After last night's gift giving party, I feel it's time for Zhan and I to finally go on our honeymoon! I head downstairs for a bite to eat first, however.
And yes, I'm still ignoring that puddle. We'll see who gives up first!
Leaving Monte Vista's snowy streets for a warmer place is refreshing for both of us.
Zhan is so excited to be back here--this time as a married man! He can't wait to tell his brother Shen everything about his new wife and also wants to give him a gift he picked up in Monte Vista.
It's going to be the perfect honeymoon.
Except for the fact that Zhan and I head off in different directions!
Zhan has been itching to visit the Martial Arts Academy to continue his training.
I have something different in mind.
While Zhan meditates on the joys of friendship...
... I seek out company that is a little less... sociable.
The terracotta army is just as imposing as I remembered!
The true reason I came here, however, is to have some time to myself to contemplate things.
I've finally found love, but in my eagerness to do so, I've made some rash decisions. My mind drifts to David Haynes and I can't help but worry what would happen if Zhan ever found out about him. I'm sure it would break my husband's heart.
Then again, I only went after David because Zhan broke my heart... well, at least I thought so at the time! Does enduring heartbreak justify causing heartbreak?
This is giving me a headache.
I stand like this, pondering for hours.
In the meantime, Zhan achieves peak mindfulness.
Much like his wife, he remains in his trance without noticing the passage of time.
It's getting dark, so I make my way back to the hostel.
That... that can't be the ice cream I ate when I was here before, can it? Eugh!
I really wonder where Zhan is...
Eventually, exhausted and hungry, he decides it's time to go to bed.
Ferocious carnivores, sensing weakened prey, stalk Zhan all the way through the dark woods.
He makes it home safely, though.
And everyone can finally get some rest.
The next day begins in a similar way to the one before. Zhan is out of the door at sunrise...
... while I have breakfast by myself.
Zhan is back to his rigorous training routine.
I look out over the beautiful scenery, wondering what I want to do today.
I finally realize that I need to make an effort to spend some time with my husband! I want to play chess, so I follow Zhan to the academy and challenge him to a game.
It was a good decision, because unlike yesterday, we get to spend some time together and make some lasting memories!
We also practice our ass-kicking skill, of course.
On the last day of our vacation it's time to do what we came here for in the first place. We head out to meet up with Zhan's brother Shen!
Pedaling a bicycle up the steep mountain is much harder for me than it is for the athletic Zhan, so he arrives long before I do.
He wastes no time and introduces his big brother to the traditional Monte Vista pillow fight.
Shen can definitely see the appeal!
Keeping up with an athletic sim is impossible! When I've finally made my way up to the house, I take a few minutes to catch my breath.
As I admire the tastefully arranged yard, a woman walks up to me. "What do you think you're doing here," she yells. "This is private property!"
"S-sorry," I stammer, taken aback. "I... I just--"
"Damn tourists," she growls. "I don't care what the fortune cookie told you. NO, I do NOT have a dragon-shaped jade key to the secret tomb of my ancestors for you, so GET OFF MY LAWN!"
Frightened out of my mind, I'm about to follow her orders when I remember why I'm here. "I--I'm so sorry," I begin again. "But I'm here to see Shen Su? His brother, Zhan, sent an email saying we're coming. I'm Gloria, Zhan's wife. It's, uh, nice to meet you?"
I expected her face to soften after this revelation, but it doesn't. "Well then, you better come on in," she mutters and I follow her inside.
Zhan and Shen are still... preoccupied.
Shen compliments the sick gains his little brother has been making.
Lu Zhi, who turns out to be Shen's fiancée, is not the most pleasant person I've ever met, but she's agreeable enough when we sit down to watch TV together.
"So I hear you're a writer," she says.
I try to keep a calm demeanor, but inwardly I'm excited. Maybe this is something we can bond over! "Yeah, I've written a few books," I beam.
Lu raises an eyebrow. "Must be nice, getting paid to sit at home on your butt all day."
Did I say she was agreeable? Hmm...
Zhan is having a much better time with Shen than I am having with Lu.
He tells his brother all about Monte Vista's local specialties.
All this talk of food is making my stomach growl.
"Hungry, huh? Well, you're quite forward, aren't you," she snaps.
Lu gets up abruptly, but luckily Zhan joins me shortly after.
"Did you two get to chat about books?" Zhan smiles encouragingly. "Shen said he told Lu that you're a writer."
"Mhm."
Our hosts have both disappeared and Zhan and I are left to our own devices for quite some time. Zhan is fascinated by the TV--we still don't have one at home--but I get bored and stare out of the window. I wonder if I've made a good impression on my new in-laws...
I wonder where Lu went.
As if on cue, Lu stomps into the room.
"How rude," she barks. "There I am slaving away in the kitchen for you and you don't even have the decency to wash the dishes afterwards!"
I am flabbergasted.
So is Zhan, apparently.
Needless to say, I count the minutes until it's finally time to go back home.
Monte Vista, how I've missed ya!
