I’ll Hold Your Hand And Promise You A Lifetime - Chapter 39

After sending Yue Xi home, Yi Luo cried silently. Tears slipped down her cheeks one by one, falling to the floor with audible plop plop sounds.

“Uncle Yi, I’d like to see Yi Luo,” Yue Xi stood at the door, anxious and worried.

Looking at the breathless girl in front of him, Yi Luo’s father felt a sudden warmth. She seemed like a good kid—someone who’d know how to take care of others. With her around, Luo’er wouldn’t be hurt. His mind flashed with this realization. Adjusting his reading glasses, he pointed toward the house. “Come in. Luo’er is in her room.”

“Thank you, Uncle.” Yue Xi nodded and hurried straight into Yi Luo’s room.

Yi Luo had barely registered why the door suddenly opened when she was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace from behind. Yue Xi held her with such strength and urgency—as if afraid she would vanish at any second.

Yue Xi buried her face in Yi Luo’s shoulder. Only then did the ache in her heart subside a little. Only then did the self-loathing urge to smash her head against the wall start to fade.

Tears were still clinging to Yi Luo’s cheeks. She gently raised her hand to wipe them away, not wanting Yue Xi to see her this vulnerable. “Didn’t I tell you to go home?”

Yue Xi didn’t answer. She just kept her face pressed into Yi Luo’s shoulder, wanting nothing more than to hold the person she loved and let her feel her sincerity.

“What’s wrong with you?” Yi Luo’s sadness faded slightly under Yue Xi’s childlike behavior. Helplessly, she allowed Yue Xi to hold her and leaned into her arms.

“I just don’t want to see you upset.”

Yi Luo’s fingers slowly intertwined with Yue Xi’s, gently stroking them.

“I hate seeing you hurting while I can’t do anything about it,” Yue Xi said with deep remorse. “If I hadn’t been so selfish, maybe you wouldn’t be so torn up now.”

“I’m happy as long as you’re here.” Yi Luo pulled Yue Xi’s arms open and turned to bury herself in her embrace. In this not-so-broad but incredibly warm hug, she always found the strength to face everything. “As long as you’re with me.”

“Then let’s stay together every day from now on. We’ll never be apart again,” Yue Xi said seriously—she meant every word. “What happened just now?”

Yi Luo poured out everything she’d been bottling up. From beginning to end, she laid bare all her thoughts—good and bad—right in front of Yue Xi. “Would you still love someone as stubborn and headstrong as me?”

Yue Xi laughed. “You’re you. I love you no matter what.”

“Take me away,” Yi Luo whispered in her ear. “Just this once… let me be selfish.”

“Wherever you want to go, I’ll take you.” Yue Xi held her close, ready to do anything for her.

“I really want to leave it all behind. But I can’t.” Yi Luo was frustrated, eyes welling up again. “I can’t do it, Yue Xi. I’m afraid of hurting my parents. I don’t want to disappoint them… but I’m really, really tired.”

“I know,” Yue Xi held her hand and kissed her knuckles. “No matter what happens, we’ll face it together. As long as you stay, I won’t leave.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a knock came at Yi Luo’s door.

Yi Luo let go of Yue Xi and opened the door.

“Luo’er, your mom’s back,” her dad whispered like a scout on a secret mission. “You should let Yue Xi go home for now.”

“No.” Yi Luo spoke before Yue Xi could respond.

“Yi Luo…” Yue Xi knew her father meant well. Yi Luo had told her how tense things were between her and Aunt Yu lately. She didn’t want things to get worse.

“Luo’er…” her dad didn’t know what to do. Had he taken the teasing too far earlier?

“I want Yue Xi here with me. I don’t care what Mom thinks anymore. I’m done groveling. I’ve done everything I can—lowered myself, tried to be sweet and understanding—and for what? What’s Mom even doing?”

She didn’t know why she was this angry, why she wanted to scream or even jump out the window with Yue Xi. “And besides, I haven’t done anything wrong! You all know everything already. I’ve never tried to hide it. What more do you want from me?”

“Luo’er!” her father’s voice was sharp. Her stubbornness—he didn’t know if it was a blessing or a curse.

Yue Xi tugged Yi Luo’s hand, eyes filled with concern. She had expected a clash with Aunt Yu, but she hadn’t imagined this kind of cold war.

“Dad, what exactly did I do wrong?” Yi Luo pressed, unrelenting. “All I want is to be with Yue Xi, simply and happily. Did I commit a crime? Is that why Mom can’t stand me? She won’t say a word, just keeps brushing me off. Does she think I’ll cave in because of that? Dream on!”

Her dad grew more alarmed with every word. Clearly, Luo’er had been holding this in for too long. He tried to calm her down, “Just say a little less.”

