He Tianran had met Cao Fengyao several times before, but this was the first time for Yang Chengbi.
Cao Aiqing is very similar to her mother. When the two of them came out of the kitchen just now, He Tianran was dazzled by them.
Naturally, it is impossible for him to say nonsense like "Auntie, you look so young, standing with Ai Qing like sisters". In fact, there is still a strong sense of age between the two, and the feeling of being warmed by the years The intellectual, dignified, gentle and approachable person she raised is far from comparable to the current Cao Aiqing. If he had to praise her, He Tianran would rather say that he hopes Ai Qing can become like her mother in the future.
It is a state of a woman who is immediately wrapped and nourished by happiness.
Even just sitting next to her, you can be infected by a gentle and virtuous temperament.
"Xiao He, don't look at Feng Yao's tepid treatment of you, but in fact, we all admired you very much in the past, because when you were in high school, you and a young man named Guo Huai fought for Ai Qing. Well, since then, Auntie has written down your names, and Xiao Ai often mentioned your study group at that time, saying that you were all very introverted boys in the class, but you were the only one. She said that we were getting along with each other. Later, I discovered that you are actually a person with a very rich heart and very interesting, but sometimes you are just too flirtatious and always make her angry..."
Yang Chengbi put a piece of chicken into He Tianran's bowl. The man smiled shyly and did not move his chopsticks, waiting for the elder to finish speaking.
"Mom~!"
Cao Aiqing, who was exposed by her own mother, couldn't help shouting.
Yang Chengbi looked at his daughter and smiled, but had no intention of stopping the topic:
"Haha, from that time on, I felt that Xiao Ai was particularly interested in you, and you were admitted to the University of Hong Kong at the same time, so I thought that one day in the future, you might actually have some emotional development. As for Later, when Fengyao went to school to give a lecture last time, he brought back the news to me after meeting you two..."
At this point, she changed the topic, and He Tianran's heart beat faster, because next, Yang Chengbi asked straight to the point:
"Xiao He, if you don't tell us about how you and Ai Qing fell in love and then broke up, your aunt and uncle may never know about it for the rest of their lives. Xiao Ai, this child, has always reported good things to us but not bad things. As for you, as a It's good for a boy to dare to act, but as Xiao Ai's mother, I still want to ask you, why did you do it in the first place?"
Before Yang Chengbi asked this question, she had done all the etiquette. She praised He Tianran everything that should be praised. Even when she said these words now, she used a calm tone and did not say anything. Not aggressive in the slightest.
However, one code after another, her daughter was let down by others outside. As a mother, her softness and strength must be accompanied by a kind of resentment.
This resentment towards He Tianran due to their deep love for each other is obvious. I am afraid that only after it is resolved can He Tianran really be recognized by his girlfriend's parents.
A trace of worry flashed in Cao Aiqing's eyes. She was silent for two seconds. After all, she still wanted to defend He Tianran. But just a second before she spoke, she heard He Tianran speak and said to her mother. :
"Auntie, the situation at that time was a bit complicated, but I did do something sorry for Ai Qing. I am here to apologize to you and Professor Cao first..."
He said slowly and stood up, bowing sincerely towards the two of them.
In fact, He Tianran had already anticipated this problem before he decided to meet Cao Aiqing's parents. This was an inevitable hurdle that he had to overcome by himself.
Neither Cao Fengyao nor Yang Chengbi stopped him from bowing. They all looked at their daughter in unison. At this moment, Cao Aiqing was always looking at He Tianran.
This is an obstacle set by the man himself. If he had not confessed this past incident that had never happened in this new world when he faced Cao Fengyao, then now he would meet him as a "boyfriend" Cao Aiqing's parents would not be so cramped.
But if he hadn't been so frank, then it is estimated that Cao Aiqing would not accept him again.
It may be a bit unfair to say it, or it just happened to be timing. Wen Liang once scolded He Tianran for escaping, but in the end he always found many reasons that he had to face, such as——
Responsibility and loyalty.
When He Tianran put aside all this and embraced Wen Liang, the result for the man was a breakup with Cao Aiqing and a love that was destined to be like smoke.
