My Dearest One

By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by Jules

After dinner, Shan Mei made her way to the garden. Li Xiu Huan was there smoking as Jin Huan Zhen forbade her son to smoke in the house.

“Why do you guys love smoking so much?” Shan Mei asked as she sat next to Xiu Huan.
“Us guys?” Xiu Huan looked askance at Shan Mei “Are you referring to me and….Xiang Zhe?”
“I…” Shan Mei hesitated, embarrassed. It looked like Xiu Huan already knew about her and Xiang Zhe.
“Did…did he tell you about it?” She asked.
“Yes and no…. It was when you returned from London after going there to celebrate your father’s birthday, I guess.”
She couldn’t for the life of her figure out what excuse Xiang Zhe had used to accompany Xiu Huan to the airport to pick her up on her return.
“The little bugger suddenly asked me out to lunch that day, then enquired about my plans for the afternoon. When I told him I was heading out to the airport, he said he had taken leave for the afternoon, and hadn’t seen you in a long time, so I let him come along….. I was surprised when I saw how happy he had been to see you at the airport. After that, I couldn’t help but notice how he was deliriously happy each time he saw you, and finally realized what was going on. You little devil…. You even kept ME in the dark about it…. By the way, I’m letting Xiang Zhe take over all future airport duties from now on.” Xiu Huan said.
Shan Mei smiled and remained silent. She did not want Xiu Huan to know that she and Xiang Zhe had fallen out.
“Xiang Zhe’s gone back to Gyeongju” Xiu Huan said.
Shan Mei looked at Xiu Huan in surprise, feeling a little sour. She was still upset with him, but he had gone to Gyeongju as if nothing had happened.
“Did you and Xiang Zhe have a tiff?” Xiu Huan asked.
Shan Mei nodded.
Xiu Huan smiled, “I knew something was up when that scoundrel rang me this afternoon out of the blue to tell me that he was going back to Gyeongju. Now I know he merely wanted to use me as his messenger to you…” Xiu Huan appraised Shan Mei briefly, “hey, don’t tell me you’re not talking to him? Is that why he had to resort to such drastic measures?”
“….” Xiang Zhe had sent several messages to her phone, but she had stubbornly refused to read them.
“Oppa, would you ever lie to Ya Shu?” Shan Mei asked Xiu Huan.
Xiu Huan looked at Shan Mei speculatively, then said, “Sometimes!”
“Why?”
“There are lots of reasons….. sometimes it’s just to keep the peace, sometime it’s so that she wouldn’t worry, things like that.”
“Do you guys always have a bunch of excuses on hand?”
Xiu Huan laughed, “Did Xiang Zhe lie to you, then?”
Shan Mei remained silent.
Xiu Huan patted her shoulder, “Do you know? You’re Xiang Zhe’s very first girlfriend.”
Shan Mei pouted in disbelief. How could such as eligible young man like Xiang Zhe not have had prior relationships?
“I’m being totally honest here. When we were in school, there was always a bunch of girls who were vying for his attention, but he totally ignored them… over the last two years all the guys in our group have tried many times to hook him up with various women, but he had never been interested….. Just look at what happened with Chu Xiu Li… I never expected that he would end up interested in you….”
“Oppa…!”
“Shan Mei…. Whatever it was that Xiang Zhe did to make you upset, I’m absolutely sure he had good reason for it…”
Shan Mei’s bark was a lot worse than her bite. Xiu Huan knew his cousin well, “Perhaps your view of things is a little different from Xiang Zhe’s, but I truly believe Xiang Zhe’s intentions are always exemplary…”
“You’re a loyal friend…”
Xiu Huan chuckled, “Xiang Zhe is a one in a million kind of guy. He’s very caring towards his mother, totally devoted to his friends, even tries his best to help out people he hardly knows….”
“You…. You’ve met his mother?”
Other than that time at the movies when he mentioned his grandmother, Xiang Zhe almost never talked about his family. She only knew that his mother had passed away.
“Hmm, I went to his home when we were in high school. His mother was an artist with a very pleasant disposition who taught art at the Art Institute…”
So his mother actually taught art at the Art Institute. No wonder he seemed well versed in art.
Xiu Huan continued, “I remember once after we finished studying at the library, I wanted to borrow some material from his home. We were half way there on the bus when he suddenly pulled me off it. When I asked him why, he said his mother was teaching late that evening, and he wanted to take her home from work. Each time I remember that incident, I’m filled with admiration ….”
“Then… what about his father?”
Xiang Zhe never mentioned his father at all.
Xiu Huan shook his head, “He divorced Xiang Zhe’s mother.”
Shan Mei’s eyes widened.
“When we were in senior high, Xiang Zhe’s mother passed away from illness very suddenly. Xiang Zhe presented a very brave front, but right after her funeral, he cried bitterly in my arms, and told me the story of his mother’s pain. It was only then that I found out his parents had divorced when he was in elementary school. His mother managed to keep him in return for giving up all rights to alimony.”
Shan Mei’s eyes misted over.
“At the time, I was worried that Xiang Zhe’s university admission would be affected….. but he held himself together and kept working hard. He said he wanted to live a good life and build a career that his mother would be proud of.”
Shan Mei secretly wiped a tear away.
“Have you ever met Xiang Zhe’s secretary?” Xiu Huan asked Shan Mei.
Shan Mei nodded.
“I asked him why he didn’t pick a younger, more efficient person for the job. He told me Miss Bae had a child to support and needed the job more than anyone else…”
Shan Mei was moved.
“I’m not telling you all this because of loyalty to Xiang Zhe; I just want you to understand him a little better… he’s a bit introverted and tends to keep quiet about some things. I known him for such a long time, I understand him well.”
“Mmmm….” Shan Mei sniffed.
“Alright, we’d better go i.” Xiu Huan stubbed out his cigarette, “Are you staying over tonight?”
“No. I have to go to Pusan tomorrow on business, and need to go home to pack.” She had been staying over at Auntie’s place the last few days.
“Pusan is pretty close to Gyeongju” Xiu Huan observed.

Shan Mei got a call from Xiu Huan when she got home, telling her he had sent her an email. When she opened the mail, she found that Xiu Huan had forwarded her Xiang Zhe’s address and contact number in Gyeongju.

That night, Shan Mei opened the messages that Xiang Zhe sent her:

At 11:25pm, March 29th he wrote:
“I didn’t mean to lie to you. It’s just that I care for you and did not want to upset you. Can you forgive me?”

At 9:10am, March 30th he wrote:
“I couldn’t sleep at all last night. I kept ringing you, but you didn’t answer. Are you still angry at me? Can me meet at noon?”

At 3:20pm, March 30th he wrote:
“I waited for your reply in vain. Couldn’t even concentrate during my meeting today. I made an excuse to visit your office, but even God is not on my side. I did not manage to catch you.”

At 1:38am, March 31st he wrote:
“Have you calmed down yet? I sat outside your Auntie’s home all night and only left when all the lights had been turned out. I really miss you.”

At 7:08am, March 31st he wrote:
“I’ll be at the factory in Incheon all day today. I’m really excited when I think that I’ll be seeing you soon. You will be there at the movie, won’t you?”

At 11:05pm, March 31st he wrote:
“You didn’t turn up. I was worried you might have got the time wrong, and waited at the theatre entrance until the next screening started. It’s raining now… Shan Mei, are you not going to ever forgive me?”

He wrote another two messages to her on April 1st telling her that he missed her and that he was feeling really bad.

The last message he sent her that afternoon read, “Shan Mei, something cropped up and I have to go to Gyeongju. I’ll be back in Seoul on Monday night. No matter what, please, please meet with me when I get back.”

She was in tears at after reading the messages.

The poor guy! Xiang Zhe hated sending SMS messages, saying that it was too difficult and too slow trying to type using the little buttons on the phone, “It’s so fiddly and such a waste of time!” he would say.
“But the person receiving it would be so happy!” Shan Mei would reply.
He had taken the trouble to send her messages each day to try and make her happy.

Her meeting with the client in Pusan on Saturday proceeded smoothly, and had ended by 2pm. On her way to the airport, Shan Mei changed her mind, and headed instead towards the bus terminus. She took the bus to Gyeongju.

The main economic activity around Gyeongju were cottage industries and traditional handicraft. The area was sometimes known as the “museum without walls. As they made their way into Gyeongju, modern architecture and highrise buildings were nowhere to be seen. Instead, traditional building abound, separated by large expanses of nature. When she arrived at the town centre, Shan Mei went to the tourist bureau and obtained a map of the area then made her way down the main street. Although the streets were full of the weekend crowd, the pace was much slower than that of Seoul, and the atmosphere was relaxed.

Xiang Zhe’s home was a distance away from the town centre. Shan Mei sought directions, and caught a bus for the 30 minute ride. Upon alighting, she discovered that there was still a way to go up a hill. She suddenly remembered Xiang Zhe saying that his grandmother would come to the bottom of the hill to greet him when he came home from school as a young child. How could she have forgotten? Shan Mei looked at the bus timetable for the minibus service. The last bus has just left, and there was a thirty minute wait for the next one. She decided to walk. She grimaced her high heels and chided herself for not wearing flats that day.

The road was lined on both sides with ginko and cherry trees. Most of the homes were in the traditional style, built with wood and mud. After about twenty minutes, Shan Mei arrived at the address. It was an old style home and the main gate was locked. Wasn’t Xiang Zhe home? Shan Mei stamped down a tide of disappointment. She had longed to see Xiang Zhe, even if only from a distance. She really had been too hard on his these past few days.

Shan Mei stood on tip toe, trying to peer into the yard. There was a gingko tree and some roses and other flowers which she did not recognize.
“Miss, are you looking for someone?” a frail voice spoke next to her. Shan Mei quickly turned around and saw a white-haired old lady of about 70, who had come up next to her without her noticing.
“Excuse me, madam. Does a Mr Yin Xiang Zhe live here?” Shan Mei asked uncomfortably.
The old lady beamed at her, “You are looking for Xiang Zhe? Yes, he lives here. I’m his grandmother. And you are…?” The old lady looked Shan Mei up and down, her eyes full of curiousity.
“Hello grandmother, I’m..... I’m Xiang Zhe’s friend. My name is Zhen Shan Mei.” Shan Mei explained hastily.
“He was right here a minute ago when I left. I wonder where he’s gone…”
Xiang Zhe’s grandmother urged Shan Mei into the house. It was spick and span.
“Please have a seat, Miss Zhen!”
“Thank you, grandmother.”
The living room was sumptuously decorated. The furniture was made of the finest wood and two paintings of scenery hung on the walls.
Xiang Zhe’s grandmother said, “Xiang Zhe changed all the furniture in the house. He said it would make it more comfortable. He’s such a caring boy, so I just let him be…heh, heh!”
Shan Mei could tell that Xiang Zhe’s grandmother was very proud of him.
“I only caught a little cold, but Xiang Zhe rushed back here to take care of me…”
So, it was because his grandmother was ill.
“Where are you from, Miss Zhen?”
“I live in Seoul, grandmother. And please call me Shan Mei.”
“Good. Alright…how did you and Xiang Zhe get to know each other?”
“Umm… we knew each other from work.”
“So Miss Shan Mei and Xiang Zhe are colleagues?”
Shan Mei shook her head and smiled, “No… I work in a law firm.”
“A law firm? You are a lawyer?”
“Yes.”
“You must be very capable to become a lawyer at such a young age.”
“Not really, grandmother!”
“Have you ever been to Gyeongju before?”
“I visited a few of the sights after Middle school…”
She had done a flying visit with a group of people that time, and had no real impression of the place.
“You’ve come at the right time. It’s cherry blossom season here, and we are holding our wine and rice cake festival…”
“I was enjoying the cherry blossoms on my way here.” Shan Mei agreed.
The old lady had found a topic of conversation, and hogged the conversation from there. She introduced to Shan Mei in detail all the sights and culture of Gyeongju.
Some time later, Xiang Zhe was still nowhere in sight.
“The rascal must have gone to play basketball again. Everytime he plays basketball, he forgets to come home!”
Basketball! Shan Mei frowned. He had barely recovered from his injuries. How could he play basketball in his state!
From all appearances, Xiang Zhe’s grandmother had no idea that he had been injured.
“Is there a basketball court nearby?” Shan Mei asked.
“There is a level clearing about halfway up the hill with a basketball court in it. The children in the neighbourhood often play there…” Xiang Zhe’s grandmother could see Shan Mei’s worry and volunteered, “Why don’t you see if he’s there? Just follow that road for about 10 minutes uphill, then take the fork on the right. Follow the stone steps for another two or three minutes and you’re there.”
Shan Mei followed Xiang Zhe’s grandmother’s directions, and found herself at the basketball court in no time. As expected, Xiang Zhe was there coaching a group of children.
She observed him quietly.

“Ajuhma, are you looking for someone?”
A little boy noticed her standing there, and called out to her, causing the whole group to turn around. Xiang Zhe rubbed his eyes, thinking that he must have been seeing things.
“Don’t you recognize me any more?” Shan Mei smiled.
“How did you come?”
“Well, I thought about it, so I came.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.” Shan Mei smiled at Xiang Zhe.

“Ajussi, let’s play ball!” the group of children shouted at Xiang Zhe.
“I’ve had enough, let’s call it a day…” Xiang Zhe waved them away.
He wasn’t in a mood to play now that Shan Mei was here.
“Ajussi, is this Ajuhma your girlfriend?” A little boy asked mischieviously.
“You’re right…” Xiang Zhe beamed.

The group of children disbanded noisily, leaving the two of them on the court.
“Why are you playing ball? You’ve barely recovered…” Shan Mei chided.
“I was only giving them some pointers on how to score.”
“I let the tickets on Wednesday go to waste…” Shan Mei apologized indirectly.
Xiang Zhe grinned, “That’s alright. I’m sure there’ll be plenty more opportunities…”
“You’re not angry at me any more?” Xiang Zhe grabbed her hand and asked.
“You’ve already apologized.” Shan Mei said.
“I really missed you.” He looked at her lovingly.

The cool evening breeze blew, and Shan Mei, who was only wearing a thin blouse, sneezed.
“It’s getting cool. Let’s go home!” He draped his arm around her and headed downhill.
“How did you know I was here?”
“Your grandmother told me.”
“Oh! So you’ve already met my grandmother?”
“Yes, and we had a very long conversation too!”
“Can you walk wearing those?” He looked down at her high heels.
“It’s not too bad…. I forgot your home was on a hill.”
“Xiu Huan gave you the address?”
“Yes.”
“He’s a true friend indeed…” Xiang Zhe nodded, “I didn’t expect you to come to Gyeongju.”
“There are certain things that one must do when the moment arrives….”
”Thank you.” Xiang Zhe was delighted.

“Hey! Didn’t you say you hated sending messages on the phone?”
He had written a total of nine messages to her over the past few days.
“I considered it my punishment for doing the wrong thing.” Xiang Zhe replied.
“Have you been punished that way many times before?”
“It’s the first time in my life.”

Shan Mei intended to check into a hotel at the bottom of the hill, but Xiang Zhe’s grandmother insisted that she stayed over.
“We’ve got enough room in the house. If you insist on going, you’re implying that my hospitality is lacking!” Xiang Zhe’s grandmother said.
Shan Mei looked toward Xiang Zhe for support, but he merely grinned at her.

Xiang Zhe disappeared soon after dinner.
“Xiang Zhe’s gone downhill to buy some things,” grandmother told Shan Mei.
Grandmother sat in the house sewing after washing up. Shan Mei sat with her making small talk.
“Grandmother, why didn’t you move to Seoul to live with Xiang Zhe?”
“I’m too old. Besides I’m used to village life, and Xiang Zhe visits me every month, anyway.”
“Is that Auntie?” Shan Mei asked.
There was a photograph of a pretty woman who looked very much like Xiang Zhe sitting on the cupboard.
“Yes! I had only one daughter…”
“Auntie was very beautiful”
Grandmother sighed, “It’s more important for a girl to have a good destiny.”
Shan Mei didn’t know what to say to console the old lady.
“Let’s not talk about that…” Xiang Zhe’s grandmother smiled, and worked furiously on her sewing.
“Grandmother, let me help!” Shan Mei took the work out of her hands and started sewing with her head bowed.
“This is for a neighbour. I don’t really need anything, so I try to help them out when I can.”
“You’re so helpful, grandmother!”
“They used to help me too…. We’ve been neighbours for such a long time, we should help each other out.”

“Shan Mei, our Xiang Zhe really likes you a lot.”
Shan Mei squirmed and almost pricked her finger with the needle.
“He hasn’t stopped smiling since you got here. It’s been a long time since I last saw him so happy…” grandmother commented.
“Grandmother…!” Shan Mei blushed.
“Does Xiang Zhe treat you well?”
Shan Mei nodded shyly.
“If he ever treats you badly, just let me know. I’ll set him straight for you…”

Xiang Zhe returned.
“Grandmother, now I know the real reason why you wanted Shan Mei to stay… you wanted someone to help you with the sewing, didn’t you?” Xiang Zhe teased.
“What if I did? Are you feeling sorry for her already?” Grandmother laughed, “You didn’t take long.”
“I happened to meet Uncle on my way out and got a lift from him.”
“Xiang Zhe, I want a granddaughter-in-law just as beautiful and caring as Shan Mei…” grandmother declared.
Shan Mei blushed deep red at the words.
“Beautiful? Caring? … I was just thinking the same thing.” Xiang Zhe winked at Shan Mei meaningfully.

After grandmother went to bed, Xiang Zhe grabbed Shan Mei and headed out the door.
“I want to show you something.” Xiang Zhe beamed at her.
A brand new pair of women’s shoes sat on the doorstep. Shan Mei looked at him in surprise.
“You can easily twist your ankle walking downhill in high heels.” Xiang Zhe told her, “Try it. If you don’t like it, I can take it back tomorrow and change it for something else. I’ve already arranged that with the shopkeeper.”
She watched as he carefully helped her with her shoelaces, sweetness filling her heart.
“How did you know my size?”
“I know everything!”
He remembered from the time they had shopped for her shoes together.

“Are you tired?”
“Not really, what about you?”
“Let me take you to a really fabulous place…”

He led her out the backdoor up a little path. The path led up to the top of a little hill. In the silvery moonlight, the beautiful fauna and flora was visible. A soft breeze was blowing, and the cherry blossoms floated about like snowflakes in the breeze.
“I love to come here at night to enjoy the view…”
Shan Mei followed Xiang Zhe’s gaze and looked down at the tiny lights winking in the distance.
“It’s not just the view. It’s got a really peaceful and comforting feel as well…” Xiang Zhe said.
“The stars are beautiful..” Shan Mei smiled.
Without bright city lights, the stars shone even brighter in the night sky.

“My mother told me if I ever met someone I like, I had to bring her up here to have a look.” He looked at her passionately.
“Is that so?” Shan Mei smiled again.
“Yes, and I’ve found her.” He pulled her into his embrace.
She leaned against his broad chest and whispered, “My mother left me her diary. In it she wrote…when every girl is born, there is a boy somewhere in the world who is waiting to take care of her for the rest of her life….”
Was he the one? She looked into his eyes. There was love and care in those eyes.
“The boy will keep searching until the one who belongs to him appears…” he lifter her face towards his and said tenderly.
Shan Mei avoided his gaze shyly, blushing all the way to the roots of her hair.

Xiang Zhe could not help himself. He was mesmerized as he slowly kissed her lips…..

Both of them did not keep their promise on the six month hiatus. Perhaps it was just as Shan Mei said. There are certain things that one must do when the moment arrives. It would be too much of a waste to let the opportunity slip.

***** End of Chapter 16 *****

Chapter 17

Written By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by nho(CA)

“I never thought you would come to Gyeongju.”

“There are things which a person feels he has to do right away.”

………………………..

Xiang Zhe went into kitchen and found Shan Mei and Grandma were making breakfast.

“Good morning!” Xiang Zhe greeted both of them.

“Oh boy, you even get up later than our guest!” Grandma teased Xiang Zhe.

“Aiyoo, Grandma, I haven’t been sleeping well during the past week. It was with some difficulty that I could finally have a sweet sleep last night.” Xiang Zhe’s eyes were looking at Shan Mei. He had her to keep him company in his dream.

Shan Mei pretended not to see.

“You child, don’t just care for your work only. You must take good care of your health.” Grandma said dotingly.

“Did you sleep well last night?” He pressed near to Shan Mei and asked her in a whisper.

“Huh.” Shan Mei nodded in embarrassment.

Yesterday when he took her back to her room, he kissed her all over again at the door. She behaved like a little idiot and let him kiss her passionately and tenderly.

“Xiang Zhe, will Shan Mei be coming with us later on?” Grandma asked.

“Huh?” Shan Mei looked at Xiang Zhe uncomprehendingly.

“Hmm … I am going with Grandma to visit my mother’s grave later on …” Xiang Zhe explained, “Do you want to come with us?”

Xiang Zhe’s mother’s grave was up the hill in the suburb. Although Xiang Zhe’s grandma was old, she was swift-footed and chatted with Shan Mei all the way.

“Since Xiang Zhe was small, I knew this child would go a long way when he grew up …” Grandma was praising Xiang Zhe.

Shan Mei puckered in smile.

“When he was just in Grade 3, he had done a world shaking deed …”

“What had he done?” Shan Mei asked curiously.

“His father and mother were separated that year, Ruo Lan … who was Xiang Zhe’s mother returned to Gyeongju alone. As a result, Xiang Zhe boarded on a bus and travelled a great distance to Gyeongju on his own. Ruo Lan was so heartbroken and touched that she cried for over half a day holding tightly to Xiang Zhe. She then resolved to fight for the guardianship of Xiang Zhe from Xiang Zhe’s father. She originally planned to let Xiang Zhe stay with his father to have a well provided for life … But that child refused to do so no matter what and said he had to take care of his mother …”

“What are you talking about?”

Xiang Zhe who was walking ahead, turned back to look for them.

“Grandma is recounting some of your great performance when you were young.” Shan Mei said.

“Grandma, you are not to say something ill of me in front of Shan Mei!” Xiang Zhe said to Grandma coaxingly.

Shan Mei went with Xiang Zhe and Grandma to the graveyard. It was Xiang Zhe’s mother’s birthday today.

Xiang Zhe brought some of his mother favourite pastries from Seoul and also brought his mother’s favourite lilies to serve his mother. Xiang Zhe knelt down before his mother’s grave and reverently prayed. She looked at the sad and solemn expression on his face and felt sorrow-stricken herself.

The weeds had grown abundant around Xiang Zhe’s mother’s grave and Xiang Zhe picked up a sickle to rake the weeds.

“Let me help you! The wound in your hand has just recovered …” She said.

“I can do it myself!” Xiang Zhe insisted.

She understood that that was an expression of his love for his mother. So she let him do the work and just stayed on one side helping him tie up the weeds he raked.

After visiting the grave, it was just after 10:00 a.m. when they reached home.

Grandma asked Xiang Zhe to show Shan Mei around.

“Where do you want to go?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“Anywhere is fine.”

“Let’s first go to Bulguksa Temple and then go to watch the cherry blossoms in Bomun Lake, OK? Tomorrow the Beverage and Cake Festival will be held in the Bomun Tourist Complex and at that time there will hugh crowds of people everywhere and will certainly spoil our mood to watch the flowers.” Xiang Zhe said.

Shan Mei nodded. She would listen to anything he said.

“Right, you told me you wanted to paint the cherry blossoms last time …”

Shan Mei smilingly shook her head, “I didn’t bring my painting gears with me.”

“Painting gear … Come with me!’

He pulled her into a room at the back of the house. There was a painting hanging on the wall.

“This is my mother’s painting studio. You should still be able to use the drawing board and if there is anything more you want, we can get them downhill.”

“This is really a very good painting.” Shan Mei looked at the painting on the wall intently. It was a painting of seascape.

“That is one of the paintings my mother loved most.”

“Your mother must have a generous and forgiving heart …”

“How can you tell?” Xiang Zhe smilingly asked.

Shan Mei said with a smile on her face: “I can sense it from the painting …”

“Really?”

“Her painting gives you a peaceful and calm feeling …”

In the painting of Xiang Zhe’s mother, one could not feel even a tiny bit of anger and hatred and it was difficult to imagine that she had once walked through a sad period of life.

“My mother was really one with a generous and forgiving heart. She had once said to me that when you love someone you must help him/her find happiness …”

When you loved someone you must help him/her find happiness! What breadth of mind did she have!

Did Xiang Zhe’s mother leave his father because she wanted to help Xiang Zhe’s father find happiness?

Therefore she did not feel any anger or hatred?

“Aye, what are you gawking at?” Xiang Zhe patted Shan Mei’s head, “What painting gears do you want? Hurry up and pick them!”

“You really want me to go painting?” Shan Mei slanted a look at Xiang Zhe and asked.

“Yes!”

“Once I pick up the brush, I won’t talk to anyone for half a day … Won’t you mind?” She smilingly asked him.

On hearing this, Xiang Zhe shook his hand, “You better not then! I will be bored to death.”

They travelled to the Bulguksa Temple and all over the mountains and plains were covered with new shoots of the light green foliage maple leaves which had come out from the top of the branches.

“In autumn when all the maple leaves have turned red, it must be very beautiful then.”

“We will come to look at the maple leaves at that time.” Xiang Zhe said.

Passing through the Blue Cloud Bridge, they reached the centre of the temple. Before their eyes were two of the national treasures, Seokka Pagoda and Sokkatap Pagoda. The tourist guide introduced that the modelling and the craftsmanship of both pagodas displayed the spirit of the aesthetics and art of the Silla Age to the full. Out of curiosity, both of them inspected the two pagodas from different angles and they could not help but admired the ancient’s wisdom and craftsmanship. Thereafter they visited the Daeungjeon Hall, the Museoligeon Hall and the Kwanumjeon Hall in order of sequence. On the way they passed through a small courtyard. In there they found two ancient pine trees. which were more than one hundred years’ old. There were piles of pebbles surrounding the trees; there were some piles of four to five pebbles, and also some of more than ten pebbles piled up in layers and the total numbers of them amounted to more than two to three hundreds.

“What are these for?” Shan Mei asked.

“They are for making wishes … It is said that if the pile of pebbles you make can last for 7 days without falling down, your wish will come true and the height of the pile represents the level of your sincerity.”

“I also want to make a pile …” Shan Mei said.

After Shan Mei had put up a pile of 7 pebbles, she said: “It’s a shame that I can’t come back after 7 days.”

“What wish did you make?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“It won’t be effective if I tell.” Shan Mei said.

“Did your wish include me?”

“I can’t tell.” Shan Mei ran away with a flushed face.

Both of them later went to the Bomun Lake to watch the cherry blossoms and Xiang Zhe especially chose to walk in the secluded section.

The cherry blossoms in the Bomun Lake were blooming in such a way as if they were in a beauty contest. The flowers were blooming all over the trees. They scattered all over the mountains and the plains, blooming bright and pink. They were looking poetic and picturesque and they looked like a grand feast which intoxicated one’s sense and excited one’s spirit.

They rented two bicycles and rode along the lakeside enjoying the mountain and lake scenery. They sat on the stone chair by the lakeside taking a rest when they got tired.

“We should have brought our camera with us!” Shan Mei said.

“It would divide our attention.” Xiang Zhe.

“Divide what attention?”

“Divide my attention in watching you.” Xiang Zhe gently embraced Shan Mei’s shoulder.

He and she sat at the lakeside which was soaked in the beauty of spring and the crystal clear lake water mirrored their intimate reflection.

He was bewitched.

When they returned to the city proper, it suddenly rained and the two of them took shelter from the rain in an aquarium.

“What is that fish?” Shan Mei pointed to the pink fish in the fish bowl and asked.

“That is Kissing Fish.”

“Kissing Fish?” Shan Mei pouted, “Please don’t pull my legs. How can there be such a weird name?"

“Who is fooling you? Can’t you see that those two fishes are kissing?”

Shan Mei looked at the direction Xiang Zhe’s finger was pointing and indeed she could see the two fishes were facing each other mouth to mouth.

“Can fishes kiss too?”

“At least this kind of fish can.” Xiang Zhe said, trying to smother his laughter.

“Maybe they are quarrelling or communicating some messages with each other ..”

The way Shan Mei concentrated in watching the fishes nearly made Xiang Zhe burst out laughing. Actually she did not guess wrong. This was an act of fighting when the kissing fishes tried to defend their territory.

“Aye, do you think we are very similar to them?” Xiang Zhe said.

“In what way? … I do think that I am much more prettier than all the fishes here!” Shan Mei gave Xiang Zhe a disdainful look.

Xiang Zhe smiled craftily, “Why are we not alike? They quarrelled one minute ago and the next they made up by kissing each other, just like us.”

Shan Mei immediately flushed red in the face, “Who quarrelled with you one minute and made up the next …”

She really did have a cold war with him for nearly one week before she forgave him.

“Darn, I have said the wrong thing again.” Although Xiang Zhe uttered these words, his expression was delighted beyond measure.

“It’s good that you realize…” Shan Mei pouted, “You have to be punished for saying the wrong thing.” Shan Mei said.

“OK, I will let you punish me …” He would gladly endure the punishment, “How do you plan to punish me?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“I’ll punish …” Shan Mei rolled her beautiful eyes, “You can suggest what punishment you want for yourself. I want to see how sincere you are.”

“Well …, let me cook dinner for you tonight, OK?”

“You want to cook?” Shan Mei bursted out laughing.

“What, you don’t trust my cooking skill?”

Shan Mei puckered in smile and shook her head, “I only have a notion that you once boasted of your good cooking skill … but many people just talk and don’t act …” She tried to provoke him on purpose.

When he was injured, every time she cooked for him, he would stand beside her giving technical advice, so she supposed his cooking skill might not be too bad.

“OK, today I will show my real talent to you …” Xiang Zhe’s look of eager anticipation made Shan Mei rolled with laughter.

“Let’s phone Grandma first, or else she would prepare a big feast for us …” Xiang Zhe said.

Last night Grandma prepared a whole table of food to welcome Shan Mei.

The two of them went to the supermarket in the city centre to shop for ingredients. Xiang Zhe said he wanted to make pasta.

“Is Grandma used to eating that?”

“I only get praises from those who have eaten the pasta I prepared.” Xiang Zhe said with extreme confidence.

“Aye, you better make something light in taste and don’t bake it. Elderly people may not get used to it.” Shan Mei reminded Xiang Zhe.

“I know.” He gave her a brief hug.

She was really very thoughtful.

After they got home, Xiang Zhe stayed in the kitchen making preparation, looking like a professional.

“Grandma, just you wait for me to make you some tasty pasta.”

“Let me do it. You are trying to show off, you rascal!” Xiang Zhe’s grandma watched the look of her grandson wearing an apron and beamed happily.

“Miss Zhen Shan Mei does not believe that I can cook … I must show her my skill.” Xiang Zhe winked at Shan Mei.

“Yin Xiang Zhe, you are the one who said you will make pasta …” Shan Mei stamped her feet and said.

Xiang Zhe’s grandma watched the two of them squabbling with each other and roared with laughter.

“Miss Zhen Shan Mei, please help me cut up the onion!”

“Aren’t you the cook?”

“The chef needs an assistant to help him …” Xiang Zhe shamelessly said.

“How come when I was doing the cooking, you just helped with your mouth only …” Shan Mei muttered.

“That was because you doted on me …” He whispered into her ear in self-satisfaction.

Xiang Zhe made pasta in clam, garlic and wine sauce. The sweet fragrance of the parsley and the fresh clams together with the specially prepared sauce made the food extremely tasty. Grandma tried them and could not stop acclaiming and continuously praised her grandson.

“Xiang Zhe’s cooking skill is really not bad, right? Shan Mei?”

“Huh.”

She could not but acknowledge that his pasta was really superbly done. When compared with him, her cooking skill fell far short of him. To think of when she cooked for him during this period of time, how he kept praising the food she cooked and making her so ecstatically happy!

After dinner, rain started to flutter from the sky. Originally they planned to take a stroll, but now they had to stay indoor and watched television with Xiang Zhe’s grandma. Xiang Zhe’s grandma covered her legs with a piece of half-worn wrap to keep warm.

“Grandma, when I get back I will make you two new covers!” Shan Mei said.

“Thank you very much!” Grandma was very happy.

“Grandma, can you let Shan Mei make one for me first …” Xiang Zhe negotiated with Grandma.

Grandma roared with laughter and said: “You better ask Shan Mei yourself!”

“Don’t think of jumping the queue again!” Shan Mei pouted.

“When have ever I jumped the queue?” Xiang Zhe looked wrongly accused.

“How can there not be?” Shan Mei ridiculed Xiang Zhe with her finger.

He asked her to let him jump the queue. He wanted to stand in the first position behind her. He wished she could only see him when she turned around.

Xiang Zhe’s grandma went to bed early. Xiang Zhe pulled Shan Mei into his room to chat, “My room has a better view.” Xiang Zhe said.

Watching out from the window in Xiang Zhe’s room, one could see the full view of the distant mountain scenery.

“It’s so beautiful here. If only I can spend a month here, it would be awesome …” Shan Mei said.

“Only for one month?” Xiang Zhe smiled.

“Huh?”

“How about … for the rest of your life?” He looked at her with profound love.

Shan Mei’s face flushed hot.

“What is that? Is it a picture album?” Shan Mei pointed to a golden colour thick box case on the book shelf.

“They are photos of my childhood days …”

“Let me take a look.” Shan Mei said.

“There is nothing worth seeing in my childhood days. Please don’t look …” Xiang Zhe was feeling embarrassed.

“I want to look!”

Xiang Zhe could not win the argument over Shan Mei, so he could only take out the photo album and they sat on the floor looking at the photos.

“Yin Xiang Zhe, is this you?” Shan Mei beamed happily.

Xiang Zhe popped in his head to look, it was a photo taken when he was a year’s old. His mother put him on a baby walker.

“Do you have any comments?” He patted her head.

“Huh …” Shan Mei threw Xiang Zhe a glance and laughingly said: “This chubby little kid looks very adorable!”

In the photo, Xiang Zhe was a chubby boy with fair complexion. He looked really adorable.

“This was taken in the zoo when I was 3 years’ old …” Xiang Zhe pointed to the next photo.

Shan Mei flipped over every photo and Xiang Zhe explained to her the story behind each photo.

“You look like auntie.”

Xiang Zhe’s mother was very pretty.

In the photo album were Xiang Zhe’s pictures from infancy to maturity and as the years advanced, his appearance was getting more and more outstanding and handsome. In the photo album, apart from Xiang Zhe’s solo picture, the others were either his picture with his mother or his grandma. There was no picture of Xiang Zhe’s father, perhaps they were intentionally hidden away.

“You can take this one to look for a prospective bride??” Shan Mei said.

Xiang Zhe popped his head and looked, it was his graduation photo. It must be Grandma who place this in the album.

“Looking for prospective bride? You are willing to give me away?”

He wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Maybe you will meet someone more to your liking …” She looked at him.

“Whom you meet and whom you love … it’s already foreordained by heaven above … Miss Zhen Shan Mei.”

She liked his confession very much. They met each other at the right moment and it looked as if it was predestined.

The ringing of the phone was heard from the sitting room.

“Let me go and look. This album contains photos of my university days and Xiu Wei’s photos are also in there …”

Xiang Zhe ran out and Shan Mei continued to browse over the photos. Xiang Zhe was looking proud and spirited in each of his photos and his friends standing beside him all could not hold a candle to him. Shan Mei smiled as she looked on and her heart was dancing gracefully with the exuberant him in the photo … the feeling of happiness filled her heart to the brim.

For a long time, Xiang Zhe still did not return to the room.

“What takes him so long …” Shan Mei looked at here watch, he had gone for over half an hour.

She inclined her body to one side and crouched down on the earthen bed. The earthen bed was heated and it felt so comfortable.

She rested her chin on her hand and looked at another album from beginning to end. As before she looked and enjoyed every moment; she looked at the close-up photo where he was holding the basketball champion cup in his hands and smiled idiotically at him who was grinning broadly in the photo. She put her face on the photo, trying to imagine how happy and jubilant he was at that moment. She imagined how he heartily laughed in the midst of cheers and her mouth happily lifted at the corners …

The breeze gently blew into the house and she felt a little tired, let her wait for a little while! Xiang Zhe would be back soon, she thought, her eye lids however could not help getting heavy..

- End of Chapter 17 –

My Dearest One (Qin Ai De Ni) –

Chapter 18

By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by Jules

“Shan Mei …… Shan Mei….” Xiang Zhe gently called out to Shan Mei.
Shan Mei opened her eyes sleepily, “You’re back? …. What took you so long?” she was still rather confused and could not figure out why there was a blanket covering her.
“What are you talking about being back?” Xiang Zhe smiled, “The sun has already risen and has been shining on you.”
“It’s already morning?” Shan Mei shot out from under the blankets and looked out the window. The bright sunshine pierced her eyes. Oh my goodness gracious me! She must have fallen asleep while waiting for him last night.
“Why didn’t you wake me last night?” Shan Mei grumbled.
“You were sleeping so soundly, I couldn’t bear to do that.”

Shan Mei must have been exhausted. She had already fallen asleep when he returned after his telephone call with Jiang Yu He. He had sat there watching her, unable to tear his eyes away. He looked at her delicate eyebrows, her long and luscious eyelashes, her sweet sensual lips and her jet black hair and was completely mesmerized. It was the first time he was able to examine her in such detail, as she was normally very shy and never allowed him to look at her for any period of time. He sat there watching her for a very long time.

“What time is it?” Shan Mei asked.
“It’s almost nine,” Xiang Zhe replied.
“Aiyo! You should have woken me earlier! How embarrassing to have slept for so long…” Shan Mei said uncomfortably.
“Grandma wouldn’t let me wake you.”
Grandma said she had spent the day helping them tidy the graves, then went out sightseeing, so she must have been tired out. It was obvious that grandma was very taken with Shan Mei. She was so attentive to Shan Mei that Xiang Zhe was a little jealous.

“It’s time for breakfast. Grandma’s prepared a feast for you yet again!”
Grandma said that she had to prepare a lavish breakfast for Shan Mei, as she was leaving that day.

“Where did you sleep last night?” Shan Mei asked Xiang Zhe.
“Me…?” Xiang Zhe grinned, “Of course I slept in my own bedroom!”
“What?!” Shan Mei immediately flushed a deep red, “How could you do that?” Shan Mei asked furiously.
“Do what?” Xiang Zhe deadpanned.
“How could you…..you…..aiyo!” Shan Mei was at a loss for words.
How could he share a bedroom with her? How could she face his grandmother knowing that? How could he still be so nonchalant about it all?!!!
“I’m not having any breakfast.” Shan Mei pouted.
“Why?”
“I’m not hungry!” Shan Mei declared.
“Grandma said we couldn’t start without you.” Xiang Zhe blatantly made use of grandma’s presence.

Shan Mei hung her head and followed Xiang Zhe into the dining room.
“Did you sleep well, Shan Mei?” Grandma asked with concern.
“I slept very well. Thank you for your concern, Grandmother” Shan Mei could feel the heat emanating from her ears, “Did you sleep well, Grandmother?” Shan Mei asked in return.
“Not too badly…” Grandmother smiled broadly, “Xiang Zhe spent the night in my room, and we ended up spending the night talking….”
“….” Shan Mei glared at Xiang Zhe.
Xiang Zhe merely made a face at her in return.

It was a holiday that day, and coincidentally also the day of the Gyeongju Drink and Rice Cake festival.
Grandma, who had previously agreed to see the sights with them suddenly decided not to go.
“Why, Grandma?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“You youngsters just go ahead without me,” Grandma replied.
Xiang Zhe knew she was worried about becoming a hinderance to them and spoiling their fun. He glanced at Shan Mei to seek her help in persuading Grandma.
Shan Mei caught on at once.
“Grandmother, you have to go! Only you are most familiar with all the traditional practices, and I’m very interested to know what they are. Please, Grandmother! Can you please come along and teach me all about them?” Shan Mei cajoled, and Grandma fell for it hook, line and sinker.

“Look at how you turned it on…. Are you like this with your father and auntie as well?” Xiang Zhe whispered in Shan Mei’s ear without Grandma’s notice while they made their way into the village. Shan Mei was really cute when she decided to turn on the sweet-talk.
“And what’s wrong with that? Have you got something to say about it?” Shan Mei was a little self-conscious. She had only wheedled in front of her father and auntie, and was uncomfortable that Xiang Zhe had seen that side of her.
“What can I say? Grandma is now eating out of your hand. I’m jealous!” Xiang Zhe replied.
“What rubbish!” Shan Mei chuckled.

The moment they stepped into Hwangseong Park, Shan Mei could feel the excitement in the air. The place was crowded and completely unlike the peaceful silence that greeted Xiang Zhe and her the night before.
“Thank goodness we came yesterday as well,” Shan Mei said with relief, “Ay! Are they holding a marathon here as well?” Shan Mei asked, pointing to the red tape that had been set out. They did not see that last night!
“Umm…” Xiang Zhe nodded, “It’s being held this Saturday. Gyeongju holds a marathon each year during cherry blossom season. The route goes around Bomun lake…”
“Wow! Running along a route that’s covered with cherry blossoms! It must be the world’s most romantic marathon……I must make sure I register for it next year.”
“You run marathons?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“Mmm,” Shan Mei nodded her head, “I took part in the firm’s marathon last year and was the season’s best in the 25-35 year old category.”
“Why haven’t I heard of this before?” Xiang Zhe asked.
Shan Mei smiled but remained silent. It was something that happened before she met him.
“So you’re really a good runner! No wonder….” Xiang Zhe suddenly understood.
“No wonder what?” Shan Mei asked.
“No wonder it’s so difficult for me to run after you!” Xiang Zhe whispered in her ear.
“What are you talking about?” Shan Mei glared at Xiang Zhe.
“Are you denying it? I had to run all the way to London to get you…”
“I didn’t ask you to come!” Shan Mei blushed.

The plaza in Hwangseong Park was full of people. All staff were dressed in traditional uniforms, and many visitors were also similarly garbed. Famous celebrities were providing entertainment on stage, and the place was throbbing with excitement. There were all sorts of traditional delicacies as well as western cake and Korean desserts available in tented stalls that lined the plaza. There was even an exhibition showing how traditional rice cakes were made. Shan Mei was completely enchanted, and listed attentively to Grandma’s detailed narration. There were many things here that she had never even seen before.

Suddenly, the sound of drums filled the air. Shan Mei turned around to find a re-enactment of a traditional Korean wedding in progress.
“Have you ever seen one? It’s very interesting.” Grandma said.
She had seen one previously, but never actually watched the whole ceremony.

The three of them followed the crowd to the venue of the ceremony. At the entrance, the groom and his parents, all dressed in traditional costumes, were standing on the right, with the bride’s parents standing on the left, greeting all guests as they arrived. A large, traditional gate with a small house within had been erected at the venue. Just as Shan Mei was wondering about what the house was for, she heard the master of ceremonies asking the bride to enter the house and wait for instructions. It was where the bride was to be prepared for the ceremony. The MC then invited the mothers of the bride and groom to light candles on stage, then the mother of the bride also entered the house to be with the bride, as the mother of the groom returned to her seat.
“Now it really starts!” Xiang Zhe’s grandmother told Shan Mei.

The groom entered the premises holding a wild goose.
“Why is he holding the wild goose?” Shan Mei asked Xiang Zhe curiously.
“To ask for the lady’s hand in marriage!”
“Why doesn’t he bring something a little more valuable as a gift?”
Xiang Zhe chuckled, “You’re really materialistic….. haven’t you heard of the saying “a gift of wild goose than a gift from a diety”? The wild goose mates for life, and is a symbol of an everlasting partnership.”
Shan Mei thought that Xiang Zhe was teasing her and was about to give him a piece of her mind when she saw the groom go into the little house, leaving the wild goose by the door, then bowing to the bride’s mother. The bride’s mother then returned the bow, and took the wild goose away, signifying her acceptance of the marriage proposal. Xiang Zhe was telling the truth after all.

“How did you know?” Shan Mei asked.
“I’ve seen it before with Grandma.”
It was then Shan Mei realized that Grandma had only come to the festival because of her.
“Thank goodness we no longer need wild geese in order to woo the ladies of today. If not, I’m sure the world would be full of bachelors!” Xiang Zhe commented.
Shan Mei doubled up with laughter upon hearing this.

Now, the bride, who was dressed in traditional costume, slowly made her way out, with her hands raised above her eyebrows. In her hands, she carried a long white scarf that was embroidered with the family names of the two parties. A red circle of paper adorned each of the brides cheeks, and another was placed in the middle of her forehead.
“It was all exactly like this when Grandma got married,” Xiang Zhe said.
“Grandmother? Really?” Shan Mei exclaimed, delighted.
Grandma nodded uncomfortably, “My father insisted on having a traditional wedding ceremony at the time ….. but in those days, the bride had to hide her face throughout the ceremony.”
“Having to hide your face behind that scarf with your hands extended above your eyebrow throughout the ceremony, your arms would have been ready to drop off any time!” Shan Mei observed.
The MC announced for the bride and the groom to bow to each other. The bride bowed twice to the groom, then sat down. The groom then returned the bow with one of his own.
“Why does the groom only need to bow once?” Shan Mei did not understand.
“This is because the number 2 is the smallest yin number, and the number 1 is the smallest yang number, so the bride has to bow twice, and the groom once.”

The MC then announced that they were ready for the Hen Throwing ceremony.
Hen Throwing ceremony? Shan Mei almost laughed out loud. One moment it was a wild goose, the next moment, a hen … she wondered what other animals were waiting their turn to appear at the ceremony.
Two men stood on either side of the bride and groom, each holding a hen under their arm, awaiting instructions. Across the yard from them, there were two other men who appeared to be preparing to receive the hens. When the MC shouted “One, Two, Three!” the hens were thrown out and the two men across the yard tried their best to catch the flying hens. At this moment, the crowd that was gathered around shouted “May the bride and groom bear many children and have a peaceful union!” And so the ceremony ended in the midst of laughter from the crowd.

“Yin Xiang Zhe, what happens if the two hens manage to get away and the receiving party fails to catch them? Does that mean the couple has not been married?” Shan Mei asked.
Xiang Zhe laughed, “Don’t worry, they will definitely catch the hens. Those hens can’t get very far …. Just look at them! They’ve been fattened up so much, they can’t really run anyway.”
Shan Mei could sometimes be quite childish, but this was one if the things that attracted him. She would never pretend to be anything other than herself with him. When he was with her, he could comfortably put down his mask and be at ease with himself.

After watching the wedding, they came across a cake cutting competition. Xiang Zhe urged Grandmother to participate, and she managed to come 5th in the competition, and won a box of ginseng as her prize. Grandmother was delighted.
“Grandmother, you are still ever so spritely.” Xiang Zhe praised her to no end.
Shan Mei watched the closeness between Xiang Zhe and his grandmother, and suddenly missed her father, who was still in London.
“What’s wrong?” Xiang Zhe could feel it and asked her softly.
“Just thinking of my dad.” Shan Mei said.
“Why don’t you give him a call when we get home?” Xiang Zhe rubbed her shoulders.

Xiang Zhe’s grandmother bumped into some people she knew at the fair, and delightedly introduced them to Shan Mei.
“This is my grandson’s girlfriend…”
A bunch of old ladies crowded around Shan Mei, discussing her.
“She’s so pretty! Your grandson has good taste…”
“She has a lovely smile…”
Xiang Zhe’s grandmother was all smiles.
“Xiang Zhe, you’ve already got such a beautiful girlfriend. No wonder you were always full of excuses whenver we tried to introduce a girl to you…” Grandmother’s friends chided.
Xiang Zhe smiled, uncomfortably.
Xiang Zhe’s grandmother was swept away by her friends and promised to meet up with them again later.

Xiang Zhe immediately grabbed Shan Mei’s hand even before Grandmother was out of sight.
“I’ve been longing to do this all day.” He told her.
He had wanted to take her hand, but did not do so in his grandmother’s presence for fear of embarrassing her.
Shan Mei smiled shyly.
“Why did you keep making excuses when your grandmother’s friends were so eager to introduce girls to you?”
“I already had someone in my heart.” He smiled at her. Since he started to bump into her time and time again, she had slowly made her way into his heart. He no longer had an inclination to even look at another woman.
“You don’t know what you’re missing. What if she was more suitable for you?”
“That’s too bad then. I’m already dead set on you.”

The little food stalls were selling candied corn, and Shan Mei bought a packet, holding it in her hand, eating as they walked.
“I never thought I’d find this here,” She said happily.
“I didn’t know you liked the stuff.”
“In the past, on a cold winter’s night, I loved to buy this and eat it while studying. Last year in London’s Chinatown, I chanced upon someone selling this, and brought a huge bag home. My father nagged at me for half a day, but he ended up fighting me for the last bits in the end….” Shan Mei said smugly.
“This is really good.” Shan Mei put a few in Xiang Zhe’s hand.

After finishing the candied corn, they followed the aroma of baking to a stall selling Gyeongju’s famous huangnam biscuits.
“It’s delicious!” Shan Mei exclaimed. The ones in Seoul pre-packaged, not made fresh like these.
Xiang Zhe bought two. Shan Mei finished hers off, then asked for the other, still lying untouched in Xiang Zhe’s hand. The freshly baked bean paste filling melted in the mouth and had her wanting more.
“You’re a real glutton, woman!” he laughed.
“Am I scaring you now?” Shan Mei teased.

The games stalls were located in the far corner of the festival grounds. At the shuttle-kicking stall, there was a high school student demonstrating the game while a compere explained the details. Shan Mei pulled Xiang Zhe along to watch.
“I could never get the hang of this when I was in school,” Shan Mei told him.
“This game is played as follows: You kick the shuttle once with the left foot, then twice with the right, three times with the left, and so on, until you drop it. The difficulty is in the co-ordination between right and left…” the compere explained. As the demonstration went on to more and more difficult maneouvres, Shan Mei stood there entranced. Xiang Zhe smiled when he saw this.

Shan Mei tended to do everything with fervour, not just at work. She would be just as conscientious in the kitchen; even at the movies, she would concentrate fully on the film. He sometimes wondered if she even knew he was there by her side. A sudden thought occurred to him. He loosened his grip and quietly slipped back. Before 5 seconds were even up, she had already turned around worriedly scanning the crowd for him.
“Xiang Zhe!” she called out loudly.
“I’m here.” He quickly stepped back and reclaimed her hand.
He was very happy because he knew that even when she was so entranced with something else, she was still very much aware of his presence, and he would no longer need to wonder if she really needed him there by her side.

The two of them continued past the game stalls.
“This one looks simple enough,” Shan Mei said.
All she had to do was to shoot wooden arrows into a clay urn. Xiang Zhe bought 10 arrows with 1,000 won for Shan Mei to try it out. It was only then she realized how difficult it really was. In the end, she only managed to shoot one arrow into the urn, and won a bookmark for her effort.
“How embarrassing! I only managed to get one in. I was actually hoping to win that Winnie the Pooh prize.” She needed to have shot 5 arrows into the urn to win that one.
“Don’t you already have one of those?” Shan Mei bought a Pooh Bear once when they went shopping together.
“This one has a red scarf and is really cute.” She replied.
“Watch me, then.” Xiang Zhe said confidently.
“If you really win that bear, I’ll buy you dinner.”
“It’s a deal!”

Xiang Zhe bought another set of arrows, rolled up his sleeves and prepared to shoot.
Xiang Zhe’s basketball skills came to the fore. The first arrow missed its target, falling short of the urn by 2 or 3 inches.
“Almost!” Shan Mei sighed.
Xiang Zhe puffed out his chest and casually replied, “That was just the warm-up to gauge the distance,”
Saying that, he picked up the second arrow, took a deep breath and gently shot it.
“Dong!” the arrow landed in the urn, and the onlookers applauded.
The third and fourth arrows also found their mark, and the crowd around them swelled. Shan Mei started to get excited.
Xiang Zhe’s fifth arrow missed, and Xiang Zhe’s disappointment showed, “Miss! It looks like you’re even more nervous than I am!” he teased her.
The sixth one found its mark.
“Alright, you can go get your prize now!” Xiang Zhe said.
“But you’ve still got another three arrows in your hand!”
“Did you want the Pooh Bear? If I land another two into the urn, the prize will be something else.” The next prize was a bottle of wine from Gyeongju.
“But it feels like you’re giving up. Didn’t you say you liked to win?” Shan Mei thought it was a waste.
“All I wanted was to make you happy.” Xiang Zhe replied. He only wanted to see her face light up when she got the Pooh Bear.
“But I want to see you put the rest in as well.”
“Alright then,’ Xiang Zhe caved in.
“You’re not allowed to just throw them away, not when so many people are watching and cheering you on.”
The eighth and ninth arrows also hit their target, and the onlookers held their breath as they watch to see if he could land the final arrow into the urn.
Xiang Zhe put the final arrow into the urn, and the onlookers broke out in applause.
“Thank you! I was really luck.” Xiang Zhe said modestly. He was also elated at the result. Shan Mei was right. He did really want to pit his skills to win.

“Mister, if I had a few more customers like you, I would have to pack up my stall for the day.” The stallholder joked.
Their prize was a large bottle of wine.
Xiang Zhe looked over at Shan Mei and smiled, “We’ve lost the Pooh Bear, and you’re still so happy?”
“Yes! I love watching you win…” she knew he was only humoring her, and really wanted to see the game to its end result.
“Boss, just give me that Winnie the Pooh bear. That will do.”
“Why?” the stallholder was surprised. The value of the two items were vastly different.
“My girlfriend prefers the toy.”
Ths stallholder looked over at Shan Mei and chuckled, “This lady is not local, is she?”
“She’s from Seoul.”
The stallholder nodded and said, “We love having guests here in Gyeongju…. You have this wine. You won it fair and square. As for the stuffed toy, consider it a gift from me to your girlfriend.”
“We couldn’t do that!” Xiang Zhe refused.
“Just don’t come back to my stall again!” he laughed.

They stayed on at the festival grounds until dusk. Xiang Zhe’s grandmother had bought a lot of local specialities for Shan Mei to take home with her.

The took the last buss back to Seoul, and Xiang Zhe’s grandmother insisted in seeing them to the bus stop.
“Grandmother, please don’t bother!” Shan Mei did not want to impose; Xiang Zhe didn’t even try to dissuade her.
“My grandmother is very stubborn.” He said. He knew his grandmother well.
“Shan Mei, make sure you come back with Xiang Zhe again.” Grandmother was unwilling to let her go.
Shan Mei’s eyes rimmed with tears as she hugged Xiang Zhe’s grandmother, “I will, Grandmother…. Take care of yourself.”
The two of them hugged as they wiped away their tears.
“Xiang Zhe, make sure you take good care of Shan Mei!” Grandmother instructed Xiang Zhe as they boarded the bus.
“I will, Grandmother.”

As the bus departed, Shan Mei waved at Grandmother from inside until she was out of sight.
“You’re really something else!” Xiang Zhe looked at the teary Shan Mei and shook his head, “You’re still such a cry-baby!” He handed her his hankerchief.
“That’s none of your business!”
“Of course it’s my business! Didn’t you just hear? Grandmother said I was to take good care of you.”
“And who was the one who needed taking care of?”
She had been the one taking care of him when he was injured.
Xiang Zhe grinned, “In that case, will Miss Shan Mei please keep taking care of me?”
“In your dreams!”

Shan Mei had a book in her hand, but ended up looking over at Xiang Zhe half the time. He was reading the papers, and she observed his every nuance, completely absorbed.
“What are you looking at?” he put down his paper.
“Nothing.” Shan Mei replied.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it’s so.” Shan Mei blushed, knowing she had been caught out.
He grabbed her hand, “Do you know how much I love the way you were just now?”
“What?”
“I love the way you looked when you were watching me…”
“What rubbish are you spouting?” she punched him. The passion in the look that he gave her embarrassed her.

He smiled at her teasingly. He really, really loved the look in her eyes when she had been watching him earlier. She had been so completely absorbed with him, he knew that there could have been nothing else in her heart, in her mind other than him alone. It gave him a feeling of immense satisfaction and contentment; a feeling that he was willing to give up everything for.

During the long journey, she laid her head on his shoulder and fell asleep. As he watched her sweet face, he promised himself that he would watch over her for the rest of his life.

*********End of Chapter 18**********

Chapter 19

Written By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by nho(CA)

After the meeting, Shan Mei hurriedly gave Auntie a call as Jin Huan Chen had left her a voicemail message.

