Coming out of the ward, Li Huaiqing sighed. To leave the Gao family and Gao Lang—she couldn’t bear it. She had always regarded herself as a member of the Gao family, thinking that she would marry Gao Lang and become a part of the Gao family. Papa Gao and Mama Gao had always said this to her—otherwise, how could she have lived with her sister in the Gao family for so many years, under the fence?
She was not without her own home.
Over the years, she had only been immersed in her own wishful thinking, completely neglecting Huairou; it turned out that her little sister had never been happy from the start. Li Huaiqing was too selfish.
Li Huaiqing wiped her tears and took out her mobile phone.
Mama Gao had been helping them preserve the estate and deposits left behind by their parents, after their death. After Li Huaiqing was admitted to college, Mama Gao gave them all to her.
Together with her savings over the past few years, it was enough for the two sisters to live on.
—It’s just the one house. It hasn’t been occupied for many years. If you want to move back, you’ll have to contact a housekeeping company to clean it.
Early in the morning, Papa Gao and Mama Gao visited. Mama Gao also brought the breakfast prepared by their housekeeper. “Huaiqing, are you hungry? Hurry up and eat, I asked the aunt to cook seafood porridge for Huairou.”
Li Huaiqing hurriedly welcomed them. No matter what Gao Lang did, Papa Gao and Mama Gao had never mistreated the two sisters over the years. “Auntie, why did you come so early? Have you and Uncle eaten yet? Have you taken your medicine?”
[Term of address to a woman of the same generation of one’s parents / female sibling of one’s parents]
[Term of address to a man of the same generation of one’s parents / male sibling of one’s parents]
Mama Gao was both gratified and sad. Why didn’t A-Lang like such a good child! “I’ve eaten breakfast and the medicine. Have you forgotten? You set an alarm on my mobile phone,” Mama Gao said while holding Li Huaiqing’s hand. Then she saw Li Huairou awake and looking at them. “Huairou, are you awake? Does it hurt? Don’t worry, we will definitely find the best doctor for you, and he will cure you!” She held Li Huairou’s hand, distressed.
[An affectionate of way calling someone]
“Auntie, I’m fine, you and Uncle don’t need to worry,” Li Huairou murmured.
The gentleness and understanding of the Li sisters contrasted sharply with Gao Lang’s obsession, which made Papa Gao and Mama Gao’s hearts completely biased towards Li Huaiqing.
“Huaiqing, don’t worry, your Uncle and Aunt will take care of everything for you. I’ve already discussed it with your uncle. If A-Lang doesn’t break up with that woman, we’ll kick him out of the company and not give him a single penny,” Mama Gao declared.
Li Huaiqing was a little pleased when she heard this, but when she saw her sister’s pale face, she sobered up: “Auntie, no need. You can’t force matters of the heart. Since Gao Lang doesn’t like me, I won’t press the issue. As for driving him out of the company, let’s forget it. Huairou is hospitalized now—I have to take care of her, I can’t manage the company’s affairs. Uncle’s health is not good; if Gao Lang leaves, who will take care of the company?”
Li Huaiqing’s words soothed Papa Gao’s and Mama Gao’s hearts—which was probably the difference between boys and girls, wasn’t it!
Papa Gao said with satisfaction, “Huaiqing, Gao Lang did not have this blessing, but don’t worry, we only recognize you as our daughter-in-law. Other than you, others can’t even think about entering the Gao family.”
Mama Gao, standing beside him, also nodded in agreement.
Li Huaiqing was deeply moved. Her heart, which had been determined to leave, was shaken again, and she couldn’t help turning her head to look at Li Huairou.
Li Huairou inwardly rolled her eyes, but she outwardly said quietly, “Uncle, Auntie, don’t you know how stubborn Gao Lang-ge is? Do you have the ability to control him? What’s more, “like” is “like”, and “dislike” is “dislike”. It can’t be forced.”
Li Huaiqing had the opportunity to get rid of this fruitless relationship early, but Papa Gao and Mama Gao gave Li Huaiqing hope that she shouldn’t have. The result? It turned out that, in this world, there was no parent who loved other people’s children more than their own children.
Li Huairou’s words successfully dulled Li Huaiqing’s expression. No one knew Gao Lang’s character better than she did—the beliefs he held firmly would not change easily.
“Yes, Uncle, don’t say anything like this again in the future! By the way, I still have something to discuss with you.” Swallowing her hesitation, Li Huaiqing decided to explain her plan clearly: “We want to move out after Huairou is discharged from the hospital.”
“Why?” Papa Gao’s and Mama Gao’s faces changed drastically, especially Mama Gao, whose eyes started to become red as she took Li Huaiqing’s hand. “Why? Because of A-Lang?”
“Auntie, I am very grateful to you and Uncle for adopting our sisters. For so many years, you have been kind to us sisters, and we remember them well in our hearts. But, I no longer have the conscience to stay in the Gao family anymore. For so many years, the people around me—including Uncle and Auntie—have always thought that Gao Lang and I were a couple. Gao Lang never denied it. Even I, too, thought that I’d marry Gao Lang, become his wife, and become your daughter-in-law; for that reason, I could stay in the Gao family with peace of mind.” She cried, “But now, Gao Lang says that he has found true love and will only be with her for the rest of his life. So how can I still stay in the Gao family?”
Outside the door of the ward, Bai Duoduo raised her eyes and glared at Gao Lang when she heard this. He didn’t deny it? What does that mean?!
Gao Lang hurriedly pulled Bai Duoduo to the side to explain: “They’re joking. Besides, at that time, I didn’t know that I would meet you! You are the one I love.”
