It was "Air on the G-String".
This tune was the one which she kept all her memories in. The memories she had with her father and Guangxi and all her childhood dreams and ambitions. All these came under the light as she played the tune.
Those were her most happy and upsetting memories. She used to have a lot and she lost a lot too. It was time for her to be strong and bid everything farewell now.
She bid her dreams, youth and the love she couldn't seem to let go goodbye.
Mucheng played the piano over and over again. Her tears fell onto the keys and her hands. She finally couldn't control her trembling fingers…
"Why did you stop?" A hoarse voice asked.
Mucheng was stunned. She thought that it was the kindergarten teacher. She stood up frantically and said, "I'm sorry for borrowing the piano for such a long time. I'm leaving now with Xiaole…" She stopped when she noticed that the person standing in front of her was actually Guangxi. "Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be at the party now?"
"I thought I wanted to see you all one last time before I leave." He said, expressionless. "Where's Xiaole?"
"He's over there." She said pointing to Xiaole who was sleeping in a corner in the music room.
"Did he fall asleep after listening to you play the piano?"
"Yes."
"He's exactly like me."
"What?" She was stunned.
"He's exactly like how I was back then, isn't he?" Guangxi looked straight into her face. "I'd always hear you play the piano and would fall asleep most of the time after that."
"You…" Mucheng was shocked. She grabbed onto the edge of the piano. "How is it possible that you…?"
"I've remembered the past." He said bitterly. "It's not a complete recollection but I think I've recalled many things concerning you. I've recalled how we met back then, the case and when you said you wanted to leave me."
"Guangxi…" Mucheng clenched onto her teeth. She found many thoughts racing through her head. Why was he staring at her with a look of indifference on his face now?
"Liang Mucheng, I couldn't protect you, right? I couldn't even save my own family's Shengde Hall, how could I've thought of protecting you then? I'm just a rich man's son who sits around and enjoys life. You were afraid that I couldn't take hardships and would become your burden, right?" He forced her to answer him. Every question was like a piece of molten rock that seemed to melt and burn her heart.
He really remembered it all. But the bad news was, he remembered their breakup most clearly. He must have been heartbroken back then.
She was teary-eyed. "Guangxi, listen to me…"
He suddenly grabbed her shoulders. "What is it that you have to say? How do you intend to put me down further? Isn't all these enough already?"
He really hated her because she hurt him badly then. "I'm sorry, Guangxi."
"You don't have to be!" Guangxi shouted. He was furious and he shook her hard. He really felt like slapping her. "After all, you've already repaid me with your body, isn't it?"
"I…"
"Didn't you leave with Hua Tuoye so that you'd get to enjoy a luxurious life? What on earth is going on now then?" He said sarcastically. "Why are you an unwed mother and have to work really hard like you did in the past? What about Hua Tuoye? Why isn't he protecting you? Why aren't you married to him? He…"
Guangxi paused and suddenly turned his attention to Xiaole who was sleeping in the corner. He was struck with a thought that made him lost for a moment. Then he said, "Don't tell me that it's because Xiaole's my…"
"No, that's not the case!" Mucheng guessed what he wanted to say and interrupted immediately. "Please don't let your imagination run wild."
But the more she denied, the more he felt she was hiding the truth from him. Guangxi knew immediately what was going on and he had mixed feelings about it.
"Xiaole's my son, right?" He asked her sternly and tried to walk across the room to Xiaole.
Mucheng stepped in front of him and tried to block him. "Please, Guangxi." She shook her head miserably. "You're getting married soon."
So what? Did she take him as a fool now? Was that why she kept the truth from him and forbade him from acknowledging his son?
"Liang Mucheng, you're ruthless indeed." Guangxi banged his fist into the wall. He felt a burning sensation in his chest. This woman was the one who trampled on and killed his young and innocent love. "I'll not let you off."
"What do… you want?" She was as pale as a sheet.
The sides of his mouth went up slightly, making him look like a smiling demon. "I want Xiaole."
Mucheng was afraid as she knew what he meant. She ran across the room immediately and pick up her son. Xiaole was shocked and he woke up. He rubbed his eyes and looked at his mother.
"Mummy, what's the matter?"
Mucheng didn't answer him. She just wanted to get away from Guangxi. But Guangxi was sticking closely right behind her. His every footstep sounded to her as though the guards from Hell were coming after her.
