完美关系 羲和清零 008

The Perfect Relationship by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 8: Shao Junling

When the three of them arrived at KFC, Luo Chao generously ordered a pile of food then grabbed the bill.

“I’m so sorry. I’ll just buy it myself……”The woman said.

“It’s nothing,” he said. When they settled down, Luo Chao saw the boy gaze at the food and swallow without taking any action to eat. He commented: “Eat if you want some.”

The boy gave the women an inquiring look. Only after getting permission from her did he quickly pick up a chicken nugget and bite into it.

“The kid hasn’t eaten?” When Luo Chao saw the boy before, since the sun was lower in the sky, the lightening wasn’t bright enough to distinguish his features. Now that the boy was sitting right in front of him, Luo Chao could make out his characteristics in details. Upon closer inspection, he discovered the child’s facial structure were remarkably like that of Yin Dong’s. Especially, his nearly identical set of eyebrows.

“Little guy, what’s your name?” Luo Chao tried hard to get the boy to open up to him, but the boy ignored him and continued to eat his food. Intentionally, he prodded and said: “Your son is very cute.”

The woman quickly explained: “You misunderstand. He’s not my son.”

Luo Chao: “That’s…”

The woman looked at the boy gobbling up the chicken affectionately and sighed: “We’re from the Welfare Institute and the boy’s name is Shao Junling, an orphan. I’m just his case worker.”

Luo Chao suddenly felt regretful for bringing them here. Wasn’t this kid simply dragging his case worker to Yin Dong’s memorial? And now, they got a free lunch!

However, he couldn’t give up the notion that something else was going on underhandedly because of how similar the boy’s face was to Yin Dong’s. He smiled and incited her: “This child looks so much like Yin Dong, but I guess if he really was, he wouldn’t be sitting here eating KFC now, would he? I heard Yin Dong left hundreds of millions of assets with two hundred million for charity alone. Because of his unexpected death, there wasn’t a will and all the property was inherited by his 18-year-old son. “

When the women heard the comment, her expression changed again. She peered at Shao Junling who was quietly eating chicken, and sighed. She said with emotion: “It’s just that, this child’s life has been so difficult and almost…” The case worker stopped abruptly.

Luo Chao felt there was a secret hidden within her words and asked: “Almost, what?”

She shook her head: “It’s nothing.”

Luo Chao persisted and said: “Miss, if you have anything difficult to say, you might as well tell me. If its something I can help with, as a reporter, as long as I can write a story and publish it, I may be able to solve the problem.”

The case worker looked at Luo Chao in the eye: “Publish a news story?”

Luo Chao: “Yeah, East View Entertainment is a large company. Many people will see our news reports. Yin Dong was known to be charitable. Did he cut off his charitable funding for the Institution and support for the child?”

“No, it’s not like that…….”After a few minutes of inward struggle, the case worker made up her mind and just explained the situation to Luo Chao. She admitted: “Actually, before Mr. Yin’s accident, he had decided to adopt Junling.”

“What?” When Luo Chao heard her, he was shocked and was spurred into action. He exclaimed: “Are you serious!?”

“Really, Mr. Yin started interacting with Junling six months ago to develop a parent-child relationship. The entire welfare institution was well aware of the situation.”

Luo Chao asked: “What do you mean?”

She explained: “It’s a model of pre-experience that was proposed by the welfare institute to foster a parent-child relationship in order to prepare both parties for the adoption process. We require the adopter to get to know the child through social interactions before the adoption is determined, such as regular visits, meetings and exchanges or taking the child home for a few days. Although Yin Dong is a star and his economic conditions are not a concern, we were afraid that he and Shao Junling wouldn’t be able to get along well. In the past, we have encountered problems with the integration of families and the adoptions were withdrawn. It causes great psychological harm to the children. Of course, it goes both ways and if the child doesn’t like the family, they can stop the process themselves.

“So that’s it.” Luo Chao nodded then asked: “Yin Dong had been visiting this child for six months?”

“Yes. In fact, the period for parent-child development was normally done for a duration of three months, but the situation between Mr. Yin and Junling was very special. Mr. Yin had stated very early that he was willing to accept Jun Ling unconditionally. He had been waiting for the welfare institute to release him, but the institute required a medical review and Junling had failed multiple times.”

Luo Chao: “Why?”

After looking at Shao Junling with concern, she said: “This child’s character…. How do I say it…. Compared to other children, he isn’t so docile.”

