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Distant and Silent Love
墨書 Inktalez
I parted ways with Lu Yancheng on bad terms.
Noticing my gloomy mood, Zhou Bailin sent me a message:
"My sister brought her daughter, Little Apple, back to the country. It's the little one's birthday today. Care to join us for the celebration?"
My eyes lit up. Zhou Bailin's sister, Zhou Baya, is a very gentle person. She was the one who taught me how to use sanitary pads when I first got my period. When Jiang Qinghuan's dress was too big for me, it was the crafty Zhou Baya who altered it to fit perfectly. I heard she got married and returned home to take care of herself while expecting her second child.
I arrived at the hotel with a carefully chosen gift and a hand-knitted scarf. Zhou Baya, with her eight-month baby bump, warmly embraced me. "Long time no see! Mai Ye, you’ve become even more beautiful."
Perhaps it was love for her child that made her fond of me. Little Apple adored the scarf I gave her. She treated me so well, offering me candies one moment and chocolates the next, just like her mother used to do.
When it was time to cut the cake, Little Apple handed me the biggest piece: "Mommy said thanks to Aunt Mai Ye, I was able to be born safely."
When Zhou Baya was pregnant with Little Apple, she faced health issues and the doctors advised her to terminate the pregnancy. At that time, I had been taking care of Lu Siqing for over a year. He was frail and often ill, and I had taken him to various hospitals where I met many renowned doctors. Upon learning about Zhou Baya's situation, I recommended a doctor to her, which helped save Little Apple.
The little girl’s words were as sweet as honey: "I really like Aunt Mai Ye. Will you be my godmother?"
"No way!" Before I could speak, Zhou Bailin answered first.
"Why not, Uncle?"
"I saw a lot of photos of Aunt Mai Ye at your house, all well preserved. Are you trying to make her my little Aunt?"
These days, I have been getting quite close to Zhou Bailin. He treats me as warmly as before, packing my favorite shrimp dumplings for breakfast and arranging dinner at my favorite Sichuan restaurant. After being with Lu Yancheng for five years, he never knew I liked spicy food.
It feels good to be cared for, and Zhou Bailin's intentions are quite clear. He said, "Without you, there would be no me today."
However, I haven't yet recovered from the hurt of my previous relationship. Until I sort out my feelings, I won't start a new one. Zhou Bailin understands and continues to treat me well.
I pinched Little Apple's nose and said, "You're quite the little rascal. Keep talking nonsense, and your uncle won't get you that princess dress."
"I wouldn't!"
Little Apple had drunk quite a bit of orange juice and pulled me to the restroom midway. As we passed by the next private room, I happened to see Lu Yancheng and his son inside. Looking further in, I noticed my parents were there too.
Oh right. Today is my mom's birthday.
It was also the day I least wanted to see them.
“Mai Ye, what are you doing here?”
I had long lost all patience with their family.
“The restaurant is open for business; of course, I’m here to eat.”
Hearing my voice, my mother exploded with rage.
“Why do you keep haunting me? Are you deliberately appearing in front of me to beg for a reconciliation with Yan Chen?”
“Mrs. Jiang, you’re overthinking it.”
“I’d rather give birth to a piece of char siu than to you!”
“If it weren’t for you, how could Jiang Qinghuan have absorbed less nutrition in the womb and left us so early?!”
The same old arguments went back and forth.
My ears were about to develop calluses.
My father stood up, glaring at me with authority.
“Apologize to your mother; she may act tough but has a soft heart. Lu Yanchen is wealthy and responsible; others would want to marry him but can’t.”
“Sister You worked hard to secure this opportunity for you; you can’t be too willful and throw it away just because someone said a few words.”
Their feelings were complicated.
They didn’t want me to have a good life, overshadowing their eldest daughter;
yet they feared that if I truly walked away, their good son-in-law would fall into someone else’s hands, affecting the cooperation between our families.
In the end, I was merely a tool to bind Lu Yancheng.
I wasn’t worthy of independent thoughts or emotions.
I coldly refused:
“I won’t be with Lu Yancheng anymore; you can find a new mother for Lu Siqing!”
Lu Yancheng looked at me in shock:
“Mai Ye, what are you saying? You want me to find another woman? Can you really bear that?”
He seemed unable to believe that I, who once revolved around him and his father, had left so decisively.
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