《拉薩情書》

第二十一章、小倆口回台灣面對唐夢影
01
阿里山達邦部落，湯家餐廳裡，湯家人圍著餐桌吃早餐。
羅桑說：「愛玉，妳去桃園機場，接你大哥和安妮回來。」
「油錢加誤餐費，兩千。」湯愛玉騰出右手比出兩隻手指。
「妳搶銀行啊？」羅桑說：「工錢都算給妳了，還要誤餐費？」
湯愛玉噘著嘴說：「老爸，跑一趟桃園機場單程就要三個半小時耶！」
湯美蘭憂心說：「好啦！你們父女倆別計較了。我擔心懷民，到時候要怎麼面對夢影…」
羅桑嘆氣說：「唉！生米都煮成熟飯，還能怎麼面對？就跟人家誠心道歉囉！」
湯美蘭說：「放著一個青梅竹馬的千金不要，大老遠去西藏弄了個外國妞回來，真不知這孩子中了什麼邪…」
羅桑立馬板起臉孔，語帶警告說：「孩子的媽，這種牢騷話，妳可別當著他倆的面說出來啊！」
愛玉也勸說：「老媽，大嫂都懷孕了，妳就祝福他們倆吧？大哥自己的選擇，好歹將來他不會埋怨妳。」
羅桑說：「妳看看，女兒都比妳懂事！」

02
南下的高速公路上，湯懷民開車，後座裡安妮和湯愛玉一路聊著。
「大嫂，妳肚子裡的是男生還是女生？」
「還沒到時候，要十五到二十週，現在才第八週。」
「大嫂，那麼第一胎妳希望是兒子還是女兒？」
安妮微笑說：「都好囉！」
「最好是女兒，將來可以照顧弟弟和妹妹。不要像我哥，經常不在家，把家事和田裡的工作都丟給我。」愛玉趁機會拐彎抹角打臉他哥，吐一口悶氣。
懷民回應說：「那也沒辦法，男生本來就該出門去闖蕩。」
愛玉不服氣說：「是喔！那我們來交換啊！我出去闖蕩，你留在家裡當長工。」
安妮勸著：「好了，你們兄妹難得見面，就別鬥嘴了。」
愛玉羨慕說：「大嫂，妳家房子很漂亮耶！前庭後院，還有暖爐。妳傳給我的那些照片，我都轉給我同學了。」
安妮說：「有空歡迎妳來住一陣子。」
「我是很想啊！但爸媽肯定不會放人。」
房車剛經過南投交流道。
「愛玉，我在民間下交流道，妳載安妮先回去阿里山。」
「懷民，你要去那裡？」安妮直覺懷民會去日月潭。
「我去日月潭，跟夢影和唐爸唐媽，當面說清楚。」
安妮反問：「我們不是約好，要一起去嗎？」
「我一個人去，情況容易控制。」
安妮語氣堅決說：「不行！我想見唐夢影。」
懷民態度也跟著硬起來：「妳見她，只會增加我處理事情的難度。」
愛玉勸說著：「大嫂，妳聽我說，這事就讓大哥先去處理，我知道大哥的用意。」
安妮憂心說：「可是，我擔心對方死纏爛打，不放過妳大哥啊！」
愛玉幫腔說；「這點大嫂不用擔心，夢影姐從小跟我睡同張床，她是講道理的。」
安妮不再說話，她意識到懷民堅決不想她牽涉進去。

03
日月潭水社碼頭旁的人行木棧道上，湯懷民極力安撫唐夢影的情緒，夢影雙手環抱胸前，臉色鐵青。
「可當時你沒說到那喇嘛預言，你會在西藏遇見那女人！所以我沒逼你跟我結婚，跟你一起去西藏，這樣那女人就不會趁虛而入。」
「當時妳正在氣頭上，這部份我根本沒機會說…」
「湯懷民！」夢影伸出手指，狠狠幾下戳了懷民胸口：「你背叛我，毀棄婚約，我不會原諒你，這輩子都不會原諒你！」
「夢影，我不奢求妳原諒我，可是木已成舟，我們不可能重新來過。」
「你馬上離開那女人，跟我去巴黎！」夢影態度蠻橫，語氣咄咄逼人。
懷民態度堅決說：「不可能，我跟安妮已經註冊結婚，而且她懷孕了。」
「那我去找那女人談判，給她開個價碼，要她拿錢走人！」
懷民拉高音量說；「夢影，妳以為金錢能屈服所有的人嗎？」
「當然不能，你就是例外！可我爸有錢，不該是我的原罪，你卻拿這個當藉口，指責我是女強人，想要擺佈你、主宰你的人生…」
