Seeing Flowers through the Mist
She was very sad, like a withering leaf hanging on a tree in late autumn. That’s what everyone who knew her said.
After graduating from university, she took the provincial civil service exam and was hired by a government agency. She had only been working for just over a year. At her age, in this era, she should have been cheerful. Besides, her work abilities and appearance were both commendable.
However, she consistently kept people at a distance, using an attitude that seemed aloof. Some people were simply proud, but as mentioned earlier, she was sad.
Those who knew her background sighed and said, “This girl’s life has truly been rough. She lost her father at six, and it was her mother who raised her alone. They were outsiders in that small mountain village and were often bullied, so she developed a very introverted personality.”
But few people knew this, and most found her to be a mystery.
Despite this, many young men pursued her, inviting her to meals or sending her flowers, just to have a few words with her. But she would only gaze at them with her sad eyes, causing most to leave dejectedly. Only one young man persisted, waiting for her by the small bridge she crossed after work, rain or shine, not caring if she noticed him.
She could handle the young men who approached her directly, but the persistent matchmaking by well-meaning people was harder to refuse. Considering her age and her aging mother, she told the kind-hearted Sister Lin from her office, “It’s not that I don’t want to date, I just don’t want to date someone my age. My father passed away early, and my mother worked hard. I want someone older, mature and steady, even if he was married before. Such a person would understand me.”
Once this was known, people in the office came forward with candidates. To avoid affecting work, she seriously considered a few and finally chose him as her partner. He was a deputy director in another government agency, divorced for two years, nine years her senior, with a young daughter. He was steady and meticulous. Sister Lin said his divorce was due to his wife’s infidelity.
His experience made her notice him, and his steadiness and meticulousness swayed her. They were both lonely souls, having faced hardships, which made them more likely to cherish each other.
He was indeed very considerate towards her, like treating his own daughter. Every weekend, he accompanied her to visit her mother in the countryside. When her university friends visited, he busied himself with arrangements. Her friends secretly told her, “Your friend is nice. You’ll be happy marrying him.”
Her face showed a long-missed smile, and she thought her life was set.
One evening, while they were walking and she was recounting some funny university stories, she mentioned a male classmate who had pursued her. She spoke without much thought, but he took it seriously, insisting she give him the classmate’s contact number. In a fit of pique, she told him. To her surprise, he called the classmate right in front of her, asking him not to bother her anymore. She stormed off in anger.
Though he later apologized, saying he was too concerned about her, and she forgave him, a shadow remained in her heart.
Later, an incident made her lose hope in him completely. When he proposed, she tentatively asked if her mother could live with them after marriage. He stared at her for a long time, then said, “Now I understand why you rejected so many young men. You’re only after my money and house. I didn’t expect you to be so calculating at such a young age!”
Without a word, she turned and left. When Sister Lin tried to mediate again, she sighed, “Sister, I thought age would bring wisdom, but it also brings reality and selfishness. He and I just aren’t meant to be.”
Seeing her resolute attitude, Sister Lin comforted her, “Don’t worry, it’s rare for someone to succeed on the first try. I’ll find someone better for you.”
A few days later, Sister Lin introduced her to someone else. He was from Shandong, running a grain processing factory here. Due to poverty and later his business, he had delayed finding a partner and was eight years older than her.
He was tall and straightforward, a typical Shandong man. She had always admired people from the north, finding them honest and easy to get along with. She thought such a person would give her a sense of security.
Because of her past experience, she brought up her mother early in their interactions. He straightforwardly said, “We can give your mom money to live comfortably in the countryside, but nothing more.” He said it with a wave of his hand, as if discussing a business deal.
She finally understood that she was like someone struggling in water, trying to grasp at anything to save herself. True happiness could only be created by herself. She knew the first step was to show a confident smile and embrace each new day.
A little over a month later, someone saw her and the young man who waited by the bridge every day playing on the swings in the park, with a face full of sunshine.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
