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We put our time, effort and hearts into each episode that we do; we also have our own things to do besides subbing this wonderful drama. So we will do the uploading in our own time, in our own phase. Please do not rush us.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for all the message of appreciation you keep on sending us.
For all those who are requesting for songs from the OST, accept our apologies if we are unable to send you the songs immediately but we promise to send it to you ASAP.
WHAT'S NEW
Disclaimer: Episode 20 uploaded in mysoju.com is not our project
Episode 20: all parts are out now.
Our apologies for not being able to finish this episode sooner. We've been busy the past week that working on this episode has been delayed.
Episode 20: all parts are out now.
Our apologies for not being able to finish this episode sooner. We've been busy the past week that working on this episode has been delayed.
Epilogue
[Translated by J-Star Supporter]
[Edited by Beauty_Karova]
[Edited by Beauty_Karova]
One Year Later
The future Ji heir, in the midst of all the hustle and bustle, is finally born. All the focus and attention is on him.
Granny loves him to death. Every time daddy picks him up, he is so gentle and careful, as if he is afraid to drop and break him. Any time he cries, mom would rush over to the crib. Dylan even fought to be godfather and gave him an art piece as his birthday gift.
That day, when Xin Yi is breastfeeding the baby in the nursery, she says, shaking her head, "We're spoiling this baby. He's going to grow up and become another prince."
"What's wrong with being a prince?" Cun Xi completely focuses on his wife feeding their baby. "He just has to be happy!" As long as his wife and son are happy, Cun Xi would give everything to them.
Xin Yi is smiling sweetly, "Oh yes, Anna sent us an invitation. She's going to be performing "Swan Lake" next month at Lincoln Center as the female lead."
"Congratulations to her!" Cun Xi is happy for his ex-girlfriend. "Do you want to go watch?"
"Of course" Xin Yi says without thinking twice. "This is her invitation to battle with me! How could I not accept?"
"I don't get you two. Should I call you two enemies? Or friends?" Cun Xi says smiling. This past year, Xin Yi and Anna have been keeping in touch through email, maintaining an ambiguous sort of relationship.
"Also, Dylan finally found a girlfriend. He'll introduce us to her the next time he's in Taiwan."
"Excellent!" Cun Xi is excited, finally being able to let go and stop worrying about his love rival.
"Even Granny, has started anew with her first love, Zhong Shan Da Shi. Everyone is living happily!"
"What about you?" Cun Xi asked.
"I'm the most happy. With you and the baby by my side, I'm the world's happiest woman." Xin Yi told him.
Cun Xi smiles back at Xin Yi, "I'm really the happiest man on earth."
Cun Xi slowly moves closer in and places his lips on his beloved wife, giving her a deep kiss....
The future Ji heir, in the midst of all the hustle and bustle, is finally born. All the focus and attention is on him.
Granny loves him to death. Every time daddy picks him up, he is so gentle and careful, as if he is afraid to drop and break him. Any time he cries, mom would rush over to the crib. Dylan even fought to be godfather and gave him an art piece as his birthday gift.
That day, when Xin Yi is breastfeeding the baby in the nursery, she says, shaking her head, "We're spoiling this baby. He's going to grow up and become another prince."
"What's wrong with being a prince?" Cun Xi completely focuses on his wife feeding their baby. "He just has to be happy!" As long as his wife and son are happy, Cun Xi would give everything to them.
Xin Yi is smiling sweetly, "Oh yes, Anna sent us an invitation. She's going to be performing "Swan Lake" next month at Lincoln Center as the female lead."
"Congratulations to her!" Cun Xi is happy for his ex-girlfriend. "Do you want to go watch?"
"Of course" Xin Yi says without thinking twice. "This is her invitation to battle with me! How could I not accept?"
"I don't get you two. Should I call you two enemies? Or friends?" Cun Xi says smiling. This past year, Xin Yi and Anna have been keeping in touch through email, maintaining an ambiguous sort of relationship.
"Also, Dylan finally found a girlfriend. He'll introduce us to her the next time he's in Taiwan."
"Excellent!" Cun Xi is excited, finally being able to let go and stop worrying about his love rival.
"Even Granny, has started anew with her first love, Zhong Shan Da Shi. Everyone is living happily!"
"What about you?" Cun Xi asked.
"I'm the most happy. With you and the baby by my side, I'm the world's happiest woman." Xin Yi told him.
Cun Xi smiles back at Xin Yi, "I'm really the happiest man on earth."
Cun Xi slowly moves closer in and places his lips on his beloved wife, giving her a deep kiss....
THE END
Chapter 10
[Translated by J-Star Supporter]
[Edited by Beauty_Karova]
[Edited by Beauty_Karova]
Each and every sticky note on posters all tell their own story. Filling up Xin Yi's art gallery, Cun Xi uses the audio speakers to let Xin Yi know all the feelings he's bottled up deep within his heart for so long; more importantly Cun Xi wants to let Xin Yi know that sticky notes exist because of love…
Ever since Xin Yi got angry with Cun Xi at the hospital, it's been an entire week since she last saw him.
Has he finally given up?
Xin Yi tells herself she should be at ease now, but a part of her can't help but feel at lost. So his determination was only that. All she did was yell at him and he's given up.
Xin Yi remembers how upset she was with herself for wavering. Rather than constantly thinking about it day and night, she sends a new copy of the divorce agreement to the Ji household, informing them of her determination. Xin Yi decides to resign from her job at the ceramics center and leave after finishing up this semester.
That day, as she is taking the bus home after class, Xin Yi is looking at the view from the window and suddenly remembers that the first day she arrived at the Ji household, she was also carrying luggage all by herself riding the bus.
The Xin Yi back then remembered how even though she knew Cun Xi didn't love her, she still thought of him as her prince and secretly dreamt of her fairytale in her heart. Now she knows that a woman must learn to be independent and can not rely on a prince to save her.
She'll no longer consider so and so as her prince…
Xin Yi rests on the window, letting her thoughts run listlessly, suddenly sees a commercial poster that grabs her attention….
CHEN XIN YI'S CERAMICS SHOWCASE
What is this? Xin Yi can't believe what the words plastered on the poster say. When did she set up a showcase? How could she not know? Could it be someone with the same name?
Extremely curious, Xin Yi gets off the bus and carefully examines the poster. It doesn't specify a place and time, but the still curious Xin Yi walks further along the street and realizes it's not just a poster. Even the huge television prompter beside the plaza is advertising this mysterious showcase.
A bus passes by and it's also advertising the same showcase. Xin Yi is at lost for a while, but then suddenly sees a familiar shadow pass her by.
It's Cun Xi. It appears as if he's putting up a poster under a streetlight.
Can this all be Cun Xi's doing? Xin Yi is confused and uncontrollably yells out "Cun Xi!"
He hears her voice and turns around and sees Xin Yi. In sheer happiness, Cun Xi hurries across the street not seeing a car coming in his direction.
"Be careful!" she yells, heart racing.
The car swooshes by and Xin Yi looks all around for Cun Xi, terrified and unable to breathe. She sees him on the ground and is nearly in tears.
She runs to him and kneels down "Cun Xi Cun Xi, are you alright? Did the car hit you? Are you hurt?"
Cun Xi gradually opens his eyes. "I'm fine, don't worry."
"Then why do you look so terrible? And continue to sweat? Be honest with me, are you really hurt? Where does it hurt?" She examines every inch of him, her heart aching.
"I'm fine. I'm really fine." Cun Xi comforts her and forces himself up. "Xin Yi." He says in a gasp voice.
"Yeah?" Xin Yi replies, not completely recomposed yet. When she thought he was hurt, everything was chaotic, and for a moment she feared she was really going to lose him.
Cun Xi looks at her. He has so much he wants to tell her, but can't bring himself to do so. He points to all the posters.
She looks closely and sees each poster has a colored sticky note on it. It has two little figures pointing a direction drawn on it.
"What does this mean?" she asks him quizzically.
With a bittersweet smile, "Just keep looking and you'll find out."
She nods and walks towards the direction the sticky notes are pointing at. As she walks further along she finds more sticky notes pointing in another direction. The expressions on the sticky note figures are also changing. Looking at them one by one she realizes the boy and girl doll figures are acting out a story. They met on a ship and at the beginning, the girl doll figure is always getting yelled at. The girl doll figure turns and leaves with tears on her face. The boy doll figure regrets it so much and chases after her.
He apologizes to her over and over again, but the girl doll figure pays no attention to him. The last note shows the boy doll figure at a standstill holding his broken heart, completely helpless.
Xin Yi slowly understands the story; her chest is aching and tears are stinging her face.
These comics are really ugly and it's obvious it was personally drawn by a man with absolutely no artistic talent.
She follows the sticky notes and goes into an alley with a cute entrance and arrives at an exquisite art gallery.
"I'll wait for you here" Cun Xi says "You go on in."
"Alright." She hesitates for a moment before following the art gallery's director into the showcase area and sees all of her art pieces on display.
Xin Yi is shocked. All these art pieces were bought by her number one fan. Can Cun Xi be that mysterious fan? Has he been the one secretly watching over her?
"Xin Yi." Cun Xi's voice is suddenly heard in the room.
Xin Yi is startled and thinks Cun Xi has come in, but she doesn't see him anywhere. Then she sees the speakers in the corner and realizes Cun Xi has recorded what he is going to say to her earlier.
"If you can hear this tape, then that means you must've found the art gallery. This gallery displays all of your art pieces. I acquired each piece one by one. You probably wouldn't have sold any of them to me, but I'm still so happy I could be your number one fan. I…actually, I knew early on you were in Shanghai, but I wasn't brave enough to see you."
"Why? Why didn't you meet with me?" Xin Yi asks.
"Because I didn't want to bother you." Cun Xi answers like he knows that Xin Yi is going to ask him that. "I was afraid that I would hurt you again if you saw me."
He was afraid to hurt me? Then why did he bother me later on? Why did he put out those ads to trick me back into coming to Taiwan?
"Those runaway bride ads were published by Grandma. I don't care if you believe it or not, but it was really Grandma who put out those ads. It wasn't until you came back to Taiwan and I saw you face-to-face did I realize that I could never lose you again. I told myself that I wanted you to be happy. You and Dylan were so happy together. I shouldn't bother you, but I…can't let go. Xin Yi, I…" Cun Xi takes a swallow and can tell he sounds really nervous. "I love you; I really…really love you."
Liar! He loves Anna; he's been with her these last two years!
"I wanted to chase after you then, but Anna was hurt. It was possible she'd never dance again. I had to stay and help her with therapy, to support her. Even though her leg is better now, she's developed a fear nonetheless. She said she wanted to stay in Taiwan and be with me, but I knew it was because she was afraid to stand on that stage again. I made it clear to her that I no longer loved her. The person I'm in love with….is you, is you, Xin Yi."
Liar, you're lying! Tears are flowing down Xin Yi's face. Xin Yi is so overwhelmed she can't even stand up and kneels down. She can't believe it, how could he love her? He has to be messing with her, he has to be!
She won't be dumb again and fall in love with him a second time. If she is silly enough to fall for him again, then she's a lost cause. No one will be able to save her…
Xin Yi remembers how she left the Ji household two years ago devastated, how she forced herself to stand on her own two feet, how she went from being a caterpillar to a butterfly. How can all of her hard work just evaporate like that with what he said?
"I love you Xin Yi." He has to continue to tug her heart. "You listen carefully. Ji Cun Xi loves Chen Xin Yi!"
It's too late! Why didn't you say this two years ago? Why now?
Did you know how devastated I was when I miscarried? How heartbroken I was when you chose Anna right in front of me and said I was like a sticky note? She wanted to run away so many times when she was studying ceramics in Shanghai, but she didn't because she didn't want to lose out to Anna; to lose out to the woman he loved. She worked hard to overcome her weaknesses and told herself she was not the same Chen Xin Yi. She wasn't going to be the sticky note girl that anyone could use as they please.
"You've misunderstood what I said, Xin Yi. That day when I told Anna you were like a sticky note, I didn't mean to say you were unimportant, but too important. What you mean to me is like the air I breathe everyday. I couldn't imagine ever living without you. Sticky notes aren't necessarily just pieces of trash you throw away after using them. Each sticky note can symbolize an intimate concern. Because we love that person, so we use sticky notes to leave them messages. You used to always leave me messages on sticky notes, telling me not to work too late into the night, to remember to bundle up—do you remember?"
Xin Yi never thought of this meaning for sticky notes. She always hated herself for being like a sticky note, but he told her that it's because of love.
"I felt so warm inside then, but you probably didn't even know that. Actually I…." Cun Xi takes a deep breath. "I'm a man who's terrified of being alone. Anna wasn't with me or even in contact with me then, but you were always there to show concern for me in your own way. You're really simple, childish. I'm always so happy when I'm with you. I love seeing you smile. I love seeing that atrocious posture when you're sleeping on the bed." He chuckles a little. "Do you know your posture when you're sleeping is no where near lady-like?"
Yeah, I'm not lady-like, so what? Xin Yi's face starts burning, but her heart is feeling this sweet sensation.
"This time, let me be your sticky note! I'll be your sticky note boy. Whatever you want, just leave me a message and I'll definitely do it for you. How about it?" Cun Xi promises.
Xin Yi looks at everything around her and suddenly comes to the conclusion that when she was creating these pieces, the person she was thinking of was him!
It was always him…
The audiotape stops. In through the doorway comes a tall figure. It is Cun Xi. He looks at Xin Yi, his face pale.
"Xin Yi," He calls in a hoarse voice. Her heart feels like it is about to break seeing him like that.
Why must he always be at a loss for words when he sees her? Why must she reject him?
"Xin Yi." He calls once again with so much sentimentality, telling her to come over.
Xin Yi gets up and waits for him to speak, but he doesn't say a word. He smiles and slowly reaches out for her.
She thinks he is going to hug her, but he ends up falling towards her.
"What's the matter? Cun Xi? Are you alright?" Xin Yi asks frighteningly.
He doesn't answer. Cold one minute and hot the next, Cun Xi is just shaking in Xin Yi's arms.
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The doctor says Cun Xi has a fever, which has turned into pneumonia, so he is sent down to the ICU.
"How can you get pneumonia? Don't you know how to take good care of yourself?" Xin Yi is concerned and frustrated at the same time.