The case worker still remembered the time when Shao Junling was first brought to the orphanage five years ago. He wouldn’t even talk and bared his teeth at anyone that approached him. The staff at the institute was reluctant to take over his management. She felt so sorry for the boy since he must have been seriously injured otherwise he wouldn’t have been so hostile towards the outside world.

After suffering countless scratches and bites, she finally gained Junling’s trust. Even so, the child still had a serious tendency for violence. The children who were assigned to the same class as him were afraid of him and the older children in the compound were afraid of provoking him. As a result, he earned the nickname ‘Little Mad Dog’ and the children would often tease and bark at him.

Luo Chao also guessed from his own observation that the child’s personality wasn’t very pleasing. He asked: “Why did Yin Dong choose him? Wasn’t it better to adopt a younger or more sensible child? How old is this child? He seems to be eight years old, right? “

The women answered him: “Junling is 10 years old. He’s just smaller than average.”

Luo Chao: “Uh …” Isn’t it hard to build a relationship of an adopted child of that age?

Taking a moment of silence to think, the women looked up and thinking back, pondered the reason: “I don’t know why Mr. Yin chose him. I remember the dean at the time told me to take Shao Junling to her office as it seemed like Yin Dong requested him.”

Before Mr. Yin appeared, she also thought Junling was fated to live at the welfare institute until he reached adulthood. With such an extreme personality, not even with the ability to get along with other kids, did it seem like he would ever get adopted.

Generally, easy-going and good-natured children aren’t worried about the trifles of other kids. If problems arise, those types of kids instinctively learn how to camouflage themselves. Only a moody and fickle child, like Junling, with an irritable personality would erupt.

When Luo Chao heard the details, he asked: “What about the origin of this child? Do you know the child’s history?”

The case worker explained: “The boy was delivered to the Welfare Institute by the Civil Affairs Bureau at the time. He was a homeless child that was picked up by the masses. When he was found, he was going through the trash and grabbing leftovers to eat like a wild cat. Even his name, Shao Junling, was chosen by the Civil Affairs Bureau using a naming system. “

Luo Chao felt like something about her explanation wasn’t right. If the story was real, and thus the kid was a random street rat without a background, why did Yin Dong specifically ask for him?

 “But, the similarities…..” In his mind, he already had created his own plausible narrative: Yin Dong’s abandonment of an unknown girl led to his illegitimate child ending up on the streets.  Ten years later, he repented and found the boy and decided to raise him to make up for his past mistakes”

The woman didn’t realize the purpose of Luo Chao’s remark. She simply answered him: “Maybe it’s fate. The staff at the Welfare Institute all think that Junling and Mr. Yin were related.”

Off-handedly, Luo Chao joked: “Maybe this child was his illegitimate son?”

Her expression stiffened and the women became serious: “Oh, no.”

Luo Chao: “Hey, it’s not uncommon for people in the entertainment industry to have a bastard or two. You know that Peng movie star? Every once in a while, another one of his illegitimate children were brought into the spotlight. Hasn’t there been seven of them now?”

Feeling insulted over what Luo Chao insinuated, the women awkwardly defended Yin Dong: “I don’t think Mr. Yin was that kind of person…”

“Oh, well, people are different.” For the sake of keeping a good relationship with the women, Luo Chao quickly ended any topics concerning the less savory side of the entertainment world. He was afraid he had ruined the good impression she had of Yin Dong in her heart and as a result, would become disgusted and end up resenting Luo Chang. 

Luo Chao also asked: “You had mentioned Yin Dong had already begun the process to adopt Shao Junling before the accident. So, is this child ready now?”

The women replied as a matter of fact: “Well, on the twelfth of this month, Mr. Yin came to see Junling for the last time. Yin Dong asked Junling in the presence of me and the president if the institute if he would like to leave the welfare home and live with him in the future. Jun Ling accepted.”

For the whole six months, she really felt waiting wasn’t easy.

It was clear, even after the first time that Yin Dong started meetings with Shao Junling, he was going through obvious changes. From his initial resistance to slowly being able to connect and get along with Yin Dong. Every time they met, for the last two months, his uncharacteristically happy expression easily told any onlookers how much he was excited about seeing Yin Dong.

On that day, Yin Dong promised in person that when he came back from his business trip, he would take Junling to the agency to formally begin the registration process. All parties involved were satisfied and happy.

The world can be cruel. How could they even have imagined that Yin Dong would never return.

Luo Chao asked: “After his accident, have you contacted his agent?”

The women asked: “His agent? Are you talking about Mr. Wang? Didn’t he go with Mr. Yin?”

