Page 158 of He Is My Bride
“Thank you, uncle!”I will put this towards mine and Hanjun’s new home.
The two of them had been looking at houses in the French Concession.
Of course Hanjun had the funds for everything they might ever need and more, but Li Ying would contribute what he could out of principle, as ridiculous as it may look to outsiders.
“Congratulations.” Kai offered his hand for a shake, but Li Ying wouldn’t have it:
“Thanks, bro!” Li Ying snatched Kai into a hug too. Kai awkwardly hugged him back.
After the formalities, the Qians offered Li Ying dinner at a nice restaurant.
Li Ying clinked his glass and gave all the patrons a speech mentioning student parties and rubbing alcohol, and how his remaining brain cells were now ready to start caring for patients. He garnered a few laughs and got a room full of strangers to toast with him. Kai put his face into his hand, visibly embarrassed.
Discussion then naturally revolved around the future, and Li Ying knew it was time to break some news:
“I will move to Shanghai permanently to do a residency in traumatology.”
The news dropped on the Qians completely out of the blue. Li Ying had not foreshadowed this at all. For a moment, all they could do was stare.
Li Ying pattered his well-cared nails on the table and didn’t stop smiling, as if this were the greatest news of the day.
Finally, Amy spoke first:
“Have you thought about this for long?”
“Well, yes.”
“How nice of you to let us know in a timely manner! When are you leaving, tomorrow?” Kai lashed.
Li Ying scratched his cheek with his middle finger towards Kai. Kai suppressed an urge to kick him under the table, trying to be the grown-up one.
“You could have told us sooner,” Qian Hong said to Li Ying, trying to be gentle, but it was obvious he was disappointed.
“Yeah, I…”I hate, hate, hate lying!“I wasn’t sure until recently. I didn’t want to, uhm, make you worry?”
“Why should we worry?” Kai said. “It’s exactly something you would do, isn’t it, moving to another country to study. You will probably be fine, but you could have given the courtesy of telling us what’s going on in your crazy head. You just expect us to take anything you come up with in our stride!”
“I’m sorry, I should have told you sooner.”
“When are you leaving?” Amy asked.
“…Next month.”
Another whiplash. Kai could only laugh. He got back to his food, not saying another word.
“It’s indeed very sudden, Li Ying.” Qian Hong looked concerned at him.
“I know. I’m sorry, Uncle. I will visit often!”
“Do you have an apartment yet?” Uncle Qian asked.
“I’ve been looking. Hanjun will help me get my footing.”I’m marrying him!Li Ying’s heart cried out:I’m marrying the man of my dreams, and we’re moving together and having a child!
But he couldn’t say anything. He felt like there was an invisible wall between him and his family, growing thicker all the time.
Li Ying was aware of Amy’s soft gaze on him. He forced himself to keep eating, although his mouth felt dry and clumsy.
“Well, you are certainly very brave,” Qian Hong said. “I wish you all the luck, and remember: you can always come back home. We will support you, whatever you do.”
