UNEXPECTED SUCCESS

Meixiu leaned on the door for she is feeling that her eyes are so heavy, as if anytime soon, she is going to collapse. The way she called her husband was so soft but the man from the couch heard her calling him by his name. She saw him staring at her with the same hatred he has that night he drag her out of the house.

"I never thought you are coming back home. I'm not expecting you. I ate dinner with my manager."

"I had my dinner outside too.", she faked a smile and even lied that she already had dinner.

She was thankful for Jianguo who gave her a ride home. That place was so unfamiliar for her and she still can't imagine Suyin actually left her there. Also, with her feeling so weak right now, staying at that place even just for a second was the worst experience for her. She could die any moment at that place without Chaoxiang knowing.

"I actually got you something.", she picked up the guitar beside her and handed it to Chaoxiang.

She is really hoping her present can soften his face. An abhorred expression is clearly seen in his face, as if it is better for Meixiu to stay outside and forget that the both of them are married. But Meixiu wants to try again. She knows it may lead to another heartbreak, but maybe she's wrong. It's Chaoxiang's favorite guitar so he might probably be happy about it.

"A Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster?", he reacted violently and Meixiu nodded.

He then remembered Suyin asked her $2000, the same price of this guitar she is giving her. He is suspecting something about Meixiu. It was the same day, the same amount of money. Who else wouldn't think the same way? The very second he concluded it was Meixiu who forced Suyin to ask for money, he slapped her and held her in her neck, pinning her to the door.

"Chaoxiang!", she is coughing aggressively, hitting his hand, a sign for him to stop.

"Where did you get the money?"

"I...", he tightened his grip on her neck.

"You forced Suyin again! You forced her to ask me money just like you forced her to move across the country!"

He ruthlessly dropped her on the floor. Meixiu fell to the ground without any strength with her tears dripping harshly on the cold floor. She keeps massaging her neck because what Chaoxiang did is so suffocating. It's as if a thousand of thorns are crawling inside her throat. He is about to throw the guitar once more but he heard her pleading.

"Please don't do that. Please.", he saw her crying.

He dropped the guitar and went upstairs, banging the door. She is trembling, her heart's in a rush, almost feeling like it's the end of her life. "Chaoxiang, why are you doing this to me? Am I not a good wife?", she keeps asking herself about what went wrong.

She tried breaking it smoothly to him. She exerted a lot of efforts for those words to slip out her mouth since she almost feel like dying even before she stepped inside the house. "I should've stayed longer outside.", she regretted going home.

She reached for the guitar and hugged it. Begging him not to destroy it is the best thing to do. All her life, she wanted to have the same guitar he dreams to have. She kept her money in a jar, hidden on one of her bags and after she got home from Qianfang, she counted her money from the jar and saw it's already 13,500 Yuan, enough for her to buy him the guitar as her peace offering to him.

She can't withdraw money from her bank account because her mom Sora will know that and she'll kill her if she found out. "Why can't he appreciate my efforts?", Meixiu cried out.

Looking at the door of his room, she can't stop herself from crying. "I really want to go home. But my family needs the money. I am so confused.", she said to herself while wiping her tears.

[•••]

"Suyin, don't be fooled by Meixiu please."

"Meixiu?", the woman he called asked him.

"You asked me for money and you gave it to her?", Suyin can sense a tension between the couple.

"Oh is it because of the guitar she bought that's why you're saying things like this?"

"Never mind. Just don't believe her again. You could've used the money to something worth it."

"Next time I will."

He ended the call and Suyin can't help herself but to laugh in her victory. Who would have thought this could happen? All the money she borrowed him is for her baby and now, Chaoxiang thinks she did borrow to him because she was forced by Meixiu.

"I asked for money for my own needs. Who would have thought it'll cause them trouble?", she said while smoking a cigar.

"Does that mean Meixiu is already home? How about Caohing?", she is trying to connect all the things that's going on and it doesn't make any sense.

"Chaoxiang really loves me still, I can tell. I can steal Meixiu's crown in no time. I can give money to the Wu and the Yang supremacy will vanish."