C41 (2/2)
”We girls have grown up and know how to take care of people.”
The whole family accompanied me to the college entrance examination and lost a lot of weight. However, the results were still not satisfactory. My mom would laugh and laugh every day as if nothing had happened.
”Mom, daughter failed her test. I'm really sorry for the IQ that dad and you both passed on to me.”
”Silly child, you don't have to go out of town if you fail the exam,” my mother laughed as she held onto my hand. ”Your father and I can't bear to part with you. You are the pride of our parents.”
After graduating from college, I brought Hou Qingjun home for the first time.
His father's face had always been dark and gloomy. He was so scared that Hou Yingjun didn't even know where to put his hands.
After the meal, the person his father never drank wine with had actually drained the bottle of white wine that Hou Yingjun had brought with him.
Dad was so drunk that he insisted on going out to 'chat' with Hou Yingjun. My mom and I waited upstairs for him for two hours, but we didn't come up. We were like ants on a hot pan.
The next day, Hou Yingjun told me that my father had dragged him to my primary school
”My daughter grew up in the same school as you, and she liked you so much from that time. My daughter is my baby, she is a good and obedient child, 17 years ago I stood here every day to pick her up from school.
”In the future, you have to pick her up every single day as well. You can't let her walk alone on the road at night. If you let her suffer and suffer, I'll …”
Before he could finish, my father began to cry, as sad as a child.
He was finally going to marry Hou Yingjun. The wedding was in a cathedral. I was wearing a white wedding dress with lace butterflies embroidered on my shoulder straps.
The church was full, and I walked across the long red carpet, my father on my arm, to the priest.
Dad gave my hand to Hou Yingjun.
Everyone looked at me and smiled. This was the happiest moment of my life, and if only time could freeze at this moment.
I looked around. Dad, Mom... The most important people in my life wish me well...
Eh?
Suddenly, there was a trace of emptiness in my heart.
It was an empty stool in the middle of the crowded room.
Whose position was that?
I can't remember.
”Mr. Hou, are you willing to marry this woman in front of you and become one with her before God? Love her, comfort her, respect her, protect her, be she sick or healthy, rich or poor, remain loyal to her until death breaks you apart …”
Death? My heart skipped a beat.
”I'm willing!” Hou was handsome and resounding.
”Lady Wang Wangwang, are you willing to marry this man in front of you, regardless of whether he is poor or dead …” The priest's solemn voice echoed in the church.
”Wait …” I stopped the priest. ”What do you think my name is?”
”Lady Wang Wangwang …”
”No, my surname is not Wang, and my father's surname is not Wang …”
I turned to my father. ”Dad, what's my name?”
”Foolish lady, have you been happy to become an idiot?” My father patted my hand. ”You don't even remember your name?”
”No, dad, my name is not Wang Wangwang. You were the only one who knew my name in this world, did you forget?”
”Child, what's wrong …” Dad shook his head.
”Dad, my name is Aoqing.”
I burst into tears.
In an instant, I remembered everything. The Maze of the Seven Way, Dad's diary, my family, and Shuyue.
The real dad wouldn't forget that he had carefully hidden my name in order to give me a normal childhood, and had left a trail that only I could find.
The real father was dead. The one in front of me is the illusion in my heart.
”I'm sorry, this is a beautiful dream. But I know it's not true. ” I choked up and said,
”I'm going to wake up.”
The church, the bridegroom, and the guests gradually turned into dust and dispersed with the wind.
”Dad, I can't bear to part with you, but I still have to go save mom and save the woman we love the most.”
The lights were dim, and my father was becoming transparent.
”Child... ”You've grown up …”
Dad touches my head and points in a direction before he disappears.
In the darkness, there was a door.
Dad, thank you. Even in my dreams, in my illusory memories, you still protect me.
Becoming your and mother's daughters is the most proud thing in my life.
Dad, I love you.
I opened my eyes.