[Chapter Twenty-Nine]
1
Late at night, Wenying was already fast asleep. Meihua was awakened by the whistling wind outside the window. She put on a jacket, got out of bed, and walked to the living room to pour herself some tea. Meihua noticed that the light in Wenyan’s room was still on, so she walked over and gently knocked on the door. “Wenyan, are you still not resting yet?”
Inside, Wenyan was reading at his desk. He raised his head and responded, “Not yet, Meihua.”
Meihua said, “May I come in?”
Wenyan said, “Please come in.”
Meihua entered the room, and Wenyan moved a chair over for her.
Meihua said, “I just got up to drink some water and saw that your room light was still on. Do you go to sleep at one or two in the morning every day after studying?”
Wenyan said, “Mm. If I don’t study like this, I won’t be able to finish reading everything.”
Meihua said, “Seeing how hard you work preparing for the national civil service examination, I feel like I’ve wasted a lot of time myself.”
Wenyan said, “Being able to study in a department you truly like is actually a very happy thing.”
Meihua asked, “I can sense that you chose the law department because of certain reasons.”
Wenyan said, “Mm. You know that our Luku villagers once suffered a large-scale massacre. Many families, like mine, were destroyed and shattered.”
Meihua said, “I know, and that’s why I feel like you’re putting too much pressure on yourself.”
Wenyan said, “It should be called a sense of mission, I suppose. I don’t want to spend my whole life muddleheaded and drifting aimlessly.”
Meihua said, “Tomorrow night, teach me how to knead tea leaves.”
Wenyan said, “That’s very hard work.”
Meihua said, “Even Wenying can do it. I think I can learn too.”
Wenyan said, “You still shouldn’t. I don’t want you to be too tired.”
2
(Three years later)
Meihua accompanied Wenyan to the national examination venue.
Meihua said, “Just do your best. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
Wenyan said, “Mm.”
The bell rang, and Wenyan entered the classroom with the other examinees. Meihua sat down on a bench beneath the shade of a tree and took out a novel to read.
Soon after, Xia Xiaoqiao and Lin Meidai appeared and walked toward Meihua.
Xiaoqiao said, “Meihua, Meidai and I came to see Wenyan.”
Meihua was surprised. She had not expected Xiaoqiao to appear at this moment. She said, “Wenyan just entered the classroom. This session is the Chinese examination.”
Xiaoqiao said, “These past few years, it’s thanks to you staying by Wenyan’s side.”
Meihua said, “Sigh! Ever since you left Wenyan, he buried himself in books.”
Xiaoqiao said, “Does Wenyan treat you well?”
Meihua said, “Yes! He treats every friend very well.”
Xiaoqiao said, “I know he lives a very repressed life.”
Meihua said, “Yes! He has sealed away his emotions, like a hibernating snail.”
Xiaoqiao said, “I’m sorry. I’m the one who hurt him.”
Meihua said, “If you don’t love him, then don’t give him a beautiful misunderstanding. That’s very cruel to him.”
Xiaoqiao said, “I’m sorry, I…”
Meidai could no longer stand it and said, “Actually, these past few years Xiaoqiao has suffered greatly inside too. Every day she has to deal with a boy she hates. Can you imagine that kind of situation?”
Meihua said, “Sigh! I don’t know whether I’m a fool or not…”
Xiaoqiao said, “Meihua, don’t think that way. Wenyan will keep in his heart everything you’ve done these past few years. I have something here. After Wenyan finishes his examination, please help me give it to him.”
Meihua said, “Why don’t you give it to him personally?”
Xiaoqiao handed a small iron box to Meihua and said, “I don’t want to affect Wenyan’s mood for the examination. Just now, we watched him walk into the classroom before we came over here.”
Meihua said, “Oh, alright then!”
Xiaoqiao said, “Meihua, thank you!”
Xiaoqiao and Meidai turned around and left.
3
In the afternoon, after the final Criminal Procedure Law examination ended, Wenyan walked out of the examination hall.
Meihua asked, “Wenyan, how did today’s exams go?”
Wenyan smiled and said, “Everyone has a chance, but no one has certainty. I was able to answer every question on the exam. Whether my answers were complete or not depends on how the graders score them.”
Meihua took out an iron box and said, “This morning Xia Xiaoqiao and her classmate came by. She didn’t want to disturb your examination, so she asked me to pass this iron box to you.”
