She actually thought that he brought up marriage as a punishment for her.
How could she have thought in that manner…?
Guangxi felt utterly defeated and depressed. What kind of a man did Mucheng think he was?
Six years ago, she didn't believe that he could bear the responsibility of a man and bring her any happiness. Six years later, she took him as a jerk that was going to fight with her over their son.
Liang Mucheng was clearly belittling him. He must have been mad to want to marry her after she didn't believe in him and had expressed her doubts about him.
But he knew he wanted to marry her despite it all. It was not only to provide Xiaole with a complete family but also because he didn't want her to leave him again.
He wanted seeing her to be the first thing he did in the morning after he wakes up. He also wanted seeing her to be the last thing he did at night before he goes to sleep. He wanted her to smile at him. The only place she could hide if she were to cry was only to be in his arms.
All in all, he'd never let someone else have her, even if the other party is Hua Tuoye!
"You'll give Mucheng happiness, right?" Hua Tuoye warned him at the wedding banquet. "You're dead meat if I know that she's upset with you. Ren Guangxi, I don't care how people would look at us but I'll take her away from you if that happens. You better be well prepared then."
"I know. Please don't worry about it. Mucheng will be happy." That was his reply. It served as both a rebuttal and also a comfort to and for Hua Tuoye.
Frankly speaking, he admired this man. He had been by Mucheng all these years and had never wavered since.
But that also spurred him on. He wanted to show that he was more worthy of Mucheng's love than Hua Tuoye. He'd make her fall in love with him again; as long as she gave him the chance to do so.
If only she gave him the chance to do so----
It was their wedding night. Guangxi blinked his eyes as he stared at Mucheng's face. She seemed a little… indifferent? His heart sank as he felt that he was hurt by her expression.
"Have you been waiting for a long time?" He was lying backwards on the bed. "Take off my clothes for me."
Mucheng frowned and pondered for a moment as to how she should treat him. Then after some consideration, she gently took off his coat and tie.
"There's still another piece." He pointed to his top.
She bit onto her lips as she unbuttoned his top. One by one, the buttons came off. She was slow at it and her hands trembled. She paused when she was at the last button.
He squinted at her. "What's the matter? Are you shy?"
She was stunned for moment. Then she blushed. "Ren Guangxi, don't go too overboard!"
"How can you say that? You're my wife, I'm your husband. Don't you know that it's part of our bedroom fun for you take off my clothes for me?"
She remained motionless while staring back angrily at him.
"Alright then. Since you don't want to take it off for me, can you take off your own clothes then? I'm your husband; it's a sort of entertainment to see my wife strip in front of me. That isn't too much to ask for right?" Guangxi said, smiling a little evilly
He thought that Mucheng might reject that idea and even lecture him for it. But to his surprise, his newly-wedded wife just stared at him with a stubborn expression and she started to remove her own clothes.
Her actions were fast and firm and she didn't hesitate for a moment. Guangxi was shocked by her actions and he sat upright while staring at her.
In a matter of moments, Mucheng's nightgown fell onto the floor. She was only in her undergarments. She stood there, upright and she resembled a while lotus that was blooming out of the water.
Guangxi looked at her with his heart racing and lust unleashing in him.
But she just stood calmly on the spot and tilted her face slightly, She looked distant and Guangxi felt as though as he was been disregarded by her.
What was she thinking? Was she still thinking of Hua Tuoye and was thus depressed that she had unfortunately become his wife instead? Was she that unwilling and reluctant to marry him?
With that in mind, Guangxi was very angry. He got up from bed and took the quilt in his hands. He then wrapped the quilt tightly around Mucheng.
She was stunned. "You…"
"Liang Mucheng, it is okay if you don't want to do it. I'm not so pathetic till I have to force myself on an unwilling woman." Guangxi made his statement. He then put on some clothes and walked towards the door.
"Where are you going?" She asked him.
He turned around and smiled broadly. "Women would throw themselves at me if I really need one."
Was he implying that he was going to have some fun with—another woman out there?
Mucheng was speechless. She slumped onto the bed and wrapped her arms around herself. She suddenly felt extremely cold. She shivered and tears started to well up in her eyes.
What kind of marriage was this? How was she supposed to face a husband who doesn't love her?
She didn't have an answer…
***
Ever since then, Mr. and Mrs. Ren appeared to be close in front of others but behind others, they almost ignored each other.
He was strong-headed and she was stubborn. The two of them refused to play second fiddle because they were afraid that they'd lose face and end up being hurt at the end of the day. They decided to be indifferent about the other party's life.
