Lang Li: East Hastings (Novel)
Lang Li
In Vancouver in July of the Xin Chou year, the weather was unusually hot, reaching 35 degrees Celsius. The heat was unbearable, and people flocked to the beaches. As far as the eye could see, the water and shore were densely packed with people, as if there were no COVID-19 pandemic happening at all.
Taking advantage of the weekend, Alice spent the morning tending to the flowers and plants in her backyard. She stood up straight under the magnolia tree, wiped away the sweat, took off her straw hat to fan herself, and contentedly enjoyed the fruits of her labor. A gust of wind rustled the magnolia leaves, and the hammock beneath the tree swayed gently. Alice walked over, caressed the long-neglected hammock, and longed to rest there for a while, reliving memories of days gone by.
Lost in clouds and mist, Alice's nap on the hammock turned into a deep sleep. A bird chirped, waking the dreaming Alice. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and instinctively checked her watch, suddenly remembering her date with John.
With less than an hour left until their meeting, Alice hurried home to take a shower.
What should I wear to meet John? Alice, fresh from her bath, opened her closet and looked at the dazzling array of colorful clothes. For some reason, her eyes skipped over the brightly colored summer dresses and she unthinkingly picked out the navy blue one.
Alice dresses with taste but not extravagance. Almost all of her clothes are from the renowned Canadian-French fashion designer Joseph. For over twenty years, Alice has been Joseph's “go-to fashion model” all the way in Montreal. Joseph's brand clothing is particularly suited for Alice. It's elegant without being expensive, and refined, enhancing her气质 (qìzhì - temperament/aura). Wherever Alice goes, she draws a lot of attention. In Vancouver, she even sparked a Joseph fashion craze!
Alice enjoys studying psychology and always tries to uncover the underlying mental activities behind the subconscious. When she took out the navy blue dress from the closet, she immediately understood why she had agreed to the date. It was less a date and more an opportunity to uncover John's secrets. Although the dress was made of fine material, expertly cut, and flowed beautifully, making Alice look elegant, intelligent, and refined when she wore it, aside from the sleeveless design, it was completely unsuited for the hot weather. Both the fabric and the color were more appropriate for Vancouver's spring and autumn seasons.
Alice, who is over sixty years old, has fair skin, and her collagen-rich face is firm and delicate, without a single wrinkle. Her large eyes are clear and lively, sparkling, and when she smiles, the corners of her mouth turn up, sweet and festive. Alice loves to talk and laugh. No matter where she goes, her sweet smile, deep voice, and cheerful personality always leave a lasting impression.
Alice, wearing a navy blue dress, stood before the full-length mirror. She swept her long, loose hair back into a high bun, instantly making her fair neck appear even straighter as she held her head high with the elegance of a swan. The dress was impeccably tailored, accentuating Alice's graceful figure. Her slender arms, set off by the navy blue sleeveless dress, appeared as fair as congealed fat, smooth and delicate. Alice smiled charmingly at her reflection in the mirror, ready to go out. Suddenly, she remembered she was going to see John and felt it was inappropriate. She immediately threw on a black thin blouse. Looking at her arms completely covered in the mirror, Alice finally let out a deep sigh of relief. Feeling appropriate, she then went out.
Alice is going to meet John, who is an old acquaintance. One day, three years ago, Alice's phone suddenly received a message with a photo of a man in a pilot's uniform. The man in the photo was tall and handsome, and his deep blue eyes immediately caught Alice's attention.
Alice, widowed for many years, felt she was too good for some and not good enough for others, experiencing “once having seen the ocean, it's hard to be swayed by ordinary water.” With a car, a house, and a career, it was difficult for ordinary men to catch Alice's eye. The moment Alice saw John in his flight suit, a song she loved in her youth immediately came to mind: “Cavalrymen love the grasslands, sailors love the sea. If you ask what pilots love? I love the blue sky of my motherland.” The young Alice was lively and romantic, adored the blue sky, dreamed of flying freely like a bird, and had an inexplicable fondness for pilots. John's text messages and photos awakened Alice's long-dormant emotions, and a blush of red appeared on her cheeks.