But if you change the angle and look at He Tianran from Cao Aiqing's perspective, you will find a conclusion that is completely contrary to Wen Liang, that is...
He Tianran has never escaped from anything.
Including the two people who were together because of love, and then broke up because of warmth, and even the punishment that He Tianran should bear in the end...
Whether these are right or wrong, He Tianran has never escaped from Cao Aiqing.
This is why Cao Aiqing seemed so powerless when he started planning to take revenge on He Tianran.
He Tianran sat down again, and everyone at the table was waiting for what he was going to say next. He began to examine the past that had happened to him that no longer existed, and said in a deep voice:
"At that time, I met a girl who changed my destiny. Her appearance was just like my appearance when Ai Qing was bullied.
Of course, there is love in my feelings for her, but in this love, there are many, many things besides love. This kind of thing is like not bringing homework when I was in elementary school, or not taking the exam in the college entrance examination. Going to my ideal university, for me at that time, these things were a big deal and something I couldn't refuse.
So I...I broke up with Ai Qing and got together with that girl. "
He Tianran's voice gradually became hoarse, and his eyes gradually became blurred:
"But I know... I knew from the beginning that that girl and I couldn't be together forever. Our relationship was more like... a process of making up for regrets, and if I didn't go through this period, my heart would be broken There will always be a knot. At the same time, I also know that it is very unfair to Ai Qing that she has something hidden in her heart but cannot be honest with her lover. Keeping her in the dark will only make her feel more uncomfortable.
Uncle and aunt, your daughter is a very proud girl at heart. She is flawless and doesn’t like others to pretend to be stupid. She follows your example and strengthens the purity of love. This is what I knew before I confessed to her for the first time. thing, so I won’t defend our breakup, but there is one sentence that I must explain clearly under the witness of you two elders..."
After Yang Chengbi and Cao Fengyao were stunned after hearing this, the woman couldn't help but ask:
"Child, what do you want to say?"
He Tianran raised his eyes and met Cao Aiqing's soft eyes, which had been looking at him.
For one second or two, a reminiscence-like smile appeared on his face:
"I have never lied to your daughter, whether it is in emotional choices or in matters of right and wrong. I have never lied to her."
At dusk, He Tianran sat by the lead washing pool and thought about the past with Cao Aiqing.
Among them, there was one scene that remained fresh in his memory.
It was Cao Aiqing lying on the wooden wine table, a drop of burning tears running across her fair cheek.
Before that, she had just finished reading the book called "Picking Up All the Cold Branches and Reluctant to Rest on them". What was described above were all beautiful stories that happened between him and her in another parallel time and space.
But at that time, she was already riddled with wounds and said:
"So, no matter which world I am in, I will be bullied, right?"
"I don't think we will be happy together..."
…
Those questions that come from the depths of the soul will make He Tianran give him a heavy and long blow after betraying the most beautiful Cao Aiqing.
Once upon a time, the young self and the young self co-existed in the same body. When faced with the question of how to face Cao Aiqing after military training, the young self spoke out and even forced the young self to confess everything to his girlfriend.
So, He Tianran really did that.
And, he always did.
And it just so happened that what the two girls Cao Aiqing and Wen Liang wanted were completely opposite.
One begins with a prank acting and ends with a sweet dream woven with lies.
The other one wants to get sober all his life, but after getting sober, will the result really be better?
The outcome of the latter is still unknown, but what is certain is that He Tianran's actions have at least prevented Cao Aiqing from worrying about whether to believe him or not.
He certainly didn't lie to her either.
Cao Aiqing looked at his parents and chuckled:
"Mom, Dad, what Ziran said is true. His honesty all along is the key to our getting back together. You don't have to believe him, but you can believe me, right? Your daughter is not that easy to lie to."
Cao Fengyao and Yang Chengbi looked at each other. The middle-aged man put down his chopsticks and smiled bitterly. He looked at He Tianran:
"It's actually hard for me to believe that Xiao He could have such unforgettable things happen at your age. Living in an era of peace and prosperity and your already well-to-do family background, after listening to what you just said, I always feel that you It's too fussy, even hypocritical.