“What’s up? Auntie?”

“Are you available for lunch? Come and have lunch with me! I am just nearby your office.”

“Lunch? ...” Shan Mei found it a little awkward as she had promised to have lunch with Xiang Zhe.

“Didn’t I just have dinner with you last night?” Shan Mei said. Last night she brought with her bags of special products of Gyeongju to Auntie’s place. She told Auntie that she had gone to spend time with her friend in Gyeongju during the Arbor Day holidays.

“What I mean is let’s find a reputable restaurant with good atmosphere and enjoy ourselves without the need to babble with those two jerks at home.”

Shan Mei could not help burst out laughing when she heard this, “Auntie, when have you started babbling? You are the most graceful mannered lady in the world ...”

“Don’t try to flatter me.” Shan Mei’s flatteries made Jin Huan Chen very happy. “It’s settled then, let’s have lunch together?”

“Erh ... OK!”

Shan Mei left a message in Xiang Zhe’s cell phone as he was in a meeting.

Shan Mei and Jin Huan Chen arranged to meet in the restaurant situated on the 63rd Floor of the building. They could watch the scenery while having lunch.

“Why is Auntie in such a good mood today?” Shan Mei asked Jin Huan Chen with a big smile.

However Jin Huan Chen did not reply, she just stared at Shan Mei, wearing a strange smile.

“Auntie, what are you doing?” Shan Mei said uncomprehendingly.

“What am I doing?” Jin Huan Chen, “That is the question I am going to ask you!”

“What do you want to ask me?”

“You are still trying to act dumb in front of Auntie ...”

“Aiyoo, exactly what is happening?” Shan Mei was completely at a loss.

“I am asking you ... Why did you go to Gyeongju?”

Shan Mei was dumbfounded, “I ... Haven’t I told you that I went to Gyeongju to look up a friend!” Shan Mei was feeling guilty.

“Which friend? How come I’ve never heard you mentioned knowing anyone in Gyeongju?”

“Erh ..., well ...” Shan Mei stammered, unable to speak. Jin Huan Chen knew all of her buddies and she did not know how to lie.

“Your so called friend is Xiang Zhe!”

“Auntie ...” Shan Mei’s face immediately flushed crimsoned.

Viewing the situation, Auntie must have asked her to lunch especially in order to interrogate her on this matter. It was strange because when she went over with the presents last night, Auntie did not ask anything, so why did she cross-examine her today.

“Ain’t I right?”

Shan Mei tacitly admitted with a crimsoned face, “Was it Xiu Wei Oppa who told you?” Shan Mei pouted.

Lee Xiu Wei promised to keep it a secret for her.

“I indeed guess it right.” Jin Huan Chen said proudly.

“Yesterday I casually asked Xiu Wei what friend you had in Gyeongju and as a result that boy let slipped and told me that “Xiang Zhe was in Gyeongju” ...” Jin Huan Chen laughed as she spoke, “I then bombarded him with questions. Xiu Wei this boy is really a loyal one and he kept stalling me and finally when I pressed him too hard that he asked me to question you myself ...”

When Auntie set her mind to dig to the bottom of a matter, no one could sustain her tactic. It must be really hard on Xiu Wei Oppa.

“Everyday you say you are busy and as a matter of fact, you are busy dating. You are really tight-lipped and conceal the truth even from Auntie ...” Jin Huan Chen was blaming Shan Mei.

“Auntie ...”

“How long have you and Xiang Zhe been together?”

“Aiyoo, we already know each other for some time!” Shan Mei wanted to play the ignorance with Jin Huan Chen.

She had been hiding Xiang Zhe well. Sometime when Auntie wanted to invite Xiang Zhe home to dinner though Xiu Wei, she forbade him to come. Auntie would question Xiu Wei Oppa every other day about what was happening between Xiang Zhe and Xu Xiu Li. She was afraid that when Xiang Zhe went to Auntie’s place, Auntie would get the clue and keep inquisition her about Xiang Zhe’s matter.

“You are not that kind of person.” Jin Huan Chen declared decisively.

“What do you mean by this kind of person, that kind of person!” Shan Mei muttered.

“You are always a discreet person, and if you are not on intimate terms with him, you wouldn’t have gone to look him up in Gyeongju.”

Shan Mei was made speechless by Jin Huan Chen’s words. Auntie really understood her well and it looked as if she could no longer conceal the truth from her.

“Auntie ...” As soon as Shan Mei started to speak, her cell phone rang.

“Sorry, I am now busy. I will call you later.”

Shan Mei hung up her phone in a hurry. It was Xiang Zhe who called. Auntie was now in a battle of wits with her, why did he have to call now to join in the fun!

“It’s a call from one of my colleagues.” Shan Mei told Jin Huan Chen.

The phone was ringing again. Shan Mei lowered her head and looked, it was Xiang Zhe again.

“Auntie, I have to discuss something with my colleague. Would you please order first? I’ll have the same thing as you.”

Shan Mei went outside to take the call.

“What’s the matter?”

“What’s the matter? That is what I want to ask you? Why did you hang up on me just now?” Xiang Zhe sounded displeased, “Haven’t we arranged to meet for lunch? Why did you suddenly change your mind?”

She left him a brief message in his cell phone, telling him something suddenly popped up and she could not meet him for lunch.

“I’m with Auntie. She came to ask me to have lunch with her.”

“So that is what has happened?” As it was Jin Huan Chen who was with Shan Mei, Xiang Zhe naturally could have nothing to say.

“Yes!” Shan Mei sighed.

“What’s up? Why are you sounding so dispirited?”

“Aye! I am being interrogated by Auntie ...”

“Interrogated? On what?”

“She is interrogating me on what happens between you and me ...”

“Really?” Xiang Zhe sounded jubilantly happy.

“Hey, why are you so pleased?” Shan Mei asked ill-humouredly. She was having a headache trying to think of how to deal with Auntie, but Xiang Zhe seemed very pleased.

“Haven’t you ever heard about the name rectification movement?” Xiang Zhe laughingly said.

“What name rectification movement?”

“That is I can now officially be your boyfriend and need not try to dodge and hide anymore!”

“When have I ever asked you to dodge and hide?” Shan Mei broke into laughter, “Don’t try to make yourself sound so pitiful!”

“Do you want me to come over?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“No way, don’t come and make trouble.” Shan Mei immediately said.

“Make trouble? I just want to share your troubles. I want to come over to help ...”

“Help? You can only cause more trouble. If you did not get me carrying all those Hwang-nam bread and Gyo-dong beop wine home, how would Auntie get curious and start interrogate me?” Shan Mei began to rebuke Xiang Zhe.

“OK, it’s all my fault. Can this be done?”

“It is basically all fault.”

“Where are you having lunch?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“In that western restaurant up on the 63rd floor.”

“It looks like I can only have lunch on my own ...”

“Don’t pretend to look piteous. My lunch won’t be an enjoyable one. My Auntie is very difficult to pacify.”

Xiang Zhe laughed. “Enjoy your lunch!” Xiang Zhe said.

“Thank you!”

“Oh, Shan Mei ...” Xiang Zhe stopped Shan Mei.

“What’s the matter?”

“I don’t mind one tiny bit to be made public by you ...” Xiang Zhe roared with laughter.

He was only too anxious to let the world know that she was her girlfriend.

“Aye, please say something good about me before Auntie!” Xiang Zhe said.

“Have you finished your say yet!”

When they were eating their lunch, Jin Huan Chen tried to dig into the matter.

“Auntie, do you come here to have lunch with me or do you just want to interrogate me?” Shan Mei asked.

Jin Huan Chen simply did not pay Shan Mei any attention and continued to closely question her about her relationship with Xiang Zhe.

“When did you two start to date?”

Shan Mei was busily eating the soup and did not pay Jin Huan Chen any attention.

“Hmm ... this seafood clam soup tastes real good!” Shan Mei said.

She did not have time to eat breakfast this morning and her stomach had long been rumbling with hunger.

“Zhen Shan Mei, I am asking you a question!”

“What ...” Shan Mei looked helpless.

“I am asking you when you and Xiang Zhe started to date?”

“I forgot.”

“What do you mean by forgot?”

“Xiu Wei Oppa introduced us a long time ago and it is such a coincidence that we work in the same building. Sometime when we met, we would go out for a meal together ..., then later ... it gradually changed to what happens now.” Shan Mei answered perfunctory.

“What happens now? Exactly what is happening now?” Jin Huan Chen was very explicit.

“Auntie, you are behaving like you are cross-examining a criminal suspect!” Shan Mei pouted.

“Who asked you to keep me in the dark. To think of me offering to matchmake for you at that time! ... You shouldn’t have already started your relationship with Xiang Zhe then?”

“No.” Shan Mei replied simply and without hesitation.

“How far are you in your relationship?”

“We just go out for meals and go to movies ...” Shan Mei described in a light tone.

“Then ... does he hold your hand?” Jin Huan Chen asked.

“Auntie ...” Shan Mei muttered, her face reddened to her ears. “How can you cross-examine me like this! You simply behave no differently from those gossipy women in the movie ...”

Jin Huan Chen saw how embarrassed Shan Mei looked and too felt that she had gone too far, but she could not hold back her curiosity, “I will ask you one last question and I guarantee I won’t ask anything further about you and Xiang Zhe in the future ...” Jin Huan Chen said.

“Really?” Shan Mei asked, looking at Jin Huan Chen suspiciously.

“Really, I promise ...” Jin Huan Chen wanted to win her niece’s trust, so she nodded repeatedly, “Tell Auntie, has he held your hand yet?”

“Yes ...” Shan Mei shyly nodded.

“Then you ...” Jin Huan Chen was still not satisfied.

Shan Mei cut off Jin Huan Chen’s words, “Auntie, you have already asked the last question.”

“Oh, you girl ...”

While they were eating their lunch, Jin Huan Chen still could not help making oblique references to what was going on between Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei and every time she was warded off by Shan Mei, “Auntie, you have broken your promise.” Shan Mei said.

“I am only concerned about you!”

Jin Huan Chen could not draw anything out from Shan Mei’s mouth and unexpectedly she started singing praises of Xiang Zhe’s virtues, saying that he was young and promising, courteous and polite and possessed no affectation and conceit. Shan Mei was nearly overwhelmed with laughter.

“Auntie, has Yin Xiang Zhe given you any advantage? How can you speak up for him this way?”

“I like that boy from the bottom of my heart ...”

The meal ended in the midst of chatters between aunt and niece.

“Haven’t you arranged to meet with someone? You will be late if you don’t leave now.” Shan Mei reminded Jin Huan Chen.

Sending Jin Huan Chen off, Shan Mei breathed a deep sigh of relief. She came to the cashier to settle the bill, but she was told by the attendant that her bill had already been settled by someone.

“Are you sure it is not a mistake?” Shan Mei asked doubtfully.

“You are Miss Zhen?”

“Yes!”

“Then it’s correct. It was one handsome man who paid for your bill.” The female attendant said.

It must be Xiang Zhe! Shan Mei thought.

Shan Mei looked around but could not find Xiang Zhe’s presence.

“Where is that man?”

“He has left for a while already.” The attendant said.

As soon as she got off the 63rd floor, she got a call from Xiang Zhe.

“Thank you for your lunch.” Shan Mei smilingly said.

“Did you say something favourably for me in front of your auntie?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“No!”

“Why?”

“There is no need.”

“Don’t tell me that I possess nothing that is worthy of praise?” Xiang Zhe did not concede defeat.

Shan Mei gurgled with laughter when she heard this.

“What are you laughing at?”

“Wei, how did you flatter and win approval from Auntie?”

“What do you mean?”

“She continuously sang your praises; she simply praised you to the sky ...”

“Really? What did she say?”

“She said if she had a daughter, she would pick you for her son-in-law.”

“She can still pick me as her nephew-in-law!” Xiang Zhe said.

Shan Mei blushed and did not say a word.

“Aye, why don’t you say something? You shouldn’t be blushing now?”

“I have never seen anyone who is so shameless!” Shan Mei touched her face that was burning hot.

Xiang Zhe’s laughter went through the receiver and drifted into Shan Mei’s ear, “I only thought that you would only feel shy and blush when you are with me. Aye, don’t you know, you look so adorable when you blush?”

“What are you saying?” Shan Mei felt so much sweetness in her heart that her mouth curved up into a beautiful arch.

“Right, it is this kind of smile ... I really love to see you smile. Every time when you smile, my heart will follow suit and smile with you ...”

“And you know I am smiling now?”

“I have supernatural power ...”

“You are uttering nonsense!”

“It’s true ... Now you have wrinkled your nose, ain’t I right?”

“Oh!” Shan Mei was shocked. It looked as though Xiang Zhe was aware of her each and every move. On second thought, Shan Mei guessed what was happening.

“Hey, I want to give you a quiz.” Shan Mei said.

“Feel free to ask your question.”

“What am I wearing today?”

“You are wearing a pink blouse and a light grey suit.”

“You are really awesome!” Shan Mei looked around, trying to search for Xiang Zhe’s form; he must be somewhere in the vicinity.

Xiang Zhe roared with laughter: “Miss Zhen Shan Mei, are you looking for someone?”

“Yes, I’m looking for a villain who loves to play tricks ...”

“You sound as if you are a little bit angry?”

“Yes! I’m mad with anger. I really hate people who plays tricks on me.”

“Would surrender mitigate the penalty?”

“No way.”

“You are really impartial and just.” Xiang Zhe said.

He was hateful, why did he still have to play the hide and seek with her.

“Yin Xiang Zhe, I’ll give you 10 seconds. If you don’t appear before the time is up, I won’t speak to you for three days.” Shan Mei issued the ultimatum.

“Hey ...”

“10 ..., 9 ..., 8 ..., “ Shan Mei paid no attention to Xiang Zhe, looked at her watch and started counting.

When she was counting to 2, Xiang Zhe appeared before Shan Mei grasping for breath.

“One more second and you won’t be on time.” Shan Mei pointed to her watch.

“Miss, you really know how to play trick on people.”

“I just learn that from someone.” Shan Mei proudly declared.

“You are really an excellent pupil.” Xiang Zhe laughingly took hold of Shan Mei’s hand.

“Did you have lunch?” She asked him.

“I had a fried chicken set lunch at MacDonald.”

“Why didn’t you have lunch upstairs?” Shan Mei pointed upwards to the 63rd floor.

“Didn’t you order that I was not to go up to make trouble? I was frightened that I would be reprimanded by you ...”

“An important chairman like you would be frightened of a junior lawyer like me?” Shan Mei pouted.

“I’m normally not afraid of anything, except when Lawyer Zhen Shan Mei is too mad to speak to me.”

“Am I that unreasonable?”

“Sometimes.”

“I will try to improve.”

“Really?”

“I always engage in introspection.”

“Take a stroll with me?” Xiang Zhe said.

“I will be late for work.” Shan Mei looked at her watch, it was already 1:30 p.m.

“Your office won’t be that rigid!” Shan Mei’s office did not require its staff to wipe their cards in the time clock when they started and finished work.

The two of them walked hand in hand along the footpath by the waterfront of River Han.

“If I get the sack, you are to be held responsible.” Shan Mei said.

“If you were sacked, I would definitely take full responsibility.”

“Oh ...” She cast a look at him winsomely, “How are you going to take responsibility?”

“Well ... How about caring for all your food and lodging for the rest of your life?”

Shan Mei glared with her big eyes and said with a blushing face: “What are you talking about, they are all nonsense!”

Xiang Zhe grinned, “Don’t worry, I’m not proposing. If I propose like this, it will be too unromantic and if I were in your place, I won’t accept it too.”

“Thank you for being so generous, but I have done nothing to deserve the honour. I am a woman with strong self-respect.” Shan Mei said.

“Then how do you want me to be responsible?”

Shan Mei considered, then pursed her lips and said: “It is very simple, you just let me to have a good cry on your shoulder in the event that I am given the sack.”

“That’s no problem! My shoulder will be for you to borrow anytime you are willing, but ...”

“But what?”

“I hate to see you cry ...”

“You are not reneging on your words?”

“No.”

“That’s good, let’s shake on it?”

“Deal.”

Shan Mei childishly sealed the pact by hooking her little finger with Xiang Zhe’s.

“Aye, my shoulder is now available for you to lean on?”

Xiang Zhe extended his hand to pull her into his arm.

“What are you doing? It’s broad daylight ...” Shan Mei laughingly warded off Xiang Zhe’s hand, took to her heel and ran off.

“Hey ...” Xiang Zhe ran after her.

That day, it was already past 2:00 p.m. when Shan Mei got back to the office. Half of the people in the office starred at her. She was so embarrassed that she just wanted to bury herself in a hole on the ground.

It was all Yin Xiang Zhe’s fault! She must even the score with him this evening, Shan Mei muttered, but without knowing the reason why, her heart was feeling so much sweetness ...

- End of Chapter 19 –

Chapter 20

By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by Jules

“Zhen Shan Mei, thank you for coming to my party,” Xu Ming Dao thanked Shan Mei.
“I should be the one thanking you. I really had a good time today,” Shan Mei said.
Xu Ming Dao was Xiang Zhe’s good friend, and often played basketball with him. Xu Ming Dao celebrated his birthday that day, and got Xiang Zhe to invite Shan Mei along.

“You were the most beautiful person today!” Xu Ming Dao said.
“Oh?” Shan Mei smiled, embarrassed.
Xiang Zhe patted Xu Ming Dao on the shoulder and said, “You little rascal! How dare you try to flirt with my girlfriend in front of me..! If Deng Zhong Hui was here, I doubt you would dare utter words like this!” Xiang Zhe glanced meaningfully at Xu Ming Dao’s car, where his girlfriend Deng Zhong Hui sat waiting.
“Ha, ha…” Xu Ming Dao wagged his eyebrows at Xiang Zhe, “You should be happy that I am complimenting your girlfriend!”
“In that case, thank you, then.”

After they got into the car, Xiang Zhe continued to smile at Shan Mei.
“Why are you looking like that?”
Xiang Zhe’s eyes were dancing with delight, and Shan Mei felt uncomfortable with it.
“You ARE really beautiful today…”
She was wearing a simple white dress. Although it was not as fancy as what the other women wore, its very simplicity exuded an air of elegance that drew everyone’s attention. He was proud and pleased about that.
“You’re only trying to please me…. All the other women there were much more beautiful.”
She didn’t know that Xu Ming Dao had hired a venue at an exclusive club, so did not have a dress for the occasion. All the other women were dressed to the nines, and she had felt very plain in contrast.
“No matter how I look at it, you were still the prettiest…”
“Why are you being so sweet today?”
“Even Xu Ming Dao agrees with me…”

“Is Xu Ming Dao about to get married?” Shan Mei asked.
“Why do you ask?”
Shan Mei smiled but did not reply.
She had sat next to Xu Ming Dao and his girlfriend. They were so intimate with each other, she felt embarrassed to be present.
“He was taking things a little too far..” Xiang Zhe smiled.

Xiang Zhe took the freeway, but did not take the route to go home.
“Where are we going?” Shan Mei asked.
“I’m taking you for a drive, just to relax a little,” Xiang Zhe replied.
“Why do you feel I need to relax?”
“You’re a little strange today…”
Shan Mei chuckled, “What’s so strange about me today? I had really been enjoying myself!”
“You didn’t talk much, and seemed rather distracted.”
Any other person would not have noticed this, but Xiang Zhe knew her too well, and could read her every move.
“I can’t hide anything from you, can I?”
“Is it work?”
“I guess you could say that…but you could also say it isn’t really work-related.”
“What do you mean?”
Shan Mei stopped for a moment, then came clean, “Today, I bumped into someone I didn’t really want to meet. He and I will be doing a project together.”

Today, she met Song Shuo Mao.
When Jiang Zhan Ting told her that she would be in charge of the Jinhai Group’s IPO, she already thought she might end up meeting Song Shuo Mao, unless he had changed jobs. When they broke up, Song Shuo Mao had been working in Jinhai Group’s Corporate financing department. She had briefly considered asking Jiang Zhan Ting to give the project to someone else, but changed her mind after careful deliberation. Song Shuo Mao and her no longer had anything to do with each other, and the worst that could happen was that she would feel very uncomfortable. Uncomfortable, that was all.

The Jinhai Groups’ account was one that the company had fought hard to win, and there was a high possibility that they would have many projects with them. Even if she could have avoided him this time, there would be many other opportunities for them to meet. It would be impossible for her to completely avoid that.

Much to her disappointment, Song Shuo Mao was there at the kick-off meeting today. When they exchanged name cards, she greeted him as a stranger.
“Mr Song, I’m so glad to meet you.”
Over the last year, Song Shuo Mao had been promoted from senior manager to department head, and the bosses seemed to hold him in high regard, leaving him completely in charge of the project.
“Long time no see, Miss Zhen,” Song Shuo Mao smiled as he greeted her.
“Do you know Miss Zhen, Mr Song?” Jiang Zhan Tin asked, surprised.
“We had met during our days as interns,” Song Shuo Mao replied.
“Why didn’t you mention this to me before?” Jiang Zhen Ting reprimanded.
“I think Miss Zhen might not remember me….” Song Shuo Mao bailed her out.

“Oh?” Xiang Zhe looked at Shan Mei with a strange and speculative look.
Other than the occasional grumble about the stress of her work, he had never heard her actually complain about either her clients or her colleagues.
“What sort of a look is that..? Don’t tell me you’ve never met someone you did not want to see?”
Xiang Zhe was stunned for a moment, before changing tact and teasing her, “Of course I have! I never want to meet any rivals for your attention!”
“I’m worried that it might affect my work.”
“You won’t. I’m sure of it.” Xiang Zhe smiled.
“And how would YOU know…”
“I just do.”
Shan Mei finally smiled. Perhaps Xiang Zhe was right. Sometimes he seemed to know her better than herself. Today, when she saw the smug Song Shuo Mao, she felt nothing at all. It was almost as though there was a mountain separating the two of them.

“What would you like to do on Saturday?” Xiang Zhe asked.
Saturday was two days away, and he had no intentions of going into the office that day.
“You seem to have a lot of free time lately.”
Xiang Zhe had been keeping her company almost every weekend lately. When they first started going out, it was difficult to catch him even on Sundays and public holidays.
“I’ve been trying to get all my work done during weekdays.”
“You’ve changed….” She smiled at him.
“That’s because there are other things in my life right now that are more important than work.” He took her hand in his.

“Let’s go up to the snowfields for the weekend.” Xiang Zhe suggested.
“No way, I’ve got stuff to do.”
“Do you have to work?”
“No,” Shan Mei shook her head, “My dad’s coming home, and I have to clean up before he gets here.” She had been too busy to do any housework recently.

“I’ll help you then!”
“Really?”
“Actually, I have other motives in mind,” Xiang Zhe said.
“What other motives?”
“I have to find some excuse to make my way into your home!”
“What a schemer!”
“What else can I do when you never allow me into the house.”
“You’ve never asked!”
“I’ve been waiting for an invitation.”
Shan Mei smiled. She had been brought up to never invite a man into her home.
“I have never known you to be so courteous.”
Xiang Zhe scratched his head, “Miss Zhen, how long are we going to keep arguing like this?”
“Didn’t you just say I have been too quiet tonight?” Shan Mei teased.
Xiang Zhe put his hands up, “OK, OK, I surrender.”

Shan Mei looked at her watch and then said, “I want to buy something for Dad.”
The departmental stores had just started their spring sales, and she wanted to get some clothes for her father. The two of them made their way to the men’s department at Lotte departmental store..
“These trousers are pretty nice…” Shan Mei bought two pairs of casual pants.
“Why don’t you try them on as well?” She asked him.
“That’s alright.” He shook his head.
“Miss, are you helping this gentleman select some clothing?” the sales person asked enthusiastically.
Shan Mei glanced at Xiang Zhe, “Do you have any styles that are younger?” she asked.
“Of course, why don’t you try those over there..”
“Didn’t you want to buy something for your Dad?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“Why can’t my dad wear some younger styles?” She looked at him as she made her way.
Shan Mei selected a blue top and asked Xiang Zhe to try it on for her.
“Does your father also like this colour?” Xiang Zhe asked. He preferred blue.
“Aiyo! You ask too much!” Shan Mei complained.
Xiang Zhe had a naturally good build and looked excellent in anything. The saleperson could not stop complimenting him.
“Sir really looks good in this.”
“Look how everyone’s complimenting you!” Shan Mei smiled, “Why don’t you try this T-shirt on as well?”
“Don’t bother. As long as the T-shirt has a round neck and sleeves that are long enough, it will do.” Xiang Zhe thought it too troublesome.
“Can you please be a little more co-operative?” Shan Mei pouted.
“Oh… you’re one troublesome little lady.”
Xiang Zhe had no choice but to let the sales person get his size and put it on for Shan Mei to see.
He let her toy with her for almost half a day, one moment trying onlong pants, the next jackets, until it was almost closing time.
Shan Mei finally went back to the first department and selected two pairs of casual pants and a light jacket, paid for them and asked the salesperson to gift wrap them.

Xiang Zhe was completely exasperated, “Just what were you trying to prove?” he asked.
“I wanted to see how those clothes looked when someone was wearing them! If all I needed to select was the size, then I wouldn’t have needed you to be here! Those things that you tried on just now were all too young for my father.” She explained rationally.
Xiang Zhe almost fainted.
“Were you just trying my patience?”
“Uh… you guessed it. Why are you so smart?” Shan Mei answered easily.

Xiang Zhe turned up at Shan Mei’s home on Saturday afternoon as agreed.
“My, you’re punctual! Two o’clock to the second! I’m impressed!” Shan Mei teased.
“Wah! Who’s little girl is this?” Xiang Zhe stepped back to appraise her.
She had her hair in two ponytails, and was wearing overalls, looking all of seventeen.
“You’re despicable!” she glared at him.
“This is for my darling girlfriend,” Xiang Zhe put a bouquet of red roses in Shan Mei’s hand. Although Shan Mei preferred white roses to red, he still preferred to give her red roses as a symbol of his love for her.
“You must be the first person to give flowers to the person who is about to work them to death.” Shan Mei smiled sweetly.
He followed her into the house.
“If that’s the case, do I get a reward?” Xiang Zhe asked shrewdly.
“You haven’t even started work, and you’re already asking for a reward? Aren’t you being too greedy?”
“Didn’t you know I’ve always been very greedy?”
He hugged her from behind, and brushed his lips across her neck.
She pulled him off, “I’m full of dust…”
“I don’t mind…” he grinned.

Shan Mei took Xiang Zhe on a quick tour of the house, but tried to breeze past her own bedroom.
“We haven’t looked at this room.” Xiang Zhe stopped and refused to budge.
“It’s out of bounds to men.” Shan Mei smiled as she stopped him from entering.
“Even the girls dormitories in school were open to male student on open days….come on, let me in. I’ve come a long way for this.”
Shan Mei laughed, “You’ve driven less than 10 minutes to get here. You consider that a long way?”
“I’ll just have a quick glance…” Xiang Zhe pleaded.
Shan Mei had no choice, but to let him in.
“You only have one minute.” Shan Mei said shyly.
He loved that look on her face.

Xiang Zhe stood at the door and looke inside.
The room was decorated very elegantly. The wallpaper, furniture and wonder coverings were all off-white. A watercolour of Cambridge was hung on one wall.
“Did you paint this?”
Shan Mei smiled and nodded.
Xiang Zhe the cast his eyes on the display of all shapes and sizes of Winnie the Pooh/
“You have so many cuddlies?” Xiang Zhe smiled as he asked.
“I started collecting them when I was in primary school. After I turned fifteen, I would buy myself one each year for Christmas as a souvenir of how I felt that year.”
Xiang Zhe itched to know what she bought for herself the year before. It was when they fell in love.
Xiang Zhe’s gaze searched the display.
“What did you buy last year?” he asked casually.
“I bought th…” Shan Mei quicly minced her words, “Why are you asking?” she punched him.
“Come on, tell me!”
“No way!”
“Is it that sour-faced Winnie hugging that tree to death?”
Shan Mei bent over laughing. It was obviously a bear who was fast asleep, but he had misinterpreted it on purpose.
“Why do you think it was that one?”
“Because I want to be the tree that you hug to death.”
“What nonsense!” Shan Mei laughed until tears were in her eyes.
“So? Am I right?”
“Absolutely not!”
“Then which one is it?”
“Forget it! I will never tell!”
“Sourpuss!” Xiang Zhe looked at her helplessly.
Shan Mei smiled smugly. It wasn’t often that she could keep him hanging like this.
Last year, she had bought a little girl with a red balloon. The balloon was big and round and full, just like how she felt filled with happiness.

“Hey, what’s this little one doing on your bed?”
Xiang Zhe’s sharp eyes spotted the Pooh Bear that he had won for her in Gyeongju next to her pillow.
“That…uh…ah….I forgot to put it back this morning.” Shan Mei blushed bright red.
The bear had been sleeping with her every night, ever since Xiang Zhe gave it to her.

“Alright, let’s go!” Shan Mei ordered. If she let him remain here any longer, God knows what else he would find.

After looking around, Xiang Zhe realized that the house seemed spick and span, with everything in its place. It seemed as if Shan Mei had already cleaned up.
“Wasn’t I supposed to be helping you clean?” he asked.
“Did you really think I would make you clean my house the first time you visit?”
Xiang Zhe was normally rushed off his feet at work, and seldom found the time to relax. She couldn’t bring herself to make him help her out on his day off. Just the fact that he offered his help was enough for her. Because he had been working very late the night before, she told him to come over after lunch, so he could sleep in and catch up on his rest. She managed to finish all she needed to do during the morning.

“In that case, I’m the knight in shining armour with no damsel to rescue!”
Shan Mei smiled and nodded, “I’m afraid so.”
“In that case, why did you still ask me to come over?”
“Didn’t you say you wanted to visit?”
Xiang Zhe laughed.

“I tell you what. Why don’t I help you mow the lawn?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“Mow the lawn?.... There’s no need. That’s hard work. I’m getting someone in on Monday to do it.”
“Why don’t you give me a chance to show you what I can do? I’m pretty good at it!” Xiang Zhe bragged. “Do you have a lawn mower?”
“There’s one in the shed…”
Xiang Zhe was as good as his word. He pushed the lawn mower around the yard, and was already finished by the time she tidied the kitchen.
“You’re quick!” Shan Mei brought a drink out to Xiang Zhe. “You must be tired. My father always said mowing was too much hard work and forbade me to do it.”
He father always paid someone to mow the lawns when he was around.
“How did you become so good at it?”
“Because I needed to earn some money.”
“What?”
“I’m just pulling your leg… When I was in England, my friend’s father was mowing the lawn when I visited, and asked him to teach us; After that, someone needed lawns to be mown, so we decided to take up the job to earn some extra pocket money, and just for the fun of it.”
“Yin Xiang Zhe, you amaze me.” Shan Mei said in awe.
“That phrase sounds awfully familiar…” Xiang Zhe replied. It was the same words he used on her when he bumped into her and she helped him tidy up the documents that he dropped at the Chamsung cocktail.
“My skills at re-arranging documentation pales when compared with what you can do.” She, too, remember that day.
“You’re being too modest. You have some truly amazing talents…”
“What sort of amazing talent would I possess?”
“You have the amazing talent of completely mesmerizing me!”
“In that case, I’d better find a way to snap you out of your delirium!” Saying that, Shan Mei picked up the hose and hosed Xiang Zhe down. The move was unexpected, and Xiang Zhe did not have enough time to react before he was drenched.
“You little sprite! Just watch what I can do…” Xiang Zhe said, rubbing his hands.
Shan Mei threw down the hose and ran away, but did not get far before Xiang Zhe caught her.
“Don’t!” Shan Mei pleaded, trying to dodge.
“Don’t what?” Xiang Zhe laughed
“Don’t hose me down…”
“Do unto others as you would others do unto you…. I’m not going to let you off so easily today.”
Xiang Zhe grabbed the hose and proceeded to hose her down.
“Yin Xiang Zhe!!!!” Shan Mei yelled as she tried to wrestle the hose from Xiang Zhe. Instead, she inadvertently turned the hose onto herself, and was drenched anyway.
“Hey! I hadn’t even done anything, and you’ve turned the hose on yourself….” Xiang Zhe quickly turned the tap off.
“It’s all your fault!” Shan Mei complained.
“You started it!” Xiang Zhe tapped Shan Mei on the head lightly.

The breeze picked up. “Ah-choo!” Shan Mei sneezed.
“You’d better go in and change. Don’t catch a cold.” Xiang Zhe said.
“What about you?”
“I’ll change when I get home.”
“No way!” Shan Mei pulled him into the house.
She produced a set of clothes for Xiang Zhe, “The bathroom is the door on the right when you get to the top of the stairs.”
“How can I fit into your father’s clothes?” Xiang Zhe asked. Shan Mei’s father was at least two sizes smaller.
“Can you just be a little more co-operative?” Shan Mei pushed him on, “Don’t you dare catch a cold and leave me with a guilty conscience.”

After Xiang Zhe had a shower, he pulled out the clothes and was delighted.
It was a set of brand new clothes; A light blue T-shirt and white trousers in his size.
When Xiang Zhe had finished changing, Shan Mei was nowhere in sight.
“Shan Mei!” He called for her from outside her bedroom, but did not get a reply. She was probably still having her shower.

Xiang Zhe made his way to the living room and found the NBA broadcast on TV. The Lakers were playing the Marleys and it was a close game. Xiang Zhe was immediately immersed in it. He was a fan of the Marleys.

“Wah, it’s your favourite team…” Shan Mei commented from behind.
Xiang Zhe turned to find her standing behind him in a pinstriped shirt and white skirt.
He smiled broadly at her.
“What are you smiling at?” Shan Mei asked as she adjusted her clothes uncomfortably.
“I’ve never seen you looking like this.” Xiang Zhe’s lips curved, “You look very…”
“Very what? Very…. Nerdy?”
“Very homely, and very attractive.”
Shan Mei chuckled, “I didn’t know homely and attractive could be used to describe the same thing!”
Xiang Zhe grabbed her and sat her down next to him.
“You don’t look too bad..” Shan Mei assessed him.
“When did your father grow two sizes larger?” He asked with a Cheshire cat grin.
“You ask too many questions…”
When she made him try out clothes that day, she took note of his sizes and went back to the shops yesterday to buy a few items for him. She had originally intended to keep them for a while before giving them to him. She certainly didn’t expect that they would become useful so suddenly.
Xiang Zhe frowned, “Why didn’t you dry your hair properly? You may end up with a headache…”
He picked up the towel he had discarded on the sofa earlier, and proceeded to dry her hair.
“I can do it myself.” Shan Mei was embarrassed.
“You blush at the drop of a hat!” Xiang Zhe put his arm around her shoulders.
“I’m just hot!” she countered.
Xiang Zhe secretly laughed. It was only about 22 or 23 degrees indoors.
“Oh dear! I’m also starting to feel rather hot…” Xiang Zhe looked at her with passion.
The scent of her body and her hair was making his heart beat faster.
“You smell so good…” he couldn’t stop himself from bringing his face closer to hers.
“Don’t….” Shan Mei’s face reddened as she shook her head. She tried to move, but couldn’t. Xiang Zhe’s arms were holding her firmly in place.
“I can’t help it. I’m unable to resist…” his voice was thick with passion.

In the end, his warm lips met with hers, as if in a dream…..

His tender, sensitive kisses made her weak and delirious; his passionate, hot kisses made her tremble and lose herself….she let go of her inhibitions and returned his kisses with her own heat and passion.

She had never felt this way before. When their lips met, it was as if they were giving and receiving love from each other. They felt so close, so connected, so…..

Xiang Zhe kissed her with all the passion that he had in his heart, giving her all of his love.

“The game is starting….” Shan Mei whispered, but her words were swallowed by Xiang Zhe in yet another kiss.

It was as if he hadn’t heard her, as his kisses started to move downwards.

“Rrrriiiiinnnng, rrriing!” the telephone rang.
They let it ring, unwilling to pull themselves out of the sweetness in which they were drowning…..

The answering machine kicked in after ten rings. “This is Zhen Shan Mei. I’m unable to come to the phone right now. Please leave a message after the tone, and I will return your call…”
“Shan Mei, this is Dad…” Gui Cheng’s voice rang out.
“Oh!” The two of them were finally shocked out of their skins. Shan Mei hurriedly pushed Xiang Zhe aside and picked up the phone as she stood up.
“Dad!”
“I thought you might not have been home… you took a long time to answer.” Gui Cheng commented.
Shan Mei turned bright red, “I… um… I was busy in the kitchen…”
Xiang Zhe’s face was completely red as well.

“Have you fixed your travel dates?”
Gui Cheng said he would be home the next Saturday.
“I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
“Have you thought about what I said to you the last time?” Gui Cheng asked.
“Aiyo…. Dad!”
Her trip to Gyeongju with Xiang Zhe had become and open secret with her family, and her father in London was also naturally in the loop. He wanted her to arrange for him to meet Xiang Zhe.

“Didn’t Auntie already tell you all about him?” Shan Mei lowered her voice. She had gone through this a few times with her father, but he still insisted on meeting Xiang Zhe.
“I have to meet the person who is trying to take my precious daughter from me!” Gui Cheng was adamant.
“Alright then! I’ll let him know.” Shan Mei agreed reluctantly.

“What’s wrong? Why are you looking so glum?”
Shan Mei sighed, “My father wants to meet you when he comes over this time around.”
“Is that so?” Xiang Zhe smiled.
She had expected him to be anxious, but he was nowhere near it.
“Yes, that’s so, Mr Yin!”
“It’s only natural that I should pay him a visit.” Xiang Zhe stated with conviction.
“Why don’t I detect even a speck of anxiety in you?” Shan Mei couldn’t for the life of her figure out why he was so smug.
Why was he always so full of confidence? She, on the other hand, was a bundle of nerves everytime she thought about the two of them meeting.
Xiang Zhe laughed, “Did I say I wasn’t nervous? My heart is now beating nineteen to the dozen….”
“Is that right?”
“Do you want to hear it?” He tried to pull her into his embrace.
“You’re incorrigible!” Shan Mei laughed as she shied away.
“To be honest, it’s inevitable that I would be nervous at meeting your father…. However, because of you, I have every intention of doing so, even if it’s going to cost me my head.”
“Really?” She was moved.
“You can’t catch a tiger if you don’t go to its lair.”
“Are you implying that I’m a tiger (translator’s note: A tiger is a fierce and unreasonable woman)?” Shan Mei glared at him.
“Uh… You are a little bit like a tiger right at this moment…” Xiang Zhe replied.
“Yin Xiang Zhe!...”
“Ouch! That really hurts!” Xiang Zhe exclaimed as he received her punches, “You haven’t been having lessons in martial arts, have you?” Xiang Zhe teased as he dodged her blows.
“Are you afraid now? Let me tell you…I’m well versed in all the arts.” Shan Mei replied through gritted teeth.
“Is that so? In that case, I’d better reconsider my position…” Xiang Zhe laughed as he stood up from the sofa. He was enjoying himself immensely, and had no intention of stopping her.

The two of them sparred for a few more minutes before Shan Mei gave up.
“You’re getting more and more impossible!” Shan Mei sat down on the sofa, breathing hard.
“I’m not the one who started it…” Xiang Zhe unceremoniously laid his head on her shoulder.
“It was you, of course!” Shan Mei said.
“I beg to differ.”
Shan Mei was piqued, “You were the one who called me a tiger!”
“I said nothing of the sort!”
“You said you couldn’t catch a tiger if you didn’t enter the lair.”
“That was only a figure of speech. I never implied that you were a tiger. You decided that all on your own.” Xiang Zhe laughed.

“Hey, let’s continue where we left off.” Xiang Zhe lightly prodded her with his shoulder.
“What?” Shan Mei glared at him.
“Let’s finish off what we were doing.”
“No way!” Shan Mei turned completely red.
Xiang Zhe smothered his laughter and kept up the pretense, “Hey, what were you thinking? I was talking about the basketball game…”
“….!”
Shan Mei buried her face in the cushion, completely embarrassed. Xiang Zhe rolled on the floor laughing at the success of his practical joke.

*******End of Chapter 20 *******

Chapter 21

Written By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by nho(CA)

During the three days from Wednesday to Friday, Shan Mei stayed in Gimhae Holdings to conduct due diligence examination work. There was quite a number of subsidiary companies under the Gimhae Holdings Group and every subsidiary which held an earning ratio of 10% of the Group must be included in the checklist. In order to coordinate with the timeline of the entire plan of distribution, she must finish the whole examination and evaluation process within 3 days and confirm that the plan of distribution conformed to law. On the early morning of Wednesday, she and her colleague Su Wen Yan went and stationed in Gimhae’s office which was situated in Gangnam and commenced their work. They must complete the examination of Gimhae headquarter’s operation that day.

However, things did not run as smoothly as planned. The documents which were required to be examined were not properly prepared and produced by Gimhae. Some of the minutes of directors’ meetings and important contracts were missing. When they requested the missing information from the officers in charge, the answer they got in return was that they must first obtain approval from Song Shuo Mao. Song Shuo Mao was in meetings and could not be contacted. In order to save time, all they could do was to review and examine some significant transaction contracts in the data room. When they encountered problems, the officer in charge would either say he was not clear about the contract details, or he would answer that it was not convenient for him to disclose confidential business information. After a whole morning, they would only finish reading a small portion of the documents. “If we proceed at this rate, we won’t be able to complete the work even within tomorrow.” Su Wen Yan shook his head and sighed, “How can a company as big as this one can have such bad management.”

When it was near noon, Shan Mei went to Song Shuo Mao’s office.

When Song Shuo Mao saw Shan Mei, he revealed a surprise and pleased expression.

“Shan Mei … Oh… No, Lawyer Zhen, sit down, please sit down!” Song Shuo Mao said intimately.

“Thank you, Assistant Director Song … I will leave as soon as I have said what I need to say …”

Shan Mei’s cool and indifferent attitude made Song Shuo Mao feel embarrassed and awkward.

“You … Do you have to talk to me in such a manner?” Song Shuo Mao said helplessly.

“The way I talk to you is no different than how I talk to the other clients.” Shan Mei said indifferently.

“I know it’s me who let you down …” Song Shuo Mao said in a low voice. It’s him who had failed her. It was only right and proper that she did not show him a good face.

“I’m here to discuss business.” Shan Mei cut Song Shuo Mao off.

Song Shuo Mao remained silent for a moment and gently sighed, “OK! Is there anything I can do for Lawyer Zhen?”

“Can I ask your company to provide us with a complete set of legal documents as detailed in the list for us to examine. This way we can then finish the examination work on or before the time scheduled. This is the list of missing documents …”

Song Shuo Mao took a look at that full list and frowned, “I’m sorry, my subordinates are inexperienced. In the past we only did our capital financing domestically and there wasn’t so much demand. I will immediately instruct them to provide you with the missing documents … Anything more?” Song Shuo Mao said apologetically.

“Can you appoint someone who is more familiarized with the business to assist us. There are some questions we may need further consultation.”

“If you don’t have any objection, can I be the one to accept the consultation?”

Song Shuo Mao’s gingerly tone made Shan Mei feel a little sorry.

“You need only to make available to us someone who is familiar with the business.” Shan Mei’s tone of voice sounded milder. She actually did not want to talk to Song Shuo Mao in such a fashion, but she did not know why the words she uttered always sounded stiff and rigid.

“It doesn’t matter, anyway I am available this afternoon.”

“It’s up to you! I have to get back to work.”

“Lawyer Zhen … At noon …”

When Song Shuo Mao was about to invite Shan Mei and Su Wen Yan to lunch, the door to his office was opened suddenly.

“Shuo Mao …”

A bright and gorgeous woman walked into Song Shuo Mao’s office. Shan Mei recognized her to be Gimhae Holdings’ assistant director of finance, Lee Shen Ai. She met her at the kick off meeting last week and Jiang Zhan Ting told her that Lee Shen Ai was the daughter of the chairman of Gimhaeo Holdings.

“Assistant Director Lee …” Shan Mei greeted Lee Shen Ai.

Lee Shen Ai was surprised to find Shan Mei in Song Shuo Mao’s office, “Lawyer Zhen is here? You want to see Shuo Mao for something?”

Lee Shen Ai called Shuo Mao’s first name in front of Shan Mei. It looked as though the two of them had another kind of relationship beside that of a common colleague relationship.

“Lawyer Zhen is seeing me regarding the due diligence examination matter.” Song Shuo Mao said.

“I won’t disturb you any more.” Shan Mei nodded to both of them, then turned and walked out.

At noon, Shan Mei and Su Wen Yan went to have lunch at the restaurant downstairs and they saw from a distance Song Shuo Mao and Lee Shen Ai sitting at the other corner of the restaurant. “I heard that Assistant Director Song and the Chairman Lee’s daughter are dating.” Su Wen Yan said.

“They look well matched.” Shan Mei smiled.

In the afternoon, Song Shuo Mao appointed an experienced staff member who was most familiarized with the running of the business to assist them. They could then finish their examination work before midnight. As the progress in the morning lacked too far behind, she originally thought they would have to stay very late to work overtime. Song Shuo Mao came over to eat with them during dinner time. She had some conversation with him but it was mainly regarding business.

Under Song Shuo Mao’s special attention and total coordination, the examination work on Thursday and Friday were carried out very smoothly. On Friday night after 9:00 p.m., Shan Mei walked out from the Gimhae Group office building. Although she had to prepare a written report, the most difficult task of the examination work had now been completed and the psychological pressure could now lessen a lot. Tomorrow she planned to sleep until she woke up naturally and would happily go to meet her father in the airport. She was going to have a relaxing weekend and would wait until Sunday night before she took care of the written report! The thought of meeting with her father soon made her fatigued face reveal a smile.

“Zhen Shan Mei …”

Song Shuo Mao’s voice sounded from behind. Shan Mei hesitated for a moment and stopped walking.

“Anything the matter?” She coolly asked.

“Well … Are you done with the examination work?”

Shan Mei nodded.

Then there was a long period of awkward silence.

“Goodbye.” Shan Mei turned and left.

“Can … I give you a lift?” Song Shuo Mao caught up with her.

“It’s convenient for me to take the metro.” She rejected his offer straight to the point.

During the past couple of days, she realized that Song Shuo Mao seemed to continue to create opportunity to spend time with her alone. Yet she did not want to give him this opportunity. What happened between him and her was in the past. Apart from that unavoidable awkwardness when she had to face him, her heart was clear and bright and she did not need any apologies from him.

“Shan Mei …”

“Please call me Lawyer Zhen, can you?”

“…” Song Shuo Mao stayed silent.

“Have a nice weekend.”

Shan Mei walked swiftly away.

After getting out from the metro station, Shan Mei slowly walked along the red stone path. The distance between the metro station and her dwelling place was some 10 minutes walk. Tonight the sky was very beautiful and the stars were twinkling up above. At this moment, if only Xiang Zhe could be with her, how perfect would it be!

“Yin Xiang Zhe , don’t you know I’m thinking of you?” Shan Mei said it in her heart.

Recently, Xiang Zhe spent most of his time waiting at the laboratory in Incheon. She missed him so much … Although he would phone her every day, her heart still felt so empty, as if it was missing something.

Her cell phone was ringing, it was from Xiang Zhe.

“Are you still in your office, working late?” Xiang Zhe asked her.

Shan Mei smiled, “How do you know I’m not at home?”

“I just called you at home, but nobody answered.”

“I’m on my way and will be home in 5 minutes’ time!” Shan Mei said.

“Any progress on your work?” She asked him.

Xiang Zhe’s company was researching and developing a new technology and as the head of the Research and Development Team, he had to stay and work hard with them in Incheon.

“Just a small breakthrough.” Xiang Zhe said.

“A small step in the beginning may become the foundation for the achievement of the large step in future.”

Xiang Zhe laughed, “You should write a novel on pursue of goal with determination.”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m … thinking of you.”

Xiang Zhe’s tender voice made her want to weep.

“Do you know what I want the most now?” Shan Mei asked.

“What?”

“I want to lean on your shoulders and let you hold me tight. Just five minutes is enough.”

“Really?” Xiang Zhe’s laughter contained infinite happiness.

“Huh.”

“Perhaps you wish may come true.”

“In my dream?” Shan Mei felt both pity and sweetness in her heart.

When Shan Mei turned around the street corner and saw Xiang Zhe striding towards her, wearing a big tender smile, Shan Mei was so happy that tears started falling down.

“Am I dreaming? Yin Xiang Zhe?” She asked him idotically.

“No.” He stared at her intently with profound love.

“How come you are back?”

When he called her at noon, he told her that he would be back tomorrow night.

“Because I am missing you.”

She stood on where she was and stupidly looked at the tenderness in his eyes.

“Has someone said that she wished to lean on my shoulders and let me hold her tight?”

He stretched out his arms and tightly embraced her.

“Thank you for making my wish come true.”

She nestled in his warm embrace, feeling his breath, his body warmth, his heart beats with happiness flowing through her heart.

His shoulders were the world’s warmest harbour. In there, she could shake off all dejection, troubles, fatigue and sadness. She needed only to anchor there, feeling relief and peaceful.

“It looks like the five minutes is up.” Shan Mei said softly and delicately.

Xiang Zhe softly whispered in Shan Mei’s ear: “I also want a five-minute hug, the next five minutes belongs to me.”

They held on each other tightly and remained so for many five-minutes more.

“An hour and half ago, I stood in the square in front of the office building, watching the stars in the sky and recalling how we watched the stars in Gyeongju. At that moment, the only thought in my mind was to see you immediately, so I jumped into the car and drove non-stop to Seoul.”

“I also thought of the stars in Gyeongju.”

She could not forget their first kiss up on that little hill; she could not forget how he tenderly told her that she was the girl he had searching for.

The two of them went to Shan Mei’s place, hand in hand with fingers entwined.

“Why didn’t you wait for me at the door?” She said to him.

“I wanted to see you as soon as possible.”

“Silly goose, the five-minute does not make a difference …”

“It was by five minutes too late that I missed meeting you on the plane …”

Shan Mei laughed, “Didn’t we meet again?”

“Maybe if it were five minutes earlier, you would fall in love with me earlier.” Xiang Zhe said, looking serious.

Shan Mei puckered in smile.

“Have you finished with those examination work?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“Huh, now all that needs to be done is the written report.”

“Working with that person you don’t want to see, did you cope with him well?”

Shan Mei lowered her head and thought. She said: “Actually when I dealt with him face to face, I then discovered that all my worries were unnecessary.”

“Then I can cease to worry … I was so worried you would become sick working with so much resentment!”

“Am I a person of mean spirit?”

“You really aren’t …” Xiang Zhe said jealously: “You are very tolerant to other people.”

“What do you mean?”

“Could it be that I have said something incorrect?” Xiang Zhe’s mouth lifted at the corners, “You could stay in a tiff with me and ignore me for one whole week!”

Xiang Zhe recalled after he got hurt in a motor vehicle accident, how Shan Mei stayed in a cold war with him.

“Why do you have to dig up an old grudge?” Shan Mei pouted.

“Because it really hurt here at that time.” Xiang Zhe touched his chest and said.

“Do you think that you were the only one who was hurting? … I didn’t feel good either. I was angry with you but at the same time was worried about your wound …” Shan Mei’s eyes reddened when she spoke.

“Aiyoo! I was only joking and … you are crying … I’m sorry, very sorry. It’s me who have said something wrong.” Xiang Zhe wrapped his arms around Shan Mei and murmured his apologies.

“You haven’t said anything wrong …” Shan Mei rubbed her eyes, “I was especially cruel to you … I am the worst kind of girlfriend.” She said guiltily.

Why, when the more you cared for a person, instead you could not treat him with leniency as you treated other people, you would demand more from him and treat him harsher?

“Who said that? You are the most caring and thoughtful person among the women I know!” He pressed his lips on her forehead, “It’s just the case of the more you love, the severer is the reprimand.”

Shan Mei smiled when she heard this. Xiang Zhe really knew how to comfort people. No matter how reasonable she was towards him, no matter how ill temper she was, he could always find a good excuse to make her feel that she was doing something right and appropriate.

“The women you know? Hey, you … You shouldn’t have known many women?” She purposely picked bones with his choice of words.

“No, no …” Xiang Zhe hurriedly shook his hands. He would not want to stir up another argument again.

Shan Mei saw the look of misgivings on his face and could not help burst out laughing.

“Aye, I am really scared by you, Miss Mischief.”

“Am I … really very caring and thoughtful?” Shan Mei asked suspiciously.

Xiang Zhe nodded, “You are really very caring and thoughtful.” He looked at her intently: “You are caring, not only because you lent a helping hand to someone you haven’t met before on the plane; not only because you insisted on sorting out the documents for me; not only because you remembered me in time of calamity; what really moved me is, even though you don’t like it in your heart, you are still so tolerant of me, understand and forgive me, so that I can still keep my own habit and interest …”

“…”

“You don’t like me smoking, but you have never asked me to quit smoking; you only ask me to care for my health; you don’t like me racing motor bikes and yet you still allow me to go out with my friends and just urged me to pay attention to safety … I am fully aware of all these ...”

“Yin Xiang Zhe …” She looked at him, feeling so touched. He described her too well.

“No one can find a woman like you in this world even when carrying a lighted lantern.”

“Maybe your lantern is not bright enough …”

“My lantern is lighted with my heart and it enables me to see more clearer than thousands of lanterns put together.”

Shan Mei stared at Xiang Zhe and said: “Thank you, Yin Xiang Zhe, but …” Shan Mei sniffed.

“But what?”

“But next time, maybe I will again unconsciously use my strictest measure to demand something from you …, or maybe we will have another quarrel on the same matter …”

“Then I will become miserable again.” Xiang Zhe scratched his head.

“Yes.” Shan Mei nodded.

“OK. It doesn’t matter.” Xiang Zhe said.

“Doesn’t matter?”

“I’m prepared psychologically. It that happens, I would act like the last time and write you SMS until you stop being angry, but …”

“But what?” She looked at him.

“If you are in the wrong, you have to write SMS to me too?” He began to tease her.

Shan Mei pursed her lips and shook her head again and again.

“OK, it’s fine if you don’t want to write SMS … You can do what you did last time, just look for an excuse to come to my place and then I will know your mind. …” Xiang Zhe said craftily.

“You’re annoying!” Shan Mei gave Xiang Zhe a gentle pommel. The fact that she went to Gyeongju to look him up last time, he would tease her for the rest of this life by mentioning this incidence.

“This can’t be done and that can’t be done … It can’t be just because you are a female that I have to make concession every time?”

“That is exactly my idea?” Shan Mei roared with laughter.

“It looks like I would have to be put at a disadvantage! … You want it this way? Miss Zhen Shan Mei?” Xiang Zhe asked indulgently.

“Huh.” She looked at him with a heart filled with sweetness.

My dearest Xiang Zhe, if I was in the wrong, I would apologize for my wrong-doing. She promised him in her heart.

Because of him, she tasted the sweetness and austerity of love; because she loved him, she learned of the forgiveness and courage when two people were in love.

She had once read a passage from a book, “To be able to sustain a love amidst the friction of cut and bruises, one can then wait calmly in the storm, can then after the retrogression of ardour, tightly hold on to each other.” She could now fully understand the implication behind those words.

Xiang Zhe accompanied Shan Mei to the front of her door.

“How I wish that at every night, the last person I see is you.” Xiang Zhe said.

Shan Mei looked at his pairs of eyes which were radiating the brilliance of tenderness and smiled sweetly.

“In order to thank you for lending me your shoulders so generously, I’m going to give you a present …”

He followed her into the house.

“You want to give me a present?” Xiang Zhe was thrilled.

“Huh …” A thread of shyness was flashing past Shan Mei’s face, “But … you must close your eyes first …” Shan Mei softly said.

“Why so secretive? I need to close my eyes?” His feeling of joy was revealed in his words.

“If you ask more questions, then you can forget about it.”

“OK, OK …” Xiang Zhe hurriedly closed his eyes. He waited for a long time but did not get any action or response.

“Hey, what takes you so long to find. You shouldn’t be fooling me?” When Xiang Zhe was about to open his eyes, a whiff of fragrance assailed his nostrils and in the next second, two pieces of soft warm lips were planted on his …

Shan Mei’s initiative and passion made Xiang Zhe feel both surprise and pleased.

Xiang Zhe opened his arms and tightly wrapped around Shan Mei. He took the action in his hand and passionately kissed her, as if he was the one to give out the present.