No, she couldn't let him take Xiaole away from her. No one was allowed to take her son away from her.
"Mummy, it's Uncle Alien." Xiaole found Guangxi who was standing behind them. He immediately got down from his mother's arms and ran towards his idol.
Mucheng immediately grabbed her son's arms. "No, Xiaole, we have to go now!"
"Why? Mummy, I want to play with Uncle."
"No, you can't!"
"Why not? Uncle!" Xiaole cried. He could feel his mother's firm stand even though he was a child.
"Xiaole!" Guangxi's heart broke when he heard Xiaole's cries. He ran up to Mucheng and snatched Xiaole from her.
Xiaole snuggled in his arms. "Uncle, why doesn't Mummy allow for me to play with you?"
"That's because I'm not your Uncle." Guangxi said as he stroke his son's head.
"Who are you then if you're not Uncle?" Xiaole asked innocently, with tears in his eyes.
"I'm your Daddy."
Guangxi announced in front of Mucheng. He didn't know that she felt like it was the end when he said that.
She was rooted to the ground and she looked very helpless. She saw her son grabbing Guangxi. Xiaole was all smiles. It was like a dream come true for him as his idol was actually his biological father.
"I knew it. I knew that you were related to my Daddy. You're exactly like what Mummy had described you to be. You are my Daddy." Xiaole's eyes sparkled like the stars in the night sky.
"Yes, I'm your Daddy." Guangxi hugged his son.
Don't do that, he can't take Xiaole away from her. Xiaole was her only treasure…
Mucheng felt something stinging her eyes are she watched them. "Xiaole, come back here."
"Mummy, it's Daddy!" Xiaole didn't understand why his mother was upset and happily shouted his discovery at her.
She felt that it was too unbearable for her. She took Xiaole's hand and said, "Let's go. Xiaole, let's leave now!"
"No, Mummy, I want to be with Daddy…"
"Leave with Mummy now!"
Mucheng and Xiaole were "playing" tug and war with each other when a fist landed on Guangxi's face and he was thrown onto the ground.
The person who had beaten him was none other than Tuoye. He had saved Mucheng at the most critical moment. She immediately picked her son up and left hurriedly.
"No! Mummy, I want to be with Daddy. Xiaole wants Daddy---"
***
"He said he wants Xiaole. He said he's going fight for Xiaole's custody rights with me!"
Mucheng put Xiaole to bed with much difficulty before telling Tuoye what had happened just now. She then poured her worries to Tuoye. "What should I do now? Tuoye, tell me. What should I do now?"
"Mucheng, calm down." Tuoye said, grabbing onto her shoulders. He looked at her and saw that she was pretty disheveled and lost and that broke his heart. "Don't be like this. There will be a way to solve this. Ren Guangxi won't be able to do as he pleases."
"But he has already taken some of Xiaole's hair for DNA Testing. He'll go to court once the results are out… I know he'll do that. He's a lawyer. He can easily win Xiaole's custody rights if he wants to."
"Even so, he still has a fiancée. She's a rich man's daughter. Do you think she'll be willing to raise someone else's child then?"
"Who knows? Guangxi said that she's a pediatrician and she loves children." A disturbed Mucheng said.
"This is not just someone else's child; it's a child that has been born to her fiancé and another woman." Tuoye tried to calm Mucheng down. "Just don't panic for now. You have to stay calm and think. I'm sure that there will be a way out."
"I have actually thought of a way." Mucheng said. "The only way is for me to leave Huatian Village with Xiaole."
"What did you say?" Tuoye was shocked. "Are you trying to imply that you're hoping that Ren Guangxi wouldn't be able to find you all like that?"
"Yes, this is the best solution to the problem."
What about him then? He wouldn't be able to see them too. How was he supposed to be at peace then if he couldn't take care of them?
"No, I don't approve of that."
"Tuoye…"
"I can't let the two of you out of my sight! " Tuoye said anxiously. "It has been tough on you all these years and I don't want to see you suffer anymore. I…" He bit onto his lips and struggled for a moment. Then he shouted, "I want to take care of the two of you!"
Mucheng was stunned.
"I wish to take care of the two of you." Tuoye repeated himself. He walked towards Mucheng and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Would you marry me, Mucheng?"
