Chapter 71

In previous years, during the May Day holiday, Lin Huayan would return to her hometown with her parents on May 2nd, because that was Liu Yunfen’s birthday.

After all, she was her biological mother who had given birth to her, and this wasn’t some secret in the village.

They only went back home a handful of times a year—Spring Festival, May Day, Mid-Autumn Festival. Unless something unexpected came up, it was just those three occasions.

As for her biological father…

Lin Jiaguang’s birthday was in mid-June, so they’d brought double gifts when they went back for May Day and celebrated his as well.

But this year…

The Spring Festival had been such an ugly mess that Lin Huayan really didn’t want to go back and eat more dirt. Neither Zhou Chunping nor Lin Jiazhong mentioned heading home, so the three of them spent the holiday quietly at home.

On the 2nd, Lin Huayan got up bright and early.

Not only did she make breakfast, but she also went out to buy dumpling wrappers and filling ingredients.

Seeing what she’d bought, Zhou Chunping’s eyes lit up.

“These past few months, I haven’t asked you about it, but… this is for making dumplings for her, right?”

Last time’s mushroom and pork dumplings, Lou Yixuan hadn’t eaten a single one. Knowing that, Zhou Chunping hadn’t dared to ask her daughter about it again.

Lin Huayan gave a soft “Mm,” but then added, “Not sure if she’ll get to eat them. I can just keep them in the freezer and eat them myself.”

“Oh, you’re really gonna give me a heart attack!”

Zhou Chunping stomped her foot and slapped her thigh in frustration. “Elope! Don’t you get it? If you two can’t stay in Huai’an anymore, just go somewhere else! You’re both grown adults—it’s not like you’ll starve to death!”

“…” The words stunned Lin Huayan so much that she burst out laughing. “Mom, what kind of mother eggs her own daughter on to elope with another family’s daughter?”

Elope with Lou Yixuan.

But elope where?

Abandon their parents, who were growing older by the day, and start over in some city where no one knew them—would that really let them live peacefully?

“This is me having total faith in my daughter, okay?”

Zhou Chunping snatched a few bags from Lin Huayan’s hands and headed to the kitchen. “Mom believes that no matter which girl you’re with, as long as you like each other, she’ll definitely be happy. And I don’t even mind my daughter spoiling her girlfriend like a little kid—why should her parents mind?”

“…Mom.” It was starting to sound like she and Lou Yixuan were already together.

But they weren’t. And now, separation loomed again.

A long separation.

Maybe even longer and more distant than the last eight years.

“Huayan, listen to Mom. Any parents who truly love their kids just want them to find a partner worth entrusting their life to—someone to share happy days with.”

“If her parents insist on marrying her off to someone they think is good, someone they approve of, even if she doesn’t like them at all… then they don’t really love her.”

“So what are you still hesitating for? Her parents don’t love her, and you’re too timid to love her—think how heartbroken and hopeless she must feel?”

Her mother’s heartfelt words hit like a splash of cold water, snapping Lin Huayan awake to a possibility she’d never considered—Lou Yixuan might have grown up pampered by her parents, but she wasn’t truly happy.

Her parents’ “love” for Lou Yixuan was more a projection of their own wills, a selfish desire to mold her into a success story for their own sense of accomplishment, not a genuine wish for her to live as Lou Yixuan herself.

Just like me.

Even after distancing herself from her rigid, outdated biological parents and that stifling hotbed of gossip in Pingxin Town, she still carried heavy shackles every day.

Thirty-eight years.

Over 13,800 days and nights on this earth, and not a single one had she lived as Lin Huayan herself.

So what about Lou Yixuan?

Was the Lou Yixuan she showed now the person she wanted to be?

Or just what her parents expected?

“Hurry, hurry—Lin Cuidan’s calling.” Lin Jiazhong appeared at the kitchen door in a panic. “What do I say? She’s sharp-tongued; I can’t win against her. Say something, you two!”

