The Goddess and the Ugly Duckling: C49
Xiang Yi~
This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)
Xiaoya was still a bit worried about going to Lu Xiaobei's family home because of what her father might say. But once Xiaoya arrived there, she realised all her worries were completely unnecessary, since she would not meet Lu Xiaobei's father at all.
It was just another ordinary day, a day where wind blew and the sun shone brightly, a day where he air carried that all too common winter chill. Xiang Yi had left the recording studio and on her way back to her dorm room that required her to cross a normal intersection to get there. But when she found herself in the middle of that street, she crossed paths with a large truck.
Xiaoya: "Captain's just back to take care of something at school, you don't have to worry."
It was just another ordinary day, a day where wind blew and the sun shone brightly, a day where he air carried that all too common winter chill. Xiang Yi had left the recording studio and on her way back to her dorm room that required her to cross a normal intersection to get there. But when she found herself in the middle of that street, she crossed paths with a large truck.
As they ate, apart from a few classmates who recalled memories of their days together, there was no sense of enthusiasm in the atmosphere at that table. What's more, because the table she was at was made up of students from both of Xiang Yi's past high schools, most people barely knew one another so nearly everyone simply ate in silence.
Sometimes, Xiang Yi's mother would come over to see Mo Yichen. She said no words and simply held the girl in her arms while she burst into wails. To others, it looked as though all the tears she had in her lifetime was being shed. But Mo Yichen was still nothing but of wooden plank, one lacking the strength to truly provide the older woman with any comfort, so she allowed herself to be used as a marionette. Then, just like a puppet, when the moment called for it, a couple tugs of her strings made her accompany that woman in reminiscing Xiang Yi.
Mo Yichen: "Yes, really."
Mo Yichen will no longer appear in the main story. But there might be exceptions in the extras.
After finding the house Lu Xiaobei sent her the address for, the one who answered the door was a woman, not a man. That woman did not appear to far along in years, seeming no older that twenty-eight to twenty-nine years, but Xiaoya knew for a fact Lu Xiaobei's stepmother was already thirty-three years of age. Though, because of this, Xiaoya honestly didn't know if she should refer to the woman as she would an older "sister" or "aunt".
Out of the blue, from two seats over, Xiaoya then heard a boy whisper, "Is that Xiang Yi's god-sister? She looks a lot like that Cheng Cheng girl Xiang Yi liked in her freshman year, doesn't she?"
Regardless, Lu Xiaobei's stepmother was very kind. Upon seeing Xiaoya, she smiled and said, "You must be Lu Xiaobei's friend, yes? She already told me so I'll go get you the key."
The words Mo Yichen said to leave her in such a state before parting were, "Unfortunately, in the end, I still never found out if Xiang Yi ever really loved me at all."
While Xiaoya waited in the entryway, a young boy about ten years old was looking straight at her curiously.
Xiaoya: "Thank you, ma'am. Plus, it's no trouble at all. Captain usually takes very good care of me."
Since that intersection had no traffic cameras, the one at fault was not easy to determine, but regardless of who was responsible, no amount of money could ever be enough to bring Xiang Yi back to this world.
While Xiang Yi lay on the operating room table, her mother bawled uncontrollably while a nurse looked at her nervously, fearing the grief stricken woman might faint and hurt herself.
Sadly, Xiaoya never expected that when the dumplings were done, she wouldn't be waiting for Lu Xiaobei in person but for her call. "I'm so sorry Xiaoya, but there's more stuff to take care of at the new company than expected, so I won't be back this weekend. Do you want to go stay with your parents for those two days?"
She turned to look at Mo Yichen whose expression showed no change as she ate rice from her bowl, making Xiaoya uncertain if she had also heard the whispers. But, at that point, given her friend's state, Xiaoya herself wasn't sure if she wished Mo Yichen had heard and reacted, or she showed no reaction at all.
Xiaoya: "Captain's just back to take care of something at school, you don't have to worry."
Xiaoya was still a bit worried about going to Lu Xiaobei's family home because of what her father might say. But once Xiaoya arrived there, she realised all her worries were completely unnecessary, since she would not meet Lu Xiaobei's father at all.
In return, Xiaoya gave the boy a smile.
Not long after, Xiaoya's little stepmother had returned with the key. "I'm sorry to trouble you in delivering this to Xiaobei." Lu Xiaobei had told her family she was the one who had forgotten some things at the apartment and wanted her friend to help send them to her, which was why Xiaoya needed to come take the key.
That very day, when Xiaoya was counting the number of days until Lu Xiaobei's return on her fingers, she was interrupted by a call from Mo Yichen, "Hi, Yichen. What's on your mind that you decided to call me?"
Xiaoya: "Captain's just back to take care of something at school, you don't have to worry."
Not long after, Xiaoya's little stepmother had returned with the key. "I'm sorry to trouble you in delivering this to Xiaobei." Lu Xiaobei had told her family she was the one who had forgotten some things at the apartment and wanted her friend to help send them to her, which was why Xiaoya needed to come take the key.
Mo Yichen: "Yes, really."
Xiaoya: "Thank you, ma'am. Plus, it's no trouble at all. Captain usually takes very good care of me."
Sometimes, Xiang Yi's mother would come over to see Mo Yichen. She said no words and simply held the girl in her arms while she burst into wails. To others, it looked as though all the tears she had in her lifetime was being shed. But Mo Yichen was still nothing but of wooden plank, one lacking the strength to truly provide the older woman with any comfort, so she allowed herself to be used as a marionette. Then, just like a puppet, when the moment called for it, a couple tugs of her strings made her accompany that woman in reminiscing Xiang Yi.
While Xiang Yi lay on the operating room table, her mother bawled uncontrollably while a nurse looked at her nervously, fearing the grief stricken woman might faint and hurt herself.
Mo Yichen: "Yes, really."
Taking the key from Lu Xiaobei's house, Xiaoya went back to their apartment. In the fridge, with how many dumplings there were, if she ate a serving each day, Lu Xiaobei would be back by the time they were done.
So when Xiaoya made it to the waiting room, Xiang Yi's family were still there. Her mother was crying her eyes out from within a young girl's bosom, "My baby, you just turned twenty, how could you be so cruel? Mom didn't need you to make money, or be someone outstanding... all I wanted was for you to live... to live happily..."
Xiaoya took a moment to think it over as she was still worried about Mo Yichen. So she stayed in he seat, at the table reserved for all Xiang Yi's former classmates.
1. 望妻石: wàngqishí (a variant of 望夫石: wàngfūshí: husband watching stone). In Hong Kong, in a place known as the Sha Tin District there's a rock formation that looks like a woman carrying her child. The story goes, there was a fisherman, who when he went out to sea everyday, had his wife dedicatedly climb up the mountain to look at sea and hope for his return with their son on her back. Tragedy struck one day and her husband drowned at sea, so in return for her loyalty and dedication towards him, she was transformed into a rock by the Goddess of the Sea (Matsu) so they could be reunited. I also found one that said she got caught in a storm and disappeared only to be replaced by the rock that looks like a woman. So being someone's Amah Rock means I'll wait for you.
Sadly, Xiaoya never expected that when the dumplings were done, she wouldn't be waiting for Lu Xiaobei in person but for her call. "I'm so sorry Xiaoya, but there's more stuff to take care of at the new company than expected, so I won't be back this weekend. Do you want to go stay with your parents for those two days?"
