Night, night.

Zhang Wei and Shelby only stayed for your birthday and they had to return to America. Your brother had his apartment in California. He invited you to come and visit him during the festive season.

You were outside watering the potplants when Ming Mei ran out with your phone in her hand.

Ming Mei was panting. "It is your friend Sana!!!"

You took the phone and placed it on the speaker. " Hi, Sana! How're things?"

Sana with a lively tone."Hi Yunru, it is right here, actually very good....no great. Remember the exhibition?"

"Uh-huh," you said. Putting the water can down.

Sana "well my photo exhibition got first place...how awesome is that and all because of you my lovely friend and my portfolio will be on the Art Department's website. So it's online. I'm so happy."

You just chuckled lightly," Wow Sana!....congrats ...no you did the job. I possed congrats anyway again. What about Bei Wei?"

Sana laughs slightly." Her work was too overdone and didn't fit the general theme. So she lost. When Cho saw the winning photo, she wanted to know which agency you are, in cause you are so beautiful. Bei Wei was livid, and that's an understatement, she called the judges fake  and unprofessional, that knows nothing."

" karma !"You stated.

Sana is still on the roll. " that's not all.. that guy who saw our exhibition, the one who only smiled and walk away, told my professor, that he would like me to work with him...I'm so ecstatic.  He sends me also a contact  number for a modeling company, and that my dearest friend is for you."

Me!" you said confusedly.

"Mr. Sugwoon said ...that  You are so photogenic. I want to tell you something. He was so impressed with your photos and wanted to know if you have an agency. There's an agency that specializes in short models for catalog modeling. Are you interested.?

You immediately decline " not, interested." as if you would like to strut like a peacock on a ramp. No, thanks.

Sana with a whiny voice" common Yunru this is an opportunity to spread your wings by doing something exciting. Dahyun and I talked about how gorgeous you are. Your skin, your teeth, your healthy hair. Oh,Yunru you'll be famous..."

You signed and protested" - yes ..but  I had to do embarrassing stuff in front of people. I don't like to be in front of the camera's but behind it."

"It will only be you and the photographers. You will quickly get out of your shell and become more confident in front of people. " Sana stated.

You inhale deeply- "I don't know San-"

Sana still in her persuasive manner"  look... go see them..the agency ...I'll go with you, and if you don't like them then I'll understand...If they want you, you could also be my savior, make you well known, and I used you later in my portfolios. I'll get lots of clients because of your fame."

You laugh amusedly. " San, you have a lot of faith in me, let me talk to my parents first, and I'll get back to you."

Sana" please do so, I heard this agency had been shortlisting for a major clothing brand campaign for some  department store...you'll never know...and you might get a lucrative check over ¥ 600 000 for the shoot alone."

Your mouth and eyes dropped wide simultaneously " What !!! you are kidding me that is almost the price of a small apartment."

Sana smiled smugly on the other side "could it be a motivation enough ... to say yes!"

You are still conflicted " the agency... is in Beijing?..is it legit, not an agency that lures young girls into prostitution?"

Sana laughed" of cause not!... It's legit do you know two famous actresses who came from that agency? Can I make an appointment for you now? The uni reopens next week. Then you and I can go and check it out ok."

You signed still not sure about it, but if your parents agree, then you'll give it a try. You told her you'd call or text her the outcome with your parents.

You spoke to your parents, and they were ecstatic and wanted you to experience any social interactions. Even if it's modeling, you love different styles and trends, your mom even said, you'll become an elegant lady, not this tomboy she raised.

Your father wants the information about this agency to check it out. He is not keen for you to end up in a sex-trafficking scam or with a perverted older man preying on young girls.

You text Sana, and she immediately notifies Sungwoon and the agency. Sana also gave you the link to the website to see your photos.

"Mom I forgot to tell you Sana won the photography competition also" You excitedly inform your mom.

Your mom happily claps her hands together in delight " oh that's lovely dear. .."

