The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (2 page)

As she helped her father pack the costumes and props for the kung fu tribute, Bo charged in, his face pale, his voice shaking. “Father. We are in trouble. Shingbo is ill”

Wong Li drew back, startled. “Surely not so ill that he cannot perform the spectacle?”

“Father, he is vomiting. He has severe dysentery. Damn. No one else in our troupe can be the snake. Only Shingbo is small enough to qualify.” Bo groaned. “Father, do you know how angry, how disappointed Wei will be? The interplay between the snake and the dragon is the triumphant highpoint of the dragon’s role.”

Wong Li ran his hands through his hair in a rare show of frustration. As he and Bo discussed alternatives, Daiyu stepped forward. Her voice was firm, assertive.” I will play the snake. I know the role. No one knows it as well as I do.”

Bo stared at her, aghast. “What are you saying, Daiyu? Are you crazy?” When she lifted her chin underscoring her determination, Bo’s face flushed an angry red. “No, Daiyu. You cannot, you will not do this. Everyone will know. Most important, Wei will know. He’ll be furious.”

Daiyu took a deep breath and glared at her brother. “He won’t know. And think

how furious he will be if we cancel the performance. No, Bo, I am the right person to play the snake. You know that. The costume will fit me. I am almost Shingbo’s size.”

When both her father and brother stared pointedly at her full breasts, Daiyu tossed her head, pressing her hands against the lush mounds. “I will bind them. Tight, flat. No one will know.”

Seeing his father’s thoughtful frown, Bo swung on his sister. “You are putting our father’s livelihood at risk, Daiyu. If anyone discovers he taught you kung fu, he will be ostracized, banished. You know this, Daiyu. You are being selfish.”

To Daiyu’s surprise, her father disagreed. “No, Deiyu, you are correct. You are the only person who can play this role, the only person who
should
perform this role.” Ignoring Bo’s outraged stutter, Wong Li continued, “You have practiced for this moment all of your life.” When she demurred, he held both of her hands in his. “No, daughter. Go out there. Fight like the warrior you are, the warrior you have spent your life training to be.”

Chapter 3

A flash of riotous color split the sky, chased by the formidable rumble of fireworks. The raucous crowd shouted its approval, then quieted expectantly when a cymbal crash heralded the beginning of the Five Animal spectacle. One by one, the fierce fighters took the stage. The familiar tableau riveted the audience. “Oohs” and “ahs” acknowledged the dramatic strikes, the pulled punches, and the fighters’ fearsome aerial leaps. As the lion and dragon fought their timeless battle, the audience shouted encouragement and groaned in mock relief when the dragon overcame his ferocious rival.

The lion slunk to the side to tend to his wounds as the eerie wail of a bamboo flute beckoned the audience’s collective gaze to the floor. Slithering over the edge of the stage was the disingenuously languorous snake. The other animals drew back in an uneasy circle. As the serpent climbed and twisted upright, its rainbow colored scales gleamed in the firelight. All but the dragon fled the stage.

Wei stepped back frowning. From its initial slithering entrance, something was different about the snake. Wei sensed it and then he saw it. The sensuous, tantalizing moves caught him off guard. Shingbo was a trained fighter, but he did not have this innate, bewitching grace. Wei looked to Bo, hovering at the side of the stage. Bo met his gaze and shrugged. Wei forced his attention back to the snake, enticed by the evocative moves of the writhing reptile circling his feet. Stunned by a fragrance he knew but couldn’t place, Wei forced himself to focus on the demands of the dance. Sliding his large hands over the snake’s slender undulating body, he was shocked to feel soft curves, not Shingbo’s hard wiry body. Bending, coiling the sleek serpent through the strenuous movements, he rasped in its ear, “Who are you?”

To his shock a familiar voice hissed, “Focus, silly boy. You are messing up the dance.”

Overcome by certain knowledge, Wei’s heart raced with excitement. “You?” he whispered.

The snake’s seductive wiggle negated the need for words. Years of practice and more years of unspoken longing intensified their combined movements in a breathtaking display of sensuous artistry. As the flute’s wail reached shuddering heights, Wei responded with a mighty surge of his strong body. Raising the snake high above his head, Wei twirled round and round, a spectacular whirling column. When he came to a halt, the snake slithered and slid down the length of his body. It lay entwined around his legs, while the flute fluttered to a throbbing conclusion. The audience roared to its feet, wildly cheering the extraordinary performance.

