I turned around to look behind me upon CC’s reminder and indeed saw Mi Cai and a friend walking closely with her. To be precise, it should be a male friend, and moreover, a very handsome one.
This man was dressed fashionably in a British style, with a tall posture and a handsome face. Most unforgettable was his deep gaze, as if he looked at anyone with deep affection.
Mi Cai affectionately pulled the man toward us and smiled while introducing him, saying, “This is my good friend Abner, whose Chinese name is Weiran.”
As CC and Luo Ben were about to greet him, he looked at both of us and asked, “Which one of you is Zhaoyang?”
His unexpected move caused everyone to exchange glances. I politely stood up and told him, “I am Zhaoyang.”
“Be more respectful to Betsy (Mi Cai’s English name) in the future, or I won’t be polite to you!”
I was momentarily stunned, sensing immediately that he meant trouble. Just as I was about to react, Mi Cai quickly pulled Weiran aside and said, “That was a long time ago…”
Mi Cai’s words made me realize how intimate their relationship must be, as she had even shared with him the story of how I used to bully her. I suddenly felt a strange sense of displeasure and coldly said to Weiran, “Little overseas Chinese, you should also speak politely to me. I have a bad temper.”
Weiran glared at me and said, “What, do you want to duel with me?”
“Wow, you’re really full of Western flavor. Aren’t you tired of bringing back those outdated cowboy practices across the ocean? Just say fighting directly. Come on, I’ll accompany you.” I replied expressionlessly.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense. CC quickly grabbed me and pleaded, “Zhaoyang, can’t you behave a bit more decently? He’s our guest after all!”
“I don’t think he sees himself as a guest, and I’ve never seen such a guest before!”
Before my words had even finished, Mi Cai spoke to me in a heavy tone, “I’ve already explained things to Weiran on your behalf. Can’t you show a bit of chivalry?”
Reprimanded by both Mi Cai and CC, I felt even more annoyed. But I couldn’t really go ahead and punch Weiran, so I just felt like I was being extra. Finally, I said, “I know, I’ve never been likable. I’ll leave so I don’t ruin the mood of your gathering.” With that, I grabbed my coat and walked outside.
…
CC followed me out of the restaurant and pulled me, saying, “Zhaoyang, don’t you think it’s really inappropriate to just walk away like this? Can’t you show a bit of manly grace?”
Ignoring CC pulling at me, I kept walking forward and replied with restraint, “If I had no grace, I would’ve punched that little overseas Chinese already!”
“But how will Mi Cai see you if you just walk away like this?”
“She’s always thought I’m graceless; one more time won’t make a difference.”
“Why do you always mess up at crucial moments?”
I stopped walking and said to CC, “What messing up? You’re stretching it too far!”
CC looked at me seriously and said, “Tell me honestly, do you like Mi Cai?”
I remained silent.
“So that’s your silent confirmation, right? It seems like Weiran also likes Mi Cai. Compared to him, don’t you lack a bit of grace? It makes the difference between you two very clear!”
“What are you analyzing? Who told you I like her… Anyway, go back. I need to go to the bar to discuss some details about the renovation.”
CC still wouldn’t let me go and persistently asked, “Really don’t like her?”
I impatiently replied, “Don’t like.” Then I broke free from CC and walked toward the roadside.
Suddenly, I heard CC sigh, “You’re just a coward, but it’s not entirely your fault. After all, Weiran is a master’s graduate from the University of Pennsylvania and comes from a better family background. I heard he’s the future heir of a family business. It’s normal for you to feel insecure…”
Before CC could finish speaking, I had already gotten into a taxi. I rolled down the window and shouted at CC, “Mind your own business!” Then I urged the driver to leave quickly. The driver was very cooperative, slammed on the accelerator, and in no time CC had blended with the streetlights and finally shrank into a dot in my vision.
…
That night, I didn’t go to the bar but came to the riverside of the city moat and lay on the already withered grass, smoking to dispel my inner annoyance.
Looking up at the stars and moon in the sky, I finally understood why I had always been afraid to express my feelings to Mi Cai and preferred to remain friends.
Today, Weiran’s appearance made me realize even more that a woman like Mi Cai was destined to be the most beautiful moon in the sky, while I was just an ordinary star, not even able to fulfill her wish of giving her an oil-powered racing car. Unlike Weiran, as CC had said: he was highly educated, came from a prestigious family, and Mi Cai also cared about him a lot. They were truly a perfect match.
I had already experienced the tragedy from Xiang Chen and Jian Wei once painfully. Did I really want to go through it again with Mi Cai?
I wasn’t stupid, nor did I want to repeat the past pain. I was just an ordinary star, and my other half was also destined to be an ordinary star, only then would I not be burned by the dazzling light.
Closing my eyes, my world plunged into darkness, but suddenly I saw that crystal-clear city. Surrounded by countless stars, it became increasingly brilliant, but I shrank smaller and smaller in its radiance. Powerlessly, I watched her carry that long-haired woman disappear from my sight again…
I was unwilling to open my eyes again because when I faced this real world once more, I was destined to be disappointed.
Enduring the cold wind cutting through me, I didn’t know how long I had been lying there until a familiar voice sounded in my ear, calling my name.
I opened my eyes, and the fragrance of that woman, deeply etched into my memory, drifted into my nose before I even saw her. Standing beside me was actually Jian Wei.
“You… how did you end up here?”
Jian Wei smiled and said, “Same as you, I was unhappy and wanted to come here to sit for a while.”
Hearing Jian Wei’s explanation, this seemingly coincidental encounter didn’t seem so coincidental anymore. Because she also regarded this place as a refuge, sooner or later we would meet here, perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow…
Jian Wei’s presence made me feel even more disheartened. Unable to control myself, I took out a cigarette, lit it, took a deep puff, and then asked her, “Why are you unhappy?”
“You came first, so according to the principle of first come, first served, why don’t you talk about your own story first?”
I was silent for a long time before finally saying to Jian Wei, “I was beaten by life, so I’m unhappy…”
Jian Wei smiled and said, “That’s a bit of a superficial answer. Everyone is unhappy because they’re beaten by life. I want to hear something more specific.”
After another long silence, I finally gathered my courage and asked Jian Wei, “After graduating from university, did you look down on me?… I was just a man struggling at the edge of society!”
Jian Wei seemed very surprised that I asked her this question. She just looked at me… and I became even more anxious because the answer she gave me next could very likely be the real reason for our breakup.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage