Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The spring breeze outside the window was particularly warm, but there was a sense of frustration in her heart.
Cheng Mo Su watched Xu Hua walk down the steps. Their eyes met, and she slightly revealed a polite smile, nodding and saying, "Uncle Xu."
"Miss Cheng, you just returned, right?" Xu Hua's gaze intentionally or unintentionally assessed Cheng Mo Su. It had been some time since they last met; the youthful innocence on her delicate face had faded, and now there was a unique radiance belonging to a young woman in her every smile and frown.
"Yes, I just got back two days ago." Cheng Mo Su quietly looked at him. "What were you discussing with my father just now? Is it related to me?"
Xu Hua couldn't help but chuckle. "Why would you think that, Miss?"
"My father wouldn't talk about work at home. Since Uncle Xu came to my house, it must be about something other than work. Naturally, it must be about life matters; recently, the only thing on my father's mind is me." She said slowly, her brow clear yet serious. "What did you say to my father?"
Xu Hua adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and smiled. "Since you already believe in your heart that I said something I shouldn't have, why bother asking me? You could just go directly ask the bank manager."
"I will ask him; I just don't want unrelated people meddling in my family affairs." Cheng Mo Su's tone remained calm, but ripples appeared in her water-colored eyes. Ignoring how Xu Hua left, she turned and entered the study.
The study was filled with swirling smoke. She frowned slightly and reached out to take the pipe from her father's hand. "Dad, I've told you many times that smoking is bad for your health, yet you still smoke." Cheng Yi turned to look at his daughter; Cheng Mo Su's cheeks flushed with anger, resembling the rosy clouds at dusk.
He sighed; Xu Hua was right. He couldn't place such a large bet on Shangguan Shaoyi.
He paused for a moment, leaving Cheng Mo Su's heart hanging high because his words could send her into despair.
Finally, he spoke: "I've thought it over carefully, Su'er, you cannot marry Shangguan Lin."
She was taken aback, her Water-colored Eyes wide open, her long Eyelashes fluttering anxiously. "Why, Dad? Didn't you say yesterday that I could think it over? I've thought it through clearly; I like Shaoyi, and I want to be with him." She bit her lip. "What did Uncle Xu say to you that made your attitude change so drastically? No matter what he said, it's all slander and flattery. Dad, you shouldn't believe him."
"Shut up!" Cheng Yi said sternly. "Xu Hua is your elder, a right-hand man I raised myself. How can you speak of him like that?"
"Fine." Cheng Mo Su found a stool to sit on, stabilizing her emotions, her Water Eyes fixed on her father. "Dad, tell me what he said to you that caused such a big change in your attitude?"
Cheng Yi took a puff from his pipe, not saying a word, only feeling the heat of his daughter's gaze pierce through him, causing his heart to ache. He set down the pipe, which made a loud thud as it hit the table, startling in the quiet atmosphere. He pinched the bridge of his nose and recounted Xu Hua's considerations word for word to Cheng Mo Su.
Cheng Mo Su fell silent for a moment, a dense sorrow swelling within her, leaving her speechless. She had never thought of these things; although she didn't want to admit it, she couldn't deny the correctness of his words.
But... Shaoyi...
If feelings could be calculated like this, what was the difference between humans and animals? The path must be walked by oneself; the scenery along the way—whether good or bad, joyful or sorrowful—was something she had to experience herself rather than letting others do it for her. She closed her Eyes tightly and then opened them again, a stubborn expression on her lips. "Dad, what if I say I must marry Shaoyi?"
He was momentarily stunned. He knew his daughter; usually gentle and mild-mannered, but at critical moments she would not allow anyone else to make decisions for her. He turned away from her gaze that mirrored her mother's and slowly said, "I'm sorry, Su'er. This is not up to you. It’s the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words."
"Dad, this isn't the old days anymore; we are in the Republic!" she exclaimed urgently.
"Yes! You are a person of the Republic, but I am not!" he shouted, marking the first time in her memory that her father had raised his voice at her.
His hand gripped the armrest of the mahogany lounge chair tightly, his knuckles turning white from agitation. He looked at Cheng Mo Su's heartbroken expression and softened his tone. "When I was young, I still had my braid and studied in school, hoping one day to take the imperial examination and achieve something great. But suddenly one day, I went abroad and saw the outside world where all the students had cut their braids and changed their clothes into modern styles. Naturally, I cut my braid too but felt somewhat bewildered and confused. Though my braid was gone, my thoughts remained unchanged; I still held onto Confucian values of benevolence and righteousness. I know you young people see these things as outdated, but they have long taken root in my blood like thorns that cannot be pulled out."
"So after all your consideration, you still cling to old-fashioned parenting views and treat me as your possession without regard for my feelings?" Tears streamed down her face as her beautiful brows knitted together in distress, her long Eyelashes casting shadows over her cheeks.
“Mosu, that’s not what I meant.” Cheng Yi could not stand to see his daughter cry. He hurriedly took out a handkerchief, but just as he was about to touch her face, she dodged away.
He was taken aback and sighed, “Dad has been through this; how could I hurt you? If we were in peaceful times, it wouldn’t matter if it were Shangguan Lin or if you wanted to marry a beggar on the street, I would agree. But look at the situation now. Today, Shangguan Lin holds power in the Northeast, but tomorrow he might fall; his father is the best example of that. General Shangguan was once so powerful, yet he lost everything because he trusted the wrong person for a moment—he lost both his power and his life. If it comes to that, what will you do? I can’t bear to see you suffer alongside him.”
“If that is the suffering I must endure, I am willing!” Her soft gaze shone with a determination that could not be ignored. Cheng Yi quietly watched his daughter as the seconds ticked by; neither of them was willing to back down. They stared at each other in silence and stubbornness, waiting for the other to concede.
Time passed without either of them noticing.
Finally, Cheng Yi turned his head away but did not compromise as Cheng Mosu had hoped. He faced away from her; his silhouette was no longer as imposing as before but carried the weight of experience.
He no longer looked at her and resolutely said, “Mosu, I can give in to you on many things, but not this time. Starting today, you are not to leave the house. I will have someone watch over you until Shangguan Lin returns.”
“Dad!” She stared wide-eyed in disbelief and rubbed her reddened eyes with her hand.
Comment 0 Comment Count