"I think he just overworked." Granny comes to the hospital to visit Cun Xi. "These last couple of days, he barely had any sleep. And today he went out in this wind. His body probably couldn't take it anymore."
"Why hasn't he been sleeping?"
"Because of you!" Granny sighs deeply
"Because of me?" Xin Yi is surprised
"He's been spending the last couple of days preparing your showcase even though he has work in the day, so he's been pulling all-nighters. I also saw him drawing profusely in his study and he'd do it over and over again if he wasn't satisfied. The trash can was all filled up. I told him to get some rest, but he refused."
"Why must he….be so stupid?" Xin Yi's eyes start to fill with tears thinking of how Cun Xi stayed up drawing those pictures for her. "Idiot. Complete idiot. And who was the one who used to say I was stupid. He's the biggest idiot."
He's the idiot. An idiot completely blinded by his crazy love for her. She's the one who's been so cruel to Cun Xi these last days. Now in retrospect, she regrets being so mean and stubborn.
Xin Yi sits on Cun Xi's bed and holds tightly onto his hand. "Listen carefully you idiot, this time it's my turn to make the decision- I've decided to continue loving you, to be with you. You hear me?" Xin Yi is smiling despite her tears. "So get well soon. I never want you to make me worry again."
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Three days later Cun Xi is released from the hospital. As soon as the two come home, they make passionate love like they are going to leave their marks on each others' bodies. All the mistakes they've made in the past will be mended little by little as they look on towards their future.
Cun Xi asks about Xin Yi's process of learning ceramics. On the one hand he is proud of her, yet part of him can't help but feel the pain she went through. "Doesn't matter now because you've gotten through it all." He gently brushes her hair. "You're art pieces are now critically acclaimed."
"I have Dylan to thank for that. He's been the one by my side supporting me. Without him, I would've ran back to Taiwan a long time ago."
"Oh really now?" Cun Xi starts to fire up. "You didn't actually accept his proposal did you?"
"What do you think?" Xin Yi sticks out her finger and playfully draws on Cun Xi's chest.
Cun Xi grabs Xin Yi's finger and looks her in the eyes. "You clear things up with him tomorrow! Tell him the person you really love is me and he'd better stop thinking he has a future with you!"
"Look at you! You're acting like a little grade schooler declaring his power of authority." Xin Yi looks at him "I'm messing with you! I never accepted him proposal. I just wore the ring on purpose to tick you off."
"Oh I see it now! So you've got the guts to mess with your husband." Cun Xi gently bits Xin Yi's finger.
"We never lived together in Shanghai either. You misunderstood."
"We never lived together in Shanghai either. You misunderstood."
"You never lived together?" Cun Xi is shocked at the revelation. He suddenly turns himself over and is on top of Xin Yi and looking down at her.
"I can't believe you have turned me into such a jealous maniac. Answer me now! How are you going to make it up to me?"
"Whatever. It's not my fault your imagination was running wild!"
"I don't care! You still have to comfort and take care of my damaged soul." Cun Xi is behaving like a little child.
"What damaged soul?" Xin Yi can't help but feel happy, yet helpless at the same time. "Fine, how do you want me to comfort you?"
"Well then." Cun Xi flutters his eyebrows, lowers his head, and whispers into Xin Yi's ears. "Why don't….you give me another baby?"
"What?" Xin Yi freezes.
"I know getting it on the first try might not be possible. I have no problem with that, we'll just keep trying!" Cun Xi proclaims his request and pounces on Xin Yi…
Inside the bedroom, an unstoppable array of romance between the two would make anyone crazy.
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"So you've decided to stay with Ji Cun Xi?" Dylan feels regret and sadness when Xin Yi returns the ring to him.
"I'm sorry Dylan. I know you treat me so well but I….I love Cun Xi. I guess it's fated that I love him." Xin Yi sighs with a small smile.
"You're not afraid you'll regret your decision?"
"If I was afraid, then I could never fall in love again. I've found the courage to believe in him, and believe in myself."
Dylan silently looks on at Xin Yi and he can see the courage and determination inside of this woman. He knows he can't persuade her anymore. The Xin Yi now knows exactly what she wants.
"I guess then, there's nothing else for me but to give you my blessing. I want you to be happy."
"I will."
Xin Yi is touched by Dylan's blessing. She feels so lucky to have Dylan as a friend. However, that other woman won't give her blessing so easily.
Cun Xi says that even though he and Anna have broken up, she still hasn't given up on them. Anna hasn't been herself and at times, will drink away her sorrows.
Xin Yi is really worried about Anna. Some would think Xin Yi is dumb for worrying about her rival, but Xin Yi still hopes Anna can let go of the past and find new love again.
Xin Yi takes the initiative to go see Anna.
"What are you doing here?" Anna is staring out the window aimlessly but as soon as she sees Xin Yi, she fires up.
"I came to see you."
"Came to see me? As I recall, we don't have the kind of relationship where we socialize together."
"I want to talk to you." Xin Yi ignores Anna's reply and makes her motive of coming here clear.
Anna thinks Xin Yi came to gloat. "What do you want to say to me?"
"You know, I used to be really envious of you. Not only are you beautiful, but also confident. Everytime Cun Xi mentioned you, I could tell just how much he loved you."
"Really?"
"I always looked at the picture of you in his study, and imagine how amazing you were on stage dancing. Cun Xi said that you're a natural born performer who belongs on stage. Why aren't you dancing now?"
"What does it matter to you whether or not I dance?"
"Of course it matters to me" Xin Yi says calmly "Did you know that I used you as my incentive when I was studying in Shanghai. I told myself I could not lose to you. I had to work hard, hoping one day that I can catch up to you and become someone just as mesmerizing as you."
"You… used me as your incentive?" Anna's mood is now different.
Xin Yi nods looking straight at her. "But the person you are now…I'm really disappointed. The confident Anna is no longer there. The Anna who would still stand tall even if she fell on stage…where did she go?"
"You….this is no matter for you to care about!" Anna is shaking and suddenly starts to feel disgusted with herself. "Get out. You get out now!"
"I'm not going. I want you to look at this." Xin Yi takes out a DVD and pops it into the player, not caring if Anna objects.
A few seconds later, the screen is showing a ballet dancer dressed in fiery red performing on stage.
That's Anna. The Anna from two years ago. The Anna then loved dancing with a passion. Her world wasn't filled with only love, but dreams as well.
"This is you. Do you remember?" Xin Yi asks.
Of course Anna remembers! How could she possibly forget? She really wants to be back onstage, really really wants to, but she is afraid. She is afraid of getting hurt again and then not being able to get back up…
Anna's tears start covering her eyes.
When did she become such a weak woman? This isn't her! Anna Shi is a strong and courageous woman. Even if she fell, she would laugh it off and get back up right?
"You can dance again. You definitely can." Xin Yi encourages her. "Even I, the person you looked down on, can become an artist. Why can't you stand on that stage again? Is it because you don't compare to me?
"How can I not compare to you!" Anna is unappeased.
"Then prove it to me." Xin Yi says smiling. "Prove it to me Anna!" Anna just looks at Xin Yi, completely speechless.
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"I heard you took the initiative to see Anna." Several nights later, Cun Xi is holding Xin Yi in his arms about to go to bed.
"Uh huh."
"She's really mad. She called me and complained, saying how you could think so highly if yourself."
"Oh?"
"She wanted me to tell you, that she's not going to lose to you. She's going to pick up from where she left off. She's going back to New York and start anew on stage. Wants you to just wait and see."
"Really? Did she really say that?" Xin Yi is smiling.
"I give you props!" Cun Xi says while gently playing with Xin Yi's hair. "Definitely lives up to being the woman Ji Cun Xi loves, you're the best!"
"From the way you're speaking, it sounds like you've been mesmerized by me?" Xin Yi says slyly.
"Yes, I'm completely infatuated and mesmerized by you, Chen Xin Yi." He says boldly. The male ego, when in love, can only be set aside. "Are you satisfied?"
Xin Yi doesn't say anything. She just smiles in pure bliss.
Ever since Xin Yi got angry with Cun Xi at the hospital, it's been an entire week since she last saw him.
Has he finally given up?
Xin Yi tells herself she should be at ease now, but a part of her can't help but feel at lost. So his determination was only that. All she did was yell at him and he's given up.
Xin Yi remembers how upset she was with herself for wavering. Rather than constantly thinking about it day and night, she sends a new copy of the divorce agreement to the Ji household, informing them of her determination. Xin Yi decides to resign from her job at the ceramics center and leave after finishing up this semester.
That day, as she is taking the bus home after class, Xin Yi is looking at the view from the window and suddenly remembers that the first day she arrived at the Ji household, she was also carrying luggage all by herself riding the bus.
The Xin Yi back then remembered how even though she knew Cun Xi didn't love her, she still thought of him as her prince and secretly dreamt of her fairytale in her heart. Now she knows that a woman must learn to be independent and can not rely on a prince to save her.
She'll no longer consider so and so as her prince…
Xin Yi rests on the window, letting her thoughts run listlessly, suddenly sees a commercial poster that grabs her attention….
CHEN XIN YI'S CERAMICS SHOWCASE
What is this? Xin Yi can't believe what the words plastered on the poster say. When did she set up a showcase? How could she not know? Could it be someone with the same name?
Extremely curious, Xin Yi gets off the bus and carefully examines the poster. It doesn't specify a place and time, but the still curious Xin Yi walks further along the street and realizes it's not just a poster. Even the huge television prompter beside the plaza is advertising this mysterious showcase.
A bus passes by and it's also advertising the same showcase. Xin Yi is at lost for a while, but then suddenly sees a familiar shadow pass her by.
It's Cun Xi. It appears as if he's putting up a poster under a streetlight.
Can this all be Cun Xi's doing? Xin Yi is confused and uncontrollably yells out "Cun Xi!"
He hears her voice and turns around and sees Xin Yi. In sheer happiness, Cun Xi hurries across the street not seeing a car coming in his direction.
"Be careful!" she yells, heart racing.
The car swooshes by and Xin Yi looks all around for Cun Xi, terrified and unable to breathe. She sees him on the ground and is nearly in tears.
She runs to him and kneels down "Cun Xi Cun Xi, are you alright? Did the car hit you? Are you hurt?"
Cun Xi gradually opens his eyes. "I'm fine, don't worry."
"Then why do you look so terrible? And continue to sweat? Be honest with me, are you really hurt? Where does it hurt?" She examines every inch of him, her heart aching.
"I'm fine. I'm really fine." Cun Xi comforts her and forces himself up. "Xin Yi." He says in a gasp voice.
"Yeah?" Xin Yi replies, not completely recomposed yet. When she thought he was hurt, everything was chaotic, and for a moment she feared she was really going to lose him.
Cun Xi looks at her. He has so much he wants to tell her, but can't bring himself to do so. He points to all the posters.
She looks closely and sees each poster has a colored sticky note on it. It has two little figures pointing a direction drawn on it.
"What does this mean?" she asks him quizzically.
With a bittersweet smile, "Just keep looking and you'll find out."
She nods and walks towards the direction the sticky notes are pointing at. As she walks further along she finds more sticky notes pointing in another direction. The expressions on the sticky note figures are also changing. Looking at them one by one she realizes the boy and girl doll figures are acting out a story. They met on a ship and at the beginning, the girl doll figure is always getting yelled at. The girl doll figure turns and leaves with tears on her face. The boy doll figure regrets it so much and chases after her.
He apologizes to her over and over again, but the girl doll figure pays no attention to him. The last note shows the boy doll figure at a standstill holding his broken heart, completely helpless.
Xin Yi slowly understands the story; her chest is aching and tears are stinging her face.
These comics are really ugly and it's obvious it was personally drawn by a man with absolutely no artistic talent.
She follows the sticky notes and goes into an alley with a cute entrance and arrives at an exquisite art gallery.
"I'll wait for you here" Cun Xi says "You go on in."
"Alright." She hesitates for a moment before following the art gallery's director into the showcase area and sees all of her art pieces on display.
Xin Yi is shocked. All these art pieces were bought by her number one fan. Can Cun Xi be that mysterious fan? Has he been the one secretly watching over her?
"Xin Yi." Cun Xi's voice is suddenly heard in the room.
Xin Yi is startled and thinks Cun Xi has come in, but she doesn't see him anywhere. Then she sees the speakers in the corner and realizes Cun Xi has recorded what he is going to say to her earlier.
"If you can hear this tape, then that means you must've found the art gallery. This gallery displays all of your art pieces. I acquired each piece one by one. You probably wouldn't have sold any of them to me, but I'm still so happy I could be your number one fan. I…actually, I knew early on you were in Shanghai, but I wasn't brave enough to see you."
"Why? Why didn't you meet with me?" Xin Yi asks.
"Because I didn't want to bother you." Cun Xi answers like he knows that Xin Yi is going to ask him that. "I was afraid that I would hurt you again if you saw me."
He was afraid to hurt me? Then why did he bother me later on? Why did he put out those ads to trick me back into coming to Taiwan?
"Those runaway bride ads were published by Grandma. I don't care if you believe it or not, but it was really Grandma who put out those ads. It wasn't until you came back to Taiwan and I saw you face-to-face did I realize that I could never lose you again. I told myself that I wanted you to be happy. You and Dylan were so happy together. I shouldn't bother you, but I…can't let go. Xin Yi, I…" Cun Xi takes a swallow and can tell he sounds really nervous. "I love you; I really…really love you."
Liar! He loves Anna; he's been with her these last two years!
"I wanted to chase after you then, but Anna was hurt. It was possible she'd never dance again. I had to stay and help her with therapy, to support her. Even though her leg is better now, she's developed a fear nonetheless. She said she wanted to stay in Taiwan and be with me, but I knew it was because she was afraid to stand on that stage again. I made it clear to her that I no longer loved her. The person I'm in love with….is you, is you, Xin Yi."
Liar, you're lying! Tears are flowing down Xin Yi's face. Xin Yi is so overwhelmed she can't even stand up and kneels down. She can't believe it, how could he love her? He has to be messing with her, he has to be!
She won't be dumb again and fall in love with him a second time. If she is silly enough to fall for him again, then she's a lost cause. No one will be able to save her…
Xin Yi remembers how she left the Ji household two years ago devastated, how she forced herself to stand on her own two feet, how she went from being a caterpillar to a butterfly. How can all of her hard work just evaporate like that with what he said?