Alice doesn't want to text endlessly. Although John's looks and career are good, Alice has another important hurdle: if his voice isn't pleasant, it's a deal-breaker, as Alice is a voice connoisseur.
Authentic English, with a very magnetic baritone voice. Alice secretly rejoiced as soon as she answered John's call. Alice, who believed in love and pursued romance, finally felt her heart swell with emotion as she rowed her boat.
“Let's meet at Nightingale Bar on Saturday,” John invited sincerely.
A bar? Why meet at a bar for the first time? Alice, praised by her best friend as “romantic at heart, but practical in action,” felt her heart go cold the moment John invited her to meet at a bar.
John seemed to see through Alice's hesitation. “You're still living in your great-grandmother's era. Bars have not only alcohol but also a variety of drinks and snacks. It seems you need to train from the ground up.” John's tone was teasing and mocking. Sensitive and suspicious Alice found it particularly awkward. “You're the one living in your great-grandmother's era, looking at new things with old eyes. You're the one who needs to learn from scratch!” Alice couldn't stand John's arrogance and ridicule. She fired back at John's words like a machine gun, spitting them back at him. Their first conversation three years ago ended unhappily like this.
Three years later, John found Alice again. Didn't Alice want to seize this opportunity? In these three years, Alice had met several gentlemen of similar age, but none could compare to John. Not to mention John was a pilot and handsome, with a tall stature, a strong physique, and deep blue eyes. Alice's heart also wanted to get to know John well and give them both another chance, but she couldn't help but blurt out: “What have you been doing for the past three years? Let me tell you, I published two novels in three years.” Subconsciously, Alice had always believed that John was arrogant and unreasonable three years ago. On the surface, this statement was her showing off, but in reality, it was her mocking John. There were hidden meanings in her words: I'm not worse than you; don't show off in front of me and try to act like a teacher to train me.
“Congratulations, congratulations! I love accomplished women!”
Hearing this, Alice felt a bit embarrassed and regretted her attitude towards John three years ago. She must have been overly sensitive and suspicious, misjudging him. It seems men who have experienced the "blue sky" are different; their hearts are as broad as the sky, giving them the confidence to interact with successful women. Thinking back to the men she had met before, they would become hesitant before even speaking. Upon hearing she liked writing, they would show disdain and practically run away.
Alice's voice began to soften, “I don't like people who are always trying to train me.” Alice likes to get bogged down in details and insisted on clarifying what happened three years ago.
“You are the last bastion of my life. Life is precious and worth the risk of trying. Training you is about taking you from the ground to the sky, and together we will experience unprecedented awe.”
Alice couldn't help but laugh inwardly. It's easier to change mountains and rivers than one's inherent nature. After all this back and forth, John still wanted to be the leader. Alas, what woman doesn't worry? Isn't it just life's helplessness? Recalling how much hardship she had endured fighting alone all these years, a wry smile flickered across Alice's lips.
Seeing Alice remained silent, John continued, “We won't go to the bar this time. Let's meet at Crescent Beach.”
Another moment of silence, John coughed lightly, “I've had both my shots, and I'm sure you have too. It should be safe to meet at the beach.”
Hearing John say that, Alice had no reason to refuse. Alice herself couldn't figure out why, despite John being handsome and financially well-off, she always felt something was off. Was she being sensitive and suspicious, or had her subconscious picked up on something? Alice couldn't say. She was afraid of losing an opportunity if she didn't meet him, but felt uneasy about meeting him.
Alice, all set to go, glanced at her watch. With ten minutes to spare before meeting John, it was time to leave. As soon as Alice stepped out, she felt something was off and immediately turned back. Standing before the mirror, she re-examined herself and finally pinpointed the issue. She then put down her usual Chanel bag, switched to a summer casual bag, and drove her Lexus SUV all the way to Crescent Beach.