“Mr. Wang?” Luo Chao paused in thought before he responded. She was probably referring to Yin Dong’s assistant. He replied: “No, it’s Mr. Yang. He is slightly fat and about the same age as me.”

The case worker shook her head: “I don’t know who that is. In the past, both Mr. Wang and Mr. Yin would come here to pick up Junling.  If Mr. Yin was busy, Mr. Wang would come by himself to pick up the boy and after their meeting, Mr. Wang would bring him back. When we saw the news, we sent a letter to Mr. Yin’s company, but we never received a reply.”

The unexpected situation had become dire, Luo Chao thought to himself. Since his assistant Mr. Wang was also dead, it wasn’t any wonder why the women used the memorial service as a last-ditch effort to negotiate. They had completely lost contact with Yin Dong.

___________________

next chapter >>

完美关系 羲和清零 007

The Perfect Relationship by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 7: The Trap

At the same time the memorial service was being held, there were many paparazzi and journalists waiting outside the Huaxing Hotel who couldn’t enter.

Watching from afar, they were crouched down inconspicuously with their cameras held tightly waiting for a celebrity or two to walk by. Even if they only took a few photos from a distance, it was still good enough because they could fabricate a story about them based on what they were wearing.

An old paparazzi, Luo Chao,  whose been in the business for a long time was reporting for Fast Dog Entertainment. With his experience forging official media press cards in the past, he tried to get inside the venue by obtaining a copy of the invitation letter for Yin Dong’s memorial service though private means and forging it. Since Yin Dong was so high-profile, Yao Manhuai requested they use a double authorization code to gain admittance to the venue and there was no way to forge the authentication codes.

Being refused, Luo Chao was sitting outside under the shade in a nearby tree feeling depressed. Looking around in a circle, he could spot various other paparazzi’s he was familiar with in the area all waiting for a piece of the action.

“Hey, Mr. Luo, you didn’t go in?” Another reporter from a gossip magazine saw him and beckoned him over with joy. “Come, sit with me!”

“… Fuck.” Luo Chao cursed and walked over with his camera on his back.

The person who spoke to him came from Peach Media; a little-known company that relied exclusively on falsifying the personal lives of movie stars.

“My usual partner came too late today.” The man took out a cigarette from his pants pocket and handed it to Luo Chao.

“I really don’t know which one of the bastards came up with the double authentication code!” Luo Chao lit up a cigarette and chatted with the younger reporter as he smoked.

“Who else could there be but Yao Manhuai? In order to hold a memorial service for Yin Dong, she had to guard against us thieves.”

Luo Chao nodded his head and said: “Yes, this woman has been protecting him fiercely. The girl who we established undercover not long ago was found out and was fired. Hey, you said that Yin Dong was just good friends with Yao Manhuai? Does that even make sense? Was there anything deeper?”

“Well, it’s hard to speculate…..To be honest, in all these years, since there hasn’t been any negative gossip about Yin Dong, I’m a little convinced that he’s a saint.”

“Nothing negative? Let me tell you, in the entertainment industry, there isn’t such a thing. His clean record was due to a talented agent and financial backing who guarded him every step of the way. Does his mother even know who her son is? Over the years, how many people have tried to dig up some gossip about Yin Dong? Have you ever seen any?”

“That’s true……”

“Now Yin Dong’s son is also being protected by Yao Manhuai. Any news we hear comes from them. They don’t even leave us a scrap!”

“If you look at how much she protects him, one would think that she was protecting her own son. Maybe, Yin Chang is Yao Manhuai and Yin Dong’s son?

“Is it even possible for them to have such a beautiful son?”

“Ha-ha-ha-ha …”

“But it’s strange, the kid doesn’t even look like his dad.”

“It’s not uncommon these days for stars to get a little plastic surgery.”

  ……

As he chatted, Luo Chao pointed at the hotel as he seemed to have seen something. “Hey, look there!” He loudly remarked.

As the reporter from Peach Media looked over, he saw a middle-aged woman and a child dressed in black. She appeared to be having problems with the hotel security.

At this location on this particular day, the commotion would naturally attract the attention of the onlooking paparazzi. “Were those two invited to Yin Dong’s memorial?”

“I don’t know……They don’t look like a celebrity. Maybe, it’s a girl with his bastard?”

Luo Chao flicked his cigarette and stamped in out. “I’ll go and see.”

“Go ahead.” The reporter continued to sit lazily on the ground and smoke. He wasn’t interested in anyone other than movie stars.

