I read many cries of alarm and someone even accused Yu Tu of noble idiocy. Well, this is Gu Man’s most realistic and mature work to date. Many romantics will feel that love can conquer all but reality bites. If Jing Jing earns more than him or holds a better job, he might be able to accept it. But she is a celebrity and everything about her will be scrutinized by the public. Their gap is really wide, they are world apart. Moreover in Chinese culture, it is expected that the guy will be the breadwinner. The male ego is too strong to be seen to be eating soft rice (a man who is supported financially by a woman except his mum) even if it is not true. Yu Tu is such an aloof and reserved person so I don’t think he wants to be in the limelight or to be perceived as weaker. In most novels, the male leads are always the CEO or someone financially well off so they’ll never encounter this kind of relationship problem.
Anyway, Gu Man wrote this chapter is mainly about brother Tu’s heart journey. I better warn you that Jing Jing won’t appear anytime soon so if you’re starting to hate Yu Tu, you can take a break 🙂
Thank you to those who gave me advice on choosing a hosting company. Because SSB was hosted using Chancy’s sister’s a/c, we’ve some difficulty migrating because it was not hosted under my name 😦 Anyway we are still trying hard to fix the problem. My plan is to relaunch the website on Chinese New Year but the laid plans of mice and men often go awry 😛
Chapter 29 (translated by peanuts and edited by hoju)
Early the next morning, Yu Tu officially returned to work at the research institute. He first went to Professor Zhang's office. Professor Zhang very early on was well aware of the situation of his return. His expression showed no excitement and he even somewhat gave Yu Tu the cold shoulder.
He was sitting behind his desk and flipping through a feasibility study report. “No matter how I persuaded you, you wouldn’t listen. However with just one phone call from Lao (meaning Old - prefix used before the surname of a person to indicate affection or familiarity) Hu, you even went to Xi’an and were also willing to come back? Am I your teacher or is he your teacher?”
The old man looked displeased, but Yu Tu knew that he was not really angry. Yu Tu lowered his voice and explained, “It has nothing to do with Hu Suo. In Xi’an… I thought things through.”
"You’ve really thought things through?" Professor Zhang closed the report that he was flipping through, massaged the space between his eyebrows, and put away his earlier pretension. "Old Hu asked you to go back to work right after you came back from Xi'an but you didn't agree. Was it not because you still have some doubts?”
He sighed and said, “Don’t take what I said last time to heart. Afterwards, I thought carefully about it. The environment you are facing now is different from ours. During our time, it was difficult, but which industry and which profession isn’t? Everyone was in the same situation, so everyone was of one heart. We didn’t feel there were any differences between us. It is different now. The cost of living for young people is higher. The difference between industries is large, so how can people’s hearts not change? It’s only human nature that they do change. What I said last time was divorced from reality and human feelings. For that, I want to apologize to you.”
Yu Tu was somewhat touched, “Teacher…”
Professor Zhang waved his hand to interrupt him. “Thus I will be understanding of all your choices. No matter how you choose, you are still my student. However, if you come back but still have doubts and hesitation in your heart, you actually won’t be able to do anything well.”
He asked again, “You’ve really thought things through?”
These were the words he had spoken, but in the face of such prudent inquiry from his teacher, Yu Tu inexplicably thought of something other than work…
He avoided giving a direct reply and said in a low voice, “I will put all my heart into my work.”
Professor Zhang was pleased and nodded. “That’s good. Our aerospace team is getting younger and younger. Last year, over in Beijing, someone only 35 years old became the chief engineer. I hope that you will work hard in this direction.”
After speaking to this point, Professor Zhang thought of something and asked, “Why did Guan Zai suddenly fall ill? Is it serious?”
Yu Tu paused for a while and said, “He said it isn’t serious and told me repeatedly to tell the colleagues not to go and visit him.”
“That guy’s temperament is like that.” Professor Zhang put his heart at rest. “Then all of you shoulder a little more of his work. You can go ahead and get busy.”
Yu Tu nodded and was just about to go out when the old man stopped him again.
“The female star I met last time is actually not bad, and what she said did have some reasonableness…” The old man coughed. His expression was a little uncomfortable, but he quickly put up the attitude of a strict teacher, like a father. “You should also be considering marriage, which is an important event in your life. I think she is pretty good. You have to put in more effort… OK, you can go now.”
Yu Tu did not move. He was quiet for a while, then looked up at his teacher. It was like he was asking him, it was also like he was asking himself: “Teacher, on what basis can I?”
The old man was stunned, and immediately got very angry: “I don’t understand this. As a future chief engineer and someone who graduated from a prestigious school, how are you not a worthy match for this female star? Money? Then even if your annual salary is in the millions, or even ten millions, you still won’t earn as much as her. Just where are you lacking your confidence?
