Aftermath
Chen Bozhou walked in the twilight, almost instinctively arriving outside the Yun family courtyard.
The courtyard gate was closed and it was quiet inside. Only the dim lantern under the eaves swayed gently in the evening breeze, casting a warm glow.
He stood outside the door and didn't go in immediately. He just looked up at the light, and the emotions surging in his chest gradually calmed down.
He raised his hand and knocked gently on the door.
After a moment, the door creaked open.
Yunwu stood inside the door, wearing a set of old clothes that had been washed so much that they looked white, and holding a half-finished piece of bamboo strips in her hand.
Seeing that it was him, a hint of surprise flashed in Yunwu's eyes. At this time, Chen Bozhou would usually be at home.
"Why are you here at this hour?" Yun Wu stepped aside to let him in. Her gaze lingered on his face for a moment, and she keenly noticed that his expression was different from usual gloom. "What happened?"
Chen Bozhou walked into the yard and didn't answer immediately. He took a deep breath, and the familiar herbal fragrance and the faint scent of mugwort in the air relaxed his tense nerves a little.
He walked to the old locust tree in the yard, leaned against the rough trunk, and then looked at the clouds following him.
"My family...arranged a marriage for me." He spoke in a low and hoarse voice, but his eyes were fixed on Yunwu's face, not missing any of his reactions.
Yunwu's fingers, which were weaving bamboo strips, suddenly stopped, and the sharp edge of the strips scratched her fingertips, causing a tiny bead of blood to seep out.
He seemed to be unaware of anything, and just slowly raised his head and looked at Chen Bozhou.
In the moonlight, his face seemed paler than usual, his lips were slightly pursed, and in those eyes that were always as calm as water, some emotion flashed through his eyes very quickly, like a stone thrown into a deep pool, ripples suddenly appeared, and then were quickly suppressed.
He did not ask "Who is it" or "What next?", but just remained silent, waiting for what would happen next.
However, the aura that suddenly subsided around him made Shen Bozhou feel more distressed than any questioning.
"She's the daughter of Mr. Li from this town." Chen Bozhou took a step forward, closing the distance between them. His tone became unusually clear and firm. "I rejected her."
Three simple words, yet they carry a weight of a thousand pounds.
Yunwu's eyelashes trembled violently. He lowered his eyes and looked at the scarlet spot on his fingertips. His voice was so soft that it was almost blown away by the wind: "...Why?"
Chen Bozhou looked at his forbearing appearance, and it felt like something was tugging at his heart.
He took another step forward, and this time their toes were almost touching. He could clearly see Yunwu's drooping eyelashes trembling slightly.
"Why?" Chen Bozhou repeated his question, his voice filled with unquestionable tenderness and determination, "Yunwu, look at me."
Yunwu hesitated for a moment, but finally raised his head. The moonlight shone on his handsome face, and his eyes clearly reflected the figure of Chen Bozhou, as well as a deep-seated nervousness that he almost dared not reveal.
"Because I already have someone in my heart." Chen Bozhou spoke each word very slowly and seriously, as if he wanted to carve every word into the other person's heart. "From the first time I saw you at the bottom of that pit, my heart can no longer hold anyone else."
He reached out and gently held Yunwu's scratched hand, his fingertips carefully avoiding the wound, and his warm palm wrapped around his slightly cold fingertips.
"I've made it clear to my parents and my brother." Chen Bozhou continued, his gaze locked on Yunwu's. "I've said that in this life, I only recognize Yunwu."
Yunwu's hand trembled slightly in his palm. He wanted to pull it back, but Chen Bozhou held it even tighter.
"You..." Yunwu finally spoke, her voice choked with a barely perceptible sob, "You don't have to do this... It's a difficult road to walk."
"The road ahead is difficult, let's walk it together." Chen Bozhou said without hesitation, his thumb gently stroking the back of Yunwu's hand, conveying silent comfort and strength. "With you by my side, I'm not afraid of any difficult road. Without you, even the smoothest road would be of no use to me."
He looked at the tears gradually gathering in Yunwu's eyes, his heart aching and softening. His tone became even softer: "Don't worry about me, and don't think that you are a burden to me. All of this is my own choice, and I am willing to do it. Yunwu, you are worth it, and worth me fighting for everything for you."
Yun Wu was speechless. He lowered his head and gently rested his forehead on Shen Bozhou's shoulder, a gesture of extreme dependence and trust.
Chen Bozhou could feel the slight trembling of his body, and could also feel a little warm and wet on his shoulder.
He didn't move, but just stood there quietly, using his broad chest to support the person in his arms who seemed cold but actually had a softer heart than anyone else.
He raised his other hand and gently patted Yunwu's thin back, as if comforting a frightened child.
The evening breeze was gentle, and the branches and leaves of the old locust tree made a rustling sound, as if whispering.
The lanterns under the eaves burned quietly, enveloping the two hugging people in a warm halo.
After a long time, Yunwu's emotions finally calmed down. He stood up and turned his head slightly, a little embarrassed to look into Chen Bozhou's eyes, but he did not try to pull back the hand he was holding.
"From now on...your home..." he asked in a low voice, his tone full of worry.
"Don't worry," Chen Bozhou smiled, his tone relaxed but firm, "My father was just angry for a moment, I will find a way to make him accept it slowly. As for the rumors outside, haven't we been used to it for a long time? As long as we are firm with each other, nothing can separate us."
He looked at Yunwu, his eyes brightening surprisingly: "Our medicinal fields will get better and better, and our lives will get better and better. Yunwu, believe me."
Yunwu looked at the unwavering determination in his eyes and his undoubted confidence in himself, and the last bit of uneasiness and gloom in her heart gradually dispelled.
He gently held Chen Bozhou's hand back. Although the force was light, it was a clear response.
"Yeah." He responded softly, his voice was very light, but it carried unprecedented power.
At this moment, no more words were needed. All the choices, all the pressures, all the future, all had a common answer in this gentle response and the clasping of hands.
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