The Innocent Heart - Chapter 13

“Perhaps your mother has her own reasons for it…” Guan Yueyao looked at the young man beside her and spoke softly after a long moment. “Even if she doesn’t, she isn’t married, so she has the freedom to date.”

Since arriving here and facing the near-impossible chance of seeing her mother again, whether due to memory beautification or the beauty created by distance, her mother, in Guan Yueyao’s memory, seemed consistently gentle. The memories that came to mind were the happy times the mother and daughter spent depending on each other. The quarrels and teenage rebellion were all subconsciously erased from her mind.

As a result, she was increasingly able to appreciate how difficult it had been for her mother to raise her in a foreign land. If she once had reservations about her mother finding a new boyfriend, now she sincerely hoped her mother could find a person who loved and cherished her. She hoped her mother could properly forget her daughter and start a new life.

“What is ‘dating’ (談戀愛)?” Huo Qubing was very confused by the new terms that kept popping out of Guan Yueyao’s mouth.

“Uh…” Guan Yueyao was stumped. In the modern era, although she saw many classmates dating, she had never been in a relationship herself. Moreover, the term seemed to be understood instinctively without much explanation. She had never considered how to explain “dating” to an ancient person.

“It’s… the stage where two people like each other but are not yet married?” Guan Yueyao said, sounding unsure.

This explanation made Huo Qubing frown. Based on Guan Yueyao’s description, it naturally reminded him of his own mother and her lover, Chen Zhang. Could this be what Guan Yueyao referred to as “dating”?

“In the era you lived in, was it normal for men and women to date? Should a major life event like marriage not follow the orders of parents and the words of the matchmaker?” Huo Qubing looked at Guan Yueyao with disapproval.

“Of course! Who gets married without dating a few times? Even if it’s an arranged introduction, you still have to spend some time together, right? If you don’t spend time together, how would you know if the person you’re going to marry or take as your wife is someone you actually like?” Guan Yueyao responded with righteous indignation.

Huo Qubing was momentarily choked by Guan Yueyao’s response, unsure how to reply. But hearing her speak like this, he felt that although it went against propriety, it seemed to make a good deal of sense. Most importantly, now that Guan Yueyao had framed it this way, Wei Shao’er’s behavior no longer seemed quite so shocking.

This thought made Huo Qubing feel considerably better, and the awkward tension he felt when thinking of his mother slightly subsided.

“But what if, after that ‘dating’… what if they discover they are not a good match? What should be done then?” The face of Chen Zhang flashed into Huo Qubing’s mind, and he couldn’t help but worry for his mother again.

“The songs all sing, ‘For the man’s indulgence, there is still the chance to break free. For the woman’s indulgence, there is no chance to break free.’” Huo Qubing sighed, a concern that did not match his age clouding his face.

He was not truly unwilling for his mother to remarry; it was just that the man named Chen Zhang was two-faced. He had been entangled with his mother for years but had never agreed to formally marry her.

Guan Yueyao might not understand, but Huo Qubing knew perfectly well that in this era, a bastard son, or a woman who was seduced and abandoned, no matter how prominent their family background or how much power they wielded, could never entirely escape malicious gossip. The unpleasant past of his mother and his maternal uncle (Wei Qing) remained the best pretext for their political enemies to attack them. It seemed no matter how outstanding you were, your birth alone determined you were somehow inferior.

Huo Qubing did not submit to such talk. In his eyes, his maternal uncle was the most remarkable general. And he, too, had his own dreams. He wanted to gallop across the battlefield and drive out the Xiongnu who constantly encroached on the border. He wanted to achieve great deeds and prove to the world that birth did not determine everything. This was just a tiny spark in the heart of the still-young Huo Qubing, flickering in the strong wind, yet stubbornly refusing to be extinguished. And one day, he would trample that wind beneath his feet, soaring upward and forcing the world to look up just to catch a glimpse of his presence.

Guan Yueyao did not know that her friend’s thoughts had already stretched to a distant place because of this topic. The boy no longer displayed the arrogant, overbearing pride he usually showed, and a nearly imperceptible vulnerability surfaced on his handsome face. Guan Yueyao keenly sensed this subtle difference in Huo Qubing; he seemed to need her encouragement.

“But those people criticize you because they don’t love you, or even dislike you. But your mother, even if she might sometimes annoy you, she definitely loves you, right?”

Guan Yueyao tilted her head toward the young master who was troubled beside her. By all appearances, he didn’t look like a child who grew up in an environment where he was rejected by his parents.

Huo Qubing nodded. He could have many complaints about his mother’s daily behavior, but he could not deny this one thing: in Wei Shao’er’s heart, Huo Qubing was always placed in the most important position. Even Chen Zhang, who had been involved with her for several years, would surely be on the losing side if he had a conflict with Huo Qubing.