Xiang Zhe’s kisses were getting more and more passionate that Shan Mei was left grasping for breathe.

“Yin Xiang Zhe …” He loosened his arms on her protest.

“The person who gives out the present should be more generous.” Xiang Zhe said.

“It looks as though I have met a robber.” Shan Mei said. She was short of breath but her arms were still handing around his neck.

“I have never thought that you would resort to such action.” Xiang Zhe smiled wickedly.

The clear happy expression in Xiang Zhe’s eyes made Shan Mei feel so embarrassed that she wanted to find a hole in the ground and hide herself there. She did not know what was wrong with herself a while ago that made her dare to take the initiative to kiss him.

“Will I be getting the same present in future if I were to lend you my shoulders again?” He asked with his arms around her waist.

Shan Mei flushed in embarrassment and said: “Don’t even think about it, you are the most wicked person!”

“Aye, how disappointing!”

The clock on the wall struck eleven times. “Go home quickly. Don’t you have to be in the laboratory early tomorrow morning?” Shan Mei urged Xiang Zhe to go home.

“Are you going to pick Uncle up tomorrow afternoon?” Xiang Zhe basically did not want to leave yet and continue to dawdle aimlessly with Shan Mei.

“Uncle [i.e. Xiu Wei’s father] and they will come with me too.”

“Is it convenient for you to come out on Sunday?” Xiang Zhe asked.

With Shan Mei’s father at home, he guessed she probably would like to keep her father company, but he really wanted to see her, even just for an hour would be fine.

“I have to go with my father to visit my mother and won’t know what time we will be back.”

She was going with her father to visit her mother’s grave.

“So that’s like that?” Xiang Zhe was very disappointed, “then we will have to wait until Wednesday before I can see you.”

In the early morning of Monday, he had to fly to Japan on a business trip and would only return on Wednesday.

Xiang Zhe’s look of disappointment made Shan Mei not have the heart to refuse him, “I’ll find a way to slip out. You will wait for my call?” She placated him.

“You say it and mean it?” Xiang Zhe happily laughed.

“Huh.” She nodded in his arms. “I have been led astray by you.” Shan Mei said cajolingly.

“I however have not asked you to slip out!” He smilingly looked at her; she looked so adorable now.

“OK! Can you go home now? Mr. Yin Xiang Zhe?”

“OK! I’m going …”

Although Xiang Zhe said he was going, he bent down to brush his lips once again on hers and started another round of passionate exchange.

“This is my present back to you, as a courtesy reciprocation.” He whispered tenderly in her ear.

This was the sweetest present he had ever received. How could he not return a favour with a favour!

- End of Chapter 21 –

Chapter 22

My Dearest One (Qin Ai De Ni) –

By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by Jules

Shan Mei grabbed hold of Gui Cheng the minute the stepped into the arrival hall.
“Dad!” Shan Mei held on tightly, smiling so widely her eyes disappeared.
Gui Cheng appraised his daughter with laughing eyes, “Have you been waiting long?” He’d met an old friend and spent some time catching up.

“Of course! I’ve been so anxious!” Shan Mei chided. Her dad always fell for this trick of hers.
“I’m so sorry! I really am. I just bumped into an old friend.” Gui Cheng apologized profusely.

“Really, brother-in-law! You’re giving in to Shan Mei a little too much. Who ever heard of a father who has to apologise so profusely to his own daughter?” Jin Huan Zhen stepped forward.
“Heh, heh. Hello Wei Feng, Huan Zhen, you came along too?” Gui Cheng greeted his brother and sister in law as he glanced reprovingly at Shan Mei. He had instructed her not to bother the family.

“Dad, it’s not my fault. Auntie and Uncle insisted on coming along…” Shan Mei stuck her tongue out.
“Don’t worry about it, brother-in-law. It’s the weekend and we didn’t have anything on anyway.” Huan Zhen said.
“Shan Mei must have burdened you considerably..” Gui Cheng said.
“Dad! I haven’t been a burden on anyone!” Shan Mei pouted.
“Oh, you little sprite!” Gui Cheng said as he tapped Shan Mei on the head.
“What are you talking about, brother-in-law? Shan Mei often comes over to help Huan Zhen with the housework, and has even been bringing in business for us. We don’t know what we would have done without her!” Li Wei Feng replied.
“See?” Shan Mei told her father smugly.

After they got into the car, Gui Cheng proceeded to catch up on news about his old friends from Wei Feng and Huan Zhen. Shan Mei couldn’t get a word in sideways, and was relegated to the sidelines.

Shan Mei looked out the window at the scenery, and mentally counted the minutes to their arrival in the city centre of Seoul. As the car drove onto the Yonggeong bridge, a road sign caught her attention, and she was delighted.
“Chingmungguan technology park!”
That was where Xiang Zhe’s factory was located!
In the past, she had never really taken any note of the surroundings. After all the scenery around the freeway was more or less the same. This time around, she took great interest in the freeway exit and its surrounds. It was a pity that they were on their way to Seoul. Otherwise, she would have stopped to have a look at what the technology park looked like, to have an idea of the what the place Xiang Zhe worked at was like.
“I must get Xiang Zhe to take me here one day, just to look around.” She thought.

As the car drove past the roadsign and the exit, Shan Mei continued to look back, straining her neck to see.

“Shan Mei, what are you looking at?” Li Wei Feng noticed Shan Mei’s action through her rearview mirror, and asked curiously.
“Uh… I was looking at a car,” Shan Mei hurriedly replied.
In the blink of an eye, the roadsign and the exit faded from view, but Shan Mei’s heart and mind continued its way down the exit towards Xiang Zhe.

That man! He was so late going to the factory this morning, she wondered if it attracted any gossip. Shan Mei fondly recalled the events of the night before and that morning.

Last night, Xiang Zhe had stayed until late, unwilling to go.
“Hey! You’d better get going. Don’t you have a meeting with the development team early tomorrow?” Shan Mei pushed him to go.
Xiang Zhe patted his chest, “That’s not a problem. If I can always delay it till later in the morning. If we can’t finish what we have to do tomorrow, I can stay all day Sunday. After all, I don’t want to come back to Seoul to be all alone.”
“What?!” Shan Mei punched him, “How can you be so unprofessional?”
“It’s only in the face of love, that I’m this way.”
“Don’t play the victim with me,” Shan Mei pulled a face, “I detest people who are unprofessional.”
“Is that so?” Xiang Zhe grinned mischieviously.
“Of course,” Shan Mei suppressed a smile.
“In that case, this detestable person is about to go home.”
Shan Mei laughed out loud.
“You’re a cold-hearted woman,” Xiang Zhe complained.
“I only wanted to level the playing field a little,” she countered.
“What’s so unlevel about it?” Xiang Zhe was not convinced.
“It’s tilted against the people you work with! How can you make everyone work on Sunday just because of you?”
“Do you really think I’m like that?” Xiang Zhe was flabbergasted.
Shan Mei laughed, “I wouldn’t have fallen in love with you if you were.”
She knew he was often the last to leave the office.
He couldn’t take his gaze off her. It was the first time she ever confessed to loving him.
“I love to hear what you just said over and over again,” he told her.
“What did I just say? I’ve forgotten.” Shan Mei blushed as she pleaded ignorance.
“Hey! How did you suddenly become so forgetful?”
“Haven’t you always said I was blissfully ignorant?” she looked at him guilelessly. He was lost for words.

“Have you bought your alarm clock yet? Do you need me to give you a morning call?” Shan Mei asked.
Xiang Zhe’s alarm clock was broken, and she worried that he would oversleep. She had rung him every morning over the last few days to check that he was awake.
Xiang Zhe pinched her cheek, “I’m not a little boy who would laze in bed. You just make sure you get your beauty sleep.”

She awoke just before six that morning. She didn’t know if it was because of the excitement of seeing her father, or whether she was worrying about Xiang Zhe. She just could not go back to sleep.

She rang Xiang Zhe at half past seven. The telephone rang out. She was worried that he might still be in bed, so rode her bike out to his apartment. She had been right.
“Yin Xiang Zhe, it’s time to wake up!” she called out to him gently. He mumbled something, then turned over and continued sleeping.
“I told you to go home early, but you just wouldn’t have a bar of it. Now look at you!” Shan Mei didn’t know whether to laugh or to get angry.

Seeing that he was so deeply asleep, she didn’t have the heart to wake him. Instead, she quietly headed for the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She would wake him a little later. There was a piece of toast on the dining table still in its wrapper. She guessed that he must have bought it the night before. Shan Mei smiled. Most bachelors had take-out for breakfast, but Xiang Zhe always preferred to prepare his own. Shan Mei prepared tuna sandwiches and brewed some coffee before heading back into Xiang Zhe’s room to wake him.

“Yin Xiang Zhe, time to get up!” Shan Mei bent over and shouted. There was no reaction from Xiang Zhe. “How can he sleep so deeply…” Shan Mei grumbled. “Yin Xiang Zhe! You’re going to be late for work!” Shan Mei started to shake him on the shoulder. Xiang Zhe sat up suddenly, and scared her out of her wits.
“You’re pretty quick! I thought I would be able to lie in for at least another half an hour…” Xiang Zhe laughed.
“So… you were pretending to be asleep!” Shan Mei grabbed a pillow and started to hit Xiang Zhe with it.
Xiang Zhe didn’t even flinch, “I wanted to see if I could wrangle you into making breakfast for me…”
“How dare you!” Shan Mei scolded, but her heart was filled with sweetness.
“When did you wake up?” she asked.
“I woke up just as you rang,”
“Then why didn’t you answer?”
“I wanted to see if you would come over to give me a personal morning call…”
She did turn up, and he was delighted.
“Just what made you think I would come?”
“Just because you love me.”
“You’re so full of yourself!”
“You said so yourself last night!” he put his face close to hers.
“You had me running around in circles last night…. So whatever I said last night doesn’t really hold water…” she completely denied it.
“Alright! You’d better come and have breakfast. Otherwise, you might not even get to the office at 10.”
“I’m not ready to get up yet.” Xiang Zhe leaned back and fell back into bed.
“What!” Shan Mei put her hands on her hips, “And just who was it who said he is not a child who would laze in bed?”
“An occasional sleep-in is one of life’s simple pleasures….”
“I’m not your grandmother, so save your tricks…” Shan Mei laughed.
“What has my grandmother got to do with this…?” Xiang Zhe laughed, “Hey, come join me for five minutes, then I’ll get up.”
“Are you trying to bargain with me? You’re the one who needs to get to work on time….” Shan Mei retorted as she looked at her watch.
“Aren’t you tired of just standing there? Why don’t you have a seat just here…” Xiang Zhe patted a spot on the bed next to him.
“I’m happy where I am. It’s…safer.” Shan Mei replied.
“What are you talking about? Alright, have it your way then!” Xiang Zhe buried his head under the sheets.
Shan Mei smothered a laugh. He was just like a child throwing a tantrum.
“Hey, are you upset?”
Xiang Zhe didn’t respond.
“You’re so childish!” Shan Mei commented.
He ignored her.
Oh well! Let him be then. She wasn’t about to walk into his trap.

“Yin Xiang Zhe, your five minutes are up…”
Xiang Zhe continued to lay in bed not moving a muscle.
“I’m not going to bother any more.” Shan Mei turned and walked out of Xiang Zhe’s bedroom.
He heard the door shut after her.
Damn! Surely she wouldn’t just leave him?
He jumped out of bed and pulled open the door. She was standing just outside, smiling smugly. He just lost the battle.

“Checkmate!” Shan Mei smiled.
“I never said we were at war.”
“You were the one who started it.”
He pretended to be asleep and got her here.
“You’re no angel yourself… how about we call a truce?”
“I’ll let you off just this once, then.”
“Thank you for your most compassionate consideration…” Xiang Zhe bowed reverently.
Shan Mei couldn’t help laughing.
“Just what are you doing?”
Xiang Zhe’s arms shot out and held her in his warm embrace, and time stood still….

She needed to go over to Auntie’s place to help her out, as Auntie was preparing a welcome party for her Dad.
Xiang Zhe insisted that it was on his way, and he would drop her off. Auntie’s place was in the opposite direction. She knew he was only making an excuse to spend a few more moments together.
“Can I come to the party tonight?” he teased her.
“If you’re not afraid of the Spanish Inquisition that will be held by the Holy Trinity comprising my Dad, Auntie and Uncle, you can come along.”
“The Holy Trinity? I sounds terrifying.” Xiang Zhe poked his tongue out.
“Are you getting anxious now?”
“What about?”
“About meeting my Dad.”
“Just a little…” Xiang Zhe smiled.
“Has your courage deserted you?” Shan Mei smiled.
“I can barely handle you, let alone anyone else”
“Don’t worry. I’m the most difficult one in my family.” She reassured him, when she was actually getting rather anxious herself.

Along the way, the passed a florist and Xiang Zhe bought her a rose. Because of him, the rose had become her favourite flower. He told her that the red rose was a symbol of his love for her.

They were traveling down the highway.
“Will be in time to watch the sunset if we head out to Gekkyu Island now?” Gui Cheng asked.
“Of course.” Shan Mei replied happily, “The sun sets at six.”
“How did you know?” Jin Huan Zhen asked.
“Umm… I saw it on the website.” Shan Mei replied.
“Brother-in-law, aren’t you tired?” Li Wei Feng asked Gui Cheng.
“I haven’t seen the sunset in Korea for a very long time.” Gui Cheng replied.
“It doesn’t matter where you are, sunsets all look the same.” Huan Zhen laughed.
“Auntie, you’re too unsentimental…. Even if you watch the sunset from the same spot, it feels different depending on who is by your side, and what the occasion is. Of course the sunset is different in your own country when compared with the sunset in a foreign country.”
Huan Zhen smiled broadly at Shan Mei, “In that case, I must be getting old. I’m not like you youngsters who have so much experience with romance and atmosphere….” Jin Huan Zhen said with meaning.
Shan Mei blushed.

It was almost sunset when they arrived at Gekkyu Island. Gui Cheng watched the sunset with Wei Feng and Huan Zhen, as Shan Mei stood a distance away. Her mind was full of images from two weeks ago when she and Xiang Zhe were here. She didn’t know why she missed him so much today. When Auntie teased her earlier about it, she pretended ignorance.

That day, they strolled along the banks in the sunlight, waiting for the sunset over the water. Seagulls were circling overhead.
Xiang Zhe was concerned that she might get sunburnt, so suggested that they stop at the café.
“No, the air is much nicer here on the outside.”
There were a few sidewalk artists who were offering to make portraits. Xiang Zhe persuaded her to sit for one, since the sunset was still some time away.
“I don’t want to!” Shan Mei refused. It was embarrassing to be sitting there in the open for everyone to see.
The middle-aged artist was quick-witted, and asked Xiang Zhe to sit with her, saying “If you have your portrait done as a couple, you will have a long and sweet relationship.”
When Xiang Zhe heard that, he wasted no time in dragging her to sit with him for a portrait.

“You two make a perfect couple,” The artist told them they had the look of a compatible husband and wife. Xiang Zhe was so happy, he grinned from ear to ear.
When the portrait was done, she complained, “That man is just spouting glibe remarks to get more business, and you’ve fallen for it.”
“I just love it when people say things like that about us.” Xiang Zhe smiled at her. “Actually, he did a pretty good job with the portrait.”
“Mmm.” Shan Mei nodded. The artist was, indeed, quite good and managed to capture their likeness well.
“Let’s hang this at my place.” Xiang Zhe said.
“No way.”
“Why?”
“You might use it to advertise our relationship.”
Xiang Zhe doubled over with laughter, “and what makes you think I would do that?”
After fighting over it for a while, they finally agreed to have it in turns, for a month each time.
“I’ll have it first.” Shan Mei declared. She had no intention of letting Xiang Zhe get his hands on it. Xiang Zhe often had friends over to his place, and she did not want them to see it. The artist had drawn them being too intimate, and she was embarrassed just looking at it.

“Miss, you’re back again today?”
Shan Mei turned around and saw the artist from the other day.
“The gentlemen who was with you did not come today?”
Shan Mei quickly made her excuses and then kept a distance from him. She didn’t expect him to remember her.

There were couples all the way along the banks of the island, making her miss him even more.
Shan Mei took out her mobile phone and sent Xiang Zhe an SMS in the shape of a heart.
A few minutes later, she received a reply. It was a picture of two hearts connected by cupid’s arrow. She felt a wave of warmth just looking at it……

That night, Gui Cheng and his daughter did not leave Huan Zhen’s until almost 10pm. They both had a bit to drink, so took a taxi home.
When they got there, Gui Cheng suddenly said he wanted to have a walk in the park.
“Shan Mei, if you’re not too tired, why don’t you come for a walk with me.”
Shan Mei took her father’s hand and the two of them walked down the path together.
“No matter how you look at it, it’s the moon in your hometown that’s the most beautiful of all, and the stars are also brighter here than anywhere else.” Gui Cheng commented.
Shan Mei smiled, “Dad, you’re nostalgic today….”
That afternoon, he said he wanted to watch the sunset, and now, he started to talk about the moon and the stars as well.
“It that so?” Gui Cheng chuckled. “It’s probably because I’m in a particularly good mood today. Thank you for putting in so much effort today.” Gui Cheng said to Shan Mei.
“It’s nothing. I was only assistant to Auntie.”
“You’ve always been a very caring person. That’s why your Auntie is so fond of you.”
“It’s Auntie who’s always been so good to me. She’s always thinking of me. Even Xiu Huan Oppa is jealous sometimes.”
“Your mother asked the right person to look after you.”
Because of his work, he was often not home, and Shan Mei was almost completely brought up by her auntie.
“Dad….” Shan Mei hugged her father. She knew he was missing her mother yet again.
“I’m alright….” Gui Cheng smiled, “You’ve lost weight… Have you been very busy at work? You should take better care of yourself!”
“It’s the same for everyone at work.”

As they talked, Shan Mei’s phone rang. It was Xiang Zhe on the line.
“I’ll talk to you a little later.” She cut him off quickly.

“Is that HIM?” Gui Cheng teased.
Shan Mei blushed.
Gui Cheng laughed out loud.
“Aiyo dad! What are you laughing at?” Shan Mei asked.
“When you talk to him, your eyes light…You must be very happy.”
“What are you talking about?” Shan Mei denied. She had tried her best to use a neutral tone when talking to Xiang Zhe in front of her father. She was sure Xiang Zhe would ring back later to find out why.
“You’re still trying to deny it? Maybe you haven’t realized….”
Was it really that obvious? Shan Mei looked at her father uncomfortably.
“Oh dear!” Gui Chang suddenly frowned.
“What’s wrong?” Shan Mei asked, puzzled.
“I haven’t even met the guy, and he’s already stolen my daughter’s heart.”
“My heart is right here where it should be,” Shan Mei patted her chest.
“Who are you trying to fool?” Gui Cheng looked at Shan Mei, “Why don’t you tell your father a little bit more about him?”
“Didn’t Auntie already tell you all the gory details…?”
“I want to hear it from you.”
“Dad….what do you want to know?”
“I’m happy to hear anything you want to tell me…” Gui Cheng looked at his daughter fondly.
“ummm…..” Shan Mei thought about it for a long while, then shyly started.
“His name is Yin Xiang Zhe….”
“I already know that…” Gui Cheng smothered a laugh. After considering for such a long time, this was all she had to say?
“What else?”
“Ummm…..” Shan Mei hesitated, “He’s very principled, serious about his work, ambitious……. Very confident and…. He’s very caring, respectful of his elders….”
“Is that all?”
Shan Mei nodded, “That’s all.”
Gui Cheng looked at his daughter with mixed feelings.
He loved hearing about this man from her, and watching her face light up. She was obviously very much in love with him, and very happy.
“Sprite, you look very happy.”
“I’m happy because you’ve come home,” Shan Mei looked at her father.
“You really know how to please your old dad.”
“I’m not just trying to please you. It’s the truth.”
“Alright, alright! If you insist.”
Gui Cheng knew that there was someone else now who was responsible for giving his daughter so much happiness.

Shan Mei chatted with her father for a long time, and returns to her own room only after he fell asleep.
As she lay in bed, she thought about what they had talked about tonight, and suddenly laughed out loud. Her father seemed a little jealous of Xiang Zhe, and had said some really childish things. She had never seen this side of him before. Oh, what a dilemma! Why were these two men, who were so dear to her heart, both have the same affliction? When Shan Mei thought about what happened that morning with Xiang Zhe. Xiang Zhe had insisted that she selected his tie for him and helped him put it on. Her heart was filled with sweetness.

Oh dear! She’d better return his call, otherwise he would stay awake all night waiting for it. Similarly, she would not be able to sleep tonight if she didn’t hear his voice before going to bed….. Her father was right. He really had stolen her heart. Just when did that happen?

*******End of Chapter 22******

Chapter 23

Written By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp

Translated by nho(CA)

At noon, Shan Mei and her father were having lunch in a restaurant. Gui Cheng wanted Shan Mei to invite Xiang Zhe to come to their place for tea on Saturday afternoon.

“I thought you have forgotten about this … Don’t you have any engagement this weekend?” Shan Mei asked her father.

Since Gui Cheng’s return to the country, he had been busily engaged: he had to go to work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during daytime, attended social functions in the evening and met with his friends during weekends. Shan Mei thought her father must have forgotten about meeting with Xiang Zhe.

“How can I forget such an important matter? I don’t want my precious daughter to bring home a stranger some day and tell me that she wants to marry that guy …”

Gui Cheng said teasingly.

So far he could not spare any time and seeing that he was going back to England on Monday, so he had to arrange to meet with that man whom her daughter was dating no matter what.

Shan Mei blushed and said: “I haven’t planned to get married yet …”

“That’s good … I on the other hand want you to stay with me for a few more years!”

“Pa …”

“Girl, you tell me, where shall we meet?”

“Pa, you better make the decision.”

“Then … let’s meet at home? It’s more comfortable there. I don’t want to make that boy nervous.” Gui Cheng said.

Hearing this, Shan Mei secretly found it funny. On the whole, she felt that her father was also a little nervous.

After she got in her office, Shan Mei sent a brief message to Xiang Zhe saying “Extremely urgent, please call me after meeting.”

During these two days, Xiang Zhe’s company was holding an annual business review meeting and all the overseas marketing managers returned to Seoul to participate in this meeting.

After five minutes, Shan Mei received a call from Xiang Zhe.

“What’s up?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“Didn’t I ask you to call me after the meeting?”

“You said it’s extremely urgently, so how would I have the state of mind to wait after the meeting …” Xiang Zhe’s laughter was transmitted through the phone line.

“Aiyoo, you … I was just joking and you thought it was real …” Shan Mei nagged, “If it was that urgent, would I have asked you to call me after the meeting? Really, we don’t have even a tiny bit of tacit understanding …”

“It’s not a bad idea to give everyone a five minute break. It would help to relax the atmosphere a bit.”

“To relax the atmosphere? It looks as if you are ready to jump at each other’s throat …”

“Almost.”

Every time when they held a meeting, the Planning Department and the Marketing Department would always accuse the other party of their wrongdoings.

“You shouldn’t have screamed at people there?” Shan Mei asked.

“How do you know?” Xiang Zhe laughingly said.

“Hey … do you look very fierce when you bully people?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Just curious …” Shan Mei said.

She had never seen him in a real temper before.

“When I am in a rage, no one dare even to breathe.” Xiang Zhe said.

“Really?”

“Yes!”

“Fortunately I don’t work for your company.” Shan Mei stuck out her tongue and said.

“Yes, fortunately you don’t work for our company …” Xiang Zhe sounded as if he had a lucky escape.

“Hey, what do you mean?”

“If I were to scold you, you would definitely weep until the earth quakes and I’m afraid even a whole cartoon of tissues would not be enough to wipe dry your tears.” Xiang Zhe tried to taunt Shan Mei.

“Then you are totally wrong, I’m indeed a tough person. I definitely will not shed even a tear in front of my boss or colleagues.”

“Really? Then why do I have the feeling that Miss Zhen Shan Mei is especially fragile before someone …”

“Because …” Shan Mei paused a moment.

“Because of what?”

“Because that person is very good at comforting people … and also …”

“And also what?”

“Also, someone’s shoulders are very broad and very comfortable … It would be a pity if I don’t make the full use of it!”

Xiang Zhe laughed merrily.

“Why do you want to talk to me so urgently?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“Well … My father asked whether you will be available the afternoon after tomorrow. He wants to see you.”

“I’m available. Of course I’m available …” Xiang Zhe said: “I wouldn’t dare to refuse the invitation even if I were to be given the courage from heaven above …”

He had been waiting for the opportunity to meet with Shan Mei’s father during the past couple of weeks.

“Yin Xiang Zhe, how can you behave as if nothing has happened?”

From the way he spoke, one could not hear a hint of nervousness in his voice.

“If worse comes to worst I may commit three strikes and be expelled by your father.” Xiang Zhe said.

“What?”

“I’m only teasing you!”

“You’re so annoying!”

Xiang Zhe said laughingly: “OK, I will tease no more …”

“Hey, remember to be punctual!”

“You don’t need to remind me of that … Anything else?”

“Huh … Don’t be too uptight, but not too nonchalant either…”

“And?”

“As to clothes …”

Without waiting for Shan Mei to finish, Xiang Zhe burst out laughing, “Aye, you seem to be very nervous … Don’t you have any confidence in me?”

“Who says I am nervous? The worst that will happen is Papa will expel you after three strikes!” Shan Mei said slyly.

“Zhen Shan Mei …”

Shan Mei hung up amidst the laughter.

After lunch on Saturday, Shan Mei began to get nervous. She peeped at her watch every few minutes.

“Don’t make me as nervous as you are.” Gui Cheng told his daughter.

At 2:25 p.m., the door bell rang. Xiang Zhe was five minutes early. He was wearing a light grey business suit with a matching white shirt and a yellow stripe tie.

“Will I do this way?” Xiang Zhe asked.

Shan Mei instructed him not to dress too formally, but as it was the first time he met Shan Mei’s father, he decided that to wear a business suit as it would appear more polite.

Shan Mei looked Xiang Zhe up from head to feet and smilingly nodded. She was very pleased with the way he looked, both handsome and well-mannered.

“Come in! My father is waiting for you.” She told him in a low voice.

“Wait a minute …” Xiang Zhe stopped Shan Mei, “Is Uncle … really very austere?” Xiang Zhe asked, looking uneasy.

Xiu Wei told him that Shan Mei’s father was a very austere person.

Seeing the look of unease on Xiang Zhe’s face, Shan Mei found it funny. So this man could still get nervous. Heaven knew how Oppa Xiu Wei fooled him.

“My father is really very fierce …” Shan Mei made a grimace at Xiang Zhe and led him into the sitting room.

“Uncle, how do you do? I’m Yin Xiang Zhe.” Xiang Zhe respectfully greeted Gui Cheng with a bow.

“Welcome, welcome.”

Gui Cheng smilingly greeted Xiang Zhe. The young man before him was very well-mannered, handsome and distinguished and made a pretty good first impression.

Xiang Zhe brought with him a bottle of red wine as a gift on the first meeting. “You are too courteous …” Gui Cheng said.

Shan Mei gave Xiang Zhe a brilliant smile. He had really made an effort, he bought the brand of red wine Papa loved.

Shan Mei served tea and snacks and sat down by her father’s side.

“It’s so embarrassing to ask you to come at the last moment. I hope I haven’t held you up from your work? I have been so busy since returning to the country and couldn’t find a spare moment.” Gui Cheng said.

“I am from the younger generation, so I should be the one to call on you. It’s ill-mannered of me.”

Shan Mei pursed her lips, looking at Xiang Zhe. Xiang Zhe mentioned several times that he wanted to come over to call on Papa, but she saw that Papa was so busy all along that she did not mention it to Papa.

“He said he wanted to come over … but Papa was so busy all along.” Shan Mei interrupted.

Gui Chent saw that his daughter was trying to protect Xiang Zhe and his feeling was both complicated and subtle. He was feeling a indescribable jealousy towards this man who held an important position in his daughter’s heart.

“Shan Mei told me that you are on your own in Seoul?”

Gui Cheng tried to engage in small talks with Xiang Zhe, but the lines on his face looked somewhat rigid. Shan Mei felt that her father looked as if he was holding an interview.

“Yes, since my mother passed away when I was in senior high, I have been living on my own in Seoul. After I returned from England, I successful found a job in Seoul and then later I set up my own business with a friend and so I just stay on.” Xiang Zhe replied gingerly and properly.

“It wasn’t easy, not easy at all. It’s really not simple to go such a long way on your own. Unlike Shan Mei, she has not experienced any hardship from infancy to maturity. If she was thrown out to the outside world, the result may be inconceivable.” Gui Cheng said.

“Pa, I am not as bad as you think. Don’t you have any confidence in me?”

Shan Mei purposely interpreted as she wanted to ease up the atmosphere. Both Gui Cheng and Xiang Zhe laughed.

“Is there anyone in your family?” Gui Cheng asked.

Shan Mei glanced at her father vexingly. She had already told her father about the condition of Xiang Zhe’s family!

“There are only me and my grandma … My parents separated when I was in primary school and I lived with my mother …” Xiang Zhe calmly said. “Grandma is now living in Gyeongju. She dislikes the noisiness in Seoul and does not feel comfortable living here.”

“So it is like that …” Gui Cheng nodded and asked again: “Was it difficult for you when you were small?”

Shan Mei looked at her father with a frown. Papa clearly understood Xiang Zhe’s family condition, why did he have to ask such questions in Xiang Zhe’s face?

“It was OK … My mother was one with broad perspective and she had great influence on me.” Xiang Zhe used just two simple sentences to answer Gui Cheng’s question.

Gui Cheng smilingly gazed at the young man before him. He appreciated his reply very much; his reply was short and simple but it clearly conveyed the pride of how his mother and himself were not beaten by any predicaments.

“Your mother was really marvellous; she brought you up independently and also educated you so well.”

“Thank you Uncle.”

“I’m so sorry to have asked you such imprudent questions.” Gui Cheng said.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Gui Cheng then carried on asking Xiang Zhe about the setting up of Chamsung. He asked especially in detail the difficulties encountered by Xiang Zhe during the process of setting up his business.

In between questions and answers, smiles appeared more and more on Gui Cheng’s face. Apart from appreciation, he had admiration towards this self-confident young man. Originally he worried that growing under the shadow of his parents’ divorce, Xiang Zhe might be a solitary and arrogant man, but after some deep conversation, Xiang Zhe’s forthright, bright, positive and enterprising character made him completely feel relieved.

“Huan Zhen … Oh, that is Shan Mei’s aunt, told me that you are a good basketball player and you were in the basketball team from senior high through your university days?”

Gui Cheng changed the conversation topic to something more relaxing.

“I became addicted to basketball when I was in primary school …” Xiang Zhe said.

“I was nearly selected as a member of the school basketball team when I was in senior high.” Gui Cheng said.

“Really . Pa … then why weren’t you selected?” Shan Mei interrupted and asked.

“The coach abandoned me because I was not tall enough.”

“He was really lacking in judgment!” Shan Mei was outraged by the injustice done to her father.

Both Gui Cheng and Xiang Zhe laughed out loudly.

Shan Mei never thought that Papa and Xiang Zhe could get along so well. Not long after they met, he called Xiang Zhe by his name in a familiar way. Although there was a big age gap between them, they could discuss any topic under the sun. After several rounds of tea were served, Gui Cheng still remained enthusiastic. Seeing that dusk was approaching, Shan Mei worried that the afternoon tea would be continued on to dinner.

Shan Mei gave Xiang Zhe a meaningful glance and Xiang Zhe nodded in acknowledgement.

“It’s getting late and it’s time for me to leave.” Xiang Zhe said.

“Why don’t you have dinner with us before you go?” Gui Cheng persuaded Xiang Zhe to stay.

“Well …” Xiang Zhe looked at Shan Mei in embarrassment. She shook her head vigorously at him, “Thank you Uncle, I have already troubled you for the whole afternoon …” Xiang Zhe tried to decline.

“I rarely have an opportunity to chat with you. If you have nothing better to do this evening, please stay for dinner! Shan Mei, please say something to persuade Xiang Zhe to stay!” Gui Cheng said to Shan Mei.

“Aiyee, we are not prepared, how can we ask him to stay for dinner!” Shan Mei muttered.

“Didn’t you say that you are making veggi curry rice tonight? You can make another portion plus a couple of small dishes to go with the wine. That will do … Xiang Zhe, do you eat curry?”

Under Gui Cheng’s insistence, Xiang Zhe could not refuse any more and had to stay behind.

“Xiang Zhe … Shan Mei’s cooking skill needs improvement, you have to be more tolerant!”

“Pa, how can you always humble your own daughter in front of others!” Shan Mei pouted sulkily.

“Shan Mei’s cooking skill is pretty good …” Xiang Zhe immediately spoke for Shan Mei.

“Oh, Shan Mei has cooked for you before?”

“Erh …”

Both Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei flushed simultaneously.

A few days’ ago, there was a TV program teaching how to make curry veggi rice. Shan Mei wanted to cook it for her father before he went back to London. Papa was always one of her most loyal fans. When she was in London and had more leisure time, she would always try some new menus. Although she often made a mess in the kitchen, Papa always cheered her up every time. Shan Mei used asparagus, some colourful peppers, eggplants, tomatoes and celery and made a pot of colourful curry rice. She also cooked a pot of seafood tofu soup. Although there were only just the rice and the soup, it would look right with some thoughts on decorating the setting of the dining set.

Shan Mei searched everywhere but could not locate the set of silver soup spoons which she had just bought. She remembered seeing them when she sorted out the kitchenware about two weeks’ ago.

Xiang Zhe was chatting with Gui Cheng when his cell phone rang and reading the caller ID, he unexpectedly found it was from Shan Mei.

“Hey, do you remember where that set of silver soup spoons are?”

Shan Mei asked without preamble. Xiang Zhe could not catch the clue of the matter all of a sudden.

“What?”

Xiang Zhe’s tone of surprise caused Gui Cheng to look at him curiously. There was a slight embarrassment on Xiang Zhe’s face.

“Grandma, what are you looking for?” A bright idea occurred to Xiang Zhe to make such a reply.

At first Shan Mei was dumbfounded, then she burst out laughing.

“I am looking for that set of silver soup spoons I bought in Galleria! I couldn’t find it anywhere.”

“You may find it in the side cabinet on your left hand side. I remember it was there …” Xiang Zhe lowered his voice and said.

“The cabinet on the left hand side … Let me see …” Shan Mei followed Xiang Zhe’s instruction and opened the cabinet on the left hand side, “Huh … I’ve found it. Thank you so much, my good grandson!” Shan Mei hung up the phone, grinning broadly.

When Shan Mei was laying the table, she heard his father saying something congratulatory.

“What were talking about just now regarding something congratulatory?” Shan Mei quietly asked Xiang Zhe who came over to help her laying the table.

Xiang Zhe just shrugged his shoulders and replied: “It’s nothing, we were watching TV.”

“How is it? Not too bad?” Shan Mei pointed to the food on the table and excellent layout of the table and her face wore a look of self-satisfaction.

“Huh.” Xiang Zhe replied, looking none too pleased.

“What’s up?”

“You were asking for my help and you dared to take advantage of you …” Xiang Zhe grumbled. She had the audacity to call him her good grandson.

Shan Mei pouted her mouth, “You dare to put the blame on me! Who is your grandma? You made me sound so old …”

During dinner, Gui Cheng opened the bottle of red wine brought by Xiang Zhe, “This bottle of 1988 Chateau Lafon Rochet has a strong fruit flavour and yet smooth and velvety and it is the most outstanding in the grade 2 wines.” Gui Cheng said.

“Uncle is very acknowledgeable in vintage wine …”

“No, not at all, I just find it a bit interesting. How about you, have you done any studies in vintage wine?” Gui Cheng asked Xiang Zhe.

“I only have superficial knowledge.”

“Which white wine do you like best?”

“It’s the 1994 Puligny Montrachet from Cote de Beaune in Burgundy.”

Xiang Zhe replied without hesitation.

“Right, right, that one is pretty good.” Gui Cheng looked deeply impressed.

Gui Cheng talked about the doctrine of vintage wine in high spirit and also repeatedly raised his glass inviting Xiang Zhe to drink with him.

“What do you think about vintage years?”

Shan Mei frowned, when did her father become so hooked on vintage wine?

“I don’t think we should blindly believe in the vintage years. If you know how to pick a good winery, you can still find good wine in a bad year.” Xiang Zhe said.

Gui Cheng nodded repeatedly, “I have the same views as you.”

Shan Mei never thought that a simple dinner would turn out to become a wine commentary gathering. Fortunately Xiang Zhe could surprisingly deal with his answers readily.

Xiang Zhe left at nearly 9:00 p.m. If it was not for Shan Mei who kept reminding them on the side about the lateness of hours and about Xiang Zhe having to meet a customer for business early tomorrow morning, perhaps the slightly tipsy Gui Cheng still would not be willing to let him go!

“Let have another round of drinks together next time I return to the country …, one of the happy events in life is to be able to sit with a friend you can easily converse with near the window and drink to your heart’s content … Let’s drink together again next time …” Gui Cheng said to Xiang Zhe.

“Shan Mei, please see Xiang Zhe off for Papa!”

Gui Cheng understood the younger generation’s mind and deliberately created an opportunity for them to spend some time alone.

As soon as his front leg stepped out from the door, Xiang Zhe happily grasped Shan Mei’s hand. “Finally I can have a good sleep tonight …” Xiang Zhe said.

Shan Mei burst out laughing, “I was indeed fooled by you … I have thought you were not at all nervous.”

“Miss, isn’t it me who was fooled by both you and Xiu Wei? Uncle is very friendly …, he is not the least like the person described by you two.” Both Xiu Wei and Shan Mei echoed each other and made him worry for a few days.

“How was my performance today?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“What do you think yourself?”

Xiang Zhe scratched his head and said: “It was fairly satisfactory!”

Shan Mei puckered in smile.

Xiang Zhe’s performance today was excellent, he spoke with fervour and assurance, he was decisive and yet discreet, he was full of self-confidence but also modest. She could see that Papa really regarded him highly.

“I’m waiting for you to give me the marks!”

“How can a grandma evaluate her grandson’s performance, the criticism won’t be objective.”

“You still want to fool around?” As there was nobody around, Xiang Zhe snaked his arm around Shan Mei’s waist.

Shan Mei anxiously looked around, “Let me go fast! It’s so embarrassingly if our neighbour sees us like this.”

“I will let go if you answer my question.”

“You’re so irritating!”

“Aye, you are very mean. It won’t cause you anything to sing me some praises …”

“You are so sure that I will praise you …” Shan Mei pouted.

“I have confidence in myself …” Xiang Zhe said with extreme confidence, “Come tell, what marks are you going to give me? Fair, satisfactory or very satisfactory?”

“V e r y … s a t i s f a c t o r y.” Shan Mei paused after each phonetic.

Xiang Zhe asked, beaming happily, “Really?”

Shan Mei nodded.

“Hey, why are you so knowledgeable about vintage wine?” She asked him.

“I have a classmate in England whose family operates a winery and wine is indispensable in every meal and after two years of imbued influence, I got to know some superficial knowledge …”

“It’s fortune that you didn’t talk about golf with my father, or else you won’t be able to leave at least until 10 o’clock …”

“What, does Uncle love to play golf?”

“Huh, once you mention the word golf, he can chat about it for three days and three nights.”

“Why didn’t tell me before … I can invite Uncle for a game tomorrow.”

He was playing golf with his customer tomorrow morning.

“I really can’t understand what’s so good about playing golf. You spend over half a day just to hit the small white ball into a hole.”

Xiang Zhe wrapped his arm around Shan Mei’s shoulder and grinningly asked: “Do you know what golf stands for?”

Shan Mei tilted up her little mouth and said: “Green, Oxygen, Light and Friendship … From the first hole to the 18th hole, you walk past green pastures, breathe in fresh air, bathe in the warm sunlight and at the same time build up friendship … Ain’t I right!”

“Pretty good!” Xiang Zhe’s face expressed approval.

“I have heard my father babbling so much about it that my ears got callused.” Shan Mei made a painful expression.

Xiang Zhe looked at Shan Mei’s childish display and doubled up in laughter, “What kind of expression is that … Actually golf is a very good mental game.”

“Good mental game?”

“When you play golf, you have to consider the wind speed, wind direction, the distance, the clubs, the flagpole and also the terrain etc. issues before you can have a good shot. It is a very brain-picking game.”

“Really?” Shan Mei looked doubtful.

“Absolutely. How is it? You want to learn?”

“No, no way!” Shan Mei shook her head vigorously. “I’ve told you, I don’t have any genes for playing ball games.”

“Who said that? Haven’t I taught you to play basketball and volleyball pretty well? I guarantee I will teach you …”

“Hey, haven’t you been very busy? How could you spare so much time learning all these games?”

It looked as though Xiang Zhe could play any kind of ball games well.

“Before I met you, I had plenty of time to spare …”

Shan Mei curved her lips, “You make me feel very remorseful, as if I have deprived you from plenty of your pleasure.”

“There is nothing in this world which can make me more happy than to spend time with you.”

“When have you become so good in flattery?”

“Flattery? Every word is from the bottom of my heart.”

“Hey, I have to go home. There is still a lot of washing up to do!”

“Let me help you!”

“Don’t cause me more trouble!”

Xiang Zhe made a slip of his tongue tonight when he said her cooking skill was pretty good. If she was to allow him to help with the washing up this moment, she certainly would not able to escape her father’s teasing.

Xiang Zhe accompanied Shan Mei home.

“I really don’t want to go home …” Xiang Zhe reluctantly said.

“Don’t want to go home?” Shan Mei grinningly said: “Then go to watch the moon in the park. Tonight the moon is big and round.”

Xiang Zhe cast Shan Mei a look and said: “You know full well what I mean …”

He was reluctant to leave her.

“What time is Uncle’s plane leaving on Monday?”

“1:30 in the afternoon.”

“Why?”

“Nothing, I was just asking.”

When she got home, she found her father washing the dishes in the kitchen.

“Pa … Let me do it!”

“It’s OK, you have been busy working the whole afternoon.”

Father and daughter worked together, one doing the washing up and the other cleaning up the stove.

“Xiang Zhe is a pretty good boy …” Gui Cheng said.

Shan Mei burst out laughing, “You know it on your first meeting?”

“Papa has met a lot of people and won’t make a mistake … Aye, girl …”

“Huh?”

“The senior who came to look for you in London … was it Xiang Zhe?”

“Huh …” Shan Mei shyly nodded.

“He was really making efforts!”

“Pa …” Shan Mei blushed.

“He is really crazy for you!”

“How do you know …”

Gui Cheng roared with laughter, “Even a blockhead can see.”

Gui Cheng could see how attentive Xiang Zhe was towards Shan Mei.

When he looked at Shan Mei, his eyes were filled with tenderness. During dinner, he helped Shan Mei carried out the food and set the table and did not pick up his chopsticks until Shan Mei sat down on the table …

“Don’t miss the chance if you care about him!” Gui Cheng patted his daughter’s shoulder.

“Aiyoo, Pa, are you that anxious to kick me out of the house?”

“Papa can’t stay at your side forever …” Gui Cheng sadly looked at his daughter, “You have your own life to lead and Papa wants you to find happiness …”

Shan Mei pulled at her father’s arm, “Pa, is he the one mentioned by Ma?” Shan Mei raised her face to ask her father.

Her mother said when a girl was born, there would be a boy waiting at some corner of the world who would take good care of her the whole lifetime.

Gui Cheng patted Shan Mei’s back, “Only you would know the answer …”

He was certainly the one, she knew.

- End of Chapter 23 -

Chapter 24

My Dearest One (Qin Ai De Ni)
By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by Jules

“Miss, do you mind if I listen to the radio?” the driver asked Shan Mei.
“I don’t mind at all.” Shan Mei replied.
She had just seen her father, Auntie and Uncle off at the airport. Auntie and Uncle were on the same flight as her father, on their way to the UK for a holiday.
The radio was broadcasting an interview.
“I would like to thank all my staff and colleagues, my grandmother, and my girlfriend….”
Shan Mie’s heart skipped a beat. That voice sounded just like Xiang Zhe!
“That was our interview with the winner of this year’s young entrepreneur of the year award, Chamsung’s managing director, Mr Yin Xiang Zhe. The award will be presented this afternoon at 2pm, at the Seoul Hyatt…..”

It was Xiang Zhe!
He’d won an award…. Shan Mei laughed happily, and the driver looked at her through the rearview mirror.
Shan Mei remembered hearing her father congratulating Xiang Zhe the other night, and wondered if this was what they were talking about.
How could he not have even told her about it? She had been so busy at work recently that she didn’t even have the time to read the papers or watch the news. When Xiang Zhe asked her about the departure time of her father’s flight, he must have been thinking about whether to invite her to the ceremony. She looked at her watch. It was ten to two. They were still on the highway, and there was no way she would be able to get there on time. If she had known in advance, she would not have missed it for the world. Her father would have understood. Oh that man! Sometimes she wished he wasn’t so considerate of her needs.

It was already 4pm by the time Xiang Zhe got back to the office. There was a cocktail party after the award ceremony, and he met many old friends there. They were all clamouring for a treat, and he had agreed to host a meal soon.

Many people had sent congratulatory messages and bouquets. His secretary had prepared a full list of these for him.
“There’s a bouquet which just arrived, but it doesn’t have the name of the sender on it. I guess it must be a very good friend of yours?”
“Huh?”
“It’s that bouquet over there….”
As Xiang Zhe went and had a closer look, his lips curled in a smile.

Shan Mei was practicing diligently in the piano studio. Her piano teacher just told her that all students were expected to perform in the concert scheduled for the end of the month. She was freaked out. She could not imagine what a fool she would make of herself by going on stage to pit her dismal skills against those of her little classmates. After learning about Xiang Zhe’s skills on the piano, she had decided to take up lessons once again. She had dedicated one night a week to lessons, but did not have any other spare time for practice. In the end, she had not progressed past the bare basics, and felt extremely anxious during each lesson. This evening, she had booked a studio and decided to take time out for some serious practice. She did not want to make a fool of herself during the concert.

“Wow! You’re pretty serious about this!”
Shan Mei was startled by the sudden appearance of Xiang Zhe.
“Why are you here? Didn’t you say you had a business engagement tonight?”
“I made my excuses and left early. Why are you so hardworking tonight?” Xiang Zhe teased.
“Oh!” Shan Mei sighed, “I have to perform on stage at the end of the month. If I don’t put in some practice, I’ll end up the laughingstock of the school. I’m going to look like a real dud in comparison with all those little children…”
“Graduation concert? When is it? I must attend!”
“No way!” Shan Mei was quick to protest.
“Why not?”
“I’d be completely embarrassed.” She said honestly.
“You’re way too self-conscious!”
“That’s none of your business!”
“Why don’t you play me something now?” Xiang Zhe asked. He hadn’t heard her play for a long time now.
“You’re not allowed to laugh!”
“I guarantee it!”
Shan Mei hesitantly picked her way through a piece. The teacher had picked a very simple one for her to perform.
Xiang Zhe smiled as he listened to her play.
“It’s terrible, isn’t it?” Shan Mei asked glumly. She had completely no confidence in it.
“Ummm… it’s better than the last time.” Xiang Zhe hedged.
Shan Mei smiled, and punched Xiang Zhe. “You’re not very good at making me feel better!”
Xiang Zhe rubbed Shan Mei’s shoulder and replied, “All it takes is a little more practice.”
With Xiang Zhe present, there was no way Shan Mei could concentrate on her practice. The more she tried, the worse she got. It was probably because he was such a great pianist, and she felt so inferior in his presence.
“Don’t you have anything else to do?” Shan Mei hinted bluntly.
“Of course I have. I’m waiting for you to finish.”
Good Lord! What kind of an answer was that?
“What about your work?” Shan Mei tried again.
“Finished.”
Shan Mei had not choice but to spell it out completely, “With you here, I’m too nervous to practice!”
“Just pretend I’m invisible.”
Shan Mei glared at him. There was no way he could ever be invisible to her!
She finally relented and closed the piano. “Alright, alright. I’m finished for the day.”

“Thanks for the flowers,” Xiang Zhe said when they got into the car.
“What flowers?” Shan Mei pretended ignorance.
Xiang Zhe ginned, “Who are you trying to kid with your Lavender, Little Miss Rabbit ?”
She had said her nickname in school was rabbit.
“You’re pretty clever!” She had drawn a little rabbit on the card.
“Thank you… they’re really beautiful.”
“I’m sorry that was all I could do.”
“It’s more than enough.”
“I wish I could have been there when you were on stage, cheering you on. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’ll remember next time.”
“Congratulations…I’m really happy for you.” She planted a fleeting kiss on his cheek.
Xiang Zhe was so delighted with the “congratulatory gift” that he could not stop smiling.

“What are you doing on Saturday?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“Why?” Shan Mei was puzzled.
Xiang Zhe shook his head and smiled, “Have you even forgotten your birthday?”
“I forgot!” Shan Mei suddenly reaslised.
In the past, she had spend her birthday with either her father or her auntie, but neither were by her side this year.
“I’m surprised you remember!” Shan Mei stated sweetly.
Xiang Zhe was with Xiu Han Oppa on the night before her last birthday, when he gave her birthday treat.
Xiang Zhe nodded and smiled. How could he forget anything about her?
“Have you thought about how you would like to celebrate this year?” Xiang Zhe asked.
Shan Mei thought about it for a moment, then replied, “Can I ask for anything?”
“Absolutely anything you like.” Xiang Zhe replied generously.
Shan Mei smiled happily. She had thought of something completely out of the ordinary.

On her birthday, Xiang Zhe took her to the seaside resort. Shan Mei said she wanted to enjoy the sea and the stars.
They were sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on the viewing gallery, looking out to sea.
“The last time we were here, I already wanted to do this…”
Shan Mei looked at Xiang Zhe in surprise….
“Do you think I’m just spouting sweet nothings?”
Shan Mei shook her head, “No, I believe you.”
She could see the honesty in his eyes, and it moved her.
“I think I must have fallen in love with you at first sight…”
“Was it really like that?” Shan Mei asked as she laid her head on his shoulder, “I never thought that you were the sort to fall in love at first sight.”
“Neither did I…” Xiang Zhe admitted.
“That day when you were here alone, I could not stop thinking about you, and found an excuse to come back to be with you. I didn’t know it then, but I think I had already fallen for you…..”
“After our last trip here, I did not even see you for three whole weeks. My was on tenderhooks, wondering if you were intentionally avoiding me; wondering if I had said something wrong; wondering if I had angered you in some way…. I had never felt that way about anybody in my whole life. I felt so lonely when I did not see you or hear your voice. It was only after Xiu Han aksed if I had fallen in love that I finally realized why I had been feeling that way…”
She smiled at him tenderly. Did you know, Xiang Zhe, I too had fallen for you then? I felt the same way too.

They sat there watching the waves, enjoying each other’s embrace and the feeling that the world was at their feet…..
As the sun set, turning the sky orange, then gold, then amber, then deep red, then every shade of pastel.
“Let’s go. We’d better get the tents up while there’s still a little light left.”
Xiang Zhe reached out and pulled Shan Mei to her feet.
“What are tents you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the tents we are going to sleep in tonight.”
It was then Shan Mei realized that Xiang Zhe did not have reservations, and they would be spending the night in a tent.
“I wanted your birthday to be different.” Xiang Zhe explained.
Shan Mei grinned, then followed him without another word.

Shan Mei helped him put up a tent.
“This one’s not bad at all.” Shan Mei said happily, “The birthday girl should get priority! This tent’s mine… You can get your own up now!”
“What are you talking about, my tent and your tent?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“Hey! Don’t tell you you’ve only got one tent?” Shan Mei glared.
“That’s right! This is the only one I’ve got.”
Shan Mei blushed bright red, “How can you do this to me?”
Xiang Zhe grinned cheekily, “Why, are you worried that I will be….. ungentlemanly?”
“That’s right, I’m worried to death.”
“Don’t’ worry you and I won’t be sharing a bed…”
Xiang Zhe pulled out two sleeping bags.

Xiang Zhe made a fire outside the tent. They were having a barbecue for dinner. He had prepared everything perfectly, including cutlery and crockery. She never knew that a man could have such attention to detail.
“You just sit and wait for a sumptuous meal.” Xiang Zhe refused any help from her.
“I’m not used to being waited on.” Shan Mei said as she wiped away the sweat on his brow.
Xiang Zhe chuckled, “Aren’t you already doing something now?”
“What are you talking about?” Shan Mei punched him on the shoulder.
“Didn’t you know that moral support is the most important thing? …Hey, the smoke is blowing in your direction. Why don’t you come over here and sit next to me…..I’m not interested in having dinner with a lady covered in soot.”
“The dirty one around here isn’t me, I’m afraid…” Shan Mei laughed as she wiped the sweat off Xiang Zhe’s face.
Xiang Zhe handed a fan over to Shan Mei, and she immediately set to work fanning the fire.
“My dearest, you’re fanning the wrong target.” Xiang Zhe said.
“What?”
“I was asking you to help cool me down with the fan, not heat up the fire!”
“Help cool you down?” Shan Mei pouted. “Just which emperor do you think you are, getting me to wipe your brow and then to fan you….”
Xiang Zhe didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “Which emperor do you know goes around with soot on his face…?”

Thirty minutes later, Xiang Zhe’s first creation, beef kebabs, were served.
“Mmmm, smells great…” Shan Mei couldn’t resist taking a bite, “tastes great too!”
“Really?”
“Mmm..” Shan Mei nodded, her mouth full.
Xiang Zhe looked at her enjoying the food and couldn’t help teasing her, “Miss Zhen Shan Mei, couldn’t you even try to be a little more elegant?”
Shan Mei glared at him, then put the rest of the kebab in Xiang Zhe’s mouth, so he couldn’t pass any more smart remarks.

Xiang Zhe brought a variety of vegetables, mushrooms together with some beef and seafood for the barbecue. The flavours complimented each other well, and all the food was quickly consumed between the two of them.
“It’s all your fault! I’m sure I’ve put on a few pounds already.” Shan Mei complained.
“Why don’t we go for a romantic stroll in the moonlight? It will help with digestion and provide some exercise to burn off what we just ate.”
Shan Mei laughed, “I’d like to see just how romantic we can get when smelling of smoke and food odours.”

There were many more men than women in the campgrounds, and Xiang Zhe knew it would take him quite some time to queue his way into the shower. They had arranged to meet up again at the lounge area.

Half an hour later when Xiang Zhe arrived at the meeting spot, he found Shan Mei there gazing at the sky. She was so absorbed that she did not know he was there, and he took the opportunity to observe her. He loved watching her when she was absorbed in something. Her guileless expression and innocent smile never failed to mesmerize him.

Shan Mei suddenly turned around, “You’re here!” her expression was full of mischief.
“Do you have eyes on the back of your head?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“Of course!” She laughed happily. She had felt his presence, smelt it.

Xiang Zhe was engrossed in that strange smile she wore.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Shan Mei suddenly felt self-conscious.
“Your dress….it’s very special…” he stared at her.
“Does it look good?” Shan Mei pulled at it. She had picked it out specially for the occasion.
“It looks very good….” He could not help admiring her.
Wearing a white chiffon dress, she looked like something that just walked out of a legend.
“Do you know why I’m dressed like that?”
Xiang Zhe shook his head.
“It’s because today is a special day…”
“Yes, it’s very special” he agreed.
“I wanted to make sure we would remember this day.”
He continued observing her.
“I used to love reading girlie cartoons in school…” Shan Mei started to feel a little embarrassed.
“Girlie cartoons?” he had never read any himself.
“Well…. the girlie cartoons would often have a beautiful lady dressed in white chiffon taking a romantic stroll on the beach with her hero….I always thought it was the ultimate romance….”
“So…?”
“So…” She hooked her hand on his elbow, “I want to be that beautiful lady in the girlie cartoons tonight.”
Xiang Zhe smothered his laughter.
“It’s very childish, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s very romantic.”
“You’re not just saying that?” she had expected him to tease her about it.
“Are you saying you would like me to be your hero?”
Shan Mei looked around, searching, then said, “Well…. I don’t see anyone else around, do you?”

Xiang Zhe looked at Shan Mei with such intensity, she started to feel very shy.
“Stop looking at me like that! Just look at the stars…. They’re twinkling….. and very pretty…..” she gave him a little push.
“I’ve already said I prefer looking at you.”

