CHAPTER 30

TRIO ENDINGS


Jun Tai grabbed this opportunity to release himself from his grandmother’s grip when his grandmother was stuned after what she just heard. Jun Tai just pushed his grandmother’s hands away and quickly ran after Ai Eng. When Jun Tai’s grandmother regained consciousness and saw Jun Tai was running after Ai Eng again, she was about to catch her grandson but was held back by her husband who looked at her sadly and shook his head a little. So Ai Eng’s mother-in-law just stood there and sadly looked at her poor grandson running after Ai Eng because she knew that she could not stop her grandsons no matter what. Then Ai Eng’s mother looked at Jun Xuan sadly and thought in her heart,

“I have done everything I could to stop this impossible love from growing until it can’t be controlled.”

Then Ai Eng’s mother-in-law looked at Ai Eng remorsefully and said in her heart,

“I am sorry but I have to be the bad person since there is no other to do this. Well I didn’t mean to find someone to check on you. Actually I just wanted that P.I. to find my son back so he went to this house without anyone knowing in order to find more information of Jun Xi but he happened to see Jun Xuan kissing you in the kitchen so he took a picture of it. Then he sent me the picture together with the one where the other guy hugging you outside the house which he took it earlier. I was really shocked to see these pictures, as this kind of thing is really hard to accept by anyone. Furthermore, that guy is Yun Xi’s boyfriend. So I have asked that P.I. to continue searching Jun Xi but at the same time keep an eye on you. I know that it’s unfair for you but I just hope that you can leave with that guy and leave my son and grandson alone.”

When Jun Tai reached where Ai Eng stood, he stood in front of her and wiped away his tears on his face, looking at her sadly. Then Jun Tai said calmly, grabbing Ai Eng’s hand tightly,

“Mum, please stay for one more night. You can leave tomorrow morning as you want.”

Looking at Jun Tai’s begging stare; Ai Eng smiled and nodded her head, pinching Jun Tai’s nose softly. Madam Han quickly went to carry Ai Eng’s luggage and smiled at Ai Eng who was hugging Jun Tai and smiling back at her. Then the three walked back to the house gate.

When Ai Eng was at the gate way with Jun Tai standing in front of her, she looked at her mother-in-law so as to seek for her permission to enter the house. Her mother-in-law looked at her sadly for awhile and looked away. Her mother-in-law told her father-in-law, walking away,

“My son’s dad, let’s go home. I am really tired.”

When Ai Eng’s father-in-law saw his wife was walking away, he quickly turned to look at Madam Han who was standing behind Ai Eng. When Madam Han saw Ai Eng’s father-in-law was looking at her, she smiled and gave an eye signal to leave with his wife without any worry. So he smiled back at Madam Han before going to his wife and held onto his wife’s arm from behind, giving her a comfort pat on her arms. Ai Eng’s mother-in-law looked at her husband and laid her head comfortably on her husband’s chest, while walking away.

Looking at the old couple still so loving, Madam Han smiled in such a way that showed that she was really happy to see them so loving before going into the house with Ai Eng’s luggage leaving Ai Eng and Jun Tai behind.

After looking Madam Han going into the house, Ai Eng took Jun Tai’s hand and said, smiling,

“Let’s go in.”


Before going into the house with Jun Tai, Ai Eng turned to look at Jun Xuan sadly and said,

“Please bring Tian Ming back.”

Ai Eng looked at Tian Ming sadly. Then she turned to look at Yun Xi who looked away sadly. Ai Eng looked ahead and walked into the house with Jun Tai.

When Jun Xuan was about to bring Tian Ming to the cab which was waiting at a corner, Yun Xi walked to him and stood in front of him. Yun Xi looked at her brother and said,

“Let me come along.”

Jun Xuan knew what she wanted to do. So Jun Xuan looked at Tian Ming with much reluctance but he still looked at his sister and said coldly,

“Just come if you want.”

Jun Xuan got Tian Ming into the cab. Just as Jun Tai was about to get into the cab to sit with Tian Ming in behind seat, Yun Xi called out quickly,

“Brother!”

Jun Xuan looked at his sister coldly as Yun Xi said,

“Let me sit behind. You can take the front seat.”

Jun Xuan walked to the front and got into the cab, while Yun Xi got into the back seat and carefully put Tian Ming’s head on her laps.


During the journey, Jun Xuan looked at Yun Xi stroking Tian Ming’s hair softly on the front mirror. Jun Xuan could see Yun Xi was smiling with her eyes filled with tears. Then Jun Xuan looked out at the window coldly.

When they reached outside Tian Ming’s department, Jun Xuan looked at Yun Xi and asked, holding onto Tian Ming,

“Yun Xi, do you know the door password number?”

“It’s my birth date. Because that time it was me who chose this number.”

Yun Xi said and pressed the buttons, smiling confidently. But her smile faded when she found that the passwords were invalid so she tried several times until she got mad and kicked at the door. Jun Xuan grabbed his sister hand so as to stop her from kicking the door, and he said,

“Let me try. If still cannot get this door open, I will get the guard here to open it. There is no need for you to be so worked out.”

Jun Xuan took out his handphone and searched for Ai Eng’s handphone numbers. Yun Xi saw it and looked away angrily. Jun Xuan tried pressing the first few numbers with Ai Eng’s handphone numbers and were valid. At that time, Jun Xuan looked at Tian Ming who was still unconscious and thought in his,

“You must be dying to call her.”

Then Yun Xi also looked at Tiam Ming with eyes filled with anger and disappointment. Jun Xuan looked at his sister and asked, opening the door,

“So do you still want to come in?”

“Of course! Why not!”

Yun Xi said and looked at her brother coldly with eyes filled with jealousy and hatred.


In Tian Ming’s department, Jun Xuan took Tian Ming to his bed and slowly put him down on the bed. After that, Jun Xuan went to the kitchen and got a wet cloth out. When Jun Xuan was walking towards the bed, Yun Xi blocked his way and took the wet cloth from his hand, saying,

“Let me do it for him. I think you have something else more important to do. Remember our deal. If you don’t do it now, you might not have any other chances after tomorrow morning.”

“Yeah I know. But do you have to be so anxious about? Don’t tell me that you can’t wait any longer?”

Jun Xuan smiled and said sarcastically. Yun Xi looked at her brother angrily and said,

“Leave now! Go and do whatever you have to do.”

Before Yun Xi turned around to walk to Tian Ming, Jun Xuan grabbed her arm and said,

“Don’t do it when he is unconscious. At least, this is a basic respect to him and yourself too.”

Yun Xi smiled sarcastically and pushed Jun Xuan’s hand away. She looked at her brother insanely and asked,

“What the hell are you saying? Why do we have to care about respect when you are trying to have someone by every mean?”

Yun Xi looked at Tian Ming and said, smiling vainly,

“This is just the right time to make him mine forever. He is mine after tonight. Stay and see how we do it if you want.”

Then Yun Xi walked towards Tian Ming’s, looking at him as if he was her prey. When Yun Xi was climbing onto Tian Ming’s bed, she suddenly fainted onto Tian Ming’s chest. It was Jun Xuan who hit her neck and made her unconscious. Jun Xuan carried Yun Xi to the sofa and put her down on it. Then he said, touching Yun Xi’s hair,

“Yun Xi, sorry but I have to do this to make you realize that even if you throw yourself to Tian Ming, he will definitely reject you. Hopefully by that time you will really be able to let go of him, as you realize that no matter what you do, he can never be yours or love you. I know it will be too cruel to you but Tian Ming has to do it himself so as to make you wake up. And…”

Then Jun Xuan looked at Tian Ming sadly and said,

“And he has made the first move towards his true love too, while I am taking the first step too. But this step I am taking may cause me to lose the woman I truly love. But it’s alright as long as the both of them whom I care and love the most are happy together. It’s always better to let one bear the misery rather than all three will be in great pain for all their lives.”

Then Jun Xuan walked to Tian Ming and said with a smile,

“Of course, I won’t let go of Ai Eng if I stand a chance so take a good sleep now, as you must use a lot of strength tomorrow to rescue your love one.”

When Jun Xuan walked out of the department, he closed the house door behind him. He looked ahead coldly and walked towards the leave.”

The next morning had arrived; Ai Eng opened her eyes and found herself still in her bed room. She slowly got up from her bed and looked around sadly. When she looked at the wedding photo on the wall she felt morer sad that her tears rolled down from her eyes again. Then Ai Eng wiped off her tears with her hands and said to Jun Xi in the photo,

“Jun Xi, thanks for giving me such a wonderful time even though it is a short one. I will keep this as a memorable time. Farewell.”

Then Ai Eng went to the toilet to clean up and dress up.

When Ai Eng closed her room door, she suddenly looked at Jun Xuan’s room door, asking herself,

“Is he still sleeping now?”

Then Ai Eng gave a knock on her head and asked herself,

“Why am I still thinking about Jun Xuan and Tian Ming at this time?”

Then Ai Eng turned to look away from Jun Xuan’s room door and looked ahead, saying,

“It’s time to leave and start to lead a brand new life again. Yes! Lee Ai Eng, you can do it!”

Then Ai Eng smiled brightly and started walking ahead, carrying her luggage. When she was downstairs, Ai Eng put down her coat and luggage on the sofa and looked around to see any one at home but she could see no one in the house so she went to the kitchen but also no one was to be seen. So she asked, looking around,

“Where has everyone gone to?”

Then she sighed and said,

“I think it’s the better to have no one at home at this time.”

Just as Ai Eng was about to leave the kichen, she saw a bowl on the dinning table with a plate on top and under the bowl was a note. Ai Eng walked to the table and took the plate away, and found some hot chicken slice meat porriedge. She took the bowl up and smelt it. She smiled and said,

“It smells great!”

Then Ai Eng looked down at the note and read it,

“Mum, I have made this porridge for you with the help of Madam Han. Madam Han and I go to the market because I just don’t to say goodbye to you. So do take of yourself. I will take good care of myself too. So don’t worry about me. Enjoy your breakfast, My Dearest Mum!”

After reading the note, Ai Eng smiled brightly and said, looking at the porridge,

“Thank you, Jun Tai, My son.”

Then she took the spoon on the table and had a scoope of porridge. While eating the porridge, her tears again rolled down uncontrollably.

When Ai Eng walked out of the kitchen to the sofa where her winter coat and luggage laid on, she saw Jun Xuan suddenly appeared in front of her which made her jump up. Ai Eng looked at him shockingly and asked, touching her heart,

“Where did you come from?”

Jun Xuan looked at Ai Eng passionately which made Ai Eng looked away and walked past him. Just as Ai Eng was walking past him, Jun Xuan walked to her and blocked her way.

“I love you, Ai Eng,” Jun Xuan said, holding Ai Eng’s hand tightly.

Ai Eng was shocked to hear her step-son saying that he loved her even he had expressed his feeling for her earlier but not so direct. She could not react at that time so she just looked at Jun Xuan stonily.

After a minute had passed, Ai Eng finally came to conscious and was about to pulled her hand away from Jun Xuan but she was unable to pull away as Jun Xuan held her hand too tight.

“Let go of my hand, please. You know that you should not do such a thing to your step-mum,” Ai Eng said calmly and tried to pull away her hand.

Jun Xuan looked at her angrily and dragged her to the sofa, and he pushed her onto the sofa. He started kissing Ai Eng and tearing her dress.

“STOP!!!!!” Ai Eng shouted and used all her strength to push Jun Xuan away but she just couldn’t /go against Jun Xuan’s strength. So she gave up struggling.

“Do whatever you want,” she said calmly.

Hearing Ai Eng saying this, he suddenly stopped and stood up, looking at Ai Eng angrily.

“What do you mean by do whatever I want? Do you think that I can really do whatever I want? I tell you what I really want. I want to die. Every time I see you my heart will be in great pain. I want to leave this house but I just can’t stand any second without you. My conscience told me that I can’t do whatever I want but my heart told me to go with my feeling,” he said with tears in his eyes.

Ai Eng on the sofa with her dress almost torn into two pieces just looked up at Jun Xuan and said.

“Why do you have to put yourself in /such a difficult situation?”

Jun Xuan moved towards her and grabbed her arms tightly and screamed at her.

“DO YOU THINK I WANT TO BE LIKE THIS? It is you who makes me like this!!”

Ai Eng was shocked that her face turned white. Jun Xuan hugged her in his strong arms until someone knocked hard at the door.

It was Tian Ming who was knocking at the door.

“Open up! Jun Xuan! Don’t do anything silly. Ai Eng, are you ok?”

Tian Ming recalled what happened that morning, When he woke up in the mirning, he was surprised to see Yun Xi was naked and was throwing herself to him but he rejected. He pushed her away and said angrily,

“Yun Xi, don’t do this! I have told you that we are over! Do you hear me? So please don’t do this! It will only hurt yourself!”

Out of anger, Yun Xi slipped out, laughing loudly,

“Do you think you can still be with Ai Eng? DREAM ON! I think now Jun Xuan has made her his forever.”

“WHAT? What did you just say?!”

Tian Ming shouted and grabbed Yun Xi’s arms real tight. Yun Xi looked at Tian Ming fiercely and shouted,

“YES! JUN XUAN AND I HAVE AGREED TO GET OUR LOVE ONES BY EVERY MEAN!”

Yun Xi smiled wickedly and said,

“No matter what, you are mine! YOU ARE MINE!”

Tian Ming looked at Yun Xi with much disappointment and said sadly,

“Yun Xi, I don’t love you so no matter what you do, you won’t have me. Even now I have sex with you, I won’t be together with you because I don’t want you to suffer the rest of your life to be with someone who doesn’t love you.”
Then Tian Ming let go of Yun Xi’s arms and quickly ran out of the house, leaving Yun Xi behind in his department. Tian Ming kept on running to Ai Eng’s house where it was quite far away from his as at that time, he just forgot he had a car. He just kept on running until he reached his destination.

When he reached Ai Eng’s house, he heard Jun Xuan screaming. He knocked hard at the door and called out. He kicked open the door and ran inside. The moment he was inside, he saw Jun Xuan hugging Ai Eng and Ai Eng’s dress was torn. Out of furious, he went to Jun Xuan and pulled him away from Ai Eng. Tian Ming wanted to hit him but he didn’t as he saw Jun Xuan was crying.

“Get off me!”

Jun Xuan pushed Tian Ming away which made him fall onto the floor.

“What do you think you are doing? You are hurting her! Just look at her now! Look at what you have done to her! Are you a beast?” Tian Ming scolded him.

Jun Xuan looked at Tian Ming and hit him on his face.

“Who are you to interfere my matter?”

Ai Eng quickly got up from sofa and rushed to see if Tian Ming was hurt. She looked at Jun Xuan angrily.

“Why are you doing this? Why are you hurting everyone who cares about you?”

Ai Eng finally cried out.

“Care about me?”

Jun Xuan laughed.

“Do you really think that coward really care about me? Don’t tell me you are so stupid that you can’t feel that he also loves you!”

Ai Eng looked at Tian Ming but Tian Ming didn’t dare to look back.

“Didn’t you see how angry he was to see me hugging you?”

Jun Xuan said, looking at Tian Ming angrily.

“ENOUGH! Stop saying nonsense, will you?”

Ai Eng said as she wanted to hear no more and took Tian Ming to the door.

“Now you can leave. Please leave. I will handle this myself. This is my family‘s problem. I think I can solve this problem.”

Ai Eng kept on pushing Tian Ming out of her house but Tian Ming refused to go.

Tian Ming suddenly grabbed both her hands and looked at her passionately.

“Yes. It is true that I do have feeling for you. But I was too coward to tell you this.”

Ai Eng was astonished but this time it was not because what Tian Ming said. She looked behind Tian Ming with an extremely shock expression which made Tian Ming turned his head to see behind and Jun Xuan also went and see what was going on outside the door. They were all shocked. Ai Eng said.

“Jun Xi!”

At that particular time, Jun Xi put down his luggage and walked towards Ai Eng and Tian Ming, looking at them coldly. When Jun Xi was standing near them, he smiled and asked Tian Ming who was still holding Ai Eng’s hands,

“Hey Young guy, have you had enough of holding my wife?”

Then Jun Xi looked down at Ai Eng’s torn dress and looked up at Tian Ming again. Jun Xi laughed for a while before grabbing Tian Ming’s coat and pushing him to the house door. Then Jun Xi asked, looking at Tian Ming as if he was going to kill him,

“What did you just do MY WIFE, YOU JERK?”

“It wasn’t him. It’s me, your own son who did this to YOUR WIFE!”

Jun Xi and Tian Ming looked at Jun Xuan unbelievably when he said this. At that time, Ai Eng closed her eyes in despair and put her hand on her mouth. Jun Xi looked at his son with a mixture of disappointment and anger, and he let go of Tian Ming’s coat. Then Jun Xi shouted at his son with tears in his eyes,

“YOU BEAST! HOW COULD DO THIS TO YOUR MUM? SHE IS YOUR MUM! WELL YOU…..”

Just as Jun Xi was walking to Jun Xi with his fist ready, Ai Eng put her hand on his chests and looked at her husband coldly, saying,
“He didn’t do any wrong to any of us because I do love him.”

“What?”

Jun Xi asked in shock and looked at Ai Eng, slowly releasing his fist. Jun Xuan and Tian Ming were all shocked to hear this. Then Ai Eng looked at Tian Ming and said,

“I love him too.”

Jun Xi looked at Tian Ming who looked at Ai Eng filed with passion. Then Jun Xi looked at Ai Eng sadly and asked, shaking his head,

“How could you do this to me? How could you betray my love?!”

