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墨書 Inktalez
Xu Ruyun's hospital room was secluded, with only a few rooms on this floor. Apart from the occasional doctors and nurses searching for patients, it was perfectly normal for no one to appear in the corridor for an hour or two; it was quiet.
Next to the hospital room was a small lounge, fully equipped with beds, cabinets, tables, and chairs, provided for the families of patients to stay. Liu Sen had been staying there these past few days.
Xu Ruyun called Liu Shuhan over, but it would take some time for her to come out. The early spring weather was damp and cold, and Liu Sen had arthritis, making it difficult for him to stand for long. Cheng Qiuyi helped him into the adjacent lounge to wait, at least providing a place to sit.
“Qiu Yi, your aunt and I have caused you quite a bit of trouble these past few days; thank you for your hard work,” Liu Sen said as he picked up the thermos beside him and poured a cup of water for Cheng Qiuyi.
“If it weren't for me, your aunt wouldn't have to suffer in the hospital. Uncle, I should be the one apologizing to you,” she replied.
Liu Sen supported himself with one hand on his knee and the other on his waist. His body was stiff as he slowly sat down in the chair, pulled open a drawer, and took out a thick old photo album.
The album was from the last century, with a military green leather cover. The front had embossed golden letters that read “Teacher's Day Commemorative Album.” Over the years, much of the gold paint had worn off, leaving only the indented letters with some darkened gold due to oxidation. It was clear that the owner frequently flipped through this album; the edges of the leather cover were frayed and worn.
Liu Sen held this old album like it was a precious treasure. He wiped the table several times with his sleeve before placing it down. His rough palm traced along the edges a few times, reluctant to open it.
“I've treasured this album since Shu Han was born; it's been almost twenty-six years now,” Liu Sen finally opened the leather cover, revealing the first page of the album.
It was a yellowed black-and-white photograph featuring three people: a young couple sitting side by side. The wife leaned shyly against her husband's arm, smiling bashfully while he held a baby in his arms, grinning widely with his eyes squinted into slits, looking somewhat silly.
Cheng Qiuyi was drawn in by the photo and stood behind Liu Sen to look at it. Although she was a bit far away due to her farsightedness, she could still see the details clearly.
This was baby Liu Shuhan.
Wearing an indistinguishable colored knitted hat, she looked round like a little ball. Her small hands tugged at her father's ear; her eyes were wide like her mother's, while her mouth resembled her father's grin—no little teeth in sight.
Mesmerized, Cheng Qiuyi reached out a finger and poked at Liu Shuhan's chubby face through the layer of plastic covering the photo as if she could feel the jelly-like texture of that little face.
“She’s so beautiful,” she said.
In her eyes sparkled reflections like sunlight dancing on the warm surface of a lake in early spring.
Liu Sen continued to flip through the album. Liu Shuhan grew her first tooth, took her first step, went to school for the first time, received her first little red flower, got her first certificate, performed on stage for the first time... All the countless firsts in Cheng Qiuyi's life that she missed out on are captured in this album.
At the end of the album is a photo of Liu Shuhan hugging her parents during the New Year. This is the most recent picture, and in it, Liu Shuhan looks so familiar to Cheng Qiuyi. Her smile is still infectious, causing Cheng Qiuyi to unconsciously smile along with the photo.
From a babbling baby to a graceful young woman, twenty-six years have passed. It took less than half an hour to go through it all. In the photos, Xu Ruyun and Liu Sen have transformed from a vibrant young couple into elderly people with graying hair, loose skin, and wrinkles at the corners of their eyes, recounting every detail of Liu Shuhan's growth as if it were a treasured memory.
Indeed, it is a treasure. For Liu Sen and Xu Ruyun, Liu Shuhan is the most precious gift bestowed upon them by heaven.
Cheng Qiuyi fell silent.
For the first time, she understood how trivial a parent's love for their child can be; every little bit accumulates, light as a feather yet heavy as a mountain.
"I'm sorry," Cheng Qiuyi whispered. "I'm sorry."
Other than saying sorry, she found herself at a loss for words. Those solemn promises felt hollow when spoken aloud, like a joke. Cheng Qiuyi hesitated; she didn't know if taking a child away from her parents was right or wrong.
Liu Sen closed the album, propped one hand on his knee and used the other to support his waist as he stood up straight. He looked solemnly at Cheng Qiuyi. "I'm telling you this not just to say I'm sorry."
Cheng Qiuyi knew why he was doing this—he wanted to separate Liu Shuhan from her so that she could live what he deemed a normal life.
No matter how open-minded Liu Sen tried to be, Liu Shuhan would always be his daughter. He could never accept that his daughter would be labeled as a lesbian or that she would be with a woman. This relationship had no legal protection to safeguard Liu Shuhan from harm.
Cheng Qiuyi couldn't agree and remained silent.
"I've talked a lot with her mother these past few days. Back and forth, we ended up not knowing what would truly be best for Shu Han." Liu Sen, hands behind his back, moved toward the window while still holding the album.
He tried to straighten his back but still appeared somewhat hunched over, his knees slightly bent unnaturally. Outside the window stood an ancient tree; early spring was cold, and its trunk had yet to sprout new buds—bare and stark against the sky with its dead branches creating a gloomy atmosphere.
