Monday, March 15, 2010 @ 5:00 PM
Chapter 15: HappinessSuggested song/music: Sakasama no chou (Inversed Butterfly) - SNoW
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S72idsu7p7U)
“Why are you helping us?” Xuan Na didn’t bother beating about the bush. “You know fully well what will happen if you do.”
“There’s no reason in helping someone achieve something which I think is right. Everyone has a chance to pursue their own happiness.” Jun Xiu explained simply. ‘Especially since it’s you. If I can’t be the one bringing you happiness, at least I want you to be able to create happiness with someone you love.’ his heart said silently, his face smiling so sincerely at her. Xuan Na eyed him closely, wondering if she had wronged him all his while and he wasn’t that rich brat she thought he was. “Maybe, just maybe, you’re not what I thought you were…” Xuan Na murmured as she walked towards the door. “Thank you.” she said briefly before stepping out.
“Don’t you regret coming here with us? I’m sure Young Mistress Yu Bin’s family would not throw you out of the family. Why did you choose to leave?” overwhelmed by curiosity, Zai Zhong finally asked as he seasoned the meat he was pan-frying. Wen Xuan merely shrugged as she stirred the soup. It is not that she doesn’t want to tell him about her growing feelings for him, but she didn’t want to force him to accept her. Little did she know that Zai Zhong has been stealing glances at her at every chance he can, secretly admiring her beautiful profile as she cooked.
Wen Xuan suddenly yelped and dropped the ladle she was holding as the boiling water splashed onto her flawless hand. Tears stung her eyes as she held on tightly onto the wound. Zai Zhong swiftly held her hand under the running tap water. “Is it very painful? Why are you so careless!” Zai Zhong rummaged through the drawers for the first aid kit as Wen Xuan remained by the sink, letting the cold water calm her scalded hand. Returning with the medicine for burns, Zai Zhong gently patted her hand dry with a cloth and applied the medicine on her wound. “Tell me if it hurts when I apply the medicine. Luckily the scald doesn’t seem too bad… I don’t think it will leave a scar.” Zai Zhong mumbled to himself as he ran his eyes across her hand, looking for any spot he might’ve missed out when applying the medicine. Suddenly, Wen Xuan leaned forward and pecked him on the cheek shyly. “Thank you.”
Whenever you say a word of thanks to someone, it means that the person has helped you in some way and you have acknowledged the help. It also means that you’ve gotten slightly closer to the person, knowing a little more of the person. You also understand that the person cares for you, which is why help was offered to you. Sometimes, a simple word of thanks is all it takes to bring people closer together…Surrounding the dining table, the five had their dinner under a friendly ambience. Jokes were shared and laughter echoed around the house. Perhaps this is the first time in his life that Jun Xiu felt blessed. To be able to dine with the people whom he cares greatly for is all that he would request. Yet a corner of his heart ached silently, wondering how his parents are coping without him. Despite all that has happened, he is still their flesh and blood. Are they crying right now? Are they grieving right now?
“Let’s take it that Jun Xiu drowned with Yu Bin. We lost our kids when they went swimming together.” Jun Xiu’s father suggested selfishly. He did not want to admit that his son walked out on him, nor does he want to admit that his son killed Yu Bin. Yu Bin’s parents remained quiet. Although they hate Jun Xiu for taking away their precious daughter, they can understand how wretched Jun Xiu’s parents must be feeling right now. Sobbing continuously, Jun Xiu’s mother looked out from the window of Jun Xiu’s room - the window that overlooked the sea which Yu Bin drowned in.
Yu Bin, take this as my last wish. Please help me to look over my son from now on, for I am no longer worthy of being his mother…**********
[Six years later]Retrieving the freshly baked buns from the oven, Zai Zhong shouted for his wife to bring the tray out of the kitchen. “Be careful not to scald yourself!” he reminded. Wen Xuan stuck her tongue out at him for being so longwinded. “You say this everyday, aren’t you tired? I’m not a kid!”
“Who is the one who gets scalded about once a month on average? Why did I start a bakery in the first place, I have to worry about you every minute.” Zai Zhong pretended to regret his decision. Wen Xuan kicked him in annoyance before walking out of the kitchen with the tray of buns. “How can you kick your husband! When did she get so violent…” Zai Zhong rubbed his shin and grumbled. Shaking his head, You Tian chuckled at the bickering couple. “You did not start the bakery alone, all four of us decided upon it.”
The bell attached to the glass door jingled as a kid made his way to the counter. “I want that.” he pointed to a random slice of cake. Wen Xuan niftily wrapped it in a box before handing it to him. “Enjoy the cake!” she smiled warmly at him as she accepted the dollar bill he passed over. Walking out of the kitchen for a breather, You Tian spotted the retreating figure of the kid. “It’s that kid who comes every morning? Looks like he really like our baked products.” Zai Zhong who followed behind him nodded in agreement. Somehow looking at the kid who comes alone everyday reminds him of Jun Xiu. Where has he gone to after bidding them farewell six years ago? Is he doing well right now? Is he still battling sickness?
“You Hui, stop running! You’re going to fall over some random stone again!” Xuan Na shouted as she chased after her four year old daughter. She might be really petite, but she’s an amazingly fast runner. “You Hui, daddy will be heartbroken if you show up at the bakery with a scraped knee or bruised palm!” the bubbly girl finally stopped running and turned to look at her mother cheekily. Xuan Na bent over to dab at the sweaty forehead of You Hui - the precious gem she had given birth to with You Tian. “Mummy, why are you crying?” You Hui pointed to the droplets escaping from Xuan Na’s eyes unknowingly to her. Xuan Na’s hand sprung to her cheek and sure enough, there were tears…
Coughing uncontrollably, Jun Xiu grasped onto the thin material of his shirt, gaping for air. His breathing labored, Jun Xiu had flashbacks of his happy childhood memories with Yu Bin. Scenes of them doodling together, reading stories together, building sandcastles together…
And so, after so much pain and wrath, the Doll Prince finally ended this tiring journey and proceeded to another chapter of his life - death.
None of his loved one is with him, and yet he felt loved.
None of his loved one knows about the sad news looming ahead, and yet he felt like they could feel it somehow.
His lips curved upwards into a tiny crescent as he recalled the blissful smiles of You Tian, Xuan Na, Zai Zhong and Wen Xuan…
Gradually, Jun Xiu felt the pace of his breathing hasten. ‘The Doll Prince will no longer be weak after this…’
Indeed, he overcame his fear of dying alone. Actually, he was never alone to begin with. All he had to do, was to keep everyone in his heart.
- THE END -
A/N
OMG can you believe this is the end of Doll Prince already?!
I enjoyed the time spent writing this fic (although this fic is probably the shortest i've written...) and i hope all readers take pleasure in this short story as well. the ending of Doll Prince was not meant to be excessively moody or sad, therefore Jun Xiu's recollections before he passed away were of happy memories. I guess it was really obvious from that start how the ending is going to turn out to be like? i omitted my usual surprises in the last chapter and hence the ending of Doll Prince is easily predictable.
ANTICIPATE my upcoming fic, Bad Woman!
as usual, there will be an accompanying layout change and i've also decided to publish Bad Woman (the tirle of the upcoming fic if you arent aware of it) on Winglin as well.
I'm estimating the release date of Bad Woman to be around 25th March, however, it's only an estimated date!
do remember to drop your comment on the last chapter of Doll Prince! :D
xiaoxi,loves.
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