Chen Gege started talking to herself again, "He's a completely heartless person, stubborn and single-minded. But that's exactly why I like him."
"Didn't he leave you? Why are you still thinking about him?"
"I still hope that one day he will change his mind."
"Women are always infatuated, but men don't think that way."
"I feel like some women are really heartless. They just dump their men like they're nothing, like throwing away a rag!"
I couldn't help but chuckle. "What kind of woman is that?"
She glared at me. "Of course there is."
A chill ran down my spine. "Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not!"
"The owner of the shop is dressed like a woman; could she be married already?"
I choked and started coughing.
She put down her cup and came over to pat me on the back.
"With your beauty, you must be cherished by your husband. Why don't I see him here?"
I didn't know what to say, so I raised my head and downed the glass of wine. I poured myself another glass, ready to drink it all in one gulp as well.
Chen Gege stopped my hand, "Don't drink it."
I pushed her hand away, saying, "We're both women, if you can drink, so can I."
On this desolate night, the full moon intensified the feeling of parting. I don't know why I felt sad. Was it because she mentioned the word "husband"?
I sighed, pushed her hand away, and drank another glass.
"Enjoy life while you can, come on, let's keep drinking."
Actually, I'm a typical armchair strategist, all talk and no action. Two drinks are my limit; I quickly become dizzy and disoriented.
It seems like she carried me into the house, it seems like she poured hot water for me to wash my feet, it seems like she covered me with a blanket, and then sighed—because when I woke up the next day, that sigh still seemed to be ringing in my ears.
After much deliberation, I decided to return to Beijing for the New Year. Running away isn't the solution; I should go back and settle things with Jiang Chen.
As the year drew to a close, I closed my martial arts school, packed my things, and hired a carriage to return to the capital. Chen Gege insisted on coming along, fearing I wouldn't return once I got back. No matter what I said, she wouldn't believe me and insisted on coming with me. I thought about it; having someone to talk to on the way back to the capital wouldn't be bad. Although she looked honest and unassuming, her words were quite interesting, and I took a liking to her.
Back in the capital, it happened to be the day before the Lunar New Year. I had already decided that if my mother hadn't moved out of Guiyun Manor yet, I would stay at an inn first. So, I went to "Yiyibushe" first, but when I went in, I found that my mother wasn't there.
Ah Qing, who worked at the shop, said with a beaming smile, "Madam Gu is no longer here. She married a wealthy husband and bought a big house for her to live as a rich lady. Now she lives in Yanziwu, um, the second house in Liuyin Lane! What a grand house! We all went to see her move."
When did Father become a rich man? It must have been Mother who provided the money. I couldn't help but laugh, so I quickly left the shop and headed straight for Swallow's Nest. I found the second house in Willow Shade Lane, and sure enough, it was a grand and unique mansion with the words "Shi Mansion" carved on the door.
I excitedly jumped off the carriage, hopped up the steps, and knocked on the door.
The dark vermilion door creaked open, and surprisingly, it was Xiao Hebao who opened it!
I stared at her blankly, a little at a loss. How did she get here?
"Miss!"
She let out a loud "Aww" and hugged me tightly, wiping her snot and tears all over her face.
I sighed and patted her on the shoulder.
"Little purse, you've grown so fast! You're almost as tall as me now."
Little Puzi looked up, laughing and crying at the same time, "Miss, are you not angry with me anymore? It's so good that you're back. Madam talks about you every day."
"Is Momo back?" Mother came out of the side room, and Father followed closely behind, peeking out from the second floor. When he saw that it was me, he didn't bother to go up the stairs and jumped down from the second floor, leaning on the railing.
His mother was startled, glared at him, and laughed, "Your old arms and legs are still quite nimble."
Dad smiled and looked me up and down. "You haven't lost weight, you're fine."
Looking at my parents, I felt both happy and heartbroken.
My mother held my hand and said, "You silly girl, you've been gone for half a year and only wrote one letter. At least you know to come home for the New Year. You still have some filial piety."
I lowered my head sheepishly and stuck out my tongue in shame.
"Come inside and we'll talk. Little Hebao, go tell the kitchen to boil some water and cook some good dishes."
Once inside, my mother playfully tapped my nose and scolded, "Have you had enough of your walk? Are you calm now?"
I smiled sheepishly, hesitated for a moment, and then asked in a low voice, "Is he married?" After asking, my heart felt like it was stuck in my throat.
The mother said sternly, "Who will you marry? You left without saying goodbye and abandoned him. He was heartbroken and wanted to become a monk after seeing through the illusions of the world."
Looking at my mother's serious expression, I couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Mother, you're getting more and more ridiculous. I wouldn't believe it even if I had a white toe if he wanted to become a monk."
My mother chuckled and punched my shoulder twice, scolding, "You silly girl, you're usually so soft-hearted, how come you've suddenly become so hard-hearted? I told you he became a monk, and you still won't forgive him?"
I sighed. "Mother, just like when you heard Father was getting married, you immediately got angry, dropped me, and left. I'm the same way. If it were someone else who wasn't important, it wouldn't matter, but I'm just angry at him. He hides everything from me. What does he take me for? A fool?"
My mother tapped my forehead and laughed, "You've always been a silly girl."
I stomped my foot, defiant, "Mom! I'm not talking to you anymore."
The mother smiled and pointed to Chen Gege by the door, "Who is that person you brought?"
“I opened a martial arts school in Suzhou. She had nowhere to go, so she lived in the school. Now that I’m going back to Beijing for the New Year, she insists on coming with me.”
Her mother covered her mouth and chuckled, "You silly girl, you're so soft-hearted and kind. Go take a bath. Look at you, all travel-worn, you don't look like a proper young lady at all."
