On a different path
1573 Words
Mother: “Why didn’t you discuss such a major decision with me?” She said, her voice trembling.
Given that Ye Ruowan had a heart condition, her mother had always been careful with her words and actions, let alone striking her.
Ye Ruowan’s cheeks burned with shame. “I’m sorry.”
Aside from apologizing, Ye Ruowan couldn’t find any other words.
She had always known that her mother wanted her to have a happy family, but some things couldn’t be forced.
Back at Home:
In the dimly lit living room, her mother couldn’t help but ask, “Is it because of the child?”
Ye Ruowan murmured, “Partly yes, but perhaps it’s just that fate has come to an end.”
Hearing her daughter, who had never believed in destiny, say such things, her mother’s eyes turned red.
“I’m sorry…” Her voice was hoarse. “I couldn’t give you a good health.”
Ye Ruowan reached out and hugged her. “Don’t apologize. I’ve never resented you. I’m always grateful to you and Dad for bringing me into this world…”
Tears began to fall from her mother’s eyes.
“Does your face still hurt?”
“No, it doesn’t.”
Her mother’s voice grew more emotional. “Ruowan, I was too impulsive just now. I’m afraid that in the future, when you’re old, there will be no one to take care of you…”
She knew how lonely and sad it could be to lose a spouse.
“At least I have you, but you not only got sick but also…”
Ye Ruowan’s throat tightened, and she gently patted her mother’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry. When I’m old, I can go to a nursing home. Besides, who can guarantee that the person I marry will be like Dad, staying with us and never leaving?”
“And even if I could have children, there’s no guarantee they would be filial and always take care of me, right?”
Soothing her mother, Ye Ruowan went back to her room.
She locked the door, pressed her hand to her aching heart, and collapsed onto the bed.
Struggling to swallow the pills one by one, the pain eased only after a long time.
Staring at the pitch-black ceiling, Ye Ruowan thought about her mother’s words and clenched her fists.
On a Hot Summer Night:
In the darkness, Ye Ruowan was half asleep, half awake.
At dawn, she vaguely heard her mother talking on the phone next door.
“Li Jie, can you help find a good man for my daughter? It doesn’t matter if he has children…”
Ye Ruowan slowly opened her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks.
It turned out that no one could truly persuade anyone in this world. To her mother, it was essential that someone take care of her daughter, who had a heart condition and couldn’t have children.
Her heart ached again. Ye Ruowan didn’t take more medicine; she silently endured the pain, humming a song, as if that made it more bearable…
The Next Day:
It started raining again.
Ye Ruowan went out alone with an umbrella, and there were few people around.
As she walked, she found herself at the entrance of the Oak Entertainment Group.
“Senior Ye Ruowan,” a female voice called from behind.
Ye Ruowan turned to see Han Shuangshuang, linked arm-in-arm with Lu Hanye, walking towards her.
Lu Hanye instinctively pulled Han Shuangshuang’s hand away, handed her the umbrella, and took a few steps towards Ye Ruowan.
“She didn’t have an umbrella, so I was just giving her a ride.”
Ye Ruowan held up her umbrella, looking at Lu Hanye’s handsome face, and forced a smile. “You’ve forgotten, haven’t you? We divorced yesterday. There’s no need for you to explain.”
At these words, Lu Hanye’s expression darkened.
“Do you have to remind everyone over and over?” His eyes were filled with impatience. “Now everyone in the world knows we’re divorced.”
Ye Ruowan’s throat tightened. “Hanye, unlike you, my feelings, whether love or dislike, have never been afraid of others knowing.”
Lu Hanye sensed that her words had deeper meaning. “What do you mean?”
Ye Ruowan’s gaze fell on Han Shuangshuang, who was clinging to him.
“Don’t let down the other person who loves you.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
For a moment, Lu Hanye felt as if his heart had been pierced.
Han Shuangshuang hurried over with the umbrella. “Hanye, let’s get married.”
A Few Days Later:
Ye Ruowan’s mother came to her room, hesitated for a long time, and then spoke up.
“Ruowan… I’ve arranged a blind date for you. Would you like to go?”
