Flaked Out

"Elder Master, you have a guest."

Shui Koshing was watering the plants when he was informed by the head steward that he had a guest. Turning his head, a tall silhouette entered his vision that was slowly coming towards him. The person was tall with an imposing aura of a military man that warned off people from coming close to him.

Early morning sunlight was shining across his perfectly chiseled face. It added a layer of mystery and charm to his presence. The man walking over was clad in a military uniform and the epaulet that was sewn with four stars representing his special ran.

Shui Koshing smiled widely, "Captain Zhai Yanjun, what a pleasant surprise!"

"Uncle Shing," the tall man's voice had a cold touch to it. However, he was very respectful and even his eyes looking at Shui Koshing had a gentle touch to them. "Happy new year!"

"Aren't you a little too early?" retorted Shui Koshing as he trudged over to him and patted his shoulder. Obviously, he was being sarcastic with him and the latter didn't even mind it.

Instead, Zhai Yanjun lowered his head and apologized, "I apologize for that, Uncle. I was out of the base and later went directly home."

"There is no need to apologize. You're busy fighting for our country." Shui Koshing took him inside the house and asked, "I'm just glad you found some time to see me. When I first learned 2 years ago that you got promoted to become the Kia District military base's captain, I really thought I'd see you a lot more. But that just my wishful thinking."

Zhai Yanjun acted like a kid before him as he replied, "Actually, even today I was forced to make time." Shui Koshing arched his brows inquisitively, "Grandpa sent some home-brewed peach wine for you along with his wishes for the new year."

Zhai Yanjun's grandfather had been a friend of Shui Koshing's father. And even though his father was now dead, his friends never stopped checking up on him. Either it was Raelle's grandfather or Zhai Yanjun's grandfather, they both showed their care in their own ways.

"Say thanks to Uncle Feiyang and tell him, he really doesn't have to do it every year."

Zhai Yanjun replied plainly, "I can't say that to him. You'd have to do it yourself. It's not like he'd listen though." His steps were neither rushed nor slow, he had an even pace as Shui Koshing directed him towards the dining table.

"Now that you are here, I won't let you leave without having breakfast," was what Shui Koshing insisted on.

Zhai Yanjun didn't refuse to him.

"Good morning, Bà!"

As soon as they entered the dining hall, Zhai Yanjun heard Raelle greeting Shui Koshing. And Shui Koshing's face lit up seeing his daughter-in-law.

"Good morning!" replied Shui Koshing. "Have a seat, Ah-Yan!"

Zhai Yanjun had been staring at Raelle's face from the moment he took a step inside. However, unlike him, Raelle's attention was solely on Shui Koshing. Well, at least until he specifically called Zhai Yanjun to take a seat at the table. But more than his face, her eyes were on the specific insignia on his shoulder.

"Where is Xian?"

"He will be down in ten minutes," replied Raelle.

While Raelle wasn't curious to know who Zhai Yanjun was, he was certainly very curious. "She is...?"

"Oh, she's my daughter-in-law," informed Shui Koshing with pride and joy quite palpable on his face and in his voice. "Raelle..."

"Xiang." Zhai Yanjun ended up cutting him off as he stared at Raelle in a strange way. "So, you're Raelle Xiang."

"I didn't know I was this famous," said Raelle as she crossed her arms against her chest.

Zhai Yanjun's eyes narrowed slightly. "Zhai Yanjun. Does the name not ring a bell?"

Raelle looked at his face, she was certain she hadn't met him before. If she did, she'd remember it. But his name... That was a different thing entirely. "You're the guy who flaked out on our blind date!"

Zhai Yanjun was taken aback by how straightforwardly she just said that out loud. "I failed to keep our appointment but I still sent you a letter to apologize for that." He said in his defense.

"Failed to keep the appointment?" she repeated. "You never planned on showing up. How can I forget you? You're the only guy who broke up with me before the date could even start. And that too by sending me a letter that read, 'I already have someone special in my life.' That's quite memorable."

"Elle, did you go out on a date with him?"

Raelle looked at Shui Koshing and shook her head, "He was the first blind date my Opa organized for me when you moved here. But this man never showed up. And he even used the worst of a worst excuse to reject me."

"That wasn't an excuse," Zhai Yanjun chimed in. "I do have a girlfriend. No, I mean I did at the time." Then he added, "Besides, isn't it all good now? Since I didn't show up, you got to meet the love of your life. Congratulations on your marriage!" He looked at Shui Koshing and went on, "And Uncle Shing, you didn't even invite me to the wedding. Grandpa would have loved to come."

"We didn't hold any ceremony," said Shui Koshing. "But we'll plan a reception whenever both of them are free. I'm definitely gonna invite your grandfather."

Zhai Yanjun offered Raelle a smile as he said, "It's good to finally meet you in person. Back then I thought about going in person to apologize to you but couldn't really find the right time."

Raelle picked up her phone as she told him, "It's a good thing, you didn't show up. My assistant was ready to beat you if you ever showed up before her." Raelle's eyelashes fluttered daintily, adding charm to her black orbs. While she would not feel anything just because he didn't show up, Cloe had a lot of opinions regarding that.

The only reason his name was something she could recall so easily was because of the stupid letter he sent her instead of coming himself. If he had shown up like other blind dates, she'd have definitely added him into the delete memory zone of her brain.