Gu Yunzhou acknowledged with an “mm,” somewhat puzzled as to why Liu Yuan was here.
Was it because of him?
“Comrade Liu Yuan, what brings you here?” Since he wasn’t sure, Gu Yunzhou asked.
Liu Yuan hesitated for a moment, then looked at Gu Yunzhou’s face and said, “Comrade Gu, I, I have something I’d like to talk to you about. I was wondering if it’s convenient for you?”
Gu Yunzhou understood that Liu Yuan wanted to speak with him privately, but…
“Let’s talk in my yard then.”
His yard wasn’t out in the open, so there would be no outsiders, though his family was in the living room.
They could see from a distance but probably wouldn’t hear.
So, as Liu Yuan entered the yard of the Western-style house, she spotted Gu Yunzhou’s mother in the living room.
Yao Chunhua was somewhat surprised to see Liu Yuan, but realizing she was there to see her son, she simply nodded and went back to her own tasks.
Naturally, Yao Chunhua knew who Liu Yuan was.
Back when the Liu family had sent a matchmaker to propose, Yao Chunhua had even gone to the supply and marketing cooperative to see Liu Yuan.
To be honest, she had a favorable impression of her.
She would have made a fine daughter-in-law.
But since her third son wasn’t interested, there was nothing to be done.
Though Liu Yuan was here now for unknown reasons, Yao Chunhua trusted that her son could handle it.
Liu Yuan, on the other hand, smiled bitterly to herself. Gu Yunzhou, you really aren’t giving me any chance at all.
“Comrade Liu, what did you want to say?” Unaware of Liu Yuan’s thoughts, Gu Yunzhou asked.
Composing herself, Liu Yuan looked up at Gu Yunzhou. “It’s been a while, Comrade Gu Yunzhou. You’re still as spirited as ever.”
“I heard you were selected for government-funded study abroad in Country A?”
Gu Yunzhou replied with an “mm.”
“And you’ll be gone for four to five years?”
“Mm.”
“Then, what about marriage? Won’t your parents be pressuring you?”
Gu Yunzhou furrowed his brows slightly, feeling that Liu Yuan’s question was somewhat intrusive.
After all, he and Liu Yuan weren’t particularly close—they were merely acquaintances, former colleagues.
Even when they worked together at the supply and marketing cooperative, their interactions had been occasional, and they weren’t familiar.
So, to directly ask about his marriage plans was indeed crossing a line.
But Gu Yunzhou was perceptive.
Hearing her questions and looking into her eyes, he recalled her subtle affection for him from long ago.
Suddenly, he understood.
Was Liu Yuan still harboring such feelings?
Sure enough, her next words confirmed it. “If, if you’re in a hurry to get married, would you, would you consider me?”
Watching her twist her hands together nervously yet hopefully, Gu Yunzhou thought to himself: Just as I suspected.
But…
“Comrade Liu, I’m not in a hurry to get married. My parents aren’t pressuring me either. I have no plans for marriage at the moment, so…”
Before Gu Yunzhou could finish, tears began to fall from Liu Yuan’s eyes.
“So I don’t stand a chance at all?”
Gu Yunzhou nodded. “Comrade Liu, I didn’t realize you still hadn’t let go, but I truly don’t feel that way about you.”
Liu Yuan couldn’t stop her tears. “Even if I wait for you during these four to five years abroad, would I have a chance then?”
Gu Yunzhou was surprised she would say such a thing, but…
“I’m sorry, even then, my feelings wouldn’t change. Besides, Comrade Liu Yuan, that wouldn’t be worth it.”
Liu Yuan’s tears flowed even more freely.
She knew that, in truth, whether it was worth it or not rested entirely on Gu Yunzhou’s decision.
If Gu Yunzhou gave her a definite answer, then no matter how long she waited, it would be worth it.
But Gu Yunzhou was unwilling.
So no matter how long she waited, all she would get in return was the word “unworthy.”
“Alright, I understand.” Liu Yuan wiped away her tears.
She knew that Gu Yunzhou’s heart was like iron. With him having spoken so plainly, if she still held onto those feelings, it would be truly pitiful.
But…
“I have just one last question.”
“Gu Yunzhou, is there something about me that you find lacking? Is that why you’re rejecting me like this? Is it, is it because of what happened when you saved me, between me and Wen Zhuqing…”
Back then, if it hadn’t been for Gu Yunzhou’s pebble snapping her back to her senses, perhaps in her state of confusion, she might have…
Gu Yunzhou had seen it back then, hadn’t he?
So, because of that incident, he looked down on her?
Gu Yunzhou was surprised. He hadn’t expected Liu Yuan to think that way.
Gu Yunzhou shook his head. “To be honest, if you hadn’t brought it up, I would have forgotten about that long ago.”
“Besides, Wen Zhuqing was a very cunning person. You were inexperienced and fell for his deception—it wasn’t really your fault.”
“The truth is, I simply don’t have romantic feelings for you.”
“I still want to find someone I truly like, someone whose soul resonates with mine, to spend my life with.”
Liu Yuan understood.
She was glad that Gu Yunzhou didn’t look down on her because of the incident with Wen Zhuqing.
Indeed, Gu Yunzhou was such a good person; otherwise, he wouldn’t have saved her back then.
Nor would she have held onto her feelings for him for so long.
She was also sad that she wasn’t the one whose soul could resonate with Gu Yunzhou, the one he could love.
She wondered what kind of girl would eventually capture Gu Yunzhou’s heart.
She thought, that person must be very fortunate.
Today, Liu Yuan had essentially come seeking a final answer.
Now, with all her questions answered by Gu Yunzhou himself, it was time…
For her to let go of this unrequited love.
“Comrade Liu Yuan, I sincerely wish you all the best in the future.”
Liu Yuan nodded, accepting Gu Yunzhou’s blessing.
But she knew that truly being happy would only come if she could be by Gu Yunzhou’s side.
However, that was impossible.
It would never be possible in this lifetime.
But if there was a next life, she hoped she could become better.
Perhaps then, there might be a chance for her and Gu Yunzhou.
Finally, Liu Yuan took one last deep look at Gu Yunzhou, then turned and left.
She didn’t look back, afraid that if she did, she wouldn’t be able to stop herself. She let her tears drift away with the wind.
After that day, Liu Yuan did indeed let go of Gu Yunzhou completely.
However, since she had genuinely loved him, it took her nearly half a year to sort through her emotions.
After that, she asked her parents to arrange blind dates for her.
Three months later, she got married.
Her husband was an engineer at a factory—clear-featured, gentle in speech, and rather sincere.
He truly loved Liu Yuan.
As for Liu Yuan…
She couldn’t say she loved him deeply—that wouldn’t be true.
But she didn’t dislike him, and she did have some fondness for him.
She also knew that her age was catching up, and she could wait no longer.
So they married.
Liu Yuan thought that her life after marriage with him probably wouldn’t be too difficult. Even if she couldn’t share her life with someone she truly loved, she still had to live it well.
A human life was precious; decades would pass in the blink of an eye.
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