583 Not That Humble (1/2)

”It sounded simple but the sincerity must have left a deep impression?” Xiu was smiling to herself gently. She could clearly tell that he really loved his wife but then... She frowned as she recalled something and asked, ”I can clearly see that you loved her but then why does everyone else say that your marriage was without any mutual love?”

”I'll answer the question only if you tell me why are you so interested in this matter? Even my sons have never asked me about how or why I married my wife. You, on the other hand, want to hear everything. Why?” He was genuinely curious to know why was that? It wasn't just that she was deeply interested in his life but it was also that he wasn't able to stop himself from being honest before her.

”Because I'm a genuine believer of the fact that love stories don't just exist in fairytales. And neither are they like fairytales with happy endings. Some are short-lived, some are angsty, some are full of fluffy romance. But each story has the uniqueness that sets it apart just like every person is special, each story of theirs is also special.” She was grinning brightly as she answered enthusiastically. Xin Zimen could even see how sincere she was about each word that she uttered.

”Even though my love story is not only short but also a tragedy, you still think it's special?” his lips were curved in a sad smile.

Xiu nodded her head saying, ”That's why Agatha Christie wrote, 'That is why most great love stories are tragedies.'” She patted his shoulder encouragingly as she went on, ”Let me tell you Ah-Xin, true love stories don't have endings. They live on. Now, in your case even though your wife is dead, you're alive and your heart is still filled with love for her. Have you ever forgotten her?”

Xin Zimen looked down at his hands as he shook his head, ”Never.”

”Exactly! As long as one heart is beating, the story can't possibly come to an end.”

Xin Zimen stared at her face for a while making her frown.

”What are you looking at?”

”It's just as I said before, your way of looking at things is beyond your age.”

Xiu grinned sheepishly as she rubbed her earlobe and said, ”I told you I'm an old soul. In fact, let me tell you a secret.”

”Secret?” His brows quirked up as she nodded. ”What is it?”

She held out her pinky finger saying, ”You need to first promise that you won't share this with anyone. It's top secret!”

Xin Zimen feigned excitement as he hooked his pinky finger with hers saying, ”Don't worry. It's my job to juggle around with secrets. Hopefully, I can keep yours safe as well.” Xiu looked around his room vigilantly and he reassured, ”You can be at ease. This room is safer than you can possibly imagine.”

Xin Zimen rolled his eyes at her, ”You don't even have the memories of this life.”

Xiu pouted showing her grievance, ”Ah-Xin, you can't taunt me for that. I'm telling you the truth.” She took a brief pause to add, ”Actually, let's say it like this. When I lost my memories of this life, I ended up acquiring the memories of my previous life.” She proudly tilted her chin up saying, ”That's why I always say that I'm an old soul.” Xiu observed his expressions and waited to see a change. Any change but it never came. His face was still impassive as always. She couldn't tell whether he believed her or not. In fact, she was just joking around with him just to see any reaction from him but gained nothing out of it. Her enthusiasm deflated as she went on, ”You're no fun, Ah-Xin. What a waste!”

Xin Zimen lightly flicked her forehead, ”You really have way too much time on your hand, eh?”

Xiu rubbed her forehead, ”An empty mind is a house of the devil. As an unemployed person, I really do have a lot of time to concoct all these ridiculous ideas in my mind.”

”Unemployed? You still aren't looking for work?”

”I am looking for work. I just don't know where to look. Hahaha!”

”Need help?” he offered.

Xiu leaned up saying, ”You'll let me work here?”

His brows shot up in surprise as he asked, ”You want to work here?”

”Why not? You think I can't?”