"I love you Xin Yi." He has to continue to tug her heart. "You listen carefully. Ji Cun Xi loves Chen Xin Yi!"
It's too late! Why didn't you say this two years ago? Why now?
Did you know how devastated I was when I miscarried? How heartbroken I was when you chose Anna right in front of me and said I was like a sticky note? She wanted to run away so many times when she was studying ceramics in Shanghai, but she didn't because she didn't want to lose out to Anna; to lose out to the woman he loved. She worked hard to overcome her weaknesses and told herself she was not the same Chen Xin Yi. She wasn't going to be the sticky note girl that anyone could use as they please.
"You've misunderstood what I said, Xin Yi. That day when I told Anna you were like a sticky note, I didn't mean to say you were unimportant, but too important. What you mean to me is like the air I breathe everyday. I couldn't imagine ever living without you. Sticky notes aren't necessarily just pieces of trash you throw away after using them. Each sticky note can symbolize an intimate concern. Because we love that person, so we use sticky notes to leave them messages. You used to always leave me messages on sticky notes, telling me not to work too late into the night, to remember to bundle up—do you remember?"
Xin Yi never thought of this meaning for sticky notes. She always hated herself for being like a sticky note, but he told her that it's because of love.
"I felt so warm inside then, but you probably didn't even know that. Actually I…." Cun Xi takes a deep breath. "I'm a man who's terrified of being alone. Anna wasn't with me or even in contact with me then, but you were always there to show concern for me in your own way. You're really simple, childish. I'm always so happy when I'm with you. I love seeing you smile. I love seeing that atrocious posture when you're sleeping on the bed." He chuckles a little. "Do you know your posture when you're sleeping is no where near lady-like?"
Yeah, I'm not lady-like, so what? Xin Yi's face starts burning, but her heart is feeling this sweet sensation.
"This time, let me be your sticky note! I'll be your sticky note boy. Whatever you want, just leave me a message and I'll definitely do it for you. How about it?" Cun Xi promises.
Xin Yi looks at everything around her and suddenly comes to the conclusion that when she was creating these pieces, the person she was thinking of was him!
It was always him…
The audiotape stops. In through the doorway comes a tall figure. It is Cun Xi. He looks at Xin Yi, his face pale.
"Xin Yi," He calls in a hoarse voice. Her heart feels like it is about to break seeing him like that.
Why must he always be at a loss for words when he sees her? Why must she reject him?
"Xin Yi." He calls once again with so much sentimentality, telling her to come over.
Xin Yi gets up and waits for him to speak, but he doesn't say a word. He smiles and slowly reaches out for her.
She thinks he is going to hug her, but he ends up falling towards her.
"What's the matter? Cun Xi? Are you alright?" Xin Yi asks frighteningly.
He doesn't answer. Cold one minute and hot the next, Cun Xi is just shaking in Xin Yi's arms.
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The doctor says Cun Xi has a fever, which has turned into pneumonia, so he is sent down to the ICU.
"How can you get pneumonia? Don't you know how to take good care of yourself?" Xin Yi is concerned and frustrated at the same time.
"I think he just overworked." Granny comes to the hospital to visit Cun Xi. "These last couple of days, he barely had any sleep. And today he went out in this wind. His body probably couldn't take it anymore."
"Why hasn't he been sleeping?"
"Because of you!" Granny sighs deeply
"Because of me?" Xin Yi is surprised
"He's been spending the last couple of days preparing your showcase even though he has work in the day, so he's been pulling all-nighters. I also saw him drawing profusely in his study and he'd do it over and over again if he wasn't satisfied. The trash can was all filled up. I told him to get some rest, but he refused."
"Why must he….be so stupid?" Xin Yi's eyes start to fill with tears thinking of how Cun Xi stayed up drawing those pictures for her. "Idiot. Complete idiot. And who was the one who used to say I was stupid. He's the biggest idiot."
He's the idiot. An idiot completely blinded by his crazy love for her. She's the one who's been so cruel to Cun Xi these last days. Now in retrospect, she regrets being so mean and stubborn.
Xin Yi sits on Cun Xi's bed and holds tightly onto his hand. "Listen carefully you idiot, this time it's my turn to make the decision- I've decided to continue loving you, to be with you. You hear me?" Xin Yi is smiling despite her tears. "So get well soon. I never want you to make me worry again."
--------------------------------------------------------------
Three days later Cun Xi is released from the hospital. As soon as the two come home, they make passionate love like they are going to leave their marks on each others' bodies. All the mistakes they've made in the past will be mended little by little as they look on towards their future.
Cun Xi asks about Xin Yi's process of learning ceramics. On the one hand he is proud of her, yet part of him can't help but feel the pain she went through. "Doesn't matter now because you've gotten through it all." He gently brushes her hair. "You're art pieces are now critically acclaimed."
"I have Dylan to thank for that. He's been the one by my side supporting me. Without him, I would've ran back to Taiwan a long time ago."
"Oh really now?" Cun Xi starts to fire up. "You didn't actually accept his proposal did you?"
"What do you think?" Xin Yi sticks out her finger and playfully draws on Cun Xi's chest.
Cun Xi grabs Xin Yi's finger and looks her in the eyes. "You clear things up with him tomorrow! Tell him the person you really love is me and he'd better stop thinking he has a future with you!"
"Look at you! You're acting like a little grade schooler declaring his power of authority." Xin Yi looks at him "I'm messing with you! I never accepted him proposal. I just wore the ring on purpose to tick you off."
"Oh I see it now! So you've got the guts to mess with your husband." Cun Xi gently bits Xin Yi's finger.
"We never lived together in Shanghai either. You misunderstood."
"We never lived together in Shanghai either. You misunderstood."
"You never lived together?" Cun Xi is shocked at the revelation. He suddenly turns himself over and is on top of Xin Yi and looking down at her.
"I can't believe you have turned me into such a jealous maniac. Answer me now! How are you going to make it up to me?"
"Whatever. It's not my fault your imagination was running wild!"
"I don't care! You still have to comfort and take care of my damaged soul." Cun Xi is behaving like a little child.
"What damaged soul?" Xin Yi can't help but feel happy, yet helpless at the same time. "Fine, how do you want me to comfort you?"
"Well then." Cun Xi flutters his eyebrows, lowers his head, and whispers into Xin Yi's ears. "Why don't….you give me another baby?"
"What?" Xin Yi freezes.
"I know getting it on the first try might not be possible. I have no problem with that, we'll just keep trying!" Cun Xi proclaims his request and pounces on Xin Yi…
Inside the bedroom, an unstoppable array of romance between the two would make anyone crazy.
----------------------------------------------------------------
"So you've decided to stay with Ji Cun Xi?" Dylan feels regret and sadness when Xin Yi returns the ring to him.
"I'm sorry Dylan. I know you treat me so well but I….I love Cun Xi. I guess it's fated that I love him." Xin Yi sighs with a small smile.
"You're not afraid you'll regret your decision?"
"If I was afraid, then I could never fall in love again. I've found the courage to believe in him, and believe in myself."
Dylan silently looks on at Xin Yi and he can see the courage and determination inside of this woman. He knows he can't persuade her anymore. The Xin Yi now knows exactly what she wants.
"I guess then, there's nothing else for me but to give you my blessing. I want you to be happy."
"I will."
Xin Yi is touched by Dylan's blessing. She feels so lucky to have Dylan as a friend. However, that other woman won't give her blessing so easily.
Cun Xi says that even though he and Anna have broken up, she still hasn't given up on them. Anna hasn't been herself and at times, will drink away her sorrows.
Xin Yi is really worried about Anna. Some would think Xin Yi is dumb for worrying about her rival, but Xin Yi still hopes Anna can let go of the past and find new love again.
Xin Yi takes the initiative to go see Anna.
"What are you doing here?" Anna is staring out the window aimlessly but as soon as she sees Xin Yi, she fires up.
"I came to see you."
"Came to see me? As I recall, we don't have the kind of relationship where we socialize together."
"I want to talk to you." Xin Yi ignores Anna's reply and makes her motive of coming here clear.
Anna thinks Xin Yi came to gloat. "What do you want to say to me?"
"You know, I used to be really envious of you. Not only are you beautiful, but also confident. Everytime Cun Xi mentioned you, I could tell just how much he loved you."
"Really?"
"I always looked at the picture of you in his study, and imagine how amazing you were on stage dancing. Cun Xi said that you're a natural born performer who belongs on stage. Why aren't you dancing now?"
"What does it matter to you whether or not I dance?"
"Of course it matters to me" Xin Yi says calmly "Did you know that I used you as my incentive when I was studying in Shanghai. I told myself I could not lose to you. I had to work hard, hoping one day that I can catch up to you and become someone just as mesmerizing as you."
"You… used me as your incentive?" Anna's mood is now different.
Xin Yi nods looking straight at her. "But the person you are now…I'm really disappointed. The confident Anna is no longer there. The Anna who would still stand tall even if she fell on stage…where did she go?"
"You….this is no matter for you to care about!" Anna is shaking and suddenly starts to feel disgusted with herself. "Get out. You get out now!"
"I'm not going. I want you to look at this." Xin Yi takes out a DVD and pops it into the player, not caring if Anna objects.
A few seconds later, the screen is showing a ballet dancer dressed in fiery red performing on stage.
That's Anna. The Anna from two years ago. The Anna then loved dancing with a passion. Her world wasn't filled with only love, but dreams as well.
"This is you. Do you remember?" Xin Yi asks.
Of course Anna remembers! How could she possibly forget? She really wants to be back onstage, really really wants to, but she is afraid. She is afraid of getting hurt again and then not being able to get back up…
Anna's tears start covering her eyes.
When did she become such a weak woman? This isn't her! Anna Shi is a strong and courageous woman. Even if she fell, she would laugh it off and get back up right?
"You can dance again. You definitely can." Xin Yi encourages her. "Even I, the person you looked down on, can become an artist. Why can't you stand on that stage again? Is it because you don't compare to me?
"How can I not compare to you!" Anna is unappeased.
"Then prove it to me." Xin Yi says smiling. "Prove it to me Anna!" Anna just looks at Xin Yi, completely speechless.
---------------------------------------------------------------
"I heard you took the initiative to see Anna." Several nights later, Cun Xi is holding Xin Yi in his arms about to go to bed.
"Uh huh."
"She's really mad. She called me and complained, saying how you could think so highly if yourself."
"Oh?"
"She wanted me to tell you, that she's not going to lose to you. She's going to pick up from where she left off. She's going back to New York and start anew on stage. Wants you to just wait and see."
"Really? Did she really say that?" Xin Yi is smiling.
"I give you props!" Cun Xi says while gently playing with Xin Yi's hair. "Definitely lives up to being the woman Ji Cun Xi loves, you're the best!"
"From the way you're speaking, it sounds like you've been mesmerized by me?" Xin Yi says slyly.
"Yes, I'm completely infatuated and mesmerized by you, Chen Xin Yi." He says boldly. The male ego, when in love, can only be set aside. "Are you satisfied?"
Xin Yi doesn't say anything. She just smiles in pure bliss.
Chapter 9
[translated by: xiaojade]
Xinyi saw the newspaper’s advertisement and in a hurry, packed her stuff to go back to Taiwan.
Dylan stopped her; he thought it was just Cun Xi’s plan for getting her back to his house. “Why would he want to trick me back to his house?” She doesn’t think so. “Plus he pays so much respect toward his grandmother; I believe he would not take grandmother’s health as a joke.
Dylan could not convince her, adding to the fact that he personally called Cun Xi’ grandmother and the housekeeper said her health is not well. And she is currently at the hospital. He believed it as well, agreed to let Xin Yi return back to Taiwan.
“Wait until I am finished with the business here, I will fly back to Taiwan. You should take care of yourself.” He said.
Xin Yi nodded and did not say much. She took the first airplane to return to Taiwan. Then she took the taxi to get to Cun Xi’s house. The housekeeper predicted she would appear and bought her to the living room right away.
“Grandma? What happened? Is she ok?” She asked in a hurry.
The housekeeper did not get a chance to answer, Cun Xi came downstairs. He was stunned to see her. “What are you here for?”
Asking me? She glared at him. “Wasn’t it you that told me to come back?”
“I told you?” He asked.
“You put an advertisement saying grandma is sick. You wanted me to return.” Cun Xi even more surprised. “I said grandma sick….”
“Xin Yi, you, you finally came.” Grandma saying this and the housekeeper helps her get downstairs. “I missed you so much!”
“Grandma!” Xin Yi ran to hold on to her. “How come you came out? I can go up to see you. How are you? Is your body better?”
“Finally came back from being almost dead.” Grandma kept saying. She sat on the sofa. “But the doctor said my body is very weak, I am afraid that I won’t live long.”
“Grandma, do not say that! Xin Yi exclaimed. “You will be long lived”
“If it is really that, it would be great.” She shakes her head. “I am scared, I can’t even go pass these few months.”
“No, grandma, you have me to accompany you, you will get better.”
“Good child, I did not cherish you for nothing.”
“Grandma…”
"Which show is this?" Cun Xi thought. He is not stupid; he can tell that grandma was just acting weak in front of Xin Yi. She knows that her health is very good. How could she say that she can’t live pass this month?
“Cun Xi, what you are standing there for? It is hard that Xin Yi came back. How come you didn’t tell the housekeeper to clean the room and move her suitcase upstairs” Grandma gave him a look.
Grandma’s wish was having Xin Yi to move back home? Cun Xi understood. Actually the one who put on the advertisement was grandma. It was her that used the excuse of her health to trick Xin Yi back.
“Grandma, I just came back to accompany you, I didn’t say I am living here.” Xin Yi said with guilt.
“Come back” Cun Xi said with a face and a straightforward tone. “You don’t plan to live here, are you going to go live in a hotel?”
“I am really going to go living in a hotel. I already booked the room.” She said with confidence. “I will come to visit and accompany her, but I won’t live here.” She said clearly.
Since when did she learned to say “no”?
Cun Xi was confused. He felt that the woman in front of him was not the Xin Yi he knew before but different.
Ever since she rejected to live at Cun Xi’ house, there was even more rejections from Xin Yi. Cun Xi couldn’t bear to see her living in such a small business class hotel. He booked a five-star hotel room for her, yet she rejected it. She didn’t want it. During the day, she is with Grandma, at night, she goes to teach ceramics. He thought that was too tiring, and wanted her to quit. She wouldn’t. He bought a car for her, and she rejected and sent it back. He wanted to celebrate her birthday. She said no. She said she already made appointment with Dylan.