「夢影，妳不覺得這些年妳變了嗎？妳一直想要主導我，要我接受妳的安排，並且強調妳的出發點都是善意，都是為我設想…」
安妮深感傷心委屈，一股勁地反駁說：「難道不是嗎？為你設想，我做錯了嗎？安排你來我們家飯店當經理，經理耶！不是警衛、清潔員，我沒有讓你屈就喔！然後你跟我說，你不想依靠裙帶關係，寧可在碼頭邊擺人像畫攤，我也尊重你，每天照料你吃飯穿衣；我想拿私房錢跟你一起去巴黎，完成你的夢想，你又跟我鬧彆扭，說不想用我的錢…，我唐夢影為你所做的每一件事，哪一件不是為你設想？你不想要的，我幾時勉強過你？你到底有沒有良心啊！」說到後面，夢影淚水奪眶而出，捂著嘴哭泣。
「妳別這樣！夢影，算我虧欠妳，妳是個好女孩，是我沒這份福氣，我配不起妳……」懷民心軟下來，趨前環抱夢影，輕撫著她的長髮。

04
唐家豪宅客廳裡，裝璜陳設富麗堂皇，這時氣壓卻出奇的低。
湯懷民和唐家人對面而坐，犯人似地接受唐雲飛和趙雅雲夫妻審訊。
「懷民啊！你是阿姨看著長大的，你一直很疼愛夢影，小時候就跟我說長大後要娶夢影，這些往事歷歷在目，阿姨都清楚記得。」趙雅雲對湯懷民動之以情，接著說：「阿姨從小就當你是女婿，和你媽輪流做便當給你們帶去上學，幫你縫補衣褲襪子，阿姨可沒少疼你半絲半毫喔！」
「阿姨，妳們都對我很好，我感念在心，從來沒有忘記；可是我和安妮的姻緣是天註定的……」懷民話還沒說完，就激怒了唐雲飛。
「我聽你在放屁，臭小子！你懂什麼叫姻緣天註定？你拿這理由來搪塞我和你阿姨，呼弄你的未婚妻！誰讓你變得如此冷血？無情無義來著！」
「叔叔！對不起！我真的不想傷害夢影啊！」懷民被臭罵得抬不起頭來。
一旁的唐夢影眼裡淚光閃閃，看著懷民被老父親臭罵成這樣，心裡委實幾分不捨，轉念想到懷民堅決求去，又讓她悲憤不已。
趙雅雲懇切說：「這樣好嗎？懷民，你跟著夢影去巴黎讀書，我們兩家長輩來收拾殘局。」
懷民抬起頭說：「不行，阿姨，我不能做這種事，安妮和肚子裡的孩子須要我！」
唐雲飛見湯懷民竟然軟硬都不吃，氣到吹鬍子瞪眼珠，起身戳指破口大罵：「操你這小子！你自己闖出來的禍，我們願意出面幫你善後，你別不知好歹！」
趙雅雲起身按住唐雲飛肩膀勸著：「老爺，你別暴粗口，我們在善後，不要這樣瞎攪和！」
唐夢影看著眼前這一幕，給嚇得面色青綠，他從來沒看過老爸如此失控暴怒。
趙雅雲說：「明天我們全家上阿里山，兩家人坐下來，心平氣和地溝通。」
「還溝通個屁啊？妳沒看這小子，死不認錯！」唐雲飛還在氣頭上。
「老爺，這件事我說了算！夢影，妳送懷民去巴士站搭車，明天中午我們在阿里山湯家。」趙雅雲心意已決。
夢影和懷民離開後，趙雅雲開始數落老公：「老爺，你能不能沉住氣？晚輩有天大的錯，你也不該暴粗口，有失長輩身份。」
「剛才我沒動手揍他，已經很客氣了！還管身份不身份。」唐雲飛雙手叉腰，餘怒未消。
趙雅雲語出警告說：「明天去到湯家，你可別再意氣用事，否則我會當場跟你翻臉，醜話說在前頭，你聽清楚沒？」
唐雲飛清楚太座脾氣，知道她吃軟不吃硬，也就適可而止，消氣下來說：「好啦！我盡量克制自己情緒。」
雅雲語重心長說：「我們這趟去阿里山，要幫夢影解決問題，不是去跟湯家攤牌的。你曉得問題的關鍵所在嗎？」
唐雲飛說：「不就是要湯懷民離開那女人？」
雅雲冷靜地分析說：「懷民已經跟那女人在美國註冊結婚，而且對方都懷孕了，你想懷民會捨得離開那女人嗎？我甚至悲觀地說，美蘭姐和羅桑大哥，即使同情咱們夢影，也不會替夢影撐腰。」
「可咱們家和湯家有婚約在先啊？」雲飛還是不服氣。