The two of them walked hand in hand in the starlit night, a soft summer breeze surrounding them, keeping the heat at bay. The heat of Xiang Zhe’s hand warmed her heart, making her feel loved and cherished. This world of theirs needed no words; their feelings were communicated through a link in their hearts and reflected in their eyes. In that instant, how she wished time could stand still; how she wished this feeling could go on for eternity……

Shan Mei took off her shoes and walked barefoot in the sand, ,the waves ticking her feet, humming a song.
Xiang Zhe recognized it. It was “Endless Love”, and it was the first time he had heard her sing.
He listened closely to her soft voice:

My love
There’s only you in my life
The only thing that’s right
……..
An I
I want to share
All my love with you
No one else will do
And your eyes
They tell me how much you care
Oh yes you will always be
My Endless Love

Two hearts
Two hearts that beat as one
Our live have just begun
Forever
I’ll hold you close in my arms
I can’t resist your charms
……

He could see the love radiating from her eyes, and could not take his eyes off her.
Shan Mei suddenly realized he was listening to her sing, and shyly stopped. She did not have a good voice.

“You’re happy?” Xiang Zhe smiled.
“Mmm…” Shan Mei nodded vehemently.
“Aren’t you disappointed that you didn’t get a candlelight dinner?”
“A starlight feast is just as good.”
“A starlight feast?” Xiang Zhe laughed. It was true, they just had a feast under the stars.
“Xiang Zhe….”
“Hmmm?”
“Thank you, I’m really happy…..I’ve always wished we could watch the stars together again, just like we did that night in Gyeongju…..it felt as though we had gone to the ends of the earth together….”
“If I could, I would go to the ends of the earth together with you.”
Shan Mei’s eyes sought his passionate gaze.
“Will you…….will you kiss me like you did night night in Gyeongju?” she asked shyly.
She could not forget that tender kiss they shared. It was their first.
“Hmmmm….let me think……” Xiang Zhe looked perplexed, “I’ll try my best….”

When their lips met, she knew at once there was no way they could return to the tenderness, the uncertainty of that first kiss. Their passion for each other had already been ignited, and was raging……

“Do the girlie cartoons also have a scene like this one?” He whispered gently in her ear.
“I forget….” She was too embarrassed to answer.

“Let’s head back. We haven’t yet had your birthday cake.”
“You bought me a cake? How come I didn’t see it?”
“I’ve hidden it.”

Shan Mei smiled from ear to ear when she saw the cake. It was her favourite raspberry chocolate torte.
“This cake is probably more suitable for Valentine’s day….” Shan Mei smiled.
The cake was in the shape of a heart, only about the size a palm. Cakes like this one were usually only on sale during Valentine’s Day.
“I ordered it specially.” Xiang Zhe said smugly as he put a pink candle on it.
“Is this the only candle you’ve got?”
“I’ve also got these…” Xiang Zhe took out candles in the shape of the numbers 2 and 7.
“I’ll have these then.” Shan Mei reached for the numbers.
“Isn’t a lady’s age supposed to be the world’s best-kept secret?” Xiang Zhe asked, surprised.
“Yes it is… but today is an exception. I want to make sure I remember my 27th birthday forever.”

Xiang Zhe lit the candles, “Happy birthday!” he said simply.
“Aren’t you supposed to sing the birthday song to me?”
Xiang Zhe fished her mobile phone out of his pocket. She had left it with him when they went for their shower earlier.
The mobile showed one new message from Xiang Zhe in her voicemail.
“Don’t tell me you’ve sent me the song in a voicemail?”
Xiang Zhe smiled tenderly. He had sent the voicemail to her while she was in the shower.

Shan Mei pressed a button and Xiang Zhe’s tender voice flowed into her ear.

“Happy Birthday, Shan Mei.”

Shan Mei looked at Xiang Zhe and mouthed the words thank you back to him.

“Thank you for being so happy today. Did you know watching your smile is the greatest happiness in the world for me; everytime you smile without constraint, I feel so blessed, so happy.”

Shan Mei could feel the sniffles in her nose. She was going to cry….

“I has been my absolute fortune to welcome you into my world. It has changed my life. I never knew that loving someone could make my life so complete. I feel as if I’m now living in perpetual sunshine….. You have enlightened me. In this past year, you’ve made me smile more than I had in the previous thirty-three; do you have any idea how many times, I’ve awakened in smiles because I had been dreaming about you? I love you, Shan Mei. I really, really love you. The amazing thing is: each day I seem to love you even more. As each day passes, my love for you becomes just that little bit deeper, just that little bit stronger…..”

Shan Mei’s tears fell.

“I’m so happy to share your birthday with you. I hope that I will be able to share you birthday with you every year for the rest of your life…..”

Shan Mei’s tears gushed.

“You’re not supposed to cry on your birthday!” Xiang Zhe wiped her tears away.
“It’s all your fault!” Shan Mei blamed him.

“Make a wish!”
Shan Mei clasped her hands together and made a silent wish, “I wish I can grow old with you….”
In the dancing candlelight, she could see the tenderness radiating from his eyes.
“That’s my birthday wish.” She said and blushed.

Someone once said the world is the person who embraces you with her heart. He finally truly understood what that meant. She had embraced him with the love in her heart, and now she WAS his world.

His birthday gift to her was a platinum anklet with a peridot and a pearl. The pearl was her birthstone and peridot were his.
He said, “Pearls come from the ocean, and the peridot from the other from the other end of the earth, but they are now entwined…”
His care in selecting the gift once again made her eyes water.
He put the anklet on her, taking care to make sure the two stones were sitting right next to each other, the looked at her with passion and said, “In a movie, they said giving an anklet would ensure that you meet again in your next life. Let’s make a date for our next life….”
“Mmm…” She agreed.

In this life, she wanted to grow old with him. In her next, she wanted to meet him and fall in love yet again…..

Shan Mei lay in her sleeping bag talking to Xiang Zhe. She had a million ideas in her head.
“Let’s wake up early tomorrow to watch the sunrise…” Shan Mei said.
“Mmmm…” Xiang Zhe didn’t say more.
“And then we can take a ride on a bike. I want to sit on the handlebars…..Oh, there’s a basketball ring on the other side. After breakfast, we can have a game. We haven’t played basketball together for a while now.…… Before we leave, we must go and watch the waves again… And don’t forget to remind me to buy some souvenirs….”

Shan Mei happily went on until she discovered that Xiang Zhe had long fallen asleep on her.
She looked at him sympathetically. Poor guy! He had been running around in circles for her all day: driving, putting up tents, cooking, then spending half the night with her on the beach on her hairbrained fantasy.

She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
“Good night.” She whispered.
When the sun rises the next day, they would have the opportunity to meet once again.

******End of Chapter 24*****

Chapter 25

Written By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by nho(CA)

Shan Mei ate just two mouthfuls of the congee before she placed the meal tray back on top of the cabinet. She could never understand why the food prepared in the hospital could not be made more appetizing. She had only stayed here for two days and her appetite was totally gone. How could the patients recover their health quickly! When she was grumbling in her heart, there was a twitch of pain from the place where the wound was stitched. “Ouch! It hurts!” Shan Mei softly cried out. If the doctor saw her like this, he would tease her again. She could not help it as she could not sustain any pain since she was little.

“Just my bad luck …” Shan Mei muttered. She was getting more angry on further thoughts. How could she get into such situation. Shan Mei swallowed the medicine, pulled up the bed sheet to cover half of her face and then fell into a deep sleep. Yesterday midnight when the effect of medicine receded, the wound started to get painful and she was tortured for the whole night without a good sleep.

Indistinctly she could hear someone knocking at the door. Shan Mei glanced at the alarm clock by the bedside. Auntie would not come until midday, so most probably it was the doctors on their rounds. Anyway they always came in without invitation and did not need her to take care of them, so Shan Mei pulled up the bed sheet to hide half of her face and continued with her sleep.

The door was opened and someone came in. Shan Mei heard footsteps walking towards her bed. She deliberately did not want to acknowledge that doctor. Yesterday when she was nearly dying of pain, that man imperturbably brought with him a group of medical interns for practical experience training. She was so mad that she wanted to scream at them. It was so strange that after a long time, there was no movement in the room, was he up to something? Darn, it would not be some petty thief who had broken into the room? Last time when her colleague was in hospital, all her personal belongings were pilfered by a thief! When she thought of this, she was getting afraid and did not dare to move. She stealthily half opened her eyes, wanting to take a peek at what was happening.

What materialized before her eyes was the pair of eyes that could always make her heart palpitating with excitement, it was Xiang Zhe! He was bending his body looking at her.

“You are awake?” Xiang Zhe was about to pull down the bed sheet from Shan Mei’s face.

“Don’t …” Shan Mei tightly held on to the bed sheet and did not let go.

“What’s up?”

“I look so ugly …”

She did not want him seeing her look like this.

“Can you come back five minutes later, please?”

“I won’t look upon you with disfavour …” Xiang Zhe jokingly said.

“But I will hate myself.” Shan Mei simply covered her whole face with the bed sheet.

Dumb goose, what female would willingly let her beloved boyfriend see her dishevelled look.

When Xiang Zhe came in again, Shan Mei already plaited her hair into two braids and she looked more sprightly.

“You came here straight from the airport?” She asked him.

Xiang Zhe’s luggage was placed by the side of the door.

Xiang Zhe nodded, “Xiu Wei told me you were in hospital and it gave me a big fright …”

He was unable to get in touch with her since the day before yesterday. No one answered either her cell phone or her home phone and when he called her at the office, her colleague told him she was on leave. He could not get hold of Auntie Huan Zhen either and after he got off the plane, he managed to talk to Xiu Wei before he knew that the whole family was taking care of Shan Mei in the hospital yesterday.

“It was just an appendicitis surgery. It’s no big deal.” Shan Mei pretended to sound nonchalant.

“What have you done to get an acute appendicitis all of a sudden?”

Xiu Wei told him of the delay in getting medical attention, Shan Mei nearly got peritonitis.

“I thought it was just an ordinary stomach ache …”

“You are always like this, you are so blurry about your own personal affairs and let other people worry about you.” Xiang Zhe grumbled.

“What kind of people will come to visit the patient and reprimand her instead.” Shan Mei pouted.

“What kind of people will behave like our Miss Zhen who was delivered into the hospital just a few days I left town …”

“OK! I will take more care of myself from now on!”

“These are words from your own mouth?”

“Yes, I promise.” Shan Mei mischievously put up her right hand in the act of taking an oath.

“It looks more like it.” Xiang Zhe laughed.

“You nag more than my auntie!” Shan Mei murmured.

“You are unmindful of the happy life you are blessed with …” Xiang Zhe gently pinched Shan Mei’s cheek.

“Am I looking very ugly now?” Shan Mei touched her face and asked.

She was deeply concerned to let Xiang Zhe see the way she looked now. When she saw herself in the mirror this morning, she found herself simply looking too awful.

Xiang Zhe secretly found it funny at heart that even though she was in hospital having a surgery, she would still be worried about the way she looked. A girl was always a girl.

“Hmm … Let me take a good look …” Xiang Zhe narrowed his eyes to look at Shan Mei up and down. If he did not assume this pretence, Shan Mei would definitely accuse him of being too perfunctory. “I think you look more or less like you do normally!” Xiang Zhe said seriously.

What he said was the truth. Apart from a little paleness and her face a little thinner, he did not feel that there was anything different from normal. On the contrary he found her more alluring when she was looking weak and delicate now.

“Really?” Shan Mei asked, half believing and half doubting him.

“I vouch I haven’t said anything untrue.” Xiang Zhe imitated how Shan Mei put up her hand to take an oath just a moment ago.

“You’re so annoying!” Shan Mei laughed out loud, but never thought it would affect the wound in her abdomen and it hurt so much that her face instantly turned white and she broke out in cold sweat.

“What happens? Let me call the doctor …” Xiang Zhe was agitated.

Shan Mei shook her hand and said “I’m OK, it’s just that the wound is hurting.”

“You’d better take your rest …” Xiang Zhe said.

“Are you going?” Shan Mei asked piteously. She held on to Xiang Zhe, not wanting to let him go. When a person fell ill, he would become especially fragile.

Xiang Zhe touched Shan Mei’s face, “I’m not going. I will stay to keep you company … You have to sleep some more, you are looking pale.”

He would go to the office later.

“I don’t want to sleep. I have been sleeping too much during the last couple of days … Please chat with me!” Shan Mei behaved like a spoiled brat and said cajolingly to Xiang Zhe.

“You seem to be very popular!” Xiang Zhe looked around the roomful of flowers and said.

Shan Mei smilingly said: “So so! It’s good excuse for them to patronize my Auntie’s shop …”

“Do you feel regretful for not being able to give your piano performance on stage?” Xiang Zhe asked.

The day before yesterday was the day of Shan Mei’s piano achievement performance concert. He thought she should not have gone on the stage with her sudden attack of appendicitis.

“Who said I didn’t go?”

“What?”

“When I woke early in the morning, my stomach started to ache a little, but it did not hurt that much at that time. Besides it sometimes did not hurt at all, so I just ground my teeth and went and when it was my turn to go on stage, I felt so bad that I broke out in cold sweat. My tutor thought I was too nervous and tried to boost my morale throughout. I was sent to the hospital immediately after I got down from the stage …”

“You were simply playing with your own life!” Xiang Zhe’s words were filled with reprimands.

“I didn’t want others to think I ran away before the battle began …”

“I have never seen anyone who strives to excel as you …, however, can you try to think of my feeling?”

“Aiyoo, don’t say anymore. Haven’t you already lectured me just a moment ago … I don’t like the state I’m now in either. There will be an ugly scar left on my abdomen and I can’t never wear a bikini again …”

Xiang Zhe said with ill-humour: “That’s good, I don’t like you wearing a bikini in front of others …”

“Selfish man!”

“Any normal man will think in such way.”

“Yin Xiang Zhe, do you know? My piano tutor said my performance on stage this time was above standard.”

“It’s shame I didn’t hear it.”

Under no circumstances did Shan Mei allow Xiang Zhe to attend the concert, that was why he did not postpone his trip abroad. Shan Mei did not even let Jin Huan Zhen know.

“It was definitely the case when you grind your weapon before a battle, your weapon will glitter even if it is not sharp.” Shan Mei said.

“You can play for me next time?”

“No way!”

“Why?”

Shan Mei did not answer, just laughed heartily.

“Didn’t you just say that your tutor praised you for your above standard performance?”

“What she meant was above the standard I usually played. But when it is compared with other people, there is still a long way to go!”

She could not even play as well as a 7-8 year old child did!

“Let me practice more first.”

She was secretly planning to wait until his birthday to show off her talent and let him hold her in high esteem.

“Yin Xiang Zhe, can you do me a favour?”

“I’m at your service.”

“Can you go out and get me a French tuna sandwich together with a cup of hot milk. I’m so hungry …”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t have breakfast?”

“Almost.”

“Almost? What do you mean?”

“I’m not used to the food prepared by the hospital. I have only eaten a few mouthful of the congee this morning.”

When Xiang Zhe came back with the sandwich, he found an additional bunch of white roses in the room.

“Flowers from a good friend?” Xiang Zhe curiously craned his neck to look at the signature on the card. Only familiar friends knew of her love for white roses.

“Huh.” Shan Mei responded, without showing too much concern.

When Xiang Zhe saw the name of the signature, his face slightly changed colour. What he saw was a man’s name.

Who was that person? How did he know that Shan Mei loved white roses?

“Who is this man?” Xiang Zhe asked jealously.

There was a saying that people in love could not stand even a dust in their eyes. This saying was definitely not false. He really hated himself to behave like this, but he could not after all repress the jealousy in his heart.

“Oh …” Shan Mei could hear the jealousy in his words.

“A friend.” Shan Mei answered.

“Friend? Don’t tell me it’s one of your admirers?”

Shan Mei looked at Xiang Zhe and asked mischieviously: “If I say yes, will you be overturning the vinegar pot {i.e. extremely jealousy)?

“No.” Xiang Zhe sounded magnanimous, but the expression on his face indicated that he did not speak what was in his mind. Shan Mei secretly found it funny.

“Aye, how disappointing!” Shan Mei sighed.

“What is so disappointing?” Xiang Zhe found it both annoying and funny, “You are a heartless woman, you are just anxious to see me getting both angry and jealous …”

“You getting jealous means that you care about me!” Shan Mei looked at Xiang Zhe and said: “You are a mite displeased that some other man sends me flowers, ain’t I right?” She watched him closely without winking her eyes, “Right?” Shan Mei asked persistently.

“Right …” Xiang Zhe nodded to admit, “Not only am I a mite displeased, I’m extremely displeased …”

He was not a narrow minded person, but because what that man sent was white roses, he had to take it to heart. He did not know that Shan Mei loved white roses until he began his pursuit of her. He thought the one who sent those white roses would not be just an average friend.

Shan Mei laughed merrily, “Thank you for satisfying my vanity. In order to stop you for getting displeased, I won’t accept any flowers from other men from now on.”

Shan Mei looked so magnanimous that somehow made Xiang Zhe feel ashamed of his own pettiness. That bunch of white roses must just be a coincidence, Xiang Zhe thought.

Shan Mei leaned her head against Xiang Zhe’s shoulder. She told him that she missed his shoulder.

“Is the wound hurting very much?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“It doesn’t hurt any more when I see you.” Shan Mei said coquettishly.

Xiang Zhe laughed, they had not seen each other for just a few days and she had become more cajolery.

“Aye, I have bought a present for you … Wait until you are out of the hospital and I will give it to you.” Xiang Zhe said.

Shan Mei shook her head and said: “I don’t need a present. I will be fully satisfied if you can just spend more time with me.”

“You miss me that much?” Xiang Zhe smiled faintly.

“Huh …” Shan Mei nodded with a blushing face, “In the ambulance when I was hurting so much that I nearly fainted, I felt so afraid that I would not be able to see you again …”

“You are uttering nonsense!”

“Haven’t you always said that I am silly?”

“A gifted student from the Law Faculty of Seoul University said that she is silly herself, who would believe that?”

“I don’t have the energy to trade words with you.”

“Then I better take full advantage of your weakness and demand everything of you …”

Xiang Zhe pretended to kiss Shan Mei’s lips and Shan Mei dodged, “Don’t fool around, the nurse will come in any minute.”

“What present have you bought me?” Shan Mei asked.

“Winnie the Pool bear.”

“I already have a Winnie the Pool bear.”

Xiang Zhe said with a full smile: “This one is different.”

“If you and Xiu Wei Oppa continue to buy toys for me, I really need a warehouse to keep them …” Shan Mei glanced at Xiang Zhe and said: “Do you know, among the presents you gave me, which one do I like best?”

“It’s … the teddy bear we won in Gyeongju?”

He could not forget the joy on her face when the owner generously gave that bear to Shan Mei.

“No …” Shan Mei smilingly shook her head, “It’s this one …”

Shan Mei put her left hand in Xiang Zhe’s hand. She wanted him to look at the ring on her finger, which Xiang Zhe took her to Itaewon and bought it for her. From that day onwards, she had never taken it down. She would wear it and treasure it. She had asked Xiang Zhe why did he snatch the bill for the ring, did he already have some conspiracy in mind? He just grinned and refused to answer. Perhaps from a bystander’s view, that ring was not something of great value, but in her heart, that was the pledge of love gift and there was nothing which could substitute it.

Xiang Zhe experienced sweetness in his heart and he smilingly looked intently into Shan Mei’s pupils, “One day I will take another ring to exchange for this one …” Xiang Zhe said.

Shan Mei replied with a face filled with shyness, “Well, you have to wait and see whether I’m willing to let you do it …”

“When you went to New York, did you go to visit the Empire State Building?” Shan Mei asked Xiang Zhe.

“No. Why?” Xiang Zhe asked, finding it funny. He was not an ordinary tourist.

“What a pity!” Shan Mei said regretfully.

“Why do I have to go to the Empire State Building?”

“That is where many beautiful love stories end in happiness there …”

“Really?” Xiang Zhe roared with laughter.

“In the movie “An Affair to Remember”, Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr arranged to meet there; in “Sleepless in Seattle”, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks finally met there in Valentine Day too … Someone said as that place is closest to heaven, all chaste love will be blessed by God …” Shan Mei wore a face of yearning.

“Then it should be a place for us to visit together … We will go there together next time.” Xiang Zhe said.

“Hmm.” Shan Mei nodded and dimpled in smiles.

At noon, Jin Huan Zhen brought in chicken soup and when Shan Mei saw the chicken soup, she immediately exclaimed:

“Chicken soup again? Auntie, can’t you bring me something good to eat!”

“Some good to eat, they will have to wait until you leave the hospital and ask Xiang Zhe to get them for you … Xiang Zhe, I have to take care of something in the shop, please help me to keep an eye on Shan Mei and make sure that she finishes all the chicken soup.”

Jin Huan Zhen instructed Xiang Zhe.

“Yes.” Xiang Zhe nodded in agreement.

“Auntie …”

“If you want to act as a spoiled brat, try it on Xiang Zhe!”

In order not to delay Xiang Zhe from going to the office, Shan Mei knitted her brows and finished the chicken soup.

“Thanks for your co-operation!” Xiang Zhe said.

“Don’t mention it … Hey, I want to look at the Winnie the Pooh bear you bought.” Shan Mei said.

Xiang Zhe’s mouth lifted at the corners, “Wait until you are out of the hospital!” Xiang Zhe said.

“I want to see it now.”

Shan Mei had a sudden attack of child disposition and she insisted on seeing the present.

Xiang Zhe felt helpless and all he could do was to take out the present from the luggage.

“It’s so lovely!” Shan Mei smiled happily on seeing the Winnie the Pooh bear.

The beaming Winnie the Pooh bear was wearing a red T-shirt and on which was hung an extra large heart shaped sign made from pink cotton material. On top of the heart was an embroidered big yellow honeybee and underneath the honeybee was written four English characters “Mine”.

“This bear is really too gluttonous, it is even holding a bee in his arms …” Shan Mei roared with laughter.

Xiang Zhe smiled in a treacherous way.

Shan Mei saw the way Xiang Zhe looked and started thinking. There must be something shady about this Winnie the Pooh bear … Shan Mei pondered in her heart.

Honeybee was “bee” and with the words “mine” underneath … Bee Mine … Bee Mine … Oh!

“What does this mean?” Shan Mei asked, her face flushing.

“It means whatever you think it means …” Xiang Zhe wore a face of cunning smile. He was simply thrilled with this gift.

“Take it away quickly!” Shan Mei said.

If Auntie and Xiu Wei Oppa happened to find this, she would be embarrassed to death.

Xiang Zhe doubled up in laughter when he saw how shy and agitated Shan Mei looked.

“What, you don’t like it?” He purposely teased her.

“Right, I don’t like it …” Shan Mei pouted.

“Don’t like it? Then I will give it to the lady in my office …”

“No!” Shan Mei clutched the bear.

“You don’t want this bear, or you don’t want me to give it away?”

“You are really very annoying!”

“I already told you to look at it after you leave the hospital.” Xiang Zhen grinningly said.

Shan Mei’s response was anticipated by Xiang Zhe, and that was why he wanted her to look at the present after she left the hospital.

“First let it keep you company here and I will take it home tonight …”

Xiang Zhe left the Winnie the Pooh bear with Shan Mei.

After Xiang Zhe left, Shan Mei held the bear in her hand and stared at it.

Be Mine …

Xiang Zhe said, it meant whatever she thought it meant.

To be his girlfriend … to be his lover … or … to be his wife … Shan Mei was flushing hot. What! This person was so wicked.

“Shan Mei …” Jin Huan Zhen came back.

Shan Mei hurriedly buried the bear inside the bedding. No matter what those words meant, she simply could not let Auntie see it.

Xiang Zhe came back in the evening and discovered that bunch of white flowers had vanished without trace.

“Where is my Winnie the Pooh bear?” Xiang Zhe looked in all directions and asked.

“It is too ashamed to see people and is in hiding.” Shan Mei said.

“Is it you who is ashamed to see people? Or is it the little bear?” Xiang Zhe smouldered in laughter.

“You ask Auntie to take it home for you?” Xiang Zhe asked.

He bumped into Jin Huan Zhen in the corridor who was on her way home. Xiang Zhe knew that she purposely let them spend time alone together.

“It’s here!” Shan Mei lifted up the quilt. “It’s all your fault to dump this little trouble on me. Please take it home with you later.” Shan Mei muttered. In order not to let Auntie see it, she was hiding it under the quilt the whole time.

Xiang Zhe saw that Shan Mei was trying hard to hide the little bear and he could not stop laughing secretly.

“Why did you hide the bear inside the quilt?”

Shan Mei gave Xiang Zhe a disdainful look and said ill-humouredly: “To keep me company when I took the nap!”

Hateful, this fellow had the audacity to pretend to be blurry!

“What do you want to eat tonight? I can sneak in some goodies for you.” Xiang Zhe said.

Shan Mei was staying in a one person private room and could freely come and go.

Shan Mei smiled happily: “I want to eat … spicy fried rice cakes.”

“Don’t be a fool! You just had a surgery and cannot eat anything that is too spicy.”

Shan Mei protruded her lips and said: “Two days have already past … Can I just eat a tiny portion? Please stretch the rules a little bit!” Shan Mei begged Xiang Zhe.

“No way.” Xiang Zhe said in an inarguably tone, “Last time when I had that motor cycle accident, someone kept a close watch on me, saying that spicy food was not good to the wound and would not even allow me to taste kimji for two weeks …” Xiang Zhe smilingly cast her a sideway glance, “Now when you have fallen ill yourself, you clamour for spicy fried rice cakes instead … It is really the case of treating other strictly and yourself leniently.”

“OK! I won’t eat it.” Shan Mei said reluctantly.

“I will get some sol-long tang (hearty beef stock soup) for you …” Xiang Zhe coaxed Shan Mei.

When Xiang Zhe came back, Shan Mei’s door was half opened. He heard she was talking to someone, maybe she had a visitor.

When Xiang Zhe saw the person in the room, he was dumbfounded.

“This is the uncle I mentioned to you before, Mr. Yin Zheng Hao.” Shan Mei smilingly spoke to Xiang Zhe.

Yin Zheng Hao turned his head and looked. When he saw Xiang Zhe, his face revealed an expression of pleasant surprise.

When the gazes of them crashed with each other, Xiang Zhe turned his face away coldly. He had never expected to see Yin Zheng Hao under these circumstances. The last time it was when he appeared in his mother’s funeral 15 years’ ago.

Shan Mei did not notice anything amiss and continued to make the introduction.

“Uncle Yin, this is my friend. His last name is also Yin and his name is Yin Xiang Zhe.”

“Hello.” Xiang Zhe’s face was devoid of expression when he bowed in greeting.

Shan Mei felt embarrassed by Xiang Zhe’s cold attitude. She looked at Xiang Zhe in surprise. What was happening to him?

“Xiang Zhe …” Yin Zheng Hao called out Xiang Zhe’s name emotionally.

Shan Mei was startled, “You know each other?”

Xiang Zhe looked at Yin Zheng Hao without saying a word and the expression on his face was very cold and unmoved and on comparison, Yin Zheng Hao was looking earnest and it made a striking contrast. The atmosphere in the room appeared to be strange yet dignified. Shan Mei somehow did not know what to do

“Xiang Zhe …” Shan Mei broke the silence.

“I won’t disturb you from looking after your guest. I’ll come back later.”

Xiang Zhe turned and walked out of the sick room and left behind Shan Mei with a face of astonishment and Yin Zheng Hao looking desolate and shattered.

After more than an hour later, Xiang Zhe came back.

“Your guest has gone?” Xiang Zhe asked calmly as if nothing had happened a while ago.

“Huh.” Shan Mei nodded. She too did not want to mention what happened before. There was no way she could interfere with what had happened between father and son.

Xiang Zhe’s body smelt strongly of cigarette. She thought he must have smoked quite a few cigarettes.

“I went to get another bowl of beef soup for you just now. The other one has gone cold.” Xiang Zhe said.

“There is a microwave in the lounge at the end of the corridor, we can just reheat and eat it.”

“Really?”

“Have you had dinner yet?” Shan Mei asked.

Xiang Zhe shook his head.

“Keep me company! Let’s heat up the other one and there will be enough for the two of us.”

Xiang Zhe silently ate dinner with Shan Mei. She could see that he was feeling rotten.

“Hey, the beef in your bowl is more than mine … I’m the patient and need more nourishment. You have to give some of your beef to me … Hmm, it’s so yummy!”

“My physician in charge told me that he has never in his life met anyone who is so terrifying of pain and will cry out loudly even in the process of changing the dressing …”

Shan Mei racked her brain to find a way to put him back on a better mood and only with great difficulty before Xiang Zhe’s face revealed a smile.

“Can you stay here and keep me company tonight? Please!” She pulled his hand.

Xiang Zhe looked at Shan Mei in astonishment.

“…”

“I don’t care. You are to stay here to keep me company tonight no matter what!”

Shan Mei acted cajolingly.

She did not care whether Auntie would laugh at her. She only knew that she would not let him spend the night lonely and helpless and she wanted to stay at his side to keep him company.

- End of Chapter 25 –

Chapter 26

My Dearest One (Qin Ai De Ni)
By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by Jules

“Alright, that’s decided then. I’ll have Shan Mei prepare a legal opinion letter and deliver it to you tomorrow morning.” Jiang Zhan Ting promised.
“In that case, I’ll have to trouble Miss Zhen,” Song Shuo Mao looked at Shan Mei.
Jiang Zhan Ting waved his hand, “Allen, your group is one of our most important clients, Shan Mei should be the one thanking you for appointing us…… isn’t that right, Shan Mei?”
“Yes…” Shan Mei nodded in discomfort. She didn’t know if it was Song Shuo Mao’s instigation, but their firm had suddenly become her client after the last job. She was going to have more and more dealing with Song Shuo Mao from now on, and he often made the trip to her offices to discuss work. Song Shuo Mao had invited her for dinner several time, but she had refused. She did not want to have any dealings with him outside of work.

Jiang Zhan Ting looked at his watch, “It’s already noon, Allen….I’m afraid I have a prior engagement. I’ll have Shan Mei take you out for lunch in my place.”
Shan Mei was hoping that Song Shuo Mao would refuse, but he accepted the invitation instead.

Shan Mei went downstairs with Song Shuo Mao in complete silence. She was racking her brains on what to talk about with him over the meal.
“If you don’t wish to have lunch with me, I can go. I really don’t mind.” Song Shuo Mao had been observing her and knew that she was trying to avoid being alone with him.
Shan Mei glared at Song Shuo Mao, “In that case, why did you just refuse the invitation in the first place?”
Song Shuo Mao smiled grimly. It was a rare opportunity for him to be alone with her, and he did not want to give it up.
“Alright! I admit I didn’t really mean what I said…” Song Shuo Mao scratched his head, then said in resignation, “Really! You didn’t have to put it so bluntly…”
When Song Shuo Mao said that, Shan Mei was suddenly embarrassed.
“What would you like for lunch, Assistant Director?”
“Let’s go for Japanese at Kimunoya in Myeongdong. You always liked the hot stone food there.”
Go to her favourite Japanese restaurant? Shan Mei was irritated at his suggestion. Just who did he think he was? What business was it of his whether she like the food or not?
“No way! I have to rush back for a meeting.” Shan Mei refused straight away.

In the end, they went to a nearby Western restaurant.
Shan Mei ordered a Nicoise Salad
“That’s rather bland?” Song Shuo Mao commented. Shan Mei smiled, but did not reply.
“Would madam like anything else with that?” the waiter asked.
“Do you have raspberry cake? She loves raspberry cake.” Song Shuo Mao interjected.
“I want mango pudding.” Shan Mei said.
She actually loved raspberry cake, but she was put off by his assumption of familiarity.
“You taste in food has changed….”
“Many things in the world change over time.” Shan Mei said.
Song Shuo Mao blanched at her words, and Shan Mei regretted them. She did not intend to barb him. She had only said what had been on her mind.

“Thank you for the flowers.” Shang Mei broke the uncomfortable silence.
Song Shuo Mao broke out in smiles, “Have you completely recovered? You look well…”
“I had my stitches out more than two weeks ago.”
“When I heard that you had been hospitalized, I was worried it was because of the stress in handling our account…”
“Do you really think I’d be so weak?” Shan Mei laughed.
“I actually wanted to visit you in hospital, but I was afraid you would drive me out with a broom…” Song Shuo Mao replied, half in jest.
“Well, at least you’re smart enough to know where you stand.”
Song Shuo Mao sighed, “Do you really detest me so much?”
”Yes.” Shan Mei nodded.
Actually, it was someone else who detested seeing her with him. Shan Mei recalled the expression on Xiang Zhe’s face when he saw the white roses, and smiled sweetly.

Song Shuo Mao smiled in delight when he saw that smile on Shan Mei’s face, thinking that the smile was for him. He really missed that smile.
“It’s been difficult to catch a smile from you.” Song Shuo Mao said.
“I don’t recall being particularly grim when we were at work together.” Shan Mei protested.
“I meant catching a smile like that one you just gave me….as if we were friends.”
Shan Mei’s smile froze.
“I hope we can still be friends,” Song Shuo Mao said.
Shan Mei hesitated for a moment before replying blandly, “I’m not sure we can be friends again.”

The waiter brought their food.
Shan Mei lowered her head and concentrated on her food. After a long while, she finally discovered that Song Shuo Mao had been just sitting there with knife and fork in hand, food untouched.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Well, I am!” Shan Mei said as she jabbed another piece of salad and put it in her mouth.

“Actually, I saw you before you went to Kimhae the first time for that project…” Song Shuo Mao suddenly started.
Shan Mei looked at him in surprise, “When was that?” she asked.
“It was at your firm’s commemorative cocktail.”
“You were there that night?”
Song Shuo Mao nodded.
“Why didn’t I notice you?”
“I….” He had been feeling guilty, and could not find the courage to face her.
“When I saw you in all your glory on stage that night, I felt …like I owed you something. Shan Mei, I…”
Shan Mei cut him off, “Let’s not bring up the past. I may have been hurt, but all that is over, and we have both found our own brand of happiness elsewhere, haven’t we?”
“Our own brand of happiness?” Song Shuo Mao asked quietly.
For a moment, Shan Mei though she detected a note of regret and unspoken feeling in his words.

“Can you reconsider having me as a friend? Just a common friend?”
As they were parting, Song Shuo Mao suddenly asked Shan Mei again. The tone of his plea touched Shan Mei.
“I’ll think about it.” She finally replied.
Shan Mei sighed secretly. Xiang Zhe always teased her for not being able to refuse others.

Just as she arrived back at the office, Shan Mei received a surprising phone call.
“Alright, I’ll go over tonight.” She told the person on the other end of the line.
She could guess what the topic of conversation would be that night, but still she could not refuse because it was Xiang Zhe’s father.

By the time she got home that night, it was already after ten. Shan Mei sat at her desk thinking about the legal documentation she was supposed to hand over to Song Shuo Mao the next morning, but could not collect her wits. All she could think of was what happened with Xiang Zhe’s father earlier.

She met Yin Zheng Qii over a dinner that lasted 3 hours. Yin Zheng Qi had asked about every detail of Xiang Zhe, from his schooling to his life, to his work. It was almost as if he was trying to piece together the pieces that he missed. Shan Mei couldn’t help feeling sad and regretful for Xiang Zhe. She could not imagine a father who could completely ignore his son for over twenty years.
“No matter what tore you apart, surely it didn’t justify not even trying to contact him for over twenty years?” Shan Mei could not understand.
“I had an agreement with Xiang Zhe’s mother that I would not interfere in their lives….” Yin Zheng Qi replied.
Shan Mei was mortified, “This is not a business contract. No matter what Auntie might have said, Xiang Zhe is still your son…”
“Xiang Zhe’s mother was a strong-willed woman. She did not want…”
“I cannot accept that as an explanation……. It’s to do with what you feel, with showing some concern. Do you know how much Xiang Zhe has suffered because of it? Do you know how much it took for the three of them to make it through?” Shan Mei’s eyes reddened.
Yin Zhen Qi had nothing to say.
Shan Mei knew she was being highly disrespectful of an elder by saying all this, but she could not hold it back without choking herself.
“If you could bother hanging out at the park to try your luck, why didn’t you try to show some concern in the first instance?”
“I was too much of a coward then…. I had done Xiang Zhe and his mother a great injustice.” Yin Zheng Qi;s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t expect Xiang Zhe to forgive me. I only want to have a good look at him and say a few words….”
Yin Zheng Qi pleaded with Shan Mei to arrange a meeting for them.
“Uncle, there is no way I could do that.”

She did not have the right to be the go-between for the two of them. She had no idea what had happened between Xiang Zhe’s parents at the time, and did not want to be the source of trouble for Xiang Zhe. She could not forget the pain in Xiang Zhe’s eyes that night. He had laid in her arms and cried. She felt so sad for him, so sorry, but didn’t know what to say to comfort him. All she could do was hold him in her arms….. Xiang Zhe’s heart had a very large, very deep wound. The next day, he had collected himself and went to work as if nothing had happened.

The telephone rang. It was Xiang Zhe.
“Are you getting ready for bed?” he asked.
“I’m writing a paper.”
“Can I interrupt you for five minutes?”
Shan Mei giggled, “You’ve already interrupted me!...”
“I didn’t mean that kind of interruption…”
“What do you mean?”
“Can you guess where I am?”

“Aiyo! You….!”
Shan Mei flew downstairs and opened the door. Xiang Zhe was standing outside.

“Why did you come over so late?”
“I missed you.” Xiang Zhe smiled tiredly.
“Come in! You look really tired.”
“That’s alright. I just wanted to look at you for a minute….. I’ll be on my way in five minutes.”
He had specially made his way over to her place, and was delighted to find that the lights were on and she was still up.
“Yin Xiang Zhe, I think your five minutes are up.” Shan Mei said.
“That was quick!”
“I’m afraid….” She remembered how they seemed to have a telepathic connection when he came all the way over from Incheon to give her that five minute hug. “However, I will consider giving you a five minute extension…actually, a lot of five minute extensions.”
Shan Mei said while in his embrace. How she wished they could stay like this forever.
“Looks like someone is even more greedy than I am….” He whispered in her ear, then bent over to kiss her.

“Let me get you some supper?” Shan Mei asked.
“Why are you being so nice to me today?”
Shan Mei smiled, “You make it sound like I usually treat you so badly…”
“I’m saying nothing of the sort.” Xiang Zhe waved his hand at her.
Shan Mei was being very gentle and compliant.
“How about some Kimchi noodles?”
“Do you need my help?”
“There’s no need. You just sit here and wait to taste my speciality.”

Xiang Zhe stood by the kitchen door and watched Shan Mei’s back, thinking about what happened during lunch, feeling anxious.
When he went off with Jiang Zhan Ting for lunch, he saw Shan Mei with a tall, handsome young man in the lobby. He immediately recognized the man as the one who had been watching Shan Mei intently during their firm’s commemorative cocktail party. Just the though of someone looking at Shan Mei like that made him uneasy.

“Is that person with Miss Zhen one of the staff at your firm?” he asked Jiang Zhan Ting.
“No, he’s one of our clients. I asked Shan Mei to take him out on my behalf…”
Xiang Zhe was not impressed. “Isn’t it asking too much for a female employee to entertain a male client one-on-one?”
Jiang Zhan Ting laughed when he heard that, “Director Yin must be worried about Miss Zhen then!”
“Of course I am. She’s the sister of my best friend.”
“Don’t worry, Assistant Director Song know each other from way back. He was her mentor when she was training for the bar.”
“Assistant Director Song?”
“He’s Song Shuo Mao from the Kimhae Group…”
Song Shuo Mao! The name was so familiar….finally, a flash went off in his head. Xiang Zhe thought about the white roses that had been sent to Shan Mei at the hospital. That was the name on the card.

“Alright, it’s ready!”
Shan Mei brought a bowl of noodles out to Xiang Zhe.
“Eat it while it’s hot.”
“How is it? Pretty good, eh?” Shan Mei asked.
“Hmmm, not bad at all.” Xiang Zhe threw off thoughts about Song Shuo Mao and white roses. He really shouldn’t speculate. Song Shuo Mao was only Shan Mei’s senior.
“Is that true?” Shan Mei beamed at him.
“The stock is lovely and the noodles just right. It tastes like….what a wife would make!”
Xiang Zhe expected her to react to the remark, but Shan Mei just sat there smiling at him.
“You’re not yourself today.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re especially gentle and caring.”
“I’m ALWAYS gentle and caring.” Shan Mei protested.
After that meeting with Xiang Zhe’s father, Shan Mei was feeling extremely sorry for Xiang Zhe. She didn’t know whether or not to accede to his father’s wishes and arrange for a meeting between them. She was struggling with herself.

“Hey! What are you thinking of? Your eyebrows are tied up in knots…”
“Hmmm” Shan Mei got a hold of herself.

“Yumm, this is really good.” Shan Mei praised her own cooking.
“If you only wanted that little bit, why did you cook such a big pot of it?” Xiang Zhe asked. Shan Mei only had a small bowl.
“I wanted to – is that alright?”
He knew she had prepared it specially for him.
“Of course it’s alright.” Xiang Zhe replied as he smiled at her unblinkingly.
“Why are you looking at me?” The tenderness in Xiang Zhe’s eyes made Shan Mei blush.
“Aren’t you also looking at me?”
“You’re incorrigible! Just eat!”

It was midnight before they knew it.
“I should be going.” Xiang Zhe said.
“I’ll see you home.” Shan Mei said.
“What?”
“I said I’ll see you home.”
“Bullocks!” Xiang Zhe felt the sweetness in his heart.
She accompanied him to his home, then he drove her back to her place, and Shan Mei was still unwilling to part with him.
“You’d better get to bed, otherwise you’ll have dark circles under your eyes tomorrow.”
“Ummm…” Shan Mei nodded, “Yin Xiang Zhe…” she hesitated.
“What is it?”
“If one day, I end up doing something you really dislike, would you get really mad at me?”
“What are you talking about?” Xiang Zhe patted her head, “What would you do, knowing full well that I would be angry it?”
“Don’t worry about that bit! You just have to answer my question.”
“If I said I would be extremely, immensely mad at you, but you feel it was the right thing to do, you would still do it regardless, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes.” Shan Mei nodded. He knew her so well.
“In that case, I would try my best to understand you, and not get too mad.” Xiang Zhe said simply.

That Saturday, Shan Mei went to Gyeongju to look Xiang Zhe’s grandmother up. She told Xiang Zhe she was going to visit a friend in Pusan. She wanted to know what the situation was with Xiang Zhe’s father before making her decision.

After work on Thursday, Xiang Zhe arrived at the restaurant as arranged with Shan Mei.
“Mr Yin, your friend has been waiting a long time.” The waiter told him. He was a regular here, and the waiters all knew him.
Xiang Zhe’s lips curled in a smile. That afternoon, Shan mei telephoned him to say she might be late, but she had actually arrived before him. She must be missing him…..

Xiang Zhe was speechless when he saw who was waiting for him. It was no other than his father, Yin Zheng Qi.
“Xiang Zhe…”
“This was your idea, wasn’t it?” Xiang Zhe remained standing, thunderous rage on his face.
“Don’t blame Shan Mei for it. I begged her to help me, and she was too kind to refuse.” Yin Zheng Qi explained.
“What do you want?”
“All I want is to talk with you…”
“I don’t have anything to say to someone who has disappeared for over twenty years….”
“You don’t have to say anything, I just wish you could listen to me say a few words with an open mind….” Yin Zheng Qi pleaded.
Xiang Zhe looked steadily at the familiar, yet strange face, pulled up a chair and sat down.

When Shan Mei arrived an hour later, Xiang Zhe was alone.
“I’m sorry, I’m late.”
Xiang Zhe looked terrible, and Shan Mei could not bear to look him in the eye.
“He… is he gone?” Shan Mei asked quietly.
Xiang Zhe looked at Shan Mei, “Have you eaten?” he asked.
“I….ate.” Shan Mei lied.
Xiang Zhe called for the bill.

Shan Mei followed Xiang Zhe into the car.
“Where are we going?” she asked him timidly.
“Home.” Xiang Zhe said.
Xiang Zhe remained silent all the way, and Shan Mei did not even dare to take a breath.
When they got home, Xiang Zhe left Shan Mei in the lounge and went into the kitchen. Shan Mei thought Xiang Zhe was getting a drink, but then heard him chopping something.
She went to the kitchen and found him cutting up vegetables and defrosting some seafood from the freezer.
“Are you cooking seafood hotpot?” Shan Mei asked Xiang Zhe. She knew he hadn’t eaten. The restaurant bill only listed two drinks.
Xiang Zhe ignored her and continued cutting.
“Let me cook some rice as well.” Shan Mei said to herself.
Xiang Zhe must be furious. How could he cook seafood hotpot without rice?
After she put the rice on, Shan Mei started the stock. Xiang Zhe remained silent until even the seafood was cooked. Shan Mei was about to die of neglect.
Xiang Zhe scooped out a bowl of soup and put it in front of Shan Mei.
Shan Mei looked guiltily at Xiang Zhe and said, “Yell at me if you’re angy. Don’t just stay silent…”
“I haven’t got the energy to yell until afer I eat.” Xiang Zhe replied.
Shan Mei said seriously, “Thank God! I though you were never going to talk to me again for the rest of your life.”
“This is the thing that you were going to do even though you thought I would get mad?” he asked.
Shan Mei nodded and said softly, “If you want to yell at me, I really have nothing to say…” she was really feeling very sorry.
Xiang Zhe looked at her, but did not say anything.
“Xiang Zhe….. I didn’t do it because I felt sorry for your father; I did it after long and serious deliberation….. last Saturday, I actually went to see your grandmother.” Shan Mei held her breath.
“You went to see my Grandma?” Xiang Zhe asked in surprise.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it. I wanted to find out more about your parents before making decision on whether to do this…”
Xiang Zhe’s grandmother said it was Xiang Zhe’s mother who wanted the separation. Xiang Zhe’s mother, Li Ruo Lan, was an art tutor for Yin Zheng Qi’s older son, and the two of them met and fell in love that way. They had married each other ignoring objections from both families. The conservative Yin family did not want their daughter-in-law to be known in public, so Li Ruo Lan had given up her artist’s career to care for Yin Zheng Qi and his son at hom. After Xiang Zhe was born, Yin Zheng Qi’s business took off, and Li Ruo Lan saw less and less of him. With her husband’s blessing, she had participated in a friend’s art circle, much to the disapproval of the Yin family. The feud between Li Ruo Lan and her mother-in-law on this matter ended up putting Yin Zheng Qi in a difficult position. In the end, the strong-willed Li Ruo Lan decided to separate from her husband, who could not support her independent nature. She had originally agreed to leave her son with the Yin family, but the eight year old Xiang Zhe managed to run away from home and find his way to his mother in Gyeongju. Touched by his action, Li Ruo Lan finally gave up her rights to alimony in exchange for custody of her son, and requested Yin Zheng Qi to leave the two of them alone.

That was what Xiang Zhe’s grandmother told her.

“What did my grandmother tell you?”
Xiang Zhe’s cynical sneer, made Shan Mei feel for him. She made her way to his side and hugged him.
“Ever since my mother died, I have always made my own decisions….which university, studying overseas, starting a business….” Xiang Zhe hesitated, then put his hand out to stroke Shan Mei’s cheek, “ Even in love…. I’ve only done what I felt was right for me. Now…” He looked at her helplessly.
“I’m sorry, Xiang Zhe…”
“You’ve only done what you feel you should.”
“I didn’t know if it was right or wrong…” Shan Mei was torn.
“I don’t have any answer for you….” Xiang Zhe shook his head.
“I asked Grandma if I should help your father do what he wanted, but she didn’t have an answer for me either. All she did was take me to your mother’s art studio and let me look at her work…. That afternoon, I sat there looking at her work in chronological order and was surprised to discover that, except for the first few years, her works were mostly bright and gentle. I felt that she had forgiven your father so I decided to do what I did.

Xiang Zhe looked at her steadily for a moment, then said, “You’re my mother’s messenger.”
She looked at him in puzzlement.
“Before she died, my mother told me: if my father ever wanted to see me, I should let him know that she had never hated him. She had left him because she did not want him to live in pain…. Her only regret was that I had grown up without my father.” There were tear’s in Xiang Zhe’s eyes.
Shan Mei cried.
“Don’t cry.” He patted her gently.
“Did you tell your father what your mother said to you?” She asked.
Xiang Zhe shook his head, “I couldn’t bring myself to say it.”
“Do you still….hate him?”
“When I was sitting across from him, looking at his aged features, listening to his apologetic words, I discovered…..I actually hate him a lot less than I thought I did…..Time does truly heal everything…..I suddenly realized that the pain and suffering he went through was no less than what my mother went through…..My mother left his world with peace in her heart, but he has been living the past ten years with guilt in his….I just couldn’t hate him the way I had been, and it gave me an unwelcome shock.”
Shan Mei looked at Xiang Zhe through her tears, “Can you really forgive your father?”
She really hoped that the painful wound that he hid in his heart would now be able to heal itself.
“I’ll try….even my mother has forgiven him….”
“Both you and your mother are forgiving people.” Shan Mei hugged Xiang Zhe tightly.
“My mother is, but I’m not.” Xiang Zhe smiled.
It was the first time Xiang Zhe had smiled that night. Shan Mei was relieved.

“Does this mean you’re still mad at me?” Shan Mei asked with a pout.
“Of course!” Xiang Zhe made a face.
“Aye! Why don’t you just yell at me and get it over with….” Shan Mei looked like a student awaiting punishment from the teacher.
“You know you’re in for it, don’t you?”
“I can’t eat until you’ve finished yelling at me, and I’m about to die of hunger…” Shn Mei held her stomach.
Xiang Zhe couldn’t help laughing, “Didn’t you say you had already eaten?”
“I didn’t dare to say I was hungry when you were looking like that….” Shan Mei teased, “I bet you made this seafood hotpot because you feel sorry for me, and I’m so touched!”
“If not for the fact that you’re still recuperating from the operation, I would not have bothered!”
Shan Mei happily buried her face in Xiang Zhe’s chest, “I know you love me!”
“Stop fooling around and eat up. After you’re done, I’ve still want to get even with you.”
“In that case, I’m not eating.”
“You’ve got me eating out of your hand, haven’t you?”
“That’s absolutely right!” Shan Mei laughed.

“Yin Xiang Zhe, one must always be true to oneself, must one?” she asked.
“I guess so!” Xiang Zhe nodded, “Because that means you have to put down your dignity, your stubbornness and fight with your own nature.”
He looked at her, “but when you actually do it, your heart settles itself…. Just like today. Thank you, Shan Mei. If you didn’t push me to do it, I would have not been able to do it on my own.”

Shan Mei was delighted because she knew that the man she loved was a generous and honourable man.

****** End of Chapter 26 ******

Chapter 27

Written By Jennifer

Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp

Translated by nho(CA)

Shan Mei bumped into Song Shuo Mao again in the restaurant.

“You also patronize this restaurant …” Song Shuo Mao came to Shan Mei’s table, looking pleasantly surprise.

“What a coincidence!” Shan Mei smiled.

She could not remember how many times she ran into Shuo Mao this month. Since she took over Gimhae’s case, Shuo Mao often showed up in her office. He came over to talk business with her. Sometime when it was obvious that a phone discussion would suffice, he would still come over in person. Even when she had lunch at noon, she would often run into him in the restaurant. Because the number of occurrence was too frequent, she could not help entertain doubt that it was not sheer coincidence. She asked Shuo Mao why he had to go such a long way to have lunch in a restaurant which was miles away. He told her the food in this restaurant tasted better. Shan Mei whispered silently that although she told him she could be friends with him again, it did not mean that he could interfere with her life without her permission.

“I just arrived in the neighbourhood and some friend told me that the atmosphere in this restaurant is pretty good, so I came over to take a look … Do you come here often?” Shuo Mao pulled out the chair while he was talking.

“Sometimes.”

The atmosphere was very good and she and Xiang Zhe often arranged to meet here.

“I’m sorry, you can’t sit here …” Shan Mei stopped Shuo Mao from sitting down.

“Why?” Shuo Mao asked with a frolicsome expression.

“I’m meeting a friend.”

“Really?” Shuo Mao jokingly asked: “Don’t tell me it happens to be your boyfriend?”

“Right, it’s my boyfriend. I think he won’t be happy to see you here …” Shan Mei candidly said.

Shou Mao chatted a little while with Shan Mei and then left. Shan Mei did not know whether she was too sensitive herself, somehow she felt Shuo Mao was looking strange. However, she really did not want to pay Shuo Mao any attention. Before she finished work for the day, Jiang Zhan Ting gave her instructions to work on a case at the last minute and asked her to prepare a report by Tuesday. She would not be able to take a restful weekend free of worries.

When Xiang Zhe arrived at the restaurant, Shan Mei was reading some business papers in concentration.

“So diligent …” Xiang Zhe intimately squeezed Shan Mei’s shoulders.

“You’re here!” Shan Mei closed the file of documents. Xiang Zhe did not like her to think of business during their dates. Xiang Zhe said that when they dated, she was not allowed to think of other matters except him; Xiang Zhe said when you were in love you had to be absorbed in it. He was very domineering, but she did not mind one bit. Actually Xiang Zhe did not have to worry, when she was with him, in her eyes, in her heart, she could no longer accommodate other people or other matters except him.

“You are taking your work home again?” Xiang Zhe frowned.

“When you have to make a living, you have to act involuntarily …” Shan Mei borrowed the words Xiang Zhe often uttered.

“Please put them here first …” Xiang Zhe took that thick file of documents and placed them into his own brief case.

“So many! How many hours are you prepared to use in a day? … Please remember to get them back from me later… or else I will charge you a fee for keeping them overnight …”

“Yin Xiang Zhe, I have to punish you.” After finishing the meal, Shan Mei said to Xiang Zhe.

“What for?” Xiang Zhe grinned.

“You are keeping something from me … Hurry up and tell.”

“You really are a terrible woman, I just can’t conceal anything from you.” Xiang Zhe smilingly shook his head.

Shan Mei pouted, “It’s not me who is terrible, it’s something clearly written on your face that reads “I have something on my mind” …”

“Is it so obvious?”

“Hmm …” Shan Mei nodded, “Is it something that happened in the office?” Shan Mei asked with a face filled with concern.

“No, it’s nothing to do with the office …” Xiang Zhe hesitated.

“Exactly what went wrong?” Shan Mei worriedly looked at Xiang Zhe. There was something that was perplexing him.

“Well … Yin Wen Jun phoned me today …” Xiang Zhe said.

“Yin Wen Jun? Who is Yin Wen Jun?”

“My half-brother.”

Shan Mei stared at him with eyes wide open and waited for Xiang Zhe to continue.

“He phoned me, to let me know the day after tomorrow is Father’s birthday. He asked whether I can go home to have dinner …”

“Oh!” Shan Mei nodded.

Xiang Zhe waited for a long time, not getting a response from Shan Mei and could not control himself and said: “Don’t you have anything to say?”

“I can’t make the decision for you …”

“Do you think I should go?”

“Do you want to go?” She did not give him a positive answer.

Xiang Zhe lowered his head to think and said: “If … I want to invite you to come with me … Will you?”

“Erh …” Shan Mei hesitated. Xiang Zhe was thinking of going home and she could not be more pleased, but if she were to go with him so flauntingly without an invitation, how extremely embarrassed it would be! What would Xiang Zhe’s father and brother think?

“It doesn’t seem to be too proper …” Shan Mei looked reluctant.

“You are friendly with him …” Xiang Zhe looked at Shan Mei and murmured: “What I mean is … if you can come with me, the atmosphere won’t be too awkward …”

Shan Mei saw the look of expectation on Xiang Zhe’s face and her resolution weakened.

Let it be, let them tease them if they wanted! Xiang Zhe’s mother instructed Xiang Zhe before she died that if he saw Yin Zheng Hao again, Xiang Zhe had to let Yin Zheng Hao know that she had already forgiven him. She must have wished that Xiang Zhe and his father’s rift would be healed. She wanted to do her best for Xiang Zhe and also for Xiang Zhe’s mother.

“I am friendly with him? Who said that? I have never met Yin Wen Jun before …” Shan Mei tried to make a joke on Xiang Zhe.

Xiang Zhe said sulkily: “You know full well that I didn’t mean Yin Wen Jun …”

“I’m afraid that you will misunderstand …” Shan Mei pouted her lips.

