107 Leaving A Bitter Memory Behind

"What is it about?" Xue Mei put a calm expression on her face. She was tired to cry over it. The last semester break was the toughest for her and now her heart feels numb with every action of his.

"I want to tell you some secret that I've been holding. It's regarding Ha Eun. I know, you'll be mad but listen to me first, okay?" He tries to adjusting his position so that he can see her face clearly.

"Mhm? Tell me, then." She still composed.

"She...She had diagnosed with bone marrow cancer stage 4. She only left with a few months to live. The past months I've been taking care of her in the hospital when she needs to get her therapy. That is also a reason why I'm unintentionally abandoning you at that time. I know I'm wrong and I'm sorry." He holds both of her hand and squeezed it.

"About that, I actually had known it since last year. But I make her promise me that she will never tell you." Xue Mei also confessing to him about she knowing it all about Ha Eun's condition.

Ren Zhi stares her eyes like he can't believe what he just heard. "You...You know?"

Xue Mei nods her head. Still calm.

"Ah~ I'm so glad." He leaned his head on her shoulder before he looks at her again.

"And one more thing Xue Mei.." He stops for a moment. Trying to find a good word to tell her.

"I..Erm, no. Her last dream before she finally..go, is to marry me. And that time I said yes to her. But but.." He immediately grips on Xue Mei hand and one his hand holds her cheek.

"It's only for a few months. And I promise I will make you my bride after that. Don't leave me."

Inhale a moment before she exhales it and says "When will you marry her?"

Blinking his eyes, he was overjoyed to see that Xue Mei is really understood his circumstance. He hugs her like she was a treasure that no one can snatch from him.

"You agree?" He asks.

"It's your decision. So, when is the date?" She asks again.

"The day after graduation. We only held a wedding in the hospital. A simple wedding." He said with excitement.

"Okay. You need to prepare well for your wedding, right? I am also quite busy until the festival start. So, I meet you on your wedding day?" She tries to calm herself when seeing how excited he is.

"Yeah. Sure. Do your best." He kisses her cheek before he goes back to the campus and finds Ha Eun.

Once he was gone from her sight, she sighing and pinch her forehead. 'Stupid me! Why can't I just say I wanna break up?'

Not having energy left to cry, she continues to paint her canvas. She really needs to get it done before she starts busy with her transferring university matter.

…

Late at night,

"Hey, is that true that Ren Zhi will get marry to Ha Eun?" Ying Yue call Xue Mei late at night.

"Ying Yue..where did you hear the news?" She rolls her body and looks at the clock hanging on the wall.

"My mother called me and told me what the hell is going on?! Xue Mei! I told you before, why didn't you make a move?" She half yelled at the end of the line.

"Erm...Ying Yue, I'm sorry. I think I will give up. You're right. I was too ignorant back then. I didn't know what will happen in the future. Now, I really want to have a good life. I'm sorry I couldn't defeat her."

Ying Yue silent for a moment before she continues again. "Did you or did you not love him?"

"I do. I love him. I love him so much until I forgot I have a heart which I need to take care too. When I love him too much, my heart keeps broken and shattered. That is why I decide, I will treat and take care of my heart rather than letting it broke and shattered again."

Ying Yue sighing. "I feel terribly sorry for you."

Chuckles, she said "Don't. I am the one who should feel sorry to you. You endure so much pain. Ying Yue, I'm sorry."

"Hahh..what can I do anymore? Let's live our lives to the fullest, huh?"

"Yeah. That's sound great too."

"So I will meet you again on his wedding day. Let's cry together then."

Laughing Xue Mei said "No way. Go and cry yourself."

..

On the festival day.

Xue Mei was ready with her piece of art. This time, she had to beg Risa to be her model.

Risa unwillingly let Xue Mei paint her face and clothes into an art. She had to endure it and pose it behind a huge canvas. She is now a living art.

Everyone who walks passes by her booth will surely take a good closer look at her art. Risa really attracts more people to their booth.

On the other side of the hall, Ren Zhi and Ha Eun also presenting their art. Like Xue Mei, their art was really outstanding too. It really hard for the jury to decide which one is the best among this two art.

The final point will be revealed on the last day of the festival.

After a whole tiring day being a model, Risa finally can change back to her normal clothes and wash up all the paint in her face.

"Xue Mei, can you do it alone while I go and wash up?" Risa ask.

"Yeah. I can do it." She smiles at her and continues to fold her canvas. Ready to go back.

"Okay." Risa leaves her and went to the bathroom.

After Risa leaving, suddenly there is a footstep approaching her.

"Need help?" Xui Li asks. He was so busy lately and had no time to meet her.

Xue Mei stiffens a bit to hear his voice. It's been a while since last they met. Somehow she feels missing with his gentle voice.

"Uh.." She feels like it was hard for her to let out her voice.

"Brother Xui Li!" Clarissa runs to him once she saw him.

"Oh, hi!" He averts his eye to the girl which is smiling happily to see him.

"You've made it to come! Come on, I show you my booth. I still not clean it up yet." She holding his arm and pull him a little.

He looks at Xue Mei which is still on the floor not even turning around to him. 'Maybe she doesn't want to see me.'

"Brother Xui Li?" Clarissa calls him again.

"Uh..okay." He follows Clarissa to her booth and leaves Xue Mei alone.

Once Xui Li was gone, she sits on the floor. Pinching her space between her eyebrow.

"Why didn't you say something, stupid?" She murmurs. Regretting not talking to him.

A few minutes later, Risa comes back from the bathroom and help Xue Mei to finish up.

"Hey, do you notice? That Clarissa girl always hangs around with Xui Li-senpai." Risa start.

"Hmm. I know."

"Don't you feel annoyed? And I wonder why Xui Li-senpai was a bit distance from us? I wonder what makes him like that." She glances a bit at Xue Mei. Knowing it was Xue Mei who makes him like that.

Xue Mei did not reply to anything. She just keeps silent and brings the box to Mr. Takashi's car.

Today she also did not meet with Ren Zhi nor Ha Eun. All of them now is like a stranger. She really feels like she wants to go out of this place as soon as possible. Leaving a bitter memory behind.