Ever since she came back from Taiwan, she kept on saying “no”. He is so mad about that.
At the worst time, she said in front of him that she is going on a date with another guy. Yet he knew that he had no rights to interfere. He couldn’t believe that she is living with him in Shanghai. At the auction, she stood up for Dylan till the end. Cun Xi is mad and bothered along with a feeling of jealousy.
He acted like a one-side love teenager, secretly followed Xin Yi out to date. She and Dylan went to a very romantic restaurant. Though the windows, he could see the two of them laughing and was having a great time.
He never before seen Xin Yi like this, she smiled so sweetly and very open about it. She was not shy like before, always tried to please people. She is now confident and full of brightness.
She changed.
And she kind of didn’t, she still treat Grandma the same, so sweet and careful. Grandma always talks about how great Xin Yi is in front of Cun Xi. Grandma was hinting to him that losing this daughter in law was a lost. To the housekeeper, she was still very nice and kind and wouldn’t put up an attitude. She helped the people walking by. She was still very willing to help others.
Or maybe, she only changed toward him. She toward him. She is not as careful and can say that she doesn’t care for him at all.
“Marry me! Xin Yi” Dylan proposed.
Xin Yi was stunned and space-out. “You… are not seriously right?”
“I admit that I am not a very serious person, but this is not something to joke about.” Dylan smiled bitterly. “I am serious toward you, Xin Yi”
“But…” Xin yi said. She always thought this man as her best friend and a caring brother. She never thought about having a relationship with him.
“I know that you can’t take it at the moment but I thought about it for a long time. I will wait for you till the day that you recover from your last marriage.” Dylan said understandingly. “I know that Ji Cun Xi hurt you deeply. Because of him you closed your heart and is afraid of falling in love again. But don’t you think it is about time? You are not the same Chen Xin Yi as before. You don’t have to close your heart because of Ji Cun Xi.”
“But….isn’t it too fast? We are not even a couple yet”
“When we should set marriage as a goal. Let’s date!” Dylan hold on to her hand. “Xin Yi, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Believe me, I will protect you and won’t let you suffer.”
Xin Yi didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t ready for all this. Even though she was not interested in him, but hearing these words she can’t help to not feel it.
Nobody ever said those words to her before. No one ever said that he will protect her forever and live the rest of his life with her. The most wanted dream came true.
“Dylan, I….”
“Don’t say yes!” Someone yelled.
Cun Xi suddenly popped up. Cun Xi came from the back, with a stone face with sharp eyes.
“Chen Xin Yi, I won’t allow you to accept his proposal!” He demanded.
She was confused and worried. She stood up and said “You don’t have the right to not allow it.”
“Because you are my wife, because I am your husband!” He said loudly.
She was mad. “Did you forget? We already divorced!”
“We didn’t!” He said. Not caring about the other people’s weirdly looks. “I didn’t sign on the divorce paper, so you are still my wife. You are my woman!”
She is….his woman? Xin Yi’s face turned pale. What is going on?
Cun Xi hold on to her shoulder and locked her. “Xin Yi, you are mine. I will not give to you to another man!”
Ever since the incident at the restaurant, Cun xi finally understands that he can’t lose Xin Yi.
Two years ago she left, he was going to get her back except Anna’s feet was hurt. He told himself that he can’t leave Anna behind. He controlled his own feelings. Later, he saw her in Shanghai, afraid to bother her. He told himself that he should wish her happiness.
But now, he can’t control it anymore. He can’t control his heart flying toward Xin Yi. He does not care if she hates nor if she is planning on marrying another guy. He is selfish to the point that he wants her again.
He had her before but didn’t cherish her during that time, even if there is no second chance he is determined to try it.
First, he has to break up with Anna. He told Anna that he actually love Xin Yi.
Anna guessed it a long time ago. At Shanghai, during the show, she was confident about that already. But she didn’t want to face reality. “Why do you like that woman? I really don’t understand what about that you like. How is she better than me?”
“Love is not to compare to”, he said an in low voice. “It is not that she is better than you. It is because I love her. When I am sleeping the one I dream of is her. When I wake up the first one I want to see is her. That is it.” Like this, I think of her that I can’t control myself.
“I don’t believe you, Cun xi. You love me, you can not not love me!” Anna felt that she had lost Cun Xi. “Look at me! I am Anna! Because of you, I gave up the stage and stayed in Taiwan. This is all because of you!”
“But I don’t want you to give up.” He insulted her. “Go back! Anna, you belong to the dancing stage. Don’t be scare to go back because you fell at the stage. This is not like the Anna I know.”
“I am not scared! I am because of you…”
“You are not here because of me, you are just scare that when you turn there is no goal. You are afraid to fell again. You don’t need me. Your heart is your goal. You once dreamt of performing “Swan Lake” at Lin Kan center as the main female character. How could you so easily give up?”
“I…” said Anna. She wondered to herself rather if this was really love or was it really the fear that is making her stay in Taiwan.
“Let’s break up!”
Ever since the break up with Anna, Cun Xi follows Xin Yi closely.
Using the techniques he never thought of, when he was trying to get Anna. He also took the first steps such as send flowers, gifts, and picking her up after a dancing show with this cool racing car.
But to Xin Yi, he didn’t use the same techniques. She didn’t want his flowers, gifts and refused to get on his car. She didn’t want to have a date with him. He could only sign up for the ceramic classes.
He signed up for all the classes from old people to children. The receptionist looked at him weirdly and he pretended not to care at all.
He tried his best to reschedule meetings with people, tried to get all the work done, finish everything before work ends. After work, he rushes to the ceramic classroom and be her troublemaker student.
He always ask these kind of questions, for examples—
“Teacher, I want to make something for my wife. What do you think she will like?”
“Teacher, if I make this cup will you give me a prize?”
“Teacher, if a woman wouldn’t follow the basics of a marriage. What do you think the man should do?”
She always gets really annoyed. But when she looked, he was still trying really hard to learn ceramic too bad he doesn’t have the talent. The things he made are all so messed up.
Children’s class’s children laugh at him. “You are really dumb! You can’t even make a cup?”
“Who said I can’t make it?” He was unhappy. It is just a bad cup!
“HA HA HA~~ What is this? This is a cup?”
“Everybody come look! His cup has angles! How come there is only one? Just make it be two!”
“Yea, two will be a monster!”
He was sad from being laughed at but he still put on an image. “Bratty kids, if you say more, I’ll hit you!”
“AHH~~ Monster talked!”
“So scary!”
The children ran and jumped, laughing and clapping at the same time not afraid of his treats at all.
Xin Yi was laughing by the side. He thought he was a grown man seeing the authority of children.
He thought these kids are easy to deal with?
Xin Yi saw him trying to form the shape of the clay along with dealing with the children. His face turned red. Not knowing why, her cold heart melted.
If she and Cun Xi’s baby did get born, maybe the father and son would play…No way! Xin Yi stopped herself from thinking. She didn’t want to get his influence. The past is the past, you can’t go back.
Maybe he doesn’t even care about losing the baby. He doesn’t feel the lost. It is only her….
Not easily, Cun Xi finally finished the cup and held it to her face. “Teacher, is this ok?”
Can’t not be uglier. Xin Yi laughed. “It is ok, can barely make it.”
“Really?” His eyes shined. “Will the teacher give me a prize?”
"What prize?” She stared at him. “I never promise you anything.”
“Hey~~the teacher didn’t do as said! You guys, isn’t that mean?” This time, Cun Xi and the kids gang up against her.
Xin Yi feeling really embarrassed but thought it was funny too. Not knowing, her facial expression became softer. The way she looked at Cun Xi is not that cold.
Cun Xi knew that he made a great step. Happily continued to get Xin Yi. He woke up especially early to buy breakfast for her. He gave her his handmade cup. One for her and one for himself. When she comes to visit grandma, he comes out and stays with them.
He used her kindness, using donation to the orphanage as an excuse to invite her to a “kind hearted” meeting. They both came and under the VIP’s request, he danced with her.
“I am only dancing with you because of the donation to the orphanage. Don’t think too much”, she tried to form a clear line. “The one thinking too much is you? He said. “I only want to dance with you. Under all these people what can I do to you?”
“Or…do you want me to do something?” He said with a low voice. “You!” She glared at him.
He stared at her. Her lips are brightly red like a rose, seducing him. He thought of the night two years ago. He looked at her when she was asleep, wanting to kiss her, yet failed.
He tightened his arm around her waist. He lowered his head slowing coming closer and closer. “You, what do you want to do?” She breathed heavily. He didn’t talk but only looked at her deeply. The way he looked at her made her heart beat faster and faster. And then he touched her lips, softly making her unable to breathe.
She forgot to refuse. This is not the first time he kissed her but it is the first time that he kissed her to the point where she lost all her energy. She could hardly stand. She was held in his arms. Not knowing how long. He let go of her. They looked at each other. The guest started to clap. Xin Yi woke up from her dream like state.
She took a breath, not believing what she just did. She ran out of the place. Her entire body was hot. “Xin Yi!” Cun Xi followed her.
“Ji Cun Xi, let’s get a divorce right now! Xin Yi yelled. If it keeps going like this she will sink back to it. “You have to sign the divorce papers now and we will go to the city hall to officially confirm our divorce.
“I don’t want to divorce!” He wouldn’t allow it. “Why? We had a contract that when the baby is born then we divorce and since the baby is gone our marriage is nothing. Can you please end it!”
“I don’t want to”
"Why don’t you want to?" Xin Yi almost went crazy. “What do you really want? Don’t you already have Anna? Why do you still have to play around with me?
“I broke up with Anna” Cun Xi said in a serious tone. “I and she are impossible [to be together again].”
“Why impossible [to be together].” Did he always loved Anna? Didn’t he choose Anna over her in front of her?
“Because I was wrong.” He could almost see that she is confused. “That night, the person whom I really want to choose was you except I was too dumb and saw my heart wrong.
“Saw your heart wrong? What kind of lame excuse is that? He did expect her to believe that? “You liar! You don’t even care about me, nor the baby. When I lost the baby didn’t you feel relief?”
He was relieved? Cun Xi spaced out, “I didn’t…”
“Just as you said, I am just like a post-it note to you!” She glared at him with hatred with fire eyes. “Let me tell you, Ji Cun Xi. I am not the post-it note girl as before! From now on, don’t you ever try to use me and throw me away! I am not that stupid anymore!”
“I said you were like post-it note?” Cun Xi stood and thought. Then He thought that maybe she overheard it at the hospital when he was talking with Anna. “You misunderstood. I didn’t mean it that way.” He wants explain, yet he doesn’t know where to start. He never thought he had to express his love toward her. He felt kind of weird.
Xin Yi misunderstood his shortcoming to express himself and felt even more broken hearted. “I am begging you, Ji Cun Xi. Let me go ok. I can no longer play this game with you. Let me go, I beg you, let me go…” as she was saying this, tears roll down her cheek.
Cun Xi felt bad for seeing her tears. He was panicking as the whole chest was losing something bit by bit.
Did he really lose her?
“What do I have to do for you to let go?” She hopelessly stared at him.
He took a long breath and tightened his palm. “I want you to give me three months, come back to Ji’s house, and be my wife. If after three months, I can’t change your mind then I will sign the papers.”
She didn’t say anything.
He knew she was really scared but not knowing that he was more scared than she was. He was scared that she won’t follow this plan. Scared that she wouldn’t even give him the last chance. He purposely acted cool and put up an attitude. “So what? Are you ok with it?” She said "yes".
“How could you agree with such plan?” Dylan was mad at Xin Yi’s decision. “Unless you still can’t forget about Ji Cun Xi.
“It is not that I can’t forget about him. I am just trying to solve this problem, that’s it” Xin Yi explained herself. Dylan doesn’t believe her. He knows her too well. Ever since he first met her two years ago, he had been watching her.
He was a orphan. He has little feelings toward family. Ever since he knew Xin Yi, the stuff she said at prayers really touched him. He felt some kind of mother’s love from her. The one that was always made fun of but won’t allow anyone to harm her child. God is always playing with her life yet she is always treating everyone nicely and never blamed other people. Dylan’s heart aches seeing her like this.
He brought her to Shanghai. He saw her changed. The person she is now, shining like a jade. He was the one that found this jade, and he was the one that was with her during her hardest times. Ji Cun Xi didn’t even know how to appreciate her. Yet her heart was still with him.
“You can not do this!” He tried to convince her. “You give him three months now, you’ll have to follow his footsteps for life. Do you want to return back to the painful old days?” He saw that she is not so confident with that either. He sighed. “Ok, if you wish then I won’t stop you but you have to be engage to me first.”
“What?” she is shocked. “Engagement with you?”
She was actually engaged with Dylan.
The first official day that she went back to the Ji’ house, she invited Dylan over for dinner. Cun Xi saw Dylan already so no happy not to even mention Xin Yi is wearing the ring he gave her.
Dylan was happy. Grandma was shocked. Cun Xi was angry. He knew very will that she was doing this on purpose. Indirectly telling him that she is not changing her mind for these three months.
“Chen Xin Yi, don’t you remember what you promised me?” He hit the table. “I didn’t forget!” She looked at him. “I am giving you three months, after that I am going to be married to Dylan.”
“You are sure that you are not going to change your mind?” He was so mad that he was gridding his teeth. “That is right! I, will, not!” She said it word by word.
“You…..”
“Ok Ok, You two, stop fighting!” Grandma saw that the atmosphere wasn’t so great. She voiced to stop the two to continuing fighting. “Eat first, the dishes are getting cold.”
Cun Xi couldn’t even eat. “Grandma, let me clarify everything with this woman!”
“I already said it very clearly, no matter if it is three months or a lifetime. I will not change my mind.”
“Chen, Xin, Yi!”
“What?”
The glances are getting worse and worse. Grandma turned and held on to her chest, faking to be unable to breathe. “It hurts….here, I feel so dizzy…” Dizzy as she said, she slowly fell back except Cun Xi held on to her. “Grandma! Are you ok?”
Xin Yi’s face turned pale. “I am going to call the ambulance.”
“No, no….” She shakes her hand. What a joke, if she really went to the hospital everything would be let out.
“But grandma, your body is not well; you must call the hospital to check what is wrong….”