「這問題我仔細想過，那只是雙方家長的口頭約定，法律上並無拘束力；就算夢影和懷民先前有舉行訂婚儀式，湯家一樣可以事後反悔。」
「老婆，妳的意思是，咱們就他媽的拿湯家沒皮條囉？」
「請留意你的措詞和用語！唐董。」趙雅雲白了老公一眼說：「這件事情，我們恐怕很難找到著力點！」
「那不是便宜了那臭小子，他玩弄我女兒感情，始亂終棄，拍拍屁股走人，咱們卻對他無可奈何！」唐雲飛逐漸弄清楚情勢後，感到洩氣。
「如果懷民曾經佔夢影便宜，咱們以懷民始亂終棄的理由，去湯家興師問罪都還站得住腳，偏偏他們從小時候到現在，並沒有任何越軌的記錄。」
唐雲飛懷疑問：「妳那麼確定，咱們夢影沒被他佔過便宜？」
「女兒是我生我養的，有什麼風吹草動，我這個當媽的會不清楚嗎？懷民這孩子品性和操守，我是信得過的。」雅雲接著剖析說：「所以明天咱們去到湯家，就不能擺出任何高姿態來，越是誠懇地表達我們的訴求，美蘭和羅桑越難招架，對夢影就越有利，即使我們要不到想要的裡子，起碼湯家會做足面子給我們。」
唐雲飛納悶問：「要不到裡子，就全盤皆輸了，哪還有什麼面子？」
雅雲反問說：「嘿！姓唐的，你不要跟我裝糊塗！」
唐雲飛被雅雲這麼一問，猛然想起自己的前妻蘇美美，尷尬地說：「說好不翻舊帳的，妳怎麼…」
「我只是提醒你，當初你前妻獅子大開口，要不是我媽果斷，答應拿一百萬美金出來給她當贍養費，你以為蘇美美會放你一馬，答應簽字離婚嗎？」
雲飛搔著臉頰，苦笑說：「都陳年往事了！還提它做啥呢？」
「對你是陳年往事，對我可記憶猶新彷如昨日。當時，你隱瞞剛結婚的身份來追求我，等我懷孕逼你結婚，這才東窗事發。更可惡的，你跟蘇簽字離婚後，還經常跟她暗通款曲，趁著去出差，偷偷和她們母女私會，甚至還安排蘇的女兒跟夢影讀同一所學校，要那個蘇莉敏跟夢影當好朋友，好讓你可以同時探視兩個女兒，你別當我都不知情，我只是不想彼此難堪，才裝聾作啞吞忍下來。」
趙雅雲不只翻出舊帳，還掀出唐雲飛不欲人知的底牌，雲飛聽得心驚膽跳，臉色一會兒青一會兒白，勉強擠出一句話來：「原來，妳一直派人暗中監視我。」
「我沒戳破你，是不想你見笑轉生氣，跟我翻臉！不想破壞你在夢影面前，好父親的形象。懷民的確玩弄了夢影的感情，辜負夢影對他的一片深情，但懷民好歹是個君子啊！你說，我能為難他嗎？」雲飛被雅雲問得啞口無言，頹然坐到沙發上生悶氣。
雅雲長嘆說：「唉！我昨晚還曾這麼想，咱們夢影會有這樣的遭遇，說不定是你這當老爸的，當年造孽的報應，只是報應不該落在夢影身上！」
唐雲飛雙手捂住臉，表情痛苦地求饒說：「求妳別再，別再說下去了…。」
「你聽我把話給說完，明天我們到了湯家，我預備讓夢影私下跟那個女人談判，拿筆錢要對方放人，如果對方接受，接下來就由我們出面跟那女人談價碼。」
唐雲飛抬起頭問：「如果那女人不願意呢？」
趙雅雲態度堅定地說：「那女人如果吃軟不吃硬，就看夢影的想法；夢影若是非要把懷民給搶回來，為了夢影的幸福，咱們只好跟那女的來硬的！」
唐雲飛提醒說：「妳可別鬧出人命來！咱們夫妻有頭有臉，可不能被搞上社會版，出現在電視新聞裡…」
趙雅雲胸有成竹說：「不至於走到那地步，你放心吧！」

05
房車行駛在環湖公路上，往巴士站方向。
唐夢影噙著淚水開車，不時拿手上的手巾拭淚。湯懷民側望著夢影，心裡百感交集。
夢影喃喃自語：「懷民，為什麼會變成這樣？為什麼？」
懷民沉默，除了「命中注定」，他沒有別的答案，但這答案，夢影完全不能接受。