“It was you betray her love first! You are the one who is unfaithful to her first!”
Jun Xuan said angrily, pointing his finger at his father. Jun Xi looked at Jun Xuan, not knowing what Jun Xuan so he asked,

“What do you mean by that? When did I being unfaitful to Ai Eng?”

“Please stop pretending that you didn’t do anything wrong. Jun Tai has told us that he saw you going away with a woman, and you never come back. You did the same thing to my mum too. So she ran away, RIGHT!”

Jun Xi looked at Ai Eng who looked down sadly and said with a sarcastic smile,

“So you think I ran away with other woman.”

Then Jun Xi pushed Ai Eng’s hand away from his chest and asked sarcastically,

“Don’t you know what kind of person I am? Am I that type of man who will run away with another woman?”

“Then where did you go to all these seven months?”

Ai Eng asked and looked at Jun Xi firmly. Jun Xi smiled and said sarcastically,

“I will tell you where I went to these seven months. I went to New York to do a grand photography exhibition that organized by the world’s most famous photographers. I was being selected by them to assist them for this exhibition. I wanted to tell you at that time but it wasn’t confirmed yet until I got a last minute notice that they wanted me to go to New York to attend an urgent meeting. That woman was just one of the staff who came to bring to the private helicopter to fly straight to New York. I thought it wouldn’t take long so I told Jun Tai to tell all of you that I would be in a few weeks’ time.”

“Then why did you go there for more than half a year without any call? Don’t you know we will be worried for you?”

Ai Eng asked, looking at Jun Xi angrily. Jun Xi looked at Ai Eng and said,

“Don’t look at me this way. Now it’s not me who is wrong. Well, I put my phone in the taxi that time so I couldn’t call you all at that time, and I was too busy to find your numbers so I emailed to you but I think you are too busy to be with your new lovers.”

Jun Xi touched Ai Eng’s chin which made Ai Eng shook her head. Ai Eng looked at Jun Xi coldly and said,

“You should know that I seldom read my mails. Furthermore, there are too many things happened so how would I have still remembered my mails?”

“So it’s my fault again. Yeah…. It’s my fault for keeping this as a secret for all these years. And this secret has turned me into an unfaithful guy. Even the woman whom I truly love doesn’t have a basic belief in me.”

Jun Xi looked at Jun Xuan and said, walking towards him,

“You want to know the truth why your mum left us, right! Okay, I will tell you.”

Jun Xi stood in front of his son and looked at him with great anger. Jun Xuan looked back at his father firmly and said, pointing to his own ear,

“Just say it. I am listening.”

Jun Xi looked away and walked to the sofa. He sat down besides Ai Eng’s luggage and saw Ai Eng’s coat so he took that coat and looked at Ai Eng sadly and passionately. Then he stood up again and walked to Ai Eng to put on the coat for her. Ai Eng looked at her husband and could see that Jun Xi still loved her a lot. Jun Xi stared at Ai Eng miserably, while saying,

“I have never loved any girls except the one who stood in front of me.”

Then Jun Xi looked at his son sadly and said,

“The marriage between your mum and me was a big mistake. The reason why we got married is because your mum wanted to get away from her wealthy and strict family. She had wished to go to Paris to learn clothing design but was not recognized by her parent, as they wanted her to take over their business or get married. So she came to me as a good buddy of hers and made an agreement with that she would be a good wife and mother for seven years so she had left us for her dream, taking Yun Xuan, your sister along with her. Actually, I don’t hate her for leaving because our marriage was just an agreement but I thank her for giving me a pair of good and adorable children.”

“Stop lying. My mum would leave because you were having an affair with Yun Xi’ mum. Some more, you both have a child who is just a year younger than me. So stop saying bad things about MY MUM!” Jun Xuan shouted at his father and ran to his father, grabbing his father’s arm tightly and almost giving his dad a punch. Looking at Jun Xuan like this, Tian Ming grabbed hold of Jun Xuan before he could punch his own dad and dragged Jun Xuan away from his dad. Ai Eng shouted at Jun Xuan, looking at Jun Xuan angrily,

“YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO HIM! HE’S YOUR FATHER AFTER ALL!”

“Yun Xi is not my real daughter.”

Jun Xi said and looked down on the floor sadly. Everyone was shocked to hear this. At that time, Yun Xi was standing outside but no one noticed her because she was hiding at a corner. She held her lower part of her dress tightly with her eyes turned red.

Jun Xi looked at Jun Xuan and continued saying,

“I had broght them back was because I wanted to give you a proper family. But who knows you hated me for all these years because you think that I let your mum down and caused her to leave you with your sister. Yun Xi’s mum is a new model at that time but was raped by her own manager. After that, her manager terminated her contract because she went to sue him but failed to get him into jail. She was thrown out of house, and her boyfriend broke up with her because she was pregnant. So she had slept at the street. I saw her sleeping at the street, carrying a big belly one night. She was having fever at that time so I broght to a nearby clinic. I rented a house for her to stay and took care of her and her baby after that. Maybe I was too good to her that she eventually had feeling for me. But to me, she was just a pitiful woman. After your mum said that she was leaving the night before, I went to her and proposed to her. I could see how happy she was when I proposed to her but she soon found out that I don’t love her. All I wanted was a mother and a sister for my son. She had done a lot of things to catch my attention, and I also tried my best to love her. But we both were suffering all this while. So she had also left me and been with her boyfriend who came back to her after leaving his family.”

Jun Xuan shook his head and looked down sadly. Jun Xuan slowly sat down on the floor and stared at a corner without any expression. Tian Ming looked down at Jun Xuan filled with empathy.

Then Ai Eng looked at the guys sadly but she looked at her luggage and walked to take it. Just as she was walking out of the house, Jun Xi ran to grab her and said,

“Ai Eng, please don’t go. I don’t care what had happened past seven months. Just don’t leave me because I love you.”

Ai Eng looked at her husband filled with guilt and sadness, saying,

“Jun Xi, I remember you say that you won’t let me cry. So let me go if you don’t want to see me cry any more.”

Jun Xi slowly withdrew his hand and looked away sadly. Ai Eng turned around and started walking out of the house, thinking in her heart and covering her mouth with lots of tears rolled down her tears,

“Jun Xi, I am really sorry. I have to leave because I just don’t know how to face you now and in the future. Please don’t ever forgive me, as I will feel better this way.”

Ai Eng was crying so hard that she had to drag her legs with all the strength she had left to walk to the gate. When Ai Eng was at the gate, she saw Yun Xi running along the street, crying hard. Ai Eng quickly ran after her and called out,

“YUN XI! YUN XI!”

Tian Ming heard Ai Eng calling Yun Xi so he quickly rushed out of the house, leaving Jun Xi and Jun Xuan in the house as they were feeling sad. When Tian Ming was outside the gate, from far he could see Ai Eng was holding onto Yun Xi who struggled to free herself.

Ai Eng looked at Yun Xi fiercely and shouted, shaking Yun Xi pretty hard,

“DON’T MOVE! YUN XI, LISTEN TO ME! NO MATTER WHAT, YOU ARE STILL MY DAUGHTER!!!”
Yun Xi covered her ears and shouted, still crying and struggling hard,

“NO! I DON’T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING FROM YOU! IF WEREN’T YOU, I WOULDN’T HAVE KNOW I AM A SHAME TO MY MOTHER!! I AM A REMINDER FOR HER OF THE WORST TIME!!! NOW I AM FOLLOWING HER FOOTSTEPS, LOVI NG SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T LOVE ME! IT’S ALL YOUR CREDITS! I HATE YOU!!!”

At that time, Yun Xi saw a van driving towards so she looked at Ai Eng wickedly, as she wanted to push her to the middle of the road…………

There are three version of ending for you to choose which one you like the best. But i don’t have the time to write too long so I will summerise it. Sorry

1st version:

Yun Xi did push Ai Eng but it was Tian Ming who got knocked down by the van because Tian Ming pushed Ai Eng away to save. But Tian Ming wasn’t seriously injured so Ai Eng realized that how scared she was to lose Tian Ming so at the end Ai Eng chose Tian Ming with the blessing of Jun Xuan who flew to Paris to look for his mum and sister. Before flying, Jun Xuan apologized to his father. Jun Xi forgave his son and told Yun Xi that he would be her father forever.

2nd version:

Yun Xi did not push Ai Eng because she recalled the past happy time together with Ai Eng. At the end, Ai Eng chose Jun Xuan because Tian Ming told her about Jun Xuan’s sacrifice his own happiness because of both of them. So when Jun Xuan was in the plane flying to Paris to look for his mum and sister, he was surprised to see Ai Eng sitting besides him. Before flying, Jun Xuan apologized to his father. Jun Xi forgave his son and told Yun Xi that he would be her father forever. As for Tian Ming, he became the most famous top model in the world.

3RD version:

Yun Xi did not push Ai Eng because she recalled the past happy time together with Ai Eng. At the end, Ai Eng chose neither Jun Xuan nor Tian Ming because she loved both of them and didn’t want to hurt any of them. So she chose to be a volunteer in Vietnam. As for Jun Xuan, he was flying to Paris to look for his mum and sister, he was surprised to see Ai Eng sitting besides him. Before flying, Jun Xuan apologized to his father. Jun Xi forgave his son and told Yun Xi that he would be her father forever. As for Tian Ming, he became the most famous top model in the world.

CHAPT 29

TIME TO GO

On their way back, along the street, Jun Xuan carried the sleeping Jun Tai on his back, while Ai Eng and Madam Han were following them from behind. Looking at Jun Xuan’s back ahead, Ai Eng felt really sorry so she just turned to Madam Han who was walking besides her and asked sadly,

“Madam Han, can you do me a favour?”

Madam Han looked at Ai Eng and said with a smile,

“Don’t worry about the family. I will take good care of them. BuT Madam, do take good care of yourself since you will be somewhere else.”

Madam Han took Ai Eng’s hand and patted softly. Ai Eng looked at Madam Han and said with her eyes turned red,

“Thank you. Madam Han, thanks for taking care of me for all this while. You are like a mother to me. If I have a choice I wouldn’t want to leave this house, but I think not is the right time to go. It will be better for us all.” “I understand your situation now so just leave. This love matter is the most complicated and the hardest to handle. But what if Master is back, will you come back again?”

Ai Eng looked away sadly and said in a very tired tone, shaking her head abit,

“I don’t know how to face him if he really returns. Furthermore, I am unsure about my feeling for him now so even if he returns, I am sure that we can never be the same as last time. But most of all, I am just afraid to know that he really did something which betrays our love.”

Ai Eng turned away from Madam Han and wiped her tears away from her eyes, using her hand. Madam Han patted Ai Eng’s upper arm and said in a comforting,

“I can see that you really love master a lot so why don’t you just give him another chance? Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding.”

Madam Han said, holding Ai Eng’s arm. Ai Eng shook her head and said, turning to look ahead,

“Ok. Madam Han, It is enough of this topic. Let’s just drop it. Anyway I think it’s good to be single, as there will be lesser worry and misery and more freedom to do things that we like. For example, like you, you are single and seem very contented with your single life.”

Madam Han suddenly paused awhile and looked down sadly, withdrawing her hand from Ai Eng’s arm. Noticing Madam Han’s sudden change of mood, Ai Eng put her hand on Madam Han’s shoulder and asked, looking at Madam Han worriedly,

“Madam Han, are you alright? Is it your back or legs ache again?”

Ai Eng held Madam Han’s arm and helped her along the way, saying,

“It is a tiring day for you today. We should have get a taxi instead of taking the provided free bus transport together with those friendly aunties and uncles. But it was good to ride with them, as they are really fun to be with. Well, never mind, I will hold onto you. So don’t worry. Just two streets away from our house so endure with it alittle while longer.”

“I am okay. I am just alittle tired.”

Madam Han said with a smile, patting Ai Eng’s hands which were holding HER arm. Ai Eng smiled and said, tilting her head ahead,

“Let’s go then.”

Madam Han and Ai Eng continued walking. While walking, Madam Han gave a glance at Ai Eng who was looking ahead. Then Madam Han looked down sadly.

Jun Xuan who was walking pretty far away ahead looked back at his sleeping brother on his back. Then Jun Xuan stopped there and pushed up Jun Tai’s backside up abit and continued walking. When he took a few steps forwards, he heard Jun Tai calling,

“Brother.”

Jun Xuan stopped again and looked behind. Then he looked ahead and continued walking. Jun Tai opened his eyes but still lying his head on Jun Xuan’s back and said,

“Brother, I still remember you used to carry me on your back when I was young but you have stopped carrying me after that accident.”

Jun Xuan turned his eyes to the right and lookd straight ahead again with his forehead wrinkled alittle, still walking ahead. Jun Tai lifted his head up and looked at Jun Xuan sadly, saying,

“Brother, it wasn’t your fault after all. It was an accident. You didn’t throw me .
deliberately down the staircase and my left leg to break.”

Jun Tai touched his left lap and continued saying,

“If you didn’t shield me in your arms and rolled down the stairs with, I would have died instantly. So you don’t have to feel bad about it and keep a distant from me because you are afraid you will cause harm to me again.”

Thinking back, Jun Xuan remembered six years ago when he was carrying Jun Tai on his back and was walking down thhe stairs, he stepped on Jun Tai’s toy and tripped down. At that time, while rolling down the stairs, Jun Xuan quickly hugged Jun Tai tightly. He used his body to shield Jun Tai so when they were rolled to the downstairs ground, Jun Xuan’s legs and hands were bruised. Jun Xuan quickly looked at Jun Tai who was safely protected in his arms but he found that Jun Tai kept on crying and said,

“MY LEG! MY LEG! MY LEG….!”

Even until now, Jun Xuan still could hear the cries of Jun Tai so he shook his hed abit so as to get rid of the noise. Then Jun Xuan said sadly, looking ahead,

“If I hadn’t carried you, your leg wouldn’t be broken. It’s my entire fault, as I have ruined your life. I just don’t know how to face you whwn I see your leg. So I have been so cold towards you. I would feel better if you hate me.”

“How can I hate my brother? Let me tell you something.”

Jun Tai said with a smile and moved his head forwards to Jun Xuan’s ear and whispered softly,

“You know what? I feel proud to have such a handsome brother. Whenever you bring me to school, all my female schoolmates will come to me and ask me about you. They even give me their email address and ask me to pass to you. So I will use your name to email to them all.”


Jun Xuan gave a soft knock on Jun Tai’s head with his hand and said with a laugh,

“You little rascal, you use my name to woo girls.”

Seeing Jun Xuan laughing so happily, Jun Tai said with a heave of relief,

“Brother, I can see that you are happier recently as you smiled more often now but you also seem to be more trouble now.”

Jun Tai paused awhile and continued to asked,

“Is it because of Auntie?”
Jun Xuan stopped walking again but this time it wasn’t because of what Jun Tai said but it was because he saw Tian Ming lying on the ground at their gateway. Then he turned around to look at Ai Eng coming nearer with Madam Han.

When Ai Eng saw the troubled look on Jun Xuan’s face, she got worried. When Jun Xuan looked away sadly and walked to the side, Ai Eng finally saw Tian Ming lying on the ground. Ai Eng slowly withdrew her hands from Madam Han’s arm and walked towards the gateway where Tian Ming lied.

When Ai Eng reached the gateway, she knelt down and looked at Tian Ming filled with sadness and sorry. Her eyes were red again. Looking at Ai Eng like this, Jun Xuan turned away from them.

Ai Eng slowly reached out her hand to touch Tian Ming’s face. Then she opened her eyes real wide. Then she looked down Tian Ming was shivering in cold so she quickly took off her coat and put it over Tian Ming’s body. After that she patted Tian Ming’s face softly, calling with her soft gentle voice,

“Tian Ming. Tian Ming. Wake up. Tian Ming, wake up.”

Ai Eng had called Tian Ming several times but still Tian Ming did not move at all, not even his eye lids. This made Ai Eng more worry so she started shaking Tian Ming abit, calling him worriedly,

“Tian Ming, are you okay? Tian Ming, please wake up.”

While calling Tian Ming, Ai Eng quickly took Tian Ming icy cold hands and rubbed together with hers. Then she looked around clumsily and found Madam Han standing not far away from her so she called out in a shivering tone,

“Madam Han, please go into the house and get me some hot water and a hot wet cloth.”
Just as Madam Han was going into the house gate, Ai Eng called out again,

“Madam Han! Please wait!”

Madam Han stopped quickly and turned around to look at Ai Eng. Ai Eng told her,

“Please bring a bar of chocolate here too.”

Madam Han nodded her head but before she could turn around, Tian Ming suddenly sat up which gave a great shock to everyone who was there even Jun Xuan also turned to look at when Jun Tai who was still on his back and had been peeking at Ai Eng told him,

“Brother! Tian Ming brother suddenly sit up.”

Ai Eng was shocked but at the same time she felt relieved. Tian Ming just sat there for awhile then he looked at Ai Eng blurly which made Ai Eng looked away. Then Tian Ming looked down and saw the coat so he took it to Ai Eng and put it on for her again, saying with a stupid smile,

“It’s so cold now. You better put this on if not you will become a snowwoman anytime.”

While putting on the coat, Ai Eng could see the misery and weariness in Tian Ming’s eyes even though he was smiling but all she could do was just looking at him, feeling sorry.

