While reading the story, i feel so touched. By the words, by the lyrics, by Leehom's moves and actions, basically everything. A singer whom I had been idolising over the past 6 -7 years had such a remarkable love story that ought to be shared with all of my friends.

A Person who Speaks through Songs.
Wow Leehom is such an awesome guy. It's amazing how much he has sacrificed for his music. Leehom also wrote the song "Forever Love" for this girl because she is getting married. He said that he had mixed feelings when writing that song because he was sad that she was getting married because that meant she was leaving him forever, but he was also happy for her because he was glad she had finally found her happiness.

A few days before I was on the phone with Leehom, I had actually spared time to go meet his friend from college, Stefan.We talked about many things that happened to Leehom in college. And probably as a result of this homework I was doing, he was able to recall many good memories from college, the more we talked, the happier we became, and I think because of my sincerity and diligence, I had also won his trust.

"Actually, the thing I have most difficulty understanding, is Leehom's love-life. He never seemed willing to speak about it. Is it cause he has been wounded by love before?" I asked very sincerely, hoping that Stefan would be able to help me from this confusion.

"Wounded? I don't think it was like that. You can't ever force love between a couple......, but I know he truly loved that one girl, and was once deeply hurt by her." he thought for a moment, and said, "Out of all the guys I have met, Leehom is the most dedicated[attached] lover, his love, was extremely focused[intense] and loyal." Then he shook his head, "That long distance relationship, went for five years......, they actually really loved each other, but in the end, they still chose to breakup, we all felt what a great pity it was for them......."

"How did they meet each other? I asked."We were classmates in Williams College. In first year, we all chose to study chinese and thus met. Actually she was from the year above us, she was a half asian, half american, but couldn't speak chinese." He smiled slightly, as he recalled.

"From the beginning I could see that Leehom really liked her. She was very beautiful, and was a bit mischievous, and especially liked to tease[play] with Leehom. Afterwards when we knew each other better, she told me that she has no interest in learning chinese, but because Leehom was also studying chinese, she then also became excited at the thought of learning it."

“Last night I watched you sleep as you lay there. I dropped down to my knees and said a prayer. I leaned over softly to kiss your beautiful face. But I could not cross the ocean of your grace.”
"Afterwards......" He smiled again, "Leehom, who wasn't good at expressing himself verbally, decided to write a song for her. Have you heard his song 'Last Night'? Leehom wrote this song for her......", He immediately recited aloud, gently, as though he were reciting a love poem, "Last night I watched you sleep as you lay there. I dropped down to my knees and said a prayer. I leaned over softly to kiss your beautiful face. But I could not cross the ocean of your grace."

"Last Night is also my most favourite song that Leehom has ever composed!" I said excitedly. I shared with him this profound image that would appear in my mind when I first listened to this song: A shy, innocent guy, admiring the girl's face, as she falls asleep under the moonlight, only daring to bend down and gently kiss her forehead, and then kneeling beside her, would express to God the feelings he felt for her - - Only if you have experienced this feeling in real life, can you write such innocent lyrics, where the words will start to speak but hesitate, to you."

"The song must've moved her heart, right?" I said. "They actually already had good feelings for each other, they chose the same classes in the day, at ngiht, they would do homework together, and naturally they became really good friends. Leehom's 'Zai Mei Yi Miao Li, Dou Xiang Jian Dao Ni' and 'As long as I have you' were both written for her!" He suddenly jumped up, "Do you know Leehom's songs well? All his stories about his love and feelings, are actually written into his own songs!"

listened to many of Leehom's song, the emotional and sincere[impassioned] works, but I never knew, that these were actually Leehom's own heartfelt experiences and stories. ]"The summer holidays of Leehom's second year in college, was the first time they'd been seperated, since they started going out. Written in Leehom's 'Dream Again' is the feelings of how much they missed each other as they were separated in two different countries."
“I have not seen my Baby in so long .But I can feel her in this song…”

As he sang, this time, my heart followed with the song's beat, along the memories, as if I had entered the song's time tunnel......" "But real love, should be able to withstand these tests." I said

"Yeh. There wasn't acutally any problem during this time. In the summer holidays of 96', the album Leehom released in Taiwan suddenly made him popular, so the record company decided to make him come back in the winter holidays to promote it, so as to build his popularity. 'Hao Xiang Ni' - He spent that year's thanksgiving in Taiwan recording, and had to spend Christmas and New Year's in Taiwan promoting. So then, Leehom couldn't spend any of that year's summer or winter holidays with her."

