Sri Li - A Stowaways Novel

I have begun working on the second book in The Stowaways series. It will focus on Wi Chen, who was the creator of the Sri Li, and introduced in the first novel. What I am enjoying about this series is that after reading The Stowaways, there is not set order that the rest of the series will need to be read in. Here is a brief look at what I have so far, in collaboration with my editor Ken Shaw:

Chapter One - Wi Who? LOL

Wi Chen was born in Shanghai, China. He attended Shanghai Community International School, one of the top private schools in Shanghai, and always received straight A’s. His father held a highly respectable job at Shanghai International Consultants Corporation where he was the Chief Financial Officer. Wi’s father, Wu, started out on the ground floor of Shanghai International when he was hired straight out of college.

During his early years with the company, Wu worked in a small cubicle and put in many late hours, including time in the evenings and weekends. Some days he would work eighteen hours straight. Coming from nothing, Wu wanted, no, he needed to prove his worth, and his hard work did not go unnoticed. It caused him to climb quickly through the ranks until he finally found himself, almost at the top of a multi-billion dollar company.

Wu worked so hard for one reason. He desperately wanted to be able to provide a better life for his family than what he had growing up. It wasn’t that he grew up unloved. It was that he grew up in the nail houses on the outskirts of the Shanghai slums.

Wi’s grandfather, Wie-Wu, was a poor man raising his family in poverty. He worked in the rice fields from the time he was a boy until he no longer could. Despite what many people thought, Wu was not embarrassed at the work that his father did in order to provide for the family. Wu actually respected the hard work his father did. If anyone ever made a comment about his upbringing, Wu would be quick to remind them that his father did the best that he could to provide.

Wie-Wu worked long, hard hours just to be able to put a small amount of food on the table and keep a leaky roof over the family’s head. He had not attended school past the 6th grade, and did not wish the same for his son.

Wei-Wu made sure that schooling was Wu’s primary concern. Not only that, Wei-Wu demanded perfection in Wu’s studies. He reinforced that this adherence to a high degree of education would allow Wu to provide a better life for not only himself but also for his family one day. This vision of academics was seen as of great importance for Wi as well. His father would not take kindly if Wi’s grades ever slipped below a B+.

****

Wi’s mother, Jia Min, was a sweet and loving soul. Like her husband, she wanted Wi to do well in school, but she cared more for his happiness above all else. She was nowhere near as strict as his father. Jai Min had been an elementary school teacher; however, she gave up her job soon after she married Wu so they could start a family. Wu believed that the place for his wife and soon to be mother was at home with the children.

While Jia Min was not overly thrilled about Wu’s views, she was an obedient wife. Also, it did not hurt that she did still get to teach at times. She would spend most of her free time tutoring Wi when he was younger and even some of the kids in the neighborhood as well. She was a great teacher, and Wi was a great learner. By the time that Wi was twelve, he had already become fluent in both English and Spanish, on top of his native Mandarin.

Even as much as Wi was pushed with his academics by his father, he never gave any push back. He had learned obedience from his mother, and it did not hurt that he truly loved school. Wi enjoied all of the subjects, but his passion lay in the fields of science and technology,

He exceptionally shined when he was trying to take things apart to see how they worked. Even more fun was trying to put them back together. As he got older he even began building his own inventions. Wu saw that Wi was quickly outgrowing public school and enrolled him in the Shanghai Community International School come high school. Once high school began it flew by and soon Wi was thinking about his future.

****

“Have you decided where you are going to go yet?” Wi asked his best friend while looking out at the city that lay before them.

“I’m not sure, I’ll probably attend a college in Shanghai or Beijing. Yet, I would love to just take a year off and really think about it. But… if I know my father, he will have a fit if I say I’d like to take a break,” my best friend Tommy began. “I can hear it now, ‘I didn’t take a break. I can’t afford to take a break. If I take a break then we would be living on the streets.’ God, he can just be so over the top. I don’t know Wi, I’m not like you. You’ve had Vanderbilt in mind since, I can’t even remember when.” The boy sighed, looking down at a rock on the ground before kicking it across the sidewalk and into the alleyway.

“It hasn’t been that long since I’ve known where I’ve wanted to go.” Wi responded. “Yeah, I had Vanderbilt in my mind but, I don’t even know if they will take me. I haven’t even gotten an acceptance letter yet. They may say no.”

“You don't know if they will accept you! What do you mean? They would be crazy not to take you. You have perfect grades, you’re one of the smartest people I know. They should be honored to have you,” Tommy said with a smile.

