Making Dumplings for My Man  

William felt somewhat dazed, thinking that holding the cucumber like that was strange. In reality, Brian was just playing with him. If he was upset, he'd make William do something to cheer him up. Eating the cucumber was a way to train William's tongue, teaching him how to please someone. Brian felt triumphant. "Next time you compliment another woman's beauty in front of me, you'll smooth out a cucumber's spikes with your tongue."

Brian stood outside the bathroom, giving orders.

"So, I can't even compliment our mothers? My tongue would be ruined."

"You can't compliment any woman other than our mothers."

"Can you warn me somewhere else? I have a stomachache."

"Serves you right."

Humph, Brian cheerfully rummaged through the medicine cabinet. William had a stomachache and spent the night tossing and turning. After taking medicine, he slept deeply.

It was deep autumn, and the temperature had dropped. The maple leaves in their neighborhood had turned a brilliant red. It was so cold early in the morning. The secretary, lawyer, and project manager were all waiting outside the neighborhood. When the secretary called, Brian grabbed his suitcase and left.

By the time William woke up, scratching his belly and calling for Brian, Brian had already left the city. "You left so early? Why didn't you wake me? I could've seen you off."

"I'll be back soon."

"Did you bring a coat? It's cold. And be careful with your hand. Remember to eat."

"I know."

"We'll be back at my parents' tomorrow afternoon. Anything specific you want to eat? I can ask the housekeeper to make it."

"Dumplings."

"Alright, I'll call now."

"Is your stomach better?"

"It's fine now. I threw away those cucumbers. They must've had too much pesticide. You'd get sick too. Tell the driver to drive slowly."

Brian hung up, sighing softly. William wasn't very intuitive about others' feelings. He acted on instinct, not because he liked looking at beautiful women, but because he believed in standing up against injustice and helping the weak. And look, even after waking up, he was still full of concern, thinking of every little detail.

Brian had been quite silly with his jealousy the day before. "There's no trouble in the world, except what we create for ourselves." He was that troublemaker, the especially foolish kind.

Brian took a drag from his cigarette, smiling at the majestic mountains outside the window. He tapped the driver, signaling him to drive slowly on the winding mountain road.

William went to the National Security office and watched the surveillance footage with Director Gu. "How is it? Were we detected?"

"No, everything looks normal."

"When do we act?"

"We'll arrest them when they meet."

"I'm not needed then? I'll go visit my parents."

"We'll call you if we need you."

Relieved, William hummed a tune on his way home. As soon as he entered, he told Nina, "My husband wants dumplings. We'll be back tomorrow afternoon for dinner. Make plenty."

"You should make them. If you serve Brian the dumplings you made, he'll be thrilled."

Really? Alright then. William washed his hands, and the housekeeper began preparing the filling and dough. William tried his hand at making dumplings, some standing, some lying down, with rather large edges.

Nina asked, "How are you two? Any fights? He hasn't mentioned divorce again, has he? And, um, everything okay in bed?"

William looked at his mother with disdain. "You want to know about our bedroom activities? Have you ever heard of a mother like that? If we're not intimate, are you going to help?"

Nina mysteriously produced a bottle of essential oil. "I went to great lengths to get this. It's said to enhance intimacy."

"We're intimate enough without any oil. These things are scams."

Even as he dismissed it, he pocketed the oil.

"William, give your father and me some peace of mind. You're not young anymore. After 35, I was even considering finding a surrogate for you two, one child for each of you. We can hire a nanny to help. Be good to Brian. Don't always be away on missions. Who will be there for you? Brian has it tough, help him out. Live a good life together."

"I know. I won't be on missions after 40. I'll transfer to a more relaxed job. I'll come home every day, spend weekends at home, and make up for everything I owe Brian. We'll live well."

Only then did Nina feel at ease about William, who was always a handful. At least he realized Brian's struggles and wanted to make amends. Relationships take time to build.