Xiang Yi was gone, taken without any sign or warning.
Xiaoya: "Captain, I want to be your Amah RockT/n: Amah Rock (aka husband waiting stone), but Xiaoya subbed the husband in the word for wife, so wife waiting stone is more accurate., I want to wait for you!"
Leaving only Xiaoya in the place where stood with a face plastered with shock.
Regardless, Lu Xiaobei's stepmother was very kind. Upon seeing Xiaoya, she smiled and said, "You must be Lu Xiaobei's friend, yes? She already told me so I'll go get you the key."
1. 望妻石: wàngqishí (a variant of 望夫石: wàngfūshí: husband watching stone). In Hong Kong, in a place known as the Sha Tin District there's a rock formation that looks like a woman carrying her child. The story goes, there was a fisherman, who when he went out to sea everyday, had his wife dedicatedly climb up the mountain to look at sea and hope for his return with their son on her back. Tragedy struck one day and her husband drowned at sea, so in return for her loyalty and dedication towards him, she was transformed into a rock by the Goddess of the Sea (Matsu) so they could be reunited. I also found one that said she got caught in a storm and disappeared only to be replaced by the rock that looks like a woman. So being someone's Amah Rock means I'll wait for you.
Lu Xiaobei: "I'll do everything I can to come back at the end of next week."
...
Xiaoya let out a humph before she replied, "If you don't get back here next week, I'm gonna come to Shanghai to find you!"
To which Lu Xiaobei also added, "It's alright. I'm fine."
Lu Xiaobei: "Got it."
Xiaoya was still a bit worried about going to Lu Xiaobei's family home because of what her father might say. But once Xiaoya arrived there, she realised all her worries were completely unnecessary, since she would not meet Lu Xiaobei's father at all.
...
While Xiaoya waited in the entryway, a young boy about ten years old was looking straight at her curiously.
Turning to look at him, Xiaoya then say the boy beside the one who spoke give him a tap which stopped him from speaking again.
Taking the key from Lu Xiaobei's house, Xiaoya went back to their apartment. In the fridge, with how many dumplings there were, if she ate a serving each day, Lu Xiaobei would be back by the time they were done.
Mo Yichen: "I have things to do, too. It's inconvenient to bring you along, so just go already."
While on the other side, stood Mo Yichen, as stiff as a rock, she half leaned her body on the wall behind her, while her eyes was full with such emptiness, that even after Xiaoya approached her, not one inch of her had moved.
From then on, apart from her own final exams, Xiaoya was stuck to Mo Yichen's side like glue.
After Mo Yichen came back, Xiaoya took er by the arm and sat her in the seat beside her own. In the past few days, if she didn't watch her, Xiaoya saw Mo Yichen would not remember to drink so much as a sip of water without prodding.
That very day, when Xiaoya was counting the number of days until Lu Xiaobei's return on her fingers, she was interrupted by a call from Mo Yichen, "Hi, Yichen. What's on your mind that you decided to call me?"
Since that intersection had no traffic cameras, the one at fault was not easy to determine, but regardless of who was responsible, no amount of money could ever be enough to bring Xiang Yi back to this world.
Then, after a while, Xiaoya again heard someone whisper, "Are they like real sisters or is that kind of 'sister'?"
In return, Xiaoya gave the boy a smile.
But, unlike her Mo Yichen didn't shed single tear. For her, the pain she experienced felt as though her heart had been ripped apart then put back together, only to be shredded then restored again and again and again.
Xiang Yi was gone, taken without any sign or warning.
After the service was over, Xiang Yi's mother took Mo Yichen to the crematorium.
Turning to look at him, Xiaoya then say the boy beside the one who spoke give him a tap which stopped him from speaking again.
But on the other end o the line, all Xiaoya got was silence apart from the sound of very faint breaths.
But Xiaoya said nothing, she wasn't afraid of pain, what she feared was Mo Yichen still being in that cold and lonesome state she had been in since earlier where it seemed as though all her vitality was sucked away.
As the hugged, Xiaoya's tears fell on Mo Yichen's shoulder as they bid their final farewell. "Take care of yourself, alright?"
After the service was over, Xiang Yi's mother took Mo Yichen to the crematorium.
After waiting for a while, she again asked, "Yichen? Yichen, can you hear me?" The lack of a response soon gave her a bad feeling. "Yichen... did something happen?"
While Xiang Yi lay on the operating room table, her mother bawled uncontrollably while a nurse looked at her nervously, fearing the grief stricken woman might faint and hurt herself.
Mo Yichen: "Xiaoya... something... something happened to Xiang Yi. Can you come please?" Mo Yichen was not crying, but her tone carried the sort of deathly stillness that gave the same ominous feeling as deserted field.
Mo Yichen: "I have things to do, too. It's inconvenient to bring you along, so just go already."
She turned to look at Mo Yichen whose expression showed no change as she ate rice from her bowl, making Xiaoya uncertain if she had also heard the whispers. But, at that point, given her friend's state, Xiaoya herself wasn't sure if she wished Mo Yichen had heard and reacted, or she showed no reaction at all.
Out of the blue, from two seats over, Xiaoya then heard a boy whisper, "Is that Xiang Yi's god-sister? She looks a lot like that Cheng Cheng girl Xiang Yi liked in her freshman year, doesn't she?"
Not long after, Xiaoya's little stepmother had returned with the key. "I'm sorry to trouble you in delivering this to Xiaobei." Lu Xiaobei had told her family she was the one who had forgotten some things at the apartment and wanted her friend to help send them to her, which was why Xiaoya needed to come take the key.
Then, in the latter half of the of the service, all they sang were her praises. But because she had passed, it wasn't like Xiang Yi could just jump from the coffin and say, "Why are you guys making up all this stuff, which part of me was that good?"
After Mo Yichen came back, Xiaoya took er by the arm and sat her in the seat beside her own. In the past few days, if she didn't watch her, Xiaoya saw Mo Yichen would not remember to drink so much as a sip of water without prodding.
Xiaoya: "It's still pretty sad. You're already a sophomore here and now you'll have to start over."
Xiang Yi was gone, taken without any sign or warning.
On one side, was all her family members, where almost every single eye was reddened while streaming tears. A young woman they had all witnessed grow from childhood to adulthood, a young woman they would have soon watched graduate university, a young woman who was so pretty and cut was suddenly gone from this life. It was something none of their hearts could bear.
"Yichen," Xiaoya called her softly. As she did, the realisation of that flower-like girl named Xiang Yi was no longer in this world, along with the fact Mo Yichen had regarded Xiang Yi as her most important person, Xiaoya couldn't help the hitch in her tone as she called again. "Yichen."
Since then, the contact between Xiaoya and Mo Yichen was off an on, but they never met up in person. When they did finally see each other face to face again, it was the second semester of their second year at college. Lu Xiaobei was in Shanghai at that time, so Xiaoya alone went to the airport to see Mo Yichen off.
It was just another ordinary day, a day where wind blew and the sun shone brightly, a day where he air carried that all too common winter chill. Xiang Yi had left the recording studio and on her way back to her dorm room that required her to cross a normal intersection to get there. But when she found herself in the middle of that street, she crossed paths with a large truck.
Xiaoya: "So, what about now?"