“What? The truth. Say we’re busy, my temper’s still not cooled, and I don’t want to go back and argue with her mom.”

Zhou Chunping slammed the veggie bags onto the counter, sending a few mushrooms rolling out.

One rolled onto the floor. Lin Jiazhong flinched, accidentally hanging up the call.

The ringtone echoing through the kitchen cut off abruptly. Zhou Chunping and Lin Huayan both turned to him, waiting to hear how he’d “stand firm” with Lin Cuidan.

“…” Lin Jiazhong swallowed hard, took two nervous steps forward, and shoved the phone at Zhou Chunping. “You’re in charge here. Whatever you say goes.”

“Lin Jiazhong!”

“I’m not divorcing anyway!”

Lin Huayan shook her head with a smile and crouched to pick up the mushroom.

Lin Jiazhong bolted from the kitchen like it was enemy territory.

Lin Huayan put the mushroom back in the bag and reached out. “Alright, Mom, give me the phone. I’ll call Lin Cuidan back.”

Zhou Chunping rolled her eyes. “Your dad can’t handle her, and you think you can?”

“…”

“Get out of here. I’m annoyed just looking at you now.”

“…”

“Just put up with it—keep putting up with it until she gives up on you completely. Then you’ll be the one crying.”

“…”

Seeing her daughter slink out of the kitchen looking all crestfallen, Lin Jiazhong clasped his hands behind his back and asked, “So what’s going on with you and your… partner? Especially you—what’s your deal?”

Lin Huayan was speechless. “…”

Qin Fengru must’ve spilled everything to Zhou behind my back again.

Can’t guard against that one.

“Sigh, whatever. Just keep drawing the fire so your mom doesn’t nag me about divorce every damn day.”

“…”

Soon, Zhou Chunping finished the call and stormed into the living room.

She tossed the phone onto the sofa—right next to Lin Jiazhong’s leg—with a cold face. “Said Lin the Second’s turning seventy next month. The siblings are throwing him a big banquet at the fanciest restaurant in town. And with her dad’s health, who knows how many years he’s got left. Wants us to show up for family ties’ sake—and for giving birth to such a promising daughter for Lin the Third’s family.”

Zhou Chunping hadn’t spoken quietly on the phone; Lin Jiazhong and Lin Huayan in the living room had overheard bits and pieces.

She hadn’t agreed to go, just said they’d send the proper gift money without skimping. But anything extra? Don’t count on it.

“We’ll go at most, me and your dad. We’ll bring your share of the gift money.” Zhou Chunping looked at Lin Huayan. “Those rural relatives they invite—big mouths, all of them. Bound to say nasty things.”

Plus the Spring Festival fiasco—bigmouths like Liu Yunfen and Lin Cuidan had probably spread the “ungrateful Lin the Third’s family” scandal far and wide.

Lin Huayan neither nodded nor refused. “Still early. We’ll see next month.”

…

The first school day after May Day—Wednesday—Lin Huayan drove to the supermarket before classes ended that afternoon, buying ingredients for tomorrow’s dinner.

She’d invited Lou Yixuan for dinner at her home.

Thursday afternoon she had no classes, so she could prep the veggies at home at noon, head back after school, stir-fry three dishes, and they’d be good to eat.

She could even boil those mushroom-pork dumplings for Lou Yixuan.

But things didn’t go as planned.

That Wednesday night, she got another 【Sorry】 and 【Next time】 from Lou Yixuan.

【Lou Yixuan: Teacher Lin, sorry to bother you. Due to personal reasons, I can’t make it to Class 9 tomorrow afternoon. I’ve already notified Teacher Liu about my professional class; he’ll coordinate. Apologies again—rain check on dinner.】

Before the message, Lin Huayan had scrolled Moments and seen Lou Yixuan’s recent posts. She knew where she’d gone for inspiration.

A tropical rainforest on the border.

Thinking of that, Lin Huayan grew worried.