“Ha-ha, okay. I’m not that important and they may not take me, you never know. I think that you should do whatever you feel best about.” Wi said, while patting him on the back.

“Tell that to my father. If he so much as hears I was considering taking a year off… I don’t even want to think about what he’d do.” He said, moving his foot along the ground.

“Listen. Tommy, you just need to think about you sometimes. At the end of the day it is your life. I would just take some time and think about what makes you happy. You’re a super smart person and you could do amazing things no matter what you decide to do.” Wi said, trying to reassure him.

It was funny though, Wi couldn’t imagine taking any time off like he was advising Tommy, but then again, Tommy and Wi were completely different people. Sure, Tommy got good grades. Sure, he was good at everything he did. But Wi attributed that to being from the pressure Tommy’s father put on him.

If his dad had left him alone, Tommy wouldn’t have done a lot of things in school. Wi knew that his parents pushed him, but honestly Wi loved learning. He didn’t know what his father would do if he told him he didn’t want to pursue higher education. Honestly, Wi probably wouldn’t ever have the nerve to tell his father.

The more he thought about it, the more he hoped that Tommy’s father would take it better than Wi’s should he choose not to go. Wi felt bad, he just couldn’t understand how people could spend so much of their life trying to make others happy and then completely forget about what they needed for their happiness.

After a few more minutes Wi and Tommy said their goodbyes and went in different directions to head home.

****

WI stopped when he reached the Imperial High-rise

Estates. His family's apartment was located on the top floor. As he walked towards the glass double doors, a man opened the door for him.

“Good evening Mr. Chen, I hope your day went well,” the doorman said, as he bowed his head.

“Thank you, Mr. Kim. It was a good day. I hope yours was good as well.” Wi said, turning and bowing back to him.

Wi then made his way to the elevators and rode it up to the very top. When the elevator dinged Wi knew he had reached his destination. He stepped out of the elevator and walked down the hall until he reached the apartment door.

Upon stepping inside Wi took his shoes off and made his way to his room. He placed his textbooks on the shelf and placed his bag inside the closet. He then laid down on his bed, stretched for a moment, and thought about the conversation he had earlier with Tommy.

Wi had no idea how Tommy’s father would react to Tommy not wanting to go to college. Mr. Ling was very strict, he may have been even more strict than Wi’s father and Wi still couldn’t imagine what his parents would do if he told them he didn’t want to go.

Yet, Wi did mean what he said about happiness. He felt it was ironic that people were so quick to tell someone that they just want what’s best for them but not take what that person actually wanted into consideration.

Wi guessed he was just lucky. He knew what he wanted and it just happened to align with what his parents wanted for him too.

There was a knock on the door, pulling Wi from his thoughts.

“Wi, are you home?” A soft spoken voice said, coming from the other side of the door.

“Yes ma ma. I got home maybe five minutes ago,” he replied.

“Oh, okay. I just didn’t hear you come in,” she replied, “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, I was just putting my books and backpack up.”Wi said, starting to get up from the bed.

“Okay, well dinner will be ready in about an hour. Your father should be home shortly,” she said before Wi heard her footsteps leading away from the door.

As his mother walked away Wi pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and laid back down on the bed. Punching in the four digit screen lock code, the screen shook and did not open.

Dang it! I fat fingered it. He thought to himself as it gave a buzz and said incorrect passcode. He entered the code again, this time it unlocked.

Wi checked his social media accounts, scrolling through the updates since he had last looked. Nothing super exciting ever seemed to happen so he closed out of the accounts and chose to watch some random tech videos before locking his phone and placing it on the bed beside him.

“Wi, dinner time! Come and help me set the table please.” his mother called out from the kitchen.

Wi rose from the bed and started to place the cellphone in his pocket but thought better of it, plugging it in and placing it on his desk. He didn’t want to be tempted to check it at dinner should he get a message. That was his mother’s pet peeve, checking the phone while eating dinner. Once his phone was plugged in and charging, Wi made his way out to the kitchen to see his mom leaning over the stove.

The food smelled amazing.

“Smells good, Mom.” Wi said, taking in a deep breath to allow himself to get a better smell of the aroma.

“Can you please set the table, dinner should be ready in about 5 minutes and your father should be home about the same time.” She continued stirring the rice in the pot without turning around.

“Yes ma’am.” Wi replied, as he made his way to the cupboard to grab the dishes.

He quickly set the table, and then asked if his mother needed any help to which she said “No,” before shooting Wi out of the kitchen.

