Touching Real Love Story : Two Names in Love
Yuan Xiaomo had only theoretical knowledge about love, yet she carried herself with a mature air. For example, she would mock He Wei, saying he studied so much that he turned dumb, only knowing to say “Love, not oil, oily dog.”
He Wei never took offense, letting her tease and scold him, even putting on a smile. As she would say, “Others would charge a fee to insult them, but I insult you, so you’re taking advantage of me.”
He Wei would put his finger to his lips, begging her to stop. “Taking advantage shouldn’t be said casually,” he’d say. She’d roll her eyes at him, thinking he was crazy. Clearly, they both liked each other, but he never confessed. If she confessed, he would pretend not to hear, which frustrated her. Why should she, a beautiful girl, let him waste time?
Finally, she got her chance. One day, they were the only ones working overtime. She said, “He Wei, do you like me or not?” This time, he nodded. She ran and jumped into his arms, but he sidestepped, and she fell to the floor.
She got up and kicked him, but soon they were hugging each other. She suddenly quieted down, feeling a beautiful moment. She stole a glance at him but didn’t meet his eyes; he was looking away, seemingly alert.
She pouted and leaned in, closing her eyes slightly, as if giving him an angle to kiss her. Waiting, she felt his lips slowly coming down, bringing warm breath that made her nose tickle. She couldn’t hold back and sneezed. He wiped his face slowly, and she said, “What are you wiping? People say kissing is just exchanging saliva…”
He Wei laughed, “Hey, have you ever kissed?” She glared at him, “Do you think I need charity to kiss?”
Their kiss was delayed by a week but eventually succeeded. However, she was dissatisfied because he didn’t close his eyes, calling him unprofessional and uncommitted. He dismissed her complaints, saying, “Look at your silly expression.” She cried and said, “Remember this, accepting your tongue is like losing my virginity; you have to take responsibility…”
He hugged her tightly and kissed her again. This time, she noticed he closed his eyes.
Yuan Xiaomo thought He Wei must have cast a spell on her, or why else would she fall for him?
He Wei said, “I named my Pekingese Xiaomo.” Yuan Xiaomo replied, “Sure, isn’t it just a cat or dog’s fate to fall for someone first?”
She loved He Wei and his dog Xiaomo, even though it barked at her.
2
Zhao Xiaojing came back.
A year ago, Zhao Xiaojing was He Wei’s girlfriend, but now it was unclear. According to Yuan Xiaomo, there was a 90% chance she wasn’t anymore. She cited several reasons like time difference, being busy, tired, and remembering the good times, all signaling the end of love and that he was being dumped.
He Wei understood but said he would wait for her. Yuan Xiaomo said, “Wait and become a love saint or grow old and gray. Do you think legends come from waiting?”
He Wei just smiled without speaking.
Yuan Xiaomo said, “You’re a liar, but I like you, you second-hand man.”
Zhao Xiaojing finally returned from Vancouver but stayed at a hotel, saying she was with classmates, which made He Wei sad. It was like a song, “The days have ended, the fruit is ripe, we harvest each other for the last time, from now on, deep enemies.”
He Wei thought they should talk it out clearly. He called Zhao Xiaojing, “Are you not coming back?” She just laughed. He said, “The dog misses you.” She said, “Come visit me?” He asked, “When is convenient?” She laughed, “Anytime, why are we being polite?”
One morning, he asked Zhao Xiaojing, “Can I come over?” Zhao Xiaojing hesitated and said, “We haven’t gotten up yet, maybe at noon?”
It was like half a bucket of cold water, but he thought, after waiting a year, what’s one more morning?
In the office, Yuan Xiaomo always arrived before He Wei, so there would be a hot tea waiting for him. Yuan Xiaomo said, “Did you lose sleep?” He shook his head. She said, “Then why do you look so bad?” He replied, “For her, I am exhausted.”
Yuan Xiaomo laughed, showing her dimples, then lowered her head to work. After a while, she sent a text from three meters away, “A new grilled fish place opened, let’s go at noon?” He replied immediately, “Let’s go tonight, I have something at noon.” She replied, “What is it? Should I go with you?” He replied, “No need.”
He looked up at her; she was glaring at him. He softened his gaze until she lowered her head, leaving a shy smile. He almost told her that person was back but felt guilty and stayed silent.
Finally, noon arrived, and he rushed to the hotel. He knocked, and the long-missed head appeared, smiling at him. He stepped in, ready to hug her, but saw another man with blue eyes inside. In an instant, he understood. However, he didn’t leave, maintaining his composure.
Zhao Xiaojing introduced them, saying, “This is my old friend He Wei. This is Austin, my new friend.” The “new” and “old” created a chasm, like the Milky Way separating the Cowherd and Weaver Girl.
The three of them had a buffet at the hotel, with He Wei feeling like chewing wax. When leaving, Zhao Xiaojing said she wanted to see the dog. He Wei said it was fine.
