My Youth Began With Him

“I’m actually an intern doctor.”

“Oh? A doctor… you’re in medicine…”

“Yes.” Huo Mian nodded.

“That’s incredible! Let me tell you… this country is lacking Chinese doctors like you. You should open up your own clinic. It’s very difficult to see a doctor over here… it’s different in this country. And you, why are you in such a state with such a great background? Why don’t you abort your child and leave your boyfriend? I’ll introduce you to someone. I have a good friend… her son is very successful. He works in Sydney as a financial analyst. He earns tens of thousands of dollars each month, and he has a car and a house. He already has Australian citizenship too! Do you know what’s great here? Because of the low population, the government gives you money for having children. The more you have, the more money you get. Isn’t that great?”

“Ugh…” Huo Mian didn’t know what to say…

“What do you think about my suggestion?”

“Auntie, thank you for your suggestion… but I can’t abort my child. It’s my child… I could never do that.”

“We could work with that too. Why don’t you give birth and then we’ll look for a family to adopt your baby? Otherwise, it’ll be hard to find a good man.”

“I don’t need someone else. I’ve never even thought about that.”

“What are you saying? You’re still so young.”

“I’m not that young. I’m 27… almost 30,” Huo Mian corrected.

“That’s still young, silly girl… you should plan for your future while you’re still young.”

Huo Mian felt so guilty for lying. No wonder the old proverbs advised people not to lie.

Once a lie was told, a hundred more lies must be weaved to cover the first lie.

She really wanted to tell the Auntie that, not only was she old, she already had two adorable daughters.

However, after some thought, she decided to keep chatting with the auntie. It didn’t matter anyway…

“Honey, you should really listen to my advice.”

“Auntie, how did you end up in Australia? You sound like you’re from Shandong province?”

“Yes, how did you know?” The auntie was taken aback.

“Because I’ve been there before. The people there are very down to earth and very friendly.”

“Yes, I’m from Yang Gu, Shandong… the birthplace of Kung Fu…ever heard of it?”

“Yes I do. It’s a very famous place.” Huo Mian nodded.

“I came here around seven or eight years ago. At first, my daughter was finishing up her Ph.D. Later she got her citizenship and married an Australian. They later had a kid so I came here to help. Now that the kid’s in school, I have nothing to do so my daughter opened up a small shop for me to pass time.”

“Is your husband also here?” Huo Mian asked.

“My husband… died 15 years ago. Car accident.”

“Oh, my apologies, Auntie, I didn’t know.”

“It’s alright. Let’s keep talking about you. If you want, I’ll tell my friend tomorrow. Both she and her son are in Sydney. What do you think?”

“Ahem… um… Auntie, I’m done, I’ll go do the dishes.”

“Let me. You’re pregnant right now and shouldn’t be doing these things.” The elderly woman took away Huo Mian’s bowl; she really was kind-hearted.

“Auntie, I’m a little tired. I’m going to sleep here for a little while.”

“I can’t let you do that. Go upstairs to my bedroom. It’s clean there. It’s too dirty and cold here.”

“It’s really okay. I’ll leave in the morning.”

“You’re leaving in the morning? Why are you in such a hurry? Where are you heading to?”

“I’m heading back home…back to my family,” said Huo Mian.

Before the auntie could reply, they heard busy footsteps from outside of the house…

“The cameras show that she disappeared around here. Search every house. We have to find her.” The voice of a foreign man sounded from the outside.

Alarmed, Huo Mian stood up immediately.