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“Don’t be the first one in and last one to leave the office,” Ba says.
“What, why? Isn’t that what partners do?”
“Sometimes, yes. But I also want you to have a life outside of all this. I didn’t come to this country so my daughter can sacrifice her youth for work.”
“Okay, Ba. I won’t.”
“Good, now let’s talk business.”
At noon, I leave for my lunch hour. I walk quickly, eager to get to the corner bistro. Mushu is already there, and she’s got our usual table by the window. I break into a smile when I spot her. It’s been weird not having Mushu around in the office anymore, and I relish our regular lunches.
“I ordered your usual,” Mushu says when I slide into my seat.
“Thanks. How was your weekend?”
Mushu blows air through her lips, making athp-btbsound. “Exhausting. Brooke Tanaka is a demon. We had three events, back-to-back.”
“Oh yes, I saw the photos. You looked incredible at all of them.”
“That goes without saying.”
“All original Posy Lees?”
Mushu nods, then gives me a wicked grin. “You know, she mentioned she’s starting up a wedding dress line.”
“Shang and I have been in a relationship for less than two months,” I say flatly.
“I’m just saying, when you two inevitably get engaged, you know who’s a badass event planner?”
“I would not dream of going to anyone but the best event planner the Bay Area has to offer,” I say.
“Just to clarify, that would be me, yes?”
“Yes, Mushu!” I laugh. “Of course it would be you.”
“Good, because I’ve talked about this with your mom and she agreed to disown you if you went with anyone else.”
“Has everyone in the world been talking to my mom behind my back?”
“Yes,” Mushu says simply.
I shake my head, still beaming. My eyes soften as I look closely at Mushu. There are so many subtle differences with her now. Even the way she sits is different. Relaxed and happy and confident. “I love this job for you.”
Mushu meets my eye, and we gaze at each other with the kind of understanding only two women who have grown up with each other can have. “Thanks for pushing me to do it.”
“Thanks for helping me save my career.”
“Always.”
At the end of the workday, Baba and I make our way to Lamian Paradise. Everyone is inside, and it is chaos when we arrive. Hugs and handshakes are given all around, and Uncle Hong says, “Sit next to me, Zhou. The big Zhou,” he adds with a wink at me.
I roll my eyes, taking a seat next to Shang, who kisses the side of my head.
Uncle Hong pours some tea for Baba, briefly switching to Mandarin. “We’re so happy about the company’s performance.”
“Mulan has done very well with it,” Ba replies.
Uncle Hong nods. “She is a bright young woman, you must be very proud of her. We are all very pleased with the numbers, aren’t we?” He looks around the table, and Uncle Jing and Uncle Xiaotian nod, albeit a tad grudgingly.