How far is Taipei?

Author: Lu Jun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Lu Jun works at "Leo Architecture Design Beijing General Company," where he is a rebellious yet talented leader of a group of "zany characters" in the design studio. However, his good days came to an end when the company hired Su Jiayi, a Taiwanese architect who studied in the UK, to join the design studio for an important project. This was not only because the design proposal led by whom would be approved could become the design director, but also because Lu Jun and Jiayi were natural rivals, with completely different personalities, habits, and styles. They clashed over a parking space upon their first meeting, and once they became rivals, they frequently confronted each other. Their only common point was "never believing in love." Lu Jun liked pursuing girls but never gave them any illusions or promises. Jiayi did not believe in love because her father's infidelity led to her parents' divorce, leaving her with indelible painful memories from her youth. Additionally, during her time studying abroad, she had also suffered from the "utilitarian love" of her ex-boyfriend Yao Tianjian. Colleagues who supported Lu Jun frequently played pranks on Su Jiayi, turning the design studio into a chaotic mess. Jiayi faced multiple dangerous situations but managed to turn them around with her wit, putting Lu Jun and his group in awkward positions. Unexpectedly, amidst the fierce competition, Lu Jun secretly developed feelings for Jiayi. Of course, he refused to believe that subtle changes were occurring within him. He only revealed his thoughts to an old friend, Lin Jihong, a Taiwanese man who often played ball, horse racing, and drank with him. Lin Jihong also seemed to have been closely watching the "new battle" in Lu Jun's design studio. Whose design would be chosen by the client? Who would become the new design director? On the eve of the decisive battle, both Jiayi and Lu Jun pledged to resign if they lost. Out of respect for each other as worthy opponents, they reluctantly had dinner together, intending to compete subtly, but instead, they ended up having a very pleasant evening. Was it due to the breakdown of their defenses after drinking? Or was it because they had actually harbored hidden feelings all along? After the increasingly enjoyable dinner, Lu Jun and Jiayi unexpectedly crossed the line and had an unexpected encounter. The next morning, though they shared the same bed, they felt extremely awkward. Worse still: the night before, they had spent the entire night together, and the next morning, they had to face the "either you die or I die" design proposal battle. The outcome surprised everyone! The client found both Lu Jun's and Jiayi's designs unique and difficult to choose, hoping they would collaborate. Faced with this unexpected situation, they agreed to forget the night before! The "war" continued, with Lu Jun continuing to play pranks on Jiayi, and colleague Xiao Dan, who had long been in love with Lu Jun, secretly regarded Jiayi as a rival. Another colleague, Jia Ke, harbored a misunderstanding and "hated" her deeply. Despite this, Lu Jun and Jiayi could no longer ignore the love that was growing in their hearts. Once, Jiayi accidentally discovered that the behind-the-scenes boss of the design project was her own father, Lin Jihong, the Taiwanese old man who had been dating Lu Jun. To compensate for the pain he had once caused Jiayi, Lin Jihong had been secretly watching over and caring for her. Jiayi had a fierce argument with her father and immediately wanted to leave Beijing. Lu Jun tried to stop her from leaving, but Jiayi, unimpressed, had another confrontation with him. That night, Lin Jihong had a heart attack, and Lu Jun desperately brought Jiayi back just as she was about to board a plane. However, Jiayi was determined to go to war with her father. Because they were both in the design industry, Jiayi met her former lover, Yao Tianjian, whom she had deeply loved. Yao Tianjian, who had betrayed her, now began to pursue her again because of her father's status. Jiayi liked Lu Jun but couldn't stand his playfulness. If she accepted Yao Tianjian, she could live a stable and wealthy life, but she would never feel the thrill of love again. Jiayi's heart wandered, and Lu Jun was also nervous, though he maintained the facade of a close friend. Love surged between them, but neither dared to express it. Finally, Lu Jun despondently requested to be transferred out of Beijing, but the distance only intensified his longing. Jiayi rejected Yao Tianjian, and Lu Jun returned resolutely from Shanghai to the general company, mustering the courage to confess his feelings. They began to learn how to bravely give and receive love, how to respect and tolerate each other. Despite the obstruction from Yao Tianjian and the opposition from Lin Jihong, the two who had "never believed in love" started to take love seriously. Jiayi began to feel unwell again. It turned out that she had once suffered from bone cancer and had come to the mainland partly to find the person who had donated bone marrow to her. Just when Jiayi needed warmth, Lu Jun, unaware of her condition, secretly went to the suburbs to build their dream cabin. Jiayi had been waiting for Lu Jun to propose, but instead, he moved to the suburbs, making her suspect that he was still unfaithful, and their conflicts escalated. Finally, Jiayi's bone cancer returned, and she collapsed at work. Knowing her time was limited, she secretly decided to cut ties with Lu Jun. Meanwhile, Lu Jun frantically sought medical help for her. To comfort her, Lu Jun took her to the suburbs, where the warm cabin appeared before them. Lu Jun solemnly proposed to Jiayi, but with tears streaming down her face, she remained resolute, claiming she no longer loved him and listing Lu Jun's "crimes." Ignoring her words, Lu Jun loudly announced their wedding date. The wedding was grand and touching, and at that moment, all past grievances were resolved. Lu Jun watched with relief as Jiayi walked toward him, her arm around her father's. That night, Jiayi passed away in the cabin. Lin Jihong brought Jiayi's ashes back to Taipei to be buried with her mother. In the car heading to the airport and on the plane flying to Xiamen, Lu Jun's ears kept echoing Jiayi's voice.