I’ll Hold Your Hand And Promise You A Lifetime - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Tensions Rise

“Who gave this to you?” Yi Luo’s fingertips turned cold. Even the air entering her lungs felt like shards of ice.

“Who gave it doesn’t matter!” Yu Xiaohua’s eyes were red as she stared coldly at the startled Yi Luo.

“Mom, I asked you—who gave this to you?” Yi Luo looked at her mother, full of suspicion.

“Why are you looking at me like that? I wasn’t the one who did it. You need to take responsibility for your own actions,” Yu Xiaohua folded her arms, grief washing over her. “I told you before not to meet with her again. Why couldn’t you do what you promised me?”

“I never promised you anything,” Yi Luo turned her head to look at her mother, her hair slipping over her shoulder. “Mom, don’t you think your demands are a bit unreasonable?”

“I’m being unreasonable? I tried to speak to you calmly and logically, and this is how you treat me? I told you what you two are doing is wrong—and yet you still… still…” Yu Xiaohua looked at the trembling girl before her, suddenly feeling she was facing a stranger. “You two actually did something like that in public! I… I no longer have a daughter like you.”

“Then I don’t need a mother who completely refuses to understand her own child.” Yi Luo stood up and headed toward her room.

Yu Xiaohua remained on the sofa, unaware of what Yi Luo was doing inside the room. Still angry, she went to pour herself a glass of water—only to see Yi Luo emerge, dressed and carrying her backpack.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Yu Xiaohua’s eyes widened. The once-gentle, graceful woman now looked like an enraged lioness.

“You said you don’t have a daughter like me. So I’m leaving, disappearing from your sight,” Yi Luo took a deep breath and headed for the door.

“Stop! Who said you could leave?” Yu Xiaohua rushed over, grabbing Yi Luo’s arm with a voice full of disappointment and threat. “If you dare step out of this house, don’t come back!”

Yi Luo froze, tears brimming in her eyes. She looked up and sniffed, “Mom… do you really have to push me this far?”

“You’re the one pushing me!!!” Yu Xiaohua burst into tears. She had never imagined her daughter could love another girl so deeply.

“Mom… I just want to clear my head. Can I go out for a bit?” Yi Luo pleaded softly.

“Alone?” Yu Xiaohua wiped her tears.

“If I say I’m going alone, will you believe me?” Yi Luo gave a bitter smile.

“You’re not allowed to go anywhere! Are you trying to kill me?!” Yu Xiaohua suddenly came to her senses. She dragged Yi Luo back into her room, grabbed her laptop from the desk, and snapped, “Your computer. Where’s your phone?”

“Mom…” Yi Luo clutched it tightly.

“Don’t call me that! If you can’t change, don’t ever call me that again!” Yu Xiaohua saw the phone in Yi Luo’s hand and, like a madwoman, began prying open each of her daughter’s fingers.

Yi Luo couldn’t fight back. Her hand hurt from being forced open. Tears streamed down her cheeks, tasting salty and bitter. Everything felt so dark—there was no light. The mother before her was blurry, distant.

“Luo’er? Luo’er?” Yu Xiaohua watched in horror as Yi Luo collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut. She dropped everything she was holding and cradled Yi Luo in her arms. “Luo’er, Luo’er, wake up.”

She laid the unconscious Yi Luo on the bed, tears dripping onto her daughter’s pale face. Her hand trembled as she gently brushed Yi Luo’s forehead. “What did I do to deserve this? Why must we mother and daughter suffer like this? Why?”

Yue Xi woke naturally, but her chest felt tight, like a heavy stone was pressing on it. She found it hard to breathe. She pounded her chest and stepped off the bed with effort.

“Hey, are you okay?” Ning Ran sat cross-legged on the sofa flipping through a magazine.

“Just a bit uncomfortable,” Yue Xi leaned against the wall as she walked into the living room.

“Why are you so pale? Did you have a nightmare?” Ning Ran frowned.

“No… my heart keeps pounding really hard.” Yue Xi gulped down a large glass of water. “Whew… a little better now.”

Bang, bang, bang.
A loud knock shook the door.

“Who is it?” Ning Ran was annoyed. Knocking like that so early—were they picking a fight?

“Yu… Auntie Yu?” Seeing the red, swollen eyes, messy hair, and panting Yu Xiaohua, Ning Ran was taken aback.

“Where’s Yue Xi? I need to talk to her.” Without waiting for permission, Yu Xiaohua pushed past Ning Ran and stormed into the house.

“Auntie.” Yue Xi was still standing by the table.

“Yue Xi, I’m begging you—please, just leave. Don’t come back. Look at what you’ve turned my daughter into! She argued with me because of you. She talked back, and she even wants to sever ties with me. She’s always been such a good, obedient child. But now? It’s all because of you!” Yu Xiaohua clutched Yue Xi’s arm, eyes pleading. “If you two were just friends, I would’ve never objected. But your relationship has changed. You two—it’s unnatural. I hate to say it, but… it’s perverse.”

Yue Xi stood stunned. She hadn’t expected Yu Xiaohua to see their relationship this way. She could only imagine how much pain Yi Luo must be in.

“Auntie Yu, I’ve always respected you. I don’t want to fight with you over something like this.” Ning Ran saw how pale Yue Xi looked and felt awful inside. “Auntie, please mind your words.”

“Mind my words? You dare say that to me? I asked you to keep an eye on Yue Xi, and you let them meet? And worse—you let them shamelessly hug each other!” Yu Xiaohua glared at Ning Ran.

“Please leave,” Ning Ran pointed to the door, her voice cold and steely.

“Fine! Spoil her all you want—it’s your family’s business. But my daughter will never be a lesbian!” Yu Xiaohua let go of Yue Xi and pointed at her nose. “Stay away from my daughter. If I catch you with her again, I’ll call the police. Don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Yue Xi wiped the sweat from her forehead and took a deep breath. She asked softly, “Auntie… is Yi Luo okay?”

Yu Xiaohua hadn’t expected that question. Her finger wavered in mid-air as she snapped, “She’s fine! Just great! You turned her into a lesbian—what do you think?!”

“Yi Luo likes peach-flavored lollipops when she’s upset,” Yue Xi ignored the accusation and paused. “Auntie, I don’t expect you to accept us. I only hope you can treat Yi Luo better. Don’t scold her. If you need to blame someone, blame me. I can take whatever you want to say—but Yi Luo…”

“Shut up! Don’t mention her name again! I know how to care for my daughter. You’re the one who ruined her! You… I should be cursing you, but I just feel sorry for you. Liking girls is disgraceful…” Yu Xiaohua glared without blinking.

“Auntie Yu, please leave. You’re not welcome in this home,” Ning Ran said coldly, storm brewing in her eyes.

“I’ll leave. I don’t want to stay in such a filthy place another minute.” Yu Xiaohua shot Yue Xi a hateful glare and left with her fury.

Ning Ran slammed the door and rubbed her face. “How did things come to this?”

Yue Xi pulled out a chair and slowly sat down. Her heart hurt, but her eyes were full of determination.