She rushed into the bedroom and disappeared behind the door.
Covering her red eyes with powder, applying light lipstick, her hair tied in a ponytail, and wearing a denim short skirt with a tank top and a loose white shirt—she felt fresh and full of vitality.
She decided to meet that man to show him her youthful spirit. He hoped to see the daughter he had been anticipating for over twenty years, not a seductive woman.
When she opened the door, only Di Xihuang was in the hall. He coldly glanced at her, standing with his hands in his pockets. “Owen went after Tianli. I’ll take you to Hong Kong. He’ll meet you there.”
His voice was as indifferent as eight years ago. She nodded politely, thanked him, and walked out, leaving him with her delicate, calm back.
In the car, only silence filled the space between them. He focused on driving, his expression calm, but the tension in his grip on the steering wheel was evident. He secretly glanced at her; since getting in, she hadn’t looked at him or spoken, just sat staring out the window. He wanted to ease the unbearable atmosphere, but his pride held him back. Thus, they remained in silence, a sense of desolation spreading in his heart.
She had no interest in the scenery rushing past the window.
Although her gaze was fixed outside, Owen’s words echoed in her ears.
“Xueman, I know what’s been weighing on your heart. Father didn’t want to disturb your peaceful life, but if you don’t address the knot in your heart, he won’t be able to rest in peace,” Owen said sincerely.
“Knot? I don’t even know what knot exists. I’ve been used to it for so many years,” she replied indifferently, slightly turning her face as if to welcome the sunlight, but avoiding Owen’s eyes.
Suddenly, he gripped her shoulders tightly. “Xueman, your mother didn’t abandon you. She always loved you. Back then, on her way to pick you up, she had a car accident. When Father and I found out, she had already…,” he sighed, shaking his head. “The person who buried her told us she never closed her eyes, always keeping them open, as if remembering something she couldn’t let go of, tightly clutching a small handkerchief.”
She was stunned, like a thunderbolt had struck her, repeatedly muttering, “Impossible, how could it be…” Tears filled her eyes until a droplet slid down her cheek, clearing her vision.
The truth she believed for over twenty years was now overturned.
The woman who had abandoned her and whom she had always hated had left deeply rooted feelings uprooted, bringing forth the pain buried for years, like a festering wound resurfacing in her heart. This wound had never healed, lying deep in her heart, rotting and festering.
She hadn’t forgotten; her indifference had been avoidance. She yearned for her mother and the gentleness and love she once gave, as well as a home with both parents.
Suddenly, she wanted to see the face of the woman who had always been just a sweaty back to her. Perhaps that man had her photo, so she agreed to come to Hong Kong to see him.
She gazed out the window, isolating herself from everything outside, including him. He wanted to reach out, but he felt blocked by an invisible wall. He could only softly say to her, “We’re here. Get out.”
He waited for her response but saw her open the car door and walk towards Owen and Huang Tianli, not looking back at him, showing no attachment.
Angry, he accelerated away, and all Ou Xueman saw was his car disappearing into the distance.
A light rain fell, blurring the vision but moistening the vast green mountains.
In a crowd dressed in black, low sobs spread. She looked up at the sky, her thick wavy hair dotted with raindrops.
The sky held heavy clouds. She stared, seemingly lost in thought. Her expression was calm, but were her eyes beneath slightly narrowed eyelids truly serene? He subtly shifted, standing at the farthest point that still allowed a clear view of her eyes.
Perhaps raindrops had fallen into her eyes; she blinked softly. Each raindrop that merged with her eyes created faint ripples in the clear waters before vanishing.
As the crowd passed the tombstone, offering flowers, she finally lowered her head. Raindrops on her face traced her cheeks, flowing endlessly.
The crowd slowly dispersed. Owen and Huang Tianli watched her sorrowfully, and he observed her from a distance.
She knew they were watching but didn’t respond, continuing to face the sky as the misty rain caressed her face like gentle hands from childhood memories.
She let the soft rain moisten her, lowering her eyes to the stone tablet ahead, wondering if the person beneath the soil was also being baptized by this misty rain, finding spiritual peace.
He should be able to find the person waiting for him in heaven without attachments. His final smile was satisfied and peaceful.
She took out a yellowed photograph from her pocket. The photo showed an intimate couple, not facing each other, but the light in their eyes revealed they saw only each other.
Gently wiping away the rain on her fingertips, she recalled the perfect couple and could vaguely see the shadows of her and Owen. These were her parents, whom she only learned about twenty years later, and who had now gone far away from her. She had never called them mom and dad.
—Child, don’t hate your mother. She loved you so much…
The voice of the person sleeping beneath the tombstone echoed in her ears.
—Your mother had a congenital heart disease; the doctor had warned her not to give birth, as it would cost her life. But she was willing to exchange her own life for your birth, and in the end, she won the bet…
Her fingertips caressed the photo of the smiling woman, her crystal-clear eyes filled with unrepentant love. This was her mother, remembered only as a sweat-soaked back in her memories.
She hated herself, questioning why she had forgotten her mother’s appearance and the love and gentleness she had given. Why was only the hatred remembered?
Biting her lower lip until a metallic taste spread across her tongue, a soft breeze brushed her face, reminiscent of the dying man’s gentle caress.
—Child, I know I shouldn’t disturb your peaceful life anymore, but I can’t let you carry an unreal hatred towards your mother for a lifetime. You should hate me; I never fulfilled a father’s responsibility and wasn’t by her side on the night you were born. Until many years later, I finally understood…
This man, until his last moment, never explained his past hardships, taking all the blame upon himself.
In his emaciated cheek and distant eyes, she saw a father’s love and guilt toward his daughter. She knew he hoped she would call him dad, but she could never do so, even at the moment he closed his eyes forever. Though her heart was full of things to say, she left only regret to gnaw at her.
“Xue Man, it’s raining hard; you’re soaked. Don’t catch a cold. Let’s go,” Huang Tianli said softly, moving his umbrella over her head.
Huang Tianli had learned about her story from Owen, offering sympathy and understanding, providing her with the care of an elder sister-in-law.
Ou Xueman walked towards the tombstone, embedding the yellowed photo into the stone and silently praying they could stay together in heaven.
In the oppressive atmosphere, a gentle voice softly said, “Senior, please don’t be too sad. Professor Ou can now rest in peace.”
Her father had always been her mentor, wanting to see her live a peaceful and happy life without disturbing her.
Ou Xueman turned to look at the girl who was comforting her, noting her purity, brightness, serenity, and gentleness.
“My name is Zeng Min,” she said nervously. “I’m also Professor Ou’s student. He often mentioned you, saying you were his most outstanding student.”
“Let’s go,” a low voice interrupted.
Ou Xueman didn’t look back, but she knew who it was.
