Sunday, September 6, 2009 @ 5:55 PM
Chapter 27: MemoriesSuggested song/music: Perfection - JJ Lin
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCAK8agD6dA)
“Have you ever wondered why Li Yin and I transferred here from China? I mean, what was a Korean like me doing in china?” Yunho had his hands stuck casually in his jeans pocket as they walked down the street. He had a sudden urge to tell xiaoxi everything about himself. He didn’t want her to be stuck in a situation whereby she knew nothing about him and doubted him again. Xiaoxi seemed interested in the topic, her eyes gleaming as she turned to look at him. “My parents were Koreans. Our family wasn’t exactly very well-to-do, but we weren’t poor either because of my dad’s business ventures…”
“Yunnie, how do you like this place?” Mrs Jung hugged her trembling son in attempt to calm his nervous feelings. “We’ll be staying here from now on because of appa’s (father’s) work. This place is called China!”
Yunho took a timid step out of his mother’s protective embrace, his father following behind him. He immediately ran back to his mother when he heard a woman suddenly shouting in mandrin, a language foreign to him. He didn’t like the place at all, not one bit.
“It’s okay, Yunho. Your parents are in a better place now.” the lady from the orphanage spoke calmly and patiently to Yunho who has been crying in the hospital for hours. His parents passed away in a car accident just a week after they’ve settled into China. Yunho came under the custody of a local orphanage, but he escapes to the hospital daily, where his memories with his parents ended. Although the lady who was in charge of his case could speak Korean, she had a weird accent which he wasn’t accustomed to. His sobs escalated into wails again as he thought of his bleak future. He was stuck in a foreign country which he didn’t like, and he understood not a single word in mandrin.
Yunho sipped the cup of coffee he brought from the vending machine, a mix of emotions on his face as he reminisced about the times he had with his parents. The images were blurry and short. Beside him, xiaoxi tried to digest the newly gained knowledge about Yunho. From how he became an orphan to fitting into the Chinese culture, and to meeting Li Yin again, he seemed to have gone through a lot. “It must be difficult trying to protect yourself in a foreign country…” xiaoxi couldn’t find the right words to say. “I’m sorry you had to go through all those…” Yunho shook his head at her and smiled. Those were the past. There’s no use dwelling in it any longer, for he has moved on. Protecting Li Yin has been his future all along. But now, he knew that someone else would be protecting her and instead, another girl by the name of Yan xiaoxi would be who he needs to guard in the future.
Junsu grinned as he watch how Li Yin’s face would pale whenever he increases the speed of the car slightly. “Is it so amusing to see me afraid?” Li Yin squeezed her words through gritted teeth, her hands clutching the seatbelt tightly. Junsu chuckled and kept the speed to a constant slow pace for the sake of the timid passenger he’s chauffeuring around. “Is this better, Miss Li Yin?” his eyes gleamed with mischief, and a tinge of… something Li Yin doesn’t normally see in his eyes. Unable to interpret the unknown in Junsu’s eyes, she turned her head to look out of the window. ‘Is it possibly…’
Jamming his leg on the brakes, Junsu pulled the car to an abrupt stop before an alley. “We’ve to make it in by foot since my car doesn’t fit in the narrow alley.” Junsu explained as he grabbed his bag. Li Yin finally realised that she has no inkling of where Junsu has drove them to. Wary of the surroundings, Li Yin took tiny steps forward to Junsu. Sensing that she has her guards up about this place, Junsu placed his hand reassuringly on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze before offering his hand to lead her into the alley. Li Yin tightened her grip on Junsu’s hand as they walked deeper into the alley. It was nearly nighttime, and not a hint of light rays shone into the alley. Li Yin began to wonder if Junsu might possibly be selling her away…
Junsu and Li Yin stopped near the end of the alley. There stood a badly damaged door with peeling paint. Without hesitation, Junsu pushed open the door and walked down the stairs which appeared before them. Li Yin plastered her palm to the wall immediately when she took a step down the stairs. The stilettos she was wearing definitely wasn’t made for the steep steps. Beads of perspiration formed on her forehead as she struggled to keep up with Junsu’s pace. Her heart started to beat faster in fear and in excitement. The stairs never seem to end and there was barely any light to guide her along. Yet she wanted to find out what is at the end of this flight of stairs. Deep in her thoughts, she did not notice that they have already reached the end of the long journey down. The light bulb overhead provided just enough light for Li Yin to read the words on the door they have approached. “No entry to unauthorized personnel, and that is defined by whether Shaki barks at you.” Li Yin stared bewilderedly at Junsu. Just then, she heard the snarling of a dog…
“Good boy!” Junsu bent over and patted the dog on its head. “How has my Shaki been?” the dog barked excitedly in response before turning to give Li Yin a piercing glare. Li Yin backed in fear. She has a phobia for dogs, especially dogs which were big-sized like this Shaki dog. “Shaki, she’s my friend. Be friendly, okay?” as soon as Junsu gave his command, the dog softened its glare and leapt towards Li Yin. Threw off guard, Li Yin quickly extended her hands to catch the pet before it fell onto the concrete ground. Her heart thumped wildly as Shaki licked her face. “Junsu, ask your dog to get away from me!” Li Yin practically shouted as she held back on her impulsion to let go of Shaki. At that juncture, the door opened, revealing four stylishly dressed girls around Junsu and Li Yin’s age. “What was all that ruckus about?”
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