After A Secret Marriage Agreement With A Rival Omega - Chapter 101

Chapter 101

The “Wilderness” Correspondence

Reading Note: Please read these letters from the perspective of Yao Tai.

The protagonist of the film, Yao Tai, is the personification of Jian Jixing’s childhood memories.

…

To X:

Greetings!

Hello, my name is Yao Tai. I’m thirteen years old, and I’m honored to be your pen pal.

Wow, I really didn’t expect you to receive letters out there. Do you ride horses to school? X, before I got your letter at the school mailroom today, I was bored to death watching a beautiful little hawk try to catch chicks. But the hawk was clumsy; she was being led in circles by a bunch of chicks on the playground. Her hunting skills are terrible—aside from being pretty, she’s truly useless.

I’ve only been to the highlands once; maybe I passed over your house while on a plane. Did you know? From high up, everything looks tiny and insignificant. Ah, right, I should introduce myself properly:

I love sweets. I hate bitter melon and vegetables, even though my mom tells me constantly that if I don’t eat them, I won’t be able to go to the bathroom. I know she’s just teasing me.

I don’t have siblings, but I have many friends, so I don’t feel lonely. I like observing my classmates; the expressions on their faces are very interesting.

When can you write back? That way, I won’t have to keep staring at the little hawk.

— Yao Tai

…

To the Distinguished City Friend!

Hello, I am XXX. My name is too long to tell you, so simplifying it to “X” was the right call.

First of all, our village has the internet. Secondly, we treat our horses well; we generally don’t use them to ride to school. Don’t you go online? Your questions are very outdated.

I love vegetables because we don’t get to eat them often here. Why wouldn’t you like them? They are sweet. I have an older brother; we get along well, and I often give him my leftovers. Why are there chicks on your playground? I think you’re joking with me. Or perhaps you are looking at a beautiful person; I see you praising her beauty through the whole letter, yet you call her a hawk. Who is she?

I’m replying as soon as I get your letter. But it will take time to reach you. The mailman delivers on horseback, so please wait a little.

— Normal X

…

To my Cute Mountain Friend X:

She is my new desk mate.

The day before I received your reply, I turned fourteen. I didn’t expect I’d actually end up sitting with the “Little Hawk.” This morning, when I was passing out the workbook to her, I noticed she was wearing sparkly nail polish. But then she laughed and said the program I performed at the opening ceremony was “silly”… What a mean hawk!

Don’t make those jokes, Hahahaha, it was my fault. If only there were helicopters to deliver mail, then I could get your reply the same day!

My mom has a new girlfriend; maybe I’ll have a new sister soon. Mom says the sister will really like me, and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve enclosed some dried vegetable snacks I bought. They’re made of green radish, carrots, mushrooms, okra, cucumber, bananas, pumpkin, dried cilantro, and two large popcorn balls (not leftovers, I bought them specially).

— Your Sincere Friend, Yao Tai

…

To my Life-loving and Kind Friend:

(The back of the envelope has a drawing of a large birthday cake with lit candles)

Happy Birthday, even though it’s late. Do you want a gift for your birthday next year? It sounds like a long way off, but we’re good friends now, right?

It’s my first time hearing someone describe a person as a hawk. Since she’s your new desk mate, is she your friend now? Your tone sounds like you really want her to be.

Um… I received the dried vegetables. Most were okay, but I really don’t like the okra and cilantro! My brother said they taste good when eaten with lamb bone marrow, though. I might try that tomorrow.

The popcorn balls were delicious and sweet. You didn’t have to tell me you bought them specially; it makes it sound even more like they were leftovers.

I’m sending a bag of beef jerky. It’s a local specialty. Try it; if you like it, I’ll send more. Also, we have some snacks here that are good for pregnant women. My mom said if your mom wants to try some, we can send them!

— X, wearing a cotton coat

…

To Yao Tai:

Have you been too busy watching the Little Hawk lately?

— X, wearing a sweater

…

To my long-lost Friend X:

Sorry! I haven’t replied in forever because our school organized an autumn camp, so the letters were stuck in the mailroom. I’m writing my home street address here instead. This shouldn’t happen again; I’ll tell you in advance next time!

Thank you for your kindness! I ate beef jerky—it’s so good! Once I started, I couldn’t stop. My jaw hurts from chewing, but I still want more. My mom is pregnant and resting at home. I’m waiting for my sister every day.

It’s getting cold here too. I’m wearing so many layers; I don’t want to wear the school uniform… You know what? The Little Hawk often ignores the uniform rules; she always modifies her skirt to make it short. Fine, she looks really pretty, but she kept picking on me during the autumn camp. I’ve decided that next time I’m the hall monitor, I’m going to catch her! (Glaring fiercely)

— Sinister Yao Tai

…

To my “Main Character Energy” City Friend:

We had a horse racing festival here recently, so it’s been busy. Many tourists came to watch; it was very lively.