Guangxi would always used his work as an excuse and he was often back at a late hour. Even when he was earlier, he'd only play with Xiaole, tell him bedside stories and put him to sleep. After that, he'd return to his study room and continue with his work.
Neither would he go back to the master bedroom on his own nor would Mucheng call for him. The husband and wife slept in different rooms and would often toss and turn till dawn.
They'd only pretend to be a loving couple in front of Xiaole lest he got upset.
"Mummy, Daddy told me the story of Snow White last night." Xiaole told Mucheng at the breakfast table.
"Snow White?" Mucheng lifted her brow. "I thought you hated such girlish stories in the past?" Xiaole loved stories about aliens on their adventures or Harry Potter and his magical encounters, isn't it?
"But Daddy said that someday, I'll meet my Snow White too. Therefore, I should learn how to protect her now."
Was he trying to teach their son courting skills at such a young age?
Mucheng rolled her eyes at Guangxi. He shrugged his shoulders and continued having his coffee.
"I actually liked Tangtang. But I can no longer see her now that we've moved to Taipei." Xiaole sighed. He felt that it was a regret that his first love had ended so quickly. "If not, Tangtang can be Snow White. I'd slay the dragons for her and stop her from eating the poisonous apples."
Were there dragons in that fairytale?
Mucheng was puzzled while Guangxi relaxed and continued to have his coffee. But he felt a little guilty and almost choked on his coffee. The truth was he had made up most of the fairytale himself and he was pretty sure that some of the parts may have been mixed up with the other stories.
"Daddy said that Prince Charming kissed Snow White and caused her to wake up because he loved her." Xiaole had finally got to the most important point after talking for so long. "Mummy, does Daddy wake you up by kissing you too?"
"What?" Mucheng paused for a moment.
"Kissing." Xiaole pointed to his own lips. "Daddy said that he'd often play kissing games with you."
What was he trying to teach their son? Mucheng felt herself blushing and stared back at her husband plaintively. "Xiaole, don't listen to your Daddy's nonsense. We've not done that…"
"What? You all don't kiss?" Xiaole was disappointed. "Don't you guys love each other?"
"Of course we do." Guangxi announced it in a most natural tone and wrapped his arms around Mucheng's shoulders. "You love me a lot, don't you, my dearest wife?"
He sounded so wicked and annoying. Mucheng looked at him and her heart began to race uncontrollably.
"Mummy, don't you love Daddy?" Xiaole persisted and he looked terribly worried.
"I… Of course I do." Mucheng decided to give it her all to satisfy her son.
"Do you all play kissing games then?"
"Of course we do. We'd often kiss." Guangxi replied reassuringly and his lips started to move closer to his wife's face. "We'd kiss like this, and like this and sometimes we'd also kiss like this." His kisses landed on Mucheng's face, forehead and brows as he said that
"Don't you all kiss on the lips too?"
"Of course we do." Guangxi planted one last kiss on Mucheng's lips. He even paused for a few moments on her lips.
Was that enough? Mucheng felt her face burn. She was embarrassed and she pushed her husband away. Their eyes met with each other's. She initially wanted to express anger but it seemed like she had ended up wearing a gentle expression instead.
The couple felt weird and both of them turned away at the same time.
Xiaole failed to notice the awkward atmosphere between his parents. He just clapped happily and even said that he'd follow in his Daddy's footsteps and give to his future princess a lot of kisses too.
At the very same moment, Fang Derong came into the dining hall coincidentally. She was shocked to see the family of three happily having breakfast together.
"Good morning, Granny." Xiaole greeted her obediently after seeing her. "Today's breakfast is really delicious. My Mummy has made us some egg rolls." He warmly sat her down next to himself as he said that.
Xiaole's actions left Fang Derong stunned. She had mixed feelings for this long-lost grandson. She still felt a little displeased even though she finally agreed to Guangxi and Mucheng's marriage. After all, it was because of Xiaole's presence that her plan backfired and Guangxi no longer listened to her.
"You all can have it." She rejected Xiaole's invitation. She felt a little out place with them. "I have to attend a meeting in school this morning. I've to leave first."
Xiaole watched as his Granny left. He pouted and asked, "Mummy, don't you think that Granny doesn't seem to like me?"
"Just ignore her." Guangxi replied immediately. He tousled Xiaole's hair and said, "That's her personality. You just have to ignore her."