The crescent moon beach was crowded at dusk, with people swimming, boating, walking dogs, and those waiting to watch the sunset's afterglow had already secured their spots early. When Alice arrived at the beach, the parking lot was full, and the streets near the beach were clogged with cars. After several attempts, she still couldn't find a parking spot, so she texted John to inform him of the situation.
“Just as I expected. Luckily, I prepared a backup plan. Hurry to Heron Park near Crescent Beach!”
Heron Park? Alice had lived in Vancouver for over thirty years, and this was the first time she had ever heard of Heron Park. Just as she was about to ask John for the address, the proud Alice didn't want John to look down on her and immediately replied, “Coming right up,” before hastily googling the address.
Heron Park is practically the backyard of Crescent Beach. If the weather is pleasant, it's only about a ten-minute walk from Crescent Beach to Heron Park. The heat was unbearable, so Alice had no choice but to drive to Heron Park.
Heron Park is nestled on a small hill, lush with trees and vibrant summer flowers. The park is quiet, and the fading sunlight paints the flowers and trees with a golden hue, making the park solemn and majestic, as if it were an “Eden” specially prepared for John and Alice.
From afar, Alice saw a luxurious RV parked at one end of the park's parking lot, under a horse chestnut tree. Upon reaching the parking lot, Alice looked around. Apart from the RV, the parking lot was empty, with no sign of John. To avoid disturbing the RV, Alice parked her car at the far end, away from it, and waited for John.
“You got here fast, I can see you.” Alice had just turned off the engine and parked when she received a text from John.
Alice got out of the car and looked around, but still didn't see John's shadow. Just as she was wondering if John was teasing her again, her phone rang: “I'm over here!” Alice looked up and scanned her surroundings, finally spotting John waving from beside the RV.
Dating in an RV, seriously? Is this a show-off? Alice walked towards the RV full of doubts. As she got closer to John, the first things Alice noticed were John's sturdy build and his long hair falling over his shoulders in the wind.
John turned around and watched Alice gracefully walk towards him, as if admiring a favored bird, joyfully rushing towards its perch, with an inscrutable smile on her face. Alice happened to catch John's strange smile, and at the same time noticed John's deep blue eyes darting about, his long, flowing hair magically changing colors in the sunlight.
Alice was a little confused. Was she being overly sensitive and suspicious again? The hair was clearly gray and white, so why did it turn red in the sunlight?
John squinted at Alice, perhaps it was Alice's navy blue dress on a hot day, or the unnecessary addition of a black cardigan that made John uncomfortable. The corner of his lower left eye began to twitch involuntarily. As Alice approached, John sensed her aura of strength, as if she were preparing to match him with her capabilities. Despite the constant twitching of his lower left eye, John continued to gaze at Alice, thinking, "The stronger you are, the more I like you. Those beautiful, delicate women who are clingy aren't really my type."
John's attire was clearly put together with care: a light blue Givenchy shirt, crisp beige uniform shorts, handmade Italian leather shoes, and a Patek Philippe luminous dial mechanical watch. Due to the summer heat, as soon as Alice stepped out of the air-conditioned car, her face was already covered in sweat. Before Alice could even pull a handkerchief from her purse, John had already taken one out of his shorts pocket and handed it to her.
“Get in the car quickly, there's air conditioning,” John said as he got in first, then reached out his hand to help Alice in. The step into the car was too high, so John wanted to give Alice a hand.
The high-end RV was like a small apartment, complete with a living room, kitchen, and bedroom. The bedroom above the driver's cab was tidily arranged, with not a single wrinkle on the bed linens. The small kitchen, diagonally opposite the driver's seat, was impeccably organized, its stainless steel stovetop gleaming and spotless. Alice sat on the corner sofa in the rear living room, surveying every corner of the RV, trying to find more traces of John's life.
John took a cold can of beer, a bottle of Irish cream liqueur, a crystal glass, and some ice cubes from the refrigerator. He put the ice cubes into the glass, opened the Irish cream liqueur, and poured it into the glass. A sweet, fragrant aroma filled the RV.
”I bought this specifically for you. I hope you like it,” John said, handing the wine glass to Alice while picking up a canned beer for himself and taking a leisurely sip.
