My Youth Began With Him

“But, I believe that you’re still alive. You’ll be back, right?” Huo Mian’s voice became a low whisper as she continued. At that moment, she felt like a hopeless child. Without realizing, she closed her eyes.

A world full of red maple trees appeared in front of her eyes, it was autumn at Yun Ding Mountain. The beauty of it was unspeakable, and it was as if it was the brightest and most colorful stroke from an artist.

Huo Mian looked up and noticed the man standing on the stairs. He was wearing a white top and black pants, and of course, his signature smile.

“Honey…”

“What are you waiting for? Give me your hand, I will guide you.” She watched Qin Chu reach his hand out to her, closing the distance between them.

She reached for his hand, but for some reason, failed to grasp his palm no matter how hard she tried.

“Mian, give me your hand,” he repeated.

Huo Mian tried and tried, no matter what she did, she was always slightly out of reach. It was as if some outside force was preventing her from reaching him.

“Honey, can you come closer? I can’t reach you.”

Qin Chu followed the stairs and slowly walked down.

As he came closer, a trickle of blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. As he continued down the steps, blood began pouring down his lips.

Huo Mian screamed as she ran up the stairs, only to realize she was unable to touch him.

She could only watch Qin Chu grasp his chest as he fell, tumbling down the stairs.

“Qin Chu!” she screeched out loud and woke up from the dream.

Upon hearing the miserable cry, the nurse ran in, “Ms. Huo, are you okay?”

“I’m… I’m fine,” Huo Mian’s voice trembled. A tear trickled down the corner of her eye as she downcast her gaze.

“Did you have a bad dream?”

“Yes.”

“Why don’t I get you a cup of warm water.”

“It’s okay. You can go.”

The nurse comforted Huo Mian for a while and left upon seeing that she seemed fine.

At home, Su Yu tossed and turned in his bed.

He was losing sleep because he was starting to worry about Huo Mian’s state of being.

Jiang Xiaowei said Huo Mian simply hid away her saddest emotions. It wasn’t because she didn’t feel sadness; rather, she wanted to take on the sadness herself.

The more Su Yu thought about it, the more his heart ached. He pressed his palm against his chest, hoping it would alleviate the pain.

Suddenly, his cell phone rang.

He took the call immediately as the caller ID showed the number of the Military Hospital.

“Young Master Su, perhaps you should come for a quick visit.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Ms. Huo’s emotional state is a little unstable. She had a bad dream and woke up screaming and crying.”

“I’ll be right there.” Su Yu got up immediately to change upon hearing what the nurse had said. He then drove straight to the Military Hospital.

When he knocked gently on the door, Huo Mian’s room was dimly lit up by the lamp on the nightstand. She was curled up in a corner with her head buried in her knees. Her shoulders trembled every now and then.

Su Yu knew she was crying.

“Huo Mian, don’t be afraid, I’m still here,” Su Yu walked over carefully when he received no response from Huo Mian. He continued, “Didn’t you say no news is good news? His whereabouts are unknown, which means he’s fine. Don’t be sad, you’re pregnant. If not for yourself, be strong for your babies. Dr. Luo told me that the mother’s emotions can influence the baby’s personalities a lot. So, Huo Mian, be strong.” Su Yu’s voice was gentle and tender. He never knew how to comfort girls. But right now, he was at his tenderest moment. He knelt beside Huo Mian and gently patted her back, as if he were comforting a child.

After a while, Huo Mian slowly lifted her head, and with tears streaming down her face, she asked, “Su Yu, I miss him. Can you take me with you to go and find him?”

Su Yu fell silent for a moment, not sure how to respond.