Trafford's Trading Club

”Meimei, today I…”

”Xiao Man, I have some business and need to leave early.”

”But we have an appointment…”

”My mother came to pick me up. Bye…”

”Oh… fine.”

During her childhood, when she was still called ʼFeng Xiamanʼ, her hands grasped the schoolbag straps with her head lowered. She told herself, ”Those who can be picked up by their parents are so blissful.”

She used to have equivalent treatment one month ago.

The big and rough hands always held her small hands tightly.

Feng Xiaman walked through the crowd quickly; however, some sounds came to her ears.

”Donʼt talk to her tomorrow, got it?” one parent of another child said.

”If she wants to play with you, you should say youʼre not free, ok? if she insists, then tell the teacher!” another parent said to his own child.

There were also some similar but more unpleasant words.

”Donʼt play with the child of a murderer. Youʼre good, baby, and sheʼs bad.”

Something like this.

She could only cover her ears and ran over the corner… escaping each unfriendly saying and treatment.

…

”Xiaman, Xiaman? Xiaman?”

”Oh, whatʼs wrong?”

Tao Xiaman was stunned, turning to look at her fiancé, who was her university classmate in L.A. they met, knew each other, fell in love; now, they were about to step into marriage.

”The designer is asking you a question.” Her fiancé Zhou Zihao smiled, ”She is asking you what do you think of this style of dress?”

”Oh… sorry, my mind wandered just now.” Tao Xiaman looked at the designer apologetically.

The famous designer over 30 smiled, ”Thatʼs alright, a girl before marriage finds it easier for her mind to wander. I was the same when I got married a few years back. And at this point, Mr. Zhou, you should coax your fiancée.”

Zhou Zihao laughed, watching his fiancée with happiness and satisfaction.

The designer added, ”Ms. Tao, according to your requirements, I can give you 3 design sketches of the dress. What do you think of these?”

Tao Xiaman looked back at the design drawing, and suddenly remembered she had lost her train of thought in the second one.

”Well… let me think it over.” Tao Xiaman hesitated and said.

The designer replied, ”Donʼt you like this kind of wedding dress mixed both western style and Chinese tradition?”

”Yes…” Tao Xiaman waved her hands, ”Itʼs really beautiful, but I think I should have time to consider.”

”Well…” the designer smiled, ”Yeah, itʼs a key decision for your life and marriage, you should think it over. Then, let me edit it slightly. Is that OK?”

”Yeah, thank you.” Tao Xiaman nodded.

Zhou Zihao held Tao Xiamanʼs hand and walked out of this store, towards the parking lot. He asked, ”Why? Are you feeling bad? You donʼt look good.”

Tao Xiaman shook her head, ”Probably due to the time difference.”

”Yeah, then get more rest.” Zhou Zihao didnʼt think too much about it… He didnʼt sleep well either.

Although they had been back for more than one week.

Zhou Zihao said as opening the car door for Tao Xiaman, ”Anyway, I thought you should be fond of such traditional formal dresses.”

”Why do you say this?” Tao Xiaman asked curiously.

Zhou Zihao smiled, ”Do you remember last Christmas? You gazed at one of the dresses in a dress store and held still there. I thought you like traditional Chinese style, so my friends introduced me to this designer and I told her to design a Chinese-style one. I thought it might be a surprise to you, but…”

Tao Xiaman felt touched and patted Zhou Zihaoʼs hand, ”No, I donʼt. I like the Chinese style, but…”

”But what?”

”Itʼs hard for a girl to meet a Chinese-style wedding dress with phoenix pattern that she likes.” Tao Xiaman shook her head, ”I donʼt want to make do with it…”

”Yeah… that makes sense.” Zhou Zihao nodded, ”Well, we still have time to look for another one. Oh, by the way, when will your parents be back?”

”Next week.”

The car left slowly.

The old man dared not speak. Only when the car left did he come out. He had never felt so excited these years.

The happiness and restraint of looking at Xiaman also made him suffer.

Yet, Old Feng glanced at this dress shop. This was still a good result for him.

Because his daughter would get married.

To a father, nothing would be better than hearing this.

…

Old Feng soon wore his cap and mask and left this place.

He didnʼt know how he left that tall wall.

He only regained his senses when he was standing on the street.

Furthermore, what he wore were not prison grab, but a simple suit with some money in the pocket.

Then, he witnessed the girl had been led from the car and walked into the dress shop… Old Feng was sure that she was his daughter.

Old Feng even found a note with an address from his pocket---it was Tao Xiamanʼs address.

He got the information from the staff of that welfare institution, that the adoptorʼs family name was Tao.

Old Feng felt he met the most mysterious issue in the world… Even if it was a dream, he was happy to be immersed in it.

And didnʼt want to wake up.

Maybe he should cherish the time, and head to Tao Xiamanʼs address to watch his grown-up daughter one more time.

However, after a long consideration, he decided to go back to his home.

That old house.

…

…

In the evening, Zhou Zihao calmed down after chatting on the phone with Tao Xiaman.

He loved this girl, more than everything else.

He tried to provide her with the best he could give.

The wedding banquet here was for treating the families and friends of both side; and after marriage, they planned to immigrate abroad.

Zhou Zihao couldnʼt fall asleep, because of the time difference and the matter that happened this morning.

He searched online to look for wedding dress and shops in the city.

Nevertheless, he failed to get what he wanted after half an hour.

So Zhou Zihao tried to ask questions, ʼWhere can I find an experienced and skillful worker for designing traditional Chinese dresses?ʼ

He didnʼt expect to get the answer right away.

Zhou Zihao laughed, turning off the lamp light and decided to sleep… but unexpectedly the notification for the question rang.

Zhou Zihao quickly turned it on and checked.

A user named LQ wrote a paragraph, ”I heard, a dozen years ago, there was a good tailor who provided customized dress-making services. He lived at No.33, the second alley of Jihua Road. But I donʼt know if he is still living there. You can go check.”

”A dozen years ago?” Zhou Zihao gave a start, thinking; he decided to get up and copy down this address.

…

When he woke up the next day, Zhou Zihao massaged his eyes. He slept well, so was energetic today.

He looked at the note, thinking for a while, and making a phone call---to his fiancée.

”Hey, Xiaman, Iʼll go for a dinner with my classmates, so I cannot go with you this afternoon.” Zhou Zihao apologized, ”They asked me to go last night. It was too late, so I didnʼt tell you yesterday.”

”Oh, thatʼs ok. You should go see your classmates after so many years. And I have to hurry to finish a report. So, take care when youʼre driving. The road situation is quite different from L.A.ʼs.”

Zhou Zihao made some small talk with her, then tidied himself and went out of the door.

The destination showed, ʼNo.33, the second alley of Jihua Road.ʼ