9 [iv] Someone Else

It was bright in the morning and I was stubborn enough to fall for Mei Zhen's plead of company during the night. Well, it wasn't exactly a plead. I would have been more than willing to keep her company but...nevermind. So I wake up before her and her nose inches away from my face. I sat up, fixed my pillow. I started to mindlessly fluff it as I gazed at Mei Zhen. Her hair was somehow not in a mess, which is kind of magical for me. She was snoring very softly, like tiny waves crashing on the shore. She looked very peaceful sleeping. I probably slept like a beast beside her. I set the pillow down, my mind finally at its right place. Mei Zhen started to move slightly so I froze, hoping I didn't wake her up. My heart beats rapidly. She only breathes in and sighs quietly, going back to sleep as I heave a sigh of relief.

I slowly moved out of the bed and walked towards the balcony curtains. I pushed them away just slightly so not all the light would enter. I could see the beach from here and it was just the perfect temperature to have a splash in the water. Maybe I could invite Mei Zhen but my mind began to hesitate. There were so many opportunities on this one island but I just don't know where to start.

Let's start with breakfast.

I head over to take a bath and change into a clean set of clothes. My hair, which was short but still quite long that it could cover my neck, dried up quickly so I managed to fix it up in a bun. By the time I got out of the bathing room, I found Mei Zhen awake and sitting up on the side of the bed, her head down low like she was reading. I slowly approach her, only to have the floorboard creak, making her turn her head towards me. She was surprised to see me cleaned up and ready to go out.

"Are you heading somewhere?" she asked.

"Would you like to join me for breakfast?" I asked, smiling.

She tucked in a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she thought to herself. Finally, she nods her head and stands up, "Sure! Let me get ready." She heads over to the bathing room, brushing past me while humming a tune. She seemed excited to eat so I couldn't help but laugh.

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"Li Jun! Good morning to you and your lovely wife, Mei Zhen!" Xiao-Fen greeted too enthusiastically. He was wearing a bright yellow robe and still reeked of alcohol, probably from last night.

I frowned. "Xiao-Fen, is this how you treat your guests? Your new perfume of alcohol?"

I felt Mei Zhen gently holding onto my arm, somehow sensing my speck of anger. She chuckles, "That's alright, Li Jun. Xiao-Fen is still very courteous and polite to his guests."

Xiao-Fen really appreciated her compliment and raised his chest, "See? Your beautiful wife recognizes my specialties."

He looks over at Mei Zhen and winks. I felt her fingers tap at the sudden gesture. I sighed, "Could you take us to our table, please?"

He paces to the left and presents a table by the sandy shore, "Enjoy your meal!"

I lead Mei Zhen towards our table, shooting a glare at Xiao-Fen who was almost tripping everywhere as he made his way to the bar, obviously still drunk. I can't believe he owned an inn on a magnificent tropical island. He's no stranger to the strong alcoholic drinks that could keep him up all night. He's a flirt, going around with almost any woman he stumbles upon. It disgusts me, the fact that we were related.

I didn't notice that I was still frowning when we sat down. Mei Zhen tilted her head to the right as she looked at me, puzzled, "What's the matter, Li Jun?"

"Huh?"

"You're scowling at your plate."

I softened and tried to smile back. "My apologies. Let's start eating?"

Mei Zhen smiled and nodded.

Our table was filled with all sorts of pastries and dishes. I carefully placed some on my plate and glanced back at Mei Zhen, only to have myself noticing her necklace. I never knew she had one. It was silver with a crescent moon in the middle. Simple yet held great elegance.

I placed down my utensils and patted my chest then pointed at Mei Zhen, "Where did you get that necklace?"

"Oh," Mei Zhen said. She lifted the necklace and sighed, "It was a gift. From a boy when I was little."

Curiosity got the best of me so I just had to ask, "Did you know his name?"

She smiles sweetly as she remembers the memory, "He was called Wajun."

The name instantly sends a tingle down my spine. It sounded familiar. It certainly wasn't mine. I don't recall being called Wajun.

And why am I assuming that I was the boy?

"Who's his family?" I asked, slicing a big chunk of meat on my plate.

"He never told me. But he was such a kind and funny person."

Mei Zhen sighs as her eyes stay glued to her plate, her mind wandering back to the memories she had with the Wajun boy.

"I met him in a forest near a lake. He was very playful and we both had to say goodbye eventually. He gave me this necklace and made me promise not to forget him."

"But," she said ever so softly, "if I had the chance to see him again, I hope I can properly thank him for the necklace."