“Our aerospace is the most romantic of professions. How is it there’s someone like you?” The old man was angry and chased him out. “Get out, get out. Just looking at you makes me angry.”
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
On the first day back to work, Yu Tu did not work very late and left the work unit at a little past six o’clock, going directly to Huashan Hospital.
When he was walking into the hospital room, Guan Zai was quarreling with his wife, Shen Jing. When Guan Zai saw Yu Tu, it was like he saw a savior. In frustration, he pointed at Yu Tu and said, “You ask him yourself whether he already has a girlfriend. When did I ever not put in an effort to try to hard-sell your [female] junior schoolmate to him?… Oops, it should be introduce.”
His wife glared at him and then turned to look at Yu Tu. “How long has it been since you last had a meal in my house? Not even two months yet, but you already have a girlfriend?”
Yu Tu paused for a moment before nodding and going along with this. “Yes, I do have one.”
“Where is the photo? Let me see.”
Of course, Yu Tu had nothing he could show her. His wife said snappishly, “If you don’t have one, you don’t have one. If you’re not interested, then you’re not interested. Is there a need to be so dishonest?”
Guan Zai was unable to give a convincing explanation in self-defense, and gave Yu Tu an accusing look. “You blew so hard, saying the girl likes you, but you don’t even have a photo?”
Without waiting for Yu Tu to reply, he ingratiated himself with his wife, “Wifey, let me tell you that Lao (Old) Yu may look honest, but he’s actually rot and decay on the inside. I was also deceived by him before. It’s only been in these past few days, when he was here through the night with me that I found out the truth. Introducing your junior schoolmate to him will only do harm to her.”
Yu Tu gathered up some enthusiasm to participate in the topic of conversation. “How am I rot and decay on the inside?”
Guan Zai was immensely proud of himself. “You were watching the video of a female star in the middle of the night. What’s more, I caught you doing it on more than one occasion. Is this what a decent man would do?”
Yu Tu’s brow frowned slightly, but he did not deny it: “I was wearing headphones… did I wake you up?”
Guan Zai said, “No. Because I slept too much during the day, I couldn’t sleep at night. I woke up and saw you watching it. What is the name of that female star? And she’s quite famous, too.”
Shen Jing looked at Yu Tu. She appeared rather surprised and also quite interested. “Yu Tu, you still like celebrities? Really, I wouldn’t have been able to tell. Which female star?”
Yu Tu answered with a normal demeanor, “Qiao Jing Jing.”
Guan Zai said at once, “Yes, that’s right, that’s right. It was her. See? You admit it now, don’t you? I’ve to say that it is not reasonable. You’re already thirty years old but still chasing celebrities. It can clearly be seen that you’re a lecher. Totally not as honest and lovely as me.”
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
Guan Zai was still just as energetic as ever when he spewed nonsense, but ultimately, he was still weak. Before long, he spoke less and less, and in the end, he quietly fell asleep. At once, the lively hospital room became quiet.
Shen Jing gazed quietly on his pale face for a while, then stood up and said to Yu Tu, “Let’s go out.”
Sitting on a chair outside the ward, Shen Jing explained to him. “I was purposely joking with Guan Zai just now. Don’t take it to heart. I don’t want him to think…..”
She did not continue her sentence.
Yu Tu said, “I understand.”
Shen Jing forced a smile. “Actually, I don’t want to introduce my junior schoolmate to you either.”
Her tone was especially calm. “What if she blames me later? You and Guan Zai are the same type. You’re so busy all day long we don’t even see you, and all you know is work and more work. The longest stretch was one year, where half the time he was not even at home and the remaining half was spent working overtime every day.”
Previously, Yu Tu would often hear Shen Jing complaining about Guan Zai being busy with work and not able to take care of the family. Every time he went to Guan Zai’s home to have a meal, Shen Jing always kept harping on it. However, at that time, she was smiling and not really complaining. It was a kind of pleasure.
But now she really was inconsolable. She murmured: “He never keeps his word. We agreed that when he’s a little more impressive, in the future, he will apply to take me to the launch site so I can personally watch his work fly into outer space… He always lies to me, always doesn’t keep his word…”
Shen Jing said this repeatedly, and finally she could not hold back any more. She covered her face with her hand as large teardrops fell down.
Yu Tu continued to keep quiet.
This kind of situation had played out constantly over these past few days. How strong Shen Jing acted when in front of Guan Zai was how weak and vulnerable she was when she was in places he could not see, like she would collapse at anytime and anywhere. Initially, Yu Tu would still comfort he, but gradually he understood that any verbal comfort was too weak and had no effect whatever. What Shen Jing needed was not comfort, but to vent her feeling.
