Chapter 9

Zhan's grandmother looked down at him, concern etched on her face. "Did you call your boyfriend Leo?"

Zhan, with his head resting on her bedside, tears still streaming down his cheeks, replied softly, "I did, but he didn't answer my calls."

Grandma, determined to help, pushed her phone into his hands. "Call him with mine," she insisted.

"No, Grandma, you don't understand," Zhan replied, shaking his head. "Leo doesn't answer unknown numbers, and he doesn't have your number, he won't pick up."

Grandma sighed, her brow furrowed in thought. "Isn't Leo the son of the Wang's? The richest family in Shanghai? Their company is known throughout China, with branches in some foreign countries."

Zhan nodded, "Yes, Grandma, it's him."

Grandma's expression hardened. "It's all my fault," she said, her voice tinged with regret. "I told that driver to relax and treat us like family. Now he's behaving like he owns the place. This is all my fault. Zhan, call Xiao for me. That driver will be fired today."

Zhan quickly grabbed his grandmother's phone and dialed his father's number. As he waited for a response, Grandma continued, her voice growing more frustrated. "As for Leo, how could he even consider talking to a driver like that? It's beneath him, but he doesn't realize that poor people think you've put them in that situation."

Zhan pouted. "Paa didn't answer the call."

Grandma shook her head, exasperated. "Your father is to blame for this mess, bringing in a hulk of a man and handing him the car as a driver. The first time I saw him, I was scared. That man will lifted someone and knocked him down five times without breaking a sweat. He'd be better off as a bank guard than a driver."

Zhan barely listened, lost in his own thoughts, trying to figure out how to make amends with Leo. Grandma noticed his distraction and suggested, "If you know where Leo is, let's go apologize to him."

Zhan's eyes widened in shock. "What? Apologize? No, Grandma, he'll look down on me. How could my own grandmother suggest to apologize to him?"

Grandma frowned. "What do you mean, 'look down on you'? The boy is slipping through your fingers, and you're worried about pride? If you won't go, then tell me where he is, and I'll apologize on your behalf."

Zhan shook his head vehemently. "No, just focus on getting Paa to fire the driver. He's the one who needs to go."

Grandma nodded firmly. "He must be fired. He's even started chasing away my grandson's boyfriends."

Just then, Hang barged into the room, his eyes narrowing at Zhan. "Hey, am I your mate? You passed me and my friend without even a greeting?"

Zhan's frustration boiled over. "See, Grandma? This is why I don't like coming here. Everyone is so rude to me! Hang insults me every time I'm here. Remember how he used to beat me when we were kids? He still hasn't changed."

Hang scowled and stormed out of the room. Grandma sighed, locking the door behind him. "He was expelled from abroad because his visa expired. Now he's back here, taking out his frustrations on everyone."

Zhan couldn't help but laugh at his grandmother's bluntness. She continued, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Your uncle said they were all herded off the plane like cattle and sent back to China."

Zhan laughed so hard that tears formed in his eyes. Standing up, he said, "Grandma, I have to go before you make my stomach ache with all your funny stories. Tonight, make sure Hang ge drops you at our house so you can talk to Paa about firing Lee."

Grandma smiled and nodded. "Okay, Zhan, I will."

As Zhan walked to the gate, he encountered Hang's friend from earlier. The guy stopped him and started talking, but Zhan wasn't in the mood. "Am I a joke to you?" Zhan snapped before walking past him.

Hang's friend stood there, mouth agape, following Zhan with his eyes as he walked away. He muttered to himself, "Hang was right...this boy is a spoiled brat."

*****

Zhan stormed into the mansion, slamming the gate behind him with a loud bang that echoed in the quiet evening. His eyes had locked briefly with Lee's as he passed, the anger in them unmistakable. Lee, still holding his phone to his ear, said nothing but let out a silent sigh, sensing that the situation had only become more complicated.

Later that evening, the sky had turned dark, and the air was cooler as Paa stood on the balcony, watching the sunset disappear beyond the horizon. The soft hum of the night surrounded him, but his thoughts were interrupted when Lee approached, greeting him politely.

"You called for me, Sir?" Lee asked, standing a respectful distance away.

