Chapter 94: Hope
Another two months passed just like that and winters arrived. The year was about to end and it was the time of festivities and happiness everywhere.
In this flow of time, Liu Bo had grown closer to Ye-Jin. She learnt a lot of things being under her wing and even accepted her as her future sister-in-law. Ye-Jin was more than happy to have won over the shortie.
The previous bitter memories were all forgotten and Liu Bo became Ye-Jin's shadow over the course of time.
Ray's whereabouts were still unknown to the girls and Ye-Jin was slowly losing her courage and confidence. Liu Bo stayed with her as a source of motivation. She boosted her confidence and gave her constant assurances.
Ye-Jin was grateful for the support Liu Bo provided. It meant a lot to her and it helped her to keep adhering to her beliefs and her convictions about her man. Bo's words helped her to stay strong and keep moving on against the storms.
It was a week before the new years when Kai unexpectedly showed up to meet Ye-Jin at her workplace. The guys all had been in touch with her so it didn't come as a surprise to her.
After exchanging the pleasantries and asking each other's well being they addressed the elephant in the room.
Kai: (hesitant) s-so has he ever contacted you?
Ye-Jin: (poker-faced) No.
Kai: (sighing) I am sorry Ye-Jin. I couldn't help but ask.
Ye-Jin: (nodding) it's ok Kai. I can understand, he's after all, your best friend.
Kai: (running a hand through his hairs) Word from anyone else? What about Bo?
Ye-Jin: (shaking her head) Bo is clueless about these matters. She is also on the edge these days.
Kai: Oh... Ye-Jin, we all worry about you. Come and visit us in your free time. It'll calm our worries and will be a change of pace for you too.
Ye-Jin: (grateful) Thank you, Kai. I'll probably act upon that advice. How's the wife?
Kai: (smiling) she's doing great.
Ye-Jin: I am glad to hear that.
Kai: (reluctant) I also came here-
Ye-Jin: what?
Kai: our year-end concert is in a week. Ray- he-
Ye-Jin: (solemn) I remember, he said he would be back by then.
Kai: (expectant) what do you think, will he return?
Ye-Jin: (shrugging) I don't know Kai. I am in the same boat as you.
Kai: I am really sorry Ye-Jin. I think I needed some kind of assurance from someone-
Ye-Jin: (dryly) well, you came to the wrong person then.
Kai: I am sorry. Please forgive me! I was being tactless.
Ye-Jin: It's ok. I am a little stressed out these days. I am sorry for snapping at you.
Kai: it's ok. I deserved it. Mel would have smacked my head for that if she was here.
Ye-Jin: (chuckling) it takes a woman to understand a woman.
Kai: (hopeful) you're coming to our show, right?
Ye-Jin: I'll see-
Kai: No! You missed my wedding, you can't miss our show too. Please? We'd be extra happy if our top fan would honour us by attending the show. It'll mean a lot to us.
Ye-Jin: (nodding) ok fine. I'll come.
Kai didn't linger around after that. He took his leave and left to prepare for the upcoming show.
With a heavy mood, Ye-Jin stopped what she was doing. She couldn't continue after Ray was brought up. Each day was getting harder. Sometimes she wondered if she could just turn back time and return to the place where she was still clueless about love.
Ye-Jin pushed back her schedule and returned home. She locked herself up in her room and curled up on her bed, her heart felt heavy and tired all of a sudden.
She didn't want to but not help herself hope that Ray would come back this week. The possibilities of losing that hope were weighing her spirits down.
It was sad.
***
The following day,
Liu Bo hurried in Ye-Jin's cabin seeming excited about something. She was oozing that 'I am the winner in life' vibe around her. Matt was shocked silly because of her arrival. He excused himself from the room leaving the ladies to their devices.
Ye-Jin: (amused) where were you yesterday? And you seem happy about something!
Bo: (bubbling over with joy) Mom called. She finally told me to return home. It seems like everything has been sorted out.
Ye-Jin stood up from her seat not believing the words she was hearing.
Everything was sorted? That meant Ray would return too her side? Hope bloomed in her heart. She was nervous and happy at the same time.
Ye-Jin: (expectant) d-did she s-say anything else? R-ray? How i-is h-he?