「從小學到大學，你到哪裡我就跟你到那裡。你高中讀美術，我放棄音樂跟著你讀美術，我們一起牽手上下學，同學們都羨慕我有個青梅竹馬、帥氣又多才多藝的男朋友。從來，我就不曾懷疑，你會變心離開我…」夢影越說越傷心，淚水流下粉臉，把車停靠路邊，趴在方向盤上哭泣。
懷民身子靠過去，左手輕撫著夢影的背安慰說：「妳別這樣！夢影，是我辜負妳，妳應該找一個好男人來疼惜妳…」

06
房車回到湯家門口，湯美蘭和羅桑夫妻倆聽見引擎聲，走出來。
「安妮，歡迎回家！」羅桑發現駕駛座上開車的人，不是懷民：「愛玉，妳大哥嘞？」
「大哥在民間交流道先下，說去日月潭找夢影姐。」愛玉熄掉引擎，開車門。
湯美蘭問：「懷民怎麼不先回來？」
「大哥可能要私下找夢影姐溝通吧！他沒讓大嫂跟去。」
羅桑苦著臉說：「昨天唐家打電話來，口氣很不好，這回恐怕唐家不會善罷干休啊！」
身旁的湯美蘭拉了一下羅桑的袖管，對他使眼色。
美蘭親切地向安妮招手說：「安妮，進屋裡來，給媽看看。」
一家人進到客廳裡，才剛坐下來，美蘭迫不及待問：「懷孕幾週了？男孩女孩？」
愛玉笑著說：「媽，沒那麼快啦！大嫂說才八週。」
羅桑問：「懷民在電子信裡說，妳鼓勵他去狄士尼公司？」
安妮微笑說：「嗯！懷民遇到貴人，狄士尼的執行長賞識他，現在他一邊進修準備讀研究所，一邊在狄士尼動畫部門當見習動畫師。」
愛玉讚嘆說：「大哥猴鰓雷啊！竟然能夠進到狄士尼當動畫師。」(註1)
羅桑和美蘭四目相對，美蘭欣慰地說：「這要比去西藏當什麼研究員，肯定有出息！」
「我估計，唐家這兩天一定會上來阿里山興師問罪。」羅桑接著說：「愛玉，唐家人一旦出現，妳就帶著妳嫂子從後門離開，去咖啡園走走。」
愛玉望著安妮，意思是想知道安妮的想法。
「爸，就讓我跟唐家人見個面吧！」安妮淡定地說：「我會忍讓的。」
美蘭說：「安妮，妳爸跟我想法一樣，不能讓妳受委屈啊！」
安妮說：「我不覺得受委屈啊！見面三分情，我忍讓，他們能把我如何呢？」
美蘭為難地說：「等懷民回來，由他決定吧？免得他事後怪罪我們。」
註1猴鰓雷：廣東話「好犀利」音譯，意思接近「很厲害」、「給力」。

Chapter 21: The Couple Returns to Taiwan to Face Tang Mengying
01
At the Tang family restaurant in Dabang, Alishan, the family had breakfast around the table.
“Annie, go to Taoyuan Airport to pick up your brother and Annie,” Losang said.
“For gas and meal allowance, two thousand,” Ai-Yu held up two fingers.
“Robbing a bank?” Losang said. “We already calculated your wage, and now meal allowance?”
“Dad, it’s a three-and-a-half-hour drive one-way to Taoyuan Airport!” Ai-Yu pouted.
Meilan worried: “Don’t fuss, but I’m concerned how Huaimin will face Mengying…”
Losang sighed: “What can you do? It’s done. Just apologize sincerely.”