Zhao Xiaojing finally said, “I’m sorry.” He Wei replied, “It’s okay.”
3
Yuan Xiaomo was sitting at He Wei’s desk watching a movie on his widescreen computer. He Wei tossed his bag on the desk from afar, startling her. He walked over, put his hand on her shoulder, and started making small moves, acting funny…
That night, He Wei hugged Yuan Xiaomo tightly as if afraid she’d break if he let go. Yuan Xiaomo struggled out of his arms, saying, “No wonder you were acting dumb today. Do you know why ‘itching for action’ sounds so silly? Because it looks ridiculous.” He asked, “Is it that ridiculous?” She replied, “Just that ridiculous.”
He asked, “Am I that good?” She said, “Not particularly good, just that I like you, that’s all.” He said, “But I’m still waiting for someone.” She said, “No one waits in place forever. What does it matter? I’m the backup.” He said, “But if it’s not like you say…” She said, “Alright, put your hand on your heart. In fact, you’re unsure too, aren’t you?” He said, “I feel like I’m cheating.” She said, “Even if it’s cheating, you have to love me well.”
Undoubtedly, He Wei was hit hard, even though Zhao Xiaojing had said before that love is like dancing; it doesn’t matter who you dance with, as long as you’re invested. She also said that across the ocean, so much longing can’t compare to a warm embrace. Though he doubted, he didn’t want to believe. If she was being poetic, it now seemed she had always been hinting.
That night, He Wei and Yuan Xiaomo didn’t eat grilled fish. He took her home and brought out all the liquor. No drinking session had ever been so grand, even the dog Xiaomo was unsettled, barking non-stop.
As he drank, tears flowed, and he started singing with his guitar:
“The weather’s gone mad, the sea’s boiling, so I’ll indulge in music, don’t waste any moment of joy. Be the dream’s skywalker, an angel like you should have wings and a name, beautiful with a hint of thorn, seriously belong to me once…”
She hugged him, letting the dog bark loudly.
4
The dog Xiaomo didn’t sleep all night, barking and whimpering outside the bedroom. Yuan Xiaomo asked He Wei why it couldn’t stop. He Wei said it usually slept under the bed. Yuan Xiaomo suggested letting it in. He Wei pulled her close and whispered, “It might learn bad habits.” She bit his lip and said, “You’re worse than it is…”
In the morning, Yuan Xiaomo opened the door, and the dog Xiaomo pounced and bit her, leaving teeth marks on her ankle. He Wei scolded it, and it lay down in submission.
He Wei knelt to massage her ankle; she kicked, making him fall back. The dog barked at her again, but He Wei grabbed it and put it on the balcony.
She asked why the dog was so fierce, always acting hostile when she visited. He laughed, saying it was like a child, seeking affection. She sighed, saying if there’s no time, don’t keep a dog; it feels lonely too.
He stared at her, and she laughed, “People and dogs are the same; don’t you get it?” He laughed, saying, “No, I only get you.”
She suddenly felt shy; that was their first night together.
He took out bread and yogurt. She remembered he said the dog drank yogurt too, so she went to the balcony. The dog still bared its teeth, but she left the yogurt there, though it didn’t look.
She thought, Xiaomo is a dog with character. She suggested giving Xiaomo away, as she had said
many times before. He shook his head, “Let’s keep it.”
5
A new morning was beautiful for both He Wei and Yuan Xiaomo. Yuan Xiaomo couldn’t understand why he suddenly erupted like a volcano. She asked, “Tell me, wasn’t it because of the alcohol?” He said, “No, why are you sure I love you and not playing with your feelings?”
This time, she told him. Once, during a company outing, she brought a camera, and he did too. Back then, she liked him, secretly taking pictures of him, mostly from behind or the side. On the way back, he fell asleep, and she checked his camera, finding it full of her pictures besides the scenery.
It turned out, they always had each other in their hearts.
He Wei imagined a scene where Zhao Xiaojing saw his happiness with Yuan Xiaomo, introducing them as his old friend Zhao Xiaojing and his new friend Yuan Xiaomo.
He Wei called Zhao Xiaojing, saying the dog barked all night. Zhao Xiaojing said she wanted to see it. He said, “You know the way.”
He Wei told Yuan Xiaomo he wanted to cook a big meal that night. Yuan Xiaomo said she could only make scrambled eggs with tomatoes.
The imagined knock came, and the dog jumped up, placing its front paws on Zhao Xiaojing like a child seeing its mother.
Zhao Xiaojing hugged the dog, calling it Jingjing. Each call made the dog whimper in response.
Yuan Xiaomo watched, finally understanding. The dog wasn’t called Xiaomo; it was called Jingjing. It only remembered its original owner. She said, “Hello, I’m Yuan Xiaomo.”
He Wei continued, “This is Zhao Xiaojing.” He still couldn’t say, “my old friend.”
Zhao Xiaojing smiled and said, “Hello, I’m just here to see Jingjing.”
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