You also smirked " and here is the link to our winning portfolio" you turned the laptop screen toward your mom and Ming Mei, their eyes grew wide, and then screams, shrieks and shouts enveloped the whole quiet room into chaos. Your mom called your dad, and he congratulates you on such good professional photos.

" ask Sana for copies, and will pay for the whole portfolio. I must send some of these cute pics to your grandparents also in Shanghai" your mom looks super excited to see the beautiful images.

Your father furrows his brows and looks to your mom" and also her grandparents in South Korea...You can't keep the kids away or not let them communicate with their grandparents."

Your mom presses her lips tightly " ...they never cared for us... Your parents disowned you, so why must we involve them in our family matters."

Your father signs and gave your mom a side hug" ...I was, but  ... it has been two years since we've made up, Seulgi, you must forgive."

Your mom stubbornly shake her head, and you could see your mom's eyes were tearing up " we...I was never good enough.." she just put the cup harshly down and left the room.

You look sadly into your father's apologetic eyes, he just turned and went in the direction your mom just left.
Ming Mei is just indulging in your photos and is checking out the other photographers' work oblivious to what has happened around her.

You just signed cause you know what your parents went through years ago is still a susceptible and painful subject.

You went to your room to take a nap.

A few minutes later, Ming Mei barges energetically into your room, shaking you awake.

"Jie Jie...Dad wants to know if you want to go out for dinner. He is taking mom out and wants to know if you want to come also-"

You look tiredly at her" ...no I want to sleep a little, bring me some take out ok" you fell back on your pillow. Ming Mei just shrugged and ran out to inform your parents about your plans to sleep.

A few hours later, your phone was ringing non-stop.
" urgh..."

You grumbly put it by your ears " hello.."

You heard crying and sobbing at the other side of the line it's Liu Mei "Yunru ...he  ...he...Oh my gosh...!!!" she is sobbing loudly.

You sat up quickly " Liu Mei ...what is it? Why are you crying did someone die!!!" You think the worse now.

Liu Mei still sobbing" I met my soulmate ...he rejected me Yunru...I'm not what he wants...Yunru.. he is the sole male heir of the D'Angelos  Technologies Corp. He is already engaged to be married next year..."

You are speechless with shock..." w..what are you telling me...You met your soulmate, and he is engaged, but that's against the law!!! It's not allowed. Liu Mei"

Liu Mei still crying" If you are part of the "Multi  Billionaire Citizens Legacy " the system favors you. It's a club that ensures high prestige families like the billionaires and the royal dynasties can be protected by the Systems Law and even defend them from commoners that can tarnish their legacy."

You are visibly shocked, and you didn't know that part, of course, you just weren't interested in reading the thick manual's policy parts.

"Oh, my word Liu Mei...I'm so sorry You know you could die if you don't complete the soul bounding-"

Liu Mei with a heartbreaking sad voice" - his bodyguards forced us the do the soul-bounding rituals- the lowest part is that both of us had the red-gold string. It was so beautiful yet painful. Red gold swirls around our arms he can leave me now without getting to die!"

You are now really flabbergasted " that is insane and totally "bull horns" Liu Mei...he will never be able to leave you, and he can never run away from his love for you..he could deny the bond, but it will just make him feel empty...what are you going to do...?"

Liu Mei with a small voice" I'm going to be  forever alone, loving someone forever...no future prospects...no wedding..no beautiful babies from my love...nothing...my life has no meaning"

You feel so sad " Liu Mei it's not the end of the world...You can still live as Tarnished. Although your heart will belong to someone else, you can date a lot! Don't think negatively. Your life has meaning. You don't need a man to define you, I'm so proud of you because you are healthy, you've got a beautiful personality, and you're also an heiress?"

Liu Mei with a crack in her hoarse voice, " How will I be able to live without my soulmate knowing he loves me but will now deny the bond? Since birth,  already betrothed to a best friend and what makes matters worse is her soulmate committed suicide a few months ago.

