SM Married Life

Translation by: Nora & Na Na
Writer: Lin Cai (Taiwan)
SM Notebook - Married Life (Part 4)

(Introduction):
Lots of Taiwan fans can't bear that the love story between Xiang-zhe and Shan-mei merely ended up with a sweet Century Kiss Scene. Therefore, more and more fans devoted themselves to write up the AAE sequels. Lin Cai is one of the well known AAE sequels writers in the AAE village. It's my pleasure to continue doing the English translation and introduce her work to fans who can't read Chinese. Tina has finished three of them already. Thus,I started with the 4th episode. In order to keep the original spirit of the articles,I have to find someone who is good at English to help me. Lots of appreciation goes to "Nora". Without her assistances, I will never finish the translation.Hope all of you like it and feel free to give any comments.
^-^Na Na

Xiang-zhe was having lunch with Xian-da at MBS empolyee cafeteria. They were having a casual chitchat about Yung-hsi when suddently Xiang-zhe popped up a question to Xian-da. "Do you know what is Yung-hsi up to?" Actually Xiang-zhe was planning to have a lunch date with Shan-mei this afternoon,however Yung-hsi seems to be ahead of him and invited Sham-mei to have lunch together.

Xian-da shrugged his shoulders and said "Who knows? She told me that sometimes women need their own private times among themselves." Yung-hsi had wanted to have a woman to woman talk with Shan-mei sharing their secrets without having other people listening. Even Xian-da was not allowed to join in their conversation. "In the modern society of the new century, men sometimes have to accede to the request from women and respect the oppposite sex by willing to listen to their opinions," Xian-da said sharing his views with Xiang-zhe.

Xiang-zhe nodded his head completely agreed with what Xian-da had said. He feels the same way as Xian-da in his views of respecting and listening to one's wife opinion as well. Besides, Yung-hsi always tends to express her opinion openly about everything. The way she reacts is very different from Shan-mei.

"By the way,are you going to join the negotiation meeting this afternoon?" Xian-da asked Xiang-zhe candidly. Xiang-zhe was puzzled by Xian-da question he was totally unaware of this meeting. Nobody has mentioned this to him not even his secretary.

"Negotiation meeting for what?" he asked curiously.

"It's about the negotiation meeting between the News Department and the Program Department. Shan-mei never told you before?" Xian-da countinued on his conversation. "Shan-mei is getting more popular recently within the office. The fact of being married didn't have any influence on her popularity. In contrast, she won more attention from the audiences and attracted lots of people to watch her TV News program. No wonder an ordinary girl like Shan-mei who lives next door suddenly became the popular female host of Wen Jung Corporation groups. Nowadays, the audiences both admired and adored her achievements very much." Xian-da said relating to Xiang-zhe of Shan-mei achivements.

"Xiang-zhe finally beginning to understand the whole situation. The manager of TV News Department hoped that Shan-mei could start anchoring the 7:00p.m. Night News again in order to bring up the rating of the program. They also had several programs in hand for Shan-mei to do as a broadcaster. However, at present Shan-mei is in charge of both TV programs, "The Morning of Eve" and "The Cultural Artist Stage" plus another TV program "The Music Postcard". She definitely had her hands full and has no free time to host other TV programs. The bad thing is that she simply can't refuse the request by the News Department manager. Because of her status role of being the wife of Director Yin, she feels that by rejecting this request it might reflect a bad impression on her position.

"Really! I didn't know about her predicament at all, Shan-mei must have felt so annoyed with this kind of situation but I have never heard her complain to me about her problems when we we're together." Xiang-zhe added on.

"Nobody is able to take out your program because Shan-mei is your wife. Thus, no one told you about the negotiation meeting," Xian-da replied.

Realising about the bad circumstance that Shan-mei was in, suddenly Xiang-zhe felt so sad for Shan-mei. Up till now he did not realise the pressure that Shan-mei had experienced from being the competent wife of Director Yin. He had decided to take action and do something about this problem.

"When will the negotiation meeting begin this afternoon?" Xiang-zhe asked Xian-da in a serious tone. This kind of incident can't happen to Shan-mei over and over again. He can't stand that something unfair was being done to his wife. Xiang-zhe thought to himself.

The negotiation meeting starts on time as scheduled. Xiang-zhe walked into the room making his appearance felt by those in the meeting room. Without any notice, he took over to chair the meeting. All of a sudden, there was a pindrop silence in the meeting room. Everybody seems to feel extremely uncomfortable and doesn't know how to react. Without beating around the bush Xiang-zhe begins to address the meeting.

"Shan-mei is my wife", The opening address certainly suprised all of those present in the negotiation meeting. Even Shan-mei was totally shocked and taken aback by Xiang-zhe's action and even opened her mouth trying to say something. Xiang-zhe looked around and then continued making his speech.

"The fact Shan-mei being my wife, is not meant to be discussed or talked about in public especially in the office and I just couldn't hide the relationships between us, either."

Before Xiang-zhe could continue, Mr.Kim interrupted to speak out in front of the other colleagues. "What you mean is that Shan-mei belongs to your department. If someone wants to ask her to be the broadcaster of the TV News, he or she has to get the permission from you, isn't it?" he asked sarcastically.

Xiang-zhe didn't like to responde to a person who he thinks is so self-centered. Ignoring Mr. Kim's question, Xiang-zhe continued to explain to the rest of the empolyees about his point of view.