When Tian Ming heard the dog barking, he looked around blurly and slowly stood up. When he stood up unstably, he almost fell down but luckily Ai Eng grabbed his upper arm and said, taking out her handphone from her trousers pocket,

“You stand still here, while I will call a cab and let Jun Xuan bring you home letter.”

While saying this, Ai Eng unknowingly looked at Jun Xuan and found Jun Xuan was staring at them with those eyes filled with jealousy and empathy so she quickly looked at her handphone, searching for the number. While Ai Eng was searching the number, Tian Ming looked at her blurly and smiled stupidly again with his mouth pretty wide open, scratching heasd. Then he looked at another direction where the dog’s barking was from, and he pushed Ai Eng’s hand away from his arm which made Ai Eng look at him, feeling surprised. Ai Eng looked sadly at her hand which was pushed away from Tian Ming’s arm, and she slowly moved her hand back.

Not knowing Tian Ming had walk quite a distance away, Ai Eng looked up with tears in her eyes quickly and ran after him when she heard Jun Tai calling out,

“Brother Tian Ming, where are you going?”

When Jun Xuan saw Ai Eng was running after Tian Ming, he kicked a stone in front of him real hard which gave Jun Tai and Madam Han a great shock. Then Jun Xuan breathed out a huge amount of air from his mouth and looked at the direction where Ai Eng and Tian Ming were heading. So he put down Jun Tai on the ground and looked at Madam Han and Jun Tai, telling them,

“Stay here.”


Then Jun Xuan ran after them immediately, When Jun Xuan saw Ai Eng was looking at something with her eyes filled with horror, so Jun Xuan looked at the direction where Ai Eng. To his surprise, he saw Tian Ming was biting the dog’s backside. Jun Xuan quickly touched his backside, feeling the pain the dog might feel.

Looking at Tian Ming behaving like this, Ai Eng was so shocked that she just stuned there. Then Jun Xuan quickly grabbed Tian Ming’s both his upper arms from behind and dragged him away from that poor dog. The dog quickly ran away after Tian Ming had been dragged away. Tian Ming shouted, while Jun Xuan was still holding onto him,

“BAD DOG! DON’T RUN! YOU BAD DOG! HOW IT FEEL TO GET BITTEN ON YOUR BUTT? IT IS VERY HURT, RIGHT!”

Tian Ming laughed out loudly. Then he turned his head to look at Jun Xuan and said, smiling stupidly again,

“Jun Xuan, my goodest friend. See now I can fight back. I still remember you have told me to fight back when I get bullied.”

Tian Ming looked at Jun Xuan who looked at him with those eyes filled with empathy and anger so he put his hand on Jun Xuan’s face and said,

“But you seem like you are not very happy to see me fighting back at last. You are always so cool and capable that I really feel proud to have you as my friend. I even think it would be good if we are real brothers. But I………….”

Before he could say any more, Tian Ming closed his eyes and lied his head on Jun Xuan’s shoulder. Jun Xuan looked at Jun Xuan and said, smiling,

“Of course! You did very well, Brother. Have a good sleep.”

Then Jun Xuan held onto Tian Ming and walked past Ai Eng who looked at, feeling touch by their brotherhood’s love. While walking back to the house gate, Ai Eng stared at the two guys ahead of her and thought in her heart,

“Both of them are the same having a heart which longs for love and caring. They have found the caring in each other. But they haven’t got the love that they want. Looking at them, I really hope I can give them the love they have longed for. But I know it is impossible.”

Ai Eng looked down sadly, while following Jun Xuan and Tian Ming from behind.


When the three of them reached the house gate, they saw Yun Xi and an old couple standing at the gate way together with Madam Han and Jun Tai. That elegant old lady looked Ai Eng in great anger. Ai Eng seemed very scared of this old lady but she still walked to her, holding her fist pretty tight.

Standing in front of that old lady, Ai Eng called her, trying to put up a bright smile but failed to do so,

“Mum, I thought Dad and you are still on your world tour now. I thought it will take more than a year for you to return to Korea. It is just eight months, and you are back.”

Ai Eng could see the anger in her mother-in-law’s eyes so she looked at her father-in-law who looked away timidly. So Ai Eng smiled brightly and said, moving forward to hold her mother-in-law,

“Oh…! I know you both must be experiencing homesick, right! So you…”

Ai Eng suddenly stopped talking when her mother-in-law slapped her hands away from her and yelled at her,

“YOU BAD WOMAN! DON’T TOUCH ME! WHY DIDN’T YOU INFORM US ABOUT JUN XI’S DISAPPEARANCE? WHAT’S YOU MOTIVE? IS IT YOU WANT TO TAKE ALL HIS PROPERTY? I GUESS IT’S YOU WHO ASKED SOMEONE TO KIDNAP MY SON, RIGHT! GIVE ME BACK MY SON!”

Ai Eng’s mother-in-law grabbed Ai Eng’s hair real tight with both her hands and pulled her head here and there, screaming at her which made everyone there shock. Ai Eng didn’t struggle at all, as she thought that she deserved to be treated this way.

Jun Xuan wanted to go and stop his grandmother but he was holding onto Tian Ming, and furthermore, he saw Ai Eng looked at him and in her eyes, he could tell that Ai Eng didn’t want him to help her. So he reluctantly stepped back and looked at Ai Eng with his heart broke into pieces.


Madam Han hugged Jun Tai tightly so as to stop him from going there to help Ai Eng as she didn’t want Jun Tai to get hurt.

Yunxi turned around to look away sadly when she saw her grandmother pulling her stepmother’s hair. Even though she hated her stepmother a lot, she still felt unbearing to see this.

Seeing his wife treating his daughter like this, Ai Eng’s father-in-law quickly pulled his wife away from Ai Eng and said,

“It’s enough, my son’s mum!”

When Ai Eng’s father-in-law called ‘my son’s mum’, he suddenly looked at Madam Han who quickly looked away. Then Ai Eng’s mother-in-law pushed away her husband’s hands and slapped him on the face, yeling at him,

“LET GO OF ME, YOU USELESS MAN! NOW SOMEONE IS HARMING YOUR SON AND TAKING HIS PROPERTY AWAY TOGETHER WITH HER MAN”

Then Ai Eng’s mother-in-law looked at Tian Ming angrily and looked at Ai Eng. Then she took out some photos from her coat pocket and threw them hard on Ai Eng’s face, saying sarcastically,

“You thought no one will know you’r dirty matter. But too bad, I have hired a P.I. to keep an eye on you when I read the news of my son’s disappearace because all this while I know that you are not so simple.”

Ai Eng looked at the photos without much expression which showed Tian Ming and her from that day when Tian Ming hugged her when she has gone mad till the day outside the studio. Ai Eng looked at the photos for awhile and laughed which shocked everyone, saying,

“This is more interesting than a drama!”

Then Ai Eng stopped laughing and walked towards her mother-in-law. Ai Eng looked at her coldly which scared her abit. Then Ai Eng smiled sarcastically and said,

“Thank you, mum. Thanks for giving me a reason to leave here. And thanks for finding someone to keep an eye on me. If not I will have a headache to think of a reason in order for me to leave here.”

Hearing what Ai Eng said, her mother-in-law was even angrier so she started pushing Ai Eng real hard and said loudly,

“YOU GET OUT OF HERE! GET OUT OF HERE WITH YOUR MAN! NEVER LET ME SEE YOU AGAIN, YOU LOOSE WOMAN!!!”
“Don’t worry. I will leave. But spare some time to go in and get my things.”

Ai Eng said and went into the house. After a while, Ai Eng walked out of the gate with her luggage. Ai Eng walked past Yun Xi, Jun Xuan and Tian Ming without looking at them. Jun Xuan nodded his head real hard in great anger. Then Ai Eng looked Madam Han and Jun Tai and smiled to them when she walked past them.

Every one looked at Ai Eng as she walked to the street. When Ai Eng was a distance away, Jun Tai pushed Madam Han and ran after Ai Eng. Jun Tai cried out while running slowly,

“MUM! DON’T GO! DON’T LEAVE ME!”

When Ai Eng heard Jun Tai calling her, she quickly turned around and saw Jun Tai falling down onto the rough cement while running, still crying hard. Ai Eng let go of her luggage and ran back to Jun Tai. Ai Eng quickly helped Jun Tai up and looked at his torn knees. She looked at his knees and asked with tears rolled down from her eyes,

“Is it very painful?”

Then Ai Eng asked in an angrily tone, looking at Jun Tai,

“Didn’t I tell you not to run? Why do you have to run and get yourself hurt?”

“If I don’t run, I will lose my mum again. I don’t want you to me. PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME, MUM!”

Jun Tai stretched out his hands and hugged Ai Eng tightly, still crying hard. Ai Eng hugged Jun Tai back tightly.

Everyone’s eyes were wet when they looked at Jun Tai and Ai Eng hugging together and cry except for Ai Eng’s mother-in-law who looked at them angrily and wanted to go and get Jun Tai back but was held back by her husband. Then her husband secretly looked at Madam Han who was crying.

Then Ai Eng said, touching Jun Tai’s head,

“Hush…. Come on. Cry no more. My son isn’t a cry baby, are you? So be like a young man, ok!”

Ai Eng moved backwards and wiped away Jun Tai’s tears, saying,

“Jun Tai, my son, I am sure you know that it’s time for me to go. Please let me go without any worries. And please do take good care of yourself.”

Just as Ai Eng was about to walk away again, Jun Tai grabbed her hand and cried
bitterly, shaking his head. Ai Eng looked away and slowly pushed Jun Tai’s hands away. Ai Eng started walking away, crying uncontrollably.

At that particular time, Jun Tai walked forwards a few step but was stopped by his grandmother. His grandmother grabbed him tightly from behind and told him,

“Let this loose woman go. She has done so many shameless things that let your dad down. Don’t call her mum because she is not worthy for it. You still got me. I will buy whatever you want for you.”

Jun Tai looked at his grandmother filled with anger and said,

“Mum didn’t do anything shameless. It’s dad who RAN AWAY WITH ANOTHER WOMAN!!!”

Ai Eng stopped walking when she heard Jun Tai shouted at his grandmother. Ai Eng held her heart part tightly and let out tears of disappointment and misery. She smiled as she finally heard the truth.


“WHAT? WHAT DID YOU JUST? HOW CAN YOU SAY YOUR DAD RUN AWAY WITH ANOTHER WOMAN?

Jun Tai’s arms were grabbed tightly by his grandmother, while his grandmother shouted?”

Jun Tai struggled to free himself and he shouted,

“IT’S TRUE! I SAW IT WITH MY OWN EYES!!!”

Every one there looked at Jun Tai unbelievably.

CHAPTER 28

AT THE OUTING

Ai Eng paused for awhile and just walked into her room, ignoring Jun Xuan. Just as Ai Eng was closing her room door, Jun Xuan put his hand on the door so as to block the door, and he looked at Ai Eng with those eyes filled with misery. Then Ai Eng looked at him in a very miserable and pleading way that made Jun Xuan slowly withdrew his hand and looked at Ai Eng with a very agonic expression on his face. Looking at Jun Xuan sadly, Ai Eng closed the door in front of Jun Xuan.

Inside the room, Ai Eng put her hand on the door and leaned her head on her hand, closing her eyes sadly.

Outside the room, Jun Xuan also leaned his head on the door and closed his eyes, feeling miserably.

At that time, Jun Xuan and Ai Eng were so close yet so far away too. There was not only lied a door between them but many more things.

When Jun Xuan opened his room door and walked into the room, he switched on the light and saw Yun Xi leaning against his study desk, looking at him coldly. At that time, Jun Xuan just looked straight ahead coldly and walked towards his bed after he had closed his room door, ignoring Yun Xi. Just as Jun Xuan was walking past Yun Xu, Yun Xi called out,

“Brother.”

Jun Xuan stopped walking and stood in front of Yun Xi without looking at her. Yun Xi looked at her brother and asked in a cold tone,

“Aren’t you curious why I am here?”

“Curious? Why should I?”

Jun Xuan asked with a sarcastic smile on his face. He then continued walking towards his bed. Yun Xi walked towards Jun Xuan and stood in front of him with an angry stare. She said,

“I know that you have never liked me because my mum had destroyed your happy family. But I have never done any wrong to you. And I am your sister after all. Why did you tell Tian Ming to leave me? Don’t you know how important Tian Ming means to me? I mean this is the…”

Yun Xi cried out. But Jun Xuan just looked at her coldly at that time. She wiped her tears and continued talking,

“This is the first time I really feel I need someone so badly. I love him. I love him so much that I can do anything just to get him back.”

Yun Xi slowly knelt down in front of Jun Xuan and said in a pleading tone, still crying

“Brother, please help yourself and me to get what we want.”

“What do you want me to do?”

Jun Xuan asked coldly and looked away. Yun Xi looked up at her brother with tears rolling down from her big round eyes and said,

“All you have to do is to get the person who lies in your heart by every mean. Even if you can’t win her heart over, at least have her by force. And I will do the same thing.”

Jun Xuan looked at Yun Xi angrily which made Yun Xi looked away feeling scared. Jun Xuan then said with a low tone,

“Okay.”

Yun Xi looked up at her brother with an unbelievable look on her face and asked doubtfully,

“Did you just say okay?”

“Yes. I said okay. So you may leave now. I am going to sleep now.”

Jun Xuan said coldly and walked past Yun Xi. He lied on his bed and closed his eyes, leaving Yun Xi kneeling on the floor. Looking at her brother, Yun Xi slowly got up and walked to the door. Before closing the door behind her, Yun Xi turned her head and gave a very agony expression on her face.

When the door was closed, Jun Xuan opened his eyes and said to himself,

“It’s time for us to get this clear and make appropriate moves at this point of time. Since no one is taking the first step, I will be the one then. No matter what happened at the end, I just want to say ‘Ai Eng, just go with your heart.’”

Then Jun Xuan closed his eyes sadly.

At the outing, Jun Xuan was holding an uncle’s hand and assisting him, while in front of him was Ai Eng who was pushing an auntie on the wheelchair with Xiang He who was pushing another elderly on the wheelchair. Jun Xuan was looking at Ai Eng and Xiang He angrily as they were chatting and laughing happily along the way in at a street where there were a lot of small stores which sell all kinds of things.

Ai Eng looked at Xiang He and said with a smile,

“I didn’t expect you, Mr Yoon Xiang He to join us here. I thought you don’t usually come out, as you would prefer to stay at home and sleep. So what makes you want to come along? Oh! You must be aiming for the feast later, right!”

Xiang He suddenly looked at Ai Eng with a serious look on his face and said in a passionate tone,

“I come out here because of you.”


Xiang He put his hand on Ai Eng’s hand which was holding the wheelchair handle which made Jun Xuan almost ran to them but that uncle whom he was helping was walking too slow so he just could see them from behind and try to drag that poor uncle closer to them.

Ai Eng pushed Xiang He’s hand away and laughed, saying,

“Yeah! Because of me! Stop joking, will you? If you really like me, you wouldn’t have to reject a young and pretty girl like me ten years ago when I first came out to work in this industry. And you were the one who had been comforting me and me laugh when I got scolded by the models’ managers for not being able to do what they expected. So I gradually found myself liking you. I confessed to you but got rejected because you said that you can never be a good lover as you don’t wish to be tied down by anything or anyone but you can definitely be a good friend.”

“Oh really! Did I really reject you?”

Xiang He asked and laughed out proudly. Ai Eng looked ahead and smiled, saying,

“Yeah, that time I was really heart broken because you were the first guy whom I truly loved. But thinking back, it was a great experience for me, as I have learnt that loving someone you don’t have to be together with that person. It’s good enough to know that person is living happily, and life still goes on for me.”

Then Ai Eng suddenly gave a sad expression and said,

“I hope they will eventually learn it too.”

“You mean Tian Ming and Jun Xuan, right!”

Xiang He said, looking at Ai Eng. Then he peeped behind him, as he felt there was someone looking at him. He quickly turned to look at Ai Eng and said with a scared expression,

“Ai Eng, you know what. I am not sure about Tian Ming but I am very sure that your stepson is going to beat me up now.”
“What????”

Ai Eng asked, looking at Xiang He shivering a bit. When Xiang He pointed behind him, Ai Eng turned her head to look behind and was shocked to find Jun Xuan was just a few steps behind them. Furthermore, he was staring fiercely at them with that uncle on his back. That uncle was smiling happily and rest his head on Jun Xuan’s back comfortably.

Ai Eng looked at Jun Xuan with that sorry expression that made Jun Xuan look away and walked past Ai Eng. Jun Xuan was walking ahead of Ai Eng now. Looking at Jun Xuan’s back, Ai Eng said to Xiang He sadly,

“If there is anything I can do to reduce the pain in his heart, I will do it.”

“There is nothing that you can do, as only he himself can reduce the pain if he’s willing to let go.”

Xiang He said, looking ahead with a smile. Then he looked at Ai Eng and said,

“Ai Eng, let me ask you something. In your heart, do you love any one of them or you love both of them?”

Ai Eng suddenly stopped walking and gave a real hard thought. Then she looked at Xiang He with a confused expression and said, touching her head

“I don’t know. I am very confused now.”
“Well I am sure that you know it very well that you do love both of them. You are confused because you are not sure who you love the most and who you should choose. Is it your Husband or anyone of them? You are just running away from your true feeling because you are afraid to hurt any one of them. Ai Eng, all I can advise you as a buddy to you is stop running away and start asking your heart what you really want. If you continue to be like this, you will just increase their misery and pain. So make a right decision.”

