If I Wait Thirty Years | Chapter 69 | A Name Uncovered | Novela.app

Qiu Yun didn't know how to face Wang Chen anymore. Wang Chen was the first person Qiu Yun had seen in this era, and she was her best friend. She called her "Big Chen" because Wang Chen cared for and looked after her like an older sister, like a member of her own family. They had shared a bed, written self-reflection letters to Liang He together, laughed at the long hair on a foreigner’s arms, and scrambled for books in the bookstore... They shared secrets no one else knew and understood each other’s every look with perfect intuition. It was precisely because of this that Wang Chen had no guard against her, sharing the details of her relationship with Sima Feng. And it was this very lack of defense that left Qiu Yun in a state of utter conflict and misery. Watching Wang Chen’s peaceful, sleeping face in the dark of the night, Qiu Yun felt no sleepiness at all. She climbed out of bed again to write in her diary. The night was as cool as water. Qiu Yun rested her chin on her hand and gazed out the window. The mother in her memories was entirely the image of Chen Liping. As for her biological mother, her only impressions were a cold tombstone and an unfamiliar name: Qin Cuiyuan. Because of Chen Liping’s arrival, almost nothing of Qin Cuiyuan’s remained in their home; only every Lunar New Year, Sima Feng would take the family to the cemetery to pay their respects. She rarely heard her father mention her birth mother. She imagined they must have been in love once, but fate had been cruel; Qin Cuiyuan had fallen ill and passed away early, leaving behind a daughter still in swaddling clothes. Thinking of it this way, if Sima Feng really ended up with Wang Chen, would that be so bad? Wang Chen was such a wonderful person; if she were with her father, life would surely be happy. Moreover, if that happened, her father wouldn't meet her mother, and her mother wouldn't pass away because of giving birth to her. Her father wouldn't have to endure the pain of losing a wife while his infant daughter was still in her cradle. The more she thought, the more tangled her mind became, and the more her head throbbed. It wasn't until the sky began to pale that Qiu Yun finally drifted off to sleep. When she woke up, it was already noon. The faint sound of playful banter drifted in from outside. Qiu Yun groggily pushed open the window. Sima Feng was supporting Wang Chen as she practiced walking in the courtyard. They were talking about something amusing, and Wang Chen laughed, playfully hitting Sima Feng on the shoulder. Qiu Yun: "..." She let out a heavy, deliberate cough toward the window. The two in the courtyard turned around to see Qiu Yun with a massive head of bedhead, staring at them expressionlessly. Sima Feng looked a bit embarrassed, but Wang Chen explained understandingly, "She has terrible morning grumpiness. It’s fine." She then smiled at Qiu Yun. "You’re finally awake. You really can sleep." Qiu Yun couldn't find the words to respond for a moment. She pursed her lips before asking, "Is lunch ready?" "It's ready, it's ready..." He Ying poked her head out from the kitchen. "We have the steamed corn buns you like for lunch. Hurry up and get out of bed." The four of them ate under the makeshift trellis in the courtyard. Sima Feng and Wang Chen sat directly opposite Qiu Yun. With a heavy weight pressing on her heart, she didn't have much of an appetite. Seeing that she seemed off and had slept so late, He Ying asked with concern if she had heatstroke. Qiu Yun shook her head. He Ying served her a bowl of mung bean soup, saying it was good for clearing heat and that she should drink more. Qiu Yun forced a smile and managed a few sips. Then Sima Feng mentioned that he planned to go to Datong City tomorrow to buy tickets. Once Liang He returned, they would set off back to City A. "Liang He is coming back?" Qiu Yun looked up, only just remembering the man’s existence. "Where... where did Liang He go?" Sima Feng looked at her in surprise. "A research team from B University arrived at the Yungang Grottoes. Liang He was invited to be their art consultant." Qiu Yun was stunned. "B University? A research team? When did this happen?" "He came back last night, and when I asked about our return trip, he said he’d be gone for three to five days. It was a last-minute decision. The officials at B University thought your Academy of Fine Arts had finished its internship long ago; they didn't expect Liang He to stay behind because of Big Chen’s leg injury, so they invited him to consult." Sima Feng explained, then paused. "I recall you were there when he mentioned it the day before yesterday. But at that time, he only said it was a possibility; the schedule hadn't been finalized yet." "The day before yesterday?" Qiu Yun searched her memory carefully but truly couldn't recall when Liang He had said it. When she ran into him outside the courtyard last night, he hadn't mentioned it either. But hearing Sima Feng say this, she suddenly realized that over the past few days, her focus had been entirely on Sima Feng and Wang Chen, and she had indeed neglected Liang He. "Oh..." Qiu Yun tried to cover for herself. "I see. Right... I think I remember something like that." Wang Chen asked in a low, attentive voice, "Xiao Yun, you and Teacher Liang... you didn't have a fight, did you?" "No," Qiu Yun gave her a deceptive smile. "How could we?" She turned her head to change the subject. "He Ying, I have nothing to do this afternoon. I'll go to the fields with you!" "Okay!" He Ying replied