He raised his head and leaned back into the chair, lost in thought and staring at the ceiling of the hospital. Suddenly, he thought of the figure he had suppressed at the bottom of his heart for the entire day.
He recalled the light that had gradually extinguished in her eyes, recalled how she had said, “I won’t ever ask you why anymore.”
After that, she had turned and walked away in her high heels, step by step. With determination and pride, she had walked far away.
At that moment, when he looked at her back, a lot of crazy thoughts had bubbled up in his mind, such as rushing over to grab her, hugging her, locking her in his arms…
But then what? What could he give her?
Perhaps providing even the most basic care, he would not be able to do adequately.
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
It was a long while before Shen Jing recovered her composure. Yu Tu handed a tissue to her, and she wiped her tears. “Sorry, for making you listen to my complaints every day. I am actually not really blaming him.”
“What I admired about him is his very committed and serious manner. But I thought we still had a lot of time, that when we’re old, we’ll have a lot of time. But now we don’t have that.”
Only at this time did Yu Tu say one sentence. “The doctor said the hope of curing it is very high.”
Shen Jing shook her head: “You don’t understand.”
She didn’t continue any more. She looked at her phone, stood up, and said, “Guan Zhu said he’s picked up and brought the child home, and he will come over in a moment. Tonight, he’ll stay here through the night. It’s been tiring for you this last while.”
Guan Zhu was the younger brother of Guan Zai and a freelance photographer. He had previously been abroad, running around everywhere, and had just returned yesterday.
Yu Tu also stood up, “You’re most welcome.”
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
When Guan Zai woke up, there was no sound in the room. Yu Tu was standing against the wall across the bed, head down, thinking about something.
The patient in the next bed had been charged from the hospital this morning. Guan Zai usually complained that that person was too noisy, but now he discovered that room was better with a little activity. He coughed. Yu Tu raised his head and said, “You woke up?”
“Yes. You still have not gone back? Where is A Jing?”
“Your wife went home to take care of the child. Guan Zhu has not arrived yet, so I am waiting for him to get here before I leave.” Yu Tu adjusted the bed a little higher and poured a glass of warm water for him.
Guan Zai slowly took a few drinks. “After I dozed off just now, did my wife cry again?”
Yu Tu took the glass and put it back on the table, not answering.
Guan Zai sighed. “The rim of her eyes are always red, but she still pretends in front of me. So silly.”
“You are not silly? You dragged your illness out until now.”
There was a trace of regret on Guan Zai’s face. “Normally it was just some minor illnesses and pains. I didn’t know it is so serious, otherwise I would have come earlier.” He looked at Yu Tu. “Can you not be like this? Nowadays, cancer is not a terminal illness. I’ve researched it. There’s a high hope of being cured for this type of cancer that I have. My willpower will definitely be able to overcome it.”
Yu Tu nodded. “Okay. I’ve faith in you.”
“Did you officially go back to work today?”
“Yes.”
“Not resigning any more?”
“No.”
“Because of me?”
“Don’t think so highly of yourself.”
Guan Zai gave a smile, “In the future, don’t come to the hospital too often. You’re going to be so busy you could die. Ah, no, ptooey! I mean, you’re going to be so busy your head buzzes.”
When this topic was mentioned, he started to explain some work issues and then reminded again, “Don’t tell the people in the work unit about my condition. It is enough that Hu Suo knows about it. I don’t want to deal with Xiao Meng and the others right now.”
“I know.”
“I can’t work for at least two years. I’ll be handing them all over to you anyway.”
Yu Tu gave a “hmm” sound and said very flatly, “Don’t worry.”
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
When he got home, it was almost eleven o’clock. Yu Tu walked to the sofa and sat down. He felt an exhaustion that came from the bottom of his heart. Zhai Liang happened to be coming out of the bathroom with his mobile phone. When he saw him, he gave a strange cry and bounced over to stand in front of him.
“You are finally back? Why didn’t you reply my WeChat message?” He hurriedly clicked open a video on his mobile phone and handed it to Yu Tu. “It was posted in the class group chat just a moment ago. Everyone is discussing it enthusiastically. What’s going on?"
Yu Tu’s eyes slowly moved to the mobile phone. In the video, he and Qiao Jing Jing were standing on KPL stage and getting interviewed by the host.
Zhai Liang squatting on the edge of the sofa and sized him up. “I pondered for a bit. Could this be what you meant by… 'can be seen everywhere on the street?'"
Yu Tu involuntarily took the mobile phone. When his eyes fell on the screen, it happened that the video was showing a close-up of Qiao Jing Jing as she looked at the camera and smiled sweetly.
Hence he also curved up the corner of his mouth. He put the phone onto the coffee table, stood up, and said, “Won’t be able to see her anymore.”
Completed:
29 of 37 Chapters