Games That People Play

Chapter 5: New City

The moment she came out of the immigration office, Xinli immediately saw Wei Xunan, her cousin.

"Lia!" she shrieked. Xinli ran towards her and they embraced affectionately.

"How are you? You look great!" said Lia excitedly.

"And you? You haven't changed a bit..." Wei Xunan eyed her fondly.

"Come on, let's get moving, Mother is looking forward to see you."

They went to the parking lot and boarded a grey SUV. Her aunt should really be doing well, owning an expensive car like this, Xinli thought.

She was excited to start her life over and was determined to forget all her humiliating experiences in the past.

Images of Lu Jinian flashed before her mind, cruel, brutal, cold. She clutched at her heart unconsciously, hot tears burning at the back of her eyes. She put on her shades and locked her seatbelt.

"Xunan, this is my first time in NYC. It really is a huge and bustling city. Our Chang An can't compare with these well developed western city" She observed as the car moved along the city streets, sounding casual.

"Yes, it is. Life here is fast paced and we have to constantly upgrade so we wont be left behind." Xunan sighed.

"Mother has too many orders and she's panicking already if she can deliver on time. Now that you are here, im sure you can help her." Xunan's tone was hopeful.

"Of course, i will try my best cousin. Isn't it what I came here for?" Xinli replied smilingly. Xunan smiled back gratefully.

They arrived at a modest apartment building with 5 floors. Aunt Wei Feng lived on the second floor occupying 3 doors, 2 of which served as a shop.

The first door served as their living quarters, equipped with enough heaters and airconditioning, having 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. It meant that Xinli had to share a room with Xunan.

Aunt Feng was happy to finally see her. Xinli's mother is her younger sister, both parents died in a car crash when Xinli was 14. It was a most crushing moment for her. Aunt Feng wanted to adopt her and live with her and Xunan in NYC but she was adamant and headset in staying at Jiangnan. She simply refused to leave her hometown. She said she didn't want to part from her parents memories.

Subsequently, Xinli inherited her parents' modest fortune being the only child, a two storey house, a few acres of land and a savings account intended for university.

The family had 4 servants and Xinli didn't have enough choice but to let them go. Two of them opted to stay, Danju and Wuxian. They were most loyal to her parents and wanted to continue to serve her. And so, she retained them, saying that they would have to help her take care of the house and manage the small farm when she goes to Chang An for her studies.

Xinli continued to study deligently, earning her the top spot in her class. She studied Management, but she was also adept at designing garments for male and female.

Twelve months later...

"How about creating something for the male line, Lia?" Aunt Feng said from her design table. Orders from various clothing lines came one after the other. Xunan selected those that are fast moving and held off the others saying they had limited manpower.

"Let's do something new and vivacious, after all we still have time to make them before summer comes in." She added.

"Certainly, Auntie. I was in the same line of thinking since last night and i already cooked up some good looking ideas for male summer outfits." Xinli replied with a twinkle in her eyes. She liked to create something new everytime. She didn't want to be idle, lest her thoughts would wander again somewhere in her painful past.

"Look at this drawings, Auntie!" She took out a folder from her drawing board. I created these few designs last night."

Her Aunt looked at her with knowing eyes. "Child, you've been working really hard, that's unnecessary since we've already delivered the last bulk order. Is something troubling you?"

Before Xinli could answer, Xunan appeared in the doorway.

"I think she is lovesick" she teased.

"There wasn't a night that she slept soundly, say, she just tossed and turned."

"Lovesick?" Xinli pretended to mimic her cousin.

"Of course not!" she said indignantly.

"I only miss home as I haven't been there since i graduated from university. Although I call Danju and Wuxian regularly, it still would have made a difference if I went home and spent time with them." Her voice was regretful.

"How about we all go there for a break after fall? Winter in this area can really be troublesome." Said Aunt Feng.

"Yes, why don't we do that?" Xunan added excitedly. Xinli hid her apprehension at the thought. She pretended to look closely at the designs and said without interest: "We could do that..."

Xunan proceeded to check some finished products.

"Wow! This is definitely a winner!" she exclaimed as she raised a casual polo shirt for men.

"I will include this in my next line up" she added excitedly.

That was their agreement. Xinli designs, Aunt Feng executes and Xunan markets their clothing line. Xunan was charming and smart, she had a sunny disposition and she was exposed to this work for at least 4 years in a row.

She was familiar with the ins and outs of the business. Aunt Feng wanted to showcase Xinli's talent too, but the latter promptly declined, saying that it was the best arrangement for her. What she earned was more than enough for her and she still had money in the bank. It didn't matter that Xunan got all the credits lately, Xinli was happy that she could help in her little way. She was fond of Aunt Feng and her aunt doted on her too.

Xunan was 3 years older than Xinli. She had a boyfriend Hou Bin, who worked at a hotel in NYC. Xinli didn't care much in going out often, but she liked to window shop and study some of the works of famous designers.

It was November and the wind was chilly, so she decided to go inside a famous shop to check for new winter designs. She came upon a cream mink coat, it looked really pretty when she tried it on. She checked the price and she was right, it was equivalent to a year's salary when she was still working at the Zenith.

"It really fits you well, Miss.." the shop assistant said in a convincing tone.

"Yes, but i can't afford it, sorry" She offered apologetically.

"Wrap it up and give it to the lady" a man's voice sounded near. She turned and saw a man a few inches taller than her with a dimpled smiling face.

"Excuse me...?" she wasn't sure if he meant to give the mink coat to her. She glanced over his shoulder, almost sure that a woman was with him.

"Hi, i'm Yuanrou, single and asian like you" he offered his hand in a friendly gesture, eyes smiling, his dimples teasing. Xinli coud not refuse, so she shook his hand too.

"Friendship accepted, but not this mink coat. I'm Xinli." She introduced herself with an equally playful smile.

"Since you wont accept the coat but accepted my friendship, care to have tea with this lonely guy?" Xinli coudnt help but laugh, her voice had a soft and bubbly quality and it was most pleasing to the ears.

"If all lonely guys in NYC are like you, i think this city is a better place to live in than most that i have gone to." she laughed heartily.

They had tea and pastries, she enjoyed talking to him and decided she was happy doing this unconventional thing for the first time in her life, and that's talking to a stranger! But later, she decided she had a wonderful afternoon and they even exchanged numbers.

He was the first man that she allowed to get near her. She went home with a few items she bought at a nice and trendy shop. She wanted to gift herself for getting away from... she rested her head in her palms, she didn't want to think about him anymore. "Lu Jinian..." she thought unwillingly.