"I merely feel like you would have an easier time explaining with this." Zao Ming pulled out a brown envelope that Lee Mu could not have been more familiar with from his bag. It was the package that he was talking about earlier.
"But… how…" Lee Mu stammered. Zao Ming would not have known he would come clean so why did he have the evidence with him?
Zao Ming smiled a wistful smile. "Because I know you cannot hold the truth in any longer. Lee Mu, you are too good of a man for this world."
In spite of the situation, Lee Mu smiled, not only at the compliment but also at the man who knew him all too well.
Zao Ming turned to Xiu Ling and said, "This is what we received in the mail. You can see for yourself the reason why." He dropped the envelope on the table and pushed it across to Xiu Ling.
Xiu Ling grabbed it and unlocked the seal. Lin Kang also leaned over to take a look.
The first thing they saw was a piece of white paper. It was a letter but instead of being written down using pen or pencil, it was more similar to a ransom paper. The letters were cut out from other publications and painstakingly pasted onto the paper.
The sender definitely took deliberate steps to hide their identity.
Xiu Ling and Lin Kang read through the letter and their faces were aghast with shock and horror.
Xiu Ling looked up from the letter at the pair of men. "Wait, does this mean you two are…"
Instead of answering, Zao Ming replied, "There are more things inside the envelope, they should explain everything you need to know."
Xiu Ling upended the envelope and photographs slipped out of it. The background of all the pictures was the same, they looked to be the lobby of a high-end apartment building.
This was confirmed by Lee Mu who added, "These are all taken at our building."
There were several photographs of Lee Mu and Zao Ming laughing, talking and even hugging but those were just fine. They could be explained away by them being really close friends albeit a little bit handsy with one another.
However, there was a last photograph that was most incriminating. It showed the two men kissing, locking lips together.
There was no denying the nature of their relationship then. It was not an accidental kiss, like the 'oops, sorry for tripping and accidentally brushing my lips against yours' type of kissing. Their arms were around each other's neck, it was a full-on make-out session.
Both Xiu Ling and Lin Kang's eyes widened with shock. Yes there had been rumours but to see the evidence laid right before their eyes still needed some getting used to.
Out of the corner of their eyes, Lee Mu and Zao Ming watched the two's reactions closely. There was a valid reason they preferred to keep their relationship to themselves because they would never know what kind of reaction they were going to get.
If they were to follow the current zeitgeist, the response would be one of contempt and disgust. Of course, not all would view them that way but some would call their 'choice of lifestyle' contemptuous and unnatural.
This was not aided by the government and media's policy on the LGBTQ community. There had always been an embargo to not showcase any LGBTQ content on the media due to its tendency to promote a 'wayward lifestyle'.
This was the main reason why Zao Ming had been careful to not reveal their relationship to the public. It could very well ruin Lee Mu's career in one fell swoop.
Alas…
Looking at the picture, Zao Ming said, "We got too contented and thus too careless."
Probably attempting to lighten the mood, Lee Mu added in a whisper, "I don't regret that kiss though."
This caused his boyfriend to blush.
Looking at them, Xiu Ling could not help but feel a surge of joy. It was clear to her that the two were madly in love with one another and she could not have been happier on their behalf. For her, love was love, it didn't matter what kind of form it came in, as long as it made them happy, it was something worth celebrating.
From Lin Kang's perspective, he didn't care that much about Lee Mu and Zao Ming's sexual orientation. As long as their love did not infringe into his life, he did not wish to waste his time or attention on other people.
In other words, one approved of their relationship and the other viewed it with indifference.
However, it was also because Xiu Ling realized they were so happy together that she was so pissed at them. "Is this why you try to slander Joann's name?" she demanded.
Lee Mu nodded shamefully. "I'm sorry but we had no choice."
"Yes, you always have a choice! You could have discussed this with Joann, couldn't you?!" Xiu Ling fired back. "She would have understood. Hell, I believe she would even extend you her blessings!"
"But the letter…" Zao Ming tried to argue.
It should be clear by now that the letter was an attempt at blackmail. It was short and pushed its point across effectively. It said, "If you do not wish for these photos to see the press, expose Joann Fong as an impossible person to work with during the upcoming press conference."
Xiu Ling fumed at the two guys and Lin Kang cut in to move the conversation along, "In any case, it's too late to deal with that now. What do you suggest we do to move forward?"
It was then that Lee Mu piped up, "Miss Xiu Ling, do you think you can help me schedule a meeting with Joann? I wish to apologize to her in person and since we're trying to figure out a solution, the more of us there is, the better right? Plus this incident directly involves her as well. It is only fair for her to be present."
