» ASIB AFTER THE WEDDING CH. 31 - 32, RE POST

[nenggeulis]

A STAR IS BORN
Author: Cynthia Muak

Chapter AW-31


Michael was so relieved to hear from Junior that he had advised Shan Mei to accept CTN’s offer. However, she hadn’t said anything to him yet. He would let the matter ride for a week, then approach her again. After all, the job would start only in January, giving her enough time to put her planning and other schedules into place. Before that, he would go with Shan Mei one or 2 times to visit the other four regional offices.

According to Michael, JJ – Junior Jie (Xiang Jie) was a good worker. When he returned to Seoul for his summer holidays, he would have already spent 10 weekends at CTN London office. When Xiang Zhe told him they would most probably put him back in Planning Department, Michael agreed that was good thinking. That boy was very smart and would be a great help to Shan Mei in the future.

It was obvious JJ idolised the ground Shan Mei walked on. Michael told Junior to take that dark jealous look off his face, and gave out a loud laugh. That Shan Mei knew how to choose her men. This JJ was going to be one hell of a good looker. He would be another Patrick; except more handsome, but he wouldn’t have Patrick’s ease of speech, because he was too shy. Michael would work on this shortcoming so when JJ finished his studies and returned to Seoul, he would be great asset to CTN and MBS.

Junior thought may be JJ should go work at Wen Rong after he graduated. Michael thought otherwise. Junior should be the one at Wen Rong. As MBS became more popular with viewers, more starlets and actresses would be floating in and out of it, wanting to meet the dashing DoP; Junior wouldn’t know how to defend himself. Whereas JJ would be different, he knew how to say ‘no’ firmly. In London, the girls were always asking him out, but he always refused them politely saying he had a lot of school work to follow through. No matter how hard they tried to make him change his mind, he was firm. In fact he’d stay back at Production Unit to see what he could learn or help with. “Reminded me so much of Shan Mei when she first started out at CTN. I’d like to see whether this lad would be as lucky as his elder brother, landing himself a Shan Mei!” Michael commented.

Xiang Zhe wanted to call Shan Mei to hear her sweet voice, recalling that time in London, when he waited for her at her apartment building; it was heart wrenching for him to watch her go to work at 5.30 in the morning. Then stopped himself just in time. That Michael would surely tease him again about only knowing how to call Shan Mei.
==

July was always a busy month for Shan Mei, especially since CTN was bringing in a lot a material to be dubbed. She was always at Mr. Ang’s office, going over voice samples. CTN’s mini-series programmes were very popular with viewers, especially their 5-episodes per series. These didn’t drag on like Korean dramas. Over 5 evenings, all 5 episodes were shown. Shan Mei wanted voices as close to the original voices as possible, with Korean subtitles. She still thought Han Jae Hoon’s voice was the best, and wanted his voice for many of the main roles.

Over dinner in their kitchen, Shan Mei very subtlely brought up the delicate issue of dubbing and Han Jae Hoon. Xiang Zhe knew where she was going and waited patiently for her to finish her explanation. She simply wanted to know whether it was possible to pull Han Jae Hoon completely out of Drama Department and put him into dubbing. She had selected at least 100 mini series from CTN’s library in USA. All these needed dubbing. It would also help her in planning for next year’s schedule. They would need 52 series for the entire year. This arrangement was also good for MBS, because they could use 28 of these dubbed series without screening fees, an unbelievable advantage for MBS. She felt, with Han Jae Hoon’s voice, the quality of the dubbing would be assured. She had asked Xiang Jie to learn as many dubbing tricks as possible from CTN London’s dubbing room, and when he was back during summer, he could assist Mr. Ang and Han Jae Hoon in the evenings after he finished his day job at Planning Dept. Her sponsors had been harassing her for good programmes.

Xiang Zhe ate his dinner in silence, his mind wondering. Did Shan Mei want Han Jae Hoon’s voice for the good of the Mini-drama series, or did she want Jae Hoon close by her side? He didn’t even notice his wife was filling his glass with champagne mixed with peach juice. He was already on his third glass. When they had finished, they went to TV room. Shan Mei took the small jug of mixed juice with her. Xiang Zhe was following the mini series CTN was screening this week. Tonight was the 4th episode. She left him on his own, to return to the kitchen to clean up, smiling cheerfully to herself. After which she checked on Bao Bao. Few weeks ago, he acted up with his teething problems. Now he was back to his happy good self. How she loved him, and his daddy!