Hearing the words "young lady" and then thinking that I am no longer a young lady, a thorn popped out in my heart. That night, I couldn't get over it, and it made my teeth itch whenever I thought about it.
Xiao Hebao had boiled water and placed it in the hot tub. I took my change of clothes and soaked in the hot water for a long time, not wanting to move. My mind kept wandering, wondering when would be a good time to see him? What should I say to him? Why didn't he marry Yu Muxi? Was it because my mother and Lady Qi objected? The more I thought about it, the more confused I became.
I got up, dressed, and left the bathroom. Remembering that Chen Gege had traveled a long way and needed to wash up, I said to Xiao Hebao, "Have the kitchen boil some more water so Chen Gege can come and wash up later."
My mother had already arranged my bedroom, telling me to lie down and rest for a while before getting up for dinner. Lying in bed, I felt deeply moved. I've lived to be sixteen, and only today do I truly have a home. This is my home; whenever I return, my parents will always be there to welcome me and cherish me.
I buried my face in the pillow, feeling incredibly peaceful and happy. It seems that this sense of belonging has been something I've always lacked.
The pillow was embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water, and the emerald green leaves looked as if they could drip water. I ran my hand through the hair behind my ear and suddenly remembered my gold lock, which I had placed on the steps of the bathtub while I was taking a bath. I got out of bed and went back to the bathroom.
I pushed open the bathroom door and was taken aback. Chen Gege was taking a shower inside. She was also startled when she saw me, and seemed a little flustered.
I quickly smiled and said, "I left something here, I'll just grab it and go."
She smiled. "Is this it?"
When I looked, I saw that she was holding my gold lock.
I hurried over and took the gold lock from her hand.
Her arms, which were above the water, were strong, with a small scar on her shoulder. A strange feeling stirred within me, and I glanced underwater as if by some unseen force, only to be horrified to discover that her chest was flat!
My mind went blank for a moment. In an instant, I realized what was happening, turned around, and left. Behind me, I heard the sound of rushing water. My heart was pounding, I couldn't breathe, and my body felt weak.
Deceiving someone into the bridal chamber is a heinous crime.
A pair of hands grabbed me. I was furious and resentful, but I didn't dare turn around because he must be completely naked at that moment. I kicked his shin, trying to make him let go, but he suddenly pounced on me and pinned me to the bathroom floor. I was both ashamed and angry, and I rolled over and started punching him. After a few blows, I realized something was wrong because I touched his bare skin.
"Xiao Mo, Xiao Mo," he murmured my name.
I was so angry I wanted to jump up and down. He actually lied to me again, pretending to be a woman and following me around for so long! I remember several times when he even added hot water for me while I was taking a bath—it was absolutely outrageous!
He was on top of me, and all I could see was his naked upper body, glistening with water droplets and radiating warmth. I turned my head away, unable to look at him. My face began to burn, a mixture of shame and anger, yet I couldn't express it.
Jiang Chen raised his hand and took off the mask from his face. "Xiao Mo, you're tired from fighting. Take a break and listen to me for a few words, okay?"
"Let me go."
"I won't let go."
I gritted my teeth, but I couldn't break free.
“Xiao Mo, what you saw that day wasn't what you think. That night you were drugged with aphrodisiacs, and I thought you'd be fine once the antidote was removed. But when I woke up in the morning, I found that I had lost all my internal energy. I found this very strange and worried that she had given you another poison, so I went to ask her. But I was afraid of hurting her, so I couldn't confront her directly. I could only try to coax her out of the truth. But you just happened to walk in. At that time, I had no internal energy and couldn't protect you, so I had to say those things. I only thought I would explain to you later, but you believed me and immediately ran away, ignoring me.”
His explanation was indeed reasonable, but I felt a lump in my throat, and my heart ached.
"You've been keeping everything from me, what do you take me for! Are you a smart person who disdains to talk to a fool like me? What's the point of saying all this now!"
"Xiao Mo, I didn't tell you those things because I was afraid you'd be upset. You already thought I was a womanizer, and if you knew that a woman liked me so much, you would definitely have a problem with me. Although I didn't tell you, I'm completely honest with myself. I've never liked her. The person I've always liked has always been you, and only you."
“I know you must be angry with me and hate me. I also know you have a straightforward personality, and forcing me to go immediately would only make you more awkward, so I have no choice but to stay by your side in this way.”
I remained silent. Was it the steam from the bath? Why did I feel dizzy and feverish?
"You still won't forgive me?"
"Get up first, then we'll talk."
"I won't get up until you forgive me." His tone was one of stubborn scoundrel, which was infuriating.
Forgive or not? How can I calmly consider this situation, with its steamy heat and exposed spring scenery?
A drop of water from his face suddenly landed on my cheek, and he bent down and gently licked it away.
I felt a sudden burning sensation on my face, a mix of anxiety and shame, yet I dared not push him away. I simply didn't know where to begin.
"Xiao Mo, please forgive me. I will never hide anything from you again."
"You're suffocating me. Get up first, let me think."
He propped himself up on his arms, and I pushed him away forcefully, quickly pulling myself out from under him and running away.
Stepping out of the bathroom, a cool breeze cooled the heat on my face. Then I realized something was wrong; my mother had gone too far.
I stormed into my mother's room to confront her.
My mother seemed to know everything. When she saw me, she laughed heartily. "I told you you're a stupid girl, but you wouldn't listen. How about that, are you stupid or not?"
"Mother, you've gone too far."
“My mother couldn’t stand it anymore, so she made him a mask and gave him an idea.”
I said angrily, "Mother, you always side with outsiders!"
"He's my son-in-law, how can he be an outsider? I even gave him his name, Chen Gege, or Brother Chen, you silly girl!"