Pandora's Heart | d.cx ✓

CHAPTER 31

Chengxin had never really felt like this, he didn't remember having felt so much pain that it even made his heart feel physical pain. He felt confused as he wandered off from the building, not sure where he was going. He just wanted to be far away from Haoxiang and Pandora as possible.

Hopefully no fans would recognize him, but it was quite late in the evening and most fans wouldn't be able to see him, let alone be on the street that time. He had his hands in his pocket as he walked aimlessly down the street. He couldn't believe he had really lost her, it was just too much to take in.

When he finally passed the scene where Nikita had had an accident, Chengxin felt tears lining his eyes. All that effort he put in her was for nothing. All the moments they had were all a waste of time, and were probably lies.

He cupped his face with his hands as tears started to come out of his eyes even though he was trying to keep himself from crying. His heart could be very tender sometimes, and he hated himself for that.

His cellphone suddenly rang in his pocket, and he didn't feel like picking it up. He let it ring until the caller stopped. It started to ring again, so now he got curious to see who the caller is. He took the phone out of his pocket and checked the caller ID with eyes blurred by tears, realizing that it was Chengxin.

He answered the phone and put it to his ear. 'Hello?'

'Haoxiang is hanging out with Pandora in the living room...what's going on? Didn't she meet you this evening and tell you that she's picked you?'

Chengxin fell silent, not wanting to answer the question.

'Hello?' Jiaqi repeated.

'She picked Haoxiang okay!?' Chengxin cried, tears now running down his face uncontrollably. 'She didn't pick me.'

'What?' Jiaqi sounded disappointed on the other end. 'No, it can't be. She...she's just confused. Where are you?'

'Just having a walk down the street.' Chengxin replied and used his sleeve to wipe the tears that were dripping down his face and causing an uncomfortable feeling against his skin.

'Okay...wait for me, I'll catch you there.' Jiaqi hang up without waiting for a response.

Chengxin didn't feel like waiting, but he didn't want to keep Jiaqi looking for him. Chengxin leaned on one of the shops that were closed and continued to wipe his tears as more came out. People were looking at him curiously, but no one said anything. If they found out it was Ding Chengxin crying, they would have probably taken photos.

A short while later, Jiaqi ran onto the scene. He quickly noticed Chengxin's form leaning on one of the shops, so he walked over to him and stood beside him.

'Hey,' Jiaqi slapped his shoulder. 'Let's find somewhere to sit down and talk okay?'

Chengxin hesitated then nodded.

...

Jiaqi and Chengxin sat at a juice bar in a local restaurant, having ordered two drinks which both of them were not particularly drinking. The two of them were not really talking as Jiaqi watched him, waiting for him to calm down a little. But Chengxin had been crying for ten minutes now. Even though he wasn't exactly making a sound, Jiaqi noticed how he continuously wiped the tears and snot using his sleeve.

'Wow, you really loved her.' Jiaqi said and ran a hand through his hair. 'What did she really say? Because when she spoke to me, she seemed like she'd choose you.'

'She said that I'm too good for her...maybe this is all your fault, maybe you complimented me too much.' Chengxin finally spoke.

Jiaqi shook his head. 'So you're blaming me now?'

'No, I'm sorry.' Chengxin sighed. 'I don't even think that's the real reason. I think the real reason she chose Haoxiang is because she apparently has assurance that they're going to be together for a long time like they were before.'

'Oh,' Jiaqi nodded his head. 'Like I said, Haoxiang has historical advantage. It doesn't always mean he's the right guy, but I think we tend to value people we've known for longer rather than those who have just come in our lives. It's a good thing but can also be a problem.'

'Yeah, forget it.' Chengxin started to play with his straw. 'It's nothing, I'll get over it.'

'No, let's not pretend it's nothing when you've been crying for quite some time. Look, I know she chose Haoxiang but doesn't mean you should give up.'

'You expect me to keep on fighting for her after she made her choice?'

'I assume it's better than having you drown in sadness and probably hate your bandmate for the rest of your life.' Jiaqi answered. 'You're broken dude, broken.'

'Is it that obvious?' Chengxin groaned. 'I just love her so much.'

'Yeah I figured. Luckily, you have a friend like me who can help you out. You know that saying that "you never miss the water until it's gone"? Yeah, maybe one reason Pandora has taken you for granted like this is because she thinks you're always gonna be there and that you're this really single dude. So you have to show her you won't always be there.'

'I'm listening.' Chengxin was open to any suggestion now, because he was so desperate to be able to get to Pandora's heart. He wanted to give up, but then again, he was failing to.

'I think...you should pretend to be dating another girl. And thankfully, we have another girl in the dorms. I was thinking, you should pretend to date Rio and make Pandora real jealous. Then she'll realize you're the one she loves.'

Chengxin looked at him for a moment. 'Oh my goodness Jiaqi, that sounds really dumb and it could just backfire. What if Pandora thinks I'm this kind of guy who can easily move on from one girl to another?'

'No, her first instinct will be to be jealous.' Jiaqi assured him.

'How are we even sure Rio will agree to this?' Chengxin was still feeling disturbed but was gaining a little hope.

'Oh Rio doesn't like Pandora okay?' Jiaqi smirked. 'So she'll definitely be willing to help you as long as she knows it will disturb Pandora's peace. I'm sure she'd like to see Pandora all jealous while Rio has her man.'

'I guess,' Chengxin mumbled to himself then turned to Jiaqi. 'Do you think it can really work? Because...I really can't handle not having Pandora.' more tears started to roll out of his eyes at the mention of the last statement.

'Yeah trust me, it will,' Jiaqi patted his friend's back in comfort. Jiaqi was silently wishing he took a video of Chengxin crying this hard and show him in the future.

...

'So Rio, we need your help,' Jiaqi said to Rio that evening in the kitchen as she did the evening dishes.

'What is it? By the way, where'd you guys go?' Rio asked them. She looked at Jiaqi then at Chengxin next to him whose eyes were looking quite swollen. She knew he had been crying but she just didn't know why. 'Is your friend okay?'

'No he's not, that's exactly why we need a favor.' Jiaqi continued. 'You see...Pandora chose Haoxiang over Chengxin. And Chengxin feels really terrible about it as you can see...'

'Aw, she chose Hoaxing over you?' Rio said in a sympathetic voice. 'It's okay, you don't need Pandora. You can get any other girl you want okay?'

'Okay, okay,' Jiaqi immediately started to speak before Rio started to give heartbreak advice. 'So we were thinking...would you mind pretending to date Chengxin so that Pandora should get jealous?'

'Huh?' Rio dropped the dish scrubber in the sink. 'You're joking right?'

'No. I really think it could work. She'll realize she likes Chengxin then boom, she'll be back. What do you say? Chengxin is really sad, he really needs your help.'

Rio looked at the sad Chengxin then nodded. 'What the heck...sure. As long as you're gonna give me a proper script to act this out. Believe it or not, I've never had a boyfriend before.'

'Oh I believe it alright,' Jiaqi shook his head at her. 'Anyway thanks, let's start tomorrow.'

'Okay.'