"Did she really mind?" I asked."Even though she was not happy inside, each time Leehom came back to school from Taiwan, they'd still make up and be all good again."
"But in the summer holiday's of 97', she had an outburst, because she was going to go on a holiday to celebrate graudation. Her fellow graduating classmates had planned a trip to Europe, and of course, she really wanted Leehom to go with her, and we knew that Leehom also really wanted to go with her too. He tried to ask his record company for a holiday leave, but they wouldn't allow it. Even though we were only third year college students, us group of friends also went along to Europe with the graduating students to have fun, while Leehom stayed in Taiwan, alone, working. We all knew that Leehom really wanted to come with us to Europe, but he was forced to stay in Taiwan, by himself, and work.

I thought of that kind of mood......., and I couldn't not admit that, if I was the record companies boss, I probably wouldn't have permitted the holiday leave application - - Because the production of an album, from producing to promotion, is all in a short period of three months, which is almost not even enough, how could there be the possibility that I would still let the singer take holiday leave?

"During the trip to Europe, you guys must've been so happy." I said, since there's so many beautiful places there."It was really fun! Even though during the trip, there were times where I could feel that she was really unhappy, because she could not accept the fact that Leehom put work in a more important position then her. But when the holiday ended, she still went back to Williams."

"So then she still loves Leehom." I let out a sigh of relief."Yes! Even though she studied business, she still didn't leave to work in the big cities after she graduated, but instead, she chose to stay in the town of Williams to work, so that she could be with Leehom."

"Isn't that very good then?" I continued to ask."It was good and not good in a way. Because once these summer holidays ended, Leehom returned from Taiwan, and went straight to beginning to write and plan his graduation thesis. At that time, we were fourth year college students and had alot of homework. We didn't think it would be any different, but she had already graduated. In the day she'd work, but in the evenings she had nothing to do, and consequently, she certaintly hoped Leehom would accompany her."

"The problem started during this period of time?" I felt a kind of sad apprehension.
"More or less! Each day we'd go back to our dormitories, and we'd all go into Leehom's room, to listen to what kind of new music he had composed during that day. In the beginning we would see her, but time went on, we saw her less and less, and in spring, we heard that she had found a new job in the city and was leaving Williams."

"Leehom must have felt really bad." I said."Actually, at the time, Leehom felt that it would still be good, because he had confidence in this relationship.. he was devoted, one and only, to her. Each day they would speak two, three times on the phone, Leehom had even looked into the long term, and felt that she would have more chances of development/promotion, working in the large companies in the city. She studied business and he didn't want to tie her down in the small town of Williams."

"Feelings from the heart when I had returned from Taiwan to college in 97'.", in this Broadway musical, was a story about a idol singer and his love."Leehom's graduation thesis, musical 'The Bite That Burns' obtained unprecedented success after the final performance, and during the celebration feast, everyone was very excited and really happy. Only Leehom was doleful and dejected......., We knew that he really wanted her to come, so he could share his success and joy, but in the end, she never came......, We all felt broken-hearted for Leehom." "Love problems/ matters..... outsiders can only accompany in sharing the pain, but it is still hard for us to know who/what was right or wrong." I said.

"I know when she was leaving Williams, she once asked Leehom to choose between her or music, Leehom isn't one of those who are dishonest/decietful and speak sweetened words, he said she loved her and music equally, both were long-term and eternal......, he could not choose one, or let go of one." "This fool that cannot speak/express himself properly." I said, grapsing my wrist. At the same time, I thought what Leehom must've felt then, being both a student and singer, he'd have been doing several things at the same time and must've been loaded with work......., many singers decide to give up on their studies, however, Leehom not only finished his formal education, but he also handed over an excellent school report as well. But who would know that behind the scenes, Leehom had made such a big scarifice.

"How did this romance end?" I asked.
"I think at that time, neither of them wanted to give up on their love and relationship. Both seemed like they were trying their best, in 1998, after we graduated, we all moved on, and headed off on our own roads. That summer holiday, Leehom went back to Taiwan to release his album and in September, he went to Boston's Berklee College of Music to continue his studies. Amongst us group of good friends, a few of us had also found jobs in Boston and had moved there, but I went to New York. In 1999, I went to Boston to visit them, and we met up at Leehom's apartment. We unintentionally got to the topic of Leehom's love life - - He didn't say anything, only played the song 'Mary Says' from the files off his computer......."
"How long has it been since I held near? How long will it be till I have you right here? You say that it hurts I can't disagree. But how can I hold on to someone who's leaving me" "How long has it been since I held near? How long will it be till I have you right here? You say that it hurts I can't disagree. But how can I hold on to someone who's leaving me"

"As we listened to the song, we understood his broken, hurt heart, the atmosphere immediately became heavy, we really felt bad for them. But in turn, it was Leehom who then comforted us, saying that he felt she would definitely came back to his side. Even though Leehom knew, that she , who lived in another city, had recently had an eager pursuer after her......."

