CHAPTER 14
Ling hun:
"Good day everyone, I am Zai Xin. You may know me through my career as a model. Just recently I have modelled besides Ling hun Hong for White Pearl Ltd's newest product "The red lantern rouge". Images were shared throughout the internet and are presently on the biggest billboard in Beijing. I wanted to address that the outfits chosen, the gestures and the settings were 100% White Pearl ltd's marketing ideas and schemes and therefore it should not have been taken on personally. I apologise on my behalf if the attires worn in the advertisement were indecorous in any way. I also apologise for the misunderstandings and for not addressing this situation earlier, but Ling hun Hong and I are strictly platonic. I have been experimenting with myself and I think now is the right time to come out to the public and let them know the truth. The truth is I am gay. Everyone has their own preferences and I believe that it should be respected. I hope this will clear up all of the confusion that has been circulating. I do wish everyone a safe and enjoyable day ahead!"
To be honest, I kind of saw that it was coming. I was so relieved that Zai Xin took care of the situation in an efficient way that did not cause any stigma to him or myself. Zai Xin may be attracted to the same gender but I do hope he finds his love soon. Xiao Xu would finally see that it was him only I truly loved.
Ling yi ge made up her mind that she would live with her parents for the time being and then eventually she would move in at Jin Hai's home. We both agreed that Xiao Xu and her had a past which was better to be left.
I went over to Shang's house to pick up Xiao xu. I knocked on the lion doorbell with a metallic ring that pounded against the door which made the alarming noise.
As the door opened I saw his piercing eyes, the perfect lips and the hair which blew with the wind. All I did was hug him up and all he did was place both his hands around my waist.
"I am really sorry for all that I have done for the past couple of days. To be honest, you do not even deserve someone like me. Someone like you deserves a girl who would be by your side no matter what, who would love you for everything that you do, who would put you over everything else including their job." I cried.
All he did was place his finger on my lips and told me to "shush". He held my hair and leaned me against the door and kissed me.
"Shang and Lang Shi, I do not know how to thank you both enough. Lang Shi I would definitely make up for that lunch we missed!"- Ling hun
"I really have been out of the loop for a while. Since when have you and Lang Shi been friends?" Xiao xu giggled.
"How about "acquaintances" for now?" Both Lang Shi and I laughed.
We got into the car and he said, "Ling hun, these past few days were really tough on both of us. We already have so much going on with this soul switch and the past just keeps flooding back. I hope you know that I really love you. I would do anything for you. I respect your views and I decided that if we do have to switch souls we might as well create the memories now so for starters how about we do something fun, something out of the box?"
"I think that is amazing! I love you too. Xiao Xu I just want to let you know I am okay with your past with Ling yi ge it is fine. I saw how much she inspired you to be a better person and I would cherish her for that. I love you and her the same way. Maybe a little more touch of love for you!" I chuckled.
"What did I do to get someone like you? I would admit I did exaggerate on that day with Jin Hai. I know now that you and Jin Hai are done and that you truly love me."-Xiao xu
"I know something "out of the box". I think we should go to an antique shop. What do you think?"- Ling hun
"I think that is exactly what we should do." He said.
Upon entrance to the store our entire atmosphere and feelings had changed. The daily stresses of modern life have ceased. An antique way of living was with great etiquette and serenity.
An old man showed us around the store describing each collectible and their history with it. Throughout time on this earth, humans died and were reborn but their belongings remained untouched.
With a wide range from cutlery, wooden chairs, lamps, pocket watches, polyphon and wall clocks that passed from each generation.
"A river's maiden. I have owned this store for 66 years. Throughout my time I have never found something so rare. This was dated 1000 years back. It was found buried in the banks of a river. It is believed that a young girl wore this hairpin and whoever wears it up to this day, has good luck."- Shopkeeper
The golden hairpin was so familiar. It was forged with pearls and a butterfly. It was an enchanting piece of ornament.
Xiao Xu took "a river's maiden" and placed it on my hair. I looked in the mirror and saw my reflection.
"Youya de"
"Youya de"
"Youya de"
I heard whispers of the name three times as the hairpin combed the strands of my hair.
"Xue Zan, you would have to pay for your deeds. You would have to suffer the consequences of your actions. Just like you had shed my blood, with this hairpin I would have to do the same to you. You would have to feel the pain that I went through. The day where the rivers cried, the clouds were expected to rain and the lands were breaking apart. You took everything away from me but now I am going to get it back. Xue Zan you would have to pay for your deeds!"
"Ling hun stop!" Xiao xu yelled.
As he pulled out the hairpin from my hair, his face was covered with sweat and a petrified expression.
"What just happened?"- I frantically asked.
"Ling hun, you nearly stabbed me with this hairpin. You were saying something about paying for my deeds and it was as if you were in a trance."
"Xiao Xu I am not sure what I did but I am really sorry." I said.
The old man grabbed the hairpin from Xiao Xu's hands and placed it back in his glass display.
My mind was occupied with what occurred. I asked Xiao Xu to drive us home because my hands were shaking.
"In this lifetime there is a ritual to perform which can switch your souls. It can only occur if you find a powerful talisman."
I remembered the vision I had in which I was the river dancer and I died. I was dressed with the exact hairpin.
"Xiao Xu, as crazy as this sounds, I think we found something powerful enough to perform the ritual and switch our souls. I think we have found our talisman!"