sweetly. *** Liang He hadn't expected to see Lu Xialan in Datong. Ever since Lu Xialan’s family had run into trouble, they hadn't seen each other again. The occurrence of that event felt as though it had severed all ties between their two families. Lu Xialan hadn't come looking for him, and he, of course, hadn't gone looking for her. Furthermore, for some reason, rumors that he and Lu Xialan had broken up began to spread—and specifically, that he was the one who had been dumped. He found it both funny and annoying, but he didn't bother to clarify anything. Besides, there was nothing to clarify. A clean heart fears no rumors. Some things were best left to time. So, when he saw Lu Xialan, he was quite surprised. This research team from B University was from the Archaeology Department, while Lu Xialan was in the Literature Department. Why was she here? If he had known she would be coming, Liang He might have reconsidered B University’s invitation. Lu Xialan was as poised and sunny as ever. Seeing Liang He, she ran over and extended a hand. "Liang He, long time no see." Under the sunlight, her smile remained brilliant, as if nothing had ever happened. Liang He couldn't tell if there were other emotions hidden in that smile. He extended his hand in a businesslike manner. "Long time no see. You—" Liang He looked around. "These are all from the Archaeology Department. You’re in Literature; why are you here?" "I have a mission, of course," Lu Xialan stuck her tongue out at him. "I’m going to the United States for an exchange program next semester. Last time, I happened to mention Chinese Buddhist culture to a professor there, and they showed great interest. It just so happened that our school’s archaeology summer term was at the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, so I had to tag along to prepare for promoting China’s profound Buddhist culture in a capitalist country." Liang He didn't think having too much contact with Lu Xialan was a good idea right now, but hearing her speak so logically, he couldn't say anything more. The research team had three days of training in Datong City first. After those three days, they would move into the grotto site at Yunma Village. Liang He would then head back, pick up Qiu Yun and the others, and return to City A. These three days were not pleasant for Liang He. The night before he left, he had seen Qiu Xiaoyun and Sima Feng walking back side-by-side from a distance. They looked intimate, seemingly deep in conversation. He thought Qiu Xiaoyun had come to say goodbye to him, but after Sima Feng went inside and Qiu Xiaoyun turned to find him, she didn't mention a word about it. In fact, her expression suggested she hadn't been looking for him at all. This wasn't the first time. Over the past few days, Qiu Xiaoyun’s state of mind had left him bewildered. Liang He wondered if he had done something wrong, but after thinking it over, the answer was no. Qiu Xiaoyun wasn't angry, and things between them were... normal enough. Was he being too petty? He found it hard to admit that to himself. He had asked Qiu Xiaoyun if Sima Feng was an old acquaintance, and she said no. So why was she so interested in someone she had only known for a few days? Or was he just too sensitive and narrow-minded? What was even more ridiculous was that when he went inside, Sima Feng had handed him a hawthorn roll, saying it was the last one and he had saved it specifically for him. He had looked coldly at that sour little hawthorn roll and didn't eat it. With his mood already like this, Lu Xialan’s appearance only made him feel more somber. These three days of training were actually packed with valuable information, but whether by coincidence or design, Lu Xialan’s seat was right next to his. They saw each other constantly, and Lu Xialan’s attitude toward him was always poised, natural, gentle, and appropriate. If he deliberately avoided her or responded coldly, it would make him look immature. In this regard, he truly felt inferior to Lu Xialan. Moreover, he didn't believe she had truly moved on. Perhaps she had other reasons, but Liang He didn't want to guess. *** However, for Qiu Yun, these three days were earth-shattering. While she was still agonizing over the relationship between Sima Feng and Wang Chen, Sima Feng suddenly approached her one evening with a serious expression, saying he wanted to talk. After her internal struggle over the past few days, Qiu Yun also had a long narrative prepared to tell Sima Feng. "Student Qiu Xiaoyun," Sima Feng said after a long silence, looking at her. "That night, I went back and thought seriously about what you said. I think you have a point." "...?" Qiu Yun was stunned. Sima Feng’s opening was not what she had expected. "A person’s life is very, very long. Wang Chen and I are only twenty-three right now; we are both very young. No one can predict what will happen in the future, or even what will happen tomorrow. We have no way of knowing." "Yes, exactly," Qiu Yun agreed repeatedly. Sima Feng looked at Qiu Yun quietly for a moment before changing the subject. "Has Wang Chen ever mentioned her background to you?" "Her background?" Qiu Yun was caught off guard again. She vaguely remembered that Wang Chen had several younger siblings. During the New Year, Wang Chen had sympathized with Qiu Yun’s situation and invited her to her home, mentioning then that her family was very easy to get along with. As for her background...? No. Was Wang Chen the illegitimate child of some high-ranking official? "It seems she hasn't." Sima Feng read the answer on Qiu