Meilan: “He left his childhood sweetheart and went all the way to Tibet for a foreign girl. What possessed him?”
Losang, sternly: “Don’t complain in front of them!”
Ai-Yu: “Mom, the sister-in-law is pregnant. Wish them well. It’s his choice; later he won’t blame you.”
Losang: “See, even your daughter is wiser than you.”
________________________________________
02
On the highway south, Huaimin drove, with Annie and Ai-Yu chatting in the back.
“Sis-in-law, is it a boy or girl?”
“Too early, 8 weeks. Usually 15–20 weeks.”
“First child, do you hope for a son or daughter?”
“Either is fine,” Annie smiled.
“Better a daughter, to care for siblings. Unlike my brother, often away, leaving work and farm chores to me,” Ai-Yu subtly jabbed at her brother.
Huaimin: “Boys are meant to go out and explore.”
Annie: “Really? Let’s switch. I go out, you stay home as a laborer.”
Ai-Yu: “Stop fighting, rare for you siblings to meet.”
Ai-Yu admired: “Your house is beautiful! Front and back yard, heater. The photos you sent, I shared with classmates.”
Annie: “Come visit anytime.”
“Want to, but parents won’t allow it.”
Passing the Nantou interchange:
“Huaimin, I’ll drop you at the local interchange. You take Annie back to Alishan.”
“Where are you going?” Annie guessed he’d go to Sun Moon Lake.
“To Sun Moon Lake, face Mengying and her parents directly.”
Annie: “Aren’t we going together?”
“Alone is easier to control.”
Annie insisted: “No! I want to see Mengying.”
Huaimin: “You’ll only complicate things.”
Ai-Yu: “Sister-in-law, let him handle it first. I understand his intention.”
Annie worried: “What if she clings to him?”
Ai-Yu: “Mengying is reasonable; don’t worry.”
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03
At Sun Moon Lake, Shuishe Pier boardwalk, Huaimin tried to calm Tang Mengying, who crossed her arms, face pale.
“But you didn’t mention that lama’s prophecy—you’d meet that woman in Tibet! So I didn’t force you to marry me, go to Tibet with me… she wouldn’t have intruded.”
“You were angry; I didn’t get a chance to say…”
“Huaimin!” Mengying jabbed his chest repeatedly: “You betrayed me, broke our engagement. I won’t forgive you—ever!”
“Huaimin: I don’t expect forgiveness, but it’s done. We can’t start over.”
“Then I’ll negotiate with her—offer money to make her leave!”
Huaimin raised his voice: “Mengying, do you think money controls everyone?”
“Of course not, but my dad is rich—it’s not my fault. You use it as an excuse to call me controlling!”
“Mengying, haven’t you changed? You’ve always wanted to dominate me, insisting your intentions are for my good…”
Mengying, tearful, countered: “Wasn’t it for you? I made you manager at our hotel, respected your wishes at the pier, cared for you daily. I offered my money to go to Paris with you. Everything I did—wasn’t it for you? When did I force you? Do you have a conscience?” Tears streamed as she covered her mouth and cried.
“Don’t, Mengying. I owe you. You’re a good girl. I’m not worthy,” Huaimin softened, embraced her, stroking her hair.
04
In the Tang family mansion’s living room, the decor was lavish and magnificent, yet the atmosphere felt unusually heavy.
Tang Huaimin sat opposite the Tang family, like a criminal undergoing interrogation by Tang Yunfei and Zhao Yayun.
“Aimin! You’ve been raised under my watchful eyes. You’ve always cared for Mengying. Even as a child, you told me you would marry Mengying when you grew up. I remember all those moments clearly,” Zhao Yayun appealed emotionally. She continued, “Ever since you were little, I’ve treated you as my future son-in-law. Your mother and I took turns making lunch for you to take to school, mending your clothes and stockings. I never spared any care for you!”
“Auntie, you’ve all treated me so well. I’ve never forgotten it. But my fate with Annie… it’s predestined…” Huaimin hadn’t even finished speaking when Tang Yunfei exploded with anger.
“I’m listening to nonsense, you brat! Do you know what ‘predestined fate’ means? You use that as an excuse to dodge me and your aunt, to deceive your fiancée! How did you become so cold, so heartless and unfilial?”
“Uncle! I’m sorry! I really don’t want to hurt Mengying!” Huaimin hung his head, ashamed and scolded.