The driver not noticing her because they were driving while fighting off sleep.
Since then, the contact between Xiaoya and Mo Yichen was off an on, but they never met up in person. When they did finally see each other face to face again, it was the second semester of their second year at college. Lu Xiaobei was in Shanghai at that time, so Xiaoya alone went to the airport to see Mo Yichen off.
Since that intersection had no traffic cameras, the one at fault was not easy to determine, but regardless of who was responsible, no amount of money could ever be enough to bring Xiang Yi back to this world.
Xiaoya looked at Mo Yichen's expression which seemed to be genuine. Mo Yichen was also not one to lie to people, so Xiaoya let her be and returned to the school to see Lu Xiaobei.
Her life had come to the end of in blossom stained in blood, one that would forever wither in her old college town.
After waiting for a while, she again asked, "Yichen? Yichen, can you hear me?" The lack of a response soon gave her a bad feeling. "Yichen... did something happen?"
In return, Xiaoya gave the boy a smile.
But Xiaoya said nothing, she wasn't afraid of pain, what she feared was Mo Yichen still being in that cold and lonesome state she had been in since earlier where it seemed as though all her vitality was sucked away.
Xiaoya: "So, what about now?"
Xiaoya: "Captain, I want to be your Amah RockT/n: Amah Rock (aka husband waiting stone), but Xiaoya subbed the husband in the word for wife, so wife waiting stone is more accurate., I want to wait for you!"
Since that intersection had no traffic cameras, the one at fault was not easy to determine, but regardless of who was responsible, no amount of money could ever be enough to bring Xiang Yi back to this world.
Turning to look at him, Xiaoya then say the boy beside the one who spoke give him a tap which stopped him from speaking again.
While Xiang Yi lay on the operating room table, her mother bawled uncontrollably while a nurse looked at her nervously, fearing the grief stricken woman might faint and hurt herself.
That very day, when Xiaoya was counting the number of days until Lu Xiaobei's return on her fingers, she was interrupted by a call from Mo Yichen, "Hi, Yichen. What's on your mind that you decided to call me?"
Soon, the day for the memorial service arrived. Many people Xiaoya knew and didn't know had come, which included members of Xiang Yi's family as well as people who were around her own age. During her high school days, Xiang Yi had also transferred schools in the summer between her first and second year. She was incredibly popular in both schools, so there were a lot of former attendees from both who came to mourn her.
While Xiaoya waited in the entryway, a young boy about ten years old was looking straight at her curiously.
But, unlike her Mo Yichen didn't shed single tear. For her, the pain she experienced felt as though her heart had been ripped apart then put back together, only to be shredded then restored again and again and again.
Mo Yichen: "I don't think so. There aren't that many things here for me to worry about. After I graduate over there, I'll work hard to send money for my family, and when my little brother gets older, he can help take care of our parents when they retire, too."
When Xiaoya arrived at the hospital, Xiang Yi's body was already sent to the morgue, and it was a nurse who told her: "The traffic police suggested that it would be best for her family to not see the body. The accident and her passing were far too tragic. That poor girl's mother had cried until she fainted, and her friend insisted on go seeing her to say her final goodbyes. The officers did their best to stop her, but they couldn't talk her out of it. Everything is just so terrible, that girl was also quite young, and I herd it they're a single parent household, too. What is her mother going to do?"
"Godmother said she would sponsor me. She'll help me get a firm foothold over there and after she gets older she'll probably go there to retire." Mo Yichen then added, "She said I was just like another one of her daughters and going to America to see the city Xiang Yi loved with my very own eyes would be something Xiang Yi would be very happy about."
Xiaoya: "Captain, I want to be your Amah RockT/n: Amah Rock (aka husband waiting stone), but Xiaoya subbed the husband in the word for wife, so wife waiting stone is more accurate., I want to wait for you!"
Xiang Yi was gone, taken without any sign or warning.
So when Xiaoya made it to the waiting room, Xiang Yi's family were still there. Her mother was crying her eyes out from within a young girl's bosom, "My baby, you just turned twenty, how could you be so cruel? Mom didn't need you to make money, or be someone outstanding... all I wanted was for you to live... to live happily..."
Mo Yichen didn't go take her own exams seeing that it took her over half a month for her to recover from the corpse-like state she was in and now she was rushing Xiaoya back. "Hey, it's rare for Captain to find the time to return from Shanghai so don't waste time moping about with me here."
Mo Yichen's eyes still looked lifeless, but she did move to tightly grasp Xiaoya's hand and putting the other girl in a considerable amount of pain.
Taking the key from Lu Xiaobei's house, Xiaoya went back to their apartment. In the fridge, with how many dumplings there were, if she ate a serving each day, Lu Xiaobei would be back by the time they were done.
On one side, was all her family members, where almost every single eye was reddened while streaming tears. A young woman they had all witnessed grow from childhood to adulthood, a young woman they would have soon watched graduate university, a young woman who was so pretty and cut was suddenly gone from this life. It was something none of their hearts could bear.
Lu Xiaobei: "I'll do everything I can to come back at the end of next week."
Mo Yichen's eyes still looked lifeless, but she did move to tightly grasp Xiaoya's hand and putting the other girl in a considerable amount of pain.
Since that intersection had no traffic cameras, the one at fault was not easy to determine, but regardless of who was responsible, no amount of money could ever be enough to bring Xiang Yi back to this world.
After finding the house Lu Xiaobei sent her the address for, the one who answered the door was a woman, not a man. That woman did not appear to far along in years, seeming no older that twenty-eight to twenty-nine years, but Xiaoya knew for a fact Lu Xiaobei's stepmother was already thirty-three years of age. Though, because of this, Xiaoya honestly didn't know if she should refer to the woman as she would an older "sister" or "aunt".
Not long after, Xiaoya's little stepmother had returned with the key. "I'm sorry to trouble you in delivering this to Xiaobei." Lu Xiaobei had told her family she was the one who had forgotten some things at the apartment and wanted her friend to help send them to her, which was why Xiaoya needed to come take the key.
While on the other side, stood Mo Yichen, as stiff as a rock, she half leaned her body on the wall behind her, while her eyes was full with such emptiness, that even after Xiaoya approached her, not one inch of her had moved.
"Yichen," Xiaoya called her softly. As she did, the realisation of that flower-like girl named Xiang Yi was no longer in this world, along with the fact Mo Yichen had regarded Xiang Yi as her most important person, Xiaoya couldn't help the hitch in her tone as she called again. "Yichen."
Soon, the day for the memorial service arrived. Many people Xiaoya knew and didn't know had come, which included members of Xiang Yi's family as well as people who were around her own age. During her high school days, Xiang Yi had also transferred schools in the summer between her first and second year. She was incredibly popular in both schools, so there were a lot of former attendees from both who came to mourn her.
Then, after a while, Xiaoya again heard someone whisper, "Are they like real sisters or is that kind of 'sister'?"
Turning to look at him, Xiaoya then say the boy beside the one who spoke give him a tap which stopped him from speaking again.
Then, in the latter half of the of the service, all they sang were her praises. But because she had passed, it wasn't like Xiang Yi could just jump from the coffin and say, "Why are you guys making up all this stuff, which part of me was that good?"