"But…" Mucheng hesitated. All she took Tuoye for was a good friend.
"I know that you only take me as a friend." Tuoye wore a smile of self-mockery on his face. "But I like you for a very long time already. Mucheng, I was afraid that we can't even be friends if I confess to you. But now…"
He scratched his head and he looked a little bashful. "You need me too, isn't it? If we get married, Xiaole will have a father and a complete family. In that way, you'd be granted the custody rights even if we have to go to court."
That was true. A complete family would mean a better chance of being granted the custody rights.
"But I can't make use of you like this. It's not fair to you." Mucheng said, frowning.
"Make use of me, Mucheng." Tuoye said, smiling. There was so much love that could be seen in his smile. "I'm really happy that I can let you make use of me. I, Hua Tuoye am most willing to be at your service whenever you need me."
"Tuoye, you…" Mucheng stared at Tuoye. She knew his feelings for her all these years. But she couldn't bear to hurt another person's heart.
"You don't have to give me a reply immediately. You can consider about it first. I can wait for you." Tuoye left at once as he was afraid that Mucheng may reject him on the spot.
Mucheng sat there and went into a trance. She didn't notice that Xiaole was hiding in the corner, eavesdropping on their conversation.
***
Oh no, what will happen to Daddy if Mummy were to marry Brother Tuoye?
Xiaole was very nervous after he overheard the adults' conversation. He didn't understand what it meant for 'custody rights' or 'complete family'. But he knew that he'd be separated from his father is his mother marry Brother Tuoye.
He didn't want that. He wanted his parents to live together with him.
He took out the wristband that his mother had given to him. He heard that it was a gift from his father. It was supposed to be a communicative device but he still didn't know how to operate it despite him examining it for a few days already.
Who should he ask then? He couldn't ask his mother or Brother Tuoye. It shall be… Grandpa Village Head then. He's the elderly with the most authority in the village. He'd know how to operate the device.
With that, Xiaole took the bus to the village head's office. But the village head was too busy to entertain Xiaole so he ended up loitering around instead. He then heard a piece of good news.
A few of the villagers were sending flowers to Mr. Lawyer who was in Taipei. Xiaole knew that they were talking about his Alien Daddy so he decided to follow them.
He hid at the back of the truck and he finally reached Taipei. The journey wasn't a smooth one and Xiaole was dizzy and he wanted to vomit but he bore with it until they reached their destination.
The truck stopped and the villagers started to move the flowers down. Xiaole slipped away from them and went to the venue of the wedding. He started to grab onto every stranger he saw and asked, "Have you seen Xiaole's Alien Daddy?"
"Lad, where did you come from?" All the people answered him impatiently. "We're very busy here. Please go and play somewhere else."
Xiaole was depressed that he couldn't seem to find his father. But he persevered and believed that he would be able to do so. Finally, he met a middle-aged woman who was classily dressed up for the occasion.
She was none other than Fang Derong. She had made a special effort to go down to the venue to see how the wedding preparations were going when she met a weird little boy.
"Alien? Whose child are you? Where are your parents?"
"My Mummy's not here. I'm looking for my Daddy." Xiaole replied innocently.
Fang Derong gazed at the boy and realised that he looked familiar. "Who is your Mummy?"
"Her name is Liang Mucheng. Do you know her?"
Liang Mucheng! Fang Derong was shocked. Isn't she the girl whom Guangxi was smitten with 6 years ago? Why did she appear again after 6 years? Was she here to crash Guangxi and Yiqian's wedding?
With that thought, she immediately put on a stern face and chased Xiaole away. "Go away! This isn't where you should be."
"But I'm looking for my Daddy." Xiaole pouted as he wore a pitiful look.
Fang Derong was almost going to give in to him but she forced herself to be ruthless about this. She called for the guards and said, "Bring this child out of here."
"No!" Xiaole struggled. "I want my Daddy…Ouch…" He felt a pain around his abdomen area and he squatted down in pain.
"Hey, what is wrong with you?"
"I feel… terrible…" Xiaole felt really dizzy and he seemed to be out of breath. His face was as pale as a sheet.
Fang Derong was shocked and stared back at him. After a moment, she found her voice. "Call the ambulance now and send this child to the hospital at once."
