Chapter 80 The Return Journey
On the last day of the family trip, it started to drizzle in Sanya.
The misty rain shrouded Yalong Bay, making the distant mountains appear like dark eyebrows. The Huo family had their last breakfast at the hotel restaurant; the atmosphere was more harmonious than when they arrived, yet undercurrents were still present.
Huo Siqi's ankle swelling had subsided considerably. Sitting in her wheelchair, she looked at Song Zhiyi with eyes full of admiration: "Sister-in-law, when we get back to Beijing, I really want to learn first aid from you. You were amazing that day."
Song Zhiyi put down her bowl of white porridge and said calmly, "Okay. However, systematic first aid training requires time and patience."
“I can!” Huo Siqi’s eyes lit up. “I want to be like you.”
Lin Wanru looked at her daughter, then at Song Zhiyi, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Before, she had thought her niece-in-law was too aloof and distant, but now she had to admit that this aloofness had become the most reassuring strength in crucial moments. She placed a piece of pastry on Song Zhiyi's plate, her tone somewhat stiff but trying to be gentle: "Zhiyi, eat more."
"Thank you, Second Aunt." Song Zhiyi nodded in thanks, her expression remaining calm.
Lin Wei sat at the other end of the table, sipping her coffee. Her gaze was fixed on Huo Yanli, but Huo Yanli's eyes never left Song Zhiyi. He was carefully peeling a hard-boiled egg, the egg white smooth and intact, and gently placing it on the plate in front of Song Zhiyi.
"Thank you," Song Zhiyi said politely and briefly. She seemed somewhat bewildered by Huo Yanli's increasingly obvious care lately, but didn't refuse—she simply accepted it quietly, as if it were a trivial matter. In her view, this was merely the expected interaction between spouses during their marriage, nothing more.
Huo Zheng observed everything, lowered his head to eat, and a barely perceptible smile played on his lips.
Lin Wei's fingers tightened around the coffee cup, her knuckles turning white. She took a deep breath and put on a polite smile: "Yanli, I remember you used to hate peeling eggs, saying it was too much trouble."
Huo Yanli then looked up at her, his gaze calm and unwavering: "People always change." He turned to Song Zhiyi, his voice unconsciously softening, "It's raining heavily this morning, so the flight might be delayed. You can rest in your room for a while longer."
"It's okay, I need to deal with work emails," Song Zhiyi replied, prioritizing work over personal comfort as always.
Huo Yanli paused, then didn't try to persuade him further, only saying, "Don't overwork yourself."
After breakfast, everyone went back to their rooms to pack their luggage. Song Zhiyi's luggage was extremely minimal, and she finished packing in ten minutes. She stood by the window, gazing intently at the fine rain outside, as if observing some important weather change.
Huo Yanli packed his luggage and went to Song Zhiyi's room. He walked up to her but didn't get too close, leaving her enough space.
“After this rain, there might be a rainbow in the mountains,” Song Zhiyi suddenly said, her voice very soft, as if she were talking to herself.
"Do you like looking at rainbows?" Huo Yanli asked gently.
“Hmm.” She nodded, her gaze still fixed on the view outside the window. “In some places, rainbows are seen as a symbol of hope and restoration.” She didn’t specify which places, but Huo Yanli knew it must be related to her past.
He suppressed the urge to get closer, simply standing beside her, both looking up at the gray sky. "If there's a chance in the future, I'll wait for the rainbow with you," he said naturally, without any deliberate sentimentality, as if it were just a simple suggestion.
Song Zhiyi turned her head and glanced at him. Her eyes were still clear, but a very subtle ripple seemed to pass through their depths before quickly returning to calm. "Thank you," she finally said, with her characteristic politeness that maintained a distance. In her heart, their relationship had a clear timeframe and boundaries; once the five-year period was over, they would each return to their own places, and there was no need for further entanglement.
A knock came at the door.
Huo Yanli opened the door, and Lin Wei stood outside, dressed in a carefully matched dress, her makeup perfect, but her eyes held an undisguised anxiety. "Yanli, can we talk alone? There are some things I want to make clear before I leave."
Huo Yanli glanced back at Song Zhiyi, who had already turned away and continued to look out the window, her back calm, clearly having no intention of interfering.
"Let's talk here." Huo Yanli did not move the door open.