"Yichen," Xiaoya called her softly. As she did, the realisation of that flower-like girl named Xiang Yi was no longer in this world, along with the fact Mo Yichen had regarded Xiang Yi as her most important person, Xiaoya couldn't help the hitch in her tone as she called again. "Yichen."
In return, Xiaoya gave the boy a smile.
Xiaoya took a moment to think it over as she was still worried about Mo Yichen. So she stayed in he seat, at the table reserved for all Xiang Yi's former classmates.
It was just another ordinary day, a day where wind blew and the sun shone brightly, a day where he air carried that all too common winter chill. Xiang Yi had left the recording studio and on her way back to her dorm room that required her to cross a normal intersection to get there. But when she found herself in the middle of that street, she crossed paths with a large truck.
Xiaoya: "Thank you, ma'am. Plus, it's no trouble at all. Captain usually takes very good care of me."
Out of the blue, from two seats over, Xiaoya then heard a boy whisper, "Is that Xiang Yi's god-sister? She looks a lot like that Cheng Cheng girl Xiang Yi liked in her freshman year, doesn't she?"
Mo Yichen will no longer appear in the main story. But there might be exceptions in the extras.
As the hugged, Xiaoya's tears fell on Mo Yichen's shoulder as they bid their final farewell. "Take care of yourself, alright?"
Mo Yichen's eyes still looked lifeless, but she did move to tightly grasp Xiaoya's hand and putting the other girl in a considerable amount of pain.
Then, in the latter half of the of the service, all they sang were her praises. But because she had passed, it wasn't like Xiang Yi could just jump from the coffin and say, "Why are you guys making up all this stuff, which part of me was that good?"
But Xiaoya said nothing, she wasn't afraid of pain, what she feared was Mo Yichen still being in that cold and lonesome state she had been in since earlier where it seemed as though all her vitality was sucked away.
Lu Xiaobei had rushed from Shanghai early that morning to see Xiang Yi off on her final journey, but now it was past noon and she had to return to her company. Xiaoya had wanted to see her off, but she was held back by Xiang Yi's relatives. "Xiang Yi's mom reserved a table at the restaurant so you should head there with them, too, okay. Go there to get rid of the bad luck. You've worked hard over these past few days as well, running around both outside and in taking care of all sorts of things."
"Yichen," Xiaoya called her softly. As she did, the realisation of that flower-like girl named Xiang Yi was no longer in this world, along with the fact Mo Yichen had regarded Xiang Yi as her most important person, Xiaoya couldn't help the hitch in her tone as she called again. "Yichen."
After the service was over, Xiang Yi's mother took Mo Yichen to the crematorium.
For the following three days, not just Mo Yichen, but even Xiaoya spend them in a muddled daze. She had calledLu Xiaobei in the beginning and told her about what happened to Xiang Yi, then for the rest of it, she never left Mo Yichen's side.
Mo Yichen: "Xiaoya... something... something happened to Xiang Yi. Can you come please?" Mo Yichen was not crying, but her tone carried the sort of deathly stillness that gave the same ominous feeling as deserted field.
Xiaoya: "Thank you, ma'am. Plus, it's no trouble at all. Captain usually takes very good care of me."
After the service was over, Xiang Yi's mother took Mo Yichen to the crematorium.
Sometimes, Xiang Yi's mother would come over to see Mo Yichen. She said no words and simply held the girl in her arms while she burst into wails. To others, it looked as though all the tears she had in her lifetime was being shed. But Mo Yichen was still nothing but of wooden plank, one lacking the strength to truly provide the older woman with any comfort, so she allowed herself to be used as a marionette. Then, just like a puppet, when the moment called for it, a couple tugs of her strings made her accompany that woman in reminiscing Xiang Yi.
As the hugged, Xiaoya's tears fell on Mo Yichen's shoulder as they bid their final farewell. "Take care of yourself, alright?"
Xiang Yi was gone, taken without any sign or warning.
While Xiang Yi lay on the operating room table, her mother bawled uncontrollably while a nurse looked at her nervously, fearing the grief stricken woman might faint and hurt herself.
Xiang Yi~
Xiang Yi~
Mo Yichen's eyes still looked lifeless, but she did move to tightly grasp Xiaoya's hand and putting the other girl in a considerable amount of pain.
Mo Yichen: "I don't think so. There aren't that many things here for me to worry about. After I graduate over there, I'll work hard to send money for my family, and when my little brother gets older, he can help take care of our parents when they retire, too."
Like this, that bloody wound within her was ripped back open again and again forcing it to never get the chance to heal.
She never wanted to cry, but she couldn't help it as she asked Mo Yichen, "You'll still come back after going to the US, right?"
But Xiaoya said nothing, she wasn't afraid of pain, what she feared was Mo Yichen still being in that cold and lonesome state she had been in since earlier where it seemed as though all her vitality was sucked away.
Xiaoya: "Captain's just back to take care of something at school, you don't have to worry."
While Xiaoya waited in the entryway, a young boy about ten years old was looking straight at her curiously.
After waiting for a while, she again asked, "Yichen? Yichen, can you hear me?" The lack of a response soon gave her a bad feeling. "Yichen... did something happen?"
As the hugged, Xiaoya's tears fell on Mo Yichen's shoulder as they bid their final farewell. "Take care of yourself, alright?"
Mo Yichen's eyes still looked lifeless, but she did move to tightly grasp Xiaoya's hand and putting the other girl in a considerable amount of pain.
Soon, the day for the memorial service arrived. Many people Xiaoya knew and didn't know had come, which included members of Xiang Yi's family as well as people who were around her own age. During her high school days, Xiang Yi had also transferred schools in the summer between her first and second year. She was incredibly popular in both schools, so there were a lot of former attendees from both who came to mourn her.
Taking the key from Lu Xiaobei's house, Xiaoya went back to their apartment. In the fridge, with how many dumplings there were, if she ate a serving each day, Lu Xiaobei would be back by the time they were done.
The words Mo Yichen said to leave her in such a state before parting were, "Unfortunately, in the end, I still never found out if Xiang Yi ever really loved me at all."
After the service was over, Xiang Yi's mother took Mo Yichen to the crematorium.
With them, Xiaoya stood on the side were her former high school and university classmates stood, those who belonged to the group that were Xiang Yi's friends.
After finding the house Lu Xiaobei sent her the address for, the one who answered the door was a woman, not a man. That woman did not appear to far along in years, seeming no older that twenty-eight to twenty-nine years, but Xiaoya knew for a fact Lu Xiaobei's stepmother was already thirty-three years of age. Though, because of this, Xiaoya honestly didn't know if she should refer to the woman as she would an older "sister" or "aunt".
Originally, this place was also where Mo Yichen was supposed to stand, but Xiang Yi's mother had pulled her into the front and declared that she was er god-daughter, and Xiang Yi's family in a voice grown hoarse from her constant state of shedding tears. In that remorse-ridden voice she then added, "Come, let's stand closer to Xiang Yi."
From then on, apart from her own final exams, Xiaoya was stuck to Mo Yichen's side like glue.
After waiting for a while, she again asked, "Yichen? Yichen, can you hear me?" The lack of a response soon gave her a bad feeling. "Yichen... did something happen?"
Regardless, Lu Xiaobei's stepmother was very kind. Upon seeing Xiaoya, she smiled and said, "You must be Lu Xiaobei's friend, yes? She already told me so I'll go get you the key."