“Oh?” Wenyan took it from her.
Meihua asked curiously, “What’s inside?”
Wenyan gently shook it and said, “It should be a large seashell.”
Wenyan opened the lid of the box, and indeed it was a large seashell.
Wenyan said, “I gave this seashell to her. Back then I was only in the second year of junior high school.”
Meihua said, “It seems there’s also a letter inside the box…”
Wenyan said, “Let’s not ask about these things for now. Let’s go eat dinner first, alright? I should properly reward myself too.”
4
Meihua accompanied Wenyan back to the dormitory.
Meihua said, “Now that the examinations are over, relax your mind. Don’t think about anything. Take a warm bath and get a good night’s sleep.”
Wenyan said, “Mm, Meihua, thank you for accompanying me to the examinations. You should go back and rest too.”
Wenyan turned around and went upstairs. Meihua left the dormitory and encountered Xiaoqiao at the entrance.
Meihua said, “Xiaoqiao, how long have you been here?”
Xiaoqiao said, “For a little while.”
Meihua asked, “Aren’t you going to see Wenyan?”
Xiaoqiao said, “No. I already saw him just now.”
Meihua asked, “Just now?”
Xiaoqiao said, “When you two had just walked through the entrance, I saw him.”
Meihua said, “You want to see him, yet you keep hiding from him. Xiaoqiao, why put yourself through this?”
Xiaoqiao said, “Being able to watch Wenyan from the side is enough for me.”
Meihua shook her head and sighed. “Xiaoqiao, I truly don’t know what to say…”
5
Wenyan entered his dormitory room, and his roommates Li Qiwen and Chen Liangmou came over to him.
Qiwen said, “Boss, your secret ultimate technique for predicting exam questions had an amazingly high hit rate! You guessed at least three questions correctly in every subject.”
Liangmou said, “Yeah! It’s just a pity that we didn’t have enough time to study them thoroughly, so our answers weren’t complete enough.”
Wenyan said, “Did you see the motto I placed on my desk?”
Qiwen said, “Yeah! Hu Shi said: ‘To reap how much, first sow that much.’”
Wenyan said, “That’s right! You have to make up your mind and prepare with determination.”
Liangmou said, “That’s exactly where we fell short. Neither of us was as proactive as you, Boss.”
Qiwen said, “Boss! That’s not fair of you to say! You’ve been through heartbreak and turned your grief and anger into strength. I haven’t gone through heartbreak, so I lack that fighting spirit you have!”
Wenyan said, “Nonsense. Whether one studies solidly or not depends on the individual. Why drag heartbreak into this?”
Liangmou said, “Boss, honestly speaking, I think it really does matter! I even saw Xiaoqiao wandering around outside the dormitory entrance just now! Boss, I truly sympathize with Xiaoqiao.”
Wenyan asked, “Xiaoqiao was wandering outside the entrance? How long ago was that?”
Liangmou said, “Less than an hour ago.”
Qiwen said, “Boss, my girlfriend Meidai said Xiaoqiao is still waiting for you.”
Wenyan said, “I know.”
Qiwen asked, “You know?”
Wenyan took out the iron box. “Take a look and you’ll understand.”
The two of them curiously opened the iron box. Liangmou said, “A seashell and a poem.”
Qiwen asked, “Did Xiaoqiao write this poem?”
Wenyan said, “I wrote it three years ago. Xiaoqiao recopied it and gave it back to me.”
Qiwen said, “I see now. I understand.”
6
The results of the national lawyer examination were announced. Xiaoqiao was eating breakfast in the living room while reading the newspaper when she saw the list of admitted lawyers.
Xiaoqiao felt extremely happy inside. She picked up the telephone receiver and called Baofeng.
Xiaoqiao said, “Is this Baofeng? It’s Xiaoqiao!”
Baofeng said, “This is Baofeng. Xiaoqiao, your phone call woke me up so early in the morning.”
Xiaoqiao said, “Wenyan passed the lawyer examination. I saw the admission list in the Central Daily News.”
Baofeng said, “Really? On which page?”
Xiaoqiao said, “In the education and culture section.”
Baofeng said, “Okay, I’ll go get the Central Daily News from the doorway right away.”
Baofeng put down the receiver and got up to walk toward the doorway. Her mother Aijiao and her second elder brother Acai came in through the doorway. Aijiao was holding a newspaper in her hand.