"I merely feel like you would have an easier time explaining with this." Zao Ming pulled out a brown envelope that Lee Mu could not have been more familiar with from his bag. It was the package that he was talking about earlier.
"But… how…" Lee Mu stammered. Zao Ming would not have known he would come clean so why did he have the evidence with him?
Zao Ming smiled a wistful smile. "Because I know you cannot hold the truth in any longer. Lee Mu, you are too good of a man for this world."
In spite of the situation, Lee Mu smiled, not only at the compliment but also at the man who knew him all too well.
Zao Ming turned to Xiu Ling and said, "This is what we received in the mail. You can see for yourself the reason why." He dropped the envelope on the table and pushed it across to Xiu Ling.
Xiu Ling grabbed it and unlocked the seal. Lin Kang also leaned over to take a look.
The first thing they saw was a piece of white paper. It was a letter but instead of being written down using pen or pencil, it was more similar to a ransom paper. The letters were cut out from other publications and painstakingly pasted onto the paper.
The sender definitely took deliberate steps to hide their identity.
Xiu Ling and Lin Kang read through the letter and their faces were aghast with shock and horror.
Xiu Ling looked up from the letter at the pair of men. "Wait, does this mean you two are…"
Instead of answering, Zao Ming replied, "There are more things inside the envelope, they should explain everything you need to know."
Xiu Ling upended the envelope and photographs slipped out of it. The background of all the pictures was the same, they looked to be the lobby of a high-end apartment building.
This was confirmed by Lee Mu who added, "These are all taken at our building."
There were several photographs of Lee Mu and Zao Ming laughing, talking and even hugging but those were just fine. They could be explained away by them being really close friends albeit a little bit handsy with one another.
However, there was a last photograph that was most incriminating. It showed the two men kissing, locking lips together.
There was no denying the nature of their relationship then. It was not an accidental kiss, like the 'oops, sorry for tripping and accidentally brushing my lips against yours' type of kissing. Their arms were around each other's neck, it was a full-on make-out session.
Both Xiu Ling and Lin Kang's eyes widened with shock. Yes there had been rumours but to see the evidence laid right before their eyes still needed some getting used to.
Out of the corner of their eyes, Lee Mu and Zao Ming watched the two's reactions closely. There was a valid reason they preferred to keep their relationship to themselves because they would never know what kind of reaction they were going to get.
If they were to follow the current zeitgeist, the response would be one of contempt and disgust. Of course, not all would view them that way but some would call their 'choice of lifestyle' contemptuous and unnatural.
This was not aided by the government and media's policy on the LGBTQ community. There had always been an embargo to not showcase any LGBTQ content on the media due to its tendency to promote a 'wayward lifestyle'.
This was the main reason why Zao Ming had been careful to not reveal their relationship to the public. It could very well ruin Lee Mu's career in one fell swoop.
Alas…
Looking at the picture, Zao Ming said, "We got too contented and thus too careless."
Probably attempting to lighten the mood, Lee Mu added in a whisper, "I don't regret that kiss though."
This caused his boyfriend to blush.
Looking at them, Xiu Ling could not help but feel a surge of joy. It was clear to her that the two were madly in love with one another and she could not have been happier on their behalf. For her, love was love, it didn't matter what kind of form it came in, as long as it made them happy, it was something worth celebrating.
From Lin Kang's perspective, he didn't care that much about Lee Mu and Zao Ming's sexual orientation. As long as their love did not infringe into his life, he did not wish to waste his time or attention on other people.
In other words, one approved of their relationship and the other viewed it with indifference.
However, it was also because Xiu Ling realized they were so happy together that she was so pissed at them. "Is this why you try to slander Joann's name?" she demanded.
Lee Mu nodded shamefully. "I'm sorry but we had no choice."
"Yes, you always have a choice! You could have discussed this with Joann, couldn't you?!" Xiu Ling fired back. "She would have understood. Hell, I believe she would even extend you her blessings!"
"But the letter…" Zao Ming tried to argue.
It should be clear by now that the letter was an attempt at blackmail. It was short and pushed its point across effectively. It said, "If you do not wish for these photos to see the press, expose Joann Fong as an impossible person to work with during the upcoming press conference."
Xiu Ling fumed at the two guys and Lin Kang cut in to move the conversation along, "In any case, it's too late to deal with that now. What do you suggest we do to move forward?"
It was then that Lee Mu piped up, "Miss Xiu Ling, do you think you can help me schedule a meeting with Joann? I wish to apologize to her in person and since we're trying to figure out a solution, the more of us there is, the better right? Plus this incident directly involves her as well. It is only fair for her to be present."
