That night, Yan had a dream. She dreamed that she was with Han Qing. In her dream, Han Qing was very gentle—tenderly wiping her tears, murmuring soft words, and even kissing her. Even within her dream, Yan knew this was all unreal—a dream, yet not quite. All night, she kept hoping the dream would go on, wishing it would never end. But the more she struggled to keep the dream going, the more quickly she was awakening from it.
Time passed, and Yan was now fully conscious. As she opened her eyes, she saw that the sky outside her window had brightened and her pillow was wet with tears. She was a little disoriented. Have I been crying all night?
Last night, the dream of Han Qing was blissful, yet she knew the dream was not reality. Part of her wanted to prove that it wasn’t real yet the other part of her dared not. In this internal struggle, she had awakened. Sure enough, only dreams revealed her heart’s deepest wish.
In mundane reality, life went on as usual. At this thought, Yan brushed away a tear and got up to change the tear-soaked pillowcase. Then, she went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face before proceeding downstairs to make breakfast after a fresh change of clothes.
After breakfast, Yan went straight downstairs. She was welcomed by the first sun rays of the day, warming her face and body. For a moment, she just stood there, taking in the warmth. It doesn’t matter. There are other things besides love. The days are still beautiful; I’ll have to move on and live well.
…
Four months later, the noodle restaurant was doing a roaring trade. Yan had started out with two employees, but as the business picked up, she had to employ two more helpers. Mr. Zhou had quit his job, and sometimes came with Luo Huimei to help at the restaurant. At other times, Mr. Zhou would be at home watering his flowers and enjoying his tea. Sometimes, he’d go shopping or even join an aerobic dance at the square.
Everyone around was really envious, saying how Luo Huimei was lucky to have such a business-savvy daughter and that she could now enjoy a leisurely life. It was regretful, though, that Yan was still unmarried, and that the both of them really should do something about it.
Meanwhile, Han Muzi’s belly had grown very big. From initially losing her interest in food to now having a voracious appetite, Han Muzi had become quite rotund. To top it off, she was swollen from fluid retention and her unborn child was very active, tormenting her with constant kicking.
When Ye Moxuan saw the state of his wife, he abandoned the company’s affairs for Xiao Su to handle and went home to pamper his wife.
When he saw how miserable Han Muzi was, Ye Moxuan murmured, “If she weren’t a girl, I’d teach our child a lesson for torturing you like this.”
Hearing this, Han Muzi shot him a look and exclaimed, “Nonsense! Even if our child weren’t a girl, he’d still be your son. How would you have the heart to do that?”
Ye Moxuan looked deeply into her eyes. He held her tightly as he tenderly kissed her forehead. “After this one, let’s not have another child.”
Han Muzi was startled for a moment. He doesn’t want more children? She had thought for sure he would have wanted her to give him more kids. “Two are enough. I don’t want you to work too hard.”
In fact, Han Muzi wasn’t averse to the idea of more kids, but she also felt that having two kids was enough too, so she nodded. “Alright, no more kids then.”
…
Business at the ramen restaurant was in full swing. Today, though, there came a special visitor. This wasn’t just any customer; it was Lin Xuzheng, the very person who rented the shop to Yan.
Yan was a little startled when he arrived. She hastily smiled at him and led him to the lounge on the first floor. There was only one lounge on that floor. It was previously constructed by Lin Xuzheng and his late wife for their own use. “Don’t worry, I know this lounge means a lot to you. That’s why ever since opening the restaurant, I’ve never let anyone use it. I’ve also been cleaning it everyday.”
Lin Xuzheng went in and found that the lounge was indeed spotless. The faint, refreshing fragrance of flowers pervaded the air. Just then, Lin Xuzheng noticed a few pots of fresh flowers and plants on the window sill. “Not bad.”
Lin Xuzheng’s lips curled upward as he looked intently at Yan. That person does indeed have a good eye—Yan certainly is very thoughtful and detail-oriented. “What if a customer insists on entering this lounge? What will you do then? Would you rather offend the customer than to let them enter?”
“That’s quite unlikely. I have lots of customers, but I don’t get many arrogant ones. And besides, they can’t do much once I tell them that this space is for personal use.”
He understood. She’d rather offend a customer than let anyone use the lounge. “Seems to me that this time I’ve made the right choice in renting to you.”
“Are you here for some noodles? Do you want the same flavor as the last time?” Yan smiled, changing the topic.
“You’re very astute!”
“Well then, please have a seat.” With that, Yan turned and went downstairs to prepare his noodles personally.
Lin Xuzheng looked around and smiled faintly. “Do you see? Your wish has come true, and your precious lounge is very well kept by her,” he said softly, as if to himself.
In the kitchen, Luo Huimei stood beside Yan and asked quietly, “That Mr. Lin has arrived, hasn’t he? Is he here to inspect the restaurant? I heard…”
“Mother, he’s just here for noodles. Don’t think too much!” She deftly prepared the noodles and sent it upstairs in person.
Some of the employees whispered among themselves upon seeing this.
“Why is our lady boss suddenly so attentive? Is that person upstairs her special someone?”
“Exactly! When I was delivering food upstairs, I saw our lady boss invite him into the lounge. Do you think we’ll have a ‘mister boss’ soon?”
“I think that’s about right. That man’s so handsome. Sigh, our lady boss is so lucky.”
Luo Huimei overheard the conversation and frowned. Other people might not know, but she had accompanied her daughter to see Lin Xuzheng, and learned from an intermediary that Lin Xuzheng was very devoted to his wife. Although his wife had passed away, it doesn’t seem as though Lin Xuzheng has any intention of remarrying. How would he have a relationship with my daughter?
“What are you people gossiping about?” Luo Huimei advanced toward them with her arms crossed. “It’s bad enough that you’re slacking off without gossiping about these things. Must it mean they’re in a relationship just because they are talking to each other? Mr. Lin has a family, and is the original owner who rented this noodle restaurant to my daughter. The lounge upstairs was the favorite room of Mr. Lin and his wife and that’s why it is specially reserved for him. My daughter rented this noodle restaurant by her own excellent capabilities, and today, Mr. Lin is here to have noodles and reminisce about his wife. You and your unwholesome thoughts; do you want me to lose my temper?”
Luo Huimei decided that it was best to make everything clear, as vagueness might lead others to have disrespectful thoughts about Mr. Lin and his late wife and damage her daughter’s reputation.