After a hot shower, she went back to the TV room. She smiled secretly to herself when she saw the jug empty. She decided to make some hot coffee for her husband. When she brought him his coffee, she curled up to him on the sofa without disturbing him. He was too engrossed following the plot of tonight’s episode.

By the time she opened her sleepy eyes, her husband had already put her in their bed, and was easing into bed himself. “Movie finished?” she asked softly and sleepily. He nodded and smiled at her. She snuggled up to him. He put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. He gave her a lingering kiss on her cheek. When she wound her arm around his neck, he took her hand, kissed the palm, and placed it against his beating heart. She looked at him lovingly.

“Tomorrow, I’ll have a talk with Han Jae Hoon and see what he thinks. If he doesn’t mind, we’ll re-negotiate another contract and put him in charge of dubbing the mini series and NWP. You’re right, there is something lacking in the dubbing, something not quite right. Happy now?” he asked as he looked at his wife.

She nodded her head, giving him her special smile reserved only for him, and simply stated, “Some of the voices do not match the characters.”

Of course, Han Jae Hoon agreed to be in charge of dubbing for CTN’s mini series. Shan Mei met up with him at the CTN dining hall, to pass some notes to him. She also mentioned that Xiang Jie would be returning in a couple of days to work at MBS during his summer holidays. He would only be able to assist in his dubbing work during the evenings. Shan Mei wanted Xiang Jie to learn in as many MBS departments as possible, and for Jae Hoon to treat him like a younger brother.

Xiang Zhe happened to pass by with his assistant and Zian Da. He waved them on, and invited himself to sit in on the meeting. Actually, the meeting was over. Han Jae Hoon acknowledged them, then left, taking with him the notes Shan Mei had given him. Xiang Zhe gave Shan Mei a curious look. She ignored the look. Instead she took one of his hands now resting on the table, brought it under the table and held on to it, giving it a gentle squeeze. She folded her file at the same time.

Tonight she would be working late, as she had Musical Postcard. He was going to watch CTN’s mini series final episode in his office? He nodded. Shan Mei could sense his silent displeasure. Jealous again? She hoped with her notes and Xiang Jie’s return, she did not have to meet up with Han Jae Hoon, until he finished the first episode dubbing under his charge. They got up to leave; the president was holding on to the hand of his wife possessively in a loving way.

That evening Shan Mei ordered take-out from a famous Japanese restaurant, two types of sushi rolls, lobster meat with avocado salad; crabmeat with asparagus salad, and some delicious chestnut sweets which just arrived that afternoon from Japan. At 7, she called down to Xue Zhang to see whether he was through for the day, and told him she was on the way down to his office.

When he saw his wife bringing him dinner, he was in much better mood, especially when his wife told him to sample which type of sushi roll he preferred. She would make them for the August party that he had planned? And while he was watching TV later, she had dessert for him. She brought coffee to him. She sat on his lap and fed him the lobster meat roll. Good? He nodded. After a little pause, she fed him the crabmeat roll. Good? He nodded again. He then puckered up his lips wanting a kiss. She kissed him. He kissed her back long and deep. Then laughingly said that tasted the best! When she wanted to move away, he held her back. “Okay, okay, the other two tasted very good too.”

She flicked at his nose, softly chiding him for being a “naughty boy.”
“Xue Zhang, you want to have both varieties?” she asked sweetly.

He shook his head and smiled teasingly. “I want to have all 3. A little bit of the first two, massive doses of the third.”
==

This year, they wouldn’t be celebrating their wedding anniversary again. He was complaining that it appeared she didn’t want to be reminded she was married to him, recalling what she had said a few months after their wedding; that time she ran out of their house, and away from him. When she heard his complaint, she laughed out so hard her cheeks hurt, then ran up to their bedroom to take shower. He followed her into the room; he wanted to know, “what’s so funny?”

“Dearest husband, I don’t need a celebration to remind me I’m married to you. We’ve got Bao Bao, right? You’re his father, and I’m his mother, right?”

