11 I just bought a girl (1/2)
Han's meeting with An Ning's parents didn't go well. For one, her father insisted that An Ning should move back with them. He also called into question his brother Richard's character, calling him a treacherous bastard and a disappointment.
Han listened in stoic silence, leaning back as the old man continued with his verbal abuse, listing a litany of sorrows that dated back to when Richard and An Ning were children. He talked in detail of that time when Richard brought another girl to a party which made An Ning cry. Richard was eight and An Ning five and the other girl was NuoNuo, who married Han's brother Alex two years ago.
”How about we stay here for a week every month?” Han suggested when the old manfinally looked as if he had ran out of steam. ”I think An Ning would like that.”
”We?”
”An Ning is carrying my child, Dad. I go where she goes and vice versa.,” Han was adamant.
”You damn snake! I don't want you anywhere near my daughter!”
”Then all you can do is visit her at my house because she's not going anywhere without me.”
”You damn bastard! How dare you blackmail me! I shouldn't have agreed to let her marry you. I should have encouraged that brat from Xia Shanghou's family to court her. He wouldn't have the nerve to divorce her I can tell you that.”
Han held on to his temper with an effort.
”She did marry me and you or anyone else can't do anything about it anymore. I admit I may have made some mistakes in the past but we're together now. An Ning loves me and I love her. We're having a child together and that makes us a unit nobody can tear apart ever.”
The old man glared at him with fulminating eyes.
”Fine,” he gritted. ”I'll expect An Ning to be here the day after tomorrow.”
Han nodded amiably. Bid him goodbye and left.
He was driving home when the phone rang. Han pressed the button for answer.
”Ahrm...are you busy, Richard?” Du Lu's voice echoed loud and clear in the silent car.
Alerted by something in Du Lu's voice, Han sat up straighter.
”Why do I have the feeling that I shouldn't have answered this call? What is it this time?”
”It's nothing serious,” Du Lu protested. ”I just want to know how you were doing.”
”Cut the crap and get to it.”
”Ehrm....I may have done something really, really crazy this time, Richie. In my defense, I was sort of forced into it.”
”Let me be the judge of that. What happened?”
”I sort of bought a person.”
There was silence.
”Come again?” Han said blankly.
”I bought a person.”
”Person...is that supposed to be a name of a brand or something?”
”No, no. It's a girl.”
”You bought a girl?”
”Yes.”
”Like you would buy a box of condoms or a shaving kit?”
”Yup. Something like that.”
”Jesus.”
”I know. I was driving down a street minding my own business when this girl ran into my car. I nearly hit her. Anyway, I thought it was a scam so I sort of just sat there stunned when this guy came out of nowhere and suddenly started hitting her. What could I do but try and help. I tried to talk to the guy but he kept hitting the girl so I pulled out some money and gave it to him. He took it and left.”
”Why didn't you just call the police?”
”I don't know. I panicked, I guess. Anyway, what could I do but take the girl with me?”
”No, idiot. You really should have just called the police.”
”I told you, I panicked. I thought the guy was coming back with his friends and I just pulled the girl inside the car and drove away.”
”Where is she now?”
”In the office.”
”What? Why take her there? Sometimes, I really wonder if you own a brain or not.”
”But where else would I bring her? I can't take her to my apartment. Everyone would call me a pervert if they see me with a child like that. And you would have a fine time scrubbing the internet just to save my skin.”
”Then why call me? It's not my problem.”
”But who else can I call? Besides, aren't you my manager?”
”I'm the guy you pay to get you big, fat movie contracts. Your publicist is the one who scrubs your public image clean from germs.”
”Whatever. I need your help, bro. I absolutely don't know what to do here.”
”Simple. Call the police.”
”Just stop by the office. I'll be waiting.”
The line went dead. Han glanced at the clock. Nearly six. He dialed the phone and talked to An Ning. He told her he was on his way home but first he had to stop at the office to take care of something. An Ning was yawning on the other line so after telling her to go to bed early and not to wait up for him, he hang up.
Du Lu was waiting at the lobby when he entered the building.
”Where is she?”
”The conference room. I bought her food.”
Han strode inside without another word. Du Lu followed silently behind him.