【Lin Huayan: Something happen out there? Can’t make it back?】

【Lou Yixuan: No, already back in Huai’an. Don’t worry, Teacher Lin. I’ll be on time for next week’s class.】

【Lin Huayan: Then what is it? If you just don’t want to have dinner with me, you can say so straight up.】

Several minutes passed with no reply from Lou Yixuan. Lin Huayan snapped out of it, disgusted with herself for that extreme message.

Blame it on dashed hopes making me lose my head—maliciously assuming the worst of her.

Even if Lou Yixuan really didn’t want to see her, she wouldn’t dodge by skipping class.

【Lin Huayan: Free to take a call?】

【Lou Yixuan: Not really. It’s late—rest well, Teacher Lin. Good night.】

She’s mad for sure.

Lin Huayan grew more annoyed and panicked the more she thought. How could she sleep?

She tapped into Lou Yixuan’s Moments. The latest post from the day before yesterday looked normal—photo and caption gave no clues.

After agonizing, between Du Heming and Teacher Liu, she chose to ask Teacher Liu about why Lou Yixuan was skipping class.

【Lin Huayan: Teacher Liu, Lou mentioned you’d handle her afternoon class tomorrow. Mind filling me in? Voice message or I can call.】

It was late; if no reply, she’d assume he was asleep and not disturb.

Luckily, Teacher Liu sent a voice message right away.

“Hey, Teacher Lin, didn’t Little Lou tell you? I only got her call tonight—doc says she needs to stay in hospital for observation two days, so tomorrow’s class had to be rescheduled. I just…”

“Hospitalized? What’s wrong? Injured?” Lin Huayan’s voice rose as she cut him off with three rapid questions.

“Huh? Yeah, she didn’t tell you? Got bit by some poisonous bug—infection plus allergy, pretty bad. She sent me the hospital report, but I’ve been busy with classes and scheduling, haven’t looked closely.”

“Can you forward her diagnosis report? Thanks for the trouble, Teacher Liu.”

“Oh, sure, sure—sending it over.”

The two-minute call ended without Lin Huayan asking once who was covering tomorrow’s art class.

Once the report arrived from Teacher Liu, she didn’t even reply with a “thanks” before diving into it.

Red fire ant.

Teacher Liu’s “poisonous bug.”

Its bites caused red swelling and blisters on the skin, with burning pain and itching like a burn.

Scratching broke the skin easily, leading to infection lasting days or weeks.

For those allergic like Lou Yixuan, it could trigger anaphylaxis—even shock, life-threatening.

And unfortunately, Lou Yixuan was allergic.

Even the alkaline soap solution for cleaning and disinfecting the wound—she couldn’t use it.

…

The Medical University Affiliated Hospital was the nearest top-tier one to Lou Yixuan’s apartment.

She only had herself to blame for being too careless—lost in painting in the woods, she hadn’t noticed ants crawling on her.

Only afterward did the pain hit; she figured it was just ordinary bug bites and ignored it.

Tuesday’s rush back to Huai’an left her exhausted. She showered at home and crashed. When she woke, the pain in her left ankle felt wrong.

Looking down: her ankle ringed with red spots, swollen, blistered—ghastly.

Panicked, she called Lu Lingxuan.

While waiting for Lu Lingxuan to pick her up, she phoned the tour guide, describing yesterday’s suspected bite. She sent photos; the guide confirmed: red fire ants.

By the hospital, besides intensified burning locally, Lou Yixuan felt dizzy, nauseous—biting her hand to fight scratching.

Treatment, meds… but into the night, still weak, scalp tingling.

Painkillers let her doze a bit.

Thursday’s class was off, Lin Huayan’s dinner too. She just hoped to control the condition soon, milder allergies, discharge early.

After one night in hospital, Lou Yixuan felt her bones had turned to jelly—even sitting up was hard.

Window wide open—fresh air and sunlight poured in—but she smelled no grass, no sun.