"How can you tell that to Xiaole?" Mucheng reprimanded Guangxi. She then turned to Xiaole and smiled to him. "Granny just doesn't know how to express her feelings yet. I'm sure that she really likes you."
"Really?" Xiaole didn't really believe what Mucheng said.
"Why don't you make her a birthday card since it's her birthday next week? You can let Granny know that you want to befriend and get closer to her."
"Okay." Xiaole nodded.
Guangxi frowned. "Why must you do that? You know my mother doesn't buy that sort of things."
"You say that because you don't know her well." Mucheng replied and sighed.
"What do you mean?"
"She's actually someone… who really needs to be loved too."
***
Xiaole decided to use Mucheng's suggestion and he made a gigantic card personally. The mother and son prepared a little party to celebrate Fang Derong's birthday. The hall was full of colourful balloons. Xiaole even learnt how to make birthday party hats from Mucheng.
Mucheng baked the cake while Xiaole used fresh chocolate cream to write "Happy Birthday, Granny" on the cake.
Fang Derong was shocked by their surprise and she stood rooted to the ground after seeing it.
Xiaole popped a party popper in front of her and the confetti was released. "Happy Birthday, Granny!"
Fang Derong was speechless. Was it her birthday today? She had forgotten all about it.
Mucheng brought the cake in and the both her and Xiaole started to sing the birthday song. Xiaole applauded loudly and he requested his Granny to blow the candles and make a wish after they finished singing the song.
Fang Derong was embarrassed but she couldn't bear to disappoint her grandson. She could only vent her "frustrations" on her daughter-in-law. "I don't usually celebrate my birthday."
"It's a thought of Xiaole."Mucheng explained gently. "Mum, can you just blow the candles so that he'd not be disappointed?"
What else could she do other than that?
Fang Derong stared at her daughter-in-law before bending forward to blow the candles out. She then pretended to make a wish.
"Granny, this is a gift from me." Xiaole presented the card to her.
Fang Derong accepted it reluctantly.
"Open it!" Xiaole urged.
She opened the card to see the drawing of an old person and a young child holding hands together and taking a stroll in the park.
"I hope that I can take daily strolls with you in the garden, Granny." Xiaole said. He walked over to her and took her hand in his. His hand was warm and fuzzy and that brought tears to her eyes.
She clutched onto the card tightly as her fingers trembled.
"Granny, can we do that? Can I take strolls with you?"
She took a deep breath and her chest rose. She was deeply touched by him. "Of course… you can."
She then held onto Xiaole's hand.
Mucheng smiled after looking at them. Fang Derong turned over and looked at her. She was very grateful for what Mucheng had done.
She shook her head. The two of them looked at each other. This very moment revealed a chance of their cold relationship coming to an end.
***
"What is going on now?"
Guangxi came back for his mother's birthday party after Xiaole wanted him to do so. He was shocked to see his mother smiling away. It was even more unbelievable to see his mother talking and laughing away with his wife.
"What magic tricks did you use?" He asked his wife when they were alone.
"It's nothing to do with magic." Mucheng said, smiling. "I only let Mum know that her grandson would love her a lot if she'd open up herself."
"Love?" Guangxi was stunned. "My mother doesn't believe in that!"
"She chose to be so because she was hurt deeply by love in the past." Mucheng raised her gaze and looked at Guangxi. "You still don't know, do you? Your father left back then because he was having an extramarital affair."
"What?!" Guangxi was taken aback.
"I heard that he'd meet up with that woman in Shengde Hall." Mucheng explained. "That is why Shengde Hall maybe a place that represents happiness for you. But for your mother, it reminds her of her pain and failure. She never mentioned any of these to you and has even tried her best to keep Shengde Hall for your sake."
"Why won't she… tell me?" Guangxi was shocked and suspicious. He still couldn't believe that the truth was so ugly.
"Don't you understand?" Mucheng sighed. "She didn't want to tarnish your father's image in your heart. She knew how much you admired him and she didn't want to break your heart."
Is that so? Guangxi clenched onto his teeth. The person at fault back then was actually his father instead?
"In order to maintain your father's image in your heart, she chose to let you hate her instead. I'm a mother myself. My heart broke when Xiaole told me that he hated me then – How can you say that your mother doesn't know anything about love then? She doesn't have to torture herself like this if not that she loves both you and your father."
Guangxi was shocked. He regretted deeply how he had hated his mother in the past and how he had wasted so many years before he could think about the feelings between him and his mother.
"How did you know about all these?" He stared at his wife. He was surprised that she could see a secret that he couldn't.
"Mum told me some of it while I guessed the rest of it."