The taste of Baileys Irish Cream mixed with whiskey is exquisite, rich and sweet with a smooth, velvety texture. Alice swirled her wine glass, and a refreshing aroma filled her senses, quickly calming her from the annoyance brought on by the hot weather as she chatted idly with John.
John was quiet and rarely showed emotional changes. His thoughts seemed programmed; he answered questions directly and didn't seem to have anything to ask Alice. Alice thought, "John hasn't seen me in three years and he doesn't seem curious to learn more? Never mind, if he won't ask, I will. I must get to know John well."
The RV's air conditioning was incredibly strong. Sipping on Baileys with ice, Alice carefully observed the man before her. When talking about his flying career, John's blue eyes were as deep and clear as mountain lakes, proudly telling Alice about his past experiences of staying calm in emergencies and averting disaster. Everything was perfect, almost flawless: his handsome looks, his refined attire, his luxurious RV, his past glories. Yet, for some reason, Alice always felt something was off, much like this RV, so spotlessly clean it felt a bit unreal.
“Do you have any children?” Alice asked, concerned.
“No,” John answered simply.
“Do you have any siblings?
“No.”
“Why did you get divorced twice?”
“They don't listen.” John said, a little agitated. Is John a chauvinist? Alice wondered.
“Are your ancestors from Northern Europe?” Alice looked at John's blue eyes, wanting to change to a lighter topic.
“I don't know,” John shrugged his shoulders, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness.
“Where were you born?” Alice asked, a bit displeased with John's coldness.
“East Hastings,” John replied, his left lower eyelid twitching again. His blue eyes seemed to be veiled by a layer of mist, becoming unfathomable.
East Hastings? Alice screamed in her mind. John was born in East Hastings? This place, Vancouver's most notorious haunt for vagrants, prostitutes, and junkies, and a fine pilot was born in East Hastings? What kind of effort did it take for him to fly into the sky from “hell”? Could John be a man who defied fate and changed his destiny?
Faced with such honesty, shedding his scars without reservation, Alice's heart softened. She no longer pressed John on his past. In gratitude for his candor, she became more determined to give herself and John a chance, to get to know him slowly, little by little.
The sunset burned red across the sky. As dusk settled, Alice got up to say goodbye. Strangely, John didn't give Alice a polite hug or even a handshake. Just as Alice got into her car and started the engine, ready to drive away, she saw John standing by the RV in the rearview mirror, gazing at her for a long time.
Alice's heart was a jumble of emotions, a swirl of all the flavors. As she recalled the little details of her meetings with John, Alice found him increasingly mysterious. It was too hot, and Alice didn't want to rack her brain any further. As soon as she got home, she jumped into the shower again. After a refreshing lukewarm shower, she felt completely revitalized. She dried her hair, changed into a lotus-root-colored silk pajamas, and lay on her comfortable bed listening to Schubert's serenade. The beautiful melodies and the patter of the rain, like a gentle whisper, struck a chord in Alice's heart. Accompanying the serenade on this rainy night, Alice longed for someone to share an umbrella with her in the rain, and for someone to embrace her to sleep amidst the melodious music on a rainy night.
Romantic and passionate Alice slowly falls asleep to the sound of music and rain, entering dreamland. In her dreams, John is sometimes haughty with his head held high, sometimes his left eye twitches incessantly, a mist rises before his eyes, sometimes he offers sweet and delicious Irish Baileys, and sometimes he stands by the RV, gazing at the departing Alice for a long time...
In her dream, John was sometimes right before her eyes, and sometimes far away. Alice wished she could turn into a beautiful little bird, fly to John, and perch on a horse chestnut branch above his head, singing.
A beautiful, wonderful dream, full of desire, anticipation, and hope. Alice wishes to sleep eternally in this beautiful dream. The sun shines through the windowpane, and the dreaming Alice is still murmuring softly.
