At that moment, I thought of the woman who had taken Lu Jia's number. She had told me: If I told my parents about my suffering in Shanghai and my happiness in Dali, and they didn't forgive or understand me, it would only prove that they were selfish, and I could stop taking their "coercion" seriously.

But can I really just stand by and watch my parents suffer?

I can't do it, because their suffering is because of me. Regardless of whether they are right or wrong, as their child, I have to try to understand them.

Unlike Yang Sisi, I'm past the age of being willful. I'm also the sole breadwinner of my family, and I need to consider the overall harmony of the family. If I really break ties with them completely because of this, who can they rely on for the rest of their lives?

...

Around noon, Tie Nan returned from the advertising company. He said the signboard issue was settled and the workers would come to install it that afternoon. I then told him the good news that the inn would be able to open in November.

This guy's hand, holding the cigarette, was trembling with excitement...

I felt even more alone. Why was everyone so able to see the potential of this inn's opening and so overjoyed, while Old Mi treated Shanghai like a goldmine, forcing me to go back and repeat those oppressive days? To yearn for those towering buildings, yet not a single apartment belonged to me—a mirage of a dream?

Once Tie Nan had calmed down from his euphoria, I lit a cigarette and said to him, "I just ordered takeout. Take it up to my dad later."

Why didn't you deliver it yourself?

"They had a disagreement."

"Are you still 'forcing' you to go back to Shanghai?"

"That's right! ...With him making such a fuss, this matter is almost unsolvable!"

"You're not really going back to Shanghai, are you?"

I looked at Tie Nan with a confused expression and replied, "Let's take it one step at a time. I've used all the tricks I could." After a slight pause, I added, "Wait here for a while. I'll go outside and buy him some braised meat and wine. He has a habit of having a drink or two at noon."

...

Before we knew it, it was afternoon. The people from the advertising company arrived with the newly made inn sign. Ma, Tie Nan, and I worked tirelessly for them, doing all the heavy work without complaint, because this sign, which didn't seem to cost much, was of great significance to us.

Of the three of us, Tie Nan was the most ritualistic. After the signboard was installed, he insisted on holding an unveiling ceremony and required everyone in the guesthouse to be present to witness this historic moment.

So, Bai Lu was called back from the bar, and Yang Sisi also returned to the inn ahead of schedule from the hotel where she was receiving training.

The five of us stood in a line under the sign, and Tie Nan set up his phone next to us to video chat with Tao Zi, who was far away in Shanghai.

I wanted Lao Mi to come and see this too, but unfortunately, he didn't see it as a career at all. He preferred to stroll along the shore of Erhai Lake rather than come here to share this special moment with us.

Coach Ma somehow got hold of firecrackers, and just as I was removing the red cloth covering the signboard, the firecrackers he lit flew into the sky.

Amidst the explosions, our dreams seemed to blossom on this land of Dali...

Thousands of kilometers away, peaches were applauding us too. I was so immersed in this joyful atmosphere filled with endless anticipation that I couldn't contain myself...

I've forgotten what kind of expression I have at this moment, but I keep thinking about many people, especially Wang Lei and Lu Jia.

If it weren't for Wang Lei's relentless encouragement and selfless material support, I wouldn't have come to Dali; if Lu Jia hadn't chosen to break up with me, I wouldn't have come to Dali either. So, in a way, they both acted as my guides to Dali.

I am grateful to Wang Lei and do not want to hate Lu Jia, so the only thing I can do is to live well on this land and live my own life, instead of letting a house wear down the human nature of pursuing freedom.

...

Before things had completely calmed down, a car I'd never seen before pulled up in front of the inn, and the person who got out was none other than Sun Jiwei, whom Bai Lu and I had talked about earlier that day. He clapped as he walked towards us…

After coming to my side, he said with a big smile, "Brother, congratulations on the official opening of your inn today... I've already heard about your situation from my colleagues, so I want to congratulate you even more on getting that precious spot."

"Thank you. Without the discharge permit you provided, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly..."

"I'm only doing small things."

I smiled and replied, "This is no small matter for us... I was just talking about this with Sister Bai Lu. Now that you're here, you absolutely have to give me a chance to treat you to a meal."

"Please don't be so polite with me. I haven't properly thanked you for what you did last time... I already booked a table at a hotel in Haidong before I came. You'll all come with me to Haidong later, and I'll treat you all to a nice meal."