"But what's the point of Qu Ling going to Beijing?" I asked anxiously, extremely worried about Qu Ling.
"Grandpa has a group of old comrades-in-arms in the central government, some of whom have very strong connections. If Grandpa were still healthy, he could make a few phone calls and things might turn around. But now, unfortunately, the old man..." Aunt Lin looked at the unconscious Qu Ba on the hospital bed, her eyes filled with tears again. I gently handed her a tissue, which she took and wiped her eyes, continuing, "Qu Ling has always had a stubborn streak that others don't know. He said he was going to Beijing, and no matter who he asked or what the cost, he would risk his life to rescue his father. Yuanyuan, you don't know the dangers and complexities involved. Who knows what will happen after Qu Ling goes? No matter how I tried to persuade him that day, it was no use. Once he's made up his mind, no one can change it."
After listening to Aunt Qu's words, I felt a chill run down my spine, and my mind was filled with the words "desperate" and "dangerous".
Qu Ling, what were you feeling when you said those words to me that night?
Your pain and your embarrassment are a thousand times greater than mine.
****
I accompanied my grandfather home in the evening. The house was unexpectedly brightly lit, and the living room was full of people; everyone had returned.
Dad sat next to Grandma, frowning as he fiddled with a toothpick. Uncles sat on the sofa on the other side, all with serious expressions.
"Dad, you're back!" The four brothers stood up together as their grandfather entered the door.
"Oh, why are you all here?" Grandpa sat down wearily in the seat that Dad had given up, took the tea that his second aunt offered, and took a small sip.
“We,” my uncle said, glancing at me, “we came back to check on Yuanyuan because we were worried about her.”
Grandpa looked up at him. "What are you trying to say?"
"The whole city knows about the Qu family's affair. And the engagement between Yuanyuan and Qu Ling..."
Grandpa's gaze turned cold as he looked at his eldest uncle. "Just say what you want to say. There's no need to beat around the bush."
“Dad, you’ve always opposed this marriage, but given the current situation, my brothers and I have discussed it and decided that we can’t interfere with Yuanyuan’s life any further. This is a decision that Yuanyuan has to make herself. It’s a lifelong matter for her. Whether we think it’s good or bad, the person who is truly happy is her.”
After hearing his eldest uncle's words, Grandpa's eyes slowly thawed, and he nodded, saying, "My original idea was that this engagement should not be dissolved no matter what, but what you said makes sense. None of us have the right to decide Yuanyuan's life. Yuanyuan, think it over carefully. How you choose is a matter for your whole life."
"I will not call off the engagement!" Without a moment's hesitation, I announced loudly and clearly to everyone, "I will absolutely not call off the engagement!"
*****
I was excited all night about my decision.
Su Yuanyuan, the greatest decision you've made in the past twenty-three years was made last night!
I don't care what becomes of the Qu family, nor do I care what hardships I'll have to endure with Qu Ling. Even if we have to eat pickled vegetables and sweet potatoes, I'll stay with him. Unless he stops loving me, no external force can make me let go.
Qu Lingjue is just as stubborn as I am.
Although Su Yuanyuan's life was a mess, it became clear after she met Qu Ling.
Xizi snuggled into my blanket again, curling up into a fluffy ball.
"Xizi, when I'm not home, you must be a good girl and listen to Grandma and Mom. Don't go and eat Uncle Hua's pumpkins, and don't eat all the scallions in Uncle Li's garden. Also, the Long family, the third house up ahead, keeps a pair of Tibetan mastiffs. Don't go to their house, or they'll bite you to death in one bite!"
"Woo-woo" Xizi stretched out her body, put her chubby little front paws on my hand, blinked her beady eyes, and yawned.
"It stinks! Xizi, how many days has it been since you brushed your teeth?!" I covered my nose and leaned back, almost fainting from the stench of Xizi's breath.
Xizi tilted its head and gradually fell asleep. It didn't care about brushing its teeth; it only cared about its breakfast the next morning.
At breakfast time the next day, Xizi happily lay down by its bowl eating dog food, while I announced to the family members sitting around the table eating soy milk and fried dough sticks: "I'm going to Beijing!"
Several fried dough sticks fell into the bowl of soy milk, splashing soy milk everywhere.
"Yuanyuan, what did you just say?" Mom asked, her face pale.
“I said I was going to Beijing to find Qu Ling! It’s winter break now, I have plenty of time.”
"What good will it do you to find him in Beijing? You might as well stay home and wait for him to come back."
“I want to help him! Even if I can’t help, at least I can be with him! He’s all alone in Beijing right now, I wonder how he feels…” My eyes welled up with tears as I spoke.
"Alright! Yuanyuan, go ahead! Dad supports you!" My dad snapped a fried dough stick in half with a crunch. "No wonder she's my daughter, Su Laosi's daughter! Loyal and courageous!"
Uh... Dad, I don't think this has anything to do with loyalty and courage.
"Dad!"
"Yuanyuan!"
"Dad! I love you the most!"
"Yuanyuan! Dad loves you the most too!"
"Really?"
"certainly!"
"Then please help me with my travel expenses!"
= =!
"Have you two gone mad?" Mom jumped up. "Yuanyuan is a grown woman, and she went to find Qu Ling, the two of them alone together, what kind of behavior is that?"
"Let them get married when they come back," the grandfather, who hadn't spoken until now, suddenly said slowly.
"Huh?" Everyone at the table was stunned.
Author's Note: I'm so sorry everyone~~
I had a day off yesterday, and the birds came to my house to play. They had so much fun that I was so tired that I fell asleep as soon as I hit the bed last night.
I got up early to write this to make up for it, so please don't be mad at me!
Where are all those who guessed Qu Ling's mental injury yesterday?? Drag them out and whip them!
ˇRound Oolongˇ
Many years ago, when I was a junior high school student, my biggest dream was to travel the world alone with my backpack.