The chirping of birds in the backyard woke Alice. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked out. A small blue bird was perched on a magnolia branch, chirping non-stop. Alice called this common North American bird, the Blue Jay, her "little blue elf." Every time this little blue elf arrived, it would bring Alice joy and happiness, just like the feeling that when a magpie chirps on a branch, good things are coming.
Magpies at the door bring good news. What will the Smurfs bring today? Alice thought of the tall and strong John, and her face couldn't help but blush. A woman in her sixties, how could she still be like a maiden in love? Alice realized that a woman's heart always harbors a little girl, regardless of age, and tied to romance.
John said that John arrived. Alice received a text message from John early in the morning: “Good morning, Northern Princess, I just dropped off my niece at work.”
“Didn't you say you don't have any brothers or sisters?” Alice asked, her memory as sharp as ever.
“She is my adoptive parents” daughter; they have both passed away. My niece is my sister's only child. During the pandemic, she came from Toronto to work at a hospital in Vancouver and stayed at my home. I drive her to work every day.”
“What a warm and loving uncle,” Alice thought to herself, and immediately typed out her praise.
“You are fatally attractive to me. I've been thinking of you the whole night, my beautiful princess from the North.”
Alice felt it was strange. Yesterday, when they met, the weather was unpredictable. When they parted, they didn't even shake hands. How did he suddenly become so romantic and affectionate?
“You know, a lot of men don't like me, they say I'm too opinionated. You're so confident!” Alice said whatever came to mind, she was very direct.
“You are the fierce lion, and I am the tamer,” John replied with a smile.
Alice chuckled, thinking, "Hmph, he's quite eloquent, comparing me to the king of the beasts. It seems John is quite confident in himself. A man like that is good; I don't want to find a man who lacks backbone."
The first day after meeting was easy and pleasant. Alice felt John was quite lovely and realized she had been too sensitive and suspicious, thus missing out on three good years.
When a person encounters happy events, their spirits soar. Alice, who had been single for many years, suddenly burst forth with vibrant green shoots like withered wood greeting the spring. She was brimming with energy. Humming a northeastern folk tune from her hometown, she grabbed the vacuum cleaner and busied herself, cleaning both upstairs and downstairs. In no time, her home was completely transformed, fresh and spotless.
“Good morning, my beautiful princess from the north. I'll be worshipping online soon. Just wanted to say hello first,” Alice received a text from John early Sunday morning.
Alice, a devout Christian, was filled with joy upon hearing John was an active Christian. After nine years of being single, she had finally found a brother in Christ she could trust. With a shared faith, compatible age, handsome appearance, and a formerly illustrious career, John was, by all accounts, a worthy person to get to know.
Alice's mind always conjured up the unwrinkled bed in John's RV, the spotless kitchen, and the gleaming stainless steel stovetop. The thought of it made Alice feel a bit inferior. Alice was a carefree woman, and compared to John's RV, her own home felt unkempt and messy.
“Your camper is so clean, did you tidy it up yourself? I wouldn't dare let you come to my house, mine is a mess,” Alice said frankly to John.
“You can come to my place. As long as you obey me, everything can be discussed.”
Alice thought John was referring to the Bible's teachings that women should submit to men, that men are the head and leader of the household, and women are helpers. So, without hesitation, she said, "No problem, I'll obey you if you're right."
“Oh, my God, my princess said she will obey me.” Alice could feel John's excitement and tears from afar.
Was John's previous marriage so unhappy that all his ex-wives were strong women? Alice was a bit confused, so she said something like, "If I submit to you, will you howl at the sky and be ecstatic?" Oh, poor John.
“My beautiful northern princess, when I speak of submission, I mean only during our intimacy. At all other times, you are free,” John further explained.
Alice remained silent, finding John amusing. They hadn't even gotten to know each other, and he was already fantasizing. She thought, "He doesn't seem like a Christian at all."
“I will shatter your restraints, ignite your passion, and lead you into a wondrous world of pleasure.” John spoke with great emotion, as if reciting a poem or performing a monologue.
Seeing Alice’s silence, John continued, “You are a grasshopper, I am your teacher. Your task is to obey and believe, to be an obedient grasshopper. Can you do it?”
