Sweet Offerings by Chan Ling Yap

Author:Chan Ling Yap [Yap, Chan Ling]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pen Press
Published: 2013-07-23T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Mei Yin trailed her fingers lightly on the table and lovingly stroked the back of the new sofa. After two years, their fortunes had changed significantly. They had finally moved to a new home, a large four-bedroom house with separate servant quarters. A wide smile appeared on her face bringing on the dimples in her cheeks.

“At last we have a home of our own. Tai Nai-nai is kind and understanding. You know, she has opted to have the bedroom right at the back because she says she does not want to be in the way and Ah Keng will be close at hand. I must confess I feel so relieved that Second Nai-nai is not with us any more. I feel guilty thinking this way but I have been so unhappy with her.”

“Shhh. She is gone now,” said Nelly.

“I’m not giving myself any excuses. I tried so hard. I just gave up trying to please her in the end. So I have this nagging guilt that I am happy because she is no longer around.”

“No, you didn’t give up on her entirely. You were by her bedside whenever you could be and, at the end, you brought the boys, Wei Han and Wei Hoong, to see her.”

“Yes,” said Mei Yin remembering. “The boys held their noses because of the terrible smell of the Chinese herbs and ointments that Ah Jee was using to treat her. They were very naughty. Do you remember how the two of them imitated the Taoist priests at the funeral? When the priests leapt over the fires to help Second Nai-nai cross over to the other life, they jumped as well. Not everyone approved at that!”

“Yes,” smiled Nelly, “but everything is working out. I must admit that even I was beginning to think it might not happen, a house of our own, particularly when Ming Kong sold all eight of those bungalows. I thought perhaps he wouldn’t keep his promise after all.”

The two women went from room to room surveying their new home, Mei Yin with a child in her arms and Nelly, holding the hands of two children, trailing behind.

* * * * *

They gathered around the coffee table in the family room. The children were in bed. Ming Kong leaned forward, arms resting on his thighs, hands clasped in front of him, his face animated. “What do you think of the idea of doing some work for me, getting involved in the business?”

The women looked at each other, eyes wide and questioning.

“You remember the land and house in Sun Chuen? I sold it to Tek San and to make up the value he gave me a share of his factories. Now he has built a small row of two-storey shop-houses on part of the land. I plan to do something similar on land I own. He has agreed to swap one of the shop-houses in Sun Chuen for one of mine. This way both of us get to diversify into different areas. But,

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