"Why did she tell you all of these?"
Mucheng didn't reply him and looked away. But Guangxi sensed something amiss from her actions and expression. Suddenly, he realised something—
"Don't tell me that it was my mother who told you to leave me back then?"
***
It was true that it was his mother's doing when she left back then. But she had willing done so and accepted that decision.
That was why she wasn't resentful at all. She thought that Guangxi would able to return back to his normal life and be happy as long as she leaves him then. That was why she didn't mind at all. But she didn't think that it would be so coincidental and they'd meet again. And till now, the past was still a tangled mess that they have yet to be able to resolve.
The both of them were trapped in an unwanted marriage now and feeling very breathless because of it.
Was it her mistake at all? Perhaps she shouldn't have made such a decision back then. But how could she have known that he'd rather let go of He Yiqian and punish her instead…?
Mucheng let out a sigh. Where was this marriage of hers heading to? Was it happiness or destruction? She felt very lost and didn't know what to do.
Her hand-phone rang, shocking her. She picked up the phone and she heard a worried and flustered voice over the other line.
"Mucheng, are you Mucheng?"
"Aunt Hua?" She was stunned and didn't know why Tuoye's mother suddenly called her. "What's the matter? Did something… happen to Tuoye?"
Aunt Hua was almost on the verge of breaking down. "Mucheng, you must think of a way to save my Tuoye! He's dead meat; he's really a goner this time round…"
"What are you talking about? Don't panic and tell me slowly, Aunt Hua."
"It's all the Village Head's grandson Bin's fault! I have already told Tuoye to leave that rascal alone but they grew up together and that was almost impossible. But look at what trouble he has landed Tuoye in now!"
"What is going on?" Mucheng wasn't able to understand what she was saying and that made her anxious. "Aunt Hua, what happened to Tuoye?"
"He has been arrested by the cops. They suspect that he has murdered someone…" Aunt Hua said, choking with emotions.
"Murder!?" Mucheng was shocked.
"It's Bin's fault! He had to get involved with a gangster leader and the other party sent someone to kill him. Tuoye was just trying to save him…"
"Was that how he killed the man accidentally?" Mucheng was in a daze. How could that have happened?
"Tuoye didn't kill him. Tuoye said that the man fell down the building because he wasn't standing properly… It's not Tuoye's fault but the police refuse to believe what he said and insisted that he's the murderer…" Aunt Hua cried as she talked to Mucheng.
"Aunt Hua, compose yourself. We'll find a way to help him since Tuoye is innocent. Dry your tears and don't worry anymore." Mucheng coaxed her. But she was dripping in cold sweat and looking very pale herself.
"Mucheng, can you please get your husband to help?" Aunt Hua begged. "He's a famous lawyer. He will definitely be able to help Tuoye. Can you please do that? Can you please get your husband to help to save my son?"
She was to get Guangxi to help? But…
Mucheng frowned and thought about the cold and awkward relationship they shared. She really wasn't too sure if he'd help them.
"Take it that I'm begging you to do so!" Aunt Hua thought that Mucheng wasn't agreeable to it and she begged her desperately. "I know I wasn't nice to you in the past but I… didn't mean it at all! I was just worried for my Tuoye. You do know that I'm very nice to Xiaole, don't you? I'd often give him sweets and toys…"
"I know, Aunt Hua." Mucheng comforted her. "Don't worry; I'd get Guangxi to help to get Tuoye out of this. Please dry your tears and calm down."
"Okay, that's great." Aunt Hua was very grateful. "Thank you, Mucheng. I'll await news from you then."
***
What was going on 6 years ago?
Was Mucheng really breaking the promise they made when she left him then? Or perhaps there was another reason that she couldn't tell anyone at all?
Did this reason have anything to do with his mother then?
It was already late at night when Guangxi was still working in his office. He was preparing the documents that he needed in court tomorrow. But he was listless and often ended up thinking about the dazing look that his wife wore on her face.
He always felt that Mucheng had kept something from him 6 years ago. He thought about everything that happened 6 years ago and tried to analyse her journey in life then logically.
The more he thought of it, the more he felt suspicious about it. His wife was never a materialistic woman. If it was like what she claimed; she was tired and wanted a good life, why did she have to end up in Huatian Village and raise Xiaole all on her own then?
Such a woman wouldn't be afraid of hardships. She was experiencing them all the time!
Guangxi felt his heart ached as he thought about how Mucheng had raised Xiaole solely all these years. It had really been difficult for her…
He regained his composure when someone knocked on his office's door. He lifted his head and was shocked to see the woman who he missed dearly standing right at the door.