When Luo Chao got closer, he heard the woman pleading with the security guard: “We really just want to go up and see Mr. Yin.”

In her 30s, the woman looked gentle and a small child about eight or nine years old, kicking a small stone, clung onto her.

The security man frowned: “Didn’t I already tell you. You can’t enter without a secure invitation!”

Woman: “Can’t you just make one exception?”

The security guard was impatient: “What don’t you understand? Do you think just anyone can attend Yin Dong’s memorial service?”

At first the woman tried to rationally talk to the guard but when she experienced his attitude, she started pleading anxiously: “We are not just anyone!” She explained clutching the child’s hand, “This child, this child is Yin Dong’s son!”

The security guard smirked. He pointed at the group of fans nearby that were being blocked by a barricade: “Over there, there was a woman who just rushed over and said she was Yin Dong’s wife!”

The woman didn’t know what to say to convince the guard.

The security guard calmed himself and persuaded her kindly: “Respectfully, you should take the child back home and don’t talk about it. This is Yin Dong’s memorial service. Do you know who all are coming here today? Understand, this is my job and I don’t want to be embarrassed. The people in the VIP suite were also blocked from going inside the memorial without an invitation. So, even if you got into the hotel you wouldn’t be able to see Yin Dong!”

The woman stood there, looking particularly helpless, and she ruffled the child’s head with regret: “I’m afraid we won’t be able to see your uncle Yin…..”

The boy lifted his head when he heard the words, blinked his large eyes, then hanging his head low, he scuffled his feet against the gravel.

The woman was helpless. She craned her neck around for a peek, but the security guard blocked her. His patience exhausted, he waved her away then said: “Get lost!”

She finally gave up, holding the boy’s hand and coaxed him: “Teacher will buy you some KFC, ok?”  

Glancing back at the grand luxury hotel, the boy reluctantly was led by the women away step by step.

From across the road, Luo Chao quietly followed them, then quickly made a move to catch up. He stopped them in apology: “Excuse me Miss, I’m sorry …”

The woman stopped and looked at him: “Yes, what is it?”

From within his pocket, Luo Chao took out a fake press card and while he introduced himself he showed it to her: “I’m a reporter from the news department of East View Entertainment. I couldn’t help but notice your issue with the security guard at the hotel. I’m a little curious so I came over to inquire about it.”

The woman took the press card and inspected it in her hands. She had no doubt about Mr. Luo’s words, however, faced with a reporter with an unknown purpose, she was still somewhat suspicious. On guard, she unconsciously pulled the child behind her, and asked: “What did you want to know?”

Probing her, Luo Chao glanced at the child and questioned: “Did you just say that this child was Yin Dong’s son?”

Embarrassed now, the women responded: “Ah, no.  It’s just something I made up. I’m in a hurry.”

Luo Chao keenly noticed how much the women avoided eye contact when she said this. Determined there was something more to it, he continued to lure her with seductive words: “Oh, it’s okay. For the sake of the child, I could have taken him to Yin Dong’s memorial service.”

“Really?” The woman’s eyes lit up.

Knowing he had hooker her, he replied, “Of course,”  and took out his forged invitation from his pocket to show her: “In fact, I was planning to attend Yin Dong’s memorial service, but I was late because of some official business. The memorial service has already begun and it would be rude of me to enter the venue midway. I was smoking a cigarette downstairs and I happen to hear your conversation with the security guard. “

“Well……”As the women looked down at the boy, he was looking up at her with delight. Feeling uneasy, she frowned and didn’t know what to think.

Luo Chao glanced at his watch and said: “The memorial service will last another thirty or forty minutes. I think it would be better for us to go to the KFC and buy something for the child. We won’t involve anyone else and can talk casually there.”

Watching the boy’s expectant expression, after hesitating for a few minutes, the woman finally wavered: “Alright.”

____________________

next chapter >>

完美关系 羲和清零 006

The Perfect Relationship by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 6: Memorial Service

When Yin Chang returned from Kenya, Yao Manhuai picked him up. In the evening, having traveled a long way, Yao Manhuai brought Yin Chang to a private restaurant for dinner and welcomed him home.

“I used to come here with your father,” Yao Manhuai said as she handed Yin Chang a formal looking menu without prices listed. Concerned, she softly said: “Look over it and order whatever you want. It’s my treat today.”

Yin Chang politely set the menu down: “Ladies first. You can order for me. I’m not picky.”

After ordering several dishes, Yao Manhuai enquired about his return: “How was it? What did you bring back?”

