Instead of answering his question, she asked him rather innocently, “What time is it?” Flushed from the freezing air outside, her smile disappeared when she saw his icy expression.
“It’s almost midnight,” he said moodily, kicking off his slippers and climbing in their king-size bed.
“Sorry, I didn’t even notice the time,” Yi-yun said while taking off her jacket.
She was whistling lightheartedly when she locked herself in the bathroom. What’s going on, Fang Chen wondered sourly. Only a few weeks ago, she would tell him without being asked if she were going to be out, particularly if it was late at night. Tonight, she didn’t even bother to answer his question.
“Where have you been?” he asked again when Yi-yun opened the bathroom door. “Were you at Jim’s house?” He knew she and June often out together.
“No,” she said without looking at him. “I was with Tom. He played at the Ritz tonight.”
“Why do you,” Fang Chen asked, irritated, “have to follow him around like a brainless teenager? He’s not even a rock star!”
She turned around, and her beautiful eyes stared at him incredulously. “If you don’t realize by now, it’s because I like his music,” she retorted.
“It’s not that simple.” He raised his voice. “You’re married, Yi-yun. You can’t follow a guy around just because you like his music. It’s inappropriate. It’s outrageous!”
“I don’t see anything inappropriate with my behavior. Tom doesn’t care if a member of his audience is married,” Yi-yun said coldly and left the bedroom.
Yi-yun came back in an hour later. Quietly, she changed into a nightgown and turned off the lights. His heart sank when she slid under the blanket without kissing him a good night; she had never forgotten to kiss him before she went to bed.
Something was wrong with the picture. She said she followed Tom because she liked his music, but the way she reacted earlier made Fang Chen feel that there was more to the relationship. Did she have feeling for him? Were they having an affair?
Yi-yun fell asleep almost immediately. Listening to the clicks of the clock on the nightstand, Fang Chen turned and tossed in frustration.
He had first met Yi-yun more than three years ago when she showed up at his office door unexpectedly. He was a teaching assistant while pursuing his PhD. Yi-yun was looking for Dr. Smith, her teacher and his advisor. Standing in the doorway, she looked so timid and confused that Fang Chen volunteered to walk her around the corridor to Dr. Smith’s office door. Their first encounter led to a friendly coffee, and soon they became friends.
He fell in love almost immediately, before he even realized. The girl was so beautiful; when she smiled, he thought the whole world was smiling. Her big eyes shone like diamonds, and her mouth shaped like a new moon in the dark sky. When she sought his advice for her course selections, Fang Chen jumped at the chance to help her.
Having grown up as the middle child, unattractive, and near-sighted, Fang Chen was a loner from a very early age, living miserably in the shadow of his brilliant and beautiful siblings. His older brother Lee, handsome and athletic, was good at everything he chose to do. His younger sister Mary, a talented pianist, had won several national competitions before becoming a successful concert pianist. Quiet and self-conscious, Fang Chen was always awkward in social gatherings.
But he turned into a different person when Yi-yun was around because she made him feel comfortable and relaxed. He became talkative, sharing his dreams, goals, and his research projects with her. She didn’t seem to mind if he wasn’t handsome, or sociable. She saw him as her equal—an intelligent, polite, and generous guy.
A few months after becoming friends, Yi-yun revealed a painful secret; she was on the verge of being deported because she didn’t have the money to stay in college. She had been working day and night, but what she made as a part-time bartender could hardly cover her living expenses, not to mention the full-blown private school tuition, which mounted to tens of thousands of dollars a year. To legally remain in the US, she had to maintain her F-1 student visa. But to keep her visa, she had to pay off her tuition, which was so obviously beyond her financial capability. When she explored the possibility of transferring to a cheaper school, such as the state-run UMass, she found out that being a foreigner, she had to pay triple of what an in-state resident would have to pay. So it made absolutely no difference which school she attended. She had to pay or leave.
Fang Chen was devastated when he heard this news because he hated to lose the girl who in a very short period of time had become the center of his life. Without thinking twice, he decided to help her out financially. Being from a rich family, he could easily ask his parents for help, but Fang Chen was reluctant to do so because he had been independent for years. Ever since enrolling in graduate school, he had been living on a humble teaching assistant’s salary, never asking his parents for any help. Fortunately, he had saved a reasonable sum from the money his parents had been sending over for birthdays and holidays.
Yi-yun burst into tears when he showed her a paid receipt for her tuition of the semester. Crying and laughing at the same time, she offered to pay him back with cooking and housekeeping. Unsurprisingly, they became romantically involved within a week, proving to Fang Chen that he had made the smartest move after all.
“You can always share my place if you want to. No need to pay rent,” he offered when she complained about her job at China Dragon. She said she hated it so much that she would quit immediately if only she could find a way to pay her rent.
“You’re so sweet,” she said gratefully. “You don’t know how much this means to me.” She sighed longingly. “Now the only thing I have to do is go to school. Oh, it’d be amazing if I could quit school as well.” Who could blame her? College was hard. The heavy workload plus a part-time job would be unbearable for someone as delicate as Yi-yun. It was a miracle that she hadn’t suffered a nervous breakdown.
