Wang meets Zhang Wei

In a workshop.. inside Avanti Clothing Factory

Wang and Zhang Wei sat on a carpet inside the workshop. They were playing a game of ludo, as they remembered and talked about the old days when both of them used to work hard during the days, and played ludo during night time.

Sunlight streamed through the otherwise dark workshop. The entire place was crammed full of stacked glassware, wooden frames, cutting and stitching equipment. Bundles of rolled cotton clothes were stacked at a corner.

Wang had learnt so much about making prototypes and concepts creation from Zhang Wei, when he was an employee at Avanti Clothing factory. Since, Zhang Wei had helped Wang so much, Wang addressed him as 'father', and sometimes as 'master'.

Zhang Wei was a seventy five year old man. Years of hard work had turned his eyes permanently heavy with fatigue. He had already married three of his children, and was planning to get his last son married as soon as possible. Due to his old age, he was no longer able to work to his full capacity, and his factory - Avanti Clothing Factory, had now turned into a small workshop. Most of his workers had left the job, and Zhang Wei had no intentions to recollect his team. His life's savings were helping him to feed his family, who were now leading a very simple life. His only tension was too get his youngest son married, and he worked for a few hours daily, to collect money for the marriage related expenses.

"Your turn,' laughed the old man, as he passed on the dice to Wang.

"Master, your dice tricks seem to be getting better with your age, just like your skills with these stitching tools. Haha!" laughed Wang, as he took his turn with the dice.

"Nah! My eyesight has gotten too bad with age. I can't do anything without my wife's help," smiled Zhang Wei. "I'm waiting for her to come back," he continued.

"Where is she now?" asked Wang.

"She has gone to Chengyang Village. We have our ancestral home there. I've asked her to take sufficient rest, but she wants to return back as soon as possible. We have to get our son married," smiled Zhang Wei.

"Really? Your son, Chen, is getting married.. and you did not even shared that with me," sighed Wang.

"I think you forgot.. I told you about it.. the last time you came here," corrected the old man.

Wang thought for a few seconds. "In that case, all the wedding expenses are on me. I will take care of everything. You already have so much to worry about," smiled Wang.

Zhang Wei was surprised at Wang's gesture. "No! No Wang! Don't say that, please," requested the old man.

"But why, master? Chen is like my brother, and you are like my father. This is final now.. just let me know everything that needs to be done. I'll manage all." Wang insisted.

"You know me Wang. I will never let you do this," continued Zhang Wei.

"Master, please! After all you've done for me.. don't deprive me from this happiness. I beg of you," requested Wang.

Zhang Wei thought for a few seconds. He smiled at Wang as a tear fell down from his cheeks. "Wang, how good a human being you are..! In the present world that we live in.. you won't find many like yourself. Thank you! My wife will be so happy to hear this," said the old man as he hugged Wang.

"I miss those stuffed chard leaves that she had made for me so many times," Wang smiled. "When she comes back, please request her to make some for me.. I'm dying to fill my tummy with them," giggled Wang.

Haha! Sure, son! I will tell her to cook them for you," laughed the old man. "So, how's the work going?" he continued.

"Work is fine," Wang replied.

"Is your aunt Ning still after you.. with all the new girls?" giggled Zhang Wei.

"Yes. She is desperate to get me married," sighed Wang.

"Wang, just remember.. Marriage without love is like a prayer without faith," cautioned Zhang Wei. "You are on a right track. Don't force yourself to marry.. just for the sake of society or someone else's feelings. Wait for the right girl," advised the old man.

Wang and Zhang Wei sat silent on the carpet for a few minutes, before they proceeded to discuss the new prototypes that needed to be prepared. Wang trusted the old man's instincts and his professional experience blindly.

Half an hour later, Wang decided to head back to his office.