“Why are you comparing me to a grasshopper?” Alice asked angrily. There is a Chinese saying: “A grasshopper in autumn can't hop for many days.” It's a metaphor meaning good times are coming to an end.
“There's an animated film, I think it's called ”Kung Fu Panda," about a master training a grasshopper. In my mind, the grasshopper is young, energetic, and eager to learn from the master. I hope you'll be like that grasshopper, listening to me, trusting me completely, and obeying me. My beautiful Northern Princess, will you?”
Alice was stunned. For the past few days, the messages John had been sending, twisting and turning, were all about obedience to him. Wasn't this a form of veiled training? Amidst the beautiful and affectionate words, Alice felt an emotion she had never experienced before. This emotion was elusive and mysterious, attracting Alice with a hint of its allure, but mostly bringing a sense of confusion and fear.
Alice suddenly remembered John comparing her to a lion and himself to a lion tamer. Amidst a mixture of confusion and fear, Alice was no longer happy that John had likened her to the king of the jungle; instead, she painfully experienced the king of the jungle being tamed into an obedient lamb. Alice was so scared she felt a chill run through her body, and images of a lion being humiliated and trained played repeatedly in her mind. Was John a...? Alice dared not think further, nor could she come to any conclusion. Trusting her intuition—Alice felt a chill throughout her body, her heart filled with immense fear. Suddenly, she remembered the English word "submissive" that John often used. Alice decided to follow this lead to confirm John's true identity.
John on the other end of the phone, seeing Alice didn't answer, said, “Come to my house tomorrow, you'll love it.”
Alice couldn't tell if she was being overly sensitive or if John really was problematic. John's strong build, deep blue eyes, impeccable gentlemanly attire, and a glorious past as a pilot had always captivated Alice, giving her a feeling of being unable to resist and regretting it if she let go.
Alice accepted John's invitation. During the pandemic, perhaps dating at home is the safest option.
Hanging up the phone, Alice began to ruminate on John's words and recalled the "Submissive" he often mentioned. In Christianity, the word represents obedience to God's will; could there be other interpretations?
Alice immediately turned on her computer and typed “Submissive” into Google. The explanation that came up shocked Alice: "Until a few years ago, submissive was just a word unless you were part of the B-D-S-M community. You might think submissive means meek, respectful, obedient, and passive. Then Fifty Shades of Grey came out and the word took on a whole new meaning."
A few years ago, Alice had heard of the movie "Fifty Shades of Grey," which was adapted from a bestselling book. She had only heard of it; she hadn't read the book or seen the movie.
What is BDSM? Alice followed the thread and Googled it. When she saw the explanation, Alice was utterly stunned, trembling all over. “BDSM stands for Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, Sadism and Masochism...” In her research through various literature, Alice was astonished to discover: BDSM not only has a considerable following, but it also receives reasoned support from some psychologists and health experts. In Canadian mainstream society, it is protected like homosexuality, and the number of participants is increasing year by year. Alice secretly felt fortunate that she had some understanding from Google; otherwise, if she had “spoken out of turn,” she might have incurred unnecessary legal trouble. John's words are extremely consistent with these people. Is he part of the BDSM community, or am I just being overly sensitive and suspicious? Alice incessantly questioned herself. John's image and voice shifted, one moment a handsome, meticulous gentleman, the next a cold animal trainer, appearing and disappearing before Alice's eyes. Alice wanted to give up, but she was afraid that by being overly sensitive and suspicious, she would miss an opportunity. However, if she wanted to continue dating John, she felt a chilling fear.
Alice is sick, feeling dazed and unenergetic all day. She can't figure out if she's lovesick or just overly suspicious. Thinking that it's better to uncover the truth than to keep moping like this, she decides to do so.
John and Alice had the same idea, and he also wanted Alice to give a clear response. He was a little confused. Alice is in her sixties and has been living in Canada for over thirty years. Is she not understanding, or is she playing dumb? He's been focused on her during this time, and people in several circles have complained directly. Sigh, he won't think about them anymore. Alice is successful, beautiful, and intelligent. Only by being her master and making her submit to him can he release the emotions he's suppressed for over half a century and reach the peak of pleasure he's always dreamed of.