***
It was raining outside.
It was really a drizzle but it made Yiqian feel really depressed.
She stood by the window as she recalled what her fiancé said to her the night before---
"I have a child. I've already done a DNA testing to confirm his paternity."
"Is he… Liang Mucheng's son?"
"Yes, you saw him that night too. His name is Xiaole. I'd want to fight for his custody rights."
She looked at the glum look on his face and suddenly, he seemed like a stranger to her. "You've recalled everything, right?"
"Yes, I have." He admitted. It was clear that he was wanted to blame her for something. "You knew about Mucheng's existence and my past with her. Why didn't you tell me about it?"
How could she have done that? She wasn't brave enough to do that? She'd lose him for sure if she did!
But now, she was definitely losing him too. She knew that his heart was no longer belonged to her even though he did still express his willingness to get married with her…
She wanted to cry and tears welled up in her eyes. She covered them in an attempt of self-denial.
Guangxi was hers. He'd stay by her as long as she accepted Xiaole. After all, she was the one who was by him during the most miserable period of his life 6 years ago.
Guangxi loved her. She loved Guangxi too. They'd get married and no one would stop them from doing that.
"Dr. He, Dr. He!" A nurse called for her. "There's an emergency case!"
Yiqian regained her composure and rushed to the emergency department. The little patient was surrounded by a few nurses and trainee doctors. Amidst them, she saw her prospective mother-in-law.
"Yiqian, please save this child!" A flustered Fang Derong walked up to Yiqian. "He was at the wedding venue and I chased him away. Then he suddenly fainted without any warning. Can you please check and see what is wrong with him?"
"Okay, I'll take a look. Don't worry." She comforted Fang Derong and squeezed through the crowd to find the little patient who was lying on the bed to be Xiaole.
He was Mucheng and Guangxi's son.
Yiqian stood rooted to the ground and she was lost. The trainee doctor gave her a detailed report on Xiaole's pulse and breathing rates and his blood type. But she just stared blankly into space. She then lowered her gaze onto Xiaole. A frightening thought then occurred to her.
If this child ceased to exist, Guangxi would not tied to Mucheng. Guangxi would be solely hers then.
If only this child ceased to exist…
***
Guangxi rushed to the hospital immediately after he was being informed by Yiqian. He saw Xiaole sleeping in the ward and his mother pacing around outside the ward when he reached the hospital.
"Why are you here?" Fang Derong was shocked to see him. "Who informed you about this?"
"It was Yiqian." Guangxi replied and immediately rushed into the room to take a look at his son. "How is Xiaole? Is he okay?"
"You…know that child?" Fang Derong was devastated. "Does that mean that you have seen Liang Mucheng?"
"I've not only seen her, I've also recalled the past." Guangxi announced to his mother.
Fang Derong was terrified. She couldn't believe her ears. She noticed how flustered her son was and knew immediately that something was amiss. "So, you… no! You can't be involved with that woman anymore. It's none of your business what happens to her son…"
"Who says that it's none of my business? Xiaole is my son too!"
His deafening words shook Fang Derong to the core.
"I heard that Xiaole had a relapse after you tried to chase him away." Guangxi lectured his mother. "Do you know that you've nearly cost your grandson his life?"
He was her grandson? That child in the ward was actually her grandson? Fang Derong was speechless.
Guangxi ignored her and entered the ward to keep his son company. A few hours later, Mucheng arrived too. She was almost on the verge of breaking down when she saw her son lying unconscious on the bed.
"Xiaole, Xiaole." She stroked her son's pale face.
"He is going to be fine. His condition has already stabilized." Guangxi said hoarsely while he looked at her.
Mucheng stopped and took deep breaths. She was still extremely angry. She stood up and stared sternly at Guangxi. "Why did this happen? Why is Xiaole here? Did you take him away when I didn't notice it? How could you do that?"
Guangxi frowned. Her accusation made him really upset. "Do you really think that I'm such a despicable person; that I'll take Xiaole away without informing you about it?"
"Fine. Tell me how did Xiaole make his way to Taipei then?" She grabbed his collar and tears welled in her eyes. "Do you know how worried I was when I couldn't find him? I was so anxious as it was way past the time for his shots. I was afraid that he may suffer a relapse out there. I was so afraid that he'd be all alone by himself and no one would be helping him. I thought I heard him cry for me. I knew he'd be very frightened… Why must you do this? How can you take him away from me? I hate you, Ren Guangxi, I hate you…"
Mucheng was choked with emotions and she broke down. Guangxi stared at her and wanted to hug her but she pushed him away.
