791 The scary conversation (2)
Ma Dong clasped his hands together tighter. "What about that…night?"
Yating pressed his lips which quivered. "I never got to know how you were doing after the incident. I wanted to meet you but I wasn't allowed to."
Ma Dong slowly said, "...Because of Mom and Dad right? I know. They were really pissed off. But I was doing fine. I was recovering. I told them the same thing but they refused to listen to me. And I…never blamed you, Yating."
He froze.
"That was one of the things you wanted to hear from me, right?"
Yating wryly smiled. "There are too many things to talk to you about."
Ma Dong shook his head. "There isn't much to talk about, Yating. I was stupid that night. I brought upon the accident myself. I was…really an idiot. You did the best you could to help that idiot. I never had any complaints from you, Yating."
Yating shook, his voice too trembling to speak up.
Ma Dong's own voice choked up too. "I am sorry I couldn't tell you this before. I was just like you. We were kids back then helpless before our parents. But then we became adults. We became independent. We could have talked long back. I-I couldn't muster the courage to call you either. I am sorry-"
"Don't be an idiot, Dong. Why would you feel guilty about it?" His eyes ached. "All this time, I felt ashamed of myself that I let your hand slip from mine. You fell and almost died because of me…I could never forgive myself."
"No…No, Yating. Please…" Ma Dong's voice was almost begging, "I never felt bitter about that night. I was responsible for it and I am saying it again that I brought it upon myself. Only I was to blame and nobody else. It was regretful that we parted ways in such a way…We were best friends," he struggled to smile.
Yating exhaled a shaky breath. It was as if the mountain of regret and shame that had been suppressing him for all these years was finally crumbling down. He was afraid of Ma Dong's disappointment the most. But now his assurance set his heart free.
He lightly wiped away the tear off from the corner of his eye. He hoarsely said, "Th-Thanks…"
He smiled. "You don't need to thank me. You never did anything wrong."
They let silence take place for a few long moments.
Yating then asked, "How was your life after the accident? You got a scholarship, right?"
Ma Dong stared at him. "...Yes. I went to New York to complete my studies as soon as I recovered."
"That's great," Yating gave a wide smile, genuinely happy that his friend's aspirations were fulfilled.
But then a question arose as to his current working conditions. Ma Dong was supposed to get his post graduation degree from a reputed university in New York. His career should have been shining brightly and right now, he should have been in a similar position as Yating himself in Dream High.
But then why was Ma Dong working as a server in a restaurant?
The question bugged him a lot.
Is there a financial problem? But he should be having a stable job, right?
Yating wanted to ask but was this the right time? They had just come through a very difficult conversation. He didn't feel it was prudent to pry into his matters already when they had just met.
Ma Dong took a deep breath and said, "I know what you want to ask. I lost my job."
Yating's eyes widened.
Ma Dong naturally sensed a ton of questions in his gaze. He hesitated. "Things just spiraled down the wrong road for me haha…Don't worry though. I am doing fine. I am parallely looking for a new job and I am hopeful that I will get one soon."
Ma Dong didn't explain his reasons. Yating felt him putting that boundary and he respected it.
"I am sorry to hear that, Dong…" he then said after a moment, "If I could help you in some way, I would be glad to. If you have your resume ready, then I can recommend you to some positions in the companies I know."
Ma Dong didn't immediately respond. "Um…"
He quickly said, "You don't have to feel pressurized, Dong. I am just suggesting you an option. You are free to make your own decisions."
He looked away for a moment and then back at him, slowly nodding. "I understand, Yating. I appreciate your sentiments too. But I think I am fine. I gave an interview a few days ago and I am hopeful about it."
Yating respected his decision and nodded. "If that's what you want, Dong."
"Great," Ma Dong smiled. "By the way, we have been talking about myself the whole time but I didn't get to know anything about you. I never knew you had interest in the entertainment industry."
"Huh?" Yating looked confused. "Wait, are you talking about the shooting?"
"With the Queen no less."
He scratched his head. "It's nothing really. Her Dad and my Dad are into some collaboration, so we are asked to make some commercials for marketing. That's all."
He shook his head. "You should be more excited. You are living every man's dream, you know? Who gets the chance to stand in Zhu Chyou's vicinity with such proximity. I feel so jealous."
"It's just professional. Plus she is already dating."
"Cheng Yin, right?" He shrugged.
Yating blinked. "That's a dull reaction."
"Meh. He is okay. I mean acting wise, yes, he is flawless. No wonder he has an entire fan army. But I really wonder if they match as a couple? For all I know, her chemistry with you in that commercial shooting looked sexier than the movies I have seen her coupled with Cheng Yin. That's just my opinion."
Yating almost spit the water he was drinking.
"Ew! Hey, man you want to fire me from my job? Keep that water down in your throat only," Ma Dong's gaze darkened.
"Sorry for that but what the hell are you saying? There is no chemistry between us," he coughed hard.
Ma Dong frowned. "Only a blind person would say that. But hey, I am not insinuating anything. It's just my opinion like I said. You two look really good together."
His brow twitched. "You are imagining things! I will take my leave now. Your break is almost over."
Ma Dong stared at him speechless as Yating hurriedly left the restaurant.
"I was just saying. What was in it for him to get triggered so much?"
His brow then arched. "Unless..."
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