UNKNOWN MATCHMAKING.
Mr. Yue banged the table angrily. Lumi did not flinch; she paused a bit and went on eating her breakfast.
"What do you think you are doing, Lumi?" Mr. Yue, her father grumbled.
She didn't answer. She did not raise her head either.
"I'm talking to you! Where were you last night?" Mr. Yue asked pointing to her.
Lumi dropped the fork and knife down her plate and stood up to leave. His father grabbed her hand and pulled her back.
Lumi glanced at the clasp then back to her father "Let go," she said low but more commanding. But her dad didn't let go. "I said let go!" she screamed and pulled out from her dad's clasp. "What do you really want from me?!" she yelled.
"Do not dare raise your voice on me Lumi. You here me?" He snarled.
Lumi breathed heavily darting cold sharp eyes at her dad.
"Don't forget what brought us to this city. I'm barely struggling with company issues right now. And you...you want to make it worse."
Lumi scoffed rolling her eyes, "You always care about your company. What about my feelings?" she asked flatly.
"Will your feelings feed us; will they pay your tuition fee? Why are you acting like this?"
Lumi shook her head, "I'm I even your child at this point?"
A wave of silence. Mr. Yue swallowed some saliva and he realized he was going beyond limits. He was talking to his daughter.
He lowered his voice, "Prepare yourself. Tonight we are going to have a special dinner. Tonight we're meeting people who will help us get back in line," he said so calmly, his eyes escaping hers.
He turned and left.
"Aah!" Lumi screamed, pulling the table linen making all that was up the table to fall and break.
Soon, the sun fell. In the early evening a private dining room was all set. The long mahogany table glowed under soft lights. Silverware gleaned. A quite server re filled wine glasses while conversation stayed formal.
Eric Koo sat at the head of the table, posture straight, presence commanding. Beside him, Liling Koo, Ruan's mother, observed with calm elegance always more listener than speaker. Then there was Ruan, who was neither a listener nor a speaker.
Soon, their visitors arrived, the Yue family. Mr. Yue and his daughter, Lumi.
"Welcome, Mr. Yue," Eric Koo said standing up. He went on and shook hands. Liling followed.
Ruan stood up too, to welcome the guests. To his surprise he saw a familiar face.
No way! Cigarette girl! He thought. He was really good with faces.
This time she was a bit different. Her hair was short, dressed in sharp, dark toned outfit. Her expression, stern. He argued with himself he was mistaking her from the girl last night.
Lumi was puzzled too but never showed it. She was certain that, somebody like Ruan would forget her. A carefree, flirting, being loud, being him. He meets a lot at that point, so how can he remember her after a one day meeting in the dark.
Mr. Yue and Lumi got their seats opposite to Ruan and Liling. Mr. Yue sat, all smiled and business charm, while his daughter Lumi, still silent.
"It's a pleasure to have you both. I hope the city's treating you well so far," Eric Koo said.
"Mr. Yue chuckled. "It's different, but we're adjusting. Lumi's starting school next week. At Crescent of course."
Eric nodded approvingly, "A fine choice. She will get to be with Ruan too. That school has shaped many of our best minds. Ivan too, Ruan's brother, studied there."
Ruan finally looked up from his plate. His eyes caught the site of Lumi who sat still facing her plate. She didn't smile, blink just stared.
"My wife and I are truly honoured to have you both here tonight. Our families share more than just business now, we're looking ahead to a lasting bond," Eric Koo said.
Mr. Yue nodded, "Yes, Lumi is a bright young woman. I believe this engagement will benefit both families and keep legacy strong."
Ruan jolted. He wanted to react but down the table, his mother, Liling grabbed his hand and shook her head slightly for him to take it easy. He leaned back to his chair, jaw tightened, now listening carefully.
He wondered if he was the only one who didn't know about what was going on, because Lumi did not seem to be puzzled at all. She just looked at him, her face unreadable.
"It's just a beginning. Who knows, maybe you two will surprise each other," Mr. Koo said gently, looking at Ruan.
He gave him an eye that signalled him not to do anything stupid.
"Of course, there's no rush. But formalities matter. We'll arrange a small engagement ceremony once school settles," Mr. Eric Koo added.
Ruan looked down at his plate, pushing food around his fork. He was angry and confused at the same time.
"I suppose congratulations are in order, then." Lumi simply said, her tone cool.
"Ruan," Mr. Koo called, "Why don't you show Lumi around sometimes? Since she'll be in your year. You two of you should get to know each other soon before the engagement."
Ruan raised his head and looked at his father, "Didn't realize I was part of the welcome package." He said dryly.
"Ruan," Liling called gently, placing a forced smile.
Mr. Yue smiled along, "They're the same age. Both from respected families. Who knows, maybe there's a future here."
He then raised his glass slightly, as if in toast.
Ruan's jaw clenched. He hated this. The formal dinners. Most of all passive- aggressive matchmaking. The pretending.
Lumi on the other side didn't react. She slowly cut her food, and then spoke without looking up.
"I don't believe in futures built on business."
Her dad gave, squinted at her. She sneered at him before she went on;
"But, I'll play along Mr. and Mrs .Koo."
She added sneering.
***
"Dad, what is the meaning of all this?" Ruan asked as they entered their living hall.
"What don't you get?" Mr. Koo answered him loosing his tie.
"What?!" he asked. "You ask me for a formal dinner and all I hear is that I'm being engaged. Dad seriously?"
"This is about business."
"But this is my life, not a business contract!"
"Your life is tied to this family, to this company. You don't get to just float around doing as you please while I clean up the mess!"
"Wha...I go to school, I show up to your stupid events and now I'm being auctioned off for a performance?"
Mr. Koo slapped him.
"Watch your tone boy. You should be more like your brother Ivan. You are on a dangerous path. One step away from ending up like your mother. Is that what you want? To be another addict with nothing to offer but drama?"
"Don't bring mom into this," Ruan spoke, frozen, voice low. "I'm not her. And I'll never be Ivan either. I'm me. And maybe that's the real problem."
Mr. Koo pointed at him, "You either learn to play the part, or I send your mother back to the rehabilitation centre. Is that what you want?"
He paused for a time while giving his dad a fierce look.
His dad has always been like this. And Ruan, he has been able to play a puppet for his dad since he was young. And now this. He couldn't risk loose his mother again, just because of his dad's selfishness. So he had no choice but to go with the flow.
After that talk, he walked to his room. His mother, Liling was there. He observed his face.
"He hit you again?" she said, tears streaming her face. Ruan didn't answer instead he wrapped his hands around his mom who also did the same.