You make your own decision
The next day—
She ate her breakfast sullenly.
Her uncle was seated across from her at the table. He was reading the newspaper when he opened his mouth and asked all of a sudden, “Why don’t you want to go to the States?”
He did not look at her when he asked the question.
Chi Yi was startled. The fingers that were holding the spoon and stirring the porridge jerked a little as she looked up at him.
It did not take long for her to guess that her father must have called him after their conversation last night.
And right now, he must be thinking of a way to persuade her!
“Do you want me to go?” Ignoring his question completely, she asked him in return.
He finally looked up from the newspaper. Glancing pensively at her out of his periphery, he replied, “You’ll have your parents to keep you company when you go over, isn’t that good?”
“So… does that mean that you want me to go?”
The sparkle in her eyes turned dull and her heart instantly plummeted into the abyss.
She was so dejected!
There was only one reason she did not want to go to the States, and that was because of him!
But what did she get in return?
He did not seem to care if she intended to go or to stay.
No, perhaps he cares! Perhaps he wants me to go to the States so I won’t be a burden to him anymore, isn’t it?
“Your father asked me to talk to you.”
“…”
She guessed as much!
“If you want me to go, then I’ll go!”
She must admit that these were impulsive words more than anything else.
Instead, the man retorted, “But I didn’t agree.”
“Eh?” She was rather surprised.
“You’re already 18 years old, and have your own plans. So I think we should let you make your own decision.”
She displayed a rare smile on her face when she heard that. Her pretty and lively eyes folded into two adorable crescents as her teeth sparkled white and shining. Beaming, she declared with sheer delight, “Then I won’t leave! I’ll stay here; I don’t want to go anywhere!”
Jumping with joy, she went back to her porridge with newfound enthusiasm.
“How do you intend to convince your dad, then?”
As he dug into his porridge, he asked her in return.
“As for that…” She picked up her bowl of porridge and took a seat beside him. Licking her upper lip, she cajoled, “Uncle, can you try to convince my dad please?”
“I’m not going to get involved.” He rejected without much emotions. “This matter is between you and your dad. If I insist on you staying, he might think that I was out to snatch his daughter from him.”
She complained with pouting lips. “You’re heartless!”
“…”
Still, she knew that he was caught in an awkward situation and did not demand further.
……………
The man received an overseas call from his older brother when he was at work today.
“Zuxu, how about it? Did you manage to convince Yiyi?”
He stood next to the window and loosened the tie around his neck before replying, “Brother, Yiyi isn’t young anymore. Have you thought of allowing her to decide what she wants to do with her life?”
Despite telling his niece that he would not try to convince her father otherwise, he still did it in the end…
Somehow, he had instinctively followed his heart and put in a good word for her!
At the other end of the call, the man was startled momentarily before he gave in with a sigh. “Does that mean I really need to give in to her?”
“In the past, Yiyi had not taken her studies seriously because she knew she would be going abroad sooner or later. She was only passing her time here. However, after she has decided to stay, she has shown interest in her studies, and has become less playful as well. This is a good thing, don’t you think so?”
Chi Zhonglei nodded in agreement. “Alright, let me reconsider this!”
“Sure.”