Dynamics of a Breakup - Part 3

Turbulence:

While his heartbroken sister was being comforted by his wife, our genius professor was happily working at home, unaware of the entire mess. The last forty-one attempts had led to dead ends and increasing complexity, but this one seemed more promising. He went on working, thinking, and filling whiteboard after whiteboard with equations. He would recheck one part, erase entire sections, and rework pieces of the solution. And after nearly six months of effort, he was finally...

"Yes!!" Li Wei hissed and pumped up his fist in the air in celebration.

He had done it. Well, not it, but some of it. He had not actually solved the problem, but he had made substantial progress. More than anyone had made in 150 years. A major paper out of this work was an absolute certainty. This might even get front-page coverage on Nature.

Li Wei was dying to tell someone. And as if the universe had agreed to grant him his wish, the front door clicked open. He ran out of his office thinking that his wife was back.

"Meimei, I did it," he shouted. "I solved the... jie. What?... what are you doing here?"

The bright smile on Li Wei's face vanished, and his enthusiasm took a nosedive when he saw the disheveled, red-eyed creature standing next to his sweet An Mei.

"Congrats, little brother," Li Jing sniffled. "At least one of us is having a great day."

Li Wei looked from his semi-weeping sister to his wife, confused and worried.

An Mei gave her husband an apologetic look and said, "There was a bit of an issue with the meeting."

Before Li Wei could ask what sort of an issue could lead to this outcome, Li Jing ran to Li Wei with tears streaming down her cheeks in a flood and hugged him.

"Weiwei," she wailed. "He was so terrible. I can't believe that I didn't see what a snake he was. Waaah!"

Li Wei wanted to say, 'Just like all the others. Why do you always date men like that?' But he just held on and patted her back, despite his shirt being drenched in tears.

"Who knew he would turn out like this?!"

'I knew. All of our sisters knew. The entire world knew. You are the only one who didn't know,' was what he was screaming inside his head, but he comforted his sister by saying, "It's not your fault, jie. He was just a terrible guy. Forget about him. You don't have to cry because of him."

"The nerve of that guy. I mean, to hit on Meimei and try to grab her hand ..."

"What?!!!"

Li Jing was immediately pushed aside, and Li Wei ran to his wife, frantically checking her all over. "Meimei, are you okay? Did he hurt you? Let me see. Are you hurt anywhere? Who is this guy? Tell me who he is. I'll... I'll destroy him. Jie, how could you be so stupid as to put Meimei in danger? What's wrong with you?"

An Mei gently cupped her husband's face, and in a soothing but firm tone, she said, "Weiwei... Weiwei, look at me. I am all right; I am all right." She eased herself into his warm embrace. "He didn't touch me. Before he could try anything, Jing-jie saved me. She was so brave. You should have seen how she destroyed him."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It was amazing. He was trembling with fear by the end. You don't have to worry about him, okay? Let's all just forget about that guy. He is not worth spending a single thought on."

"Hmmm... I am just happy that you are alright."

"So, shouldn't you thank Jing-jie for saving me? You were pretty rude to her just now."

Li Wei reluctantly let go of his wife and sheepishly turned to his sister, who was looking at him with a mixture of feigned sorrow and smug satisfaction.

"Jie... I am sorry for pushing you and saying all those things. I... thanks for saving Mei."

Li Jing sighed dramatically and replied, "It's alright, little brother. After all, I am very used to being unjustly smeared." Even though Li Jing had stopped crying, a fresh wave of tears threatened to materialize.

"I am sorry..." Li Wei mumbled, looking down at the floor. "I didn't mean...sorry, jie."

"Maybe I really am a bad person. Even my own brother, whom I raised since he was a little boy, despises me. What's the point of my life?" Li Jing continued her sorrowful monologue.

"I don't despise you, jie... I am sorry; I didn't mean it."

"Meimei is the only one in our family who likes me. When even my own flesh and blood turned their backs on me, our family's daughter-in-law offered me a safe place in these trying times."

"Sorry, jie... wait... safe place?" Li Wei looked at his wife in alarm.

An Mei, who was enjoying the theatrical back-and-forth between the siblings, gave her husband a helpless look and said, "Jing-jie was feeling lonely. So, I thought it would be better if she had some company and offered to let her stay here for a few days."

"A few days? How long..."

Li Jing interrupted him before he could finish his thought. "It's okay, Meimei. If my brother doesn't want me to stay here, I would rather not bother him." Tears started flowing again on cue.

Li Wei looked completely helpless.

"I will go back to being alone, unloved, and uncared for. That's what I deserve."

"Jie..." Even An Mei was feeling guilty now.

Li Jing interrupted again. "You don't have to thank me for saving your earlier Meimei. I am happy to sacrifice myself for my family. I am just happy that you and my little brother are doing so well. What more could I ask for?"

And with that final blow, Li Jing shattered all of Li Wei's remaining resistance and began walking towards the front door like the weight of the world rested upon her back.

"Jie, don't go." Li Wei stepped in front of her. He was almost crying. "I am sorry for everything I said. I didn't mean any of it. Please don't go. You can stay here until you are feeling well. We would be happy to have you here."

"Please stay, jie." A crying An Mei added her appeal to Li Wei's.

Li Jing sorrowfully looked at her little brother and her little sister-in-law and smiled. "Don't cry, you two. I am not going anywhere. I will stay right here, all right? Why don't we have some lunch? That will make everyone feel better."

Lunch:

With the first stage of her home invasion now complete, Li Jing was sprawled on the couch watching trashy TV while her lunch was being prepared in the kitchen.

Li Wei was chopping onions. "We did the right thing, didn't we?" he asked, like a man who had just foolishly committed a massive error.

"Of course," An Mei replied, like any equally unsuspecting accomplice. "She needs this. Let's just take care of her for a few days and make her feel good about herself."

"Yeah... a few days," Li Wei said thoughtfully, but he was soon distracted by his wife's cooking. "What are you making anyway? That looks new."

"It's from my mother's recipe book. Since you just solved your problem, I thought we could have this as a treat. Later, we can celebrate properly."

Li Wei had almost forgotten his solution amidst all the chaos of the last half hour.

An Mei looked at him and said, "I forgot to congratulate you earlier with everything going on." She gave him a delightful smile. "Congrats, Weiwei. I am really proud of you."

To Li Wei, this one moment was more precious than all the accolades he might receive from his peers. But he was not content with just verbal appreciation.

"Just a congrats? Not even a kiss?"

"I am cooking!"

"Excuses, excuses."

"Weiwei... that tickles... stop it... don't... alright, alright, you win..."

"Hey, that was just a peck, not a proper kiss."

"Professor Li Wei, go and cut the vegetables. I will show you my appreciation later... when we are in the bedroom."

"Really?! Can I get a preview?"

"Not a chance."

"Not even a little?"

"No, not even if you look like a sad puppy."