My Youth Began With Him

Hearing Lu Yan’s quiet voice, Huo Mian knew she had something on her mind.

“Sis, I’m only a little over 20… Is it too early for me to get married?”

“Get married?” Huo Mian was confused.

“You know…um… Psycho Qiao…” Lu Yan explained.

“You’re getting married to Qiao Fei?” Huo Mian finally understood her meaning.

“I think we can’t live like this forever. So…”

“It’s a good thing… I told you before, you’re a girl and will need a family sooner or later…”

She only heard silence over the phone…

“Hello? Yan, are you listening?”

“I’m listening, Sis.”

“Have you talked about it with Qiao Fei?”

“No, the idea just popped up in my mind. I’m restless and torn, so I wanted to talk to you.”

“Did you fight again?”

“No, we’re good.”

“Then why are you restless?” Huo Mian didn’t understand.

“Sis, I don’t know if you ever felt like this: when you feel happy, you’d also feel uneasy and be afraid that the happiness is just an illusion, afraid that bad things would happen. It’s an uneasiness without a reason.”

“I understand.”

Huo Mian had studied psychology and often talked about these issues with Jiang Xiaowei; she certainly understood this feeling.

“Yeah. This is how I feel right now. It feels horrible… I’m sulky… I want to be with him, but I also feel I have no future. Maybe I won’t feel happy even after getting married and having children because I don’t want my children to be hunted down… living the life I have right now.”

“You’re thinking too far ahead… The most important thing is your marriage with Qiao Fei. What does he say?”

“I didn’t ask him; I don’t know what he thinks about it.”

“Are you sure he’s the one?”

“Yeah. In the past years, no one but he could pique my interest.”

“Good, but marriage involves two people. You must talk to him about it. If you truly think you’re ready, I fully support you… I’ll pay for all the fees for your wedding.”

Huo Mian said generously. At the thought that Lu Yan would get married and have a family, she felt very happy.

“Hahaha! Forget it. I’m way richer than you, sis. You don’t even spend much money on yourself, I don’t want to empty your pockets with my wedding. In fact, I’m not sure about it yet; I’m just toying with the idea. So don’t take it seriously. Don’t tell Dad about it.”

“Okay. I won’t tell him.”

“Has Dad called you lately?”

“No.” Huo Mian sounded a bit disappointed.

“He must be busy. He hasn’t contacted me, either. After I finish the business in Syria, I’ll go to the States and see him.”

“Okay.”

“Then I won’t take more of your time. Sis, I’m fine now. Talk to you later.”

Before Huo Mian could reply, Lu Yan ended the call.

But Huo Mian felt happy that Yan would call her when she was unhappy or dispirited.

At least, Lu Yan had begun to depend on her sister emotionally.

“Vice Director, Miss Zeng wants to see you,” a young nurse from the Orthopedics Department knocked on her door and reported.

“Okay, got it.”

Standing up, she straightened her white coat and walked toward the VIP ward in the Orthopedics Department.

Zeng Rou could now walk but very slowly.

“How are you feeling today?” Huo Mian sat beside her.

“Huo Mian, I want to be dismissed from the hospital.” Zeng Rou had tears in her eyes.

“You haven’t fully recovered yet. Didn’t you say you’d stay here until your leg is perfectly good?” Huo Mian was surprised.