Chapter 41 - Lonely

A shocked Shi Ai stared at Zhang Min's 'first love' and wanted to go and hide.How could he have misled her like that!Just then a big red apple appeared in front of her eyes and she looked at Ava De who stood with her hand extended trying unsuccessfully to suppress her grin.Seeing this Shi Ai also broke into uncontrollable laughter so that Zhang Min was greeted by the sound of the two girls' sweet laughter.Curiously,he asked,"What are you two talking about?"

The two girls looked at each other and laughingly said,"Your love interests."Zhang Min frowned at this and said,"There is nothing to talk about my love life.Are you two girls laughing at me?"Ava De and Shi Ai shook their heads together in denial causing Zhang Min to stare at them suspiciously and almost pout.But Ava distracted him by officially introducing Bella to Shi Ai.She rubbed her nose lovingly and said,"Bella,this is Little Ai,she is Min min's sister.Are you going to let her feed you?"

Taking her cue,Shi Ai cautiously held out her hand and the apple in her hand was sniffed by Bella.The horse then took a bite,delighting everyone.But soon the horse almost collapsed causing the stable boy following and Zhang Min to panic.Shi Ai looked confused and asked,"What's wrong?"

Zhang Min and the stable boy carefully walked the horse back while Ava explained,"Sigh!Bella is dying.She is an old horse and on the last leg of her life.Ideally she should be put to rest but I wanted Zhang Min to have a chance to say goodbye.Now that he has met her,I will ask the doctor to administer the drugs tomorrow.

Shi Ai felt her heart feel sad at this new piece of information and thought of the way Zhang Min always talked about Bella.Whenever they playedhe was always talking about her and she felt that he would be heartbroken at this.So she asked Ava,"Does he know that..that this is going to be his last goodbye."

Ava nodded and said,"He knows but has yet to accept the fact.He thinks that Bella is going to live forever."

Shi Ai looked carefully at Ava and felt that this girl was also very sad and said,"Bella will live on forever.In your and Brother Min's memories and now in mine as well."

Ava let out a small smile at this.She had not expected the girl to be so empathetic.So she hooked her arms through Shi Ai's and said,"Come.Let us have something to eat before you set off.I invited Zhang Min to stay here but he said you were excited to go to to the other side pf the forest so you people would only visit.Next time you must plan for staying here.Alright?'Shi Ai shook her head and offered,"I think we should stay here tonight.We can go to the campsite next time.Can I ask you something personal?Do you like brother Min?"

Ava looked surprised at Shi Ai's blunt question but then laughed it off,"Of course not.He is younger than I am."Shi Ai could see that the girl was lying but she chose to let her have her pride and the two girls sat about having tea silently.It was rare for two teenagers in this day to sit to silently and anyone would be shocked to see this scene.But both were lost in their own thoughts.

Finally a dejected looking Zhang Min came in and silently sat in his chair.Shi Ai was about to go and console him but Ava beat her to it.She placed a glass of water in front of him and ruffling his hair said,"Min Min..That is how life is..Everyone comes and goes at their own pace.You have to accept every challenge that life throws at you."At this Zhang Min broke down and cried causing Ava to breakdown too.Another person was left to fend for herself.Shi Ai went out and stood staring at the sky while her eyes were also numb.Ava De was right..People come and go at their own pace.All they could do was wait.All She could do was wait!"Her hand fidgeted with the chain around her neck and today even though she had a family she realized that she was as lonely as ever.The only person who she wanted was too far from her..