…
In the countryside. The wind blew fiercely, causing the trees to sway. Inside the courtyard of an ancestral mansion, an Old Man was sitting behind a small wooden desk. Sitting in front of him was a younger man.
Master Zhao, in his many years as a traditional healer, had encountered similar issues. Insomnia could be caused by stress or overthinking. In severe cases, it could arise from childhood traumas.
But this Young Master didn’t have any of such implications. Yet, his illness was the worst case of Insomnia even Master Zhao had ever encountered.
“This kind of condition requires a gradual process of healing. Young Man, will you have the patience?”
“As long as it can go away forever. I can wait for some more years.”
The Old man chuckled, playing with his white beard. “Your temporary cure is not the only option out. Are you willing to take the risk?”
The Young Master had told him about some girl. Master Zhao found it awe-inspiring at first that such a cure could exist. “When anything comes in human form, remember there are consequences.”
“I will wait for Master Zhao to concoct the right medicine. Until then, she will remain my wife.”
When he communicated with the Master, the old man had only made a one-year prediction to find a cure. It could take a longer time or even less. However, the man’s assurance was all he needed to know that there was a cure out there.
Master Zhao chuckled, stirring the soup bowl in front of him. “After I find the cure, can you pay the price?”
He was supposed to find the permanent cure for this Young Master. Even though the cure he had back at home could chase away his insomnia, would it last forever? As a human… Something might go wrong in the long run. Maybe a separation, or maybe the loss of a life. It had become a mission for the Old Master to look for the actual cure.
Even during his youthful days, Master Zhao had never undertaken such kind of task.
“If Master Zhao finds the cure, I’ll pay any price,” Andrew said, in reply to the Old Man’s question.
From their sides, gentle footsteps came from the floor. A young girl in her early twenties was dressed in a light pink silky traditional cloth. She was holding a bowl of soup, her face holding a gentle smile.
Assistant Jiang who was standing in a corner couldn’t help but gawk at the beauty. He could only remember one person possessing such kind of beauty.
Carefully, the girl placed the bowl on the small wooden desk. On her face was a serene smile and she avoided the men’s eyes.
When she left, the Assistant broke out of his trance. Andrew’s attention had been on the soup bowl all this time. It was no ordinary soup.
Like a gentle breeze, the girl’s footsteps receded as she walked back into the house. Master Zhao’s eyes followed her. The man was smiling with his eyes. “She is my granddaughter. Her name is Xiao’Er.”
Andrew looked away from the soup and stared at the Old Man.
“Young Master, do you like her?” Master Zhao asked.
…
This evening, City X’s wind blew warmly. Across the city, everything seemed to be going on as usual. Cars honked from the street and the chatter of people could be heard from the highest building.
Annie was sitting on a couch. Her eyes were on the TV which was airing a variety show. With the remote in her hand, the girl would change the channel every few minutes.
Also, her eyes would go to the wall clock every now and then. It had become a routine every night as if she was waiting for someone. Somehow, when evening came, the girl’s apprehension would rise. Until the next morning, her heart wouldn’t stop beating a little faster than normal.
She was still flipping through the channels when the doorbell sounded. With a small frown appearing on her face, Annie wondered who could visit her at this time of the night. She went to the door and peeked through the small hole. When she glimpsed the person standing outside, her frown became deeper and she hesitated before opening the door.
“Good evening, Ms. Lin. I hope you had a splendid day at work.” The man greeted eagerly, staring at her with a wide smile.
“Sure. Good evening, Mr. Zhang.” Annie gave him a small smile. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Haha. Ms. Lin, you’re being funny. Seeing you is already an honor to me. I should be pleasured from coming here.”
“Huh?” Annie tilted her head to the side, finding the man’s expression funny. What was even more confusing was his choice of words.
“I was just passing by the apartment building when I decided to make a stop. I also thought it would be good to check on Ms. Lin. I hope this place is to your liking.”
“Mr. Zhang, that is so nice of you. That’s right, I love this place. And I must praise Mr. Zhang for having a great architectural sense.”
Mr. Zhang was very flattered by her words. The man’s smile became wilder and he looked love-struck.
“Very soon, this apartment building will belong to both of us.” He wanted to say, but quickly rephrased his words. “Ah, Ms. Lin, you’re praising me too much. Then, I must reduce your rent. In this whole building, you’re the only tenant sensible enough to praise my talent.”
“You don’t have to, Mr. Zhang. I am only speaking the truth.”
Even when Annie denied his offer, Mr. Zhang didn’t look less delighted. He was smiling too much that he couldn’t find what to say next.
“Th-Then, I must bid Ms. Lin good night. Sadly, I have somewhere else to go.”
“Have a great night, Mr. Zhang.” With a small smile on her face, the girl shut the door on his face.
Mr. Zhang turned around and headed for the elevator. The man looked distracted, he didn’t even hear Mrs. Huang speaking to him.
Since he divorced his wife, Mr. Zhang only had this girl on his mind. He wasn’t lucky the first time. When a chance came to him this second time, he couldn’t believe the sudden rule the CEO implemented.
Were the heavens against him? Would he afford to lose Ms. Lin for the second time?
Mrs. Huang stood at her door, watching the retreating figure of the man. With a bitter look on her face, the woman glared at Annie’s door before going inside her apartment.