Yun’s face. What he said next left Qiu Yun in utter shock. "Wang Chen is the eldest in her family, but—she was adopted." "Adopted?" "Wang Chen’s biological parents favored boys over girls. When she was two, because a pair of twin brothers were born and the family was struggling financially, they gave her away to a couple in the village who hadn't been able to have children for years—Wang Chen’s current adoptive parents. Her adoptive parents’ family was also quite ordinary, but they treated her as their own. And even more coincidentally, Wang Chen was like a lucky charm; after she arrived at their home, this couple who hadn't been able to conceive for years actually became pregnant with their own child, and ended up having three in a row." "Then... was Wang Chen..." "No, her adoptive parents always treated her very well. Even after they had their own biological children, they never mistreated Wang Chen in the slightest. Wang Chen had no further contact with her biological parents until she was nineteen and working in a factory. One day, her biological parents suddenly showed up, saying they had arranged a marriage for her and wanted her to go back and wed." "Wed?" Qiu Yun’s eyes widened. "Is this a joke? Were you... were you two already together then?" "We loved each other and encouraged one another, especially her encouraging me to take the university entrance exam again..." "No... her biological parents gave her away so long ago," Qiu Yun interrupted, feeling angry. "How could they have the nerve to do such a thing?" "Because her brother needed to get married and they needed money. If Wang Chen married, there would be a bride price to use as a betrothal gift for the brother. Of course, it didn't happen, but the courage, determination, and wisdom Wang Chen showed back then made me see her in a new light and filled my heart with pain for her. I thought to myself: if I am lucky enough to hold this girl’s hand in this life, I will never let go." "So, when you came to ask me about my plans for Wang Chen’s future the other day, I figured you must be testing me from the perspective of a best friend. I thought about it for a long time. What you said makes sense, but since none of us know what tomorrow will bring, why worry about things that haven't happened yet? I will live in the moment, and I will love her in the moment. And I believe my love for her in the present is enough to carry us through to tomorrow and the future..." How beautifully said. Sima Qiu Yun had never heard her father say such romantic and moving words. In one's youth, everyone probably has this kind of reckless love. Of course, she believed Sima Feng and Chen Liping had also treated each other with sincerity, but compared to then, she could clearly feel that her father’s love for Wang Chen during this period was so pure and untainted. But... thinking of the "but," she spoke almost against her conscience. "But, if you and Big Chen separate later, won't she be miserable..." "How could that be?" Sima Feng acted as if he’d heard a joke. "We share such a fate. The place where I lived as a child was on Cuishan Street, and the Cuiyuan (Emerald Garden) there is a beautiful memory from my childhood. Her name is also Cuiyuan—you probably don't know this, but although Wang Chen was given away at age two, her household registration remained with her biological parents in the countryside because of various reasons. It was only because of university that she had to use her registered name, 'Wang Chen.' In truth, she changed her name long ago to follow her adoptive parents' surname, 'Qin.' When I met her, her name was 'Qin Cuiyuan.'" "What?" Hearing that name, Qiu Yun’s eyelids jumped. She paused before asking, "You said she... she has another name?" "You only met her after starting school, so naturally you wouldn't know. All our friends from the old factory know her as 'Qin Cuiyuan.' We even discussed officially changing her name back once we get married..." Qiu Yun felt her heart thumping wildly, as if it were about to burst from her chest. "Qin... Qin Cuiyuan? Are... are you serious?" "What’s wrong?" Sima Feng saw Qiu Yun’s face turn pale. "Is there a problem with that name?" "There is..." Qiu Yun’s mind went blank. She didn't know whether to be happy or sad; her heart felt as if it had suddenly soared thousands of miles into the sky. "Big Chen is actually..." "What's the problem?" Sima Feng was bewildered. Qiu Yun looked up, struggling to steady her voice. "Nothing... that name is very good... very good! It’s... it’s wonderful! You two..." She stepped forward and gripped Sima Feng’s hand tightly. "I take back what I said before. You... you have successfully passed the organization’s test! You two will definitely be very happy... I give you my blessing..." Qiu Yun spoke incoherently, then suddenly stepped back and gave Sima Feng a deep bow. "I know you are good to her, but no one can predict tomorrow. I beg of you, in the days she is with you, be even better to her. You must, you absolutely must!" *** **Glossary** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation --- | --- | --- 秦翠园 | Qin Cuiyuan | The biological mother's name; also Wang Chen's chosen name. 陆夏兰 | Lu Xialan | Liang He's ex-girlfriend. 云冈石窟 | Yungang Grottoes | Famous Buddhist temple grottoes in Shanxi. B大 | B University | A prestigious university (likely a stand-in for Peking University/Beida). 翠山街 | Cuishan Street | Emerald Mountain Street; where Sima Feng grew up. 组织的考验 | Organization's test | A common idiom/humorous way to refer to official approval or a rigorous vetting process.