“Misunderstand what?”

“Misunderstand that I know your brother …”

“What do you mean?”

“You forgot that Uncle Yin has once wanted to introduce your brother to me?”

“Right!” Xiang Zhe said with his mouth lifted at the corners: “You said you were going to meet with him and it unsettled me so much that I played the basketball game out of condition that day and was severely berated by my friends. It wasn’t until you came that the burden in my heart could then be let down.” That night he bared his heart to Shan Mei.

Shan Mei pouted: “Then why did you keep on urging me to go to that meeting … You also said something about it was not bad to get to know more people …”

“As a matter of fact, I intended to find an opportunity to tell you that night …”

“Then why didn’t you do anything?”

“I was afraid to frighten and drive you away?”

“What?”

“I discovered that you were not in the picture … You must have forgotten … You also acted presumptuously and made an erroneous suggestion that I should invite the girl I liked to go to the basketball game with me

Shan Mei covered her mouth and smiled. At that time she had never imagined that she was the girl described by Xiang Zhe.

“If I did tell you that night, would you have been shocked and run away from me?”

Shan Mei puckered in smile, but refused to answer.

“Would you?” Xiang Zhe continued to press for an answer.

“Hmm …” Shan Mei craftily said: “I won’t answer any question that is hypothetical.”

Every time when similar situation arose, he could never not get the better of her.

“Are you … willing to come with me?” Xiang Zhe asked.

Shan Mei rested her cheeks in her hands, stared at Xiang Zhe mischievously for a long while and grinningly said: “So the usually forbidding looking Mr. Chairman Yin Xiang Zhe unexpectedly has such thin skin!”

Xiang Zhe scratched his head and smiled, looking embarrassed.

“Do you think two thin-skinned persons going together would make the atmosphere more awkward?” Shan Mei asked.

Xiang Zhe was thrilled, because Shan Mei agreed to go with him

After dinner, the two of them went to see a late movie. Before Xiang Zhe did not like to watch movie, but because Shan Mei loved it, he too had developed an interest in watching movies. At first when Shan Mei was aware that Xiang Zhe did not like watching movie, she asked Xiang Zhe in surprise: “Since you do not like watching movie, why did you invite me to a movie then?” He invited her to a movie that day when she helped him review a contract.

Xiang Zhe said: “I too didn’t understand … When I watched your back at that time, there arose in my heart a sudden feeling of not wanting you to go, I think perhaps at that time I already subconsciously thought of pursuing you!”

“You are uttering nonsense!” Shan Mei dimpled in smiles.

“It’s true! … Since knowing you, I have done plenty of things which I have never done before …”

“Say for example?” Shan Mei smiled so sweetly.

“For example …” Xiang Zhe’s mouth lifted at the corners and said: “The first time to openly invite a girl to come to look around my office; to loiter in the office building lobby waiting for an adorable girl feigning a “coincident meeting”; run to her residence to stand waiting outside the door until she switched off the light to go to bed and then reluctantly left; because of the longing for her that made me go all the way to London …; and also …” Xiang Zhe paused.

“And also?”

“Also … every day writing on a cell phone which is less than the size of one’s palm, short love messages to her …”

“Wow! So much hardship for you …” Shan Mei naughtily patted Xiang Zhe’s shoulder.

That night, they watched “The Butterfly Effect”. Shan Mei was nearly in tears at the end of the movie.

In the movie the male lead suffered temporary memory loss. Some crucial moment of his childish life seemed to have disappeared into a black hole of forgetting and his memory was filled with uncomprehending blurred shadow. Until accidentally he discovered a way of travelling back to the past through one of his childhood journal and he could again occupy his childhood body. The male lead decided to take the opportunity to go back to the past to try to rectify the past error, trying to spare his childhood friends the need to face damaged lives. However, he discovered that every time he went back to the past to make changes, it would always cause negative results on his present life, affecting himself, his childhood sweetheart, and all his close friends, causing unforeseeable influence and initiating more unpredictable chain-reaction and the worst was that every time someone had to suffer as a consequence. The male character again and again went back to the past for his girlfriend, for his two friends, attempting to fix up past events, but every time he was causing more uncontrollable tragedies.

The chain of fate tied the male and female leads, the female lead’s brother and their mutual friend tightly together. The male lead discovered that when he himself and his childhood sweetheart were living a happy life, at the same time his two good friends, one was sent into a mental hospital and the other became a bastard who made one's hair stand up in great anger. So the male lead travelled to the past trying to change the source which caused his friends’ misfortune. He saved his friends’ fate, but discovered that his beloved girlfriend became a prostitute following a chain of causes and effects as a consequence. The heartbroken boyfriend went back to the past again to try to make amend. Indeed as expected, he could change the female lead’s fate, but discovered that it was traded by the price of his own disability and his mother’s death. What made it difficult for him to accept was that the female lead and his good friend became a couple … After several trials and setbacks, no matter how hard he tried, he was unable to get a satisfactory ending for everyone.

Finally when the male lead realized the rules of the game of fate, he made a heart-wrenching decision. He decided to return to the past again, returned to the point in time when he and his childhood sweetheart first met each other. He betrayed his own real feeling and uttered evil and cruel words to the girl who showed him tender feeling. The female lead got frightened and ran away. This way, the male lead destroyed the link of fate between him and the female lead, and severed the originally predestined fate of the heart-wrenching love he was to share with the female lead. From then on, they were strangers to each other; he did not have any more ties with her and he cut off the source of all tragedies that would be taking place in the future. The male lead chose to forsake love before the seed of love had a chance to sprout up. In the final scene of the movie, many years later, the female lead brushed past the male lead on the street as if they were strangers to each other …

Shan Mei sighed sad and said: “It’s really very regrettable …”

“Apart from a little regret about love, I think it is the best ending for everyone concerned in the movie.” Xiang Zhe said.

“If it were you, would you choose to sacrifice love?” She asked him.

Xiang Zhe pondered for a little while, nodded and said: “I think I will make the same choice. I would rather be the one to suffer and wish my beloved happiness.”

Shan Mei gazed at Xiang Zhe, visibly moved. Both he and his mother knew how to love. They would rather suffer themselves in order to make way for other people’s happiness.

Shan Mei thought of Xiang Zhe’s father. Apparently he did not obtain happiness even though Xiang Zhe mother gave up in retreat … If, if the other party was given the choice, maybe he would rather choose the raging flame of passion and sacrifice his life in order to stay with his beloved together … Shan Mei thought of the fate chosen by Romeo and Juliet. The withdrawing party wholeheartedly wanted to help the other party to achieve happiness, but could the other party be able to do so? Shan Mei asked herself in her heart.

“It’s not easy to drop out.” Shan Mei said.

Xiang Zhe nodded: “Dropping out is indeed not easy, but sometimes it is something that needs to be done … Love should not be possessive, and it should mean wishing your beloved happiness. What do you think?” Xiang Zhe smilingly asked Shan Mei.

Shan Mei looked at the pertinacity in Xiang Zhe’s eyes and there arose from her heart a feeling of unease. Would Xiang Zhe one day make a similar decision arising out of some persistent reason or belief? When she thought of this she involuntarily gripped Xiang Zhe’s arm.

“What’s up?” Xiang Zhe was aware of Shan Mei’s nervousness.

“Nothing …” Shan Mei shook her head. She was too foolish and Xiang Zhe would tease her.

“Are you feeling unwell?” Xiang Zhe turned her around and looked straight into her face. Shan Mei’s face looked a little pale.

“No …” Shan Mei bent her head to avoid Xiang Zhe’s gaze.

“There is obviously something on your mind and I want you to tell me …” He looked at her closely.

Shan Mei bit on her lip, raised her head to look at Xiang Zhe, “You are not allowed to let go of my hand.” She solemnly said.

Xiang Zhe was stunned; he could not make out what Shan Mei meant.

“If you are not by my side, how can I be happy?” She looked at him and her eyes were shining with tears.

Xiang Zhe then realized, “I guarantee that would never happen.” He tenderly caressed Shan Mei’s back.

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”

Shan Mei then smiled.

“Silly goose!”

Xiang Zhe pulled Shan Mei into his arms. He could never understand why so many strange ideas could be emitted from her little brain.

When she got home, Shan Mei checked her cell phone and found she had one voicemail message. It was from Song Shuo Mao. She gave her cell phone number to Shuo Mao because of the need to make work-related contact.

“Shan Mei …, I’m so jealous. I’m jealous of the man by your side …” Shuo Mao’s voice sounded a little bit tipsy.

Shan Mei frowned. Shuo Mao must be insane! Was he drunk?

“Shan Mei, I regret so much. I shouldn’t split up with you. I’m not a bit happy … Oh Shan Mei … I miss you so much …”

What was he babbling about? Shan Mei shut the cell phone, her heart pounding rapidly.

Shan Mei was both angry and astonished by Shuo Mao’s declaration. She was not angry that after such a long period of time he had to come back to utter that speech to her. What had happened between them was now history. His explanation and apologies were both unnecessary and meaningless; she was angry because Shuo Mao could actually utter something which betrayed his own conscience and was totally unfair to others. She could still remember that evening long time ago that he told her that he had met a girl who could truly stir his inner feeling and he could not hide the joy from his face. It was that expression that made her decide to make way for him. She endured the grief and gave him the blessings before she left. She thought from then on he could know where his heart tied and he would know how to treasure other people’s feeling. In truth, he was still indecisive about where his true feeling lay. He was really hateful!

She could now see that it was not sheer coincidence that Shuo Mao frequently made his appearance recently. Everything was pre-arranged by him. At first she was ashamed that she measured him by her own petty standard. As a matter of act, her instinct was not wrong … unexpectedly she could be so stupid as not to be suspicious of his motive and agreed to become friend with him again. Zhen Shan Mei, what an big idiot you were! All of a sudden, several incidences were brought to mind. Heaven! He ought not have deliberately make arrangement for her to take on the Gimhae case from the start and later took responsibility in preparing the Gimhae legal contracts! Shan Mei thought it was extremely likely on further thoughts.

“Aiyoo, how can it be like this!” Shan Mei patted her own head with irritation.

The cell phone rang and it was from Song Shuo Mao.

Without waiting for Shuo Mao to start speaking, Shan Mei fired off the receiver: “Song Shuo Mao, haven’t you created enough havocs!” She abruptly terminated the call after venting off her displeasure.

Five seconds later, the cell phone rang again. Shan Mei determined to let it ring and did not respond. Shuo Mao called again a second time, then a third time which made Shan Mei very restless. She thought that even if she turned off her cell phone, she would not be able to have the peace of mind to do some work tonight.

Shan Mei sighed and picked up the phone when Shuo Mao called the fourth time.

“Don’t hang up on me … Shan Mei … I beg you …” It seemed Shuo Mao had drunk a lot of alcohol.

“Please say your nonsense once for all and afterwards, please never call me again …” Shan Mei angrily said.

“Shan Mei … I still love you …”

“You are drunk …” Shan Mei interrupted Song Shuo Mao’s words.

“I am speaking the truth after the liquor … I have buried these words in my heart for a long time and I didn’t have enough courage to utter them … until tonight when I saw you were with that man and I thought if I did not tell you, I was afraid I would never have the chance again …”

“No matter whether I have another person at my side, it would be impossible between you and me.” Shan Mei said.

“But I can’t forget you …”

“…” Shan Mei remained silent for a long time and said: “You told me, you have met a girl who could truly stir your inner feeling …”

“I was trying to deceive myself and others … You too know that my father is just a civil servant and I desperately wanted a rapid career advance. After I joined Gimhae, I discovered that Shen Ai was attracted to me. I thought … if I married Shen Ai, I needed not struggle for so many years. A few of my friends also behave in the same way. They said that marriage could be half career and half love … I thought I could be like that myself …”

“You should continue to hold firmly to your belief …” Shan Mei could not help being sarcastic. She never thought that he was this kind of people.

“Before I ran into you again, I really thought in this way … And I also lived with an easy conscience, but since that time when I saw you again in your firm’s annual reception, I was confused. Your smile, your everything, all came back into my memory. I discovered that I was actually still in love with you … So, I tried and used every means to get close to you … I requested Jiang Zhan Ting to let you handle Gimhae’s file, I looked for opportunities to look you up. It seems as though I am completely bewitched …”

Shan Mei did not want to listen any further, “That’s enough, Shuo Mao …”

“Shan Mei … Please give me a chance, can you?”

“I have already told you, that is absolute impossible. Please cherish the one you have at present! Shuo Mao …”

“I can’t stand her high-handed temperament … Tonight …”

“No one is perfect.” Shan Mei stopped Shuo Mao from carrying on. She did not want to know what unhappy incidence that had happened between Shuo Mao and Lee Shen Ai. “As you mentioned, you chose to be with her, apart from your so-called reasons, there must be some kind of personal affection involved!” Shan Mei said.

“Shan Mei …”

“Go home early! Shuo Mao … Also, … I will pretend that I have never heard what you have just told me and from now on, please don’t ever mention it again if you still want to stay friends with me …”

“Shan Mei …”

Shan Mei hung up in the midst of Shuo Mao’s protest.

After a long while, Shuo Mao did not call again and just as Shan Mei thought everything was alright, her cell phone rang again. This time it was from a strange number and a strange female voice spoke.

“I’m sorry, Miss … Your friend is drunk. Can I trouble you to come over to pick him up, as we are closing soon …”

“What?”

“It’s a Mr. Song, Mr. Song Shuo Mao. Do you know him? You too have just spoken on the phone. I find your number on his cell phone. He has just made several calls to you … Is he your boyfriend?”

“Just call a cab and let him go home himself!” Shan Mei said.

“I hope I can do it this way, but he is too drunk, can’t walk steadily and can’t even talk clearly … Miss, please be good to come over to take him away! He is crying and screaming here and make others feel very uncomfortable … If it’s just a lovers’ tiff, please don’t be too hard on him …”

When Xiang Zhe went home, he discovered Shan Mei’s file of papers was still in his brief case.

This Muddle-headed Miss was only concerned about sympathizing with the characters in the movie and completely forgot about her belongings! Xiang Zhe did not stop to think but just drove to Shan Mei’s home. This evening she took advantage of some free time to read this file in the restaurant before he arrived, it must be an urgent case and according to Shan Mei’s temperament, she would certainly burn the midnight oil to do her homework. If he did not deliver the file back to her, most probably she would just ride her bike over to pick it up.

Xiang Zhe drove to the front of Shan Mei’s door. He was startled by the scene before him. He saw Shan Mei hurriedly jumped into a cab.

Where was she going when it was so late into the night? Xiang Zhe could not help worrying and follow her in his car …

Xiang Zhe followed behind Shan Mei and came to one of the pubs in Rodeo Street in Apgujeong. Originally he wanted to follow her in, but he controlled the urge. He was not sure about the actual circumstances and if he rushed in restlessly, Shan Mei would not be pleased.

A few minutes later, he saw Shan Mei totteringly supporting a man out from the pub. That man’s body was nearly hanging all over Shan Mei. Xiang Zhe involuntarily was in a towering rage and he got off the car. He was about to go up when suddenly he heard that man started calling “Shan Mei, Shan Mei”. Xiang Zhe was getting suspicious, what was the relationship between that man and Shan Mei, why did he addressed Shan Mei so intimately? And why did Shan Mei come to look for him so late in the night? He was still pondering in his heart when he heard that man cried out deliriously: “You still love me … Right? … Shan Mei … Do you? Or else why are you willing to come over?” It seemed like Xiang Zhe’s head had been hit with a stick and it was now roaring with a booming noise. He was rooted in the same spot, looking at them.

“Song Shuo Mao, you are drunk …” Shan Mei released her hands and that man staggered and fell sitting on the ground.

Song Shuo Mao! That man was Song Shuo Mao! Xiang Zhe fixed his eyes on him and indeed recognized him to be the young man who was with Shan Mei in the lobby the other day.

“Shan Mei … Shan Mei …” Song Shuo Mao continued to mumble Shan Mei’s name.

“Song Shuo Mao, you stand up!” Shan Mei angrily said.

“OK … I will listen to you … so long if you will accept me again, I will do anything you say …”

In the silence of the night, Song Shuo Mao’s declaration clearly drifted into Xiang Zhe’s ears. Xiang Zhe could somehow guess correctly the relationship between Shan Mei and Song Shuo Mao.

Song Shuo Mao tried hard to stand up, but he was too drunk to stand. Shan Mei was helpless, so she bent down to lend him a hand.

“Let me do it!” Xiang Zhe jumped out. He did not want Song Shuo Mao to touch Shan Mei again.

Xiang Zhe’s sudden appearance startled Shan Mei.

“Xiang Zhe …” Shan Mei looked at Xiang Zhe dumbfounded.

Xiang Zhe assisted Song Shuo Mao to get up without saying a word. He helped him into the car, started the engine and drove into the thickness of night.

Song Shuo Mao fell into sleep shortly thereafter. Xiang Zhe did not utter a word all the time. He was driving around in circle.

Xiang Zhe’s steely expression frightened Shan Mei. She had never seen him like this before.

“Xiang Zhe …” Shan Mei braced herself and broke the silence.

“Who’s he?” Xiang Zhe interrogated Shan Mei even though he already knew the answer.

“He … he was my former boyfriend.” Shan Mei concealed nothing whatsoever.

“Why did you have to go to the pub?” Xiang Zhe coldly asked.

“He is drunk … They wanted me to take him away … I …” Shan Mei murmured.

Xiang Zhe interrupted Shan Mei and angrily asked: “Is there no other person to help him? Does he have no relative, no other friends who can help him?”

Shan Mei swallowed and said stutteringly: “I … I don’t know his relative’s numbers and I don’t know his other friends’ numbers …” It was the first time she witnessed Xiang Zhe getting into such thundering rage.

She phoned Gimhae and wanted to asked for Lee Shen Ai’s number, but the people on duty refused to let her have it.

“Even that should not make you, his former girlfriend, to stand up and volunteer to help?” Xiang Zhe panted in indignation.

“…” Shan Mei could not find a word to respond. She should be hard-hearted and left him in the pub.

“Don’t you know that a drunken man can be very … dangerous?”

“He … should not be that kind of person.” Shan Mei faintly said.

“You really know him well …” Xiang Zhe said with a jealous rage.

“I …” Shan Mei looked at Xiang Zhe filled with grievance. He was now in the fit of temper and she would let him have his way.

“Where do you plan to send him? Do you know where he lives?” Xiang Zhe asked her coldly.

Shan Mei was dumbfounded and replied: “I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far …”

“You shouldn’t have planned to take him home?” As soon as these words were out, Xiang Zhe immediately regretted his lack of tact. Jealousy and anger made him loss his reason.

“Yin Xiang Zhe …” Shan Mei angrily looked at Xiang Zhe.

“…” Xiang Zhe opened his mouth. He knew he had gone too far, he was really driven mad with anger by her.

“Yes, you are right, I’m brainless, I am an absolute idiot …” Shan Mei said in a fit of pique. Xiang Zhe’s words had broken her heart. He should not have talked to her in that way no matter how angry he became. Shan Mei felt so bad that she did not want to say anything further, she just turned her head looking out of the window, with tears in her eyes.

Xiang Zhe drove to Shan Mei’s place, “You better go home first! I will try to find a place to settle him.” Xiang Zhe had calmed down.

“Do what you like.” Shan Mei coldly replied.

Xiang Zhe wanted to apologize, but seeing the cold indifference on Shan Mei’s face, he swallowed the words he was about to utter.

“Actually, you could have called me.” Xiang Zhe said.

“Really?” She gave him a look, “What should I tell you? Should I tell you that my former boyfriend had gone dead drunk in a pub, could you go and pick him up? If it were you, could you utter those words?”

Xiang Zhe was speechless.

Shan Mei ran into the house with hands covering her face. She really hated Song Shuo Mao. She quarrelled with Xiang Zhe all because of him.

- End of Chapter 27 –

Chapter 28

By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by Jules

The telephone remained silent the whole morning. Shan Mei guessed that Xiang Zhe was probably still angry at her for what happened the night before

Last night, she had been so incensed by the nonsense that Xiang Zhe was spouting, the two of them parted in anger. After thinking about it all night, her temper had finally calmed. He had been angry with her for being so foolish, for going out to help Song Shuo Mao in the middle of the night. That, she could understand. If the tables were turned, she admitted she would probably have reacted the same way. However, no matter how much she tried to rationalize it, she could not find the courage to be the first to apologize.

Before she knew it, the day was over, and she was still pondering the issue. Shan Mei had picked up the phone several times, then put it down again, and then picked it up…No matter how she tried, her ego would not let her dial that familiar number. She had already admitted to him that she had been a complete fool to have done what she did. What else did he want from her? Couldn’t he even try to understand her point of view? Didn’t he know she had also been completely torn when making that decision? These thoughts made her angry at Xiang Zhe again. Did he also say a lot of things he should not have? Shouldn’t he also be feeling apologetic for saying those things to her? She just could not forgive him unconditionally this time.

After spending the day in torment, waiting for the silent phone to ring, Shan Mei decided that Xiang Zhe probably did not want her company when he visited his father the next day.

Shan Mei was in the kitchen making noodles when the telephone rang. She was really hungry after having not eaten all day. She rushed out only to find that it was Zhao Huan Hui on the line.
“Is that you, Huan Hui?” Shan Mei asked, disappointed.
“Is that you, Huan Hui…” Huan Hui imitated her, “Hey…. You seem extremely disappointed to hear my voice…. Are you waiting for your Mr Yin Xiang Zhe’s call?”
“Of course not!” Shan Mei said listlessly.
“Hey, why isn’t you mobile phone on?”
“Oh….I forgot.”
Song Shuo Mao rang her the first thing that morning, and Shan Mei turned off her phone when she saw the call was from him.
“What’s up?” Shan Mei asked.
“I’m shopping at Damundemun, and all the departmental stores have just started their discounts. There is a really good selection still available. Why don’t you come and join me?”
Huan Hui was getting married in Autumn, and would go shopping for her trousseau whenever she had the time.
“Alright.” Shan Mei agreed. It was probably better to be out and about rather than moping around at home.

Shan Mei went along with Huan Hui and shopped for over two hours. Huan Hui managed to pick up quite a few nice pieces.
“Aye, aren’t you even interested?” Huan Hui asked Shan Mei, “Didn’t you have your eye on this suit the last time we were here?”
“Yes I did! I forgot…”
Huan Hui looked at Shan Mei and wheedled, “Just look at you, all distracted….. Let me tell you about the effectiveness of retail therapy…. If you’re feeing down, all you have to do and go out and spend some serious money on yourself….”
“Who says I’m feeling down?”
“Who are you trying to kid? It’s written all over your face! How long have we been friends? You expect me not to notice?”
“Is it really that obvious?” Shan Mei asked, despondent.
“Did you and Yin Xiang Zhe have a tiff?”
Shan Mei nodded.
“You must have been the one who started it.”
“Why do you think it must have been me?” Shan Mei was not happy.
“He’s always been the one who gives in…”
Shan Mei sighed, “I’ve really done it this time.”
“Wah! What earth-shattering thing did you do?” Huan Hui glared at Shan Mei.
Shan Mei told Huan Hui all about what had happened.
“You’re really something! Why on earth did you bother with that scumbag Song Shuo Mao? No wonder Yin Xiang Zhe lost his temper…”
“Don’t you start! I’ve already been torturing myself over this all day…”
“What is Yin Xiang Zhe’s phone number?”
“What are you trying to do?”
“I’m going to be the reconciliatory….. you just sweet-talk him a little and I guarantee you it will all blow over within half an hour, and he will be flying out here to be by your side….”
“I won’t do it…” Shan Mei pouted.
“Why?”
“I already apologized to him last night…”
Huan Hui laughed, “What sort of an apology was that? You were still completely angry and upset!”
“It was his fault for saying those hurtful things.”
“Alright then, have it your way.” Huan Hui knew Shan Mei well.
“Huan Hui…”
“Now what?”
“Do you really think I should not have gone to help Song Shuo Mao? After all, we’re still friends…..”
“I didn’t say it was wrong to help your friends. It’s just the target of the help was the wrong one, the timing wasn’t right, and the way you did it was not ideal….. You’re just too soft hearted and naïve. If it was me, I would not have done it.”
Shan Mei sighed. Even her best friend thought it was wrong of her. The more she thought about it, the angrier she was at herself.

“Alright, since you intend to wait for him to apologize, don’t just sit there and mope. Let’s go buy some nice dresses. I see some just over there….” Huan Hui dragged Shan Mei off.

It was almost eight by the time they left the departmental store. Huan Hui hailed a taxi.
“Let’s share it.” Huan Hui said.
“We’re going in different directions. I’ll just take the subway.”
“Aye! Why don’t you give Xiang Zhe a call? It will save you one more sleepless night.”
“You just worry about your Zhang Xue Ren!” Shan Mei waved Huan Hui off.

Shan Mei walked a little way down the road, then turned around and went back to the departmental store.

That night, Shan Mei tossed and turned all through the night.
It was then she realized that Xiang Zhe could be just as stubborn as she was, when the occasion suited him. As she was making her way home, she still held that tiny bit of hope that he would ring, and was sorely disappointed when she found no messages in her voicemail. Didn’t he know that she would be waiting for his call? She was perplexed.

At 9am the next morning, Shan Mei picked up her phone and dialed Xiang Zhe’s number.
“It’s me.” She used her coldest voice so he would not assume that she was going to apologize. He hadn’t even bothered to ring her!
“Come over later.” She told him.
“What?”
Shan Mei had hung up the phone even before Xiang Zhe could figure out what she meant.

Xiang Zhe arrived at ten thirty.
He was distressed to see her looking so fragile. She must have suffered sleepless nights, just as he had. He had tried to call her twice the day before, but her phone had been turned off. He assumed it was because she had still been upset with him and did not want to take his calls. Because he was still upset over the incident with Song Shuo Mao and was not in a mood to be rejected again, he did not try to call her another time. Unexpectedly, she had rung him instead.

Shan Mei didn’t say a word, and put a bag in Xiang Zhe’s hand.
“What is this?”
“Uncle Yin’s birthday present.”
Last night, she had gone back to the departmental store to get a gift for him.
Xiang Zhe was stunned. Judging from her tone of voice, it was unlikely that she would be going with him.
“Aren’t you going any more?” Xiang Zhe asked. Shan Mei refused to look at him.
“Uncle wasn’t expecting me anyway.” Things were only going to be even more uncomfortable if she went with him while they were still fighting.
“I’ve already told him you were coming.”
“How could be so presumptuous?” Shan Mei asked angrily.
“I only told him after you agreed to go.” Xiang Zhe frowned.
Two nights ago, he had rung his father straight after he got home to tell him. Who would have expected that they would have fallen out before today?
“I’ll wait for you in the car.” Xiang Zhe spat out the words and walked away.

The two of them were silent all the way to Yin Zheng Hao’s home.
Xiang Zhe looked at Shan Mei who was carrying a bottle of wine that had been gift boxed.
“Didn’t you already get a present?”
“That one’s yours, this one’s mine.” Shan Mei said.
“What is it?” Xiang Zhe pointed to the gift that Shan Mei had handed over to him.
“It’s a tracksuit. Uncle Yin is fond of his morning run, so it should come in useful.”

No matter that they were still fighting, she still had his interests at heart. Xiang Zhe started to feel guilty about losing his temper at her. He knew she often acted out of the kindness of her heart without thinking of the consequences. It was only because it had been Song Shuo Mao that he had taken undue offense.

“Did you buy this yesterday?” Xiang Zhe’s tone softened.
Xiang Zhe knew he was spouting nonsense. He had only told her about this two nights ago. Of course she bought it yesterday.
Shan Mei nodded.
“Why didn’t you ask me to come with you?”
Shan Mei looked at Xiang Zhe wryly and said evenly, “You didn’t ring me.”
“I…”
Xiang Zhe was interrupted by the opening door. A young man appeared and smiled and waved them in.
“Welcome..!”
“Brother…” Xiang Zhe nodded at him awkwardly.
“You can still recognize me?” Yin Wen Lun said candidly.
“You’re often featured in the press.” Yin Wen Lun got along very well with the paparazzi and the press often featured him in their articles.
Yin Wen Lun laughed.
“This must be the Miss Zhen that father often talks about?” Yin Wen Lun looked appraisingly at Shan Mei.
“How do you do? I’m Zhen Shan Mei.” Shan Mei bowed politely in greeting.
Yin Wen Lun looked about five or six years older than Xiang Zhe and was a size smaller. He looked very much like his father.
Yin Wen Lun looked at Shan Mei for a while before looking regretful, “What a pity!”
Xiang Zhee looked at him, puzzled.
Yin Wen Lun smiled and said, “If only Miss Zhen had turned up that day, you might have ended up as my girlfriend instead…”
Shan Mei blushed profusely, embarrassed.
“Don’t even think about that…” Xiang Zhe said brusquely.
“Hey brother! Relax!” Yin Wen Lun teased, “I’m actually not such a bad catch, am I, Miss Zhen?”
Xiang Zhe was not pleased that Yin Wen Lun would tease him in such a way in front of Shan Mei, but did not tell him out out of courtesy.
“Wen Lun, stop teasing Miss Zhen…”
Yin Zheng Hao walked out from the house and stopped Yin Wen Lun’s antics. Yin Wen Lun only looked over at Xiang Zhe and winked.

“Happy birthday, Uncle Yin!” Shan Mei presented her gift to him.
“You shouldn’t have..”
Shan Mei saw Xiang Zhe standing to the side and lightly pulled his sleeve.
“Uh.. Umm…happy birthday.” Xiang Zhe said uncomfortably.
In that instant, Shan Mei could see the shadow of tears Yin Zheng Hao’s eyes.
“Good…, very good…” Yin Zheng Hao accepted Xiang Zhe’s gift. It had been twenty-three years since his younger son had celebrated his birthday with him.
“Shan Mei bought the gift.” Xiang Zhe told him honestly.
Yin Zheng Hao was thankful for Shan Mei. If not for her, he may not have had the opportunity to even stand next to Xiang Zhe like this.

It was the first time Xiang Zhe was sharing a meal with his father after so many years. Compared with the easy relationship between Yin We Lun and Yin Zheng Hao, it was as if there was a huge mountain sitting between Xiang Zhe and his father. Shan Mei could see this and felt for Xiang Zhe. All through the meal, Yin Zhen Hao would serve Shan Mei and Xiang Zhe with food, while Xiang Zhe just sat there silently eating. It was only when he was questioned directly by his father or brother that he would reply briefly, completely unlike his normal sociable self. It was only because Yin Wen Lun worked hard at keeping up the conversation that the meal became slightly bearable.
“Is the food not to your taste, Shan Mei? You’ve eaten very little…” Yin Zheng Hao asked in concern.
Xiang Zhe looked over at Shan Mei’s plate and saw that the food was almost untouched.
Shan Mei was quick to deny it, “No, the cook is wonderful, but I woke up late and just ate my breakfast not long ago. I’m sorry.”
He knew she had lost her appetite because she was upset. She could never eat when she was upset.
“That’s alright. Don’t force yourself then.”
Shan Mei felt very embarrassed. She did not want to be an ungracious guest, but she just could not make herself eat, even when the table was filled with such delicacies.

After the meal, the four of them retired to the lounge for some tea.
“Would you like to have a look around upstairs?” Yin Zheng Hao asked Shan Mei, but looked at Xiang Zhe.
“Would that be inconvenient?” Shan Mei asked.
“Don’t you worry. My room is downstairs.” Yin Wen Lun laughed.
Xiang Zhe went with Yin Zheng Hao and Shan Mei upstairs.
After looking at the study and the music room, the walked across the corridor to another room.
“This was Xiang Zhe’s room when he was a boy.” Yin Zheng Hao opened the door.
Shan Mei looked over at Xiang Zhe and saw that he was slightly apprehensive.
Shan Mei followed Yin Zheng Hao into the room. Everything in the room was very old. An old fashioned cupboard, desk and bed; some yellowed children’s posters were on the wall.
“I’ve kept it the way it was.” Yin Zheng Hao said in a low voice.
Shan Mei turned around and found that Xiang Zhe had already disappeared.
“Uncle Yin…”
“Don’t blame him for this. I was the one who made that choice. If only I had known….”
“Uncle Yin, just give Xiang Zhe a bit more time. A wound that’s festered for over twenty years will not heal overnight. There’s lots of time ahead of us for all that. After all, didn’t Xiang Zhe already come to celebrate your birthday with you?”
Yin Zheng Hao nodded gratefully, “Thank you, child.”
“I just don’t want Xiang Zhe to have any regrets.”

At 2pm, Xiang Zhe stood up and bid farewell.
Yin Zheng Hao was a little disappointed, but did not try to retain them. It was as Shan Mei said. They had many days ahead.
Yin Zheng Hao saw the two of them to the gate. Shan Mei could see he had something to say, and discreetly made her way ahead.
“Have you and Shan Mei fallen out?” Yin Zheng Hao asked Xiang Zhe.
Xiang Zhe did not reply.
“I can see that she’s not happy today even though she tried hard not to show it. However, she’s not at all like her normal self. Please try to accommodate her a little. She’s really a gem…”
Xiang Zhe nodded.
“After you leave here, take her to eat something. She hardly had anything at lunch.”
Xiang Zhe looked at Yin Zheng Hao, stunned. In the mists of his memory, he suddenly realized that his father had often spoken to him in the same gentle way when he was a child… “I will, dad” Xiang Zhe’s reply was almost automatic. It surprised him that “dad” was not as difficult to say as he thought it was.
Yin Zheng Hao looked at Xiang Zhe moved, and he stretched out his hand to pat Xiang Zhe on the shoulder. By the time the two of them parted, they had become much closer.

The car drove out of the Yin mansion. Shan Mei kept her gaze out the window. The car was quiet.

Xiang Zhe looked at Shan Mei from the corner of his eye. Since entering his father’s house, the two of them had hardly exchanged two words and their eyes had not met. Even Yin Wen Lun had noticed this, and pulled him asideto question whether Shan Mei was really his girlfriend. Yin Wen Lun jokingly told him that is Shan Mei wasn’t really his girlfriend, he would start chasing after her.

“I took your friend to a hotel for the night…” Xiang Zhe finally said.
When she heard him mention Song Shuo Mao, her temper flared again. Was he deliberately trying to irritate her?
“You could have thrown him into the Han River for all I care.” Shan Mei replied coldly.
Xiang Zhe was lost for words, so he went back to his driving and silence once again settled into the car.

Shan Mei’s phone rang. It was an unknown number.
“Are you the lawyer Miss Zhen Shan Mei from Baker McKenzie?” a strange female voice asked.
“Yes, I’m Zhen Shan Mei….” The caller hung up before she could say anything else.
“Who was it?”
Xiang Zhe jumped at the opportunity to talk, but Shan Mei only shook her head coldly.

Just apologize to her! Xiang Zhe decided he wasn’t going to spend another day like the last two. The weather was beautiful outside, but lousy in the car.

Xiang Zhe pulled up on the side of the road.

“Are you still mad at me?” Xiang Zhe asked gently.
“I don’t think I’m the one who’s mad.” Shan Mei kept looking straight ahead.
Xiang Zhe sighed, “I admit I lost my temper. I completely lost my head…” he looked at her, “No man likes to see the woman he loves in the arms of another man in the middle of the night…”
Xiang Zhe’s eyebrows were knitted into one.
“You know it wasn’t like that…”
“But what I saw that night was a man with his arms around you; what I heard was that man calling your name in a familiar way….if you were me, would you have remained calm?”
Shan Mei looked at him silently. She could not rebut him.
“I know I probably said too much that day….but I just couldn’t help myself…jealousy and rage combined forces and I lost my mind. I rang you yesterday to apologize, but your phone was off….”
So he DID ring her. Shan Mei was consoled.
“Do you know how I spent the last two day?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“Do you think I was having a good time? I was mad at myself for helping Song Shuo Mao out and making you angry. Did you know I sat at home all day yesterday waiting for you to call because I just couldn’t do anything else?” Shan Mei’s eyes reddened.

“I’m sorry…” Xiang Zhe apologized gently. It really didn’t matter who was right and who was wrong, or who was the first to give in and apologize; All he wanted was to see her smile again.
Shan Mei buried her head in Xiang Zhe’s shoulder, tears streaming out of her eyes. The more Xiang Zhe tried to comfort her, the more the tears flowed. He really didn’t know what to do.
“When does the lawyer Miss Zhen intend to turn off the tap?” he whispered in her ear.
“Only when it suits me.” Shan Mei sat up and dried her eyes.
“You look terrible.” Xiang Zhe pursued his lips. Shan Mei’s eyes were red and swollen.
“I didn’t say you could look.” Shan Mei turned around.
“Alright, I won’t look then.” Xiang Zhe teased. He covered his face with his hands, and Shan Mei laughed.
“Thank goodness! The lawyer Miss Zhen has finally relented us with a smile.”
He looked at her intently. All he wanted was to see her smile.
“What are you looking at? Didn’t you just say I looked terrible…?” Shan Mei protested.
“You always look beautiful to me…”
“You’re so full of it!”

“Is that a new suit?” he looked at the pale blue suit she was wearing.
“It’s about time you noticed it!” Shan Mei pouted.
The admiration in Xiang Zhe’s eyes made her very happy.
“When did you buy it?”
“Last night when I went shopping.”
Xiang Zhe’s eyes widened in feigned anger, “So…you say you were waiting for my telephone call at him, but you were actually out shopping….”
“I got tired of waiting and decided to go out for some retail therapy….”
“If you had given me a call, I would have some to pay for all your shopping.”
“Do you mean that I had to first apologize to you?” Shan Mei glared at Xiang Zhe.
“I said nothing of the sort!” Xiang Zhe was quick to deny.

The dark clouds had blown over and sunny days were back again. Xiang Zhe was very happy.

“Thank you for helping me get the gift. My father likes it very much.”
He had originally intended to discuss buying a gift with her the morning before the event, but didn’t expect that she had already got it for him.
“You’re welcome.” Shan Mei smiled sweetly. She notice that he had referred to Ying Zheng Hao as “my father”.
“Do you women always remember to help your boyfriends buy gifts even when they have fallen out?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“It’s only fools like me who would do stupid things like that.” Shan Mei replied.
“In that case, I’m absolutely besotted by this fool of mine.”
“Don’t you take the opportunity to insult me.” Shan Mei said.
Xiang Zhe’s phone rang. His face changed when he answered it.
“Are you sure?” Xiang Zhe’s tone was serious, and made Shan Mei worry.
“What is it?” She asked softly.
“Nothing…” Xiang Zhe patted her on the shoulder and left the car to continue the conversation. She heard snatches of the conversation about him calling a meeting the next day.
“What happened?” Shan Mei asked again when Xiang Zhe returned to the car.
“It’s only a small matter. It’s all settled now.” Xiang Zhe replied calmly.
“That’s good then.” Shan Mei heaved a sigh of relief.
“What’s the matter? Are you jealous of my other woman now?” Xiang Zhe reached out and put his arm around her shoulders.
Xiang Zhe always said he had two girlfriends: one was her, the other was his work.
“If one day you had to choose between me and work, which would you choose?” Shan Mei asked.
“Do you think that would ever happen?”
“It’s only hypothetical…”
“Which do you think I would choose?” he asked her instead.
Shan Mei thought for a while, then said, “I think… you will choose your work.”
“Don’t you have any confidence in yourself?” Xiang Zhe was a little disappointed at Shan Mei’s answer. Didn’t she know how much she really meant to him?
Shan Mei shook her head, “It’s got nothing to do with self-confidence….it’s a rational conclusion.”
“Huh?”
“You’ve been together much longer than I have, so your relationship must be so much stronger.”
Xiang Zhe had put his heart and soul into his business.
“Very rational indeed…not every man can give up his empire for a beautiful woman.” Xiang Zhe was teasing her. “Are you angry now?”
“Yes I am. Very angry indeed. So angry that I want to kill you…” She put her fingers out like claws.
Xiang Zhe smothered his laughter. She was so cute when she did that.
“Yin Xiang Zhe….” Shan Mei looked at Xiang Zhe mischieviously.
“Hmm?”
“Is it possible…..for me to fight back and win?” Shan Mei asked.
“Well…” Xiang Zhe pursued his lips, “I might consider it if you bribe me a little.”
“Bribe you with what?”
“With this..” Xiang Zhe pulled her in by her waist and proceeded to kiss her thoroughly. Shan Mei was kissed into oblivion.

“How come you’rer so compliant today?” He asked with his lips still on hers.
“You’re behaving like a rogue…” Shan Mei blushed as she spoke. With Xiang Zhe holding her so tightly, there was no room for her to move.
“I thought it was because you like it….” Xiang Zhe smiled like a Cheshire cat. Shan Mei was unusually “co-operative” today. Her arms were still tightly wound around his neck.
“Who told you that?”
“You did!”
“What?”
Xiang Zhe smiled and pointed at her arms tightly wound around his neck. “Don’t you think you’re behaving like a rogue…?”
Shan Mei blushed all the way down to her neck.

“Hey, you still haven’t answered my question.” Shan Mei said.
“What question?”
“The one I just asked you.”
“Haven’t you already bribed me back to your side?” Xiang Zhe laughed.
“What are you talking about…?” Shan Mei punched him, “That was a serious question!”
Xiang Zhe stopped smiling and looked into her eyes intently, “Some things cannot be measured just by the length of time ….” He said simply.
He wanted her to know that she was the most important thing in his life, that she was his only choice.
“I understand….’ Shan Mei put her finger on his lips and stopped him from saying any more.

There were tears in Shan Mei’s eyes. She was so touched by his words. She was satisfied with his answer, even if he had only meant it for that one moment in time. She knew that his work meant the world to Xiang Zhe, and she never intended that he would need to make that choice.

“Come on, let’s go for high tea at the Grand Hyatt.” Xiang Zhe said.
“No, that’s too much!” Shan Mei rejected it.
“Hey, you’re not yourself today.”
Shan Mei was usually the first to jump at the chance of having something nice to eat.
“Are you sure you’re no longer angry at me?”
“I’m not!”
“Then what is it?”
“Everyone will be laughing at me, the way I look right now.” Shan Mei pointed out uncomfortably. Her eyes were still red and swollen.
Xiang Zhe had a good look at Shan Mei’s face, “Hmm… you’re right. Someone looking at you would think I had bullied you! I’ll get a bad reputation!... Why don’t we go home, and I’ll make you some pasta, then?” Shan Mei loved the pasta that he made.
“No!” Shan Mei still shook her head.
“No? Why not?”
“I’m famished. I can’t wait 6for you to go home and cook! Why don’t you just go to the little stall in the alley over there and bring me something I can fill my stomach with.”
Once Shan Mei was no longer upset, her appetite returned with a vengeance.
“What do you want?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“Ummm…. Seafood omelete, pumpkin fritters, tempura, barbecued squid and chicken skewers…”
Xiang Zhe was flabbergasted.
“Just how long has it been since your last meal?” he teased.
“It’s all your fault…!”

Xiang Zhe had barely taken two steps when she shouted out, “Make sure you hurry up! Don’t make me wait to long!” She didn’t want to be alone any more than necessary.
Xiang Zhe laughed out loud, “What’s wrong? Are you missing me already?”
“What are you talking about? It’s my stomach that can’t wait.”
Xiang Zhe grinned and made his way back.
“What are you doing back here?” Shan Mei asked.
Xiang Zhe did not reply. He reached over to the glove compartment and brought out a large pair of dark sunglasses which he put on her.
“What are you doing?” Shan Mei asked bewilderedly, holding on to the sunglasses that slipping of the end of her nose.
“It’s called bringing the mountain to Mohammed….” He said.
“What mountain to where?”
“This way, you can come along, and your stomach won’t have to endure the long wait…”

Xiang Zhe then turned and started to walk away toward the stall without waiting for an answer.
“Yin Xiang Zhe, these glasses are way too big!” Shan Mei shrieked.
Xiang Zhe didn’t even flinch.
Shan Mei looked at his receding back, then looked at the sunglasses in her hand, a smile on her face. She caught up with him even before he turned the corner.

Xiang Zhe grabbed her hand. He knew she would come.
“What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for you…” he said.

*****End of Chapter 28 *****

Chapter 29

Written By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by nho(CA)

When she got home, Shan Mei dumped her luggage in her bedroom and then rushed out to Xiang Zhe’s place.

She went to Japan to attend a seminar. After the seminar ended on Friday, her colleagues took advantage of the weekend break to stay in Tokyo to go either sightseeing or shopping. She took the Saturday morning flight back to Seoul. Xiang Zhe thought that she would be back on Sunday and she wanted to give him a pleasant surprise.

Her trip to Japan this time was a last minute decision. On Monday morning, Jiang Zhan Ting informed her at the last minute that she was to attend the seminar on his behalf and she had to depart on Tuesday afternoon. Xiang Zhe was in meeting all day that day and she was unable to let him know until at night.

Xiang Zhe was not too happy when he heard about her trip to Japan the next day.

“It seems that I am always the last one to know about your business.” Xiang Zhe grumbled at the other end of phone.

Shan Mei frowned. Xiang Zhe was exaggerating. He was almost always the first one to know about her schedule. She thought he probably was too tired and not in a good mood that he behaved in this way. During the past week or so, he had been so busy attending to something that he was never home until midnight and even had to break up his dinner date with Shan Mei.

“Lawyer Jiang is handling some important case that he can’t stay away and has to ask me to go in his place. He only let me know this morning.” Shan Mei tactfully explained.

“It’s Lawyer Jiang who asked you to go?” When Xiang Zhe heard that it was Jiang Zhan Ting who asked her to go, his tone of voice then sounded more pacified.

“Huh.”

“When is your flight?”

“3:30 in the afternoon.”

“I may not be able to see you off.”

“You don’t have to come.” Shan Mei hurriedly said.

As a result, Xiang Zhe still found time to see her off at the airport.

“What seminar are you attending that incredibly prohibit the participants to communicate with the outside world during the seminar?”

“OOCCC …”

“What?”

“Out of Civilization Concentration Camp.”

The legal field jokingly called this bi-annual seminar as “Out of Civilization Concentration Camp”. In order to minimize disruption from the outside world and to enable the participants to concentrate on the seminar, apart from picking a quiet holiday resort as the meeting place, the organizer confiscated all the participants’ cell phones and required that during the period of the seminar, all external communications must be through the hotel’s main switchboard and after the conclusion of the seminar. a ranking list of the number of external communications would be announced. The top three names on the list not only had to pay a fine, but also had to perform on stage. This year’s meeting venue was chosen to be held at Karuizawa, a vacation paradise in Nagano, Japan.

“Don’t forget to send me telepathy every day!” Xiang Zhe said.

“I’m afraid that you are too busy to have time to pick up my telepathy …” Shan Mei shook her head and said.

“Why do I have the feeling that someone doesn’t sound too happy and complain about me?”

“If someone rescheduled your dinner dates three times in a week and subsequently didn’t show up at all even for once … That would be indeed very strange if you don’t have any complaint at all!”

“I …” Xiang Zhe wanted anxiously to explain.

Shan Mei covered Xiang Zhe’s mouth, “Don’t worry, I won’t fight with that “woman” for your favours … ”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“No, it can’t be done. I’m still feeling bad …”

“Come off it …” Shan Mei pouted.

“Really … I won’t be able to concentrate in my work this way …” Xiang Zhe pretended to look distressful.

Shan Mei watched his tactics and pondered what game he was playing.

“Then what do you want?”

“You can give me some reassuring tranquillizer … This way I can then cease to worry …” Xiang Zhe smiled craftily.

Shan Mei spread out her hands and said: “I don’t have any reassuring tranquillizer.”

“You certainly have …”

“Where?”

Xiang Zhe smilingly pointed his finger to his cheek.

“Don’t even think about it …” Shan Mei blushed. She certainly would not kiss him under so many watchful eyes.

Finally, Xiang Zhe still got what the “reassuring tranquillizer” he asked for.

So that was it. Apart from the call she made when she arrived Japan that day letting him that she had safely arrived, she did not get in touch with him at all for the whole three days. She missed him very much. They had just made up after the quarrel last week.

Shan Mei came to Xiang Zhe’s place. It was just past 1:00 p.m. As a habit, she rang the door bell. Xiang Zhe had given her his house keys, but she seldom used them.

The door bell rang for a long while and there was no response. When she was about to take out the keys, the door was opened and Xiang Zhe was talking to someone on the phone. When Xiang Zhe saw it was her, he looked pleasantly surprised, breaking into smiles and immediately grabbed her hand.

“Right … immediately get in touch with all directors and ask them to come over for a meeting early tomorrow morning … Umm … the content of the meeting agenda just follows what I told you last night … Right … list them under three main items … Umm …”

Even though he was talking business with others, Xiang Zhe’s left hand still tightly grabbed Shan Mei, not letting her go. She let him hold her standing by the door for more than 10 minutes.

Shan Mei was a little regretful for coming over in this way. Xiang Zhe was busy with business and she did not want him to get distracted.

Shan Mei gently released Xiang Zhe’s hand and pointed to the direction of the sitting room.

“I won’t take a few moment more …” He covered the receiver and told her apologetically.

She waited for him in the sitting room.

“I have made many changes to the draft press release and have just faxed it out. Please send a copy to my lawyer for his review … Have you emailed me the information? Let me look …” Xiang Zhe went to his studies while still talking.

After Xiang Zhe went into his studies, he did not come out again for a long while. She could only hear the telephone ringing one moment and the sound of the fax machine operating the next. It looked as if something important was taking place in Xiang Zhe’s company. Shan Mei recalled the call Xiang Zhe received in his car last week.

Shan Mei cooked a pot of noodles. She suspected that Xiang Zhe must still have not had lunch. She did not go in to disturb him. According to Xiang Zhe’s temperament, he absolutely would not find something to eat if he had things to deal with. Anyway the noodles just needed reheating.

Until it was nearly 2:00 p.m. before Xiang Zhe came out from the studies.

“What has happened?”

“We are about to institute an infringement lawsuit.” Xiang Zhe said.

“Do you have irrefutable proof?” Shan Mei anxiously asked.

An infringement lawsuit would often just one step short of success due to the lack of sufficient evidence and sometimes it ended up having the plaintiff being counterclaimed by the defendant.

“I have concrete evidence.”

“That is terrific …” Looking at Xiang Zhe’s look of confidence, Shan Mei could then cease to worry.

“How come you come back early?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“To check up on you …” Shan Mei said.

“Check up on me? … So, are you satisfied?” Xiang Zhe was very happy, because she missed him.

“Barely satisfactory …”

“Just barely satisfactory? I would have thought I can get an A for that. Don’t you think you have set up your standard rather high? … Not only have I been working industriously, I didn’t forget to find time to keep the place in spic-and-span …” Xiang Zhe was not pleased.

Watching his look of righteous indignation, she nearly burst out laughing.

“Yin Xiang Zhe …”

“What?”

“I may consider giving you an A …” Shan Mei said.

“That is more like it.” Xiang Zhe said.

“Don’t you think you should be a little bit more modest?”

“Not even one bit, that is the least I deserve.” Xiang Zhe said righteously.

Shan Mei’s mouth slightly twitched at the corners and when Xiang Zhe saw it, he asked: “What are laughing at?”

“I admire that you have now excelled your teacher.” Shan Mei answered. Recently whenever she squabbled with him, she would often lose an argument.

“What do you mean?” Xiang Zhe did not understand what she meant.

“I am praising you!”

Xiang Zhe was still bemused.

“Have you had lunch? I have made some noodles …” Shan Mei said.

Xiang Zhe looked at his watch and said apologetically: “I must rush to the office for the meeting …”

“Eat something before you go! It won’t take up a lot of your time …”

Xiang Zhe was in a hurry to go, so he hastily swallowed the noodles.

“Do you want to come along? Both Lawyer Jiang and your colleague, Miss Cui will be there …”

He worried that she would be bored at home.

“You are discussing business. My presence is not needed.”

“You are my personal legal advisor!”

He purposely cracked a joke with her. He knew that she would refuse to come.

“Hurry up and change!” She pushed him.

Xiang Zhe came out from his room dressed up properly in business suit.

“Wow! You need to dress up like this even during weekends!” Shan Mei laughed.

Xiang Zhe scratched his head and said: “All the company’s senior managers will be present, not to say there will be guests too …”

“You haven’t fixed up your tie properly …” Shan Mei went forward to help Xiang Zhe fix up his necktie.

“I don’t know you know how to do this …”

“I learned it for Auntie …”

“Don’t tell me you have just learned it recently?”

Shan Mei blushed, pursing her lips.

He watched the way how she dedicatedly fixed the tie for him and there was a feeling of blessed happiness; he wished it in his heart that he did not have to attend that meeting in the office.

“Wait …” Shan Mei wrapped her arms around Xiang Zhe from behind when he was about to step out of the door.

Tenderness swelled up in Xiang Zhe’s heart. He turned around and embraced Shan Mei.

“You’re unwilling to let me go?” Xiang Zhe tenderly asked.

Shan Mei’s eyes immediately reddened. She knew she should not be so childish, but she could not control herself. They had been apart for a few days and from the time she stepped into the house till now, the time he spent talking to her did not add up to a quarter of an hour.

“Be a good girl, I will come back quickly.” Xiang Zhe coaxed Shan Mei in the way he would coax a child.

“OK!” Although she was reluctant in every possible way, she had no alternative but to let Xiang Zhe go.

He kissed her once on the lips, “This is the instalment for now and the rest I will repay you when I come back.”

Shan Mei melt into smiles, “I will charge you interest when you are late …”

“Wow, you are one greedy woman!”

After Xiang Zhe left, Shan Mei went into Xiang Zhe’s studies looking for some magazine to kill time. She found on Xiang Zhe’s desk some newspapers cuttings relating to KMC Technologies. Shan Mei frowned. Could it be that the object against whom Xiang Zhe was planning to institute legal proceedings was KMC? KMC originally manufactured motherboards, but several years ago they moved their production base to China and had diversified and manufactured the same line of products as Xiang Zhe’s company. They were now Xiang Zhe’s main business rivals. During recent years, KMC were repeatedly sued by their rivals for infringement of intellectual property rights, but they always managed to successfully stay put. KMC engaged some expensive top-notch lawyers to act for them and not only did they always win their lawsuits, they very often would counterclaim the opposition parties, causing the initiating plaintiff to suffer losses financially and damages in their goodwill. If Xiang Zhe were really to sue KMC, he had to prepare a perfectly sound plan. Seeing that Xiang Zhe looked so full of confidence and Jiang Zhan Ting was one of the most prominent intellectual property litigation lawyers in the country, the chance of success should be very high. As Jiang Zhang Ting was unable to attend the seminar in Tokyo, he must be busy preparing for the claim by Xiang Zhe’s company.

Shan Mei looked up in the internet searching for the materials relating to the litigation claims involving KMC, including the reasons for the claims, the contents of the writs and the reasons for judgment issued by the courts and also all the relevant news articles. She downloaded all this information into the computer, reviewed them and made notes. It was not as if she wanted to propose any brilliant views on the claim, with an expert as brilliant and experienced as Jiang Zhang Ting was worth more than ten inexperienced junior lawyers like herself. She just wanted to gather more information as research materials for Xiang Zhe’s reference.

Time flied and when Xiang Zhe called home, Shan Mei then found that it was already dark outside.

“I’m still in the meeting,” Xiang Zhe said: “I want to invite them all to dinner tonight as they have been made busy all the afternoon …”

“…”

“Are you angry with me?” Xiang Zhe was feeling very bad. Shan Mei especially returned from Japan ahead of time but he had to slight her on the sideline.

“I’m so mad that I’m about to burst into flames.”

“Let me buy you a present to make it up to you.”

“If I want the stars from the sky, would you still get them for me?”

“I will try my best to find a ladder.”

“I have changed my mind, I don’t want the stars anymore.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want you to fall down from the ladder.”

“I know you love me dearly.”

Shan Mei fell asleep on the sofa. She was having a very beautiful dream.

She and Xiang Zhe went on a tour to the Provence. He wrapped his arm around her and they were strolling along that large field of intoxicating purple romance …; during the state of delusion, she felt that she was embraced tightly in a pair of strong and powerful arms and two passionate lips were then planted tenderly on her lips … that were Xiang Zhe’s arms, were Xiang Zhe’s lips … she must have missed him too much and brought him into her dream …; was it a dream? Why was that feeling felt so real, she could clearly smell Xiang Zhe’s breath, could feel his warmth and could even touch his body … Shan Mei swiftly opened her eyes, that really was not a dream … Xiang Zhe’s face was just inches away from her, the one who she longed for really appeared in her presence.