Ai Eng looked at Xiang He as he continued walking and looked at one direction, thinking of what Xiang He had just said. Ai Eng suddenly jumped up a bit when she felt someone touching her hand. She quickly looked down and saw it was the auntie who was on the wheelchair which she was pushing. Then she quickly bent down and asked with a smile, patting the auntie’s hand,

“Yes, what do you want, auntie? Are you feeling cold?”

Ai Eng quickly took out an extra coat from her bag. After putting on the coat for that Auntie, that auntie held Ai Eng’s hand and patted gently, smiling brightly. Looking at that auntie’s smile, Ai Eng held her hands and smiled happily for the first time ever since her husband’s disappearance. Then she got up, smiling happily and feeling distressed. Then she continued pushing the auntie. While pushing the Auntie, she started to realize something so she breathed in air and released it, smiling happily.

Looking at Ai Eng from far, Jun Tai sighed and shook his head in despair. Madam Han who was together with him helping one of the old folks on the wheelchair asked when she saw Jun Tai sighing,

“Why are you sighing? Are you tired?”

“Don’t worry, Madam Han. I am still okay. I am just feeling tired for Auntie because there are too many things for her to handle and face. I hope that she will get over soon.”

Jun Tai told Madam Han in a sad tone. Madam Han touched Jun Tai’s head and said with a smile,

“Silly boy, don’t worry about your auntie because she is a very strong and sensible woman so she will know how to handle things.”

“But I am scared that she will leave our family one day. And that day will come soon.”

Jun Tai said, looking at Madam Han worriedly. Madam Han told him,

“Jun Tai, I am sure that you know that in life there are things that we can’t stop them from happening. So let nature takes its place.”

After hearing what Madam Han said, Jun Tai looked at Ai Eng from far, feeling sad. Then he said in his heart,

“But I don’t wish Auntie to leave us.”

On the other hand, Tian Ming and that Big Boss were at Tian Ming’s new department. That Big Boss looked around with his mouth wide opened and said,

“Wow…….. Your department is really big and luxurious.”

Tian Ming threw a can of beer to that big Boss and opened one in his hand. He started drinking one can after another. That Big Boss was shocked to see Tian Ming almost drank all a dozen of cans of beer in the plastic bag. So he took all the cans of beer away from Tian Ming and asked,

“Are you trying to kill yourself? Don’t you know you will get alcohol poison if you drink too much at a time?”

Tian Ming walked unsteadily to that Big Boss and tried to snatch back those cans but failed because he was pushed down by the Big Boss. That Big Boss shouted at him,

“BE LIKE A MAN, WILL YOU! IF HAVE ANY PROBLEM, JUST FACE IT AND FIND A SOLUTION TO SOLVE IT! DON’T JUST STAY HERE AND DRINK LIKE HELL!”

And then Tian Ming got up and walked unstably out of his department. Looking at Tian Ming went out of the house, that big boss threw all the cans in his hands and ran after Tian Ming and was unable to get hold of him because the lift door had already closed by time he reached outside the lift.


It was night time, when Ai Eng and all the volunteers and the old folks were in the restaurant having dinner, Ai Eng realized that Jun Xuan was nowhere to be seen. So she went to that Uncle who was under Jun Xuan’s care and asked,
“Excuse me, Uncle, do you know where has that young man who has carried you on his back gone to?”
“I don’t know but just now he stopped at a shop and looked at the cotton gloves. That shop was just two streetsaway from here.”

That Uncle said. Then Ai Eng said,

“Ok, thank you, Uncle. Enjoy your meal.”

Then Ai Eng quickly walked to where Jun Tai and Madam Han sat and said to them,

“I have to go somewhere for awhile. I will be back soon. You all have your meal first.”

Ai Eng quickly ran out of the restaurant and looked around for Jun Xuan worriedly. Ai Eng had searched for half an hour and so was worried that she almost cried out. So she stopped her search and started walking back. On her way back, she saw Jun Xuan walking in front of her so she ran to him and asked angrily, grabbing his arm tight,

“Don’t you know you should at least tell us where you will be going?!”

Looking at Ai Eng’s worried face and red eyes, Jun Xuan took Ai Eng’s hand rom his arm and put the pink gloves on her hands, saying with a smile,

“See your hands are as cold as ice. Ummmm…. These gloves look nice on your hands.”

Ai Eng looked at Jun Xuan, feeling touched. Then Jun Xuan wrote something on her palm with his finger. He wrote “I Y U”. Jun Xuan stretched his hands and hugged Ai Eng. Ai Eng lifted her hands and wanted to hug him back. But instead she held his arms and pushed him backwards. Ai Eng said, looking at Jun Xuan,

“Please don’t do this. I think we should go back now. They must be waiting for us worriedly.”

When Ai Eng took back her hands from Jun Xuan‘s arms, Jun Xuan grabbed her hands and stared at her full of reluctance. Ai Eng looked at him coldly and said,

“Jun Xuan, please.”

Ai Eng pulled her hands back, leaving the pink gloves in Jun Xuan’s hands. Then she walked past him which made Jun Xuan closed his eyes and tears just rolled down, holding the pink gloves tightly.

CHAPTER 27

SAYING SORRY


When Tian Ming and Ai Eng met each other at the studio door, Ai Eng looked away awkwardly while Tian Ming stared at her full of passion. Then Ai Eng looked at him and looked elsewhere, and she asked, smiling awkwardly,

“Are you here for shooting?”

“Yes.”

Tian Ming said still staring at Ai Eng which made Ai Eng feel even more awkward looking elsewhere so she quickly said, wanting to walk away from Tian Ming as soon as possible,

“I have to go now.”

Before Tian Ming could give way to Ai Eng, Ai Eng was too nervous that she quickly walked and knocked onto Tian Ming. Ai Eng quickly moved backwards and looked at Tian Ming, realizing that Tian Ming was blinking on of his eyes. Ai Eng quickly asked him,

“Is it your contact lens drops onto the ground?”

Ai Eng looked down, feeling bad. She said with an awkwardness,

“I am so sorry.”

Tian Ming covered his eye and said with a smile,

“It’s okay. I will find it myself. You can leave now because you seem like having some important things to do.”

Tian Ming moved to one side so as to give way for Ai Eng to walk out of the studio. Ai Eng looked away sadly and started walking out. Tian Ming just looked at Ai Eng walking further away from him. Then Tian Ming just looked down sadly and squatted down to look for his contact lens.

Just as Tian Ming was touching the ground in search of his contact lens, he saw two legs wearing a pair of white high-heel shoes slowly walking towards him and standing in front of him so he looked up. To his surprise, it was Ai Eng had come back. Ai Eng looked down at him with a smile and slowly knelt down besides Tian Ming. Ai Eng started searching the contact lens too. When Tian Ming saw Ai Eng was helping him to search for his contact lens, he suddenly recalled Ai Eng helped him searching for his school bag when they first met so he just stared at Ai Eng and smiled dreamily.

When Ai Eng looked up at Tian Ming, she realized that he was smiling dreamily and staring at her so she waved her hand in front of him and asked puzzlingly,

“Are you alright? What are you dreaming about?”

Tian Ming jumped up a bit and said immediately, looking down and touching the floor so as to hide his embarrassment,

“Oh! Nothing! Let’s continue searching.”

When they were touching the floor with their hands, Ai Eng didn’t notice that Tian Ming’s head was just besides her head so when she moved to her left, she accidentally hit Tian Ming’s head with hers. Ai Eng touched her head painfully and looked at Tian Ming who was touching his head painfully. Looking at Tian Ming showing painful and blur expression, Ai Eng laughed out delightfully and said,

“I have always thought that you are the clumsiest person I have seen. But now it’s like I am clumsier than you.”

Tian Ming looked at Ai Eng and smiled stupidly. Looking at Tian Ming’s stupid smile, Ai Eng said with a happy smile,

“It’s so good to see you smiling this way again, as it is from the bottom of your heart.”

Then Ai Eng asked with a sad look,

“Tian Ming, can you promise me that you will always have this smile on your face no matter what happened and live as happy as you can with the right one?”

Tian Ming looked at her sadly as he knew what she meant so he just nodded his head and looked away sadly. Ai Eng looked down too and saw something shiny on the ground so she quickly picked it up and moved to Tian Ming, saying with a smile,

“Look! Tian Ming, I have found your contact lens.”

Tian Ming quickly grabbed Ai Eng’s hand and looked at the contact lens on her finger, smiling happily. When they turned to look at each other, they had a very passionate eyes contact. But they were awaken by a cat’s mew so Ai Eng looked at his hands and put the contact lens on his hand. Then Ai Eng quickly pulled back her hand and stood up. The Ai Eng looked elsewhere and said awkwardly,

“Now you found your contact lens so I will go now.”

Tian Ming looked at Ai Eng who didn’t dare to look at him and said with a smile,

“Thanks for helping me to find my contact lens, Ai Eng.”

When Ai Eng turned around and took a step forward, Ai Eng turned back to look at Tian Ming who was looking at her sadly, asking him,

“Are you able to put it on yourself?”

Tian Ming looked away and smiled embarrassingly. Ai Eng knew that Tian Ming couldn’t put the contact lens himself so she took the contact lens from his hand and put it on for him. During the process of putting the contact lens, Ai Eng tried not to look at Tian Ming’s eyes but she couldn’t not to look as she was putting the contact lens on Tian Ming’s eyes, while Tian Ming was enjoying looking at Ai Eng. After putting on, Ai Eng asked curiously,

“Who put the contact lens on for you before you come here?”

Tian Ming turned his eyes around and said with a dishonest look on his face,

“Oh! It is my driver. I have asked him to put them on for me. But he’s not as gentle as you. It hurts my eyes when he put it on.”

“It’s better that you can’t find anyone to put it on for you. I mean you can’t always depend on other. You have to try to do it yourself. Understand?”

Tian Ming nodded his head obediently and smiled secretly. Ai Eng sighed and said, turning to walk away,

“I have to go now. Take care. Tian Ming, bye.”

Looking at Ai Eng walking away again, Tian Ming took a few step forwards but he stepped back again, saying sadly to himself,

“No! Yu Tian Ming, you can’t go after her even you really want to. You must keep this in mind that all you want to do for her is to made her happy and not hurt her.”

Then Tian Ming turned to walk into the studio, looking ahead sadly. Without anyone noticed, there was a strange guy taking pictures of Tian Ming. That guy put down the camera from his face and took out a picture from his pocket. He looked at the photo with a wicked look and said.

“I think I have found enough evidences.”

On the photo, there were Tian Ming and Ai Eng hugging together when Ai Eng went mad because of Yun Xi’s disappearance that time, and Tian Ming was comforting her. That gut put the photo back in his pocket and walked away, patting his camera.

On a snowy night, when Ai Eng opened the house door and walked into the house, she saw Jun Tai and Jun Xuan were watching TV programme. When Jun Tai saw Ai Eng walking towards them, he said with a smile,
“Auntie, you are back. Come and watch this new drama. It’s very funny.”

Jun Tai said, pointing at the TV. Ai Eng stood behind the sofa which Jun Tai and Jun Xuan were sitting on and said with a smile, touching Jun Tai’s head with her hand in glove,

“Both of you watch first. I will join you all later.”

“Have you eaten, Ai Eng?”

Jun Xuan tilted his head up to look at Ai Eng and asked. Ai Eng put down her hand from Jun Tai’s head and looked at Jun Xuan, saying with an awkward smile,

“I have taken my dinner outside. Thanks for your concern, Jun Xuan.”

Jun Xuan looked at Ai Eng and asked with an unhappy,

“Why did you thank me for my concern for you? Don’t you think it is like you are treating me like an outsider?”

“I mean.”

Ai Eng said, trying to explain. But then she looked away and backed at Jun Xuan angrily, asking him,

“Why do you have to think this way when this is not what I mean?”

Jun Xuan looked back at the TV and said.

“Just don’t thank me. All you have to do is just accept it with an open heart, and don’t take it as a pressure. This is all I ask for.”

Ai Eng looked at Jun Xuan feeling a mixture of touch and sadness in her heart, as she knew what Jun Xuan meant. She moved forward a little and moved her lip, as she wanted to say something at that time but she didn’t. Instead she just turned and walked towards the kitchen, saying to herself in her heart,

“I am sorry, Jun Xuan. This is all I can say to you.”

Ai Eng looked ahead sadly while walking into the kitchen. In the kitchen, Ai Eng stood at the refrigerator and held the handle of the refrigerator’s door, looking emotionlessly at the things inside the refrigerator. At that time, when Madam Han who had just finished washing dishes saw Ai Eng was standing there and not moving for sometimes, she looked at Ai Eng puzzlingly and grabbed a cloth from the table to wipe her wet hands. After wiping, Madam Han put the cloth back on the table and started walking towards Ai Eng.

Ai Eng jumped up pretty high and looked at Madam Han, touching her heart when Madam Han patted her arm and asked in a worried tone,

“Are you alright, Madam?”

“Oh! I’m…..”

Ai Eng said breathlessly so she paused awhile to get some breaths so as to calm herself down first, lifting her palm up in front of Madam. Then Ai Eng swallowed her saliva before she continued saying,
“I am fine. I am just thinking about something regarding my job. So you don’t have to worry.”

Madam Han shook her head and sighed, telling Ai Eng,

“You have to learn to leave your work matters behind when you are back at home. Remember this, home is a place where you can get some rest and at the same time you can get warmth and comfort from your family from a day of hard work. So go out and watch TV programme with Jun Xuan and Jun Tai.”

Madam Han pushed gently Ai Eng out of the kitchen, closing the refrigerator’s door behind. Looking at Madam Han, Ai Eng smiled warmly and took Madam Han’s hands, nodding her head. Then Ai Eng said,

“Okay, okay. I will go out now. But you have to come along because I have two things to announce to all of you.”

“Including me?”

Madam Han said and looked at Ai Eng puzzlingly, scratching her head. Ai Eng put her hand on Madam Han’s shoulder and gently dragged her to the living room. When they were standing next to the TV at the living room, Ai Eng saw Jun Xuan was looking at her so she quickly looked at Jun Tai and announced, smiling brightly,

“I have two things to announce to you all. This coming Saturday is Madam Han’s birthday so like past few years, we will take her out so as to thank her for taking care of our daily needs. But this time, it will be a little different. And this is the second thing that I want to say. That is……”

Ai Eng stopped talking when she saw Yun Xi opening the door and slamming the door real hard. Yun Xi just walked towards the staircase with a very black face. Before Yun Xi climbed up the stairs, Jun Xuan said, walking towards her,

“Wait.”

“Shouldn’t you just stay here a little while longer to listen to what she is announcing? Where has your manner gone to?”

Jun Xuan asked, while standing a few distances behind Yun Xi. Yun Xi turned around and looked at Jun Xuan with a very scary eyes as if she was going to kill him on the spot which made Jun Xuan looked at her worriedly. Then Yun Xi turned her head to look at Ai Eng the same way she looked at Jun Xuan. Ai Eng looked at Yun Xi sadly as Yun Xi looked at her with great hatred and slowly turning around to climb up the stairs.

After looking at Yun Xi climbing up the stairs, Jun Xuan looked at Ai Eng with much worries. Ai Eng looked back at Jun Xuan and looked away sadly with much worries too. Jun Tai could see the tense atmosphere so he started to asked Ai Eng in very delightful tone,

“So what’s the second announcement you are going to say, Aunties? And what is going to be different for this year’s Madam Han’s birthday’s outing?”

“Don’t make us guess. I really want to know it.”

Jun Tai said with a smile. Then Ai Eng looked at Jun Tai and remembered what she wanted to announce just a while ago. So Ai Eng continued saying but now with a heavy feeling inside her heart as her forehead was wrinkled,

“What I want to say just now is that we will be having our outing with an old folk’s home organization. Which means that we will be bringing them out to Jamsil and taking care of one of our seniors each this weekend.”

Then Ai Eng turned to Madam Han and asked,
“Madam Han, are you happy with this arrangement?”

“Of course, we will have fun and share our fun with the old folks at the same time. It will be a meaningful birthday for me. Thank you. You are very thoughtful.”

Madam Han said and smiled contentedly, patting Ai Eng’s hand.



Just as Ai Eng was walking towards her room door from outside, she saw Jun Xuan standing next to the door leaning against the wall. Ai Eng looked at Jun Xuan awkwardly and looked at the door. She quickly walked to the door and grabbed the handle. When she was turning open the door handle nervously and was about to go into the room, Jun Xuan asked, looking at her,

“Why are you so afraid of me?”

Chapter 26

PURSUING THING BEYOND REACH

When Ai Eng saw Yun Xi lifted her hand, Ai Eng closed her eyes, waiting to get slap. But Yun Xi didn’t slap her. Instead she grabbed Ai Eng’s jaw tightly which made Ai Eng open her eyes and look at Yun Xi in agony which was caused from the tight grip and the hurt feeling in heart, as she was so sad to see Yun Xi acting this way. Yun Xi looked at Ai Eng with the eyes filled with hatred and said, grabbing Ai Eng saw tighter,

“You know what?! I will never let go what is mine. No one can snatch anything from me, not even you. No matter what, I will definitely get him back. Just wait and see.”

Yun Xi smiled wickedly and let go of Ai Eng’s jaw. At that time, Ai Eng just looked at Yun Xi sadly as Yun Xi was looking at her with that wicked smile. When Yun Xi noticed that someone patted her shoulder, she turned her head to here right and saw a hand just moved towards her face at a very fast speed, giving her a tight slap on her face.