Since then, the contact between Xiaoya and Mo Yichen was off an on, but they never met up in person. When they did finally see each other face to face again, it was the second semester of their second year at college. Lu Xiaobei was in Shanghai at that time, so Xiaoya alone went to the airport to see Mo Yichen off.
Xiang Yi~
At the beginning of the memorial service, Xiaoya listened as many recounted Xiang Yi's many talents, her excellent grades, her beauty... and it all made Xiaoya feel uneasy in her heart. If Xiang Yi was there, listening to all this, she would've undoubtedly found it all disdainful, those words they delivered were not about her. All they can they talk about the shell of the angel which wrapped around the little devil inside that was always looking for a chance to skip class, never obedient, and stubborn.
Xiaoya: "It's still pretty sad. You're already a sophomore here and now you'll have to start over."
Originally, this place was also where Mo Yichen was supposed to stand, but Xiang Yi's mother had pulled her into the front and declared that she was er god-daughter, and Xiang Yi's family in a voice grown hoarse from her constant state of shedding tears. In that remorse-ridden voice she then added, "Come, let's stand closer to Xiang Yi."
Originally, this place was also where Mo Yichen was supposed to stand, but Xiang Yi's mother had pulled her into the front and declared that she was er god-daughter, and Xiang Yi's family in a voice grown hoarse from her constant state of shedding tears. In that remorse-ridden voice she then added, "Come, let's stand closer to Xiang Yi."
While on the other side, stood Mo Yichen, as stiff as a rock, she half leaned her body on the wall behind her, while her eyes was full with such emptiness, that even after Xiaoya approached her, not one inch of her had moved.
Mo Yichen: "Yes, really."
That very day, when Xiaoya was counting the number of days until Lu Xiaobei's return on her fingers, she was interrupted by a call from Mo Yichen, "Hi, Yichen. What's on your mind that you decided to call me?"
When Xiaoya arrived at the hospital, Xiang Yi's body was already sent to the morgue, and it was a nurse who told her: "The traffic police suggested that it would be best for her family to not see the body. The accident and her passing were far too tragic. That poor girl's mother had cried until she fainted, and her friend insisted on go seeing her to say her final goodbyes. The officers did their best to stop her, but they couldn't talk her out of it. Everything is just so terrible, that girl was also quite young, and I herd it they're a single parent household, too. What is her mother going to do?"
But Xiang Yi was simply Xiang Yi. She was unrestrained. She would never allow herself to be bound by things like these.
Sadly, Xiaoya never expected that when the dumplings were done, she wouldn't be waiting for Lu Xiaobei in person but for her call. "I'm so sorry Xiaoya, but there's more stuff to take care of at the new company than expected, so I won't be back this weekend. Do you want to go stay with your parents for those two days?"
"Godmother said she would sponsor me. She'll help me get a firm foothold over there and after she gets older she'll probably go there to retire." Mo Yichen then added, "She said I was just like another one of her daughters and going to America to see the city Xiang Yi loved with my very own eyes would be something Xiang Yi would be very happy about."
After the service was over, Xiang Yi's mother took Mo Yichen to the crematorium.
Sometimes, Xiang Yi's mother would come over to see Mo Yichen. She said no words and simply held the girl in her arms while she burst into wails. To others, it looked as though all the tears she had in her lifetime was being shed. But Mo Yichen was still nothing but of wooden plank, one lacking the strength to truly provide the older woman with any comfort, so she allowed herself to be used as a marionette. Then, just like a puppet, when the moment called for it, a couple tugs of her strings made her accompany that woman in reminiscing Xiang Yi.
Xiaoya: "Really?"
Leaving only Xiaoya in the place where stood with a face plastered with shock.
Lu Xiaobei: "I'll do everything I can to come back at the end of next week."
Then, in the latter half of the of the service, all they sang were her praises. But because she had passed, it wasn't like Xiang Yi could just jump from the coffin and say, "Why are you guys making up all this stuff, which part of me was that good?"
When Xiaoya arrived at the hospital, Xiang Yi's body was already sent to the morgue, and it was a nurse who told her: "The traffic police suggested that it would be best for her family to not see the body. The accident and her passing were far too tragic. That poor girl's mother had cried until she fainted, and her friend insisted on go seeing her to say her final goodbyes. The officers did their best to stop her, but they couldn't talk her out of it. Everything is just so terrible, that girl was also quite young, and I herd it they're a single parent household, too. What is her mother going to do?"
Like this, that bloody wound within her was ripped back open again and again forcing it to never get the chance to heal.
Xiaoya: "Thank you, ma'am. Plus, it's no trouble at all. Captain usually takes very good care of me."
So when Xiaoya made it to the waiting room, Xiang Yi's family were still there. Her mother was crying her eyes out from within a young girl's bosom, "My baby, you just turned twenty, how could you be so cruel? Mom didn't need you to make money, or be someone outstanding... all I wanted was for you to live... to live happily..."
Since then, the contact between Xiaoya and Mo Yichen was off an on, but they never met up in person. When they did finally see each other face to face again, it was the second semester of their second year at college. Lu Xiaobei was in Shanghai at that time, so Xiaoya alone went to the airport to see Mo Yichen off.
Xiang Yi was gone, taken without any sign or warning.
Mo Yichen: "It's fine. I was already thinking about applying to go to the US as an exchange student during my freshman year, even all the notarized documents were already prepared, too. She (Xiang Yi) really liked the City of Angels (Los Angeles). That place was also pretty accepting of people like us. But I had only applied for a spot that required self-funding."
After the service was over, Xiang Yi's mother took Mo Yichen to the crematorium.
Mo Yichen: "It's fine. I was already thinking about applying to go to the US as an exchange student during my freshman year, even all the notarized documents were already prepared, too. She (Xiang Yi) really liked the City of Angels (Los Angeles). That place was also pretty accepting of people like us. But I had only applied for a spot that required self-funding."
Lu Xiaobei had rushed from Shanghai early that morning to see Xiang Yi off on her final journey, but now it was past noon and she had to return to her company. Xiaoya had wanted to see her off, but she was held back by Xiang Yi's relatives. "Xiang Yi's mom reserved a table at the restaurant so you should head there with them, too, okay. Go there to get rid of the bad luck. You've worked hard over these past few days as well, running around both outside and in taking care of all sorts of things."
Turning to look at him, Xiaoya then say the boy beside the one who spoke give him a tap which stopped him from speaking again.
To which Lu Xiaobei also added, "It's alright. I'm fine."
With them, Xiaoya stood on the side were her former high school and university classmates stood, those who belonged to the group that were Xiang Yi's friends.
Xiaoya took a moment to think it over as she was still worried about Mo Yichen. So she stayed in he seat, at the table reserved for all Xiang Yi's former classmates.
Soon, the day for the memorial service arrived. Many people Xiaoya knew and didn't know had come, which included members of Xiang Yi's family as well as people who were around her own age. During her high school days, Xiang Yi had also transferred schools in the summer between her first and second year. She was incredibly popular in both schools, so there were a lot of former attendees from both who came to mourn her.
She turned to look at Mo Yichen whose expression showed no change as she ate rice from her bowl, making Xiaoya uncertain if she had also heard the whispers. But, at that point, given her friend's state, Xiaoya herself wasn't sure if she wished Mo Yichen had heard and reacted, or she showed no reaction at all.
