...But I had already reached the shore

The next Friday Sana brought them the tickets for the photography exhibition of the final years. She is so excited and can't wait to show them her visual photo stand. Li, her partner, did a fabulous job.

The department of photography invited many industry people. The event starts at 5 pm. Sana told them to look cute, especially the subject of her project.

There were wine and an assortment of cheese and crackers. The older girls could drink wine, and you just took a glass of Apple juice. Dylan insists on wine.

You felt a little nervous and self-conscious about people looking at your photos. Sana reassures you that all will be well. Sana's rival had elaborate images and cutouts of her model. Everything was over-decorated and overstated.

You, Dahyung, and Lui Mei were very impressed with all the hard work of the photography department. The work is of higher quality.

After some speeches, the guest could roam around and speak to the students about their work and inspiration. The exhibition space became filled pp guests the students. You could sense the nervous excitement in the air.

You just stood awkwardly next to Sana when a young, well-dressed man came and stood next to you and intensely studied the images, Sana visibly paled while nervously waiting for his input, while he subtly glances at you, Sana, and back at the board. You just smiled politely.

He just smiled at You and Sana and moved on. Sana looked at you and exhaled.

"Shoo, I'm so nervous, he just looks solemnly at the board and us. Maybe he hates it" now Sana looks more apprehensive. "I want to win so badly. It will be a boost to my career."

" of cause not! I think he liked it. Your images are high definition and quality. Do you know him?" you asked curiously.

"He's a renowned photographer in the fashion world. Most models want to work with him. He's known for his work in Esquire, Vogue, and GQ and he also did cover shoots for mainstream brands..." she gushes.

You don't know anything about print media, and you are more interested in film behind the camera. Dahyun, Dylan, and Liu Mei were looking around and commenting on everyone's work.

The event was ultimately a huge success.

...........

Dylan went to the Philippines with his family during his birthday week. He wanted to take you with him, but you declined to go home and spend time with your family.

It's the first little week of vacation in two months since you last saw your family. Liu Mei Is very excited for her family to see her soul mark.

She and her parents are going on a little vacation for two weeks to a five-star resort in Shanghai. She invited you, but unfortunately, you have other plans, and it will be your birthday. Liu Mei knew that she would not be there to witness the auspicious event. You too glad she will not be there.

Your parents and little sister were so excited to see you home. Your parents informed you that your older brother, Zhang Wei, will also be home. You haven't seen him in four months.

Zhang will endlessly tease you about your height. You are very short, like your mom and maternal grandmother. Zhang Wei and MingMei have the height gene from your Dad.

She is already reaching your shoulders. At school, everybody teased you when the two of you walked together. The school bullies would usually say, Zhang, is escorting you to middle school. You hate those class bullies.

Your dad went to fetch Zhang Wei at the airport. You and your mom were cooking up a storm for the family.

Zhang Wei brought a colossal surprise home. He met his Soulmate in California. Shelby Rayn. She's 23 years. She's studying Child Psychology.

She's a beautiful, blond, blue-eyed goddess, with a bubbly personality. Your parents instantly fell in love with her, and you told your brother that you like her very much. Amazingly she was a die-hard ARMY of BTS. Your mom loved her more now, Shelby officially replaced you as your mom's daughter. They gushed about the boys.

You, Zhang Wei, and your dad just laugh at the three obsessed ARMY in the house. Your brother and dad decided to play Fifa sports games, away from the fangirls.

You were lounging in the Tv room. Shelby, Ming Mei, and your mom watch RunBTs shows. You watch the fancams and global news flashes about all the Wings World Tour concerts in America. The interviews and Big hits announcement that the Bangtan boys will attend the Billboard awards. You are proud of them.

Your mom doesn't know you are a new fan. Thanks to your college friends.

You passed  Shelby the popcorn. Shelby with a big bright smile "So Yunru, who is your bias?" 

You almost choked on the popcorn. She tried to speak Chinese, but you help her to pronounce the words. She was relieved when you inform her that your family could speak English.