Ai Eng was shocked to see Jun Tai slapping Yun Xi. Jun Tai looked at Yun Xi fiercely and asked,

“Yun Xi, don’t you think you have done far too much? Are you out of your mind?”

“Yeah! I am mad! And it is all because of her!”?

Yun Xi said and pointed at Ai Eng, touching her own face. Then Jun Tai looked at Ai Eng and back at Yun Xi, saying in a calm tone,

“Even if she has done something hurtful to you, you should not push her down and be so rude to her. I think you should help her up and say sorry to her.”

“Say sorry? To a bitch who has just snatched my boyfriend away, betraying our dad’s love? RIDICULOUS!”

Yun Xi said with a sarcastic smile. Then Yun Xi looked at Jun Tai angrily and asked,

“Why did you slap me because of her? Don’t you use to hate her from her head to toe? Don’t tell me you are like Jun Xuan has got cheated by her hypocrite and started to treat her well?”

“Don’t drag Jun Xuan and me in. I am talking sense to you. I know I shouldn’t have slapped you but I just can’t stand it anymore to see you treating her so badly.”

Jun Tai said, looking at Yun Xi sadly. Then Jun Tai looked at Ai Eng, feeling bad and said,

“Yun Xi, you are right I used to really hate her last but now I know that she really cares a lot about us.”

Hearing this, Ai Eng looked at Jun Tai amazing, feeling touch. Then Jun Tai looked at Yun Xi again and continued saying sadly,

“I hate all those women who are together with married men even though they know they will ruin the men’s family. Like our mother who had ruined Jun Xuan’s family and ran away with another married man because he is richer. I really feel so disgusted and ashamed of her. And when I first saw Auntie,”

Ai Eng was pretty amazed when she heard Jun Tai calling her Auntie at last. She continued looking at Jun Tai as he said,

“I thought that she was just one of the bad and materialistic women like our mother just married dad because he is rich. So I have treated badly for the past three years and ignored all her care and kindness to me. After Dad has left, I realize that she really loves Dad and us if not she wouldn’t have to stay here and take care of us until now. Unlike our biological mother who has left us a long time ago.”

Jun Tai walked closer to his sister and held her hand, saying,

“Please open the eyes in your heart and see who the ones really worthy for your love are. And don’t try to pursue something which is beyond your reach.”

“I know who I should love. So just stay out of my business.”

Yun Xi said coldly and pulled her hand back. When Yun Xi turned and walked to the staircase, Jun Tai looked at her in despair and turned to Ai Eng. When Ai Eng saw Jun Tai bending down and offering her a helping hand, Ai Eng just stunned there, looking at Jun Tai unbelievably.

“Auntie, don’t you want to get up?”

Jun Tai asked with a smile. When Ai Eng heard what Jun Tai asked, she regained consciousness and held onto Jun Tai so as to get up, smiling heartedly. After standing on her feet, Ai Eng held Jun Tai’s hand and put her other hand on his shoulder, saying with a pleased smile,

“Thank you, Jun Tai. I am really glad to hear you calling me Auntie.”

“Auntie, I am really sorry for……..”

Before Jun Tai could finish his sentence, Ai Eng put her finger on his lip and said, shaking her head,

“You don’t have to say sorry when you did nothing hurtful to me.”

Then Ai Eng said with a smile, pinching Jun Tai’s nose softly,

“Just don’t call me slut again.”

“No! I won’t call you that again, Auntie.”
Jun Tai said immediately, shaking his head nervously. Ai Eng touched Jun Tai’s head and said with an extreme happy smile,

“This is my good boy.”

Jun Tai smiled embarrassingly and looked down so as to hide his red face. Ai Eng laughed a little when she saw Jun Tai’s embarrassed reaction but when she looked up at the staircase, the smile on her face gradually faded away. She thought in her heart,

“What have I done to Yun Xi, Tian Ming and Jun Xuan? They are hurt because of me. What should I do to reduce the pain that I have caused them? What can I do besides not doing anything and let the situation get worse?”

Ai Eng hugged Jun Tai in her arms and closed her eyes sadly with a sigh, feeling hopelessly.

On the other hand, Jun Xuan was looking at Tian Ming who was sadly staring out the window in class. Jun Xuan could see that Tian Ming’s struggle and misery but he just looked down at his book and start reading at that time. When the lecturer left the class, Tian Ming quickly packed his books in his bag and said, looking around,

“I’d better leave now before they come to me.”

Before Tian Ming could even stand up, there were several girls standing around him and giving him chocolate and love letters. The girls took out several magazines which had Tian Ming’s photos in them and asked in a vain way,

“Tian Ming, can you please sign all these magazines for us?”

Tian Ming gave a fake smile and nodded his head reluctantly. When Tian Ming stretched out his hand so as to take one of the magazines, all the girls just pushed the magazines in their hands towards him, making him feel dizzy. He tried to say out something but the girls were quarrelling too fiercely over who should get his autograph first. And the girls eventually kept moving closer to Tian Ming and pulling him here and there, pushing one another away and shouting at one another,

“Let go of him! He’s mine!”

Poor Tian Ming was surrounded by a group of tigresses which were pulling him almost in two. Tian Ming looked up and said in his heart with a funny sorrowful look on his face,

“Since when have I become the prey of these fierce tigresses?!”

Tian Ming sighed painfully as his arms were almost pulled off so he tried to get out of there but he couldn’t because his strength couldn’t withstand so many girls’ strength. All he could do was sit down there and let the girls pull him. He was extremely shocked to see one of the girls just overturned his table out of anger, and furthermore there was a few girls started pulling one another’s hair. Tian Ming looked at them shockingly as they fought violently and said, covering his wide opened mouth with his hand,

“Wow….. Korean woman really can’t be provoked.”

Tian Ming quickly stood up and sneaked out of that group when the rest of the girls were watching free wrestling at that time. When Tian Ming was creeping out of the class bending pretty low, his head knocked onto someone’s buttock. Tian Ming looked up and saw that big boss who used to bully him last time. When that big boss saw Tian Ming, he was really scared as since that university party’s incident that big boss was scared of Tian Ming so he kept on bowing and saying,

“Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry…….”

Tian Ming looked at him and looked at the window into the class with a very funny troubled look on his face. Then Tian Ming put his finger on his lip, telling that big boss to keep quiet. But that big boss didn’t see it because he wasn’t dare to look at Tian Ming and kept on bowing and apologizing to him. Tian Ming had no choice but to cover that big boss’s mouth, dragging him away from behind.

When Tian Ming dragged that big boss to a corner in the garden, he looked around to make sure that the girls did not follow up. Then he let go of that big boss who looked at him with his face turned pale white. When Tian Ming saw that big boss trembling, he quickly asked with much concern,

“Are you alright? Why are you trembling? Did I hurt you just now?”

Tian Ming scratched his head and said,

“I am really sorry. I was just trying not to alarm the girls in the class just now.”

Just as that big boss was moving backwards and rounding his eyes as he was about to turn around and run away, Tian Ming put his hand on that big boss’s shoulder and gave him an eye signal telling him to sit down on the bench with him.

When Tian Ming sat down with that big boss who was looking ahead as he was still too scared of Tian Ming, Tian Ming gave a sad sigh and looked down sadly which made that big boss looked at him and asked in a careful tone,

“Is there anything troubling you?”

Tian Ming looked up at that big boss and said with a sad smile, shaking his head,

“No, nothing is bothering me. I am just feeling exhausted having to study and work at the same time.”

“Wouldn’t you use to work part time jobs ever since you were in your college school?”

That big boss asked with a puzzled expression. Then Tian Ming looked at that big boss with evil eyes and said with an eerie tone, moving closer to him,

“You have just reminded me you had been bullying me since college time. Now I want you to pay for it.”

When Tian Ming was grabbing that big boss’s shirt, that big boss quickly shut his eyes tightly and trembled in great fear. Looking at how scared that big boss was, Tian Ming laughed out and said, letting go of his shirt,

“I am just joking with you.”

That boss heaved out a breath of relief and wiped away his sweat on his forehead. Then Tian Ming stretched out his hand so as to shake hand with him and said with a smile,

“Let’s be friends.”

That big boss hesitated for a while but when he looked at Tian Ming’s sincere smile, he stretched out his hand and shook Tian Ming’s hand with a smile. When that big boss was pulling his hand back, Tian Ming grabbed his hand and asked, smiling awkwardly,

“Can you please protect me from those girls since we are friends now?”

“Oh! Sure!”

That big boss said and quickly pulled back his hand. When Tian Ming smiled and turned to look ahead, that big boss secretly looked at Tian Ming with a funny angry face, and put his hand up and boxing the air as if he wanted to give Tian Ming a few punches. But when he saw Tian Ming turning back to look at him, he immediately put down his hand and smiled politely to Tian Ming.

One night, when Ai Eng was walking to the studio door, she waved goodbye to the photographer and his crew. Just as Ai Eng opened the studio door, she saw Tian Ming was standing in front of her. They looked at each other.

CHAPT 25

DON’T WANNA HURT YOU FURTHER

When the truck driver saw Ai Eng, he pressed the honk several times but Ai Eng just didn’t seem to hear the honk and just walked slowly, staring ahead blandly. When the truck was almost knocked Ai Eng, the driver quickly stepped on the brake. The driver’s head was knocked onto the stirring wheel when he put a sudden brake. The driver touched his forehead painfully and said angrily, getting off the truck and walking towards Ai Eng,

“IDIOT! YOU DON’T WANT YOUR LIFE, IS IT?!”

When the driver was standing in front off Ai Eng and about to scold Ai Eng, he suddenly found Ai Eng just looked ahead emotionlessly and walked past him, hitting his upper arm with hers. Just as the driver looked Ai Eng walking further away, the driver sighed and said, putting a cigarette in his mouth,

“Another broke-heart woman.”

Then that driver looked down and gave a slight smile before returning to his truck.

At the hospital, Ai Eng was pouring the soup into the bowl when Jun Xuan who was sitting on the ward bed asked with one of his hand bandaged, smiling cheekily,

“Is that the same chicken soup which you made that day?”

Ai Eng didn’t answer, as she was staring at the soup in the bowl which she was holding in her hand without any expression on her face. Jun Xuan could see that it’s a big blow for Ai Eng to hear that her husband might have gone missing with another woman so Jun Xuan got down from the bed and walked to Ai Eng. When Jun Xuan was standing behind Ai Eng, he slowly stretched out his hand which was not injured and gently hugged her from behind, whispering softly in her ear,

“Don’t hold your tears. Release them.”

This time, Ai Eng didn’t move away but just kept on staring at the soup. Then droplets were fallen into the soup. Ai Eng cried in Jun Xuan’s hug without any noise and expression on her face. Seeing Ai Eng being so sad, Jun Xuan hugged her tighter, closing his eyes sadly.

When Ai Eng was walking to the hospital exit, she saw Tian Ming and Yun Xi walking in from the exit, holding hands. At that time, Tian Ming stared at her and Yun Xi gave her a whine when they were walking closer to Ai Eng. When they were very close, Ai Eng just looked away sadly and walked past Tian Ming and Yun Xi. Seeing Ai Eng walking past, Tian Ming knew that all he could do at that time was just look ahead and continue walking without turning back to look at Ai Eng. Yun Xi smiled secretly when she saw all this.

In Jun Xuan’s ward room, Yun Xi stood besides Tian Ming and looked at her brother from head to toe, saying with a sweet smile,

“You seem pretty okay. I think you can even carry a cow right now.”

Yun Xi laughed at her own joke but when she noticed that Jun Xuan and Tian Ming just gave mere smile, she stopped laughing and looked away awkwardly. Then Yun Xi looked at Tian Ming and suddenly said with a smile, pointing her finger up,

“Oh yeah! I have left the basket of fruits which we bought for brother in your car.”

“I will go down and bring it here.”

Tian Ming said and was about to walk to the door but Yun Xi quickly said,

“No need. I will go and get it. I was the one who was holding it when we were in your car on our way here. So I should be the one bringing it here.”

“I can call my driver, Mr Song to ask him to bring it here now.”

Tian Ming said and searched his trouser’s pockets for his hand-phone. Then Yun Xi grabbed Tian Ming’s hand and said with a happy smile,

“You can’t even bear not to see me for a few minutes. I will be right back in moment.”

Yun Xi gave Tian Ming a kiss on his face and ran out of the room. Now there were Jun Xuan and Tian Ming in the room. The two guys looked else where as they felt awkward to look at each other. Jun Xuan was the one started to say, looking at Tian Ming,

“Get a seat.”

Tian Ming nodded his head and went to sit on the chair besides the ward bed. Tian Ming looked else where for awhile, and his eyes suddenly were caught by Jun Xuan’s bandaged hand. Then Tian Ming looked Jun Xuan and asked with much concern,

“How’s your hand?”

Jun Xuan looked at his hand and said with a smile,

“Well, this is not a big deal. In fact, I can be discharged tomorrow. I am so sick of the medicine smell here. Furthermore, there are no pretty nurses here.”

Seeing Jun Xuan smiling, Tian Ming said with a smile,

“You have changed.”

“Have I changed even more handsome?”

Jun Xuan asked in a joking manner, looking at Tian Ming. Tian Ming gave a slight laugh, and he said with great gratitude,

“Thank you.”

“What’s that for?”

Jun Xuan asked and looked away. Tian Ming looked away and smiled. Then Tian Ming looked back at Jun Xuan and said, smiling

“You know what that for. I have own you one more.”

Jun Xuan looked at Tian Ming and said sarcastically,

“Don’t get this wrong. I am not doing it for you. The reason why I saved you was because I don’t want Ai Eng to feel bad all her life, thinking that she has caused harm to you and remembering you all her life.”
“I think both of us are very alike. We are not true to our feeling. You have forgotten that I have six-sense. I can feel that you still cherish our friendship.”

Tian Ming said, looking at Jun Xuan. Jun Xuan gave a stuck-up look and said,
“Sorry. I am not like you. At least, I am able to show how much I love Ai Eng. You? You only know how to keep your feeling because you don’t want to hurt anyone. You are clear that if you continue deceiving yourself and the person who loves you, you will only hurt her further. So tell her the true now before it is too late.”

Tian Ming looked away sadly. Then Jun Xuan said with a serious look,

“Keep this in mind, I am not giving up Ai Eng. I will try my best to keep her by my side.”

“But have you ever thought that you will end up hurting her by doing so?”

Tian Ming asked, looking at Jun Xuan sadly. Jun Xuan did not say anything and just leaned his head backward, closing his eyes.

Outside the room, Yun Xi was standing near the door, overhearing the whole conversation between the two guys. Yun Xi held the basket in her hands really tight and looked at one direction with much anger.

At home, when Ai Eng opened the main door to come into the house after visiting Jun Xuan, she saw Jun Tai watching the TV programme and the new maid was sweeping the floor. Ai Eng walked to the sofa and sat besides Jun Tai, watching the TV programme with not much interest. Then Ai Eng remembered the conversation between Mrs Takeshi and her, saying,

“Can you tell me did you really see my husband got into the taxi with another woman that day when you first made weird call to me?”

“Don’t worry. Just tell me the truth. I can take it.”

“You mean Jun Tai?”
“Yes. I saw him looking at his father at the gateway that day when his father was getting into the taxi. But he seemed very unhappy that day because when his father waved to him, he did not wave back and just walk back into the house with a look as black as charcoal.”

Ai Eng looked at Jun Tai and asked herself in her heart,

“Should I ask Jun Tai about his dad’s disappearance?”

Ai Eng thought for awhile. And when she was about to ask, Jun Tai stood up and said, yawning,

“This boring show just makes me feel like sleeping. I think I better go up and play online game.”

Jun Tai walked to the staircase and held onto the stair railing, while climbing up the stairs. Looking at Jun Tai as he climbed up the stairs, Ai Eng seemed to noticed something and thought in her heart,

“He seems like he is avoiding me? Does he know what I want to ask him?”

Ai Eng gave a deep thought and suddenly turned to looked at the new maid when the maid asked,

“Would you like some drink, Madam?”

Ai Eng shook her head and said,

“No. I am not thirsty. Thank you.”

Then Ai Eng turned and looked at the direction of the TV puzzlingly, thinking in her heart,

“What if he really saw his father that day, why didn’t he tell us about it?”

On the other hand, Jun Tai was secretly looking down at Ai Eng while hiding at a corner guiltily, saying,

“I know what you want to ask me because that day I also saw Mrs Takeshi opposite our house but I didn’t know she was that woman until I saw her wearing the same dress that night when she was pointing a knife at me as to threaten you.”

Jun Tai turned around and leaned against the wall, saying sadly,

“Actually I just wanted to see you worry like hell at the beginning. But after seeing you so sad and worry when dad’s gone, the guiltier I feel so I just can’t bring to tell you even though dad’s has asked me to tell you that he will be away and will return in a few weeks’ time.”

Jun Tai looked at Ai Eng again and said sadly,

“I am sorry for not telling you this earlier. But I really can’t tell you what I saw that day now because I don’t want to hurt you further.”

At the school garden, Tian Ming and Yun Xi were sitting on the bench, having lunch together. When Yun Xi took her food to put in Tian Ming’s mouth, Tian Ming just opened his mouth and looked down sadly after the food was put into his mouth, swallowing hard. Then Yun Xi asked with a sweet smile, grapping his hand,

“Is it nice?”

Tian Ming looked at Yun Xi awkwardly and nodded his head. Then he looked down at his food again. Yun Xi looked at one direction angrily as she knew that he was about to break up with her. But she pretended as if she knew nothing and looked at Tian Ming, asking with a smile,

“Shall we go for a movie after school?”

