Chapter 132: The Cruel Truth!

Chapter 132: The Cruel Truth

A fine drizzle fell like strands of hair—sticky, endless, and relentless.

A gust of wind swept through, bringing fresh air intertwined with a refreshing fragrance.

It came from the osmanthus flowers blooming ahead in the Osmanthus Garden. Unlike the cherry blossoms in the Cherry Blossom Garden, which bloomed in lavish clusters, petals fluttering like rain in a dazzling display, the osmanthus was modest and understated.

If not for the rich scent, diluted by autumn rain and carried on the autumn breeze, one might easily overlook the tiny white buds.

They were so small, yet held immense power within.

Was it habit or affection? Tang Zhong had to ask himself this question.

Autumn Yihan could set aside all worries in the chill of autumn, but—as a man—he had to think for her. And for himself.

Habit? Or love?

One or the other?

Autumn Yihan froze, stopping her tongue’s restless flicks, as if the overly sweet ice cream in her hand had lost its appeal.

She thought and thought, then shook her head: "I don’t know."

Tang Zhong smiled.

He had expected such an answer.

“Do you know why I didn’t go on stage to give you flowers?” Tang Zhong asked with a grin.

Autumn Yihan shook her head.

“Is it because you hate me?” she asked.

“I don’t hate you,” Tang Zhong said. “Why would I? Everything you do is just who you are. You’re that kind of person. Why should I get angry over that?”

“Then why?” Autumn Yihan asked in return.

“That’s why I asked you that question earlier,” Tang Zhong said. “If you’re only used to my presence, accustomed to me being by your side, then I shouldn’t go on stage to give you flowers. Because everyone would think—think that I accepted your feelings. But the truth is, you can’t even tell if what you’re expressing is an apology or a confession.”

“Then—what if it’s a confession?” Autumn Yihan asked uncertainly. She had never been in love, nor had anyone explained to her what love truly was.

Before, she had been like a proud little swan, dressed in finery and living a life of ease, walking proudly past boys and girls. Cars came and went, she was envied yet lonely and helpless.

Her grandmother was her only guide in life.

Grandmother told her never to talk to strangers, never to get close to boys, never to let others know their family was wealthy. Grandmother also said—

But grandmother never told her what to do when she met a boy she thought about so much it hurt her heart.

“A confession?” Tang Zhong laughed. “See, even you don’t understand what this feeling really is. Alright, I’ll ask you some questions.”

“Okay.” Autumn Yihan nodded firmly.

“If your grandmother forbade you from being with me, what would you do?” Tang Zhong asked.

“Huh? Why would she do that? Why would grandmother do such a thing?” Autumn Yihan asked back.

“There are many reasons. You just need to tell me your answer,” Tang Zhong said.

Autumn Yihan thought for a moment and said, “I would persuade grandmother. I’d tell her you’re a good person—a very good person. I’d say you taught me to tie my shoelaces, taught me how to do my laundry, showed me how to get along with my dormmates, took me hiking, sat with me on the rooftop to watch the sunrise—oh, and you even saved my life. If it weren’t for you, I would have been killed by that wicked Taoist on Jade Maiden Peak. Grandmother loves me so much; she would listen to me—”

“What if you can’t convince her?” Tang Zhong smiled wryly. If grandmother knew everything, she’d probably be even more wary of him, this dangerous man.

If grandmother truly wanted to accept him, why didn’t she say a word for him during the Jade Maiden Peak incident?

“———”

“What if your parents don’t agree to us being together? What if they send you to another city for school or even abroad just to separate us?”

Autumn Yihan’s eyes widened as she shook her head vigorously, saying, “Why would they do that? I—I don’t want to study in another city. I don’t want to go abroad.”

“What if they force you?”

“I—I—” Autumn Yihan didn’t know how to resist. She never had before.

In her mind, her parents were omnipotent. Whatever they wanted, they could have. If they rigidly transferred her to another city or sent her abroad—what could she possibly do?

“What if your grandmother, your father, and your mother all want you to be with your William brother? What would you do?”

“I—I don’t like him,” Autumn Yihan whispered.

