, it was always for his own betterment. Xuan Chaya wanted to believe that all mothers were like that, but no mother should be so protective that she drives away her child's lover. ”What could her reasons have been?”
”She is uncomfortable with Hua Zhendan's sexuality, of course.”
Xuan Chaya immediately felt bad. Bad for whatever Hua Zhendan has to go through because of his unsupportive mother, bad that Shen Rui didn't match up to his standard of a good mother. Bad that he had a great, supportive mother and he was taking advantage of her goodness. ”Is he gay?” He asked.
”Of course.” Shaking his head, Cheng Jian continued. ”I don't know any straight people.”
Xuan Chaya was surprised by that information. ”Really?”
Cheng Jian nodded. ”Except maybe you.” Sighing, he added, ”I never get along with straight people. Bisexuals, maybe. It makes me question your sexuality, you know.”