Baofeng said, “Mom, give me the newspaper. I want to check the news.”
Acai asked, “Little sister, what matter has made you so happy?”
Baofeng said, “My classmate Xiaoqiao called and said Wenyan passed the lawyer examination.”
Aijiao and Acai simultaneously asked in surprise, “Really?”
“The admission list is printed in the newspaper.” As Baofeng spoke, she hurriedly flipped through the newspaper. “Look, Yu Wenyan, his name is right here.” Baofeng found the admission list in the education and culture section and pointed it out.
Aijiao said, “It’s true indeed! Wenyan really is a talented child!”
Acai said, “Little sister, let’s go to Wenyan’s house and tell them this good news.”
Baofeng said, “Brother, let’s go together in a moment. I’ll return Xiaoqiao’s call first.”
Baofeng walked back beside the telephone, picked up the receiver, and said, “Xiaoqiao, I saw the announcement. My brother and I will first go to Wenyan’s house to deliver the good news.”
7
At the front courtyard of the Yu family home in Luku Village, mute Ayuan, Apao, Acai, Aiyu, and Mingdao were busy putting up lanterns and decorations. Baofeng, Meihua, and Wenying carried tea trays and plates of snacks, entertaining neighbors, relatives, friends, and classmates who had come to offer congratulations. Laichun, Zhou Tian, and Chen Huolu were chatting with the guests. Wenyan, dressed in university attire and wearing a necktie, together with Li Qiwen, Chen Liangmou, and Shao Yanling, moved among the guests, relatives, and friends.
Department Chair Cai Dunming said, “Mrs. Yu, I was not surprised that Wenyan passed the lawyer examination. This child studies very diligently and ranked at the top every semester.”
Laichun said, “The reason Wenyan succeeded in passing is all thanks to the teachers’ guidance.”
Homeroom teacher Liu Zhongxing said, “Wenyan truly is outstanding. Among the students graduating from my class this year, he is the only one who managed to pass the lawyer examination.”
Chen Huolu said, “Only because the teachers were willing to cultivate him does Wenyan have today’s achievements.”
The companions from the Aurora Poetry Society, along with Wenyan’s classmates and younger schoolmates, chatted with Wenyan, Meihua, and Yanling.
Lu Zhiqiang said, “Our poetry society has produced a poet-lawyer. That’s really not simple.”
Zhu Xiangyun jokingly said, “Junior Wenyan, in the future you can use modern poetry to write legal complaints for your clients, haha! You must make everyone’s jaws drop!”
Zhang Meihua said, “Senior, perhaps that still wouldn’t be harder than using legal statutes to write love poems, right?”
Yanling helped Wenyan out of the awkward situation and said, “Hehe! The two heroines have come up with such an extraordinary trick. Our newly crowned top scholar Wenyan probably cannot pull that off.”
8
Near noon, Wenyan encountered Xiaoqiao and Meidai in the arcade corridor in front of the main library.
Xiaoqiao took the initiative to greet Wenyan. “Wenyan, congratulations on fulfilling your wish and succeeding in the examination.”
Wenyan said, “Thank you, Xiaoqiao.”
Beside them, Meidai said suggestively, “Wenyan, Xiaoqiao has been waiting for you all this time. You still have a chance!”
Wenyan smiled and said, “I know.”
At this moment, Wang Jun and Xiang Xin walked over from the other end of the corridor.
Xiang Xin was the first to notice Xiaoqiao and Wenyan. Pointing at them, she said, “Love Saint, look, isn’t that your girlfriend and her ex-boyfriend?”
Wang Jun said, “It is indeed! This bastard actually dares to seduce my Xiaoqiao. He’s asking for trouble!” Wang Jun rolled up his sleeves and was about to rush over.
Xiang Xin secretly laughed inside. “The good show is about to begin!” She deliberately reached out to hold Wang Jun back. “Don’t be impulsive yet! Wang Jun, the instructor’s office is right beside us!”
Wang Jun angrily said, “I can’t care about that anymore. I’ll beat him up first and worry about the rest later.”
Wang Jun shook off Xiang Xin’s hand and quickly walked toward Wenyan.
Meidai saw Wang Jun charging straight over and warned, “Wenyan, watch out for Wang Jun!”
Before the words had even finished, Wang Jun had already closed in behind Wenyan. Wenyan had only just turned around when his cheek immediately received a vicious punch from Wang Jun.