Daiyu jumped up, intending to slip away, but Wei gripped her arm and whispered, “Oh no, you don’t.”

Before she could free herself, Feng Sun marched to the stage, his face glowing with pleasure.

Quieting the crowd, he bellowed, “Extraordinary! Simply extraordinary!” The crowd yelled its agreement. Feng Sun continued, “I invite you all to join me at my table. But first, my ferocious fighters, you must reveal yourselves.”

One by one, the fighters removed their masks. The applause rose to a deafening level when Wei took off his mask and bowed to the audience. Approaching the snake, Feng Sun grinned at Wei. “I didn’t think anyone could upstage my accomplished son, but I believe the snake has done just that.” The audience roared its agreement as Feng Sun bowed and said, “Shingbo, I believe?”

Daiyu took a deep breath to still her shaking fingers, then slowly removed her hooded mask freeing a cascade of silky black hair down the middle of her back. Raising her dark green eyes to meet Feng Sun’s shocked gaze, she replied, “No, sir. It is me, Daiyu.”

A stunned silence greeted her quiet words. Feng Sun stared at her then said in a choked voice, “So, it is.” Turning to the gaping crowd he gave an imperial wave, “Please, be seated.” Only the scrape of chairs shattered the pregnant silence.

Daiyu saw the harsh glare Feng Sun shot her father. She was frantic to leave, horrified at the shame she had brought her father. She tried to shake off Wei’s hand, but he tightened his grip on her elbow. He ushered her to the table and pulled out her chair. His voice was soft, commanding, “You heard my father, Daiyu. Please be seated. Now!” He added with a grin, “And while I may be “silly”, I am
not
a boy. I am a man. A man who has requested that you be seated. “

Daiyu lifted her chin and threw him a defiant glare, then sunk down in her chair beside him.

Feng Sun turned back to face Daiyu’s father. His censure was sheathed in anger.

“Sensei, you and I will discuss this matter. You know women are not permitted to practice kung fu. It is against the code.”

Wei leapt to his feet, his body shaking with suppressed anger. “No, Father. You are wrong. In China, many women are kung fu masters. They are honored throughout the country as heroes.”

Glaring at his son, Feng Sun’s words were cold, clipped. “This is not China, Wei. This is San Francisco and you are in the home of the leader of the Ong León. The Ong León does not permit women to practice kung fu.”

Turning to the audience that was staring in rapt silence at the unfolding drama, he said, “Please. Be seated. All of you.”

At that moment, Ting Lyn, her face twisted with rage, rose from her seat at Feng Sun’s table and pointed at Daiyu. “No! Uncle, no! You mustn’t permit this. You may not allow
her
to sit at this table. You…you know who she is,
what
she is.”

Daiyu’s stomach clutched at the fury in Ting Lyn’s eyes, the angry drops of spittle spewing from her mouth. Daiyu gripped the table edge, her fingers white with strain. She knew what was coming and couldn’t bear the hurt it would cause her father. She willed Ting Lyn to stop. But the infuriated young woman was unstoppable.

Glaring at Daiyu, Ting Lyn’s words dripped with scorn. “She cavorts with stable boys. Bewitches men with her devil eyes. She is a
guilo
! A
guilo biao
!”

The audience’s stunned gasp spliced the silence. Ting Lyn’s face paled when her uncle stalked toward her. Feng Sun’s voice was low, ominous, his expression furious. “Leave the room, Ting Lyn. Now!”

Daiyu grasped Wei’s hand. She saw his jaw clench, his eyes flash. His rage was palpable. Only her firm grip held him back.

Feng Sun turned to Wong Li, his face a gray mask. “My honored friend, I apologize for my dead brother’s daughter. She uttered an unconscionable slur. Please forgive her.”

Wong Li rose to his feet, his quiet demeanor spoke to his dignity. He bowed to Feng Sun. “Thank you for your hospitality, sir. My daughter and son and I will leave now.”

As Bo and Daiyu moved to join their father, Wei leapt between them. “Sensei, don’t go.” Ignoring Wong Li’s frown, Wei continued, “Please, Sensei. Allow me to accompany you.”

Feng Sun’s stern voice stopped him. “Wei, we have many guests who are here to celebrate your return. I request that you stay.”

When Wei hesitated, Wong Li stepped forward and took hold of Daiyu’s arm. He shook his head. “No, Wei. We do not require your escort.”

Wei looked from his father to Wong Li. Bowing to his sensei, he stepped back, a troubled frown creasing his brow.

