Asian Drama Addict

AutoSegmenting Guide

2010-08-05T18:01:00.000-05:00

More people on Viikii are trying out autosegmenting for their channel so I thought I make a guide about it based on my experience. Just a note, I’m going to assume that you have already read Pomi’s tutorial so please do then come back and read this guide: http://www.viikii.net/my/page/Pom45I#TOPIC/527

I think the most important thing in learning how to handle a new software is knowing how it works and what each setting does. That way you can then manipulate the settings to your own benefits. So I’m going to introduce the important settings to you in this step by step guide. These steps do not have to be in order unless noted and if you already know some the settings mentioned then feel free to skip that step.

Step 1: Crop Settings

The crop settings help create a box for the detection of the subtitles. The program will only detect the subtitles that appear in that box. The crop settings are responsible for the height of the box. The TOP settings tell far down the picture the top of the box is going to be. The BOTTOM settings tell how far up the bottom of the box is going to be.

In the example above, the top of the box is 88% down the picture and the bottom is 10% up the picture. The less the top percentage, the higher up the top will be. Same with the bottom percentage. The less it is, the lower the bottom will be. You can see the preview of the box below the crop settings. If the subtitles are half on the picture and half on a black background such as the one above, then you need to have the top to be in the middle of the subtitle so that the box will only have the subtitles on the black background and not on the picture. If your subtitles are completely on a black background, then just have the top and bottom touch the top and bottom of the subtitles. If your subtitles are completely on the picture, then it could be a bit more complicated. My policy with this is that less is definitely more. You want the top and bottom to be as close as possible (decreasing the height of the box), focusing on the center of the subtitles. That will help decrease the number of false subtitles.

If there are ads that appear under the subtitles, then you have to make sure that it does not enter the detection box.

If you scroll down on the software, you will see something like below:

You can also change the crop settings down there by changing the numbers in the red box. If you follow the purple arrow, you’ll see the actual outline of the detection box and the subtitles. The green arrow points to another outline of the detection box, the "Colored Blocks". Each of those green rectangles represents a “word” of the subtitle. The redish rectangle is the first word in the line of subtitle. You know that is detecting the subtitle right when you see that it’s a red rectangle follow by a series of green rectangles like above. Any imperfections to that will equal to errors in the script. The reason you would want to manipulate the settings is to get that very result.

If your crop settings are too low (which means that your detection box is too big), then you will see imperfections like below.

Remember, always strive for this:

For the purpose of this guide, I’m going to call the red and green boxes “Colored Blocks” and the above “Ideal Colored Blocks”

Step 2: Block Settings

There are four block settings that you need to know: Value, Count, Size, and CenterW. Remember a “block” is a “word” of the subtitle.

You can change the settings in the two purple circles above. “Block Value” is what the difference between pixels of the subtitles and the pixels of the background needs to be to detects the subtitle. The best way to find the best “Block Value” for your subtitles is to watch what happens to the “Colored Blocks” when you changed it. Stick with the value that will give you the “Ideal Colored Blocks.”

“Block Count” is how many blocks (words) there needs to be in a subtitle line for the software to detect it. I find that “1” is the best number to use based on my experience.

“CenterW” is how much weight the software should put on a center subtitle. It will help in detecting one word subtitles.

“Block Size” is the size of the detection box. Crop settings let you manipulate the top and bottom of the box while “Block Size” lets you manipulate the left and right. Unlike the crop settings, there are really no rules for the “Block Size” as long as it contains the subtitles. However, if you have ads appearing on the sides:

Then you have to make sure it doesn’t get in the detection box.

This is a DON’T

This is a DO

The reason that you don’t want the ad to be included in the detection box is because the software will detect it as a false subtitle even when there are none, like below:

Step3: Drop Values

Drop Values are the settings that I’m most unfamiliar with. From my basic knowledge, drop values detect the subtitle from within the detection box, based on the subtitles color. If the subtitle color is white then all of the drop values (RGB) should be the same.

You can change the settings in the two purple circles. You can see the changes in the detection box when the drop values when the RGB are not equal. You should change the settings based on your own subtitles. Watch the “Colored Blocks” to determine the best values. Same with the Y-Diff settings. Watch the “Colored Blocks” as you change the setting for the “Ideal Colored Blocks.”

As for the rest of the settings such as “Tracking Changes,” I’m not very familiar with therefore I basically left it alone.

Conclusion

This guide is completely based on my own experience. Like I said before, you need to experiment a lot to get the right setting for your video. My recommendation is to save each setting as Test-1, Test-2, etc. Then named the subtitle script it provides with the same title. That way you’ll know which setting is best when you upload the script and use that setting in the future. The process of testing the settings will take a lot of time but it will be worth it when you get the right one.

If you have any more questions, feel free to pm me on Viikii. I’ll try my best to help :)

BTW, this counts as my first solo post on this blog ;)

BB Creams Review by Lilia

2010-08-04T12:24:00.001-05:00

Hey guys. Lilia here. So this is my first solo post on this site. I've been thinking about what to write about since I'm not exactly the best at putting words together (unlike our writer, blanc, here^^). That's why I've decided to combine my two favorite topics, beauty and Asian drama, and write about it. So if you are a true Asian Drama addict then you should know about, or at least heard of BB Creams. If you haven't then you need to get your hands on more dramas, especially Korean ones!

Here's a little overview of it (you can skip this if you are already familiar with the product):
BB Cream stands for Blemish Balm Cream. It is basically like a liquid foundation. However, it also have skin care elements. BB Creams claimed to whiten your skin, help prevent wrinkles, lighten scars, etc. Sounds like a miracle cream right? Well, not exactly. See BB Creams claimed to do all of that, but does it actually do it? Not really, not for me anyway. But what BB Cream does do is that it acts as a moisturizer along with a base and foundation. Some of them even comes SPF loaded, which is always helpful. The reason that BB Cream is so popular, especially in Korean, is that when you put it on, it looks and feels like you don't have any makeup on. And if your skin is not that bad, just a few blemishes, then you don't really need anything else, no mineral powder, nothing. Also BB Creams gives your skin this dewy look that just brightens up your whole face. So is it worth a try? Definitely!

BB Cream Brands:
There are many different brands of BB Creams and, believe it or not, you might already know some. If you're a fan of You're Beautiful (which is a must see drama and the behind the scenes DVD (with English subs) is a really must buy), then you must have seen this:

or this:

You probably wasn't paying any attention to the brand the CF is actually for in the midst of squealing about the cuteness of JSG and the hotness of that kiss (I really wouldn't blame you) but that's Etude House, one of the BB Cream more famous brands. Others include BRTC, Misha, L'egere, and Dr. Jart. I will be focusing more on Misha and L'egere since those are my favorites and the ones that I'm currently using. But let's start in order.

Etude House:
Some of you might be tempted to buy Etude House just by watching the CFs above but just hold on a minute. So, Etude House. Where just I start? I'm not saying it's not nice, because it is...on some levels.
ETUDE HOUSE BB Magic Cream 35ml (Refreshing) - for Oily Skin
ETUDE HOUSE Precious Mineral BB Cream 60g - #1 Sheer Silky Skin SPF30/PA++
ETUDE HOUSE BB Magic Cream SPF30 PA++ 35ml - for Dry Skin
These are the three kinds that I find available. The prices are pretty nice considering the size. The liquid feels really light, almost like lotion and it's cool and gentle on my skin. And the glow it gave me was very nice. However, the biggest problem I had with Etude House is that it doesn't seems to have the right cream for me. I have combination skin (oily and dry, per occasions) and none of their cream fits. To be fair, I haven't tried the last one (for Dry Skin) since my skin is usually more oily, but I don't think it would help. The first one didn't have enough oil control (compared to Misha), especially on my cheeks and nose. The second one (with PSH face on it) fares a bit better but in the end, it more or less did the same thing. Also, another thing I didn't like about Etude House is the minimal coverage it provided. Yes the point of BB Cream is to look as if you have no makeup on but not to this extend. It didn't really covers my imperfections (blemishes, uneven tones, etc) well even when I used more than usual (which you shouldn't do because it will give you an unnatural pale pinkish look). But if you don't really have that many imperfections (like Park Shin Hye there), then this can be the cream for you. Or if you're not lazy like me then you could use some powder after applying this on. It will still give you that dewy glow despite the different "layers." One of my friends mentioned that her usual makeup would give her the haggard cake-y look at the end of the day but when she used Etude House BB Cream with it, it would glow even after many hours. In the end, this was not the one for me but it might be the one for you.
Rating: (3/5)

BRTC:
This one I would just skip. I've tried using it for 1 day, 1! Ugh! Ok, it wasn't that bad at first. I did loved the coverage. It was great, it even covered some of my freckles (which Etude House comes nowhere to doing). However, by the end of the day, it felt like it was literally dragging my skin down. I felt horrible! Then the very next day, I had a massive breakout. I shudder even thinking about it now. My skin isn't even that sensitive! Maybe your experience will be better than mine but I cannot recommend this cream to anyone. My conscience won't let me.
Rating: (1/5)

Misha:
Ah, Misha. My love, Misha. The one you see right below is the exact one I"m using right now.
Missha M Perfect Cover Bb Cream SPF 42 Pa+++ 21 Light Beige 50ml
There's 30ml selling on Amazon also. Don't buy that one. This one is 50ml (believe me, 20ml is ALOT) and the price is only a few cents more. So why do I love this cream so much? Well, first off, it has SPF protection, 42 at that. So no need for sunscreen, which in my book of laziness means one less thing I have to do, and also one less layer of "stuff" on my face. Second, it comes in two colors: light beige (#21) and natural beige (#23)
MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream No.23 Natural Beige SPF42 PA+++ (50ml)
The one I'm using is #21 Light Beige since my skin is a bit pale. Which one should you use? Well, if you have pale skin like me (think Barbie Hsu, SNSD Yoona), then go with #21. If you have darker skin (WG Yoobin, SNSD Yuri) then get #23. But in my opinion, it really doesn't matter because it blends so WELL. When I first tried it, I thought it looked a bit pale on my skin. But after a few minutes, it blended right in. Out of all the BB Creams I've tried, this one gave me the most natural look. It was like I was born with perfect skin (ha, don't I wished) instead of wearing makeup. I really don't know how they did it, but they did alright. The coverage was perfect for me. It's right in between Etude House and BRTC (I really didn't need to cover my freckles). What I love most about it is the glow it gave me, wonderful! The oil control is definitely an A+ I've used the oil sheet to test it out at the end of the day and it was definitely less than usual. The only thing I didn't like about it is the pump that it come in. It's a little hard to control the amount of cream it gave out. My advice to that would be that less is definitely more. Just put a little drop on your T-line and then spread it. It will blend out perfectly.
Rating: (4/5)

L'egere:
L'egere Water Drop Shiny Pearl BB Cream 35g L'egere Water Drop Shiny Pearl BB Cream 35g
L'egere BB Cream MINI Combo 10gx2
Next to Misha, L'egere had got to be my next favorite BB cream. It's light and easy to blend. The tube makes it easy to control the amount I want. Its coverage is less than Misha but a lot better than Etude House. It also have a very nice fragrance, a bit peachy.I would recommend the Drop Shiny Pearl for it's what I use. It gives you a brilliant glow that lasts all day (lol, I sound like a commercial). There isn't really anything I disliked about it. It's just I don't like as much as Misha, mostly because of the coverage. If you've never tried BB Creams (or makeup in general) before I would recommend this one to you. It's light enough that you can get your skin used to BB cream and yet enough coverage and glow to make you look good. After you know how the BB cream works then you can venture out in other kinds.
Ratings (4/5)

Dr. Jart:
Dr. Jart + Silver Lable Rejuvenating Blemish Base BB Cream (Whitening) SPF35 PA++ 1.7oz/50g
Dr.jart Water Fuse Most Moist Bb Cream Blue Label Spf27 50ml

Dr. Jart is like BRTC without the bad side effects, well most of them anyway. It provides perfect coverage (better than Misha) and I don't break out the next day. The thing is that it's very thick so I can definitely feel it on my skin. And it does look like I'm wearing makeup, even though not a lot. I do use Dr. Jart but not as often. Only when I'm going to a party or an event where I know my picture's going to be taken or there's a cute guy present (jk ^^). I wouldn't buy the big bottles like above but just keep a bit to use when you need to.
Rating: (3/5)

What I've Recommend to Other BB Cream Users
Misha, definitely Misha.
Missha M Perfect Cover Bb Cream SPF 42 Pa+++ 21 Light Beige 50ml
Great coverage plus natural look. It's the best of both worlds (ugh, Miley Cyrus. Why do you have to ruin that line forever?)

What I Recommend to New Users
Go with L'egere but don't buy too much. I've put the one I recommend you buy down below. It's enough for you to try without committing too much money.
L'egere Water Drop Shiny Pearl BB Cream MINI 10g
Also, I would definitely recommend buying from this seller (BB Cream Lovers on Amazon) because they give you samples of other brands (love!). For example, I got a little sample of Dr. Jart, which is perfect since I don't use it that much and a sample of Skin79, which I'm planning to try very soon.

Hope this is helpful! Please comment if you tried any of the above and your experience with it. ~Lilia

Summer's Desire Chapter 5

2010-07-25T22:11:00.006-05:00

Translator: Blanc
Editors: Felz, Silowwa

Chapter 5

Five years later.

It was another scorching summer; the rolling heat waves were almost tangible. All four of the classroom’s ceiling fans were turn on, the windows opened as wide as possible, sheets of papers fluttered feebly in the wind, and even the cicadas in trees seemed to be shouting, “So hot, so hot.” The burning weather, combined with the professor’s droning lecture, made the students nod off one by one.

Jiang Zhen En secretly took out her phone to look at the time.

“Oh, no!” she exclaimed in a low voice, “How long is this class? The manager asked us to come early to distribute gifts for the guests. If we’re late…this month’s bonus is gone!”

She grabbed her head and moaned.

Those sitting at the same table as her turned silent.

Zhen En looked away embarrassed, and almost collapsed. Sitting beside her, Yi Xia Mo was listening attentively, her pen moving at lightning speed to take notes. Her eyes were focused on the notebook and it didn’t seem like she heard any of Zhen En’s complains.

“Xia Mo!” Zhen En whispered fiercely in Xia Mo’s ears, “We’re going to be late!”

Why was she the only one in a hurry? The two of them should be hopping in their seats together.

“No.” Xia Mo’s eyes did not leave her notes, “the teacher will dismiss the class after this problem, two more minutes at the most.”

“How do you know?”

“Because the next question involves so many things that it will take at least two hours to finish. The teacher will cover it next class.”

Zhen En’s mouth dropped, “Again, how do you know?”

“Because I review the materials in advance.” Xia Mo answered while continuing to write

“Well, that’s it for today!” The teacher announced, “Goodbye, class.”

“Goodbye!”

The students of Sichuan College of Economics Class 3A all stood up and watched their teacher leave the room. After a brief silence, the classroom was filled with the slamming of textbooks, yawning of students, and lighthearted chatters.

“You even review the material in advance?!” Zhen En asked in disbelief

In today’s world, are there still students who review the materials in advance? They’re not high school students anymore, for goodness sake. They were college students now, taking a required economic class. All that was expected of them was to listen in class and study before the exam.

Xia Mo smiled, “Is that so strange?”

“It’s very strange!” Zhen replied, “This class isn’t even that important. You actually review before class and take notes in class; you’re a super geek!”

“Tuition is expensive.”

“Huh?”

“The tuition fee is so expensive. We must learn as much as possible so it will be worth it.”

“Oh. Uh…well, that makes sense. But you work every day until late at night. How could you have time to read ahead?

“You were watching TV in the store while I was reading it.” Xia Mo laughed

Zhen En widened her eyes. Now that she thought about it… Whenever there are no customers in the bakery, she would sit in front of the TV and secretly watched her shows. Xia Mo would take out a book to read. Zhen En always assumed it was a novel Xia Mo liked to read in spare time.

“We have twenty minutes.”

Xia Mo packed her stuff and got up to leave.

“What?”

“Otherwise, we’ll be really late.”

“Ah!!”

Zhen En frantically threw the books in her backpack and hurriedly ran out. Unfortunately her skirt was caught on a loose nail on the table, causing her to trip and collide heavily into a female student entering the classroom.

Bang!

The girl Zhen En ran into fell to the ground.

All around, the desks and chairs collapse one by one.

Zhen En herself also fell down.

“Ouch!”

“It hurts!!!”

Students gathered around, surprised.

The classroom exploded with whispers.

Jiang Zhen En actually dared to hit Yao Shu Er.

There wasn’t a single person in the college that doesn’t know Yao Shu Er.

While in middle school, Yao Shu Er had entered the entertainment industry to become a star. When she was accepted into this college, dozens of reporters showed up at the opening ceremony like never before.

All of the students were very curious about this Yao Shu Er. Just the fact that she was an artist already accumulated lots of interests. Not to mention, two years ago, her song was on the Top Ten Chart. Many came to ask for her signatures. There were also many who would eye her evilly and muttered, “Star, what star? I look so much better than her.”

On campus, Yao Shu Er was very low key.

She walked with her head down, always sat in the last row of the classroom, would never speak up in class to answer questions, never chat with the students, and would always evaporated from campus after class. The lovely Yao Shu Er on TV and the quiet Yao Shu Er in the classroom were like two different people. Over time, the students started to treat her as if she was invisible.

One of the desks collapsed on Zhen En’s stomach, causing her face to turn green. Xia Mo rushed over, moving the desks and chairs out of the way, and helped her sat up.

“Are you alright? How badly are you hurt?”

“Ugh…okay…” Zhen En groaned, “It’s only an artificial wound. I’ll be fine after resting for a few minutes.”

Xia Mo gently touched her stomach, “Does it hurt? Are there any internal wounds? Do you need to go to the hospital?”

“It’s really nothing!” Zhen En exclaimed bravely, feeling a rush of warmth from the concern shown on Xia Mo’s face.

Seeing Zhen’s complexion returning to normal, Xia Mo relaxed. Then she turned to look at the girl that was knocked down. There was a large bruise on Shu Er’s knees along with several gashes. Blood oozed from her skin, creating a large stain on her skirt.

“Sorry!” Xia Mo quickly apologized

She knew that Shu Er was a singer so a knee injury could cause a big problem.

Shu Er shook her head and shyly smiled, “Don’t worry. It was my fault. I wasn’t careful.”

She avoided Xia Mo’s extended hand and painfully stood up. Her legs faltered as the gash widen and more blood dripped down.

“We need to take you to the infirmary.” Xia Mo said, seeing her wound

Zhen En also saw Shu Er’s knee and was stunned. Her face paled and she profusely apologized.

“I’m sorry! Sorry! I’ll pay for your medical expenses! I was too reckless! I’ll wash your skirt! I’m sorry…”

Yao Shu Er looked at her timidly, “It’s fine. We’re classmates. You don’t have to do that.”

“But…”

“Excuse me. I need to make a call.” Shu Er said. She took out her cell phone, dialed a number, and whispered something.

Xia Mo went to a cabinet in the classroom and took out a first aid kid. She kneeled down in front of Shu Er and carefully examined her wound.

“We have to treat this or your wound is going to get infected. Are you going to be on TV today? Iodine disinfects the best but the color will be really obvious. Alcohol is a weaker sterilizer but it’s colorless.”

“It’s fine…”

Xia Mo ignored her refusal, “Iodine or alcohol?” she asked in a no nonsense voice that made Shu Er transfixed.

“Alcohol…”

“OK.”

Xia Mo dipped a cotton swap into the alcohol and gently applied it on the wound, careful not to exert any pressure. After a while, the blood gradually stopped. Xia Mo put band aids over the gashes and got up.

She smiled at Shu Er, “You should be OK. But if it does get infected, you must go to the hospital.”

Shu Er nodded gratefully, “Thank you.”

At this point, a middle aged man walked into the classroom and strode over to Shu Er. He looked at the wound on her knee.

“How did this happen?! I told you that you’re going to be on TV today but you don’t care! How many times have I said that as a star, you have to protect your body, that your body is your income?!”

“I’m sorry…” Shu Er whispered timidly, “This will never happen again.”

“Actually, it was my-” Zhen En wanted to explain

“No, I wasn’t careful.” Shu Er interrupted her, then looked at the middle aged man, “Jam, let’s go.”

Shu Er, leaning on Jam’s shoulder, limped out of the classroom.

A glittering object on the floor caught Zhen En’s eye. Leaning closer, she saw that it was a broken bracelet. She quickly picked it up,

“Shu Er, is this yours?” she shouted

But Shu Er has already left the classroom and drove off in Jam’s car.

