Freedom (The Hong Kong Series Book 3) by Mark David Abbott

Author:Mark David Abbott [Abbott, Mark David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-10-28T16:00:00+00:00

62

Ronald Yu lifted his cane and used the tip to prod a button on the wall of the room. “Let’s have lunch. I'm sure you are hungry.”

“Starving.” Jacob nodded.

A side door opened, and a uniformed waiter appeared, ignoring Jacob but bowing obsequiously to Ronald Yu.

Ronald Yu spoke for some time in Cantonese, the waiter nodding vigorously, then he paused and glanced at Jacob.

“I’ve taken the liberty of ordering for us both. Would you like something to drink?”

“Just some tea, please.”

Ronald Yu spoke again, and the only words Jacob recognized were ‘Ti Guan Yin,’ a tea he knew was Ronald Yu’s favorite from a previous meal.

“I’ve taken a liking to Ti Guan Yin,” he said as the waiter disappeared out the door again.

“It’s one of my favorites.” Ronald Yu smiled. “Now, young Jacob, it’s your turn to tell me a story.”

Jacob raised both eyebrows, “A story?”

“Yes. I want to know how you got arrested and how you called the number.”

“Oh... okay.” Jacob hesitated, getting his thoughts in order, then explained the events of the previous night. When he finished, Ronald studied his face for a moment, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“You dialed with your nose?”

“Yes.” Jacob began to relax. “It wasn’t easy. I got a few wrong numbers first.”

Ronald chuckled as the side door opened and two waiters entered with plates and a teapot. Nothing was said while they arranged the table and poured the tea. When they departed and closed the door behind them, Ronald spoke again.

“So, once they took you to San Uk Ling, what happened?”

Jacob explained, the memory making his heart race again with anger. When he finished, he took a gulp of tea, not tasting it, and stared at the table.

Looking up, he saw Ronald Yu watching him.

“If it’s any consolation, those men are extremely apologetic for the treatment they gave you.”

“It’s not.”

“No, I’m sure it isn’t.”

“They broke my friend’s arm and cracked his ribs.”

“I know, I saw the report.” Ronald Yu sighed. “It’s a sad state the city has descended into. There is not much difference between here and across the border.”

Jacob nodded.

Ronald Yu picked up his teacup with both hands and held it under his nose, inhaling the fragrance before taking a sip. “Simple pleasures.” He looked over at Jacob. “As one gets older, Jacob, it’s the little pleasures one appreciates more.”

Jacob smiled, not ready with an answer.

Ronald placed the cup on the tablecloth, and Jacob reached for the teapot, refilling both Ronald’s cup and his own.

“So, tell me, young Jacob, how do you feel now that the police lost the ‘battle for the bridge,’ as they’re calling it in the papers.”

Jacob pursed his lips and drummed his fingertips on the table while he thought.

“At first, I was happy. We all were.” Jacob paused, remembering scenes from the previous day, then shook his head. “If you had seen what they threw at us. I’ve never seen so much tear gas, and the sound of gunshots was constant.” He smiled. “But they... the protestors, they didn’t back down.

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