She stuck out her ring finger with wedding band at him. “All that matters to me is to make sure Yin Xiang Zhe is beside me in bed every night and giving me all his love. Only this will show I’m truly Mrs. Yin Xiang Zhe. What is the point of celebrating all for show like some famous couples we have heard of? The husbands are out some where in somebody else’s bed every night? For a start to show we’re married, how about joining me in the shower to give me a good back scrub, to show your love?” she coaxed.

“Alright, at least something is better than nothing,” he grumbled, not completely satisfied with her answer.

He undressed then went inside the cubicle. He loved touching her skin. He began by gently and tenderly scrubbing her back. As he was carrying on, he thought to himself, she had a point there. Their marriage was their own business and nobody else’s. If he was not her husband, he wouldn’t be in this shower cubicle scrubbing her back, or sleeping next to her in their bed, or making love to her. Nurture and treasure their love for each other every day, which was the way Shan Mei wanted.

Soon Shan Mei was scrubbing his back. She then decided to write him a short note on his back and he had to tell her what she had written. All unhappy thoughts were banished from his mind, as he concentrated 100% on the task at hand, and that was, trying to decipher her message. It was “I love you so much.” He laughed happily when he got it right, and caught Shan Mei to him, both of them standing and kissing under the shower, letting the water rinsed them clean. He then carried her off to their bed, and began to kiss her dry.

“Hey husband, don’t start anything. Remember, we have to be at the airport. Xiang Jie’s flight is going to touch down in an hour’s time and we’re running late already. Father said he would meet us at the airport. I’ll go get Bao Bao ready while you dress.”

He tore his mouth from her body, looked up into her face, and cursed softly.

“Not now?” he ground out, again burying his face against her body. “Shan Mei, please don’t do this to me; not now!” he whimpered as he guided her hand to the pulsating thickness between his legs. “Feel me?” his voice was deceptively soft and cajoling.

“Later,” Shan Mei breathed hoarsely against his ear as she managed to ease herself from under his body and escape from the bed.

“Later! I promise you, Mrs. Yin, you won’t have much opportunity to sleep later.” He warned lightly as he lay prone on the bed.

“Good. I wasn’t going to let you sleep much either, Mr. Yin.”

“Shan Mei…….,” he began whining.

Shan Mei slapped his firm buttocks playfully, “Go, dowse yourself with cold water.”

“The way it’s going, I’ll need ice water. You’re so heartless,” he pursed his lips at his wife as he made an effort to raise himself from the bed.

Shan Mei nodded, and then bent down to give him a swift kiss, “This is for being heartless.” She planted another kiss on his pouting lips, “And this is for being so in love with you, darling!”

She quickly got dressed and went to the nursery to see whether nanny was ready. Shan Mei had told her to prepare for overnight stay at Father’s place, knowing Xiang Jie would insist baby stay there, tomorrow being Sunday.
==

When Xiang Zhe decided to put his younger brother back working with Li Qing Xi during his summer holidays, he turned his Father’s previous office into the planning department headquarters, giving them more space which included a small conference room and a separate office for Xiang Jie.

As it turned out, this new arrangement made the work flow more efficient. Key personnel from the other departments were always dropping by all the time for coffee or something, making them more accessible and more ready to be cooperative. Han Jae Hoon dropped by almost every day to discuss the mini series project with Xiang Jie. Sometimes, the whole PIR team was there. With such corps de esprit, problems were resolved very quickly.

Li Qing Xi loved working with Xiang Jie. He reminded her so much of Shan Mei when she first started out at MBS. Working hard and never once complained about anything or any one, even though she knew she was being treated unfairly by Yong Xi and Ying Mei. She never flaunted her friendship with Xiang Zhe to gain special favours, just like Xiang Jie. Not wanting to be accorded special treatment because he was President’s younger brother. He wanted to achieve results by his own hard work and on his own merits. He was always so helpful when work mates came to him with questions knowing he had apprenticed at CTN-UK. She could already see brightest future for MBS, with Xiang Zhe, Xiang Jie and Shan Mei at its helm.