“Oh! I am afraid I can’t make it because I have to attend some catwalk lesson later. And after that I have some shooting to do. I am really sorry”

Tian Ming said, looking at Yun Xi feeling bad. Yun Xi looked away angrily and said sarcastically, letting go of Tian Ming’s hand and crossing her arms,

“I think you just don’t want to spend time with me.”

Tian Ming didn’t say anything and looked down sadly. Looking at Tian Ming didn’t even try to explain; Yun Xi stood up and said angrily,

“Fine! Since you don’t wish to see me, I will leave now.”

Yun Xi walked away. But when she was walking away, she kept on looking back at Tian Ming, waiting for Tian Ming to call her. When she saw Tian Ming still sitting there and looking down, she stamped her foot and continued walking away. Then Yun Xi stopped and smiled victoriously when Tian Ming called out,

“Yun Xi.”

Yun Xi turned and looked at Tian Ming, putting up an angry look. Tian Ming looked up at Yun Xi and said, grabbing his own hands tightly,

“Let’s break up.”

Yun Xi had a sudden change of face expression from angry to a mixture of sadness and hatred.

At home, when Ai Eng and Jun Tai were having lunch, Ai Eng kept on looking at Jun Tai which made him keep looking down and tucking the rice into his mouth. Ai Eng took a piece of meet and put it into Jun Tai’s rice bowl, saying with a smile,

“Don’t just eat the rice.”

Then Jun Tai nodded his head with his mouth filled with rice. Jun Tai started taking other food on the table. After awhile, Ai Eng noticed that Jun Tai was less cautious so she grabbed this opportunity and said sadly,

“Jun Tai, you know that these dishes are your dad’s favourite. If he is around, he will finish all these dishes all by himself. I wonder if you have any idea where he has gone to.”
Ai Eng looked at Jun Tai who stopped eating and kept lowering his head. Just as Ai Eng was about to continue asking Jun Tai, a loud slam of the main door was heard. Then Ai Eng and Jun Tai jumped up and looked at the main door. To their surprise, they saw Yun Xi running to the stairs, crying bitterly. So Ai Eng of course ran to Yun Xi and asked worriedly,

“Yun Xi, what has happened? Why were crying?”

Yun Xi stopped running and turned to look at Ai Eng angrily. When Ai Eng saw Yun Xi crying, she stretched out her hand and wanted to wipe her tears but Yun Xi pushed her down onto the floor, screaming at Ai Eng with a very dreadful look,

“I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!!!!!!!”

After screaming, Yun Xi wiped her tears and turned around to climb up the stairs. But when Yun Xi climbed up one step, she stopped and turned around. She looked Ai Eng with those evil eyes and walked towards Ai Eng. When Yun Xi just a few step away from Ai Eng, Yun Xi bent down and put her face very close to Ai Eng which made Ai Eng moved backwards, looking at her daughter in great fear.

CHAPT 24

A LOVING MOTHER


Mrs Takeshi looked at Jun Xuan and smiled wickedly, saying,

“I see. I see. So you have fallen for your step-mum too!”

Then Mrs Takeshi looked at Ai Eng and said sarcastically,

“I am impressed by you. You know what! You really know how to make guys crazy over you.”

At that time, Ai Eng was really angry so she looked at Jun Xuan in great anger. But Jun Xuan just looked at her coldly. Mrs Takeshi had considered for a while and said, nodding her head,

“This will be interesting to see. Two men have sex with one woman. Furthermore, they are doing in front of their family and girlfriend. This is so fun!”

Mrs Takeshi laughed eerily, looking at Yun Xi who was biting her lip when she stared at Ai Eng and Tian Ming in great furious. Then Jun Xuan looked at Mrs Takeshi and asked,

“Aren’t you going to untie me?”

Mrs Takeshi looked at Jun Xuan and said smiling wickedly when she walked over to him with the knife still in her hand,

“You just can’t wait any longer, right! You are a cheeky fellow!”
After Mrs Takeshi had untied Jun Xuan, Jun Xuan touched his arms and wrists as he felt a bit painful after being tied up for some time. When Jun Xuan was stretching his head, he suddenly froze and looked at Mra Takeshi who was holding the knife near his throat and said, giving a few gentle slaps on his face,

“Don’t do anything silly. If not, your throat will be cut open.”


Then Jun Xuan just looked away and a slight laughter. After that Jun Xuan looked back at Mrs Takeshi and said with an innocent look

“How would I dare? My life is now in your hand.”

Than Jun Xuan looked Ai Eng who was staring at him filled with anger and disappointment, and he said with a wicked smile,

“Furthermore, I am excited to find out how it feels to have sex with your own step-mum.”

Then Jun Xuan looked at Tian Ming who was still lying on Ai Eng and looking at Jun Xuan sensing something, and he said sarcastically,

“And it’s more fun to do it with your best friend.”

“Good! Do it now then!”

Mrs Takeshi said with a fierce look. Just as Jun Xuan was slowly getting where Tian Ming slowly got up at the same time and looking at Mrs Takeshi, Jun Xuan quickly grabbed hold of Mrs Takeshi’s hand which held the knife. Tian Ming also quickly got up and grabbed Mrs Takeshi’s other hand. Looking at the three struggling, Ai Eng looked at them worriedly and quickly got up when she saw the phone on the wall. But before Ai Eng could get down to the floor, Mrs Takeshi cut Jun Xuan’s hand to get rid in order of his grip and was stabbing Ai Eng. Tian Ming quickly pulled Mrs Takeshi away from Ai Eng. The MrsTakeshi turned to Tian Ming and was stabbing him instead. Ai Eng and Yun Xi looked at Tian Ming in great fear when the knife almost stabbed into Tian Ming‘s heart.

Mrs Takeshi looked at Tian Ming shockingly and let go of the handle of the knife. Blood was dripping the floor. Tian Ming just froze there and when he looked down, he realized that it was Jun Xuan who was grabbing the knife sharp blade.

Jun Xuan knelt down and held his own hand screaming in pain. Ai Eng quickly ran to Jun Xuan and looked at his hand which bled badly, covering her wide-opened mouth. Then Ai Eng looked up at Tian Ming and shouted as she was too worried about Jun Xuan,

“WHY ARE YOU STILL STANDING HERE?! GO AND CALL AN AMBULANCE NOW!”

Then Tian Ming jumped up a bit and looked Ai Eng who was looking at Jun Xuan’s hand worriedly, and he quickly walked to the phone and called. When Mrs Takeshi looked at Jun Xuan and Ai Eng, she laughed and said with tears rolling down,

“This is so unfair! She has got all the good things and people who will risk their life for her, while I have nothing. I have nothing!”

Then Mrs Takeshi looked up and asked,

“WHY ARE YOU SO UNFAIR?”

“CAN YOU STOP BLAMING OTHERS? WILL YOU BE REALLY HAPPY TO DO HARM TO OTHERS?”

Ai Eng asked looking at Mrs Takeshi angrily. Mrs Takeshi looked back at Ai Eng with those insane eyes. Ai Eng stood up and walked towards Mrs Takeshi, saying with a fierce look,

“You can’t put all the blames and vent all your anger on others because you have a miserable past. And you can have a better life if you would let go of hatred and revenge. I mean that if you wouldn’t want to avenge me, you would not have to go back to your old job. You said that you can’t find a decent job because you don’t have any qualification. Well, all I can say that you are wrong. There are some jobs which don’t require much qualification.”

Ai Eng looked around the house and said,

“For instant, you can be a good housekeeper.”

Mrs Takeshi looked at Ai Eng with Ai Eng in tears in her eyes and looked away, wiping her tears. Then Mrs Takeshi suddenly looked in great hatred and grabbed Ai Eng’s neck with her hands, saying loudly

“IT’S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY! YOU DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH PAIN I HAVE GONE THROUGH? NOW I WANT YOU TO PAY FOR IT!!!?

When Tian Ming saw Mrs Takeshi strangling Ai Eng, he wanted to run to them and save Ai Eng but Ai Eng looked at him in great pain and shook her head a little asking him not to walk to them. Then Ai Eng looked at Mrs Takeshi without any intension to move away and tried to ask even though she was almost out of breath,

“Have… you… thought of… your son…?”

When Mrs Takeshi heard the word “son”, she suddenly stopped strangling Ai Eng but her hands were still grabbing her neck, and she asked,

“What does this have to do with him?”

Ai Eng was coughing and catching for breath before saying,

“I am sure that you love your son as much as your son loves you. So I believe that how hurt he will be if he sees you in this stage. Please leave the past behind and start all over again for your son.”

Mrs Takeshi let go of Ai Eng’s neck and looked away sadly, saying,

“I truly miss him but I am not allowed to see him. I think I will never get to see him again”

“Yes! You will!”

Ai Eng said with much confidence that made Mrs Takeshi look at her puzzling why she was so confident. Then Ai Eng moved her hand towards Mrs Takeshi to wipe her tears which made Mrs Takeshi moved her head a bit backwards. Then Ai Eng said in a comforting tone,

“I don’t think you can’t if you let go of hatred. You can the custody of your son when you have all the conditions that require. But first of all, you must get a new job and have an earning so to save up for layer’s charges and son’s expenses. Even if you lose his custody, you will still have the right to visit him once or twice a week after going on court.”

“Do you really think that I will be able to see my son again?”

Mrs Takeshi asked and looked at Ai Eng with some doubts. Then Ai Eng gave a pat on her and nodded her head with an ensuring smile. Then Mrs Takeshi looked at a side and gave a deep thought. When Mrs Takeshi heard the siren from outside, she suddenly jumped up and looked at Ai Eng in great fear, begging her,

“Please don’t let the police catch me. If I am in jail, there is no where for me to get to see my son.”

“Don’t worry. That’s an ambulance siren and not a cops’ car.”

Ai Eng said, grabbing Mrs Takeshi’s trembling hands. Then Mrs Takeshi pulled her hands away and started looking around nervously. Then Mrs Takeshi was moving backwards and grabbed her own shivering hand tightly, saying

“I think I better flee now.”

“Wait!”

Yun Xi suddenly said when she saw Mrs Takeshi walking towards the main door, and she looked at Ai Eng angrily and asked,

“Are you going to let her leave just like that? What makes you so sure that a mad woman like her won’t come back and do us harm again.”


Hearing this, Ai Eng looked at Yun Xi and said,

“Because she is a loving mother so she will do anything for her son. At least she knows that by doing these things which will only stop her from getting the chance to see her son so I believe that she won’t do the wrong things again.”

Then Ai Eng looked at Mrs Takeshi who was standing at the main door nervously and didn’t dare to open the door because she could see there were a few rescuers ringing the bell outside the gate. Noticing this, Ai Eng quickly went to Jun Tai and untied him which followed by Tian Ming who went to untie Yun Xi. The minute Yun Xi was untie, she quickly hugged Tian Ming’s waist and cried, saying,

“I am scared to lose you. Don’t ever do such a dangerous thing again.”

When Ai Eng looked at Yun Xi hugging Tian Ming, she seemed a bit unhappy but she looked away when she saw Tian Ming looking at her. Then Ai Eng examined Jun Tai and said,

“Wait here.”

Ai Eng quickly ran to the main door. When she was running to the main door, Ai Eng worriedly looked at Jun Xuan who was in great pain so she ran faster. Just as Ai Eng was opening the door, Mrs Takeshi pushed her backwards and said nervously,
“Don’t open! They will catch me if you let them in.”

Ai Eng walked towards Mrs Takeshi and grabbed her wrist. Ai Eng gave a serious look and said,

“Mrs Takeshi! Listen here! If you want to get out of here, just do what I say!”

Then Ai Eng dragged Mrs Takeshi out to the gate and opened the gate to let the rescuers in. When the rescuers were rushing into the house, Mrs Takeshi kept hiding behind Ai Eng so Ai Eng held Mrs Takeshi’s hand tightly to calm her down. After all the rescuers had gone into the house, Ai Eng quickly brought Mrs Takeshi to two street away from her house and let go of Mrs Takeshi’s hand, saying,

“Now it should be safe now. You can go wherever you like.”

Mrs Takeshi looked at Ai Eng in great remorsefulness and said,

“I am sorry to cause you so much fright and harm. You are right. You didn’t do any wrong to me. It’s all my hatred and misfortune that led me to do a lot of wrong things. I shouldn’t have vented my anger and frustration on you. But really need to thank you for waking me up and giving me another chance to start a brand new life.”

Ai Eng smiled and said,

“Don’t thank me. I didn’t do much. It’s your conscience tells you what you should do. At least, I know that you don’t have any intention to hurt anyone. If not I would be dead by now.”
Ai Eng gave a slight laugh. Then Ai Eng suddenly remembered something so she looked at Mrs Takeshi and asked hesitatingly,

“Can you tell me did you really see my husband got into the taxi with another woman that day when you first made weird call to me?”

Mrs Takeshi looked away and dared not say anything. When Ai Eng noticed her hesitation, she took Mrs Takeshi’s hand and said,

“Don’t worry. Just tell me the truth. I can take it.”

Then Mrs Takeshi looked at Ai Eng sympathetically and said,

“You can ask your third son.”

“You mean Jun Tai?”

Ai Eng asked Mrs Takeshi with an unbelievable look. Mrs Takeshi nodded her head and said, looking away sadly,
“Yes. I saw him looking at his father at the gateway that day when his father was getting into the taxi. But he seemed very unhappy that day because when his father waved to him, he did not wave back and just walk back into the house with a look as black as charcoal.”

After hearing this, Ai Eng just stunned there and grabbed Mrs Takeshi’s tightly. Mrs Takeshi patted Ai Eng’s hand and asked, looking at her worried,

“Are you alright, Madam?”

Ai Eng regained consciousness and quickly pulled back her hand, saying with a smile,

“Oh! I am alright. Rest assure. Ummmm…. I think I will have to get back now. And I will give you your salary next few days. See you then.”

Ai Eng quickly turned around and walked away, looking down sadly. Mrs Takeshi looked at Ai Eng sadly and sighed. Then Mrs Takeshi turned around and walked away too,

On her way back, Ai Eng just walked with her eyes just stared ahead emotionlessly. But she didn’t cry this time. Just as she was crossing the road, a truck was driving towards her but she just walked slowly, looking ahead.

CHAPT 20

Always BE THERE

After a fierce stare at Tian Ming, Jun Xuan looked away and walked past Tian Ming without saying anything. On the other hand, Tian Ming didn’t look at Jun Xuan when Jun Xuan walked past him, instead he stared ahead coolly and walked into the house with Ai Eng safely on his hand. Tian Ming carried Ai Eng to the sofa and put her down onto the sofa gently. Tian Ming knelt down to take a look at Ai Eng’s. He took off Ai Eng’s high-heel shoes carefully. Then he touched her ankle and asked,

“Is it hurt?”

Ai Eng shook her head with painful expression on her face which she couldn’t hide no matter how hard she had tried. Then Tian Ming got up and walked to the kitchen to take some ice cubes and put in a cloth. Ai Eng saw Tian Ming returned with a small pail and a cloth that contained ice cube, and at the same time Yun Xi was sitting besides her and looking at Tian Ming angrily. When Tian Ming took gentle Ai Eng leg’s on his hand above the small pail, he looked up at Ai Eng and said,

“Bear with the pain for awhile. It will not be so painful in a short while.”

Then Tian Ming gently put the ice cubes on Ai Eng’s ankle and gently moved it around her ankle. When Tian Ming was helping Ai Eng to reduce the pain on her ankle, Ai Eng could see the anger that Yun Xi had as she was holding her laps real tight so Ai Eng pulled away her leg from Tian Ming’s hand and said, smiling awkwardly,

“My ankle is not so painful now. Thanks!”

At that time, Tian Ming took Ai Eng’s leg again and said looking at her,

“It needs some time to reduce the pain so just bear with the pain a little while longer.”

Tian Ming continued gently putting the ice cubes on Ai Eng’s ankle and gently moving it around her ankle. Ai Eng spoke so as to reduce the tense atmosphere when she saw Mrs Takeshi standing at a corner,

“Oh yeah! Let me introduce her to you all. She is Mrs Takeshi who will be helping up with our house chores until next week.”
Then Ai Eng said with a polite smile,

“Mrs Takeshi, please feel free to take a seat.”

Then Mrs Takeshi bowed to Ai Enf and went to sit beside Jun Tai. Ai Eng looked at Jun Tai and asked politely,

“Jun Tai, can you please get some drink for Mrs Takeshi?”

Jun Tai looked at Ai Eng coldly and asked,

“Shouldn’t she be the one taking the drinks for us? And why don’t you ask the one who is sitting beside you?”

Ai Eng looked at Yun Xi who kept staring angrily at Ai Eng. Then she looked at Jun Tai and said in a pleading tone,

“Mrs Takeshi has just come here so we should treat her like a guest. Furthermore, she is here to help us to do the house chores so we should be nicer to her. Please go and take something for her to drink. Please……”

“Okay…..”

Jun Tai finally got persuaded after seeing Ai Eng pleading him. But just as Tian Ming was standing up with a reluctant look on his face, Yun Xi suddenly stood up and said,

“I will go and it for all of you all.”

Yun Xi walked to the kitchen with heavy steps. When she was throwing in the ice cubes the glasses without looking at them, she took an ice cube and looked at it angrily, saying,

“Hope this will make your ankle more painful.”

Then Yun Xi threw the ice cube real hard until it bounced back and hit her face. Yun Xi groaned in pain, putting her hand on the face.