"When Leehom's elder brother got married, the wedding was held in Michigan, where the bride's family lived. Many friend's from Rochester could not attend the wedding, but still sent generous gifts. In 1999, the Wang family wanted to thank all the friend's great kindness, and decided to hold a reception in Rochester for them, us group of friends also recieved invitations. I rang to tell Leehom that I would be going for sure, I conveniently asked which other schoolmates and friends would be attending. Leehom happily said her name, 'Really?' I was very excited that she'd be coming. 'Of course it's true!' Leehom said enthusiastically. 'She said she already bought the plane ticket, and will tell me her plane arrival time when she knows, and said that I have to go to the airport to meet her.' Leehom very happily told me."

"On the day of the wedding reception, our whole group of friends arrived, and went through the doors to the great hall. We saw a beautiful table that was decorated with many fresh flowers and each guest's 'name card' -- Apart from the guest's name, the 'name card' also had the table number and seat information on it. Us group of friends were specially arranged to sit on the same table. From when the wedding reception began, till the end when guests departed, there had been an empty spot on our table......., this was her spot, she never appeared. During the reception, Leehom was busy helping his parents, big brother and sister-in-law taking care of the guests, but I noticed his gaze when he frequently glanced at the great halls doors. Even though a few days before the reception, she had suddenly 'disappeared', she couldn't be contacted by phone or email, Leehom still really hoped that she'd suddenly appear and give him a big surprise! But in the end, Leehom was to be disappointed."

"After dinner finished, some guests began dancing enthusiastically, I unintentionally walked pass the 'name card' table. There was only one lonely name card left on the table amongst the beautiful flower bunch-- it was her name. Leehom stood beside the table, staring pensively at it, completely oblivious to my existence next to him." " 'Something must have suddenly came up, that's why she couldn't come.' I could only comfort Leehom this way. I then lightly patted his shoulder, and couldn't think of anything else to say. 'I also thought that. ' Leehom said feebly, as he took up the 'name card' and placed it in the pocket of his suit. At this moment, I could feel his weakness......"

"He is a really attached lover." I said.

"Yes! He was so attached that he still hugged onto that hopefulness that she would come back to his side, even though he knew she had already accepted love from someone else." He agreed to my sighs, and said: "In his 2000 album, once I heard the song 'Gao Shu Wo Ni Hai Ai Shei', I realised that there was no way their love could be saved....... But what made me really feel bad was another song on the same album 'Yong Yuan De Di Yi Tian' -- He still dreamt of that moment, of going to the airport and meeting her, and how that day would be forever's first day......."

I listened to his discription, and couldn't say anthing, there was something in my heart intertwining...... The story seemed to have ended, but what about the feelings of missing a person? Those feelings had only continued to grow.....

"In 2001's 'Wei Yi', after awakening that morning and then taking a stroll on the sandy beach, 'Has a star changed its heart, the desires from before have all been abandoned. Recently, I've been finding it hard to breathe, I even want to avoid my own shadows. Baby, you are my only one, both worlds have changed heart, going back is easier said then done' It is like Leehom was writing about his footprints that were left on the sandy beach, still keeping in his life, the fond memories and not letting go, to the point he was not able to get over his emotions in his desolation......"He sighed and said.

"I know Leehom never blamed her, during many incidents, he was actually very protective, always considerate of her feelings. He believed that he did not spend enough time with her, but he could make up for this, as long as he showed he truly loved her and was sincere, then she would definietly be touched. He believed that long relationships, are shared/enjoyed by the mind through giving your heart out, truly. Only too bad it didn't happen this time......we also felt regret for them, because she actually still loved him, but she just couldn't accept a boyfriend that would often not be by her side, and from this, I understood, in Leehom's heart, the feelings of 'Liang Ge Ren Bu Deng Yu Wo Men'." He said.

I extremely liked that song, "In the empty room there is no sound of replies, but your fingerprints are in my memory. Me and you, two people don't equal us......", the first time I listened to it, my heart felt so wretched I cried.

"'After all it was only too short a love, finally we both returned to being strangers'" --After I heard this song, I finally knew that Leehom had let go of this love......, turning into a kind of tranquility and quiescence, becoming this song with an experience, to be shared and listened by all. " He said

"In this song, we can also hear our own stories." I said, it really was so touching.
Trying/practice and creating, will always be a composer's reason and product, and what is reason itself, what is the product itself? Destiny frequently works in contrary to what is expected, apart from smiling, we should learn to accept-- If we were always given the right to choose, then why would we have needed to pray for a perfect result.

Destiny will always create some things that are very difficult for us to go back to again.The significance in these songs are sublimated at this time, not soley is it to touch the listener, but even more precious is the Leehom after so many years-- a person used to speaking through songs, certaintly also uses songs to listen and hear......, this worthwhile and precious love, is in fact, not the composer's reason or product, but is the sincere proof. And we are willing to follow and take it out again, to carefully reminisce.

In fact, each song has its own elements of both happiness and blessings.

Story adapted from OurHomeSG discussion board. Special Thanks!