Saturday, October 10, 2009 @ 5:00 PM
Chapter 1: The Unfortunate BeginningSuggested song/music: Why did I Fall in Love with You?
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpwzBdKiWpU)
“Young master, you’ve been coughing nonstop. Are you sure you don’t want to see the physician?” Jun Xiu shook his head and smiled at his personal attendant. What he bore was an incurable and extremely weird disease which might seem absurd. He seems perfectly fine and fit like any other, but the disease is slowly eating him on the insides. A disease caused by one’s loneliness and sadness. The incurable disease that no one except for himself and his attendant knows.
“Xuan Na! Xuan Na, come over quickly!” a aged man carrying a basket of puppets called out for his daughter which was the youngest and most talented puppeteer in the Village Puppet Troupe, for short just VPT. The girl named Xuan Na rushed out with her stepbrother, You Tian, behind her. The fourteen year old quickly helped her father to set up the necessary props for their practice as the other puppeteers filed into their home which also served as a school for puppeteers.
Halfway through practice, Xuan Na plopped down on the ground and started to fan herself with a book. “It’s so warm today… Pa, can’t we practice in the house? The sun is glaring at us!” other puppeteers started to follow in Xuan Na’s protest for shade.
“Xuan Na, take this as a training, an obstacle you have to overcome. The best puppeteer gives the best performance regardless of where he is. Bear this in mind, my dear.” her father had a warm and amiable look on him. Xuan Na nodded, understanding her father’s words. Turning her view towards the main road, she saw a posh car driving past them. ‘Must be one of the rich kids living up the street. I wonder why they can’t get on their royal feet to cycle to school. The car’s too much for everyday traveling, isn’t it?’
**********
“Young master! You’re going to be late for school!” the attendant shouted for Jun Xiu to come down quickly. “You’re already twenty one, and yet you’re still like a fifteen year old.” Jun Xiu chuckled at his comment and sat down to tie his shoelaces. That’s just how Zai Zhong is, sarcastic and yet cares for him deep down inside. “Don’t just stand around, I’m going to be late!” Jun Xiu waved a hand before his attendant and made his way towards the car.
As Zai Zhong drove him along the road, Jun Xiu looked out of the window expectantly. A satisfied smile hung upon his lips when his sight landed on the girl who was practicing with her puppet. He knew little about her. All he knew was that she is the youngest puppeteer in the troupe, and that she is a year younger than him. His sight never left her as the car drove past. It was a daily routine thing. Everyday, he would pass the VPT. And everyday, he would crane his neck for her. Everyday without fail for six years.
“Xuan Na, come help me with these new puppets!” You Tian grunted as he dragged the heavy basket towards the open area where they normally honed their skills. Abandoning her puppet, the girl ran over to her stepbrother. “We’re going to have to bless these puppets. It’s for the upcoming village performance.” You Tian explained with a smile. Xuan Na nodded her head intently as she reached for the puppet lying on the very top of the basket. There are three things she treasure most in her life. Her family, puppets, and her stepbrother You Tian…
Burning the ‘hell notes’, also known as paper money, Xuan Na choked and coughed as she inhaled the smoke. A strong grip took over the pile of paper money which was in her hands waiting to be burned. Without turning around, she knew it had to be You Tian. Thrusting the pile to him happily, Xuan Na stood on tiptoes and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. Before he could react, before anyone else noticed, Xuan Na rushed off into the house.
Fanning her blushing self, Xuan Na giggled. She has always been very close to her stepbrother, adoring him. It was like a dream when she planted her first kiss on his cheek. Yes, what she did was wrong. She fell in love with her stepbrother. Ever since he was adopted into the family, she fell for him. The brown and warm eyes which seemed so deep, just like the river. The tender smile which seemed so brilliant, just like the sun. What she felt for her stepbrother might be wrong in the eyes of others, but what mattered most to her was that they weren’t blood related. That is the only important thing.
Jun Xiu smiled bitterly at his impotency to reveal his true self to everyone. Stepping into the school grounds, he changed his warm and friendly smile for a cold and distant look. He needed nobody close to him. Ever since his family left him under the care of Zai Zhong, he grew to accept this fact. If his own family couldn’t accept his rare illness, nobody else possibly could. Nobody with the exception of Zai Zhong, his personal attendant who has been with him ever since he had his first memories of the world. Zai Zhong wasn’t just a personal attendant. He was his one and only close friend, his soul mate.
Walking towards his usual seat, Jun Xiu sighed. He was the only one in the class without a partner to sit with. Sometimes, he really felt lonely. Those occurrences were rare and far in between though. Today was one good example of such an instance. Opening up his notebook, he wanted more than anything to stay in the comfort of his home than to attend school. Despite having abandoned him, his parents still made an effort to send him to the best school, gave him the best of everything, making sure he led an opulent life. ‘What’s the use? What’s the use of all these when what I really want isn’t here with me?’
A/N
Hello dear readers :D
in case you still havent figured out, this story IS NOT taking place in a modern era.
Clues such as physician, village, and driving car = rich were given. have you caught the hint yet? :D
do comment!
xiaoxi,loves.
NEXT UPDATE
Date: 20 OCTOBER 2009
Simple time conversion table:
Singapore Time 17:00
Seoul Time 18:00
Chicago Time 03:00
Paris Time 10:00
Seattle Time 01:00
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