Alice, who hadn't slept all night, received another text from John early in the morning: “My beautiful Northern princess, I await your arrival at the “palace”.”
We must figure out whether they are alive or dead, otherwise we will regret it in the future. “Okay, you really think you're king?” Alice replied playfully to John, pretending nothing was wrong.
Alice was stunned when John sent over his home address: wasn't he the neighbor of a Taiwanese client?
Alice clearly remembered that three years ago, she helped a Taiwanese client sell a house on the same street as John, by the beautiful shore of Deer Lake. She recalled the Taiwanese lady saying mysteriously, “If it weren't for my son going to study in the United States, I wouldn't have sold this house. The people on this street are all very friendly and look out for each other. Only that family at the end of the street doesn't interact with everyone else; I heard he's a pilot and has four cars in his family...”
Could John have been after me three years ago? Why? Usually, men in good financial standing prefer young, beautiful, and gentle women. I only fit one of those criteria, and I'm a veteran at it, Alice reminded herself with self-deprecation.
Alice put on that navy blue dress again, and the black cardigan as if she had no other clothes. Before going out, she took a bottle of 2016 Bordeaux red wine from the home wine cabinet. The weather in July and August 2016 was dry and hot. Most wineries in Bordeaux postponed grape harvesting. Grapes with a longer ripening period are more conducive to brewing aromatic and rich wines. Several of Alice's friends started collecting, and Alice joined in and bought a few bottles. She hadn't tasted them herself, but they came in handy like this.
When visiting a Western family in Vancouver, bringing a bottle of wine is appropriate. Alice picked up a bottle of wine, thinking: If I'm being overly sensitive or suspicious, this bottle is an apology. If something is wrong, it's also a repayment for John's Irish Cream.
Alice arrived punctually at John's “palace” — a good habit for cultivating a career. It was a corner house, with high evergreen walls like the “Great Wall” that completely separated it from the neighbors, making the yard very private. The front yard was heavily shaded, and the famous Deer Lake was in the backyard, offering a pleasant view of the water and scenery.
Walking into the front yard, beneath a canopy of trees, stood a dark gray, three-story Western-style house. The winding path leading to the front door was paved with smooth, multi-colored pebbles. As Alice walked on the pebbles, the uneven stones provided a unique massage, a pleasant pain. At the end of the path were two deep purple doors, appearing elegant and mysterious under the shade of the trees. Alice reached the entrance and gently pressed the doorbell. John seemed to be standing right there, as the door opened before the first chime had even faded.
“Oh, my beautiful Northern Princess, you've finally arrived.” John, no longer indifferent as he was during their first meeting, seemed like a different person, brimming with the youthful passion of a young man. He opened his arms as if to embrace Alice, but Alice raised the wine bottle in her hand, “I hope you like it as much as I like Irish Baileys.” John awkwardly lowered his outstretched arms, took the bottle, and didn't say thank you. Alice noticed that his left lower eyelid had started twitching uncontrollably again.
Alice quickly scanned the living room—a habit from her real estate days. A grand piano took up most of the space. Huh, no sofa in the living room, how strange. Were there no guests coming? On the living room wall hung a large abstract painting. The twisted, tangled lines of various colors, like a ball of yarn, intertwined and repelled each other, as if struggling to break free. The result was that the more they struggled, the tighter they became entangled.
“Oh, my princess, what are you so engrossed in looking at? Come inside for some tea.” John saw Alice standing at the living room entrance, put down the red wine Alice had given him, and returned from the kitchen.
“Wow, you can play the piano?” Alice shifted from the abstract painting to the piano, and without even having time to observe the dining room across from the living room, she followed John into the kitchen.
The kitchen and family room were connected, with a small round table placed in between. On the table were several dishes of fruit and small snacks, as well as a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream. Alice was reminded again of the unforgettable aroma of Baileys Irish Cream mixed with whiskey and cream. She glanced gratefully at John, then quickly scanned the kitchen and family room.