Ye-Jin couldn't help but stutter nervously.
Bo: (shaking her head) She said nothing much. But her voice sounded relaxed as if a war had been won.
Ye-Jin: Oh-
Bo: (patting her shoulder) don't worry! I'll inform you everything the moment I land there!
Ye-Jin: (smiling) when are you leaving?
Bo: tomorrow.
Ye-Jin: Oh...
Ye-Jin happily sent Bo off.
Her face crumbled to frown after Bo was out of sight. Shaking her head, she buried herself under the mountain of work. Just to feel numb and not think of him.
***
Ye-Jin took a short break from her hectic day.
She had been to site inspections the whole day and it was nearing afternoon. On the way back to the office her driver took the shortcut and they passed by her old place. Ye-Jin took in the familiar surroundings and smiled subconsciously. She had spent many years in this neighbourhood.
She told the driver to pull over when they arrived near a park.
She got out of the vehicle and entered the empty park. It was a cold day thus, the place was empty.
Liu Bo had left four days ago and she too like her unreliable older brother had not bothered with contacting her.
Ye-Jin had felt bitter and angry at both of them. How long could a person hold on when left alone? She wasn't like those heroines in the stories who had heaven-defying strength and will-power. She believed herself to be strong but not omnipotent.
Ye-Jin walked around for a while and finally sat on a bench. She was no more feeling angry or miserable in this familiar setting. She was surrounded by the memories of a sweet past and it lit her face up.
This was the place where Ray had told her about how he became a member of '5 Emperors'. How he fell for Aera. This was where he shared a piece of his life with her. And this was also where Ye-Jin had revealed her identity to him. This was maybe the place where she fell for him.
For Ye-Jin, this park had a special place in her heart. She sat at the same place, unaware of the cold for time unknown to her.
Her cheeks turned red from the cold winds and her lips dried up, their skin cracking from the cold weather. She was dressed warmly for the day but due to being in the park for a long time, the cold started to seep into her clothes. (It was December after all)
Ye-Jin jumped when something warm was placed on her shoulders. She looked up only to freeze in shock.
Ray: (frowning) Were you planning to freeze to death?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sanchi94
Sanchi94 He's back!!!
Chapter 95: Missing her
Ray's POV-
It was five minutes to midnight.
The time to leave was here.
Ray stood just outside the threshold and Ye-Jin was beside him. Quietly staring out into the dark.
Ye-Jin: (softly) Take care of yourself.
Ray: hmm...
Ye-Jin: I will wait for you.
Ray couldn't help himself but pull the woman into his arms. As her warmth seeped into his body, Ray visibly relaxed. She was his anchor, not letting him drift away in the meaningless void. He inhaled her familiar scent and the tense muscles of his body loosened up.
Ray bent down and planted a kiss on her head. He also tightened his arms around her. She snuggled closer as if wanting to fuse into him.
Ray: (teasing) don't miss me too much.
She pushed him away swatting his arm. He chuckled playfully. She was cute when angered.
Ray: Alright. Don't be angry now.
Ye-Jin: (pouting) you're lucky that I love you.
Ray chuckled once again and pulled her back into his arms. He was going to be separated from her for a while and it was already weighing heavy on his heart.
Ray bent down to her ears and placed a sweet kiss on her ear lobe. A slight shiver passed through her body and her face turned red. He was pleased by her reaction.
Ray: (whispering) I love you.
Ye-Jin was stunned. Her eyes involuntarily teared up. She snuggled into his chest unwilling to let go.
Their sweet moment was disrupted by Liu Bo.
Bo: Bro, it's time.
Ray turned towards his sister and solemnly nodded. Ye-Jin regained her senses and unwillingly pulled away from Ray.
With a final small peck on her lips, Ray left without looking back.
***
At some unknown location, Ray met up with his father.
Mr Liu: I thought that our cinderella was running late!
Liu Jian Yi couldn't help but joke seeing his son's downcast face.
Ray: (sneering) what can I do with such unreliable fairy godfather!
Ray retorted unhappily. Trust his father to rub salt on his wounds.
Mr Liu: (chuckling) Get on the plane boy! We've got monsters to slay.
Ray shook his head helplessly, mutely refusing to play with his father's references. Without a word, he got on the private plane arranged by his father. He found a quiet corner far away from his father to get some sleep.
