13. Let me Help you

Trying to mend a broken heart was as hard as it sounds.

From surprising Wu Yige with a whimsical treasure hunt where the clue was carefully crafted, revealing hidden messages of love and encouragement along the way, to orchestrated a private comedy show; enlisting the help of talented performers to tickle Wu Yige's funny bone; and inviting Lin Zhi to live in Wu Yige's house to add more laughter and lively atmosphere..

None was working.

Katrina could only roll up her sleeves and whipped up a delectable assortment of treats. From fluffy cupcakes adorned with intricate designs to melt-in-your-mouth cookies infused with warmth, each bite served as a gentle reminder that sweetness could still be found even in the midst of heartache.

Did it work?

Well, they got a smile from him when Lin Zhi threw them flour and messed up the kitchen with food fights. This was finally enough to get him dressed and head for some important press conference for the 'World of the Stars'.

Another month passed and giving Wu Yige no door in his room didn't make him a little bit social. The company was losing money for his continued refusal to accept endorsement or attending events. They wanted to admit him to the psychiatric ward and get professional help, but Wu Yige threatened to harm himself if they took him out of the house.

Katrina just fed her niece and supervised Wu Yige's lunch when her phone rang and it was a video call from her university's best friend - Shen Fe.

"Hi, my favorite fashion mogul? How's South Korea treating you?

"Oh, Katrina! It's been absolutely amazing! I'm currently in Seoul and my store looks amazing!"

Katrina watched as her best friend gave her a tour of her store and occasionally commented on her choice of decoration and which piece from which collection should she placed in a certain location. Their conversation ranging from sharing outfit ideas, discussing fashion trends, gossiping on artist latest tea, reviewing fitness routines or beauty products, to recommending travel destinations and planning future trips

"Oh my god! I can't believe I haven't given you this idea!"

"What idea?"

"Superstar Wu's condition is still not improving, right?" Katrina's bitter smile was enough for Shen Fe to continue talking, "Look, Arthur and I were called by a producer of a famous South Korean variety show about celebrity guardians and their children. We'll be filming in Jeju next week, my niece and his nephew will be there too. Why don't you take Yige here to relax and let Lin Zhi play with children her age? You know, kill two birds in one stone?"

Katrina thought of the idea and ended the call with a simple "I'll think about it and let you know."

Katrina browsed the internet for the villa Shen Fe reserved for. The website showed the picturesque shores of Jeju Island, South Korea. The video captured the model strolling along the sandy beaches with the ocean breeze whisking their hairs as they basked in the serenity of the landscape, finding solace in each other's company.

This was something she expected on a yoga retreat, not a resort and villa video promotion, but whoever the marketer in charge was doing a great job because she immediately ok-ed Shen Fe's idea and booked the three of them a first class ticket to Jeju.

She hoped this trip could gently piece together the fragments of Wu Yige's broken heart.

.

.

.

As he stepped off the plane and onto the foreign soil, a wave of annoyance washed over Wu Yige. The travel destination was not what he had envisioned, not at all what he had hoped for. The bustling airport with many elderly in groups, the noise of waves, and the salty taste on the tip of his mouth every time he took a breath.

Everything was annoying!

But no matter how annoyed he was,Wu Yige couldn't deny the fact that it was Katrina who had made the reservation.

Katrina was always there during his darkest hour, no matter how rude and violent he was, she was always by his side. Of course he knew, he paid her, but she didn't have to put up with his heartbreak for months. She made her choice and she chose to stay with him.

So, with a heavy sigh, Wu Yige squared his shoulders and plastered a smile while holding Lin Zhi. He would endure this trip, even if it wasn't his ideal choice. He would make the most of it, for the sake of the people he cared about, for the sake of their relationship.

So he took a deep breath, let go of his annoyance, and embraced the adventure that lay ahead. Maybe, this place could mend a little of his poor heart.

"You made it!"

Shen Fe immediately hugged her best friend while her boyfriend - Arthur Shang stretched his hand to Wu Yige's free hand for a handshake. The men briefly met on various showbiz occasions, but since their focus of acting was different the opportunity was quite rare. Who knows the woman in their life would throw these top actors here.

Shen Fe suggested having a barbecue at their vacation villa near the beach. The villa had a spacious outdoor area with a grill and a stunning view of the ocean. The women in charge of preparing the barbecue. They excitedly gathered the necessary ingredients and fired up the grill while Wu Yige and Arthur Shang were designated with babysitting the three toddlers in the cozy seating area.

Lin Zhi and Shen Fe's niece - Shen Yuna, collectively being mischievous and playfully chasing the boy - Andrei Shang with a water gun, giggling with delight.

Wu Yige watched the groups from the sideline while Arthur Shang joined the fun by showing off his dance moves to entertain the children. The toddlers found his silly dance routine hilarious and tried to imitate him, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

As the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling meat filled the air, they gathered around the table and for once after getting off the plane, the kids were well behaved and waiting to be fed. They enjoyed a delightful afternoon under the clear blue sky, bonding over delicious food and laughter.

The little monsters' energy was finally exhausted and they slept in the same room. The host was back to their nest while Katrina found Wu Yige on the terrace swing near the beach. He was gazing out at the crashing waves with several unopened beers beside him. His expression was filled with melancholy, his heart clearly burdened by the weight of the recent heartbreak.

Katrina sat down beside him, the sound of the waves provided a soothing backdrop on the silence. But Katrina had no intention to let this rhythmic ebb and flow of the waves cover the gaping wound.

"I used to be Zhang Siyuan's secret girlfriend for 10 years, then I found out he's cheating with Liu Fei last year."

Wu Yige was taken aback, looking at her with confused and strange eyes.

"I was going to Otta to pick up Lin Zhi, but his parents called me and wanted me to come over. What can I say, we've been together since we're 18, I can't say no. They were very warm and welcoming towards me and Lin Zhi. We ended up staying there," it was Katrina's turn to gaze out at the crashing waves, "I found his diary and he was in love with Liu Fei from the beginning. I was just his escape, his rebound. For ten.. whole.. years. Ha! What a scumbag."

"I'm sorry."

"No, don't be. I'm not telling you this for that" She finally looked at him, her eyes were unwavering and the smile was reassuring, "What I want to say is.. I know what you feel, I've been there. Those taunting what ifs and whys, those little things that made our hearts fluttered, the tender moments we experienced, and the promises we made to each other.. I know how it haunts your sleepless nights, how you hate when the sun rises and everyone is fine while you feel like your body has been flipped inside out and left with nothing. Trust me, I know."

For a while, the rhythmic ebb and flow of the waves sent her to a trance.

She reminisced about the laughter they shared, the anticipation she had to meet him, the anniversary gift, and a little rendezvous they had. But as their moments played like a film reel in her mind, the hundreds of pages of his handwritten confession about another girl made tears welled up in her eyes and her heart ached with the weight of the betrayal.

Katrina woke up and immediately wiped her tears, she realized that the past love she held dear was not what it seemed. It was a bittersweet reminder of the fragility of trust and the devastating impact of deception.

The scumbag wasn't worth her tears and she smiled at Wu Yige, "I just want to say, I survived something similar to yours and look at me now? Aren't I healthy, happy, and successful? If anyone can help you, Yige, it's me. So, let me help you."

Under the waning moon, a pact had been signed.