Page 139 of He Is My Bride

Li Ying turned to look at the cousin, and Hanrong went on:

“Hanjun’s father married her against all conventions, because they loved each other. Mrs. Wu thought she could fit in her husband’s social circle, but back in their day, society was even more restrictive than it is today. Mrs. Wu was shunned and picked on. She became increasingly isolated and depressed, until she took her own life.”

Li Ying looked back at Hanjun. The man was standing still, staring at the grave before him.

“Her passing devastated Wu Yiling, and he hasn’t been the same since,” Hanrong continued. “It was the reason why he left the company to his brother, Wu Yiheng.” He turned to face Li Ying. “I believe the reason Uncle Yiheng is so wary to let you marry Hanjun is because he fears history will repeat itself, Miss Li. He fears that letting Hanjun marry out of love will end up breaking his heart, him becoming unable to continue in the family business, just like his brother, should anything happen. Uncle knows Hanjun was always a sensitive child, and no matter how he sought to raise him, he must know better than to think he got it taken out of him.”

“So, it’s notonlybecause I’m an orphaned foreigner of no particular wealth or status?” Li Ying asked.

“Those are certainly… reasons,” Hanrong said. “But I believe that despite his concern over such matters, which are entirely logical, he would have given his blessing already if he didn’t also have a less-than-logical fear: losing his nephew to a broken heart, as he had lost his brother. Uncle Yiheng isn’t as stoic as he puts forth.”

“I see,” Li Ying dared to smile faintly, “secretly Uncle Yiheng had a soft heart, and worries about his nephew’s tender heart.”

Li Ying hoped he didn’t come across as too sarcastic. He truly felt for the Wus’ tragedy. Heavens knew he had his own, even if he andHanjun had lost their mothers and been estranged from their fathers in very different ways.

Hanrong laughed softly. “Let’s just say that he’s faceted. The Wu family may, and sometimes must, appear utilitarian to the outside, but as you have probably learned,” Hanrong winked at Hanjun, “there is more to a Wu than meets the eye.”

Li Ying looked at Hanjun and reached to kiss his cheek.

While Hanjun’s face had already grown stoic again, Li Ying could still taste the salt of his tears. Li Ying felt like it was another gift Hanjun had given him: a sign of vulnerability, of trust. What more precious could a lover give to the beloved? One of Hanjun’s tears was brighter and more precious to Li Ying than all the diamonds in the world.

“Should we pay our respects to your mother then?” Li Ying asked.

Hanjun nodded.

They lit more incense, prostrated, and each said a prayer in their mind:

Madam Wu,Li Ying prayed:I’m sorry you suffered so much that you took your own life. I pray for your continued happiness in the next world. And don’t worry, I will take care of Hanjun! I wish you would bless our marriage, because even if I’m a man, I love your son very much.

Mother,Hanjun prayed:I still miss you, but I’m not so sad anymore, because I have found my happiness. He’s right here, prostrating next to me. I will marry Li Ying next year when he graduates and can move to Shanghai, so please, give us your blessing.

They placed their incense sticks on the grave and stood in peaceful silence.

“Ready?” Hanrong asked after a while had passed.

“Mm.”

Hanjun let Li Ying take his hand, and together they left the revered dead to enjoy the offerings.

Chapter 30: To Marry For Love

Li Ying had had to arrange the past week free from other responsibilities, but he could not delay the inevitable: more exams were coming, and he had some cramming to do.

It was now the fourth day of the Year of the Dog, and he would have to fly back to New York today. Li Ying had had to give in to the fact that air travel had been ruined for him forever and he would never fly economy again, so he had let Hanjun pay his first-class ticket, barely having the resolution to not ask for the jet.

They still had the day to spend together before the flight though, before it would be time for another goodbye. Neither looked forward to their separation, but somehow it felt easier to bear this time.

“I will visit New York in a month or so,” Hanjun promised. “I can do some of my work remotely, so I can arrange a full week.”

“You think I’m gonna let you work for a second when I have you in my bed again?”

“You have work to do, too.”

“Stop talking sense to me!” Li Ying whacked Hanjun with a pillow and got pounced asa result.

“Ha-Hanjun!” Li Ying laughed while Hanjun pinned him on the couch and attacked his neck with kisses. “Mmh… Give me something to remember you by?”

Hanjun proceeded to kiss and suck and bite, indeed intending to give Li Ying a little something to take home on his skin.