Fearing that Ye Ruowan might have objections, her mother explained, “Aunt Li said the other party doesn’t want children either and just wants someone to accompany him into old age…”
Ye Ruowan could see her mother’s hesitation and anxiety.
She couldn’t bear to refuse. “Alright.”
After pouring all her love into one person, you realize that you can no longer summon the same courage to love another. You know that in a relationship, there’s not just sweetness, but also the kind of heart-wrenching pain that comes in the dead of night…
At a Five-Star Restaurant:
Ye Ruowan met her blind date, Lu Nanchuan.
Lu Nanchuan was fifteen years older than her, wearing a tailored Italian suit, gold-rimmed glasses, and had deep, wise eyes.
“Mr. Lu, I apologize for interrupting today. The truth is, I’m here just to reassure my mother and have no intention of finding someone to live with.” Ye Ruowan was straightforward, with no concealment.
Lu Nanchuan seemed surprised by this situation.
He smiled gently. “It’s alright. Everyone has their own unspeakable circumstances. I understand.”
“Thank you.” Ye Ruowan said sincerely.
“No need to thank me. Let’s just consider this a friendly meeting.”
Lu Nanchuan courteously pulled out a chair for her.
After dinner, he drove Ye Ruowan back. On the way, he joked, “Don’t worry, I’ll tell Aunt Li that I’m very satisfied with you. You won’t have to deal with any more blind dates.”
As Ye Ruowan was about to refuse his kindness, she suddenly saw a familiar Maybach parked outside the Ye family home.
Lu Hanye’s tall figure stood by the car, his dark gaze fixed on her and Lu Nanchuan.
“Mr. Lu, I’m home. Thank you.”
Lu Nanchuan could tell something was off and, after reminding her to stay safe, left in his car.
Ye Ruowan walked towards Lu Hanye. “Why are you here?”
Lu Hanye didn’t answer her, his eyes shifting to the departing car. “Who is he?”
“He’s a blind date my mother arranged for me.” Ye Ruowan didn’t hide anything.
The air grew silent.
Lu Hanye looked at her in disbelief. “Are you kidding? We just got divorced a few days ago.”
“When should I start over, then?” Ye Ruowan countered.
Lu Hanye was at a loss for words. Before he could react, Ye Ruowan continued, “Hanye, how many years does it take to prove deep affection… Three years… Five years… Or twelve years? Am I supposed to wait a lifetime for you?”
She was exhausted, waiting night after night for someone who would never understand that kind of feeling.
And Lu Hanye, who had been waited on for twelve years, would never understand!
“Are you blaming me?”
Lu Hanye gripped Ye Ruowan’s shoulders, his eyes reddening. “Haven’t I been good to you all these years?”
Before Ye Ruowan could respond, a sudden barking was heard.
DuoDuo ran out from the yard, biting Lu Hanye’s pants leg, trying to pull him away as if to protect its owner.
Lu Hanye’s eyes narrowed. “DuoDuo, let go!!”
But DuoDuo seemed to not recognize him, determined to drag him away.
Ye Ruowan watched this scene, her heart aching with each throb.
“Hanye, look, even DuoDuo doesn’t recognize you anymore…”
They had once raised DuoDuo together, and at that time, DuoDuo was never this biased.
Hearing this, Lu Hanye reluctantly released his grip, watching as DuoDuo, whom he had raised since childhood, barked furiously at him.
Ye Ruowan hugged DuoDuo. “Don’t be afraid. He’s Hanye. He won’t hurt us.”
She may have been the only one who believed that he wouldn’t hurt them.
At this moment, Ye Ruowan’s mother came out because of the noise. Seeing Lu Hanye, she clenched her fists.
“Ruowan, go inside.”
Ye Ruowan complied, taking DuoDuo with her, and did not look back at Lu Hanye.
Only then did Ye Ruowan’s mother approach the somewhat disheveled Lu Hanye. “Mr. Lu, you wanted a divorce, and my daughter has fulfilled that for you. Can’t you also allow us to return to a normal life?”
Lu Hanye was stunned. What did she mean by “he wanted a divorce”? It was clearly Ye Ruowan…
Before he could rebut, Ye Ruowan’s mother added, “You may have many wives, but I only have one daughter, Ruowan. If you dare to hurt her again, I will fight you with everything I have!!”
- Writer
