The next morning, life went on as if normal. The sun rose leisurely and flowed in as long golden streams through the windows. I got up with the lark and started the morning routine of breakfasting. The familiar scent of freshly steamed rice, fried fish and congee filled my kitchen and was going to usher another day in.
My son, Chen Wang, stumbled into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. "Good morning, Mama," he mumbled out, reaching for a piece of toast I had prepared.
"Good morning, Wang," I said and patted his head. "Make sure to eat enough before school. You have a test today, don't you?
He nodded, sleepily, still half-asleep, his head bobbing. But despite the laid-back demeanour, Wang was conscientious about his studies. The previous evening had been spent mostly going over his textbooks. I admired the focus.
In a little while, Li emerged, her morning energy a stark contrast to her brother's lethargy. "Good morning, Mama!" she chirped, tying her hair back as she grabbed a bowl of congee. "Today's a lab day at the university. We're testing new material conductivity under varying temperatures."
"That sounds fascinating, Li," I said, smiling. "Your studies seems more like play with how much you enjoy it.
She laughed. "It's both. I'm lucky to be learning something I love."
Next, Zi joined us, his expression still clouded by the news from last night. He looked at me and sighed, "I'll need to head to the office earlier today. The collapse at Yasuda is worse than we thought. Everyone's scrambling to stabilize things." He worked there.
I poured him some tea and set his breakfast before him. "You'll manage," I said softly. "You always do."
He gave me a small, tired smile and nodded. Despite all that was going on, Zi Hao's resilience was one of the things I admired most about him.
As morning wore on, the household started to bustle with activity. Wang packed his school bag, double-checking his supplies. Li gathered her notebooks and slid her textbooks into her satchel. Zi donned his suit, straightening his tie with a practised motion. I handed each of them a packed lunch before they stepped out the door.
With the house quiet again, I directed the maids to their tasks. One was assigned to clean the roof, another to tend to the garden weeds, and yet another to handle the laundry from yesterday. It was a relief to have their help, allowing me time to gather my thoughts. I tied my hair back and set to work, finding a rhythm in the tasks that allowed my mind to wander.I then prepared to go out on my work at Shantou export-import corporation as the secretary general.
Just as I was about to go out, there came a knock at the door. I had been expecting no one, so a little cautiously I drew near and opened it. To my astonishment, it was Mrs. Lin, my neighbour, and she looked worried.
"Good afternoon," she wrung her hands. "I… I'm sorry to disturb you, but I seek your assistance in something. My husband has not been back from the factory since yesterday. M… I fear that some mishap may have happened to him.
I told her that I was just going out for work and that we could talk later. But she insisted me to stay and listen.
"Come in," I said, gesturing her onto a chair. "Tell me what's the matter."
She told me that her husband was missing. He went to work and did not come yesterday. Her husband worked in a steel factory. She told me that some colleagues whispered about some officials who came to the factory just before his disappearance, but the management refused to comment.
I asked her, "Have you tried to contact the police?" She said, "Yes, I have already filed a missing complaint." I said, "Then why are you worried they will find him." He begged my pardon and said that she should be more calm. I understood her worries as she had been recently married. I told her that I was running late for work, and we can talk as much as she desires in the afternoon. She then went to her house and I to my office.