While Yao Manhuai was asking something psychological, Yin Chang answered the material question. He said: “There weren’t any remains of my father left to bring back. I brought back some dirt from the crash site.”

Yao Manhuai nodded: “Many stars and media will be on the scene on the day of the memorial. Later, I will help you pick out an exquisite box to store the soil in and we can place it on a pedestal for display at the memorial.”

As the details of the ceremony were already planned out over the phone with Yang Jiajia, she didn’t burden Yin Chang with them. Yin Chang replied: “Okay.”

Yao Manhuai ordered the bottle of an expensive dry white wine. After consulting Yin Chang about his concerns and wishes, she poured a small glass for him.

“Apart from bringing back some dirt, do you have any other feelings?” She asked with a raised brow. She paused then continued: “I have seen a video of fans at the airport singing his song to you over the Internet.”

“…..It was very moving.” Yin Chang replied thoughtfully. Indeed, this trip had changed Yin’s Chang’s attitude toward the media and fans.

He also saw the reports on the Internet.  What Yin Chang didn’t know was that many of the images and posting were carefully planned and arranged by Yao Manhuai. He didn’t feel the reports were wrong. In fact, they seemed rather rigorous and true. Only when pervasive reporters secretly took photos and made speculations about him did Yin Chang feel offended.

In addition, Lu Lingxuan also showed some comments to him from Weibo. The support and blessings of netizens gave him great comfort.

The night after returning from the crash site, Yin Chang was lying in bed awake. Sleepless, he decided to download Weibo on his mobile phone, registered an account and read the messages from netizens.

As fans of Yin Dong for many years, many netizens had expressed their sadness over his loss. Many of them had sentiments like, ‘Yin Chang’s mood must be similar to mine – let’s get through this hard time together’.

Seeing Yin Chang’s photos at the crash site and hoping he would feel better as soon as possible, some people expressed their concerns with heartfelt words and prayers. Others have enquired about his future. Will he become an actor like his father? They wanted to be able to continue their love for Yin Dong through his son. Those undisguised confessions unknowingly fill his wounded heart. Watching videos and reading the comments, he fell asleep.

As their conversation continued, the waiter placed the food on the table. Yao Manhuai asked: “Where’s Miss Lu? She took good care of you, didn’t she? “

Enjoying her care, he complimented her sincerely. Yin Chang: “She’s really great.”

Carrying a bag and buying water were trivial matters. What was most unique about her, was her uncanny ability to read his mind. She popped up right when Yin Chang needed her and when he wanted his space, she was nowhere to be found.

When he arrived in Kenya, in addition to taking care of his travel documents and hotel accommodations, she took care of the negotiations with the local embassy and arranged protection through the local airport security. She chatted with him, answered his doubts, and told him jokes. Her enthusiasm and sincerity infected Yin Chang and calmed his nerves. Since she was present, he didn’t have to worry about complicated foreign affairs.

 ……

At times during their trip, Yin Chang thought Lu Lingxuan was remarkably like Yao Manhuai.

Yao Manhuai listened to Yin Chang’s recount, and laughed: “Don’t underestimate her. She has two Master’s degrees. One in psychology and the other in interpersonal relations.”

Yin Chang was surprised: “So talented?”

Yao Manhuai: “I don’t recruit useless people.”

Yin Chang sighed and couldn’t help but feel like he was one of those ‘useless’ people.

For the next few days, Yao Manhuai was busy handling Yin Dong’s memorial.

Sometime later, Yin Chang also received a call from Lawyer Wang and informed him that Yin Dong’s death certificate was issued. Now, Yin Chang had to think about the inheritance related matters such as the transfer of funds and equity changes.

The moment he signed his name on those documents, Yin Chang felt a heavy burden on his shoulders. It was not until two days before the memorial ceremony that Yin Chang met Yao Manhuai again.

Yao Manhuai went to the Huaihe apartment to see him in person. There, she handed him an ornate golden sinan wooden box: “The director, Qin An, entrusted to me to give this to you. He was your father’s friend.”

When he heard Qin An’s name, he knew the box must be valuable as he was a famous director in international film circles. The lid of the golden box was decorated with exquisite relief carvings and a string of small characters in italics were engraved on the bottom. It read: “I use heaven and earth as coffins, sun and moon as amulets, stars as pearls, and everything I am as gifts.”

Yin Chang carefully put the earth he had brought back from the accident inside the box then quietly closed the lid.

