In February of the lunar calendar in 1981, Yu Jihong gave birth to her daughter at home.
She carefully picked up her daughter, looking at the wrinkled little face in the swaddling clothes, tears falling onto the child's face. "Daughter, Mommy will definitely take good care of you." As she spoke, she pressed her daughter tightly against her cheek.
The baby had already been born, and Yu Jihong's mother began looking for a husband for her. She also had a younger brother, and her family didn't want her to stay at home like this; they wanted her to have a place to stay after she got married.
She had been asked about several men, but Yu Jihong refused to marry any of them. She always felt that Lian Wuliang would come back, that he wouldn't lie to her, and that he would definitely take her to see that place with wind and sea.
Almost another year has passed, and there is still no news.
The matchmaker introduced Fang San Di, saying that he fell off the back of an ox when he was about 10 years old and was unable to have sex or bear children. Unexpectedly, Yu Jihong immediately agreed.
She thought that this way she wouldn't have to have relationships with other men, and she wouldn't have any more children. She could raise her daughter quietly.
Fang Sandi's kindness to her was something Yu Jihong hadn't expected. Fang Sandi didn't ask about her past, and he didn't have much of a social life. He just did his job and always went along with Yu Jihong's wishes. Although he didn't usually protect Yu Jihong forcefully, in the end, he protected her with his life.
In the first few years, Yu Jihong often thought about Lian Wuliang and wondered why he didn't come to find her. This longing and question were slowly awakened by time and Fang Sandi's sincerity.
Yu Jihong came to her senses and stopped thinking about Lian Wuliang. If he cared, he would know where her home was and would surely come looking for her. If he didn't care, what harm would it do to find him?
Fang Yu leaned against Yu Jihong's thigh. Yu Jihong looked at Fang Yu, tears welling up in her eyes. "Fang Yu, Mom is sorry for not being able to give you a complete family, but Mom has never regretted giving birth to you."
"Mom," Fang Yu hugged Yu Jihong, "thank you, thank you for bringing me into this world!"
Hearing this, Yu Jihong couldn't stop her tears from falling. "My good daughter." Yu Jihong held Fang Yu's head to her chest and closed her eyes. "Fang Yu, Mom has told you about this. You are an adult now. Whatever you think or want to do, Mom will respect you."
“Mom, I’m not looking for him either. You’re right. He knows where Grandma’s house is. If he really wanted to find you, he would have come over long ago.”
“Yes! How come it took me so many years to come to this conclusion? Maybe it's because deep down I just didn't want to accept that he was a heartless man.” Yu Jihong sneered, “And I was still making up all sorts of reasons why he didn't come back.”
"Mom, is there any possibility?" Fang Yu hesitated, wondering if she could make this guess.
"What?"
"Perhaps, an accident has occurred."
“I have thought about it,” Yu Jihong said, patting Fang Yu’s shoulder. “If that’s really the case, I hope he’s doing well in another world.”
"Mom, I'll take care of you from now on, and we'll live a good life together."
"Daughter, I'm so glad I have you! It's so good to have you!"
Fang Yu's kindergarten had to go to work early to set up the classrooms and make preparations for the start of the new semester. Yu Jihong also went to the county town to work as a childcare worker at the kindergarten.
They first found a house to rent and stay in. Yu Jihong came to Fang Meili's place to buy some daily necessities. "Sister Jihong, we're all in the city now. If you need anything, just come over anytime. Come, sit down. It's been so long since we had a proper chat."
"Okay, Mary, there is something I really want to talk to you about."
"What's up?"
“My third brother and I originally planned to come back in the second half of the year to build a house. Now that my third brother has left, I don’t want to stay in the village anymore. I’m all alone now, and there will be a lot of trouble.”
"Yes, I understand."
"I want to look at houses in the county town so that I can live there and Fang Yu and I won't have to rent a house."
“Yes, I also think it’s good that you two are both working in the county town, so it’s better to buy a house there.”
"If you spend more time there, which location do you think is better?"
"Are you looking to buy an apartment or a land parcel?"
"Which price is more affordable? I'd like a place with a nice surrounding environment, but not too expensive, and it doesn't need to be too big. It'll be enough for Fang Yu and me."
"Okay, I'll keep an eye out. Is it urgent?"
"No rush. We've already rented a place to live. We're just looking around and comparing the cost-effectiveness first. If we're going to buy, I'd like to wait until next year."
"Yes!" Fang Meili nodded.
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