Paa turned to him, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Yes, Lee. I need you to go to the pharmacy and pick up some medicine for me."

"Of course, Sir," Lee replied. "What is the name of the medicine?"

Paa reached for his phone, scrolling through his messages. "The doctor just sent me the prescription. Let me check..." He began to pronounce the name of the medicine but paused when he heard the familiar sound of the metal gate creaking open.

Paa looked down from the balcony to see Yang opening the gate for Hang's car, which slowly entered the compound. "I'll send you the prescription," Paa said, distracted by the arrival. "Go on and get it."

Lee nodded. "Okay, Sir." He turned and walked away, heading back to the chalet.

As the car came to a stop, Grandma stepped out, her movements slow and deliberate. She glanced up at the balcony where Paa stood, her face etched with weariness. Concerned, Paa asked, "Are you okay, Mom?"

"I'm fine," Grandma replied, her voice betraying a slight tremble. "But let's go inside. I need to sit down."

Paa quickly descended the stairs and followed her into the mansion. As they entered the private living room, Grandma sat down heavily on the sofa, while Paa took a seat beside her.

"Is something wrong?" Paa asked, noticing her unusual demeanor.

Grandma didn't respond immediately. Instead, she fixed him with a stern look. "

"Xiao, where did you find that hulk of a driver?" Grandma's tone was sharp, her discontent clear.

Paa's brows furrowed in confusion. "Did something happen?"

"Something? Everything is happening! That driver of yours chased away Zhan's boyfriend...the son of the Wang family, no less! The boy deleted his number while I was talking to you. Can you believe that?"

Paa was silent, trying to piece together the situation. He had no idea what had transpired between Lee and Zhan's boyfriend. Before he could ask more questions, Grandma demanded, "Turn on the AC for me; I'm feeling hot."

Paa obediently took the remote and switched on the air conditioning. He sat back down, still perplexed. "Mom, I don't understand. Who told you this?"

"Zhan did!" Grandma snapped, clearly agitated. "He found me at home, crying as if his world was ending. He was so upset that I decided to come here tonight to find out what's going on for myself. Now, call that driver...I'll ask him who gave him the right to interfere in Zhan's life like this. I don't trust him at all. You just hired him randomly, without a proper background check, didn't you? Quiet people like him are often the ones hiding something."

Paa sighed, trying to remain calm. "Mom, please, I'll handle it. There's no need for you to confront him."

But Grandma was insistent. "No, I want to fire him myself. He needs to learn a lesson...no one should ever try this kind of behavior again."

Seeing that she was determined, Paa tried to soothe her. "Let me take care of it. You should go home and rest. Hang can take you back."

Grandma grumbled but didn't argue further. "Fine, but this isn't over."

Paa stood and led her out to the car, where Hang was waiting. "Take her home, Hang," Paa instructed.

"Yes, Uncle," Hang replied, helping Grandma into the car.

As the car drove away, Paa turned back to see Yang locking the gate. He walked over to him and asked, "Where's Lee?"

Before Yang could answer, Lee's car pulled into the compound. Yang quickly opened the gate, allowing Lee to park the car in its usual spot. Lee stepped out, holding a small bag from the pharmacy.

"Here's the medicine, Sir," Lee said, handing the bag to Paa.

Paa looked at the bag, then at Lee. "Did I tell you the name of the medicine you were supposed to buy?"

Lee hesitated, glancing at the bag in his hand. "Yes, Sir. You mentioned it earlier, and I memorized it."

Paa opened the bag and took out the medicine. He checked the name against the message on his phone and found that Lee had indeed bought the correct one. He looked at Lee thoughtfully.

"I didn't give you the full name of the medicine," Paa said, his tone questioning.

Lee quickly responded, "There was a doctor in our town who ran a small pharmacy. I worked for him for more than eight years before he passed away and his children closed the pharmacy. That's why I recognized the name immediately. There's no medicine I don't know."

Paa shook his head, still processing the information. "And what happened today with Zhan?"

Lee lowered his head. "I don't know if I did something wrong. The only thing I remember is that Zhan's boyfriend offered me money when I took him to the mall for shopping. I refused it, and that's all I know."