Yun Xi put the tray which carried the drinks on the table pretty hard which made Ai Eng jumped a bit. Yun Xi went to sit at the same place after putting the tray down. When Ai Eng saw Yun Xi touching her face, she asked concernedly,

“Yun Xi, what happened to your face? How come there us a red spot on here? Did you hit in something?”

When Ai Eng was stretching out her hand to touch Yun Xi face, Yun Xi just moved her head away and said coldly without looking at Ai Eng,

“I just got hit by an ice cube when it bounced back as I threw too hard.”

Then Yun Xi looked Ai Eng’g leg which was still on Tian Ming’s hand and said sarcastically, smiling,

“Well, it’s not a big deal compares with yours.”

When Yun Xi looked away from her leg and stared at one direction angrily, Ai Eng put back her hand on her lap and looked down sadly. Not long, Ai Eng looked at Tian Ming when he carefully put Ai Eng’s leg down on the floor and asked looking at her,

“Now move your foot a little and see whether it’s still hurt,”

Ai Eng slowly moved her feet and looked at Tian Ming in amazed, saying,

“It’s not so painful now. Tian Ming, how did you know that this method will reduce the pain?”

“Well I am working as a newspaper boy so I have to ride the bicycle to deliver newspapers every morning. One morning, I sprained my ankle during the ride. And there was a nice auntie told me to buy some ice from the ice-cream shop and put into a cloth. Then she told me to put the ice on my ankle and move it around my ankle for sometime. So I did what that auntie told, and I found it really reduced the pain for awhile.”

Tian Ming said, while standing up. Then he walked to the kitchen with the pail which contained the wet cloth and melted-ice water. After awhile, he returned, looking around the house in search of something. Then he looked at Ai Eng and asked,

“Where is your aiding box?”

Then Tian Ming continued saying, pushing up his glasses with his finger,

“I can’t find it in the kitchen. Well, I think it’s better to rub some medical cream on your ankle.”

Ai Eng gave a quick glance at Yun Xi and looked Tian Ming. she quickly said,

“Oh! No! ummmm….”

`Ai Eng hesitated and looked away for a few second to think of an excuse, biting her finger. Then she looked back at Tian Ming who was staring at her waiting for her to say something and said,

“Well, I will do it myself later. And I have to let you know I won’t be able to accompany you to meet the international company manager tomorrow because there will be a grand fashion show so I have to go there to work.”

Then Ai Eng smiled and teased Tian Ming.

“Anyway, you have your beautiful girlfriend by your side so who cares it this old lady will go.”
Ai Eng laughed at her own joke but when she noticed that no one was laughing especially Tian Ming who stared at her with those sad eyes, her laughter faded away. She looked at Tian Ming awkwardly and at the same time she could hear her heart beating so fast. Then she asked herself in her heart, putting her hand on her heart area,

“Why is my heart beating so fast?”

Ai Eng looked away from Tian Ming’s stare and thought in her mind, taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down,

“It must be I was running too fast just now when I was rushing to fetch Jun Tai. Yeah this must be the reason.”

When Tian Ming saw Ai Eng was taking a few deep breaths, he was worried about her so he walked towards her. But at that time, Yun Xi suddenly got up and grabbed hold Tian Ming’s arm which made Tian Ming look at her quite surprisingly. Yun Xi turned to face Ai Eng and said, smiling proudly,

“Of course, Tian Ming has me by his side is more than enough. So Auntie, rest assure as I will be able to help him to get this great opportunity.”

Looking at Yun Xi holding Tian Ming’s hand and lied her head on Tian Ming’s arm looking at him in great happiness, Ai Eng slowly looked away and stared at one direction sadly. Tian Ming noticed something when he saw Ai Eng staring at one direction sadly. But he did not say anything and just looked at Ai Eng.

Later that night, Ai Eng was sitting on her beg and rubbing her ankle with cream when she suddenly looked at one area of the bed. She remembered that Jun Xi and she were sitting at the same spot.

At that time, Jun Xi was also rubbing her ankle and said,

“See! Without me by your side, you just can’t take good care of yourself. Now you have sprained your leg”

Then Jun Xi sighed and said shaking his head,

“I think you better die before me. If not how are you going to survive without me?”

Yun Xi smiled cheekily. Ai Eng pinched his nose gently and said,

“Who says so? I still lived happily before I met you.”

“Exactly! All those time without me wasn’t your happiest time that’s why your smile is filled with great happiness now.”

Jun Xi said and got onto the bed. Then Jun Xi looked at Ai Eng and touched her face. Jun Xi held Ai Eng’s chin up and kissed her on her soft lip. When Jun Xi slowly pulled backed his head, he looked at Ai Eng full of passion and said, holding her hands,

“I will always be there when you need me.”

Came back to present, tears rolled down from Ai Eng’s eyes when she said,

“Where are you now, Jun Xi? I need you now.”

When Ai Eng heard someone knocking at her room, she quickly wiped her tears and walked slowly to the door. Before she reached the door, the door was opened. To her surprise, she saw Jun Xuan walking into the door. She held her sleeping blouse tighter when she saw Jun Xuan.


CHAPT 21

Hug me this way

Ai Eng kept moving backwards when Jun Xuan was walking towards her and staring at her passionately. When Ai Eng reached the bed, she fell onto the bed. And when she looked up at Jun Xuan, she realized that his face was just a few distance from hers when he bent over her. Ai Eng looked at Jun Xuan with wide-opened eyes and grabbed her blouse even tighter. Ai Eng then asked,

“What are you going to do?”

Jun Xuan smiled cheekily and said,

“Don’t worry. I will be very gentle with you.”

When Ai Eng saw Jun Xuan’s hand moving closer towards her, she quickly looked away. But later she noticed that Jun Xuan was actually taking the cream bar that lied beside her head. Then Jun Xuan got up and sat on the floor. Jun Xuan pressed some cream on his hand from the bar and took Ai Eng’s leg. When Ai Eng sat up and saw Jun Xuan rubbing her ankle, she heaved a breath of relief. Then Ai Eng looked at Jun Xuan rubbing her ankle so gently, she said with a smile,

“This is the first time I see you being so gentle. Actually you don’t have to be so cool in front of others.”

Jun Xuan did not say anything but continued rubbing Ai Eng’s ankle. Then Ai Eng continued saying when she was observing Jun Xuan,

“Jun Xuan, I think that many girls surely will like the type of guy like you. You are cool and gorgeous with such a good body figure. I believe that there are lots of girls falling for you.”

“Are you jealous?”

Jun Xuan asked and looked at Ai Eng with a smile. Ai Eng quickly said,

“No, I am not. Why should I get jealous? I will be happy to see you bring home your girlfriend one day and introduce her to us. Wouldn’t it be nice that way? To see Yun Xi and you have found someone you love.”

Ai Eng smiled at her thought. Jun Xuan looked at her and said,

“I have found someone I love but that person was someone I shouldn’t love.”
Ai Eng knew who the person was so she asked,

“Since you know that you and her are impossible, why don’t you just let go of your feeling you have for her, and try putting your love to another girl who is worthy for your love?”

Jun Xuan looked at Ai Eng angrily and said,

“I will never let go my feeling for her. And I don’t wish to let go. No one can stop me loving her. Not even her.”

When Jun Xuan got up from the floor, Ai Eng looked at him feeling bad for him. Before Ai Eng could say anything more, Jun Xuan bent down and carried her up on his hand which gave Ai Eng a shock at that time. Then Ai Eng looked at Jun Xuan and asked,

“Why are you carrying me again?”

Ai Eng struggled to get down and said,

“Put me down now.”

“Stay still!”

Jun Xuan shouted and looked at Ai Eng fiercely. Ai Eng got a shock when Jun Xuan shouted at her so she stopped struggling. Jun Xuan walked a bit further up to the top of the bed and put Ai Eng down on the bed. After putting Ai Eng down, he took her head up a little to adjust the pillow and pulled the blanket up to Ai Eng’s shoulders. Then Jun Xiuan gave her a good night kiss on her forehead and said with a smile,

“Good night.”

Jun Xuan walked out of the room. After Jun Xuan closed the door, Ai Eng looked at the sailing and touched her forehead, asking herself worriedly,

“Why is my heart beating so fast again?”

One morning, when Ai Eng was walking into the kitchen, she jumped up when she saw a knife pointing at her. Then Ai Eng saw Mrs Takeshi holding the knife so she looked Mrs Takeshi, feeling scared. When Mrs Takeshi saw Ai Eng looking at her in great fear, she quickly put down the knife and said, bowing to Ai Eng,

“I am sorry I forget I am holding a knife. Really sorry to give you a fright.”

Looking at Mrs Takeshi bowing to her, Ai Eng gently grabbed her upper arms so as to stop her from bowing, and she said with a smile,

“It’s alright. You don’t have to apologize because you didn’t do it deliberately.”

Mrs Takeshi looked at Ai Eng and said with smile,

“Actually I just want to ask you what you would like to have for breakfast.”

Then Ai Eng let go of Mrs Takeshi arms and crossed her hands, looking at one direction and thinking what she wanted to eat. Then Ai Eng looked at Mrs Takeshi and said, nodding her head,

“You decide what you want to prepare for us. We are not choosy about food so we will eat anything you cook.”

Then Mrs Takeshi said, bowing again,

“Yes!”

Mrs Takeshi returned to cut the vegetable on the chopping board. Then Ai Eng opened the refrigerator’s door and took out a jar of orange juice. After pouring some juice into the glass, Ai Eng put back the jar into the refrigerator and walked out of the kitchen. When Ai Eng was walking out of the kitchen, Mrs Takeshi looked at her with the eyes filled with hatred, while cutting the vegetable.

On one raining evening, when Tian Ming and Yun Xi were walking along the street and holding the umbrella with both their hand, Yun Xi suggested,

“We shall go to a nearby café to have dinner tonight.”

Tian Ming looked pretty shock and said in a worried tone,

“But I don’t have so much money to pay for the food.”

“I will pay for it then.”

Yun Xi said with a sweet smile and held Tian Ming’s arm. Hearing this, Tian Ming stopped walking and looked at Yun Xi unhappily, saying,

“It’s not that I don’t like you paying all our expenses. But I just feel bad for you to pay for everything.”

“Well, don’t feel bad. I am willing to pay. Anyway you have already signed a two-year contract with the modeling company. They say that will provide you a department and a car with a driver. So you will become a top model pretty soon and earn lots of money. Until that time comes, you will be the one paying everything. I think I won’t even have to bring my wallet along when I am with you at that time. And everyone will be envious of me having a supermodel boyfriend.”

Looking at Yun Xi saying those things so happily, Tian Ming smiled and suddenly thought in his heart,

“Will Ai Eng be so happy for me when she knows I got this contract?”


When Tian Ming and Yun Xi reached the café door, they realized that it was closed. Then Tian Ming said,

“I think that it is heaven’s will telling us to go to your house to have dinner.”

Yun Xi looked at the café in great disappointment and said,

“But I want to have dinner with you alone and have our time alone. If not, we can go to another café.”

“But there is no other café nearby. So I think it’s better to eat at your place.”

Tian Ming said and held Yun Xi’s hand. Yun Xi looked at Tian Ming angrily and asked,

“Why do you always want to come to my place? Don’t you think we should spend more time alone together? And don’t you like to be with me?”

Yun Xi pulled away her hand and started walking away from the café, leaving Tian Ming behind. Tian Ming caught up with her and grabbed her arm. To his surprise, Tian Ming saw Yun Xi crying. Tian Ming wiped her tears away and said,

“Yun Xi, I am sorry. Don’t cry anymore. I am really sorry. If you really don’t want to go home now, we will go else where to find a café and have our dinner there.”

Yun Xi looked at Tian Ming passionately and hugged him tightly, saying,

“Tian Ming, please hug me as tight as you can.”us

Then Tian Ming hugged Yun Xi tightly. Yun Xi closed her eyes and smiled elatedly in Tian Ming’s hug, saying,

“Just hug me this way forever.”

Tian Ming just looked at one direction sadly, while hugging Yun Xi.


When Yun Xi and Tian Ming reached their house gate, Yun Xi slowly let go of Tian Ming’s and waved to him. Yun Xi quickly ran to the door so as not to catch any rain even she was already soaked al over, and she looked back at Tian Ming who was waving to her with smile. Then when Tian Ming saw Yun Xi closing the house door after she went inside, his smile slowly faded away. He looked up at Ai Eng’s room window, hoping to see her. But he waited for ten minutes and couldn’t even see a shadow of her so he walked away sadly.

At Ai Eng’s house, when everyone is having fruit serving at the dinning table one night. Ai Eng looked at Tian Ming and Yun Xi and asked,

“So did you get the deal with the modeling company?”

Tian Ming smiled and wanted to tell Ai Eng about the happy news. But before Tian Ming could say anything, Yun Xi said coldly without even looking at Ai Eng,

“Yeah, he got a two-year contract.”

“Oh. That’s great.”

Ai Eng said with an awkward smile and looked away. Tian Ming looked at Ai Eng disappointedly as he expected to see her happy reaction after knowing about the good news. Then Tian Ming saw Jun Xuan stretching out his hand to Ai Eng’s mouth with a piece of orange in his hand. Ai Eng looked at Jun Xuan awkwardly and asked,

“What is this?”

“Just open your mouth and let me put this piece in.”

Jun Xuan said and moving the piece of orange nearer to Ai Eng's mouth. Ai Eng looked around and quickly bit it from Jun Xuan’s hand. Then she looked down embarrassingly. Jun Xuan smiled and asked,

“Is it sweet?”

Ai Eng nodded her head without looking at anyone. Then after eating a piece of orange, Jun Xuan smiled and said shaking his head,

“It’s not as sweet as your saliva.”

Ai Eng choked when she heard what Jun Xuan said. Then Jun Xuan quickly got up and patted Ai Eng’s back and said,

“Eat slowly. No one will snatch it.”

Looking at this, Tian Ming couldn’t stand it anymore so he got up and went to the kitchen toilet. In the toilet, Tian Ming punched at the wall a few times. After punching, he heaved out a breath of relief. He got out of the toilet and saw Mrs Takeshi looking at Ai Eng hatefully at one corner near the kitchen so he walked closer to her. When Mrs Takeshi noticed someone was looking at her, she quickly turned to look at Tian Ming. Tian Ming could sense something eerie about this woman when she looked at him with devil eyes. When Mrs Takeshi saw Tian Ming looking at her, she quickly looked away and walked into the kitchen. Tian Ming stared at Mrs Takeshi and asked himself,

“Why do I have this dangerous and eerie feeling when I see Mrs Takeshi?”



CHAPT 22

Extra Ingredients

At the studio dressing room, Ai Eng was taking the cosmetics out from the cosmetics box and put them on the make-up desk tidily. At that time, she was chatting with one of the crew there who called Xiang He. Xiang He told Ai Eng,

“Do you know what, Ai Eng? There is a new-comer model for today shooting.”

“This is quite strange because normally they won’t ask me to come for a new-comer model simply because my charge is pretty high.”

Ai Eng said puzzled and continued arranging her things. Xiang He moved closer to Ai Eng and said,

“I heard that this new-comer has the potential of becoming a top model so the company will spend a large sum of money on him in order to bloom him. I also heard that many famous magazine production companies have made deals with his company to shoot for the cover page. Well I think that guy is really lucky to have this opportunity. Not like me seldom get this opportunity.”

Xiang He sighed in despair and shook his head. Looking at Xiang He sighing, Ai Eng gave a pat on his shoulder and said with a smile,

“Well! Xiang He, don’t be despair. At least now you have a work to do and survive. There are many companies are retrenching their workers so as to cut the cost. So just be contented with what you have now; and don’t compare with others. I believe that you know that there are many others who are poorer and suffer a lot more than us. So we must help them whenever we can.“

“Yeah… Mrs Big Charity, I know you always donate a large sum to those charity organizations every year that’s because you earn that much so you can afford. I am just a assistant of the photographer who help him to carry all his things around so how I can afford to do charity.”

Xiang He said with a sad look. Ai Eng looked at Xiang He and said,

“Well you don’t have to donate money. You can always go and do voluntary work like visiting orphanage, old forks’ home or disabled school to help up or accompany them. I used to go to these places when I was free. But I just could not find the time to go nowadays. I wonder how they are doing now. I just miss their happy and simple smiles which make my days filled with happiness when I see them.

Ai Eng said with a delightful smile. Just as the door was opened, Ai Eng looked at the person who opened the door surprisingly and said,

“Tian Ming, it’s you!”

Tian Ming smiled and walked towards Ai Eng. Ai Eng looked at Tian Ming with an unbelievable expression and said covering her wide-opened mouth,

“So you are the new-comer who has the potential to be the future top model. Oh! This is great! I am so glad to see you here.”

Ai Eng smiled delightfully which made Tian Ming smiled contentedly. Then Xiang He looked at both of them and asked Ai Eng scratching his head,

”Ai Eng, do you know him”

“Of course I know him. He is my daughter’s boyfriend.”

Ai Eng said smiling when she looked at Xiang He. But when Tian Ming heard the words “my daughter’s boyfriend”, he just looked away sadly. Tian Ming quickly looked back when Ai Eng introduced Xiang He to him. Ai Eng said,

“Tian Ming, let me introduce this funny man to you. He is Xiang He who is the assistant of today photographer. He is my good old friend too.”

“I am not that old, okay!”

Xiang He said pretending he was not happy. Ai Eng then said,

“Okay, Okay. You are still very young.”

