Rich People Problems-Kwan 2017 (WWT)

“It’s the funeral of the year!” Oliver quipped. “Don’t you know everyone who’s anyone
wants to be here? A little earlier, a rather pushy young socialite named Serena Tang tried
to take a selfie with Su Yi’s coffin. She got thrown out, of course. Here, let’s take a
shortcut.” He directed them through a side door and the atmosphere changed completely.
They found themselves in the magnificent Andalusian Cloister, an enclosed courtyard
surrounded by carved columns open to the sky. Rows of chairs with white slipcases had
been arranged around the reflecting pool in the center of the courtyard, and the guests
who gathered here murmured quietly amid the sound of the trickling water. Antique silk
lamps had been placed in each of the arched alcoves surrounding the courtyard, the
flickering candles within each lamp adding to the monastic stillness of the space.
At the far end of the courtyard, in front of the carved lotus blossom fountain, Su Yi’s
simple black teakwood casket rested on a marble dais surrounded by orchids. In a nearby
alcove, Nick, his parents, and many members of the extended Young clan stood in an
informal receiving line. Nick was dressed in a white button-down shirt with black
trousers, and Rachel noticed that all the men present—Nick’s father, Alistair Cheng, and a
few other men she didn’t recognize—were dressed in the same manner.
“Rachel, why don’t you go to Nick first. We don’t want to disrupt your reunion,” Peik
Lin suggested. Rachel nodded and descended the few steps into the courtyard toward the
receiving line, feeling her stomach tense up in a sudden wave of anxiety. Nick was
hugging Lucia Shang and was just about to be introduced to the president of China when
he saw her approach. He quickly stepped out of the receiving line and dashed to her.
“Darling!” he said, sweeping her into an embrace.
“Oh my, did you just dis the president of China?” Rachel asked.
“Did I? Oh well, who cares? You’re far more important.” Nick laughed, and taking
Rachel by the hand, led her to the receiving line and announced proudly, “Everyone—my
wife has arrived!”
Rachel immediately felt every eye in the room turn to take her in. Philip and Eleanor
welcomed Rachel and the avalanche of introductions began. Nick’s uncles, aunts, and
cousins from all the various branches greeted her far more warmly than she had expected,
and suddenly Rachel found herself face-to-face with the president of China. Before she
could say anything, Nick stepped forward and announced in Mandarin, “This is my wife. I
believe her father, Bao Gaoliang, serves on your standing committee?”
The president looked momentarily startled, and then he broke into a wide grin. “You’re
Gaoliang’s daughter? The economics professor from New York? It’s a pleasure to meet
you at last. My God, you look just like your brother, Carlton.”
“He’s right over there,” Rachel replied in perfect Mandarin, waving her brother over.
“Carlton Bao, you seem to be everywhere these days! Didn’t I just see you at my
daughter’s birthday dinner two nights ago? I hope you’re flying on air miles,” the
president said in mock seriousness.
“Of course, sir,” Carlton replied. He beamed at the gathered group, making sure to catch
Scheherazade’s eye.