Zhen En looked around in a daze.

“We have to leave quickly if we don’t want to be too late.” Xia Mo had finished fixing the chairs and desks.

She picked up Zhen En’s bag and gave it to her.

Ah, that’s right.

Zhen En had forgotten about that again.

Leaving her guilty conscience behind her, Zhen En ran out.

Outside the school, the sun shone down, prickling their skin like thorns. The air was so hot and humid that Zhen En wished to retreat back to the air conditioned classroom.

“Jie!”

Such a pure voice.

A tall boy riding a bicycle waved at them.

A 16 years old boy, wearing his high school uniform, with long, slender legs and a handsome physique, stopped in front of them. His lovely smile along with big, round eyes lined by long dark eyelashes, were like a cool autumn breeze, blowing the hot weather away.

“Xiao Cheng! You came to see us…”

Zhen En suddenly blushed, her heart beating faster.

“Hello, Zhen En Jie.” Yi Cheng nodded at her politely, then looked at Xia Mo worriedly, “Jie, I’ve waited at the bakery for a long time but you still haven’t come. Did something happen?”

Zhen En scratched her head awkwardly.

“A little accident happened in the classroom,” Xia Mo answered, then asked, “Is the manager very angry?”

“No.” Yi Cheng shook his head, smiling, “I was in the store and Manager Jie asked me to help distribute the gifts. After all the gifts were given out, I said that I will go to see why you didn’t come and Manager Jie even told me to not worry too much.

“What? How could the manager be so kind? Whenever I’m just a minute late, her face would turn all dark and gloomy.” Zhen En said, “Xiao Cheng, she must have some evil thoughts about you to treat you so decently.”

Xia Mo looked at her.

Zhen En covered her mouth quickly, as if those words weren’t spoken by her. She almost forgot that Xia Mo doesn’t like people teasing Xiao Cheng.

“There’s only the manager there so it must be very busy. We should hurry.” Xia Mo said

“Right! That’s right!” Zhen En swiftly agreed

“I’ll give you a ride.” Yi Cheng said, motioning his bicycle. The distance to the bus station is good and long so to walk would be too slow.

“Great!” Zhen En jumped up excitedly, “I want to sit in the front!”

If she sat in the front, then Yi Cheng’s arms would go around her. That would be too romantic!

Yi Cheng looked at her, embarrassed.

“Zhen En Jie…”

Under his innocent gaze, Zhen En became frustrated.

“Well…it’s…”

Xia Mo laughed. Seeing Zhen En and Xiao Cheng together, it was like Zhen En is Xiao Cheng’s other sister.

Sichuan’s summer school.

The students seeking refuge under the cool shade of the trees were surprised to see a bicycle speeding past on the sidewalk.

There were three people riding on it!

The boy riding the bicycle was wearing a high school uniform, his strong slender leg moving in a blur. There was a girl sitting in the front and another sitting in the back.

The handsome boy looked so innocent.

His hair was swept away by the wind, his eyelashes long and dark, his round eyes looked as innocent and gentle as a deer’s.

The long haired girl sitting on the bicycle beam looked as if she was sitting in his lap, his arms wrapped around her protectively. The boy would pedal and talk to her at the same time, his soft voice carried by wind, his smile gentle. The girl in the back looked bored and was playing with her fingers.

Why don’t I have a brother!

At Cartoon bakery, Zhen En was cleaning the glass windows while muttering and complaining under her breath. To have a brother like Xiao Cheng is really a blessing! He cooked for Xia Mo, sometimes worked in place of her, painted beautifully, and studied so well that he was able to skip several grades. Now, at the age of only 16, he was preparing to enter college. Not to mention that he was a super cute boy. Today, thanks to Xiao Cheng, the manager was “gracious” and let them off with a light reprimand. Ah, beauty is really useful.

At that moment,

Yi Cheng was sitting in a quiet corner of the bakery, sketching with his pencil. From time to time, he would raise his head and his eyes would follow Xia Mo as she brings cakes to the guests. She send the guests out with a smile then came back to take the cakes out of the oven.

It was obvious that he was sketching Xia Mo.

Zhen En’s heart soured as she watched, pouting, with jealousy. Even if these two were siblings, even if they depend on each other to live, their relationship shouldn’t be so good. However, Zhen En sighed, now that she thinks back, Xia Mo and Yi Cheng’s life were not so happy. Five years ago, a car accident caused their parents to die on the spot and Xiao Cheng to be seriously injured, leaving Xia Mo all alone to fend. She heard that Luo Xi went to study abroad and therefore, was able to escape the whole incident.

At that time, Yi Cheng was injured so badly that, to take care of him, Xia Mo had to take nearly a semester off of school. Due to the expensive medical fees, basically all of the money from the family’s saving as well as the insurance was spent. Everyone had thought that the Young Master would immediately come to help. However, the Young Master only showed up once and, like a flash, disappeared. No one has seen him since.

The Young Master had abandoned Yi Xia Mo.

The news spread throughout the whole school.

Then, Xia Mo and Xiao Cheng dropped out for some unknown reasons.

Until two years later, after she got in Sichuan College, Zhen En was surprised to find that she and Xia Mo were in the same class. Before, when they were attending high school, Zhen En’s father was sent by the Young Master to be Xia Mo’s chauffeur, following her everyday like a servant. At school, due to the Young Master’s influence, Xia Mo was treated like a princess by everyone. Due to these reasons, Zhen En hated Xia Mo and never attempted to talk to her.

However, at college, she found that Xia Mo was not at all like how she imagined. In order to pay for tuition, Xia Mo, like Zhen En, worked part time. To let Xiao Cheng study and recuperate in peace, Xia Mo forbade him to help out. More importantly, Xia Mo never acted like snobbish and was rather down to earth. Gradually, she and Xia Mo became good friends.

As to the Young Master’s disappearance, Zhen En had heard all kinds of rumors; some were too bizarre to be true, while others were just terrifying. Every time she tried to get the truth from Xia Mo, the latter would merely smile as softly as the windswept clouds. Over time, Zhen En accepted the situation as a forever unsolved mystery.

Xia Mo was carrying the tray back when she saw Zhen staring at the TV as if in a trance. Xia Mo couldn’t help but smiled at her friend’s transfixed state.

“Is there something interesting on TV?”

“Look…” Zhen En pointed at the television

Xia Mo followed her finger to see a broadcast variety show. The host was interviewing Yao Shu Er, who was looking fresh in her green chiffon dress. She smiled sweetly at the camera and showed off her latest dance.

“It’s a live show. Her leg had just been injured; it should still hurt really badly. How could she still dance?” Zhen En asked, surprised

“Being a star is very hard.” Xia Mo put the tray back in its place, “There’s no easy job in this world. Though it may look glamorous on the outside, who knows what kind of pain and suffering occurred beneath.”

“But stars make tons of money.”

“Really?”

Xia Mo picked up the mop and started mopping the floor, “There were a lot of customers today so the floor gets dirty really fast. We should clean up now when there are not that many people.”

“I’ve worked in a jewelry shop before. The price of this bracelet would at least be in the ten thousandth.” Zhen En gently twirled Shu Er’s bracelet between her fingers, “We worked to death in this bakery but our salary for the whole year could not even afford this bracelet. If only we can enter the entertainment industry, how great would that be?”

“How can it be so easy?”

Xia Mo chatted with Zhen En while carefully clean every inch of the floor.

“Hey, didn’t five years ago you participated in a show…oh, what’s it called…that’s right, “Superstar!” I remember that you guys took first place for several rounds. The whole school went wild because of it! Xia Mo, why don’t you go into showbiz? Someone might remember you.”

“A star that appeared one year ago can be forgotten in a blink of an eye, let alone five years. Beside, that was when I was still a kid.” Xia Mo said quietly. Yes, she still remembers those days. The days that passed so happily that it was like a dream. Unfortunately, they soon vanished like smoke.

“Oh, that’s true.” Zhen En sighed regretfully, “Oh, well. At least summer break is almost here. We won’t be working in the bakery then. We can find some other job. Have you thought about what might be suitable for us?”

“A western restaurant? Amusement park? Tutoring? Sales clerk? ...The pays are almost the same.” All not enough. Xia Mo turned to look at Xiao Cheng just as he happened to glance up and look at her. His mouth stretched into a bright smile. Xiao Cheng will be taking the college entrance exam this year, tuition and art fees will be very high, not to mention living expenses. Xia Mo had thought that she must take advantage of this summer to earn enough money.

“A few days ago, I saw an entertainment company looking for assistants; the salary was quite high. I already applied for the both of us.” Zhen En fervently prayed, “Let us be lucky, let us be lucky.”

Luck…

Xia Mo stood up, dazed.

The store’s floor has become crystal clean; the tiles shined in the soft light of the evening sun. The air was filled with the enticing aroma of cake. Xia Mo wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. Luck, if God can once again bring luck to her, she will fight her hardest to keep it.

___________

The next day.

“It’s you?!” Zhen En exclaimed, surprised.

“You guys…how come…?”

Yao Shu Er sat in the corner of the recording studio looking dazedly from Xia Mo to Zhen En.

Zhen En stared at Shu Er, stunned. No wonder the process of getting the assistant jobs was easy beyond imagination. She had only applied three days ago and yet had already received a phone call asking for an interview. The hiring manager didn’t even say much when she saw the two of them. She merely sent them over here, saying that they want the stars to interact with them and choose the one to their liking. Zhen En sighed, and here she was, thinking that luck has finally come their way and the money earned from this summer will be abundant.

But, in reality, they were applying to be Yao Shu Er’s assistants.

Zhen En’s heart dropped. She does not like this feeling. They were obviously classmates; how can the two of them follow her around just like servants? This was exactly like when her father was sent by the Young Master to be Xia Mo’s chauffeur. She had spent so many years trying to get rid of that uncomfortable feeling of inferiority.

“What’s the matter? Do you know each other?” Jam asked Shu Er, apparently forgotten meeting them just yesterday.

“They’re…my classmates…” Shu Er answered miserably

Jam flipped through the pages of their information, “Oh, that’s right. They knew that you are from the same school. The company thought that it would make it more convenient for them to take care of you, though we didn’t expect you to be classmates. But what’s wrong with being classmates? Are their characters bad?”

“No!” Shu Er blushed, quickly shaking her head, “I just think…”

“Aren’t there any other artist that needs assistants?” Zhen En disappointedly asked, “Shu Er and we are in the same class. It’s doesn’t look good if we have to follow and take care of her every day. Uncle, please arrange for us to be another artist’s assistants. We’ll be really diligent and careful. Uncle, please…”

Xia Mo stayed silent.

She saw that the wound on Shu Er’s knee was slightly swelling, with some kind of yellow pus emerging. Shu Er sat, cowering, in the corner of the studio, her face pale. Compared to the other female stars that were passing by, she seemed lacking nourishment, like a doll that has been forgotten for many years.

“Truthfully, the assistants were meant for Wei An.” Jam said reluctantly, “But Shu Er got injured yesterday, making it hard for her to even walk. Therefore we decided that she also needs assistants.”

“Wei An!”

Zhen En’s eyes lit up; she knew Wei An. Wei An was not only the hottest singer right now but had also starred in several movies. Wei An looked gorgeous, sang beautifully, and was known as the most popular rising star.

“Please let me be Wei An’s assistant!” Zhen En excitedly shouted. She grabbed Jam’s arm and shook it, “I love Wei An! I have bought every single album of hers!”

“Wei An, listen. It looks like one of your fans has caught up with you here.”

Sounds of footsteps were coming closer and closer to the studio. A tall girl entered the room with six to seven people surrounding her. She was wearing a black harness dress that barely covered her bottom, accentuating her long legs. She held a make-up compact in hand, powdering her nose as she walked, her high heels creating a beat to the rhythm of her steps. Beside her, there were people holding drinks, carrying clothes, and hauling cosmetic cases.

The girl closed the compact haughtily.

Her eyes swept the room and landed on Shu Er. She suddenly stopped walking, her mouth stretched into a contemptuous smile. Leaving the people surrounding her, she walked toward Shu Er and Jam.

“Who are they?”

Wei An carelessly glanced at Xia Mo and Zhen En.

“They were chosen by the company to be the new temporary assistants. Shu Er’s leg was injured, making it inconvenient for her…” Jam explained, looking natural and smiling broadly.

“They’re not to be my assistants? I have said a long time ago that, since Betty was hospitalized, there was no one else to help, making it very hard for me. How come they became Shu Er’s assistants? Have y’all made a mistake?”

“Yes, yes. But Shu Er’s leg got injured…”

Wei An sneered and interrupted him, “If I remember correctly, my contract expires next year. If company feels that Yao Shu Er is more important than me, then…”

“I did not mean that.” Jam anxiously said, sweating. He looked at the angry face of Wei An, then at Shu Er huddling in the corner, and said, “It’s fine. There are two people, one for each of you. Wei An, why don’t you choose first?”

Wei An smiled.

She glanced down at Shu Er, “Then I shall choose. Since you haven’t got that many jobs nowadays, it really doesn’t matter if you and your assistant do not get along.”

Yao Shu Er bowed her head in silence.

Zhen En suddenly felt embarrassed. Truthfully, she really wanted to be Wei An’s assistant. For one, Zhen En loved Wei An’s music and two, she felt that being an assistant for her classmate will be really strange. However, Wei An doesn’t seemed like a very friendly person and Shu Er’s injury was obviously caused by Zhen En. She scratched her head, conflicted, and peeked at Xia Mo, hoping she can come up with a good solution.

Xia Mo knelt down and gently pulled Shu Er’s dress up to her knee, careful not to let it touch the wound.

“Did you take a bath yesterday?” she asked quietly

“…Uh, yes,” Shu Er answered, surprised

“The wound cannot get wet. If you must bathe, then you have to dry it immediately after and then apply disinfectant.” Xia Mo frowned slightly, “After you’re done recording, I’ll go with you to the hospital. If the wound does get infected then it will take a long time to recover.”

“Thank you.” Tears gathered in Shu Er’s eyes.

“What’s your name?”

Wei An stared straight at Xia Mo. This girl, her eyes were as bright as the sun shining onto the sea, containing some deep emotions that are hiding beneath a faint white mist. Her hair was slightly curled and thick as seaweed, her skin like ivory, her face clever. In the entertainment circle, Wei An was already used to pretty faces, but, in front of this beauty, she was still taken back.

“Yi Xia Mo.”

“Yi Xia Mo?” The name was a little strange and felt weird in her mouth. Wei An continued observing her for a while, then said, “Yi Xia Mo, do you want to be my assistant or Yao Shu Er’s?”

“What kind of jobs will you need your assistant to do?”

“To help me pick out my clothes every day, do some simple make-up, and other miscellaneous tasks,” Wei An answered, “Why?”

“Zhen En used to work in bridal shop. She’s really suitable to be your assistant.” Xia Mo replied, smiling.

“Yes! I even know how to do many different hairstyles!” Zhen En said happily

At this time, Jam’s phone rang and he hurriedly picked up, “What…I know…OK,OK, I’ll be there right away… Let him select the girls first…wait for me to get there before you begin the interview…”

After he hang up, Jam pointed to Zhen En, “You, be Wei An’s assistant first. The trial time is a week. Wei An, if she’s not good, tell the company, they will help you pick out a better assistant.” Jam looked over at Xia Mo, “As for you, help out Shu Er. She has a recording today until 8:00. After she’s done, go with her to the hospital; be sure to take extra care of her leg. Let’s arrange it this way for the time being. I have to go first. If you need something then call me, bye!”

Jam hurried away.

Zhen En happily winked at Xia Mo. Standing before Wei An, she tried to restrain her excitement and extended her hand.

“My name is Jiang Zhen En. I really, really like your songs. I will do my best as your assistant. If I do something wrong, then please tell me. I will definitely correct it!”

“Hmm.”

Wei An, not seeming to see Zhen En’s extending hand, merely grunted, her sharp eyes still on Xia Mo.

“You’ll be sorry.” She coldly said

Xia Mo smiled faintly. She went to the water cooler and got Shu Er a cup of warm water. Wei An turned, fuming, her heels creating a “tap, tap, tap” as she left. Zhen En shot Xia Mo a victory sign but quickly followed Wei An, not wanting to get left behind.

The recording studio suddenly became a lot quieter.

“I’m sorry…” Yao Shu Er quietly apologized.

Xia Mo placed the cup of water in Shu Er’s hand, smiled and said, “Drink some water. Your voice will sound better when recording later.”

“Wei An does not like me because…” Shu Er paused, her eyes red, “I’m sorry. I let her anger spread on to you.”

Xia Mo shook her head, “No, you think too much. Look, the director is calling you. Let me help you, careful…”

For the rest of the time, Xia Mo sat quietly in the corner, watching Shu Er dance and sing on stage, as if her knee injury was forgotten. An hour later, the show was done recording. After taking Shu Er to the doctor then sending her home, it was already 10 o’clock.

Yi Cheng was sitting in the living room sofa, reading and waiting for her.

Seeing that Xia Mo was back, he went into the kitchen and brought out a tray full of food. He stayed to watch her eat and wash the dishes before returning to his room. Xia Mo leaned back on the small sofa, staring at the ceiling in daze. After a while, she took a deep breath and began to take out her study materials, preparing to study for the final exam.

___________

Under Xia Mo’s care, Shu Er’s knee healed quickly. With just a little more than a week’s time, the old wound scab had fallen off, exposing the newly grown pink skin. Because she was Shu Er’s assistant, Xia Mo would meet her after class and go with her to the recording studio; as the two interacted more with each other, they gradually became closer.

Zhen En was a little jealous.

Since the two of them have become artists’ assistants and resigned from the bakery, their only opportunity to meet was in class. However, Xia Mo was always very focused, listening intently and taking notes, telling Zhen En not to bother her. Zhen En really felt pitiful. The only time the two of them had to chat was those few minutes between classes. However, those few precious minutes were also stolen by Yao Shu Er. Sometimes, she would look like she had a cold, other times a sore throat, being all fragile and making Xia Mo fuss over her worriedly.

How could someone be so delicate?

Zhen En thought, displeased.

Being an assistant was very different from what Zhen En had imagined. When they’re busy, she would always be running; running to get drinks, running to bring clothes, running to get the make-up bags, running to get the umbrella to block the sun rays, running to find the phone to order lunch boxes. She really wished she could grow eight arms and eight legs to be able to do the tasks faster. But when they’re not busy, there would be absolutely nothing to do. She just sat and watched Wei An sings or records shows for hours. Zhen En would be bored to death and she could not do anything else except wait for Wei An to signal for her.

It was just so dull.

In comparison, Zhen En would rather be running to death than to sit rotting in a corner.

But today was really lucky indeed. Wei An and Yao Shu Er were to participate in a variety show together, giving Zhen En an opportunity to chat with Xia Mo.

“There is only a week until the final exam. I really don’t know what to do. I just don’t have time to review the materials.” Zhen En said, frustrated

“The topic for Economy and Trade is very simple. Tomorrow, at school, I’ll give you my sorted notes. If you don’t have enough time, then just read the highlighted parts. Those are the parts that are on almost every past exam. But for Statistics, you’re going to have to put in a bit more effort. The questions are difficult to interpret, not to mention that the answers can vary depending on the way of calculation, so just reviewing book materials is not enough.” Xia Mo saw that Wei An had already finished recording and was talking with Jam, seemingly introducing the tall girl standing next to her. “Do you need to go? Wei An is already over there.”

Zhen En looked, “Wei An is recommending her cousin again. Me going over is just going to bother them.”

“Cousin?”

“Yes, I heard that Jam is in charge of selecting the new artists for the company. There are already several girls selected, but none are especially outstanding. A lot of current stars are recommending their friends and family to Jam, as not to let the opportunities go to outsiders. I have met Wei An’s cousin several times. She seems very good, very unique. If she does get in the company, her chances of becoming famous are great.” Zhen En turned to look at Xia Mo, “Truthfully, I think you’re even more beautiful than she is. If someone would recommend you, then maybe you’ll become the hottest star yet.”

Xia Mo laughed, “I can’t sing.”

“What do you mean? You had even participated in “Superstar” before!” exclaimed Zhen En. After a while, she continued, “Did you know? Wei An is completely different without makeup, and Shu Er is not even that beautiful. But you, you don’t even have to put on any makeup in order to shine.” Suddenly her eyes popped wide open.

Yao Shu Er had also finished recording and came out. As she passed, Wei An, whether intentionally or not, shifted her shoulder, bumping it into Shu Er, causing her to fall.

Zhen En and Xia Mo looked at each other in surprise.