She looked pale and she was wearing a forced smile. She looked at him apologetically, as if she was worried that she had interrupted him.
"Why are you here?"
"I realised that it was late and you weren't home yet so…" She took a deep breath and raised the container that she was holding in her hand. "I came to give you some supper."
"Supper?" Guangxi was surprised and he stood up and walk towards his wife. Was this her way of making peace with him?
"Are you hungry? Have you had dinner already?" She asked and stared uncertainly back at him.
"I had dinner. But it was just a sandwich." He smiled. "What do you have for me?"
"Beef rice."
Beef rice? He was stunned for a moment.
"Do you want… to have some?" She asked after she spotted his hesitant expression.
He wasn't hesitant at all. The truth was; this dish of beef rice reminded him of their bittersweet memories, happiness, pain and losses.
"Take a seat." Guangxi lead Mucheng to the sofa. He opened the container and he immediately picked up the aroma of the beef rice. It reminded him of those past memories. He took a mouthful of it and began to chew gently. Guangxi felt nostalgic.
"Is it nice?" She asked him gently.
His eyes were red and he took a few more mouthfuls before nodding his head.
Mucheng was worked up as she saw him taking in big mouthfuls of the rice. It was a bittersweet feeling and she was choked with emotions.
Guangxi ate very quickly and he ended up choking on his food. She immediately poured him some water and patted his back for him.
He looked at her and mocked. "This is so embarrassing, right?"
She shook her head.
"But this rice is really delicious." He praised her.
"It's great that you like it." She answered him as she gazed softly at him.
He knew that she had something to say. "Do you have something to say? Shoot then."
"I… I was thinking…" Mucheng bit onto her lips and her hands clung onto her skirt.
"It's okay; just say whatever you want to." He encouraged her gently. He thought that perhaps she wanted to confess to him the reason why she had left him back then.
"I want to ask you for a favour. Can you… please help to defend Tuoye?"
"What?" Guangxi was taken aback. That was nothing close to what he had expected to hear.
"He has been framed by someone!" She explained anxiously. "He didn't murder anyone but the police refused to believe him. He is innocent!"
He stared back at her. It was after a while when Guangxi replied in a hoarse voice. "That's the reason why you sent me some beef rice for supper tonight, right?"
She wasn't trying to make peace with him. She did all of that for Hua Tuoye! Why was he so foolish? He actually thought that she still cared for him because of their past relationship. The truth was, the person who she really cared for wasn't him; it was Hua Tuoye…
"Guangxi, what is your answer then?" Mucheng asked him cautiously.
Guangxi laughed and stood up with his back facing her. He then gazed out of the window. "Would you leave with Xiaole someday again if I don't do so?"
"I…" Mucheng was stunned for a moment. She didn't know why but she felt that her husband's words and attitude were really cold and that made her heart ached.
"Okay, I promise you that I will help." He turned around and looked at her. "Don't worry; I will save the life of the man you love."
***
The couple's relationship aggravated ever since Guangxi agreed to defend Tuoye. Even Xiaole couldn't act as the lubricant between them anymore. Guangxi would always put on a face when he was home. His attitude to Mucheng was just absolutely cold.
Fang Derong couldn't tolerate what she saw. She decided to speak to her daughter-in-law personally. "Is Guangxi so because he is still upset about what happened 6 years ago? I should have told him that it was actually me who's the one…"
"It's not that, Mum." Mucheng rejected her mother-in-law's kind offer. "This is a problem between me and Guangxi. We should solve these ourselves. Guangxi isn't only upset about me for what happened 6 years ago."
"What is he upset about then? How do you want to resolve this?" Fang Derong was anxious for her son and daughter-in-law. In the past, she would have just closed an eye but now, she really hoped that the couple would understand and appreciate each other well. In that way, they'd be able to walk down the path called Future together.
"It's okay. You don't have to worry for us. I will think of a way." Mucheng comforted her mother-in-law. She sounded confident but she knew that deep inside, she was actually extremely worried too.
Guangxi actually thought that the person she loved was Tuoye. This was a really huge misunderstanding!
The problem was, how was she supposed to explain it to him that it was a misunderstanding? Guangxi was always avoiding her. The only matter he'd discuss with her was Tuoye's case. Even then, his attitude was cold and business-like. Every time when she tried to get closer to him, she'd be able to feel him moving away from her.
Did he really hate her that much?