Just that unmistakable hospital stench.

She sat propped against the headboard, idly gazing out the window with Bluetooth earbuds in, clutching her phone as she waited for Kinla’s call.

They had agreed on 11 o’clock.

But 11 had come and gone, and it was a knock at the door—not her phone ringtone—that sounded first.

“Please come in.”

She was in a private room on a higher floor, relatively quiet with strong privacy. Nurses always closed the door behind them and knocked for permission before entering under normal circumstances.

The click of the door handle, the sound of the door opening and closing, then the soft footsteps of flat shoes…

The visitor was—Lin Huayan?

Lou Yixuan stared in shock at the doorway, at the unexpected person standing there. At this hour, shouldn’t Lin Huayan be teaching Class 9?

“Lin…”

She didn’t even finish saying “Teacher Lin” before her phone rang. An unfamiliar international call—undoubtedly Kinla.

The big boss was busy as ever, time precious, and they had an appointment. She should handle their business first.

“Teacher Lin, have a seat. I need to take this call.”

“Mm.”

Lin Huayan held something in her left hand, her gaze lingering on Lou Yixuan’s left foot, which poked out from under the blanket.

The ankle and above were wrapped in gauze about ten centimeters wide. Was the affected area that large?

“Hello, Kinla. You’re late—five minutes.”

Amid Lou Yixuan’s light chuckle with the other person, Lin Huayan’s lips pressed together in quiet bitterness. She walked to the sofa chair at the foot of the bed, near the window, and sat down.

Outside the hospital, within view, stood a long-abandoned open-air children’s playground. With a tilt of her head, she spotted the Ferris wheel in the park.

—Teacher Lin, next time we pass by here, can we stop and ride the Ferris wheel?

—That’s a children’s playground.

—I don’t believe Ferris wheels are only for kids.

—Adults ride with children.

—You’re the adult, I’m the kid. Perfect pair.

—A pair of what?

—A pair of overgrown kids.

—You are. I’m not.

—Teacher Lin, you’re so unfair. I took you to see the views at Xiaoniu Peak. Now you take me to see the sights of Huai’an City.

—Isn’t the scenery out the car window enough?

—Stingy.

—Calling me stingy? I heard that.

—So what if you did? Lin Huayan, stingy!

Memories intertwined with reality, sweetness with bitterness, twisting tighter and tighter like a sudden tornado yanking at Lin Huayan’s heart.

“Your painting wasn’t damaged, was it?”

“Of course not. Whether I’m in the country or Australia, Bona Art Museum handles all my sales and exhibitions.”

“I trust you the most.”

“No worries—all sales or exhibition matters, you decide.”

“Mm. You can contact my mom; she knows.”

“Oh right, stop sending expensive gifts in my name. My dad’s starting to question your motives. Please, have mercy—spare me, and spare my parents too?”

“Jin Yilin, here’s a Chinese phrase for you: wei lao bu zun. If you don’t get it, have your assistant translate it properly.”

“I’m not mad at all. I’m in a great mood, feeling great. Take care of yourself, old timer.”

“Alright, gotta go—something else came up here.”

“Mm. I promise, I swear, I’ll report back to you the second it happens.”

“Bye, love you, and thank you.”

During the call with Kinla, Lou Yixuan occasionally glanced at Lin Huayan by the window. Seeing her staring out without moving, she remembered too—that view from there showed the long-abandoned Ferris wheel that still hadn’t been torn down.

The very one she’d begged Lin Huayan to ride with her on the way by, but they’d never managed to stop again.

The room fell quiet once the call ended.

Lin Huayan turned her head.

But the moment their eyes met, the person on the bed panicked and looked away.

“Your…”

Lin Huayan had barely started when Lou Yixuan’s phone rang again—an international call with a contact name.

Without thinking, Lou Yixuan answered: “Hello, Mom.”

Her voice and expression brimmed with joy, as if she’d been waiting ages for this call.