Chapter 459 - It Is Over

"How was the experience?"

Xiang Weimin looked up from the book he was engrossed in and found Zhai Kuijun walking to his side. He came to sit on the rattan chair and continued to wait for Xiang Weimin's reply.

"What experience?" asked Xiang Weimin.

"Experience of meeting your youngest sister," said Zhai Kuijun catching Xiang Weimin off guard.

Xiang Weimin closed the book in his hand and leaned back on the chair as he glanced at Zhai Kuijun. "It was quite an experience," replied Xiang Weimin. "I might not even be able to describe it. Although we have the same blood running through our veins, we are nothing but strangers. I wonder if it really makes a difference that we have the same blood."

"Blood is thicker than water," stated Zhai Kuijun.

"Uncle, you don't have to comfort me like that," said Xiang Weimin. "You and I both know that no matter how thick the blood is, it can never overcome the space left behind by time." He closed his eyes briefly as he went on, "We can't change the fact that there are twenty-five years between us. Time is a cruel thing. No matter how strong a relationship is, it often can't bear the storm of time."

Zhai Kuijun raised his brow at Xiang Weimin and glanced at the book title that he had been reading. With a thoughtful expression, he said, "Are you turning philosophical after reading these days?"

Xiang Weimin smiled slightly, "It's nothing like that. It's just that when I saw how close Yue Fai was with Raelle, it made me realize that I couldn't really fight with time. That's a very difficult thing to do. You can never make up for the lost time."

"So, you're giving up?" inquired Zhai Kuijun.

"That's impossible," retorted Xiang Weimin. "Just because I lost the past with her, doesn't mean I'm willing to lose this present as well." He took a brief pause before adding, "Although I understand that I might never be able to come close to what Fai means to her, I'd still like to be a brother to her."

"Speaking of that," started Zhai Kuijun. "I didn't expect that Yue Fai was acquainted with Raelle. No, it shouldn't be described as mere acquaintances. They seem closer than that."

"I didn't know that either," told Xiang Weimin. "But I believe that he knew me from the beginning."

"Do you mean that's why he saved you?"

Xiang Weimin shook his head, "Not really. He only asked my name when we reached the hospital and there when he heard my name, he had a crack in his expression for a second. I didn't take it seriously back then but looking back, the way he looked at me had changed after that. That's why I'm certain that he figured out my identity since then."

"He is a very interesting guy," commented Zhai Kuijun.

Xiang Weimin smiled at that and nodded in agreement, "He sure is."

Zhai Kuijun stood up and patted Xiang Weimin's shoulder, "I'm going to work now. Take care of yourself. Don't try to act like a superhero. You haven't recovered yet. So rest well. And by resting, I mean to get some sleep. Don't continue to read all the time. Your mind also needs rest."

"Wow! You're even naggier than my own father," commented Xiang Weimin.

Zhai Kuijun straightened up and cleared his throat, "Who is naggy? I'm just giving you advice as an elder." Saying that he left.

*Ring!*

Xiang Weimin heard the ringtone of his phone and stretched his hand to pick the phone from the table. As he looked at the caller id, his eyes narrowed and he answered the phone. "It seems you found your phone. What a miracle!"

"Ge, you can stop being so sarcastic with me," came Xiang Wai's voice. "Anyway, I saw you called."

"I just wanted to ask you how you're doing," replied Xiang Weimin. "But apparently, your phone is such a burden that you can't even carry it on your body." He sighed out helplessly, "I heard from dad that you went over."

"Yup!"

"How long are you staying?"

"I'm already on my way back," she replied.

"It's rare for you to have time," said Xiang Weimin. "Why didn't you spend some more time with him?"

"Just because I have free time doesn't mean Papa does as well," she told him. "He already took a day off yesterday. I couldn't just make him ignore his work for me. Besides, spending a day is enough. It's not like our family has the habit of living together."

"Fine, then come over to see me when you're back," said Xiang Weimin. He couldn't possibly disagree with her words. Their family really didn't have the habit of living together. It's already enough that they get to see each other once in a while. Any more than that and perhaps even they won't be used to it at all.

"That's the plan," said Xiang Wai. Thinking of something, she mentioned, "Oh, Ge, mom's birthday is coming."

"So?" responded Xiang Weimin strangely. Why was she bringing that up out of nowhere? "And you even remember her birthday? You even forget your own!"

He wasn't lying. The way they lived, none of them actually remembered their birthdays. They never had the habit of celebrating birthdays either since most of the time, they'd be out on a mission. 

"I didn't remember hers," said Xiang Wai. "She called me."

"To remind you of her birthday?" Xiang Weimin felt inexplicable when he heard that. "When did she get interested in birthdays?"

"How would I know that?" retorted Xiang Wai. "Anyway, she just called to say that she'd be holding a birthday celebration next week and she wants me to come. Also, she invited you as well."

"Do we have to go?" asked Xiang Weimin as he groaned. "Just tell her I'm sick and can't come."

"If I said that, she might show up to drag you with her," reminded Xiang Wai. "And it's just a dinner. I think we can go."

"Go and let her family get on my nerve?" asked Xiang Weimin. "No, thank you! I'm not interested."

"Well, I can't go there alone," said Xiang Wai. "I don't care. If I have to go, then you have to come with me."

"You're the biggest trouble of my life," stated Xiang Weimin.

"I know," she replied. "Now, tell me should we bring gifts?"

"How about a no?" He took a pause and added, "Besides, I don't even know what kind of a gift I can give her. How about this? Whatever you're buying, just buy another from my side as well."

"That doesn't sound good," said Xiang Wai. "I also don't know what to get her."

"Then let's not get anything."

"That can't do, Ge," replied Xiang Wai. "You're the one who always tells me to be respectful to people. It'd be disrespectful if we didn't bring any gift while others did."

"Get anything, Wai," said Xiang Weimin exasperatedly. "I can't possibly go out shopping in my condition. So, you'd have to do it on your own."

"Ge, you're using me!"

"You're my sister!" he reminded her. "It's the least you can do for me."

"You really know how to play, eh?"

Xiang Weimin looked proud of himself as he smiled smugly. But suddenly his smile was lost and he inquired, "Did she invite dad as well?"

"What? Why would she?"

"You haven't been around for the past year so you might not have heard that our mother dearest has been hanging around dad a lot."

Xiang Wai went quiet when she heard that. "I really didn't hear anything about that. Papa didn't mention anything either. Should I call him to ask if he is invited?"

"No," Xiang Weimin stopped her. "Let's just stay out of it."

"I have no interest in their relationship, to begin with," was Xiang Wai's response. "So, I can definitely stay out of it. But I'm a bit curious. What is she up to? Why is she hanging around Papa now?"

"I'm not sure either," he replied. "I didn't hear anything from Dad but I did hear a little from Uncle Jun."

"What? What did he tell you?"

"Something about reconciliation, perhaps."

Xiang Wai snorted, "What nonsense is that? Isn't it too late for that? And what kind of reconciliation? They are divorced! That's the end of a relationship! Nothing good comes from going back to a relationship you know from the beginning how it's gonna end."

"Talking from experience?" he suddenly asked.

Xiang Wai was stunned for a moment before her eyes darkened and she hummed in agreement. "Yeah! I certainly am talking from experience."

There was silence on both sides for a while. Suddenly, he could hear an announcement from Xiang Wai's side. It seemed she was already at the airport waiting to board the plane.

"Wai..."

"Hm?"

"I usually don't get involved with your personal life but I have a question for you.

"Go ahead," she said.

"Is this really the end for you and Yanjun?"

Xiang Wai had a bitter smile on her lips as she said, "It is over! For good!"