Her heart ached when she saw him working late into the night for Tuoye's case. She'd prepare some supper for him but he'd always leave her kind intentions alone.
She didn't know what to do. The more one cared for somebody, the more one would be afraid that he'd be cold towards yourself. Her heart was full of wounds now that she didn't want to add another to it.
Eventually, she could only care for him from a distance. She'd get the maids to send the supper to him. She also got Xiaole to serve him the chicken soup that she specially took time and effort to boil for him.
She could only iron and wash his clothes secretly. She never wanted him to know and be touched about it. She just hoped that by doing so, she would able to take some load off his shoulders. That was her way of supporting him while he worked late into the night.
Two weeks later, Guangxi found the crucial evidence that helped to clear Tuoye's name. Mucheng was very happy when she learnt of the news.
"Thank you, Guangxi. I knew that you can definitely do it. Thank you!" She thanked him.
Guangxi, on the other hand, was rather emotionless. He paused for a moment before speaking coldly to her. "I've already delivered what I promised. It's now time for you to repay me now."
"Repay you?" She was stunned for a moment. "What do you want me to do then?"
"I want you to… leave my world from now on."
"What?!" She was shocked, as though she had been stroke by lightning. "You mean that…"
"I want a divorce."
Divorce! He wanted a divorce with her?
Mucheng's mind went blank and she almost fainted. "Why? Guangxi, why are you asking for…a divorce?"
"Isn't this what you want?" He replied coldly. "Don't worry; I won't threaten to take Xiaole away from you again. I'm sure that Aunt Hua is very grateful to you after this time. She won't stop you from marrying Hua Tuoye again. I wish you happiness then."
He actually wished her happiness?
Mucheng's heart broke. Her tears flowed. She closed her eyes and her body slumped against the wall.
***
Guangxi didn't go home for three whole days after he requested for a divorce. He only got a carrier service to send over two sets of divorce papers which he had already signed.
No one had any idea where he was. He switched off his hand-phone and he didn't report to work at his office. It was as if he had disappeared from the surface of Earth.
Even though Mucheng told herself that she had to be strong after she received the divorce papers, she still couldn't take the blow after all. She became sick right after that.
Xiaole saw his mother lying on the bed and running a temperature. He heard her calling out for his father and he was very worried. He wanted to contact his father but no matter how he called his number, no one picked it up. Then, he suddenly thought of the signal-sending device that his father gave to him.
He found the wristband but he didn't know how to use it. He meddled with it and accidentally broke the wristband instead.
Oh no! Did he spoil the signal-sending device?
He was on the verge of tears and he held tightly onto the broken wristband. He started to call for his father in the courtyard. "Daddy, Daddy, do you hear me? Xiaole is calling for you. Please come back now! Mummy has fallen sick…"
Perhaps the signal-sending device really worked. Or perhaps it was because the kind Heaven heard and sympathized with Xiaole. But whatever it was, Guangxi really returned home after Xiaole did that.
"Daddy…! You're back!" Xiaole ran into his father's arms happily. "My signaling really worked. Mummy didn't lie to me."
"Xiaole." Having wandering around for 3 days had taken the toil on Guangxi's mental and physical health. He was suddenly energized after seeing his son. "Daddy missed you badly."
"I missed you too, Daddy! Why didn't you come home for so many days?"
That was because he was afraid to face the separation if he came home. He couldn't bear to take the terrible pain of losing both his wife and son at the same time.
Guangxi puckered his lips as he stroked his son's head. "How have you been then, Xiaole?"
"Not good." Xiaole shook his head fiercely. He lifted his head and showed his face which was full of tears. "Mummy has fallen sick."
"Mucheng has fallen sick?" Guangxi was shocked.
"Mummy is running a high temperature." Xiaole replied,
How did this happen? Guangxi was very worried. He immediately rushed upstairs and back into their bedroom. True enough, he saw his wife sleeping on their bed. She was as pale as a sheet.
"Guangxi, don't… Please don't leave me…" She muttered while she was dreaming away. Tears could be seen in Mucheng's eyes.
"Mummy kept calling for you. She really wanted to see you." Xiaole's eyes turned red too
Really? Did she really want to see him? He thought that she would have ran into her lover's arms happily after receiving the divorce papers from him…
Guangxi was lost. He walked up to the bedside. Mucheng seemed to feel his presence and she stretched out her hand, which he grabbed onto hesitantly.
"Daddy, Mummy will get better, right?" Xiaole asked worriedly.
"Of course she will." Guangxi used his other hand to hold onto his son's hand. "Daddy promises you that it's true."