Lin Wei bit her lip, her voice low and pleading: "It's about the past... and my difficulties. Your mother pressured me like that back then, I really..."
“Lin Wei,” Huo Yanli interrupted her, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable sense of finality, “the decision you made in the past was your own. No matter how many external factors there were at the time, you were the one who chose to leave. There’s no need for us to discuss this anymore.”
"But I regret it! Not a single day these past few years has passed without me regretting it!" Tears welled up in Lin Wei's eyes. "Yanli, all our years of relationship, is it all gone because of one mistake? Your marriage to her was nothing but..."
"Lin Wei." Huo Yanli's voice deepened, carrying a clear warning, "Be careful what you say. Song Zhiyi is my wife, that's a fact, and a reality that I acknowledge and respect."
He stopped looking at her and turned his gaze to the calm figure by the window. His tone softened, but became even more resolute: "I know very well where my life revolves. It's time for you to move on too."
The door was gently closed, shutting out the suppressed sobs from outside.
The room returned to silence, with only the faint sound of raindrops tapping on the glass.
Huo Yanli walked back to the window, not in a hurry to explain or clarify, but simply stood there quietly. After a moment, he finally spoke, "I'm sorry to have disturbed you."
Song Zhiyi turned around, her face showing no displeasure, only her usual indifference: "This is your private matter, you don't need to apologize to me." She paused, as if choosing her words carefully, "However, since a choice has been made, a clear attitude is better for both of us."
Her words were objective, even carrying a hint of businesslike advice, devoid of any personal emotion. But Huo Yanli noticed that after she finished speaking, her fingertips unconsciously and lightly rubbed the edge of the window frame—a tiny, almost imperceptible movement. She wasn't indifferent; she had simply long been accustomed to keeping all emotional fluctuations within a rational framework, especially regarding this relationship with a clearly defined timeframe, she didn't allow herself to harbor any unnecessary expectations or anxieties.
“You’re right.” Huo Yanli followed her words, without continuing the discussion on an emotional level. “Clearness and explicitness are good for everyone.”
In the afternoon, the rain gradually subsided, and everyone headed to the airport. The sky was clear, and as the sun broke through the clouds, a faint rainbow indeed appeared on the horizon.
“Rainbow.” Song Zhiyi looked out the window, her eyes reflecting the fleeting seven-colored halo, her expression softening for a moment.
"Very beautiful." Huo Yanli followed her gaze and focused more intently on the rare soft glow on her profile.
Song Zhiyi nodded, saying nothing more, simply watching quietly until the rainbow faded. Huo Yanli also remained silent, the tranquility of that moment speaking volumes. He gradually understood that with Song Zhiyi, many times words were unnecessary; simply standing quietly where she could see him, while she focused on observing the world.
Upon arriving in Beijing, the evening chill was palpable. The Huo family's convoy had been waiting for a long time, and they took everyone back to their old residence for a dinner gathering.
Song Zhiyi originally wanted to go straight back to her dormitory, but Huo's mother stopped her: "Zhiyi, let's go home for dinner together. Grandpa has been talking about you for days." Her tone was natural, as if she was entitled to be there. (Grandpa Huo did not participate in the family trip due to health reasons.)
Song Zhiyi looked at Huo Yanli. During the duration of this marriage, attending necessary family events was one of her recognized obligations.
“Let’s go together,” Huo Yanli said. “I’ll take you home after we eat.” His suggestion was prudent, giving her room to maneuver.
"Okay," Song Zhiyi replied.
The Huo family mansion was warmly lit. Old Master Huo Qishan sat in the living room. When Song Zhiyi entered, his face immediately lit up with a smile: "Zhiyi is back. Come and let Grandpa take a look."
Song Zhiyi sat down as instructed: "Grandpa."
The old man held her hand and looked her over carefully: "You've lost weight. Have you been so focused on work that you haven't been eating properly?"
"No, the food in Sanya is very good."
"I heard that the children in the mountains were very fortunate to have received your help after that rain." The old man looked at Huo Yanli, his gaze questioning and concerned.
Huo Yanli nodded: "Yes, it's all thanks to Zhiyi and my uncle's proper handling."
The old man patted Song Zhiyi's hand and said with emotion, "Good child, steady and reliable. Just don't overwork yourself." His eyes held praise, pride, and a hint of heartache that an elder might not easily notice when his younger generation is taking risks.
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