The kitchen was spotless, just like the kitchen in an RV. The living room featured a European-style sofa, both comfortable and elegant. The windows in the kitchen and living room looked out onto the beautiful Deer Lake, like a beautiful ink wash painting: the lake water rippled, sparkling in the sunlight, and a few small boats danced merrily on the surface. Sitting by the small round table, gazing at the beautiful Deer Lake, Alice felt so relaxed and comfortable, her vigilance and fear vanishing completely.
John picked up a crystal glass, like he was in an RV, put ice in it, and slowly poured in Baileys. A sweet, slightly suggestive aroma immediately filled the room.
John handed her the wine glass, his large blue eyes fixed on Alice. “Oh, my princess, do you know what your arrival means to me? Have a little sweet wine first. I've made a reservation at the Octopus Japanese restaurant, and the food will be delivered shortly.”
Octopus Japanese Restaurant? Alice almost cried out. That was Vancouver's most high-end and expensive Japanese restaurant. Alice remembered a high-end client entertaining guests there, and the bill was outrageously expensive.
“Even high-end restaurants offer delivery?”
“Do you know Octopus Restaurant? I want to surprise you.”
Amidst the aroma of Baileys, John and Alice chatted happily. Just as Alice was laughing at herself in her mind for being overly sensitive and almost misunderstanding John, John pushed aside the fruit tarts and wine on the round table, leaving half the table empty. Alice was wondering if the food delivery was about to arrive when John, holding a thick stack of documents and a pen, walked over with a serious expression.
Before Alice could guess what documents John had brought, John looked at her and said directly, “I think you are a woman with passion, a willingness to learn, and the courage to try. The fact that you've come to my home shows you're ready to put things into practice. So many people go through life without experiencing such beauty, living in vain. There are some documents here you need to sign, and you must answer each item carefully. We need to trust each other and be honest. My reward system is very generous, but my punishments are also very strict.”
“Are you really part of the BDSM community?” Alice asked, terrified and getting straight to the point.
“Yes, every time I talk to you, I’m focused on this topic. Aren’t you smart enough to understand that?”
“Why is it like this? Can't it be changed? There are many beautiful things in life.”
“Maybe I was born this way, maybe East Hastings left an indelible mark on me, and I can't escape it, I can't change it.” As he spoke, a mist seemed to drift before John's eyes, and the corner of his left eye began to twitch uncontrollably.
Alice's heart sank. The first time she heard about East Hastings, Alice saw John as a role model of a successful comeback and was filled with admiration. This time, hearing East Hastings mentioned again completely overturned Alice's previous understanding. She couldn't imagine what the young John had gone through, nor did she have the mood or courage to listen to John's childhood stories, nor the strength to change John. Alice only wanted to leave as soon as possible, regretting that she had “risked it all for love.”
“Can't success in career, flying high in the sky, heal childhood wounds?”
“These are two different things. I need complete release, and you will experience unprecedented pleasure. You are lucky to have met me; your life will be extraordinary.”
“My life is a hymn of praise, thankful for the beauty of life and yearning for pure love.”
“Writers are tortured souls, don't you want to experience dedicating your life to your ideals?”
“What happens if I don't sign this contract?”
“I will respect your choice, I just regret it for you. Here's some writing material: The BDSM community is growing, many people have healed their childhood trauma, and at least over a hundred women have found me, and I chose you.”
“Why me?” Alice asked knowingly, seeking confirmation from John.
“A king who cannot conquer the strong is not a good king! You are too excellent and beautiful; I will be patient and wait.”
“I'm sorry, I will never be your subject,” Alice said firmly. Then she picked up her handbag and walked away. John, still the gentleman, smiled and called after Alice, “Never say never!”
Alice hurried to the street corner and breathed a sigh of relief. Looking back at John's “deep palace” surrounded by trees, she first blurted out: “Dream on!” Then she sighed with emotion: “Who can dry John's damp heart with love?”
Author's Biography
