My Youth Began With Him

“So you know about it! I don’t blame them for talking about you like that because if it were someone else’s son, I might think that way too… I have nothing against gay people, but there are still people out there making fun of you for it when it’s not true. Yu, your grandfather and father have lived honorable lives with no rumors and scandals, I really hope nothing goes wrong when it comes to you…”

“Mom, I’m not gay. You guys all know who I like, right? It’s not like I don’t like women!” Su Yu said as if he had been wronged.

He could take other people suspecting him of being gay but definitely not his own mother.

“I know you’re not gay but you’re bound by a woman that can never belong to you. From my point of view, that’s no different from you being gay…” Mrs. Su gave a slight sigh.

“I understand. I’ll look into it and see where the rumors are coming from. I’ll make them stop.”

“What you’re doing doesn’t solve the root cause… Sooner or later, someone else will talk behind your back about you.”

“It’s my life. I’m not living a life for other people. Mom, think about it. If you had to live for someone else, how tiring would that be…” Su Yu patiently explained to his mother.

“Son, let me ask you this. How long do you intend to continue this? Are you always just going to watch Huo Mian and her family live a happy fulfilling life while you’re forever single?” Mrs. Su looked at Su Yu with concern.

“No, but if I never find the right person, I can wait until Little Bean and Pudding grow up and make them my wives… That’s a happy ending for all!” Su Yu intentionally joked.

“You’re just trying to make me mad…” Mrs. Su’s face turned stern.

“Okay, okay, I know Mom… Don’t worry about it. I just think that love is dependent on destiny. When it comes, it comes. I’m just going to let it be. Maybe I’ll get married very soon when I meet the right person. Love is irrational, just like how I fell for Mian back in the day…”

“If it’s really like that, then that’s great. Even if you don’t get married immediately, I’d be willing to accept that the girl is pregnant before marriage!”

“Mom, you’re being too greedy. You want a grandchild right away…” Su Yu lifted Mrs. Su’s face up and teased her.

“Okay, okay, okay… Stop fooling around. If you want to leave, leave now…” Mrs. Su looked at Su Yu helplessly. She didn’t know how to react, whether to laugh or be mad at him.

“Okay. I’m going to leave now. I know you haven’t been getting enough rest recently so you should sleep earlier… I’ll take you to the hot springs later to relax…” Then Su Yu turned around.

Mrs. Su watched her son leave. Suddenly, her eyes got teary.

She recalled a vague memory of when Su Yu was small. Humans live a fleeting life and time pass by without taking consideration of anyone’s feelings.

Mrs. Su didn’t know how time could pass so quickly. Just in a blink of an eye, her son was in his early 30s.

People his age had already formed a family of their own. Even Wei Liao, Su Yu’s best friend, has a boy that is going to daycare.

Although Tang Chuan was a wild child, there were always women by his side. Tang’s parents and grandparents never had to worry about him not getting a woman.

Su Yu, however, was still single. Just the thought of that made Mrs. Su cry.

“What’s wrong?” Mr. Su came down for Mrs. Su because she still didn’t go up.

He saw Mrs. Su standing alone in the living room watching their son leave. Her eyes were filled with sorrow.

“I’m fine…” Madam Su said quietly.

“Stop lying. Your eyes are all red. What’s wrong? Everything was fine. Why are you crying?” Mr. Su’s temper wasn’t great and he was very strict with Su Yu, but he treated Mrs. Su very well. The couple had respected and loved each other for many many years.