Thinking of Shan Mei, Li Qing Xi had often wondered what happened when she was at MBS. She was by nature very careful and punctual in her work. How could she be making all those mistakes she was accused of? Li Qing Xi had suspected that Xu Ying Mei was up to no good where Shan Mei was concerned. She couldn’t pinpoint exactly what. She knew Shan Mei would one day be the best broadcaster in Seoul, long before CTN ‘discovered’ her. In retrospect, she was glad Shan Mei left for England. If she had stayed behind, she would remain trodden down.








A STAR IS BORN
Author: Cynthia Muak

Chapter AW-32


Han Jae Hoon phoned Shan Mei letting her know dubbing for the first episode of the 5 part mini series “Seeking Roots” was completed and ready for viewing. He was very satisfied with the end result.

Shan Mei then phoned Xiang Jie asking him to arrange for Saturday viewing in the afternoon after work. Arrange for refreshments and finger food as well. He was to visit her in her office for planning, she would give him a list of the things to prepare and the people to invite to the viewing.

When Xiang Zhe walked into CTN’s big multi-purpose room, he was surprised when he was greeted by a young CTN assistant. He was shown to an area where he had to remove his shoes and change into a pair of very comfy thickly padded slippers marked out in his name.

The room was laid out like home sitting room. Twenty soft leathered armchairs, with foot stools, each station had side tables all specially assigned to the guests, with their beverage requests at hand. The 20 guests invited were from a wide spectrum of the community and of different age groups. He recognised at least 4 faces who were CEOs of either banks, vehicle manufacturers and Fizz, a soft drink bottler.

Before screening, Shan Mei explained a little bit about the exercise. “Each episode is 2 hours long. The objective of these mini series is for home viewing, so CTN has arranged as close and comfortable to a home ambience as possible. There will be a short break after the first hour. At the end of the show, please let us have your valuable opinions by filling out the questionnaires provided. Thank you.”

While the screening was in progress, finger food was served to the individual tables. Very soon, the first hour was up, the lights in the room came back on. Xiang Zhe felt so relaxed he didn’t want to move from his seat. If only he could have his wife nestled up to him on his lap, it would be perfect. He saw his father, Uncle Jin and Uncle Liu deep in conversation, their faces beaming. Michael was talking to the CEO from Fizz, Shan Mei to the CEOs from the 2 banks, and Patrick to the Director from ToTo group. The potential sponsors looked excited and very much interested.

During the last 15 minutes of the second hour, each guest was served a glass of iced champagne mixed with peach juice. One sip of it, and Xiang Zhe smiled to himself. What was that imp trying to do? Seduced them all? All too soon the second hour was over. The guests were reluctant to leave. They were so engrossed with the story, they wanted to know when the 2nd episode would be shown.

Michael and Shan Mei were all smiles. Xiang Jie collected back the questionnaires. Shan Mei went up to the microphone and announced that if they had indicated they would like to be invited back for the 2nd screening, they would be. Just remember, to go look for their own slippers the next time they came.

The CEO of Fizz didn’t want to go and was engaged in deep conversation with Michael. The 3 bosom elders bade Xiang Zhe over, and told him Shan Mei had done an excellent job, putting them in such comfy armchairs in such a cosy environment, and being served such glorious food. They wanted to know whether they could stay another 2 hours; and bring their own alcohol at 2nd episode screening? The story had affected them deeply, taking them back to their own pioneering days. Xiang Zhe grinned broadly, then scratched his head, saying he would need to seek permission from the ‘boss lady.’

In fact, Michael was the one who suggested they should stay back. He didn’t get to enjoy the A-1 service at all. He, being the host, had to think of their guests’ comfort, not his own. He wanted that delicious champagne cooler.
So they pulled their armchairs around to form 2 groups. The elders in one, the others in another.

Shan Mei couldn’t praise Han Jae Hoon and Xiang Jie enough for the superb dubbing they had one. She recognised Xiang Jie’s voice in one of the characters. He began to go pink in his face. She asked her husband’s opinion, “Mr. President, what do you think?” He agreed the standard of dubbing for this episode was very high.

Michael didn’t understand the language, but from the sponsors’ reaction, they wanted in. That was good enough for him. NSK Bank definitely wanted to sponsor once a month, so did Fizz. In fact, Fizz would be up at CTN office on Monday to sign contract for mini series, starting with Seeking Roots. Xiang Jie told Michael he learned many dubbing techniques from CTN-UK Dubbing room that he applied to this dubbing. Michael was very pleased. He would make sure JJ got to work in the dubbing room when he was back in London. After a while, Yin Snr told them to pack up. He wanted to treat them all to dinner.

