Chapter 3-5
5
After two days of careful consideration, Qiao Ruo concluded that she couldn't go to the United States to study. Besides money, there was an even more important reason: He Yajun would think that her going abroad to study was to control him, which would be tantamount to pushing him away.
However, the current situation provides a ready-made explanation for her going to the United States.
The day Qiao Wei was discharged from the hospital and returned home, the family had lunch and were chatting in the living room. After a little mental preparation, Qiao Ruo opened her mouth and said, "Mom and Dad, I'm thinking of going to the United States in a while."
Xu Mingyu first exchanged a glance with Qiao Min, then looked at Qiao Wei's expression. Seeing that Qiao Wei did not show any disapproval, she smiled and said, "Qiao Qiao, go ahead, but you must handle this matter properly and be careful. There's nothing else to worry about, but I'm just worried that you might encounter something if you go abroad alone and don't know anyone."
“I know, I’m not going alone this time. I happen to have a friend who and his sister are planning to travel to the United States around the 20th of January, so we decided to go together so we can look out for each other on the way.”
Qiao Min, who had been silent, raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, but did not press her to ask if she was making things up: "Are your passport and visa ready?"
Qiao Ruo nodded.
Xu Mingyu added, "Your father and I have saved some money. If you need it, feel free to take it."
Qiao Wei, who had been silent for a while, nodded: "Go if you want to. It's good to go out and gain some experience. But if you have new plans or work-related issues, be sure to explain them to your boss. Don't just leave on a whim and cause trouble for others."
He had just undergone surgery and had lost a lot of weight, but he seemed to be in good spirits.
"Dad, Mom, you don't need to worry about the money. I'll only be gone for half a month at most, and I'll be back soon. I've made a rough budget, and I can afford it."
Xu Mingyu and Qiao Wei didn't understand the concept of going abroad. They had assumed that her serious proposal meant she wanted to study abroad, but now they were somewhat confused.
Qiao Min pondered for a moment and said, "Studying abroad is a big deal after all. It involves not only academics but also the living environment. It's safer to go there for a few days to get a feel for the environment before deciding whether to actually study there, rather than going there without thinking."
“Yes, yes,” Xu Mingyu understood, “It’s about getting used to it in advance, Qiaoqiao, you’re so thoughtful.”
Qiao Ruo smiled without saying a word, secretly pleased that she had finally gotten through this hurdle.
However, Qiao Min was a quick-witted person. After her parents went to take their afternoon naps, she followed them to Qiao Ruo's room, closed the door, went straight to Qiao Ruo's bedside, and took the book from her hand.
"You're not going to the US this time to scout out opportunities for studying abroad, are you?"
“No,” Qiao Ruo said directly, “I’m here to find He Yajun.”
"So, your decision is to give up studying in the US and just stay there for a while?"
“Yes, didn’t you encourage me to go to his side and attract his attention? I’ve thought about it and it makes sense. I’m going to give it a try. If there’s really a possibility between us, ten days or half a month should be enough to see the signs. If he really doesn’t have any interest, why would I go abroad to study and pester him? It would only annoy him and be pointless.”
Qiao Min sat down on the bed, looking at Qiao Ruo thoughtfully, and suddenly smiled: "Tell me about your friend who is also going to travel to the United States."
“I’m not lying to you,” Qiao Ruo smiled as well. “I met this friend when I was traveling before, and he’s a very nice person. I can tell you that he’s a man, but I didn’t just go with him. As I just mentioned, his sister was with me too. So you don’t have to worry about him harming me.”
When Qiao Ruo first learned about this friend, she was also surprised. The night before last, He Yajun video-called her and told her that Hong Yantao planned to go to the United States to see friends before the Chinese New Year, and his sister Hong Mengqi would also be going with him. If she didn't mind, she could go with the siblings.
Qiao Ruo couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive about going abroad, but she never told He Yajun about her nervousness, silently processing her anxiety on her own. Hearing his suggestion, she was naturally happy to have someone to accompany her and immediately agreed.
Qiao Min remained noncommittal: "Qiao Qiao, the way you're acting gives me the impression that you could fly to America anytime to find He Yajun. But I've thought about it again and again. Since you came back, I've told you a lot about He Yajun, but I've never told you where he works or lives in America. Are you planning to act first and ask later, go to America first, then call He Yajun and ask him where he is and if he's willing to see you? Are you so sure his phone number works abroad? Are you so sure he'll agree to meet you? Isn't that a bit too risky? I know you; you're meticulous. You wouldn't rashly spend so much money to go abroad with so many uncertainties."
"..." Qiao Ruo felt a little overwhelmed by her barrage of questions.
"So either your friend knows He Yajun and is very familiar with his affairs, and will take you to him, or He Yajun did not completely reject your confession last time."
Qiao Ruo was slightly startled, not expecting that Qiao Min had guessed almost everything.
Qiao Min tilted her head and looked at Qiao Ruo with a smile, clearly very confident in her reasoning.
Qiao Ruo didn't know how to answer. She was lost in thought for a moment, then put on a melancholy expression: "I just wanted to try. If I can't find it... then I can finally give up."