"That's great." Xiaole was relieved. He then snuggled into his father's arms. It was then he realised that he was still holding on to the spoilt wristband. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I have something that I want to tell you and I hope that you will forgive me."
"What are you talking about?"
"This." Xiaole said as he unveiled the wristband that was broken into two. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I spoilt the signal sending device that you gave to me."
"I see." Guangxi smiled. "It's okay. I'll get you another one."
"Nope! This is the first gift that I got from you, Daddy. We can't just let the matter rest like this." Xiaole was troubled.
"Alright then. Let me see if I can repair it." In order to stop his son from crying, Guangxi took the wristband from him to check if he could repair it. But he found a memory card unexpectedly in the wristband. "What is this?"
He took out the memory card and the secret from 6 years ago unveiled…
Mucheng saw a cosy and warm sight when she woke up. The man she loved was hugging onto their son who she adored dearly and the two of them feel asleep by her side.
Both the father and son wore smiles on their faces. It seemed like they were having a happy dream.
She gazed at the two of them and she suddenly felt a surge of emotions in her. She didn't want to cry but her eyes just brimmed with tears.
Guangxi was suddenly jolted out of sleep and he placed his hand on Mucheng's forehead after seeing that she was awake. "Your temperature has gone down."
She felt warmth from his expression and that shook her to the core.
"Hold on for a moment." He smiled and carried Xiaole back to his room. He was holding onto a piece of document when he was back.
It was the divorce papers!
Mucheng was shocked and she felt cold. "Do you still insist that… we get a divorce?"
"Don't you want that?" He answered her question with another question
She gazed at him, lost and confused. After struggling for some time, she finally decided it was time for him to know her true feelings. "Yes, I don't want that, Guangxi. I don't want… to divorce you."
"Why not?"
"That's because you're the one… I love." Mucheng clutched on tightly onto her blanket and tried to hide her sorrowful expression from him. "Even if you hate and want me to leave, I still want to tell you that… you're the one I love no matter if it was then or now." She was choked with emotions and was struggling to confess to him. "It was my fault 6 years ago. I thought that my decision was the best for you. I really want you to be happy but I didn't know that things would turn out to be like this. I've hurt you deeply, right? I'm really sorry, Guangxi, I really am. Please don't hate me, okay?"
She kept apologizing to him. He knew that she was really upset.
"That's enough." He stopped her gently. He then sat down on the side of the bed and used his thumb to wipe away the tears on her face. "Do you know where I've been to these few days?"
"Where did you go then?"
"I went to Shengde University. I also visited the places that we've been to together. I even went to Huatian Village to take a look at those flowers that you took pains to grow." He paused and gazed at her. "Mucheng, the truth is; I can't bear for you to leave me too."
Mucheng was stunned for a moment. "Then why…"
"I thought that you don't love me at all." Guangxi smiled bitterly as he explained to Mucheng. "Do you know that I was waiting outside of our room on the night we got married? I was hoping that you'd come out to look for me but you didn't. I was very angry and I felt that you didn't care for me at all."
Was he hoping for her to care for him? Mucheng gazed at her husband and looked deep into his eyes. Then, slowly, she saw his feelings for her there. She then realised that she must have hurt him badly that night.
"It really hurts here." Guangxi pointed to his chest. "That was why I was always home late and my attitude to you was always cold."
Mucheng's heart ached. "I'm sorry." Why did she always have to hurt him?
"This is how I have always been. You should know very clearly too. The more I cared for something, the more indifferent I will pretend to be." He mocked. "It's exactly the same as it was 6 years ago."
6 years ago? Mucheng blinked her eyes in uncertainty.
Guangxi was a little embarrassed and he stood up with his back facing her. "6 years ago, I pushed you away. But it wasn't because of Yiqian; it was because I knew that I was suffering from brain cancer and I heard that the chances of survival aren't high. I didn't want to trouble you then."
Mucheng was shocked. She stood up too and said, "But Mum said that you dated Yiqian for the sake of Shengde Hall."
"I knew that she'd say that to you." Guangxi turned around and sighed. "I've never considered about dating Yiqian. All I know is you're all I want."
That means that she had misunderstood him. She thought that he was having a difficult time then because of Shengde Hall. But the real truth was; he had to let go of her because of brain cancer. "You left then because you felt that it would be good for me, right?" Guangxi asked obscurely.
Mucheng was stunned for a moment and she felt a surge of emotions. She stretched her hand out and covered her mouth so as to stop her urge to cry.
