Chapter 246 - 245: You Know, Don’t You?
"Can I see Daya?"
"Daya probably doesn’t want to see you. Besides, what would happen even if you did? Weren’t you the ones who abandoned her? Whether she’s doing well or not, it shouldn’t have anything to do with you anymore, right?" Xue Yue felt a deep-seated contempt for He Yun, so she spoke bluntly, unafraid of offending her.
"Third Sister-in-law, how could you say that? Does my third brother even know you’re this kind of person?"
Xue Yue’s brow twitched. "He probably doesn’t. Why don’t you go and tell him?"
Seeing that Xue Yue was impervious to both threats and pleas, He Yun shot her a glare and left.
In a corner, she and Liu Jian Country spoke in hushed tones, stealing glances at Xue Yue from time to time. Xue Yue just sneered and pretended she hadn’t seen them.
He Ze’s death left Mr. and Mrs. He struggling to cope. Mrs. He, in particular, lost all her vitality and was confined to bed, unable to get up. In their condition, there was no way they could go to Beijing City.
They had no choice but to postpone their return to Beijing. He Ze’s daughter, Xiao Yu, only five years old, had lost both her parents and was now in the care of Mr. and Mrs. He.
With Mr. and Mrs. He ill, and He Nan and Wang Hui Fang needing to go to their jobs in town, leaving the child with Gao Cuiyun seemed too cruel. So, Xue Yue had Daya and Ruanruan look after her. The little girl would shrink away whenever she saw Xue Yue; she was very timid and cried easily.
Xiao Yu was staying with Mrs. He, so Xue Yue had been cooking their meals and bringing them over. It was no trouble at all—just adding one more portion.
After they had been home for over a week, a call from Beijing City reached the village. He Lang made a trip to the village office and came back saying he had to return. There were some matters that Shitou and the others couldn’t handle.
"Why don’t you and Little Chen head back first? I’ll stay a while longer. Once Mom and Dad are feeling better, I’ll bring them back."
It was summer vacation, so there was no school, and Mr. and Mrs. He couldn’t be left alone in their current condition.
He Lang thought for a moment. "Alright, then. Call me if anything comes up. I’ll find time to come back."
He Lang made a trip to the old family house.
The next day, he and Little Chen left.
Xue Yue stayed in her hometown for nearly another two weeks. Mr. and Mrs. He had recovered significantly and said they should return to the city, not wanting to hold up their children any longer.
Mrs. He told Xue Yue they intended to bring Xiao Yu with them to Beijing City. "Our second son is gone," she said. "Now, your father and I are the only ones left to care for this child."
Xue Yue nodded. She understood.
Gao Cuiyun and her family had moved into a new house, leaving the He Family’s old residence truly empty. Before they left, they locked all the doors.
Staring at the empty courtyard, Mrs. He couldn’t help but feel sorrowful again.
"Alright, let’s go," Mr. He said.
The group set off once more, returning to Beijing City.
A few days after they arrived in Beijing City, the school year began. The children were sent off to school, and Xue Yue became busy. She was graduating this year, and shortly after the semester started, she had to prepare her graduation thesis and tend to many other tasks.
The household was left in the care of Mrs. He.
Mr. He also pulled himself together and went back to work at the supermarket.
In the winter of 1981, their graduating class of university students faced the problem of job assignments.
Options included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, media outlets, staying on at the university as a teacher, or becoming a technical translator for engineering projects. Of course, beyond their personal preferences, they were largely subject to the university’s assignments.
Because of this, Wei Yuyang made a point of finding Xue Yue.
"My dad said he can request two spots from the university for a direct assignment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Do you want one?"
Xue Yue knew, of course, that the best career path for foreign language majors was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But with so many graduates, the Ministry only had a limited number of openings.
"No, thank you. I’ll just follow the school’s arrangements."
’I don’t want to owe him this favor,’ Xue Yue thought. ’Besides, my future is long, and I can’t rely on connections for everything.’
Wei Yuyang looked at Xue Yue, wanting to say more to persuade her, but he knew her well enough to realize that pushing it would be counterproductive.
"Alright, then. If you decide you want to go, just let me know."
"Okay. Thank you."
On the eve of graduation, Ji Cheng called Xue Yue into his office.
"Our university has a few openings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce. With your qualifications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a possibility. However, the competition is fierce, and many students want those spots. There are also some... unspoken connections at play, which I’m sure you understand. On the other hand, the Ministry of Commerce specifically called to request the three of you—you, Meng Ye, and Wei Yuyang. They said that based on your past performance, they feel you are highly capable. I’ve already spoken to Wei Yuyang, and he’s decided on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So, what about you? What are your plans?"
Xue Yue answered almost without hesitation. "I’m fine with that. The Ministry of Commerce is a great option."
’As long as I can put my major to use, the Ministry of Commerce is a great choice,’ Xue Yue thought.
Ji Cheng nodded. "Good. I’ll give them an answer after I’ve spoken with Meng Ye."
In the end, Xue Yue and Meng Ye were assigned to the Ministry of Commerce, while Wei Yuyang and Huang Xinyi went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Xue Yue didn’t know the specific details of how it all worked out, but she knew Huang Xinyi was thrilled.
Wei Yuyang felt a little regretful. On their last night before leaving campus, the university held a farewell party for the graduates.
That evening, when Xue Yue came out of the auditorium, she saw Wei Yuyang waiting for her outside.
"Can I help you, Mr. Wei?"
Wei Yuyang looked at Xue Yue, silent for a long moment.
Xue Yue started to feel a little awkward.
"Mr. Wei?"
Finally, Wei Yuyang spoke. "You’ve known all along, haven’t you?"
Xue Yue’s gaze faltered for a second, and she pursed her lips.
"I’m not sure what you’re referring to, Mr. Wei."
"That I have feelings for you."
Xue Yue fell silent.
’Yes, of course, I knew. I’m not an idiot; how could I not have sensed it? But under the circumstances, I thought it was best to pretend I didn’t.’
"The truth is, from the very first time I saw you, I felt like we’d met somewhere before. I knew you had a family, which is why I never said anything."
Xue Yue nodded. "It was right not to. I have a husband and children. I love them, and my heart has no room for anyone else, not even a sliver."
After a moment of silence, Wei Yuyang smiled at Xue Yue.
"I know. I just wanted to say it out loud today so I could finally let it go. Xue Yue, I wish you all the best."
Xue Yue smiled. "Wei Yuyang, I wish you all the best, too."
Wei Yuyang turned and walked away. Xue Yue watched his back for a moment, then gave a smile of relief.
It was evening on campus. Under the glow of the streetlights, the shadows of the trees lining the road cast moving patterns on the ground. Xue Yue walked slowly, as if soaking in the campus atmosphere for the very last time.
’Four years of university life,’ she thought, ’are finally coming to a close today.’
Xue Yue had only taken a few steps when she saw He Lang up ahead, leaning against a lamppost.
His arms were crossed over his chest as he watched her approach, a faint smile in his eyes.
As soon as Xue Yue saw him, she ran over.
"What are you doing here? How long have you been waiting?"
He Lang reached out and playfully tapped the tip of her nose.
"Been here a little while. You’re graduating today, so of course I came to pick you up and take you out to celebrate."
Xue Yue beamed and looped her arm through his.
"Alright, let’s go. Where are we celebrating?"
He Lang raised an eyebrow. "I could’ve sworn I just saw someone confessing their feelings to you. Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?"