Redeeming The Golden Ticket To Life

[POV Hu Qiang]

After having dinner at one of the restaurants we headed to the party.

As we reached the venue, the place had an office party vibe to it. Wherever your eyes turn, you get to see Government banners and logos. There are Champagne flutes or Whiskey glasses in everyone's hand. Businessmen and government officials were mingling in the crowd.

It worries me. Bai Chang had never been to such parties before, 'will she feel uncomfortable?'

I look towards her.

She looked calm and composed. There was no worry or jitteriness to her. She looked- 'normal'.

"Are you okay?" I still asked her to be sure.

She looked around the party then shook her head,

"Nothing much to see other than- boring decor, sleazy government officials, a bunch of greedy businessmen.

And the majority of people present here are going through their mid-life crisis. As they go with a young mistress or wife or escort to show off to their counterparts… "

I looked at her while thinking to myself… 'What the hell!'

"Of course excluding you, as you are my baddie wolf," she said mischievously.

"Shall we join the floor then!" I offered my arm to her.

"Sure, let's get them in trouble."

"Sigh…"

('I guess my wife is feeling mischievous and restless, as she wants to mess up with people here.')

We walked deep into the room. A few known business colleagues come towards us.

"Hello CEO Hu, you look good today," said one of them.

"Of course he will look better than us old folks. He is with a beautiful lady by his side," said another person, even before I could reply.

"Good evening gentlemen. Meet my wife Mrs Shui Bai Chang, the better half of my life."

"CEO Hu, you are so fortunate," then he turned to Bai Chang. " Mrs Hu, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you in person."

"It is nice to meet you too Mr. …"

"Mr Jin," the man spoke up.

"Mr Jin," she replied.

"Congratulations on your 'Runway' success. I was present there to see it in person. I must say, it was an absolute treat to my eyes to see 'Runway', Mrs Hu."

"Well thank you, Mr Jin, for your compliments. I won't lie, complements do encourage me to work more. But Mr Jin, you yourself look like a man of taste. I like the colour of your tie. Is it from Louis Philippe?"

"Mrs Hu, I am absolutely convinced in your craft, you identified it right. This necktie is from the Louis Philippe brand. Mrs Hu, tell me when your next collection comes out. I want to make some reservations for my daughter. You see, she turns eighteen next year," he said while shrugging his shoulders.

"I understand Mr Jin. Girls love their dresses and as a dad, you love your girl the most. You would get anything for her," she replied with a comforting smile.

"CEO Hu, we heard a lot about your new cyber-security code in the market. Mind letting us in on a few details here." someone from the crowd spoke up.

('There we go, end of all small talks. Now on to the real game.')

"Yes, CEO Hu, you have been very coy with it this time around."

"Mrs Hu, what do you think about it?"

"Now- now Gentlemen, calm down. You asked the wrong person here. I am only responsible for the Fashion house in our company. As Mr Hu won't let me take extra work here. He spoils me too much," she replied while playing coy and blushing slightly.

"CEO Hu, we never knew you are such a nice person," someone spoke out with sarcasm.

"Well as you know, I like to keep my private life private. So I don't gossip about it." I said.

"Gentlemen excuse me, you men talk shop here while I get myself a drink. How does that sound?" Bai Chang said as she looked towards me and left my side after lightly pressing my palms. Signalling me to stay put here.

She walked away from the crowd, towards the bar.

"It seems CEO Hu can't get enough of Mrs Hu, his eyes are still on Mrs Hu while he is talking to us old people here."

I give them a polite smile. As I keep on to observe my wife.

She walked towards the bar and ordered her drinks. Then she said something…

I look beside her, and there he is…

'Feling'

I am restless as I watch her making small talks to Feling. The man in person looks non-descriptive other than his copper hair and predatory eyes. He does a good job to hide them.

As Bai Chang speaks, he looks confused. Then it turned to a little hesitation.

As the bartender offered her the drinks, she started walking towards me without looking back.

I keep on observing Feling. He looked frustrated and slowly it turned terrifying. He looked mad.

My wife, she walks to my side. I bent and asked her in a whisper, "What did you say to him?"

She turned to me and spoke in my ears, "Something to make him mad and tell him that he shouldn't mess with this Queen."

My heart started beating fast as my fists clamped up.

('I see the blood mangled body of Bai Chang lying in front of me.' Last time…)

I grab on to her hands tightly. She looked at me, asking me.

"I can't lose you," I said weekly.

"Rest assured I will take care of myself," She replied looking into my eyes. Asking me to believe in her.

It filled me with warmth but my heartbeats betrayed my fear. I could only hear my heartbeats and see her lying on a hospital bed.

(I do not want her back on a hospital bed!)

[cling cling cling]

A man decked up in an official, stiff three-piece suit, clung his Champagne glass. To grab the attention of all people present at the party.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your presence. We would like to sincerely thank you all for your efforts in the past decade to make the economy boom in our country. We are happy to see all your efforts and as always would like to collaborate with you for certain projects. As we did in the past."

There were light murmurs throughout the cloud.

I searched for Feling from a corner of my eyes, but he was nowhere. He vanished into thin air.

(I didn't like the feel of it.)

The man on stage continued, "We know security plays a key role. With the onset of the digital era, cyber-space security holds equal importance for the country as does its borders. So we received few bids for competent cyber-security code.

We want to turn it into a live demonstration competition."

By my side Bai Chang trembled, there was a gleam in her eyes. She exuded confidence as well as the subtle aura of a superior predator.

"We would like the companies to show us what they got to offer us in a real-time situation. This will make the bidding process fair and legitimate. This event is organised to relay the contest details for the bidding. And to interact with the participating companies one-on-one," the man said.

"Now excuse me, I will take your leave as I am aware that no one wants an over-talkative host in such kinds of parties. At that note, I bid you goodbye. Please enjoy the party and the delicacies provided. While we all chat around with the Businessmen present here," he said so and walked down the stage.

People encouraged him with polite applause.

We walked along with the crowd and passed a few officials and people.

We paused and people chatted with us. Most people who came to us talked the most while Bai Chang from the side directed the flow of the conversation. It was very tiring.

"Qiang let us return home," she suggested all of a sudden.

"Okay," I replied. She might be tired after all.

We walked out of the Grand Hotel and walked to its foyer waiting for our car to be brought out of parking.

I am still raw from seeing Feling with my own eyes. Those multiple surveillance cameras in that little room are still fresh in my mind.

I just hope we reach home safe and sound.

"We will reach home safe and sound," she said while holding onto my palm.

"Of course we will, why do you suggest the obvious," I said as I flicked her forehead lightly.

"Night holds no secrets, all secrets are left in the open to be explored," she said as she looked me in the eye.

('Is it that obvious to her eyes!')

"Then what does tonight's night sky reveal to us?"

"A sky full of stars and dreams to fly by," she whispered.

We walk out to the patio of the front lane and look up to the stars. There is smoke, fog and dim stars shining as brightly as they could. To shine through the city smog and tall skyscrapers.

"Let's go"

I took her hands, walked towards our car in the front yard, and the valet left. 

We left for home.

'Our home'