“Of course I am still young.”

Ai Eng looked at Xiang He combing his hair and giving a funny seductive look on his face, she laughed out and said,

“Stop playing, will you!”

Tian Ming just smiled happily when he saw Ai Eng laughing contentedly.

At the shooting area, the photographer handed Tian Ming a photo and told him,

“During the shooting, hold this photo and kissed it passionately. This shooting portraying a man who has a crush on a woman but he can’t say out he feel for that woman so he just can kiss her in the photo which has high colour quality. The photo looks so real to you that you just can’t control your feeling anymore. Well you know Camera advertisement is like that. Just do your best.”

The photographer patted Tian Ming’s shoulder and went back to his position. During the shooting, Tian Ming had kissed the photo over thirty times but the photographer wasn’t satisfied. The photographer always said,

“More passion. I want more feeling.”

Tian Ming had tried his best to do what was wanted but it was just unsatisfactory so the photographer told Tian Ming with a unhappy look,

“Go and get some rest. We will continue later.”

When Tian Ming was in the dressing room, Ai Eng was putting some makeup for Tian Ming. Ai Eng could see Tian Ming was very troubled by not being able to do the work well. Ai Eng put the makeup on the table and asked,

“Were you too nervous just now that’s why you couldn’t give your best shot?”

Tian Ming looked at Ai Eng and said sadly,

“No, I just don’t know how to kiss initiatively.”

“Didn’t you kiss Yun Xi before?”

Ai Eng asked and looked away embarrassingly. Tian Ming also looked down on the floor embarrassingly and said with a shy smile,

“Every time it’s her who kiss me initiatively.”

“What? My goodness! I did tell Yun Xi to take the initiative first but you should also take the initiative to kiss her. You just can’t let a girl do everything. As a guy, you must do these things first so as to show her how much you love her. You don’t have to put in words but at least put in action.”

Ai Eng looked at Tian Ming, feeling a bit annoyed. Tian Ming suddenly stood up and stared at Ai Eng which shocked her a little. Tian Ming asked,

“Can she really feel if I put action?”

Then Tian Ming looked at Ai Eng passionately and moved his head closer to hers. Ai Eng was stunned at that time so she didn’t move away. Tian Ming gently kissed her on her lip. For almost ten seconds had past, Ai Eng regained consciousness and moved backwards.. Ai Eng looked at Tian Ming shockingly and asked in an angry tone,

“Do you know what you were doing just now? Even if you want someone to help you to try kissing, shouldn’t you ask first?”

“No. It wasn’t a demonstration. It’s…..”

Tian Ming hesitated and looked down. Ai Eng looked at him angrily and said, feeling a bit happy inside,

“Don’t do this again.”

Then when Ai Eng was walking to the door, Tian Ming grabbed her hand and stared at her with watery eyes. Ai Eng stared back at him with a look filled with mixed feeling of guilt and touch. When Tian Ming was about to say something which Ai Eng had waited to hear, a person opened the door and called,

“Mr Yu, it’s time to go back to the shooting area.”

Ai Eng quickly pulled back her hand and turned around facing her back at Tian Ming. Ai Eng held the hand that was held by Tian Ming and seemed very troubled. Tian Ming who was still standing behind Ai Eng looked at Ai Eng sadly but he seemed to have sensed that Ai Eng also had feeling when he asked himself in his heart,

“Why is she so nervous when I grab her hand? Does she begin to feeling for me?”

At home, when Mrs Takeshi took out a tray of dessert in the glasses and put on the dinning table, Ai Eng asked looking at dessert,
“What’s that?”

“It’s pumpkin mousse. It is a very healthy and tasty dessert. I have also added some extra ingredients in to make it taste even nicer. I am leaving tomorrow so I think it will be good if I could make some dessert for you all.”

“Oh yeah! Mrs Takeshi, it’s already one week you are here to help up with our house chores. Times just passed so fast without us realizing it. Thanks for coming here to help us and the dessert too. Please feel free to come over as a guest whenever you want. We will definitely welcome you. Yummy! I think the dessert look great.”

Ai Eng said with a smile, looking at Mrs Takkeshi. Mrs Takeshi bowed and said,

“You are welcome. And I will give you all a visit when I have the time. I hope that you will like the dessert that I have made.”

Tian Ming looked at Mrs Takeshi suspiciously and looked away when he saw her looking back at her with those dangerous eyes.

Jun Tai grabbed a glass and had a spoonful. Then Yun Xi and Jun Xuan also took a glass each. Then justas Ai Eng and Tian Ming were so coincidentally taking the same glass even though there were two left on the tray, Ai Eng looked Tian Ming and quickly pulled back her hand. Ai Eng looked away awkwardly. Tian Ming took that glass and put it in front of Ai Eng. Ai Eng nodded her head with an awkward smile without looking at Tian Ming and took the glass. Ai Eng started eating and looked down at the dessert not daring to look up. Yun Xi saw everything but she just stared at one direction angrily. Then Jun Xuan finished his and snatched Ai Eng’s glass. Ai Eng looked up at Jun Xuan who was eating her share and saying,

“Let’s share this. I have finished mine.”

“You can have it if you want.”

Ai Eng said in low tone and stood up to leave the table. Before she left the table, Jun Xuan grabbed her hand again and said smiling with a cheeky smile,

“I just want to share it with you.“

Ai Eng looked at Jun Xuan with an annoyed look and said,

“I said you can have it. I have had enough.”

Ai Eng pushed away Jun Xuan’s hand which made him quite surprise. But of course Jun Xuan wouldn’t let Ai Eng go so easily. Jun Xuan grabbed back Ai Eng’s hand and asked in a lazy tone,

“Why are you so annoyed today? Who makes you so annoyed?”

Jun Xuan looked at Tian Ming with a sarcastic smile. At that time, Jun Tai dropped his head on the table which scared everyone. When Ai Eng was about to rush towards Jun Tai, she sat down on the chair as she felt giddy and collapsed on the table too. Jun Xuan shook Ai Eng worried and also collapsed on the table. Followed by Yun Xi who dropped the glass on the floor; she also collapsed. Tian Ming who did not eat the dessert was shocked to see every at the table had fainted except him. Then Tian Ming gently shook Yun Xi who sat besides him and asked worriedly,

“Yun Xi, are you alright.”

Then Tian Ming looked at Ai Eng and was about to stand up. But when he looked at the glass of dessert, he sat down again and took the glass up. As Tian Ming was looking at the glass suspecting something, he could feel someone standing behind him so he turned around. When he was turning around, he saw a badminton racket moving towards him. The badminton racket hit Tian Ming’s head and caused him to lose consciousness. When Tian Ming fell down onto the floor, Mrs Takeshi looked at him and smiled wickedly with the badminton racket in her hand.

CHAPT 23

BETTER LIFE

When Ai Eng opened her eyes, she slowly got up from the table and shook her head a little touching her head. Ai Eng got a shocked to see everyone was tied up to the chairs except Tian Ming who was lying on the floor motionlessly, Mrs Takeshi who sat opposite the table peeling an apple with a knife and lastly was she herself. Ai Eng looked at Mrs Takeshi with puzzled look and asked,

“Mrs Takeshi, can you tell me what is happening now?”

Mrs Takeshi looked at Ai Eng and smiled wickedly, saying,

“At last you are awake. So is the extra-ingredient Pumpkin Mousse tasty?”

Ai Eng realized that it was the dessert that made her faint when she gave a glance at the glass which contained some leftover dessert and asked with a puzzled look, looking back at Mrs Takeshi,

“Why are you doing this to us?”

Mrs Takeshi laughed eerily which made Ai Eng remembered something so she looked at her with a wide-opened eyes and said, standing up,

“It was you who made those weird calls for the past four months.”

“I think you are not as clever as I thought. Not then discover is a bit too late.
Mrs Takeshi said sarcastically and gave a sarcastic smile. Then Mrs Takeshi looked at the apple in her hand and continued peeling. When Ai Eng knew that Mrs Takeshi was the mystery caller, she quickly asked worriedly, walking towards Mrs Takeshi,

“What did you do to my husband? Where is he now?”

“Stay where you are! If not I don’t know what I will do to him.”

Mrs Takeshi said and pointed the knife in her hand at Jun Tai who was still unconscious sitting besides Mrs Takeshi. Ai Eng quickly stopped walking and said in a frightened tone,

“NO! Okay, I will not move anymore. Just please put your knife down.”

Ai Eng looked at Mrs Takeshi swallowing hard and asked in a careful tone,

“What do you want from us? And can you please tell what did you do to my husband?”

Mrs Takeshi looked at Ai Eng and said with a wicked smile,

“Oh! What a loving wife you are. Being so worried about your husband. If I were your husband, I will not even bear to leave without a word unless he has found some other woman.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Ai Eng said with an unbelievable and shock look on her face. She stepped a bit backwards and asked again in a very angry loud tone which made everyone awake where Tian Ming also stood up touching his head painfully,

“TELL ME! WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY MY HUSBAND HAS FOUND SOME OTHER WOMAN?!”

Everyone was shocked who had just regained consciousness was shocked to see Ai Eng shouting at Mrs Takeshi. They were even shocked to see Mrs Takeshi pointing a knife at Jun Tai who seemed very scared. Then Mrs Takeshi said with a fake sad look on her face,

“Don’t shout. See! You have wakened them up. But anyway, it is the right time for them to be awake as I will need them to view a good show later.”

Looking at Ai Eng’s fierce stare, Mrs Takeshi said with an innocent look,

“Don’t get this wrong. I am not your husband’s woman. In fact, we are not related to each other. It’s just so happened that day I saw him getting into a taxi with a woman carrying a luggage outside your gate when I was spying you. They seemed very close. Like a couple. Well, I feel sorry for you to have such a womanizer husband.”

After hearing this, Ai Eng looked else where unbelievably and moved backwards shaking her head until she almost fell onto the floor. At the nick of time, Tian Ming again grabbed hold of her and pulled her up. Tian Ming held her two upper arms so as to support her because Ai Eng was too sad that she looked at one corner motionlessly. Her tears started rolling down like rain pour down from sky.

Looking at Ai Eng like this, Jun Xuan closed his eyes and turned away. Then he opened his eyes and looked at Mrs Takeshi, asking puzzlingly,

“Why were you spying Ai Eng that day? And who exactly are you? Why did you tie us up?”

Mrs Takeshi looked at Jun Xuan with a devil look on her face and said in a hateful tone,

“I will tell all of you everything since you all want to know why I am doing this. I was abandoned by my Japanese parents in Korean when I was seven years old. Then I was put in an orphanage by the policemen who found me in the street. The life in the orphanage was like hell to me because all other children bullied me and didn’t want to make friend with me because I am different race. And the sisters there were all very strict and fierce so every night I would hide under my blanket and cry without any noise. Then after two years, I was so happy to know that there would a rich couple wanted adopt me. They had come a few times to visit me. They were very nice to me and had promised to give a better life. They were like angels to me who would bring me to heaven from hell. But during their last visit, they saw a girl fainted at the garden and went to see what happened. And they brought that girl out of the orphanage. From there onwards I never saw the girl and the couple return. Then after that, I was told that someone who wanted to adopt the girl would like to adopt me instead.”

“It’s good for you to be able to find another person who wanted to adopt you so soon, wasn’t it?”

Yun Xi asked, looking Mrs Takeshi. Mrs Takeshi looked at Yun Xi with an insane looked and threw the apple in her hand at Yun Xi which hit her head. She said in an angry tone,

“Good! You call this good. When you were adopted by a monster who forced you to serve those dirty men so as to earn money for him to gamble when I was just ten years old, will you still call this good?

Mrs Takeshi looked away from Yun Xi and said with tears in her eyes, smiling sadly,

“Even though those days were the worst, I had never given up hoping for a better life in the future. Then after that, I got married with a rich man who didn’t know about my past. He and his family treated me very well. We have a boy who is the most adorable child in the world. At that time, I really thought that my life would change to a better one but when my husband and in-laws knew that I was a prostitute last time, they threw me out of the house. My husband divorced me and don’t allow me to see my boy because they said that I am a bad influence to him. I have no choice but to go back to serve men because I have no alimony and no qualification to get a decent job.”

Then Mrs Takeshi looked at Ai Eng in great hatred and said angrily,

“Furthermore, I need to earn a huge sum of money to hire someone to find that girl who had caused me so much suffering and misery. She has snatched my good life from me. I hate her as much as I hate that monster! They have ruined my life. So I must avenge them.”

Mrs Takeshi laughed out eerily and said,
“I had avenged that monster by telling the loan shark where he was. I was so happy when I heard the news that he was beaten to death. And now it is your turn now!”

Mrs Takeshi looked at Ai Eng angrily and pointed the knife at her from a distance. Then Ai Eng looked at Mrs Takeshi with very cold eyes and wiped her tears. Ai Eng pushed Tian Ming’s hands away and walked towards Mrs Takeshi, saying in a very calm manner,

“If you want to avenge me, just do it right now.”

Ai Eng was standing right in front of Mrs Takeshi and waited for her to stab her. At that time, Mrs Takeshi was pretty shocked to see Ai Eng like this. Not only Mrs Takeshi was shocked but everyone was shocked especially Jun Xuan who struggled to free himself from the tie-up. Then Jun Xuan looked at Tian Ming who was too shocked to do anything, and he shouted at him,

“HEY YOU! DON’T JUST STAND THERE AND LOOK! GO THERE AND PULL AI ENG AWAY!
When Tian Ming heard Jun Xuan shouting at him, he suddenly jumped up and saw Ai Eng was just a few inches away from the knife so he quickly ran to pull her away. Ai Eng struggled to get rid of Tian Ming’s grip but she couldn’t because Tian Ming was too strong. Ai Eng stopped struggling when she heard Mrs Takeshi shouted,

“ENOUGH!”

Then Mrs Takeshi smiled wickedly and said,

“Don’t worry. I won’t kill you. But I want you to feel miserable the rest of your life.”

Mrs Takeshi held the knife near Jun Tai’s throat which made Ai Eng shouted in great fear,

“NO! DON’T HURT HIM!”

“Who says I am going to hurt this cute boy? I am just using him to make you obey me. If you don’t do what I say, I can’t promise you that my hand won’t lose control and cut his throat.”

Mrs Takeshi said with a wicked smile. After hearing this, Ai Eng heaved out a breath of relief and touched her heart, and she said,

“Just say what you want me to do. I will obey you. But with one condition.”

“Name your condition.”

Mrs Takeshi said, looking at Ai Eng. Ai Eng insisted, pointing at Yun Xi, Tian Ming, Jun Tai and Jun Xuan,

“I want you to release them first.”

Mrs Takeshi shook her head and said, smiling wickedly,

“No, no, no. They are my audience and actor so I need them to be here.”

“Alright but please promise me that you won’t hurt anyone of them here.”

Ai Eng said and looked at Mrs Takeshi with a serious look. Mrs Takeshi then said,

“I can only promise that I won’t hurt them physically but not emotionally.”

Everyone looked at Mrs Takeshi puzzlingly. Then Mrs Takeshi looked at Tian Ming and told him,

“You carry her and put her on the table. And have sex with her.”

“WHAT?!”

Tian Ming and Ai Eng shouted loudly and looked at each other shockingly. Jun Xuan and Yun Xi gave out a worried look when they looked at Ai Eng and Yun Xi Then Ai Eng looked Mrs Takeshi furiously and asked in a very angry tone,

“Do you have any ideas what you have said? Are you a pervert or what?”

Mrs Takeshi laughed out loud. Then she stopped laughing and looked at Ai Eng hatefully, saying

“I just want you how it feels to have sex with someone when you are forced. Well, at least I am kind enough to let a guy who loves you do it.”

Mrs Takeshi looked at Tian Ming who looked away embarrassingly. Ai Eng gave a quick glance at Tian Ming and Yun Xi who looked away angrily and said,

“Sorry I just can’t do this. Why don’t you just use the knife to stab me? This is a better way.

“Don’t say so much! If you are not doing it, then this cute boy’s throat will be cut.”

When Ai Eng saw the knife was about to cut Jun Tai’s throat and Jun Tai was trembling in fear, she finally said with much reluctance,

“Okay! I will do it?”

Jun Xuan closed his eyes in despair and nodded his head real hard so as to vent his anger. Then when Ai Eng walked to the table and lied down on it staring straight up at the ceiling, Mrs Takeshi looked at Tian Ming and gave an eye signal to him telling him to lie over Ai Eng. Then Tian Ming really went on top of the table and knelt over Ai Eng because he had no choice. When Tian Ming and Ai Eng were face to face looking at each other, Ai Eng just closed her eyes sadly which made Tian Ming not wanting to hurt her furthermore so he just froze there. When Mrs Takeshi saw that they were not doing anything, she asked angrily,

“ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT? If not……“

Before Mrs Takeshi finished her sentence, Ai Eng grabbed Tian Ming’s blouse and lifted her head up to look at him passionately. Then Ai Eng put her hand around Tian Ming’s neck and gave him a hot kiss. After a while, Tian Ming hugged Ai Eng dearly and kissed her back, touching every part of her body. Looking at them doing this, Jun Xuan shouted.

“WAIT!”

Then Ai Eng and Tian Ming stopped and looked at Jun Xuan who looked at Mrs Takeshi and asked smiling wickedly,

“Don’t you think it is more interesting to see her having sex with two guys? Isn’t it it more torturing for her to have sex with her own stepson?”

Ai Eng looked at Jun Xuan unbelievably. She just couldn’t believe her ears and what she had just heard.