Chapter 48 Distance Creates Beauty

There has been a particularly...prosperous and positive atmosphere in Gu Yunsu's family recently.

Wu Limei signed up for several classes, including painting, calligraphy, and guitar. If it weren't for Gu Yunsu and Li Jianxiong's support, she would have even impulsively signed up for a dance class.

Her days were filled with study, exercise, reading, yoga, and taking care of her beloved flowers and plants. She was busier than when she was working.

But I am energetic and never feel tired no matter what I do.

When she was young, Wu Limei was beautiful, smart, and versatile, and her lively personality made her the most eye-catching person in the crowd.

But after getting married, the hard and unhappy life gradually wore away her spirituality and brilliance, and she was drowned in the crowd.

After rediscovering her hobbies and the beauty in life, she remembered that she had once been so brilliant and had lived passionately for herself.

Some people can grow up well on their own because they never admit defeat and have low emotional needs, so they can fight alone until the last moment even if they lose everything.

Some people need a lot of love. Without that love, they have no hope for life and the courage to face difficulties.

Wu Limei thought she was the latter type of person, so she pursued emotions, longed for warmth and love from others, and gradually forgot that she also had the ability to run.

But these days, this solitary life has refreshed her, and she realized how stupid and unhappy she was in the past.

Many times, people like to dwell on trivial matters because they are unhappy. In the past few decades, she has narrowed her horizons, so narrow that she only has the few people around her and her home of one and a half acres of land. It is easy for her to go to extremes because of excessive focus, so she feels wronged and can't let go, which makes things difficult for herself and others.

But she didn't want to go on like this.

On the other hand, Li Jianxiong also began to practice singing opera under Gu Yunsu's instigation.

I was determined not to agree at first, but I couldn't resist Gu Yunsu's brainwashing.

"I'm not saying this to sound harsh, but you only have half your life left, so why don't you do something? How long are you going to suppress yourself?"

"If my mother can't accept the real you, then she doesn't really love you. You should do whatever you want and ignore her feelings."

"So what if I can't sing well? We're just having a family dinner. There are only a few of us here, and we're all amateurs. How can anyone tell the difference?"

Li Jianxiong gradually became interested, and finally made up his mind and agreed.

Gu Yunsu really has no expertise in opera, and can't offer any professional advice. Occasionally, he can only encourage the other party emotionally:

"That's great. It sounds like Su San is really aggrieved."

Or "Yu Ji is so sad, I am about to cry with her."

Even with such a superficial evaluation, Li Jianxiong was still very moved, and even regarded Gu Yunsu as a close friend, chatting with her whenever he had time.

Since Li Jianxiong was the only one performing, he could not sing the entire repertoire and could only perform classic passages, which made rehearsal easy.

Because they were concerned about Wu Limei's health, the family discussed it and decided to let Wu Limei study in the "villa" during the day and return to the "mansion" to rest at night.

Li Jianxiong would pick up Wu Limei after get off work every day. The couple would talk and laugh on the way home, as if they had returned to the sweet days of their love life.

Li Yan no longer has the worries of adolescence, his academic performance has gradually improved, and his mentality is stable. Judging from his mock exam results, as long as he performs normally, he will have no problem getting into a 985 university.

Gu Yunsu found that, inexplicably, it seemed that her plan to accompany the deceased was almost successfully completed, and the escape plan could start again.

She no longer dwells on the so-called knot in her heart or the so-called contradiction. She believes that time will heal all wounds. Perhaps in a few years, when she is truly independent and has her own family, and when Wu Limei and Li Jianxiong's family is so stable that it cannot be broken, they may be able to completely forget their past conflicts and start a new life.

Anyway, isn't it much better now? She is already very content.

The magical thing is that when several people are crowded together and desperately trying to gain intimacy, all conflicts and discords have nowhere to hide; but if they keep a little distance, they can find the most suitable state of existence for each other.

Sometimes, the closer people are to each other, the more distance and space they need to give each other, whether psychologically or physically. Only by giving others freedom can you gain freedom yourself.

On the day of the family dinner, in addition to their family of five, Gu Yunsu also invited Xu Wenbin and Luo Jingjing.

Luo Jingjing had been to their home several times, so Wu Limei and Li Jianxiong knew her, but this was the first time they had seen Xu Wenbin. Wu Limei couldn't stop looking at him, probably because she was also obsessed with looks, and she secretly nodded to Gu Yunsu, "This guy is good."

Gu Yunsu: "Who can't? I see you are just anxious to marry me off."

"Look at what you said." Wu Limei rolled her eyes at her daughter. "I didn't agree with Xu Zheng earlier."

When Gu Yunsu heard the name, her ears started buzzing and she couldn't help laughing, "Why is there still a role for him?" She glanced at her boyfriend who was sitting on the sofa chatting with Li Jianxiong and told her mother, "Don't mention this name today!"

Wu Limei gave her a slightly joking look and stopped teasing her.

The banquet began in a peaceful atmosphere. Xu Wenbin was gentle and polite, and knew when to act, which won unanimous praise from Li Jianxiong and Wu Limei.

Li Yan, the foodie, ate his meal well and even knew to pass tissues and pour drinks noiselessly, which was a pleasant surprise.

Luo Jingjing, a master at livening up the atmosphere, made witty remarks and jokes all the time, bringing the atmosphere at the dinner table to a climax several times.