Nearby, Tang Mengying’s eyes shimmered with tears. Watching Huaimin being scolded by her father, she felt a pang of pity, yet thinking of Huaimin insisting on leaving, she was also filled with grief and anger.
Zhao Yayun said earnestly, “Is that the right way? Huaimin, you should follow Mengying to Paris for your studies. Our families will take care of the aftermath.”
Huaimin lifted his head. “No, Auntie. I can’t do that. Annie and the child in her womb need me!”
Tang Yunfei, seeing Huaimin refusing both pressure and persuasion, became furious, flaring his eyes and pointing as he shouted, “Damn you, boy! This mess you made yourself, and we’re willing to help clean up. Don’t you know gratitude!”
Zhao Yayun pressed his shoulder gently, advising, “Sir, don’t curse. We are managing the aftermath. Don’t make things worse.”
Tang Guanghua watched the scene, terrified, his face pale green; he had never seen his father so out of control.
Zhao Yayun said, “Tomorrow, our whole family will go to Alishan. Both families will sit down calmly and communicate.”
“Communicate my ass! Haven’t you seen this brat? He refuses to admit fault!” Tang Yunfei was still enraged.
“Sir, I’ll handle this! Mengying, take Huaimin to the bus station. Tomorrow at noon, we’ll meet at the Tang residence in Alishan,” Zhao Yayun decided firmly.
After Mengying and Huaimin left, Zhao Yayun scolded her husband gently: “Sir, can you stay calm? Even if the younger generation makes a huge mistake, you shouldn’t curse like that. It’s unbecoming of a senior.”
“I didn’t hit him. I was already polite! What’s this about ‘senior’ or not!” Tang Yunfei, hands on hips, still fuming.
Zhao Yayun warned, “Tomorrow at the Tang residence, don’t act on impulse. Or I’ll openly confront you. Just saying it in advance, got it?”
Knowing his wife well, Yunfei realized she responded better to gentleness than force, so he calmed down. “Alright! I’ll try to control my temper.”
She continued earnestly: “This trip to Alishan is to solve Mengying’s problem, not to confront the Tang family. Do you understand where the real issue lies?”
“Isn’t it just to make Huaimin leave that woman?” Yunfei asked.
Zhao Yayun analyzed calmly: “Huaimin has already legally married that woman in the U.S., and she’s pregnant. Do you think he’d willingly leave her? Frankly, even Meilan and Luo Sang, who sympathize with Mengying, wouldn’t stand up for her.”
“But our families had a prior engagement with the Tang family!” Yunfei protested.
“I’ve thought about it carefully. That was only a verbal agreement between parents. Legally, it has no binding power. Even if Mengyun and Huaimin had a prior engagement ceremony, the Tang family could still retract later.”
“Wife, you mean… we’re screwed against the Tang family?”
“Mind your words, Tang Dong,” Zhao Yayun shot her husband a sharp look. “We may have very little leverage here.”
“That brat takes advantage of my daughter’s feelings, ruins her love, then walks away, and we can do nothing!” Yunfei gradually understood the situation, feeling frustrated.
“If Huaimin had taken advantage of Mengying, we could have confronted the Tang family on the grounds that he abandoned her. But there’s no such record from childhood to now.”
Yunfei doubted: “Are you sure Mengying was never taken advantage of?”
“She’s my daughter. I’d know if anything happened. Huaimin’s character is trustworthy,” Yayun explained. “So tomorrow, when we visit the Tang family, we can’t show arrogance. The more sincere we are, the harder it is for Meilan and Luo Sang to resist, which benefits Mengying. Even if we don’t get what we want, at least the Tang family will save face.”
“If we don’t get what we want, it’s a total loss. Where’s the face in that?” Yunfei asked.
Yayun countered: “Hey, Tang, don’t play dumb with me!”
Yunfei remembered his ex-wife, Su Meimei, and awkwardly said: “We agreed not to bring up old matters, but you…”
“I’m just reminding you. Back then, your ex-wife asked for an outrageous amount. If not for my mother’s decisiveness to pay $1 million as alimony, she wouldn’t have let you go and signed the divorce,” Yayun reminded.
Yunfei scratched his cheek, smiling wryly: “That’s ancient history! Why bring it up?”