The melancholy in Qiao Ruo's tone startled Qiao Min, who had to put aside her questions: "Qiao Qiao, don't be so pessimistic. I don't want to use my life to lecture you. I want to tell you that as long as you have a clear goal and are determined and never give up, you will definitely have a good outcome. Because love is a very special thing. It sounds simple, but it's actually very difficult to define. Does marriage mean love? No. Does being together mean love? No. For example, I married He Qingyang, but I don't love him. I only married him to live a rich life. He doesn't love me either; he only wants something new. I had other boyfriends before He Qingyang, but I was with them not because I loved them, but because they were good to me. To be honest, it's just..." I had a first love. I loved him, and I'm sure he loved me too. That counts as love, right? But our relationship ended badly. We said hurtful things to each other when we broke up, vowing never to see each other again. If I could have foreseen that outcome, I would never have started that relationship. I'd rather have only the good memories of each other and the feelings I had for one another—wouldn't that have been wonderful? I can't predict what will happen between you and He Yajun, but the fact that you can love someone so deeply is already a fulfillment in love. If he eventually falls in love with you too, that would be the icing on the cake. But how long that flower will bloom is anyone's guess. If he doesn't love you, it doesn't mean the end of the world. There are so many important things waiting for you to do.
Qiao Ruo couldn't refute her words, nor did she intend to. However, she was somewhat surprised to see her so sentimental: "These feelings of yours aren't just because you know I like He Yajun, are they?"
Qiao Min's smile remained unchanged: "I know I was involved in someone else's marriage, so I don't seem to be qualified to discuss the sacred topic of love with you. But I was young once too, and I was also moved. I just didn't put love in the most important position."
Qiao Ruo looked at her, unsure how to respond.
"In the end, it's still my fault." Qiao Min didn't press her to continue the conversation. "If it's about material things, I can say with certainty that you can get anything you want. But when it comes to feelings, I'm not so confident. Not to mention, your relationship with He Yajun is somewhat special. All I can do is offer you the help I can when you want to fight for something and need assistance. As for the rest, I guess we'll have to leave it to fate."
"No need to apologize to me anymore. You're right, it's fate..." Qiao Ruo repeated the word, a slight smile playing on her lips. "No matter how correct one's choices are, they often can't overcome the arrangements of fate. I used to think that if you hadn't fallen in love with and married his father, I might have already started a family with him. Now it seems that perhaps everything was predestined. Even without this obstacle, there would have been others. No matter what the future holds for us, from the moment I fell in love with him, the outcome was already predetermined. All I can do is wait and accept that outcome. I appreciate your concern, but I hope to handle this matter myself from now on."
Qiao Min looked out the window for a long time before turning her gaze back: "You're right, I won't try to persuade you to study in the United States anymore. Don't worry about Mom and Dad, I won't tell them anything about He Yajun. Since you've decided to go find him this time, I'll do what I can. I'll try to find out He Yajun's phone number and address in New York, and I'll let you know when I have the results."
Qiao Min was incredibly resourceful; the very next day, she obtained He Yajun's address and phone number in the United States. Qiao Ruo compared the address she brought with the one He Yajun had given her, and sure enough, they were exactly the same.
"You didn't get this address from his father again, did you?"
Qiao Min shook her head: "He has moved out completely and is living with that woman. I have basically no contact with him now. Even if we do, it's just to talk about Xin Xin. I got this address from his secretary, Xiao Wu. He visited He Yajun in the United States before, and Xiao Wu arranged his itinerary. This year, she even helped him send things to He Yajun in the United States, and she used this address for all of them."
When Qiao Ruo heard her talk about He Qingyang as if nothing had happened, without a trace of sadness in her expression, she thought that she must have moved on from the disappointment of the divorce: "Anyway, thank you for your help."
Qiao Min scolded, "Why are you thanking me? I'm your older sister, it's only natural for me to help you."
Qiao Ruo hummed in agreement.
"When are you leaving?"
"Next Thursday."
"Okay, let me know before you leave."
The night before she left, Qiao Ruo invited Qiao Min and Xin Xin to her home and personally cooked dinner.
Her parents were very happy and repeatedly reminded her to bring everything she needed, to take good care of herself after going abroad, and to remember to call home if anything happened.
Qiao Ruo smiled and nodded, then said with a hint of guilt, "It's just that I can't spend the New Year at home this year."
Xu Mingyu waved her hand: "It's okay. It's not easy to go abroad, so we should spend a few more days sightseeing, otherwise it would be a waste."
Qiao Wei nodded: "Just remember to let us know you're safe and sound regularly."
Xin Xin, who was happily munching on a braised chicken wing, suddenly asked Qiao Min, "Mom, is Auntie going to see my brother? Dad said my brother is working in America."
The warm atmosphere at the dining table suddenly fell silent. Qiao Ruo was terrified, never expecting that Xin Xin would make such a connection, and that it would actually be true.
Qiao Min remained calm, patting Xin Xin's braid: "Xin Xin, your aunt doesn't know your brother, so how could she go to see him? Your aunt plans to study in the United States next year, and this trip is to find out more about the situation."
“Oh, oh,” Xin Xin nodded and looked at Qiao Ruo, “Auntie, when you go to America next year, please take me with you. I want to see my brother. I’ve never met him before. Dad said he’s very busy with work, which is why he hasn’t come to see me. But I have summer vacation, so I can go see him.”
Qiao Ruo didn't know how to answer. She looked at Qiao Min's awkward expression and her parents' pained eyes when they looked at Xin Xin. After hesitating for a moment, she continued to pick up food with her chopsticks, and smiled at Xin Xin: "If Auntie really goes to study in America, Auntie will definitely take you to see him. Now let's eat properly, the chicken wings won't taste good if they get cold."
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