Xia Mo bit her lip.

The two of them shot up as Xia Mo ran over. Luckily, Shu Er was not injured. She sat on the ground in shock, staring blankly at Wei An, looking as if she was about to cry. Xia Mo hurriedly helped Shu Er up, handed her a towel to clean the dirt on her left arm, and worriedly ask if she was hurt anywhere. Shu Er’s whole body trembled, as, drop by drop, her tears fell to the ground.

Jam rubbed his face impatiently. Zhen En stood behind Wei An, stunned, unable to say a word. On the other hand, Wei An’s cousin knelt down to pick up Shu Er’s bag from the ground and, feeling sorry, handed it to Xia Mo.

“I’m sorry. Just now…”

The girl was slim, about 174cm tall, her hair thin and short. Even with no make-up on, her face was still fresh and bright, though a bit like a boy.

“Yao Shu Er!” Wei An shouted, making everyone there jumped in surprise and glanced over.

Zhen En, embarrassed, wanted to grab Wei An back but Wei An ignored her and step forward, her eyes wide and furious. She stared intently into the tearful eyes of Yao Shu Er.

“I’m warning you! My patience is limited! Damn it! If you keep making me mad, then I would have to see, in this industry, are you going to disappear or am I going to be finished!”

The people witnessing this turned to look at each other, trying to understand why Wei An was yelling crazily when she was the one that knocked Shu Er down.

Yao Shu Er stood shaking with her eyes closed.

Tears run down her pale cheek like a river.

Xia Mo hugged Shu Er’s shoulder, feeling the weight of Shu Er’s entire body leaning against her. Shu Er’s skin was ice cold, shivering rapidly like a wounded bird. Xia Mo took a deep breath, slowly covering up the feelings in her eyes.

She looked at Wei An, “Please do not be so loud. Shu Er had just fallen down.”

“She fell down?! You mean to say I hit her?! I stand here so clearly, how could I have hit her?!” The more Wei An talked, the angrier she become, the louder her voice got, “I really don’t understand?! There is so much space here for her to walk but why must she crowd over to my side?! Yao Shu Er, if you keep playing games, I’m going to make sure that there will be no more jobs for you!”

“Jie, stop.” The cousin tried to calm Wei An down while smiling apologetically at Shu Er and Xia Mo.

“Ok, Ok.” Jam’s patience had ran out as he sincerely wished Wei An would shut up.

“I’m sorry…” Shu Er said, trembling. She huddled in Xia Mo’s arms as tears continued to silently fall down her cheeks, “Wei An…Wei An did not hit me…I wasn’t careful…I…I did not mean to crowd over to Wei An…it’s just…I was looking for Jam…to discuss some things…”

“Ha!” Wei An sneered, “You have something to say to Jam? Can’t it be said on the phone? Can’t it be said another time? You just had to come over when I’m talking?! You really think I don’t know what your intentions are?!”

“Alright. Shu Er, what do you want? Speak.” Jam’s head ached severely, longing to sew Wei An’s mouth shut. Luckily there were no reporters in the crowd. If not, tomorrow’s headlines would definitely spell out disaster.

Wei An stared at Shu Er coldly, as if she was waiting to see what kind of rubbish the latter was going to say.

“I heard that there’s a selection for new artists…I…I think Xia Mo would be suitable… It looked like Wei An was also recommending someone…so I thought since it’s the same topic…I wanted to talk to Jam too…”

Shu Er’s face was pale, her words disconnected.

Zhen En’s mouth dropped in surprised. Wei An was also stunned, her eyes narrowing to look at Shu Er. Xia Mo looked up, startled. Shu Er turned, meeting Xia Mo’s eyes with her own. She looked pitiful and apologetic, as if she was sorry for involving Xia Mo.

Jam massaged his temple, his head aching, “You just need to take care of yourself. You don’t need to worry about the company’s intention to select new artists.”

“But, isn’t Wei An’s cousin…” Shu Er asked quietly

“She…” Jam coughed dryly, and shot a glance at the girl mentioned, “She firstly has to participate in the company’s training. The decision will then be based on her performance. Nothing is for sure yet.”

“Then can you give Xia Mo a chance?” Shu Er’s voice was timid, but insisting.

“Well…” Jam began coughing

“I believe that Xia Mo will be very good. As long as you give her the opportunity, she will definitely not let you down.” Shu Er softly pleaded

“Yes! Xia Mo had participated in the show, “Superstar,” before and had continuously won first place. A lot of the media had come looking for Xia Mo then, but she was too concerned about her education, or else, now, she would be…” Zhen En could not help excitedly interrupting, not noticing that Xia Mo was signalling her to be quiet, too eager to aid.

“On her own effort?!” Wei An glared at Zhen En, then turned to looked at Xia Mo with disdain.

“You want to be a singer? Want to record an album? Want to enter the entertainment industry? What right do you have? Based on that face of yours? This circle has plenty of girls prettier than you are. How many of them failed to climb up, only to sit in a corner, crying. What right do you have to try to squeeze in? You even had the gall to get Yao Shu Er to recommend you? Ha! She can barely help herself. What strength does she have to recommend you?”

Xia Mo calmly looked at her and said, “I am merely Shu Er’s assistant.”

“Assistant? I’m afraid you’re just using Yao Shu Er as your springboard! I have seen many people like you in this circle.”

“Yes, I am a springboard,” Shu Er’s lips were pale but she turned to look at Wei An determinedly, “That year, you used me to jump up and now, you are a bright star. Since I’m willing to be a springboard, I’m not complaining so why are you? Xia Mo is my assistant, my classmate, and my friend. You can recommend your cousin. Why can’t I recommend Xia Mo?”

“Willing? What have you done-” Wei An yelled furiously, loud enough that everyone in the studio could hear every word clearly.

“All of you shut up!” Jam shouted angrily, his vein looking like it’s about to burst

“You and you,” he pointed to Xia Mo and Wei An’s cousin, “3 o’clock tomorrow, go to the company to start training. Wei An, Shu Er, please know your own status!”

Finished, Jam walked stiffly away.

Shu Er and Wei An had rarely seen Jam so angry before, and could do nothing but to stare blankly after him. Xia Mo was also bewildered. Only Zhen En was shaking in joy, wishing she could jump up and cheered. How great is this?! Xia Mo was going to be a star!

___________

That night.

In the open food stall on the street.

“Pow!”

Opening a can of beer, Zhen En excitedly forced it into Xia Mo’s hands, and loudly said, “Congratulations on entering the entertainment industry! Do well!”

Xia Mo gently put the beer down.

“I do not wish to enter it.”

“Why?!” Zhen En exclaimed in surprise

“The entertainment world is too complicated, I may not be able to adapt.” Xia Mo answered, “Even if I am able to adapt, that kind of life is not likely to be a happy one.”

“…That’s true. Look at Wei An and Shu Er. I can’t understand why they are like oil and water. Reading past magazines, the entertainment world is really scary.” Zhen En scratched her head, “But, it does emit such bright and dazzling lights. After all, why would so many people try to get in?”

Xia Mo took a sip of beer.

“And, don’t you need a lot of money? Your tuition fees, Xiao Chen’s tuition fees, not to mention his medical expenses…” Zhen En looked at her seriously, “Being a star is the fastest way to earn the most money.”

Xia Mo’s hand tightened on the can of beer, her eyes gradually dimmed as her smile turned bittersweet.

After a long silence.

She took a deep breath and looked up, her eyes bright as stars.

“Thank you, Zhen En.”

“Huh?”

“It’s a shame. Being in school for so long had actually made me timid. You’re right. I have to earn enough money.” Xia Mo raised her beer can and finished in one shot, her cheeks slowly turning red like a descending summer sun.

“Let celebrate the opportunity to enter the entertainment world! I will do my best!”

“Go, go!”

The two girls shouted at the top of their lungs.

“I will definitely be successful!”

“You will win!”

“To become popular in all of Asia!”

“To become a superstar, a super superstar!”

There were only a few side dishes on the round table, the two girls continued to laugh together as the other guests hurried away, the stall owner continuously throwing worried looks at them. With the stars twinkling in the night sky, Xia Mo drank a total of five cans of beer. She went home drunk, and spent all night vomiting. Yi Cheng also spent the whole night taking care of her, unable to sleep.

The next morning at Sun Entertainment Company, there was no signs of drunkenness on Xia Mo. The receptionist sent her to the conference room on the third floor of the East side. Seeing that there were too many people waiting for the elevator, Xia Mo took the stairs.

The staircase was made of black marble, with mosaic flowers decorating each step. The dark wooden handrail was lined with gold, revealing a gorgeous extravagance. The conference room’s door was also black, with the company’s logo embedded in gold in the middle.

Xia Mo knocked on the door.

Hearing no response, she pushed the door opened and went in. Inside were three girls. One was very cute, with a face like a doll. Another was glamorous though looked a bit cold. The last one’s beauty was nothing extraordinary but was very voluptuous. They were talking and laughing with each other when Xia Mo walked in. Seeing Xia Mo, all three were a bit surprised but immediately, all of their eyes changed, looking very strange. They observed her coldly then went back to talking.

Xia Mo felt awkward standing there.

“Is this where the trainees are supposed to meet?” she asked

No one answered.

The three girls completely ignored her, as if she was merely air.

There was a large oval table in the middle of the conference room. The three girls were sitting on the left side; Xia Mo sat on the right, facing them.

She smiled at them.

The doll faced girl looked surprised then hesitatingly smiled back, a bit embarrassed. The other two girls glared at her and she quickly looked away, her smile all but gone.

At this time, the conference room’s door opened once again. Wei An’s cousin from yesterday walked in. She was wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans, looking more like a handsome boy than ever.

The three girls stared at her just as coldly.

Xia Mo, however, gave a shy smile.

“Hello, I’m Pan Nan.”

She sat down beside Xia Mo and extended her right hand.

“I’m Yi Xia Mo.”

The two shook hands.

“Ah, how great is this? The people who got in due to their hard work and talent sit on one side while the people who got in due to connections sit on the other.”

The sound of sarcastic mockery rang across the room.

Before anyone could respond, the door was pushed open for the third time.

The five girls quickly stood up.

A total of three people came in. Jam was on the right, a blonde-haired man on the left, and in the middle was a man about 30 years old, looking a bit feminine, wearing a rose shaped ruby ring on his finger, and was waving his hand in the air.

“I am Cai Ni, the company’s publicity manager, in charge of the entire selection of new artists. This is Jam; he’s the company’s best agent. This is Alan; he will be responsible for your training. These coming days, you five will be training together. By the way, have all you become familiar with each other yet?”

The five girls remained silent.

Cai Ni looked at them in surprised, “As artists, you must have the ability to comprehend each new situation and adapt quickly! Alan!”

“I will teach them.” The blonde male nodded

Cai Ni calmly continued, “There are a total of five of you that are selected for this training. The company is very optimistic about all of you and value each of you equally. We will invite the best teachers to teach you singing, dancing, etiquette, etc. Everyone have to try their hardest! At the end of the training, the company will select the best two to officially debut. The rest will have to wait for future opportunities.”

The atmosphere in the room became strangely silent.

The three girls on the left looked at each other then, at the same time, turned to look at Xia Mo and Pan Nan opposite of them. Only two will be able to release an album. The three of them got this far using their own ability. Why must they be put together with these two, who only managed to squeeze in due to connections? It was truly unfair.

“Next, I have some good news to tell you!” The ruby ring emitted a brilliant light that was dancing in the air as Cai Ni waved his hand, pretending to be mysterious, “When the time comes for you to release your album, in order to increase its popularity, the company deliberately invited the hottest star to support you. That star will sing a duet song with one of you for the album.”

“Who?” the voluptuous girl couldn’t help but ask

“Can it be…” The doll faced girl trailed off, thinking it was impossible.

“Is it Wei An? Yu Jing Yi? Yao Shu Er?…” The glamorous girl asked, leaning on the edge of her chair

Pan Nan smiled.

Xia Mo had been busy studying and working and, therefore, was not too familiar with all the stars. Their world was too far away from hers.

Cai Ni, proudly shaking his finger, announced, “It’s Luo Xi!”

“AH!”

“AH!!!”

“AH!!!!!!!”

3 different screams!

Earth shattering!

The conference room ceiling was nearly blown off!

The three girls rapturously hugged each other. Luo Xi, Luo Xi! God, it turned out to be Luo Xi. They didn’t dare to think of Luo Xi! Luo Xi was every girl’s ultimate fantasy. Every young girl can die happily screaming his name. Luo Xi was a myth, a legend. All the stars of the entertainment world combined could not compare to the light of just one of Luo Xi’s smile.

Jam and Alan were no less surprised. Jam turned to Cai Ni, asking about the situation in a low voice. For the last two years, Luo Xi was the hottest star around, king of the entertainment world. Countless producers, directors, advertisers, variety shows, and reporters chased after him. It was rumored that even when he went to the bathroom, he still has to answer a dozen phone calls. The jobs that he turned down in a day are more than the jobs other stars received in a month. The company had thought of Luo Xi to help out with the promotions but his assistant had politely refused. So they had decided on Wei An.

Cai Ni shrugged. He, himself, doesn’t really know either. Last night, he faxed the list of the trainees to Luo Xi as one last attempt. Who would have thought that, this morning, he would receive a call from Luo Xi’s assistant, saying that Luo Xi had promised to help?

Jam and Alan stared at each other, wide-eyed.

Amazing!

Cai Ni waved his arms, waiting until the girls’ screams and excited cheers were suppressed.

He said with satisfaction, “This is a great and rare opportunity. As long as your name appeared next to Luo Xi’s, you will definitely attract the fans’ attentions. Therefore, make sure to gather your energy and grab hold of this chance!”

Pan Nan looked very calm.

The other three girls were excited to the point of tears.

At this moment, they didn’t even want to guess who’s going to be singing with Luo Xi. Just being able to see Luo Xi with their own eyes will be enough to make them happy!

Luo Xi…

Xia Mo sat in the Sun Entertainment Company conference, trembling, her heart tightening.

Five years time.

So many memories had already been put away, gradually dispersing.

Though Luo Xi’s face can be seen on posters everywhere, though he was so popular that every kid and adult knew him, though he would often appear on TV and magazines; Xia Mo had thought, had vowed, that she will never appear in front of him again, that his life and hers will no longer intersect.

Summer's Desire OST (Official)

2010-07-12T08:36:00.003-05:00

Popular Taiwan actress Barbie Hsu stars opposite two of the hottest guys on screen today, Huang Xiaoming and Peter Ho, in the breathtaking idol drama hit Summer's Desire. The FTV/GTV production marks Ho's first shot as a TV producer, and the plot revolves around Hsu's starlet Xiamo, whose heart is torn between showbiz enterprise heir Ou Chen (Ho) and sensitive superstar Luoxi (Huang). The three leads are also responsible for the songs featured in the drama. Produced by Yuan Wei Jen and Mo Fan, the Original Soundtrack CD includes Ho's opening theme "Remember Loved" (from Korean composer "Hitman" Bang and Taiwanese lyricist Vincent Fang) and Hsu's ending theme "Diamond" (written by Mavis Fan and the original novel's author Ming Xiaoxi). Other featured songs include Huang's "Black Cat and Milk", Ho's "Masked Face", Hsu's "Bubble Mermaid", and several instrumental tracks.

01. 我記得我愛過 - 鋼琴版 (I Remember I Have Loved - Piano)
02. 我記得我愛過 - 宿命版 - PETER (I Remember I Have Loved - "Fate" - Peter Ho)
03. 鑽石 - 大S (Diamond - Barbie Xu)
04. 黑貓與牛奶 - 大S/沈建宏 (Black Cat and Milk - Barbie Xu and Kris Shen)
05. 泡沫美人魚 - 大S (Bubble Mermaid - Barbie Xu)
06. 假面 - PETER (Mask - Peter Ho)
07. 黑貓與牛奶 - 黃曉明 (Black Cat and Milk - Huang Xiao Ming)
08. 我記得我愛過 - 輕快版 (I Remember I Have Loved - Light )
09. 鑽石 - 鋼琴版 (Diamond - Piano)
10. 黑貓與牛奶 - 輕鬆版 (Black Cat and Milk - Light)
11. 泡沫美人魚 - 吉他版 (Bubble Mermaid - Guitar])
12. 假面 - 鋼琴版 (Mask - Piano)
13. 就是愛 - 輕快版 (This is Love - Light)
14. 我記得我愛過 - 悲傷版 (I Remember I Have Loved - Sorrowful)
15. 鑽石 - 輕快版 (Diamond - Light)
16. 黑貓與牛奶 - 孤獨版 (Black Cat and Milk - Lonely)
17. 泡沫美人魚 - 悲傷版 (Bubble Mermaid - Sorrowful)
18. 假面 - 抒情版 (Mask - Emotional)
19. 鑽石 - 悲傷版 (Diamond - Sorrowful)

http://www.megaupload.com/?f=WVO3HVQO

Support the Drama by Buying the CD here (CDs qualities are always better): YesAsia

Delightful Girl (Drama & OST)

2010-07-08T13:22:00.003-05:00

Synopsis

"Sassy Girl, Choon-hyang" is the 2005 interpretation of the "Legend of Choon-hyang". The story begins when Lee Mong-ryong is transferred from Seoul to a high school in Namwon, North Jeolla Province. Chun-hyang does her best to help Mong-ryong, her first love and the son of the Namwon Police Station chief, to enter a prestigious university. However, after meeting with Mong-ryong’s first love, Chae-rin, Mong-ryong’s love toward Chun-hyang is shattered, although Chun-hyang’s love remains unwavering. One day, Byeon Hak-do, CEO of a famous entertainment company, appears in her life. He exudes confidence that he can make any woman fall for him. But as Chun-hyang shows no interest in him, his self-esteem is damaged profoundly. Byeon Hak-do is determined to make her love him. --KBS Global Marketing

Cast

Han Chae Young as Sung Choon Hyang
Jae Hee as Lee Mong Ryong
Uhm Tae Woong as Byun Hak Do
Park Shi Eun as Hong Chae Rin

http://www.megaupload.com/?f=5NYLXIDG

Summer's Desire OST (TV Ripped)

2010-07-08T10:53:00.004-05:00

Theme Song: 何潤東 - 我記得我愛過 (I Remember I Once Loved)
Full Version: MegaUpload

Sub Song: 沈建宏 & 大S徐熙媛 - 黑貓與牛奶 (Black Cat and Milk)
Full Version: MegaUpload

Zuan Shi (鑽石) by Barbie Xu (Diamond)
MediaFire

Black Cat and Milk (Huang Xiao Ming's version)
MediaFire

I Remember I Once Loved (TV Version)
MediaFire

Bubble Mermaid (TV Ripped) - the song Barbie sang when she auditioned
MediaFire

You're In My Heart - the song Huang Xiao Ming sang onstage with Barbie in Ep 1
MegaUpload

This is Love (TV Ripped) - the song Barbie was recording in Ep 3
MediaFire

My Name is Kim Sam Soon

2010-06-24T13:35:00.006-05:00

Synopsis

Kim Sam Soon (Kim Sun Ah) is a baker who has a talent in making pastries and cakes. On Christmas Eve, she caught her boyfriend, Min Hyun Woo (Lee Kyu Han), cheating on her and breaks up on the same night. On that same night, she accidentally went into the men's restroom and met Hyun Jin Hun (Hyun Bin), a somewhat callous fellow but sometimes considerate guy. By sheer coincidence, Jin Hun needs a baker for his restaurant Bon Appetit and Sam Soon is unemployed. Sam Soon is hired as the restaurant's chief baker and the two fights like cat and dog. Nevertheless, they started to have feeling for each other and Sam Soon agreed to post as Jin Hun's girlfriend so his mother would leave him alone. Things got complicated when Jin Hun's ex-girlfriend Yoo Hee Jin came back from the States intending to win him back.

Cast

Kim Sun Ah as Kim Sam-soon
Hyun Bin as Hyun Jin-heon
Jung Ryu Won as Yoo Hee-jin
Daniel Henney as Dr. Henry Kim

http://www.megaupload.com/?f=8V8YAMT0

Summer's Desire Chapter 4

2010-06-21T22:41:00.001-05:00

Chapter 4

In school, Luo Xi’s popularity took flight, almost overtaking the Young Master’s. Before, the girls only see Luo Xi as good and gentle, but after the thief incident, he is a star-crossed prince, innocent yet suffering, his soft smile, a thin fragile light. For not coming to his aid when he was misunderstood, every girl blamed herself. So they swore.

In the future, they would love more, care more and protect their Luo Xi.

