Beauty - The Struggle on the Eve of Engagement
I. A Hazy Morning
The morning sunlight, as usual, filtered through the gaps in the heavy curtains, quietly falling on Zhong Hua's face. However, this light, which usually brought warmth and vitality, felt like thorns today, stinging her sleepy eyes. Zhong Hua slowly opened her eyes, her consciousness not yet fully awake, as the endless pain and helplessness of last night overwhelmed her once again like a tide.
She mechanically sat up in bed, her gaze blankly fixed on the luxurious yet cold furnishings of the room. Everything here, from the exquisite carved furniture to the expensive Persian carpets, reminded her of her impending fate—her engagement to Gu Yanting. This should have been a dream marriage to a wealthy family for many, but for Zhong Hua, it was like a heavy shackle, tightly binding her body and soul.
She got up and walked to the window, gently drawing back the curtains to let the blinding sunlight flood the room. Downstairs in the garden, gardeners were busily pruning the plants, making final preparations for the upcoming engagement party. Watching them work methodically, Zhong Hua felt a pang of sorrow. Her own life, at this moment, was like these pruned plants—completely devoid of autonomy, left to be manipulated by others.
"Ah Yu..." Zhong Hua murmured the name softly, tears blurring her vision. In this lonely moment, Ah Yu's image clearly appeared in her mind. They met in their youthful days; back then, Ah Yu was sunny and handsome, full of enthusiasm for life. They strolled together along the campus paths, sharing their dreams and secrets. Those beautiful memories had now become the sharpest blade in Zhong Hua's heart, each recollection causing her excruciating pain.
II. The Stinging Pain of Past Memories
Zhong Hua still remembers that summer evening. The setting sun was like blood, dyeing the sky a brilliant orange-red. She and A Yu sat on a park bench, a gentle breeze carrying a slight chill. A Yu gently took her hand, looking at her with unwavering eyes, and said, "Zhong Hua, believe me, I will definitely make you happy. We will walk through countless springs, summers, autumns, and winters together." At that moment, Zhong Hua felt like the happiest person in the world. She firmly believed that their love was unbreakable.
However, fate often plays cruel tricks. Family pressure and business interests stood like an insurmountable chasm between them. Gu Yanting's family was incredibly powerful, and for the sake of the family business, Zhong Hua's parents unhesitatingly pushed her towards Gu Yanting. No matter how much Zhong Hua pleaded or resisted, she couldn't change her parents' decision.
"Why? Why is our love so fragile?" Zhong Hua clenched her fists, her heart filled with resentment and anger. She hated her own powerlessness, hated her parents' heartlessness, and hated this cruel reality even more.
III. The pressure of cold reality
After washing up, Zhong Hua dragged his heavy steps into the living room. His mother was already sitting at the dining table. Seeing Zhong Hua come downstairs, a relieved smile appeared on her face, but in Zhong Hua's eyes, that smile seemed so hypocritical.
"Hua Hua, today is your engagement day, so you must cheer up." Her mother's voice was gentle but firm.
Zhong Hua didn't respond, but simply sat silently at the table, mechanically eating her breakfast. Every bite of food tasted like wax, difficult to swallow.
“Hua Hua, you have to understand how important this marriage is to our family. Gu Yanting is a rare young talent. You won’t lose out by marrying him,” the mother continued, trying to persuade Zhong Hua to accept it all.
"Mom, I love Ah Yu, I don't want to be engaged to Gu Yanting." Zhong Hua finally couldn't hold back anymore, raised her head, and her eyes were full of tears.
The mother's face instantly darkened. "Don't mention that Ah Yu anymore. What can he give you? Gu Yanting can take our family business to the next level. That's your responsibility."
Zhong Hua knew that continuing the conversation with her mother would be pointless. She put down her cutlery, got up, and went back to her room.
IV. Choices Made in Struggle
Back in her room, Zhong Hua sat before her dressing table, gazing at her haggard reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were vacant, once bright but now filled with pain and confusion. She picked up a comb and slowly began to comb her long hair, her thoughts drifting far, far away.
"Am I really going to give up Ah Yu and marry someone I don't love?" Zhong Hua kept asking herself. She knew that once the engagement ceremony was completed today, there would be no possibility between her and Ah Yu. But how could she just watch her family fall into trouble because of her?
Time slipped away silently amidst the painful struggle, and before they knew it, it was noon. The wedding planning team arrived at her home to begin the final preparations for Zhong Hua's look. Makeup artists and stylists surrounded her, busily grooming her. Zhong Hua sat there quietly, letting them do as they pleased, as if her soul had left her body.
As the makeup artist placed the magnificent engagement crown on her head, Zhong Hua looked at herself in the mirror and suddenly felt utterly unfamiliar. This expensive dress, this dazzling crown, didn't belong to the real her. All she truly wanted was to be with Ah Yu, even if it was just an ordinary life.
V. Despair on the Eve of Engagement
"Miss Zhong, you are so beautiful. Mr. Gu will definitely be amazed by you," the makeup artist said with a smile.
Zhong Hua forced a smile, but her heart was bleeding. She knew that this so-called beauty was nothing but a tragic disguise.
With less than an hour left before the engagement ceremony, Zhong Hua was filled with despair. Looking out at the clear blue sky, she longed to fly freely like a bird and escape this suffocating place.
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