"Don't touch me. Don't you dare touch me!" She screamed at him and drew a line between them.
Guangxi clenched his teeth. He was really upset at her. A part of him wanted to scream back at her but another part of him wanted to hug her tightly and comfort her.
That was because his heart ached…
"Liang Mucheng, do you know that you're really abominable?"
"You're the one who's abominable! You stole my son from me!" She accused him again. "I won't let you do as you please. You will not snatch my Xiaole away from me!"
"Liang Mucheng…"
"Stop quarrelling." A weak voice interrupted. The two of them turned around immediately and looked at Xiaole who was lying on the bed. He had regained his consciousness and was sitting up on the bed looking teary-eyed.
"Xiaole, you've woken!" Mucheng ran towards her son. "How are you feeling? Are you in pain? Tell Mummy now, do you feel any discomforts?" She examined her son from top to toe anxiously.
Xiaole pushed her away indifferently. "I want Daddy."
"What?" She was stunned. "Xiaole, what did you just say?"
"I want Daddy!" Xiaole cried. "Mummy, you're so mean. You don't want me to be with Daddy and you want to separate us. You're an evil Mummy. Xiaole hates you!"
Xiaole… hates her?
Mucheng was shocked. Her beloved son wanted his Daddy instead of her?
She stood rooted to the ground. She felt a stinging sensation and she wanted to cry but she couldn't seem to do so. She wanted to say something but she couldn't seem to do so too.
She recalled how much pain she had endured to give birth to Xiaole, who was so small and weak back then. She was so afraid that Xiaole wouldn't survive then.
She never dared to let down her guard all these years. She was afraid that a small mistake would cost Xiaole to suffer again. She'd piggyback him to the hospital when he was sick. She'd take care of him all night long when he had a fever.
She loved this child and would always think that her life was complete whenever she saw his innocent smile. He was her treasure, her hope.
"Xiaole…" She trembled as she stretched her hands out to her son.
"Mummy, you're so evil. Why can't you let me be with Daddy? I hate you, I hate you!"
Her hand that was hanging in mid-air fell upon hearing that.
***
Her heart was broken
Guangxi saw her in the walkway. She was in a corner and she had buried her face between her knees.
She may have been crying but Guangxi knew that she wouldn't want him to see her doing so.
It seems like Xiaole's rejection was a strong blow for her. He had never seen her this depressed before.
Guangxi gazed at Mucheng and realised that his hatred for her was gone. All he wanted to do now was to protect this woman and make her smile again.
He made his way to Yiqian's office silently and knocked on the door.
Yiqian allowed for him to enter. It was as though she had known that he'd look for her. Her expression was very calm. "Take a seat; I've been waiting for you." She poured a cup of coffee for him. He accepted her offer. "Thank you for saving Xiaole."
"It's my responsibility as a doctor." She smiled slightly.
Guangxi gazed at her and realised that she was giving him a weak smile.
She knew he had seen through her disguise and decided to stop pretending. She pouted slightly and said, "Actually, there was a moment that I had actually hoped that the child would be of non-existence."
Guangxi was stunned and his fingers gripped tightly onto the side of the cup.
"I'm very scary, right?" Yiqian smiled bitterly. "I was frightened by my own thoughts too. I'm not fit to be a doctor."
Guangxi didn't reprimand her. He could understand why Yiqian would have that kind of thoughts. He felt apologetic. "It's my fault. I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?"
"It's because…" He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "I want to annul our engagement."
"I knew it, I guessed it earlier too." Yiqian lowered her head and said to herself softly. She smiled reluctantly and continued. "I knew you'd leave me if you regained your memory. That is why I've been delaying our marriage plans all these years. I was afraid of the arrival of this day."
"You too?" Guangxi was shocked.
"Some things are fated and predestined and there's no way you can change or escape from them." Yiqian said. "It's just like you remembering the past and me having to pay the price of lying to you." She took a deep breath and walk towards Guangxi. She leaned on his chest and said, "Can you please hug me for one last time, Guangxi?"