Seeing this, Xiaoqiao and Meidai screamed in alarm, “Wenyan, be careful!”
Xiaoqiao shouted, “Wang Jun, why are you hitting people? You’re so barbaric!” She immediately rushed forward and used her body to block Wang Jun.
Wang Jun roared, “Get out of my way! I’ll settle this score with you later!”
Xiaoqiao was enraged by Wang Jun. She lifted her foot and fiercely kicked Wang Jun’s right shin.
With a cry of “Ah!” Wang Jun instantly grimaced in pain and crouched down, yet he still did not forget to curse loudly. “You damned woman, you don’t know what’s good for you. Just wait and see how I deal with you…”
Xiaoqiao turned around and helped Wenyan up. Blood was flowing from the corner of Wenyan’s mouth and his nostril. “Wenyan, does it hurt badly? I’ll help you to the infirmary.”
The sound of the quarrel drew two duty instructors and curious students over to watch.
Instructor Liu Sicheng asked, “What are you all making such a commotion in the corridor for?”
Lin Meidai said, “Reporting to the instructor, Wang Jun was the one who struck first.”
As Instructor Liu Sicheng questioned Wenyan, he checked his injuries. “This student, how badly are you hurt?”
Another instructor reached out and helped Wang Jun up.
Xiaoqiao said, “Wang Jun rushed over from that side and punched Yu Wenyan without saying a word.”
Wang Jun protested unwillingly, “That bastard seduced my girlfriend!”
Xiaoqiao angrily snapped back, “Who is your girlfriend? Shameless!”
Hearing this made Wang Jun even angrier. He sternly questioned, “Xiaoqiao, you… you’re still protecting him?”
Instructor Liu Sicheng said, “Wang Jun, no matter what, it’s wrong for you to hit someone. Student Xiaoqiao, you girls first take the injured student to the infirmary. As for you, Wang Jun, come back to the instructor’s office with me. Students, stop crowding around and watching…”
The two instructors escorted Wang Jun away, one on each side. Xiang Xin followed them toward the instructor’s office to watch the excitement.
Meidai and Xiaoqiao helped Wenyan leave together, while the surrounding students gradually dispersed.
9
Wang Jun was escorted into the instructor’s office and stood there answering questions. Xiang Xin followed inside.
Instructor Liu Sicheng asked, “You injured a fellow student. How do you plan to handle the aftermath?”
Wang Jun arrogantly said, “My old man has plenty of money. I’m not afraid of him taking me to court. Who told him to seduce my girlfriend?”
Liu Sicheng poked Wang Jun in the chest with his finger and said displeasedly, “You’re very arrogant, aren’t you, Wang Jun? Are you trying to anger me so I’ll punish you according to school regulations?”
Another instructor nearby, Wu Mingde, could not stand it either and said, “You brat are really arrogant! You injured someone, yet you’re still stubbornly refusing to admit fault!”
Liu Sicheng warned, “It seems you still don’t understand the seriousness of the matter. If the court sentences you to imprisonment, according to school regulations you’ll be expelled, and your graduate studies will have been for nothing!”
When Xiang Xin heard that Wang Jun might be expelled, she realized the seriousness of the situation and quickly persuaded him. “Wang Jun, a wise man submits to circumstances. Right now, you’d better listen to the instructor’s advice and go apologize to the other party.”
At this moment, Wang Jun’s attitude softened slightly. He said, “I’m willing to compensate him for the medical expenses, but asking me to apologize to him? Forget it!”
Liu Sicheng said, “Wang Jun, you’d better pray that the other party doesn’t sue you in court! According to school regulations, injuring a fellow student earns you a major demerit. Unless you obtain a signed settlement agreement from the other party and bring it back here to cancel the demerit.”
Xiang Xin said, “Instructor Liu, let me properly persuade him.”
Xiang Xin turned to Wang Jun and said, “Wang Jun, a true man knows when to bend and when to stand tall. Listen to my advice. Go admit your mistake and apologize to the other party and calm this disturbance down.”
Wang Jun said, “I’m just too angry to accept it…”
Xiang Xin said, “Let’s leave here first and find a place to let you calm down.”
Xiang Xin escorted Wang Jun away. Bowing to Instructor Liu, the two of them left the instructor’s office.
10
Inside the infirmary, the nurse was cleaning the blood stains from Wenyan’s face.