Whenever Xia Mo and Xiao Cheng got home from school, a variety of gifts would be laying in front of their doorstep. The mailbox was filled with many letters addressed to Luo Xi. One time, a cute girl even hid in the corner of the street of their house but ran away, blushing, when Xia Mo saw her. Yi Pa laughed, saying that Luo Xi was so popular that he could even become a star in the future.

___________

Recently, Xiao Cheng seemed to have something on his mind. He ate very little, would spend hours sitting in front of an empty canvas foolishly, and did not even seem to hear when Xia Mo called him. Later, when Xia Mo asked, Xiao Cheng revealed that he was worried about what to get their mother for her birthday. Every year before, he would always paint her a painting for a present but he wanted to give her something special this year.

“Xiao Cheng,” Xia Mo tried to comfort him, “No matter what you give Mom, she will be very happy. If you want to buy some gifts, Jie will give you the money, alright?”

Xiao Cheng nodded.

Two days later, Xia Mo was watering the flowers while Luo Xi was playing the guitar when Xiao Cheng came in, excited, holding a newspaper.

“Jie! Luo Xi Ge!”

On the front page, there was an article about a new TV show called, “Superstar,” which is a singing competition where contestants, regardless of age, can entered with their choice of song. There will be celebrity judges, each with a small gong, and when the one of the gongs sound, the contestant have to stop singing. Each contestant will get prize money, depending on the number of seconds they were able to sing. Those who sang the longest will go to the next round and get a bonus prize.

“Can we go?” Xiao Cheng asked excitedly, “Luo Xi Ge’s singing is really good so we’ll win for sure. And the first day of competition is Mom’s birthday! We’ll go on TV and sing for Mom. She’ll be very happy!”

Xia Mo rubbed her forehead, trying to think of how to refuse without hurting Xiao Cheng’s feelings.

“I’m not going.” Luo Xi said, his voice final.

Xiao Cheng looked at him, surprised and confused, “Luo Xi Ge…”

“Hey!” Xia Mo yelled. He was too straightforward.

Luo Xi looked at her coldly, the all too familiar evil smile spreading on his face. Without another word, he got up and went into the house.

Xiao Cheng looked down.

Xia Mo could see the tears forming in his eyes as Xiao Cheng struggled not to let them fall.

“Xiao Cheng, we can give Mom another gift. How about… perfume? Or a necklace” Although she does not like the idea of participating in a TV show, seeing the how disappointed her brother was made her heart ache.

Xiao Cheng did not speak but gave a small nod.

Teardrops fell down gently on the garden soil.

Xia Mo quickly hugged him.

“Xiao Cheng, be good. Don’t cry. Do you really want to go?”

Xiao Cheng nodded.

“Well,” she took a deep breath, “I’ll go with you. But we’re not very good at singing so if we don’t pass, don’t be too disappointed, alright?”

“Jie…”

Xiao Cheng sobbed and snuggled into her arms, like a little child.

Xiao Mo was sure that it would be impossible for the two of them to even pass the screen test and appear on TV. But it turned out that not many people knew about the contest thus very few people actually signed up.

The first test is a screening in front of the staffs.

She and Xiao Cheng sang their school song.

The song itself was very immature.

But the staff seemed to have more interest in Xia Mo and Xiao Cheng than their singing. They kept looking at the siblings up and down, whispering words such as, “handsome,” and “so cute” over and over again.

They kindly told Xia Mo that the two had passed the screening and can come to record the program on Saturday. Xia Mo was stunned , unable to move, while Xiao Cheng excitedly jumped up and down.

Even during dinner at home, Xia Mo was still in a dazed state. She stared at the bowl of rice, all appetite gone. Although she does not care if they win or not, she does not want to look like an idiot in front of live television. She sat in a daze for a long time, not aware of the worried looks Yi Ma and Yi Pa been throwing her.

After dinner,

“Hey!”

Xia Mo called Luo Xi. She pretended to be calm and light, but a faint redness in her cheeks betrayed her.

The dark night.

The golden moon.

Beneath the cherry blossoms tree.

“You want me to teach you how to sing?”

Luo Xi looked at her with a faint smile. She could not stand his mocking eyes and wanted to turn and leave. But she needed his help.

“This is to repay the favor from last time.” She replied dismissively

“Why should I need to repay you?” he asked, leaning against the tree trunk, smiling beautifully, “Did I begged you to help me? I think not.”

Xia Mo narrowed her eyes.

“Of course, I can teach you to sing,” Luo Xi carelessly strung the guitar, “But you have to remember that you owe me now. You have to repay me someday.”

She glared at him. This kid-

He saw the way she looked at him and smiled lightly, “What song are you going to sing?”

Xia Mo thought for a while, “How about that song that you always sing? It sounds good.”

The whole night.

Luo Xi playing the guitar under the tree.

Xia Mo and Xiao Cheng practicing over and over again.

“The black cat is a stray cat

It has never drank happy milk

On a stormy night

The black cat can only eat rotten vegetables from the junk

The little boy is just a boy

Without a past, without a future

On a stormy night

The little boy can only stare helplessly at his fear

On a windy night

where the cherry blossoms bloomed

The black cat met the boy

The boy gave it a bowl of warm milk

On a windy night

where cherry blossoms bloomed

The black cat met the boy

The boy gave it a bowl of warm milk

From then on, they both understood love”

The full moon hung in the night sky, the cheerful songs seemed to make the tree branches chuckled together. Sing and sing until Xia Mo’s throat began to dry and Xiao Cheng got breathless.

Xia Mo sat on the granite platform to rest and worriedly asked, “How was our singing?”

Luo Xi put down the guitar, his fingers aching, “Do you want the truth?”

Xia Mo sighed, suddenly depressed as Luo Xi laughed.

___________

Time flew by.

In a blink of an eye, it was Saturday.

In the TV dressing room, all of the contestants were anxiously preparing for the recording. Some were fixing their make-up, some were warming up their throats, others checked their wardrobes to make sure that all were perfect. Music started in the hall as the two hosts presented the guest judges, cheers of excitement could be heard from the live audience.

In a small corner of the dressing room.

“Jie…you…” Xiao Cheng, huddled next to Xia Mo, watching the other contestants, asked a little fearfully, “Are you nervous…?”

Xia Mo was listening to the song on her headphones, her eyes closed.

“Clang!”

The sound resonated from the music hall as the judge hit the gong, stopping a contestant. Laughter was heard as the host announced the time was 20 seconds.

Xiao Cheng pressed closer to Xia Mo.

“Jie, do you think we can sing for a few seconds?”

At that time, a staff came in and shouted, “Almost time! Number 7 get ready! Hurry! Come on!”

Xia Mo stood up and took off her headphones. She stretched, gently wiped the sweats off her hand, and pulled Xiao Cheng up. She put her hands on his shoulders and looked him firmly in the eyes, “Just remember. When you get on stage, pretend that all of the audience are dead.”

Xiao Cheng shivered, “I…I…I’m afraid of the dead.”

Xia Mo took a deep breath, “Did you tell Mom to watch yet?”

“I did. I was afraid that she might forget so I program the TV to automatically turn on for this program.”

“Number 7 is almost done! Number 8 get ready! Hurry, hurry, hurry!!!”

“Don’t worry, I’m right here.” Xia Mo smiled calmly, “When you’re onstage, just think of all the people as radishes and cabbages, alright?

Xiao Cheng forced a nod.

Xia Mo took his hand and walked out. Suddenly, without knowing how, her feet hook onto a leg of a chair and almost made her trip. Xiao Cheng saw a panic flashed across her face before she coughed and recovered her calm demeanor.

In front of the live music hall.

The ceiling lights are dazzlingly bright, red roses were scattered across the stage to give a feeling of magnificent luxury as white smoke continually swirled from the dry ice. Audiences filled every seats of the auditorium, each holding a light stick. The three judges sat in front of the stage. In the middle seat is the famous singer Hua Mei Feng. The other two judges were male singers, not as well known.

The two hosts talked excitedly to one another,

“That was just a brilliant dance!”

“Ah, yes. Unfortunate, he was not careful and fell. Oh, well. Just practice more next time.”

“As of now, the longest time of performance is 58 seconds from contestant number 3.”

“Can no one break this record?”

“Next up to perform are the lovely Yi siblings!”

“Right! These two will sing a song called “Black Cat and Milk.”

“Yes, what a funny song that is.”

“Will these two beautiful brother and sister put on an amazing performance?”

“Let us welcome the Yi siblings!”

Music sounded as white smoke spread around the stage. A beautiful girl pulled a boy from the dark backstage onto the bright spotlight.

At the Yi resident, the TV suddenly turned on. Yi Pa was in the rocking chair, smoking while Yi Ma was wiping the floor. Both looked up at the TV, startled.

On a splendid stage, under the dazzling while light, a pair of siblings, holding hands, laughed like angles, turned to the camera, and said, “We want to dedicate this song to our mom. Today is her birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom!”

Onstage, Xia Mo mad a sign to the sound director.

The music stopped.

The audience and the judges were all stunned.

Looking at the mischievous smiles on the siblings’ faces, everyone realized that it was a false start. Xiao Cheng and Xia Mo looked at each other, jumped sideways, clapped, and briskly dance.

“Hi!”

“Yo!”

Music started once again, a fast paced rhythm with an R&B style, Xiao Cheng and Xia Mo started a playful dance.

On the large screen, the number of seconds started ticking away.

“The black cat is a stray cat

It has never drank happy milk

On a stormy night

The black cat can only eat rotten vegetables from the junk

The little boy is just a boy

Without a past, without a future

On a stormy night

The little boy can only stare helplessly at his fear

On a windy night

where the cherry blossoms bloomed

The black cat met the boy

The boy gave it a bowl of warm milk

On a windy night

where cherry blossoms bloomed

The black cat met the boy

The boy gave it a bowl of warm milk

From then on, they both understood love”

Along with the music, Xia Mo and Xiao Cheng put on many naughty and cute poses with very expressive faces so that the audience couldn’t help but waved their hands and light sticks along with the song.

On the large screen, the numbers of seconds quickly increased.

“45 seconds!”

“46 seconds!”

“47 seconds!”

___________

All of the attention was focused on the two siblings on stage; no one noticed a young figure hiding in the dark corner of the auditorium.

She’s even smarter than he imagined, Luo Xi thought, chuckling. She turned the R&B song into a rap, light, satirical, lively, and moving. The “Hi’s” and “Yo’s” alone took up a lot of time.

He looked at Xia Mo.

Among the numerous light sticks, she had the biggest smile on her face, her eyes shining bright, her feet moving in quick and youthful dance steps. Compared to the usual cold Yi Xia Mo, she seemed to be a completely different person, in a completely different world.

The first part of the song was finished.

Luo Xi suddenly felt that something was wrong.

Xia Mo appeared to have stiffened and tension was clear across her face.

Under the hot spotlight.

Cold sweats formed on her tightly gripped hands.

During rehearsal, she had Xiao Cheng memorize the rap part while she will sing the melody alone. She had told Xiao Cheng to stay calm.

She is the sister.

The sister who has a brother that relies on her. She cannot panic. However, her heart began to race, her head started to spin, the music buzzed in her ears as Xiao Cheng sang out the last sentence of the rap.

Xia Mo gritted her teeth.

She closed her eyes, tried to make herself forget all of the distractions, opened her mouth and started to sing. However, she cannot hear anything.

There was no music.

Abruptly,

The background music had stopped playing.

The auditorium suddenly became quiet. The sound director rushed to check the machines. The audience looked at one another; the judges also looked at each other.

___________

At the study in Ou Chen’s house.

“Young Master.” Butler Shen knocked on the door and came in.

He went to Ou Chen’s side and whispered a few words. Ou Chen frowned, pick up the TV remote and on the flat screen appeared a familiar female figure.

On the gorgeous pink stage, the crystal chandeliers shined down as she stood alone, her flawless limbs stiff, and though she had on a mask of calmness, her lips are getting paler and paler.

She cannot hear the music.

Yi Xia mo stood foolishly under the glaring spotlight.

She cannot hear the music. Her mind was completely blank; she cannot remember anything, not the lyrics, not the melodies. The more she told herself she cannot panic, she could not panic, the more confused she felt. Like a child who lost her mother, she stood stiffly, not knowing what to do, her whole body like ice.

On the large screen,

The seconds continued to increase

“52 seconds!”

“53 seconds!”

“54 seconds!”

___________

In the auditorium, the crowd began to whisper in anxiety and agitation. One of the male judge picked up the wooden stick, shaking his head, and prepared to hit the gong.

“A little boy is just a boy

Without a past, without a future

On a stormy night

The little boy can only stare helplessly at his fear

On a windy night

where the cherry blossoms bloomed

The black cat met the boy

The boy gave it a bowl of warm milk”

The voice was very pure, vulnerable, and childlike.

The song rang throughout the auditorium.

With no microphone and no background music, the voice stood out even further, entered the ears of the audience and exploded in their hearts like fireworks. Hua Mei Feng moved the gong so that the male judege’s wooden stick hit the empty air.

A young figure from the audience stood up.

Suddenly the spotlight moved to him, casting out a white light, making his eyes as bright as stars, his skin as beautiful as cherry blossoms.

Luo Xi came up on the stage, singing.

He smiled and rubbed Xiao Cheng’s head, and put his left hand around Xia Mo’s shoulder as she looked at him blankly. Luo Xi stood in the middle of the stage, his left hand moved down to take Xia Mo’s while his right hand clasped Xiao Cheng’s, his beautiful voice singing.

“On a windy night

where the cherry blossoms bloomed

The black cat met the boy

The boy gave it a bowl of warm milk

On a windy night

where the cherry blossoms bloomed

The black cat met the boy

The boy gave it a bowl of warm milk

From then on, they both understood love

From then on, they both understood love”

At that time, the machines have been fixed and music re-enter the auditorium with its cheerful rhythm. Xia Mo took a deep breath, trying to retrieve her calmness, and began to sway to the beat.

“Hey! Hi! Yo! Yo!”

Xiao Cheng immediately understood what his sister was trying to do and rap along with her.

“Hey! Hi! Yo! Yo!”

Luo Xi continued singing the melody.

Xia Mo and Xiao Cheng jumped to the sides in mischievous steps, while continuing to make exaggerated expression to the lyrics.

“The black cat is a stray cat

It has never drank happy milk

On a stormy night

The black cat can only eat rotten vegetables from the junk

The little boy is just a boy

Without a past, without a future

On a stormy night

The little boy can only stare helplessly at his fear

On a windy night

where the cherry blossoms bloomed

The black cat met the boy

The boy gave it a bowl of warm milk

On a windy night

where cherry blossoms bloomed

The black cat met the boy

The boy gave it a bowl of warm milk

From then on, they both understood love”

Applause flooded the auditorium as the audience cheered in excitement while the two hosts watched from the side. The two male judges began to applause as well whereas Hua Mei Feng leaned back comfortably and twirled the wooden stick.

On the large screen, the number of second continued to grow.

“136 seconds!”

“137 seconds!”

“138 seconds!”

___________

In the Yi’s living room

A surprised Yi Ma stood in front on the TV while Yi Pa stood behind her. On the TV screen, Luo Xi, Xia Mo, and Xiao Cheng were bowing to the audience and judges, then all three turned to the camera and said loudly,

“Mom, Happy Birthday!”

___________

In Ou Chen’s study room

Ou Chen sat in his black leather chair as he stared at Xia Mo on the screen.

His gaze moved down to her hand, which tightly clasped Luo Xi’s.

Ou Chen’s eyes narrowed and, in a flash, he turned off the TV.

___________

At night.

Yi Pa and Yi Ma had gone to their room after attending a small celebratory party under the cherry blossoms tree. Xiao Chen had still not calm down and continued to sing and dance around the garden, causing all the birds to fly away from the branches.

Until, finally exhausted, he laid down on Xia Mo’s leg, asleep.

The night continued on.

A faint fog swirled around the garden.

The faint moonlight shined through.

In Luo Xi’s hands, there were two cans of beer. He opened one and took a big swig. He held the other in front of Xia Mo,

“Do you drink?” he challengingly asked

She took it and drank until there was nothing else inside the can but some bubbles.

“Any more?” she asked defiantly

Like magic, Luo Xi kept producing can after can of beer, as if he had a vending machine behind him. She did not ask him where the beer came from, he did not ask her where she learned to drink, she did not ask him why he appeared suddenly in the TV station, and he did not ask her why she suddenly froze.

Beneath the cherry blossoms, under the moonlight.

They drank countless beers.

Until the two of them were slightly drunk.

Her eyes got brighter as her cheeks grew crimson. Dizziness came over her as well as a spontaneous need to laugh. They laughed embarrassingly at first, but it seemed funnier and funnier as the two laughed in heaps. It wasn’t until Xiao Cheng moved uncomfortably in her arms did she drunkenly moved her finger to her lips, gesturing silence.

Her finger was as white as the moon, bright and clear.

Her delicate lips.

Luo Xi suddenly felt a shiver as the night wind blew the leaves around them. The stars blinked as if they were eyes, and a white mist twirled around as if in an enchanting dance.

Xia Mo held up a can of beer, a little drunk, her eyes struggled to stay open, “Luo Xi, I welcome you to this house.”

She gently touched the beer can in his hand. The two cans, upon contact, made a crisp sound that rang through the stillness of the night.

“Because of what happened today, you’ve decided not to hate me anymore?” Luo Xi asked

She continued drinking the beer, “You know what…the truth is…I never really hated you…it’s just… you always reminded me of those…of the things…I …I tried to forget… You…you hate me don’t you…?”

She must be really drunk.

The moonlight reflected on the stone platform like water. Luo Xi’s heart suddenly missed a few beats. Light fragrance of the cherry blossoms seemed to enclose them, making the distance between the two of them decreased. Her face was so close to his that if he was to bend down, their lips would touch.

His mind blank,

Luo Xi bent over her head.

He can feel the hot breath coming from her lips. So warm. With the taste of beer. Her lips looked so soft, the same colors as the cherry blossoms beneath the moon. He leaned closer and closer, their lips were a hair width apart. So close they can feel the irregular heartbeats of the other. He leaned down as she closed her eyes, then, without a warning, her body swayed and she passed out asleep on the platform.

___________

It was a sensation on campus.

The school’s most popular student, Luo Xi, and the Young Master’s girlfriend, Xia Mo, actually appeared on TV and got first place on the preliminary round of “Superstar.” The scene where Luo Xi, Xia Mo, and Xiao Cheng sang and danced kept playing on TV and even became front page news on many magazines and newspapers.

Students excited flocked to the side of Luo Xi and Xia Mo, cheering for them, sprouting ideas as to what song they should sing next, and what they thought of the other contestants.

The school was also very pleased as this enhanced their reputation and even sent special music and dance teachers to rehearse with them.

Since then, those three siblings spent all their free time in choir room.

Luo Xi’s voice, accompanied by the piano, would fly out of the room and was heard by all the students. Luo Xi sang perfectly and captured both the attention and heart of the music teacher, who ignored Xia Mo and Xiao Cheng, sending them to the dance teacher. Those two would dance until they’re tired out thus increasing both their appetites, making the them gained a few pounds and grew a few centimeters.

Time passed quickly.

Amazing!

In the second round of “Superstar,” the three siblings won again.

All of the media were shocked! More and more stories about these three appeared on television and newspaper. Many fans began to send cards and gifts to them through the TV station.

The entire school was in a highly excited state and though the final exams were approaching, all the students seemed to have forgotten. The only topic that everyone cared about was “Superstar.” The girls flocked about Luo Xi, taking pictures with him and getting his signatures. Many boys wished to do the same with Xia Mo but none dared to do so due to her relationship with the Young Master.

___________

“What are you thinking about?” Xia Mo whispered

She and Ou Chen were in the school cafeteria.

Ou Chen’s response to the “Superstar” events was completely beyond her expectation. She had explained to him that Luo Xi was there by chance, that it wasn’t pre-arranged. If Ou Chen minded, then she will not participate in the future rounds of the competition. However, whenever she bought up the subject, Ou Chen would coldly interrupt her. He, giving off a sense of arrogance, would pushed her away, like there was a thick wall of coldness surrounding him, leaving her stunned.

She does not want to infuriate Ou Chen.

Ou Chen is dangerous.

He would be displeased even when Xiao Cheng came to hug her in his presence. Once, in a French restaurant, the waiter accidently touched her hand when taking the menu away from her. After dinner, Ou Chen summoned the restaurant manager and the waiter was fired. Because Ou Chen was so overbearing and possessive, Xia Mo tried to give him a sense of security, to get him to change. However, he would not budge.

