Family With Six Treasures (12)

     The highlight of the evening began after everyone had eaten. Chelsea played Chinese melodies on her guitar. She was sometimes accompanying herself as she sang, sometimes letting the music's mournful sounds speak for themselves. Our Number Three daughter danced her solos.  And then, she invited everyone to sing with her, to accompany her by beating the tempo on a nearby table or bench. It was evident that everyone enjoyed participating.

     Celia was wearing a Classical Chinese dress and, based on a style she saw in the movies, a classical Chinese hairdo. Her sweet singing voice, graceful dancing steps, and organizing talent have worked in synergy to draw all of the guests into the activities. Indeed, no one was bored. Especially not Mr. Chow, who additionally kept himself busy by working the Camcorder throughout Chelsea's performance, and he made sure that he was focused on the third Miss Li the entire time.

     When Celia finished, applause thundered through the Li’s finished basement. Everyone was cheering and whistling. Mr. Chow poured a Coke for Celia and said to her, "You are terrific. So talented. So clever. Celia, you are really great."

     Celia raised her head and felt as if she had met an old friend from her homeland. Her smile was brilliant, like a flower in full bloom. “Chow! How did you get on my parents’ list?” She tilted her elegantly coifed head. “Oh yes. Of course, you’re in the graduate study program at the Department of History. My parents do love their Chinese graduate students.”

     "I haven't seen you in ages, Celia. Where have you been keeping yourself?” Chow wanted to know.

     Lowering her voice, Chelsea told him, "what can I tell you! My parents have been keeping me home nights so I haven't been able to get into the city. I feel like I'm in prison. If I hadn't been able to practice my singing and dancing, I would have gone nuts."

     It is evident that Celia knew Chow, and they know each other exceptionally well from their conversation. Professor Li had no choice but to take a closer look at Chow.

     He saw a tall, thin Oriental with a classical haircut, and generally very neat and clean. The Chow wore a pair of black-framed glasses. Atop his dark gray trousers was a brand new navy blue Chinese style jacket. He looked incredibly handsome. Professor Li said to himself, "I'm sure women find him sexy, with those dark eyes twinkling behind his glasses. He must make women feel…."

     Seeing that her father's eyes were staring at Chow, Celia smiled and said, "Dad, his name is Chow. He's a graduate student and very talented. He wrote the best-selling biography "The charismatic Choc Chow Chin." Each of the three volumes has been reprinted several times. His second biography, "About Chang Chug Chui," was so popular that it was a sell out the first day it reached the bookstores. It's been back-ordered since then. And his next book is already in the works."

     Professor Li was a bit embarrassed at having been caught scrutinizing Chow. However, when he realized that Celia was both friendly and enthusiastic, he smiled and told his wife to cut a piece of cake for Chow. And he specifically brought a cup of chrysanthemum tea to this handsome young man.

     Now that they finished the song, so was the party. It was deep into the night. So Chow would cram half of the students into his car and take them to drop at the entrance of the subway, then; Chow would come back for the rest of the guests.

     Both Li's parents were quite pleased with the way the party had gone. And next morning, both let out a sigh of relief. After much bowing and thanking, the leftover young men got into the car with Chow. Mrs. Li was surprised to see Celia sitting next to Chow. Mr. Li just beamed happily. Her husband looked so happy that Mrs. Li decided to say nothing.

     The following week, Professor spent quite a bit of time finding out more about Chow. Not only was Chow a talented and brilliant scholar, but his family background was very distinguished too. His parental grandfather was one of the Emperor's most trusted counselors; his father was the commerce minister. And an uncle on the mother's side was the chairman of the province from which Chow came. No one could ask for better credentials.

     When Mrs. Li saw how happy her other half was, she decided to make him even more comfortable cooking his favorite meal: juicy stewed pork butt, with tender green baby pea pod shoots, firry hot peppers, and shredded bean curd. With a smile, the family members picked up their chopsticks.

     Somebody was missing from the table; Professor looked puzzled and then said, "Where's Celia?”

     Mrs. Li, who just sat down at the table, said, "She went to New York city. In fact, she just called to say that she won’t be back in time for dinner and that we should eat without her.” Professor Li’s face darkened. So did the mood at the table. Dinner was eaten silently, with no conversation.

     For a change, Professor Li started to pay attention to Celia's whereabouts. 24 hours. 48 and 72 hours. And still, Celia had not come home. Without comment, Professor Li rummaged around in the desk until he found the guest list. He copied down Chow's address.

     Very early in the morning of the fourth day, Professor Li, with Chow’s address and a street map of New York City in hand, drove into Manhattan. He found Park Avenue and the number indicated on the paper. Now, he parked his Japanese Camry in front of the expensive, luxury Park Avenue building, which is Chow's address.

     A uniformed young Black man asked the Professor, "For whom are you looking?" The uniform jacket is white; the trousers are red, with a narrow white stripe running down the outside of each leg. Everything pressed with precision.

     Professor Li felt that he had every right; in fact, he had a fatherly duty to be here. Righteously, he answered, "I'm looking for apartment 305. Mr. Chow’s residence.”

     The black man nodded, gesturing for Li to get out of the car. As soon as Professor Li got out, the uniformed man lowered himself into the car and drove away. He stood there, wondering what to do next.

     Finally, he said to himself, "Well, since I'm here and the car is gone, I may as well go in.”

     Inside the building, another uniformed man, this time a Caucasian, stopped him.

     "I am looking for Mr. Chow. Apartment 305," Professor Li said. The man escorted Li to the elevator and pushed the button marked "3". Before the Professor got into the elevator, he noticed how plush and thick the carpet was. And, the crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings in the hallways were big and shiny. The paneling in the elevator was dark and expensive looking.  Everything spoke of luxury and elegance.

The elevator stopped noiselessly on the third floor. Professor Li got out and, observing the instructions on the elegant sign, walked right to the Apartment 305. He pushed the doorbell. Just as he was about to try it again, a man dressed like a butler opened the apartment door.

     Before the butler could say a word, Professor said rudely, "I'm looking for Chow. Does he live here?"

     The butler answered most politely, "Mr. Chow is a guest of my boss while he's writing my boss's biography and therefore, indeed is living here."

"Where is he? I want to see him," insisted Professor Li.

(To be Continued)