Karin knows what William said is right. If she did not know this, she would have given up early.
"But what should I do? Mia is just like a ghost, sticking me like a limpet. Maybe today she just
destroyed some of my favorite things. But what about tomorrow? I don’t even know what she is going
to do…"
"Then, what’s Troy’s attitude?"
"He feels guilty for Mia. What’s his attitude? He tries to downplay it."
Karin feels very depressed about this. She thinks Troy shows favoritism to Mia tonight. Does she think
too much?
"From my point of view, I think Troy loves you. His care towards Mia is just a kind of responsibility. So,
don’t be angry. I think he is kind of unlucky facing such things."
"I am not angry with him. I just find it very annoying. The happiest thing for me in the past was to return
to Ziteng Garden because this was the place where I could stay with Troy. I think it was my home. But
now, the last thing I would do is to go back there. Wherever I go, I can see Mia’s piteous eyes and I can
hear her cold voice, just like a ghost, following you wherever you are. I feel very painful. Can you
understand?"
William glances at Karin with a sympathetic look, saying, "What about just give up Troy? Then all your
miseries will disappear."
"No."
"But you will be very tired if so."
"I won’t give up even though it is tiresome."
William smiles, "Then, just do what you want. Since you have made up your mind, then be brave. Tell
yourself, ‘Just let the storm be stronger. I can’t be defeated. I can get everything I want’."
"Will it work?"
"Have a try."
"Okay."
Karin opens the window and screams to the outside, "Just let the storm be stronger. I can’t be
defeated. I can get anything I want."
"How does it feel?"
"Very well. I feel much confident now."
Karin smiles, "Thank you very much. Billie went back to Edinburgh several days before. I have no other
friends to talk to except you. Thank you."
"You are welcome. Although you only come to me when you feel sad, I am still happy about that at
least it proves that I am of some use."
"No kidding. Billie said you are very competent and play a decisive role in your company."
"I am still a rookie compared with Troy."
Karin’s phone rings after William finishes his words. She looks down at the number and knows it is from
Troy. She hesitates for a while and then picks up, "Hello…"
"Where are you?"
"On the way home."
There is no response. Karin hangs up the phone.
William has changed the direction before Karin asks. They are back to the original way.
Thinking that she will see Mia soon, Karin’s good mood turns bad quickly. Leaning on the window,
looking at the darkness outside, she feels confused, not knowing what to do…
"Let me tell you a joke."
"What?"
Karin straightens up, feeling a little bit surprised. Telling jokes is the play between Troy and her. Why
would William mention this?
"Why?"
"I just want you to be happier."
William clears his throat and says, "Little rabbit was wandering through the forest when she met big
wolf. The big wolf slapped her and said, ‘I want you to wear hat’. Little rabbit left, feeling wronged."
The next day, wearing her hat, little rabbit jumped up and down along the way. She met big wolf. Again,
he slapped her, saying, ‘I don’t want you to wear hat.’
Feeling sad, little rabbit decided to ask for help from tiger, the king of the forest.
After telling tiger her purpose, tiger said, ‘Okay, I know. I will handle this. Please trust us.’ That day,
tiger asked big wolf to his home, and said, ‘You are doing it wrong. You put me in a tough spot.’ Tiger
brushed lightly the smoke on the table and continued, ‘You can ask her to find meat for you.’
‘If she gives you a fat one, then you tell her you want a lean meat. If she gives you a lean one, then you
tell her you want a fat meat. Then you have every reason to beat her. Or you can ask her to find a
woman for you. If she finds a chubby one, you can tell her you want a slim woman. The opposite also
works. Then you can beat her as you like. What do you think?’ Big wolf nodded and applauded,
admiring tiger very much. But all their talks were heard by little rabbit who was cutting weed out for
tiger. She felt very angry.
The next day, little rabbit met big wolf again. Big wolf said, ‘Find me a meat.’
Little rabbit asked, ‘What kind of meat do you want, fat or lean?’ Big wolf’s heart sank, but then he felt
happy again. At least he had plan B. Therefore, he continued, ‘Find a woman for me. Quick.’
Little rabbit asked, ‘Then, what kind of woman do you like, chubby or slim?’ Remaining silent for two
seconds, big wolf slapped her hard and said, ‘You don’t wear hat today.’
William thinks Karin will burst into laughter. But, to his surprise, she feels even more depressed.
"What’s wrong? Isn’t it funny?"
"No, it’s funny."
"Then why don’t you laugh?"
"Someone told this joke before. Only the protagonist is different."
"Troy?"
"Yes."
"Surprisingly. I thought he was indifferent. I never expect that he would tell such funny joke."
"He is not indifferent. At least not for me."
"Of course. No one could be indifferent to the woman he loves." William shrugs, saying, "Alright. You
have arrived."
Karin opens the door and gets off. "Thank you." She says again.
"You are welcome. We are friends." William smiles and then drives away.
Karin is about to enter Ziteng Garden when Yuma rushes towards her and says excitedly, "Finally you
come back, Miss Karin. A good news for you…"
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