Belated Romance (Mu Tongrui)

“Tongrui, please. I’m asking for you as a favor. I’m begging you. Please don’t initiate contact with Lingye. You know better than anyone that he won’t let go of you. It doesn’t matter whether you are related by blood or at the risk of compromising your true identity. Can you imagine the hurt and damage if he insists on being with you?”

With her eyes welling up, Tongrui sniffled and gave a heavy nod. “I know, Dad. I… I won’t contact Lingye.”

Mu Rongrui pulled the phone out of her pocket and handed it to Zhengyuan, proving to the old man that she was cutting contact with everybody in North City.

Zhengyuan took the phone and replied, “Take care of yourself in Florence. It's important to be vigilant and mindful of your safety when you're traveling in a foreign country alone, especially as a girl. You have a choice whether you want to look for a job. Call Zhao if you need more money. Zhao’s contact number is in the paper bag.”

Standing behind Zhengyuan, Zhao replied, “Feel free to contact me anytime if you have any problems, Mrs. Fu.”

An announcement came on the loudspeaker in the airport departure hall.

“Attention passengers, the flight LH656343 to Florence is now boarding at the gate. Please have your boarding pass and passport ready.”

Tongrui clutched onto the paper bag in hand and bit her lip. “I… I should get going.”

“Go on.”

Zhengyuan stood there, hunching over his cane as Tongrui turned around and let the tears stream down her face.

The last time she went away was three years ago.

Her father had passed at the time, and Shen Qiu and her daughter kicked her out of the house and left her with nothing. Tongrui left North City with a heavy heart, but without looking back. The only thing on her mind was to leave the place of sadness as soon as possible. It had crossed her mind to never come back.

This time around, she felt a mixture of reluctance and emotional attachment.

She raised her arm to wipe her tears before stopping in her tracks and turning around to tell Zhengyuan, “I leave Siqi in your care, Dad.”

“Don’t worry. I will take good care of Siqi and raise her well.”

Tears ran down her cheeks.

Clenching against the diamond ring on her ring finger, Tongrui could not shake off the heaviness and pain in her chest. She looked ahead and dashed into the terminal.

Zhengyuan stared at Tongrui’s receding figure and sighed to himself.

Zhao asked with concern, “Mr. Fu, what do you plan to say when your son asks?”

tell him what needs to be told. He’s no fool.

…

clinging to the paper bag. She had been crying for a long time until the exhaustion took her to dreamland. It was a long

sky was dark outside by the time she woke up, and there was a light humming

time. It was eight

be home and realized she

anxiously

eyes welled up at

handkerchief came into

looked over

came from a handsome gentleman

“Take this.”

the handkerchief had a pleasant voice, but no man, however perfect, could

took the

word, the man opened his laptop

dried her tears and opened the paper

passport and identity document. She was no longer known as Tongrui. She was now

her new name and a

but Lingye had always been able to track her down in no time and

do so. Nevertheless, she could not help but wish Lingye could somehow find

onto

her seat neighbor

she sniffled and apologized,

this

“I just miss my family.

…

o’clock at

on in the study of the

in the middle of the night, and everybody will know that Mrs. Fu is missing… If word

did lose his wife, so he’s going to act

Fu, I’m conflicted as to whether to

as well finish what you have to