“I don’t have to, I just need some rest.”
Cun Xi figured out that Grandma was really faking it. In the mean time, Dylan took out his cell phone and started to call the hospital.”
“Hello? 119? (In Taiwan it is 119 not 911 if you live in the states). I have a patient here that is sick. I need an ambulance. The address is…..” Ah! Grandma couldn’t react. There was no hope but to play act till the end. She went on the ambulance.
Paper can not wrap around fire. Dylan asked for the detail of the check up and it turned up that she was actually really healthy. Except for the blood pressure was bit high everything else it was all good.
“Now do you know? Ji Cun Xi is lying to you right?” Dylan laughed coldly.
He actually lied to her. She couldn’t believe that she was so easily tricked by him. How would anyone know if he is playing a going after her game, and then easily kick her away, just like the ex-boyfriends? She always had to be dump, can’t she learn from the past?
Xin Yi got angrier and angrier, mad at Cun Xi but madder at herself. “Do you have a heart? How could you use you own grandma’s health has a joke! I am very disappointed at you. Ji Cun Xi, from now on, I don’t ever want to see you again!
She left leaving him all by himself.
Dylan stopped her; he thought it was just Cun Xi’s plan for getting her back to his house. “Why would he want to trick me back to his house?” She doesn’t think so. “Plus he pays so much respect toward his grandmother; I believe he would not take grandmother’s health as a joke.
Dylan could not convince her, adding to the fact that he personally called Cun Xi’ grandmother and the housekeeper said her health is not well. And she is currently at the hospital. He believed it as well, agreed to let Xin Yi return back to Taiwan.
“Wait until I am finished with the business here, I will fly back to Taiwan. You should take care of yourself.” He said.
Xin Yi nodded and did not say much. She took the first airplane to return to Taiwan. Then she took the taxi to get to Cun Xi’s house. The housekeeper predicted she would appear and bought her to the living room right away.
“Grandma? What happened? Is she ok?” She asked in a hurry.
The housekeeper did not get a chance to answer, Cun Xi came downstairs. He was stunned to see her. “What are you here for?”
Asking me? She glared at him. “Wasn’t it you that told me to come back?”
“I told you?” He asked.
“You put an advertisement saying grandma is sick. You wanted me to return.” Cun Xi even more surprised. “I said grandma sick….”
“Xin Yi, you, you finally came.” Grandma saying this and the housekeeper helps her get downstairs. “I missed you so much!”
“Grandma!” Xin Yi ran to hold on to her. “How come you came out? I can go up to see you. How are you? Is your body better?”
“Finally came back from being almost dead.” Grandma kept saying. She sat on the sofa. “But the doctor said my body is very weak, I am afraid that I won’t live long.”
“Grandma, do not say that! Xin Yi exclaimed. “You will be long lived”
“If it is really that, it would be great.” She shakes her head. “I am scared, I can’t even go pass these few months.”
“No, grandma, you have me to accompany you, you will get better.”
“Good child, I did not cherish you for nothing.”
“Grandma…”
"Which show is this?" Cun Xi thought. He is not stupid; he can tell that grandma was just acting weak in front of Xin Yi. She knows that her health is very good. How could she say that she can’t live pass this month?
“Cun Xi, what you are standing there for? It is hard that Xin Yi came back. How come you didn’t tell the housekeeper to clean the room and move her suitcase upstairs” Grandma gave him a look.
Grandma’s wish was having Xin Yi to move back home? Cun Xi understood. Actually the one who put on the advertisement was grandma. It was her that used the excuse of her health to trick Xin Yi back.
“Grandma, I just came back to accompany you, I didn’t say I am living here.” Xin Yi said with guilt.
“Come back” Cun Xi said with a face and a straightforward tone. “You don’t plan to live here, are you going to go live in a hotel?”
“I am really going to go living in a hotel. I already booked the room.” She said with confidence. “I will come to visit and accompany her, but I won’t live here.” She said clearly.
Since when did she learned to say “no”?
Cun Xi was confused. He felt that the woman in front of him was not the Xin Yi he knew before but different.
Ever since she rejected to live at Cun Xi’ house, there was even more rejections from Xin Yi. Cun Xi couldn’t bear to see her living in such a small business class hotel. He booked a five-star hotel room for her, yet she rejected it. She didn’t want it. During the day, she is with Grandma, at night, she goes to teach ceramics. He thought that was too tiring, and wanted her to quit. She wouldn’t. He bought a car for her, and she rejected and sent it back. He wanted to celebrate her birthday. She said no. She said she already made appointment with Dylan.
Ever since she came back from Taiwan, she kept on saying “no”. He is so mad about that.
At the worst time, she said in front of him that she is going on a date with another guy. Yet he knew that he had no rights to interfere. He couldn’t believe that she is living with him in Shanghai. At the auction, she stood up for Dylan till the end. Cun Xi is mad and bothered along with a feeling of jealousy.
He acted like a one-side love teenager, secretly followed Xin Yi out to date. She and Dylan went to a very romantic restaurant. Though the windows, he could see the two of them laughing and was having a great time.
He never before seen Xin Yi like this, she smiled so sweetly and very open about it. She was not shy like before, always tried to please people. She is now confident and full of brightness.
She changed.
And she kind of didn’t, she still treat Grandma the same, so sweet and careful. Grandma always talks about how great Xin Yi is in front of Cun Xi. Grandma was hinting to him that losing this daughter in law was a lost. To the housekeeper, she was still very nice and kind and wouldn’t put up an attitude. She helped the people walking by. She was still very willing to help others.
Or maybe, she only changed toward him. She toward him. She is not as careful and can say that she doesn’t care for him at all.
“Marry me! Xin Yi” Dylan proposed.
Xin Yi was stunned and space-out. “You… are not seriously right?”
“I admit that I am not a very serious person, but this is not something to joke about.” Dylan smiled bitterly. “I am serious toward you, Xin Yi”
“But…” Xin yi said. She always thought this man as her best friend and a caring brother. She never thought about having a relationship with him.
“I know that you can’t take it at the moment but I thought about it for a long time. I will wait for you till the day that you recover from your last marriage.” Dylan said understandingly. “I know that Ji Cun Xi hurt you deeply. Because of him you closed your heart and is afraid of falling in love again. But don’t you think it is about time? You are not the same Chen Xin Yi as before. You don’t have to close your heart because of Ji Cun Xi.”
“But….isn’t it too fast? We are not even a couple yet”
“When we should set marriage as a goal. Let’s date!” Dylan hold on to her hand. “Xin Yi, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Believe me, I will protect you and won’t let you suffer.”
Xin Yi didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t ready for all this. Even though she was not interested in him, but hearing these words she can’t help to not feel it.
Nobody ever said those words to her before. No one ever said that he will protect her forever and live the rest of his life with her. The most wanted dream came true.
“Dylan, I….”
“Don’t say yes!” Someone yelled.
Cun Xi suddenly popped up. Cun Xi came from the back, with a stone face with sharp eyes.
“Chen Xin Yi, I won’t allow you to accept his proposal!” He demanded.
She was confused and worried. She stood up and said “You don’t have the right to not allow it.”
“Because you are my wife, because I am your husband!” He said loudly.
She was mad. “Did you forget? We already divorced!”
“We didn’t!” He said. Not caring about the other people’s weirdly looks. “I didn’t sign on the divorce paper, so you are still my wife. You are my woman!”
She is….his woman? Xin Yi’s face turned pale. What is going on?
Cun Xi hold on to her shoulder and locked her. “Xin Yi, you are mine. I will not give to you to another man!”
Ever since the incident at the restaurant, Cun xi finally understands that he can’t lose Xin Yi.
Two years ago she left, he was going to get her back except Anna’s feet was hurt. He told himself that he can’t leave Anna behind. He controlled his own feelings. Later, he saw her in Shanghai, afraid to bother her. He told himself that he should wish her happiness.
But now, he can’t control it anymore. He can’t control his heart flying toward Xin Yi. He does not care if she hates nor if she is planning on marrying another guy. He is selfish to the point that he wants her again.
He had her before but didn’t cherish her during that time, even if there is no second chance he is determined to try it.
First, he has to break up with Anna. He told Anna that he actually love Xin Yi.
Anna guessed it a long time ago. At Shanghai, during the show, she was confident about that already. But she didn’t want to face reality. “Why do you like that woman? I really don’t understand what about that you like. How is she better than me?”
“Love is not to compare to”, he said an in low voice. “It is not that she is better than you. It is because I love her. When I am sleeping the one I dream of is her. When I wake up the first one I want to see is her. That is it.” Like this, I think of her that I can’t control myself.
“I don’t believe you, Cun xi. You love me, you can not not love me!” Anna felt that she had lost Cun Xi. “Look at me! I am Anna! Because of you, I gave up the stage and stayed in Taiwan. This is all because of you!”
“But I don’t want you to give up.” He insulted her. “Go back! Anna, you belong to the dancing stage. Don’t be scare to go back because you fell at the stage. This is not like the Anna I know.”
“I am not scared! I am because of you…”
“You are not here because of me, you are just scare that when you turn there is no goal. You are afraid to fell again. You don’t need me. Your heart is your goal. You once dreamt of performing “Swan Lake” at Lin Kan center as the main female character. How could you so easily give up?”
“I…” said Anna. She wondered to herself rather if this was really love or was it really the fear that is making her stay in Taiwan.
“Let’s break up!”
Ever since the break up with Anna, Cun Xi follows Xin Yi closely.
Using the techniques he never thought of, when he was trying to get Anna. He also took the first steps such as send flowers, gifts, and picking her up after a dancing show with this cool racing car.
But to Xin Yi, he didn’t use the same techniques. She didn’t want his flowers, gifts and refused to get on his car. She didn’t want to have a date with him. He could only sign up for the ceramic classes.
He signed up for all the classes from old people to children. The receptionist looked at him weirdly and he pretended not to care at all.
He tried his best to reschedule meetings with people, tried to get all the work done, finish everything before work ends. After work, he rushes to the ceramic classroom and be her troublemaker student.
He always ask these kind of questions, for examples—
“Teacher, I want to make something for my wife. What do you think she will like?”
“Teacher, if I make this cup will you give me a prize?”
“Teacher, if a woman wouldn’t follow the basics of a marriage. What do you think the man should do?”
She always gets really annoyed. But when she looked, he was still trying really hard to learn ceramic too bad he doesn’t have the talent. The things he made are all so messed up.
Children’s class’s children laugh at him. “You are really dumb! You can’t even make a cup?”
“Who said I can’t make it?” He was unhappy. It is just a bad cup!
“HA HA HA~~ What is this? This is a cup?”
“Everybody come look! His cup has angles! How come there is only one? Just make it be two!”
“Yea, two will be a monster!”
He was sad from being laughed at but he still put on an image. “Bratty kids, if you say more, I’ll hit you!”
“AHH~~ Monster talked!”
“So scary!”
The children ran and jumped, laughing and clapping at the same time not afraid of his treats at all.
Xin Yi was laughing by the side. He thought he was a grown man seeing the authority of children.
He thought these kids are easy to deal with?
Xin Yi saw him trying to form the shape of the clay along with dealing with the children. His face turned red. Not knowing why, her cold heart melted.
If she and Cun Xi’s baby did get born, maybe the father and son would play…No way! Xin Yi stopped herself from thinking. She didn’t want to get his influence. The past is the past, you can’t go back.
Maybe he doesn’t even care about losing the baby. He doesn’t feel the lost. It is only her….
Not easily, Cun Xi finally finished the cup and held it to her face. “Teacher, is this ok?”
Can’t not be uglier. Xin Yi laughed. “It is ok, can barely make it.”
“Really?” His eyes shined. “Will the teacher give me a prize?”
"What prize?” She stared at him. “I never promise you anything.”
“Hey~~the teacher didn’t do as said! You guys, isn’t that mean?” This time, Cun Xi and the kids gang up against her.
Xin Yi feeling really embarrassed but thought it was funny too. Not knowing, her facial expression became softer. The way she looked at Cun Xi is not that cold.
Cun Xi knew that he made a great step. Happily continued to get Xin Yi. He woke up especially early to buy breakfast for her. He gave her his handmade cup. One for her and one for himself. When she comes to visit grandma, he comes out and stays with them.
He used her kindness, using donation to the orphanage as an excuse to invite her to a “kind hearted” meeting. They both came and under the VIP’s request, he danced with her.
“I am only dancing with you because of the donation to the orphanage. Don’t think too much”, she tried to form a clear line. “The one thinking too much is you? He said. “I only want to dance with you. Under all these people what can I do to you?”
“Or…do you want me to do something?” He said with a low voice. “You!” She glared at him.
He stared at her. Her lips are brightly red like a rose, seducing him. He thought of the night two years ago. He looked at her when she was asleep, wanting to kiss her, yet failed.
He tightened his arm around her waist. He lowered his head slowing coming closer and closer. “You, what do you want to do?” She breathed heavily. He didn’t talk but only looked at her deeply. The way he looked at her made her heart beat faster and faster. And then he touched her lips, softly making her unable to breathe.
She forgot to refuse. This is not the first time he kissed her but it is the first time that he kissed her to the point where she lost all her energy. She could hardly stand. She was held in his arms. Not knowing how long. He let go of her. They looked at each other. The guest started to clap. Xin Yi woke up from her dream like state.
She took a breath, not believing what she just did. She ran out of the place. Her entire body was hot. “Xin Yi!” Cun Xi followed her.
“Ji Cun Xi, let’s get a divorce right now! Xin Yi yelled. If it keeps going like this she will sink back to it. “You have to sign the divorce papers now and we will go to the city hall to officially confirm our divorce.
“I don’t want to divorce!” He wouldn’t allow it. “Why? We had a contract that when the baby is born then we divorce and since the baby is gone our marriage is nothing. Can you please end it!”
“I don’t want to”
"Why don’t you want to?" Xin Yi almost went crazy. “What do you really want? Don’t you already have Anna? Why do you still have to play around with me?
“I broke up with Anna” Cun Xi said in a serious tone. “I and she are impossible [to be together again].”
“Why impossible [to be together].” Did he always loved Anna? Didn’t he choose Anna over her in front of her?
“Because I was wrong.” He could almost see that she is confused. “That night, the person whom I really want to choose was you except I was too dumb and saw my heart wrong.