In return, Xiaoya gave the boy a smile.
After Mo Yichen came back, Xiaoya took er by the arm and sat her in the seat beside her own. In the past few days, if she didn't watch her, Xiaoya saw Mo Yichen would not remember to drink so much as a sip of water without prodding.
While on the other side, stood Mo Yichen, as stiff as a rock, she half leaned her body on the wall behind her, while her eyes was full with such emptiness, that even after Xiaoya approached her, not one inch of her had moved.
As they ate, apart from a few classmates who recalled memories of their days together, there was no sense of enthusiasm in the atmosphere at that table. What's more, because the table she was at was made up of students from both of Xiang Yi's past high schools, most people barely knew one another so nearly everyone simply ate in silence.
1. 望妻石: wàngqishí (a variant of 望夫石: wàngfūshí: husband watching stone). In Hong Kong, in a place known as the Sha Tin District there's a rock formation that looks like a woman carrying her child. The story goes, there was a fisherman, who when he went out to sea everyday, had his wife dedicatedly climb up the mountain to look at sea and hope for his return with their son on her back. Tragedy struck one day and her husband drowned at sea, so in return for her loyalty and dedication towards him, she was transformed into a rock by the Goddess of the Sea (Matsu) so they could be reunited. I also found one that said she got caught in a storm and disappeared only to be replaced by the rock that looks like a woman. So being someone's Amah Rock means I'll wait for you.
Xiaoya: "Captain's just back to take care of something at school, you don't have to worry."
After finding the house Lu Xiaobei sent her the address for, the one who answered the door was a woman, not a man. That woman did not appear to far along in years, seeming no older that twenty-eight to twenty-nine years, but Xiaoya knew for a fact Lu Xiaobei's stepmother was already thirty-three years of age. Though, because of this, Xiaoya honestly didn't know if she should refer to the woman as she would an older "sister" or "aunt".
For the following three days, not just Mo Yichen, but even Xiaoya spend them in a muddled daze. She had calledLu Xiaobei in the beginning and told her about what happened to Xiang Yi, then for the rest of it, she never left Mo Yichen's side.
In return, Mo Yichen whispered some words into Xiaoya's ear, released her, then took hold of her suitcase and left without looking back.
Out of the blue, from two seats over, Xiaoya then heard a boy whisper, "Is that Xiang Yi's god-sister? She looks a lot like that Cheng Cheng girl Xiang Yi liked in her freshman year, doesn't she?"
The driver not noticing her because they were driving while fighting off sleep.
As they ate, apart from a few classmates who recalled memories of their days together, there was no sense of enthusiasm in the atmosphere at that table. What's more, because the table she was at was made up of students from both of Xiang Yi's past high schools, most people barely knew one another so nearly everyone simply ate in silence.
Xiaoya: "Thank you, ma'am. Plus, it's no trouble at all. Captain usually takes very good care of me."
Turning to look at him, Xiaoya then say the boy beside the one who spoke give him a tap which stopped him from speaking again.
Lu Xiaobei: "Got it."
But Xiang Yi was simply Xiang Yi. She was unrestrained. She would never allow herself to be bound by things like these.
Xiaoya: "Captain's just back to take care of something at school, you don't have to worry."
Then, after a while, Xiaoya again heard someone whisper, "Are they like real sisters or is that kind of 'sister'?"
Like this, that bloody wound within her was ripped back open again and again forcing it to never get the chance to heal.
She turned to look at Mo Yichen whose expression showed no change as she ate rice from her bowl, making Xiaoya uncertain if she had also heard the whispers. But, at that point, given her friend's state, Xiaoya herself wasn't sure if she wished Mo Yichen had heard and reacted, or she showed no reaction at all.
After the service was over, Xiang Yi's mother took Mo Yichen to the crematorium.
That very day, when Xiaoya was counting the number of days until Lu Xiaobei's return on her fingers, she was interrupted by a call from Mo Yichen, "Hi, Yichen. What's on your mind that you decided to call me?"
Her life had come to the end of in blossom stained in blood, one that would forever wither in her old college town.
Mo Yichen: "Yes, really."
Xiaoya took a moment to think it over as she was still worried about Mo Yichen. So she stayed in he seat, at the table reserved for all Xiang Yi's former classmates.
Taking the key from Lu Xiaobei's house, Xiaoya went back to their apartment. In the fridge, with how many dumplings there were, if she ate a serving each day, Lu Xiaobei would be back by the time they were done.
After finding the house Lu Xiaobei sent her the address for, the one who answered the door was a woman, not a man. That woman did not appear to far along in years, seeming no older that twenty-eight to twenty-nine years, but Xiaoya knew for a fact Lu Xiaobei's stepmother was already thirty-three years of age. Though, because of this, Xiaoya honestly didn't know if she should refer to the woman as she would an older "sister" or "aunt".
From then on, apart from her own final exams, Xiaoya was stuck to Mo Yichen's side like glue.
In return, Mo Yichen whispered some words into Xiaoya's ear, released her, then took hold of her suitcase and left without looking back.
Not long after, Xiaoya's little stepmother had returned with the key. "I'm sorry to trouble you in delivering this to Xiaobei." Lu Xiaobei had told her family she was the one who had forgotten some things at the apartment and wanted her friend to help send them to her, which was why Xiaoya needed to come take the key.
On one side, was all her family members, where almost every single eye was reddened while streaming tears. A young woman they had all witnessed grow from childhood to adulthood, a young woman they would have soon watched graduate university, a young woman who was so pretty and cut was suddenly gone from this life. It was something none of their hearts could bear.
While Xiaoya waited in the entryway, a young boy about ten years old was looking straight at her curiously.
Mo Yichen: "I have things to do, too. It's inconvenient to bring you along, so just go already."
Mo Yichen didn't go take her own exams seeing that it took her over half a month for her to recover from the corpse-like state she was in and now she was rushing Xiaoya back. "Hey, it's rare for Captain to find the time to return from Shanghai so don't waste time moping about with me here."
Mo Yichen's eyes still looked lifeless, but she did move to tightly grasp Xiaoya's hand and putting the other girl in a considerable amount of pain.
With them, Xiaoya stood on the side were her former high school and university classmates stood, those who belonged to the group that were Xiang Yi's friends.
Xiaoya looked at Mo Yichen's expression which seemed to be genuine. Mo Yichen was also not one to lie to people, so Xiaoya let her be and returned to the school to see Lu Xiaobei.
To which Lu Xiaobei also added, "It's alright. I'm fine."
Xiaoya: "It's still pretty sad. You're already a sophomore here and now you'll have to start over."
So when Xiaoya made it to the waiting room, Xiang Yi's family were still there. Her mother was crying her eyes out from within a young girl's bosom, "My baby, you just turned twenty, how could you be so cruel? Mom didn't need you to make money, or be someone outstanding... all I wanted was for you to live... to live happily..."
In return, Xiaoya gave the boy a smile.
Xiaoya: "Captain's just back to take care of something at school, you don't have to worry."
At the beginning of the memorial service, Xiaoya listened as many recounted Xiang Yi's many talents, her excellent grades, her beauty... and it all made Xiaoya feel uneasy in her heart. If Xiang Yi was there, listening to all this, she would've undoubtedly found it all disdainful, those words they delivered were not about her. All they can they talk about the shell of the angel which wrapped around the little devil inside that was always looking for a chance to skip class, never obedient, and stubborn.
