old and young

Another 2 weeks pass. They regularly visit aunty Mei and accompany her. She is delighted to see them. However so she will be discharge from the hospital, she can't go back to her own flat as she is afraid to disturb the students in there. Therefore, she is asking her cousin if she could stay with her. Shou Ren protest as he want her to live with him. 

"Young man, how many rooms do you have. Don't you know?"

"I can sleep at the living room!"

"Or i can move..."

"Don't you think about moving out! Aunty Mei let me take care of you. I can rent a hotel room for you if ..."

"Stop Shou Ren. I know you care for me but i want to be in a comfortable environment. Staying with my cousin is the best. She have a big house with a yard to walk around. Besides that her family members are living with her. If there is anything wrong, they can send me to the hospital fast. If i stay with you who is going to take care of me? Shou Ren, please understand." 

"Ok ok aunty Mei. We do what you say. I know aunty Ling, she can take care of your everyday needs. However i am going to check on you every few days. "

She smile and pat his hands affectionally. She looks at Li Tong too with a grateful emotion.

The next three days, Shou Ren sent aunty Mei to aunty Ling's place. After making sure she is comfortable. Aunty Ling look at him with interest. "I heard from Mei that you have a girl living in your apartment. How is she like? Do you have any liking to her?" Shou Ren pinch his lips together and wonder what to say. He look down to his feet."She is a young girl. She won't like an old man like me."

"Shou Ren, age is just a number. It all matters whether your heart thinks. Don't let your mind tell you what you should do. You are not that young anymore, you have to fight for your love. Don't wait till someone sweep her away then you go to a corner and lick your wounds. If you really like her, tell her. She won't know."

Shou Ren stomp his feet and sigh. Aunty Ling maybe right. 

That night he lay on his bed and listen to her playing the violin. He remember long ago, he had a relationship. They are young and in love but one day, she suddenly asked for breakup and she disappear from his life. Shou Ren fear that if he suddenly tell Li Tong that will she just move out and vanish from his sight. He did not like her just because she can cook or can tidy the house but it's her whom he value. He roll over to pick up his laptop and goggle the topic, how to propose to a girl as your girlfriend. 

Two days later, Li Tong ask if Shou Ren would like to come to a classical concert organised by the university at the city hall. He said yes without a pause. Delighted, she rush online to reserve the ticket for him. He watch Li Tong work on her laptop with a smiling face. At that moment, he have a plan in his mind on that day to ask her if she would like to be his girlfriend. 

On that day, he comes back from work early. Take a long bath. Putting on his favourite cologne but realised that he is over powering the smell. He takes a quick shower and apply lightly on the cologne. Choosing his black attitre is a tough choice for him. Each attire is not satisfying. Either he looks like a waiter, an usher or too flashy, Finally, he settle with a black turtle neck sweater with a black pants. He even dig out his favourite leather black boat shoes. He not sure if he should gel his hair but he blow dry his hair and lightly spray over it. Making sure he looks up to date on fashion and not looking like an old man in any angle. He look at his watch and decides it time to leave. With an ounce of confidence he step out of the apartment and into his car. 

Reaching the revenue, he look around for her. In the vast sea of human walking around, his eyes landed on someone. His feel like his heart have stop beating. His hands that are holding a bouquet of flowers swing down on his side lifelessly. He never thought he would see her again. Not mentioned here in this venue. That person sees him and walk towards him. Every step she takes, makes him feel sick. Suddenly, someone grab his wrist. He turn to see Li Tong, the sunshine in his life. 

"Mr Tian!I have been calling you. Did you switch off your phone?"

"Oh maybe it's in silence mode. Here this is for you. I look forward to your performance tonite."

Li Tong takes the bouquet of flowers and take a deep breath. She smile and look at him. "Let me show you to your seat. It's near the stage where i am going to be seated at." Quietly Shou Ren smile and nod his head. They walk off together and she talk about what the concert will be playing. Watching her, Shou Ren starts to smile. She is in a black long dress with a bare back. She had tuck her hair behind her ears. Her makeup is natural except for a red lipstick. As she talks, he raise his hand and pat her hair. Li Tong stop talking and look at him.

"You look beautiful Li Tong. Not for today but everyday even if you are wearing your glasses, you still look beautiful."

At that moment, Shou Ren almost have taken Li Tong's breath away. His hand travel down to her arm and hold her hand. He raise her hand to his lips and kiss it while his eyes keep looking into her eyes. They are alike in a spell and only break free when someone call for Li Tong. In a flush embarrassment that rose to her cheeks quickly she tells him to take a seat and she runs off. Shou Ren watch her joining her choir. He sit down in a daze yet he feels really happy.