Getting married made it possible for Yi-yun to quit everything. As Fang Chen’s wife, she became a legal alien, able to stay in the US as long as she wanted. Both of them accepted their union as a blessing. For him, it was a dream came true; for her, it was a timely relief.
However, the marriage wasn’t problem-free. Less than a year into happy and peaceful family life, Yi-yun started to complain about being bored after spent half of his savings on clothing and other stuff. Even though he went through hell when she was in one of her sour moods, he never regretted marrying her. She was the love of his life. The real relief came when Yi-yun met June, who was able to provide her with the entertainment and companionship that Fang Chen couldn’t afford in his final year at school.
After befriending with June, Yi-yun was happy, at least for the first few months. Then she met Tom. Fang Chen had to admit the guy was talented, but he was never blind to the fact that Tom was a penniless and hopeless loser. After all, why would Yi-yun, who loved money and comfortable life, fall in love with a man who had no money?
Never being a jealous guy, Fang Chen smelled a rat when he first saw them together at the Ritz. Yi-yun was so fascinated by his music that she didn’t even know what the planet she was on. Looking at those captivating eyes of hers, Fang Chen wished he didn’t quit his piano when he was a teenager. The admiration she had for the pianist reminded him the time they first met. She used to be so enthralled by his goals and dreams. The poor soul, she’s just too naive to see the real value. Who cared about classic music anymore? Even the big-name orchestras were losing money every year.
At the dinner table that night, Fang Chen had tried to draw her attention by talking about his recent work, the multiple projects he had been handling in vain. While looking at her husband out of politeness, her mind was a thousand miles away.
How upset he was when he finally realized that her heart had been a thousand miles away as well. She was no longer in love with him
, and she totally forgot what he had done for her. She forgot the day when she was sobbing in his arms because she was broke; she forgot the fact that he had prevented her from being disgracefully deported. Since they were together, he had always put her needs above his own, and he had been working very hard to provide her a comfortable home. Yet for a mere penniless musician, she was ready to throw them all away. His heart wrenched with pain when he looked at her; even in her sleep, she was stunningly beautiful. Poor Yi-yun; she was so lost!
Driven by a sudden tender impulse, Fang Chen turned to his wife and kissed her. Her eyelids trembled when he touched her lips. “Dear,” she said, half-opening her eyes. “What time is it now?” she asked, yawning lazily.
“Three o’clock,” he said, throwing his arms around her.
“No, please don’t.” She frowned and moved away while grabbing the blanket to cover her. “I need some sleep,” she said it in such a disgusted tone that sounded like a knife thrust right into his heart. The bitch! Fang Chen was furious. Who did she think she was? She was his wife, the legally married wife. How dare her to refuse him while flirting with another man! Swearing loudly, Fang Chen pulled the blanket away from her and flipped her body over with both hands.
“Don’t ever talk to me like that, Yi-yun!” he shouted while tearing her nightgown off violently. “As long as you’re my wife, I can fuck you whenever I want to.”
Yi-yun was horrified. “No,” she screamed. She was totally thrown off-balance as he had never been so violent before. Struggling madly, she tried in vain to push him away with her hands and legs as the fury and anger had turned Fang Chen into a beast that had no brain but incredulous strength.
Gentle in nature, Fang Chen had always been polite and caring even when he was dying from his craving for his wife and lovemaking. Never before had he forced Yi-yun into anything. He was so doted on her that he was willing to sacrifice as long as she was happy. What was the return he got from his kindness, he wondered, nothing but betrayal! She had never appreciated his efforts, and his love, not even once! She took everything for granted, the spiteful woman!
He grabbed her breasts, pressing them ruthlessly. “Listen,” he cried, “as long as you’re living under my roof, you’ll do what I want.”
Yi-yun screamed, and the screams turned into pitiful moaning when he forcefully entered her. “Stop! Oh please, stop!” she sobbed when he worked his way in and out as fiercely as a mad man.
Her tears wouldn’t soften his heart anymore as he laughed loudly with the thrill of revenge. What a feeling! He was totally in charge, the first time ever in their marriage. He moved his body, quickly and roughly, as much as he pleased. He was free after all those days and months of expecting and waiting. Now, he didn’t need to think about her anymore when he’s doing his business. He moved so freely that he almost melted into the utmost joy that he had never tasted before.
Yi-yun was quiet when he finally finished, biting her lips. Tears had wetted her pillow while her body trembled helplessly. Exhausted and satisfied, Fang Chen turned away from her and closed his eyes.
“A week later, she asked for a divorce and left,” he said dully. “I haven’t seen her since.”
Paul Winderman shifted in his chair. Here was the man who loved the victim; yes, Paul was sure Fang Chen still loved his ex-wife even though she had hurt him deeply and mercilessly. Was he hurt enough that the love had turned into hate? Could he kill the woman, if he wanted revenge? He looked at Fang Chen searchingly. “Where were you the day when she was killed?”
“Either in my office or in the classroom.”
“Any eyewitness?” he asked.
“Everyone in my class can vouch for me. I am not sure if anyone could vouch for me when I was in my office, you’ll just have to take my word for it.”
