Ai's gaze seemed far away as she started. "It was Guiying who brought me into writing. It was in high school. She always wanted to become one and then one day, she eagerly said that I should try it too. At first, I wrote only because she urged me to. But then I realized it wasn't so bad. I randomly wrote the scenes that came to my mind and the more I did, the more I began to love it. The craft, the process - I liked it," a gentle smile curled her lips reminiscing the past. "That was the period when we bonded the closest. During breaks and after school we would meet and share ideas and write together. It was so much fun."
Jun felt the sense of melancholy and loss from her voice, and he gently squeezed her hand.
"Two years later, we participated in an inter-high writing competition. We were nervous because it was our first time. We worked really hard for it, spent sleepless nights, and our efforts paid off. Guiying won the Best Fiction award, and I won the Best Newcomer award."
Jun scowled. "I don't accept it. Why didn't you win the Best Fiction award? I have read your story. It deserved to be won!"
Ai blinked at him, surprised. She remembered him saying this before. "I am happy to win at least an award. Tragedy wasn't one of the themes of the competition. But I wrote in that theme anyway because I loved the story that was in my mind. Guiying scolded me a lot when we were preparing for it. She said the judging team would never consider my entry because it doesn't adhere to the theme."
Jun snorted and mumbled. "I would have given you the award anyway."
She chuckled and felt warm by his words. She shook her head and continued. "Our happiness knew no bounds when we won. It was our first competition after all. We celebrated a lot," her gaze softened. But it quickly dimmed as well as she said, "Then a week later, Yating came to our school."p????-?(0??)?.???
The mention of Yating soured Jun's expression by a hundred fold. Blood rushed to his head in anger.
That bastard...
"He wasn't officially working in Dream High back then. He came with the then Chief editor Mrs. Yu and was like her assistant in training. That was the first time we met."
Jun had an urge to erase the first meeting and everything related to Yating from Ai's life. Then his heart wouldn't burn with so much anguish.
Ai noticed his trembling body and clouded gaze. She leaned and kissed on his lips. "It's only you in my heart now, Jun. I have no place for Yating in my life anymore."
The burning sensation in his heart cooled down, and he felt pleased. He kissed her back and smiled. "En."
Ai coughed.
He looks so cute when his anger deflates.
She cleared her throat and continued. "Mrs. Yu and Yating had come to invite me to work in Dream High and become a professional writer. Naturally, I was thrilled. I didn't expect the offer. Yating said I could work part-time since I was still studying and then convert full time after my education. I ran to Guiying to share this exciting news, and I was so happy to learn that she had received an offer too," her brown irises shone with delight, "We were going to work together as writers. Even after school and college will be over, we will be together. That was such an exciting prospect for us."
Jun smiled.
"Though when I shared this to Mom, she was skeptical and against it. Like I told you, she didn't think the career would sustain me. So, she was against it. But with Guiying's encouragement, I convinced her as much as I could. Dad helped me too and finally, she agreed. But she had a condition that I had to complete my Majors in Education and English, which I was going to do anyway. So, it wasn't a problem."
Ai softly exhaled. "When I entered Dream High, we were made to choose our editors, and that's when I met Xing Bi for the first time. She was so tall and cool and beautiful. I immediately liked her and chose her to be my editor."
"Hm," Jun said, "I can see she really loves you a lot."
Ai's small face beamed with radiance. "Yes. She treats me like her little sister. After Mom and Dad, I always thought of her to be my closest family. She took care of me the most in my past life. She did everything she could to help me become a great writer."
He gently nodded.
Ai took a pause and said, "The next few years passed by peacefully. I worked part-time and published two more books with Dream High. It was the time when..." she coughed, "Yating and I got closer too."
His gaze darkened.
She hugged him and softly whispered, "Don't get mad."
"I am trying," he spoke through a clenched jaw.
Ai smiled.
He took a few deep breaths. "Continue. I won't get angry."
At least, I think I won't...
She knew he was lying, but she went on anyway, "Yating soon became the new Chief Editor after Mrs. Yu retired. We worked together and got closer and then on last year's Christmas Eve, he confessed to me. I accepted, and we started dating."
Jun's lips were smiling but internally, his heart was raging. "I see."
"I still remember...Guiying was really happy when she came to know about it. She cheered us with all her heart."
Jun blinked. "So people at Dream High knew your relationship?"
"Yes. But it wasn't known outside of Dream High mostly because nobody knew that I was MissImperfectlyFine, and it was kept that way."
"But then what about the book signing event!? How could Gu Yating agree to make you apologize in front of CherryBlossom's fans!"
"He wasn't there at that time when the incident happened. Zhan Yahui wanted me to apologize, and he was still on his way to the event. But the fans were angry, and we couldn't wait. Guiying tried too but she couldn't stop her either. So, I went ahead and apologized, albeit hiding my face."
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