No, you feel bad. That is the curse of old money. The rich think that money can buy anything.

Liu Mei utters with a tired voice. " He is so handsome Yunru everything that I've dreamt of but he was so cold and distant...we met at a park. He was walking his dog with two of his bodyguards. The dog accidentally got loose and ran me over in its haste to chase another dog. He helps me up and that its when it happened."

"Do your parents know?" you asked worriedly.

"Oh my gosh, no! I can never devastate them like that, and my father can create a lot of problems. It happens this morning Yunru and I'm still shooked. Found and lost my soulmate in one minute how pathetic is that." She said with pain in her voice.

" The worse thing is, is that my dad wants to partner with their company to enhance our prospects in the market. During our holiday Dad said he and Mr. D'Angelo have a meeting schedule and I had to accompany him...Yunru,  not knowing I'll be bonding with their young CEO. He didn't even bother to get to know me, and he only knows my first name, he treated me like a one-night stand. I'm sorry, I can't do that. I'm going to tell Dad that I need to work on my final portfolio assessment  at uni."

You quickly say" Such a jerk!!! Why don't we go back two days before spending time with each other, then I'll tell you what happened with Dylan" You told her about Dylan but leave out the more juicy details when you go back, Sana's portfolio win, your prospective modeling career.

Liu Mei is suddenly attentive" Oh congrats ... stupid Dylan... his soulmate is going through the same thing as me right now...also I'm glad for you...you will be famous in front and behind the camera. So many things are  happening to our group right now."

You chuckled " True...I'm the only one that must find her soulmate, and I got a feeling I'm going to be in the same boat as you, but we'll keep each other strong ok why don't you go and watch Jimins'  mv's to energize you."

You can hear Liu Mei gush, you are glad your friend is somewhat calm now, but you know the pain will return when she's alone.

You said to her with a soothing voice " we will get back to uni, indulge in all our favorite food and snacks, do spa treatments, and overload ourselves with the Bangtan boys, ok! I'm not going to be a pain about them anymore!

Liu Mei sounds happier " oh Yunruthat sound so wonderful... I'll tell you everything in detail ok..and you must tell me about your brother's soulmate. I'm so jealous but let me love you and leave you my mom wants us to go to the hot springs see you."

You hang up and fall back down on your bed thinking about Liu Meis, the devastating encounter with her soulmate, and believing she will lose him forever when he finally marries his best friend.

Will her soulmate reject her also? She hoped she doesn't meet him now. It will give her time to enjoy building her career, and she can be a strong pillar for Liu Mei.

Dylan always called you before bed. She was ranting that his soulmate is stalking him and wanted to be around him all the time—a Filipino girl. According to Dylan, she's a year older than him, and she's working as an Executive Secretary at a Food manufacturing company.

You signed" Dyl, why don't you try to be friends with her, she needs to be close to you...remember she got the short end of the stick...her love for you will remain. But be the friend to her as fate intended. When you are with her, forget about me and our friendship, please."

Dylan with a whiny voice" ...the thing is..my parents don't like her much...they wanted you as their daughter, and I don't want to give her false hope."

You signed exasperated " Dyl...it's unfair of your parents to compare us. She's your soulmate she can give you all the love and care that I might never be able to give you now please Dyl, be there you'll understand later why's it important for you to do that."

Dylan with frustration. " that is why I hate this system ... my love is still hot for you..Yunru and it doesn't seem to wane"

You feel worse and more guilty than before, and you unknowingly stole the affection of someone's soulmate. You think about Liu Mei's situation, and you can't imagine what she's going through for real this time, now Dylan does the same.

This soulmate business is insane. Can't you sleep and wake up in another universe?

A/n: There you have it. All your friends received their soul marks. This chapter was a little sad to write.

Question: What do you think Liu Mei should do fight or flight?