Mo Yichen: "I have things to do, too. It's inconvenient to bring you along, so just go already."
But, unlike her Mo Yichen didn't shed single tear. For her, the pain she experienced felt as though her heart had been ripped apart then put back together, only to be shredded then restored again and again and again.
The words Mo Yichen said to leave her in such a state before parting were, "Unfortunately, in the end, I still never found out if Xiang Yi ever really loved me at all."
Leaving only Xiaoya in the place where stood with a face plastered with shock.
Xiaoya: "Really?"
Xiaoya: "Captain, I want to be your Amah RockT/n: Amah Rock (aka husband waiting stone), but Xiaoya subbed the husband in the word for wife, so wife waiting stone is more accurate., I want to wait for you!"
Xiaoya looked at Mo Yichen's expression which seemed to be genuine. Mo Yichen was also not one to lie to people, so Xiaoya let her be and returned to the school to see Lu Xiaobei.
She turned to look at Mo Yichen whose expression showed no change as she ate rice from her bowl, making Xiaoya uncertain if she had also heard the whispers. But, at that point, given her friend's state, Xiaoya herself wasn't sure if she wished Mo Yichen had heard and reacted, or she showed no reaction at all.
Mo Yichen: "Yes, really."
After Mo Yichen came back, Xiaoya took er by the arm and sat her in the seat beside her own. In the past few days, if she didn't watch her, Xiaoya saw Mo Yichen would not remember to drink so much as a sip of water without prodding.
She never wanted to cry, but she couldn't help it as she asked Mo Yichen, "You'll still come back after going to the US, right?"
While on the other side, stood Mo Yichen, as stiff as a rock, she half leaned her body on the wall behind her, while her eyes was full with such emptiness, that even after Xiaoya approached her, not one inch of her had moved.
With them, Xiaoya stood on the side were her former high school and university classmates stood, those who belonged to the group that were Xiang Yi's friends.
Mo Yichen: "I have things to do, too. It's inconvenient to bring you along, so just go already."
So when Xiaoya made it to the waiting room, Xiang Yi's family were still there. Her mother was crying her eyes out from within a young girl's bosom, "My baby, you just turned twenty, how could you be so cruel? Mom didn't need you to make money, or be someone outstanding... all I wanted was for you to live... to live happily..."
From then on, apart from her own final exams, Xiaoya was stuck to Mo Yichen's side like glue.
Xiaoya looked at Mo Yichen's expression which seemed to be genuine. Mo Yichen was also not one to lie to people, so Xiaoya let her be and returned to the school to see Lu Xiaobei.
She turned to look at Mo Yichen whose expression showed no change as she ate rice from her bowl, making Xiaoya uncertain if she had also heard the whispers. But, at that point, given her friend's state, Xiaoya herself wasn't sure if she wished Mo Yichen had heard and reacted, or she showed no reaction at all.
Since then, the contact between Xiaoya and Mo Yichen was off an on, but they never met up in person. When they did finally see each other face to face again, it was the second semester of their second year at college. Lu Xiaobei was in Shanghai at that time, so Xiaoya alone went to the airport to see Mo Yichen off.
Xiang Yi~
Xiang Yi was gone, taken without any sign or warning.
Xiaoya was still a bit worried about going to Lu Xiaobei's family home because of what her father might say. But once Xiaoya arrived there, she realised all her worries were completely unnecessary, since she would not meet Lu Xiaobei's father at all.
Out of the blue, from two seats over, Xiaoya then heard a boy whisper, "Is that Xiang Yi's god-sister? She looks a lot like that Cheng Cheng girl Xiang Yi liked in her freshman year, doesn't she?"
After the service was over, Xiang Yi's mother took Mo Yichen to the crematorium.
She never wanted to cry, but she couldn't help it as she asked Mo Yichen, "You'll still come back after going to the US, right?"
Originally, this place was also where Mo Yichen was supposed to stand, but Xiang Yi's mother had pulled her into the front and declared that she was er god-daughter, and Xiang Yi's family in a voice grown hoarse from her constant state of shedding tears. In that remorse-ridden voice she then added, "Come, let's stand closer to Xiang Yi."
Mo Yichen: "I don't think so. There aren't that many things here for me to worry about. After I graduate over there, I'll work hard to send money for my family, and when my little brother gets older, he can help take care of our parents when they retire, too."
Regardless, Lu Xiaobei's stepmother was very kind. Upon seeing Xiaoya, she smiled and said, "You must be Lu Xiaobei's friend, yes? She already told me so I'll go get you the key."
From then on, apart from her own final exams, Xiaoya was stuck to Mo Yichen's side like glue.
For the following three days, not just Mo Yichen, but even Xiaoya spend them in a muddled daze. She had calledLu Xiaobei in the beginning and told her about what happened to Xiang Yi, then for the rest of it, she never left Mo Yichen's side.
Xiaoya: "It's still pretty sad. You're already a sophomore here and now you'll have to start over."
Xiaoya let out a humph before she replied, "If you don't get back here next week, I'm gonna come to Shanghai to find you!"
While Xiaoya waited in the entryway, a young boy about ten years old was looking straight at her curiously.
Then, in the latter half of the of the service, all they sang were her praises. But because she had passed, it wasn't like Xiang Yi could just jump from the coffin and say, "Why are you guys making up all this stuff, which part of me was that good?"
Her life had come to the end of in blossom stained in blood, one that would forever wither in her old college town.
Then, in the latter half of the of the service, all they sang were her praises. But because she had passed, it wasn't like Xiang Yi could just jump from the coffin and say, "Why are you guys making up all this stuff, which part of me was that good?"
Mo Yichen: "It's fine. I was already thinking about applying to go to the US as an exchange student during my freshman year, even all the notarized documents were already prepared, too. She (Xiang Yi) really liked the City of Angels (Los Angeles). That place was also pretty accepting of people like us. But I had only applied for a spot that required self-funding."
Then, after a while, Xiaoya again heard someone whisper, "Are they like real sisters or is that kind of 'sister'?"
From then on, apart from her own final exams, Xiaoya was stuck to Mo Yichen's side like glue.
...
Xiaoya: "Really?"
It was just another ordinary day, a day where wind blew and the sun shone brightly, a day where he air carried that all too common winter chill. Xiang Yi had left the recording studio and on her way back to her dorm room that required her to cross a normal intersection to get there. But when she found herself in the middle of that street, she crossed paths with a large truck.
But Xiaoya said nothing, she wasn't afraid of pain, what she feared was Mo Yichen still being in that cold and lonesome state she had been in since earlier where it seemed as though all her vitality was sucked away.
The driver not noticing her because they were driving while fighting off sleep.
Xiaoya: "So, what about now?"
Xiaoya: "Really?"
Sadly, Xiaoya never expected that when the dumplings were done, she wouldn't be waiting for Lu Xiaobei in person but for her call. "I'm so sorry Xiaoya, but there's more stuff to take care of at the new company than expected, so I won't be back this weekend. Do you want to go stay with your parents for those two days?"
