**February 13, 2000**
Cheng Xian and Xue'er are celebrating their second anniversary.
**Location: National University of Singapore - Outside the Department of Business.**
**Time: 4 PM.**
"Finally! Class is over! I'm completely worn out," Xue'er exclaimed.
"Why the exhaustion? Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! Aren't you excited for someone to pick you up?" Yang'er teased.
"Sister! What are you talking about? Did you come to the Business Department just to find me?" Xue'er retorted.
"Not at all! I was actually looking for Steven in the Department of Medicine. But I heard your boyfriend is graduating next year. You still have two more years left—are you going to miss him?" Yang'er inquired.
"What are you even thinking?!" Xue'er shot back, annoyed.
"Oh! If you want to be with someone, you should get married soon! You've been together for almost three years now," Yang'er replied loudly.
From a distance, Cheng Xian spotted them…
"Xue'er! Xue'er! Over here!" Cheng Xian shouted.
"Oh my goodness! That massive bouquet of roses! How embarrassing!" Xue'er said softly.
Cheng Xian rushed over, embraced Xue'er, and kissed her…
"Happy Valentine's Day, baby!" Cheng Xian said joyfully.
"Happy Valentine's Day, dear Cheng Xian!" Xue'er responded.
"Oh, you two are so mushy," Yang'er commented.
"Sister, Steven is right behind me," Cheng Xian replied.
"I won't stay any longer!" Yang'er said, as she hurried away.
Xue'er and Cheng Xian then got into the car.
**Cheng Xian's Car (BMW Z4) - 4:15 PM.**
"Where to now?" Xue'er asked.
"I checked your class schedule, and you're free this week. Let's swing by my place to pick up our bags and then head to Hokkaido for some fun, okay?" Cheng Xian proposed.
"You're at it again! You plan these trips every Valentine's Day!" Xue'er replied, slightly irritated.
"This is what we call a surprise, my dear!" Cheng Xian said with a grin.
They then returned home to gather their luggage and passports.
**Location: Lee Family Mansion (Bukit Timah Villa).**
**Time: 4:30 PM.**
"Take your time packing. Remember, we're going to Hokkaido, so bring warm clothes and sweaters. Is your mother home?" Cheng Xian asked.
"No one should be home at this hour. Come to my room and help me pick out some outfits," Xue'er replied.
"Alright then," Cheng Xian agreed.
**In Xue'er's Room.**
"What time is our flight?" Xue'er inquired.
"Our flight departs at midnight, and we'll arrive in Hokkaido around 8 AM on Valentine's Day. I booked business class for extra comfort," Cheng Xian explained.
Afterward, they left the Lee mansion and headed to Cheng Xian's apartment.
**Cheng Xian's Apartment (Bukit Timah Apartment).**
**Time: 5:30 PM.**
While Cheng Xian was packing, Xue'er waited in the living room and stumbled upon a notebook filled with their love story, which brought her to tears.
She also noticed forms for an interpretation and singing competition from the Korean entertainment industry scattered on the table.
"Hey, why did he fill out only half of this form?" Xue'er wondered to herself.
"Xue'er! I'm all set! We can leave now," Cheng Xian called out.
Xue'er grabbed an empty form and tucked it into her purse.
"Got it!" Xue'er replied loudly.
They took a taxi to the airport, and during the ride, Xue'er couldn't shake off her thoughts about the form.
**In the taxi. 6 PM.**
"Xue'er, what's bothering you? You seem lost in thought," Cheng Xian observed.
"I'm fine, just a bit tired," Xue'er replied.
"Then lean on my shoulder and catch some sleep. I'll wake you up when we arrive," Cheng Xian suggested.
Xue'er nodded.
**In the Airport Lounge. 7:30 PM.**
"My baby seems to be in good spirits! What would you like to eat? Let me get it for you," Cheng Xian offered.
"I'll have a bowl of mushroom soup and grilled chicken steak," Xue'er replied.
"Make mine the same. Thank you," Cheng Xian said.
"Sure, coming right up," the waiter acknowledged.
"Are you planning to shop at the airport later?" Cheng Xian asked.
"I'll wait until Hokkaido for that. I brought a credit card and some cash, and I'll exchange more once we arrive," Xue'er responded.