In bed that night, when Shan Mei kissed her husband goodnight, he pouted and complained he couldn’t sleep. A frown appeared on her forehead; “Is something bothering you, darling?”

“You praised everyone, especially that Han Jae Hoon, but not me. You seemed to have forgotten my efforts were the most crucial. I was the one who agreed to release him from Drama department, I was the one who negotiated new contract, I was the one..….”

Shan Mei put a finger to his mouth to silence him. “You will be the only one who will receive special praise and thanks from me in private.” He looked at his wife questionably.

She went under the quilt, and bit him very hard on his chest. He folded down the quilt as he let off a shriek, “Ouww.!!! ..y.o.u…y.o..!”

Shan Mei popped her head up to look at him with her dazzling smile and mischievous eyes, “that was the special praise, now for the special thank you.” She began kissing, nipping and licking slowly at the bite mark. Very soon, he was sighing blissfully away. “Feeling better?” Shan Mei asked.

“Yes, oh yes...yes, feeling so goo….Erh…, no, no, still hurting. Keep kissing and licking. Don’t stop,” he cooed at once as he felt himself being ensconced in a pleasurable sensation he’d never before experienced.
==

At the end of the 2nd Episode screening of Seeking Roots, all four weeks of the month had been taken up by sponsors.

It was that time of the year for the Yins’ August Special. Xiang Zhe sat down with the boys and told them he was taking Shan Mei away for a long weekend. Since the next two Saturdays were given to Seeking Roots screening, he opted now to have weekend holiday on Sunday and Monday. Jae Hoon had to ensure three or four mini series were being dubbed simultaneously. If extra dubbers were needed, just hire. Patrick to ensure the Monday Shan Mei was off, the office would run smoothly; Xiang Jie to provide back up and check translation department. Xiang Zhe would tell Li Qing Xi to release Xiang Jie from planning for that day. All clear and understood?

The three brothers assured Xiang Zhe, “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of everything. You just go ahead and enjoy your break.” And wondered where Mr. Yin planned to take Mrs. Yin for their 2-day romantic break?
==

When they awoke that Sunday, Shan Mei gave her husband a big hug and kiss. When he went downstairs for breakfast, he saw a freshly cut rose by his place setting on the kitchen table. He couldn’t help but kiss the bud. This was the first time he received a flower from the person who mattered most in the world to him. His wife was just walking in after putting some things into the car.

He told his wife not necessary to pack anything except the food she had prepared, because he had delivered some things to the cabin yesterday. He took the rose his wife had given him then drove to their cabin.

The weather was good. He laid out the beach mat, and the beach towel in the garden. He opened up the roofing and the skylight to air the cabin. At the vegetable patch, he tidied a corner and sowed in some vegetable seeds. The rose bush was coming along very well. Shan Mei was in the kitchen storing the food and checking on what her husband had brought over yesterday. Just a few bottles of champagne and white wine, plus a case of peach juice, a case of bottled water and plastic ice trays giving heart shaped ice cubes. Yesterday, he had filled a tray with diluted peach juice. Later they would be able to have heart shaped ices in their champagne, or with plain water.

After their chores, they showered together. Xiang Zhe changed into his swimming trunks. Shan Mei remained in the shower room, to change into her blue coloured bikini, the colour that brought out the radiant alabaster of her creamy white skin. Since her birthday in June, she had continued with the skin beauty treatment, and also attended yoga classes to trim down her waistline. She hoped to impress her husband with her new firmly toned up shapely figure. Xiang Zhe had seated himself on one of the deck chairs, nursing a champagne cooler and facing the shower room waiting for his wife to emerge. He was getting impatient. Was she getting cold feet, like the time she was to preview the baby doll nightie? Actually, after Shan Mei put on the tiny bikini, she noticed the lycra fabric was very thin, her nipples were pushing through. The sales assistant who sold her the bikini had told her it looked best with a slight suggestion of nipple, like in all bikini photo advertising shots. She became very self conscious.