“For you it’s history. For me, it’s fresh in my memory. Back then, you hid your married status to pursue me. Only after I got pregnant did you marry, and then everything came out. Worse, after divorcing Su, you secretly met with her and arranged her daughter to attend the same school as Mengying, so you could see both daughters. Don’t think I didn’t notice. I just pretended not to, to avoid awkwardness.”
Zhao Yayun had not only revealed old grievances but also Yunfei’s hidden strategies. Yunfei was shocked, face shifting between pale and green. He stammered: “So… you’ve been secretly watching me?”
“I didn’t expose you because I didn’t want you to embarrass yourself or get angry. I didn’t want to ruin your image as a good father in front of Mengying. Huaimin may have toyed with Mengying’s feelings, but he’s still a gentleman. How could I make things hard for him?” Yunfei was speechless and slumped onto the sofa, sulking.
Yayun sighed: “Last night, I thought maybe Mengying’s misfortune is your karmic retribution from past misdeeds, but it shouldn’t fall on her.”
Yunfei buried his face in his hands, pained: “Please, stop. Don’t say more…”
“Let me finish. Tomorrow, at the Tang residence, I plan to have Mengying negotiate privately with that woman, offering money to release Huaimin. If accepted, we’ll then discuss terms with her.”
Yunfei asked: “And if she refuses?”
Zhao Yayun was firm: “If she only responds to softness, it’s up to Mengying. If Mengying insists on taking Huaimin back, for her happiness, we’ll deal with her firmly.”
Yunfei warned: “Don’t let anyone get hurt! We’re respectable; we can’t make news headlines or appear on TV…”
Yayun confidently said: “It won’t come to that. Don’t worry.”
________________________________________
05
The car drove along the lakeside highway toward the bus station.
Tang Mengying, holding back tears, drove while occasionally dabbing at them with a handkerchief. Huaimin glanced at her, feeling a mix of emotions.
Mengying murmured: “Huaimin, how did it come to this? Why?”
Huaimin remained silent. “Predestined fate” was all he could say—a reason Mengying could not accept.
“From elementary school to university, I followed you everywhere. In high school, when you studied art, I gave up music to study with you. We held hands walking to and from school. Classmates envied me for having a childhood sweetheart, talented and handsome. I never doubted you’d turn your heart away from me…” Mengying’s sadness grew. Tears streamed down her face, and she parked by the roadside, burying her face in the steering wheel.
Huaimin leaned over, gently stroking her back: “Don’t do this, Mengying. I’ve let you down. You should find a good man to cherish you…”
________________________________________
06
The car arrived at the Tang family residence. Tang Meilan and Luo Sang heard the engine and came out.
“Annie, welcome home!” Luo Sang noticed the driver was not Huaimin. “Aiyu, where’s your brother?”
“He got off at the Minjian interchange. Said he’s going to Sun Moon Lake to see Sister Mengying.” Aiyu turned off the engine and opened the door.
Meilan asked: “Why didn’t Huaimin come back first?”
“He probably wants to communicate with Sister Mengying privately. He didn’t take my sister-in-law along.”
Luo Sang frowned: “The Tang family called yesterday. They were not polite. I’m afraid they won’t let this go.”
Meilan tugged at Luo Sang’s sleeve, giving him a knowing look. She waved kindly to Annie: “Come inside, let Mom see you.”
Once inside, Meilan eagerly asked: “How far along? Boy or girl?”
Aiyu smiled: “Mom, not that fast! Sister-in-law said eight weeks.”
Luo Sang asked: “Huaimin wrote in his email that you encouraged him to go to Disney?”
Annie smiled: “Yes. Huaimin met a benefactor, and Disney’s CEO recognized his talent. He’s preparing for graduate school while working as an intern animator in Disney’s animation department.”
Aiyu admired: “Big brother is amazing! To work at Disney as an animator.”
Luo Sang and Meilan exchanged glances. Meilan said: “Better than being some researcher in Tibet. He has a bright future!”
“I expect the Tang family will come to Alishan to demand explanations,” Luo Sang continued. “Aiyu, if they appear, take your sister-in-law out the back to the coffee garden.”
Aiyu looked at Annie, seeking her opinion.
“Dad, let me face the Tang family!” Annie calmly said. “I’ll endure.”
Meilan said: “We agree, don’t let you suffer!”
Annie said: “I don’t feel wronged! Face-to-face communication matters. I can endure. What can they really do?”
Meilan hesitated: “Wait for Huaimin to return. Let him decide, so he won’t blame us later.”