Her Pain

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Amidst the dim ambience of the bar, Mei Xing tried to find a bit of comfort in the last gulp of her drink. However, the concern of the strange yet familiar man beside her increased her pain.

Tears came spilling down her cheeks and Lu Aotian panicked.

"Hey. What's wrong? Did I say something wrong? I didn't mean to. I'm sorry," he apologised.

Mei Xing shook her head as more tears began to pour out. "No. You didn't say anything wrong. It's just..." She let out a frustrated breath. "I can't help but think that he should have cared. Why couldn't he care as much as you do? We don't even know each other."

Lu Aotian's face softened. He gently swiped her tears away with his thumb. "We do know each other," he corrected with a faint smile.

"But not for long, right? Not as long as the two years we were married," she stated. "He never cared. Not one bit," Mei Xing cried.

Lu Aotian was confused until her words sank in. He could have never imagined that she was a married woman. Her ringless finger did nothing to dispel his assumptions about her being single.

His eyes trailed to her left hand, only to still find it empty.

"I was the only one who wanted to mend the patches in our marriage. All he did was work and party out with his friends. They would drink in the company of women, and the very next day, I would be the one to bear the brunt of leaked footage on the morning tabloids." Mei Xing's words cut off his train of thought.

The weight of Mei Xing's fractured marriage and severed family ties bore heavily on her slumped shoulders. And in her drunken state, the pain flowed out in the words she uttered to Lu Aotian.

"And just when I thought I had a home to run to, to lay down my complaint or to have support and be told everything will be alright..." Mei Xing sniffled "Just when I need that, mother dearest would scold me for not being able to keep my husband. She would say that I wasn't jovial or fun enough to prevent from looking outside his marriage."

Lu Aotian, a silent pillar of support, listened with unwavering attention. His eyes reflected understanding as Mei Xing's voice trembled with the burden that weighed on her heart.

Despite his silence, his frown was evident. He was mad. Angry at her husband and mother. How could they have behaved that way to a woman who was trying her best to fulfil more than her end of the marriage?

He felt her bitterness and sympathised with her. He pulled his barstool closer to hers and moved in to hug her.

He offered comfort as he had no words to act as a soothing balm to her wounded heart. Mei Xing wept in his embrace.

She allowed herself to bask in the little warmth that was brought to her. She felt safe and light as she let it all out.

"And now I have no home or family. None were willing to push for my divorce. I'm just sick and tired of everything, of my life," Mei Xing sobbed harder.

"You're a strong woman," Lu Aotian finally found his words.

Mei Xing pulled away a little to peer up at him from his chest. Lu Aotian wiped her tear-stained cheek with his thumb.

"I can't completely relate to the pain you feel. But I can say that everything will be fine. You will be fine," he said with much-needed assurance.

"And how do you know that?" Mei Xing asked. "I'm literally airing my muddy linen to a man I don't even remember being acquainted with. That doesn't sound like what a sane person will do."

"You've survived most of your past and gotten to this point, in the present," Lu Aotian stated the obvious and then he shrugged. "I think you will do just fine handling whatever lemons life throws your way from this moment onwards. Or don't you think so, Ms Mei?"

"I..." Mei Xing was too lost his his words and confidence in her. She could not formulate words.

"I think you can handle them," he whispered and brushed a start strand of hair behind her ears.

Mei Xing's eyes watered again. "Why are you so kind to me?" Her voice broke as she sobbed.

Just then, her best friend came rushing from the dance floor. "Hey!" Yi Chunhua called out, earning both their attention.

She gasped when she saw Mei Xing crying. Yi Chunhua pulled Mei Xing out of his arms. "What are you doing to my best friend? Why is she crying, a-hole?"

Lu Aotian lifted his hands, showing he meant no arm. Yi Chunhua's glare was still directed at him.

"I didn't do anything, I swear. I was just trying to comfort her, that's all " Lu Aotian explained briefly.

"I don't believe you."

"Chunhua let him be. He's a nice guy," Mei Xing's words were slurred, obviously drunk and weak from all the emotional spill.

Yi Chunhua eyed Lu Aotian. "I..."

"I need another drink," Mei Xing sat straight and turned to the bar. "Her waiter. I need another combo. Much stronger this time," she added.

Yi Chunhua shook her head. "No more drinks for you, young lady. You're already spent."

"Just one more please," Mei Xing tried to stand but almost lost her footing.

Luckily Lu Aotian was quick to hold her up. He dropped some notes on the bar. "Tabs on me, ladies. Let me help you both outside and call a cab or something."

"It's not necessary. We can handle this on our own," Yi Chunhua refused.

Lu Aotian cocked a brow at her. "Seriously? We?" Their eyes simultaneously moved to Mei Xing who was already passed out in his arms.

Yi Chunhua bit her lips and reluctantly nodded in agreement. There was no way she would be able to haul Mei Xing's ass out of the bar and also call a cab.

Maybe allowing the handsome stranger to help wasn't a bad idea after all.

"We would have to trouble you then. Thank you."