“Saw your heart wrong? What kind of lame excuse is that? He did expect her to believe that? “You liar! You don’t even care about me, nor the baby. When I lost the baby didn’t you feel relief?”
He was relieved? Cun Xi spaced out, “I didn’t…”
“Just as you said, I am just like a post-it note to you!” She glared at him with hatred with fire eyes. “Let me tell you, Ji Cun Xi. I am not the post-it note girl as before! From now on, don’t you ever try to use me and throw me away! I am not that stupid anymore!”
“I said you were like post-it note?” Cun Xi stood and thought. Then He thought that maybe she overheard it at the hospital when he was talking with Anna. “You misunderstood. I didn’t mean it that way.” He wants explain, yet he doesn’t know where to start. He never thought he had to express his love toward her. He felt kind of weird.
Xin Yi misunderstood his shortcoming to express himself and felt even more broken hearted. “I am begging you, Ji Cun Xi. Let me go ok. I can no longer play this game with you. Let me go, I beg you, let me go…” as she was saying this, tears roll down her cheek.
Cun Xi felt bad for seeing her tears. He was panicking as the whole chest was losing something bit by bit.
Did he really lose her?
“What do I have to do for you to let go?” She hopelessly stared at him.
He took a long breath and tightened his palm. “I want you to give me three months, come back to Ji’s house, and be my wife. If after three months, I can’t change your mind then I will sign the papers.”
She didn’t say anything.
He knew she was really scared but not knowing that he was more scared than she was. He was scared that she won’t follow this plan. Scared that she wouldn’t even give him the last chance. He purposely acted cool and put up an attitude. “So what? Are you ok with it?” She said "yes".
“How could you agree with such plan?” Dylan was mad at Xin Yi’s decision. “Unless you still can’t forget about Ji Cun Xi.
“It is not that I can’t forget about him. I am just trying to solve this problem, that’s it” Xin Yi explained herself. Dylan doesn’t believe her. He knows her too well. Ever since he first met her two years ago, he had been watching her.
He was a orphan. He has little feelings toward family. Ever since he knew Xin Yi, the stuff she said at prayers really touched him. He felt some kind of mother’s love from her. The one that was always made fun of but won’t allow anyone to harm her child. God is always playing with her life yet she is always treating everyone nicely and never blamed other people. Dylan’s heart aches seeing her like this.
He brought her to Shanghai. He saw her changed. The person she is now, shining like a jade. He was the one that found this jade, and he was the one that was with her during her hardest times. Ji Cun Xi didn’t even know how to appreciate her. Yet her heart was still with him.
“You can not do this!” He tried to convince her. “You give him three months now, you’ll have to follow his footsteps for life. Do you want to return back to the painful old days?” He saw that she is not so confident with that either. He sighed. “Ok, if you wish then I won’t stop you but you have to be engage to me first.”
“What?” she is shocked. “Engagement with you?”
She was actually engaged with Dylan.
The first official day that she went back to the Ji’ house, she invited Dylan over for dinner. Cun Xi saw Dylan already so no happy not to even mention Xin Yi is wearing the ring he gave her.
Dylan was happy. Grandma was shocked. Cun Xi was angry. He knew very will that she was doing this on purpose. Indirectly telling him that she is not changing her mind for these three months.
“Chen Xin Yi, don’t you remember what you promised me?” He hit the table. “I didn’t forget!” She looked at him. “I am giving you three months, after that I am going to be married to Dylan.”
“You are sure that you are not going to change your mind?” He was so mad that he was gridding his teeth. “That is right! I, will, not!” She said it word by word.
“You…..”
“Ok Ok, You two, stop fighting!” Grandma saw that the atmosphere wasn’t so great. She voiced to stop the two to continuing fighting. “Eat first, the dishes are getting cold.”
Cun Xi couldn’t even eat. “Grandma, let me clarify everything with this woman!”
“I already said it very clearly, no matter if it is three months or a lifetime. I will not change my mind.”
“Chen, Xin, Yi!”
“What?”
The glances are getting worse and worse. Grandma turned and held on to her chest, faking to be unable to breathe. “It hurts….here, I feel so dizzy…” Dizzy as she said, she slowly fell back except Cun Xi held on to her. “Grandma! Are you ok?”
Xin Yi’s face turned pale. “I am going to call the ambulance.”
“No, no….” She shakes her hand. What a joke, if she really went to the hospital everything would be let out.
“But grandma, your body is not well; you must call the hospital to check what is wrong….”
“I don’t have to, I just need some rest.”
Cun Xi figured out that Grandma was really faking it. In the mean time, Dylan took out his cell phone and started to call the hospital.”
“Hello? 119? (In Taiwan it is 119 not 911 if you live in the states). I have a patient here that is sick. I need an ambulance. The address is…..” Ah! Grandma couldn’t react. There was no hope but to play act till the end. She went on the ambulance.
Paper can not wrap around fire. Dylan asked for the detail of the check up and it turned up that she was actually really healthy. Except for the blood pressure was bit high everything else it was all good.
“Now do you know? Ji Cun Xi is lying to you right?” Dylan laughed coldly.
He actually lied to her. She couldn’t believe that she was so easily tricked by him. How would anyone know if he is playing a going after her game, and then easily kick her away, just like the ex-boyfriends? She always had to be dump, can’t she learn from the past?
Xin Yi got angrier and angrier, mad at Cun Xi but madder at herself. “Do you have a heart? How could you use you own grandma’s health has a joke! I am very disappointed at you. Ji Cun Xi, from now on, I don’t ever want to see you again!
She left leaving him all by himself.
Chapter 8 - The Butterfly After Metamorphosis
[Translated by indescribable]
Curtains fall, lights on. The nostalgic longing of the two separated, in that moment, reconnects from the start.
Curtains fall, lights on. The nostalgic longing of the two separated, in that moment, reconnects from the start.
In order to expand the company’s business, Cun Xi arrives in Shanghai, not knowing that there he would discover Xin Yi’s figure. Cun Xi greedily wants to solely possess all of Xin Yi’s pieces of work, not caring how expensive or cheap the price, he still wants to stay by her side……unknowingly he has already set his mind and heart!
Two Years Later, Shanghai.
In order to inspect Mo Fa Ling’s expansion status in China, Cun Xi personally flies to Shanghai, and naturally his assistant Anson accompanies him.
After holding a meeting with the company branch and factory manager, Cun Xi also took the convenient opportunity to meet with several investors, discussing company prospects in Hong Kong.
During the few short days in Shanghai, five, six meetings were held, and in the evening he would also entertain clients. Cun Xi isn’t tired, but Anson, the one following him running everywhere, is tired to death, and cries out:
“Boss, your work doesn’t have to be to THIS extreme, right? You still need to rest a little once in a while.”
“If you’re tired, go back to the hotel first.” Not even glancing at him once, Cun Xi ignores him to read the business report.
With the boss still working, how could he, the assistant, dare take a break? Anson sighs. Before, although the boss was serious, he still wouldn’t work day and night like a workaholic; these two years seemed like he went crazy, never stopping, not even having time to marry his girlfriend Anna.
“Boss…”
“Oh right, I almost forgot.” Cun Xi suddenly lifts up his head. “The manager who helps Granny purchase art items opened an art gallery in Shanghai; heard it has a lot of Master Zhong San Long’s work for sale. Anson, go find the location of the art gallery, I want to go choose a present for Granny.”
“Yes, I’ll go immediately.”
After Anson retreated, Cun Xi stares off into space.
Ever since Xin Yi miscarried two years ago, after leaving a note and then taking off, Granny has been unhappy, missing Xin Yi, and her heart also aching for the precious great-grandchild who didn’t make it out into the world.
He has no way of finding Xin Yi back, and at this time cannot give Granny another great-grandchild, buying a ceramic piece to please her would be good too, hopefully she can be a little happier…
“Boss, I found the address.” Anson reports back.
Cun Xi nods, and after finishing work, immediately went with Anson to the art gallery. The art gallery has a very high-class atmosphere; one exhibition room specifically for the display of Zhong San Long’s pieces.
In there Cun Xi wanders, carefully choosing, when suddenly he heard a familiar voice.
“Xiao Li, have my pieces already been put on display?”
Is it Xin Yi? Cun Xi is shocked, hurriedly chasing out of the room, looking left and right. A woman turns around the hallway corner, and in that one short second, he already recognizes that it is Xin Yi, no mistake.
Stunned, he stands still, heart wildly pumping. After what seemed like a long time did he slowly follow.
He watches as Xin Yi discusses several newly displayed pieces of art with one of the art gallery workers, and in fact those displayed are her own work!
“I wonder, the first one to buy my pieces of work, who will it be?” Xin Yi murmurs, a little embarrassedly. “Shouldn’t be that no one will want to buy it, right?”
“How could that be?” the worker comforts her. “Even Master Zhong San is proud of you, this apprentice of his; don’t worry, there will definitely be someone who knows how to admire your work.”
“Then I’ll hope that’s how it’ll be.” Xin Yi smiles slightly, and after bidding goodbye to the worker, shoulders a beautiful single-strap bag, leaving the art gallery.
Cun Xi secretly follows, and Anson seeing the boss doing weird antics, comes over. “What is it? Boss…eh? Isn’t that…” He discovers Xin Yi, his whole self in shock.
Xin Yi jumps into a taxi, and Cun Xi also immediately flags another one over. “Anson, go back by yourself first!” After saying this sentence, he orders the driver to follow the car ahead.
After cutting through many roads and streets, Xin Yi gets out of the car at a quite modern-looking house. Cun Xi is just about to get out after her, when he suddenly sees another man walking towards her.
It’s……Dylan? He furrows his brow, watching Xin Yi and Dylan talking and laughing, walking shoulder-to-shoulder into the house, his heart progressively sinking.
So they are living together. He slowly ponders this. Two years ago Xin Yi left, not returning to Jiang Mu Island, her parents also not willing to inform him of her outcome. Turns out she had come to Shanghai with Dylan, Dylan opening an art gallery, and she studying the art of pottery under Master Zhong San.
Should he give her his blessing? She finally fulfilled her dream of becoming a pottery artist, and also found a good man……
Cun Xi aiya, jealousy bubbling up in his chest, all of it surging up without stopping. He loiters in front of the house for a very long time, before having the taxi driver bring him back to the art gallery, and in one breath buys all of Xin Yi’s pieces of work.
He can’t have her, then let him have all of her pieces of work!
At night, he takes a plane to leave Shanghai, expressionlessly commanding Anson that the incident of seeing Xin Yi is not allowed to be mentioned to anyone.
* * * * *
“You’re saying someone bought all of my pieces?” Xin Yi received the worker’s telephone call, but was not daring to believe it. “Who was it?”
“I don’t know, he was very mysterious, didn’t leave down his last name; he just said he wanted all of your work to be reserved and mailed to him in the future.”
“Mail to where? Did he leave down an address?”
“It’s a Taiwanese address, but it’s not his personal one, it’s his management’s address.”
“Oh, so it’s like that…thank you.” Xin Yi hangs up dejectedly.
“What is it?” Dylan curiously asks from the side.
Xin Yi relays the conversation to him, and Dylan grins widely. “Isn’t that good? You got your first customer, looks like he really appreciates your work, will probably become your loyal fan.”
“My fan?” Xin Yi blushes in excitement. The newly debuted her, also has fans?
“So from now on, you need to keep working hard to create pieces, cannot fail to meet the expectations people have for you.”
“I definitely will!” Her eyes glow brightly. No matter who that person is, she will still thank him deeply, and definitely will not let him down.
Anyway, it is the first fan that she has!
* * * * *
Unable to be her man, he can only be her fan, only hoping that from now on her path will go very smoothly, her career thriving.
He knows that the her who always lacks self-confidence really needs tangible encouragement, and being able to quietly support her like this, he should feel satisfied, shouldn’t think too much……
“Cun Xi, what are you thinking about?” Anna’s voice brings him out of his thoughts. “Why does it seem like your heart is uneasy?”
“It’s nothing, just thinking about company things.” Cun Xi takes a sip of his coffee. “Oh right, you asked me to come out to eat today, is anything up?”
“What, if there’s nothing I can’t look for you?” Anna pouted. “We are boyfriend and girlfriend, does going on a date need to have a reason?”
Cun Xi doesn’t say anything.
Anna watches his expression, suddenly feeling very uneasy, recently she feels that he is drifting away farther and farther. Even though he is still very gentle towards her, a lot of intimacy is missing; between two people, there is a peculiar, ambiguous distance separating them.
To draw back his heart, once she recovered, choosing to stay in Taiwan to open a dancing school, she emotionally prepared herself for marriage, and gave up her choice to keep a good figure, willing to bear children for him, but in fact it is he who is not hurried at all.
He said these two years Mo Fa Ling Enterprise is expanding very fast, and as the director he must put all his strength into it. But is it really because of work? Or does he have other worries……
Anna doesn’t dare to think too much. “Cun Xi, my birthday is almost here, could you give me a birthday present?”
“You say it.”
“I’m thinking, can you accompany me on a vacation for a few days? Just three, four days would be good.”
“Three, four days?” Cun Xi raised his eyebrows.
“Let’s go to Shanghai, okay? Shanghai’s theatre is currently holding ‘Swan Lake’ performances, and it’s by the Ji Luo Fu [note: I’m not sure how to translate the name] Ballet Company too!” Anna smiles sweetly, pulling out a woman’s ultimate, sure-to-win weapon and acting coy. “Say yes, come with me to see it.”
Cun Xi stares at her. “You’re saying we go to……Shanghai?”
“Yeah.”
* * * * *
Shanghai, The Bund.
In the slight evening fog, the lights are turned on, casting light onto the colonial-era Western architecture and making it look even more elegant. The waves of light reflecting off the Huangpu River is from the modern Oriental Pearl Tower on the opposite shore.
The two shores of the river, one new one old, telling of Shanghai’s legendary history.
Cun Xi and Anna stroll along from the watchtower, at times stopping at the railing, admiring the river scenery. Hawkers try to persuade Anna to buy their candy, and Anna shakes her hand to refuse.
“Cun Xi, you say it, isn’t it beautiful?” She clings tightly to his side.
“Yeah, it’s not bad.”
“Help me take a picture?”
“Okay.” Cun Xi takes out a camera, putting into focus the Anna standing under the streetlight.
He doesn’t notice that when he was taking the picture, Xin Yi and Dylan just happened to walk by behind him.