The air in the room grew cold and quiet as Liu Sen stood by the window with his hands clasped behind him, lost in thought.
After a few minutes, Liu Sen turned to face Cheng Qiuyi, carefully handing her the album with great reverence.
"I have lived a life of poverty with her mother, and we don't have much to offer. This photo album can be considered Shu Han's dowry."
What?
Cheng Qiuyi couldn't believe his ears. He took the photo album with both hands, his wrists and arms trembling. "Uncle, you..."
"Today... I officially entrust Shu Han to you." Liu Sen turned away again, wiping the corner of his eye with his sleeve and chuckling lightly. "Shu Han has been spoiled by me and Xiaoxu. Qiu Yi, please be more accommodating to her in the future."
"Uncle..."
"No more talking. If we delay any longer, we won't catch the train. Let's hurry them up."
Liu Sen moved ahead of Cheng Qiuyi, opening the door and walking out first. As he closed the door, Cheng Qiuyi noticed him quietly raising his sleeve again.
"Uncle." Cheng Qiuyi called out to Liu Sen, who was walking ahead. "I will take good care of Shu Han."
Better than you do.
Liu Sen nodded imperceptibly and quickly walked into the hospital room.
"Qiu Yi? Did you finish talking with my dad?" Liu Shuhan came over with a cup of water. She had just run out of the room in anger, wandering around the floor aimlessly, and had just returned when she bumped into Cheng Qiuyi. Excitedly, she asked, "Hey, what did you talk about with my dad for so long?"
Cheng Qiuyi had a complex expression, and Liu Shuhan exclaimed, "It can't be that my dad disagrees too, right?"
Cheng Qiuyi gathered her hands into his palms. "Shu Han, let's take good care of Uncle and Aunt together from now on."
"Oh..." Liu Shuhan was confused but seeing Cheng Qiuyi's serious demeanor, she obediently agreed.
In the hospital room, Xu Ruyun was chatting with Cheng Boming, trying to lighten the mood. Xu Ruyun was chattering away while Cheng Boming was being talkative; they were having a lively conversation that was even more animated than outside.
"Xiaoxu, let's go. If we wait any longer, it will be too late." Liu Sen urged her while picking up the suitcase from the corner.
"Have you finished talking to her?" Xu Ruyun asked him.
Liu Sen nodded, "They're both good kids, so don't worry."
"Alright then, let's go. I don't want to see them all day and get annoyed," Xu Ruyun said as she picked up the small bag containing the medicine, not forgetting to inform her newly acquainted ally, "Boming, if Cheng Qiuyi dares to bully Shu Han, you must tell Auntie, understand?"
Cheng Boming patted his chest and promised, "Auntie, you can rest assured!"
Cheng Qiuyi and Liu Shuhan were waiting for them outside the door. As soon as Xu Ruyun came out, Liu Shuhan hid behind Cheng Qiuyi, looking anxious.
"Have you packed everything? Hurry up and come back with me," Xu Ruyun said with a serious face.
"I’m not going back!" Liu Shuhan shrank behind Cheng Qiuyi, only poking her head out. "I’m not going back..."
Unexpectedly, Cheng Qiuyi pulled her out and urged, "Shu Han, just go back."
"I won’t!" Liu Shuhan huffed and shook off Cheng Qiuyi's hand. "Qiu Yi, why are you letting me go too? Which side are you on?"
"Of course I'm on your side!" Cheng Qiuyi whispered in Liu Shuhan's ear. "Shu Han, just go back. I’ll go with you."
"What did you say?"
"I said I’ll go with you..."
Xu Ruyun cleared her throat impatiently, "That's enough; hurry up and leave."
What’s going on? Liu Shuhan felt a bit confused.
Since Cheng Boming was still around, Cheng Qiuyi first took Liu Shuhan and the others to the train station before heading back to school with Cheng Boming.
"Wait! You’re not teaming up with my parents to trick me into going back, are you?" Liu Shuhan asked nervously. "And then you'll disappear into the crowd? Just like in the dramas!"
Cheng Qiuyi tapped her forehead and said, "I told you to watch less TV dramas, but you just wouldn't listen!"
"Don't worry, I promised to come find you, and I will definitely go, even if you're at the ends of the earth."
"Really?" Liu Shuhan asked, feeling uneasy.
"Of course it's true."
Liu Shuhan reluctantly followed her parents back home, turning back three times with every step, feeling an overwhelming sense of reluctance.
On the train, Xu Ruyun suddenly asked, "When are you and Cheng Qiuyi getting married?"
"Married? What do you mean married?" Liu Shuhan thought she must have been sucked into a black hole and transported to another world; otherwise, how could everything have changed in just a moment?
"Since you've decided to be together, you should settle down. Even if you can't get a marriage certificate, there should at least be some formality, right? Otherwise, what does it mean to live together without any recognition?"
"Are you saying..."
"Your father and I have been looking forward to your wedding for a long time, Liu Shuhan. Don't think you can fool your mother on this matter."
Wait, can someone explain to her what is going on?
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