Ming Mei  jumps into the conversation " don't ask, and she is an anti!"You translated what Ming Mei said.

You look at Ming Mei with daggers in your eyes. Ming Mei just pouts and shrugged. " For your information, I happen to watch all their Mv and Run Bts and bon voyage programs. I like them to know, and I didn't choose to but my best friend and new roommates in my dorm made me. So no, I don't hate them, I'm not particularly a devoted ARMY as yet."

Your mom and Ming Mei look at you with wide eyes. Your mom clapped her hands," -my daughter ...saw the light. They are an exciting and hard-working group and so handsome."

Shelby laughs " their music brings healing to our souls. They were there for me when I went through a dark time in my life. My bias is Rapmon,  RM-The brilliant and clumsy boy. Jimin and Jungkook are my bias wreckers."

Ming Mei jumps up and down" I love Hobi, he is incredible and can dance well. He is so cute. Mom loves V so much, cause he is handsome."

Again you felt the nervous jolt in your heart when you hear his name. You cannot understand this longing that creeps into your heart. It's unnatural to be so invested in him. Maybe he's your bias now.

You can even imagine how gorgeous he might be in person. He can even transform into a type of anime character and still look unreal. Zhang Wei teased you about Dylan's undying affection and asked if he always hasn't given up on you yet.

Ming Mei snort " Dylan will never give up. He likes her too much. He even paid me to steal her diary so that he could see  who she likes."

You jump up from the table, what the heck? That is private info. You almost strangled Ming Mei and didn't get me started on that pervert.

" Are you crazy, that was so private! After I kill you, I  am going to slaughter that pervert!"

Ming Mei just pouts" -private and boring. Who in their right mind writes about film stuff, can't you write about all the boys you like and how you dream of kissing them like a real girl urgh, such a boring jiejie!"

You stamp your feet and look hopelessly at your mom, who ignores both of you. Shelby just giggles next to Zhang Wei.

" Mom, aren't you going to say something, why can't you keep Ming out of my stuff-"

" oh, no! You gave her free reign in your room, Sit down, your food gets cold," your mom waves you off.

You just pull a face at a smirking Ming Mei. One of these days.

You caught up on your brother's life in college. A week ago it was Dylan's birthday, you called him early to wish him and told him where to find his gift. You bought him a cool graphic hoodie. You gave it to his mom to present to him on his birthday.

He doesn't sound very excited when he received his soulmate mark, and to his dismay, he wasn't to be Tarnished. You reassured him that it would be fine. You could sense the distress in his voice. He couldn't handle it.

He wants you to be with him, to match his mark. Deep in your heart, you know already that he will not be the one. You found the Soulmark manual in your bookcase among your old webtoon books. You know you have to read it properly now.

You enjoy the week with your brother and his soulmate.   The family took Shelby to explore the sights in Beijing. You took her to all the historical sites. Your family connected with her.

You are so grateful that fate gave your brother a beautiful girl. Whoever your soulmate will be, you just hope your parents will accept him wholeheartedly.

It was time for your birthday. Lui Mei called you before daybreak. Typical. Shelby and your mom prepared a massive breakfast for you. Zhang Wei and Shelby bought you a new laptop with accessories. Ming Mei bought you a "Wings Deluxe CD" by BTS. You hugged her tightly. You love photo cards. You got one of V. she deeply moved you.

Dylan bought You diamond earrings with a diamond bracelet. Your mom bought you new sweaters, and your parents bought you your Car. That was the highlight of the day.

Your mom gave you a box from Liu Mei. She got you the most expensive BTS merch. PJs with Jins' face, Suga Sweater. An Army bomb, Three fans, and a keyring with Suga, Jin, and V's faces. A mug with V's face. A hoodie with the whole group promoting the Wings Tour.

Shelby and your mom and sister were so excited to see the merch and the car. A small green Kia Picanto. Your wheels. You got your license a year ago.

After eating cake as a dessert, you and your siblings, and Shelby went for a test drive around the town.

Dylan called to wish you a happy birthday and wish he was with you. You thank him for the gifts. Later on, you called Liu Mei to thank her for the presents.

