Running Away

"He went up Yandou Mountain. You can see him from the entrance!" Wang Xiyue thought Uncle Mumu wanted to ask Tong Haojing to go fishing. "Should I call him back?" Wang Xiyue's words were muffled by the toothpaste foam in her mouth.

"No, the children here have already graduated. How about we become in-laws?" Uncle Mumu tested the waters with a half-joking tone, observing Wang Xiyue's reaction. Actually, these past few days, for some reason, his daughter's lively and cheerful personality had suddenly changed. She had become melancholic and withdrawn, unwilling to see anyone. This led Uncle Mumu to wildly speculate about his daughter's feelings, thinking she was lovesick. Uncle Mumu really wanted Tong Haojing to get along with his daughter because he knew Tong Haojing too well – "loyal, honest, and handsome." Uncle Mumu had no idea about Mei Tingyu's change; this was the biggest upheaval in his daughter's life, the greatest humiliation. She chose to swallow her pride and didn't tell anyone, nor did she dare to tell outsiders.

Wang Xiyue was stunned for a moment, completely bewildered by the sudden remark. She wondered why this grown man would suddenly say such a thing. She was taken aback, but thankfully, she had a son. Otherwise, she would have definitely fallen out with him.

Wang Xiyue shot Uncle Mumu a look and raised her left hand, wanting to hit him. However, the distance was a bit too far, and she couldn't reach him at all.

"Don't say such things carelessly. If the kids find out, they'll tear my mouth off!" Wang Xiyue didn't object. A smile flickered across her face, showing that she was quite pleased inwardly.

"How about this, I'll ask the kids first?" Wang Xiyue's hesitant tone gave Uncle Mumu an opportunity.

"That's true, we can't rush this!" Uncle Mumu agreed.

"How about this, let's meet tomorrow at Mengjing Teahouse on the street to see if the two youngsters are interested!" Wang Xiyue's eagerness was more pronounced than Uncle Mumu had expected. Although she appeared indifferent on the surface, she was inwardly very happy to have her son get together with Mei Tingyu. Uncle Mumu was naturally delighted.

The two reached an understanding and went home separately.

Tong Haojing came down from Yandou Mountain and saw Uncle Mumu's back. He thought Uncle Mumu had called him to go fishing in the river. However, what he didn't expect was that Uncle Mumu was there to discuss a marriage arrangement, and it was for the very next day. His mother, Wang Xiyue, told him this very seriously.

In Tangdu Ancient Town, whether it was through parental arrangement, free love, or introductions from others, the custom for residents here for generations was to meet and assess each other for satisfaction at the Tangdu River. In fact, Tong Haojing felt this was just an old custom and bad habit. He and Mei Tingyu could have admired each other for a long time, but they hadn't confessed their feelings due to conservative societal norms.

When his mother, Wang Xiyue, brought up the matter to Tong Haojing, a warm current instantly surged through his heart. His spirits soared, and he pictured the scene of him eating his mother's cooking every morning and Mei Tingyu's crisp, sweet voice calling him to school from outside the door. Mei Tingyu was indeed beautiful; this was an undisputed fact throughout the village, the class, and Tangdu River Middle School. Whenever Tong Haojing walked behind Mei Tingyu, his youthful infatuation had long been present, and he would find himself lost in daydreams. His thoughts back then were difficult to articulate, incompatible with societal norms, and even scorned. So, perhaps burying them deep in his heart was the best course of action.

Eighteen-year-old Tong Haojing had a tall, well-proportioned physique. His youthful face exuded a strong scholarly aura. Seeing his parents toil diligently only to have no money for medical treatment and return home to await death, he secretly vowed to retake the college entrance exam, break out of this impoverished region, and change his circumstances. Matters of romance would have to remain hidden.