The nurse said, “Fortunately, the bridge of your nose wasn’t injured.”
Xiaoqiao said, “This Wang Jun is really too barbaric!”
Meidai said, “This is the first time I’ve seen a boy go crazy with jealousy and hit someone. Wang Jun looked so frightening at that moment.”
The nurse asked, “Do you want an injury examination certificate? You can use it to file a lawsuit in court and demand compensation for medical expenses and emotional damages.”
Wenyan said, “Forget it. I don’t have time to accompany him to court.”
Xiaoqiao said, “How can we just let it go like this? Wang Jun definitely needs to be taught a lesson!”
Wenyan said, “Xiaoqiao, I don’t want to pursue the matter.”
Xiaoqiao said, “Wenyan, you…”
11
Xiaoqiao accompanied Wenyan back to Luku. When Laichun and Wenying saw Xiaoqiao, they were surprised. When they also saw the bruise on Wenyan’s cheek, they were even more shocked.
Laichun said, “Miss Xiaoqiao, sorry to trouble you to bring Wenyan back.”
Xiaoqiao said, “Mama Laichun, it’s all my fault. Because of me, Wenyan was beaten and injured.”
Laichun asked with concern, “Wenyan, who was it that hit you?”
Wenyan said, “My injury is nothing serious.”
Xiaoqiao said, “Mama Laichun, it was my senior schoolmate who hit Wenyan. He was immediately taken away by the instructors afterward.”
Laichun asked, “For what reason did the other party hit you?”
Wenyan said, “Mom, please don’t ask anymore!”
Laichun saw the clues and guessed that her son being beaten must have something to do with Xiaoqiao. But since Wenyan did not want to talk about it, she could not continue pressing the matter. “Alright then! Mom won’t ask anymore.”
Wenying said, “Sister Xiaoqiao, you haven’t come to our house for several years.”
Xiaoqiao said somewhat awkwardly, “Yes! Wenying is already in high school and has grown taller…”
Wenyan said, “Mom, Xiaoqiao is staying for dinner.”
Laichun said, “Alright, I’ll go prepare dinner.”
12
At the dining table, Xiaoqiao took the initiative to pick up food for Wenyan. Laichun, Wenying, and Zhou Tian all noticed it. Even mute Ayuan could sense that tonight’s atmosphere was somewhat unusual.
Laichun understood clearly in her heart that Xiaoqiao was still the same Xiaoqiao as before.
What Wenying was thinking about was Zhang Meihua. She felt that the person sitting beside her elder brother should be Sister Meihua, not Xiaoqiao, who had not appeared for three years. Wenying felt wronged on Meihua’s behalf.
Wenyan suddenly spoke up. “Mom, I want to marry Xiaoqiao. In the next few days, will you accompany me to her house to propose marriage, alright?”
Laichun was startled by Wenyan’s request and said, “We-Wenyan, you…” Even her speech became tangled.
Wenying and Zhou Tian were equally shocked by Wenyan’s words.
Xiaoqiao nudged Wenyan with her elbow, signaling him not to continue. Xiaoqiao could see from Laichun’s frightened reaction that she had absolutely no mental preparation for this matter.
But Wenyan insisted on making everything clear. “Mom, I’ve already passed the lawyer examination. This was the condition that Xiaoqiao’s father set back then, so I’m asking Mom to go with me and formally propose marriage to Xiaoqiao’s parents.”
Laichun said, “Alright then. Since you two truly have feelings for each other, Mom will follow your wishes and go with you to Xiaoqiao’s house to propose marriage. However, you still haven’t completed military service. First get engaged, and after you return from the army, then get married. How about that?”
Xiaoqiao shyly said, “Wenyan, I’m not going to run away. There’s no need to be in such a hurry, right?”
Wenyan said resolutely, “No. I’ll receive my military draft notice in July. You need to learn tea-picking and tea-making from me, otherwise Uncle Ayuan won’t be able to handle all the work alone.”
Laichun thought to herself, “So Wenyan has thought things through even more carefully than I have…”
Laichun said, “Since that’s the case, Mom will quickly start preparing your wedding matters. Tomorrow I’ll ask a geomancer to choose an auspicious date.”
“Brother, Sister Meihua…” Wenying was just about to speak when Laichun stopped her.
Laichun said, “Little girls shouldn’t interrupt!”