August somehow by some quirk turn of fate, became their Reunion month. First time she left London to return to Seoul was in August. Xue Zhang had sent her to the airport and it was there she gave him Peter Rabbit. When Xue Zhang returned to Seoul and they met up in the park near her house, it was August. When she left MBS and ran off to London it was August. After she returned to Seoul with CTN-KE, they bumped into each other accidentally in August at Cream House when Shan Mei was with a CTN colleague and Xiang Zhe was with Zian Da. At that meeting she thanked Xiang Zhe for the beautiful crystal butterfly he had sent over to her for CTN-KE’s launch in July. Shan Mei wanted their wedding to take place in August, but Xiang Zhe insisted on July the latest. He couldn’t bear to wait another month; he had waited long enough!

When she came through the shower room door, looking the way she did, Xiang Zhe wanted to eat her up. Had the imp been to exercise classes? Her so very shapely figure was so obvious. And that blue colour on that skin. And the twin peaks pushing through the thin bikini top drove him almost insane. He went up to her, planted a big kiss on her lips, then carried her to the beach mat. He brought their drinks over. He kept smiling and looking appreciatively all over her. She felt shy; choice of bikini a mistake? That Xue Zhang didn’t take his eyes away from her.

After a while, he declared the sun was getting too hot for his angel’s skin, which was true, then carried her indoors. After the second contact, he couldn’t control himself anymore. He simply had to kiss that silky smooth, creamy white skin. There wasn’t an inch of her that he didn’t kiss over and over again.

He turned to lie on his back, and suddenly blurted out breathlessly “Have you told Michael you would accept the directorship?”

She nodded. “I shouldn’t have?” she queried.

“No, I’m just thinking how I’m going to survive without you. I can’t bear to see you leave whenever I see you off at the airport. We’ll try to work something out. It’s still a few months off.” He then kissed her again.

He turned on his side, to look at his wife again. To him, there was no one more beautiful or fascinating. Her face, with those big round eyes, looked completely childlike and innocent, yet in that bikini she looked all woman and so irresistibly desirable. After two years of marriage, he was more in love than ever with her! Last time he said he’d never let her out of the house; after today, he’d never let her out of his sight!

“Look, husband, no more direct sunshine. Let’s go dip in the Jacuzzi.” Xiang Zhe was agreeable, before that, he needed a drink and may be some food. They hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Shan Mei took some food from the fridge. Filled a jug with champagne and some peach juice, and put in some heart shaped ices. She giggled with excitement on seeing that, and thanked her husband for such a lovely thought. She kissed him on his lips, he slowly pulled her close and placed her on his lap, then returned a deep, deep kiss.

As the sun set, Shan Mei cleared the table before it got dark. Her husband just sat there enjoying himself as he watched her walking back and forth.

The water temperature was just about right. He tore petals off the rose his wife had given him, and threw the petals into the water. They went into the tub together. Xiang Zhe trailed kisses along her back. She sat back, leant against him in his embrace, his face against her nape savouring in the scent of her hair. After some time, he turned her around to kiss her mouth, her neck, her bare shoulders, her flat stomach. Very carefully, he untied the string of the bikini top, and began caressing and kissing the firm mounds. Shan Mei was melting away, making little sighs of pleasure.

Xiang Zhe couldn’t wait anymore. He had been reining himself in since the time he saw his wife emerged from the shower this morning. He told his wife he wanted dinner, and laughingly carried her off to their cabin. After his full-course dinner, he lay next to his wife contented and fully sated. She propped up on her elbow, looked at him caressingly, then mischievously asked, “Coffee or Tea?” He rolled over in good humour, grabbed her into his arms, “you brat, trying to be funny, eh? You’ve got to pay,” then began another onslaught of frenzied kisses, his hands alternating between stroking her smooth beautiful back and squeezing her silky, creamy white hips.

[marryfoxgirl]

Thank you very much for this thread - I thought Id bricked my 860 when I installed u-boot and it didnt re-boot.

One thing to report: I couldnt get the emergency system to see anything on my CF card i.e. the nandlogical commands in the install guide until I mounted it manually with

mount /dev/hda1 /mnt/cf

It may have been because the card was in when I applied power. Hope that helps someone.
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