Xiao Mi walked toward the Marshall plantation with her bundle. She had spoken to Auntie Ru An that morning, who had told Xiao Mi that she should take lunch to Wang Qin as a way to endear herself to him.
Xiao Mi had been in love with Wang Qin for half of her life. She'd turned down other suitors in hopes that Qin would one day confess. But so far he'd shown no interest in her. So, tired of waiting, she decided that she would take the initiative.
She heard voices ahead and slowed her pace. It was a man and woman talking and the man sounded like Wang Qin. She crept into the edge of the jungle and ducked behind a tree.
Sure enough, she saw Wang Qin sitting with the young Miss of the Marshall family…on a…blanket? She felt shock and anger all at once.
"You want to marry for love?" She heard Cora say softly. Her heart shattered as she listened to Wang Qin speak of love and marriage to that Ang Mo!
"Cora, marrying you must come from my heart and not for superficial reasons. I won't accept less." Qin said with conviction.
"That's why I love you. You are, above all else, a man of principles and integrity." Cora said warmly.
It was at that moment Xiao Mi realized that Qin was holding Cora's hand. She felt rage coiling around her heart.
Qin brought Cora's dainty hand to his lips and kissed it gently. Cora leaned forward expectantly. Qin chuckled.
"If I didn't know you to be a lady I'd think you terribly forward." Qin teased her. Her face fell momentarily but then he cupped her face in his strong hands.
"I know that Western ways are sometimes more open than my people. I also know the sincerity and warmness of your affection for me. You could never be anything less than a lady in my eyes." He told her.
Xiao Mi watched in horror as both Wang Qin and Cora's faces inched closer together and met in a soft kiss.
Xiao Mi dropped her bundle, chocking back sobs and ran away.
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"I hate her!" Xiao Mi cried. "I wish I could kill her. Aren't there enough British men she could have her pick of? Why must she choose among our community?"
"If you're serious then I know someone who can help." Her cousin told her.
"What do you mean?" Xiao Mi asked.
"I overheard mother and our Po Po discussing it. They said there's an auntie who lives out of the kampung who performs da siu yan." Her cousin said.
"Da siu yan?" Xiao Mi asked, perplexed.
"Yes. You just take a photo of your enemy and she performs a ceremony and hits the photograph with her shoe. Villain hitting."
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Wang Qin felt himself becoming more nervous the closer he came to the Marshall plantation. He'd walked it's halls many times in the past but he knew this time was different. He paused at the closed door to Mr. Marshall's study, only this time he did not hear the musical voice of Cora conversing with her father. He knocked lightly.
"Come in," came Mr. Marshall's voice called out.
Wang Qin did as he was told and sat in a chair across from Mr. Marshall, in front of the mammoth fireplace.
"Wang Qin, do you know why I asked to see you?" Mr. Marshall began.
Wang Qin nodded solemnly. "Yes sir, I do." He would not play games of subtlety with such a serious topic at hand.
"Very good," Mr. Marshall began. "I have observed you as an employer. I observed you as an old man observes the young man. In both capacities I have found you to be exemplary. But now I observe you as a father who loves his only daughter more than life itself. Will I find you wanting in character, or will I see the man I have come to respect?" Mr. Marshall asked with solemn tone.
"The latter, Sir. I hope that above all else, I might be a man of integrity who brings no shame to my family." Wang Qin spoke sincerely.
Again Mr. Marshall nodded in approval.
"You know that Cora has deep feelings for you. She wishes to marry you." Mr. Marshall informed him.
"Yes sir." Wang Qin said quietly.
"Then do you also feel the same?" Mr. Marshall asked.
Wang Qin sat back a bit. He'd not expected to be asked his opinion. He assumed he was being brought here to be told off for having affection for Cora or aspirations of marrying her. He cleared his throat and scrambled for his words.
"Mr. Marshall, your daughter—" Qin began.
"Is in love with you. Now I want to know how you feel in the situation. Do you feel pressured against your will into marrying her? Do you see marriage to my daughter as a fast track to wealth? Do you love and care for her?" Mr. Marshall explained.
"Sir, I do have feelings for her, but I'm not able to provide her with the type of life she has led thus far. This gives me pause for hesitation. In Chinese culture, we say it is not good for a man to eat soft rice. That is, it isn't right for a man to live off of the wealth of another woman's family." Qin explained.
"Allow me to tell you my background. My father was an Earl in England. We lived on a sizeable estate. When my father died, my elder brother inherited father's title and all assets. I was the second son, so I had nothing but a sum of money that my mother left behind. I took that money and started this business. I built up our wealth without the help of others, but it was very difficult without someone to help. Now that I'm becoming older I realize that sometimes it's alright to have help. I'm not the most orthodox man, so I don't reject you for being Chinese as some families would. I see you to be a good man. That's enough for me to be satisfied. So I will help you reach your aspirations. You marry my daughter and then I will send you to Hong Kong for a college education. Once you have that you'll be able to provide a good life for my daughter."