好难得 || rarity (完结/Completed)

English version

DISCLAIMER: its a translated piece so it might not be as good as the original one... not that the original one was fabulous but yea.

pls add the fact that I learnt the hard way that English words translated from Chinese are pretty cringeworthy so prepare yourself for a shitload of cringe.
•••

If you were the product of an unsuccessful marriage, would you still believe in love?

Love is valueless and unnecessary. Isn't it?

Can you exchange love for food?

What can love give you apart from heartbreaks?

****

Eighteen years of living in poverty; divorced parents and living with a single mother. When we had difficulties just finding a roof over our heads and merely filling our stomach, I couldn't expect much, obviously not afford school. Working day and night, and I could barely cover up my school fees.

So how would it be possible for someone like me to fall in love and date someone?

One more year before I go to university; and after graduating I would find a stable job and provide my mother a better life. All my life, I lived with that mindset.

Until he came and flipped my world 180 degrees.

He was probably the closest resemblance to Prince Charming I have ever met in my whole life — dashing, elegant, manly, mesmerising, and absolutely taking my breath away.

Our first meeting... was in the school compounds. Pretty unromantic, huh? That day, I was pestered by the two notorious school bullies, and he rescued me.

"I wonder why someone as pathetic as you even bother coming to school." Asshole/number-one sneered, twirling my bag around. "What is this — a rag?"

He then emptied the contents of my bag, yet I could only watch helplessly because asshole-number-two was restraining me and clutching onto my wrist almost too forcefully and painfully.

"Please, I beg you," I pleaded. "Please let me off... I promise I will never appear in front of you again!"

"But... you're like a detestable cockroach that's always appearing in front of my eyes... and it annoys me." His voice dripping with contempt, eyes glimmering with menace, sending chills down my spine. He smirked, noticing my discomfort and pushed me to the ground spitefully.

That was when he, the guy I fell for, came.

"Stop." He narrowed his eyes. "Why are you guys bullying a helpless girl?"

Those pathetic excuse of mankind scrambled to their feet and ran away, not even looking back when they figured out that they were facing a strong opponent.

He walked over to me, kneeling on one knee to inspect me for any injuries.

"You alright?"

"Y-Yeah." I stammered, slowly trying to stand up. Yet because of my scraped knee I lost my balance, falling back on my butt. "Ouch!"

"You're hurt. I'll send you to the infirmary."

His gentleness, his concern... For the first time, there was an amazing feeling flowing through me which I couldn't quite place a name to. For the first time, I felt warmth. For the first time, I had someone I wanted to hold on to.

Is this love?

****

He walked into my classroom.

And I was so damn shocked when he said, "Nice to meet you, I'm Mr Tan. Your previous teacher has resigned, so I would be your Mathematics teacher from now on. I look forward to a good year with you guys! Now, any questions?"

"How old are you?"

"Are you single?"

"What are your type of girls?"

"I refuse to answer personal questions." He gave a million dollar smile (which I swear made a lot of girls swoon). "Now can we start the lesson? Turn to Page 23 of your math textbook. Today we'll be learning about..."

He's... my teacher?

I left my mouth hanging midair. To say the least, I was stunned.

How am I supposed to accept this absurb news?

How is it possible? He's just a few years older than me, so why? Why is he my teacher? Why is the person I fell in love with someone I couldn't have?

But as time passed by, I got used to it. (If you call getting use "staring at your teacher intently rather than paying actual attention in class")

But even in the classroom, he's still unbelievable hot — especially those eyes of his that shimmer with passion, how he enthusiastically teaches us, explaining animatedly about various formulas... damn mathematics is my favourite lesson.

And as cliche as it sounded, I fell for him.

But he is my teacher, so how am I supposed to love him?

We are seemingly from different worlds, so who am I to be together with him?

And it went on like this, one year, then another, but I kept my feelings hidden the whole time.

One more year and I graduated, but he also married a woman he loved.

I never did stood a chance, did I?

But you know? I never regretted loving him. He was like the only ray of light that escaped into my deep dark cave of life — he was the one who made me felt warmth, the one who made me see the hope at the end of the tunnel.

So thank you, for lighting up my life, and making me believe in love once more.

You found your rightful happiness, and I strongly believe, one day I would find mine too.

THE END