Her assumption actually caused them to be separated. She wasn't by his side when he really needed her to be there.
"I'm sorry, Guangxi. I'm really… very sorry." Tears flowed as Mucheng apologised.
Guangxi raised his hand and used his fingers to wipe away her tears. "I was at fault too. I shouldn't have kept you in the dark about my condition then."
She was even more depressed when she saw that he was so gentle to her. She cried while lying in his arms.
"Were you serious just now when you said that you love me?" Guangxi lifted Mucheng's face and asked her hoarsely.
"Yes." She replied honestly.
"Me too." He smiled softly at her. His smile was full of emotions. "I fell in love with you again before I regained my memory."
"Really?" She couldn't believe it.
"Yes! I've really been tortured badly by you during this period of time. You actually thought that I married you so that I can take revenge on you. I was so mad when I knew about that." Guangxi said as he pinched the tip of her nose slightly.
She smiled with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry. It's all because I've been too petty about things."
"Promise me something then since you know that you're at fault."
"What is it?"
"Go on a date with me tomorrow."
***
The first thing they did for their date was actually to take a bus ride.
Mucheng was shocked. She hesitated before boarding the bus. Both of them sat in the last row of seats.
"Why are we doing this?"
"Why are you still asking me that question?" He smiled as he looked at her. "Isn't this your wish?"
"What?" She was stunned for a moment.
He took a memory card out from his pocket. He then started to wave it in front of her. "It seems like there's a certain woman who has made used of this to confess her feelings for me."
"What? You found out about it?" She blushed and wanted to snatch the memory card from his hands.
He allowed for her to snatch it from his hands. He then took out his hand-phone. "It's okay. I've already saved everything that's important here."
"What?" Mucheng's face turned redder. She was thinking if she should snatch his hand-phone from him too.
"It seems like a certain someone is really in love with me. She took so many photos of me secretly." Guangxi teased as he raised his hand-phone and chose a photo. "Look, she even took a photo of me when I was sleeping. I bet she looked at me for a long time and was definitely drooling away while she took this photo."
"What are you talking about?" Mucheng protested. "I didn't drool."
"Are you admitting now that you did look at me for a long time then?" He chided.
"I…" She was stumped.
"That's no surprise at all." Guangxi pretended to fling his hair. "I'm so handsome and charismatic. It's hard for women not to fall for me."
"You…" She was angry at his comment. "You're really thick-skinned."
"Thick-skinned, you say? Do you want me to say things that are more embarrassing than this for the pleasure of all the passengers on the bus?" Guangxi continued to tease her.
She breathed deeply when she heard that. She knew that by hook or by crook, she'd have to snatch his hand-phone from him. "Give that to me! Don't you dare create a mess, okay?"
He chuckled and they started to fight with each other like children. They were so rowdy that the other passengers couldn't stand the noise and gave them stares.
In the end, Mucheng was tired. She had no choice but to admit defeat. She closed her eyes so that she'd not have to look at the complacent smile on her husband's face.
Suddenly, an earphone was stuffed into her left ear. She then heard crystal like sounds.
It was "Air on The G-String". She felt her heart quiver after she recognized that it was the very recording she made years ago.
After the piece ended, she heard her own voice making her confession shyly---
"I like you, Ren Guangxi, I really like you…
I like your stubborn streak. I like your proudness. I like the air of arrogance and confidence that surrounds you when you're playing ice hockey. I like it when you're reading your law texts for me seriously. I like it when you always don't mean what you say; you're always doing things for me and yet you'd always pretend that you're indifferent.
I also like the childish look on your face when you're asleep.
If life is to be a bus ride journey, I hope that my final destination will be you. But I don't think that is possible because you have greater dreams to fulfill. I can never match up to that.
But it is alright. I have no regrets even though I can only take the bus ride with you for a short while. That's because I've managed to see the most beautiful scenery at your stop.
Thank you, Ren Guangxi.
I love you even though your happiness isn't at my stop."
This was the very confession she recorded then.
Mucheng felt mixed emotions as she heard the recording. It felt like she had returned in time and experienced the taste of teenage love.
There was silence for a few seconds before she heard another warm and low voice---
"Liang Mucheng, I like you too.
I like it that you have a strong will. I like it that you're very understanding. I like your expression while you play the piano. I like the fierce look on your face when you try to lecture me about things. I like it that you say that you should be protecting me too.
I also like it that you're always so shy when we kiss.
Thank you, Liang Mucheng.
I love you. My happiness is at your stop."