Chapter 10 - Jian Liu

"I'm sorry, my childhood what?" Mei questioned Chen, however, her voice dimmed out due to the loud clamorous noise of the audience applauding, the only sound she could make out was of her heart beating in her chest.

She could feel her breathing hasten as she turned around to face the door to see a striking young man enter.

He was wearing a blue tuxedo with a sparkling small leaf-like brooch with a tiny yet appealing little sapphire fixated in the middle.

His dark golden locks were set back with some gel and his hands were in his pocket.

He entered without acknowledging anyone and went straight to the open bar.

Chen scowled, "You know how he is folks. Never one to enjoy these gatherings. Until then, please enjoy the spread we have laid out for you."

Booming applause and hooting came from the audience that started fading out when Ai walked over to him with a frown.

Mei squinted her eyes in confusion. She couldn't stop thinking about the words, 'Childhood friend'.

Chen looked at her and joked about,

"Don't you remember him? You guys used to be inseparable when you were younger."

Mei tried to regain her calm and smiled awkwardly.

She looked back at Ai, who was visibly upset at her son's cold attitude.

"At least have enough decency to greet the guests Jian, We haven't met them in years," Ai said, scolding him.

"Let me get a drink or a couple first before meeting with some random people I know nothing about," he scoffed, grabbing a glass of whiskey and sipping on it.

"My love, it's Mei and Feng."

Jian flinched, starting to cough on his drink after he placed the glass on the counter.

"Mei? I remember Feng Ling but I don't know any Mei," he answered in an impassive tone.

Ai sighed, getting up to walk back to Mei and Chen, "When you're done, get up and meet them, maybe you might remember something."

Tapping his index finger on his forehead, he took a deep breath and followed his mother.

He styled his already perfect hair with his long slender fingers.

"Jian, Look who it is!", Ai exclaimed in excitement.

He looked over at Mei and replied, "You look familiar."

Dumbfounded, her mind started replaying the various scandals she went through.

She tried forming a sentence but responded with a simple nod.

"Oh, weren't you the girl in the news?" Jian spouted out loudly.

Her hands started to tremble, trying to reply in a shaky voice, she smiled, "Uh...yes, yes I am."

Ai stared at their faces one by one, her eyes puzzled.

"Which news?" she asked, looking at Mei.

"It's nothing really. It was a simple misunderstanding turned into a huge show for the public," she replied, holding her voice steady while she clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep, piercing through her soft skin.

"I'm surprised you aren't aware of it Mum. It was all over the news yesterday, and apparently, it still is." He reached for his phone as the color drained out from Mei's face.

Handing over his phone, Jian started the live telecast of Daiyu's interview, where she explained the false story that she had fabricated. Ai intently watched the news when Jian noticed Mei's pale expression and took his phone back.

"I wasn't finished." pursing her lips, she glared at her son.

"It was nothing anyways, the media makes a huge scene for Daiyu every time. I'm not surprised someone else was dragged down due to her fans again." He curled his lips in disdain.

Ai took a pause, interchanging her looks between Mei and Jian, "Well that's disappointing, I'm going to leave you two alone now, And I hope you two get a chance to bond and remember something about each other." she nodded, turning around and walking to her husband to greet their guests.

Mei bit her lips in frustration.

"What if other people recognize me? I'm sure she went there to tell everyone about me. What if they are laughing at me right now? I should never have gone there."

Jian looked at her with a confused look.

"Umm, your lips." he said while pointing at his own lips.

"Excuse me?"

"They seem to be bleeding." lifting one of his eyebrows, Jian gawked at her.

Mei widened her eyes, touching her lips, feeling a sharp sting as she flinched.

He asked if she needed a handkerchief to which she politely accepted. When he handed it over, Jian noticed that Mei's palms had tiny fresh cuts with the tips of her nails covered with dried-up blood. He looked at her, his eyes emitting a dejected glint when she softly wiped her bottom lip.

Tapping on Jian's shoulder, Feng stepped in front of him.

"Long time Jian, How are you holding up?" he asked, trying to make small talk.

"Nothing special, Uncle " he answered and humbly smiled, "What about you? Last time I met you was at the annual party, 3 years ago with your new wife?"

"He knows Suyin?" Mei contemplated.

Feng started conversing with Jian, while Mei sighed and decided to stroll around the ballroom.

She went over to the open bar and ordered some red wine to drown her feelings in, trying to calm herself down.

As time went on, Mei got progressively drunker.

She stood from the bar with a wine glass in her hand and walked around.

She saw her father laughing and drinking with Chen and his friends. Deciding she needed some space to relax, she walked out of the ballroom and stood in the hallway.

Fascinated by the stairs, she traced her fingertips over the handrail, climbing up and humming a tune along.

When she found herself on the first floor, she giggled and started spinning around softly.

Suddenly she bumped into someone, spilling the wine all over their tuxedo.