Xx Xx Xx Xx Xx Xx

"I thought you hated me from the bottom of your heart," Xiao-Fen said, taking a loud sip from his glass of wine, "but I guess you're desperate for advice from the love expert."

"I just need to get to know Mei Zhen better," I replied, "not some advice from a 'love expert'."

He rolls his eyes, "Aren't you supposed to be with Mei Zhen? This is your honeymoon. Spend some time together."

"She's taking a stroll on the beach. I'll join her later if she doesn't mind my company."

"You're lame," Xiao-Fen adds, taking another sip from his wine glass.

I shifted on my seat. I actually did come to Xiao-Fen about the necklace story. "I surrender," I began, "I need your help with something."

Xiao-Fen sighs happily and leans back on his chair. We were seated right across the bar and once again, he was challenging his alcoholic products early in the morning. "What is it you need to hear, Li Jun?"

"Mei Zhen has a necklace. She said it was given to him by a boy she met in a forest," I shared.

Xiao-Fen froze, his eyes suddenly looking at mine in a serious manner. "What necklace?"

"It's made of silver and has a crescent moon pendant. It's a very nice neckla--"

"Did she mention that boy's name?" Xiao-Fen cuts me off, leaning closer at me, desperate to hear my reply.

"Wajun," I answered.

He gasps, putting down his glass with a loud thud. He stands up from his chair, pushing it back, startling a few guests nearby.

"Wang Li Jun," he said slowly. "I am that boy."

I held my laughter. "Liar."

He shakes his hands, "No, no! It's true! I remember meeting a little girl in the forest I usually play around. I also remember stealing my mother's necklace just to give it to her!"

I frowned, worried that he wasn't actually lying. "How do I know that you're not lying?"

He sits back down, hands shaking and his smile wide with amazement. "The Zhou family were having a picnic by the forest surrounding that lake near the mountains. One girl wandered off from the group and played around the forest. Li Jun, I met Mei Zhen at that time. No wonder I found her name so beautiful when you introduced me to her."

I scowled, "Xiao-Fen, don't lie to me."

He raises his hands, "I've been a liar a couple of times, Li Jun, but this time I'm not lying! I am Wajun and I did meet Mei Zhen when we were kids."

I was supposed to be amazed, right? I was supposed to laugh at the peculiar coincidence that happened right before us. I was supposed to just laugh it off, probably form a better relationship with my cousin since he was Mei Zhen's playmate before. But I felt disappointed.

Disappointed that it was him. I'm selfish and thinking like this was wrong. But I can't help but feel more hatred towards Xiao-Fen.

...why?

"It's alright, Li Jun," Xiao-Fen said, finishing up the wine. "I'm sure you'll believe me soon."

"How?" I muttered loud enough for him to hear.

He leans forward and says, "Ask her how she reacted when I told her that my name was Wajun. If she says, 'to dredge', then I did meet her. And you'll have to accept the fact that I did meet Mei Zhen when we were little."

He walks away, a trail of his strong red wine breath still stuck in my nose.

Xx Xx Xx Xx Xx

"Li Jun?" Mei Zhen calls out from a distance. I walked, barefoot, down the sand as I made my way towards her. She smiles and walks a little faster towards me.

"Where have you been?" she asked.

Her hair was braided and I noticed that her hand was cupped like she was hiding something inside. I reply, "I was with Xiao-Fen. I wanted to tell him something."

She nods. She quickly switches over to what she was holding. She lifts it up for me to see. Opening her hands, she reveals a bunch of seashells. Purple, blue, yellow, and white ones. Different shapes and different sizes. Most of them were pink. "I used to collect seashells with my Mother when I was little. I always asked for the pink shells since it was my favorite."

I smiled as Mei Zhen giggled at the sight of all the colorful shells on the palm of her hand. She was like a little child. It was hard not to smile. With her free left hand, she grabs my arm and lifts it up. "Li Jun, pick one."

"Hm?"

"Pick one shell."

I reached over and grabbed the smallest one I saw. It was a pink fan-shaped seashell.

Her eyes glowed and she smiles wide mouth open with awe. She gently takes the shell I chose and throws the rest on the ground which startled me. "Why did you throw those away?"

"Because I'll keep this one," she said quietly as she fidgets with the pink seashell she took from my fingers.

And just like that, Mei Zhen giggles again as she brushes off the sand on the shell.

It was a bubbly laugh that I certainly will not forget.

Xx Xx Xx Xx Xx