Sometimes, Xiang Yi's mother would come over to see Mo Yichen. She said no words and simply held the girl in her arms while she burst into wails. To others, it looked as though all the tears she had in her lifetime was being shed. But Mo Yichen was still nothing but of wooden plank, one lacking the strength to truly provide the older woman with any comfort, so she allowed herself to be used as a marionette. Then, just like a puppet, when the moment called for it, a couple tugs of her strings made her accompany that woman in reminiscing Xiang Yi.
Xiaoya: "It's still pretty sad. You're already a sophomore here and now you'll have to start over."
Mo Yichen: "Xiaoya... something... something happened to Xiang Yi. Can you come please?" Mo Yichen was not crying, but her tone carried the sort of deathly stillness that gave the same ominous feeling as deserted field.
"Godmother said she would sponsor me. She'll help me get a firm foothold over there and after she gets older she'll probably go there to retire." Mo Yichen then added, "She said I was just like another one of her daughters and going to America to see the city Xiang Yi loved with my very own eyes would be something Xiang Yi would be very happy about."
Xiaoya: "Captain's just back to take care of something at school, you don't have to worry."
Xiaoya: "Thank you, ma'am. Plus, it's no trouble at all. Captain usually takes very good care of me."
The driver not noticing her because they were driving while fighting off sleep.
Leaving only Xiaoya in the place where stood with a face plastered with shock.
After waiting for a while, she again asked, "Yichen? Yichen, can you hear me?" The lack of a response soon gave her a bad feeling. "Yichen... did something happen?"
Xiaoya: "Captain's just back to take care of something at school, you don't have to worry."
Xiaoya: "So, what about now?"
As the hugged, Xiaoya's tears fell on Mo Yichen's shoulder as they bid their final farewell. "Take care of yourself, alright?"
But Xiang Yi was simply Xiang Yi. She was unrestrained. She would never allow herself to be bound by things like these.
To which Lu Xiaobei also added, "It's alright. I'm fine."
Xiaoya took a moment to think it over as she was still worried about Mo Yichen. So she stayed in he seat, at the table reserved for all Xiang Yi's former classmates.
From then on, apart from her own final exams, Xiaoya was stuck to Mo Yichen's side like glue.
1. 望妻石: wàngqishí (a variant of 望夫石: wàngfūshí: husband watching stone). In Hong Kong, in a place known as the Sha Tin District there's a rock formation that looks like a woman carrying her child. The story goes, there was a fisherman, who when he went out to sea everyday, had his wife dedicatedly climb up the mountain to look at sea and hope for his return with their son on her back. Tragedy struck one day and her husband drowned at sea, so in return for her loyalty and dedication towards him, she was transformed into a rock by the Goddess of the Sea (Matsu) so they could be reunited. I also found one that said she got caught in a storm and disappeared only to be replaced by the rock that looks like a woman. So being someone's Amah Rock means I'll wait for you.
In return, Mo Yichen whispered some words into Xiaoya's ear, released her, then took hold of her suitcase and left without looking back.
Like this, that bloody wound within her was ripped back open again and again forcing it to never get the chance to heal.
In return, Mo Yichen whispered some words into Xiaoya's ear, released her, then took hold of her suitcase and left without looking back.
Xiaoya took a moment to think it over as she was still worried about Mo Yichen. So she stayed in he seat, at the table reserved for all Xiang Yi's former classmates.
Xiaoya: "So, what about now?"
Xiaoya was still a bit worried about going to Lu Xiaobei's family home because of what her father might say. But once Xiaoya arrived there, she realised all her worries were completely unnecessary, since she would not meet Lu Xiaobei's father at all.
Mo Yichen's eyes still looked lifeless, but she did move to tightly grasp Xiaoya's hand and putting the other girl in a considerable amount of pain.
When Xiaoya arrived at the hospital, Xiang Yi's body was already sent to the morgue, and it was a nurse who told her: "The traffic police suggested that it would be best for her family to not see the body. The accident and her passing were far too tragic. That poor girl's mother had cried until she fainted, and her friend insisted on go seeing her to say her final goodbyes. The officers did their best to stop her, but they couldn't talk her out of it. Everything is just so terrible, that girl was also quite young, and I herd it they're a single parent household, too. What is her mother going to do?"
Originally, this place was also where Mo Yichen was supposed to stand, but Xiang Yi's mother had pulled her into the front and declared that she was er god-daughter, and Xiang Yi's family in a voice grown hoarse from her constant state of shedding tears. In that remorse-ridden voice she then added, "Come, let's stand closer to Xiang Yi."
Out of the blue, from two seats over, Xiaoya then heard a boy whisper, "Is that Xiang Yi's god-sister? She looks a lot like that Cheng Cheng girl Xiang Yi liked in her freshman year, doesn't she?"
Leaving only Xiaoya in the place where stood with a face plastered with shock.
Mo Yichen will no longer appear in the main story. But there might be exceptions in the extras.
To which Lu Xiaobei also added, "It's alright. I'm fine."
After finding the house Lu Xiaobei sent her the address for, the one who answered the door was a woman, not a man. That woman did not appear to far along in years, seeming no older that twenty-eight to twenty-nine years, but Xiaoya knew for a fact Lu Xiaobei's stepmother was already thirty-three years of age. Though, because of this, Xiaoya honestly didn't know if she should refer to the woman as she would an older "sister" or "aunt".
In return, Mo Yichen whispered some words into Xiaoya's ear, released her, then took hold of her suitcase and left without looking back.
After finding the house Lu Xiaobei sent her the address for, the one who answered the door was a woman, not a man. That woman did not appear to far along in years, seeming no older that twenty-eight to twenty-nine years, but Xiaoya knew for a fact Lu Xiaobei's stepmother was already thirty-three years of age. Though, because of this, Xiaoya honestly didn't know if she should refer to the woman as she would an older "sister" or "aunt".
Originally, this place was also where Mo Yichen was supposed to stand, but Xiang Yi's mother had pulled her into the front and declared that she was er god-daughter, and Xiang Yi's family in a voice grown hoarse from her constant state of shedding tears. In that remorse-ridden voice she then added, "Come, let's stand closer to Xiang Yi."
Leaving only Xiaoya in the place where stood with a face plastered with shock.
The words Mo Yichen said to leave her in such a state before parting were, "Unfortunately, in the end, I still never found out if Xiang Yi ever really loved me at all."
But on the other end o the line, all Xiaoya got was silence apart from the sound of very faint breaths.
While Xiang Yi lay on the operating room table, her mother bawled uncontrollably while a nurse looked at her nervously, fearing the grief stricken woman might faint and hurt herself.
Like this, that bloody wound within her was ripped back open again and again forcing it to never get the chance to heal.
Mo Yichen: "I don't think so. There aren't that many things here for me to worry about. After I graduate over there, I'll work hard to send money for my family, and when my little brother gets older, he can help take care of our parents when they retire, too."
While Xiang Yi lay on the operating room table, her mother bawled uncontrollably while a nurse looked at her nervously, fearing the grief stricken woman might faint and hurt herself.
Mo Yichen: "I don't think so. There aren't that many things here for me to worry about. After I graduate over there, I'll work hard to send money for my family, and when my little brother gets older, he can help take care of our parents when they retire, too."
She turned to look at Mo Yichen whose expression showed no change as she ate rice from her bowl, making Xiaoya uncertain if she had also heard the whispers. But, at that point, given her friend's state, Xiaoya herself wasn't sure if she wished Mo Yichen had heard and reacted, or she showed no reaction at all.
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