I’ll Hold Your Hand And Promise You A Lifetime - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Layers Of Waves

Yi Luo’s dad couldn’t fall asleep. Quietly, he came to her bedside, gently pulled the blanket over her, and saw her clutching a jacket that wasn’t hers. His heart ached. Without saying a word, he quietly left the room.

“Her dad…” Yu Xiaohua had only been dizzy briefly. After a short rest, she woke up with worry all over her face.

“Sigh, how did things end up like this?” Yi Luo’s dad paced the room, clearly uneasy.

“I just don’t get it. How could Luo’er like Yue Xi?” Yu Xiaohua sat up, pulling the blanket over her legs.

“Maybe they’re confused. Maybe it’s just a friendship that’s gotten a little too close. They might’ve misunderstood their feelings…” Yi Luo’s dad trailed off, unable to say the word.

“But from the way Luo’er acts, it doesn’t look that way. Ever since Yue Xi came back, all of Luo’er’s emotional ups and downs have been because of her—especially when Yue Xi was in the hospital. Luo’er was obviously worried sick,” Yu Xiaohua recalled, analyzing Yi Luo’s state closely.

“Ah…” Yi Luo’s dad kept shaking his head.

“Stop shaking your head and tell me what we should do! Shaking won’t solve anything!”

“I… sigh.”

“No. We can’t let this continue. Luo’er can’t fall for another girl.” Yu Xiaohua bit her lip. “Yue Xi looks just like a boy. Maybe she’s the one who made Luo’er like this.”

“Sigh.” Yi Luo’s dad didn’t know what to say. Luo’er had always been such a well-behaved and obedient child. And now, this rebellious phase was too much. Just this one situation was already overwhelming him—he didn’t even know how to stand in Luo’er’s shoes to think it through.

“We can’t just let her do as she pleases. We’re both normal. Luo’er…” Yu Xiaohua, frustrated, kicked the blanket aside again. “I need to talk to Ning Ran. Tell her to keep a close eye on Yue Xi. The girls shouldn’t see each other for a while.”

“That’s easy to say. They’re in the same class—of course they’ll see each other during school. And besides, we can’t act too rashly. Luo’er is still young. She needs guidance. If you do this, she might rebel even more,” Yi Luo’s dad offered his thoughts.

“It’s exactly because she’s young that we need to stop this early. As her parents, we can’t let her walk the wrong path. We have to stop it.”

“Don’t be so absolute just yet. Tomorrow we’ll have a proper talk with Luo’er, see where her head is at. Where there’s oppression, there’s resistance. Be careful it doesn’t backfire,” he warned, glancing at the clock. “We have work tomorrow. Let’s go to bed.”

“Ugh!” Yu Xiaohua lay down and pulled the blanket over herself. “What is this mess?”

“Go to sleep,” Yi Luo’s dad said, turning off the light.

Yi Luo carefully folded Yue Xi’s jacket and placed it by her pillow before heading to school.

“You look terrible this morning,” Ji Yi said, watching Yi Luo yawn repeatedly.

“Didn’t sleep much last night,” Yi Luo replied with a smile.

“Bad mood?”

“No, just… something going on.”

“Oh.” Ji Yi saw that Yi Luo didn’t want to talk more, so she left the classroom to go to the bathroom.

Yi Luo’s phone buzzed in her bag. It was a message from Yue Xi: “Are you okay?”

“Mm. If nothing unexpected happens, my parents will want to talk to me tonight.”

“If you’re upset, just call me. I’ll come save you.”

“Mm. It’ll be fine. I’ll talk to them properly.”

“Okay. Take care of yourself.”

“Nothing can separate us.”

“Nothing can separate us.”

Yi Luo sent the message and felt even more resolved.

“Jie, I’m heading out,” Yue Xi got up early. Yesterday’s project wasn’t finished, but if she went today, she could finally pick it up.

“Mm, Grandpa will be coming by soon. His flight’s in the afternoon,” Ning Ran said from bed.

“Then I’ll be back early.” Yue Xi checked the time. It was enough.

When Ning Ran heard the door close, she wrapped herself back up in the blanket.

Ding dong. Ding dong. The doorbell rang urgently. Ning Ran leapt out of bed, wondering if Grandpa had arrived already—though it seemed too early. She quickly fixed her hair, looked at her pajamas—still passable—and rushed to open the door.

“Yu Aunty?” Ning Ran was surprised but welcomed her in.

Yu Xiaohua looked around. The home was clean and tidy. Past the entryway was the living room, a large TV wall with paintings, a modern design—clearly renovated. There were magazines and cushions on the couch, a fruit basket and tea set on the table, a rug on the floor. Overall, it felt cozy. This was her first time in Yue Xi’s home.

“Aunty, please have a seat,” Ning Ran smiled.

Yu Xiaohua smiled back. “Thank you.”

Ning Ran sat on the sofa too and poured two glasses of water.

“Yue Xi isn’t home?” Yu Xiaohua glanced toward the bedroom.

“She went out. She can’t sit still at home,” Ning Ran explained.

“I didn’t come today for no reason,” Yu Xiaohua paused, “I wanted to ask you about Yue Xi and Yi Luo. I’m not usually this impulsive, but today I had to come.”

Ning Ran’s heart skipped a beat. The kids had been exposed—though she didn’t know how.

