Chapter 8
After graduating with my master’s, I jumped straight into a PhD program overseas–full scholarship, so why not?
When I finally finished all my schooling. I landed an offer from a top–tier company back home.[]
All those years of ups and downs had become the foundation for my growth.[]
I was completely transformed.]
When I got home, Grandma didn’t even recognize me, nervously wringing her hands: “Can I help you, ma’am?”
I couldn’t help but laugh.[]
Ma’am?]
What kind of word was that?
“I’m not some businesswoman, I’m your granddaughter–Vivian.“[]
I hugged Grandma tight.
Grandma just stared at me, then burst into tears: “Vivian! My sweet Vivian!”
My eyes got watery too. I couldn’t let go of Grandma.[]
At dinner, Grandma made her famous pot roast and brought up old times:
“This
pot roast was Kai’s favorite too. You insisted on learning how to make it for him, got blisters all over your hands trying. He felt so bad about it.“]
Really?
The memory was fuzzy. I’d pretty much forgotten what Kai even looked like.
Grandma kept talking: “I saw that boy just yesterday, staring at your bedroom window, almost got hit by a car.”
“His mom says he started his own research company–total eligible bachelor now. He’d be perfect for you.“]
Oh great, here comes the matchmaking.]
I held up my hand to stop her, suddenly losing my appetite for the pot roast.]
Old people are like that–always pushing marriage.[]
I made some excuse to go out and explore my hometown, see how it had changed
The roads were wider, more streetlights, old neighborhoods renovated []
Only the park lake looked exactly the same.[]
I walked around the lake and saw someone sitting on a bench nearby.
He was tall and lean in a black suit, with a beer can next to him. looking sharp but exhausted.]
He totally clashed with the park setting–like some CEO randomly sitting at a food truck.]
Lots of people were staring at him, especially women out for evening walks, clearly intrigued.||
I stopped walking, feeling oddly nostalgic.
Kai Brennan. Long time no see.[]
I walked toward Kai.[]
Just then, he got a phone call]
The call made his voice shake with excitement: “Mom, you really saw Vivian? She’s back home?“]]
“Yes, yes, I’ll go find her right now!”
He hung up and turned to leave, then we locked eyes.
I smiled and nodded: “Kai, hey.“0
He froze, staring at me wide–eyed, tears suddenly welling up.
But he couldn’t speak, just frantically smoothed his hair and straightened his tie.
After a while, he calmed down enough to look at me with amazement and admiration.]]
I gestured for us to sit and talk.
He sat next to me on the bench. We could see young couples secretly kissing in the lake pavilion.]
I couldn’t help but smile.
Youth was beautiful.[]
Kai finally spoke: “Vivian, I barely recognize you… I’ve been waiting for you for ten years. All this time I kept thinking about what kind of man would be good enough for you.”
“50
“So I never let myself slack off. I studied like crazy, got my graduate degree, started my own company–wanted to make something of myself while I waited for you to come back.“]
“Now that we’re together again, I realize no man would ever be good enough for you.“[]
He said a lot more, his voice lacking the energy and innocence of his teenage years.[]
I listened quietly, occasionally smiling!
Ten years had flown by, and all those intense emotions between us had faded away.
At least for me, those once earth–shattering pains wouldn’t even compare to pinching my finger now.
That college application prank that used to keep me up at night–now I could actually laugh about it.
The lake pavilion, my father’s fists and kicks, Kai’s eleven missed calls–none of it stirred any feeling in me anymore.
That’s the power of time.
After a long while, Kai finished talking.
Then he asked nervously: “Vivian, you came to see me–is there something you wanted to say?”
That question stumped me.]
What did I want to say?]
Nothing really.[]
I was just back in the States, saw an old friend, came over to say
That’s all.
So I smiled at him: “Just saying hi.“]
Kai’s face went white, his smile forced: “Oh… well then let me take this chance to apologize.“]
“I was young and stupid back then, didn’t think things through, and I hurt you. I’m sorry.“]
I nodded, accepting his apology.
Then we both went quiet.
I stood up to leave, and Kai worked up the courage to stop me: “Vivian, since you accepted my apology, can we start over?“]
Like he was scared I’d say no, he kept talking: “I’ve been waiting for you for ten years. In those ten years, I came to see you all the time.”
“I bought 165 plane tickets to California, 81 tickets overseas.”
“I saw you at Stanford’s French competition, saw you feeding pigeons in that plaza abroad. I swear, I never really left your
His eyes were full of tenderness, fingers trembling.
He was terrified I’d reject him.
I was somewhat surprised.
Kai, you’re pretty devoted ||
but I’d forgotten most of our past.
I’d forgotten you loved pot roast, forgotten that water–covered face that used to make my heart race.
I’d even forgotten what that bone–deep pain felt like when you hurt me.]
So I gently shook my head: “Sorry, but I could never love you again.“||
Kai instantly lost all his strength. His straight back curved as he stared at his feet, motionless.
I waved goodbye.
Kai looked up, tears streaming:
ing: “Vivian, so you do still hate me.”
I paused and turned back with a smile.
“Kai, let me tell you something.“I
“The worst thing that can happen between two people isn’t stopping loving each other–but stopping hating each other.
“I stopped hating you a long time ago. So I wish you well.“]
Kai sat there stunned, mumbling to himself, then broke down crying
I ignored him and walked toward the sunset.]
I’d always loved the park lake at sunset.
Because those evening colors were always absolutely gorgeous.[]
Today,
they w
were more beautiful than ever.
