Chapter 1

Butterflies when they fly in the sky.. How beautiful.. How many peoples’ envy.. How many artists’ muse? Everyone knows the life cycle of a butterfly, it goes through the transition phase before breaking through the cocoon and flying high to the sky. But what if, after breaking through the cocoon what awaits it wasn’t the vast sky but steel pillars encasing it. Do they regret it? Do they hope they never made it out? Or.. do they feel happy because they’re fed well and taken care of unlike those who had to search for it.

Happiness.. Is it a risk free and peaceful life?

11:55 p.m, 29th August 2022. Frisco, Texas

Leaning against the ground to floor windows, Zhao Ning calmly took a sip of the coffee she made for herself.

When she was born, her parents’ only wish was that she could lead a peaceful life and that was why they named her Ning which meant peace.

The sky was dark and there were rare sights of vehicles on the road. The entire scenery before her was serene.

This year, I’m turning 28 and few people have what I have in life - peace. I’m currently a Product Manager at a well known MultiNational Company. My subordinates respect me and my leaders value me. This year I'm definitely getting a promotion. I was born and brought up in China. I completed my education there as well. But America didn’t feel weird now as we all are anyways working from home, and there was no second choice for me than moving here because my husband had a transfer and he can’t work from home like I do. He has to go to the office everyday and sometimes has to work all night - like today.

Her cell phone rang, It was 11:59 pm.

She looked at the caller in the display, a name that couldn’t be any more familiar - Wang Haoyu. A small smile crept up her lips as she attended the call.

Silence all over, neither of them spoke.

Seconds ticked away.

3..2..1

Fireworks decorated the sky before her, as she gazed at the splendid view from her windows as she heard the calm whisper on the other side of the phone.

“Happy Birthday, my dear wife. I love you the most”

Her eyes curved into a crescent as she mumbled a small thanks.

“How I wish to be by your side right now”, there was a tint of regret in his tone.

“No worries. I know work isn’t all that easy for you now. I’ll wait till you return”, Zhao Ning replied.

“No No you don’t have to. Take a rest. You have work tomorrow morning, but, free up your schedule from the afternoon. I’ve already applied for leave”, Wang Haoyu said.

She smiled, “Of course”

“Then, good night”, he said.

“Mhm, Good Night”, she whispered.

She hung up the call

Yet not a single trace of sleepiness was found in her eyes as she sat on the sofa and continued to watch through the windows.

Oh how serene

It was as if she was the entire personification of calmness and tranquillity.

It has been like this for 10 years. He will give her an exclusive fireworks show, whisper in her ears that he loves her the most, a promise that never spoke about forever, he always lived in the present. Next day, he will always take a half a day holiday and accompany her to do what she likes - or what he thinks she likes – or to be precise what she liked 10 years ago

Her phone beeped bringing her back to reality.

They were all messages from her friends, her family.

She was always showered with love. Her parents’ protected her, her friends adored her and her teachers valued her. Even relatives who normally can’t stomach others being happy genuinely wished the best for her.

Because she knew what to talk about and when to talk, she knew how to please people. She was talented but always did what brought the least risk. She avoided arguments. She looked pretty, presentable and approachable. Sometimes even if it isn’t what she likes to do, she will do it if that could bring peace in her life.

She scrolled through the multitude of “Happy Birthday to our princess” texts. It was always the same wishes for her to have a peaceful life, some envying the fireworks show, some telling her to cherish her husband forever, some telling her to give birth soon.

She laughed a little, “Have a peaceful life” she said aloud. “Wasn’t this much peace already enough”, she shook her head and continued to scroll through the texts.

Then she looked at the text sent at exactly 12 am.

The sender’s name couldn’t be anymore familiar - Xiyuan.

Amongst a list of professional yet distant names, this one stood out and so was the text he sent.

Zhao Ning, It's been 27 years ah! And yet you still don’t know how to ride a bus alone. So in your 28th year, can you finally, finally start being a little more daring? I wish you an adventurous life ahead.

Quick recap of one of your most daring moments - Do you remember that day when we sneaked into the Principal’s office after school was over to take back the manhua physical copy he snatched from my friend Chen RuoRuo? Chen RuoRuo instantly became your fan after that. He worshipped you as a goddess!! But till now the principal had no idea that it was you, the outstanding student and the class leader who actually sneaked into his room to bring that manhua back.

Zhao Ning, that day, when we took the manhua and ran for life before reaching your house, you were panting and swore at me that you would never do this again yet your eyes were smiling, you were happy. I hope you can have that happiness forever.

“Happiness..”, she said aloud. “Aren’t I happy right now?”, her eyes dimmed.

Yes, she never took a bus alone but isn’t it because she is well cared for? Who in their right mind would rather take a bus than to be treated like a precious one?

She remembered what happened with Chen RuoRuo, it was indeed one of her most daring moments. Before meeting this clown, she would’ve never imagined she would sneak into the principal's office to bring back a confiscated item. Even thinking about it made her adrenaline rush. How reckless was she? What about happiness ah? She was scared to death!!

She shook her head and replied

Dude only when you are cherished, you will know the happiness it brings. Happiness isn’t about being daring, It is having a peaceful life. When you finally find someone you love, let's see if you would leave her to take a bus alone.

The reply came almost instantly

I’ll let her flap her wings and fly high in the sky. Once she tastes freedom, I highly doubt it wouldn’t be addicting. And if she wants to stay protected, I can do that too. But never letting her taste freedom and telling her that the cage is her castle isn’t the best kind of life, is it?

She sighed. Every year this gets worse, he used to be subtle and hint at her that she doesn’t have freedom in life in the pursuit of peace but now he has become more open about his thoughts. She really didn’t want to keep this topic going.

Luckily it seemed like he realised that as well as the next text came almost immediately.

Forget it, It's your birthday, I don’t want to talk more on this. So, Is it all okay in the U.S now? After all, it's been three years since you left. When are you coming back to China?

Zhao Ning : Boss, my husband is working all day and all night here to support me. Is it even polite if I just demand him to go back to China with me right now?

Xiyuan : I’m talking about you, not Wang Haoyu. How do you feel about living forever in the U.S?

Zhao Ning : If he wants to go back, we will, else there is no way. Not to mention, I’m finally getting used to work from here. It would seriously hammer my rhythm if I go back now.

Xiyuan : That’s right. Often changing your place for work isn’t advisable.

Zhao Ning : Enough talk about me. How is the CEO doing?

Xiyuan : You finally know how to care for me huh? I ain’t telling you. It's late at night there isn’t it? Just go to sleep right away.

Zhao Ning : UNFAIR

Xiyuan : Good Night, Stupid.

Good Night, Stupid. She read the text twice and suddenly sleepiness washed over her. She looked at the cup of unfinished coffee in front of her and looked at the locked door. Doesn’t seem like he’s coming home anytime sooner. Okay, I’d rather sleep.

She walked into the bedroom and went to deep sleep.

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