It was a rare occasion to have guests at home, and Wu Limei was very happy. She laughed and talked a lot.

But these are not the most important things. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Li Jianxiong's Peking Opera performance.

After dinner, everyone gathered on the sofa to eat fruit and chat, while Li Jianxiong went into the bedroom to put on makeup.

Wu Limei was told that her husband would perform, but she had no idea what he would perform. After waiting for about 20 minutes, Li Jianxiong still hadn't come out. She got a little anxious and asked her daughter, "Go check on your Uncle Li. Is there something wrong?"

Gu Yunsu knew that it would take time for Li Jianxiong to draw her eyebrows and eyes, so she comforted her mother: "It's okay, it will be out soon."

As he was speaking, Li Jianxiong, dressed in makeup and costume, walked out gracefully.

Luo Jingjing and Xu Wenbin were sitting in the living room. They immediately shouted and cheered enthusiastically, and clapped non-stop. One person created the momentum of ten people.

Li Jianxiong shyly covered her face, looking like a reserved and charming woman in ancient times.

He was neither tall nor short, neither fat nor thin, with delicate features, which made him look quite handsome.

Wu Limei's eyes widened and she stared at him motionlessly, obviously stunned.

Li Jianxiong prepared the accompaniment in advance and gave it to Gu Yunsu. The two exchanged glances, and Gu Yunsu understood and pressed the play button.

The room fell silent, and Li Jianxiong began to sing on this simple stage. His every frown, every gesture showed his genuine love and devotion.

There are not many singing segments, only three selections: "Mu Guiying Hangs the Marshal", "The Female Judge" and "The Drunken Concubine", and a new Peking Opera theme song "Pear Blossom Song" "The Concubine of the Tang Dynasty" is also included.

Gu Yunsu had been observing Ms. Wu's expression, and seeing her go from surprise to astonishment, and finally a little touched, he gradually felt relieved.

Li Jianxiong turned around, raised his hands, and looked into the distance with a sweet smile. That was the end.

When the music stopped, Gu Yunsu took the lead in applauding. Luo Jingjing was also a human trumpet with a voice louder than anyone else, and the atmosphere instantly became lively.

Wu Limei stood up with a smile, clapping her hands while greeting her husband, and said excitedly, "Why didn't you tell me about this unique skill?"

Li Jianxiong smiled innocently: "My voice is ruined by smoking. I'm afraid you will dislike my singing if it's not good."

Wu Limei: "There's nothing wrong with it! You're just too modest!"

Luo Jingjing cheered on the side: "That's right Uncle Li, he looks so handsome in costume."

"No," Li Jianxiong waved his hands, "It's just nonsense. Look, I don't even have any kingfisher feathers, I'm just wearing a silk scarf. It doesn't fit the role at all."

Xu Wenbin: "We laymen can't tell the difference, but we think it looks good and sounds good."

Li Jianxiong was praised so much that he couldn't stop smiling.

Wu Limei held her husband's arm and said, "Teach me next time. I just love humming and can never sing well."

Luo Jingjing started again: "Hey, Auntie, you can do it too? Then show me a part!"

Wu Limei waved her hands and said, "I can't do it. I can't do it." But looking at her expression, she was eager to try.

Luo Jingjing: "Come one! Come one!"

Wu Limei: "Then...how many lines should I sing?"

Then she acted coquettishly to Li Jianxiong: "Come with me."

Li Jianxiong was dragged to the front by his wife, and the two stood side by side. Wu Limei said, "Then I will sing two lines of "The Drunken Concubine".

With a raised wrist, he set a pattern and sang:

"The ice wheel on the sea island begins to turn, and the Jade Rabbit is seen. The Jade Rabbit rises in the east. The ice wheel leaves the sea island, and the sky is exceptionally bright. The bright moon is in the sky, just like Chang'e leaving the Moon Palace. I am like Chang'e leaving the Moon Palace..."

Li Jianxiong stood half a step behind her, singing along with his wife, either raising his hands or leaning his waist. The two of them exchanged glances in public, and the affection they displayed killed so many single people that they could circle the earth twice.

Gu Yunsu sat next to Xu Wenbin, holding her boyfriend's hand, feeling an unprecedented sense of happiness and peace.

In the past, she had been focused on moving forward, wanting to be independent, successful, famous and wealthy. Her family had never been a source of comfort for her, and she wanted to escape from the so-called family because she hated the responsibilities that bound her.

But...you know, sometimes people only realize how far they have come and how much they have changed when they look back inadvertently.

She now thinks that perhaps there are some ties in this world that cannot be broken or thrown away throughout a lifetime, but perhaps they are not burdens but gifts of luck.

There are still disappointments and unhappiness, but at least at moments like this, when she is surrounded by family and friends, she feels that she is no longer an island in this world.

Luo Jingjing, who was standing nearby, was injured internally by the two couples' show.

"Damn it," she cursed, "I should have dragged a man along!"

When Wu Limei sang the line "I am like Chang'e leaving the Moon Palace...", she followed Li Jianxiong, raised her right hand to her ear, stretched her left hand forward, crossed her legs, and leaned slightly to one side.

Everything was going well.

But the moment Wu Limei stood up, her knees suddenly trembled.

She paused, lost her balance, and fell towards the TV cabinet next to her.

“Ahhhhhhh!!!!”

The scene was in chaos.