The two of them hugged and none of them said another word.
***
Guangxi returned to his son's ward after coming to an agreement with his ex-fiancée. Mucheng was still standing lonely outside the ward. He took a glance at her before entering the room.
Xiaole wasn't sleeping well. He frowned and mumbled in his sleep. Suddenly, he woke up.
"What's the matter?" Guangxi said, grasping onto his cold palms.
"Daddy." Xiaole grasped him tightly as though as the action would comfort him. "Where's Mummy?"
"She has already left." Guangxi said purposefully.
"She left? Where did she go?" Xiaole was shocked.
"Didn't you tell her that you want me and you hate her? That's why she left. She'll not disturb you again."
"Nope, that's not it…" Xiaole was flustered. "I didn't mean to chase Mummy away."
"But you broke your Mummy's heart because you said you hate her. She was very sad and has already left."
"What should I do now, Daddy?"
"I don't know." Guangxi pretended that there was nothing he could do and shook his head.
Xiaole became worried and struggled to get down from bed. "I must go and find Mummy now!"
"No, you can't go now. You're still on a drip. You can't move around as you please." Guangxi stopped Xiaole.
"Let me go, I want to find Mummy now!" Xiaole shouted. He was worried that he'd lost his mother. "Mummy! It's my fault. Please don't be angry with me and abandon me!"
"What's the matter?" Mucheng heard the commotion and rushed in immediately. "Xiaole, how are you feeling? Are you alright?"
"Mummy!" Xiaole heaved a sigh of relief after seeing Mucheng. He laid in her arms and cried softly. "Please don't be angry with me. It's my fault. I was disobedient. I apologise to you. Please do not leave me, Mummy." He sniffed. Every sentence he said broke Mucheng's heart.
She hugged her son tightly and comforted him. "Who said that I'll abandon you? How can I bear to abandon you? I won't leave; I'll be here with you. Xiaole, don't cry."
"Mummy." Xiaole continued to sob.
Guangxi stood by the side and watched the mother and son hugged each other. He smiled and said, "Xiaole, you like your Mummy best, right?"
"Yes." Xiaole sniffled and nodded. He wiped his tears and said, "I like Mummy best."
"Your Mummy is the most important person to you, right?" Guangxi asked.
"Yes, but…" He wanted his Daddy too! Why can't he like the both of them? Must he really have to choose from the two of them?
Xiaole looked at his father and was on the verge of crying.
"I know. You want the both of us, right?" Guangxi understood his son's thoughts. He leaned forward and stroked his face. "Shall the three of us live together in future?"
Xiaole's eyes sparkled. His face was still full of tears but he was already smiling. "Can we really do that? Can I live together with the both of you?"
"We can; as long as your Mummy agrees to it." Guangxi said and looked at Mucheng.
She stared back at him and was lost for words.
***
"Please marry me, Mucheng. We'll get married. That's the best solution."
Guangxi pulled Mucheng onto the walkway to sort things out after Xiaole fell asleep.
"You want Xiaole to have a complete family too, right? He wants both his Daddy and Mummy. We can fulfill his wish as long as we get married.
"But… what about He Yiqian?" Mucheng hesitated. "Weren't you going to marry her?"
"I've already annulled our engagement. She agreed to it."
"You…" She frowned.
He warned her before she rejected him. "You'd reject me only if you want to fight for Xiaole's custody rights with me in court."
She paused and was upset by his demanding tone. "I don't have to marry you. Tuoye proposed to me too…"
"What did you just say? You want to marry another man?" Guangxi grabbed her by the shoulders. He was very upset by her remark. "Listen carefully, I'll not allow for that. You and Xiaole belong to me and I'll not let anyone else have the two of you!"
Six years ago, Mucheng left him for Hua Tuoye. Was history going to repeat itself again?
No! He wouldn't allow for that to happen!
"Say yes, you can only give me this answer." He commanded.
How can this man be so overbearing?
Mucheng clenched onto her teeth. She didn't understand him at all. He hated her to the core and yet he wants to marry her? Did he think that a couple would be able to live happily ever after without love?
"I know. You want to punish me, right?" She stared at him sorrowfully. She thought she was right and her heart sank. "Whatever. You may do as you please. I don't care. It doesn't matter to me anymore---"