made for each other . We love the same poets and artists , we both love the smell of rain and the sound of spring . She could always finish my sentences , and I always understood what she meant from even an eyesight from her . It ’ s like she speaks the same language as me that no other person on the planet could understand . Time had never passed so fast . When the sun almost disappeared in the horizon , and the orange burning clouds started to be swallowed by the darkness , I realized that it was time for me to go home . I promised to write to her when I ’ m away and gave her the jade that I wore for twenty-one years . We exchanged vows under the beautiful sunset , and when the sun kissed the earth , I kissed her on the forehead . Wan Er , what a lovely name . I would never forget your name until the end of my life . The very next day , my father took me to Shanghai . Many generals and merchants came to my father with their daughter , but I did not even bother to look at any of them . To me , they ’ re not even as beautiful as an inch of her skin . They look like they were carefully trying to be as graceful as they can , but under their elegant appearance and background , I could just see emptiness . They ’ re just like me in some ways , but even worse — raised to be the perfect gift from a family to the other to create a companion . Waner is unlike them . She is a free and gifted girl with the most beautiful soul on the planet , and I ' ve decided that it was her and only her for the rest of my life . After the banquet , we went out with our family friend to get me to know their daughter . I guess that they ’ ve already made their choice in their daughter-in-law . I sat through their boring conversation and didn ’ t say more than ten words . The thing is , my father didn ’ t notice my change in attitude at all , he was too much into his conversation to notice anything about me . The girl is in a perfect but stiff smile and going along with their conversation when necessary . I cannot believe that I have to marry her because I have no love for her at all and neither does she to me . Our marriage would be first bonded together by our parents and then by our children . But have neither of them ever considered about our feelings ? Did they ever think about us for just one tiny moment ? When we went back to our home in Shanghai , my mind exploded and didn ’ t know what to do . I could not let Waner be one of my mistresses just like what my dad did to his lovers ; I have to give her a title , even if it means giving up my future as the head of our family . That night when my father was asleep , I took some money and ran off buying the earliest train ticket for the morning back to Wuchang . I was writing love letters and poems to her as time ticks away . I was afraid that my father would find out , and I was nervous and uneasy because my jade isn ’ t with me , but when I thought about her , everything is right again . I ran to her house as soon as I got off the train , which is not far away from the train station . It was already 8:00 PM in the night and her house is already dark . I whisper , “ Waner , Waner , are you there ?” After a few seconds , I hear rapid footsteps down the stairs , and the next thing I see is a gorgeous angel dressed in white . Waner took my hand and ran to the tree with me . When we got to the tree , I looked at her carefully to see that her lips have lost the usual red and her eyes are puffy and tired . “ What ’ s the matter , Waner ?” I asked with concern . She avoided eye contact from me , “ No , no , it ’ s nothing … I just … I didn ’ t …” I held her in my arms before she got to finish her words and felt the jade inside her dress stick to our skin . I patted her gently on the back and soothed her . “ I didn ’ t know that you were the son of the general ,” She finally said . I felt blank for a moment and didn ’ t know what to do . “ Your mother came to me yesterday night and told me that you would have a fiancee after you go to Shanghai , and ... and that we are from different worlds ... we ' re not suitable for each other .” I feel her eyes start to water and her body started shaking . I can ’ t think of anything when she ’ s crying in front of me . My mind is blank of responsibilities and pressure , and I just want to run away with her . “ Waner , let ’ s run away . We would go to the countryside and be conventional farmers and live a normal and happy life . We could ——” “ Stop . Fan . It ’ s too unrealistic .” I held her hands , “ You never know , we didn ’ t even try .” We ran to Han Road to get a taxi and told the driver to drive as far from Wuchang as he can . Waner held my hand tightly on the taxi and leaned on my shoulder . I could feel her trembling with a million thoughts thinking if our decision is right or not and afraid that we would get caught . But I didn ’ t regret at all , I just want to be with her even if it means that I have to give up all I have . All I can see now are her gently shaking eyebrows and the sun reflecting on her marble-like skin , and I felt that this is a treasure I shall keep forever . “ Where are you going after leaving the city ?” The driver asked with curiosity . “ To the west .”