Luhan’s POV

I looked at the silver doorbell. I knew I had two options: run away or face my past head on. Mirae stood beside me and waited patiently. I closed my eyes for a moment, going through the same sentences I had gone through time and time again ever since I decided I wanted and needed to do this. Li Jing, I’m standing here to ask for your forgiveness. I’m standing here to answer your questions if you have any... Please, forgive me. I brought my hand to the doorbell and pressed my index finger against the cold metal, making a clear sound resonate inside the house. The sound of footsteps tensed me up: I clenched my fists, set my jaw and the muscles in my back contracted. No, no, no! Don’t open! Don’t- “Who are you?” said a little boy. I looked at him and couldn’t say a word.

“Hi,” Mirae cooed, bending down to the little boy. “Your mother?” I chuckled at Mirae’s funny sounding Chinese and immediately felt calmer. I bent down too.

“Hey, kid. Is your mother here?” The boy shone up, probably because he now understood the question, and nodded.  “Can you go get her?”

“Yes, Mr!” He jumped down from a tiny plastic chair, becoming significantly shorter all of a sudden, and then ran as fast as he could inside. I stood up straight and smiled.

“You okay?” Mirae whispered, taking my hand in hers. I squeezed her hand, nodding at her.

“Yeah.”

“Who is it, Lu-Lu?” I froze on the spot and just gaped. Lu-Lu??? Li Jing came out from a door and halted upon seeing me. I closed my mouth and swallowed hard. “L-Luhan?” she stuttered. “Is it really you?” Li Jing’s lips formed a gentle smile, that same smile that I had once loved above everything.

“You named him after me...?” I asked perplexed, pointing towards the boy. Li Jing bit her lip and nodded. I exhaled and allowed myself to let go of all the anxiety, frustration and sadness which had built up inside because of this moment. “It’s... wonderful to see you again. And... Whoa... He looks just like you,” I complimented, smiling widely at both Li Jing and the boy. I could see Li Jing tearing up and before I knew it, she sprung into my embrace and hugged me tightly. I carefully wrapped my arms around her, hugging her back and relived some memories during the time we hugged.

“It’s wonderful to see you too, Luhan. Really.” She chuckled and wiped her cheeks. “Come in, come in,” she urged and pulled both me and Mirae inside. “What brings you here?”

“I wanted to apologise. Officially. And also tell you that, well, I’m happy. I hope you’re happy too. But I think I can see for myself that you are,” I explained. Li Jing nodded. The boy stood on his chair and poked me on the leg.

“Who?” he asked and looked up at his mother with a confused expression. Li Jing smiled brightly and took him up in her arms.

“His name is Lu Han. He’s an old friend of mine,” she explained to the boy. I chuckled at the boy’s wide eyes and round mouth as he processed what she said. Li Jing then turned to Mirae and smiled. “Sorry, I forgot to ask: who are you?” she asked Mirae who looked at me. I took Mirae’s hand in mine.

“Actually, this is my wife... It’s a long story, but she is. She doesn’t speak Chinese, but she came with me for moral support anyhow,” I explained to Li Jing who lit up and reached out a hand to Mirae. “She speaks English though.”

“It’s nice to meet you!” she said in English. Mirae smiled, shaking her hand.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” she replied. I watched the two women interact with one another and noticed that they looked rather comfortable, which made me very happy. Mirae looked at Lu-Lu. “Your son is adorable. Can I take him for a while so that you and Luhan can talk alone? Would you be okay with that?” she carefully wondered with a sweet smile at the boy. Li Jing giggled and gave Lu-Lu to her without hesitation. It surprised me how quickly she had found a liking for Mirae even though they did not know each other.

“Yeah, sure. If you’re Luhan’s wife I must assume that you are just as nice as I am,” Li Jing said, winking at Mirae. “His playroom is down the hall and to the left. Do you want anything to eat or drink by the way?” she added kindly.

“No, I’m all right,” Mirae answered and then turned to me. “Good luck, jagi.” I gave her a kiss on the cheek and both Li Jing and I watched her go with Lu-Lu to the playroom. After that, Li Jing showed me to the living room and I began to long elaboration that I felt she deserved. It must’ve taken over an hour, but Li Jing was silent the entire time and let me explain it all to her. Naturally, I skipped some parts of the story but still kept the most essential. Li Jing listened till the very end and joined me in a deep breath when I came to the end.

“Wow, that’s quite a story. You shou