11 The Girl from the Pas

As Si Weimin looked at the screen in front of him, a sudden feeling of nostalgia took over him.

'There was never a day that I have forgotten you.' He affectionately gazed at the woman performing on stage; admiration clearly written on his face.

'It's been a long time. I wonder if you still remember me.'

Si Weimin reminisced the past as if it only happened yesterday; everything about her from the beauty of her face and the warmth of her gaze still imprinted on him.

Since he came back from England, he made sure to know more about her; took every chance to share her success as she strived hard to reach her dream. He had been constantly looking after her – loving her from afar.

Si Weimin saw how much she had been through which only intensified his admiration and love towards her. She was such a special girl he couldn't even stop thinking about.

He had always been there for her, supporting from behind.

He still remembered it all; the day she held her first Art Exhibit at the age of 18; the day she was selected as Cui Ruzhou's Painter of the Year; the first time she represented Cui Ruzhou for International Amateur Sing and Dance Contest where she brought home gold medals; the day she graduated with flying honour and was awarded the Best Student for the Media and Arts; the time she received her first award as the Most Promising Pop Artist in China; and the very moment she was hailed as Asia's Multi-Talented Queen; the list could go on and on yet every little thing was imprinted well in his mind.

Si Weimin took his phone and called Wang Guo,

"Cancel my meeting with Chairman Kang and book the earliest available flight to Japan. Do it as soon as possible."

"But CEO, how about Ms. Zhou?-"

"Do I have to repeat what I just said?"

" N-no. No need, CEO."

After Si Weimin ended the call, he stared at the girl in front of him; his eyes full of longing. He didn't even know how it started, as cliché as it may sound, but, he had never felt this way to anyone. He had met beauties wherever he went yet no one had managed to get his attention – only this beautiful girl from the past.

Si Weimin was overwhelmed with excitement in knowing that they would meet again.

Wang Guo immediately did what he was told; within minutes, he successfully booked Si Weimin's flight to Japan.

At 2:00 in the afternoon, Si Weimin was already on his way. As Tokyo, Japan was 3 and a half – hour flight and was an hour ahead from China, it was already 6:30 in the evening when he arrived.

Upon Si Weimin's arrival, the car assigned to him by Wang Guo was already waiting outside. Without any baggage with him, he swiftly rode inside the car and instructed the driver to go directly to Tokyo Dome in Bunkyo, Tokyo.

The place was crowded with Japanese and some Filipino fans that were thrilled of having the opportunity to meet and greet their queen. They were holding banners; some were even holding bouquets of flowers and other gifts for Xu Jia Li.

Si Weimin scanned the place and there in the middle of the stage was the culprit in inducing the irregular beatings of his heart. Standing there at the back, he intently watched Xu Jia Li as she spent time with her fans. He was in the state of euphoria as his heart produced a fast thumping sound.

After the signing of posters and pictures, Si Weimin saw Xu Jia Li stood up and bowed before her fans. As she was about to thank them, the voice of the host suddenly interrupted her and asked the fans in *Nihongo,

" Dearest fans, I know, we are all thrilled and jovial this night for having our Asia's Multi-Talented Queen to grace us with her presence, but there is someone here who would like to surprise our Queen..."

Xi Weimin frowned as he stiffened upon hearing the host; he could understand different languages. He was aware that Xu Jia Li understood what the host were saying because she knew how to speak Japanese, too.

The crowd became silent as they anticipated who that person could be.

Suddenly, a tall and handsome guy wearing a burgundy suit walked up on stage with a huge bouquet of white roses and plum blossoms on hand. Looking so handsome, he had a huge smile plastered on his face as he approached Xu Jia Li and pecked a kiss on her cheek.

Xu Jia Li smiled as she received the bouquet from him.

The crowd erupted in applause; some even swooned and screamed as they witnessed the scene.

"*Yaataaaa! I-is that the famous actor, Li Yun?"

"Yes, that's him! I can't believe the rumour is true! They are really dating!"

"*Uwa ̴, I can't breathe! It's really Li Yun!"

"Li Yun! *Watashi no ai, Li Yun!"

"*Sugoine! My Li Yun! Oh, my heart, they look perfect together!"

As the ecstatic fans continued to shout Li Yun's name, some of them began to ship the two together by shouting their combined names.

"JiaYun! JiaYun! JiaYun! JiaYun!"

The crowd continued to tease the two together especially when they heard the host asked Li Yun,

"Okay! Mr. Li, I know the fans would love to hear why you are here tonight."

"I came here to watch Ms. Jia Li's concert and I decided to stay to give her my congratulations."

"So Mr. Li came all the way here from China to watch our queen? *Sugoine! Mr. Li is really sweet."

"I really like to be present in her concert. Plus, it will be such a shame not to watch Ms. Jia Li's performance. I'm a big fan." Li Yun answered and smiled at the swooning fans. He then turned his head and glanced at Xu Jia Li. His eyes shined brightly.

The fans were once again elated when they heard what Li Yun said. They looked expectantly at Xu Jia Li, waiting for her response. The host saw that and asked Xu Jia LI excitedly,

"Ms. Jia Li, before you give your message to your fans, may we know what you feel about Mr. Li's sudden appearance?"

Xu Jia Li nodded to the host and smiled sweetly as she turned her head to her fans; with her beautiful voice, she replied,

"I am really surprised to see Mr. Li here. It's my honour to have such a great artist to watch my concert and . . ."

An enraged Si Weimin with his handsome face dark and cold, saw the scene unfolded before him. With hands turned into a fist, the knuckles almost white, he glared at Li Yun and began to leave. He was fuming with anger as he strode pass the door. He could still hear the screaming fans as they shouted Li Yun and Xu Jia Li's names.

A/N:

*1. It is the language used in Japan. (Nipongo/Nihongo)

*2. It is a Japanese expression used when someone is excited.

*3. It is also a Japanese expression meaning, 'wow'.