Paa studied Lee for a moment longer before nodding. "Alright. We'll talk more tomorrow."

Lee nodded and walked away, heading back to the chalet.

The night air hung heavy with the day's unresolved tension as Lee took a seat beside Yang, his face etched with the weariness of recent events. Yang, ever observant, cast a sidelong glance at him, noting the frustration simmering just beneath the surface.

"You alright?" Yang asked, his voice low but laced with concern.

Lee exhaled slowly, rubbing his hands together as if trying to warm away the lingering agitation. "Just tired, Yang. Today's been... something."

Yang nodded in quiet understanding, leaning back on the bench. "I saw Young master storming inside earlier. What happened?"

Lee's jaw tightened. "It's not him, really. It's his boyfriend. He tried to slip me some cash, like a payoff to stay in line. I turned him down, of course, but I doubt he appreciated it."

Yang arched an eyebrow, sensing more to the story. "And Young master?"

"He's angry," Lee admitted, his voice tinged with a mixture of bitterness and resignation. "But I don't think he really cares about the details. He's just looking for an excuse to get rid of me."

Yang frowned, sympathy etched in his features. "People like them think money can solve anything. They don't get that some things can't be bought."

Lee stared off into the darkening sky, his thoughts a swirling mess. "I've always tried to stay under the radar, just do my job. But now, it's like I'm being pulled into their mess, and it's not what I signed up for."

Yang was quiet for a moment, considering his words carefully. "You know, Lee, you're part of this household now, whether you want to be or not. That means dealing with their issues, like it or not."

Lee nodded, acknowledging the truth in Yang's words. "I just want to do my job and stay out of their way. I don't want to cause trouble, especially not for Mr. Xiao. He's been fair to me."

Before Yang could respond, the door to the mansion creaked open. Zhan stepped out, pausing when he saw the two men. His eyes narrowed slightly, but then he squared his shoulders and walked over, his expression unreadable.

"Mr. Lee," Zhan began, his voice softer than usual. "We need to talk."

Lee met Zhan's gaze, feeling the tension crackling between them. But there was something different in Zhan's demeanor...something almost conciliatory, though Lee wasn't sure if it was genuine.

"Sure," Lee replied, standing up. "Let's talk."

Yang, sensing the need for privacy, quietly excused himself and headed back into the house, leaving Zhan and Lee alone under the dim light of the porch.

Zhan hesitated, then sighed, as if grappling with his words. "I... I know things have been rough between us. Maybe I overreacted earlier. But why did you refuse Leo's money?"

Lee's voice was firm as he answered, "Because I'm not here to be bought, Young master. I'm here to do my job, nothing more. I don't need his money, and I won't take it."

Zhan's eyes flickered with a mix of frustration and something else...perhaps annoyance at being forced into this conversation. "You don't understand... Leo wasn't trying to insult you. He was just trying to... help."

Lee shook his head. "Maybe that's how you see it, but that's not how it felt. I don't need his help, Young master. I'm here to work, not to be someone's charity case."

Zhan seemed to struggle with Lee's words, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice. "Fine. But don't make things harder for yourself here. You don't have to play the hero."

Lee offered a small, almost resigned smile. "I'm just being myself, Young master. I won't compromise who I am, not for anyone."

Zhan's gaze lingered on Lee for a moment longer, as if trying to assess whether this was the last time they'd cross paths. He seemed to accept that this might be their final interaction, and with that, he turned and headed back inside, leaving Lee standing alone under the night sky.

Lee sat back down on the bench, feeling the weight of Zhan's likely goodbye hanging in the air. Tomorrow might bring changes, but for now, Lee was content with holding on to his principles, even if it meant facing whatever consequences awaited him.

*****

The next morning, Zhan was on high alert. He peeked out the window at least ten times, hoping to catch the driver packing up and leaving the house in shame. But nothing. Not even a suitcase in sight. Instead, the driver had taken Paa to the Xiao Empire, returned, and was now lounging in the compound with Yang as if yesterday had never happened.

Frustrated, Zhan grabbed his phone and called his grandmother.

"Morning, Granny," he said.

"You woke up safe?" she asked, always concerned.

"Granny, what did you and Paa talk about yesterday? What happened?"