“But your attitude is ambiguous. The plain truth is that you make people misunderstand. You must apologize!” Bai Duoduo was a very principled person. She didn’t like how Gao Lang was acting!
“Fine, fine, it’s all my fault, I apologize, I’ll apologize.” Gao Lang truly loved Bai Duoduo. If it was before, he would never have imagined that he would be acting humble in front of a woman.
The two walked back to the ward and were just about to knock on the door when they heard Papa Gao say, “No, you can’t move out. I promised your father that I would take care of you.”
Mama Gao also sobbed and said, “Even if we can’t become mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, can’t we still be mother and daughter? Auntie has become so accustomed to your companionship. If the two of you moved out and left Auntie alone, what would I do?
Li Huaiqing teared up as well, feeling reluctant. She turned and looked at Li Huairou.
Li Huairou felt a little helpless. “Auntie, we’re just moving back to our home—it’s not traveling abroad. My sister is being considerate of me. I, too, want to change our environment.”
“Then you can’t move out! If it’s only you two sisters, how can I be at ease?” Mama Gao said, wiping her tears.
Li Huaiqing understood what her sister meant. She lowered her head and bit her lip. “Auntie, there is one more thing. I plan to resign from the company.”
“What? Everything’s going fine! Why do you want to resign?” Papa Gao interjected anxiously.
“I want to concentrate on taking care of Huairou. I really can’t spare time for company affairs.” Li Huaiqing’s words made Papa Gao and Mama Gao unable to talk back.
“Uncle, Auntie, I used to be busy with my work, so busy…” Li Huaiqing shed more tears. “Always for others, neglecting Huairou. I want to stay with her and take care of her. Therefore, Uncle, Auntie, I’m truly sorry.”
“Huaiqing, it should be us who should say sorry to you. We didn’t take good care of you two.” Mama Gao couldn’t help weeping harder as she hugged Li Huaiqing.
In such an atmosphere, Gao Lang and Bai Duoduo really were embarrassed to go in. In the end, they had to leave.
To be honest, Gao Lang felt that it would be nice for the Li sisters to move out— otherwise, it would be embarrassing to meet them every day!
Li Huaiqing, stripped of her feelings, was actually a decisive girl. She immediately contacted the housekeeping company, had the house cleaned, and moved their things. She also submitted an application for resignation to the company, in accordance with the procedures.
Then, the rest of her time was spent in the hospital, accompanying and taking care of Li Huairou.
In order to divert Li Huaiqing’s attention, Li Huairou would weep every day. If Li Huaiqing left for even five minutes, she would see her sister’s swollen eyes when she came back.
Alternatively, she would pester Li Huaiqing, saying wanted to buy something for the house, and then the both of them went shopping on Taobao.
[Taobo is chinese online shopping like eBay and Amazon]
Or she’d pull at Li Huaiqing and ask her what she planned to do in the future. “Are you going to work, or are you planning to open your own shop?” “If you open a shop, what kind of shop do you plan to open?”
Li Huaiqing’s time was filled up, and for a while, she really forgot about Gao Lang.
The two sisters finally discussed and planned to open a flower shop.
After the decision was made, Li Huairou urged Li Huaiqing to make preparations. After all, there were many things that needed to be prepared in the early stages of opening flower shop—such as location selection, learning flower arrangement, and so on.
Li Huaiqing was in no rush. “We’ll discuss it after you leave the hospital. Right now, there’s nothing more important than you.”
Three months later, Li Huairou was finally allowed to be discharged.
Papa Gao and Mama Gao came early in the morning. Even Gao Lang came. Naturally, Bai Duoduo did not come.
Because of Li Huaiqing’s concession and moving out, Papa Gao and Mama Gao were now unhappy with Gao Lang. One time, when Gao Lang took Bai Duoduo home for dinner, Papa Gao and Mama Gao dropped their chopsticks and left. After that, they went to a restaurant, picked up a lot of delicious food, and went to the hospital.
Bai Duoduo was a little aggrieved and refused to appear in front of them again.
Gao Lang’s workload suddenly increased due to Li Huaiqing’s resignation, so he was rather busy. Only at this time did he remember Li Huaiqing’s goodness.
Li Huairou was discharged from the hospital today, and Papa Gao and Mama Gao asked him to come, so he came.
Li Huairou sat in the wheelchair and greeted everyone. “Uncle, Auntie, Gao Lang-ge.”
“Huairou, today is a good day for you to leave the hospital. Auntie has booked a reservation at your favorite restaurant, Fengyuan. Let’s go eat first, and then we’ll take you home,” Mama Gao said with a smile.
“Thank you, Auntie,” Li Huairou said softly.
Gao Lang did not speak and stood aside.
Li Huaiqing resisted the urge to look at Gao Lang and only pushed the wheelchair.
After eating, Gao Lang drove them to the Li house.
Mama Gao walked around the house, not very satisfied. The house was too small, the bathroom was also small, and the furniture was outdated—how could they live there?
She wanted to speak again, but Papa Gao pulled at her and motioned for her to stop.
Mama Gao had no choice but to stop speaking.
Gao Lang received a call from the company and was the first to leave. Papa Gao and Mama Gao remained at the Li house for a long time before reluctantly leaving as well.
On the way back, Mama Gao was a little dissatisfied: “Why didn’t you let me speak?”
“What is there to say? What’s the point of saying more? At this point, it’s no use. If you feel worried in the future, just come over and take a look more often,” Papa Gao replied.
“Do I need you to tell me that? I was going to come every day. Huaiqing plans to open a flower shop—there must be a lot of work to do. Huairou still has to go to school, so it’s no good if nobody’s going to manage things. I thought of hiring a housekeeper for Huairou,” Mama Gao pondered.
Papa Gao nodded. “Do as you wish”