13
That evening, Xiaoqiao and Wenyan walked hand in hand in the front courtyard.
Xiaoqiao said, “Wenyan, you never even proposed to me first. Tonight at the dinner table, you suddenly asked your mother to come to my house to propose marriage. At that moment, I was completely mentally unprepared.”
Wenyan said, “I’m sorry. I thought that since you were already willing to come back to Luku with me, I might as well bring up our marriage in front of my mother.”
Xiaoqiao said, “Even so, you should at least have mentioned it to me on the way here! At that time your whole family was staring at me. I was really embarrassed!”
Wenyan said, “Xiaoqiao, do you know why I buried myself in books these past three years?”
Xiaoqiao nodded and said, “I know!”
Wenyan said, “Since you know, then you can understand how I’ve felt during these three years. I wanted to prove to your parents that I am promising, that I can give you a happy future.”
Xiaoqiao said, “All of that is already in the past, Wenyan. Even if you had not passed the lawyer examination, as long as you proposed to me, I still would have married you, even if Daddy firmly opposed it.”
Wenyan said, “No. If I had not passed the lawyer examination, I would have had no face to go to your house and see you and your parents.”
Xiaoqiao said, “Alright! I know you’re a man with strong principles.”
14
Xiang Xin and Wang Jun arrived at a bar. The two sat on high stools at the counter.
“Bartender, vodka with ice.” Wang Jun ordered a strong drink.
“Bloody Mary, thank you.” Xiang Xin turned to Wang Jun and said, “I know you’re in a bad mood. Even if I advise you to drink less, you probably won’t listen. Handle yourself as you see fit.”
Wang Jun asked, “Xiang Xin, am I very pathetic? My woman actually embarrassed me in public…”
“This is your own fault for being foolish. Xiaoqiao has never taken you seriously. It’s you who has stubbornly obsessed over her…” Although Xiang Xin sneered inwardly and thought disdainfully to herself, she still comforted him outwardly. “There’s a Western saying: fruit picked by force will never taste sweet. Matters of love are also impossible to force. Why don’t you open your mind a little? There are plenty of women in the world.”
“These past three years, I’ve yielded to her everywhere, held her carefully in the palm of my hand and cherished her. Yet today she protected her ex-boyfriend and spoke harshly to me. It hurts my heart, hurts my heart!” After Wang Jun finished speaking, he drained the entire glass of vodka in one gulp. “Bartender, pour more liquor.”
15
Wang Jun was drunk as a skunk. Two young attendants from the bar supported him and stuffed him into a taxi. Xiang Xin brought Wang Jun back to her dormitory.
Xiang Xin spent a great deal of effort helping Wang Jun into the room. She removed his shirt and trousers and laid him flat on her bed. Xiang Xin brought over a basin of cold water and wiped down his body. At this moment, Wang Jun was like a giant doll, allowing Xiang Xin to manipulate him as she pleased.
The next morning, the clock pointed to nine o’clock. Wang Jun awoke with a headache and discovered that he was completely naked, with Xiang Xin embracing him from the side. Under the blanket, Xiang Xin was naked just like him. This shock instantly dispelled all of Wang Jun’s remaining drunkenness. He carefully moved Xiang Xin’s arm aside, got out of bed, and started searching for his clothes.
At this moment Xiang Xin woke up and said, “Your clothes are hanging on the balcony. They should already be dry.”
Wang Jun let out an “Oh” and awkwardly walked toward the balcony, where he found his clothes and put them on.
Wang Jun uneasily asked, “Nothing happened between us last night, right?”
Xiang Xin deliberately smiled mysteriously and said, “Last night, you were very passionate! You treated me…”
Wang Jun asked suspiciously, “No way? I have absolutely no memory of it.”
Xiang Xin angrily grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, cursing, “You already did it, and now you want to拍拍屁股and walk away, is that it? What do you take me for, a call girl?”
Wang Jun quickly apologized and said, “That’s not what I mean. I just don’t remember what I did to you…”
Xiang Xin said, “Fine! At least you still have some conscience. I’ll wait for you to come propose to me.”
Wang Jun looked deeply annoyed and secretly cursed himself in his heart. “Damn it, how could I do something so foolish? No, I need to get rid of this woman as quickly as possible…”
16
Inside the living room of the Xia family mansion, Xiaoqiao and Meidai were practicing guitar and singing American country folk songs.
