jdhmnovel Chapter 394 You Are the Only One in My Life
Chapter 394 You Are the Only One in My Life
The summer wind swirled scattered fallen leaves through the carved window frames, swirling under the eaves and bringing a chilly, desolate feeling.
Choi Ji-ho stood under the eaves with his back straight, but his clenched fists and white knuckles betrayed the turbulent emotions churning within him.
The faint sound of the mother's suppressed sobs could still be heard from inside the house, accompanied by the hurried footsteps of the servants.
His father fainted from anger and was probably just helped to a chair.
The word "unfilial" was like a branding iron, burning his heart with intense pain with every breath.
He was taught Confucianism from a young age, emphasizing the importance of moral principles and ethics. Yet today he openly contradicted his elders, causing his father to faint from anger. This is an act of utter disobedience.
The sounds of the argument from the main room still echoed in his ears: his father's heartbroken rebukes, his mother's tearful pleas, and his father's trembling hand as he pointed at him...
Each and every one of these things felt like a needle pricking his heart.
But when he turned his head to look at Shi Wanxia, who was standing not far away, her figure appearing even more slender in her plain dress, the wavering he felt due to "filial impiety" was instantly suppressed by another, more resolute emotion.
Give up on her?
Choi Ji-ho almost dared not even think about it.
From our first meeting, she spoke eloquently, her eyes bright as stars;
Later, he happened to bump into her at the county government office, and he stared at her in a daze. Her eyes and brows held the gentleness of an ordinary young woman.
Now, the two understand each other perfectly and support one another...
Summer had long since become like a ray of light, shining into his methodical and orderly life.
To make him give up this light is tantamount to making him return to a colorless, gloomy life, which would be more painful for him than making him admit to being "unfilial."
The dilemma was like an impenetrable net, trapping him firmly.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in his throat, and strode towards Shi Wanxia.
Shi Wanxia stood there, her eyes slightly red, clearly having just cried.
Seeing him approach, she quickly lowered her head, secretly wiping the corner of her eye with her fingertip. When she raised her head again, she tried her best to put on a calm expression, but her slightly trembling eyelashes could not hide her unease.
"Miss Shi,"
Choi Ji-ho's voice was a little hoarse, but unusually firm, "You go back to your room and rest first, I... I'll take my parents back first."
He paused, looked at the worry in her eyes, and then emphasized his words.
"Don't worry, I, Cui Zhihao, am a man of my word. I never give up easily."
He knew what she was afraid of.
The argument that just took place in the main room was filled with foul language and obscene words.
Her father's words, "Our Cui family has been officials for generations; how can we allow a helpless female official to tarnish our family name?" were like a knife chilled to the bone, piercing not only his heart but also, presumably, hers.
"My parents are just having trouble coming to terms with it and can't accept it right now."
Choi Ji-ho tried to make his tone sound light and reassured her.
"Give me some time, I'll handle it."
"You're weak and you've been frightened today. Go back to your room and rest. Don't think about anything."
Looking at him, Shi Wanxia felt a mix of emotions—bitterness, warmth, helplessness, and heartache…
A mix of emotions welled up inside her, causing her to choke up.
She couldn't understand why something as beautiful as mutual affection would face so many obstacles.
She thought that with her status as a female official and the insignificant title bestowed upon her by His Majesty, she could at least hold her head high in front of his family.
But only today do I realize that these things are utterly insignificant in the face of deeply ingrained social class distinctions.
The Cui family is a century-old prominent family with deep roots, and its members are all wealthy and noble.
As for Shi Wanxia, her parents died early. Although she has come this far on her own, she has no powerful family behind her, let alone any benefit to the Cui family.
Her parents disapproved, and she knew perfectly well why. They simply felt she wasn't good enough for him.
"Brother Cui,"
Shi Wanxia sniffed, trying to make her voice sound steady.
"Then you should take your uncle and aunt home first, so they won't be angry anymore."
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a barely perceptible stubbornness.
"I'm really fine, so don't worry. You said you wouldn't give up, and I won't give up easily either."
Hearing her words, Choi Ji-ho's tense nerves relaxed slightly.
Looking into her clear and determined eyes, he felt as if he had found the courage to face anything.
He couldn't help but raise his hand, intending to gently touch her head as usual, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a figure moving vaguely inside the room.
His mother was probably watching them through the crack in the window. His hand froze in mid-air, but he eventually withdrew it, though the warmth of wanting to touch her lingered on his fingertips.
"Miss Shi,"
He took a half-step forward, lowered his voice, and spoke with an almost solemn tone, as if making an oath.
"Listen to me, I will marry no one but you in this lifetime."
No matter how many obstacles lie ahead, whether it's life or death, I will stay with you!
Fearing she wouldn't believe him, he added, "I'm here for you. Just wait patiently."
“I will definitely convince my parents to accept you.”
As he said this, he seemed to have made up his mind, looking intently at her.
"If...if they still don't agree in the end, I'll marry into your family! I'll do anything for you!"
"Brother Cui, please stop talking!"
When Shi Wanxia heard the words "marry into the family," her heart tightened, and she subconsciously reached out and gently covered his mouth.
Her fingertips were slightly cool as they touched his warm lips, and both of them were startled.
Shi Wanxia felt her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat, and her cheeks flushed instantly.
Marrying into another family? In this era, what a humiliating thing that would be for a man, especially for a man like Choi Ji-ho who comes from a prestigious family.
How could she let him bear such a reputation and be pointed at and gossiped about by the world for her sake?
"You are not allowed to say that."
She moved her hand away, her eyes filled with reproach, but even more so with heartache.
"I believe in you, and I believe in us. Go back quickly, be careful on the way, and try to persuade your uncle and aunt."
Looking at her flushed cheeks and the concern in her eyes, Choi Ji-ho felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
He nodded heavily, then looked at her deeply, as if trying to etch her image into his heart.
"Then I'm leaving. Take good care of yourself."
After saying that, he turned around and resolutely walked towards the main house.
The wind under the eaves was still bleak, but his steps were more determined than when he came.
Shi Wanxia stood there, watching his figure disappear through the door, and then heard her mother's tearful urging voice from inside the house, as well as his deep and patient response.
She slowly clenched her fist, her nails digging deep into her palm.
She knew this path would be difficult.
But as long as Brother Cui doesn't give up, she will never back down.
However… looking at the magnificent mansion of the Cui family, and thinking about their strict rules and cold social standing, Shi Wanxia's heart couldn't help but sink.
She didn't know how difficult the road ahead would be.