“Why should I? Mom always calls the shots in this house. Have I ever complained? Everything’s always according to her taste. Have I ever said no? Was I ever allowed to say no?” Yi Luo’s voice rose higher and higher.

“What’s with all the yelling?” Aunt Yu walked in the door just in time to hear her daughter shouting. She didn’t catch everything but went to put the groceries in the kitchen.

Yi Luo’s dad, seeing his wife enter, quickly pulled Luo’er out of the bedroom. He smiled at Yue Xi and gently shut the door, leaving her inside.

Yue Xi didn’t know what to make of it—was she supposed to hide?

“Luo’er’s back?” Aunt Yu returned to her usual cheerful demeanor, all traces of disapproval seemingly gone.

“She’s been back a while,” Yi Luo’s dad nudged her toward the living room. “She even brought gifts.”

“Oh my, how thoughtful~ Just like they say, daughters are little coats in winter,” Aunt Yu beamed at the bags filled with high-quality bamboo mushrooms and two tins of green tea.

“Yes, all our favorites,” Dad said with a grin, blinking furiously at Yi Luo.

Yi Luo sat there blankly. Was this calm before the storm?

“Don’t just stand there—go sit and chat with your mom,” her dad urged.

“It’s been days since I saw you. Did you have fun?” Aunt Yu tried to make conversation, ignoring her daughter’s sullen face.

“Your mom’s talking to you,” Dad said, taking off his glasses.

“Do I have to answer?” Yi Luo muttered as she slumped onto the couch, staring at the ceiling.

He sighed. Better let mother and daughter sort this out themselves.

“You don’t have to answer. As long as you’re happy,” Aunt Yu said.

“I am. Being with the one I love makes me happier than anything.”

“Luo’er,” Aunt Yu softened, “If you have time, bring Yue Xi over sometime. I’d like to talk to her.”

Yi Luo shot upright. What? Was this the explosion? Was she planning to take it out on Yue Xi instead?

“What do you want with her?” Yi Luo asked warily.

“I just have something to say. What? You don’t trust your own mother?” Aunt Yu’s voice turned cold at Yi Luo’s guarded expression. All the pain and sleepless nights she’d endured were for her daughter’s sake. She had given up so much—her beliefs, her rest, her pride—because she couldn’t bear to see her child hurt.

“You’re right. I don’t. Are you going to tell her to leave me?” Yi Luo’s words echoed in Yue Xi’s ears as she was about to step out. They brought back memories of the last time this happened.

Aunt Yu’s expression changed several times but she held back her anger, rubbing her forehead and sighing.

Dad realized things were going off course. He heard movement from the bedroom and panicked. Not now, not during this delicate moment! He rushed to the door and wildly gestured at Yue Xi to stay inside.

Yue Xi shook her head and stepped into the living room. She stood tall and respectfully greeted, “Aunt Yu.”

“You’re here?” Aunt Yu was surprised but didn’t question her presence. She had originally planned to meet her later, but now was as good a time as any. She looked at Yue Xi calmly and smiled. “Sit down.”

Yi Luo got up to block Yue Xi. “Whatever you want to say, just say it. We’re not hiding anything.”

“Luo’er, I’m not your enemy. I just want to understand Yue Xi’s thoughts.” Aunt Yu looked at her daughter—so fiercely protective, as if guarding treasure. What would it be like after marriage, when her heart would belong entirely to someone else?

“Go ahead, Auntie.” Yue Xi gave Yi Luo a smile. She was calm and confident. She could tell this time was different. Aunt Yu wasn’t here to break them apart—if she were, she wouldn’t be so composed.

“I just want to know what plans you have for the future,” Aunt Yu said, seated with grace. Yue Xi’s composure impressed her—mature and poised, rare for someone so young.

Yue Xi sat beside Yi Luo and smiled. “I’ll study hard, live earnestly. My future will definitely include Yi Luo. I won’t let her suffer. I won’t let her worry. I’ll cherish her always.”

Dad was deeply moved. He couldn’t help but remember when Aunt Yu brought him home to meet her parents. Time flies. In a blink, their daughter had grown up.

“That’s it?” Aunt Yu tilted her head, watching the two sit so close. She could see the emotions in her daughter’s eyes. Clearly, Yue Xi was the one who held her heart.

“I’ll make her happy. With my own hands,” Yue Xi said with unwavering conviction.

Aunt Yu was silent for a long while. Then she said, “Then I’ll wait and see.” She looked kindly at the young girl. All her previous stubbornness felt so small now, next to her daughter’s happiness. If Yue Xi had come this far, then she would let them go on. What harm was there in being happy?

“Mom, you…” Yi Luo was stunned.

Aunt Yu laughed and explained the plan she and her husband had cooked up. Truth was, she’d already made peace with it before Yi Luo came home. She just wanted her daughter to experience that kind of soul-crushing helplessness she herself once felt—only then could they understand one another.