Can I laugh? Hahahahahahaha! I feel like the Little Hawk is actually quite a cute person. Otherwise, why would you pay so much attention to her? Don’t you think your descriptions are funny? If you become the hall monitor, you should protect your desk mate! How could you catch her? Maybe she isn’t targeting you; maybe she really likes you.

Otherwise, how could she always “coincidentally” run into you?

Also, I hope your sister arrives smoothly. Our dried yogurt snacks are actually good for babies to teethe on. I’m sending a bag with this letter; don’t worry about it spoiling.

— Generous X

…

To my Petty Mountain Friend:

Why do you talk just like my desk mate? Today, I’m going to call you petty! Hmph. She seems to have a crush on another friend of mine, which is why she keeps acting out against me. I’ll annoy her to death—during breaks, I go to deliver things too, and I run much faster than her!!!

The yogurt snacks are delicious. Thank you for the yogurt cubes; the milk flavor is so rich. The cold snap is coming, so remember to wear more clothes. I’ve enclosed a photo of a sunset I took during the autumn camp. I hope it makes you happy.

— Also Generous Yao Tai

…

To Yao Tai:

I feel like you like the Little Hawk! Does your friend like her too? Did the Little Hawk catch her?

Things have been very busy lately… I received the photo. It’s by my bed. It feels like I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

— Tired X

…

To my Soul-less Friend:

How could I possibly like her? My friend doesn’t like her either. The Little Hawk won’t catch her. Besides, my friend is going abroad later, so it’s even more impossible for them!

— Bitter-fated Yao Tai

…

To X:

I have a sister now.

But I haven’t seen her yet. I have a high fever today. I think I don’t like children.

— Yao Tai

…

To Yao Tai:

Why do you sound so pitiful? Are you unhappy? The mailman brought me two of your letters this morning! You sent them so close together. What’s wrong? Is the fever gone? Is anyone looking after you? My mother says that during childbirth, many people are needed to help. You aren’t home all alone, are you? Waiting for your reply.

…

To my Friend who has been silent for a long time:

Yao Tai! Yao Tai! What happened? Did you see my letter?

I forgot to sign the last one. I rode my horse to the county post office to send this one myself.

— X

…

To Friend X:

I’m here.

A lot has happened lately. The person who found out I had a high fever that day was the Little Hawk.

Her “sparkly claws” landed on my arm. Someone who looks so delicate actually managed to prop me up.

It turns out her beauty and her strength don’t conflict at all.

I’m okay now. My friend is going abroad soon, and we’re graduating. I won’t be desk mates with her anymore. I… I can’t quite figure out these emotions.

Why does it feel so exhausting? Will it be better once I grow up? Adults shouldn’t be this busy, shouldn’t have so many worries, so many secrets, right?

What about you? What are your plans for the future?

— Yao Tai, waiting for graduation

…

To Dear Yao Tai:

I think I’ll continue studying here, then go to the mainland for university. Maybe we’ll meet, provided you don’t go abroad.

Having secrets is normal, isn’t it? Adults’ secrets are different from ours. You have a secret now too, don’t you? Actually, I have a secret too, but I can’t exchange it with you yet.

You can tell me anything. If you’re tired, rest. No matter how long it takes, you can always write to me.

— X, writing from horseback

…

(At this point, the film fast-forwards through time.)

…

To X:

Greetings.

It’s been two and a half years since I last wrote to you. I resigned today. On my way home, I passed a convenience store and saw they had yogurt cubes on the shelf. That bag is sitting by my hand right now. They aren’t as good as the ones you used to send me. It’s strange… how the taste buds can remember a flavor from so many years ago.

X, how are you? It took me a very, very long time just to write this short letter. We’re all grown up now. Unfortunately, I have adult worries now, and I can’t seem to be happy no matter what.

I remember years ago we promised to share the secrets we couldn’t tell back then once we became adults.

I’ll go first.

It turns out I really did like the Little Hawk back then.

But now, I’ve lost contact with her. I can’t even stand in front of her anymore. I have to move out of this apartment, and I don’t even know where I’m going next.

It’s been too long; has your address changed? I hope for a reply.

— Yao Tai, newly resigned

…

To Yao Tai:

(This letter arrived the very next day via Express Air Mail)

Yao Tai, maybe the Little Hawk has been waiting for you to contact her all along.

Why don’t you come to the pastoral areas to see? When we meet, I’ll tell you that secret.

I don’t know if you have money. I’ve put 5,000 yuan in this package—it’s enough for moving luggage and a plane ticket. I’m waiting for you to come. Even if you want to pay me back, come first.

— X, who has always been waiting for you