As Daiyu and her father and brother walked by Feng Sun, the Tong leader held up his hands, motioning to Daiyu to stop.

“Daiyu, you know I am angry. But I cannot allow you to leave without acknowledging you. I have never seen the role of the snake performed more elegantly, more beautifully, or with more expertise.”

Daiyu lowered her eyes and bowed. “Thank you, sir.”

As they crossed the courtyard, Ting Lyn jumped from the doorway. A demonic blaze lit her eyes. Ignoring Bo and Wong Li, she hissed at Daiyu. “This is not finished. He will
never
be yours!”

Pulling her father and brother back from the crazed women, Daiyu swallowed a sob. “At least she is right about that,” she murmured.

Chapter 4

The next morning Daiyu and her father were summoned to appear before the Ong León council. When they entered, Daiyu was startled at the anger in Feng Sun’s eyes. Her father’s hand gripping her arm confirmed that he also saw the danger. Seeing three of the stable boys cowering against the wall, dread choked her. Ting Lyn and her mother were standing to the side, their faces gleaming with hate. Wei walked in several minutes after Daiyu and her father. His frown confirmed that he was as surprised as they were at the assembled group.

Feng Sun moved toward Daiyu. His voice was harsh. He spoke without preamble. “This morning I was given irrefutable proof of a crime you committed, Daiyu. A crime that is much graver than your forbidden practice of the warrior arts.”

Wei jerked forward. “What the hell are you saying, Father? What are you accusing her of?”

Feng Sun’s expression hardened. “Be quiet, Wei. No one, including you, is to speak. The matter has been decided. Five witnesses swore that Daiyu indulges in and is a purveyor of opium, the white death.”

Daiyu fell back against her father’s chest, her eyes wide with shock.

“What?” Wei shouted.

“Silence!” Feng Sun roared. “You know the Ong León is leading the fight against the white peril that is crippling our race. My edict is final. Daiyu, as the convicted purveyor of the white scourge, you are banished from my protection and from this household. As for you, Sensei, your services to the Ong León are no longer required.”

As Feng Sun and Daiyu turned to leave, Wei shouted, “Father, for God’s sakes, stop! What are you saying? What are you doing?” He pointed to Ting Lyn, who smirked from the sidelines. “You know what is happening, who is responsible. You cannot believe…”

At that moment, Wong Li stepped forward and held up his hand. His noble face was tight with anger. He addressed Feng Sun. “You convict my daughter of a crime that you know in your heart she did not commit. Shame on you. But you are correct. No further words are needed or will be spoken.”

Wei stopped them as they turned to leave. “Sensei, please. Wait. This is a grievous mistake. You know what is happening. Ting Lyn is responsible for this outrageous lie. I will prove it. I will convince my father. Please…”

Wong Li hesitated. “Wei, you are a second son to me. Know that speaking these words to you is painful. You are no longer welcome in our home.”

With their heads held high, Wong Li and Daiyu left the council chambers.

~~~

Five days later, Wei banged on the sensei’s door. Bo opened the door. His face darkened when he saw Wei. “How many times do we have to tell you? You are not welcome!” He tried to slam the door, but Wei blocked it with his foot.

“Bo, I demand you let me in.”

Bo scowled, “You have no right to make demands. Leave. Now!”

Wei tried to push him aside.” I have something for your father and your sister. I must see them.”

Bo raised his fists, a sharp growl escaping his lips. Behind him, his father spoke, “Let him enter, Bo.”

Wei shoved past Bo, his strong presence filling the room.

He bowed low to Wong Li.

“Sir, I have two letters. The first is a public apology from my father proclaiming Daiyu’s innocence.” His lips quirked, a smile softening his stern expression. “The stable boys were more amenable to my ‘request’ for the truth than I predicted. But the knowledge that my cousin and her mother are on their way to China in disgrace was as persuasive as their broken noses.”

Wong Li took the letter, his expression impassive. “I will see that Daiyu receives this.”

“Wait, Sensei. This letter is for you. We will post this revision to the Ong León Code next to the handbill proclaiming Daiyu’s innocence. As you can see, women may now practice kung fu—with one important caveat. They must be under your tutelage.”

Seeing the tears in his beloved sensei’s eyes, Wei pressed his advantage.

“Now, may I see her?”

A firm click of a door closing confirmed that Daiyu had overheard. Wei brushed by Wong Li and strode to the practice center.