Waterbound Love - Chapter 65

“What? You two want to get married?” Shen Yan’s mother furrowed her brows, “I don’t agree.”

“Sit down, do not lose decorum in front of the younger generation.” With a tap of Master Shen’s cane, Shen Yeyuan reluctantly sat back down.

“Du Ruo, your grandfather and I have been through life and death together, so we know about Shen Yan’s illness. I can’t let you get hurt,” Shen Qingshan said with a heavy heart. After losing his son-in-law and granddaughter early, and with his daughter unmarried for years, Shen Yan was the one he raised by hand. Now facing this illness, alas.

To this caring grandfather, Du Bai smiled brightly, “Grandfather, you have to trust Du Ruo, and also trust Shen Yan. I know everything about him. This marriage is not built on deception; it is completely voluntary on my part. How can there be any talk of me being harmed?” Du Bai paused, “Grandfather, trust me. My grandfather loves me so much that even knowing about Shen Yan’s condition, he still agreed to our marriage. Isn’t that enough to show Du Ruo’s determination for Shen Yan?” After saying this, Du Bai clearly felt Shen Yan squeeze her hand tighter and smiled reassuringly at him.

Shen Qingshan looked at Du Ruo and Shen Yan and sighed. Publicly, he hoped they would be together; Du Ruo was tough and sharp enough. If Shen Yan were really gone, Du Ruo could still support the Shen Family. Privately, he’s aware of Xiao Yan’s feelings for her over the years. Accompanying Xiao Yan through his final journey might be Xiao Yan’s happiness. Yet this child’s life is too bitter, “Ah, grandchildren have their own paths. I’m old. You decide for yourselves.”

“No, I won’t agree,” Shen Yeyuan said, clutching her hands tightly, looking at Shen Yan.

Du Bai smiled and pulled a document from her bag, “Thank you, Grandfather, for believing that Du Ruo is not a villain. But Du Ruo wants to dispel everyone’s misconceptions. This document has already been signed by Du Bai, in duplicate, and can be notarized once signed. Its main content is that Du Ruo will not participate in any of the Shen Family’s financial matters.”

Shen Yan’s hand stiffened again, and Du Bai held it tightly, conveying warmth silently. She gave an apologetic smile.

“This won’t do,” said Master Shen. “Once you’re married into the Shen Family, you’re part of the family. How can you draw a line between yourself and the Shen Family? Let’s not mention this again.” Seeing Master Shen’s firm resolve, Du Bai said nothing more, sticking to her decision. Little did she know the calculations Master Shen was making in his mind.

“No matter what you say, I won’t agree,” Shen Yeyuan stood up excitedly and stormed out.

“Aunt Shen, could we talk privately?” Du Bai stood up casually.

Shen Yeyuan glanced at Du Bai and went out first.

“Grandfather, please excuse me,” Du Bai said, pushing Shen Yan’s wheelchair towards Shen Yeyuan.

Master Shen watched the backs of Du Bai and Shen Yan thoughtfully. He knew his only daughter well, and figured this wouldn’t be easy for Du Bai. However, it was a test; everyone in the Shen Family must withstand tests.

Once in the study, Du Bai pushed Shen Yan into the sunlight, adjusted the blanket on her legs, and gently leaned over. Her movements were smooth and fluid.

Shen Yeyuan quietly watched Du Bai, a fleeting struggle crossing her face. “Du Ruo, listen to your aunt. You both-”

“Aunt,” Du Bai interrupted, knowing that Shen Yeyuan’s next words wouldn’t be welcome, “I know what you want to say. Could you give me your reasons?”

“This is too much of a compromise for you,” Shen Yeyuan said, her eyes flickering awkwardly.

“Aunt,” Du Bai placed her hand lightly on Shen Yan’s shoulder. She knew the following words would be painful, “I’m not a fool. Don’t try to brush me off with such excuses. I only know that no mother would be entirely selfless concerning her child. She would sacrifice anything for their happiness. Even though I don’t watch TV, I know that your reasons wouldn’t even make it to melodramas.”

