Everyone was dressed in black. The atmosphere was heavy with various emotions—some cried openly, others stood silent, staring at the grave marker that bore the name, Mei Lien.
"Miss Lien was an angelic soul who showed nothing but kindness to the world. Yet, the world threw her away," a voice echoed over the gathering, as mourners shook their heads in silent agreement.
"May her gentle soul rest in peace," the officiant said.
"Ahhh!" Xiabo collapsed to the ground, wailing uncontrollably as others wept quietly around her. After the burial ceremony, Lei Wuije stood alongside her, his face streaked with fake tears.
"Why is it so hard to keep this act up?" she whispered to him, wiping her eyes as though they were still wet with emotion.
"This is your best friend's funeral," Lei reminded her.
"I know. I'm not blind; her name is right there." They exchanged a brief smile.
"Mr. Lei!" A group of women approached them, their faces filled with sorrow.
"Hello," Lei said softly, waving as they neared.
"We're so sorry for your loss," one of the women said.
"Thank you for your kindness," Lei replied, a tear sliding down his cheek.
"You need to let go. She wouldn't want you to suffer."
Or maybe she'd love to drag us with her, Lei thought grimly but kept his face solemn. "I'll try to move on," he said aloud.
The women gave him sympathetic nods and left.
"Mr. Lei!" Lin Ba called as he walked over.
"Mr. Lin," Lei greeted him, shaking his hand.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
Lei sighed deeply. "Did you attend the ceremony?" Xiabo asked Lin Ba.
"Yes," Lin Ba nodded, "Mr. Lu was there too, waiting in the car."
"Mr. Lu? Lien didn't really know him well, did she?"
Lin Ba shrugged. "She occasionally visited the company."
"Hmm," Lei nodded, his thoughts elsewhere.
"Mr. Lei," Lin Ba spoke again, "Mr. Lu is waiting for you."
"Alright."
Lin Ba gestured toward the car, and Lei followed. When Lei entered the sleek black vehicle, Mr. Lu sat inside, wearing dark sunglasses, his expression unreadable.
"Mr. Lu, thank you for attending the funeral."
"You don't need to thank me. It's a boss's duty. And I'm sorry for your loss."
Lei sighed deeply again, his head hanging low. "It's going to be hard to move on without her," he muttered, his voice breaking.
"Hard?" Mr. Lu turned to him, his voice flat. "Even a fool could see you never truly loved Miss Lien."
Lei looked up sharply. "What do you mean by that?"
"You know exactly what I mean," Mr. Lu replied, his gaze fierce.
"You have no idea what my love life is like."
Mr. Lu smirked. "Your love life is as complicated as scientists trying to figure out how God exists."
Lei clenched his fists. "You know nothing!"
"Do you love yourself, Mr. Lei?" Mr. Lu's voice was calm, but his words cut deep.
Lei's breathing quickened. "You don't know anything," he snapped and reached for the car door handle.
"If you leave, you're fired," Mr. Lu said coolly.
Lei paused. "I work for your grandmother, not you."
"How will she know if I fire you? She's still in the States and wouldn't care what happens to workers like you."
Lei hesitated and sat back down, glaring at Mr. Lu. "Just ask your question."
"Why was Miss Lien out of the house that night, under the heavy rain?"
Lei scoffed. "It was just a normal argument between a couple."
"I would believe that if it weren't for the coincidences." Mr Lu said,staring at him intently.
Lei narrowed his eyes. "What are you implying?"
"Miss Lien was killed that night. And soon after, the mortuary was set on fire."
Lei leaned back, staring out the window. "You must enjoy watching the daily news, Mr. Lu."
"Don't forget, the Lei company is under mine. Whatever happens, I'm always informed."
Lei gritted his teeth. "You shouldn't be overjoyed listening to such news."
"The only reason you're managing the Lei company is that your mother knelt and begged for your promotion after all those years of hard work."
