Chapter 54: Choices

orted knowing Ding Zhi was there; his experience provided valuable guidance. But on the other hand, he worried about being exposed, risking needless sacrifices for both of them. 。With the help of Yi M...Perhaps the ethereal chanting in the temple cleared her mind. When she made a wish, memories of her mother flooded back, most vividly that year when they fled from Qining to Shenzhou like refugees. She lived in the dormitory at Shenzhou University while her mother found a nanny job outside campus. Her mother, who had always been pampered and affluent, endured all hardships for her. 。At the time, my mother's employer was a widowed old woman who lived alone. Her children were all abroad, and she was extremely demanding and unreasonable. She was full of the oppressive feelings of a woman from the old era, treating my mother like a maid and making her do all sorts of chores. Even on freezing days in winter, she would deliberately make her wash dishes and laundry with icy water. 。The old woman's caregiver had changed countless times, and the price offered by her children was far higher than market value. 。Shutinglan felt heartbroken and wanted to stop his mother from doing this job, but his mother shook her head:

"Just gather a little more money, buy you a house in Senzhou to settle down, and that's all the worries my mother will have for the rest of her life." 。Later, when the mother fell ill, Shu Tinglan didn't know if it was because her father's affairs had stimulated her and caused a latent illness, or because of the abuse she suffered from the old lady. Sometimes, she would be lucid and clearly state Shu Tinglan's work unit address and name, and sometimes she would be confused and almost self-harmful. 。Having no other choice, I had to send him to the hospital for long-term treatment. 。Remembering the past, Shu Ting felt a deep pain in her heart. She knelt on the cushion and bowed deeply again. If there were any deities, she hoped her mother would recover and live a happy and healthy life from now on. 。"Shu Tinglan!"

"Shu Tinglan..."

She had knelt for too long, completely immersed in the world of the past. Zhuo Y uan beside her couldn't help but speak to remind her, and her thoughts were gradually pulled back to reality. 。

"What's wrong" Zhuo Yu'an helped her up, looking at her flushed eyes with concern. 。It's okay, the incense smoke here is too irritating. 。Zhuo Yu'an looked around at the electronic incense and candles, which didn't have a hint of smoke. He didn't expose her, though, and took her hand to walk out of the Guanyin Temple. 。"Where shall we go next" Shu Tinglan gathered herself, putting aside the inexplicable negativity she had felt just moments ago. 。

Take a stroll 。He said 。Walk along the stone path through a bamboo grove, and at the far end you'll find a temple dedicated to Yue Lao. 。The Moon Old Temple is not large, and several couples are inside getting their fortunes told. 。"Why don't you try it" Shu Tinglan encouraged him, a little curious about his fate. 。

"Good" 。Zuo Yu'an went past and, following the procedure, drew a < >. 。Let me see what it says. 。 。

"One with joy, one with fear, what does it mean" Shu Tinglan knew all the characters, but together he didn't know if it was good or bad. 。

"There are some people who have already had their fortunes told, go ask them."> 。She pushed Zhuo Yu'an forward. 。The fortune teller took the slip of paper and looked at it, saying, "Winning means that in this world, things cannot have both beauty and perfection. Whether to take or to let go is all up to your choice." 。Zhu Yu'an didn't say anything, he folded the pen neatly and put it in his pocket. 。Shu Tinglan only understood half of it, summarizing that: he has many admirers, so he needs to choose and make decisions. 。"Ready Ready" she asked. 。"No, I'm certain about what I want. There's no need to choose or compromise." 。They were walking through a small grove of trees when he suddenly stopped to look at her, answering the question very seriously. 。"Oh 。Shu Tinglan nodded, indicating she understood. For some reason, her heart was pounding wildly. 。In winter, the daylight hours are short. By the time they finished exploring the entire Huìyuàn Temple, it was already late afternoon. The sun was setting, and the afterglow of the sunset painted half the sky red. Standing at the top of the mountain, the view was quite spectacular. 。。

As dusk fell, the mountain path became treacherous. They took a cable car down and then drove home. 。The first day of the new year was so fulfillingly spent. 。Before bed, Zhuo Yu an thoughtfully gave her a leg massage to relax her muscles and avoid soreness the next day. 。Shutinglan had climbed the mountain all day and was a little tired. She mumbled to herself, "This man is so good, from head to toe, I can't find a single flaw." 。

The second day of the Lunar New Year, Shu Tinglan woke up early. The first thing she did was move her foot. Fortunately, besides a slight soreness, it didn't hurt. 。"Morning!" Zhuo Yunan also woke up, lying on his side to look at her, his voice low and seductive. 。The two of them were once again very close, staring into each other's eyes. 。"What's on the schedule for today" she asked. 。This arrangement 。He said, rolling over to trap her in his arms. The mornings always held endless allure. 。For the whole day, the two didn't leave the house. Shu Tinglan hadn't even left her bedroom, staying with Zhuo Yu'an as he went insane. It was a bit like that Sunday in Qining, except for the madness there was only madness, until Shu Tinglan was completely exhausted and thought she might as well go hiking, it was more tiring than climbing a mountain to stay here. 。By the third day of Lunar New Year, our refrigerator was bare and so were some other essential supplies. We had no choice but to go out shopping. 。Zuo Yu'an was like a magnet, drawing in food. In less than an hour, his shopping cart was overflowing with all kinds of goodies. 。"Are you planning to save up until next year You're buying so much, it won't all be eaten." 。"

I'll eat it if I can, but if not, I'll just keep it at home. It's always better to be prepared." 。Shutinglan remained silent. 。In the elevator, I couldn't help but ask:

"When are you going back home Are you really sure you don't want to spend New Year's with your family" 。Zhu Yu'an hesitated for a few minutes before saying,

"I'm sorry, I have a flight back to Beijing tonight to pay New Year's greetings to my grandfather." 。Originally, he and his parents were supposed to go back home on New Year's Eve to spend the holiday with their grandfather. However, his father had to stay in Senzhou to oversee work at the last minute, so they delayed their return until the second day of the new year. 。while Zhuo Y uan was dragging his feet, the old man had called him numerous times to return home. If he didn't go back soon, the old man would come to Senzhou to see him in person. 。The old man was stubborn and kept his word. Once he got involved, things escalated quickly. Zhuo Yu'an had no choice but to agree to go back. 。Shū Tínglan originally was just asking casually, but hearing that he really wanted to leave, a tinge of disappointment flashed through her heart. 。"Can you do this alone" he asked. 。"Sure, I'm not a kid." 。"

Zhuo Yu'an rubbed her hair

"I'll try my best to come back as soon as possible" 。Otherwise I'm afraid you'll burn down the kitchen again. 。"

I didn't burn the kitchen" 。"

" is almost the same. 。"Zuo Yu'an said, then stood up and went to the kitchen. 。What are you doingI'm cooking for you. 。Just ate. 。Let's do it for the day after tomorrow, because it's hard to order takeout these days so you won't starve. 。"

I'll figure it out myself, don't worry about it." 。"Three meals a day are all bread" "You won't starve." 。Zuo Yu'an shook his head and ignored what Shu Tinglan said. He just focused on doing things, doing them well after which he refrigerated what needed to be refrigerated and froze what needed to be frozen, labeling everything according to the designated order for three meals a day. 。He was working in the kitchen alone, focused and earnest, as if what he held wasn't just his daily meals but a scientific product, a beloved career. 。aming of graduating from university soon, finding a stable job, and living with her mother so they could take care of each other. 。During her university years, she not only supported herself by workin...