“Nothing.”

Ou Chen lightly touched his mouth with a napkin, completely expressionless.

“If you’re not happy, then tell me.” Xia Mo said, frowning, “Participation for the “Superstar” program is not mandatory. Xiao Cheng will be disappointed, but he will-”

“I will go to France in a few days.”

He looked out the window with an air of indifference.

“Ou Chen, that Luo Xi has nothing to do with me. He’s just a child my dad adopted.” Xia Mo once again tried to explain to him. But he became silent and cold, as if she was saying some terrible things.

“I do not want to hear that guy’s name.” Ou Chen interrupted her again. He turned to gaze at her slowly, his eyes dark green, “I will solve this myself.”

“Solve? How are you going to solve?” she asked, “What are you going to solve?”

“I will be in France for about a month.” Ou Chen said smiling, his handsome face stiff, “Xia Mo, I will you back a gift.”

What is this?

Xia Mo suddenly felt helpless.

___________

Luo Xi, Xia Mo, and Xiao Cheng began walking home from school together. Xiao Cheng would run happily in front while Luo Xi and Xia Mo walked leisurely side by side. The cedar road stretched straight into the blue sky, looking like a bridge extending into the ocean, the white clouds bordering on the sides, Xiao Cheng skipping ahead, his laughter floating gently from a distance.

Luo Xi sometimes carried her bag for her.

Surprising her with his appearance and actions.

He walked casually, flinging her bag over his shoulder, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds, his face relaxed and beautiful.

After dinner at home.

Luo Xi sat under the cherry blossoms tree, teaching Xiao Cheng how to sing. Xia Mo watered the plants, sometimes joining in the singing and conversations as laughter filled the courtyard. Luo Xi performed a magic show for Xiao Cheng who, with moist eyes, flew into his arms.

Xia Mo smiled.

Luo Xi, feeling her gaze, turned and winked at her.

A few days later.

Xia Mo and Xiao Cheng gave Luo Xi a mysterious gift inside a big box. Luo Xi took the box, opened it and leaned back in surprise. Inside the box was a beautiful cat with black, glossy fur, and amber eyes. Xia Mo smiled and told him that the cat’s name is “Milky.”

Since then, Luo Xi and Milky were stuck together like glue.

Time past day by day.

As gently as the summer breeze.

“Luo Xi Ge, we can win “Superstar,” right?” Xiao Cheng asked at dinner, his eyes bright. Last night, they just got through to the fifth round of “Superstar,” putting Xiao Cheng in an excellent mood.

“Do you want to continue?” Luo Xi asked

“Yes!” Xiao Cheng nodded fervently, “I feel so good, like I’ve already won. We’re heroes everywhere now! Luo Xi Ge is so cool. The auntie at the TV station told me that as long as we have Luo Xi Ge, we can win 10 times over. She said that Luo Xi Ge have a star’s looks and talents. Every time Luo Xi Ge appeared, all the other contestants seemed to fade.

Luo Xi chuckled.

Xia Mo looked up and met his eyes, bright like stars with a touch of childlike joy and pride. She wanted to laugh. Without knowing why, she suddenly thought of the night where they drank beer. He was so close to her then, her eyes inadvertently moved to his lips…

“You should quit painting then, Xiao Cheng, and become a star in the future.” She escaped Luo Xi’s intense gaze and joked with Xiao Cheng to hide the sudden inexplicable burst of tension in her heart.

Xiao Cheng opened his mouth, stunned, “Paint or become a star…” he appeared to think hard, “but I like to paint more… Ah! I know! Luo Xi Ge will become a star and Xiao Cheng can paint him!”

He excitedly applauded himself for thinking of such a clever and fun solution.

“I…” Yi Pa suddenly whispered

His voice was so low that Xia Mo could not hear clearly. She turned to look at her father, only to see sweats rolling down his forehead, his bowl of rice completely untouched. Xia Mo was only listening to Xiao Cheng that she did not notice how silent her father and mother were during the entire meal.

“I have some things to say…to…” Yi Pa stuttered in a strange voice.

The atmosphere in the dining room suddenly tensed. Yi Ma stared at Yi Pa, Xiao Cheng does not know what was going on but his father’s demeanor scared him, Luo Xi put down his chopsticks, and Xia Mo’s heart tightened as thoughts flashed through her head, with worries that her father was sick.

“I’m sorry…”

Yi Pa sheepishly wiped his forehead, not knowing how to continue.

“Dad,” Xia Mo whispered, “Please, tell us.”

Yi Pa looked at her in confusion then turned to gaze at the others. His eyes lingered on Luo Xi, his throat constricted, and he looked as guilty as a criminal, “I’m sorry..Xiao Xi can no longer stay here…I’m sorry…”

This one sentence.

The night seeped quietly through the window.

The room froze, the air condensed, there is no sound, no movement, as if they were in an absurd dream.

The black cat lay sleeping on the windowsill.

Too quiet, without any sound.

“What have I done wrong?” Luo Xi asked quietly, looking casually at Yi Pa with a hint of a smile on his face.

“No! It’s not your problem…it’s…it…” Yi Pa stuttered out incoherently like as sweats rolled down his forehead like beans.

Xiao Cheng was completely shocked.

The bowl in his hand slipped and the rice fell out, covering the table and vegetables.

Choking with tears, Xiao Cheng cried, “Why? Dad, why do you want to let Luo Xi Ge go? Luo Xi Ge is a good person! Luo Xi Ge is not a thief! Dad, you know! Luo Xi Ge is a good person! I love Luo Xi Ge!”

Xia Mo bit her lip.

Her heart tightened, as if a bucket of water was poured on her, the coldness filled her from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet.

She looked at Luo Xi.

This beautiful boy, with porcelain skin and lips like petals, sat silently as if he was in a different world.

Luo Xi’s eyes were light.

He looked indifferently compared to everyone else, as if he had already been in this nightmare scenario countless times before.

Silence.

Luo Xi asked quietly, “Do you want me to go back to the orphanage tonight or tomorrow?”

___________

“It’s Ou Chen, right?” Xia Mo was standing in front of her father in the courtyard, “Ou Chen ordered you to let Luo Xi go, right?”

She could not forgive herself.

How could she actually commit such a mistake?

Recently, her father would come home from work extremely late but she did not care and merely thought that he was working overtime. Sometimes, when she was helping her mother clean the house, she would find cigarettes butts piling up like a hill, but she did not care. One time, she woke up in the middle of the night to see her father in the garden through the window, smoking and sighing. She meant to ask him about it but with the music rehearsals and going to the TV station, she had forgotten.

Xia Mo felt cold, so cold.

It was her fault! She should have notice what was happening and fixed it before it got this far! She was a fool, a stupid, stupid fool.

Under the moonless night.

Yi Pa’s face was full of painful frustration, “Unemployment…have to leave the company…I tried…looking for other jobs…but there was nothing…”

“If Luo Xi does not leave, you will lose your job?”

Yi Pa hugged his head, his body slowly crumbled onto the cold stone platform. In the darkness of the night, his figure is like that of a tired aging bear.

She stared at him.

This vision of grief was not something someone her age should have to see.

“I’m sorry…but Young Master…If I don’t have a job…I can’t…” Her father choked up, “I’m sorry…I know what unemployment is like…scary…very scary…”

Xia Mo bit her lip.

Pain started to build up as her lip started to bleed.

But that was nothing to compare to the burning pain in her heart.

The next morning, Xia Mo went to Ou Chen’s house. The butler and maid respectfully bowed to her and told her that the Young Master had fly to France yesterday afternoon. She called Ou Chen 10 times but his phone was always turned off.

Xia Mo closed the phone.

She was sitting in the classroom as the students chattered and laughed around her. Summer was coming, the cicadas cried in the trees, and through the glass window, she could see the handsome form of Luo Xi walking across the square in the direction of the student’s office.

After school, Xia Mo sent Xiao Cheng to the studio.

Then-

She went to Ou Chen’s house.

“Please give this message to Ou Chen.” She told the butler, “If he does not call me by tomorrow, then do not ever appear in front of me again.”

“But I cannot contact the Young Master!” the butler exclaimed in panic. Butler Shen was the one that serves the Young Master while he only looked after the house.

She smiled, eyes calm and collected, “You must have ways.”

During dinner, Luo Xi had already packed everything, ready to leave for the orphanage. Xiao Cheng ate silently, his big eyes swollen from crying. He ate and cried, his tears fell drop by drop onto the table.

“Do not worry,” Yi Pa said sheepishly, “I’ve already went through the adoption procedure so after Xiao Xi took the back to the orphanage, the transfer should be easy.”

Xia Mo’s fingers tightened on the chopsticks.

Orphanage…

Orphanage, where dozens of children slept in the same room on bunk beds, where children struggle to fight for candy and snacks. In there, there was no end to the cycle of who get adopted and who get send back. If the child was selected, he would walk out proudly. If the child was sent back, the other children would point and laughed. She vowed that she and Xiao Cheng would never go back to orphanage. No matter what kind of methods, no matter what kind of means, she will never go back to that place again.

Luo Xi sat still, his smile faint, his eyes pale, as if he already knew the outcome.

Xia Mo put some chicken wings on his bowl.

“Thank you.”

Luo Xi’s voice was polite but distance. Until the end of dinner, the chicken wings lay untouched in his bowl.

Ten o’clock that night, Xia Mo’s phone rang. She looked at the caller ID, “Ou Chen,” slowly inhaled to let her feelings calmed down, the picked up the phone.

“Hello, this is Yi Xia Mo.”

The voice on the other side sounded so far away. At the French Rose Manor, Ou Chen stood, looking out the floor window, with the moon shining down on him and the garden, the trees a subtle dark green, same color as the man’s eyes.

___________

The dazzling bright sunlight shone through the glass windows onto the airport arrival hall, the marble floor reflected the passengers coming and going, the voice on the radio broadcast the flights delays. Luo Xi walked along, pulling his suitcase along while Xia Mo followed from behind, carrying a guitar. The entire trip, the two has not exchanged a single word.

Xiao Cheng’s grief had made him sick. He was unconscious and running a high fever. Originally, Xia Mo wanted to send Xiao Cheng to the hospital herself, but Yi Pa and Yi Ma insisted that they’ll take Xiao Cheng so that Xia Mo can go with Luo Xi to the airport.

Maybe Yi Pa and Yi Ma do not know how to face Luo Xi. In his fever, Xiao Cheng still whispered, “Luo Xi Ge,” “Luo Xi Ge.”

Finally, it was boarding time.

The airport’s central hall.

Luo Xi and Xia Mo stood before each other.

He looked at her with no emotions in his eyes.

“Thank you for sending me here.”

“I’m sorry.” She whispered

This was all she could do for him. Even if she felt sorry, this was the best she could do.

Luo Xi looked up, startled and laughed sarcastically, “Why should you be sorry? I don’t have to go back to the orphanage but can go study in England. You must have fight to ask of this from Ou Chen. I am so grateful to you. Someone as lowly as me can get such treatment from you.”

Her fingers clenched

Taking a deep breath, she tried to let him understand, “Luo Xi, this is all I can do. I cannot let Dad become unemployed, cannot let Xiao Cheng stop study painting. To study abroad is a lot better than going back to the orphanage. Ou Chen has already transferred the money to your account in the UK. You can study in peace. I’m sorry. This is my only choice. If you really hate us, then use that hatred to become stronger. Then return and made all who hurt you regret it.”

“Have you fallen for me?” Luo Xi asked carelessly, “If not, why would the Young Master go through such length to get rid of me?”

“That is what Ou Chen fears,” Xia Mo answered, “But it’s not because of you. He would have been unhappy with any guy that comes near me.”

“Since you don’t like me, will you forget me once I’m gone?”

“I will not have time think about you.”

Luo Xi smirked, “You’re too coldhearted.”

“I need to make myself stronger to protect my family.” Xia Mo replied, “I’m sorry that this has to happen to you but I promised myself that I won’t let this incident repeat itself. So I have to become stronger therefore I won’t have time to think about you.”

Luo Xi stared at her, “But I don’t like it, being forgotten so easily.”

Seeing the intensity of his gaze, Xia Mo involuntarily took a step back. Luo Xi reached out to pull her back and kissed her. He kissed her lightly at first but pulled her in closer and closer as the kiss intensified.

A boy as radiant as the sun.

A girl as beautiful as a flower.

The sunlight sprinkled from the huge window, highlighting the two figures who stood so close together, it was like they were one. Passengers stared at the sight. With the golden sunlight as the background, it was like a painting or a scene from a movie.

The kiss was long and deep.

Luo Xi slowly released her, and stared at her swollen lips. He watched her silently, only to see her expression gradually changed from anger to her usual calmness.

“Why not hit me?” he asked lightly.

“I don’t want to hurt my hand.” Xia Mo took out a handkerchief to wipe her lips, her tone calm as if nothing happened, “There are too many mosquitoes this summer.”

Luo Xi’s face froze.

Taking a deep breath, his eyes dark with a dignified light, “I’ll be back. You tell that Ou Chen guy, all the things he’s afraid of, I will give back to him in double.”

“If you want, then tell him yourself.” She responded evenly

“Flight to England boarding. Passengers, please hurry.” The voice repeated over and over in the lobby broadcast.

Xia Mo handed him the ticket, “I wish you every success in England.”

She suddenly felt too polite, too unfamiliar. She does not know why, but in front of him, she always had the fear of showing her weaknesses.

Luo Xi took the ticket.

He looked around the airport hall, full of stranger hurrying, from huge floor to ceiling windows, the sunlight golden and dazzling. So quiet in the world, a place where anyone may come and go, all their sorrows and joys unspoken.

“I will take good care of Milky.” She said. Cats were not allowed on the plane.

“Give it away.” Luo Xi said indifferently, turning around, pulling the blue suitcase after him.

“Wait!”

Xia Mo handed him the guitar she had been carrying. He looked at it startled, his fingers gently stroked the silver guitar strings, casting a deep echo of sound throughout the airport.

Xia Mo stood there.

She quietly watched his back, looked at him going further and further away, looked at him standing at the entrance, looked at him handing the ticket to the lady, looked at him coldly not looking back. Quietly, her heart broke a little, as if something was forever leaving her grasp.

Luo Xi entered the passing point.

At the last moment, he put the guitar down at the entrance, and continued on. When the airport lady called after him in surprise, he merely waved his hand, and walked away.

The discarded guitar lay quietly on the cold marble floor.

Xia Mo stood silently in the hall of the airport.

The sun shone the brightest that summer, making it the most brilliant day. Through the airport lobby glass, the guitar strings shined in the sun as if it were stars in the sky.

Summer's Desire Chapter 3

2010-06-21T21:31:00.000-05:00

Chapter 3

A boy ran into the classroom, excited. Luo Xi had beat up several students in front of the bulletin board. After the teachers dragged him to the disciplinary office, Luo Xi even hit the Headmaster.

Why?!

The class asked in horror.

The boy shook his head in regret. He only stood outside of the office and watched, so he doesn’t know why Luo Xi suddenly punched the Headmaster in the jaw. He only saw one of the students whispered something to the Headmaster and then, the Headmaster said a word that sounded like “prositute.”

Xia Mo sat a few rows ahead in the classroom, her headphones turned up at a high volume, trying to block out the surrounding noise. She was reading a book, but suddenly the characters seemed too densely packed together, making her eyes hurt.

She felt bored.

Some girls tried to defend Luo Xi, maybe it was a misunderstanding or the other boys hit him first. The boys shot them down immediately and laughed at them. It was already proven; Luo Xi was nothing but garbage. That fact was crystal clear.

The girls had nothing to say now, but can only lay their head down and cried.

Xia Mo stared at her book.

The loud music, the noisy classroom, her eyes turning cold. Finally, she ripped off her headphones, slammed the book shut, and shot up from her chair.

At this time, the classroom door opened once again.

All the students turned to see a red-faced but very cute boy running in. They immediately recognized him as Xia Mo’s younger brother.

“Jie!”

Xiao Cheng ran to Xia Mo, his face flushed with fresh tears in his eyes.

“What’s wrong?” she quickly asked.

“Jie,” Xiao Cheng tried to talk while catching his breath, “Dad…Dad…in the disciplinary office…”

Xia Mo’s body suddenly froze.

Masses of students gathered in front of the disciplinary office, pushing and pulling, trying to see the drama unfolding within. Loud voices rang out from inside, a loud band resounded in the frightened but excited students’ ears as the Headmaster slapped his desk.

Suddenly, a force from behind separated the crowd.

“What-!”

The students in front were discontented in being pushed back from the good position they fought so hard to get.

“Get out of the way!”

A female voice.

The students turned back. They knew this girl. It was Yi Xia Mo, the Young Master’s girlfriend. They immediately gave way to her, though somewhat sullen.

Xia Mo stood in the doorway.

Xiao Cheng took her hand and stood beside her.

The guidance office was in a mess, as if the wind had come blowing through it. Papers were flew everywhere, folders, frames, flower pots, awards, all lay scattered on the floor. Several teachers were reprimanding the students, who stood shrinking in the corner. The Headmaster sat behind his desk, looking thoroughly embarrassed, his nose dripping blood onto his suit.

The sun had set in.

Luo Xi was badly bruised, his shirt torn from the fight, traces of dried blood can be seen on his face. He was still surprisingly handsome, his hair shone in the sunlight. But gone was the old gentle look, replaced by an odd mockery and indifference. The teachers were still yelling at the other students, but only carelessly.

Because all were focused Luo Xi.

Xia Mo saw her father.

Like a mother hen protecting her chicks, Yi Pa stood protectively in front of Luo Xi. He kept bowing to the Headmaster, his fat face sweating. He apologized profusely, bowing down.

“I’m sorry. Xiao Xi was too impulsive.”

“I’m sorry, Headmaster. I will teach Xiao Xi. He will not fight again.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll pay for all the injured students’ medical expenses.”

“I’m sorry. But Xiao Xi really didn’t steal anything. That was a misunderstanding…”

Xia Mo watched her father bowing down. She bit her lips, her palms turning cold, her heart hardened, tingling as if it was shot with numerous needles.

“Did I said that Luo Xi was a thief?!” the Headmaster demanded furiously, slapping his desk.

“The newspaper posted on the bulletin board already explained everything! Luo Xi not only didn’t repent but fought with the students. What kind of attitude is that?! I took him to the disciplinary office to ask what happened and he assaulted a teacher!”

“I’m sorry…sorry…”

“What’s the point of saying sorry?! You know him, understood him?! You just adopted him! Why don’t you write that he steals things in his information? This is a school, you!”

Yi Pa looked at the Headmaster.

Luo Xi stood coldly in the disciplinary office, his face full of mockery.

Sweat rolled down Yi Pa’s palm, his face pale.

He stammered, “But we are not really…Xiao Xi…he isn’t thief…please look into it..please investigate…Xiao Xi…”

“We’re a school, not the police,” the Headmaster sharply responded, “We do not have time for investigations.”

“Dad,” Xia Mo interrupted, “Why don’t you go home first with Xiao Cheng and let me handle this?”

Yi Pa hesitated, looking back and forth between the Headmaster and Luo Xi, then back to Xia Mo.

“Dad,” Xia Mo continued, smiling, “I’m more familiar with the school. Trust me.”

Yi Pa finally nodded, “I’ll leave it to you then, Xiao Mo.”

He then left, taking Xiao Cheng with him.

Xia Mo waited until her father and brother were out of sight before she straightened up, her eyes became cold, the smile all but gone from her face.

Without a word, she took Luo Xi’s hand and pulled him out of the office.

“Hey! Stop! You-“the Headmaster shouted, angry.

Xia Mo turned around, her voice like ice, “There are no evidences but you encourage your students to call other thieves? Is this how you teach?” she asked, “Since you do not have the ability to investigate then let me do it. However, if you are wrong, please do as we were taught and apologize.”

She left the office without a backward glance, pulling Luo Xi with her.

It was quiet, strangely quiet. No one dared to breathe.

Luo Xi stared at the back of Xia Mo’s head, as if willing her to turn and look at him. She didn’t but her hand tightly grasped his.

It was a moment that would go down in the school’s history. It would become a legend that will be handed down to all future students. Wild rumors would sprout from this incident and even those who were there would exaggerate the event. But for now, no one did anything but to merely look in awe after the couple’s disappearing backs.

___________

Ou Chen was swimming in his house’s pool when Xia Mo came. He ignored her presence but dismissed all his servants. Xia Mo took the towel from one of the maid and dried Ou Chen herself. He stayed silent as if being rebellious. Xia Mo dried him carefully and gently but when she got to his hair, she couldn’t help to roughly tousled it.