“You’re Yue Xi’s sister, and you know—they used to be close as kids. I’ve always liked Yue Xi too. But…” Yu Xiaohua trailed off.

“Aunty, are you talking about Yue Xi and Yi Luo being together?” Ning Ran went straight to the point. Yue Xi was family—she couldn’t let anyone think poorly of her.

Yu Xiaohua nodded anxiously. “Yes. I’ve never supported early relationships, but even if it was with a boy, I could accept it. But with another girl—I just can’t.”

Ning Ran furrowed her brows. This was going to be tough. Yi Luo’s mom’s attitude was firm. “Aunty, I really understand. All parents want their children to have a good future and a happy life. But… what exactly is ‘good’?”

“Of course, to grow up healthy, develop in all areas, then build a happy family,” Yu Xiaohua said, full of love for her daughter.

“And what if she’s not happy?”

“What do you mean?”

“What if she doesn’t want that?”

Yu Xiaohua froze—clearly not expecting that question.

“I mean, if Luo’er is living comfortably and happily, isn’t that good? Why force old-fashioned views on her?”

“No, I…” Yu Xiaohua, usually quick-tongued, was at a loss.

“Parents want their kids to be well—but isn’t it most important that they live the life they want? If we always make them follow what we want, they’ll end up tired and unhappy. That’s not what parents want, right?” Ning Ran spoke sincerely.

“I agree with that, but we can’t let them make mistakes. If they do, we have to correct them. We can’t let this continue.”

“But what mistake did they make?” Ning Ran shrugged.

Yu Xiaohua slapped her forehead. “Ai, Ning, do you not know what they’ve done? They’re dating! Two girls—how can that be right? I had a coworker once who liked girls. Her eyes would light up when she saw pretty ones—just like a lecherous man! Everyone whispered about her. One day a girl came to our office and made a huge scene. In the end, she was dismissed for misconduct. So for the sake of these two kids, I have to stop them.”

“Aunty, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with two people of the same gender being together. I’ve met same-s3x couples who’ve been together for over a decade, adopted children, built families—their love was beautiful. Their kids grew up happy and healthy. People envied them.”

“You’re still young. There’s a lot you don’t understand. Honestly, after hearing what Luo’er said, her father and I were heartbroken. We worked so hard to raise her, and now this? I don’t want her to be mocked, to be treated as some kind of freak.” Yu Xiaohua sighed heavily and rubbed her temples. “I came today for two reasons: to understand how you see this, and to ask you to keep an eye on Yue Xi and Yi Luo. This kind of thing doesn’t happen unless both parties are involved. If Yi Luo comes to your home, please don’t let her in. I hope you understand—I’m doing this for their own good.”

Ning Ran just stared at the glass of water and said only four words: “I understand…” But the rest she never said aloud.

“Then I’m relieved. Ah, I’d better go. Sorry to trouble you.” Yu Xiaohua patted her legs and stood up.

“Take care, Aunty,” Ning Ran saw her out, then came back to the dining table, downed a big glass of water, and sat heavily in her chair.

Yue Xi bent over the glass counter, carefully examining her finished piece. Satisfied, she smiled, gently packed it into her pocket, and took a cab home.

“Grandpa!” Yue Xi saw Shen Wei sitting on the couch reading the paper and smiled brightly.

“Back already? Where’d you go?” Shen Wei folded the paper.

“Bought a little gift—for a classmate.”

“A boy?”

“No, someone I grew up with.”

“Oh~” Shen Wei smiled kindly. “Your sister’s in the kitchen. Why don’t you help her?”

“Okay,” Yue Xi washed her hands and went to the kitchen.

Ning Ran glanced at her and kept chopping, “Aunty Yu came to see me this morning.”

Yue Xi didn’t speak—just listened.

“Don’t worry. I’ll help you,” Ning Ran turned to give her a reassuring smile.

Yue Xi nodded, her hand unconsciously touching the gift in her pocket, a faint unease creeping into her heart.

The three of them enjoyed a warm lunch together. Though Yue Xi had something on her mind, she hid it well and laughed along with Shen Wei.

Ning Ran went to get the car. Yue Xi accompanied Shen Wei downstairs. Coincidentally, just as they stepped outside, they bumped into Yu Xiaohua in the courtyard. As always, Yue Xi greeted politely, “Hello, Aunty.”

Yu Xiaohua was a bit awkward, especially upon seeing the distinguished-looking elderly man beside Yue Xi. She responded politely, then gave Yue Xi a meaningful look and forced a smile.

“Grandpa, let’s go. That’s my classmate’s mom,” Yue Xi said as she saw Shen Wei watching Yu Xiaohua’s retreating back.

Shen Wei sensed something was off but didn’t ask. He just patted Yue Xi’s back and got in the car.

At the airport, everything was done—they were just waiting for security.

“Grandpa, have a safe trip.” Yue Xi walked over and gave him a hug.

“Good, good. Study hard. I’ll visit again soon,” Shen Wei smiled cheerfully—satisfied with his trip.

“Take care, Grandpa,” Ning Ran said respectfully.

“Alright, I’m heading back. You both take care,” Shen Wei said, waving as he walked into security.

Yue Xi and Ning Ran only turned to leave once his figure had disappeared from view.