Goodbye (Mulan, Mulan/Shang, Theme #8)
10th and final entry!
Title: Goodbye
Author: lightbird
Theme and Number: #8, Technology
Fandom: Mulan
Pairing: Mulan/Shang
Rating: T
Summary: Alternate universe that puts Mulan in modern times and a completely different life
Disclaimer: Disney owns the characters from the animated movie and the legend belongs to the Chinese people. I just have them to manipulate and play with for these 10 challenges.
Note: Any of the specifics of the legal profession, law firms and cases in these AU vignettes are based on the American system, as I know nothing about the Chinese legal system or law firms.
(link here for first parts of fic)
oooOooo
Aunt Zhi-lan bustled around the kitchen, already planning the big bash that she was going to throw in honor of Mulan getting accepted to law school. In fact, she’d been accepted to three schools that she applied to.
“I’m sure all of our neighbors will come. And maybe you want to invite some of your friends from work.”
“I don’t really have any friends at work. None that I want to invite anyway.”
“What’s the matter with you?” she asked after a brief pause. “Aren’t you happy?”
Mulan forced herself to smile broadly at her. “Of course I am. This is what I wanted.”
Her aunt fixed her with a probing gaze for a full minute before finally looking away and picking up the tea kettle. “I guess you’re just in one of your moods.”
“Yeah, I guess,” she answered with a soft sigh.
“Why don’t you go and change into your robe that you like so much and I’ll make you some green tea.”
This time her smile was genuine. “Thanks, Auntie.”
Withdrawing her favorite robe from the closet she frowned as she thought of the man that had given it to her, wondering if she would ever really be free of him. She no longer worked for him, having passed all of her cases on to other legal assistants when she went to Singapore with Mr. Huang, Li Shang and the other attorneys on the case. Her score on the entrance exam was in the ninety-ninth percentile. And she didn’t even need a letter of recommendation from him; Mr. Huang, as well as Li Shang, had written a stellar letter for her.
Both Mr. Huang and Li Shang had advised her that she could also use them as references when she finished law school and went out to look for a job. But she still worried. Mr. Liu was well-known in the profession and he had a lot of contacts everywhere. Even with a reference from Mr. Huang, what if her perspective employers asked Mr. Liu about her? He had too much ammunition to use and it would be her word, the word of a meaningless woman law school graduate who was just starting out, against the word of an established and accomplished partner of a leading firm.
He could spread rumors about her and say that she was the one that instigated the affair. Or he could put a negative slant on things when he spoke of her work style. Ever since she’d confronted him after New Year’s he’d been dropping subtle comments to her. She wasn’t a good team player, she did things her own way without any consideration for her co-workers.
It was a complete crock and she knew it; but he was so powerful. Fear gripped her as she realized that she was really at his whim. If he wanted to destroy her he could, easily.
She tied the sash of her robe around her waist and absentmindedly walked back into the kitchen. Her aunt set down two cups of tea and joined her at the table.
“You look tired,” she prodded gently, reaching out to stroke her niece’s hair.
“No, I’m okay. I got very good recommendations from two attorneys I work for, including one partner. And they’ve both offered to give me references when I look for work after law school.”
“That’s great.”
“But…there’s another man…a partner. I’m afraid he may bad mouth me. He has a lot of contacts…nothing would be true, but people might believe him…”
Mulan trailed off and raised her eyes to meet Aunt Zhi-lan’s gaze.
“But it would be his word against the other partner if they’re talking to the same people.”
“I know, but what if they believe Mr. Liu and discount the good things that Mr. Huang says about me?”
“You can’t worry about it now, Mulan. Anything can happen in the time you’re in law school and you haven’t started yet. This Mr. Liu might forget all about you. Or he may even die.”
She blinked at her aunt in shock.
“Well, I’m not wishing it on him, but it could happen.”
Mulan couldn’t hold back the laugh that rose up inside of her.
They sat together in comfortable silence sipping their tea and Mulan considered her aunt’s words. She was right, as always. Anything could happen in those years and it was foolish to start worrying about it now.
Besides, there had to be some place where Liu Chen’s influence couldn’t touch her. He didn’t know everyone in every law firm in the world. And there were tons of law firms in New York, Singapore…
And she had friends in Singapore now. One of the firm’s branch offices was there and Mulan had arranged for them to work out of there during their Singapore case. It cut down on the amount of set up she had to do, especially when it came to their technological needs. She didn’t have to arrange for the set up of phone lines, which she would have had they rented their own vacant office space. And they worked on computers that were already hooked up to the firm’s network; that would have been a real headache to arrange.
She’d spent six weeks working there, including a week to set up before everyone else arrived and a week to clean up after the trial was over. After that she took the two week vacation that was coming to her and traveled with one of the legal assistants there that she’d befriended.
If she had to move to Singapore and look for a job there, so be it. Other than their branch office she was sure that Liu Chen had no ties to anyone. He didn’t speak English well enough and not everyone spoke Mandarin there.
“You’re a very determined, strong willed young woman,” Aunt Zhi-lan said, reaching over and laying a gentle hand on hers. “I’m sure you’ll find a way to do what you want, Mulan.”
oooOooo
Black sesame was her favorite flavor of ice cream. As content as a five year old she sat on the park bench with Li Shang spooning it into her mouth. Upon hearing the news that she’d been accepted to law school he’d insisted on treating her again, to celebrate her accomplishment. She was very moved by his gesture. As always, he was so sweet to her.
At least this time he ate something too, instead of just watching her eat. He’d bought himself a custard bun and sat silently, munching on it and looking as happy as she was. They were both silent, too busy enjoying their respective treats.
“We’re going to miss you, Mulan,” he began after finishing the last of his pastry. He brushed the crumbs off of his lap. “But I’m glad you’re going to law school. I have no doubt that you’re going to be an excellent attorney.”
“Thanks. I’ll…miss you guys, too.”
It wasn’t completely true; she wouldn’t miss everyone. But she would miss him terribly. Of course she couldn’t say that. And the chances of them staying in touch were slim.
He chuckled lightly. “Yes, I’m sure you’ll miss us dumping work on you.”
“It wasn’t a bad job,” she answered with a shrug. “But now I’ll be working toward doing what I really want to.”
“Mm. I hope that one day maybe I’ll have the chance to work side by side with you.”
Their eyes met and she felt her body become heated. Trepidation filled her and she nervously averted her eyes, breaking the spell. As her aunt said, ‘bamboo with bamboo and wood with wood.’ They were from two different elements.
Maybe once she was an attorney she would be on more of an equal footing with him. But that wouldn’t be for a few years and in that time he would surely be married to a more suitable woman, one who was beautiful and from a wealthy family like he was.
I suppose I should let this go, be happy that he’ll respect me as a colleague and a friend.
Perhaps she wouldn’t even feel the same way about him by the time she finished with school.
“So, are you going to live on campus?”
“No. I’ve chosen to go to school in Shanghai. I’ll still live with my aunt and uncle.”
To her great surprise a broad smile spread across his face.
“Don’t get any ideas. I’m not going to still work for the firm, not even part-time.”
Shang chuckled warmly. “I would never suggest such a thing. Law school is difficult enough. You don’t want to have to work while you’re going.”
He hesitated before speaking up again.
“Maybe we’ll see each other around town though.”
She blinked in surprise, then nodded and murmured, “Maybe. I can email you from my personal address so you have it.”
“That would be great. Then we can stay in touch.”
-/-
END