“Hey!” Ou Chen cried out in protest.

“Hey what?” Xia Mo retorted, “Why are you acting out against me? If you don’t want to see me, then I won’t appear in front of you again.”

She turned to leave but Ou Chen called after her.

“Why did you say all that stuff in the disciplinary office?”

Xia Mo smiled and turned around, “You know why.”

Ou Chen’s face hardened, “What’s your relationship with this Luo Xi?”

“He’s the child that my dad adopted, the brother that Xiao Cheng likes.” Xia Mo answered

“Is it that simple?” Ou Chen questioned

“How complicated can it be?” Xia Mo asked back. She cocked her head to look him in the eyes, “Hey. Are you jealous?”

Ou Chen looked away, “You held his hand.” He muttered sullenly

Xia Mo laughed, “Is it just that?”

She used the towel to carefully wipe her each finger on her hand.

“Satisfied?”

Ou Chen looked somewhat pacified, though still slightly brooding. Xia Mo gazed at him and tenderly fixed his hair. Ou Chen’s face softened.

Xia Mo gently chastised him, “If you’re going to get angry, then please find a better reason. Or else I’m going to be angry and won’t ever see you again.”

“Really?”

“Yes. So are you going to help me or not?”

Ou Chen sighed, “I’ve already got someone to contact the police and get their report. I’ve also called the Songs. You can meet with Mrs. Song tomorrow.”

Xia Mo grinned at him, her eyes bright.

Ou Chen couldn’t help but to smile ruefully back.

“If you’re not sure then don’t talk so big. What are you going to if I decide not to help you?”

Xia Mo chuckled, “That would never happen. Because you will always help me.”

Ou Chen glanced at her, “In the future, do not be so close to that Luo Xi. Or else…”

“Or else what?” Xia Mo asked, somewhat defiantly

Ou Chen suddenly took hold of Xia Mo’s hand, pulled her close, and kissed her on the forehead.

“Xia Mo,” he whispered, “you are mine.”

___________

At home Friday night, Yi Pa asked nervously during dinner how Xia Mo is planning to investigate the situation. Xia Mo laughed lightly and told him not to worry. After dinner, Xiao Cheng helped Yi Ma cleaned up while Yi Pa asked Xia Mo to accompany him to the courtyard.

The night sky was moonless though countless twinkling stars scattered across the black canvas.

Xia Mo sat under the cherry blossom tree, looking into the night, listening to her dad talked. Since Luo Xi joined their family, she has not had a chance to talk with her dad like this.

“Xiao Xi is not a thief.” Yi Pa said, his face complicated

“Oh.” She quietly looked at the stars in the sky, which flashed on and off, as if they were annoyed too.

“Xiao Mo, Dad knows you do not seem to like Xiao Xi, but you have to believe he is not a thief.”

“Why?”

“Luo Xi’s mom and I went to the same high school. She was the best student in our school,” Yi Pa recalled, his voice soft and low, “Her school work was good, her temperament friendly, she was also very pretty. All the students liked her.”

“Dad, did you have a crush on Luo Xi’s mom?”

Yi Pa looked embarrassed, “At that time, almost all of the male students had a crush on her. I was really fat then, fatter than I am now. Other girls totally ignored me, only she would see me and nod and smile. One time, I did so badly on a test that the teacher made me stand in the corridor. I kept on crying as all the other students were laughing at me. She came and gave me a handkerchief to wipe my tears.”

Xia Mo was surprised to see her dad’s eyes getting red.

“But I said nothing to her. She was like a fairy and I just couldn’t open my mouth. Then one day, she disappeared and never attended school again. Xiao Mo, Dad was useless. I never dared to talk to her. She might not even remember me.”

“Dad…” Xia Mo gently leaned against her dad’s shoulder

“I saw Xiao Xi at the orphanage. I found out he was her child but I already knew as soon as I saw him. He looked exactly like her.” Yi Pa’s voice trembled, “Her child cannot be a thief. It is impossible.”

Xia Mo nodded fervently, “I believe you, Dad.”

After a while, Yi Pa calmed down. He looked over to her, embarrassed, “I’m sorry, Xiao Mo. I shouldn’t have told you about that.”

“Why shouldn’t you?” Xia Mo put her head on his shoulder, “You’re telling me about your past means that you trust me. Xiao Mo is very happy. And Dad, don’t worry. There will not be anyone bullying Luo Xi. I will protect him.”

Yi Pa smiled happily and patted his daughter on the shoulder.

The beautiful night sky.

Stars glimmering like jewels.

Xia Mo nestled affectionately inside her father’s arms, “Dad,” she said softly, her voice drifting with the night wind, “Do you know why I never really liked Luo Xi?”

Yi Pa looked at her, puzzled.

Xia Mo blushed, “Since Luo Xi came to our house, it seems as if all you care about is him, as if Xiao Cheng and I were forgotten. Dad, I love…love you laughing with us, love you asking us about school, love you…loving us.”

Yi Pa looked at her, disturbed and sad, “Xiao Mo…”

Xia Mo smiled at him, a beautiful smile. Her eyes like the calm sea, her hair twisting like seaweed, bind by the green lace, fluttering in the night sky.

“Dad…”

“I’m sorry, Xiao Mo. It’s because Xiao Xi had suffered so much that I wanted to take special care of him. It’s not that Dad doesn’t care about you and Xiao Cheng. In my heart, you and Xiao Cheng are well behaved and sensible. There’s no one that can replace the two of you.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

Xia Mo happily closed her eyes and snuggled deeper in her father’s arms.

The night wind coursed through the courtyard.

The cherry blossoms moved along with the breeze.

Xia Mo suddenly sat up from her father. She turned.

The light from the night sky outlined the silhouette of a young man. He had been standing there for who knows how long. The night wind created a mess of his brown hair, covering his forehead, his eyes as cold as the morning fog.

Yi Pa left, leaving Xia Mo and Luo Xi alone in the yard.

Xia Mo folded her hands back and slowly lay down on the stone platform. The leaves rustled in the night air, the dense branches left gaps for the bright stars. She sighed contently and closed her eyes.

Luo Xi stared at her for a while, then lay down, next to her. He put his head on his arms, gazing coldly at the night sky through the leaves.

The two lay quietly under the beautiful starlight.

“Why did you help me?” he asked

She did not speak, her breathing calm.

“Don’t you hate me?” he continued

She appeared to be asleep.

“I rather you hate me than pity me.” His eyes reflected a frightening amount of loneliness and stubbornness.

Xia Mo laughed with disdain.

“Pity you? Why should I pity you? I also came from the orphanage.”

Luo Xi glared at her, “Are you mocking me?”

“You don’t know?” Xia Mo asked indifferently, “Xiao Cheng and I are not the real children of this family. Dad adopted us, just like he did you.”

Luo Xi stared at her, his expression complicated.

“Should I pity you because you were called a thief? I was not only called a thief, but also a whore. Or is it because your mom was called a prostitute?”

“You-” Luo Xi sat up angrily

“Dad said your mom was like a fairy,” Xia Mo continued calmly, “but my mom…my mom was really…”

Xia Mo sighed, “I have seen many like you at the orphanage, acting all sweet and nice to get adopted. There’s really nothing pitiful about you.”

Luo Xi stood up and laughed coldly, “The truth is you’re the same as me. You act all gentle in front of that Young Master, then naïve and cute in front of Dad. You’re even a better actor than I am. And deep down, you’re a much colder person.”

Xia Mo sat up, swinging her legs, “That’s right. I am the same as you. But I’m not as stupid.”

She walked over to him, “Offending Ya Min when you know it could get you sent back to the orphanage, acting so indifferent when all you want is to be loved.”

The two of them were so close to each other that they could feel the breath from the other’s lips. Xia Mo suddenly turned around.

“I will help you this time. But remember that you owe me.”

She walked back into the house.

Luo Xi stared after her for a long time.

___________

On Saturday night, Xia Mo came back to the house and went to Luo Xi’s room. She tossed him a tape cassette and told him to use it as he liked.

Luo Xi spent all of Sunday listening to the tape. When Xiao Cheng decided to peek into Luo Xi’s room, he found that Luo Xi had gone out.

On Monday’s flag raising ceremony, everyone was surprised to see Luo Xi on stage with Ya Min. Ya Min spoke tentatively in the microphone, his head hung low. Luo Xi stealing was actually a misunderstanding. After Luo Xi’s arrest, the family found out it was actually a servant who stole all of that stuff.

Uproar started in the crowd.

Ya Min continued. He is very sorry to Luo Xi. He is willing to apologize, to accept any of the punishment the school gives.

All of the students were stunned.

Luo Xi went to Ya Min and clasped his shoulder like a brother would.

Watching from afar was Xia Mo. The matter was resolved easier than she have reckoned. When Xia Mo went to see Mrs. Song on Saturday, she was not willing to say anything. But at the pressing of Xia Mo, Mrs. Song finally admitted that Luo Xi never stole anything. It was Ya Min. Luo Xi was so popular in school and good at everything that it made Ya Min jealous. Mrs. Song tried to make the two of them become friends but it was futile. She really liked Luo Xi but Ya Min is, after all, her biological son so she had no choice but to send Luo Xi back to the orphanage. She did not call the police but when they arrived along with the reporters, she had to go with the story that Luo Xi is the thief.

All of this was recorded in the tape recorder.

From the crowd, a female figure walked up the stage. It was Mrs. Song. She went up and hugged both Luo Xi and Ya Min. The crowd cheered.

Xia Mo smiled.

The sun shined down in her eyes, creating such clarity as never seen in them before.

___________

Xiao Cheng rushed into the courtyard when he got home from school, while Xia Mo walked behind him slowly, carrying his bags.

“Luo Xi Ge, Luo Xi Ge!!”

Xiao Cheng, laughing and crying, flew into Luo Xi’s arms with such strength that Luo Xi’s head hit the cherry tree’s trunk. Xia Mo couldn’t help but laugh. Luo Xi looked up, aware that she is laughing at him, and stared at her sullenly.

“They all believe you! Luo Xi Ge! Xiao Cheng really, really likes Luo Xi Ge! Xiao Cheng knew you were not so bad!!”

“Little one, you made my shirts all dirty.” Luo Xi said with a deliberate straight face. In truth, such a warm and innocent gesture made him shy and he does not know how to respond. Forcing a smile, he said, “Go inside and wash your face. Then come out and play, alright?”

“OK!” Xiao Cheng said happily and went inside the house.

Beneath the tree, Luo Xi leaned back against the tree trunk and looked at Xia Mo, a strange smile on his face.

Xiao Mo turned to go back into the house but paused, and glanced back at Luo Xi, “If you have something to say, say it now.”

His eyes shined, his mouth stretched into an evil smile, “Yi Xia Mo. You actually recorded someone’s conversation without their permission? Don’t you know that’s shameless?”

Xia Mo said impatiently, “Luo Xi, you’re the one that’s shameless. Why are you so stubborn? If you want to thank me then do it openly. Why talk nonsense? If I was shameless for recoding the conversation secretly, then you are also shameless for using the recorded tape.”

She eyed him and laughed, “But you are not so stupid. If you have played that tape in front of everyone, Song Ya Min would hate you forever. But now, he will no longer dare to offend you.”

Luo Xi glanced at her, “Were you worry that I would play the tape?”

She did not answer.

Merely continued to look at him, smiling.

The leaves of the cherry tree rustled. Seeing her smile suddenly made Luo Xi’s heart thud heavily. He turned his head, silently watching her out of the corner of his eyes. Xia Mo started to go back into the house.

“Wait!” Luo Xi called out

Xia Mo stopped.

“Thank you.”

Luo Xi sounded careless but there was a slight tremble to his voice. Hearing those soft two words suddenly made the defense around Xia Mo’s heart collapse and she bit her lip, as if in fear.

Summer's Desire Chapter 2

2010-06-21T21:29:00.000-05:00

Chapter 2

The painting now hung in a beautiful frame on the wall of Luo Xi’s room and, when the sun shone down, the noble prince sparkles and smiles. Every time, Xiao Cheng walked outside Luo Xi’s room, he would see the painting and smiles happily. Seeing his children getting along so well put Yi Pa in such a good mood that he would laugh more often and eat even more than before.

When Yi Pa would ask about Luo Xi in school, the answers were always the same. Luo Xi is so popular, Luo Xi’s homework were very well done, Luo Xi is very polite, Luo Xi’s speech deserves an award, Luo Xi is selected as the most outstanding student.

Yi Pa would laugh and laugh and Xia Mo, seeing her father’s smiling face, would laugh along. She could care less about what kind of person Luo Xi is as long as he can bring happiness to her family and no harm.

Luo Xi, however, was testing her limit.

Xiao Cheng’s painting got first place in the National Youngster category, which gave him, in additions to other honors, quite a good sum of prize money. Xia Mo had intended to use the money to buy Xiao Cheng some painting materials as his were getting shabby.

But Yi Pa had used that money to buy a guitar.

A guitar to give to Luo Xi.

That night, Luo Xi spent the entire evening playing the guitar, his head bowed, his slender fingers plucking at the strings, a gentle smile on his face. Yi Pa sat in the rocking chair, Xiao Cheng beside Luo Xi, Yi Ma leaning against the wall; all were spellbound.

Luo Xi played for a very long time.

Later that night, Xia Mo was walking toward in the courtyard to water the plants but someone was there.

The early dews sparkled in the light, creating little wet marks on the granite platform. Luo Xi was leaning against the cherry blossom tree, playing and singing an unknown song. The petals of the flowers were slightly transparent in the moon, creating rays of pink light that sprinkled onto his dark hair, as if he was wearing a crown. His fingers gently plucked on the silver strings, which flashed as if it was a shooting star.

Luo Xi heard her footsteps and looked up, his eyes an enchanting mist. His whole body seems to be shrouded within the moist night fog.

He mockingly stringed the guitar, “Hate me?” he asked.

Xia Mo’s hands clutched the watering can, her face expressionless.

Luo Xi’s fingers plucked the strange strings to play a gorgeous melody, his smile flashing,

“You wanted to buy painting materials with the money, didn’t you?” He asked, “But, alas, it is now my guitar. So come on, come hate me. Take revenge on me.”

She glared at him.

How did he even know that she wanted to buy painting materials? So Yi Pa buying him that guitar was not a coincidence? He actually asked for it?

Xia Mo bit her lips, her hands raised up high with the watering can.

Rapid flow of water splashed from the roots of the tree onto Luo Xi’s clothes and guitar. Luo Xi leapt up, cursing, and hurriedly used his clothes to dry his guitar. Yin Xia Mo moved around the courtyard to water the other plants.

“You’re not worth it.” She whispered softly.

___________

With the guitar, it was as if Luo Xi had on angels’ wings, making him even more dazzling than before. Every Monday, there is a flag raising ceremony where, after school, students would put on cultural performances such as singing, dancing, or reciting poems. However, it gradually has become a personal stage for Luo Xi.

The whole world is silent.

His slender fingertips plucked out beautiful melodies as his soft voice gave words to those songs, the early sun shines on his black hair, giving it a soft golden sheen, his skin as stunning as cherry blossoms, his face mystical; all so beautiful , all so breathtaking.

All the students forget to breathe.

All the teachers forget to breathe.

Like they were granted instant access to an incredible magical kingdom.

One day, however, that magic was finally broken.

As Luo Xi was singing in the square, a helicopter appeared above the school.

Teachers and students looked up startled and started running away.

The helicopter hovered mid-air above the campus then started moving closer and closer. Finally, the open square of the school become the helicopter’s landing area.

Everyone turned to look back at that aircraft.

Blue sky.

White clouds.

The helicopter’s door open.

A beautiful hand on the door, wearing golden leather gloves.

All the girls covered their mouths with their hands.

Goodness!

They know who he is!

A handsome boy walked down from the helicopter. He is as tall as he is slender, and though he was covered by a pilot’s helmet and sunglasses, one can see that shape of his face came from the proud European aristocracy, while shoulder-length black hair was tied back with a black ribbon. A man dressed as a stereotypical British butler came out from the aircraft and stand respectfully behind with the young man.

“Could it be…?”

“Master!”

“Young Master-! It’s…Master!”

The girls in the square began to scream! Tears of excitement fell from their eyes! The Young Master was in the United States for three months and there were rumors that he will not come back this term, so many thought that they would not be able to see him again.

The Young Master started walking off the helicopter, taking off the leather gloves which the butler respectfully took. He then took off his helmets and sunglasses as the butler hurried to take those. As young and handsome and arrogant as Apollo, the sun god, he walked into the open square as girls began screaming their heart out.

As he walked, the crowd separated as if it were the Red Sea and he, Moses.

His eyes, dark, haughty, flashed in the emerald light.

He calmly moved closer to the crowd, but no one dare to say hello, though the urge was surging in the girls’ chests.

The air becomes stifled.

He walked on straight ahead until he was in front of a girl.

He stopped.

Looked down into her gaze.

To the surprise of all who were there, he bowed down and gently pulled Xia Mo’s right hand to his lips.

The kiss was cold.

Xia Mo’s hand was now intertwined with his, she looked up and bestowed upon him a bright smile.

Throughout the campus at that moment, al l the focus was on the Young Master who had just descended from the blue sky and white clouds, the Young Master who carried the sunshine with him.

No one remembered.

That someone was singing on stage.

The early morning dew.

The silver microphone.

Luo Xi still gently playing and singing with guitar, singing a song so beautiful, so pure, a song that was floating up in the empty, lonely world.

If people were to look at him, they’ll be surprised how much like a fairy he was at that moment. For the injury from being ignored actually made him more arrogant, more terrible and yet, more beautiful. But no one looked.

No one remembered.

That night, Ou Chen had dinner at Xia Mo’s house. Yi Ma, when she heard the news, spent all day in the kitchen and, as the result, the table was full of dishes. But Yi Ma was not at ease, constantly fidgeting, glancing at Yi Pa from time to time as well as throwing worried looks at Xia Mo.

The dining room suddenly felt small and crowded.

Ou Chen ate little and didn’t speak at all. Because he was quiet, everyone else became quiet. Yi Pa laughed a few times, welcoming the Young Master. But the latter only smiled politely in return, his noble air surrounding him as well as the butler standing behind him, made Yi Pa embarrassed and turned silent. Xiao Cheng did not pay attention to anything other than the food. Luo Xi was also quiet, so quiet it was like he was not there at all.

The atmosphere was tensed and uncomfortable.

Xia Mo picked up some chicken wings and put them into Xiao Cheng’s bowl, “Eat some more,” she said, “And remember not to paint so late at night.”

Xiao Cheng looked at her with a smile, “Thank you, Jie.”

Ou Chen suddenly stiffened and slowly put down his chopsticks. His butler respectfully handed him a cloth napkin as he carefully cleaned his hands.

“Are you finished eating?” Xia Mo asked.

Ou Chen nodded.

Xia Mo shook her head, “No. You ate way too little.” She put some wings into his bowl, “That is not enough. This is my mother’s signature dish, you know.”

Ou Chen looked at her.

He picked up his chopsticks and finished the wings slowly. Wiping his hands again, Ou Chen got up.

Yi Pa and Yi Ma quickly got up after him.

“Young Master,” Yi Pa said uneasily, “I’m sorry. The food is too simple.”

“Dinner was great.” Ou Chen said dismissively.

His eyes fell upon Xia Mo , then he turned and walked out to the courtyard, his shadow can be seen through the glass window. As if nothing happened, Xia Mo calmly finished her dinner and walked out too.

Luo Xi looked after them mockingly.

Moonlight shone through the tree branch, bright and clear as water. The granite platform slightly cold but it was nothing compared to the man sitting in it, his hair flying in the wind like ribbon.

Xia Mo sat down beside him.

Two shadows under the cherry trees.

Xia Mo took his arm, looked at him sideways, gentleness in her eyes.

“Why did you suddenly come back? I thought you were supposed to be there for another month.”

“Who is he?” Ou Chen asked.

Xia Mo looked at him, surprised, but she knew who he was talking about.

“He is the child that my father bought back from the orphanage, called Luo Xi.”

“How long will he live here?”

“I don’t know. Dad likes him so he may be here for a long time.”

He looked at her, “Do you like him?”

“No.”

“You hate him?”

“No.” She smiled.

The smile made Ou Chen stiffened again.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, his voice cold.

“He’s nobody. Why would I need to tell you?” she laughed, her eyes shining, “Do not tell me that you came back specially because of him.”

He was not supposed to come back for another month but had flown back so suddenly. He didn’t even say anything when they were talking on the phone last night.

With the darkness surrounding, Ou Chen’s face looked unnatural.

