Hidden Love
Han Yu Pin Yin: Cang Ai
Author: Jennifer
Source: AAE Village
Translators: TS~*

Early morning, she was in the kitchen busy preparing breakfast.
She has slept in late today. Afterwards, she still needs to go back to the office.

“Delicious…..This is really delicious, whoever who marries you in the future will definitely be very lucky to be able to enjoy your culinary skills.”
While eating the sandwich she made for him, her father couldn’t stop himself from praising her.
“Really?”
She recalled one morning when she was in Xiang Ze’s place preparing breakfast for him. He has told her the same thing. 

The culinary skills she posses is only good enough to make a simple breakfast. She wouldn’t be so confident if she have to really prepare a complete spread for her guest. Shan Mei thought.

“In that case, finish up the rest too! So that you’ve wouldn’t be hungry one the road!” She smiled and said
Today her father is going fishing with some of his buddies.
“Without the delicious aroma of your barbeque meat to help, I think it’ll be very difficult for us to have a good catch today.”
Her father’s words made her laughed out loud.
“I’ve got to work today!” she said

“Erm….Dad, Tonight…I’ll be home late.” She told her father haltingly
“Have you really got so much work to do in the office? Don’t tell me you’re going on a date?” Curiosity got the better of her father and he couldn’t help but asked.
Lately she has returned home later than usual and she’s been hiding in her room hogging the phone for hours, the signs most definitely confirm that she’s in love.
“Aiyo! Daddy…” She blushed

“Is he…that tall, handsome looking guy who’s also very caring and nice?”
“Who…said that?” She was caught off guard. How did her father find out?
Looking at how worried she became after his comments, her father couldn’t stop himself from laughing at his daughter.
“I’ve seen him before what!” He wanted to tease his daughter further.
When did Xue Zhang meet her father? Why didn’t he mentioned it before; It’s really maddening, must settle score with him later in the afternoon.

“When was it? What did the two of you talked about?” She asked desperately.
“I said….I’ve got a daughter who’s bad-tempered, ambitious and acts like a child but she’s got a considerably good culinary skill and kind-hearted as well….”
“Daddy……”Shan Mei exclaimed, exasperated
“Ha! Ha!” Looking at how desperate and uncomfortable she is, Gui Chen can’t keep a straight face any longer and laughed loudly.

She finally realised that her father was pulling her leg.
“Daddy…why must you make fun of people!” She pouted her lips
“Who told you to keep me in the dark about having a boyfriend? You’re my precious darling. I wouldn’t bare to let another man snatch you away from me.” Gui Chen’s tone turned sombre as he said it.
“Daddy!” She went up to her father and hugged him tightly.
“I didn’t keep you in the dark, we’re really just normal friends!”
“Just normal friends? You aren’t trying to pull a fast one on me are you?”
“Okay! We are just slightl better than normal friends!”
He understands his daughter’s character best. If she hasn’t really met the person she truly likes, she wouldn’t simply give her heart away.

“Only just slightly better?” This girl really don’t know how to tell lies
“A little bit more that slightly la! Daddy! Please stop asking!” Although she’s in-front of her father, she still blushed brightly; as red an apple.
“You like him a lot?”
“Eh…Still okay”
“Still okay only? That wouldn’t do! Just a borderline pass, we’ll have to find you a better one.”
“Daddy…” she shook her father’s arm
“Why… you can’t bare to lose him?” Gui Chen finds his daughter’s worried and uncomfortable look very cute and funny.

“Is he the guy who always come over in the evenings to bring you food and accompany you, while I was in the hospital?”
“How did you know?” She looked up; surprised.
“The nurses told me..”
“The nurses?”
“Yes! They all commented that my daughter’s boyfriend is a very caring and handsome man. They’ve all turned green with envy!” Gui Chen said proudly
“My dear daughter, how did you two get to know each other?” Her father asked her.
“Er……” Caught again without preparation she didn’t know how to find a suitable reply.
“Aiyo…daddy, why are you so inquisitive today?”
“Next time bring him home for me to take a look.”
“Yes, Got it!”
When she was out of the house, her face was still red.
Really! When did daddy learnt to become such a good interrogator. 

After a busy morning at work, in order to make it in time to meet up with Xiang Ze, She even skipped her lunch.

On the way to her date, she hastily bought a burger and stuffed it into her handbag. When she arrived at Shi Min Memorial, it was already past 2pm. She’s still late for almost 10 minutes. She’s angry with herself for always having to make Xiang Ze wait for her.
From afar, she saw him talking to a lady; both were chatting happily; she felt a tinge of jealousy.

If she knew, she would have had a proper meal before coming over. Anyways…there wouldn’t be short of people to entertain him.
She found her reaction funny. She has never gotten so easily jealous of such a small matter before. Perhaps now, it’s different. She cares too much about him.

From the moment she had summon her courage and confess her feelings to him and told him that she had actually went to the park that fateful day, no; it should have been earlier! She has already given him her heart.

Someone once said that love wouldn’t welcome even single grain of salt, not only just that. Even the innocent breeze is not allowed to blow through when two people are in love! 

Seeing her, Xiang Ze bid a hasty leave from that lady and walked briskly towards Shan Mei.
Today, wearing a grey sweater and long cotton pants matched with a navy blue blazer, he looks exceptionally handsome and confident. His presence commands the attention of the people around him.