“You are back?” She circled his neck.

“How come you have fallen asleep?” He spoke while he was kissing her.

“What are you doing?” Shan Mei laughed and dodged. Xiang Zhe’s stubbles scratched and tickled her. He must have forgotten to shave today!

“I am repaying my debt …” Xiang Zhe continued kissing her after he finished speaking.

He entangled with her for a long while before he released her.

“Sleeping Beauty, how long have you been sleeping?” Xiang Zhe asked.

Shan Mei pouted: “Don’t call me Sleeping Beauty?”

“Why?”

“I don’t want that the Prince Charming coming to rescue me only after one hundred years later.”

“I come back in just half a day …”

“I feel as though it is more than a century long.”

“You make me feel very guilty …” Xiang Zhe said guiltily.

Shan Mei smiled complacently, “That is precisely my intention.” Shan Mei said.

“Hasn’t someone said not long ago that she won’t be fighting for my affection?”

“Even the most forgiving person will have a limit in his tolerance.”

“Hey, have you been drinking?” She could smell the wine in his breath.

“I had some wine during dinner … Miss Cui has a good alcohol capacity.”

“You and she went drinking together?” Shan Mei opened wide her eyes angrily and seized Xiang Zhe’s necktie

“Oh …” Xiang Zhe made out a painful expression, “Lawyer Jiang was with us!”

“Really?”

“I swear.”

“It’s more like it.” Shan Mei released her hands.

“What did you eat tonight?” He asked her.

“The leftover from lunch.” Shan Mei answered piteously.

She was too lazy to cook dinner and just heated up the noodles left over from lunch.

“You lazybone, I should know it … It’s fortunate that I brought back something …” Xiang Zhe took out a small dainty cake box from his bag, “It’s your favourite …” Xiang Zhe said.

“Raspberry chocolate cake?” Shan Mei happily asked.

“Right … your favourite.”

Shan Mei loved chocolate cakes topping with raspberry mousse and fruit jello, it was that kind of sweet and sour taste.

Xiang Zhe changed and made two phone calls before he came back to the sitting room. Shan Mei was watching TV and she fixed her gaze engrossingly on the screen.

Xiang Zhe reached out his hand to envelope Shan Mei’s shoulder. Shan Mei conveniently leaned against him; she loved the feeling of being held in his arms.

“You’re done?” Shan Mei asked.

“Huh …” Xiang Zhe nodded, “Hey, where are the cakes? Don’t tell me they are all in your stomach?” Xiang Zhe teasingly asked.

Shan Mei gave Xiang Zhe a pommel, “They’re in the fridge, I am waiting to eat them with you!”

“What’s on that makes you watch so engrossingly?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“It’s seldom that this movie is shown again. I didn’t manage to watch the end last time …”

That was a literary movie of romance, recounting how a woman who was placed between her first love and her finance, trying hard to make her choice and the story ended with the female lead chose to return to the arms of her first love.

“The female lead was somehow irrational. She certainly knew that her finance loved her very much, then why did she have to return to someone who had once betrayed herself? It is somehow quite unfair to her finance …” Xiang Zhe disagreed with the arrangement of the plot.

Shan Mei laughed on hearing this and she shook her head: “There is basically no so-called fairness in love … To sacrifice for the other party without complain or regret, sometimes without even any return …, furthermore, first love is usually heart-engraving … I think the decision of the female role can be understood? …”

Xiang Zhe’s facial expression slightly changed, first love was heart-engraving … Someone said those words to him not so long ago.

“Is it really like this?” Xiang Zhe murmured.

“What?” Shan Mei did not notice that Xiang Zhe looked peculiar.

“First love … is it really heart-engraving?” Xiang Zhe asked.

Shan Mei puckered in smiles. Xiang Zhe was looking very serious and it was the first time that she saw him behave in this way.

Every time when she grieved for the characters or the plot of a movie, Xiang Zhe always laughed at her childishness. So he could also behave in this way.

“Most probably! Many people say it is like this.” Shan Mei answered.

“Why?”

“I think … maybe because when it is first love, nobody would expect to get hurt themselves, so they would love and give out with the most sincerity, … until when they get hurt and know how painful it will be, then they will start to be very careful and protect themselves and will hold something back … it will be very difficult to return to the chaste state when they taste their first love … because they cannot go back, so they would treasure it more in their memories …”

“Then what do you think?” Xiang Zhe asked.

Shan Mei smiled and did not answer Xiang Zhe. She thought this question did not require an answer, as he should know the answer already. From the moment she let him hold her hand, there was only him in her heart and from that moment onwards, he was the only one who could engrave in her heart.

“Let me go and fetch the cakes … My colleague told me that it’s just perfect to eat raspberry cakes with red wine …” Shan Mei said.

“Really?” Xiang Zhe answered inattentively. He thought of how he ran into Song Shuo Mao that day and he thought of what Song Shuo Mao said to him.

That day after he saw Shan Mei off at the airport, he walked out of the departure hall and ran into Song Shuo Mao face to face who seemed to be in a hurry.

“She … has she gone?” Song Shuo Mao asked with preamble.

Xiang Zhe frowned, who was he referring to?

“Has Shan Mei gone?” Song Shuo Mao asked once again.

“Do we know each other?” Xiang Zhe coldly answered, he really did not wanted to have any dealings with Song Shuo Mao.

Song Shuo Mao was unconscious that day and should not be able to remember him.

There flashed a thread of embarrassment on Song Shuo Mao’s face, “Mr. Yin, I know you are Shan Mei’s friend … I saw you together in a restaurant.”

“…”

“That night … thank you for taking me to a hotel. I have checked it with the hotel.”

“I was helping Shan Mei and not you.” Xiang Zhe mildly said.

“Can you find somewhere to sit down and talk?” Song Shuo Mao asked.

“I don’t think there is such need!”

Consequently, he and Song Shuo Mao went to the café in the airport.

“Do you know the relationship between Shan Mei and me?” The first sentence Song Shuo Mao uttered made Xiang Zhe realize that he did not come with a friendly intention.

“You are her former boy friend.” Xiang Zhe said.

“She told you everything?”

“There is no secret between us.”

“Do you really believe this?”

“What do you want to say?” Xiang Zhe cast Song Shuo Mao a look.

“I want to fight a fair game with you?”

“Fair game?”

“I want to win back Shan Mei’s heart …”

“Do you think you are qualified to say things like this?” Xiang Zhe coldly said.

“To love someone does not need any so-called qualification, so long as the other party is willing to accept you … What makes you think you are more qualified to love Shan Mei?” Song Shuo Mao’s words were filled with provocation.

Xiang Zhe smiled and said nothing. He had never asked Shan Mei about what happened between her and Song Shuo Mao, but it was without doubt that Song Shuo Mao had hurt Shan Mei. He did not know why Song Shuo Mao could still tell to his face that he would be pursuing Shan Mei again without any feeling of shame. Xiang Zhe did not utter his thought as sometimes there was no need to say them out loud.

“If you love Shan Mei, you should give her a choice …” Song Shuo Mao said.

Xiang Zhe fixed his gaze on Song Shuo Mao.

“Let Shan Mei make her choice between the two of us.” Song Shuo Mao said.

“Do you think you still have a chance?” In the midst of the cigarette smoke, Xiang Zhe looked at Song Shuo Mao’s face which was full of self confidence.

“Yes, I believe … if she does not any feeling for me, she would not have come looking for me in the pub in the middle of the night …”

Xiang Zhe’s heart twitched once, so in the depth of his heart he was still unable to completely getting over the fact that Shan Mei went to look for Song Shuo Mao that night …

“I believe that if only I can stand with you in the same position and compete with each other fairly, I have confidence that I can win Shan Mei back on my side … After all, I am her first love and to any person, first love is always heart-engraving …”

That day he basically did not take Song Shuo Mao’s words to heart.

He once sneered at that saying contemptuously, yet now it began to ferment in his heart.

First love was heart-engraving, Shan Mei too said the same thing just a moment ago.

“It looks so appetitizing …” Shan Mei said as she was cutting up the cakes.

Xiang Zhe did not respond.

“Hey, what’s up?” Shan Mei hit Xiang Zhe once, “Are you still thinking about that movie?”

Xiang Zhe brought his mind back to the presence, “Nothing … Do you want some red wine? Didn’t you say that it is perfect to eat raspberry cakes with red wine …”

Shan Mei smilingly shook her head, her alcohol intake was very low.

“I want to drink … Keep me company! To drink on your own seems very dreary, like drowning yourself in sorrow.

Shan Mei burst out laughing: “Then aren’t you drinking dreary wine every night?”

Xiang Zhe always drank a glass of red wine every night before he went to bed. According to him, that was good to one’s health.

“Haven’t you already drunk during dinner?” Shan Mei asked.

“As I had to drive, I only drank a small glass … Don’t worry, a little red wine won’t make you drunk. If you really got drunk, I will take you home.” Regardless of whether Shan Mei was in agreement, Xiang Zhe forcefully poured her a glass of wine.

The two of them drank while eating the cake.

“Your colleague is right, raspberry cake and red wine is really an unique match.” Xiang Zhe

Xiang Zhe raised his neck upward and drained the whole glass of red wine in one gulp. Before Shan Mei took a few sips, Xiang Zhe had already emptied two glassfuls.

“You’ll get drunk drinking like this.” She tried to dissuade him.

“Don’t worry, I have a good liquor capacity …”

As a result, Shan Mei was worried about Xiang Zhe driving, so the two of them walked along the sidewalk in the outer circle of the park to get home.

“I told you not to drink so fiercely and you didn’t listen to me … See, are you feeling not too well?” Shan Mei muttered.

“I’m in an excellent state and am feeling good.”

“If you aren’t feeling unwell, then why do you keep frowning and are not talking neither?”

Since when they ate the cakes, she had the feeling that there was something wrong with him and he did not talk much during their walk.

“Maybe I am tired!” Xiang Zhe said.

Shan Mei stopped walking and said with her face filled with tender and protective feelings: “You better go home then! I can go home by myself. Anyway it’s just a short distance.”

“I have never given up halfway …” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and continued walking ahead.

“Given up halfway?” Shan Mei found it hilarious and said: “You are just taking me home. You are making it sound so serious!”

“Why isn’t it serious? You’re the most important person in my heart.”

“Who knows whether you are speaking the truth or are just trying to coax me?”

“Do you want to check it out?”

“How?”

“Just listen!” Xiang Zhe pointed to his heart.

“I am not a doctor and I don’t know how to listen to that.”

“Where has Miss Zhen Shan Mei’s spirit for quest for knowledge gone?”

“Sometimes it’s enough just to know without being told and it doesn’t need to get to the bottom of things …”

“You mean you believe my words?”

Shan Mei sweetly smiled.

Seeing that she was in a good mood, he could not help bursting out the words that had been buried in his heart the whole night.

“Let’s discuss something …”

“Huh?”

“Can you consider not to take over the Gimhae case?” Xiang Zhe said in a half-joking tone of voice, but he was dead serious in his heart. At first he was not too bothered by the fact that Shan Mei was to become the lawyer in charge of Song Shuo Mao’s company, but what Shan Mei said tonight however made him become concerned about this matter.

“Why, are you jealous?” Shan Mei laughingly said. She thought he was playing a joke.

“Yes … I am jealous that Song Shuo Mao can have so many opportunities to spend time with you.” Xiang Zhe admitted honestly.

“Are you serious?” She looked at him.

Xiang Zhe’s mouth lifted at its corners, “I’m just joking … Don’t get serious.”

He felt ashamed of making such unreasonable demand all because of his own selfish motives.

Although he denied, she could still see from the expression in his eyes that he did not utter those words unintentionally.

So Xiang Zhe still took to heart what happened that night …

Shan Mei felt bad somehow as she considered that matter was thing of the past.

That night, when Xiang Zhe looked as if he had a lot on his mind, Shan Mei thought Xiang Zhe was worrying about the KMC case and she did not know she had got it all wrong.

- End of Chapter 29 –

Chapter 30

My Dearest One (Qin Ai De Ni) –

By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by Jules

When her colleagues saw how listless she was on Monday morning at work, they started to tease her.
“Zhen Shan Mei, did you have too much of a good time in Tokyo, or are you having a terrible case of the Monday Blues?”
Shan Mei grimaced. She had not slept for two nights in a row, trying to think of how she was going ask Jiang Zhan Ting to take her off the Gimhae project. She cared about what Xiang Zhe thought, and did not want him to have any cause for concern. She had mulled over what he said about getting jealous over how Song Shuo Mao looked at her. After that night’s fiasco, and also to prevent Xiang Zhe from being upset any further, she really did not want to have anything more to do with Song Shuo Mao, whether on a professional or a social basis.

Jiang Zhan Ting was out of the office all morning. During her lunch break, Shan Mei surfed the net and saw an article about Jiang Zhen Ting bringing a lawsuit on behalf Chamsung in both Korea and New York against KMC for stealing trade secrets. So that was what Jiang Zhan Ting had been busy with. The lawsuit made the headlines of most press coverage that day, describing it as the mother of all fights. Xiang Zhe’s company had set up a project team half a year before to deal with competition from KMC, and had gathered significant evidence against KMC during their dealings with a mutual customer. According to the press, it was unlikely that KME was going to get away with their unethical tactics this time around.

It was 3pm when Jiang Zhan Ting sent for her.
“Yu Zhen said you were looking for me this morning? What is it?” Jiang Zhan Ting asked.
Yu Zhen was Jiang Zhan Ting’s personal assistant.
“That…uh…I….”
Shan Mei hemmed and hawed when faced with Jiang Zhan Ting, and could not find a good reason to back her request to be taken off the Gimhae case. Gimhae was one of their largest clients and had a good track record with the firm.
They way Jiang Zhan Ting was looking at her made Shan Mei suddenly feel apprehensive.
“Uh…. It was nothing… I was thinking about briefing you on the Japanese seminar and handing over the material I collected…” In the end, she just couldn’t bring herself to say it, and chided herself for her own cowardice.
“Thank you.”
“In that case…I’ll make my way out.” Shan Mei said unconvincingly, feeling like an idiot.
“Just a minute, Shan Mei… I have something I want to say.” Jiang Zhan Ting stopped her retreat, his demeanor unusually grim. “Please sit down.”
Shan Mei sat down uneasily.
“What is it?” Shan Mei asked hesitantly. Surely she was not about to be disciplined for something she had done?
Jiang Zhan Ting drew heavily on his cigarette. It was some time before he spoke.
“You’ve been with the firm for almost two years now…”
“Yes” Shan Mei stammered. Jiang Zhan Ting’s opening remark was very strange.
“Over the last two years, you would have had sufficient time to come to grips with 70% or 80% of issues and be familiar with our clients…”
Shan Mei was stunned. Was Jiang Zhan Ting trying to imply that her performance was under par?
“…” Shan Mei waited for Jiang Zhan Ting to go on.
“I would like to re-allocate some of your current workload…”
Shan Mei paled and asked anxiously, “Have I done something wrong?”
“You misunderstand me….” Jiang Zhen Ting waved his hand at her.
“I will try harder to learn from my seniors…” Shan Mei said.
Jiang Zhan Ting interrupted her, “It’s not that….Your performance has been exemplary to date…”
“In that case…”Shan Mei looked at Jiang Zhan Ting suspiciously.
“I want to second you….”
“….”
“You read Mergers and Acquisitions Law in school, didn’t you?”
Shan Mie nodded. It was the basis of her thesis.
“The economic department wants to review Mergers and Acquisitions legislation and wants to set up a special project group. I am a member but my workload is too heavy at the moment for me to handle…”
“Isn’t the evidence for the Chamsung case pretty water-tight?” Shan Mei couldn’t help interrupting him.
“Even if it was, our opponent isn’t about to let us walk all over them. They have great experience with fighting this sort of a case, and have very good contacts in the business…”
“In that case…”
Jiang Zhan Ting waved his hand and changed the subject, “The economic department intends to lodge a proposal to change the current legislation on Mergers and Acquisitions during the next parliamentary sittings. We need to amend the current legislation as well as take into consideration all pertinent matters arising from public debate of the issues within the next five months….I would like you to help me with this…”
“Me?” Shan Mei was shocked. There were many others in the firm who were more familiar than she was with this aspect of legislative amendments, “There many others better qualified than I…” Shan Mei said.
“You’ve got the training, the right attitude and an eye for detail. Moreover, you’ve also had international exposure on these issues…I want to use you…”
“But…”
“You’re worried about your current portfolio of clients?”
Shan Mei nodded.
“I will reallocate the work…you’ve got about ten clients right now?”
“Yes…”
“I will reallocate five of these to some others, so you will have sufficient time on your hands to devote to this project…. Are you agreeable to that?”
“Alright…” Shan Mei nodded. He was her boss, and she had little choice in the matter.
“Let’s have a look at what you have on hand…”

Shan Mei flew out of Jiang Zhan Ting’s office, a smile on her face, completely delighted.
“Did you strike the lottery? Shan Mei? Look at how happy you are…” Jiang Zhen Ting’s secretary asked.
“It’s even better than that…” Shan Mei smiled broadly.
While they were discussing the reallocation of her portfolio, Shan Mei took a punt and put Gimhae out as a client to be reallocated. Surprisingly, Jiang Zhan Ting agreed to it immediately. After that, Jiang Zhan Ting merely reallocated a few other smaller clients and left all her more important clients in her portfolio untouched. It was more than she could have hoped for. She was so happy that she had found a solution to her problem, she didn’t bother about trying to fathom his reasons for this.

She didn’t tell Xiang Zhe about this when she met him for dinner that night, only saying that Jiang Zhan Ting had reallocated some of her portfolio to allow her time to participate in a special project. She had pondered over it for some time before deciding not to tell Xiang Zhe about Gimhae. She didn’t want him to feel guilty about his feelings regarding the matter. She knew he was a considerate person, and saw what it took for him to even raise the issue about Gimhae with her.

“You’re so happy with the new project you’ve been assigned?” Xiang Zhe asked her.
Shan Mei had been happily chatting nineteen to the dozen about the new work she had been allocated.
“It’s not because of that…” Shan Mei smiled.
She was happy because it had been more than a week since he found the time to share dinner with her, and also because she no longer had to worry about having to deal with Song Shuo Mao.
“What is it then?”
“It’s because… I’m with you…” Shan Mei flashed him a brilliant smile.
Her smile lighted the darkest corners of his heart and drove away all shadows of doubt, leaving him much happier as well.

Shan Mei suddenly sighed.
“What is it?”
“You’ve finally smiled…” Shan Mei said.
“What do you mean?” Xiang Zhe didn’t understand her. He had been smiling all the time.
Shan Mei rested her chin on her hands and looked at him deeply, “I meant smiling with your heart; with real conviction…”
He couldn’t deny it. She was very sensitive to his moods.
“And now?”
“Ummm….I just saw your first real smile for the evening.”
“Am I so obvious?” Xiang Zhe grimaced.
Shan Mei nodded and grabbed hold of his hand, “I have complete confidence in you….I believe you can win this lawsuit…”
She thought he had been distressed about the lawsuit!
“Thank you…” He was touched. He remembered the time when she bought him a lottery ticket to try and help his company out with their cashflow problems. “With your support, my confidence has grown…”
“Really?” Shan Mei’s smile was radiant.
He was drunk with the sweetness of her.
“If I get completely intoxicated, will you take me home?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“You’re not drinking, how are you going to get drunk?” Shan Mei was puzzled.
“With such beauty before me, I can get completely intoxicated without the presence of any alcohol…”
“I think that’s enough” Shan Mei’s lips curled in a lovely smile.

“Have you finished packing?” She asked him.
Xiang Zhe was going overseas on Wednesday to attend two electronics conventions in Europe and Australia, visiting clients along the way. The trip would take more than ten days in all.
“I’ll pack tomorrow night.”
“Wouldn’t that be too much of a rush?”
Xiang Zhe laughed, “I’m not like you women who need everything under the sun… Us men just need to take carry-on bag when we go on such trips.”
“You’ll be away for almost two weeks this time. Better make sure you take a little more. Do a little packing whenever you have the time, otherwise you may find that you’ve left this and that behind…”
“You’re becoming more and more of a nag like my grandmother.” He teased.
“You’re lucky someone cares enough to nag at you.” Shan Mei retorted.
“Hey, since you’re so worried about it, why don’t you just come over and help me with the packing?” Xiang Zhe asked.
He smiled at the thought of her carefully packing his things for him.
“In your dreams!”
“You’re so petty!”
“I’m not!” Shan Mei was miffed, “I’ll take you out to a nice French dinner tomorrow night!”
Xiang Zhe was apologetic, “I have to be in Incheon tomorrow. There are some things Ii need to take care of…. I’m afraid I won’t be able to get back in time…”
“In that case, you can take a raincheck, and we’ll have it when you get back.”
Shan Mei pretended it didn’t matter, but she was sorely disappointed. Xiang Zhe was leaving first thing Wednesday morning, and she wanted to spend more time with him before he left.

The next morning, Shan Mei got a call from Song Shuo Mao. It was the first time she had spoken to him since he got drunk that night.
“It’s a pity we won’t have the opportunity to meet up again.” Song Shuo Mao said.
He had found out that she was no longer in charge of the Gimhae account.
“….”
“About that night…”
“I’ll just pretend it didn’t happen…” Shan Mei interrupted Song Shuo Mao, “I also hope that we will not meet up again.”
“Don’t be angry Shan Mei.” Song Shuo Mao said anxiously.
“It think that will be the best for the both of us.” Shan Mei replied calmly.
“I think I’ve really riled you this time?” Shan Mei could hear the desperation in Song Shuo Mao’s voice.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure I hand over the project properly. Mr Park is much more capable than I. I’m sure you will be happy working with him.”
“Shan Mei….Can we meet up tonight?”
“I think that is not necessary.”
“Just consider it a farewell dinner. At least give me the opportunity to say goodbye properly?” Song Shuo Mao pleaded.
Farewell dinner? They had had their farewell dinner a long time ago.
“I have to work late tonight.” Shan Mei hung up.

Xiang Zhe rang at seven-thirty.
“I’m surprised you still remember me.” Shan Mei chided. After waiting a whole day, he finally rang. Although Xiang Zhe was the chairman of the company, he still loved research work and would completely forget about the time when he was at the R&D department.
“I know you’ve been complaining about me all day. My ears have been burning since this morning….” Xiang Zhe said.
“I’m glad you know that.” Shan Mei did not even try to deny it.
“You could have called me!”
“I was afraid someone would complain that I was nagging…”
He said the night before that she was becoming a nag like his grandmother.
“Who dares say that about you? Let me go and teach him a good lesson…”
“Yes, you should really do that.” Shan Mei chuckled merrily.
“Are you getting off work now?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“I’ll be leaving in about half an hour…” She was busy with handing over her workload.
“Have you had something to eat?’
“I’ve had a heavy lunch, and am not hungry yet. I’ll get something when I’m finished…”
“That’s good…” Xiang Zhe said happily.
“What’s good?”
“I meant I haven’t had anything to eat either…”
Shan Mei laughed, “You happy just because we’ve both not had anything to eat?”
“Hmmm!” Xiang Zhe suddenly sighed heavily.
“What is it?”
“I was originally supposed to be having a nice romantic candlelight dinner with a beautiful woman in a French restaurant…”
“You were the one to give up the opportunity…”
“I’m regretting it already…. Hye, did you really mean what you said?”
“What do you mean?”
“You said I could take a raincheck on it. Did you really mean that?”
“I already told you I wasn’t a petty person…”
“That’s good…” Xiang Zhe laughed, “Hey, will you reconsider coming over and helping me pack?” Xiang Zhe tried his luck again.
“In your next life!”
Shan Mei felt her face flush. Why did she feel so embarrassed just thinking about packing his things for him…?
“I’ll wait a few lifetimes if necessary.” Xiang Zhe said.

She saw Song Shuo Mao as soon as she stepped into the lobby and frowned. Was he waiting for her?
“I want to talk with you.” He said to her.
Shan Mei shook her head, “I still have something to do.” She turned to walk away, but he blocked her escape.
“Please don’t be this way.”
“All I need is a few moments of your time.” Shuo Mao had no intentions of letting her escape.
“Alright, just for a little while.”
Shan Mei gave in. She got into his car but didn’t realize that just across the road from them, a face that was filled anticipation and happiness had changed completely…..

Shan Mei went with Song Shuo Mao to a western restaurant.
“Have you had dinner?” Song Shuo Mao ordered a set dinner of almond encrusted codfish for Shan Mei, telling her that the dish was superb.
Shan Mei sat eating her food. Shuo Mao watched her silently. When she finished, he finally started to speak.
“Don’t I even stand a chance?” Shuo Mao was not convinced as he looked at Shan Mei.
“None whatsoever.” Shan Mei’s answer was short and firm.
“If Yin Xiang Zhe wasn’t part of the picture, would that change?”
Shan Mei looked at Shuo Mao in disbelief. She never expected him to ever mention Xiang Zhe.
“Not a bit.”
“But I can’t forget the times we’ve had together…”
“You will. You’ve done it before…”
“Shan Mei…”
“I’m not trying to make things difficult…”
She looked at him sternly, hoping that he could hear what she was about to say.
“You are a decisive person. I could tell when we were together. I believe you can be just as decisive in love. Perhaps our chance meeting made you nostalgic, but that is all in the past. You need to let go of what doesn’t belong to you…”
“You have a wonderful person who loves you. You need to try and commit all your love to her. Don’t let your career aspirations get mixed up with your feelings. I’m sure you can find your own brand of happiness. I’m sure she has many qualities worthy of your love. That was the reason you chose her.”

While she was eating, she had been thinking of how to tell him all this. It was easy to give the advice, but very hard to follow it. She sincerely hoped Shuo Mao would be able to accomplish it.
“You’ve grown up.” Shuo Mao looked at Shan Mei.
She could not tell if he had said it in regret or admiration.
“You grow up quickly when you fall… I’m afraid you’ve never fallen before, haveyou?”
“I’ve just had a fall.” Shuo Mao said painfully.
Shan Mei laughed uneasily.

On her way home, Shan Me dropped in at Xiang Zhe’s place. It was already past 9 and he should already be home.
Xiang Zhe gave her a strange look when he saw her.
“What now? Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Shan Mei craned her neck to have a peek and teased, “You aren’t hiding another woman in there, are you?.... Hey, are you cooking something?” She could smell kimchi in the air.

The was a pot of Kimchi noodles on the stove in the kitchen.
“Is this dinner or supper?” Shan Mei asked.
“I’ve haven’t had dinner yet.” Xiang Zhe said grumpily
“What are you doing? You asked me if I had dinner at seven-thirty, and you don’t even eat till after nine….What’s the boss at your company doing? Doesn’t he feed his staff?” Shan Mei nagged.
“It’s got nothing to do with him. I left work early.”
“Huh?”
“I was waiting for you outside your office, hoping to catch you for dinner. I…..didn’t managed to catch you.”
“What time was that?’
“Around a bout eight.”
“I left about that time. Why didn’t you ring me first?”
“I wanted to surprise you.” He had made reservations at the French restaurant.
Shan Mei sighed, “I really don’t know whether to praise you or to chastise you…”
“What do you have for dinner?” he asked her.
“Almond cod.”
“You ate alone?”
He knew the answer to that, but asked the question anyway. He really didn’t know what he was trying to prove.

Shan Mei hesitated for a moment, then said, “I… ate with a colleague.”
She wasn’t deliberately hiding the truth from Xiang Zhe, she just didn’t want him to get upset. She knew Xiang Zhe did not like it when she spent time with Song Shuo Mao. Better to avoid mentioning it if she could, just to keep the peace. She was already feeling guilty enough over what had happened before, and fully understood Xiang Zhe’s unhappiness with her over Song Shuo Mao. She knew she shouldn’t have spent anymore time with Song Shuo Mao.

He was extremely unhappy that she would hide the incident from him. However, he didn’t know if he would have felt any better if she DID tell him that she had dinner with Song Shuo Mao.

Xiang Zhe silently ate his noodles.
“You’re quiet today.” She put her chin on her hands and scrutinized him. He was very different today.
“Did something happen at work?” she asked.
“No,” Xiang Zhe shook his head, “It’s late. Why are you here?”
She looked at him again closely. His tone of voice was very strange. In fact, he had acted very strangely ever since she walked through the door.
“I….I’m here to help you pack.” Shan Mei said uncomfortably.
“I can manage.”
Shan Mei was surprised at Xiang Zhe’s cool reception of her suggestion. A few hours ago, he had still be trying to persuade her to do just that over the phone. What was wrong with him? Shan Mei looked at him through the corner of her eye. His face was stony and grim.

Xiang Zhe finished off his noodles, stood up and made his way toward the kitchen.
“You go pack. I’ll wash the dishes.” Shan Mei said.
“I’ll wash them later.” He rejected her yet again.
It was obvious that Xiang Zhe was throwing a tantrum over something. Shan Mei guessed it was probably because he was upset over not having been able to catch her for dinner. She could fully understand that he would be upset. After all, he must have waited for her a long time, and ended up eating noodles at this time of night. However, she had no idea he had been waiting for her, so why was he taking it out on her?

Xiang Zhe ignored Shan Mei as he bustled in and out, getting packed. Although they were physically close, it felt as though there was a million miles separating them. Shan Mei felt so bad, tears started to well in her eyes.
“It looks like I’m of no help to you…” Shan Mei said, “I’ll go home now. It’s winter in Australia, so don’t forget to pack some warm clothes… Here’s some medication for you to bring along just in case…” She had dropped by at the pharmacy on her way and bought him some cold tablet and digestive pills which she left on the stand. “Make sure you go to bed as soon as you finish packing. You have to get to the airport early tomorrow….”..Saying that, she almost lunged out of the apartment. Her tears were starting to fall, and she did not want him to see.

The door slammed, putting a firm barrier between the two of them. In the remaining silence, Xiang Zhe began to calm down.

He was completely upset at himself. What was wrong with him? How could he throw a tantrum at her just like a little boy would? Song Shuo Mao was her client and a friend. It was completely natural that they would share a meal once in a while. She probably hid the fact from him, knowing that he would be upset by it. Hadn’t he also told white lies to her in a similar way? He had no basis on which to judge her. If it had been any other man than Song Shuo Mao, he probably wouldn’t have given it a second thought. He could not understand why he was so bothered by Song Shuo Mao. Could it be that Song Shuo Mao’s confidence had made him feel insecure? This was already the second time he was mad at her because of Song Shuo Mao. He was angry at himself. He though about how she tried to console him; how she gently reminded him to pack warm clothing and brought some medication for him, and regretted his actions.

He found her staring vacantly at the pond in the park, her eyes rimmed with red.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I was afraid you might cry.”’
“I’m not crying!” Shan Mei turned her head forcefully to one side.
“I’m sorry.” He took her hand and apologized.
“I would have waited for you if I had know you were going to wait for me.” Shan Mei whispered.
He was apologetic, “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have lost my temper at you…”
“I don’t blame you. You’ve had a busy day, and ended up waiting for me in vain…It’s only natural for you to be upset….However, I feel so terrible when you ignore me like that. I would rather you shout and scold me instead.” Shan Mei’s tears started again as she spoke.
“I’m really sorry…” he comforted her, “Please stop crying.”
Shan Mei nodded, but could not stop her tears.
“I have a great idea…next time we get upset with each other, we’ll go to the banks of the Han River and have a shouting match. What do you say?”
Shan Mei laughed through her tears. What sort of harebrained idea was that?
“No way. I can never bring myself to shout at anyone.” Shan Mei said, drying her eyes.
“Well! That’s too easy!...Let me teach you: You just face the river and shout out <Yin Xiang Zhe, you are a total idiot!>. That’s easy enough, isn’t it?.”
“Just like that?”
“Yep! Do you want to try?”
Shan Mei glared at him, “You’re crazy!”
“Is it because you can’t bear to shout at me?”
“Who says? I was ready to kill you just now.” She hit him.
“Hey, come back and help me pack.” Xiang Zhe gave her a pitiful look.
“Didn’t you just say you could manage it on your own?”
“Just come and check it for me then! You know how careless I can be.” Xiang Zhe cajoled.
“No way. I’m too tired to walk back there again.”
“Don’t worry…. I won’t make you walk…” Xiang Zhe said as he bent over and picked her up.
“What are you doing..?” Shan Mei yelped as she hurriedly looked around. Luckily, there was no one in sight.
“Didn’t you say you were too tired to walk?” Xiang Zhe laughed cheekily.
“No.. I’m no longer tired…. Please put me down!” she pleaded.
Xiang Zhe had no such intentions.
“Yin Xiang Zhe! If you don’t put me down, I’ll definitely ignore you…” Shan Mei threatened.
“I’ll put you down in a minute….. Once I go away tomorrow, it will be more than 10 days before I can see you again….” Xiang Zhe said lovingly.
On hearing Xiang Zhe’s words, Shan Mei’s heart was filled with sweetness and longing. She wound her arms around his neck, and plastered her face to his chest, and let him carry her home. She didn’t even bother about the looks from passers-by. She was doing just what Xiang Zhe said. Only having eyes for him, and no one else. Xiang Zhe put her down when they got to the entrance of the park.

She helped him finish packing, then insisted that he had to walk her home.
“Didn’t you say you were tired?” Xiang Zhe asked in concern.
“I’m not tired.” She replied. Shan Mei loved the feeling of eternity that enveloped them whenever they walked home together, hand in hand.

Just before bed, she received a call from Huan Hui, and they chatted about their respective love lives.
“You sound like you’re extremely happy!” Huan Hui, who was having a bout of cold feet, commented.
“You’re right, I’m absolutely blissfull.” Shan Mei replied happily.

It was only after she hung up that she regretted saying those words. It was tempting fate to be announcing your bliss to all and sundry…..

*****End of Chapter 30*****

Chapter 31

Written By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp

Translated by nho(CA)

So Shan Mei returned to the space of time when she had to spend a lot of time delving in research works in school. She was in her natural element here and felt very happy and very fulfilling, but she had never expected the degree of how busy her work was in the office. The law reform committee was set up in a hurry and under the lack of mutual recognition among the governmental, educational and legal circles, the text of every article needed to take up a long time to be repeatedly argued and settled, with the meaning of each word carefully prodded into. All the daytimes were spent in meetings and she also had to handle clients’ cases when she was back in the office in the evenings. Every day she had to work overtime and could not return home until after midnight. The worst was that she had to attend review meetings with the officers of the Department of Economic Affairs during weekends and holidays, thereby making the pace of her life chaotic. When Xiang Zhe returned from Europe and found that Shan Mei was unexpectedly too busy to spare time to meet him on a date, he complained repeatedly. After more than a month, the operation of the law reform committee could then operate on the right track, but now it was Xiang Zhe’s turn to get too busy to divide his attention.

Throughout Chamsung’s new product invention rate was far from ideal and Xiang Zhe who concurrently being the head of the research and development department, had to lead the working team to think painstakingly ways of improving the production lines, however they experienced a bottleneck and could not achieve the desired results. On the other hand, in order to reduce the risk of relying the source of revenue income mainly on the domestic market and at the same time wanted to raise visibility in the international market, Chamsung had applied to the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the American Stock Exchange for listing in the US markets. In order to conform to US laws and regulations, Chamsung needed to make significant changes to its accounting system and the corporate governance. This was the country’s first medium size IT firm to make its listing in Nasdaq so it drew a high degree of attention from the media and the industry and Xiang Zhe regarded this case with high importance and personally supervised the entire work progress. On the other hand, KMC’s infringement lawsuit was due to be heard in the court. As expected, KMC had instituted counter claim proceedings and so the whole office of Chamsung had entered into a status quo ante bellum (state of fully prepared for war) and was in close contact with their attorney delegation to discuss countermeasure strategies.

Xiang Zhe had to communicate back and forth between the head office and the factory in Incheon, so very often he just stayed the night in the Incheon factory. When she phoned him, he often could only have a brief conversation with her before he had to hang up. It often had to wait until after midnight before the two of them could have a private talk without interruption. She could well understand and forgive him. She knew that it was not as if he was not missing her, it was just involuntary on his part. Sometimes when she was too tired from waiting for his call, she would send him a short message telling him that she missed him very much, but she was too sleepy and could not wait for him and asked for his forgiveness and then she would mail him a heart. Every time she did it, she would always receive a bunch of red roses filled with his love the next day.

Because of their busy schedules, their meeting time become less. Every time when they dated, Xiang Zhe always pulled out his fingers and haggled over with her on how long since they last met.

Today, they arranged to have breakfast together and Xiang Zhe started complaining to Shan Mei.

“Last night you fell asleep before I even finished speaking … I was like an idiot talking to myself to the receiver for quite a while…”

“I’m so sorry …” Shan Mei smiled embarrassingly. She was really dead tired yesterday.

“I feel I don’t hold any appeal to you …”

Shan Mei gave an enlightened expression, “No wonder there are no roses this morning …” Shan Mei pouted her lips on purpose.

“You shouldn’t have expected me to break open the door of the florist shop and wake up the owner …” Xiang Zhe looked guiltless. The florist shop was still closed early in the morning.

“It seems that we don’t have that kind of relationship …” Xiang Zhe sighed.

“What kind of relationship?”

“A relationship between boyfriend and girlfriend … We only see each other once a week …”

“It doesn’t look like it is all my fault …” Shan Mei pouted.

“Hey, do you want to change job?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“What?”

“We have a vacancy in our legal department …”

Because of the KMC case, their legal department staff were all overloaded with work.

“Is the pay good?” Shan Mei mischievously asked.

“You only have to state the amount.”

Resting her chin on her hands, Shan Mei pondered and smilingly replied: “It looks very tempting …”

“Really?” Xiang Zhe excitingly drew his body closer. He really wanted Shan Mei to join Chamsung, as on one hand she could assist him and on the other hand he could always see her, it was killing two birds with one stone.

“Leave it, I want to reserve the liberty to argue loudly with you …” Shan Mei said.

“You can’t argue loudly with me if you come working for my company?”

“It would look strange … I would feel that I was quarrelling with my boss …”

Both of them burst into laughter simultaneously.

Xiang Zhe drove Shan Mei to COEX to attend a seminar.

“Tonight at 7:00 p.m., … Don’t forget!” Xiang Zhe reminded Shan Mei when they bade goodbye.

His client cancelled tonight’s dinner appointment at the last moment. He arranged to have dinner with her as it was rare that both of them were free in the evening.

“Two dates in a day, won’t it be too extravagant?”

“What? You don’t want to see me?” Xiang Zhe feigned a sad expression.

“I’m worried that you would be tired of seeing me …” Shan Mei smiled very sweetly.

“I plan on seeing you for the rest of my life …” Xiang Zhe said with a happy smiling face.

Shan Mei bumped into Xiang Zhe’s friend, Han Guo Qiang at the assembly hall and someone whom she did not want to see, Song Shuo Mao. Shuo Mao looked very happy to see her. He did not bother to socialize with others in the assembly hall, but spent his time around her. Shan Mei could feel the strange look from Han Guo Qiang.

When the seminar ended, Shuo Mao offered to give her a lift. She refused but Shuo Mao persisted and neither of them refused to compromise.

“I have already told Lawyer Zhen that I will give her a lift.” Han Guo Qiang stepped in to save her from embarrassment.

“Thank you.” After they got into the car, Shan Mei thanked Han Guo Qiang.

“Is that fellow interested in you?” Han Guo Qiang asked.

“Don’t joke.” She replied in embarrassment.

It was lunch time when she returned to the office. Shan Mei went directly to the restaurant on the ground floor. Soon after she sat down, she heard a familiar voice, it was Li Mei Yun, a colleague from the office. When she was about to stand up and went over to greet her, she heard her name being mentioned.

“I heard that there is an inside story of why Zhen Shan Mei was being transferred out from the Gimhae case …” Li Mei Yun said.

Shan Mei’s heart pounded and she raised up her ears to listen.

“It shouldn’t be the case? Isn’t it known that as she has to join the law reform committee that there is a relocation of clients?”

The person who was speaking was another one of her colleagues, Zhao Hsin Wen.

“That is the official explanation …”

Shan Mei started to feel uneasy.

“How do you know?”

“A friend of mine from Gimhae secretly told me.”

“Exactly what has happened?”

Shan Mei’s heart was pounding rapidly.

“It is rumoured that it was Gimhae who took the initiative to ask Shan Mei to be replaced …”

“For what reason?”

“It seems that she is not professional enough and lacks ability …”

Shan Mei sat where she was, stunned; it seemed as if her brain had received a forceful blow and it was now a piece of blank inside. She was pulled back to the presence after the waiter called her a few times.

“Maybe Lawyer Jiang just asked Shan Mei to join in the law reform committee as an excuse to replace her. Otherwise why did he have to ask her as there are plenty of such kind of talents in the office?” Li Mei Yun’s words fluttered into Shan Mei’s ears.

That afternoon, Shan Mei completely could not concentrate in her work.

At night, Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei arranged to meet in a Thai restaurant.

“What do you want to eat?” Xiang Zhe asked Shan Mei while looking at the menu.

This restaurant was referred by one of his friends and it was the first time they came here.

For a long time, Shan Mei did not respond.

Xiang Zhe raised his head and found Shan Mei starring vacantly at the tabletop.

“What’s up? Are you feeling unwell?” Xiang Zhe asked with a face filled with concern.

“Nothing …” Shan Mei pulled herself together.

“Shan Mei …”

“There is really nothing …” Shan Mei shook her head, “I want to eat julienned green papaya salad and spicy peanut baked chicken …” Shan Mei pulled herself together, she did not want to dampen Xiang Zhe’s fun.

“I heard from Lawyer Cui Xiu Ying that you are no longer responsible for Gimhae’s file?”

Xiang Zhe calmly mentioned this matter but could not manage to hide the joy from his face.

When Cui Xiu Ying came to deliver the contract this afternoon, she mentioned this matter during their idle chat. He got very happy without any cause and suddenly realized that he himself was actually very concerned about this matter.

Shan Mei’s face turned pale and she lowered her eyes and murmured: “Yes.”

From that moment onward, Shan Mei looked preoccupied. When he talked to her, she was all the time absent-minded.

Xiang Zhe was feeling dejected. Why did Shan Mei change into a different person whenever Song Shuo Mao’s name was mentioned? Could it possibly be that she was feeling bad for not able to handle Song Shuo Mao’s files?

That was the worst dinner she had ever had in her whole life. Although Xiang Zhe did not say anything, however she knew that he was not too pleased, he was not pleased that she was absent-minded. She too did not want to behave in that way, but she actually could not withdraw herself from the depression resulting from this afternoon’s shock and accusation. She really wanted to behave as she usually did and blurted out all her grievances and she really wanted to lean on his shoulder and have a good cry, but she could not only care about her own feeling selfishly every time. He already had enough vexing problems of his own. She did not want to trouble him again with this matter; furthermore what could she tell him, should she tell that she was sacked because of her inadequacy? She too had her pride and self-respect and she was not willing to let him see her weakness every time.

Today when she returned from the meeting at the Department of Economic Affairs, Shan Mei went straight into Jiang Zhan Ting’s office.

“Has something special happened in this morning’s meeting?” Jiang Zhan Ting asked. He thought Shan Mei came to see him because of this morning’s meeting. He went to court this morning and could not attend the meeting.

Shan Mei shook her head, “I want to talk to you on another matter.”

She thought things over for a few days and decided to approach Jiang Zhan Ting to get to the bottom of the Gimahe matter. She did not want to run rashly to interrogate Shuo Mao. What if what Li Mei Yun said were just rumours, it would be unfair to Shuo Mao. She looked at the matter very carefully and did not consider herself to have committed any errors, and even if she had something wrong, she too wanted to know what went wrong.

Jiang Zhan Ting looked at Shan Mei with questions in his eyes.

“Well … You agreed to withdraw Gimhae’s name from my clients’ list. I heard it was due to my inadequacy?” Shan Mei forthrightly asked Jiang Zhan Ting.

Jiang Zhan Ting frowned; that was the expression he usually wore when he encountered some awkward situation.

“Where did you hear that?”

Shan Mei did not pay Jiang Zhan Ting any attention, but continued to press for an answer: “Is it really the case? … You asked me to join the law reform committee because clients felt that I was not professional enough and requested that I be withdrawn so you just assign me to another job?”

Jiang Zhan Ting looked embarrassed. He signalled Shan Mei to sit down. He drew in a few smoke before he started to speak: “These two matters cannot be mixed together … I got you to join the law reform committee because you have sufficient ability to take on such heavy responsibility. I need your kind of manpower. If you think I make such arrangement because of the need to place you in another job, then you are belittling me and also belittling yourself …”

Shan Mei looked at Jiang Zhan Ting. What he said did not fully register with her. What she wanted to know was Gimhae’s case.

“As for Gimhae, …. did you have any disagreement with anyone in Gimhae that has resulted in disconcertment?” Jiang Zhan Ting’s words without doubt confirmed the authenticity of this matter.

Shan Mei dejectedly shook her head. Apart from Shuo Mao’s matter, she could not remember ever had any disagreement with anyone.

“May I know … what have I done wrong? I want to know …”

Jiang Zhan Ting shook his head. Gimhae’s excuse for laying her off was very inexplicit and he too was not convinced by it, but as Gimhae was one of the office’s important clientele, he had no alternative but to deal with the matter. He had not spoken to anyone on this matter and planned to resolve this matter satisfactory without trace. He looked on Shan Mei with high esteem and did not want her to suffer a setback because of this matter. That day when they discussed about rescheduling her work, Shan Mei mentioned on her own initiative to withdraw from the Gimhae’s file, he just took advantage and delete Gimhae’s name from her clients list. He absolutely never thought that the matter would have spread out.

“There is certainly some misunderstanding involved in this matter … Please don’t take too much to heart. I don’t want that to affect your performance in your presence job … Everyone in the legal reform committee is praising you … As for Gimhae, I will find an opportunity to speak to them …”

Jiang Zhan Ting’s words of comfort and encouragement did not make Shan Mei feel better. Rumours were already spreading in the office and she could feel the strange look and talks in whispers from her colleagues.

Xiang Zhe drove along Dragon Lake Road towards his office. He had just parted company with Jiang Zhan Ting. He arranged to meet with Jiang Zhan Ting for dinner to discuss the KMC case. When he was waiting before the red light, he saw Shan Mei crossing the zebra crossing from a distance and walking towards the direction of the park.

“Shan Mei!” He called out loudly, but she did not hear; he phoned her, but her cell phone was not on.

It was nearly 9:00 p.m., what was she doing going to that direction?

Xiang Zhe could not help worrying, so he followed her.

Xiang Zhe followed all the way to the park, but the scene before him made him stop, he saw Shan Mei and Song Shuo Mao together! Did they arrange to meet here?

He stayed where he was watching them. It was a long distance away so he could not hear what they were saying.

Shan Mei appeared to be angrily interrogating Song Shuo Mao about something. He could only see Song Shuo Mao shaking his head vigorously and then Shan Mei appeared to be crying. At that moment, Xiang Zhe’s heart was burning with fierce jealousy.

She should not shed tears before another man, she was her girlfriend. If she had any grievance, she should pour them all out to him. His shoulders were always available for her to lean on. Why did she have to cry before an irrelevant man …; he tried to convince himself with great difficulty to accept the fact that Shan Mei and Song Shuo Mao would occasionally get together because he was her friend. He also could understood that Shan Mei would appear to be feeling lost when she was no longer acting as legal advisor for Song Shuo Mao’s company, because it was one of her important clients. When Guo Qiang told him that Song Shuo Mao was over attentive towards Shan Mei during the seminar and urged him to take heed, he also just treated it with a smile. He would not become narrow-minded and get jealous as it was not the proper behaviour of a gentleman; however the scene before him far exceeded the limit of tolerance he could withstand. He completely could not accept the fact that she was shedding tears before another man! She was his girlfriend! At that moment, Xiang Zhe finally realized that he was not able to really walk out from that barrier in his heart.

Xiang Zhe perplexingly and restlessly stared at Shan Mei and Song Shuo Mao and a strange idea began to surface in his mind … Maybe in Shan Mei’s heart, Song Shuo Mao had never been an irrelevant person throughout, he was her first love and first love was heart-engraving. Shan Mei said this before … So, was the memory of the past between Shan Mei and Song Shuo Mao also heart-engraving?

He stood where he was watching the two of them. He saw them walk one after another towards the direction of the pier. Were they going to take a boat ride together? He followed them behind a little further and then stopped. He was ashamed of his own behaviour, Yin Xiang Zhe, what were you doing? Even though Shan Mei and Song Shuo Mau were going for a boat ride, so what? Did it mean that Shan Mei could not take a boat ride with someone other than you?

Xiang Zhe forced himself to leave there. He was feeling vexed.

Xiang Zhe parked his car before Shan Mei’s place. He was waiting for her.

He went to play basketball game in the night court for the whole night. He went all out to snatch the ball and did his best to shoot it in the net. He gave vent to his feeling fully in the course of the strenuous exercise. When he had exhaused his last strength and dropped down lying on the ground, it seemed he was feeling not that rotten.

It was very late in the night before Shan Mei returned home. He guessed she must have taken the last boat ride back.

She was astonished to see him.

“How long have you been waiting?” Shan Mei avoided Xiang Zhe’s gaze. She did not want him to see her swollen eyes.

Xiang Zhe did not pay heed to Shan Mei’s question. He asked her: “Have you been crying just now?”

Shan Mei shook her head saying: “Just some sand getting into my eye.”

Shan Mei’s answer made Xiang Zhe very disappointed.

He yearned for her to tell him something. This matter suddenly turned into something very important to him. He recalled the words of provocation from Song Shuo Mao, recalled how she cried before Song Shuo Mao and felt that Song Shuo Mao appeared to be in the upper hand. This made him angry, made him jealous and made him feel restless. He realized his response was very childish and very laughable, but he could not help thinking in this way.

“There is really nothing wrong?” Xiang Zhe asked once again persistently.

Shan Mei swiftly looked at Xiang Zhe. Was he able to see something? She suddenly had an urge, wanting to tell Xiang Zhe all that had happened during the past few days.

“I …” Shan Mei hesitated. When she saw the fatigue in Xiang Zhe’s eyes, she changed her mind. She did not want to add more burden on Xiang Zhe. She knew Xiang Zhe would not mind sharing some of the burden for her, but she was reluctant for him to waste nonessential thoughts on her. When she was on her way home just now, she already resolved to let this matter be bygones. She must concentrate wholly on the work in hand and she would not care what her colleagues discussed behind her back. She did not know whether she could achieve that, but she would try her best to do it.

- End of Chapter 31 –

Chapter 32

My Dearest One (Qin Ai De Ni) -

By Jennifer

Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by Jules

Activity is the cure for heartache. Shan Mei threw herself into her work, hoping to lost her pain in the flurry of activity, but in vain. Rumours of her sacking by Gimhae were running rife through the company. She knew her colleagues were whispering about her, and the half-pitying, half-despising looks she got from them each time she walked about was almost more than she could bear. There was even talk that she had managed to get her job only because her father was in the diplomatic service. There was nothing Shan Mei could say to defend herself, so she gritted her teeth and went about her usual ways during work hours, only crying her eyes out upon returning home each night.

In front of Xiang Zhe, she maintained an easy manner and never even mentioned the matter.

Shan Mei thought she was doing a good job of pretending that nothing was wrong, but nothing about her escaped Xiang Zhe’s observant eyes: she was distracted whenever they were eating; would stare into space when they went out; inattentive when watching television; and would often lose track of their conversations when talking.

No matter how hard he tried, he just could not get to the bottom of it.
“Are you not feeling well?’ “Did something happen at work?”
Shan Mei’s standard answer would be, “It’s nothing. I’m just tired.”
She would then get upset with him if he tried to pry any further.

Once, when he was taking her home, Shan Mei had completely not heard a word he had been saying to her, and he lost his temper.
“Just what is wrong with you…” Xiang Zhe asked grumpily.
Shan Mei was startled out of her daze, and replied, “I’m just feeling really tired,” in her usual way.
Xiang Zhe, in a fit of temper retorted, “Are you tired because of work, or are you just tired of being with me?”
Shan Mei’s eyes immediately filled with tears, and it took concerted effort by Xiang Zhe before he could calm her down again.

Things did not improve even after a month. Shan Mei could be happy and smiling one minute, and suddenly turn grave and distant the next. Xiang Zhe could not fathom what had gone wrong between them. All he could do was watch as the chasm between them widened and Shan Mei become thin and wane in the process. They had always been completely honest with each other until now….In the middle of the night, Song Shuo Maos’ name suddenly burst into his thoughts. He had no idea why.

On weekend night, Xiu Huan invited Xiang Zhe out for a drink at the pub.
“Surely you’re not also in the bad books like I am?” Xiu Huan asked Xiang Zhe.
Xui Ya Shu had gone with her friends for a tour of Europe. Xiu Huan, feeling desperately lonely, decided to try his luck and invite his good friend out for a drink. Unexpectedly, Xiang Zhe was not busy that night, and accepted his invitation.

“I thought my invitation would surely be rejected…. Aren’t you going overseas next week? I thought that you would be spending your time this weekend with Shan Mei.”
Xiang Zhe was going to California the next week to sign an exclusive agreement.
“Shan Mei has been very busy lately.” Xiang Zhe commented dryly.
“Now that you mention it, Shan Mei has been run off her feet ever since she joined that legislative review committee. My mother was complaining that she had not seen Shan Mei for almost a whole week…”
Xiang Zhe nodded.
“Hey, you should use your authority as her boyfriend to control her a little. My mother says Shan Mei has lost a lot of weight and is not looking well lately….”
Xiang Zhe sighed.
“What’s wrong with you?” Xiu Huan looked at Xiang Zhe, “Why did you sigh? I did was ask you to take better care of your girlfriend!”
“You should know what Shan Mei is like. When she sets her mind to doing something, there’s very little I can do….”
Xiu Huan started laughing. “And here I was thinking she might listen a little better if it came from you!”
Xiang Zhe had nothing to say. Right now, he didn’t even have an idea what was in her mind. He lit another cigarette.
“Oh? I thought you were cutting down on your smoking…” Xiu Huan smiled.
“What do you mean?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“Shan Mei was telling me how you’ve really cut down on your smoking lately. I guess that’s just a front you’ve put on for her?” Xiu Huan looked conspirationally at Xiang Zhe.
Xiang Zhe stubbed out his cigarette. He had promised Shan Mei that he would cut down.
Xiu Huan looked at Xiang Zhe as he stubbed out his cigarette, “Don’t worry! Your secret’s safe with me…”

“Guess who I bumped into the other day?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“Who?”
“Han Wa Shu”
Han Wa Shu was Xiu Huan’s girlfriend during university days. They broke up when Xiu Huan went overseas to study in England.
Xiu Huan silently considered the information for a while, then said, “How… how is she?”
Xiang Zhe nodded, “She looks good.”
“Is that so?” Xiu Huan had a drink. “Is she…married?”
“She’s still single.”
The normally chatty Xiu Huan became quiet and withdrawn once Han Wa Shu was mentioned.
“Surely you’re not still in love with her?”

Xiu Huan smiled grimly, “Well, your first love is one you will never forget…”
“Is that how it works?” Xiang Zhe’s heart contracted. Xiu Huan’s words echoed what Shan Mei had said to him before.
“If…if she were to come back to you, will you still accept her love?” Xiang Zhe asked.
Xiu Huan grimaced and thought about it for a long time. “It’s really hard to say….if she were to really come back into my life, I really have no idea what choice I would make….even now, each time I return to our old school and see the places where we spent happy times together, I cannot help feeling nostalgic about those times we had.”
“Don’t you feel like a cheat when you do that?” Xiang Zhe was a little angry.
“You don’t understand…” Xiu Huan tried to explain.
“You’re right, I DON’T understand.” Xiang Zhe interrupted angrily.
“What we shared was so passionate, so strong, so new – the feeling is completely different from now…..it’s a feeling that completely engulfs you…”
Xiang Zhe felt as though someone had punched him in his guts.

