QG Chapter69

On the last day of the year, I finally saw my father.

 

He spent the entire year holed up in his lab up north. I heard he achieved some experimental breakthrough at the end of the year, something that even had a small impact in academia. That’s why he finally had the mind to come back to Yancheng.

 

I tidied my clothes before knocking on the brown door in front of me.

 

My dad and his young assistant wife bought a villa in the suburbs of Yancheng, and I only found out about it after it was already fully furnished. All his plans seemed to have nothing to do with me, there was no need for me to know, much less for me to participate. In fact, other than him giving me his surname and half my bones and blood, I, as a whole, had nothing to do with him.

 

A woman in her fifties opened the door. She paused for a moment when she saw me, then turned back and called out, “Professor Li, we have a guest!”

 

Then came the shuffling sound of slippers, and a short-haired woman walked over. A polite yet distant smile appeared on her face, and fine lines gathered at the corners of her eyes. “Oh, Xiao Ze, you’re here! Hurry in, it’s cold out.”

 

I looked at her, she is Wang Yurong, my father, Li Shaoheng’s delicate wife and capable assistant, and the first thing I saw was her belly, swollen like a ball.

 

She was pregnant.

 

Wang Yurong instinctively reached out to protect her belly.

 

I changed into slippers and walked into my father’s home.

 

My dad was sitting on the sofa with a laptop on his lap, engrossed in his research. He was forty-four this year, but his energy was excellent; he was in his prime.

 

“Dad.” I still called out haltingly.

 

He then let out an “en” from his nostrils and finally raised his eyes. My dad looked at me, frowned, and paused, revealing an displeased expression, and quietly mumbled, “How come you’re looking more and more like your mother?”

 

Both Wang Yurong and I heard it.

 

Wang Yurong clearly stiffened for a moment. She sat down next to him, her hand on her belly, and said to me, “It’s so rare for Xiao Ze to visit. Why don’t you stay here tonight? I’ll ask Auntie Xie to clean up the guest room.”

 

Guest room?

 

I politely said, “No, thank you. I’ll leave after I eat. I have things to do at school, and I have a home to go back to anyway.”

 

Li Shaoheng snorted and said nothing more.

 

I awkwardly sat down on the small sofa, and Auntie Xie handed me a cup of hot water.

 

Silence fell in the living room. Just then, the doorbell suddenly rang. Auntie Xie opened the door, and I heard a very familiar voice.

 

“Brother Li, I didn’t bring any fancy gifts!”

 

I looked in the direction of the voice and saw it was Professor Ye Wensheng!

 

“Professor Ye!”

 

I instantly understood the meaning of this dinner.

 

Professor Ye saw me, showed no surprise, and greeted me with a smile: “Yuze, you’re here too.”

 

Only then did my dad get up and say with a smile, “Professor Ye, you’re finally here! Xiao Xie, let’s eat.”

 

Auntie Xie enthusiastically responded and brought out the dishes that had already been prepared from the kitchen.

 

My dad led Professor Ye to his seat, and Wang Yurong naturally sat next to my dad. I, like an extra person, sat down without a word.

 

At the table, my dad and Professor Ye chatted animatedly, from scientific research to folk culture. I couldn’t get a word in, nor did I want to. Wang Yurong, meanwhile, was serving my dad food, her eyes full of admiration and affection.

 

I suddenly understood why Wang Yurong and my dad got together.

 

I ate without tasting a thing, staying silent the whole time, but my dad just wouldn’t let it go.

 

“Li Yueze, are you just going to bury your head in your food? Aren’t you going to toast Professor Ye?” My dad, sitting at the head of the table, pointed at me with his finger. “You only got that research opportunity because Professor Ye appreciated you.”

 

I stood up, like a marionette: “Thank you, Professor Ye.”

 

But this “thank you” came from the bottom of my heart.

 

Professor Ye raised his glass, clinking it against mine: “No need for thanks! It was my oversight that caused so many things to happen to you in Dongjiang.”

 

At his words, I immediately looked at my father. But he remained unperturbed, still picking up meat to eat.

 

I couldn’t stop myself from saying, “Dad, don’t you even care about what happened to me while I was there? I haven’t been in touch with you for almost half a year…”

 

“Xiao Ze, don’t blame your father,” Wang Yurong gently interrupted me. “That period was a critical time for your father’s research; he didn’t have the time or energy to care about other things.”

 

My dad said, “What kind of trouble could a man like you get into? Besides, aren’t you standing right here eating just fine? Stop talking nonsense.”

 

I moved my mouth, speechless.

 

But my dad then said, “Xiao Ye, your project hasn’t been concluded yet, has it?”

 

Professor Ye smiled, “Not yet, not that quickly.”

 

“Do you think this silly son of mine could go and help out, lend a hand?”

 

Professor Ye smiled and looked over at me, saying, “Yuze is exceptional, I’ve had my eye on him for quite some time! His revised notes from Dongjiang were a tremendous asset to our research. If he’s willing, he’s always welcome to join our project.”

 

My dad immediately said, “What ‘willing or unwilling’? Kids just follow what adults decide. Li Yuze, hurry up and thank Professor Ye!”

 

They sang in harmony, determined to seal my fate.