"Don't remind me of the humiliation my mother went through!" Lei shouted, anger flashing in his eyes.
Mr. Lu's gaze remained steady. "You should be angry at yourself, not me."
Lei panted, staring fiercely at Mr Lu.
"If you hadn't sabotaged your colleague's work you wouldn't have gotten yourself a black list in the company"
Lei's breath hitched. "I didn't sabotage anyone's work," he muttered.
Mr. Lu raised an eyebrow. "If you don't want your mother begging again, watch how you pretend to love people."
Lei's face twisted in rage. "You know nothing!"
"And neither do you."
Lei panted with anger but finally opened the car door. "I'll take my leave," he spat.
"I'm sure, someone important awaits you" Mr. Lu said, watching as Lei stormed off.
Lin Ba slid into the driver's seat. "Shall we head anywhere, Mr. Lu?"
"Anywhere quiet," Mr. Lu replied, sighing.
---
At home, Lei Wuije slammed the door behind him and began throwing things across the room in a rage. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the space.
"I know my son—he wouldn't hurt anyone. I believe him!" His mother's voice rang in his head.
"Baby!" Xiabo ran toward him, but Lei shoved her onto the couch.
"Leave me alone!" He crouched, holding his head in his hands.
"What happened?" Xiabo tried again, but Lei continued to smash everything in his path.
"Lei Wuije!" she yelled, her voice trembling.
"Lei, we can talk this out,"
"Mom!" Lei finally broke down, collapsing into Xiabo's arms.
"It's okay," Xiabo whispered, holding him tightly.
"They will pay for this," Lei sobbed.
"They will," she agreed. "But we have to be strong, son. We still have a long way to go."
"What path?"
"We can't let them see our weaknesses. We have to stay strong, okay?"
Lei nodded weakly. "I want them to end like shattered glass—unable to ever piece themselves back together."
"Don't worry, you have me."
Lei managed a small smile. "Starting from the very foundation," he whispered.
Xiabo smiled back. "Just wait and see how we bring them down."
"Thanks, darling"
"It's okay" she assured him with a smile. " Besides, what happened between you and Mr Lu?"
"It's nothing"
------
In his quiet room, Lu Si Cheng worked late into the night, his desk cluttered with files. His phone buzzed loudly, breaking the silence.
"Hello, who's this?" he answered.
"Are you serious right now?" the voice on the other end said.
Lu blinked. "Who?"
"You never call us unless we do," the voice continued.
"Huh?"
"You even forgot my number, didn't you?"
He quickly checked the contact. "Mom! How are you?"
"What have you been up to?" she asked.
"Me? Just…having fun."
"You mean, working all day?"
"Not at all, Mom," he laughed.
"You didn't even recognize my number. You must be really out of it."
"I was just stunned, Mom. Honestly."
"Did you see something you weren't suppose to see?" His mother teased.
"Mom, stop being dirty-minded!" Mr Lu exclaimed, rolling his eyes.
"Have you found a girlfriend yet?"
"Mom!....How's America? I heard the burgers there are incredible!" he said quickly, trying to change the subject.
"Don't shut me, Si Cheng," his mother pressed.
"Okay, okay, Mom."
"You should get a girlfriend soon. Living alone with all those machines is starting to sound scary."
Lu sighed. "Mom, I'm fine and why would the machines be scary?"
"Well, I heard about a man marrying a robot. Who's to say you won't end up like him?"
"Mom, you think pretty too much!"
"You think I'm joking. Get a girlfriend soon, or I'll pick one for you!"
"Alright, Mom." he replied.
"I'll be back soon."
"Already? Aren't you supposed to stay another month?"
"I miss my favorite Chinese food too much."
"Alright, Mom," Mr Lu chuckled.
"Take care, son. See you soon."
"Mom!"
The call ended, and Lu stared at his phone, sighing deeply.
"We're doomed," he muttered to himself.