On Monday morning, Shan Mei went to the airport to see Xiang Zhe off unannounced.
He was delighted and bounded over to her side when he saw her.
“Did you say you had a meeting?”
“I took the day off.” she said.
“Is that alright?” Xiang Zhe asked.
Shan Mei had never missed a meeting of the legislative review committee.
“I’ve delegated this morning’s meeting to Jiang Zhan Ting…”
“You delegated it? To your boss?” Xiang Zhe asked, utterly surprised. How could she delegate a meeting to her boss?
Shan Mei declared smugly, “I told him that I would quit if he didn’t let me have the time off…..”
Xiang Zhe smiled. She seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood today.
“I never thought the lawyer Mr Jiang would ever bow to such blackmail.”

Actually, Shan Mei had to drum up the courage to ask Jiang Zhan Ting for the time off. There was something she wanted to tell Xiang Zhe before he left the country.

She had been mulling over their relationship over the last few days. She knew it was her fault that the atmosphere between them had deteriorated, and felt very sorry for that. She had been trying very hard not to let her own difficulties affect things between them, but often could not help herself. She would often become so engrossed in thinking about her own problems, she would even forget his presence; or she would sometimes lash out at him for no rhyme or reason, simply because she had had a particularly bad day. She could feel that he was often on tenderhooks when dealing with her nowadays.

It was already more than a month, but she still could not shake off the shadow of doubt this incident cast on her abilities. It was almost as if the incident with Gimhae had wiped out all the credibility that she had worked hard at building. She had no problems with hard work. What truly bothered her was the fact that the people around her misunderstood her situation. When she was absorbed in her work, she could forget about it, but once things settled down, the Gimhae affair would invariably come into her mind yet again.

“I thought you would be very happy to see me here, but it seems I was mistaken…” Shan Mei pouted.
“Maybe you need to get your eyes checked…” Xiang Zhe said, patting her on the head. It had been a long time since she teased him like this.
“Your lips only curled up at….15 degrees.” Shan Mei beamed at him.
“To what extent should my lips move in order to satisfy my lady?”
Shan Mei stretched her fingers behind her ear and grinned, “Your smile should at least be THIS big….”
Xiang Zhe burst out laughing. Did she know how much he missed having her tease him like this?

There was still some time left after Xiang Zhe checked in, so they headed for the café on the second floor of the airport.
Xiang Zhe hadn’t had breakfast, so ordered a portion of French toast.
“I miss having the tuna sandwich that you make…” Xiang Zhe smiled as he recalled that time where he managed to trick her into coming over early to make breakfast for him. “And your Ginseng Chicken soup.” He continued.
She looked at the blissful expression on his face and felt even more guilty for the way she had been treating him. Tears welled up in her eyes.
Shan Mei quickly dried her tears when he wasn’t looking.
Xiang Zhe was very happy and chatted away to her nineteen to the dozen. She just looked on and smiled.

“Do you intend to just sit there in silence until I board the plane?” XiangZhe asked.
She looked at him and hesitated.
“What is it?” Xiang Zhe asked.
She looked at him and whispered, “I’m really sorry.”
Xiang Zhe was stunned. “Did you take leave from work and come all this way just to say that?” he asked gently.
Shan Mei nodded and looked at him apologetically. “It’s all because of me that you have been so unhappy these past few weeks…”
“Nothing of the sort…”
“Don’t try to hide it. I know very well what’s been happening..”
“Is…is there anything I can do to help?” Xiang Zhe asked gently.
“I don’t want to run to you every time I find myself in trouble…”
“Shan Mei…”
Shan Mei shook her head, not letting him continue. “A long time ago, I fell down, and you helped me up with your words and your CD.” Shan Mei stopped for a moment.
“This time, I want to be able to pick myself up..”
“Shan Mei…”
“I can’t keep relying on others to help me up…”
“I’m not just anyone…” he took her hand, “I want to be able share your troubles…”
She looked at him gratefully, tears pouring from her eyes.
“You’ve already shared most of my troubles….” Shan Mei said.
He could not understand. He had been by her side all this while, feeling completely helpless.
“You tolerated me while I cast you aside; tolerated the way I would lash out at you for no good reason….you were my punching bag when I got angry or upset….You’ve already done too much for me.”
He was reassured by her words. Even though she seemed to have cast him aside, he had been very much a part of her thoughts.
“I want to be able to do much more than that.” Xiang Zhe said.
“Some things can only be done on your own…just like in basketball. Even if you had the best coach in the world, you would not be able to win the game if you didn’t put in the effort yourself.” Shan Mei was convinced, and Xiang Zhe could not move her.
“I’m really alright. I just need a bit of time to think through some things….” As she spoke, Shan Mei unconsciously frowned once again.
There was a vacancy in the economics department. Although it wasn’t her ideal scope of work, the pay and conditions were very good. If she accepted the position, she would be able to leave all this mess about Gimhae behind her and start over. However, she wasn’t one to run away from a difficult situation, and taking the position would be just that. On the other hand, she really didn’t see the point in keeping her current job if this fiasco was going to continue indefinitely. She was really torn between the two.

“Will you cook me some chicken soup when I get back?” Xiang Zhe smiled at Shan Mei as he was about to head into the departure gates.
Shan Mei only smiled in reply.
Xiang Zhe grinned, “Surely you don’t expect me to get myself injured before being able to taste your cooking?”
Shan Mei chuckled, “What nonsense are you spouting?”
“In that case, can I assume you’ll have it ready for me when I return?” Xiang Zhe asked.
Without giving any thought to the speculative looks around them, Xiang Zhe hugged her tenderly.

Shan Mei received a startling phone call from Li Shen Ai on Wednesday afternoon, asking her out for a cup of coffee at a nearby café.
“What can I do for you?”
Other than attending one or two meeting during her project for Gimhae where Li Shen Ai was present, she had never spoken one-on-one with her before.
“There is something I would like to ask of you….Can you please meet with me?.” Li Shen Ai said.

Shan Mei finally agreed to meet her after Li Shen Ai persisted with her request.
“I am not sure if I am in a position to help you, Miss Li.” Shan Mei addressed Li Shen Ai formally.
“I want to talk with you about Song Shuo Mao.” Li Shen Ai dispensed with all formalities and went straight to the point.
Shan Mei was startled, “I am not sure what you mean. I have nothing to do with Mr Song.”
“Is that so?” Li Shen Ai laughed bitterly, “It was precisely because of you that Song Shuo Mao and I fell out.”
“…” Shan Mei looked at Li Shen Ai in surprise.
“He found out I was the one who sacked you from the project…”
Shan Mei stared in Li Shen Ai in disbelief, “It was you…?”
“That’s right. It was me” Li Shen Ai smiled grimly, “He was really angry at me, and we had a terrible row…”
Shan Mei looked at Li Shen Ai’s reaction and felt guilty. She had blamed Song Shuo Mao and gave him a good lashing that day. He had taken it all without a word in response.
“He said he never expected me to ever do such a thing… he said….he wanted to break up…..” Li Shen Ai looked sadly at Shan Mei.
“He only said that in anger.”
Li Shen Ai shook her head, “He had never ever spoken to me in that tone before….”
Shan Mei could not believe the irony of the situation. Song Shuo Mao had broken up with her because of Li Shen Ai, and now he had, in turn, threatened to break up with Li Shen Ai because of her! How could he be so fickle in the face of love?

“He would not forgive me, no matter how much I apologized. He said I had caused you immense harm…”
Shan Mei didn’t even hear what Li Shen Ai had to say, “Can you please explain to me why you gave me the sack? Was it really because I was negligent and you lost faith in my ability?” It was the thing that had bothered her all through this incident.
Li Shen Ai laughed bitterly, “If that was really true, Shuo Mao would not have had a reason to get upset with me….”
Shan Mei looked at Li Shen Ai.
Li Shen Ai thought for a moment, then finally said, “It was because I was jealous….I noticed how Shuo Mao looked at you ever since you started working on our account…..I had never seen him look at anyone else in that way. He even used a different tone of voice when speaking with you….”
“It’s not what you think….”
“Is that so? Surely you’re not going to deny that you and Shuo Mao knew each other even before you took on our account?”
“We did know each other, but we are only friends and nothing more. It’s not what you think.”
“I’m no fool. I can tell from his eyes that there’s more than friendship between the two of you.”
“You’re imagining things….truly, you are.”
“I’m not. I was, until that time when he was so drunk someone had to check him into a hotel overnight. When I went to get him, I discovered that he had rung a particular number incessantly the night before. My curiousity got the better of me, and I ended up ringing that number a few days later. I reached you on the phone. It confirmed my suspicions. If you were really just friends, would he have rung you so many times in one night?”
“What happened between us has long past…” she could only say..
“I don’t think Shuo Mao sees it the same way. He has kept every single letter you have written to him and hidden them away, just like he has kept his love for you hidden away…”
What on earth are you doing, Shuo Mao? Shan Mei sighed silently.

“It was then I became afraid. I was afraid that the old love between the two of you would flare up once again. I asked Dad to get Mr Zhang put in a request for you to be taken off our account. I never meant for it to be publicized. I expected Mr Zhang to come up with some minor excuse to request the change, but instead, he cited lack of professionalism. And I expected the request to remain completely confidential, but it leaked, and lead to Shuo Mao getting completely mad with me….”

Shan Mei looked at the anger and hatred in Li Shen Ai, and could not get angry with her. All she had done was try to protect her relationship. She could forgive her for that.
“What would you like me to do?” Shan Mei asked.
“Let Shuo Mao completely lose any hope of a relationship with you.”
“I’ve already told you what we had was only in the past.” Shan Mei said firmly. She had bade farewell to Shuo Mao a long time ago. Li Shen Ai thanked Shan Mei, and left.

After her meeting with Li Shen Ai, Shan Mei came to a decision. She decided to stay put and ride out the storm.

From that day onward, things started to look much brighter.
Shan Mei came to a realization that people sometimes are the ones who makes things hard for themselves.

On Saturday, Shan Mei spent the whole day at work. Xiang Zhe planned to take her to Changjun on Sunday. Ever since returning from California, Xiang Zhe had been run off his feet. He was in Pusan attending an investor meeting and would not be back till late. A few days ago, Xiang Zhe promised he would take the time out to spend with her. He said he was afraid she might decide to leave him otherwise.

After work, she saw Shuo Mao in the lobby. He had been waiting there to see her. After hesitating for a while, she decided to accept Shuo Mao’s invitation to dinner. She owed him an apology, and she intended never to see him again after this.
“Aren’t you afraid that I might yell at you and abuse you?” Shan Mei asked.
“I was just trying my luck. I never expected you to agree to having dinner.” Shuo Mao said, delighted.
“It’s only because I have something to say.”
Song Shuo Mao looked at the serious expression on her face and started to get anxious.
“What…what did you want to say to me?”
“Why didn’t you even try to defend yourself? You were obviously not the one at fault, why did you just accept all the blame silently?”
“You know about that?”
“Yes, a friend told me.”
There was no point in bringing Li Shen Ai into the picture. It would only complicate matters.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have blamed you for it.” She apologized.
“It all happened because of me…. It was still indirectly my fault that your reputation had been compromised. I was willing to take the flak from you.”
Shan Mei pretended she did not see the tenderness in his eyes.
“I’m really hungry…. This steak looks really good.” She changed the subject.
Shan Mei and Shuo Mao had a pleasant meal together, talking and joking. Shuo Mao had a bit to drink.

Shan Mei insisted on footing the bill for the meal.
They walked along the street together. It was not too late, and there were still many people about.
“I have never had a woman pay for my meal before.” Shuo Mao said.
“You paid for our last farewell dinner, so this farewell dinner should be on me!”
“Farewell dinner?” Shuo Mao stopped in his tracks.
Shan Mei nodded, “That’s right. It’s a farewell dinner. After tonight, I don’t intend to ever see you again.”
“You…”
“You need to go your way and return to where you belong…” Shan Mei said.
“Shen Ai came to see you didn’t she?” Shuo Mao looked at Shan Mei..
Shan Mei didn’t know whether to admit that.
“Just what did she say to you?” Song Mao started getting upset.
“She….came to apologize.” It was the best thing Shan Mei could think of to say.
“What’s the use of apologizing? She shouldn’t have done it in the first place…!” Shuo Mao was furious.
Shan Mei smiled weakly, “Don’t be like that Shuo Mao…I can see she really loves you a lot.”
“I’m really disappointed in her.” Shuo Mao said coldly.
“She was only afraid to lose the one she loves. If you did give her reason to feel so insecure, she would not have done something like that.”
Shuo Mao smiled bitterly, “You’re saying now it’s all my fault?”
“She said you wanted to break up.”
Shuo Mao looked at Shan Mei, but remained silent.
“It’s a gift from heaven to be able to find true love.”
“Can a sail be completely mended after it has been torn apart?”
“If both parties are sincere and committed to making a change, it is possible for things to go back to where they were before. Don’t you think the two of you deserve the chance? How can you give up without even trying? I don’t think the man I knew could be so heartless…”
Shuo Mao looked at her for a long time and finally asked, “Aren’t you even going to give me a chance?”
“I already have someone else in my heart….there is no one in this world who can take his place.” She said with total conviction.

Shan Mei did not reject Shuo Mao’s suggestion that he see her home.
“I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve seen you home.” Shuo Mao commented.
His relationship with Shan Mei was during their student days in London, when she persisted in never allowing him to see her home.
“I guess we were never meant to be…” Shuo Mao regretted, “That Yin Xiang Zhe probably sees you home all the time.”

When they got to Shan Mei’s doorstep, Shuo Mao tried, “I guess you don’t be inviting me in?”
Shan Mei laughed. “Thanks for seeing me home,” she said.
“Thank you for letting me do it!”
“It’s late, you should be making your own way home.” Shan Mei said.
“Alright.” Shuo Mao said reluctantly.
“Do you really mean to never see me again?” Shuo Mao asked, still harbouring a slither of hope.
Shan Mei smiled, “I’m sure we will meet again.”
“When will that be?” Shuo Mao asked hopefully.
“When you get married……if you are willing to send me an invitation, I would be very happy to attend your wedding and wish you the best of happiness with your bride… Goodbye.” Shan Mei waved and Shuo Mao and turned to go.
“Shan Mei!” Shuo Mao ran up to her.
Shan Mei turned around uncertainly.
“Can I please hug you?” Shuo Mao asked.
“Huh?”
Shuo Mao pulled her into his arms even before she could say no…..

*****End of Chapter 32*****

Chapter 33

My Dearest One

Written By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp

Translated by nho(CA)

Xiang Zhe stepped hard on the accelerator pedal until the car was running on the freeway, trying to toss everything to the back of beyond, but his state of mind was still in turmoil. He was shattered by the scene he had just witnessed.

He saw Song Shuo Mao embracing Shan Mei tightly in his arms!

At that moment, he only felt there was a loud explosion in his head. His instinctive response was to run away in a panic. He nearly fled from there and he could not stay there for another second longer.

Xiang Zhe did not go home, just drove his car around aimlessly. He drove on and on until he realized that he had driven his car to Shan Mei’s place again. He revealed a hint of bitter smile. He raised his head and looked at the direction of Shan Mei’s bedroom. The light was out, had she gone into asleep? He gazed at that room which had at numerous times given him hope and fantasy and his heart was hurting inch by inch … The matter which often perplexed his mind since the appearance of Song Shuo Mao, was it indeed happening now?

He did not doubt that she loved him, but he could not help thinking about the fact that maybe deep inside a corner of her heart there existed the presence of another man. In Brighton at the time when she accepted his affection, she said the past had become bygones and he never doubted those words were from her heart, but when she was faced with Song Shuo Mao’s ardent pursuit once again, had that engraving memory that belonged to the two of them alone surfaced again? … Since recently, she always looked preoccupied and worried. The matter which she said she needed time to think about, was it about making a choice between him and Song Shuo Mao and was it the reason why she was hurting so much? He did not want, but could not help believing this was the actual fact. Even someone as calm and rational as even Xiu Wei could not forget Han Jia Wen for a moment, not to say Shan Mei was such a perceptual and exquisite person …

Xiang Zhe turned to look at the pack of spicy rice cakes left sitting cold on the seat next to him and a bitter feeling arose from his heart. That was what he specially made a detour to Sindang to get as Shan Mei loved the spicy cakes from there.

He missed her exceptionally today and he could not wait until tomorrow to see her, so he left the closing reception early and caught the last flight back to Seoul. What actually greeted him was the scene which pierced his heart, why had things progressed to this stage? Why ….

After switching off the light, Shan Mei sat down on her bed with arms around her knee, pondering on what had just happened.

Shuo Mao abruptly embraced her. She was too stunned to respond until a long while later.

“Song Shuo Mao, you don’t have the right to do that.” She angrily pushed him away and pushed him out of the door. She simply got driven mad by him. Didn’t he know what he was doing? Couldn’t he maintain a clear head even when he had drunk?

Shuo Mao phone and apologized, “I’m sorry. I have gone too far. I don’t know what has happened to myself.”

She treated him with silence.

“I will never harass you again. Thank you for giving me such a beautiful interlude in my life … I wish someday you can be friend with me again.”

Before she could open her mouth and speak, he had already hung up.

She felt that Shuo Mao was sincere in his apologies. Her anger towards him dissolved and was replaced with regrets. She had never thought they would resort to this method of bidding each other goodbye …

The wall clock in the sitting room struck one. It was 1:00 a.m. in the early morning. Should Xiang Zhe be back home by now? He did not phone her, Shan Mei thought. It must be too late in the night and Xiang Zhe was afraid to wake her up from her sleep that he did not call. On a sudden impulse, Shan Mei picked up the phone and dialled a few numbers. She laughed, “You are missing me that much?” Xiang Zhe would certainly tease her this way. She put down the phone and crept inside the quilt with a face full of smiles. Just a few more hours and she could see him again.

In the early morning, Shan Mei received a call from Zhao Hsin Hui.

“Hey, last night’s spicy rice cakes were certainly very delicious?”

“What spicy rice cakes?” Shan Mei listened in bewilderment.

“You are still play-acting?”

“What do you mean?”

Hsin Hui felt that Shan Mei was not pretending and said gloomily: “It’s strange, I clearly saw him buying the spicy rice cakes …”

“Who was buying the spicy rice cakes?” Shan Mei asked.

“Yin Xiang Zhe!”

Shan Mei was getting more confused.

“Last night Xue Ren and I went to have a night snack in Sindang and saw Yin Xiang Zhe buying the rice cakes from the shop across the road …”

“You must have mistaken him for someone else.”

“Impossible!” Hsin Hui said decisively. “For someone I may be mistaken, but for Xiang Zhe it is absolutely not possible, unless he has a twin brother. Right, that man was also driving a black BMW …”

“Really?” Shan Mei was no longer that certain herself. Hsin Hui’s recognition skill was always good and it was really not possible for her to make a mistake.

“You really have not eaten the rice cakes?” Hsin Hui still had a little doubt.

“No.”

“Darn! He would have brought them for another girl?” Hsin Hui alarmed Shan Mei on purpose.

“No, he wouldn’t have!” Shan Mei was very confident.

“Hey, go and quickly phone him up to interrogate him and see what he has to say … Xue Ren was nagged by me for a long while in the car last night because of this matter and I complained that he was not attentive enough …”

On the way to Xiang Zhe’s place, Shan Mei thought happily that Xiang Zhe would certainly have bought that pack of spicy rice cakes for her, as he did not like them; it must be that when he saw that her light was off, he thought she must have gone to sleep and he was reluctant to wake her up. This idiot, if she knew that he was coming, she would have waited for him no matter how late it was … She was smiling and thinking at the same time and her heart was brimming with sweetness. Looking at her watch, it was only past 7:00 and at this moment, Xiang Zhe would certainly be still sleeping. An idea occurred to her. First she went to the bakery to get a half loaf of freshly baked bread, then she went to the market to buy onion and cucumber. She wanted to make breakfast for Xiang Zhe. She planned to make tuna sandwiches; he always said that he wanted to eat the tuna sandwich she made … Also, she wanted to make a good pot of coffee to have him holding her in high esteem. If God was on her side, she may be able to have everything ready before he woke up, then he could eat the breakfast she prepared for him as soon as he opened his eyes … Shan Mei was getting proud and satisfied and was so happy that she burst out laughing.

Shan Mei was greatly disappointed; Xiang Zhe unexpectedly was not at home and the bedding in his bedroom looked as if it was never touched before. If Xiang Zhe’s hand luggage was not placed on the floor, she would have thought he did not hurry back last night.

Where had he gone so early in the morning? He wouldn’t have gone to look for her?

She called him on his cell phone, but there was only his voicemail. Xiang Zhe did not have his cell phone on.

Maybe Xiang Zhe had gone out to have breakfast or maybe that he had gone out for some exercise. He should be back in a while. They had a date today and he would not forget it. She waited for him in the sitting room.

Shan Mei saw the cigarette butts in the ashtray and frowned. The night before yesterday, she went to the laundry shop to pick up Xiang Zhe’s clothings for him and the ashtray was empty then. Had he been smoking these last night? One, two, three … Xiang Zhe had in total smoked four cigarettes and Shan Mei could not help getting angry. Had he been smoking all night instead of going to bed? Did he know how much it was hurting his health? He clearly promised her that he would smoke less! Later, she would need to tell him off.

It was 10:00 a.m. and there was still no sight of Xiang Zhe and she was unable to get in touch with him. Shan Mei began to worry. Xiang Zhe had never behaved like this. Even though he was too busy to spare time, he would always give her a call. Could it be that something wrong had happened? Shan Mei started to entertain foolish idea. She called him at his office, at the factory in Incheon, but the answering machines were being switched on during weekends and it was absolute not possible to get any explanation. She thought maybe something had happened to Grandma and Xiang Zhe had to hurry back to Gyeongju. So she made a call there, but Grandma said Xiang Zhe would not be going home until the coming Monday.

Shan Mei felt extreme uneasy and could not just wait at home doing nothing but getting more exasperated and anxious, so she decided to visit several places where Xiang Zhe often frequented to try her luck there. She went to the nearby park, to the basketball court, to the embankment where they often ate their lunch, to the places where he and his friends liked to meet. She even went to his office and throughout the whole day, she spent her time back and forth searching for him and all were in vain. Exactly where he had gone? Why didn’t he say anything? Didn’t he know she was worried? She was both angry and worried.

When it was dusk, Shan Mei went back to Xiang Zhe’s place, utterly exhausted. She was feeling hopeful that Xiang Zhe may have gone home by now but again she was disappointed.. She heated up the pack of spicy rice cakes that had been lying on the dining table and ate them. She did not know whether it was because the rice cakes were last night’s that they had become stale and lost their flavour or it was due to her bad mood that those rice cakes tasted a lot worst than before. She continued to wait for him, waiting until near 10:00 p.m. before she went home. She left him a note, asking him to call her when he got home.

It was past 11:00 p.m. when Xiang Zhe came before Shan Mei’s place.

After a whole night and a whole day, the heart-wrenching decision which he made was totally shaken after he read her note. He was reluctantly to let her go; she was the most important person in his life!

He stood under the porch, hesitating whether to ring the doorbell.

He stood there, recalling the scene he witnessed last night. He felt nearly suffocated and he almost turned around and ran, but he really wanted to see her too much.

When Shan Mei appeared before him, he tightly pulled her into his arm, as if she would vanish out of his sight at any time.

She let him hold her and she was feeling both happy and angry; she was happy that he was standing before me safe and sound, but she was angry that he disappeared without trace for one whole day. Did he know how long this day was to her?

“Where have you been … I have been looking for you for the whole day.” Shan Mei said, choking with sobs.

“I … was in the factory.” Xiang Zhe felt very guilty.

He actually spent the whole day on the seafront of Incheon. He was feeling so chaotic that he completely forgot about going to Chuncheon and he just remembered about it when he read the note.

Shan Mei felt so discouraged. From the start, Xiang Zhe did not take to heart about spending time with her today, he only agreed to do so without any intention of fulfilling his promise.

“You didn’t leave words and didn’t even give me a call …” Shan Mei grumbled.

Xiang Zhe remained silent for a while and said: “I’m sorry … There is something I need to think about very carefully.”

Hearing this, she was worried, had he encountered something very sticky?

“I am only worried about you …” Shan Mei softly. She did not want to haggle with him about his failure to make their date, nor did she want to haggle with him about smoking too much.

“Did you wait for me long?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“No … I waited for you for just a little while …” Shan Mei lightly said.

He looked at her apologetically. He knew she told him this because she did not want him to feel bad. The caretaker told him that she came to his place early in the morning and had waited for him for the whole night.

“Didn’t I ask you just to give me a ring?” Shan Mei’s heart ached for him; he looked so weary.

“I saw your note and could not help rushing here …”

His words made the grievances and feeling of loss in her heart all vanished into thin air.

She said she would accompany him home.

“No, it’s too late …” Xiang Zhe said.

“I insist.” Shan Mei behaved stubbornly like a child.

He looked at her in puzzlement. Her thoughtfulness and perseverance towards him made him believe that he still occupied an extreme important position in her heart. However, what position did the other person rank in her heart?

“Why are you looking at me this way?” Shan Mei asked. The way Xiang Zhe looked at her seemed as if she had said something strange.

Xiang Zhe smiled, “I’m just worried that you would fall asleep midway and how am I going to carry you back?”

“What! …” She glared at him.

Shan Mei was in a good mood and suggested walking through the park. It was late in the night, there were only the two of them in the park.

“It’s so tranquil! It seems that we haven’t been here so late in the night before …” Shan Mei said.

Xiang Zhe smiled. Before he met Shan Mei, he had never been here before and now it had become a place he would certainly come every week.

“Let’s sit down for a while?” Shan Mei said.

“Aren’t you tired?”

Shan Mei shook her head. For whatever reason, she felt that tonight was one of the most precious day in her life. Perhaps it was because she had been yearning for him for the whole day before she saw him.

“Was that bowl of spicy rice cakes delicious?”

“Darn, you have found out …” Shan Mei laughed, “How come you thought of buying that?” Shan Mei asked.

“Erh … I drove past Shindang last night. Originally I wanted to get them for a night snack, but I fell asleep midway when I was reading a magazine …”

“Oh!”

Shan Mei was a little disappointed. At first she hoped to hear him telling her that he bought them especially for her.

“Can you confide in me?” She asked him.

“What?”

“You just mentioned that there was something troubling you.” She wanted to see whether she could be of help.

He gave her a look and said: “It’s only something in the office …, nothing special.”

Shan Mei nodded sympathetically. He did not want to let her worry and she would not try to force him. Didn’t she act in the same way? She recalled what had happened to herself recently.

“Have you thought of any resolutions?” She asked him.

“Not yet …” Xiang Zhe said miserably.

“Then … Keep fighting?”

“Yes …” Xiang Zhe forced a smile on his face.

“What a pity! Tonight’s moonlight shadowed the brilliance of the stars.” Shan Mei looked up at the sky.

Since she was young she loved watching the stars more than the moon, as the moon’s different facets gave a feeling that human affairs were variable.

“Xiang Zhe …”

“Huh?”

“Why does a man sometimes not know where his true heart lies?” Shan Mei said with a reason.

Xiang Zhe’s face turned pale.

“When he obviously already finds someone ready for marriage, but after he meets with his former love again, he cannot extricate himself and has fallen in love with his former love …”

Xiang Zhe suddenly released Shan Mei’s hand he was holding.

Shan Mei was telling about what happened between Song Shuo Mao and Li Shen Ai, but he thought she was talking about her and Song Shuo Mao’s affairs.

Shan Mei completely failed to notice that something was wrong and continued: “Even though it is difficult to judge what is right and wrong in love, one just can’t selfishly hurt someone who is also in love with oneself in order to exchange for one’s own happiness! With a guilt bearing life, how can one become really happy …”

“It’s too late, let me take you home!” He abruptly cut off her words.

“We are nearly there …” Shan Mei was a little reluctant.

“Let’s go!”

Xiang Zhe turned back and walked, his steps were big and fast.

Shan Mei was stunned, she could not make out why Xiang Zhe suddenly changed his mind.

“Wait for me …” She followed him.

When they parted company, he told her that he was going to the States to lead the investors conference for the issuance of the depositary shares and would not return until more than ten days later.

“When did you change your plan?” Shan Mei was very surprised. Xiang Zhe initially told her that Jiang Yu He would be representing the company.

“The lead agent wants me to attend …” Xiang Zhe said.

He was sorry that he had to lie to her, but at this moment he really needed to be on his own to think clearly about what happened between them. He knew that he needed only to hold on to her tightly for her to remain with him, but was it also the best choice for Shan Mei? He did not wish that she chose him because of a guilty conscience. He hoped that she chose to be with him because he was her only love.

Half a month later, Xiang Zhe returned. From then on, he immersed in his work. Apart from the matters which required his attention in Seoul, he nearly spent of his time in the factory in Incheon and even weekends were no exception. She grumbled about the state of his busy schedules, he just said there were some faults in their new products that required urgent rectification, or else clients would withdraw the order. Every time she saw him, he was either in deep frowns or was in a hurry. All she could do was to hide her thoughts of him and tried her best not to disturb him. So for nearly a whole month, the time they met could be counted with her fingers. Even though she was not a clinging type, sometimes she unavoidably felt that the distance between them were too far apart. The distance between Seoul and Incheon was not more than an hour away and instead she felt that he and she were separated by the great distance like the earth and the moon and it was like what Xiang Zhe had said before that they did not act like boyfriend and girlfriend. Every time she met with Xiang Zhe, she felt both sweetness and torture; it was sweet because she could nestle close in his warm bosom, it was tortuous because it had been so long since he came looking for her and she was missing him every day. Sometime she would think foolishly that maybe as she had neglected him for a while lately that she was now getting the retribution.

She could not help telling Hsin Hui about her thoughts and Hsin Hui said: “Haven’t you ever heard that behind every successful man, there is always a woman who contributes and pays out without complaints and regrets …”

However, she did not want to be that kind of woman.

One Sunday afternoon, Shan Mei phoned Xiang Zhe.

“Are you free next Saturday night?” She asked him.

She wanted to ask him early so that he could arrange to make himself available. That day was his birthday and she missed his last year’s birthday.

“Anything special?”

Listening to Xiang Zhe’s reply, Shan Mei was very depressed. This seemed to be the words he often said to her recently. He always used an apologetic tone of voice when he spoke to her, he had to attend a meeting, he had to entertain some important clients, or there were something urgent in the factory that needed his attention. She would always understandably reply that it was alright and then would hang up with a heavy heart.

After she had experienced love, she changed and did not like loneliness. Before she often did things on her own, like eating on her own, watching a movie on her own, touring on her own, but now she hated that feeling of loneliness.

“I don’t care! That night you have to be available for me. I have something important to tell you.” She purposely exaggerated the importance of the matter and she decided not to give in to him this time.

Something important? Xiang Zhe’s heart tightened up, was it that matter?

“OK!” Maybe it was time to face reality, Xiang Zhe thought.

During the past month, he used different kind of excuses to hide from Shan Mei. Sometimes he was really very busy, but sometimes he was trying to test her, testing to see whether she really cared about him. Shan Mei’s responses made him very disappointed. She always accepted his every excuse without complaint. She made him feel that she did not care about him very much. He wished that she could lose her temper with him, protesting that he was neglecting her, however she never said anything. Were they really at the end of their road? Xiang Zhe sadly thought.

Shan Mei made a booking at one of the French restaurant in Apgujeong. The piano performance there was very good.

“It’s my treat tonight.” Shan Mei said.

“OK.” Xiang Zhe did not refuse.

Shan Mei glanced at Xiang Zhe. Normally he would refuse to let her pay. Could it be that he remembered his own birthday? She looked at him up and down and felt that it was unlikely. According to her plan, the surprise had to wait until after the dinner.

“What do you want to eat?” She asked him, looking at the menu.

“You make the decision.” Xiang Zhe was absent-minded.

Shan Mei ordered the dishes Xiang Zhe loved and also ordered the wine he loved.

Xiang Zhe ate his dinner with something weighing on his mind. This maybe their last happy memory they had together. He waited for her to speak, to put a stop to their relationship.

Shan Mei observed Xiang Zhe all the time. He looked as if there was something on his mind. Shan Mei began to feel remorseful, perhaps she should not have forced him to come to this dinner. It might be that he really had to attend to some important matter. She could use another way to help him celebrate his birthday.

“Am I holding you up from something important?” She asked fretfully.

“No.” Xiang Zhe said.

After dinner and the dessert was served, Shan Mei still did not open her mind and talk.

He gazed at her face, and felt a excruciating pain in his heart. How was he able to forget her?

Couldn’t you open your mind and talk? Shan Mei …

Xiang Zhe secretly sighed, rather than letting her to feel guilty and to be in a dilemma., it would be better for him to settle matter.

He loved her, but he did not want to let her lose her smiling face and put her in a dilemma just because of his reluctance to let her go. It was sufficient for him just to know that she was happy. To love someone did not mean to possess her but to make her happy. He rather suffered himself and wished that she would be happy. Sometimes he hated himself for inheriting his mother’s character traits. If he was not like this, he could just consider his own feeling and selfishly keep her with him.

Shan Mei looked at her watch, it was about time.

She raised her head looking at him, “Xiang Zhe … I have something to tell you …”

Xiang Zhe’s heart struck, was she going to speak her mind?

“Well …, I …” Shan Mei prevaricated.

He interrupted, “I also have something to tell you … If you don’t mind, can I say it first?”

If he spoke first, she would not need to feel guilty towards him.

“OK … you first.”

Was he going to say some honeyed words to her? Shan Mei’s heart started to smile.

Xiang Zhe lowered his eyes and heartbrokenly uttered the words that betrayed his genuine feeling.

“Recently I have been pondering over our relationship …”

Shan Mei’s heart began to palpitate, what was he going to say to her …

“I think I am more suitable to live a single life … Love to me seems to be a burden, a hindrance …”

Shan Mei’s smile froze. She looked at Xiang Zhe, astounded. He … what was he saying? He said … love to him was a form of burden, a form of hindrance … Did he mean that her love for him was a bondage? … She looked at Xiang Zhe unbelievingly. He looked very serious.

At that moment, Xiang Zhe’s face suddenly became very unfamiliar. She felt as if she did not really know him. Then she heard him say: “Recently a lot has happened in the office. If I could have paid more attention to them, these problems would not have arisen. I don’t want to let emotional matters interfere in my work … I want to devote to my work without any distraction, just like what it was before … You …, do you know what I mean?”

She looked at him, her lips trembling …

She understood what he meant, he wanted to split up with her. She felt her heart had been stabbed with a knife and it was now bleeding.

“Is today April Fool’s Day?” She forced a smile and asked him. That smile was very bitter and very reluctant. She harboured some hope that he was only cracking a some joke with her.

“Shan Mei …”

She could see from his eyes a hint of guilt.

“I’m sorry …” Xiang Zhe said.

Shan Mei lowered her head, trying her best to keep the tears in her eyes. She did not know how long she could control herself. The things on the table were getting blurrier and she did not want to cry before him.

“It’s me who should apologize. It’s me who is not good enough and I let myself become a burden to you …” She never knew that she could unexpectedly put up such a strong front.

“No, it’s not you, it’s my problem. A man like me is not qualified to speak of love. I have known it from the start …”

He did not dare to lift up his head to look at her. He was afraid he would not be able to hide his true heart. In that case, they would each other be falling into the whirlpool of pain and suffering again. Rather than to have both of them suffer, it would be better for him to bear the suffering alone!

Silence stood between them; after a long long time, Shan Mei started to speak, “Are these words from your heart?”

“I …” Words choked in his throat.

“Can you look at me when you answer?”

“They are words from my heart …” Xiang Zhe suppressed the turbulent emotion in his heart and forced himself to reply cruelly, “I’m sorry to break your heart, but I don’t want to waste your time.”

She looked at the expression he studiously put on and her heart was hurting too much that she wanted to cry. His eyes could not lie to her. She knew he was still in love with her. At that moment, she hated herself … She was really worthless, she was a lousy girlfriend. Her love constrained him; her love put a burden on him … She was so worthless that he was not even willing to give her an opportunity to stay by his side and he preferred to drive her away … If that was the case, she was willing to go, she loved him and she wanted him to be happy. She was willing to give him back a world with no constraint and no burden. She had promised herself once that she would never ask him to choose between her and his work. From the very beginning she knew that work occupied the most important position in his life. If he wanted her to vanish, then she was willing to fulfil his wish. She was very sorry, sorry that she could not be the one woman who could bring him joy and happiness.

Her pale face broke his heart. He knew she too could not cast him away, but the world of love could never tolerate three people. If no one was willing to withdraw, it was doomed that everyone would suffer and he did not want her to be in an awkward position.

“Don’t be sad, Shan Mei, things would pass in a hurry. From now on, you don’t have to worry about me, just walk straight to that person. You have that person to protect you and you will forget me soon. I want you to be happy, Shan Mei … “ He said silently to himself.

“Have you finished what you want to say to me?” Shan Mei’s voice sounded so calm that it astonished even herself.

He was surprised by her calmness.

Shan Mei waved for the waiter to come over to settle the bill.

“Let me pay it!” Xiang Zhe said.

“It’s agreed that I will pay.”

In the lobby, he asked her: “You said you have something to tell me?” He thought maybe he had said those words for her.

“It’s no longer important.” Shan Mei shook her head. She only wanted to tell him that she was going to play a song on the piano. She was afraid that she would slip up and wanted to invite him to keep her company, to lend her support. In order to be able to play the piano for him in his birthday, she had been secretly practising hard.

“I will leave first …” Shan Mei said.

“I will drive you.”

“There is no need!”

She quickly walked to the door. There was no way that she could hold on much longer. The rolling tears in her eyes would be flowing down any minute …

At the instant when she was walking through the door, the sound of the birthday song music was heard playing at the back. That was what she specially requested the musician to play. Her tears started to fall down … Originally all the pleasant surprise would have started from that.

Xiang Zhe followed outside. He accompanied her to wait for the car. How she wished that he would tell that he was cracking a joke just now.

The car arrived quickly and Shan Mei hurriedly jumped in. She did not say goodbye to Xiang Zhe as there was no way that she could face him. In the car, tears gushed forth. She turned her head to look at him through the car window and he gradually got far away from her line of vision.

“Happy birthday! Xiang Zhe …” She choked with sobs reciting the blessings for his birthday, no matter whether he could hear or not. She had never thought that this was her first time and also the last time she celebrated his birthday for him …

- End of Chapter 33

Chapter 34

My Dearest One (Qin Ai De Ni)

By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by Jules

Xiang Zhe stayed with Shan Mei as they waited for a taxi along the road. How he wished the taxi would not come so he could look at her for a little longer. Shan Mei did not say a word. He didn’t know what to say either. Any words would have been meaningless anyway. He watched in desolation as her taxi disappeared into the night. Except when his mother passed away, he had never felt so sad before. He only remembered that it was his birthday when his grandmother rang him later that night. What a way to spend a birthday – letting the woman he loved so deeply just walk out of his life like that…..

No…she would not just walk out of his life. She would always remain a part of him, in his heart. Xiang Zhe spent the rest of the night throwing alcohol into this stomach.

Three days later, Xiang Zhe managed to find an excuse to visit Shan Mei’s office to discuss the KMC case with Jiang Zhan Ting. He was worried about Shan Mei. She had kept a very brave front that night, and did not even shed a single tear. That was so different from her usual teary self, and he got more anxious over this as he thought it over. He deliberately took a route that would pass her desk, but she wasn’t there. She still wasn’t there on his way out after the meeting.

“Is Miss Zhen away from the office? Why can’t I see her anywhere?” Xiang Zhe finally asked Jiang Zhan Ting, his curiousity getting the better of him.

“Miss Zhen has been on sick leave the past two days. Once she is sick, I end up with the short end of the stick, and have to take on all the work at the economic board as well…” Jiang Zhan Ting said.

After work, Xiang Zhe made his way to Shan Mei’s home. Shan Mei was home as the lights were on. He hesitated for a long time before dialing her number. The phone rang for a long time before it was picked up.

“This is Shan Mei…” he heard that sweet familiar voice say. Her voice was very nasal.
“It’s me.” He said.
“I know.” She replied.
She had looked at his name on the caller-id panel for a long time before deciding to finally pick it up.

Shan Mei was silent for a while, then asked, “What is it?”
“I heard you were sick…” Xiang Zhe stuttered.
“I….caught a cold.” She replied curtly.
“Are you feeling better?”
Shan Mei’s heart constricted. The tears that she had just managed to stem, started flowing yet again. She had cried constantly over the last two days, and her eyes were completely swollen, and her throat hoarse. There was no way she could go out in this state.
“Thank you, I’m much better.” She then coughed to hide the sound of her tears.
“That’s good…”
She felt comforted, know that he still cared.
“Where are you?”
He looked up at her window, then said, “In the office.”
After that, they both hung on the line with nothing more to say.

“You…are you mad at me?” Xiang Zhe finally asked.
She could not answer the sudden question. She was too busy feeling sorry for herself.
After a long while, she finally replied, “At least I know it’s not because you no longer lover me….”
That was the only thing that she consoled herself with these past days.
Bitterness welled up in Xiang Zhe, “Shan Mei…” he whispered her name.
“It’s alright. I’ve always known that I took second place in you heart…”
She regretted saying it the minute the words left her mouth. It sounded like she was blaming him for it all. She really had no gripes with him. She was only angry at herself.
Xiang Zhe remained silent for a long time.
“Is there anything else?” her eyes were filled with tears as she asked him. She was grateful that she didn’t have to face him, so she did not have to try and hide her pain.

“No, there’s nothing else…. I just wanted to make sure…” he could not bear to hang up, but he could not just keep hanging on either.
“Thank you.”
“Shan Mei…” he stopped her yet again.
“Hmm?”
“Promise me you’ll take good care of yourself?”
Her heart constricted yet again, and tears washed down her face.
“I will…I’ve been through this before. Besides, I’ve still got that Kevin Kern CD…” she tried to lighten the mood.
Her words pierced his heart.
“Shan Mei…” Xiang Zhe could not help himself.
“Goodbye.” She hung up before he could even reply.
After that, picked up the watch on her bedside table and cried. She had bought him the dual watch as his birthday present, so that he could have both Korean time and local time available to him during his travels, and would not have to rack his brains over when was a good time to ring her. She didn’t give it to him that night, and probably would never get the chance again.

She had been mortally wounded yet again, just as her old wounds were starting to heal. The pain was almost unbearable.
Shan Mei drowned her sorrows in work, not giving herself any time to think of him. However, his image was already carved into her heart, and the more she tried not to think of him, the more difficult it was to get him out of her heart. On her way home from work, she would often remember how he rode the bicycle with her in the neighbourhood, looking for suitable accommodation. They had rode past through the little alleyways, and past the brightly lit main roads. She had sat in the back with her arms around him and her face against his back, listening to the beat of his heart. As the night fell, she would move over to the front of the bicycle and sit on the crossbar, with her head on his chest, listening to him whisper sweet nothings in her ear.

Once he told her, “You’re really confident of yourself.”
“Why do you say that?” she didn’t understand.
“You’ve never ever asked me “how much do you love me?” or anything like that…”
“Someone once said, when a woman starts to ask a man thata sort of question, she’s lost the battle for sure…”
He laughed at her answer, “So…it was actually because you were afraid to lose…”
“Wrong! It’s because I trust you completely.” She countered.

She had never ever doubted his love for her. She had no idea why she felt that way. Was love really blind after all?

Sometimes, she would miss him so much her heart would physically ached. She would then take her bicycle out and ride through the routes that they had ridden through together and let the sweet reminiscence heal her pain.

Once, when she went to the bookshop to buy some magazines, she saw a familiar figure standing at the bookshelves reading. She did not know whether to say hello or to run and hide, so she just stood there like a fool.
“Can you please excuse me, Miss.” A man’s rude tone started her out of her stupor. Before he could even turn around, she had fled the scene.
She spent the rest of the day completely in a daze.

She did not mention anything about Xiang Zhe to her family. Each time Auntie asked, she would evade the question, and Auntie merely though it was because she was embarrassed.

One day passed, then another, then a week, two weeks, a month, two months….. one day followed the next, but she still could not get herself out of this rut. She could not remember how many times she awoke in the night crying because she had dreamt of him. She started to think about leaving Seoul. She applied to a few American universities to study Finance. She thought she might be able to eventually forget him if she went to a far away place where no one knew her.

The winter was early that year. It started snowing in early December. One evening, Xiu Han invited her out to dinner. The table was decorated with candles, and she thought of Xiang Zhe. It was the same place where she formally met Xiang Zhe on the eve of her birthday. Xiu Huan had invited her to dinner, and Xiang Zhe was also there. He had bought her a scarf afterwards as a birthday gift…… her tears started to fall as she reminisced.

“I’m sorry, the traffic’s really bad…” Xiu Han apologized profusely for being half an hour late.
Shan Mei dried her tears.
“Where’s Ya Shu?” Shan Mei looked behind Xiu Han.
“She’s gone home.” Xiu Han sai.
He wanted to ask Shan Mei something, and sent Ya Shu home first.
“Have you decided on the venue?” Shan Mei asked.
Xiu Han and Ya Shu had been inspecting venues for their wedding banquet. They were getting married in April.
“We’ve decide on the Grand Hyatt. Ya Shu’s mother likes that place.”
“You’re starting to be henpecked already!” Shan Mei teased.
Xiu Han shook his head uncomfortably.

“You’re so busy, why did you insist on inviting me out to dinner today? You know I will definitely attend if you’re buying.” Shan Mei said.
Xiu Han only rang her that morning to invite her to dinner.
“I’ve got something I want to ask you.” Xiu Han said.
Shan Mei chuckled, “And just what is it that you can’t ask me over the phone?”
“This is something I have to ask you in person.”
“Wow! Is it really that serious…?” Shan Mei stuck her tongue out at him.
“Are you planning to study overseas?”
Shan Mei looked at him in surprise.
“Mom asked me to bring you some Ginseng Chicken this morning, but you had already left when I got there…., I saw the acceptance letter from the University of Columbia on your table.” Xiu Han explained. “What made you suddenly decide to apply?”
Shan Mei thought for a moment, then said flatly, “I wanted to take up a post-graduate in Finance overseas.”
“You don’t have to go overseas for that! The local universities now have very high standards…” Xiu Han could not fathom it.
“I prefer the learning environment overseas.”
“Why haven’t I ever heard you mention this before?’
“I wanted to make sure I got a placement before I started announcing it to all and sundry. It would be embarrassing if I told everyone, then failed to get a place.”
“So you intend to resign from your job?”
Shan Mei nodded.
“Don’t you think it would be a pity?”
“A little. But I though I should take on the opportunity while I’m still young.”
The work with legislative review had come to an end, and everyone involved had been impressed with her work. The company had transferred her to another specialist position and given her a raise. She had finally worked herself out from under the cloud of the Gimhae affair. Now, she could leave with no regrets.

“And Xiang Zhe agreed to let you go?”
Shan Mei looked at Xiu Han, then said flatly, “He…doesn’t know about this.”
“What?” Xiu Han was shocked. “Why didn’t you tell him?”
Shan Mei hid her eyes as she replied, “We’ve broken up.”
Xiu Han almost fell off his chair, “Broken up? What!? When? Why?..”
Shan Mei smiled grimly, “We’re not suited for each other, so we decided to part.”
“No suited? I don’t know anyone else who’s more suited…!”
“Oppa…!” Shan Mei’s eyes reddened.
Xiu Han looked at her intently and asked, “Did Xiang Zhe dump you?”
“No..No he didn’t.” Shan Mei evaded Xiu Han’s eyes.
Xiu Han shook his head, “You know, you were never good at lying…”
“Oppa! It’s really the truth.”
“This cannot be! I must get the truth out of that bugger.” Xiu Han picked up his phone.
“Please don’t, oppa!” Shan Mei stopped him with red eyes, “It’s really not his fault. We both agreed to part.”
“Was it really like that? I won’t let anyone bully you…” Xiu Han’s eyes were full of suspicion.
“He’s not like that. He’s your best friend! You should know him better than anyone else.”
“I’ve never understood him where love was concerned.” Xiu Han sighed, “Hrrmph! How did you guys end up like this…”
“It’s already in the past.” Shan Mei said.
“Are you sure?” Xiu Han asked gently, noticing the glistening in her eyes.
“Yes, I’m over it.” Shan Mei nodded vehemently.

“Oppa, can you promise me something?”
“What is it?”
“Promise me you’ll pretend you know nothing about this. I don’t want the friendship between the two of you to be affected by me.”
A long time ago, she had said the same to Xiang Zhe. Maybe she had already known then that this would happen.
“Don’t you go blaming him for anything. What we had was just not meant to be. That’s all it is. And please don’t tell him about my going overseas.”
Xiu Han nodded unwillingly. He knew she didn’t want Xiang Zhe to think she was going abroad because they broke up. That girl! It was obviously the truth, but she was still trying to protect him!
“Why don’t you go back to England? Your father is there and he will look after you.”
“I want to learn to live on my own. I’ve always had Dad or your family around to look after me….this time, I want to try to make it on my own. Oppa, can you please help me persuade my dad to let me?”
There were too memories of Xiang Zhe in both Korea and England. She wanted to go some place not associated with him, where she had no memories of him. That way, perhaps she would be able tot get back on her feet again.

“When do you intend to leave?”
“I’ll stay until after your wedding. I still have to save up for my living expenses, so I don’t intend to resign yet…”

Xiu Han told the family about her and Xiang Zhe. Naturally, her father also heard about it.
“Dear, if you have anything you want to say to your dad, just pick up the phone. Don’t worry about the time difference…” Her father was very concerned.
“I will.” She could only say that in reply.
Even though her elders did not say very much, she knew they were worried for her. Auntie rang her almost every day to chatter about nothing.

She and Xiang Zhe met for the first time after their breakup at Xiu Han’s wedding. Xiang Zhe was Xiu Han’s best man.

“Is it alright if I get Xiang Zhe to be my best man?” Xiu Han asked her beforehand.
“I’d be upset if you chose any other person!” Shan Mei replied.
“Are you sure you’re OK with it?” Even Auntie asked worriedly.
“It’s not a problem.” She patted her chest in assurance, while secretly aghast. She had no confidence that she would be able to get through the day without ending up in tears.

On the day of the wedding, Shan Mei took extra care with her make up. She put on thicker than normal makeup, and did her hair up in curls so as to hide the weight she had lost. With her pink dress on, she felt ready to put on the festivities.

At the bottom of it, all she wanted was to let Xiang Zhe know that she was taking good care of herself, and that he didn’t need to worry about her. Suddenly, she felt laughable. Just what made her think that Xiang Zhe would even notice? For all she knew, he was already on to his next conquest.

She saw Xiang Zhe in his navy suit, crisp white shirt and bright yellow tie the minute he appeared in the company of a group of friends. As usual, he stood out from the crowd.

Their eyes met briefly across the hall and she forced herself to give him a sweet smile. His lips curled in response. At that moment, her heart was twisted in knots.

Xiang Zhe’s friends wolf-whistled at her.
“Wow, Zhen Shan Mei, you get more beautiful every day.”
“Zhen Shan Mei…why haven’t you come to watch our game for such a long time? Without you around, it’s no wonder that we’ve been losing our games…”
A few men surrounded her, chattering away. Obviously, they did not know about their break-up.

“Alright guys! Stop giving her a hard time. You’ve got work to do.” Xiang Zhe saved her.
“What you really mean is “stop hanging around here and obstructing my business”, isn’t it?” the group teased Xiang Zhe, then laughed as they moved on.

“Sorry about that.” Xiang Zhe smiled at her uncomfortably.
“That’s alright.”
“Are you in charge of ushering the guests today?” Xiang Zhe looked at the corsage on her chest.
“Yes, I’m in charge of ushering the groom’s guests…” she replied as she struggled to maintain her composure and look him in the eye.
“Xiang Zhe…. the groom’s looking for you.”
Xiang Zhe moved off and Shan Mei heaved a sigh of relieft. In front of him, she felt like a bundle of nerves.

Shan Mei was busy after the wedding ceremony, and did not get to sit down until the banquet was half way through. She had completely lost her appetite, so ate a few mouthsful, then made an excuse and left the table.

She made her way to the hotel’s garden and looked around for a quiet spot to rest. She felt physically and emotionally drained. She had maintained her mask in front of everyone. She knew her father, Auntie and Uncle all knew about her break-up and were watching her carefully. She deliberately put on an extra happy face to reassure them, all the while fighting to keep control of the pain in her heart. The moment she saw Xiang Zhe, she knew for certain that all her efforts over the past six months had been in vain. She had not forgotten the smallest thing about him. It seemed like she was the weakest link in all of this. Her father, auntie, even Xiang Zhe had gone through the day talking and laughing as though nothing had ever happened.

“Why did you run away on your own?”
Shan Mei’s heart skipped a beat. It was Xiang Zhe!
“I wanted a breath of fresh air.” Shan Mei said quietly, as casually as she could.
“What about you?” She smiled at him as she asked.
“The same….Can I sit down?” Xiang Zhe asked.
He didn’t really bump into her by coincidence. He had followed her out. His emotions had taken over, and he could not stop himself. He wanted desperately to be near her, even if just to watch her from a distance.

Shan Mei moved over and gave him some space on the bench.

Xiang Zhe observed Shan Mei, and smile at her, “You look well.” He said.
She looked radiant. He thought things between Song Shuo Mao and her must be going well for her to look like that. He knew he should be happy for her, but all he felt was depression.
“You don’t look too bad yourself!” Shan Mei assessed him, “If I was Xiu Han Oppa, I wouldn’t have made you the best man…”
“Why?”
“You would outshine the groom and get all the attention!”
Xiang Zhe’s lips twitched.
“Thank you for helping Xiu Han Oppa out.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“You’re a busy man, and yet you made the time to help him with his preparations….”
Xiu Han told her Xiang Zhe had taken on countless little errands for him, not just the job of the best man.
“I can’t help it if he’s my best friend…actually I’m also completely inexperienced at this. I managed it only because of the guidance from Miss Bei.”
Shan Mei shook her head, “You’ve just got one more task.”
“One more? What is it?”
“At the end of the banquet, you’re supposed to take the bridesmaid home. That’s the job of the best man.”
“Is that the rule?” Xiang Zhe raised his eyebrows.
“It’s more like the etiquette…” she paused, “She’s not bad, you know? Pretty, gracious, and capable…”
Chu Ya Shu made her cousin , Chu Xiu Li the bridesmaid. She heard Chu Ya Shu instructing Xiu Han to make sure Xiang Zhe took Xiu Li home after the banquet. It seemed Ya Shu was determined to make a couple out of the two.

Xiang Zhe his heart being pierced yet again. Was she taking pity on his status as a bachelor and trying to match him up?
“Surely that’s none of your business.” Xiang Zhe replied coldly..
Xiang Zhe was obviously not happy, and Shan Mei felt confused. She had no idea why she said what she did. Was she subconsciously trying to find out whether there was any attraction between the two? She saw the two of them sitting together and having animated conversations during the day, and had been jealous. Chu Xiu Li also caught the bride’s bouquet that day, and had been delighted.
“I’m sorry.” Shan Mei said.
It really was no business of hers who he liked.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

“I’d better be going.” Xiang Zhe stood up.
“Yin Xiang Zhe…” She called out.
Xiang Zhe stopped in his tracks.
“About the KMC case…”
“What about it?” Xiang Zhe asked.
During the preliminary hearing of Chamsung’s court action against KMC in New York, had been decided in his favour, and KMC had appealed the decision. The case was to be heard again in a higher court. It would be another seven or eight months before their next hearing. During this time, both parties had to put up large sums as guarantees before they could continue trading in America.
“I heard KMC is seeking a private settlement on the matter. Is this true?”
She could not help taking a keen interest in the case.
“Yes…It’s because they know the odds are stacked against them. Even the American Department of Commerce has blacklisted them.”
“Have you considered taking the settlement?”
“Settle?” Xiang Zhe stared at her.
“Yes, settle. You have to come up with the guarantee or stop trading. Neither scenario is going to help Chamsung’s financial position. Regardless of which option you take, it’s still going to hurt the company.”
She knew that a growing company like Chamsung needed every cent of its cashflow in order to survive.
“I never thought you would be one to suggest settlement.” He looked at her perplexed. She had always taken the high road where these things were concerned.
“Sometimes, you have to lay down your principles in the face of reality…”
“You want me to let them off?”
“I say you should let them off…” Shan Mei shook her head. Xiang Zhe was always one to bear grudges. “What I mean is you should consider giving up the court action in favour of other means of recourse. Give them a way to back out of this and they will definitely settle in your favour. That way, you can still hold your head up high AND gain a nice big injection to your cashflow in return. It’s a win-win situation. That’s got to be better than having your cashflow tied up for so many months….”

