Eternal Love: A Love Story Chapter 5 - Charming?
Previously on Eternal Love: A Love Story...
Upon Liwei's departure from the room, he sought out the doctor to gain a clearer understanding of her medical situation. The physicians confirmed that she was suffering from amnesia, a consequence of being in a coma for the preceding three months.
They informed him that her memories might resurface with adequate rest, emphasizing the necessity of avoiding any stressful circumstances.
He mused internally, 'So, she has lost her memories. Yet, her demeanor is quite unlike the Xie Ming I knew previously.'
'She appears... somehow a little charming?' he pondered for a moment before abruptly shaking his head.
'No, it is I who have lost my senses. Yes. It is precisely I who have lost my mind to find her charming.'
Author: "-_-"
....
After a span of several days, Xie Ming was discharged from the hospital. During her recent stay, she had diligently inquired about everything related to the real Xie Ming from Yu Mei.
She learned more about the connection between herself and Jin Liwei. It was revealed that her marriage to Liwei had been arranged due to her grandfather's final wish.
However, he did not harbor any affection for her, and they lived like strangers under the same roof, even occupying separate bedrooms.
Yu Mei further elaborated on the strained relationship between the original Xie Ming and her father, Xie Rong.
The bond between Xie Ming and Xie Rong had become estranged ever since he brought his mistress, Rouxi, home shortly after Xie Ming's mother passed away.
To compound matters, he also introduced his daughter, Xinyi, whom he had with Rouxi.
The age difference between Xie Ming and Xie Xinyi was a mere few months.
This revelation ignited her anger; her father had not only betrayed her mother but had the audacity to bring his mistress and their daughter into their home.
Following her mother's demise, he had manipulated documents to transfer all the inheritance into his possession.
She discovered that his marriage to her mother had been solely motivated by her inheritance and property.
Only her maternal grandfather had genuinely cared for her. He was the one who orchestrated her marriage to Jin Liwei, arranging it with his friend, the elder Mr. Jin, who happened to be Liwei's grandfather.
Upon learning all these details, Zhao Ming began to empathize with the original Xie Ming. Facing such profound betrayal and hatred from her own family, she must have been utterly devastated.
Yu Mei recounted that Xie Ming had departed for overseas at the tender age of 15, spending seven solitary years in that foreign land.
'She must have felt so incredibly lonely all by herself there,' Zhao Ming mused about the original Xie Ming.
After absorbing Yu Mei's account, she came to the realization that Xie Ming might not be as malevolent as perceived by others.
She was merely a young woman who lost her mother at an early age, only for her father to betray her mother and then introduce a daughter of similar age into the household.
Furthermore, he desired to coexist peacefully and affectionately with Xinyi within the same residence.
Her relationship with her father was distant and fraught with estrangement.
....
As Xie Ming exited the hospital with Yu Mei, her attention was captured by a peculiar, large object constructed from tin. She stared at it with befuddlement.
Yu Mei handed the luggage to the awaiting driver and then approached Xie Ming, who stood dazed at the hospital entrance.
She gently tapped Xie Ming's shoulder and said, "Miss, let's go. The master has sent a vehicle for us. We should make haste, as it appears rain is imminent," she remarked, rubbing her hands together.
The atmosphere was chilly, and the sky was darkening, with heavy clouds converging to obscure the bright sunlight.
Xie Ming glanced at Yu Mei and inquired, gesturing towards the vehicle, "What is this peculiar thing?"
Yu Mei: "-_-"
She offered an awkward smile and responded, "Miss, this is a car. We should hurry and board it. It will convey us to the Jin Villa, your residence," she explained cautiously.
Yu Mei was accustomed to providing detailed explanations, given Xie Ming's tendency to query every minor observation.
Although Xie Ming did not fully comprehend, she decided to enter the car.
Once seated in the rear of the vehicle, she gazed at the interior with sheer astonishment.
The car was remarkably spacious, and its interior boasted a lavish and intricate design.
Xie Ming let out a startled gasp when the car suddenly began to move.
Clutching Yu Mei's hands tightly, she exclaimed, "It's moving! Ahh! This thing is moving so rapidly. I feel utterly dizzy!" she shrieked in alarm, gripping the seat in front of her with all her might.
The driver, proceeding at a leisurely pace, was taken aback by her overtly dramatic reaction.
Yu Mei attempted to gently pat her hand, soothingly reassuring her that everything would be alright.
After a short interval, Xie Ming began to feel more composed. She looked out the window, marveling at the urban landscape.
"Wow. This place has so many strange tin boxes moving on the roads. And the buildings are all incredibly tall and diverse. This place has certainly changed immensely," she murmured to herself.
She was, after all, an Empress who had journeyed from a bygone era to the 21st century.
She was likely the sole individual to witness the world's transformation firsthand over time.
This locale had undergone a dramatic metamorphosis.
The world transformed into a blur of speed and unfamiliarity, with peculiar sights lining the streets. Girls donned outfits that spoke of independence, their ability to work and wear revealing attire met with no judgment. Such a stark shift in culture left her astonished, a stark contrast to the era she knew. The circumstances for women were vastly improved; they held the autonomy to choose their partners and pursued education freely. The progress was palpable, everything felt advanced and alien. She found herself contemplating the possibility of her own birth in this modern age. 'Would my life have unfolded differently had I been born in this century?' she mused.