His mother's short-sightedness, however, forced him to have more thoughts and worries. Without the support of her husband, Wang Xiyue lived a hard life. To survive, she disagreed with her son retaking the exam. She had long hoped for Tong Haojing to stay and help her. Yesterday, when Uncle Mumu came to discuss the marriage arrangement, it perfectly suited her intentions. Mei Tingyu was well-behaved and beautiful; you couldn't find anyone comparable within an eight-mile radius. This was a blessing Tong Haojing had cultivated for eight lifetimes. Wang Xiyue readily agreed. Both parties arranged for the meeting the next day. Seeing his mother's hardworking figure, Tong Haojing couldn't refuse. After all, he did have Mei Tingyu in his heart. However, without achieving anything yet, no one could predict the future. But on the other hand, he felt desolate and uncertain. Perhaps this really wasn't the right time. In Tong Haojing's eyes, he liked Mei Tingyu, but he didn't want his youth to be blandly buried in this rural place.

Mei Tingyu had also tasted the bitterness of failing the college entrance exam, but she didn't show it as intensely. After all, her grades weren't good, so not getting accepted was within expectations. However, Tong Haojing not getting into his dream police academy was somewhat unbelievable, yet it was the reality now. Mei Tingyu was also getting older. When men reach a certain age, they marry, and when women reach a certain age, they marry. Uncle Mumu had already found a potential partner for his daughter – Tong Tong, who always followed him fishing. He found this kid to be quick-witted, very sweet-mouthed, honest, and dependable. Their family also owned a small building, and the two got along well. If they became family, it would surely be a happy union. When Mei Tingyu heard Uncle Mumu say this, her face flushed repeatedly, and she felt very embarrassed, running back to her room.

Uncle Mumu understood that his daughter, Mei Tingyu, had agreed.

The next day was the day of the meeting. Tong Haojing paced back and forth in his room, constantly tapping his head with his hands: "What to do! What to do! Is my life really going to be stuck in this mountain village forever!" Tong Haojing was so anxious he felt like crying, with no solution in sight.

His mother, Wang Xiyue, sleeping upstairs, was awakened by the light. "Tong Tong, you're not asleep yet? We still have preparations for tomorrow!" Her reminder only increased Tong Haojing's anxiety, his heart pounding almost out of his chest.

Tong Haojing said, "I need to use the restroom!" Tong Haojing was clearly covering for himself. His mind was in turmoil, unsure of how to proceed. At this crucial juncture in his life, no one could help him. For this rural student who had just suffered a blow, making the right choice was not easy. His helpless expression would make anyone feel distressed.

At this critical moment, Tong Haojing's dream of being a police officer still lingered in his mind. The night was still long.

The next day was market day. His mother, Wang Xiyue, groggily got up early. Before dawn, she was already lighting a fire in the kitchen to cook. The steam hissed and puffed against the pot lid. Wang Xiyue's face was full of smiles, and she walked with extra vigor. Uncharacteristically, she had even drawn her eyebrows and applied light makeup, looking nothing like a rural woman. His mother didn't wake Tong Haojing, wanting him to sleep enough to be refreshed and show off his tall, handsome, and heroic demeanor in front of Mei Tingyu.

The meal was ready. Wang Xiyue untied her apron and put it away in the cupboard. She cheerfully called Tong Haojing to eat. To her surprise, when she entered the room, it was empty. The quilt on the bed was neatly folded, and there was no sign of anyone.

Wang Xiyue was instantly dumbfounded. She stood in the room, frozen for a while before coming to her senses: "What's going on? Is he deliberately trying to embarrass his mother!"

She called out "Tong Tong" several times, but no one answered. She quickly ran out of the house, shouting in the large house and in the fields and wilderness in front of the door, her voice filled with despair. No one responded. Wang Xiyue panicked. She slumped onto the stone steps in front of the door, her eyes vacant. Without seeing Tong Haojing, the arrangement with Uncle Mumu was ruined. She felt like crying but had no tears. "To give such a good girl away to someone else, how can I hold my head up in front of the village!"

Uncle Mumu, with Mei Tingyu, waited at Mengjing Teahouse on the street in Tangdu Town for a long time. It was almost noon, and neither Wang Xiyue nor Tong Haojing had appeared. Uncle Mumu waited until he was furious. He peered in the direction of the street entrance, occasionally rising on his tiptoes to see further. His expectant gaze was filled with a sense of being deceived. He was filled with regret.