This was exactly Liang Chen’s concern. Yan Huan was only 26 years old now, nearly nine years younger than her. Does she really want to spend the rest of her life like this? Does she really want to stay single and keep Lu Yi’s parents company until they are gone, then continue to live in loneliness to her very last breath?
“Well, what’s wrong with that?” Yan Huan put her cup down before she stood up from her seat. Her feet firmly set on the floor. The floor was not particularly cold, yet she could feel a chill rush into her sole.
“Not everyone in this world is fortunate enough to have someone by their side forever. Some people live their whole life alone and they’re fine with it.”
“I will not make do with just anyone.”
She placed her hands on her chest. She did not want to compromise her feelings as she refused to forget her past.
“Song Xihua is a rather decent man and he always asks about you,” Liang Chen said in a supposedly nonchalant manner, but was actually hinting Yan Huan. Then, she rubbed her blossoming baby bump. Owing to her big belly, her back hurt whenever she took too many steps.
“Indeed,” Yan Huan agreed. He was deemed an angelic artist for being untarnished by scandals in spite of his growing fame. Moreover, his growth in the entertainment industry had been considerably remarkable. He was casted in some of the Linlang’s films as well. It was well known that Linlang’s films had always been dominating the box office. With Linlang making the money and Song Xihua earning his fame, it was a win-win situation.
“Have you ever considered him?”
Liang Chen asked Yan Huan. It was not a secret within the industry that Song Xihua was interested in Yan Huan. However, they seemed to have never crossed paths. Song Xihua was relentlessly waiting for Yan Huan, while Yan Huan deliberately ignored him.
She did not get in touch with anyone and focused only on accompanying Lu Yi’s parents. She treated them as her own parents. But, what about herself?
“No,” Yan Huan replied without hesitation as she turned around. The idea had never crossed her mind as she was never meant to be with Song Xihua. Song Xihua might be outstanding; he might be every woman’s ideal husband; he might even be voted as one of China’s greatest men. However, he would be someone else’s great man and never Yan Huan’s.
“Are you just going to stay like this for the rest of your life?” Liang Chen grew agitated as she spoke. She was frustrated at Yan Huan who was not loving herself. She’s losing sight of the forest for a tree!
“Why not?” Yan Huan walked toward the window, drew the curtain and leaned against the glass. The bare landscape seemed depressing, creating a scene that appeared every winter. She was planning to visit Lu Yi tomorrow. She missed him.
“Lu Yi’s parents will die before you.” Liang Chen’s voice was very soft but her words were somewhat hurtful.
“For all we know, I might die before them.” While her face stuck on the glass, Yan Huan felt that the warmth of her face was gradually dissipating. She put on a half-hearted smile. “No one knows what will happen tomorrow. Similarly, no one knows how long they will live. Accidents happen every day and death can strike at any time.”
“You’re totally hopeless.”
Liang Chen rolled her eyes. “I will not care about you anymore. Do as you like. When my daughter grows up, I’ll let her be your god daughter. You already have your assistant’s son as your god son, right? Now with another god daughter, you’ll have a pair of children and your life is complete.”
“Thank you.” Yan Huan shut her eyes. She felt at peace. Just like the sky, she was bothered by a tint of misery amidst the tranquility.
The autumn wind had already swept away the fallen leaves. Now, the winter took over the land and covered it with a blanket of snow.
A lonely leaf glided across the air, appearing to not know where it would land. Nonetheless, it would eventually fall onto the ground and be forced to start afresh.
Yan Huan returned home and as soon as she entered the house, she received a call from Luo Ling. “Check out the news. You were caught on camera.”
“Oh, really?”
Yan Huan recalled her schedule that day, but nothing notable came up. She had been driving in her car all day before she visited Liang Chen’s place. Furthermore, Liang Chen’s residence was secured and no reporter could make their way into the area.
Then, it must be the baby store. She took out her phone and searched for her name. It had been a while since her name became the top search. She had always kept a low profile, especially for the past two years, trying to stay out of the public eye. Haven’t the people forgotten about me?
She thought she had faded into oblivion, just like what happened during her previous life.
She took off her shoes and put on her slippers. She carried her phone in her hand and read the news as she walked.
Oh. “Best Actress, Yan Huan, Spotted In Baby Store, Suspected Pregnant.”
A photo of her, in her flats, was taken. She gently patted her belly. How can I be pregnant? I don’t even have a man.
These people are always making a fuss out of nothing!
She put down her phone and disregarded the news. After all, her company would resolve the problem on her behalf and she did not have to be bothered. She lay down on the spacious bed. Staying in the quiet and empty house, she felt a lump in her throat.
For a very long time, she had not shed a tear.
She reached for her phone and opened the photo gallery. She found many photos and she began to study them one after another.
“Time flies. It has been almost two years since you left me.” she muttered. Her broken heart was yet to heal and it still hurt. But, at least she had now learned to endure the pain.
“Today, Liang Chen told me to look for another man today. Mom and dad think alike too. According to them, I’m still young and I’ll be lonely to live without a companion. But, how do they know that I’m lonely?”
“I’m not physically lonely. The loneliness only stays in my heart. Even if I’m surrounded by many people, I can’t feel any warmth. My heart is already stone cold.”
“Don’t worry.” She gently touched her phone screen. “I’ll keep my promise to you. I’ll eat well, drink more soup and look after dad and mom. They’re doing well right now, but mom hasn’t been exactly healthy lately. The temperature of Sea City is extremely low this year. That’s why dad took mom abroad. They’ll return once it starts to get warmer. Please don’t blame them for not visiting you sooner.”
“I’m going to see you tomorrow.” She kissed her phone and lay down, ready to sleep. She was neither doing anything nor having anything on her mind. That should be the way, right?
The temperature became lower as the dawn broke, so cold as if it could pierce one’s bone. She put on a scarf and a white rabbit fur hat, along with a pair of black-framed glasses. She stood before the mirror, admiring herself.
“Aunt, do I look young?”
She asked the housekeeper jokingly.