“You’re here!” He said happily
“That lady is your friend?” Looking at the retreating back of the women, she asked.
“She’s a advertisement manager. Our client. Coincidently meet her here so we had a chat.”
“Oh! I didn’t interrupt you all, did I? You all seems to have lots to discuss” She made a casual comment.
He smiled and did not reply.
“Why are all the women you know so pretty?!”  She couldn’t stop herself from stating. He could smell the sour odour of jealousy from the remarks.

She isn’t jealous is she?! He quite like the feeling of her being jealous.
He examined the face that was lacking the lovely laughter; his mouth lifted into a smile.

“Yo! You’re not happy to see me?” He asked
She didn’t bother to answer him but found a seat and sat down.
That women was just his client, she mustn’t let him know that it bothered her.

She took out the burger that has been pressed into a pancake.
“Oh! Why did you go hungry again, sooner or later you’ll spoil your stomach.” He crossed his brows and said

“How are you going to eat this thing? It’s already cold. Eat this instead!” He reached over and took away the burger and handed her a box.

It’s from the café at Ming Dong. Inside is her favourite blueberry cheesecake.
“Just bought it?” She looked at him; touched by his thoughtfulness. At this hour, there should be a long queue at the café. He actually made a point to get it just for her.

“Yes! Bought it especially for you.”

She smiled happily; that lovely smile; He wouldn’t mind queuing for another hour just to get her that cake so as to be rewarded with that smile of hers.

She looked like she’s holding on a precious gift, carefully taking small bites of the delicious cake.
“Looking at you this way really makes me angry” He looked at her.
“You don’t even take proper meals most of the time. Can’t you treat yourself better? Yo! Zhen Shan Mei, what am I to do with you? You’re really such a troublesome girl!”

“You…. Can choose not to bother me. That’ll solve all the problem!” She looked at him sheepishly and smiled.

What kind of solution is this? He found it exasperating.
“You’re right! Then you’re also not to bother about me! So you don’t have to be angry at me.”

“When was I angry at you?”

“Aren’t it just only? If not then why are you sulking away?”

“When someone is hungry, they just won’t be able to smile what!”

“Really? Then you better eat more, so that later you’ll smile more for me to see. All my motivation/energy to work next week will depend on you already.” He said

“You talk too much!” Taking a slice of cake, she stuffed it into his mouth.

“Where do you want to go later?” He asked

“Anywhere will be fine” She smiled and replied
As long as he’s beside her, she’ll go anywhere and everywhere with him. All is fine.

After finishing the food, both had a stroll around the park. The warmth of the sunrays shone on both of them, creating a comfortable and cosy feeling.

Saturday afternoon, the park was crowded. At the beginning, Xiang Ze was just holding her hand, later when she was knocked by some kids in the park, he started to place his arms on her shoulders, pulling her closer to him, keeping her save. She likes the feeling of being protected and sheltered by him.

There were people riding rented bicycles in the park. On an impulse, both decided to rent bikes as well, to ride along the path in the park, enjoying the wind blowing against their cheeks

She likes to compete, always trying her best to ride ahead of him, challenging him; but her strength is limited. After a round, she is exhausted. Xiang Ze decided to surrender one of the bicycles so that they could ride together. After much coaxing to get her to seat on the seat behind him, she finally agreed. In this way, they could communicate/converse better.

“Are you still busy with all your work?” She asked. He had to stay in the office till after 10pm yesterday and this morning, he still went back to the office to finish up some work.
“Yes, I’m done with it”
“You’re a director of the company but why is it that you’re always busier than those unimportant, office workers like us? It’s understandable if you work overtime on weekdays but even during the weekends as well?”
“Are you pitying me and willing to shower you tender loving care on me?” he smiled and said.
“Didn’t you say that you want me to leave you alone?” she replied playfully. After a pause, she continued “you should find someone to help you out!”
“Sometimes, certain things, outsiders won’t be of any help, just like….falling in love and maintaining a relationship” he said
“Really?” She smiled
“How do you feel, sitting behind like this?” he asked her
“hey…how many rides have you given a girl like this?” she knocked his back and asked
“I…forgot.” He said
“Oh… are you sure you’ve really forgotten or there’s too many for you to count?” she said
“ You really want to know?”
“I’m not interested in your past love records……”She said
Xiang Ze smiled and said “I’ve given rides to…….”
“Don’t tell me, I’m afraid I’ll not be able to accept it.” She interrupted him
“You have so little confidence in me?”
She smiled but did not reply
“In Cambridge, we have to use bicycles to get around, this is the first time I’m riding a bicycle since I got back to Seoul.”
“Really?”
When he talked about Cambridge, it reminded her of how they’ve met.
When she first met him, she had just treated him as a client for her company and did not really take much notice; She did not expect them to meet again in Cambridge, neither would she have anticipated herself walking slowly, step by step into the web of love he’s created for them. The meetings and partings in life, they must all be destined!

Realising that she’s been silent for a while, he asked “Are you tired?”
“A little”
“Then… close your eyes and rest your head on my back for awhile?” He said
“Don’t want lah (Singlish) It’ll be embarrassing if people sees us”
“In that case, would it be better if I get a handkerchief to blindfold you instead?”
“What are you talking about?” she hit him lightly on his back
“Didn’t you just say that you’ll be embarrassed?”
After much coaxing, she finally wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned lightly pn his back
His back is very broad; really comfortable; he gave her a feeling of happiness and contentment; the feelings of being safe and warmth. She closed her eyes and breathe in the scent of him; listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat, quietly enjoying the comfortable silence between them. The feelings of happiness and contentment! (Xingfu is so hard to describe!!)