Chapter 62: Chapter 62
TangShi set about putting away all the ingredients and equipment and storing the paints and tools in her own locker by the side of the door. She cleaned up the spills and drops and put her desk space back to rights before packing up her own belongings and pulling her bag onto her shoulder. Motioning a wave to her classmates as they began to leave, and she gave a gracious goodbye to Master. Cai before she too filed out from the airy open-air room. Making her way down the central pathway and catching sight of Rong Cai coming her way as she got to the main doors, walking out from the shade into the bright evening sunshine.
“TangShi, hold up. Just a minute.” Rong Cai followed her at speed, smiling her way and caught up to walk her the last few paces to the car park outside while he held the gate open. “I wanted to give you this.” He held out a long cream envelope that he slid from his inner jacket pocket, with a pretty scroll of cursive on the front which was her name in English. Blinking at it and then him and looking confused, TangShi accepted it carefully.
“What is it?”
“An invitation to a gallery show next week. A friend of mine has his first show and I thought you would like to go with me. It’s a small gallery and there will be hours d’oeuvres, champagne and a nice atmosphere. It’s a style I think you would appreciate.” He gazed at her fondly as she opened the envelope and pulled it out to read the gold embossed card that held all the details. Her face stiffening and blood running cold as she was unsure how to reject something like this. It felt weird that he wasn’t handing every student one as they left.
YuZhi sat in his black four by four and watched TangShi talking to the young man who walked her out a few seconds ago, trying to decipher who he was and what he handed to her. He shifted in the driving seat to edge forward and leaned his wrist on the steering wheel while he glared and squinted their way, in two minds about getting out. His mood nosediving with the appearance of this good looking and obviously interested dude who was all smiles at TangShi. His body language couldn’t be mistaken.
He got home early today and planned on going to the office, but his gut had told him he should pick her up and be there for her first day. He maybe had been trying to cool things between them, but he knew she viewed this as a special day and guilt gnawed at him for not being there this morning to drop her off as he said he would. It bothered him to let it pass by without showing face.
He had been dodging her while he tried to sort his head out these past few days and get his feelings under control, but he couldn’t ignore the fact that he missed her. Hong Kong had felt a million miles away and at night in a bed alone he couldn’t sleep for wondering what she was doing. He felt worse anytime he text her to pass on info about the apartment, keeping it brief, and he had driven here almost instinctively as soon as he picked up his car. Telling himself he needed to see she was okay and that she might need a ride home. In full denial about anything else.
He watched her laugh prettily at this guy, her cheeks turning rosy at something he said and then caught the unconcealed gaze of attraction from whoever he was as she looked down. A stirring ember of anger spilled through YuZhi’s stomach and raised his irritation and he found himself jumping out of the car impulsively, to fetch her instead of continuing to wait. His blood raising to boiling temperatures at how comfortable and informal this asshole seemed in addressing her.
“I’ll think about it. I will check and see if I have anything to do that day.” TangShi deflected the invitation, sure it coincided with the first clinic appointment YuZhi had arranged and aware she wouldn’t feel like doing anything after that if it was. They still made her feel dirty and fragile for the entire day after having it done.
She didn’t know Rong Cai yet, not well enough to feel comfortable with him, and she didn’t want to spend an evening with him when they were only just getting to know one another. It felt inappropriate.
“I hope you can come. I would love to show you their work. I would love to see what you think and your reaction to it.” He pressured her slightly with a tone that was borderline pushy and YuZhi’s temper snapped.
“I’ll check our diary and see if we’re free.” YuZhi cut in catching the tail end of their conversation and intruding as he walked up behind them. A crazy orb of anger building in him the closer he got, and he didn’t know why. He didn’t like how close this guy was to TangShi or the way he was leaning all over her and smiling like a cheesy asshole.
“YuZhi?” TangShi was stunned by his appearance and turned in shock, her eyes widening before her face flamed hotter and her blush spread all the way to her ears. Her stomach flipped over at his sudden appearance but yet there was a warm glow in her heart at seeing him here. “What are you…. when did you get home?” TangShi was aware she should watch what she said in public and scolded herself for seeming shocked. She smiled as best she could and tried to look happy at his arrival.
“My flight got in an hour ago. I wanted to surprise you, honey.” YuZhi wasted no time in walking to her side and slinging his arm around her waist in a show of possessiveness that he hoped told Mr. Smooth to back off. Pulling her in against his hip and leaning into her to make it clear she was out of bounds.
“Ummm, I’m Rong Cai, pleased to meet you, Mr…” Rong held out his hand somewhat awkwardly, his eyes flitting from TangShi to this invading guy while trying to conceal his dislike. His mood diving at how touchy feely the stranger seemed, and he inhaled to calm his impulse to say something rude to the way he pushed in. Hating him on sight and wanting to rip his arm off TangShi.
“Leng. YuZhi Leng, Tang’s future husband. Isn’t that right, honey?” YuZhi turned to TangShi, a smile spreading over his face and a sense of smug at how annoyed this Mr. Cai seemed to be at his sudden appearance. He turned back to shake his hand firmly and briefly, before dropping it like a lead weight, making it obvious this was fake friendly, and never removing his hold on TangShi. He weighed him up and decided he didn’t like him one bit or how he was trying to get cozy with his wife.