As soon as he closed his eyes, Ray knew that it was going to be a long sleepless night with her face plaguing his mind.
He was already missing her.
It was indeed pathetic and laughable.
If it was known to his father then he would be harassed for a long time. Thus, Ray continued to pretend sleep.
***
The father-son duo reached the Liu home before daybreak. It wasn't a long journey by flight but the time was consumed in travelling by road from the military base to the old villa.
Yes, the military base. As said before, the Lius had excellent connections with the military from feudal times. Father Liu used his contacts and arranged for a ride back home.
Although it was only five in the morning, the lights in the old villa were all lit. There were also sounds of the servants hustling around. Madam Liu sat on the couch directing the servants for various chores. The butler stood beside her ensuring everything was done according to his madam's taste.
Jian Yi: (scowling) You are not sleeping?
Jian Yi saw this scene when he entered the house. It would be safe to say he wasn't happy in the least. His wife was more concerned for a brat than him. The displeasure in his voice was barely concealed.
Yi Qing happily looked up hearing her husband's voice. Her eyes lit up in excitement but they dimmed when she saw Jian Yi standing alone in the doorway. She distastefully turned her head away. It was just her husband. And here she was getting excited about nothing. Her indifferent attitude stung Jian Yi's heart.
Yi Qing: (frowning) My son was supposed to come back. Where is he?
Jian Yi wanted to have little fun with her but he trashed that thought. If he dared to pull any kind of prank on her then he would be kicked out of the house as punishment. Or worse, he would be forced to spend many nights under the open sky, in the company of moon and stars.
Jian Yi: (shuffling on his feet) he's outside taking care of some business.
It was actually funny to see the domineering man in the outside world was meek as a mouse in front of his woman.
Yi Qing: is this business more important than his mother?
Jian Yi shuddered to detect the annoyance in her voice.
Jian Yi: He wanted to get on with looking for little Jing.
Yi Qing: (harrumphing) Jian Yi, don't try to fool me!-
Ray: mom, you are up?
Yi Qing stopped short in her angry tirade. Her eyes lit up in happiness looking at her son standing behind Jian Yi.
Yi Qing: you finally remember that you have a mother!!
Although her words were reprimanding, Yi Qing had a brilliant smile on her face. Ray laughed bashfully and sat in front of her on his knees.
Ray: (apologetic) I know what I did was wrong. Won't you forgive me?
Ray used his most sincere expression to pacify his mother's mock anger. He was aware of how much she had fought with Jian Yi for his freedom. If somebody were to ask him, who is loved the most among his parents? He would unhesitatingly pick his mother.
Yi Qing: (patting his cheek) alright. Forgiven. I heard that you have found my daughter in law.
Yi Qing didn't dilly-dally and arrived to the main point.
If it wasn't for Jian Yi restricting her from travelling she would have already met the woman who caught her son's heart and form a cult with her.
She distastefully glared at Jian Yi whoo was minding his business in the nearest corner. The old man couldn't help but shiver helplessly.
Ray: She's a wonderful woman.
Yi Qing: (concerned) does she take good care of you?
Ray: (nodding) just like you.
Jian Yi: (happily) She is so much like you dear-
Jian Yi was silenced by one glare from Yi Qing. He definitely belonged to the category of henpecked husbands.
Ray: I'll take you to meet her soon.
Yi Qing nodded in satisfaction.
She initially didn't wish to bother Wei Xin with their problems. He was in a faraway country building a happy life for himself. If not for disappearance of Liu Jing a fortnight ago and appearance of her brother, Yi Qing would not have dragged Wei Xin into this mess.
Ray sent his mother to her room and asked her to rest. Yi Qing was happy to oblige him.
Whereas, Poor father Liu was tossed to the side like some side character. The mother-son duo ignored his existence like air. Liu Jian Yi swallowed his pride and anger in the face of his woman's smiling face and vitality. He left to make preparations to meet the enemy.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Sanchi94
Sanchi94
I just realised that my writing style has somewhat changed to CN novel style of writing.
It's probably the effect of reading too many translations.
Maybe it's time for me to go back to those conventional English works.
Percy Jackson, here I come!
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