Xiang Zhe looked at the concern in her face and was moved to the core. He recalled that beautiful sunny morning when they were in the park reviewing his contract. Her face was wearing the exact same expression she had on that day….
Was she really still so concerned over him? Was she, like him, having so much trouble getting over their relationship? Xiang Zhe instantly laughed at his own gullibility. She already had someone at her side. Her concern could only be platonic, nothing more!

“I’m only telling you what I think. Whatever it is you choose to do, you should still discuss it with your lawyer.”
Over the past six months, she had undertaken a few similar cases and realized that sticking to your principles in such situations was not always the best approach. Sometimes, taking the alternate route could lead to a much better result and reduced the damage to both parties.
“Thank you. I will seriously consider your suggestion.” Saying that, he walked out of her sight without turning back.

Later that day, she watched sadly as he drove away with Chu Xiu Li in his car. He had already moved on. Just how much longer was it going to take her to do the same?

****End of Chapter 34****

Chapter 35

My Dearest One –
Written By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp

Translated by nho(CA)

Shan Mei went to the freight carrier to make arrangement for the shipment of her books and luggage. This time of the year was a busy season for students to further their studies overseas. Inside the freight carrier was jam-packed with people making arrangement for their shipment. Shan Mei lifted up her head and looked at the number plate ahead. She had to wait for seven people more before it was her turn, so Shan Mei returned her eyes to the magazine in her hands and continued reading. She did not know what had happened today that made her feel very restless and she could not calm down her nerves. She was still reading the same page for a long while, so she simply put the magazine back in her handbag.

She was on the point of departing for New Year in half a month’s time. With the date of departure drawing near, every time Auntie saw her, she would always be weeping and sniffling. She told Auntie that if she continued to behave in this way, she would not let her come to the airport to see her off, in order to save the airport from get flooded.

“Why do you have to go so far away to New York. Without your father by your side, how can Auntie not worry!”

Since the moment when she heard that she was going to study in New York, Auntie could not stop grumble to her all the time.

“Auntie, just wait for me to catch a wealthy nephew-in-law for you there!” She joked with Auntie.

“Aye, if it is not …” Every time Auntie would start to speak and then hesitated. She knew that Auntie was blaming Xiang Zhe in her heart.

She chose to go to study for a master degree in banking and finance in the Columbia University as she hoped that the spree and boisterousness in New York would help her forget something in Seoul. There was another month before the school opened, but she was anxious to throw herself into that vast land of prosperity. She had not even found a place to live. She would temporary stay with some friend after arriving New York and then she would look for a place leisurely.

Her cell phone was ringing. She thought it must be from Hsin Hui. Hsin Hui and her husband, Zhang Xue Ren were treating her to a farewell lunch at midday. During the past couple of weeks, she was busy saying farewell to relatives and friends and everyday she was fully booked with dinner appointments.

The caller ID showed an unfamiliar caller.

“Hello …”

“Shan Mei? Are you Shan Mei?” A voice was calling anxiously from the other end of the receiver.

Her heart was suddenly seized by an inexplicable feeling of unease.

“Yes, I’m Shan Mei. May I know who is calling please?” Shan Mei’s heart fluttered.

“Shan Mei … it’s me!”

Shan Mei recognized that voice, it was Xiang Zhe’s grandma!

“Grandma …” She was very surprised.

“Shan Mei …”

Shan Mei heard Grandma’s weeping voice and her heart instantly sank to the bottom.

“Grandma, what’s up? Is anything wrong?” She hurriedly asked.

“Xiang Zhe has an accident …”

By the time Shan Mei hurriedly arrived Gyeongju, it was already evening time. She saw Xiang Zhe’s Grandma inside the emergency room. The medical staff said that Grandma got too upset and fainted that they had to put her in the emergency room.

When Grandma saw Shan Mei, she tightly grabbed her hand with tears gushing down.

“Grandma … how is Xiang Zhe?” Shan Mei asked with an ashen face. Grandma talked incoherently on the phone and all she knew that Xiang Zhe had an accident.

“His whole body was covered with blood … and he lay there motionless … I called his name repeatedly and he completely ignored me …” Grandma was choked with tears.

Shan Mei was weak on her feet and she hurriedly clutched the side of the bed.

“Xiang Zhe … Where is he?” She asked in a quivering voice and her body could not help trembling with fear.

“Mr. Yin Xiang Zhe has just been pushed out from the operation theatre …” One of the medical staff said.

Shan Mei looked at Xiang Zhe lying inside the intensive care unit through the glass window. His whole body was wrapped in bandages, he was under intubation and he was lying on the sick bed unconscious. Shan Mei could no longer stop the tears from falling down unheeded. She was not willing to believe that this man in deep coma was the same man she deeply loved who was so full of vitality and always beaming with high spirit!

Shan Mei wiped dried her tears and suppressed the grief in her heart. She hurried back to the emergency room to comfort Grandma. Grandma’s blood pressure was very high and her health was not in a good condition. The doctor did not permit her to get out of the bed for the time being.

“Did you see Xiang Zhe? How is he?” Grandma grasped Shan Mei and asked.

“He … he had an operation and is now in the intensive care unit …”

“What did the doctor say? Is he OK?”

“The doctor said he still needs to be put under observation for a while …” Shan Mei replied, choosing the easier way. She was not cruel enough to tell Grandma the truth.

On hearing this, Granda started crying once again.

“Nothing bad is going to happen, Grandma … Xiang Zhe will certainly get well …” Shan Mei
suppressed her tears and tried to comfort Grandma. She definitely could not cry. She was the only who could comfort Grandma now.

“Grandma, if you don’t eat something, Xiang Zhe will get mad if he knows it …”

Shan Mei coaxed Grandma to eat something and also asked for tranquillizer for Grandma to take. It was in the middle of the night before Grandma fell into sleep.

Shan Mei came to the quadrangle of the hospital garden. It was deep in the night and there was no one in the garden. She could no longer control the turbulent emotion in her heart and covered her face, crying out loud.

The doctor said that when Xiang Zhe was delivered to the hospital, apart from numerous bone fractures and flesh wounds, there were also signs of internal hemorrhage and skull internal hemorrhage and the coma scale amounted to the scale of 9. They had given him an infusion and blood transfusion. They had also carried out treatment to stop abdominal bleeding and fix up bone fractures. An hour after the operation, Xiang Zhe suffered from mydriasis indicating that the cerebral hemorrhage got worsened. His condition became so critical that the hospital had to perform a neurosurgery and a cerebral decompression surgery and extricated a small piece of blood clot which had been pressurizing the cerebellum.

She was completely deaf to all these complex medical terminology. All she wanted to know was whether he could remain safe and sound.

“It’s not life threatening … but the complication of a vehicular accident lies in the external head injury; it may cause temporary or even permanent damage to the function of the brain …” The doctor said with knit brows.

“Then … He … what is his condition?” Shan Mei was so anxious that her heart was soon to be jumping out from her throat.

“It’s difficult to tell … We have to see what his condition is. We have to closely watch the change condition of the coma scale …”

Shan Mei’s eyes reddened.

“Please don’t worry too much. From what I saw in the operation theatre, Mr. Yin’s brain nerve cells look as they haven’t been damaged … He is still young and his bodily health is in good condition and he will certainly get through this crisis …”

Shan Mei could not sleep a wink the whole night. She kept watch on Xiang Zhe outside the sick room. She kept praying in her heart, begging God to bless and protect Xiang Zhe to let him get well and begging her mother’s soul in heaven to help the man she loved.

The next morning, Shan Mei telephoned Xiu Wei. Once Xiu Wei heard it was her, he got mad and said: “Where have you been last night? You didn’t even leave a message … didn’t even switch on your cell phone. I have been searching for you all night. Mom was nearly insane with anxiety and she almost let me report to the police …. I have tried calling nearly all your friends and Hsin Hui said you have cancelled your lunch date …”

“I’m in the hospital …” Shan Mei said.

Yesterday she was so worried and was at a loss. It was not permitted to use cell phone in the hospital ward and until she remembered about using the telephone, it was already midnight.

“Hospital?” Xiu Wei got a fright, “What has happened?”

“Xiang Zhe had a car accident … I am now in Gyeongju …”

“Xiang Zhe had an accident!” Xiu Wei drew a deep breath and anxiously asked: “It is serious? What is his present condition?”

“Very serious …” As soon as Shan Mei started to speak, she burst into tears, “It is not life threatening, but he is a coma all the time and the doctor is worried that the brain function may be damaged …”

“I am coming over at once!” Xiu Wei said.

Shan Mei instructed Xiu Wei not to tell anyone that she was in Gyeongju, he could not even mention it to Xu Ya Shu. She did not know how she could explain to her family why she was in the hospital taking care of Xiang Zhe. Everyone knew that they had already split up.

“I can’t just dessert Xiang Zhe and Grandma …” Shan Mei told Xiu Wei.

There was no way that she could leave like this. She could not stop worrying about Xiang Zhe and she could not stop worrying about Grandma. She had to stay by Xiang Zhe’s side, to accompany him to get through this crisis.

Xiu Wei hurriedly arrived Gyeongju in the afternoon. When Grandma saw Xiu Wei who was closed to Xiang Zhe like brothers, she could not help overcome by feeling of sorrow. Xiu Wei had to comfort her for a long while before Grandma’s emotion slightly calmed down.

Getting away from Grandma, Xiu Wei asked about Xiang Zhe’s condition. Shan Mei was crying as she spoke.

Xiu Wei said with a sigh: “I have tried so hard before I can calm down Grandma and now it’s your turn …”

Shan Mei rubbed dried her tears and asked: “Aren’t you taking the afternoon flight to Tokyo?”

Xiu Wei had to attend a seminar in Tokyo tomorrow and would not be returning until four to five days later.

“I have changed to this evening’s flight and am flying directly from Gyeongju … If I didn’t come over to see Xiang Zhe, there is no way I can feel relieved.”

Xiu Wei looked at Shan Mei’s woebegone face, patted her shoulder and said: “Nothing bad is going to happen, Shan Mei … Don’t worry. Hasn’t the doctor said that Xiang Zhe is still young with good health. I have faith that he will safely get through this crisis. Xiang Zhe is full of fighting spirit and he won’t let anything defeat him.”

Xiu Wei’s words gave some encouragement to Shan Mei.

Xiu Wei fixed his eyes on Shan Mei steadily for a while and spoke: “You still love Xiang Zhe, don’t you?”

“I’m … I’m only …” Shan Mei murmured.

“Why do you have to bring it on yourself?”

“To forget someone you have once loved is not easy … I need time.” Shan Mei said forlornly.

“How much more time do you need? For the past six months or so, I haven’t seen you laughing happily. Shan Mei, listen to Oppa, when Xiang Zhe wakes up, have a good chat with him. You …”

Shan Mei cut off Xiu Wei’s words, “Oppa, I have already decided to go to the States.”

Xiu Wei shook his head helplessly, “I really don’t know what you two are thinking … One works like crazy every day and the other one has to run thousands of miles away to study in the States!”

Xiu Wei did not give up hope in his heart. He thought, maybe it was foreordained in the unseen world that as a result of this car accident that Shan Mei and Xiang Zhe would resolve their differences.

“Please let me know any change in condition at any time …” Xiu Wei instructed Shan Mei before he left. “Also …, please remember to call Mom and Uncle, so as to save them from getting worried.”

Shan Mei called Jin Huan Chen to let her know that she was staying with friends in Gyeongju for a few days.

Xiang Zhe’s grandma did not notify Xiang Zhe’s father. “I have to give the Yin family a healthy boy … The condition Xiang Zhe is now in, there is no way I can face his father …”

Grandma reproached herself for letting Xiang Zhe ride out to buy something for her. “This child recently behaves as if he has lost his soul … I shouldn’t have let him ride out his bike …”

Shan Mei could only respect Grandma’s wishes. Xiang Zhe was not only a child of the Yin family, he was also the grandchild raised by the Li family despite all sorts of hardships and deprivations.

Shan Mei telephone Jiang Yu He, briefly informing him about Xiang Zhe’s condition.

“Wait until Mr. Yin’s condition becomes more stablized before you can come over. I will advise you of his condition when necessary …”

She instructed Jiang Yu He that apart from the company’s senior management, not to let other people know about Xiang Zhe’s condition for the time being, especially he had to keep it a secret from the media people. Xiang Zhe’s present condition was not fit to b disturbed.

“May I know who you are?” Jiang Yu He asked.

“I am a relative of his family.”

One day, two day passed and Xiang Zhe’s pulse and blood pressure were very stable, but he was in a coma and throughout the coma scale was maintained at a scale between 7 and 9.

“Do you mean that nothing can be done?” Shan Mei anxiously asked the doctor.

“Apart from continuing with the surgical treatment, all we can do is to rely on medication to reduce the pressure in the skull and to lighten up the patient’s discomfort. Apart from this, it all depends on the patient himself … The explanation and reasons for many inconceivable recovery cases in the medical world are due to the patient’s strong willpower and their desire for survival …”

Shan Mei acted and spoke optimistically in front of Grandma to comfort her, but innermost feeling of fear and anxiety was growing every day. She was afraid that Xiang Zhe would not ever wake up again.

On the third day, Xiang Zhe was transferred to the general ward. The doctor permitted family members to stay in the ward to take care of him. Shan Mei and Grandma stayed by Xiang Zhe’s side all the time. At night, Shan Mei sent Granda to a hotel nearby the hospital and after Grandma fell asleep, she would return to the hospital again.

She looked at Xiang Zhe, tears flowing down like rain.

She picked up his hand and gently kissed it with her lips, with tears dropping on the back of his hand.

She tearfully said: “You are very rotten, do you know? You know you let how many people worry and feel sad? … You may not care about me, but there is still Grandma … She only has you …”

She gently caressed his face and said, choking with sob: “ Why did you not pay attention when you rode your bike? Have you forgotten what you have promised me before? … Because we are now separated that you could just forget your promises altogether? … Why didn’t you keep your promise?”

She also asked him: “Grandma said you were not in a good mood. Exactly what unhappy matters were troubling you? Haven’t you just beautifully won the infringement lawsuit against KMC? …”

Every night, Shan Mei would wait until Grandma fell asleep before she would return to the hospital. She would sit by Xiang Zhe’s sick bed, talking to him tearfully. She did not care whether he could hear her or not.

She blamed him, why did he have to desert her and make her feel so unhappy. She said: “Yin Xiang Zhe, what should I do? It looks as though I could not put you out of my mind. I want to brace up. I want to quickly stand up again like the first time I fell out of love, but I just could not do it no matter how hard I try … Last time, it was you who helped me up, but this time it’s you who pushed me down … You are really very rotten … You force me to run away to New York, an unfamiliar place … Now when I have to go, you are not willing to let me leave with a peace of mind?”

She wept as she said to him: “Do you know how my heart aches every time I see your back and force myself to hide from you? Do you know how jealous I was in my heart when I saw you and Chu Xiu Li talking and laughing together on Xiu Wei Oppa’s wedding day? … Do you know how piteous I felt when I packed up my luggage and unexpectedly could not leave behind any one of the gifts you gave me? … During the past couple of weeks, I went back to each and every place where we have visited together. I even went to the seaside of the Chuam Beach, … I never thought I could have that courage to go back there on my own. The sky and beach there witnessed our pact, but when I went there again, our pact had since gone with the wind … I looked at my own lonely footprints on the beach and tears started to brim over from my eyes …, I could not understand why I had to act like this …, I went out in order to get you out of my mind, but actually I was trying to do everything possible to review once more the memory we once shared together …, perhaps deep in my heart I do not want to forget you at all …”

“Yin Xiang Zhe …, you make me so miserable … How I wish I could give you a severe scolding …, Right, I have to give you a severe scolding …, You once said that if we wanted to pick a fight with each other, we would go to the embankment of River Han to rant and rave at each other. You wake up quickly and I will call you a bastard to your face there at River Han …”

In the midst of tears, Shan Mei often felt and vaguely saw his lips slightly twitched. She also felt that a steady stream of warmth was transmitting from the hand that was tightly gripped by her. She thought that it must be because of her deep longing for him that she had such an illusion

On the fifth day, Xiang Zhe’s coma scale had an unbelievable progress. The doctor said Xiang Zhe would wake up at any time. Shan Mei shed tears of joy. Had Xiang Zhe heard her cries?

Shan Mei accompanied Grandma to sit in the hospital garden and talked. Grandma excitedly planned to prepare what kind of nutritious food for Xiang Zhe when he woke up. Shan Mei smilingly echoed Grandma’s ideas. Grandma finally restored to her smiling face. Wasn’t she the same? Her heart felt lightened up and it was the first time in so many days that she could feel the warmth of the sun.

“Grandma …, can you promise me something?”

“Good child, Grandma will promise you anything …”

“Please don’t tell Xiang Zhe that I am here, and also don’t tell him that I have been here …”

The happy expression in Grandma’s eyes completely vanished , “You really have split up, have you?”

Grandma looked at Shan Mei with a grief stricken face.

A fit of sorrow welled up to her throat and Shan Mei asked miserably: “Yes …, Did Xiang Zhe tell you?”

Grandma shook her head, “That child didn’t say anything … Recently Xiang Zhe became closed-lipped and uncommunicative. Although he covered up well in front of me, but I watched him grow up and realized at a glance … There were several times that I asked about you on purpose and he always answered evasively that you were very busy. As you have not phoned me for a long time, I know it in my heart …”

“Grandma …”

“This time when he had the traffic accident, I ought not to have contacted you …, but you were the first person that came to my mind from whom I could ask for help … You won’t blame Grandma, will you? Grandma always looks upon you as family …”

Shan Mei tearfully embraced Grandma and said lightly: “It doesn’t matter, Grandma …”

“It must be hard on you …” Grandma gently patted Shan Mei’s back and said compassionately: “Can you tell Grandma why you split up with Xiang Zhe?”

“Maybe we are not destined to be together!” She could only answer Grandma in this way.

“In your heart you still love Xiang Zhe … Do you?”

Shan Mei stayed silent. Grandma and Xiu Wei could see through her at a glance.

“Shan Mei …”

Shan Mei clenched her teeth and said: “Xiang Zhe and I agreed that it is best for us to split up.”

“Is it really like this?” Grandma’s face was filled with disappointment.

In her eyes, they were a natural match.

“Yes.” Shan Mei said resolutely and determinedly.

“Grandma thinks it is very regretful.”

She too also thought it very regretful.

That night, Shan Mei came to Xiang Zhe’s sickroom again. She did not say another word to him again, just gripped his hand tightly and looked at him steadily without flickering her eyes. This was the last time she would keep him company. She did not close her eyes for the whole night and stayed guard by his side not letting him out of her sight.

At dawn before she left, she kissed him on his forehead, on his cheek and on his lips. This was the parting gift she gave him. She really had to bade him goodbye.

“Xiang Zhe, if time can go back to the past, I would still be willing to choose to meet with you, even though the ultimate outcome is separation.” She tearfully told him.

In the morning of the same day, Xiang Zhe regained consciousness.

Slowly waking up, the first thing Xiang Zhe saw was Grandma’s face which was filled with concern, “Grandma … I’m sorry.” Xiang Zhe’s lips slightly moved. The last thing he remembered was that truck running into him.

Someone came over to inspect his pupils, measure his blood pressure and body temperature and one man moved close to him and said: “Mr. Yin, I am your doctor in charge …” That person asked his name, his age, his address, his work and some simple but peculiar questions.

“The condition is very good. His mind is very clear …” He heard that man said.

He looked past the swaying crowd, from one corner of the sick room to the other and again back to the same corner, but he could not find the person he wanted to see.

Shan Mei stayed outside the sick room, listening to the sound of the conversation between Xiang Zhe and the doctor. His voice sounded very weak, but his consciousness was clear. She knew she could cease to worry.

The following day, Xiang Zhe could eat normally. Grandma went home and made some congee for Xiang Zhe, “Tomorrow, Grandma will stew some chicken for you …”

Xiang Zhe smilingly nodded.

“Is it good?” Grandma asked as she was feeding Xiang Zhe.

Xiang Zhe ate with gusto, “Delicious, it is the best in the world.” Xiang Zhe said.

“You know how to sweet talk Grandma!” Grandma smiled happily. She was happy not because Xiang Zhe said the congee was delicious, she was happy because her beloved grandson was now safe and sound.

“Grandma hasn’t informed your father about the car accident … Before you gained consciousness, I wouldn’t dare let your father know, I’m afraid …” Grand choked with sobs.

“Grandma, I understand …” Xiang Zhe grasped Grandma’s hand, “They won’t blame you.”

Xiang Zhe looked towards the door.

“Grandma …” Xiang Zhe started to speak but hesitated.

“Huh?”

“Apart from you, has anyone been here?”

“Xiu Wei came, also your colleague, Mr. Jiang and several of your colleague came too …”

“Apart from them, … anyone else?” Xiang Zhe felt uneasy but looked at Grandma expectantly.

Grandma hesitated, she didn’t know whether she should tell about Shan Mei.

“There was no other.” Grandma hardened her heart and replied.

“The nurse said there was a young lady …” Xiang Zhe still did not give up.

“That … was Grandma Zhang’s granddaughter.”

Grandma did not know whether what she had done was wrong, but Shan Mei had repeatedly requested her to keep it a secret.

Xiang Zhe was filled with disappointment.

That feeling was so real, he felt that Shan Mei was by his side.

All along he felt he heard her voice, all along he felt her spirit around him, he even felt that he touched her …; that was due to that infinite longing, due to that inextinguishable flame of love, due to that voice of profound love call, which gave him strength, gave him encouragement, gave him hope, making him try hard to wake up from the deep spell of sleep, but in fact he had just made a beautiful dream.

In the morning of the next day, Grandma brought in the chicken soup.

“Grandma, please don’t make so much trouble. It’s alright for me to eat the meal prepared by the hospital!” Xiang Zhe could not bear to see Grandma rushing around.

“It’s no trouble, someone is helping me …’ Grandma said without thinking.

“Help? … Who? Don’t tell me you are troubling those grandmas from next door?” Xiang Zhe said.

Grandma was stunned, but immediately said unhurriedly: “All they need is to order their daughters in law to do it!”

Xiang Zhe laughed when he heard this, “That must be very embarrassing!”

“Wait until you are out of the hospital and you can extend your thanks to them … Is the chicken soup good?”

“Delicious … Did you make the chicken soup?” Xiang Zhe asked.

“How is it?”

“It seems different from what you made before …”

“Really?”

“You didn’t use to put in so many red dates …”

Xiang Zhe recalled when he got hurt in the motor cycle accident how Shan Mei made the chicken soup for him and she liked to put in many red dates in the chicken soup.

“Red dates are very good for you!” Grandma said.

“They restore vital energy, nourish the blood and reduce pain, right?”

“When did you start to study the efficacy of Chinese medicine?” Grandma smilingly asked.

“A friend told me that …”

It was what Shan Mei frequently mentioned when she tried to coax him to drink the chicken soup at the time of his injury.

She listened to what he said outside the door and hid in a corner to have a good cry. He still remembered she had made chicken soup for him. Today she begged Grandma to let her stew the chicken soup.

In the afternoon, Shan Mei bade Grandma goodbye.

“You really don’t want to see him again?” Grandma asked.

“It’s better this way.”

She did not want to bother him.

She came to the small hill where he took her to look at the stars. The cherry trees with branches covering with green foliages were swaying in the wind. It was the first time she found that the leaves of the cherry trees could be so bright green and could look so attractive. She stood there for a long time, cherishing the memory of those few days of joy they spent in Gyeongju, cherishing the memory of the sweetness and deep attachment on the night when they kissed each other the first time.

“Yin Xiang Zhe, you are a man who doesn’t keep your words …” She gently sighed. He once said that he would take her to Gyeongju to watch the maple leaves. This promise would not ever be fulfilled.

Picking up her luggage and walking to the front door, Shan Mei had to turn back.

She took out from her bag that “Bee Mine” Winnie the Pooh bear he gave her. That day when she hurried to Gyeongju, she put the little bear inside her hand carrier without thinking. From the day when he gave her the little bear, she nearly had not let Winnie the Pooh bear leave her side for even one day. She took it with her even when she was travelling. Those words “Bee Mine” was the invitation of love he gave to her and it made her heart swell with sweetness whenever she looked at it. She put the little bear inside the cabinet in Xiang Zhe’s mother’s painting room. She ought to return the little bear to him as he had already withdrawn his invitation of love from her.

When the car was getting out of the city and passed through the forked road leading to the direction of the Bulguksa Temple, Shan Mei recalled how she piled the pebbles at the backyard of the Kwanumjeon Hall. The pebbles which she had piled must certainly have collapsed before the seventh day, if not why did the wish she made could not be fulfilled …

- End of Chapter 35 –

Chapter 36 (end)

My Dearest One (Qin Ai De Ni)

By Jennifer
Original posted in http://ontv.videoland.com.tw/channel/ai/park/park.asp
Translated by Jules

Xiang Zhe stayed with his grandmother in Gyeongju to recuperate after he was discharged from the hospital. He set up a home office there for convenience, and equipped it with all the mod-cons for connectivity. Grandmother was inquisitive, and even learnt how to surf the net under Xiang Zhe’s guidance. Grandmother was delighted, and jokingly suggested to him that he should just work from her home in Gyeongju from now on.

As the fall approached, Xiang Zhe’s body healed, and his movements became less inhibited. Every now and then when Grandmother was away, he would sneak up to the basketball court up the hill to play ball with the kids and get some exercise.

One day, Xiang Zhe was yet again sick of being cooped up in the house, and headed to the basketball court. It was a school day, so the court was empty. Even though he played on his own, dribbling and scoring, he felt unusually relaxed and proficient.

“You’re here after all…”
Xiu Han appeared, and Xiang Zhe was delighted to see him.
“Which wind has blown you here, today?”
Xiu Han had been to visit him a few times, sometimes alone, sometimes with his wife. Xiu Han often referred to Gyeongju as his “summer palace”…
“I was in Pusan on business and decided to drop in on my way…Wow, your ball skills have really improved over the last two weeks! When your grandmother complained to me about this earlier, I thought she was just joking.”
Xiang Zhe chuckled. Each time grandmother found out that he had been playing ball, she would spend at least half a day nagging him about it.

“The doctor advised that I should have some exercise.” It was the same excuse he had been giving to grandmother.
“Would you like to join me for a game, Mr Famous Lawyer?”
Xiu Han shed his suit coat, took off his tie, and had a game of one-on-one with Xiang Zhe. He immediately lost two shots in a row to Xiang Zhe.
“You’re bouncing around like a kangaroo…who’d believe that you were injured in an accident only four months ago…” Xiu Han sighed, “Hey, don’t tell me you’ve been training here every day? You’re really good…”

Xiang Zhe grinned, “It’s not that I’ve improved…it’s because you’ve become so bad…” he teased, “Your fitness level has plummeted after you got married!”
Xiu Han blushed as he shook his head.
“How does it feel to be married?” Xiang Zhe asked Xiu Han.
“It’s great….it’s a good feeling to have a family of your own.” Xiu Han’s face was full of happiness and contentment.
“Having a family of your own? You had a family before as well!” Xiang Zhe commented.
Xiu Han smiled, “It’s not the same thing….when you set up a home with the woman you love, the feeling is completely different: There’s someone next to you when you wake up in the morning; there’s someone there waiting for you when you get home at night….it’s a blessed feeling…”
“I really envy you!” Xiang Zhe said.
Xiu Han looked at Xiang Zhe and said, “It’s all within your reach too, if you really want it.”
“Me? There’s no way I can have the same.” Xiang Zhe grinned uncomfortably.
In his heart, the could be no one else.
“Is that what you told Shan Mei too?” Xiu Han looked at Xiang Zhe intently.
Xiang Zhe avoided Xiu Han’s gaze. It was the first time Xiu Han broached the subject after all this time.
All along, there was a silent understanding between them not to mention Shan Mei, to act as though she did not exist. He didn’t know whether to be thankful for his consideration, or upset at his cruelty.
“She…how is she doing?”
Even after all this time, Xiang Zhe still couldn’t help himself, and had to ask about her.
“She’s alright.” Xiu Han replied curtly.
Xiang Zhe was disappointed. He wanted to know more about Shan Mei.

Xiu Han patted Xiang Zhe on the shoulder. Xiang Zhe could not figure out why. Was Xiu Han trying to comfort him?
“Just when are you planning to leave your summer palace?” Xiu Han asked.
“Next week.”
It was his birthday next week, and his grandmother wanted him to spend the day with her before going back to Seoul.
“Hurry back and show off your skills! I’m sure the rest of the guys will be surprised…”

Before leaving for Seoul, Xiang Zhe cleaned the house inside out. Grandmother couldn’t stop him.
“Are you trying to imply that the house is not clean enough?” Grandmother pretended to be offended.
“I’m just having some exercise.” Xiang Zhe smiled cheekily at Grandmother.
Grandmother was getting old and could not manage some of the heavy work. His visits to Gyeongju were often rushed, and it wasn’t often he had the luxury of time to help her out with the spring cleaning.

“I’ve invited Madam Zhang out for lunch today. Would you like to come?” Grandmother asked.
“I guess you must have invited Madam Zhang’s granddaughter as well, haven’t you?” Xiang Zhe made a face at his grandmother.
“You little ..!” Grandmother didn’t know what to do with him. Her beloved grandson could always read her mind like a book.
“I have a telephone conference this afternoon.”
Two weeks ago, Chamsung got approval from the US Stock Exchange to list in the USA. They were now busy preparing for the listing. It was one project he could not afford to fail.
Grandmother shook her head at him helplessly, “You do what you have to.”
She knew she could not move him on such matters. He was too stubborn for that.
“I’ll buy a cake on my way back and we’ll celebrate tonight..” It was Xiang Zhe’s birthday that day.
“What sort of cake would you like?” Grandmother asked.
“Raspberry chocolate.” Xiang Zhe answered without even thinking. He was stunned as soon as the words left his mouth. It was Shan Mei’s favourite cake.

After the telephone conference, Xiang Zhe made his way to his mother’s study. He had always been fond of the place.
He had spent many unforgettable times with his mother in that room. His mother seen the worst that life could bring, and yet, she still retained her positive and happy attitude toward life. During his childhood, he would often do his homework in this room in the company of his mother while she was painting. During her breaks, she would give him riddles or quizzes. They always had a good time. His mother made him a book of sorrows to help him forget his sorrows. Whenever he was unhappy, he had to draw his unhappiness into that book. That way, she assured him, whatever had made him unhappy would be taken away by God. He had completely believed it. Other than the occasional unhappy bout over his parent’s separation, he had been obliviously happy in those days. The thick book was filled with his drawings. No page was bare. The pictures on one or two pages still had the power to bring tears to his eyes.

Xiang Zhe was lost in nostalgia, and he laughed at his own innocence. As a child, all it took was for him to doodle into a book to leave his sorrows behind. Now that he was an adult, the sorrow that had been carved into his heart was not something he could easily walk away from….Even if the book of sorrows could take away this pain, he would never want to draw his memories of Shan Mei into it. He wanted to remember very moment that they had spent together.

Xiang Zhe searched for his book of sorrows. He remembered it was kept in one of the cupboards in his mother’s study.

In one corner of a cupboard, he finally found it. However, in the same cupboard something else caught his eye. He stared at it unblinkingly……

When grandmother got home, she found Xiang Zhe still sitting the dark, in a corner of the study, dazed.
“Why are you sitting in the dark?” Grandmother asked as she turned on the light.
Xiang Zhe was holding a Winnie the Pooh stuffed toy.
“Hey? Where did you find that thing?” Grandmother asked matter-of-factly.
“She…she’s been here, hasn’t she?” Xiang Zhe grabbed his grandmother’s hand.
“Who’s been here?” Grandmother didn’t understand his words.
“Shan Mei….Shan Mei’s been here, hasn’t she?”
Grandmother looked at Xiang Zhe steadily for a moment, then nodded her head slightly.
“When did she come?” Xiang Zhe could not hold his feelings in.
“When you had that accident…. I was so afraid then, I telephoned her…”
“She came to the hospital?”
“Before you regained consciousness, she had been at your side every night, watching over you…”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Xiang Zhe’s eyes filled with tears.
His feelings didn’t lie. She really had been by his side. It wasn’t just his longing for her. It wasn’t just a dream. It was she who pulled him back from the depths of the darkness. It was her voice that he heard, her presence that he felt. That gentle concern was completely real.
“Shan Mei wouldn’t let me tell you…. She said that would be best. She didn’t want to disturb you.”
Xiang Zhe looked at the Pooh bear in his hand, his heart pierced by a thousand knives. She hadn’t wanted to see him. She had returned the bear to him….Shan Mei!....

It was only 5am when Shan Mei awoke from a dream. The pain in her heart woke her. She had dreamt of Xiang Zhe yet again.
Xiang Zhe had once said they shared extrasensory perception. Would Xiang Zhe also feel the pain when she hurt so much, missing him?

It was Xiang Zhe’s birthday, the anniversary of their break up. Shan Mei could not bring herself to attend classes that day, and spent the day losing herself in the crowds of New York.

She boarded the bus heading for Staten Island and the Statue of Libery, and splurged on a USD150 off-season Celine dress at Century 21. Then she went to Central Park and took a ride on a horse carriage, and then went ice-skating at the plaza at Rockerfella centre. After a sumptious dinner at Little Italy, she went to watch Miss Saigon on broadway. The sad story gave her an excuse to shed tears and bring the day to a close. She had no idea why she did what she did. All she knew was that she needed to so something very different to get through this sad day.

Love is short; sorrow, long.
She finally completely understood what the poet meant now. It really does take a very long time for the sorrow of love to go away.

She had thrown herself into the hustle and bustle of life as a university as soon as she arrived four months ago. She filled all her waking hours with a heavy workload. Day turned into night, and night into day… She turned herself into a workhorse, and was usually the last one to leave the library each night. No matter how hard she tried, thoughts of Xiang Zhe would invariably sneak up and catch her unawares.

Someone once said there is one thing in this world that cannot be hidden. The more you try to hide it, the more it would reveal itself. That is grief. It wasn’t for the lack of trying. She had been diligently trying to get over the grief of losing her love, but it would often raise its head and drown her like a tidal wave.

She could not stop herself from being concerned about Xiang Zhe. She knew he had recovered his health; knew that his company was growing by leaps and bounds; knew that the US stock exchange had approved their listing; knew that a university had offered him a professorship…..She knew a lot about him, but no one ever told her. Xiu Han Oppa always took care never to mention him when they spoke. She couldn’t help seeking out news of him from the press or the internet, worrying about him, being happy for him….there was no way she could forget him. In the end, she gave up. She gave up trying to push him out of her heart.

Xiang Zhe, there’s no way I can forget you…do you mind? As long as you are not aware of it, I think it should be allright…she apologized to him in her heart.

Xiang Zhe brought Li Ming home with him.
Li Ming was his classmate in Cambridge. He went to Hong Kong after graduating, and joined an American bank. He was in Korea on business, and the two of them met up for dinner, then adjourned to Xiang Zhe’s place to continue chatting.

“I hope I’m not intruding.” Li Ming said.
“Not at all, it’s my pleasure…” Xiang Zhe replied.
“Xiang Zhe, aren’t you a little too modest? I thought the owner of a large company like yours would be living in luxury, with at least 5 bedrooms, a private gym and swimming pool….” Li Ming was really surprised to see the simplicity of Xiang Zhe’s home.
“It’s enough for one.”
“So you’re constantly on your guard… no wonder you’re so good in basketball…” Li Ming looked through the numerous basketball trophies on his shelves.
“Why? Are you thinking of taking me on in a game?” Xiang Zhe asked as he poured Li Ming a drink.
“Hey…since when did you start collecting cups?”
Li Ming saw a cupboard full of cups of all shapes and designs.
Xiang Zhe didn’t know what to say. They were Shan Mei’s.
“Oh, what’s this?”
Li Ming picked up a tiny light green porcelain bottle.
“It’s for holding peppermint balm…” Xiang Zhe explained.
“I’ve never seen peppermint balm packaged this way….” Li Ming turned the bottle around in his hands, “Which company makes this? Why can’t I find a brand name on this?”
“It’s not for sale. It’s a gift from a friend.”
“A friend?” Li Ming looked at Xiang Zhe in speculation, then looked back at the cups in the cupboard, then laughed in realization, “It must be a lovely lady….there’s even a red ribbon on the neck!” Li Ming beamed.
“Yes, she is indeed lovely.” Xiang Zhe didn’t try to deny it.
“You should introduce us some day.”
“Alright”, Xiang Zhe smiled uncomfortably.

Xiang Zhe didn’t sleep a wink that night. He watched and re-watched the video of their time together in Cambridge. Shan Mei’s smile that day was brighter than the bright sunshine that day. He had recorded her expression as she ate the chicken wings; recorded her embarrassment as she received her “green leaves in love with the red brick wall”; recorded her playfulness as she tried on vintage costumes in the secondhand shop; recorded her expression as she complained to him about his incessant use of the video recorder….. He couldn’t remember how many times he had watched and re-watched those scenes. It was thirty months and three days since their break up. Whenever he missed her, he would spend the night watching and re-watching the video, letting the loneliness in his heart be comforted by the brilliance of her smile…..

On a snowy December morning, Xiang Zhe attended a press conference at the Grand Hyatt, and bumped into Song Shuo Mao. It was the first time he had seen him since that day a very long time ago when they had that unfriendly conversation.
“Yin Xiang Zhe! It’s been a long time!” Song Shuo Mao came up and greeted Xiang Zhe.
Xiang Zhe shook hands with Song Shuo Mao out of courtesy. Song Shuo Mao looked very happy.
“I’ve read the good news about your company in the press…” Song Shuo Mao sai.
“Thank you.”
Chamsung listed successfully on the NASDAQ the week before, and the price of their shares had been climbing since. The press had been focusing on its success over the last week.

“Why don’t we have lunch together?” Song Shuo Mao invited Xiang Zhe after the event.
Song Shuo Mao saw the surprise in Xiang Zhe’s face and smiled, “Consider it my apology to you!”
Apology? Was he going to apologise for what went on with Shan Mei? Xiang Zhe was feeling a little put off. Was he trying to gloat about his success?
Xiang Zhe decided to accept the offer even though he was not happy with it. He wanted to find out about how Shan Mei was doing from Song Shuo Mao. All he knew was that she quit her job more than six months ago. After that, he’d had no news of her at all. He didn’t dare ask Xiu Han about her, and Xiu Han never mentioned her to him. He knew Xiu Han could not understand why the two of them broke up, but he did not want to delve into it. All he wanted was for Shan Mei to be happy.

Song Shuo Mao didn’t even mention Shan Mei throughout the meal. The topic of conversation centered around the electronics industry, and Xiang Zhe was sorely disappointed.
“Why are you taking such an interest in the electronics industry all of a sudden?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“A friend has asked me to invest in it…I wanted to hear the view of an expert in the field.”
“I think you’d better first try to gauge the skills of the company’s R&D department…. In our field, innovation is everything.”
“Thank you for your advice…”
Song Shuo Mao’s phone rang. When he saw who the caller was, he smiled and answered immediately.
“I’m having lunch with a friend…”
Xiang Zhe could see the gentle expression on Song Shuo Mao’s face. The person on the other end must be Shan Mei. Xiang Zhe’s heart started to pound.
“Yes…I’ll be there at half past two….. you go ahead with the evening gowns first. Don’t wait for me…”
Evening gowns? Were they about to get married? Xiang Zhe’s heart constricted into a tight little ball.
“….I guarantee Miss Li Shen Ai will be the world’s most beautiful bride…” Song Shuo Mao said with passion in voice.
Li Shen Ai? Xiang Zhe looked up. Did he hear it right?
“It’s my fiancée…” Song Shuo Mao smiled.
“Congratulations…. And she’s….”
“The heiress of Gimhae group, Miss Li Shen Ai.”
Xiang Zhe’s thoughts were set in turmoil.
What happened? Where was Shan Mei? Why was Song Shuo Mao marrying someone else? Exactly what was happening here?
“Thank you so much for your time….” Song Shuo Mao bade his leave.
“Just a moment…”
Xiang Zhe stopped Song Shuo Mao. He knew he was out of line, but he had to get things straight…

“Didn’t you say you were going to fight me for Shan Mei?” Xiang Zhe asked Song Shuo Mao. He couldn’t forgive Song Shuo Mao for not having treated Shan Mei the way he had planned. Song Shuo Mao was about to marry another woman.
“Why are you bringing up the past? Are you trying to give me a hard time?” Song Shuo Mao was not impressed.
“Because of you, I didn’t even have half a chance of a reconciliation with Shan Mei….right from the start, Shan Mei never even gave me half a chance. She said there was no one in the world who could take your place in her heart.”

Song Shuo Mao’s answer threw Xiang Zhe into the depths of hell.
He remained sitting in the restaurant long after Song Shuo Mao had left, with anger and regret coursing through his veins. He had done something unforgivable. He had made assumptions in his arrogance, and sent both Shan Mei and himself into deep, dark misery.

Xiang Zhe sought Xiu Han out. He begged Xiu Han to tell him where Shan Mei was.
Xiu Han looked at Xiang Zhe in surprise, then said flatly, “You don’t have to know!”
‘Xiu Han….”
“Give me a good reason why I should tell you. You’ve already broken up a long time ago.”
“I need to tell her something….”
Xiu Han shook his head, “What can you have to tell her a whole year after you’ve broken up?”
“…..” Xiang Zhe could not reply.
“I won’t let you disturb her…” Xiu Han looked at Xiang Zhe in accusation, “You are my best friend; she’s my little cousin. I don’t want to favour one or the other. You have no idea how much it pains me to see the brave face that Shan Mei tries to put at the mere mention of your name. She tells me the breakup was her choice, and not to give you a hard time over it… No matter how good a façade she puts up in front of my parents, I can still see the pain in her heart…..I’ve watched her grow up. I’ve never seen her in such a state. She’s always been a positive person…..That’s why when she said she wanted to study abroad, I didn’t have the heart to stop her….. I think the change in environment will help her…”
“Shan Mei has gone overseas? Where? Did she go back to England?”
Xiang Zhe asked one question after another. Xiu Han would only shake his head in reply.
“Xiu Han…”
“I don’t want to risk you hurting her again….”
Xiang Zhe and Xiu Han parted in anger. They had never done that before in all their years of friendship.

“Only if you can give me a convincing reason….” Xiu Han threw the words at him before he got into the car.
“I’ve never stopped loving her….not even for one moment…” Xiang Zhe said.
Xiu Han saw the tears in Xiang Zhe’s eyes.

The next day, Xiang Zhe got an email from Xiu Han. It contained an address in New York. “I hope you will bring me good new.” Xiu Han wrote.

Xiang Zhe prayed that he would be given one more chance.

It was Christmas Eve and it was snowing heavily.
Shan Mei looked out the window and sighed. Her school had hired a venue on 42nd street for a dance party, and she had agreed to attend. Looking at the situation, the traffic was about to get really bad. That afternoon on her way home from school, the traffic had been bad enough. Now that it started snowing, it was going to be unbearable. Shan Mei looked at the clothes she had laid out. It was the one she bought from Century 21 a few months ago. A pink dress. It would be Christmassy enough. She must have lost weight. It fitted perfectly when she bought it, but was loose when she tried it on last night.

The doorbell rang. It couldn’t be Mark! Shan Mei looked at the clock. It wasn’t even six yet. The dance party wasn’t until 7:30.

Shan Mei was stunned when she saw who was at the door…..
She looked at him. It felt surreal. How many times had she wished that he would suddenly appear in front of her? Now that it happened, she was completely flabbergasted; unable to think, unable to talk, unable to even move.

“Are you going to invite me in?” Xiang Zhe broke the silence.
She stood aside in a stupor and let him in.
“Please have a seat…” She spoke like a zombie, “would you like a drink?” She was unable to function in any normal way.
“Can I have a cup of coffee?” Xiang Zhe asked.
She made him a cup of coffee.
“Thank you.”
Shan Mei handed him two servings of milk.
Xiang Zhe’s eyes pierced her. Was it just coincidence, or did she still remember exactly how he liked his coffee? It was then he noticed she was still wearing the ring he gave her, and his uneasiness subsided a little.

He watched her from across the table. She kept her head down, eyes on the table.
His heart constricted at the way she looked. She had lost a lot of weight.

The silence stretched between the two of them. In close proximity, he could not find any words to say.

“You’ve got a nice place…” Xiang Zhe started.
“It’s a little small….” Shan Mei said.
She wanted an apartment on the West End because she liked the scenery around Riverside Park, but rentals in the area were very high, so she could only afford a very small apartment.
“Are you in New York on business?” She asked him.
Shan Mei’s tone was distant and courteous. It felt like she was a million miles away.
“I came to see you…” Xiang Zhe decided to come clean. Regardless of how it was going to turn out, he had to give it a try, “I asked Xiu Han for your address. There’s something I want to tell you….”
Shan Mei looked at Xiang Zhe with her eyes wide open.

She listened as he told her in detail about how things started to go wrong; listened to his pain as he recounted all the many small events and coincidences that created the misunderstanding and conflict within himself, and a complex web of emotions wove its way through her. She should have been happy – how many times did she dream of just such an encounter, breaking into a sea of tears when she awoke each time to realize it had only been a dream? Right here, right now, it was all real. Here was here standing in front of her, clearing up all the cloud of misunderstanding between them, but all she felt was pain and incredible anger! Tears welled in Shan Mei’s eyes. She was agry at him for doubting her feelings; angry at him for thinking that she could love someone else; angry at him for letting her walk away from him. How she hated having to leave her beloved home country in a bid to escape the grief he had caused. How could she even begin to forgive him for all that?

Shan Mei’s tears pained Xiang Zhe and he grabbed her hand.

“Shan Mei….” Xiang Zhe spoke the name that had been the source of his own grief and misery.

Shan Mei pulled her hand away and glared at Xiang Zhe, “Who do you think you are, to toy with my feelings like that? What right have you got to just give me away to another man? I loved you so deeply, and yet you doubted the very existence of my love…….Yin Xiang Zhe! I hate you…! I have never in my life hated anyone more than I hate you right now….Did you know how immensely guilty I felt when you told me that my love was a hinderence to you? Do you know how bad it felt…?” Her voice broke, and she was unable to continue.

Xiang Zhe remained silent. He had no excuses. Everything that Shan Mei accused him of had been true.

After a long time, Xiang Zhe finally said glumly, “At that time, I sincerely thought that you had been torn between the two of us. I only wanted you to be happy, so I let you go…..”
“Yes! Thanks to you, I finally learnt that I could survive on my own, regardless of how painful it gets.” Shan Mei said bitterly.
Xiang Zhe had nothing to say. He finally realized how deeply he had hurt her.

Through the fog of her own tears, she saw the tears in his eyes.
“I never stopped loving you – not even for one moment….’ Xiang Zhe said.
She could see the pain in his expression, but could not find it in herself to forgive him.
“Don’t you think it’s a little too late to be telling me that?” Shan Mei looked away.

The telephone rang, and Shan Mei went to answer it. It was Mark telling her he had been delayd by traffic and would be a little late.
“That’s alright, I’m not ready yet anyway. Drive carefully!”
Disappointment coursed through Xiang Zhe, “You…are you on your way out?” Xiang Zhe asked.
“Yes, I’m attending a dance party with a friend…”
As time slipped by, all she could hear was the sound of their breathing.
Finally, Xiang Zhe said, “I’m sorry for taking up your time. I’ll be on my way….”
She stood up to see him out, and said, “Goodbye.”

Xiang Zhe walked away, then turned around abruptly handed a bag over to Shan Mei. “Merry Christmas.” He said. It was his last resort, the only hope he had left.
Shan Mei hesitated for a second, then accepted the parcel. “Merry Christmas.” She returned.

She heard the door close after him. As she watched the desolation of his receding figure from her window, the ice in her heart slowly melted away……
The doorbell rang.

It was Mark.
Mark was the boyfriend of her classmate, Julie. He lived a few streets away from Shan Mei. Julie had sent Mark to pick Shan Mei up for the party in order to prevent Shan Mei from backing out.

“Did you have a visitor?” Mark asked, noticing the coffee cup on the table.
“Yes, he just left…. Give me a moment. I’ll be ready soon.” Shan Mei retreated into her room to get changed.
Mark gave a whistle when he saw Shan Mei appear in all her spendour, “You should dress up like this more often. I’m sure there’ll be a crowd of men fighting for a dance with you tonight…..”
“I only dress up for special occasions…” Shan Mei replied simply.
“This is a Christmas present then?” Mark asked, pointing to the parcel on the table. Shan Mei nodded.
“What is it?” Mark asked again.
“I have no idea….”
“You better get a hold of yourself – I’ve never seen anyone less excited….” Mark teased.
“I didn’t get the chance to open it before you came….” Shan Mei replied as she opened it.
“Hey, It’s lovely!” Mark commented.

Shan Mei’s tears started again…..

Xiang Zhe stood on the street corner and watched as Shan Mei got into the car with the suave young man he brushed past in the lobby on his way out. Was he really too late? Did he still have a chance to win her? Xiang Zhe was beside himself.

Shan Mei left the party an hour after they arrived. She could not bring herself to stay on any longer. She had been completely distracted throughout, and ended up stepping on the toes of her dance partners time and again. She was just not in the mood for a party.

As she walked out into the flurry of snow, the image of Pooh bear floated into her mind’s eye. Xiang Zhe had brought her a stuffed Pooh bear for her Christmas present. She recognized the toy straight away as the same one he had bought for her during his business trip to New York. It still had the lipstick mark she accidentally put on its left paw. It was the same stuffed Pooh bear she had left behind in Gyeongju. She had put it in a cupboard in his mother’s study…. He must have found it somehow. He had found his way across the world to New York with this stuffed bear in tow, looking for her….

Shan Mei wandered around the streets aimlessly. Finally, she realized that she had been unconsciously searching for Xiang Zhe. Her eyes had been searching for that familiar face in the sea of crowds!

He told her that he had never, for a moment, stopped loving her. All she did in return was drive him away in her anger and misery. How could she have done that?
How many times had she secretly hoped that they could be reconciled one day? How many times had she told herself that it was only wishful thinking? But it finally happened! He found his way back to her! And what did she do? She told him he was too late. She was filled with regret at the way she had thrown a tantrum at him when she thought about the way he looked as she told her how he never stopped loving her….How could she had been so impetuous?

She looked up at the brightly lit skyscrapers around her, wondering where in this vast city he could be. She hadn’t even bothered to ask him where he was staying…..
Xiang Zhe, where are you?

The lights of the Empire State Building winked at her from a distance. It was decorated with red and green lights for the occasion. It was somewhere she always wanted to visit, because it was too romantic a location. However, she never went there after she moved to New York because she did not know how she would react to it now that she had lost her love. It was the place she felt was closest to heaven.

As Shan Mei walked past a music store, she heard something that stopped her in her tracks. It was the theme from “Sleepless in Seattle”, sung by Celine Dion.

When I fall in love, it will be forever
Or I’ll never fall in love
In a restless world like this is
Love is ended before it’s begun
……….
…….
When I give my heart it will be completely
Or I’ll never give my heart
And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you……

Shan Mei made her way to the Empire State Building as it in a trance. There was something pulling her towards it. It was where Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks found each other on Valentine’s day; the place where countless lovers were blessed. Just consider it your consolation on this Christmas night, then! Shan Mei told herself.

As Shan Mei made her way on the observation deck on the 86th floor, she could smell the festivity in the air. Her heart started to pound the moment she stepped out onto the observation deck. She spotted a familiar figure there. It was Xiang Zhe, hugging himself and gazing into the distance.

Was it he who called out to her? Did he know her heart was searching for him? It must be so. They shared an invisible line of communication after all.
Shan Mei stood where she was, quietly observing him unblinkingly. After a long while, she finally made her way toward him, stopping a foot or so behind him…..

There was a faint fragrance in the air – a strange feeling coursed through Xiang Zhe. It was a fragrance that reminded him of Shan Mei. It was the smell of the one he loved. Xiang Zhe turned around slowly, and was delighted at what he saw. Did the heavens finally hear his prayers? He saw the face that moved his very soul, and tears welled up in his eyes.

As if in a dream, he heard her ask, “What are you doing here?” Her voice was sweet as warm honey.
“Someone once told me this is the place that is closest to heaven…. I cam here to pray; I came to beg for the one I love to be returned to me….” He looked at those unforgettable eyes and waited for her to speak.
“Did… have your prayers been answered?”
He watched her eyes sparkle.
“I don’t know….” He looked at her hopefully. Two hours ago, his hopes had been completely devastated.
He looked at her steadily, his heart pounding.

Shan Mei remained silent as she looked out at the distance, watching the blinking lights on the skyscrapers all around them. In the silence, Xiang Zhe’s heart was rising and falling like a roller coaster.

Finally, he could stand it no more.
“What are YOU doing here?” it was his turn to ask.
He heard as she spoke in a low whisper, “I came here to look for a friend….”
“Have you found him?” Xiang Zhe could feel the tremor in his own voice”
Shan Mei said, “He once promised me that we would come here together one day.”

They gazed at each other through a mist of tears.

He moved toward her.
“Do you still love me?” he asked as he caressed her face gently.
She let her actions speak for themselves, and buried her face in his chest. He was her one and only love. She could never stop loving him.

Xiang Zhe hugged her tightly.

Two people who loved each other completely had foolishly tried to give the other what they believe was true happiness and ended up hurting each other immensesly. Had the heavens finally heard their prayers on this Christmas night, or was it fated that they would spend the rest of their lives together, regardless of circumstances?

At midnight, a cupid lit up on the Empire State Building, blessing the newly re-united lovers……

Two years later, in the blossom of spring, Xiang Zhe attended her graduation with flowers and a ring in hand. He proposesd to her, saying, “My life is only complete with you in it.”
Shan Mei shed tears of happiness, as Xiang Zhe put the ring on her finger. Her life was also only complete with him in it.
That autumn, Shan Mei finally put on her wedding dress and was wed.

****The End****

Author’s note:
“My Dearest One” ends here. Please forgive me for not giving Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei more sweet and loving times and ending it here instead. Ever since I started this story, I visions of ending it at the Empire State Building. Although I have struggled with various ideas, I finally decided to stick with my original plan. I’ve said that I’m not a strong person, but in some respects, I can be stubborn. I hope you life this ending that is slightly open-ended, just like the original AAE.

“My Dearest One” is a little different from my past stories, and holds a lot more heartache. I know many of you have been upset that I broke them apart. I hope you can forgive me now that I have reunited Shan Mei with Xiang Zhe.

Thank you all for sharing these times with me, and for your encouragement throughout. You really are a great bunch of readers.

Translator’s note:
To Jennifer: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your infinite energy and effort in writing all these wonderful stories to share. I really appreciate the work you have put into each one, and I applaud how you discipline yourself to post one chapter a week and how you are determined to see each story to its end. I cannot express enough how much I have enjoyed your work.
To nho: Thank you so much for sharing the translation of Jennifer’s wonderful story with me. It’s been a real honor working with you.
To everyone: I regret to say that this is be the last translation I will be posting on a regular basis. It’s been three years since I first tried my hand at translating AAE spin-off stories: first with Lin Cai’s SM Notebook (the last chapter), then with Jennifer’s Hidden Love (Cang Ai), then Ai Xiang Sui and now bringing My Dearest One (Qin Ai De Ni) to a conclusion. I picked up translation work partly to fill long winter nights, and partly as a discipline to maintain my Chinese language skills while living abroad. I have now moved back into Asia, and into a new, more demanding job which has had me struggling to complete my translations on time. Over the years, our band of translators has also whittled down from 6 or 7 to just nho and I. I guess the pressures of family, work, and other responsibilities have taken their toll. For me, there’s really nothing else that can take the place of AAE as my all-time favourite drama, and JDG in the role of Yin Xiang Zhe as my all-time favourite dream man. It never ceases to amaze me that a drama which is now more than 6 years old still looks and feels so modern and relevant today. The script, the directing, the wardrobe and the acting in this series continues to inspire me no matter how many times I watch and re-watch it. Although I may still take on some translating work from time to time, I do not feel able to commit the amount of time and effort required to bring you Jennifer’s wonderful stories on a regular basis. I sincerely apologize for that. I hope that in time, a new band of translators will come forward and continue to bring you all the wonderful stories from Jennifer and other writers. Long live the World Wide Web!!!

image by Susan