"Yes, I remember." I didn't know what my third uncle meant, so I could only nod honestly in reply.
“You only see the tempting red dates on the tree, but you don’t know there are thorns on the branches, and even more dangerous stinging caterpillars.” My third uncle turned to look at me, his eyes filled with both affection and worry. “That time, you got thorns in your hands and your body was covered in big red welts from the stinging caterpillars. You cried for days. Do you still remember the pain you felt then?”
I shivered, crossed my arms, and the excruciating pain from the sting seemed to resurface.
"I remember. It hurt a lot. My third uncle took me to the hospital that time."
"It's good that you remember. You're all grown up now, and you should understand why I'm saying all this. The lessons you learned when you were young should be remembered even when you're older. If you suffer a loss the first time, it's because you lack experience; if you suffer a loss the second time, it's because you're stupid."
"I...I'm much better now than I was when I was a child," I murmured, head bowed.
"Really? Then let me ask you, have you thought carefully about this sudden engagement with Qu Ling?"
"Uh... I... my family all think it's great..."
"I'm asking you, so think it through before you answer me."
I was slightly taken aback by my third uncle's question. I stared blankly at his increasingly serious face, and after a long while, I whispered, "I've thought about it."
What were you thinking?
"I...I think it's great too."
"Okay?" Uncle San raised his eyebrows, his voice rising, "Could it be that you like Qu Ling?"
I bit my lip and looked at him, and finally nodded firmly.
"You! You!" Uncle San was clearly taken aback. "How long have you known him? Do you know how formidable he is?"
"I don't know how amazing he is, but I know he's very good to me."
My third uncle, upon hearing my words, clutched his chest in anger. "I thought you were a smart kid, but you're so stupid! How do you know his kindness isn't feigned? You only see the smile on his face, but you can't see the sharpness hidden behind it!"
"I know!" I said, tears welling in my eyes. I stepped forward and took my uncle's hand. "Uncle, I know that his smiles are just for show. He's a stubborn and obstinate person at heart. But who isn't like that in this world?"
"You!" My third uncle was about to explode, but then he noticed the tears on my face. His brow relaxed, and his scolding turned into a sigh. "Yuanyuan! You know your third uncle is doing this for your own good. You're our precious child, raised with the care of our parents. If you're unhappy in the future, it'll be like cutting our hearts with a knife!"
"I know, Uncle!" I stood on tiptoe and hugged Uncle's neck tightly. "I know it's because you love me and are worried about me! Don't worry, I will definitely be happy!"
My third uncle sighed deeply and patted my back. "Yuanyuan, you're only three months older than Tiantian. When you were born, your father desperately wanted a son, but I loved you more than Tiantian. I tried several times to discuss with your father about switching between our families to raise you, but your mother disagreed. But in my heart, I've always considered you my own daughter. So, whenever it involves you, I'm always particularly concerned and nervous. Do you understand how I feel?"
I leaned on my third uncle's shoulder and nodded frantically, tears streaming down my face like beads from a broken string.
"Alright, why is such a big girl crying like a child!" Uncle San chuckled twice, a warm tremor coming from his chest. "Come on, let me see how messed up your face is?"
I covered my face, refusing to let my third uncle see, when suddenly I felt something being stuffed into my palm. When I unfolded it, I found it was a light blue handkerchief.
"Yuanyuan, quickly wipe your snotty face, otherwise when you come in, your family will think I scolded you! I'll go in first, wipe your snot and tears before you come in!" My third uncle patted my head, turned and left. I stood there, looking at the handkerchief, my heart filled with something both sour and sweet, and tears streamed down my face.
A deep sigh came from the corner of the wall, and I stopped what I was doing and looked in that direction, puzzled.
The light streaming in from outside the courtyard cast a long shadow of him, slanting across the cobblestone path, a quiet solitude.
"Yuanyuan..." Qu Ling slowly walked towards me.
"Dean...Dean..." I forgot to cry, and looked at him with tears still on my face.
Qu Ling took the handkerchief from my hand and gently wiped away my tears, saying softly, "Your tears have frozen on your face, why are you crying? Your third uncle loves you so much, you should be happy."
"Dean...you heard everything..." I nervously twisted my hands.
"Yes," Qu Ling nodded, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overhear you. I'm going back now, I've been looking for you everywhere..."
"Dean," I hurriedly looked up and said, "My third uncle didn't mean anything bad about you, he really didn't mean that!"
Qu Ling smiled slightly, "I understand. Yuanyuan, I'm especially happy today."
"Huh?" I looked at him in confusion.
Qu Ling reached out and gently tapped the dimple on my lips, and smiled, "Because you admitted to your third uncle that you like me."
"Gah—" My face flushed red instantly, and I lowered my head, not daring to look at him.
Qu Ling suddenly pulled me into her arms and whispered, "Yuanyuan, no matter what kind of person I am, will you still like me like this?"
My ears were already bright red, and I remained silent as he held me.
"Wouldn't it be possible?"
"Hmm..." I finally managed to utter a muffled sound.
Qu Ling breathed a sigh of relief after receiving my answer and slowly released me.
"I don't care what others think of me, nor do I care whether they like me or not. Even if the whole world says I'm hateful, as long as you still nod at me, that's enough."
****
I officially returned to the college to report for work on Monday. As soon as I entered the office, Dingding hugged me tightly.
"Yuanyuan! You're finally back!" Dingding threw herself into my arms, tears streaming down her face.
"Hehe, you missed me, didn't you!" I said, patting her on the back.
"I'm going to break down if you don't come back soon!" Dingding pointed to her face. "Look how thin I've become! It's all because I've been covering your classes!"
"Huh? You're teaching all my classes by yourself?"
"Otherwise, who do you think would be so kind as to tutor you for free?" Dingding rolled her eyes and pinched my cheek, saying, "Look at how well you've raised her, her skin is fair and rosy, so good it looks like you could squeeze water out of it. All of this was obtained by trading my youthful beauty!"
"Yes! Yes! Dingding is my great benefactor, I, Su Yuanyuan, can never repay her!" I laughed and hugged her, coaxing, "If you break your leg next time, I'll teach your classes for free, okay?"