“You’re sure you never saw her again, not even in your divorce proceeding?”
Fang Chen shook his head. “My lawyer did everything for me. You can ask him. He sent her the forms, and she signed them. That was it. She knew she wouldn’t get anything from me, and she didn’t.”
Paul Winderman thought for a while. “While at it, we have to consider all the possibilities. The death of your ex-wife looks very much like a homicide, but you never know, it could be a suicide if she had an accomplice,” he said, looking at him. Paul Winderman liked to throw out random baits during interviews, he liked to see what would hit and what would stick. There were so many strange cases out there that nothing out of ordinary would surprise him, especially in this case. He still had his doubts on quite a few things, such as why the victim had to be killed if it wasn’t an incidental death as the pillow demonstrated? Who would benefit from such a death in addition to victim’s boyfriend?
He thought he saw a strange light behind Fang Chen’s thick glasses. His lips twisted, but no sound came out of it.
So he went on. “The forensic team is checking the gun residues. Even slightest trace on her hands will probably change the course of our investigation.”
Fang Chen swallowed hard, and Paul Winderman could see his Adam’s apple moving rapidly. When he met Paul Winderman’s eyes, however, he said calmly: “As a scientist myself, I wouldn’t be so sure about the forensics. Her body was recovered several days after she was killed. Being at room temperature for so long, the best result would be inconclusive.”
“It’s possible,” Paul Winderman had to admit. He had totally forgotten Fang Chen was now an assistant professor at Northeastern University, teaching chemistry. Damn it.
“There is no way she would kill herself,” glaring at the detective, Fang Chen added vehemently. “She’s not the suicide type. She was definitely killed by her boyfriend. She was pregnant, and he didn’t want the child to interfere with his new life, so he killed them both! Don’t forget, there are two victims in this case, not one!”
Not many times Paul Winderman had found himself speechless; this was definitely one of them. “Just don’t leave the city,” he said after a few minutes. “We’ll probably want to speak to you again.”
Chapter 11
Yi-yun decided to keep her job at China Dragon for a while longer because she was desperately in need of replenishing her wardrobe, not only replacing the casual wears she had left behind at Fang Chen’s apartment but acquiring a few fancy evening dresses as well. As soon as the season started at the Symphony Hall, she became one of the regulars, proudly watching Tom Meyers playing on stage. When the audience gave him a standing ovation, she was the proudest of all!
Life had been sweet since she moved in with Tom. During the day while she was working(she had changed her shift so she could attend his concerts at night), Tom practiced at home or rehearsed at Symphony Hall. When she was home in late afternoon, Tom would have done practicing if there was no concert that night.
A few months ago, Yi-yun had broken the news to her parents that she had divorced her husband. Sensed the grievous worries in their returning letter, she told them reassuringly that she was getting remarried soon. She wouldn’t dare to tell them the truth because they would never understand. In China, only call girls lived with men without being married.
Along with her latest letter, she had also attached one of Tom’s tapes, which impressed them enormously. Her mother told her that her father had been listening to it every day. Yi-yun’s father was a music buff who listened to music even in the bathroom. During the Culture Revolution, he was forced to live without music for ten years. As soon as the ban was lifted, he brought home a tape recorder and ran it nonstop ever since.
The news pleased Yi-yun tremendously, so much so that she kept the letter in her drawer so she could read it repeatedly.
She had been very busy since the divorce, working during the day, going to the concert at night, and taking care of talented Tom, so she had been barely keeping up with her friends. Ann worked with her at China Dragon, so she would get
updates from Ann. She had lost contact with June and her friends because they were Fang Chen’s friends first and foremost. This was quite unfortunate because Yi-yun liked June very much.
In fact, life would be flawless if Tom could pay a little more attention to her from time to time. It was annoying when he hardly noticed her no matter how hard she would try to draw his attention by loudly closing the front door or kissing him before heading to the kitchen. While at the piano, Tom was like a robot who only tuned in to the music.
It was only when he stopped playing, he became the most attentive and passionate lover. He would run to her, bursting out happily that his precious had come home.
They kissed. Then one thing led to another; pretty soon he would be all over her. They had sex in the kitchen, in the living room, on the couch, everywhere but on the piano. She had suggested that once when he pushed her against it, but he refused. Instead, he laid her on the bench.
More than once he told her that her love was the major motivational force behind his creativity and music. He was able to go back to piano after being recharged, as he put it. It was very flattering indeed. How many women in the world could say they were the force behind anything, let alone the beautiful music? Not many, that’s for sure.
So she adjusted herself to fit into his lifestyle. She never complained when he only wanted quickies even though she loved to cuddle. She told herself she would get what she wanted eventually when the time came. She didn’t expect she would be pregnant so soon.
They had always used condom. Tom refused to use it only when it was safe for her. He was good at calculating the dates, before and after her period. For almost a year being together, they never had an accident, so she didn’t think she was in any danger until she developed morning sickness. Instead of seeing a doctor, which she would have to pay for, she took some over-the-counter medicine because she thought she had stomach flu. When it didn’t go away after several weeks, she suspected what it was and bought a test kit.