"Oh, he said he was going to fire the driver. I think he's already gone by now. Check and see."

Zhan huffed, "Granny, I can see the man sitting there!"

"Well, maybe he'll leave today. Xiao told me he didn't want to fire him at night. You know, so people don't think he's heartless."

"Sure, sure. See you later, Granny." Zhan hung up and stormed out of his room, heading straight to the backyard where Simon and Sheng were busy with their morning chores. They greeted him cheerfully, but he ignored them completely, making a beeline for the birdcages.

Then he froze.

All four cages were wide open, and his precious birds were gone. Even the parrot, the one that would chirp, "Good morning, Zhan," was nowhere to be seen. The only things left were some seeds and water, as if the birds had suddenly decided to go on vacation.

He sprinted back to the house like his pants were on fire, almost colliding with Simon, who was sweeping the floor with the enthusiasm of a man determined to make the broom fly.

"Simon!" Zhan's voice was shaky. "Where are my birds and parrot?"

Simon looked up, slightly confused. "In their cage, Young Master."

Zhan's eye twitched. "Which cage?"

Simon exchanged a panicked look with Sheng. Together, they rushed to the backyard, only to find the birdcages empty, just as Zhan had said.

"I swear, Young Master," Simon stammered, "we fed them yesterday!"

Zhan didn't wait to hear more. He stormed over to Yang, who was busy pretending he hadn't noticed the commotion.

"Yang," Zhan hissed, "where are my birds?"

"They're in their cage, Young mas..." Yang started, but Zhan cut him off with a shout.

"What cage?! The one I went to was open, and there was nothing inside!"

Yang's eyes widened as he shot to his feet. "Nothing inside?"

Lee was sitting nearby, playing with his phone, pretending like this was none of his business. Zhan's head started to pound as he trailed behind Yang, his heart racing. When they arrived back at the cages, and Yang saw the empty cages, the color drained from his face.

Zhan's legs gave out, and he sank to the ground, clutching his head as if the world was ending. "They're gone!" he wailed. "My birds! My beautiful birds! They got used to me, Zhuo ge, the parrot even called my name! Good morning!"

Zhuo, hearing the noise, came running out. "Zhan, what happened?"

"My birds!" Zhan sobbed, "Someone opened the cages and let them all go! Even the parrot!"

Mrs. Xiao emerged from the compound, her face a mix of concern and confusion. "Zhan, what's going on?"

Zhan ran to her, crying, "Mama, someone let my birds escape!"

Mrs. Xiao sighed. "Who could be so careless? Those birds were expensive, Zhan."

Zhan nodded vigorously, tears streaming down his face. "They must have done it on purpose! I won't forgive whoever did this! They'll be banished from this house just like my birds!"

Zhuo chuckled, shaking his head. "So, you woke us all up for this?"

Mrs. Xiao frowned at Zhuo. "Oh, Zhuo, you know how Zhan is with his birds. He loves them."

Zhuo shrugged. "Then why doesn't he check on them himself more often? When was the last time you went to see them, Zhan?"

Zhan sniffled, "I do check on them! Ask Yang!"

Mrs. Xiao nodded, "Maybe someone forgot to lock the cages after feeding them."

Zhan's face went pale. He dropped to his knees, crying even harder, "Whoever did this to me, I won't forgive them! They'll be banished like my birds!"

Zhuo rolled his eyes and went back inside. Mrs. Xiao shook her head and followed him, leaving Zhan to his dramatic breakdown.

Zhan noticed the housekeepers looking at him with wide eyes.

He shot them a glare. "What are you staring at, you hypocrites? I know you helped them escape! You'll all pay for this!"

He stomped off to the kitchen, muttering, "No food for a week! Let's see how you like it when I start punishing people!"

By the afternoon, Lu Jie arrived home from Guangzhou. Zhan, still fuming from the morning's chaos, rushed to meet her.

"Jie, someone let my birds go! Even the parrot!" he cried as he ran to her.

Lu Jie opened her mouth in shock. "What? How?"

"I don't know!" Zhan wailed. "This morning they were just… gone!"

"Oh no, that's awful," she said sympathetically. "But we can buy some new ones later."

