Chapter 3: The Zhou's family
Yìchén and I were supposed to go to the location tomorrow, so I came home today after work. As I entered I heard Mom say,
"Dear, should we send some welcome gifts to our new neighbor?" she asked Dad.
"Hmm... It's been a long time since they have returned."
"Who came back, Dad?" I asked as I entered the room.
"The Zhou's family. You might not remember them," said Dad while Mom adds,
"They had a little girl you used to play with a lot. But most of the time she did was look at the sea."
"I don't remember, anyway.." I said while getting ready to go to my room.
"How can you remember, it's almost twenty years ago," said Mom.
"Dad, so why have they come back now?" I asked as I was curious to know about the new neighbor.
"As I heard yesterday, their daughter had met with a tragic accident about two years ago. She refuses to be with anyone and talk with anyone."
"Nuo had been bedridden for a year and the aftershock of the accident seems to have a major impact on her." said Mom.
"And lucky their business is running smoothly. By the way son, you will be happy to meet Genghis," said Dad.
"Who is that?"
"Oh.. sorry, their son, who is your age if I remember correctly he must be around thirty. He runs his father's company a well-known, interior design firm."
"Mom, do you mean "Huan Shi Designs", which started their main branch here recently? "
"Yes, did you know about them, son?" asked Dad.
"I was thinking of collaborating with them for the new residential project."
After a while, I went back to my room with many things in my mind. I stood in front of the window looking at the calm sea ahead. But in my mind things were starting to get bothersome. The Zhou's, I haven't heard about them till today from my parents. But they seem so close to Mom and Dad.
My phone started to ring,
"Yìchén.. hi come early tomorrow?"
"Ok... I just wanted to confirm. Ask Lu to join as well. So we can have some fun."
"oh ok... Yin, have you heard about "Huan Shi Design firm"?"
"Yes, I have worked with them a few times before. Their work is exceptional and so professional. But, why are you suddenly asking about them?"
"You will never guess" I teased him.
"What tell me"
"They have been our neighbors a long time ago. And I heard from Mom that they had returned after twenty years."
"Oh, that's why they had their main branch shifted here. I was wondering why? When I heard the rumor I asked Genghis if it's true, but he didn't reply straight."
"You know Genghis?" I was so surprised.
"Yes I have met him a few times, he's the chief designer there."
So it seems everyone is contented with each other. Not only by acquaintance but also by professions. As my Mom said, they must have left when I was about ten years old. I don't remember anything about them, but do Genghis or Nuo remember those times.
That night I had a dream after a long time. I was around ten years, drawing things on the beach, there was a little girl looking at what I drew. There was a smile on her face, I suddenly remembered.
Was she Nuo? Another boy was there. We both seem to be like best friends making sandcastles and suddenly a big wave came.... we both almost drowned...
I grasped out of my breath and woke up. What was that I saw...Was it just a dream or did something like that really happen?
The next day Yìchén came early and My Mom had made us a picnic basket for lunch. Lu also joined as well. The location was impressive with the beach views from one side and the forest greenery from the other side. Even the air seems so refreshing.
"I love this place," said Yìchén.
"Hmm.... This property belongs to my grand parent's and we are only using one part of it to build the residential complex." I said while admiring the view.
"Then the other part?" asked Lu.
"I have the vision to make it a peaceful place for people to relax and enjoy nature, come on picnics with their families. Make this a natural habitat for birds and bees. A place filled with fragrance and organic fruits you can pluck right from the trees."
"You can even head to the beach with a ten-minute walk, so your plan is ideal, bro," said Yìchén.
"Guess we all can collaborate to do the design for this area," I said, as I wished this to be a joined project to remember our times together.
"Lan, did you find out about the girl, you saw?" asked Lu.
"What girl, Who?" asked Yìchén.
"From what heard from Mom, I think she must be Genghis's younger sister."
"Ginghis has a sister?" asked Yìchén.
"The who? "asked Lu.
"Genghis is the CEO of the Huan Shi Designs. The Zhou family, next door. They came back after twenty years. But I don't know if they remember me, but Mom said we used to play together."
"So ?" both asked.
"Genghis sister is Nuo, she had met with an accident two years ago. Had recovered about a year ago physically but there seems some aftershock that I don't know much about." I said.
"OH!!...now I get it... I have seen a photo on Genghis's office table of a girl, I thought she must be his girlfriend," said Yìchén.
"You are close with him and he never mentioned her?" I asked Yìchén.
"No, never. But I have always felt there was a knot in him somewhere, like something refraining from being free."
"Hmm... I think we all need to get to know each other. As I see you all three are in similar fields and I think a collaboration of you three will bring out a masterpiece." said Lu.
"Let's meet up sometimes, I will arrange it, just a friendly chit-chat," said Yìchén.
"Ok, then you guys arrange it and let me know. But Yìchén, don't forget the project design."
"Not to worry, I already have got a vision in my head."
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