Sana bought you a plushie pillow with Jins' face and Suga stationary as well as a cell phone case with a " V" face.

Dayan sends you a BTS logo  T-shirt and sweat pants and a giant poster of V. They said it because I'm secretly stan for him. They are not wrong, but you are grateful to have such beautiful friends.

You watched movies with your family and ate lots of sweet treats. It was a glorious day with them.

Zhang Wei" Y/n tonite will be the rite of passage that every " coming of age" must go through. Tonight you will get your mark or not. Even if fate robs you by making you Tarnished, we will still love you."

Your mom and dad embrace you and encourage you to stay healthy and happy even if the night doesn't turn out the way you wanted it.

They all wanted to stay up with you to be there when it appears. You declined. You'll tell your parents the results later. You want to process and experience it on your own.

After you've showered and dressed in your Jin pj's, you jump into your sofa bed with the Soulbounding book. It's exciting and frightening, especially the red gold string. It's the string with the most excruciating pain.

The most passionate, purest, and most authentic love where mates will be everything in one. Lover, friend, and protector. The most desired string. You want a love like that, but you're scared of fate.

Precisely 5 min before midnight, you got a video call from a tired, but visibly excited Liu Mei.

" I can't let you go through it alone. You've been with me, and I'm going to be with you."

" Thank you, Mei, but I am afraid...to tell you the truth, I  don't want to be classified as a " Tarnished" ....but I don't want to be mated to my best friend or have the blue or yellow string with someone...I want to experience true love" You said in a small voice.

Liu Mei with an affectionate voice "Yunru you are the kindest, most generous person I know, fate will give you the best of the best, beyond your imagination. He will love you, unconditionally. You'll see. You're not  to be Tarnished you'll  see." You mount the phone at a great angle while talking to Liu Mei.

Immediately when the clock strikes 12. You feel stinging, and burning to creep into your skin on the wrist, which gave you many sleepless nights for a couple of weeks. You shriek, and Liu Mei gasped as she witnesses how you experience the worst pain of your life.

A light purple-grey image appears on your wrist, like magic. You wiped your eyes and observed your mark closely. Wow, it's beautiful. Liu Mie that was watching the transformation was speechless. She never saw something like that, like an invisible pen writing on your skin. It was amazing.

Lui Mei bounces up and down inside the screen " -Let me see...let me see. Oh wow, Yunru it's so cute. I can't wait to see your soulmates when you are bound. It's beautiful."

You smile through your tears. " Thank you...for being with me...I know my parents waited for me. Let me relieve them from their endless curiosity."

Liu Mei with excitement " send an image to me please."

You took a photo and sent it to her. You bit each other a good night's rest. Just as you predicted, your whole family was in the lounge area.

 You did proudly show your family your remarkable soul mark. They were very happy for you . as your mom studied your wrist, the message you were going to be for him is so profound. He must be a deep soul. You smiled.

Zhang Wei" my little sis is growing up, I wonder if it's  Dylan" he gasped with his hands to his mouth.

Your father groans " oh god..forbid, I love that boy, but he will be too much for my baby girl" you pull a face. I agree with him.

Zhang Wei just laughs" he is too immature for Yunru. She'll have to mother him daily, and he doesn't want to share her since they were in diapers."

You hit him on the arm. He shrieks at the sting. Shelby just shoves him aside.

" stop being silly...they are childhood best friends, who even dated in middle school...so it will also be good if they could carry on with that love. It will be like a fairytale movie."

Your mom just shook her head." It doesn't  matter who it is as long as he loves her dearly."

You nod." I don't care as long as he appears after I'm 30 years old, I have a career to build, not getting bounded and popping out babies."

Your mom just smiles knowingly. " just meet him, and you'll tell me again. You'll  want to rip his clothes off at first sight!"

You and Zhang Wei shouted at the same time" mom!" Shelby chuckled, she likes this family a lot.

Zhang Wei looks at his dad with the little bulging belly, and he winced" oh gross...mom! " He imagined his mom ripping his dad's shirt off...oh