"No, definitely not. In contrast to Mr. Kim's opinion, what I want to say is that Shan-mei should be treated in the same way as the other employees in the company. You guys don't need to get extra attention from her as she has to follow the same rules as everybody does in the office. That means, she is able to make her own decision and feel free to pick the TV program which she likes to do." Xiang-zhe established the statement firmly about the issue of Shan-mei's duty and position in the company. "Personally, I gave lots of points about what you guys have just done today by attending the negotiation meeting to work out the problems. Therefore, likewise there is no special privilege for the TV program of "The morning of Eve" either. Then, looking at Shan-mei, Xiang-zhe says "Apparently, Miss Shan-mei must consider to make a decision in choosing between the TV program "The morning of Eve" and "The Cultural Artist Stage." Subsequently, you could also host another TV program.


Shan-mei felt so touched by Xiang-zhe's care and concern because he had pointed out her situation and problems by taking advantage of his own position in the company. She can't be his burden anymore, Shan-mei thought to herself and she had finally come to a decision.

"I choose......" Shan-mei lowered her head trying to make her decision known to her colleagues.

All who present were very quiet and kept the silence waiting for her to continue.

She took a deep breath and said, "I will give up to host 'The morning of Eve' program."

Everybody couldn't believe their ears of what Shan-mei had just decided. Xian-da was looking at her with his big eyes. Mr. Kim smiled to Xiang-zhe, then smiled to himself boastfully showing his victory of forcing Shan-mei to leave Xiang-Zhe's program.

The meeting finally came into a conclusion. Shan-mei will anchor the 7:00p.m. night News and continue hosting both "The Cultural Artist Stage" and "The Music Postcard" program. At the same time, she will have to be in charge of another brand new TV show.


Everybody was walking out of the meeting room. Shan-mei walked towards Xiang-zhe and tried to explain to him about the decision that she had made.

"Senior" Shan-mei usually called Xiang-zhe this way instead of calling his name. She looked at his depressed face and felt heartbroken. The feeling of sadness on his face was about to make her cry.

Before she could continue, Xiang-zhe replied "We will talk about it when we are home," he said without showing any expression on his face. Holding her hands gently, Xiang-zhe tried to comfort Shan-mei emotions. Slowly, he made his way out of the meeting room with a feeling of despondence, leaving Shan-mei by herself.

Looking at Xiang-zhe, Shan-mei was filled with sadness and remorseful. Suddenly a wave of loneliness came upon her. Her decision must have hurt her beloved husband, she thought to herself.

On the way home while driving, Xiang-zhe has not uttered a word. Sitting next to him, Shan-mei stole a glance at him but did not have the courage to say anything. Although Xiang-zhe was not angry with Shan-mei, nevertheless he could not help feeling disappointed with Shan-mei's decision. He just could not believe that Shan-mei has given up to host the program that she likes very much, "The Morning of Eve" and he has always thought that has been her favourite program.

"Senior," Shan-mei said trying to break the silence between them.

"Never mind! You have the right to make your own decision in choosing the TV program that you prefer to host." Xiang-zhe replied looking at Shan-mei with a faint smile on his face. Even though, he was not in the mood, he still tried to calm the distraught Shan-mei. He has always put Shan-mei's feeling above his because of his deep loved for her.

Shan-mei was at lost with the tolerant and concerned that Xiang-zhe showed on her although she has disappoint him with her decision.

Looking at Xiang-zhe lovingly, Shan-mei tried to explain her decision. "Senior,the reason why I chose to give up "The Morning of Eve" program was because I truly believed in you."

Xiang-zhe turned his head looking at Shan-mei curiously wondering what she is going to say next.

With a tinge of sadness in her voice, Shan-mei continued, "I strongly believe in your ability and the quality of the TV program "The Morning of Eve"as well. This program received lots of attention and support from the audience since the day Ying-mei hosted the show. The success of this TV program is not because of me being the host". Shan-mei reasoning herself to Xiang-zhe. "If I continue hosting or give special preference to your TV program instead of others, how could other empolyees think of you." She continued expressing her concern.

"Others will think that you 're not treating other employees equally, and mixing work and personal affairs alike. And the Manager from TV Program Department, Mr.Kim, will always find ways to put you down." Shan-mei said. "I don't want you to be in a difficult situation because of me."

Hearing Shan-mei's explanaion, it is then that Xiang-zhe realised he has misunderstood Shan-mei's real intention. He felt completely touched of what Shan-mei has done for him. She has actually trying to protect his reputaton and prevent others from gossipping about him. He could not have thought that Shan-mei, who was always very naive, is sensible enough to think about his well-being. Suddenly, Xiang-zhe turned his steering wheel and pulled over his car at the side of the road. Gazing at Shan-mei with all his love and affection, he stretched out his arms and embraced her full of tenderness.

Shan-mei, overwhelmed by Xiang-zhe's love for her, broke into tears.

Whispering softly to Shan-mei, Xiang-zhe said in a sweet tone, "What a fool you are! " while caressing Shan-mei's hair lovingly. "After all, my sweet little angel is just too innocent to trust people like Mr.Kim. He will never change his attitude and always will try ways and means to vie with me in the company." Xiang-zhe murmured comforting Shan-mei.

"Senior," Shan-mei said softly into Xiang-zhe's arm, she looked deeply into his eyes, her tears flowed with the love she has for him.

"So sorry, don't cry anymore." Xiang-zhe apologized for his mistake, then held her gently and securely hugged her into his arms. Closing his eyes, Xiang-zhe couldn't bear to see Shan-mei in tears because of his foolishness. He continued to embrace Shan-mei, comforting her until she finally stopped crying. Locking in each others warm arms they didn't realize the passing of time. After a while, he started the car and headed to their little abode to enjoy the rest of the night blissfully......