Seeing Huo Qubing give a nearly imperceptible nod, Guan Yueyao smiled. “So, your mother’s happiness and joy are much more important than the harsh words and cold looks of those who dislike you, aren’t they?”

From Huo Qubing’s perspective, his friend’s eyes were shining brightly in the darkness, carrying a warm smile that was strikingly beautiful. He had always been a stubborn child; once he decided on something, ten oxen couldn’t pull him back. Even the Emperor had a love-hate relationship with this trait. Yet, today, he felt that he had been so easily convinced by this young man he had only known for two days.

Was it because of their somewhat similar experiences? Huo Qubing forced a smile. It must be! This strange fellow, who claimed to be from a thousand years in the future, could understand him. The humble and disreputable background of his family, in the eyes of the world, didn’t seem to be an issue for him at all.

“You fellow, you’re not entirely annoying…” In the darkness, Guan Yueyao heard the young man beside her suddenly turn his back, saying this awkwardly.

Hmph, what a hypocrite, Guan Yueyao muttered inwardly. Since holding one position for so long was uncomfortable, she also turned over, shifting into a more comfortable posture, ready to fall asleep.

Just then, a gust of night wind blew through the room. Without blankets or any cover, the cold air of the spring night made both boys involuntarily shiver, and gradually, they unconsciously moved closer to each other.

A warm sensation spread across her back. Guan Yueyao greedily absorbed the warmth radiating from the other person. It was a long-lost feeling of security. She thought she had grown used to being alone, needing neither friends nor family. But it turned out that deep down, her heart had always longed for the goodwill and affirmation of others.

Two fearless boys, both growing up in families that, by society’s standards, were incomplete. They appeared strong-willed and rebellious on the surface, but in reality, they were anxious, searching for their place in the world. Although the path of growth was long and arduous, at least for now, they had found their place by each other’s side.

“Huo Qubing…” In the deep night, Guan Yueyao suddenly spoke, “Are you asleep?”

“What is it?” It took a moment for the young man’s reply to come from behind. His voice was clear, indicating he hadn’t just been startled awake from a dream.

“Let me tell you a story.” Guan Yueyao’s random statement made Huo Qubing turn over again, looking at her with hesitation.

Although he didn’t understand what Guan Yueyao was planning, since he couldn’t sleep anyway, he might as well listen to what story he wanted to tell. Thinking this, Huo Qubing remained silent, waiting patiently.

Guan Yueyao guessed that with Huo Qubing’s personality, he would have spoken up to refuse her suggestion if he didn’t agree, so his silence must mean consent.

In the darkness, Guan Yueyao gave a wicked smile. She had been scared half to death earlier, so now she was going to get her revenge.

Guan Yueyao cleared her throat and began telling the story of Ju-on (The Grudge). She had been terrified by that horror movie when she was alone at home. Later, after watching too many horror films, she gradually became desensitized to the scary scenes. It was only then that she dared to watch it a second time. Although the fear had mostly vanished during the rewatch, the scenes and plot had been imprinted even more deeply into her memory. Remembering it tonight, she decided to scare her new good friend.

Guan Yueyao gave a very dramatic rendition, especially focusing on the terrifying appearances and entrances of Kayako and Toshio. Outside, the courtyard was pitch black, and the moaning wind continued to drift into their ears from time to time.

As Guan Yueyao spoke, she wasn’t sure if she had scared Huo Qubing, but she herself started to feel nervous again.

“Do you know why this manor, despite being in the bustling city, has been uninhabited for so long?”

To her surprise, after Guan Yueyao finished her story, Huo Qubing suddenly countered with a calm question.

Guan Yueyao was not foolish. Huo Qubing’s abrupt question after her ghost story clearly suggested that there was something strange about this manor as well. But she had just acted so bravely; if she showed fear now, wouldn’t she be laughed at?

“No, why?” Guan Yueyao asked defensively, feigning indifference with her neck stiffened.

“Dozens of people died in this manor. I heard my maternal uncle say that when the former master’s house was raided, blood flowed everywhere here, even spilling outside. Later, the manor was bought by a wealthy merchant who moved in, but his servants frequently died unexplained deaths inside the house. That wealthy merchant also eventually went bankrupt and disappeared without a trace. Everyone in the capital says that there is a malevolent ghost haunting this house, which is why no one dares to live here or take ownership of it.”

Huo Qubing spoke with a serious tone, and Guan Yueyao thought about how she had been living alone here all this time, making her scalp tingle with fear.

Just then, a strange sensation came from her feet, as if something was wriggling by her legs.

Guan Yueyao couldn’t hold back anymore and screamed, jumping up.