Wanting to change the topic, Xia Mo pretended yawn and coyly asked, “Did you bring a gift back for me?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“What do you want?”

“Well, I have no idea.” She thought for a while, the smiled and said, “Is it a necklace? Or clothes? You have not sent me those for a long time.”

“If you want, I’ll send someone to accompany you to buy some tomorrow.” Said Ou Chen

“No.” Xia Mo shook her head.

She never once used the clothes and jewelry he sent her before; such luxury was not for her. Ou Chen reached into his pocket and pulled out a box.

A small, delicate green box.

Sparkling emeralds lined it, shimmering in the moonlight.

Inside the box is a green lace, long with a gorgeous patter, flying out softly in the night winds.

Xia Mo wrapped the green lace around her fingers.

“It’s actually lace.” She said, surprised.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes. But what is it for?”

Ou Chen took the lace from her, bent over, slipped it through her long seaweed-like hair, and tied a beautiful complex bow, binding it.

“Wear this every day.” He told her

“Why?” asked Xia Mo

“You can only let your hair down in front of me.” His fingers softly caressed her cheeks, his voice low.

Xia Mo sighed, “You are really overbearing. I have to answer your phone call every day, no matter how late. You have Mr. Chiang followed me like glue and now, you even want to control my hair.”

Ou Chen turned away, haughty, “It’s because you are mine.”

Not hearing her reply, Ou Chen turned to look at her. Under the night sky, her eyes wavered, full of mixed feelings.

Ou Chen stiffened, “Why do…? Do you like that Luo Xi? Is that why-?”

“I like you.” Xia Mo interrupted him, her eyes stilled.

Ou Chen breathed a sigh of relief, a mad joy exploded in his heart though his face stayed calm. A boyish smile, however, shone through. Although somewhat annoyed, Xia Mo couldn’t help but to smile back.

She sighed, put a hand on his shoulder, and whispered, “I will wear the green lace every day. But you have to trust me, OK?”

If he continued to be like this, he will only suffocate her.

Ou Chen reached over and hugged her close to him.

Under the bright and clear moonlight, two shadows reflected on the slightly damp granite platform.

In the darkness, Ou Chen asked, “Since I’ve been gone all this time, is there anything you need my help with?”

Xia Mo shook her head, “No.”

Then she suddenly remembered, “Ah, yes. Can you do one thing for me?”

“Yes.”

“In the future, do not come here.”

Ou Chen pushed her away, his face became cold. Xia Mo pulled on his arm to look him in the face.

“Did you forget what we just said? How come you still don’t trust me?” she asked playfully, “You know that I hate it when you have that resentful look on your face.”

Ou Chen looked at her, still cold.

“You know it. Every time you come to my house, my parents, and even Xiao Cheng, are embarrassed. It’s so awkward. You don’t know what to say to my family and they don’t know what to say to you. We can meet outside somewhere else.”

Seeing Ou Chen’s unchanged face, she said teasingly with a threat underlying, “Hey. If you get angry, I will be angry too.”

The bright moon reflected in the water.

The tree’s branches shook in the night.

“Fine,” Ou Chen replied, “I promise you. But for the next month, you have to eat with me every day. I will send a driver to pick you up.”

Then he walked out of the courtyard. Outside, the driver started the car as the butler bowed respectfully as he opened the door.

The night wore on.

Xia Mo sat beneath the cherry blossom tree, hugging her knees. Her body became a small mass of shadows, with the green lace on her hair fluttering in the night sky.

A figure walked over, enveloping her in his shadow.

Xia Mo knew it was Luo Xi.

For the mist surrounding him was always there.

“So you and I are the same kind of people”

He looked at her condescendingly, his smile a bit evil, strange but beautiful. She did not look at him but continue to sit in a daze as if it was her greatest pleasure.

After a long time, she replied dismissively, “Yes. So stay away from me.”

___________

The black Bentley drove through the night street.

“Young Master, why did you not tell Miss Yi that you used up a week time to hand-wove that lace?” Butler Shen asked from the front of the car.

Ou Chen stayed silent, looking out the window.

“You can’t always stay silent, Young Master. Girls like to hear such things, to hear sweet talks and coaxing. But you are always cold, how can Miss Yi know what’s on your mind?” Butler Shen rambled on, “That brooch you gave her last time was also hand-made, but she hadn’t even worn it. Why-?

Displeasure flashed in Ou Chen’s eyes.

Butler Shen gave a dry cough, knowing it was time to shut up.

Ou Chen slowly rolled down the windows as the night wind blew in. Xia Mo’s eyes are as ever changing as the sea, sometimes they’re playful, sometimes angry, sometimes tender, sometimes cold. But whenever she lets down her hair and it moves with the wind, there’s a lazy flirtatious look in them.

That’s why she must tie it up.

Determination tightened up Ou Chen’s face.

Sitting in the front, the butler shivered.

The school’s parking lot is now full of all kinds of luxury cars. Since Ou Chen came back, the elite students who do not often attend class also appeared. Girls started to dress more lavishly. Students followed the Young Master everywhere he goes: when he’s eating in the school restaurant, reading books in the library, practicing fencing in the gym, swimming in the pool. However, only one person can get close to the Young Master.

Only Yi Xia Mo

Only she can stand next to the Young Master, talk to him, help him with his clothes. For she is the Young Master’s girlfriend, and in his heart, she is the only occupant.

“I don’t care about this Young Master!”

It was the short haired girl who led the attack on the chubby girl that Luo Xi kissed. This time, it was her turn getting beat up. A circle of students were hitting her, turning her face black and blue, making her suffer even more than the chubby girl did. Still, the short haired girl did not stop yelling. She cursed Xia Mo, claiming she would kill her, kill them all.

The crowd relentlessly beat until a faint voice said, “She did not bully me.”

It was Xia Mo walking with Ou Chen. A tall skinny boy left the circle of students to stand in front of the two of them.

“Ge (older brother),” he said to Ou Chen, “This girl bullied Yi Jie (older sister).”

Ou Chen’s eyes went cold.

“She did not bully me.” Xia Mo repeated

“But…I thought-“

“You thought wrong.” Xia Mo replied.

She ignored him and walked over to the short haired girl and told her to leave. The girl continued to curse her but Xia Mo calmly looked at her and laughed.

“It was not me but them who hit you,” she answered back, “Do not start attacking like a dog; use your head to think. The people who hit you did it to please the Young Master; it have nothing to do with me. That’s how this world is, filled with bad people. Look at your friends. They did not save you; I saved you. You should be grateful to me.”

The short haired girl was stunned as were all who were present.

Xia Mo walked back to Ou Chen’s side.

“Jie, I’m Song Ya Min,” the skinny boy promptly introduced himself, “Ge is my most revered mentor. If you ever need anyt-”

“Song Ya Min,” Ou Chen interrupted, “Stop calling me “Ge.” I have no siblings.”

Ya Min meekly apologized.

“Yi Xia Mo!” the short haired girl yelled. She had started to run away only to turn back, “My name is Fang Jin Hua. Remember it. One day, I’ll repay all the humiliation I suffered!”

Ou Chen frowned, hearing those words.

After that day, Fang Jin Hua was no longer seen in school. Some said she transferred. Others concluded that the Young Master had something to do with her disappearance, assuring that she will never appear in front of Xia Mo again.

___________

Since the Young Master’s return, Luo Xi’s popularity suffered a bit of a dent. Luo Xi, though gentle and beautiful, was not the Young Master. However, the Young Master was too noble, his background too good. He was the distance star that girls can gaze upon but can never get close to; Luo Xi was the better dream to have.

Unfortunately, this dream will soon be brutally shattered.

When the event occurred, Xia Mo was listening to music, watching Ou Chen jogged. All that she knew was from the gossips that were whispered around the school later.

It was the flag ceremony after school and Luo Xi was playing the guitar and singing on stage as usual. And as usual, all the students were listening transfixed. Suddenly someone from the crowd came on stage and stared at him in surprise. It was Song Ya Min.

“Luo Xi? What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in jail?” Ya Min asked.

Two simple sentences.

Amplified by the microphone on stage.

Uproar started in the audience. Those two simple sentences had broken the magical spell that Luo Xi had weaved. Ya Min continued.

Luo Xi was from an orphanage. He was adopted but was sent back for misconduct. The Songs had adopted him but he was caught stealing Mrs. Song’s jewelry, and arrested by the police.

People yelling, crying; some girls even fainted.

The next day, students were still buzzing about Luo Xi. Xia Mo was reading a magazine while Ou Chen was having lunch as people gossiped around them. Apparently Luo Xi was very nice to the family on the outside but deep down, he hated them. He nicely accepted the new shirts Mrs. Song bought him then turned around and cut them to pieces. The he started stealing the family’s stuffs: antiques, Mr. Song’s pens, Mrs. Song’s jewelry, even Ya Min’s money. The family tolerated him, not wanting to send him back to the orphanage. But when Mrs. Song’s wedding ring was stolen, it was the final straw. They finally had to call the police.

“I heard that people who came from the orphanage have a very dark side.” A lady whispered

“They were garbage in the first place. Why else would they be in an orphanage?”

“Luo Xi looks like a prince from a comic book. I really didn’t expect him to be so dirty. No wonder my mom always said never to come in contact with people from the lower class.”

“He really does not look like it.”

“Of course not. If he looks like a thief, then who would dare to adopt him? Those poor people have to disguise themselves very well so they can climb the social ladder. The world has always been this way.”

“That’s true.”

Xia Mo’s hands tightened on the page she was reading. She closed the magazine and gathered her things.

She stood up, “You are too slow. I’m going first.”

Ou Chen seized her hand, “They are talking about Luo Xi. It has nothing to do with you.”

She smiled lightly, “It doesn’t have anything to do with me. But I want to leave.”

“I’ll give you a ride.”

“No need. It’s inappropriate for a poor person like me to sit in such a luxurious car.” She gently pulled her hand away from his grasp and walked away.

Ou Chen stared at her vanishing figure. A cold atmosphere descended upon the cafeteria as all the students looked around awkwardly.

When Xia Mo got home that night, she found her parents and Xiao Cheng sitting around in a tensed mood. There were even injuries on Xiao Cheng’s face! Apparently, he had gotten in fight with the other students who were insulting Luo Xi. Xiao Cheng cried out that Luo Xi isn’t a thief so Xiao Cheng had to defend his name. Tears fell down his face as Xia Mo tried to comfort her little brother.

The next day, Luo Xi showed up to class as usual, like nothing happened. He still smiled at everyone; his gentle features had not changed. Some even defended him, stating the thief rumors must be false. He was too pure, too good, for that. Eventually, doubt spread throughout campus. Perhaps Luo Xi was really famed.

Until Friday morning.

On the bulletin board, someone posted up an aged newspaper. A section was circled in red. A section talking about a thief that the police arrested. A thief named Luo Xi.

All the students stood around the bulletin, stunned.

Suddenly someone emerged from the crowd to tear down the newspaper. The person is Luo Xi.

He looked at the crowd coldly, his eyes mocking, a glamorous mist surrounding his body.

The students stared back at him, not knowing how to respond.

Finally, not knowing who started it, but voices after voices started to shout,

“Thief!”

“Luo Xi is a thief! Thief!”

“Get out! You thief! Get out!”

Summer's Desire Chapter 1

2010-06-21T20:22:00.001-05:00

Translation notes: Jie means older sister, Ge is older brother. Xiao means little, usually used in front of a person’s name as an affectionate gesture (ex. Xiao Mo instead of Xia Mo, Xiao Xi instead of Luo Xi)

Chapter 1

Yi Xia Mo was always a quiet child, calm to almost the point of being cold. Her beautiful face never betrayed any emotions, and, since she was young, Xia Mo possessed a maturity that is even rare for those twice her age. It seemed that the only person that she showed any true feeling towards was her half brother, Yi Cheng. Xia Mo always acted as a mother to Yi Cheng, preventing others from bullying him. Their own mother, a singer and a prostitute, never cared for them. She was so deeply in love with Yi Cheng’s father, a gangster, that when he left her for another woman, she killed herself. Since then, Xia Mo and Yi Cheng were sent to the orphanage, where they only had each other to rely on. When Xia Mo turned 11, the siblings were adopted by the Yi family. It was a happy time for the two, especially Yi Cheng, who got to experience family love for the very first time. However, that happiness did not last long for Yi Pa was fired from work. Knowing that he would not be able to keep them if the unemployment continues, Xia Mo decided to take action for the sake of her little brother. Gathering her courage, Xia Mo went to see her father’s boss in order to beg him to take her father back. It was there that Xia Mo met Ou Chen.

Ou Chen was 3 years older than Xia Mo and the son of her father’s boss as well as heir to the company. Handsome and rich, Ou Chen lived a very privileged life. Despite it all, however, he was a very lonely child. His so-called friends are only there because of his wealth and Ou Chen hated them; he hated their faked smiles, their faked laughter but most of all, he hated their real happiness. When Ou Chen first saw Xia Mo, he knew she was different from any other girls he met. Perhaps it was her cool demeanor that made her seems so untouched by the world, or perhaps it was the courage and determination in her eyes that made her stood out. Either way, Ou Chen was mesmerized.

“What are you doing here?” Ou Chen asked, or rather demanded.

Xia Mo was unfazed by his attitude and explained her situation calmly. Ou Chen was even more transfixed. No one has ever faced him with such tranquility before.

Wanting to test her, Ou Chen asked, “Are you willingly to do anything if your father can get his job back?”

Xia Mo nodded.

“Then,” he said slowly, “I want you to do something that I always wanted but was forbid by my mother. “

Ou Chen looked at her carefully, trying to catch her every expression.

“I want you,” he continued, “to hold an apple on your head while I shoot an arrow at it.”

Without hesitation, Xia Mo nodded once again. That took Ou Chen by surprised. He never thought she would agree and was looking forward to her refusal.

Composing himself, Ou Chen replied, “Fine. Let’s go to the garden then.”

Xia Mo quietly followed him out the house. On the entire way, Xia Mo did not say a single word. Ou Chen also kept silent but he couldn’t help sneaking glances at her. When they reach the garden, Ou Chen ordered for his servants to bring his bow, arrows, and an apple. When the objects arrived, Xia Mo calmly took the apple, placed it on her head, and stood still. Ou Chen bought the bow up and aimed, half-hoping she would back down. The truth was, though no fear showed on her face, Xia Mo was very scared. For Yi Cheng, however, she could even give up her life. Unable to delay any longer, Ou Chen let the arrow loose. It flew across the garden and pierce through the apple with such force that the fruit fell to the ground. All the while, Xia Mo has not moved a single inch. Fascination and awe filled Ou Chen’s heart, the heart that has been empty for so long. He took out his cell phone and, with a single call, got Xia Mo’s father his job back. This was how Xia Mo and Ou Chen’s fates intertwined.

From that day on, Ou Chen become a fixed presence in Xia Mo’s life, and she in his. He even got her and Yi Cheng to transfer to his elite school.

“Are you two nervous?” Mr. Chiang asked. It was Xia Mo and Yi Cheng’s first day at the new school and Ou Cheng got a personal chauffeur to drive them.

“A bit, but I’m excited as well.” Yi Cheng answered happily whereas Xia Mo, who was looking out the window, kept silent.

“My daughter goes to the school too. Maybe you’ll meet her later.” Mr. Chiang said. He peered curiously at Xia Mo in the rearview mirror. He has worked as a chauffeur for the Ou family for several years now but he has never seen the young master treat anyone like he did her. Mr. Chiang has always pitied the young master, who was never like any other kids his age. Young master was so detached from everyone else; it was like he was living in his own world. It seems, now, that this young lady was somehow permitted into that world.

When they arrived at the school, they saw that Ou Chen was already there, waiting. Most of the school was there too, buzzing about the rare appearance of Young Master Ou. The students kept their distance, however, both in awe and in fear. As soon as Xia Mo steps out of the car, Ou Chen hurried to her side and took her hand. The crowd went wild. The same thoughts were running through everyone’s mind. Who was this girl? How can she bring out such a caring look to the young master’s usually expressionless face? Ou Chen tightly gripped Xia Mo’s hand and turned to the students. A hush descended.

“This Yi Xia Mo,” Ou Chen declared, “She is my girlfriend.”

The entire crowd stared in shock. Ou Chen was the school idol. With his good looks and family background, he was every girl’s fantasy. Though there was an aura around him that prevents other from getting close, many brave souls have tried to confess their love to him. Of course, all were coldly rejected. Now this girl, this Yi Xia Mo, has somehow done what none of them was able to do. Jealousy sprung in the girls’ hearts, but no one dared to voice it. Ou Chen was basically royalty at the school, even the teachers have no control over him. As Xia Mo is his girlfriend, it goes without saying that she is royalty too; no one is to mess with her. Of course, with that reputation, Xia Mo received more attention than she ever did. Following that first day, Xia Mo found herself surrounded by people who declared themselves to be her best friends. Girls fussed over her, complimenting her beauty, her intelligence, her elegance. The guys kept a respectful distance, not wanting to create any misunderstanding for Ou Chen. Xia Mo ignored all of this, however, and, beside with Ou Chen, no one really hear her talk. The “admirers,” discouraged by her continuing silence, has left one by one. As Yi Cheng studied in a different building and Ou Chen gone most of the time due to his activities as heir, Xia Mo was usually alone at school. Xia Mo never minded; she actually prefers the solitude to the faked companionships.

Five years have passed since then. Ou Chen is now 19 and Xia Mo, 16. Ou Chen was abroad on one of his “heir” trip again, therefore Xia Mo has no activities after school. While waiting for her father to come home for dinner, Xia Mo sat beneath the cherry tree in her courtyard, enjoying the moment of peace. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Their petals were in a delicate shade of pink, so pale that it’s almost clear, contrasting with the emerald sky above. Xia Mo’s stretched her delicate, porcelain neck to smell the light fragrance, her shiny hair unfolding behind her like black waves. A light breeze caused the petals to fall, like pink crystal snow or thin broken pieces of a fragile heart. Hearing footsteps, Xia Mo turned her head, the peaceful look still present in her doe-like eyes, with a smile of contentment on her face. That was the first time Luo Xi has set eyes on Yi Xia Mo.

“Everyone, this is Luo Xi.” Yi Pa announced at dinner, “He’s going to be a part of our family from now on.”

“What do you mean, Dad?” Xia Mo asked.

“I mean that I’m going to adopt Luo Xi,” Yi Pa answered, “Let’s see. Luo Xi is seventeen, so that makes him your older brother. You two have to take care of him now.”

“Oh, I will!” Yi Cheng said excitedly, “I’ll take great care of Ge Ge!” His cheeks flushed red with excitement, his large eyes flashed at the older brother sitting at the table.

Xia Mo did not reply nor did she voice the feeling of dread that has been creeping into her the whole night. Her dad’s attention has been solely focused on that boy, even giving him Yi Cheng’s favorite chicken wings, without a single thought for her little brother. Her mother, on the other hand, was quieter than usual, her eyes never leaving the bowl of rice.

“Xia Mo?” Yi Pa called, pulling Xia Mo out of her reverie.

Under her father’s gaze, Xia Mo pretended to smile and asked, “He’s the older brother. Shouldn’t he take care of us?”

“Luo Xi has been through a lot,” Yi Pa replied, looking at the boy with affection, then back at her, “So Xia Mo must take care of your older brother for me, alright?”

Brother…

Xia Mo once again looked at the youth sitting next to her father. Whether in reality or in dreams, she has never seen someone more beautiful than this boy. His skin was like white silk, soft and inviting, his eyes like agate, twinkling in the light, his hair, black with a slight luster, and though he was wearing some old clothes, in him, they were like royal robes.

Luo Xi also looked at her.

He has on a strange thin smile and, though he was looking at her, it doesn’t seem like he sees her, as if there was a hazy, white mist enveloping his whole body, preventing from anyone to see right through him. Xia Mo is scared of that mist, that shroud of mystery.

She looked at him, this fear throbbing inside her. With the cherry tree in his background, Luo Xi looked like a fairy from a storybook. He is too beautiful and that beauty is terrifying.

He tilt back to look at her straight in the eyes.

Such beautiful eyes,

Hidden beneath an enchanting mist of silk

Xia Mo is scared. He is really like a fairy. He smiles, taunting, as if he knows what she’s thinking, making his beauty more arrogant, more intense. Behind him, the garden seems to be enclosed under the damp, white mist.

“You do not have to worry,” Luo Xi whispered to their father, “I will take care of myself.” His voice was full of gentle humility, without the slightest shadow of mockery, his taunting smile all but gone.

