(II) A Traumatic Talent

After breakfast with Li Jun, I went down the hallway into the bedroom to begin packing my things. I didn't need to pack much since I only moved into the house yesterday and now I was going out. I gathered all my belongings by the door and walked over to the porch. I opened the door wide, allowing the morning breeze to enter the room. I look down to find the mat Li Jun said he would sleep on last night. It was beige and almost looked like a sheet of sand on the floor. I picked it up, only to find it soaking wet from the rain last night. Just then, I hear the door creak open. I turn to find Chao-Xing entering with a broom in her hand.

"Do you need help with your packing, Ms. Mei Zhen?" she asks.

I shake my head, "No thank you. I just finished. But could you please hang this mat?"

She hurriedly rushes over towards me, putting the broom by the door along with my things. I hand her the soggy mat and she examines it. She nods, "Ah, this is Li Jun's favorite mat. He's had this since he was a little boy."

"Oh? Really?" I said, surprised.

Chao-Xing nods again, "Yes. He is an artist. He sits here and paints from time to time."

I gasped, "Li Jun is a painter?"

"Oh, yes. A very talented painter. It's been years since he touched a paintbrush after what happened to him. Mei Zhen, I know there's still potential in him."

"What happened to him, Chao-Xing?" I asked, my curiosity was starting to bite me.

"I'm very sorry, Mei Zhen," Chao-Zing replied sadly, "I couldn't tell you. It's a secret among Master Ju-Long's family. I know you're now part of it but I once uttered this secret to the other maids and I nearly lost my job. I fear to tell for this may lead me to my departure from the Wang household."

I decided not to risk it. I didn't want to force Chao-Xing to expose the secret.

"Will it be alright if I asked Li Jun to paint me a picture?" I asked.

Chao-Xing began to fold the soggy mat and sighed, "I advise you not to. This will only bring trauma."

"But you believed that he still had potential."

"Oh, yes, I do," she replied. "But if only he forgot about what happened, the painting would only remind him of peace, not troubling memories."

Chao-Xing walked back out of the bedroom and bowed before leaving. Whatever happened to Li Jun is certainly painful. I do not know what but I yearn to know. I sit down in front of the mirror, a small table for my make-up and combs and perfumes. I began to take off my hair tie, my braided hair starting to loosen. Just then, I heard the door open and in comes Li Jun.

He was wearing his outdoor clothes and his hair was tied. His blue eyes were always the first thing I see. He smiles, dimples showing off. "Are you finished packing?"

I nod, "I didn't need to pack so much since I only moved in yesterday."

Li Jun chuckled as he sits down on the bed, "Ah, right. Did you bid farewell to Chao-Xing?"

I smiled as I faced the mirror, "Not yet. I'll surely miss her. She always knew how to strike a conversation."

I married Li Jun just yesterday and things were not as awkward as the first time during the wedding reception. I wanted to ask him about painting so badly but I remembered Chao-Xing's words. Some trauma built up on Li Jun's favorite hobby.

"Oh," Li Jun said. "The place we're staying is owned by my cousin Xiao-Fen. He can be a bit...misbehaving at times. So if he does disturb you, let me know."

I nod, smiling, "Oh, okay. Thank you, Li Jun."

"I just want you to enjoy," he adds. "And for you to get to know me. And for me to--"

"And me to get to know you, Li Jun," I completed with a wide smile.

He blushes furiously, ears red and cheeks tinted pink. I found it adorable and I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. He cleared his throat and diverted his gaze at me, looking out towards the porch. "I'll go downstairs and check if the carriage is ready. We'll take a short ride to the port and set sail to the island."

"It's on an island?" I asked.

"An islet, sorry. A private beach," Li Jun replies. "I'm sorry if the welcoming party there hosted by Xiao-Fen would be a little...romantic. After all, everyone is expecting it to be a honeymoon."

I raised my eyebrow, puzzled, "Is it not a honeymoon?"

He scratches his neck, "Well, yes, but we barely know each other. Maybe a few weeks of getting to know you would hopefully--"

He sighed, "I'm sorry. I don't know how to describe all this. I'm not a big fan of arranged marriages."

I walked over and grabbed my bags, "So do I. Imagine having to marry a complete stranger. No offense, Li Jun."

He shakes his head, "None taken. I was scared I would end up with someone horrible or someone who just doesn't fit me. But to be honest, Mei Zhen,"

"Yes?"

He walks over towards me and carries my bag, "I'm glad I ended up with you."

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