 

I stiffened my neck and remained silent.

 

My dad’s brow furrowed slightly, just about to erupt, when Professor Ye changed the subject, saying, “Speaking of which, Yuze is such a talented young man; he must have dated quite a few girlfriends in college, right?”

 

I shook my head.

 

My dad glared at me and said, “I don’t allow him to date in college.”

 

Professor Ye raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Brother Li, you’re not a conservative person; how could you…”

 

My dad took a sip of his wine. “College is for serious research; what’s dating all about?”

 

Wang Yurong sweetly picked up a piece of brined duck for my dad. My dad didn’t like the skin, so she thoughtfully removed it for him.

 

She wasn’t mentioned at all throughout the meal, nor did she actively interject. She just gently and affectionately stayed by my dad’s side.

 

I finally understood why she could be with my dad.

 

My dad saying that dating in college wasn’t a big deal was perhaps just him talking about himself.

 

He and my mom had a college romance. My mom studied opera and had a naturally beautiful voice. I heard they met at some event, and it was love at first sight.

 

Both of them were people of action. They fell head over heels in love in college, got carried away, married right after graduation, and had me the next year.

 

I suppose, in many people’s eyes, they should have been a perfect match. Unfortunately, for my dad, his career and research always outweighed everything else.

 

And my mom, a soprano who needed to live in the spotlight and bask in others’ praise, couldn’t tolerate being second in her husband’s eyes.

 

So, conflicts arose, and the perfect couple became a resentful one.

 

Growing up, the phrase I heard most often was, “Your mom’s a crazy woman.”

 

The “red rose” of yesteryear thus became a mosquito’s bloodstain, a blemish, a crazy woman.

 

My mom couldn’t bear it. After the divorce, she traveled across oceans, searching for her true dreams and a place to belong.

 

That’s why my dad would say, “What’s college dating all about?” The woman he once loved so desperately became a dismissive “What’s it all about?”

 

Perhaps only Wang Yurong could tolerate him. She willingly assisted him, staying by his side, admiring him from a place he couldn’t see.

 

And that’s fine.

 

Professor Ye cleared his throat and said, “Actually, college romances can be quite beautiful, but I guess only a virtuous wife like Sister-in-law, who’s both beautiful and capable, could catch your eye, Brother Li.”

 

Wang Yurong smiled shyly, not responding.

 

My dad, however, pondered for a moment, then suddenly turned to me and said, “There’s a professor’s daughter in our institute who would be very suitable for you. You can try to get to know her after you graduate.”

 

A sudden surge of inexplicable anger rose in my heart.

 

What exactly did he see me as?

 

The burden left by his ex-wife? A puppet he could manipulate at will? Or his son, Li Shaoheng’s son?

 

I slammed my chopsticks down, creating a sharp “clack” on the table.

 

Li Shaoheng frowned, looking at me coldly: “If you’re done eating, quietly get up from the table.”

 

My face was grim, and I struggled to control my fury. I turned to Professor Ye and said, “Professor Ye, I apologize. Your project is excellent, but I’m not really suitable, so I won’t cause you any trouble.”

 

Professor Ye hadn’t said anything yet, but Li Shaoheng slammed his bowl down first: “Do you know what you’re saying?”

 

I looked him straight in the eye: “I know.”

 

“I came all this way back, racking my brains to pave a path for you, and this is how you repay me?”

 

I said, “I don’t need it. I won’t pursue graduate studies, and I won’t participate in any projects either.”

 

Li Shaoheng pointed at my nose and roared, “Then what do you want to do? Just disgrace me!”

 

I said, “I’m going to Dongjiang.”

 

“What?” Li Shaoheng seemed unable to believe his ears. “Say that again.”

 

Professor Ye’s expression also suddenly changed, his eyes wide as he stared at me.

 

I stood up and repeated, “After I graduate, I’ll go to Dongjiang and won’t bother you anymore.”

 

After I finished speaking, I nodded slightly to Professor Ye and left the table.

 

“If you’ve got the guts, stay in that backwater for the rest of your life! Never rely on me again!”

 

Li Shaoheng’s furious roar echoed behind me.

 

I glanced back slightly, then turned and left.

 

I will. I silently responded to him in my heart.

 

Ultimately, what Li Shaoheng needed wasn’t a son but a respectable image.

 

Stepping outside, the fresh, cold air hit me, and the chilly wind ruffled the hair on my forehead. I felt the stagnant air in my chest instantly dissipate quite a bit.

 

But as I calmed down, an empty feeling still welled up. This feeling was too familiar; I had experienced it thousands of times before.

 

Tomorrow is New Year’s Day; a new year is about to begin. Every family is gathering, preparing to welcome a fresh start.

 

I walked down the street, watching the people who brushed past me.

 

Were there any among them who, like me, had no place to belong?

 

No, I have a place to belong.

 

A thought suddenly sparked in my mind.

 

I need to find Shen Jianqing; I need to see him!

 

Only he will still wait for me; only he will always wait for me right where he is!

 

I walked faster and faster down the street, finally breaking into a run. As my speed increased, that thought grew even stronger.

 

I’m going to see him tomorrow.

 

No, right now!