However, although I hold this view, I do not object to your point of view that 'it was a big deal to you at that time', because in my opinion, the naivety of human nature is better than the Complexity should be approachable.
It’s actually not surprising that you said these words today. I remember that you and Ai Qing were very open and honest last time when you came to see me. Originally, I wanted to talk to you afterwards, but then I thought about it. Since the breakup is amicable, Ai Qing will inevitably be embarrassed if I, the father, are in contact with you. You are both adults and should have your own space.
However, the current situation is that you are back together again, and you have even visited us at home, so as parents, we also have something to tell you openly and honestly..."
This elegant middle-aged father sat as tall as a mountain, with an extremely serious expression. He said word by word:
"Xiao He, if you only chose Ai Qing because you couldn't get along with the girl who changed your destiny, then I'm sorry, we can only ask you to leave after we finish this meal in peace. And I ask you not to continue to pester my daughter in the future. Ai Qing is not your refuge. It is not a big deal for young people to make mistakes, but they must know how to pay for their own choices. This is the attitude that her mother and I share."
These words were so familiar that He Tianran fell into a brief silence.
"You fell in love with me because you couldn't love the person you loved most, right?"
"..."
Now, this question has been put before He Tianran in another form. So, will the original answer remain unchanged?
It seems that a lot of changes have indeed taken place.
But today He Tianran sat by the lead washing pool and thought for a long time, but he couldn't explain what had changed.
He hasn't thought about this kind of problem for a long time, because in these years, he has never put himself in the most important position...
Since he knew he was in hell, he has never thought about himself, so naturally there is no way to talk about who he loves the most.
In a sense, He Tianran didn't have a choice. When he broke up with Cao Aiqing, he didn't necessarily make the decision to be with Wen Liang.
His decision at first was to give up, until he knew the truth about this hell of unknown age.
Fate did not give him the opportunity to weigh the two girls on the same scale.
He just took everything out of his body regardless of himself in exchange for a process that would allow them to escape from here.
Is this good or bad?
unimportant.
For He Tianran, the delicate flowers should not bloom in the dark hell, they should grow in a more brilliant place.
This is his realization.
"..."
"Mom, Dad, I have already let him make a choice, so you don't have to force him anymore. Our love is not something he can decide alone. I know you are doing it for my own good, but you ask him so many questions. , why don’t you come and ask me?”
Just when He Tianran was about to answer, Cao Aiqing suddenly said with a smile. This time, she didn't let He Tianran get the first step. The girl's voice was clear, and everyone's attention immediately shifted to her.
Who would have thought that Cao Aiqing, who had asked similar questions before, would take the initiative to speak for He Tianran at this time?
She could have taken this opportunity to get a perfect answer, and then let He Tianran completely cut off from the past and start a new life for the two of them.
But she didn't, and as she said, the love that arises from the gathering of two people is never something that can be decided by one person.
She looked at He Tianran, her eyes shining with deep pity and admiration. She was no longer the girl who needed He Tianran to help shield her from the wind and rain.
"Dad, Mom, I know everything about his past with that girl, but now he will never see that girl anywhere else except in dreams. This is a very sad thing. I don't want to see him again. Faced with this kind of thinking...
Over the past year or so, he has used his actions to prove his feelings for me. I can feel it, and I believe in him, so...I can't be so selfish as to deprive him of his right to dream, and do that to him. Say, it's so pitiful.
We are all free...
But I love him, and I've only ever loved him, so...that's enough, right?
Dad, let him have a good meal. He has been working very hard recently, and because he has to come to see you today, his spirit has been tense. Dad, you still keep a straight face. I know you are afraid. I'm at a disadvantage, so let's just see what happens in the future. Our falling in love doesn't happen overnight. We can meet people's hearts over time. Mom, what do you think? "
Parting can be justified by anger and foolishness, but meeting again can show sincerity.
As he said these words, He Tianran opened his mouth slightly, his chin trembled slightly, and his eyes were in trance until his vision began to blur, and then...
He smiled hard.
There should be no reward for atonement in hell...
However, love is different, and Ai Qing is even different.
"Hey - Dad, you are quite right, he is quite ugly with his big teeth."
(End of chapter)