“You-” Shen Yeyuan’s fingers trembled. Du Bai raised an eyebrow, “Should I say it for you? You’re afraid that the truth about Shen Yan actually being a woman will be uncovered, aren’t you?”

“Why else would you bring it up?” Shen Yeyuan’s face contorted with pain when her sore spot was exposed.

Du Bai smiled knowingly, “Obviously, I wouldn’t broadcast Shen Yan’s secret, since I know it well. You’re afraid our marriage will prompt others to unearth it, thereby threatening you and Shen Corporation.”

Shen Yeyuan lost her sharp demeanor, staring dejectedly at Du Bai as she murmured, “I always knew you knew, but hearing it spoken out loud, I still can’t accept it. How I wish it was Xiao Yan who survived.”

Du Bai noticed Shen Yan’s emaciated hand, veins prominent, and her jaw clenched tightly, showing the immense restraint she was exercising. Du Bai slowly walked over to Shen Yeyuan.

A sudden “slap” broke the silence, shocking Shen Yan, who looked at Du Bai in disbelief. Du Bai shook her hand gently.

“You dare to hit me?” Shen Yeyuan said, covering her face in indignation.

Du Bai felt frustrated; why did those who got slapped always say such clichéd things?

“Originally, I respected you as an elder and wouldn’t have laid a finger on you, but you really shouldn’t have said such things to Shen Ai. She has struggled enough for you, losing even the basic privilege of being a girl. Have you ever considered, when such a small child forces herself to be mature and sophisticated, that you still refuse to acknowledge her? In her final days, must you still cause her such heartache?”

Du Bai turned to Shen Yan, gently lifting her chin, and wiped away her tears.

“The year of the car accident, it was her twin brother Shen Yan who protected Shen Ai, allowing her to survive. When she woke up, you announced that it was Shen Yan who lived. She thought, that’s fine, her life was given by her brother, living for him was okay, pushing herself to be mature, excelling like her brother. But she didn’t know that living is always harder than dying. She’s done so much, and what have you done? You’ve constantly told her that it should have been her who died then, brutally extinguishing her hope in front of a child craving maternal love. You probably don’t know that Shen Yan rarely visits the hospital because living itself exhausts her. She doesn’t want any extra troubles; she bears any illness alone and only seeks the doctor from back then when she can’t endure anymore.” Du Bai gently wiped away her own tears.

“You don’t even know that Shen Ai and I once held a funeral-a funeral for burying Shen Ai. What she buried was the diamond bell you gave her when she was born. She said it was a farewell, and from then on, she would only be Shen Yan. We were just 11-year-old children at that time, but you could never see the deep sorrow radiating from that young girl under the tree, a sadness so overwhelming that it made everyone who saw it weep with her.” It also made me too afraid to get close to her, ignoring her emotions.

“She’s done more than that. Do you still want to hear?”

“No, no, no, please stop. I don’t want to know these things.” Shen Yeyuan wiped her tears, covered her ears, and shook her head desperately.

“You don’t want to hear because as long as you don’t, you can continue to live in your own world, hurting Shen Ai without remorse. Why can’t you give her a little warmth? You don’t need to make a huge concession, just let her enjoy happiness in whatever time she has left.” Knowing she had said everything she could, Du Bai saw that Shen Yeyuan was already in a daze, and saying more would be pointless. She pushed Shen Yan out of the room.

Shen Yan wiped her tears and looked calmly at Du Bai, her eyes filled with gratitude. “You didn’t have to do that. I don’t care.”

Du Bai came around to face Shen Yan, crouching down to meet her eyes. “I promised that your future will be filled only with happiness.”

Shen Yan gently stroked Du Bai’s shoulder-length hair. “Having you is enough.”

“It’s not enough. I’ll make sure your happiness overflows like water-you can only become more joyful.”

Shen Yan gave Du Bai a soft hug, tears falling as she embraced her. Her eyes, apart from showing happiness, also held an unhideable sadness.