“They like him,” Tang Zhong chuckled. “In fact, once you graduate—or even before that—they may arrange your engagement or outright marriage. They’ll send invitations far and wide, making the marriage a done deal. What would you do then?”

Autumn Yihan began to cry.

She shook her head desperately, “No, no. They wouldn’t.”

“They might even threaten, intimidate, bribe, and slander me to keep us apart. They could ruin my reputation and the image I have in your heart in a hundred ways—cause me a minor car accident that breaks a leg, or get me into fights with ruffians who scar my face—they could target my family, making them lose their jobs and fall into despair. What would you do then?”

Autumn Yihan was stunned.

She stared at Tang Zhong as if he were a demon.

He spoke of things she had never thought of, things beyond her imagination.

Her parents were good people, her grandmother too—very good people. How could they do such things?

But Tang Zhong knew, from his encounters with Autumn Hongtu, from the understanding of his character, from his protective desire for her, and from the prejudice Autumn’s mother and grandmother held against him—these things were very likely to happen.

And this earthquake might be far bigger and more destructive than he imagined.

“Do you think what I’m saying is frightening?” Tang Zhong saw the tears welling in her eyes, reached into his pocket, only to find his last tissue already used.

He gently wiped the tears and the cream from the corner of her mouth with his sleeve, speaking softly: “This is the truth of life. Love is something between two people, but being together involves two families. And your family is so huge—I imagine if you choose to be with me, not just your grandmother and parents will try to persuade you, but your grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins—all your relatives will see you as an outcast.”

“And me too. My family is even more complicated than yours. The road I walk will be difficult and dangerous. I can handle my side of things, but can you handle yours?”

“I know it’s cruel to tell you these things. Your world shouldn’t have these shadows. But if I don’t say it, after a joyous beginning, who would want a tragic end? This is a small-scale war. No matter how brave one person is at the frontlines, if comrades retreat, the war loses meaning. One person cannot win this war alone.”

Autumn Yihan’s eyes glazed over, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Not from the cold, but from those icy words.

How could the world be like this? How could grandmother be like this? How could her parents be like this?

She refused to believe it.

But why would Tang Zhong say such things? He had never lied to her before.

Tang Zhong gently patted her shoulder: “Don’t think too much. You have your own life, your own world—that is something to envy. Come on, I’ll walk you back.”

Autumn Yihan shook her head, refusing to move.

Tang Zhong sighed, looking at the ice cream in her hand: “Don’t eat ice cream anymore. Even if you’re not afraid of gaining weight, you should worry about the toxins it might contain. Think of eating one ice cream as eating half a pair of Hua Ming’s shoes—maybe that will help you control your appetite.”

“Your calves are beautiful, but unless it’s a formal occasion, try not to wear dresses. The weather is cold now, and winter will be colder. If the cold wind gets inside you, it might leave you with long-term illness.”

“Now, you’re going to the water room to get hot water for the dorm, right? It’s cold; you need to drink hot water every day to keep warm. Don’t be lazy and buy bottled water—it could upset your stomach.”

“He Na is a bit vain but not a bad person. You can be friends or not. Luo Huan and Cheng Pei are both good girls—kind and simple, and they know how to care for others. They just like to take advantage a little because they know you’re rich—that’s not a flaw. Everyone has their faults; you need to learn to tolerate them. Get along well with them. People with friends everywhere may end up with none. But if you have just two or three close friends, you may still remember each other fondly years after graduation.”

“If you ever don’t understand something, you can always call me,” Tang Zhong smiled. “Free consultation.”

He turned to leave, then paused and came back with a reminder: “Also, when you find a boyfriend—if he doesn’t let you eat ice cream, don’t eat it. Because he’s doing it for your own good.”

Thud—

Thud—

Thud—

When Tang Zhong’s footsteps ceased, when his silhouette vanished completely into the darkness, when the drizzle thickened into raindrops and the autumn wind carrying the osmanthus scent smacked painfully against her face, she still stood there like a homeless, solitary bird.

The ice cream in her hand had melted, the cream sticky all over her fingers. Yet, she hesitated to discard it.

She stuck out her tongue, licking a bite. Then another.

Tears welled up, her eyes reddened, and she burst into sobs.