CHAPTER 14 : OLD TALE: WILL MEET AGAIN

"... don't forget to take your lunch, always eat something in between work hours to fill your stomach and reduce your sweet intake. Also, wash your feet before going to bed." Zedong has been helping Yu Yan to place his things on the boat towards the Ying town along with the other members of the party he's going with.

"Okay, okay." Yu Yan responded unlively, eyes were swollen, and have been struggling to move since Zedong have covered him with layered robes and scarfs.

The Ying town was on the far border of the north, it is usually cold since it has lower terrain and always meets the cold southwest monsoon.

Zedong got off the boat and guided Yu Yan to walk in because it's almost time for their set off.

"You always forgot things, so keep a journal with you," Zedong instructed as he fix the scarf on Yu Yan's neck.

"Mm." the man responded unlively.

Zedong stared at him and Yu Yan was about to break into tears again.

"Yu Yan..."

"Okay, okay I will not cry and be stronger. To come back in full gears without flaws." Yu Yan interrupted him, almost in sulking.

Zedong lightly laughed he gently poked his forehead, "I didn't say that."

He then smiled and cupped Yu Yan's cheeks, "Just enjoy the journey ahead and make lots of money. Tell me everything after you came back."

Yu Yan's tears were brimming at the edges of his eyes but he tried to cool himself down. "Okay." his voice cracked.

Zedong smiled and turned side to side, seeing that nobody was paying attention to them, he took Yu Yan's neck and kisses him passionately.

Yu Yan was surprised at first but he soon recovered and responded.

"I'll just be here," Zedong said when they pulled away.

Yu Yan bumped his forehead against him, "And I promise to come back."

That day was devastating for the both of them but they tried to conceal their tears and grief as they both smiled in the setting sun. Giving each other promises to keep.

Zedong stared at the boat floating away by the river, away from him until he couldn't longer see its figure, he ran by the deck and stretched his neck to see even just the shadow of the boat but it was no longer there. It set off along with the setting of the sun.

He felt empty and the overwhelming grief finally resurfaced in his heart, he did not stop his tears anymore.

He's aching.

He didn't want Yu Yan to leave, he couldn't bear too but he loved him so much that he wanted him to blossom, to have everyone appreciate and support him. He wanted him to fulfill his dreams.

He ran on the field on magnolias where they both had several memories, Zedong cried and screamed out, wanting to fill the emptiness in his heart.

His precious Yu Yan... he's the only person that he'll ever love in this lifetime.

.....

Days passed and Zedong grew some dark eye bags under his eyes, he acted and worked as a machine with consistent movement and few words.

He worked nonstop and even helped the other servants with their duties. Everyone was grateful but noticed the abnormality.

"Zedong seemed so down and strange recently." One beauty said

All of the beauty at the table nodded as they stare at Zedong who was wiping the floor in an absent-minded look.

"Our pretty Zedong, look how his skin looked more wrinkled and dry." one beauty sighed

"It all started when Yu Yan left right?"

"Mm I think so, they were such good friends."

"But I think it more than that---"

"Are you done with your preparation?" they all got startled and turned their heads behind just to see the most fearsome person in the house

"Lady Xun Xi!" they called out

"Hmph, you've been gossiping nonstop since yesterday, your mouths ain't dry yet?" he asked mockingly

They all bowed their heads as a show of guilt. Xun Xi was promoted as the madam's right hand, he is now involved in handling the house's affairs and everything was under him that's why he looked scarier than ever.

"Get your asses back on track, we'll open in an hour," he said and the beauties immediately fled on their assigned duties.

Xun Xi flipped his sleeves and walked towards Zedong who has been continuously wiping the floor.

"My eyes are already blinded on how sparkling the floor is," he said and Zedong immediately lifted his head.

"Oh, Xun Xi." the usual instant-smile and welcoming eyes that Zedong was giving them turned into a plain greeting with dead emotions.

He's dead inside which irritates Xun Xi.

"Get up! Are you planning to talk to me like that?" He complained seeing that Zedong didn't plan to get up and kept kneeling on the floor.

Zedong immediately realized it and stood.

But Xun Xi got irritated again, "You look like a hunchback!" he slapped his back so that he can stand straight.

Zedong was forced to correct his posture but felt the urge again to work somewhere quieter so he lightly complained, "Xun Xi if there's nothing else, I'll get back to work."

"Oops! I'm here for a 'slightly' good reason." he stopped him

"How about you do a duck dance first---okay! I'm just joking!" Xun Xi stopped him again when he was about to walk away.

Xun Xi rolled his eyes, "I couldn't get it why are you so lovesick." he took a folded parchment by his sleeve and gave it to Zedong

"Here, a clipped letter on our newly delivered products from Ying town. It's from Yu Yan." He said

Zedong's eyes immediately widened as he stare at the parchment. "Y-Y-Y-Yu Yan??"

"Y-Y-Y-Yes." Xun Xi imitated him.

"Read it outside! I don't want any dramatic scene here," he said

But Zedong felt like flying. The joy he received immediately wiped the emptiness he got for today. He broke in a tearful smile and bowed to Xun Xi before running towards the back door.

"Hmph." the beauty responded

Zedong couldn't take off his smile as he read the letter beautifully written by Yu Yan only. His calligraphy was outstanding and he's completely familiar with it because Yu Yan would teach him to write during their free time.

Zedong was welcomed by Yu Yan's greeting with his name specifically written. And as he promised, he wrote his experiences and remarkable works on his journey. They traveled in the water for five days and landed on the town's deck by the sixth day, in the afternoon on the same date, they went busking in the street and immediately got praises and money.

Yu Yan told him that it was his first time seeing their performance and was immediately amazed. He wanted to play together with them as soon as possible but he need training first so he should patiently practice while learning from them.

And Yu Yan hoped that this letter would reach his beloved Zedong. He couldn't afford a messenger to deliver the letter so he could only clip this on the product being delivered on the house.

He hoped he didn't miss him much just as much as he did.

Zedong smiled as his tears flowed down endlessly again.

But he finally realized that dwelling on their long distant separation wouldn't bring him good and to Yu Yan.

They both had the same dream now so he must get up. Yu Yan will surely come back.