"But how will the new parrot know me like the old one?" Zhan sniffled.

"The same way, Zhan. It'll learn. Come on, let's get inside." She led him back into the house, comforting him.

Later that night, as Zhan lay in bed, he called his grandmother again. "Granny, why is the driver still here?"

Grandma's voice crackled through the phone. "Let me be, Zhan! Someone stole my money yesterday at your house! I've asked everyone, and no one's confessed. I bet it was the driver!"

Zhan sighed dramatically. "I don't know why I even bother with you, Granny…"

That evening, Lu Jie was sitting beside him. "What should I say when I call him?"

"Tell him I'm sorry," Zhan mumbled. "But that I don't care what the driver did."

"Didn't you say he doesn't answer unknown numbers?"

Zhan nodded. "Yes, but he saved your number when he called you while you were unwell."

"Oh, right." Lu Jie dialed the number, but it went straight to voicemail.

"It's switched off," she said. "Let's try again in the morning…"

The gate outside the chalet. Lee is sitting, talking on the phone, while Yang approaches from the chalet.

Lee finishes his call and pockets his phone as Yang approaches.

Yang: sitting down "Oh, let me go outside so you can continue with your phone call..."

Lee: shakes his head "I'm done."

Yang settles back in, studying Lee for a moment.

Yang: "I've noticed you don't like talking on the phone in front of others. Is it because of the noise?"

Lee: nodding "That's right."

Yang: "I was with Simon and Sheng earlier. We were talking about the birds that ran away. It's strange....they've been here for almost a year and a half, never getting lost until today."

Lee: smirking "I'm glad they ran away or got kidnapped. They shouldn't have to suffer because of the owner's sins."

Yang: giggles "You're funny. But I'm worried...he said we'll be denied food. If that happens, what will we do? Even though I know his mother wouldn't allow it, he could still seize it before it gets to us."

Lee just smiles, unfazed.

Yang: "You know, it's kind of scary how you aren't afraid of him at all. How do you manage that?"

Lee: "Because I'm not afraid of him. Why should I be?"

Yang: grinning "There's a book I've read... In it, the girl hates a man who works at her father's company. She's the manager and treats him with disdain and disrespect. But later, she starts liking him. So I wonder if...you know..."

Lee's expression sharpens.

Lee: "What do you mean?"

Yang: lowering his voice with a mischievous smile "Who knows? Maybe the Young Master could start feeling the same way about you. I mean, come on, with those muscles and that nose of yours, and since he's into men..."

Lee: cutting him off "That's none of my business. I'm not into men, and you're just talking nonsense. Besides, how could he like someone poor like me? I'm just a villager."

Yang: rolling his eyes "But what if he did? Wouldn't you be flattered? I mean, if he asked you to marry him, would you consider it?"

Lee: laughing at the absurdity "Your example is impossible now and forever. If I had to choose, I'd rather marry a black African woman or stay single. He doesn't understand the value our Creator has given to human beings. Even with all his money, he wouldn't stand a chance against my girlfriend. She's a poor girl like me, but she has worth he could never see."

Yang: "Oh, come on, Lee. You should stay angry with him....he deserves it for how he treats you. Grabbing your collar, insulting you in front of everyone, and don't even get me started on that bucket of water he dumped on you."

Lee smiles silently, his thoughts distant.

Yang: chuckling "But if it were me and I had to marry him, I'd do it for his father's money and kindness. Then, I'd fix that bad attitude of his, beside he's too beautiful to begin with."

Lee gives Yang a long look before unexpectedly bursting into laughter.

Lee: "You'd agree to marry him for the money and...his beauty?"

Yang: grinning, but with a glint of seriousness "You bet I would."

Lee: shaking his head, amused "You're something else, and I kind of agree with you, I never saw someone this beautiful and... He clear his throat and zip his lips not wanting to continue."

Yang: "By the way, I'm kind of glad the birds ran away. It's karma for what he did to me yesterday."

Lee: "You guys left the birds in his care for too long. If I were you, I would have let them go earlier."

Lee stands up, leaving Yang sitting there, a curious thought crossing his mind: What if... it was Lee who opened the cage and let the birds escape?