“How is it? Coming out and talking a walk, does it make you feel a bit more relaxed?” Dylan gently asks Xin Yi. Recently she agreed to offer one of her own works up for an auction, and to create a piece of work that satisfies her, she has been using all her strength and effort. He can’t stand her suffering so much, so he took her out for a little stroll.
“Don’t worry, I’m a lot better.” Xin Yi smiles. “I mean it, I need to thank you, Dylan. These two years you’ve kept supporting me, caring for me; if it wasn’t for you, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get to today. You really are my best friend!”
“Only a friend?” Dylan asks, seeming to be serious.
She stares blankly.
“Nevermind, it’s nothing.” Seeing her innocent expression, Dylan takes the initiative to change the topic. “The auction is in a few days, which piece of work have you decided on taking out?”
“I haven’t decided yet, I still don’t feel completely satisfied.”
“Still not satisfied? Master Zhong San already said that your work has improved a lot, has a very unique style. You already won’t lose to any famous artist.”
“‘Good’ still needs to be even better ––– !”
* * * * *
Originally Anna came to Shanghai mainly because she wanted to see the “Swan Lake” performance, but who would’ve thought that perhaps having walked too long along The Bund, she would wake up the next morning not feeling very well, head feeling heavy and appearing to have a cold and fever.
Cun Xi bought medicine for her to take, staying with her in the hotel room to rest. In the evening, she urges Cun Xi to go watch the performance.
“The tickets have already been bought, not seeing it will be a waste. And since I want to sleep anyways, you’ll be bored being here alone.”
After she begs more, Cun Xi answers with a nod, and goes to the Shanghai theatre alone. By the time he enters, the lights are already dimmed. On the other side there is also a woman quietly feeling her way in, and the two sit down, separated by Anna’s empty seat.
The curtains lift, the show beginning, with the white swan gently and somberly dancing.
Cun Xi watches the performance on the stage, and couldn’t help but think of he and Anna’s unexpected meeting when he went to watch her first performance, falling in love with her bold manner, and her courage to immediately pick herself up after falling. He thought he had found his real soulmate, but time after time she would fly far away from him.
He knows he shouldn’t restrain her, her life belongs to dancing, meant to shine brightly, just that sometimes he would feel lonely…… and then, Xin Yi appeared.
She is an unattractive girl, really unattractive, he didn’t feel that he would fall in love with her, yet she somehow brings out his heart’s softest spot.
She is very simple and pure, used by her ex-boyfriend; very foolish, willing to believe that every person has a good side; very clumsy, unable to do anything well; but very gentle, always at the right time comforting him when he is hurt.
If Anna is like the sun’s blinding light in the eye, at times hurting people, then she is like the moon, very quiet, not reminding others of her own existence. Only people willing to use their hearts will be able to find her.
He found her, yet hurt her, and then lost her……
Cun Xi suddenly feels very uncomfortable, hearing quiet sobs coming from the next seat, causing his heart to feel even more painful. He takes out his handkerchief, hoping that the woman would stop crying, stop causing him to also want to cry ––––
* * * * *
Xin Yi gives a silent thanks, using the handkerchief to wipe away tears, feeling very uncomfortable and very embarrassed.
Looks like she has affected other people’s dance watching mood, but it’s just that she really is sad, from the depths of her heart.
Seeing the black swan onstage dancing so angrily and wildly, watching her agitated continuous spinning, Xin Yi suddenly thought that, the Anna onstage is probably also that eye-catching and outstanding.
No wonder Cun Xi would fall in love with her so devotedly……
The curtains lift and the lights come up, the entire audience standing to applaud and Xin Yi also stands to clap loudly. She turns around, wanting to thank the person who lent her the handkerchief, and is surprisingly unable to speak.
Cun Xi also recognizes her, and the two stare at each other. Behind their eyes are complex emotions: torment, sadness, longing, heartache; hundreds of tastes mixed in the chest.
“Xin Yi…” What does Cun Xi want to say?
Xin Yi suddenly darts away, turning around and running. Cun Xi hurriedly chases after her, the two pushing through the crowds leaving the theatre, in a game of hide-and-seek tag. Suddenly, Xin Yi hits someone, nearly falling, and Cun Xi catches her from behind.
He holds her in his arms, staring deeply at her.
She shudders, unable to breathe, looking at his handsome face just as it was like before – he still is a prince, always a prince!
She suddenly hated herself, angry at her cowardice, wanting to run away upon seeing him. Hasn’t she already changed? Not that silly sticky-note girl anymore!
“Hi.” She pushes him off, then greeting him with a smile. “It’s been a while, how are you?”
“I…” In fact, it is Cun Xi who is still in a daze. “Very good.”
“Then what about Grandma? Is her health well?”
“Mm.”
“I heard Anna is staying in Taiwan to open a dancing school. I really congratulate you, you two must be getting married really soon, right?”
“Getting married?” Cun Xi is shocked.
“When it’s time don’t forget to send me an invitation, I will give you two a very wonderful wedding gift.”
“You…” Cun Xi stares at her. How can she so calmly talk about he and Anna getting married? She doesn’t care about him anymore? Towards him, she doesn’t even have a little bit of love lingering?
How miserable, how painful!
Tasting the bitterness, with nothing to say, Cun Xi watches as Xin Yi leaves. Her retreating figure is very squared, very straight, with a confidence and strength that he had never seen before.
She seems to have……changed, not the Chen Xin Yi he knows anymore……
He returned to the hotel in a daze, the whole night in a stupor. The next day Anna asked him how the show was, and he was completely unable to answer anything correctly.
* * * * *
Xin Yi also agitatedly spent the night without sleeping.
She returned to the office, vigorously kneading the clay, then baking it into a product, with Master Zhong San saying that it is her most exciting piece of work to date.
Three days later, she gives the piece of work to the auctioneer, who is very happy.
“Thank you, Miss Chen, this piece of work is very special, I believe it will definitely be able to get a high price.”
“This piece of work really is very good.” Even Dylan loves it so much that he can’t let go. “I think I should just buy it.”
“You? Don’t kid around!” Xin Yi shakes her head.
“You think I’m joking? I’m serious!” Dylan is very solemn. “Such a precious piece of artwork, if I was to miss it now, how can I achieve fame in the world of art?”
Xin Yi sees his determination, on one side feeling very happy that her piece received the famous art broker’s approval; on the other side she couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. She is unwilling to sell away the piece that is so full of her feelings, having an urge to just buy it back herself.
She hides in a corner, wanting to see who would bid on her work. She didn’t think she would see Cun Xi and Anna enter the room together.
They’re here too?
She freezes in shock. Dylan, noticing her change of expression, softly pats her hand, comforting her. “They are probably here to bid on Master Zhong San’s pieces.”
“I know.” Xin Yi agrees, she definitely wouldn’t think that Cun Xi was here to bid on her work. Just that after suddenly meeting him again that night at the theatre, and seeing him again today, her emotions are fluctuating, and she is unable to keep her calm.
She watches he and Anna whispering in each other’s ears, Anna smiling slightly.
What are they saying? She cannot help but wonder, yet also hating herself for this sort of thinking.
Ji Cun Xi…already has nothing to do with her, right?
* * * * *
After smoothly auctioning off Zhong San Long’s most recent pieces of work, Cun Xi originally planned on leaving immediately, almost time to rush to the airport.
But the workers pushed out the next piece of work, suddenly causing his heart to shake, eyes glued, unable to remove.
It is a round pot, like a vase, and also like a bowl. At the side, there is a butterfly looking so real and lively that it seems as if it will fly away any moment. The paint is clear like water, gentle like the moon.
It’s her piece of work!
Cun Xi recognized that it is Xin Yi’s creation with one glance, her method of glaze is extremely special, with a very unique style, he could tell.
“This piece of work is called ‘Metamorphosis’.” The host introduces it with a smile. “It’s Miss Chen Xin Yi’s newest creation.”
Metamorphosis? Is she talking about that butterfly? Or is she symbolizing me?
He has to buy it!
Cun Xi set his mind, not caring how Anna hurries him to go catch the plane, sits down, and raises his sign to bid.
But he isn’t the only one wanting to bid on that auction item, several people bidding at the same time with him. When the bidding price becomes higher and higher, people gradually drop out, until there is only one other person persistently competing with him.
He turns back to look, and suddenly realizes that his competitor is Dylan.
The two men exchange a glance, both seeing in the other’s eyes a fierce will to fight.
Cun Xi turns back around, continuing to bid. No matter what kind of price Dylan puts out, he would not step back, and in a little while, the bidding price goes over ten million.
Surprised murmurs fill the entire room, some people gasping. Even though the piece is pretty good, it isn’t some really amazing piece, right? Is there really a need to bid so high?
“Eleven million!” Dylan shouts.
“Twelve million!” Cun Xi shouts.
“Fifteen million.”
“Twenty million!” Cun Xi’s words came out, and the whole room was in shock.
Dylan wrinkles his eyebrows, wondering whether or not to continue bidding. Xin Yi isn’t able to endure it anymore, running out to stop it. “Enough! Neither of you bid anymore!”
She turns to Cun Xi, pupils lit with a blazing fire. “Forget it already, my work will definitely not be sold to you!”
She coldly shouts, and Cun Xi’s face changes its colour. The two converse with their stares, an extraordinary electric current seeming to form in the air.
Anna feels uncomfortable and hurriedly clutches onto Cun Xi’s arm tightly, dragging him away from the scene.
* * * * *
A few days later, Zhen Zhu caught the news from friends that in Shanghai, Cun Xi bid against Dylan for Xin Yi’s piece of work, immediately finds Anson, ordering him to find out Xin Yi’s outcome.
Anson struggled for half a day, in the end confessing that Cun Xi had actually known Xin Yi was in Shanghai earlier, and had been continuing to purchase her pieces of work.
“So Cun Xi was always quietly supporting Xin Yi?” Zhen Zhu is very excited, eyes looking up right and left in thought, a plan brewing in her head. “Anson, do me a favour, go to all the large newspapers and post a big front page announcement.”
“What announcement?”
Zhen Zhu smiles, but says nothing.
Two days later, in all of Shanghai’s main newspapers appeared a very large announcement at the same time, written ––––
Two Years Later, Shanghai.
In order to inspect Mo Fa Ling’s expansion status in China, Cun Xi personally flies to Shanghai, and naturally his assistant Anson accompanies him.
After holding a meeting with the company branch and factory manager, Cun Xi also took the convenient opportunity to meet with several investors, discussing company prospects in Hong Kong.
During the few short days in Shanghai, five, six meetings were held, and in the evening he would also entertain clients. Cun Xi isn’t tired, but Anson, the one following him running everywhere, is tired to death, and cries out:
“Boss, your work doesn’t have to be to THIS extreme, right? You still need to rest a little once in a while.”
“If you’re tired, go back to the hotel first.” Not even glancing at him once, Cun Xi ignores him to read the business report.
With the boss still working, how could he, the assistant, dare take a break? Anson sighs. Before, although the boss was serious, he still wouldn’t work day and night like a workaholic; these two years seemed like he went crazy, never stopping, not even having time to marry his girlfriend Anna.
“Boss…”
“Oh right, I almost forgot.” Cun Xi suddenly lifts up his head. “The manager who helps Granny purchase art items opened an art gallery in Shanghai; heard it has a lot of Master Zhong San Long’s work for sale. Anson, go find the location of the art gallery, I want to go choose a present for Granny.”
“Yes, I’ll go immediately.”
After Anson retreated, Cun Xi stares off into space.
Ever since Xin Yi miscarried two years ago, after leaving a note and then taking off, Granny has been unhappy, missing Xin Yi, and her heart also aching for the precious great-grandchild who didn’t make it out into the world.
He has no way of finding Xin Yi back, and at this time cannot give Granny another great-grandchild, buying a ceramic piece to please her would be good too, hopefully she can be a little happier…
“Boss, I found the address.” Anson reports back.
Cun Xi nods, and after finishing work, immediately went with Anson to the art gallery. The art gallery has a very high-class atmosphere; one exhibition room specifically for the display of Zhong San Long’s pieces.
In there Cun Xi wanders, carefully choosing, when suddenly he heard a familiar voice.
“Xiao Li, have my pieces already been put on display?”
Is it Xin Yi? Cun Xi is shocked, hurriedly chasing out of the room, looking left and right. A woman turns around the hallway corner, and in that one short second, he already recognizes that it is Xin Yi, no mistake.
Stunned, he stands still, heart wildly pumping. After what seemed like a long time did he slowly follow.
He watches as Xin Yi discusses several newly displayed pieces of art with one of the art gallery workers, and in fact those displayed are her own work!
“I wonder, the first one to buy my pieces of work, who will it be?” Xin Yi murmurs, a little embarrassedly. “Shouldn’t be that no one will want to buy it, right?”
“How could that be?” the worker comforts her. “Even Master Zhong San is proud of you, this apprentice of his; don’t worry, there will definitely be someone who knows how to admire your work.”
“Then I’ll hope that’s how it’ll be.” Xin Yi smiles slightly, and after bidding goodbye to the worker, shoulders a beautiful single-strap bag, leaving the art gallery.
Cun Xi secretly follows, and Anson seeing the boss doing weird antics, comes over. “What is it? Boss…eh? Isn’t that…” He discovers Xin Yi, his whole self in shock.
Xin Yi jumps into a taxi, and Cun Xi also immediately flags another one over. “Anson, go back by yourself first!” After saying this sentence, he orders the driver to follow the car ahead.
After cutting through many roads and streets, Xin Yi gets out of the car at a quite modern-looking house. Cun Xi is just about to get out after her, when he suddenly sees another man walking towards her.
It’s……Dylan? He furrows his brow, watching Xin Yi and Dylan talking and laughing, walking shoulder-to-shoulder into the house, his heart progressively sinking.
So they are living together. He slowly ponders this. Two years ago Xin Yi left, not returning to Jiang Mu Island, her parents also not willing to inform him of her outcome. Turns out she had come to Shanghai with Dylan, Dylan opening an art gallery, and she studying the art of pottery under Master Zhong San.
Should he give her his blessing? She finally fulfilled her dream of becoming a pottery artist, and also found a good man……
Cun Xi aiya, jealousy bubbling up in his chest, all of it surging up without stopping. He loiters in front of the house for a very long time, before having the taxi driver bring him back to the art gallery, and in one breath buys all of Xin Yi’s pieces of work.