Zhai Jialing returned from outside and saw that Xiaoqiao was at home.
Jialing asked, “Where did you go last night? You came back very late, and Wang Jun called several times looking for you.”
Xiaoqiao stopped playing the guitar and said, “That barbarian still has the nerve to call.”
Jialing asked, “What now? What did Wang Jun do to make you angry again?”
Xiaoqiao said, “Yesterday at noon, Meidai and I encountered Yu Wenyan in the corridor of the main library. We had only chatted with Wenyan for a few sentences when Wang Jun suddenly rushed out and crazily punched Wenyan and injured him. I still haven’t settled this account with him yet! Meidai was there too and can testify.”
Meidai said, “Auntie, it really was Wang Jun who hit someone first.”
Jialing said, “No wonder Wang Jun went crazy and hit someone. He saw you together with Wenyan again, so he felt uncomfortable inside.”
Xiaoqiao complained nonstop like rapid gunfire, “Wang Jun isn’t my anyone-anyone. Do I need his permission just to talk with someone? Just because he felt uncomfortable inside, does that mean he can hit Wenyan?”
Jialing smiled bitterly and said, “He complained to me over the phone that you protected Yu Wenyan and even kicked him.”
Xiaoqiao said, “He brought it upon himself. He deserved it!”
Jialing asked, “So afterward you went to accompany Yu Wenyan?”
Xiaoqiao said, “Meidai and I helped Wenyan to the infirmary.”
Jialing asked again, “And then? You sent him back to the dormitory?”
Xiaoqiao said, “We sent Wenyan back to his home in Luku. Then during dinner, in front of his family, he formally proposed to me.”
Meidai asked in delighted surprise, “Wenyan formally proposed to you?”
Xiaoqiao said, “Mm! At that moment I was completely mentally unprepared and very surprised.”
Meidai said with relief, “At least he has a conscience. Your three years of waiting were not in vain. After the clouds part, the moon appears. Congratulations!”
Jialing asked, “Daughter, did you accept Wenyan’s proposal?”
Xiaoqiao nodded and said, “Mm!”
Jialing smiled bitterly and said, “Looks like our Xia family is about to experience a revolution!”
Xiaoqiao said, “Mommy! Daddy promised Wenyan that if he passed the lawyer or judicial officer examination, he would agree to let Wenyan and me be together.”
Jialing said, “Do you really think your daddy will fulfill his promise? His mind is full of nothing but wanting to marry you into the Wang family.”
Xiaoqiao said firmly, “If Daddy truly is that kind of profit-driven person, then he shouldn’t expect me to accept any arrangement he makes either.”
Jialing said, “Give me time to persuade your daddy. If he truly remains stubbornly obsessed, then I will make the decision for your marriage with Wenyan.”
17
Inside the living room of the Wang family mansion, Wang Jun took the initiative to bring up the matter of marrying Xiaoqiao with his parents.
Chen Meilin said, “Jun’er, your father’s original idea was to wait until after you finished military service and returned to work at his company before helping you marry and start a family.”
Wang Jun said, “But the longer the night, the more dreams there are. I’m worried Xiaoqiao and her former boyfriend will rekindle their old feelings.”
Wang Daming said, “With your appearance and our family background, why worry about not finding someone even better than that Xia family girl? Military service is a process every man must go through. Your father hopes that after you enter society and mature more mentally, then you can look for a partner.”
Wang Jun firmly said, “Other than Xia Xiaoqiao, I don’t want any other girl!”
Chen Meilin said, “Husband, the child has grown up. I think we should still follow his wishes.”
Wang Daming said, “To speak honestly, I’ve heard quite a bit over the years about how that Xia family girl has treated you. Since she does not truly like you, if you marry her into this family while she is unwilling in her heart, then our family may never know peace afterward. As the saying goes, ‘When the family lives in harmony, all affairs prosper.’ That is my concern.”
Wang Jun said, “Dad, as long as I have more patience, Xiaoqiao’s personality will change. She will become a virtuous wife and loving mother.”
Chen Meilin said, “Husband, just respect our son’s choice, alright? At least in the future he won’t hold resentment toward us.”
Wang Daming thought for a while and said, “Alright then! Tomorrow I’ll first bring it up verbally with Boss Xia over the telephone. In a couple of days, after preparing the betrothal gifts, we’ll go to the Xia family to formally propose marriage.”