On the day of the memorial service, Lu Lingxuan arrived early at his Huaihe apartment to deliver special clothes for Yin Chang. Most of Yin Chang’s personal items were still abroad. He didn’t bring proper attire for the venue this time. Yao Manhuai had the suit tailored recently  for this emergency.

After changing his clothes in the bedroom, Yin Chang came out while adjusting the collar of his shirt. He was confident enough about his appearance that he never asked for others opinions about what he wore. When he walked in front of Lu Lingxuan, he took the white flower corsage and put it into his chest pocket. The look alone was even more striking than those male stars who have a team of stylists carefully putting on makeup.

Because he was going to attend his father’s memorial service, Yin Chang was heavy-hearted today and didn’t smile. After adjusting the flower, he lowered his voice and said: “Well, let’s go.”

When she got in the car, Lu Lingxuan took out a piece of paper from her bag and handed it to Yin Chang: “Take a look at this speech.”

Since Yao Manhuai wanted Yin Chang to give a speech tonight, she specifically asked Lu Lingxuan to prepare one.

Yin Chang looked at it and asked: “Did you write it?”

Lu Lingxuan said: “Well, I was thinking about it from your perspective when I wrote it. if there is any language that you feel isn’t suitable, tell me now and we can still modify it.”

“Thank you. You don’t need to change it.” In fact, Yin Chang had planned to write a speech by himself, but Yao Manhuai told him that speeches on such occasions were often very formal so he stopped.

When arriving at the Huaxing Hotel, Yang Jiajia was checking the final details with the design team that had arranged the venue. The entire memorial hall was divided into two halls. The main hall was for the memorial service and the sub-hall for a buffet reception after the service.

As Yin Chang entered the main hall, he saw Yin Dong’s last photo and the golden sinan box on top of a raised platform. Surrounding his image were layers of tens of thousands of fresh white roses. Even hanging on the walls, there were rows of wreaths that were sent by Yin Dong’s business partners and fellow movie star friends.

Behind the platform was an arc-shaped LED screen about three meters and five meters long. Displayed on the screen and running on a loop were carefully edited clips of Yin Dong in chronological order performing in all of the movies and tv shows that he was in throughout his career.

In addition, the venue also used equipment to holographically project numerous white feathers in the air. They floated and drifted from the ceiling to the floor and when they landed on the ground, they broke apart in dust particles. In the background, a lone piano played a song from one of the tv series Yin Dong stared in called Trace of the Sky. In the series, he played a strong-willed protagonist who sacrificed himself for the greater good eliciting many fans. Anyone who entered the hall would immediately recognize the soulful melody and think of Yin Dong.

In the other corner of the venue wearing black, Yao Manhuai was talking to the host and confirming the details of the night’s event. As she saw Yin Chang arrive, Yao Manhuai waved him over: “Yin Chang, this is Li Yanqun. He is the host of the TV series called Star-TV. Uncle Li was also a close friend of your fathers and today, he will preside over today’s memorial service.”

“Hello, Uncle Li.” Yin Chang reached out politely to shake hands.

When Li Yanqun saw Yin Chang, he opened his eyes wide in marvel at Yin Chang’s appearance while inwardly he sighed. Shaking his hand, he expressed his regrets about the death of his old friend. He said: ”I’ve wanted to meet you as your father has mentioned you several times, but I never wanted to meet here at such a difficult occasion. Now that your father is gone, we are your friends and family. Please rely on us if there is anything you need help with.”

Yin Chang thanked him sincerely.

With only an hour to go before the start of the memorial service, the media and stars began to arrive from all over. Fearing they would overwhelm Yin Chang, Yao Manhuai, asked Lu Lingxuan to take him to his private chambers for a few minutes break.

At a quarter to eight in the evening, the main hall of the venue was full of celebrities. To show respect for the deceased, all photographs and videos were banned at the scene. All present were wearing plain clothes and whispering while they waited for the memorial service to begin.

When Yin Chang appeared with Yao Manhuai and Lu Lingxuan, the hushed murmurs stopped and all eyes were on him. He walked to his seat in silence. As he arrived at the center of the first row, Yin Chang sat down stiffly.

The memorial service officially began at eight sharp. The host, Li Yanqun, stood on the stage with a solemn face and said with a low voice of grief: “Thank you all for coming to  Mr. Yin Dong’s memorial service on this day X 17, 20XX. Yin Dong had left us forever in a tragic accident on his way to Kenya. Today, we are here to hold a farewell ceremony to express our condolences and mourn for his loss………”

____________________

next chapter >>