He can’t have her, then let him have all of her pieces of work!
At night, he takes a plane to leave Shanghai, expressionlessly commanding Anson that the incident of seeing Xin Yi is not allowed to be mentioned to anyone.
* * * * *
“You’re saying someone bought all of my pieces?” Xin Yi received the worker’s telephone call, but was not daring to believe it. “Who was it?”
“I don’t know, he was very mysterious, didn’t leave down his last name; he just said he wanted all of your work to be reserved and mailed to him in the future.”
“Mail to where? Did he leave down an address?”
“It’s a Taiwanese address, but it’s not his personal one, it’s his management’s address.”
“Oh, so it’s like that…thank you.” Xin Yi hangs up dejectedly.
“What is it?” Dylan curiously asks from the side.
Xin Yi relays the conversation to him, and Dylan grins widely. “Isn’t that good? You got your first customer, looks like he really appreciates your work, will probably become your loyal fan.”
“My fan?” Xin Yi blushes in excitement. The newly debuted her, also has fans?
“So from now on, you need to keep working hard to create pieces, cannot fail to meet the expectations people have for you.”
“I definitely will!” Her eyes glow brightly. No matter who that person is, she will still thank him deeply, and definitely will not let him down.
Anyway, it is the first fan that she has!
* * * * *
Unable to be her man, he can only be her fan, only hoping that from now on her path will go very smoothly, her career thriving.
He knows that the her who always lacks self-confidence really needs tangible encouragement, and being able to quietly support her like this, he should feel satisfied, shouldn’t think too much……
“Cun Xi, what are you thinking about?” Anna’s voice brings him out of his thoughts. “Why does it seem like your heart is uneasy?”
“It’s nothing, just thinking about company things.” Cun Xi takes a sip of his coffee. “Oh right, you asked me to come out to eat today, is anything up?”
“What, if there’s nothing I can’t look for you?” Anna pouted. “We are boyfriend and girlfriend, does going on a date need to have a reason?”
Cun Xi doesn’t say anything.
Anna watches his expression, suddenly feeling very uneasy, recently she feels that he is drifting away farther and farther. Even though he is still very gentle towards her, a lot of intimacy is missing; between two people, there is a peculiar, ambiguous distance separating them.
To draw back his heart, once she recovered, choosing to stay in Taiwan to open a dancing school, she emotionally prepared herself for marriage, and gave up her choice to keep a good figure, willing to bear children for him, but in fact it is he who is not hurried at all.
He said these two years Mo Fa Ling Enterprise is expanding very fast, and as the director he must put all his strength into it. But is it really because of work? Or does he have other worries……
Anna doesn’t dare to think too much. “Cun Xi, my birthday is almost here, could you give me a birthday present?”
“You say it.”
“I’m thinking, can you accompany me on a vacation for a few days? Just three, four days would be good.”
“Three, four days?” Cun Xi raised his eyebrows.
“Let’s go to Shanghai, okay? Shanghai’s theatre is currently holding ‘Swan Lake’ performances, and it’s by the Ji Luo Fu [note: I’m not sure how to translate the name] Ballet Company too!” Anna smiles sweetly, pulling out a woman’s ultimate, sure-to-win weapon and acting coy. “Say yes, come with me to see it.”
Cun Xi stares at her. “You’re saying we go to……Shanghai?”
“Yeah.”
* * * * *
Shanghai, The Bund.
In the slight evening fog, the lights are turned on, casting light onto the colonial-era Western architecture and making it look even more elegant. The waves of light reflecting off the Huangpu River is from the modern Oriental Pearl Tower on the opposite shore.
The two shores of the river, one new one old, telling of Shanghai’s legendary history.
Cun Xi and Anna stroll along from the watchtower, at times stopping at the railing, admiring the river scenery. Hawkers try to persuade Anna to buy their candy, and Anna shakes her hand to refuse.
“Cun Xi, you say it, isn’t it beautiful?” She clings tightly to his side.
“Yeah, it’s not bad.”
“Help me take a picture?”
“Okay.” Cun Xi takes out a camera, putting into focus the Anna standing under the streetlight.
He doesn’t notice that when he was taking the picture, Xin Yi and Dylan just happened to walk by behind him.
“How is it? Coming out and talking a walk, does it make you feel a bit more relaxed?” Dylan gently asks Xin Yi. Recently she agreed to offer one of her own works up for an auction, and to create a piece of work that satisfies her, she has been using all her strength and effort. He can’t stand her suffering so much, so he took her out for a little stroll.
“Don’t worry, I’m a lot better.” Xin Yi smiles. “I mean it, I need to thank you, Dylan. These two years you’ve kept supporting me, caring for me; if it wasn’t for you, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get to today. You really are my best friend!”
“Only a friend?” Dylan asks, seeming to be serious.
She stares blankly.
“Nevermind, it’s nothing.” Seeing her innocent expression, Dylan takes the initiative to change the topic. “The auction is in a few days, which piece of work have you decided on taking out?”
“I haven’t decided yet, I still don’t feel completely satisfied.”
“Still not satisfied? Master Zhong San already said that your work has improved a lot, has a very unique style. You already won’t lose to any famous artist.”
“‘Good’ still needs to be even better ––– !”
* * * * *
Originally Anna came to Shanghai mainly because she wanted to see the “Swan Lake” performance, but who would’ve thought that perhaps having walked too long along The Bund, she would wake up the next morning not feeling very well, head feeling heavy and appearing to have a cold and fever.
Cun Xi bought medicine for her to take, staying with her in the hotel room to rest. In the evening, she urges Cun Xi to go watch the performance.
“The tickets have already been bought, not seeing it will be a waste. And since I want to sleep anyways, you’ll be bored being here alone.”
After she begs more, Cun Xi answers with a nod, and goes to the Shanghai theatre alone. By the time he enters, the lights are already dimmed. On the other side there is also a woman quietly feeling her way in, and the two sit down, separated by Anna’s empty seat.
The curtains lift, the show beginning, with the white swan gently and somberly dancing.
Cun Xi watches the performance on the stage, and couldn’t help but think of he and Anna’s unexpected meeting when he went to watch her first performance, falling in love with her bold manner, and her courage to immediately pick herself up after falling. He thought he had found his real soulmate, but time after time she would fly far away from him.
He knows he shouldn’t restrain her, her life belongs to dancing, meant to shine brightly, just that sometimes he would feel lonely…… and then, Xin Yi appeared.
She is an unattractive girl, really unattractive, he didn’t feel that he would fall in love with her, yet she somehow brings out his heart’s softest spot.
She is very simple and pure, used by her ex-boyfriend; very foolish, willing to believe that every person has a good side; very clumsy, unable to do anything well; but very gentle, always at the right time comforting him when he is hurt.
If Anna is like the sun’s blinding light in the eye, at times hurting people, then she is like the moon, very quiet, not reminding others of her own existence. Only people willing to use their hearts will be able to find her.
He found her, yet hurt her, and then lost her……
Cun Xi suddenly feels very uncomfortable, hearing quiet sobs coming from the next seat, causing his heart to feel even more painful. He takes out his handkerchief, hoping that the woman would stop crying, stop causing him to also want to cry ––––
* * * * *
Xin Yi gives a silent thanks, using the handkerchief to wipe away tears, feeling very uncomfortable and very embarrassed.
Looks like she has affected other people’s dance watching mood, but it’s just that she really is sad, from the depths of her heart.
Seeing the black swan onstage dancing so angrily and wildly, watching her agitated continuous spinning, Xin Yi suddenly thought that, the Anna onstage is probably also that eye-catching and outstanding.
No wonder Cun Xi would fall in love with her so devotedly……
The curtains lift and the lights come up, the entire audience standing to applaud and Xin Yi also stands to clap loudly. She turns around, wanting to thank the person who lent her the handkerchief, and is surprisingly unable to speak.
Cun Xi also recognizes her, and the two stare at each other. Behind their eyes are complex emotions: torment, sadness, longing, heartache; hundreds of tastes mixed in the chest.
“Xin Yi…” What does Cun Xi want to say?
Xin Yi suddenly darts away, turning around and running. Cun Xi hurriedly chases after her, the two pushing through the crowds leaving the theatre, in a game of hide-and-seek tag. Suddenly, Xin Yi hits someone, nearly falling, and Cun Xi catches her from behind.
He holds her in his arms, staring deeply at her.
She shudders, unable to breathe, looking at his handsome face just as it was like before – he still is a prince, always a prince!
She suddenly hated herself, angry at her cowardice, wanting to run away upon seeing him. Hasn’t she already changed? Not that silly sticky-note girl anymore!
“Hi.” She pushes him off, then greeting him with a smile. “It’s been a while, how are you?”
“I…” In fact, it is Cun Xi who is still in a daze. “Very good.”
“Then what about Grandma? Is her health well?”
“Mm.”
“I heard Anna is staying in Taiwan to open a dancing school. I really congratulate you, you two must be getting married really soon, right?”
“Getting married?” Cun Xi is shocked.
“When it’s time don’t forget to send me an invitation, I will give you two a very wonderful wedding gift.”
“You…” Cun Xi stares at her. How can she so calmly talk about he and Anna getting married? She doesn’t care about him anymore? Towards him, she doesn’t even have a little bit of love lingering?
How miserable, how painful!
Tasting the bitterness, with nothing to say, Cun Xi watches as Xin Yi leaves. Her retreating figure is very squared, very straight, with a confidence and strength that he had never seen before.
She seems to have……changed, not the Chen Xin Yi he knows anymore……
He returned to the hotel in a daze, the whole night in a stupor. The next day Anna asked him how the show was, and he was completely unable to answer anything correctly.
* * * * *
Xin Yi also agitatedly spent the night without sleeping.
She returned to the office, vigorously kneading the clay, then baking it into a product, with Master Zhong San saying that it is her most exciting piece of work to date.
Three days later, she gives the piece of work to the auctioneer, who is very happy.
“Thank you, Miss Chen, this piece of work is very special, I believe it will definitely be able to get a high price.”
“This piece of work really is very good.” Even Dylan loves it so much that he can’t let go. “I think I should just buy it.”
“You? Don’t kid around!” Xin Yi shakes her head.
“You think I’m joking? I’m serious!” Dylan is very solemn. “Such a precious piece of artwork, if I was to miss it now, how can I achieve fame in the world of art?”
Xin Yi sees his determination, on one side feeling very happy that her piece received the famous art broker’s approval; on the other side she couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. She is unwilling to sell away the piece that is so full of her feelings, having an urge to just buy it back herself.
She hides in a corner, wanting to see who would bid on her work. She didn’t think she would see Cun Xi and Anna enter the room together.
They’re here too?
She freezes in shock. Dylan, noticing her change of expression, softly pats her hand, comforting her. “They are probably here to bid on Master Zhong San’s pieces.”
“I know.” Xin Yi agrees, she definitely wouldn’t think that Cun Xi was here to bid on her work. Just that after suddenly meeting him again that night at the theatre, and seeing him again today, her emotions are fluctuating, and she is unable to keep her calm.
She watches he and Anna whispering in each other’s ears, Anna smiling slightly.
What are they saying? She cannot help but wonder, yet also hating herself for this sort of thinking.
Ji Cun Xi…already has nothing to do with her, right?
* * * * *
After smoothly auctioning off Zhong San Long’s most recent pieces of work, Cun Xi originally planned on leaving immediately, almost time to rush to the airport.
But the workers pushed out the next piece of work, suddenly causing his heart to shake, eyes glued, unable to remove.
It is a round pot, like a vase, and also like a bowl. At the side, there is a butterfly looking so real and lively that it seems as if it will fly away any moment. The paint is clear like water, gentle like the moon.
It’s her piece of work!
Cun Xi recognized that it is Xin Yi’s creation with one glance, her method of glaze is extremely special, with a very unique style, he could tell.
“This piece of work is called ‘Metamorphosis’.” The host introduces it with a smile. “It’s Miss Chen Xin Yi’s newest creation.”
Metamorphosis? Is she talking about that butterfly? Or is she symbolizing me?
He has to buy it!
Cun Xi set his mind, not caring how Anna hurries him to go catch the plane, sits down, and raises his sign to bid.
But he isn’t the only one wanting to bid on that auction item, several people bidding at the same time with him. When the bidding price becomes higher and higher, people gradually drop out, until there is only one other person persistently competing with him.
He turns back to look, and suddenly realizes that his competitor is Dylan.
The two men exchange a glance, both seeing in the other’s eyes a fierce will to fight.
Cun Xi turns back around, continuing to bid. No matter what kind of price Dylan puts out, he would not step back, and in a little while, the bidding price goes over ten million.
Surprised murmurs fill the entire room, some people gasping. Even though the piece is pretty good, it isn’t some really amazing piece, right? Is there really a need to bid so high?
“Eleven million!” Dylan shouts.
“Twelve million!” Cun Xi shouts.
“Fifteen million.”
“Twenty million!” Cun Xi’s words came out, and the whole room was in shock.
Dylan wrinkles his eyebrows, wondering whether or not to continue bidding. Xin Yi isn’t able to endure it anymore, running out to stop it. “Enough! Neither of you bid anymore!”
She turns to Cun Xi, pupils lit with a blazing fire. “Forget it already, my work will definitely not be sold to you!”
She coldly shouts, and Cun Xi’s face changes its colour. The two converse with their stares, an extraordinary electric current seeming to form in the air.
Anna feels uncomfortable and hurriedly clutches onto Cun Xi’s arm tightly, dragging him away from the scene.
* * * * *
A few days later, Zhen Zhu caught the news from friends that in Shanghai, Cun Xi bid against Dylan for Xin Yi’s piece of work, immediately finds Anson, ordering him to find out Xin Yi’s outcome.
Anson struggled for half a day, in the end confessing that Cun Xi had actually known Xin Yi was in Shanghai earlier, and had been continuing to purchase her pieces of work.
“So Cun Xi was always quietly supporting Xin Yi?” Zhen Zhu is very excited, eyes looking up right and left in thought, a plan brewing in her head. “Anson, do me a favour, go to all the large newspapers and post a big front page announcement.”
“What announcement?”
Zhen Zhu smiles, but says nothing.
Two days later, in all of Shanghai’s main newspapers appeared a very large announcement at the same time, written ––––
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