My Youth Began With Him

“Yes! Because of this, his father and I had a huge fight. I wanted him to be discharged, but he stayed for two more years and came home just as he was about to be promoted. He really didn’t want to come back. Although he looks like he doesn’t care about a thing in the world, he’s actually quite patriotic. He had always thought that patrolling in the frontiers was the most honorable thing he’s ever done. Ultimately, his grandfather gave the order for him to be discharged. I’m sure that you know by now, that he is the Su Family’s only son. After I gave birth to Su Yu, my health deteriorated and we couldn’t have another child. So, to us, he is really really important.”

Mrs.Su used two ‘really’s to emphasize the importance of Su Yu to the Su Family.

Huo Mian nodded. She didn’t reply, she only listened.

“This one was taken when he was discharged and opened his company. He was quite young then.”

“Yeah, he looks more mature now,” Huo Mian commented on the photo as she continued biting into her apple.

“This one was taken during the last lunar new year. We went to the South Sea…” She pointed at Su Yu, who was wearing an orange t-shirt and black beach pants, paired with a pair of brown sunglasses. He looked very handsome, like a superstar.

As she flipped through the photo album, Mrs. Su continued to tell Huo Mian funny stories about Su Yu.

After they finished looking through the pictures, Mrs.Su closed up the album and said to Huo Mian, “I’m very impressed by you. Despite the potential damage to your reputation, you testified for Su Yu. Most women would protect their own interests and could care less about others.”

“It’s nothing, Mrs. Su, after all, I was a witness,” Huo Mian replied calmly.

“Then did you expect what would happen after you testified?”

“Of course,” Huo Mian laughed, completely unbothered.

“If you knew this would happen, why did you do it? Aren’t you afraid of ruining your reputation?” Mrs.Su asked Huo Mian in a serious manner.

“Um… how should I put this? To me, I value how I view myself more than how others view me… I don’t want to do wrong onto others, that’s my bottom line,” Huo Mian enunciated every word…

Mrs.Su gazed at her with admiring eyes and said, “I’m very grateful for the things you’ve done for Su Yu.”

“No, he’s the one who’s been protecting me. That’s why he didn’t say anything about our meeting. I actually think that testifying is something I should do. It’s nothing noteworthy. Please don’t see me as someone who’s great. Honestly, I’m just a normal person. I also have a selfish side. When difficult situations arise, I will also scheme…” Huo Mian said honestly.

“This is why I like you.” Mrs. Su looked at Huo Mian lovingly.

Huo Mian felt a little bit embarrassed. She tilted her head downwards and chewed slowly.

“Ma’am, dinner is ready.”

“Let’s go eat dinner.”

“Mrs. Su, you’re too kind. I should go.”

Huo Mian felt that it was inappropriate for her to stay for dinner. After all, she didn’t have a tight bond with the Su Family.

“Don’t worry, Su Yu isn’t coming back until later. I know what you’re worried about. Stay for me? I’m the only one at home.”

Hearing this, Huo Mian couldn’t refuse any further and followed Mrs. Su into the dining room.

“I heard that you really liked seafood… so I went to the market this morning to buy some. It’s very fresh.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Su.” Feeling slightly awkward, Huo Mian pulled out a chair and sat down.

The table was filled with seafood… scallops, squid, conches, sea rabbits, crab, prawns…

It was a big seafood feast.

“Don’t worry, we’re just going to chat about everyday things,” seeing a tensed-up Huo Mian, Mrs. Su explained.

“Mrs. Su, I’m a very straightforward person. Can you tell me why you asked me to come here today?”

Mrs. Su put down her chopsticks and smiled at Huo Mian. After a while, she said slowly, “I actually just wanted to ask, are you really having issues with your husband?”

“Uh…” Huo Mian was truly surprised. She didn’t expect Mrs.Su to ask her such a question.

“If… and I’m only talking about if… you and your husband really do end up like what the media’s been reporting, and you do break up in the end, could you possibly give Su Yu a chance?”

Huo Mian was now even more shocked…

Is Mrs. Su… confessing to me for Su Yu?

I use @ to remind to italicize