At almost the same time that dinner was placed on the table, Wu’s father came strolling through the door. Without saying a word he hung his hat and suit jacket on the hooks next to the door and made his way to the table and sat athis customary seat.

Wi’s father was not one for small talk, which sometimes made it very hard to communicate with him on a personal level. It was true that Wi and his father connected about school. Mr. Chen always wanted to know how Wi’s grades were. Not because he thought Wi was not doing his work, more so to make sure that Wi was putting his best effort into his studies. Wi knew that his father was not keen on the idea of him going to America for college but, he would rather Wi do that than not attend a university at all.

“How was your day hun?” My mother asked, looking at my father.

Wu Chen kept eating for a second, and once he finished chewing he replied, “Same as every other day I guess. We got a few more deals closed but still haven’t gotten this big one yet. It’s coming though, I can feel it.“ As he finished his thought, he shoveled more food in his mouth.

“Well that’s good, I am sure you guys will get it done.” Mother said, before she looked at Wi.

“How was your day Wi?”

“It was okay, I didn't really do much in class as we’re just about all finished up before finals,” he said, looking up from his plate.

“Is everything okay? You just seem off tonight?” Mom said. The concern could be heard in her voice.

“Everything is good, just a long day. I’m waiting to see what universities I've been accepted to, that’s all.” Wi answered, telling his mother a half truth. For some reason Wi couldn’t shake the conversation that he had with Tommy earlier and didn’t know why.

When they finished eating Wi helped clear the table and bring the dishes to the kitchen counter. When he brought the last of the dishes to the counter Wu’s mother handed him a couple of envelopes.

“I forgot to give you these. They came in the mail today.”

“Thank you.” Wi said, looking at them.

They were from three different universities he had applied to: Willam and Mary, Yale, and George Mason.

Wi quickly flipped through them all but didn’t see the one that he truly wanted. These schools would be good but none of them were Vanderbilt.

His mother could see the excitement leave his face as Wi looked at the last envelope. It was replaced with disappointment instead.

“There are lots of good universities and I am sure that they all would love to have you.” She said, trying to comfort her son.

“Yeah, I am sure there are…” Wi said, trying not to seem so upset about the fact that he still hadn’t heard from Vanderbilt.

“Oh, I must have forgotten you also received this in the mail.” She said, handing Wi one last envelope that she retrieved from the drawer next to her.

As Wi looked up. he saw “Van…” and didn’t need to see the rest of it. Wi quickly opened the envelope, ripping out the contents inside. Unfolding the letter that was inside Wi began reading:

Wi Chen

Shanghai, China

Dear Mr. Chen

I am writing to you concerning your application. I am pleased to inform you that the Board of Admissions has admitted you into the Class of (Date) for Electronic Engineering. I would like to be the first to personally congratulate you on all of your hard work and achievements.

We will mail you your official admissions packet in the coming weeks but wanted to inform you now because you have been selected for a Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship. You are with the few at the top of freshmen candidates. Less than 1% of our freshmen applicants are chosen for this scholarship. As a scholar you will be awarded tuition for the first four years of undergraduate study.

We are pleased once again to congratulate you on your admission. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Wi couldn’t believe it. His jaw nearly hit the floor as he continued to read the letter a second time. He had finally done it! He had finally gotten accepted to the university he so desperately wanted! Wi felt like he was on top of the world and nothing could bring him down.

Wi looked up to see his mother smiling, He felt that he couldn’t contain the sheer excitement he was feeling. That was until he remembered he had to tell his father he was accepted at Vanderbilt. In his heart, Wi knew his father wanted him to stay in China. Go to a University in China. Mr, Chen did not understand why Wi wanted to go to America.

How was Wi going to tell him that he had gotten accepted…

Wi’s mother saw the excitement once again leave her son’s face as he looked out into the living room where his father was reading a book. She placed her arm around Wi’s shoulder and whispered, “Don’t worry about it. I will talk to your father. You just continue to be happy. I am so glad that you got accepted to the school you wanted.” Giving him a kiss on the cheek, she ushered Wi out of the kitchen. “Go and relax in your room. I’m sure you’re tired, you said you had a long day.” She gave him a wink as he left the kitchen and headed for his bedroom.

After his nightly ritual of taking a shower and brushing his teeth, Wi climbed into bed. Scrolling through his social media accounts for a couple more hours and after playing some games, Wi rolled over, plugged his phone in and set it on the nightstand. Getting comfortable Wi slowly drifted off to sleep.