Xia Mo was startled by this, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. This guy is definitely not simple.

Yi Pa’s face reflected some uneasiness, “Good. Good,” he repeated, “I’ve already taken care of the school’s paperwork so Xiao Xi, you don’t have to worry.” He couldn’t help but to glance at Xia Mo, “Xiao Mo…you…”

Yi Ma watched her daughter silently.

“Jie!” Yi Cheng asked innocently while still eating, “Do you not like Luo Xi Ge?”

“Eat your food faster. You still have homework to do after dinner.” Xia Mo replied curtly, picking up a piece of chicken and placing it in his bowl. Then she put down her chopsticks, and with eyes as clear as the summer’s sky, looked at her father, and said, “I know. I’ll help Dad take care of my brother.”

Yi Pa smiled and leaned back in his chair in relief, as if he has been waiting for her to say this the whole time. Luo Xi quietly drank his soup, his eyes, indifferent. Yi Ma got up, went into the kitchen, and, until the end of dinner, did not come out.

Ever since Luo Xi came into the house, nothing was the same. Yi Pa’s attention was completely focused on him and Yi Ma became gloomy and quiet. Things at school were worse, if that was even possible. Luo Xi, as Xia Mo expected, turned into the school’s sensation. Rumors about him flew everywhere. Blushing girls whispered to each other, students gathered in corridors in excited discussions, numerous small pieces of paper passed from class to class until every student knows about the transfer youth. Groups of people gathered at his classroom’s door, pushing each other, trying to get a glimpse of this legend. When the door opened, the flood of students fell in, all wide eyed and curious, wondering who this transfer student is.

“Where is he?”

“Transfer student!!”

“Where-?”

Xia Mo was walking with Yi Cheng, getting ready to go home, when she saw the commotion in the corridor.

“What’s going on?” she asked a girl standing nearby

The girl turned, annoyed at being interrupt until she recognized the Young Master’s girlfriend.

“We’re waiting for the transfer student,” she whispered, giggling, “Everyone wants to see if he’s as beautiful as they said.”

“Jie!” Yi Cheng called, excitedly pulling on Xia Mo’s hand, “It seems like everybody really like Luo Xi Ge.”

Xia Mo did not answer.

“Xiao Cheng likes Luo Xi Ge, too!”

Xia Mo glanced down at her little brother, “Do you?” she asked absently, “Why?”

“Because my brother is beautiful!” Yi Cheng answered, his eyes sparkling, “And he seems like a good person.”

Xia Mo watch as he bounced happily in front of her and couldn’t help but smiled at his infectious happiness though her heart was gripped by a sudden sadness.

“Is he so beautiful?” she whispered to herself

“Ah!” someone at the front of the corridor cried out.

Then.

There was only the sound of quiet breathing.

Then.

There was no sound at all.

The corridor was completely silent. No one was breathing and all the heartbeats, at that instant, disappeared.

“Luo Xi Ge is really pretty!” Yi Cheng exclaimed, running back to take Xia Mo’s hand.

The crowd began to merge and move along, following its beautiful leader. The shadow of the mass thinned out to the shadows of two. Xia Mo and Yi Cheng began walking toward the streets.

A black Lincoln limousine was waiting for them but, except for the first day, Xia Mo had refused to use Ou Chen’s chauffeur

“My brother is really beautiful.” Yi Cheng repeated.

Xia Mo said nothing.

“But,” Yi Cheng continued, “my sister is the most beautiful one.”

Xia Mo smiled, her icy demeanor melting.

The two siblings walked hand and hand down the street, with the black Lincoln following them, always maintaining the distance of five feet.

Luo Xi became to the school’s idol, the most popular boy. Almost all women, from young students to female teachers, were fascinated with him. He was the perfect prince. He has a beautiful face, a modest personality, a gentle character and no matter who was talking to him, even if she is the ugliest girl, he would smile as if she was a beautiful princess.

Luo Xi’s smile.

It was like a hidden weapon in a perfect murder.

Since the first day he came, all of the students were obsessed with his thrilling smile.

The poets said his smile is like a gentle spring breeze gently blowing over the green meadow.

The artists said it was the smile that could pierce through the soul.

The hopeless romantics said it was a smile of childhood loneliness.

The shallower ones said that his smile is simply sexy.

The topic of Luo Xi’s smile blew up the school’s forum for ten days, with all the students fiercely debating how to describe it. Finally, everyone agrees on “soft.” Indeed, what other word can describe this perfect youth? As the students got to know him, the more elegant Luo Xi became. With his perfect grades and good treatment to everyone, everyone realizes how different this prince is from the school’s other idol, Ou Chen. The words associated with Ou Chen, “cold,” “malicious,” “sexy,” can come nowhere near this man.

When the midterm results got posted on the school’s bulletin board, all the students crowd around nervously, trying to find their score.

“Oh! Luo Xi is first in his year!” screamed a girl, covering her mouth in surprise.

People looked down on her with contempt, “Why the fuss? Of course, our Luo Xi is first. There’s no surprise there.”

“Luo Xi is so handsome in every way!”

“Yes!”

“Luo Xi is perfect!”

“Yes!”

“Luo Xi will belong to all of us! No one can claim him for themselves!”

“Yes!”

Moved, all the girls hugged each other and made their vow. Such as Luo Xi can only occur in fairy tales, this kind of prince cannot belong exclusively to one girl. He is everyone’s, the dream that they all want. They can only appreciate him from afar; no one can privately give him gifts, love letters, or try to date him.

If anyone dared to get close to Luo Xi-

She would have to face the whole school!

_____

It was late afternoon; Xia Mo was walking home from school while listening to music from her headphones. Yi Cheng has painting class at the studio today, so Xia Mo will have to come back later to pick him up.

The black Lincoln, as always, stayed five feet behind her.

Xia Mo stopped.

The Lincoln also stopped.

She turned around, and gestured to that bright luxurious car. The Lincoln drove and stopped next to her. A chauffeur in a white uniform with gold buttons got off and respectfully bowed.

“Miss Yi.”

“Mr. Chiang, please go back. You don’t have to follow me every day like this.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Yi, but this is the Young Master’s command.” Mr. Chiang said, embarrassed, “My job is to prepare the car for you to use every day.”

“But I’ve never used your car.”

“Young Master had said that you might not use the car, but I must still serve you.”

“I will tell him that you are diligent every day,” Xia Mo replied, “He will not find out. Zhen En is sick today and missed class. You should go home and take care of her.”

Mr. Chiang’s daughter, Zhen En, is Xia Mo’s classmate. However, due to the fact that Mr. Chiang is Xia Mo’s driver, the two barely talk to each other. The news that Xia Mo actually noticed that his daughter was not in class and took the time to find out why startled Mr. Chiang.

“Well – I – umm,” stuttered Mr. Chiang, still too surprised to speak properly, “ I- I appreciate the gesture, Miss, but I must do what the Young Master told me.”

Xia Mo sighed, trying to think of ways to change the old man’s mind when a familiar figure entered her sight.

Silhouetted against the blue sky, the towering cedar tree moved along with the wind, which carries with it the drifting scent of spring. Standing beside the tree is the handsome Luo Xi, who is facing a chubby blushing girl.

The chubby girl held up a brown box with a pink ribbon tied to it, her hands shaking, and in a trembling voice, mustered out, “This is my…I….do you want to eat….hope you like it…….”

Luo Xi took the box from the girl and gently untied the ribbon.

His slender crystal fingers lightly picked up a biscuit and put it in his mouth.

He smiled softly, “Thank you. I will eat it well.”

All blood in the girl’s body rushed up in her head, her face reddened as she desperately gasped for breath,

“Luo Xi…..I love you!” she blurted

Luo Xi’s eyes are black and twinkling, the light on his face made it as beautiful as cherry blossoms. He gently placed his fingers on the girl’s cheek, lightly reached down, and softly placed a kiss on it.

“Thank you.”

His voice is beautiful and as soft as the morning fog.

The girl was stunned. She stood still for a while, then ran away screaming and dancing as if she were mad as Luo Xi calmly continued walking.

Xia Mo recovered from the sight, and turned to Mr. Chiang, “Well, I will not force you, but please do not call for me in front of the whole school. Zhen En and I are classmates, it will embarrass her.

“But Young Master-“

“I’ll explain to him. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you, Miss Yi.”

Mr. Chiang bowed respectfully before getting back in the car.

Xia Mo put her headphones back on and continued to walk home slowly.

The afternoon sun shined brightly and the green leaves shook in their branches, with the blue sky filling in the gap between each leaf as it was a painting. Luo Xi walked in front and Xia Mo walked behind, the road between them cannot be shortened, as is the distance of the black Lincoln.

At a roadside trashcan, Luo Xi carelessly tossed in the cookie box along with the crumbled ribbon. He took a handkerchief out of his pockets and carefully wiped his fingers, then tossed the handkerchief in the trashcan also.

Xia Mo was shocked. Luo Xi turned back to look at her, tilting his head at a taunting angle with an enchanting hint of smile, as if he knew she was watching the entire time.

Xia Mo felt disgusted as she watched Luo Xi at home. His actions were all hypocritical in her eyes: his quiet conversations at dinner, his humbleness when showing his perfect grades, his polite offers to help Yi Ma. Yi Ma…Xia Mo smiled secretly; at least her mom isn’t so easily swayed; she literally flinched when Luo Xi reached to take the dishes from her. Yi Pa, on the other hand, poured out endless praises for the youth.

“Our Luo Xi is so smart,” Yi Pa repeated for what seemed like the thousandth time, “He just transferred and yet is already firs-”

Xia Mo shot up from the couch, unable to take it anymore.

“Where are you going, Xiao Mo?” Yi Pa asked, startled.

“It’s about time for me to go pick Xiao Cheng up.” Xia Mo answered, getting her bag.

“Oh. Well, be careful. It’s about to get dark out.” Yi Pa said.

Xia Mo nodded and started heading out. She paused when she got to the door and turned around.

“Dad?” Xia Mo called.

“Yes?” Yi Pa answered, looking up.

“Xiao Cheng also got first in his class,” Xia Mo said, “And the painting he did passed the first round of competition. I was thinking that maybe we should get him a present to encourage him.”

“How wonderful!” Yi Ma gushed.

“Yes, wonderful!” Yi Pa laughed, “Of course we should get him a present. Xia Mo, you go pick it out. You know what he likes.”

“OK, Dad.” Xia Mo replied, lifting her eyes to look at Luo Xi, his smile frozen in place.

___________

Summer was approaching. One can tell by the sudden hot days in early June as if the Earth was trying to give a taste of summer before it actually hits. It was afternoon, a while before class starts, and all were quiet in the classrooms. Students lay on their desks, trying to catch up on sleep and resist the heat waves rolling from the window. The square outside the classroom were like an iron barbeque, where if a student would casually stroll across, sweats would roll down their body in gallons. Everyone was waiting in silence for the school bell to ring.

Suddenly,

There was a cry and a rumbling noise coming from the open square.

All the students who were yawning before rushed to the windows to see the excitement outside.

A bunch of girls were chasing a female out of the bathroom. The girl they were chasing was rather chubby; her ears were red from beatings, her hair disheveled, her lips bleeding, and her uniform torn.

“I’m not lying! I’m not!” The chubby girl yelled, with tears running down both her eyes.

“Shut up!” One of the girl yelled back, “There is no way that Luo Xi would ever kiss a pig like you!”

“He did! I gave him biscuits and he kis-” Her words were cut off as the other girl kicked her down.

“Stupid, stinking pig!” The others yelled, “Who are you fooling?! If Luo Xi actually kissed your pig head, we would all die in front of you!”

“He did kiss me! He did!”

More tears flowed down the girl’s cheeks. To her, the pain of them not believing her exceeded the pain of their fists.

“Crazy pig! We’re going to kill you!”

Fists rained heavily down on the chubby girl as legs swing out to kick her.

“Luo Xi! Help me! Luo Xi … …” The chubby girl cried out, covering her head as she tried to dodge.

That seemed to provoke the other girls more. To hear her call out their precious prince’s name made the fists came down even harder.

Each classroom windows were full of watching students in heated discussion.

“What? Luo Xi actually kissed that pig?”

“Stop it! Of course not!”

“Are you soft in the head?!Why would Luo Xi do that? It must be that fatty lying!”

“Damn it! How dare she!”

“Kill her!”

“Kill her! Kill her!”

From the windows of the classrooms around the square, all the girls were angrily shouting and cheering, unable to bear the insult the chubby girl was bearing on their prince.

“Luo Xi …Luo …Xi … …”

The chubby girl cried as she knelt in the middle of the ground, clinging her head while hoping a miracle would occur. Suddenly, it was as if a miracle did occur. The girls beating her froze as if someone has hit the pause button.

Every student in every class was at the window.

The scorching sun was bearing down,

Heating up the dazzling earth.

Luo Xi, the dazzling Luo Xi, walked onto the square. It was boiling but the prince looked relax, as if there was a transparent glass surrounding him, so crystal clear, blocking out the angry sun, making him even more beautiful.

He came quietly.

The whole world becomes quiet.

“Luo Xi!” The chubby girl cried, crawling out and shouting his name.

“Luo Xi … … they don’t believe me…that you kissed me … …” She climbed onto his body, hugging his legs, her dirty hands left streaks on his pants, her whole body spent.

Luo Xi knelt down.

He gently used his fingers to hold up the girl’s face, staring at bruised her cheeks and swollen lips, reached into his pockets, pulled out a clean handkerchief and put it in her palm.

“You’re hurt.” He whispered with pity.

Shock spread through the entire school!

The girls in class were all transfixed at the window!

“Luo Xi, tell them … … … … … … you kissed me. I did not lie … … you really kissed me … … … … “ chubby girl cried, firmly grasping the Luo Xi’s arm.

Luo Xi looked at her.

There was pity in his eyes, but also confusion.

“But,” he said quietly, “I have never seen you before.”

He apologized then stood up, bowed to the chubby girl, and walked away, disappearing in the beautiful back of the second year classroom corridor.

The chubby girl continued to kneel on the ground in the square, her mouth wide open. She could not say anything, everything seemed like a sick joke.

“You’re dead, pig! I knew you lied!”

All the girls began punching and kicking her again, their eyes filled with hatred.

“Kill her!”

“You liar! Damn you!”

“Kill her! Kill her!”

In each, classroom window, girls angrily started chanting, their anger stronger than the heat.

“Help….help!”

The chubby girl started crying again, while trying to doge the fists. All the other girls were out of breath but their own evil kept them going.

“Stop.” A faint voice said.

The girls were kicking in full swing and looked back anger. The speaker was no one other than Yi Xia Mo.

“Go away!” A girl with short hair said fiercely, “This is none of your business.”

“You are too loud and disturbing my sleep.” Yin Xia Mo replied dismissively, “So of course it is my business.”

The chubby girl saw someone helping her and quickly hid behind Xia Mo.

“Go away unless you want to get hit too!” The girl with short hair threatened.

“Don’t,” Another girl whispered, pulling the short haired girl’s arm, “She’s Yi Xia Mo.”

“What?”

“Yi Xia Mo. The Young Master’s girlfriend.”

The short haired girl swirled to look at Xia Mo. She has heard of her and knew of the Young Master’s legendary love for this girl but has never seen her in person. So this is Yi Xia Mo.

The sun shined down on the girl, a seaweed-like thick hair, slightly curled, eyes the same as sea water, skin ivory white and though she was smiling, her eyes were indifferent.

“So what?!” The short haired girl challenged even as the others started to back off, “The Young Master had not come to school in months and even if he did, even if-”

“Run! Security is here!”

As the shadows of the security guards loomed larger, all the girls ran off in different directions.

In the blink of an eye, Xia Mo and the chubby girl were the only ones left in the square.

Xia Mo turned to leave.

“Thank you…” The chubby girl sobbed.

Xia Mo’s first reaction was to ignore the girl but, seeing the tears, her heart turned soft. She bent down to pick up Luo Xi’s handkerchief and put it in the girl’s hand.

“Wipe your face.”

The girl stared at her blankly.

“Also,” Xia Mo said carelessly, “Even though he really did kiss you, you shouldn’t have spread it around.”

To Xia Mo’s dismay, Luo Xi has become the family’s center of gravity. Yi Pa showered him with praises and love every day. Yi M, though unable to accept him initially, warmed up to the youth after seeing his humbleness and kindness. And Xiao Cheng, her Xiao Cheng, would follow Luo Xi like a little puppy, constantly crying out, “Luo Xi Ge, Luo Xi Ge.”

Perhaps Luo Xi was born to be a person of radiance and as long as he continued to shine brilliantly, other people can only live in the neglected corner of his shadows.

It was Saturday morning, Xia Mo was in her bed, staring at the ceiling, too lazy to get up. Due to the poor sound insulation of her door, she can hear everything that goes on in the house. Her parents had gone out after breakfast and Xiao Cheng was preparing to go to the park to draw.

“Luo Xi Ge…”

Hearing Xiao Cheng, Xia Mo frowned and turned over, not liking the admiration and yearning in her little brother’s voice.

“Xiao Cheng, what’s the matter?”

“Oh, nothing really. I just…”

“Yes?”

“I drew this painting to give to you!”

“What a beautiful painting! In Xiao Cheng’s eyes, am I so good looking?”

“Luo Xi Ge looked so much better than in my painting!”

A small pause.

“Thank you, Xiao Cheng.”

“Luo Xi Ge…” Xiao Cheng said in a small excited voice, “Luo Xi Ge, you just hugged me…and kissed me! You like Xiao Cheng, don’t you?!”

“Yes, of course. Xiao Cheng is so well behaved and attentive.” His voice soft, like the dew from a late morning fog.

After a while, Xiao Cheng finally went out. Xia Mo relaxed in her bed and sighed, her eyes closed.

Suddenly, a strange yet familiar sound rang through the rooms.

Xia Mo sat up, startled. She quickly put on clothes, opened the door and went out.

Luo Xi was in his room, reading.

His quiet demeanor, gently flipping the pages, does indeed look like an elegant fairy tale prince.

Yin Xia Mo did not speak but walked straight into his room and looked in trashcan, no. She glanced at him coldly, walked out, went to the trashcan in the living room, no. She then went into the kitchen and looked in the trashcan there.

Dirty trash.

Along with a discarded painting inside.

It is a beautiful painting of a boy, dressed in shining white armor, holding a silver sword, his face as noble and holy as a prince.

In the left hand corner of the painting, there was a small stain.

Xia Mo pulled the painting out from the trash, and with a clean cloth, carefully wiped the dirt off it. She bit her lips and went into the Luo Xi’s room. She walked to where he was, pulled the book out of his hands, and threw it on the ground.

Luo Xi looked up, his eyes as cold as ice. Xia Mo glared at him, her eyes just as cold.

“Xiao Cheng gave you this painting.”

Luo Xi looked at the painting in her hand with an indifferent smile.

“And?” Luo Xi’s fingers gently stroked the corner of the painting, like the caress of a lover, “Since he gave it to me, I can do whatever I want with it.”

“I’m warning you,” Xia Mo said, her voice like steel, “If you do not know how to behave in this home, I will kick you out.”

“Oh?” Luo Xi laughed

His smile as beautiful as the crimson cherry blossoms of May, his eyes like glittering crystals.

“I do not believe you have that capability.”

“If you stayed at this home for a few more months, perhaps it will take more effort. Unfortunately, your roots are not deep; you are not my opponent.”

“So confident?”

Luo Xi’s smile was even more striking.

“Would you care to try?” She asked, smiling at him.

He stared her.

She gazed back.

Two pair eyes flashed in the air.

“Alright, you win.” Luo Xi said with a smile, his face expression, gentle, sweet, “But, wait a year, you will regret that you once treated me like this.”

Xia Mo laughed lightly, “So this year, you have to tone it down, so that my parents and Xiao Cheng are happy. As to whether or not I will regret it, that’s my problem.”

She turned and left.

Welcome

2010-06-21T19:42:00.003-05:00

Welcome to this blog! This is blanc. Many of you know me on Viikii. A couple of friends and I decided to create this blog because we realize there are so many Asian drama addicts like us out there. On this blog, we will provide download links to drama (Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese, etc) with English subs and music from those countries. I'm in the process of translating the Chinese novel "Summer's Desire," of which the drama is based on so I'll post that here too. Feel free to request dramas and music and we'll try to find it for you. We'll probably be posting other stuffs as well. Just whatever suits our fancy.

Note: Just so you know, "blanc" is an inside joke within our group of friends :)

Disclaimer: None of the videos are subbed by us. We are merely providing the download links. Subbing credits should go to its rightful owner.