Cheng Xian leaned in and kissed Xue'er.
"I'll do whatever you want, dear wife," Cheng Xian said playfully.
"Oh, if I let Cheng Xian join that competition, our sweet days might come to an end. If he becomes a star, marriage could be far off," Xue'er thought to herself, feeling a pang of sadness.
"What's on your mind? You seem deeply preoccupied," Cheng Xian asked.
"Cheng Xian, I need to ask you something," Xue'er started.
"Your soup has arrived, sir," the waiter announced.
"Let's eat first," Cheng Xian suggested.
After finishing their meal, they spent a few hours chatting before making their way to the flight gate.
**On the ANA Flight. 11:45 PM.**
"Mr. Song, Miss Mi, what can I get you to drink?" the flight attendant inquired.
"I'll have a glass of red wine, and my girlfriend would like apple juice," Cheng Xian replied.
"Understood, Mr. Song," the attendant confirmed.
"Cheng Xian, I need to use the restroom," Xue'er said.
In the restroom, Xue'er overheard some flight attendants chatting outside.
"Hey, Nancy, you're so lucky! You get to serve that handsome Korean star, Song Cheng Xian! He's my dream guy! If he becomes famous, I'll definitely support him!" Christy gushed loudly.
"Shh! He's traveling with his girlfriend, Xue'er, to Hokkaido," Nancy whispered.
"Really? I can't wait to meet her! I heard she comes from a wealthy family—her mother is lawyer Li Bingbing, and her father owns Michael's chain seafood restaurant in Busan. What a perfect couple! Song Cheng Xian's family is among the top five Korean overseas Chinese business groups. I'm so envious!" Christy exclaimed.
Just then, Xue'er stepped out of the restroom and glared at them.
"Xue'er, why do you look so upset?" Cheng Xian asked, concerned.
"Nothing! Just ran into some stormy butterflies!" Xue'er snapped.
"Oh, that must be the flight attendant Christy. I see her occasionally at the airport when I fly back to Korea," Cheng Xian explained.
"That explains it!" Xue'er replied.
"Hey, don't be mad. You know how it is; I'm not interested in any of that," Cheng Xian reassured her.
"Let go of me! I'm not in the mood to discuss this!" Xue'er shot back angrily.
"Alright, alright! No need to be upset. I was just joking; they were the ones talking to me," Cheng Xian said, trying to calm her down.
"Enough! I want to sleep. Just leave me alone!" Xue'er insisted.
The next morning, they arrived at Hokkaido-Chitose Airport.
**Time: 8:30 AM.**
They had breakfast at the airport café.
**In the Café.**
"What would you like? I'll buy it for you," Cheng Xian offered.
"I'll have a breakfast set," Xue'er replied.
Cheng Xian queued up to purchase breakfast.
"Hello, Miss Mi! I'm Christy. You must be Master Song's girlfriend. I've heard you two are each other's first loves—how wonderful! When are you getting married?" Christy asked.
Xue'er was drinking a bottle of mineral water, and she couldn't hold back any longer—she sprayed it right in Christy's face.
"How dare you! What's it to you?!" Xue'er yelled furiously.
Cheng Xian rushed over…
"Xue'er, what happened?!" Cheng Xian asked, alarmed.
"Christy, let's go," Nancy said, trying to diffuse the situation.
"You go get your breakfast. I'm just angry!" Xue'er replied, still fuming.
After finishing their meal, they made their way to the car rental company.
**Outside the OTS Car Rental Company.**
**Time: 10 AM.**
"Alright, sweetheart, don't be mad. I'll grab the car keys, and then we can check into the hotel," Cheng Xian said.
Xue'er remained silent in the car.
**JR Sapporo Hotel Nikko - Reception at 2 PM.**
They completed the check-in process and entered their room.
**In the Room.**
"Let's take a nap first and then go out for dinner," Cheng Xian suggested.
"I have something to ask you before we rest. What's this about? Why didn't you tell me you wanted to enter that competition?!" Xue'er demanded angrily.
"This opportunity came from a Korean friend in college. I was considering you and my parents' opinions, knowing you would be against it. That's why I only filled out half the form," Cheng Xian explained.
"Alright, just drop it for now. I'm going to take a shower. You take a nap," Xue'er said.
**- End of Chapter -**