Chapter 3

This old inn boasts beautiful scenery; a vast forest stretches just beyond its walls, and in the distance, a sea of clouds hangs faintly over the trees. Morning light illuminated the pavilion's ridge. I composed myself and joined the elderly couple for a leisurely stroll, subtly inquiring about Trey's business affairs.

He replied, "Busy. Such a large enterprise, so many subsidiaries—to avoid being busy, you only need to retire or go bankrupt."

A dull ache settled in my heart. Busy or not depends on the person, not the task itself. Sweet memories of the past clung to me like a dense web, inescapable. The past was too beautiful, too painful. Memories swirled before my eyes.

"Time passed so quickly," I murmured. "I was only fourteen when I first came here."

The pavilion's pillars were etched with mottled marks. Ruth smiled gently. "Fifteen years, gone in the blink of an eye."

Nervously fidgeting, I tentatively asked, "If Alvin and I hadn't dated, would Uncle and Aunt have still accepted me as a daughter?"

Aunt Ye looked at me, hesitantly asking if we'd been quarreling. I opened my mouth to deny it, but said nothing. She gently touched my hand.

"Communication is key," she said softly. "In matters of the heart, you must work through them together. Life has its ups and downs."

My eyes widened, afraid to blink, fearing tears. Trey, sensing the situation, interjected, "Jacqueline, no matter what, you are our daughter. If Alvin mistreats you, tell us, and we will discipline him."

Unable to contain myself any longer, tears streamed down my face, falling to the ground like shattered dark flowers.

Ruth, understanding, pulled me to sit in the pavilion. "If it's something surmountable, grit your teeth and overcome it together. If it's insurmountable, become stronger and cross it alone. Jacqueline, though not my own blood, from the day you chose to stay, you've been my child. Don't suffer. I hope Alvin is happy, and I hope you are too."

Sobbing uncontrollably, I hugged Ruth tightly, gasping for breath. "No matter what happened, I was still your..."