1138 Can't Be Blamed
"Also," Ru started again after a pause. "Your mum is actually wrong about something."
"Huh? What?" Hyson asked with interest visible in his eyes.
"Girls are not fragile," answered Ru. "It's the society that collectively decided to label girls as delicate. In reality, girls are a lot stronger than you think. You're underestimating their potential. While it's true that men are inherently stronger physically but women are not worse. It's just that society likes to treat them like dolls because they want girls to act like dolls who can dance on their fingers."
Hyson looked at the side of Ru's face as the person in front of him concentrated on eating chocolate without care after speaking. Those enchanting green eyes seemed to be sparkling under the moonlight but at the same time, there was a darkness unknown hidden in those eyes that seemed rather fascinating to him.
"That's true," he agreed without hesitation. "I also believe girls aren't as weak as people say. If it was like that I wouldn't have repeatedly lost to my own best friend all my life. And I grew up watching strong women around me. So, the idea of fragile women is very unacceptable to me. But since I always listened to my mum, I don't want to argue with her either."
"There is nothing wrong with arguing," said Ru carelessly. "You might think that arguing makes a relationship weak but that's not true. Sometimes, arguing and making your point clear is necessary for life. If both sides keep what's in their hearts to themselves, it'll eventually hurt the relationship a lot more. Besides, do you think the woman who told you that girls are weak is also weak?"
As Ru turned his face to look at Hyson, Ru raised his lips slightly, "You're raised by a strong woman. Don't you agree?"
Hyson nodded his head with a smile on his face. "Yes. I agree." How could he not agree? If he didn't agree why would he say that he didn't accept the idea of weak women? No matter how delicate his mother was, he had seen how strong she was too. It didn't mean she was physically strong. But she took the chance of raising a son on her own in an unknown place with a disability and yet, she didn't give up. How could she not be considered strong? "I guess my mum is contradictory."
"There is nothing wrong with that," responded Ru. "This young master had always been contradictory in his life too. It takes me a minute to contradict myself." He took a moment and asked, "Do you wanna eat something?"
"For instance?"
"Spicy crayfish!" came the suggestion.
Hyson swallowed and said, "Oh, that sounds fun. It'd be better if there is a cold beer with it."
"Tsk. What's the fun in beer?" Ru commented. "It would have been better if my wine was here. It's all my uncle's fault who gave away my precious wine."
"What wine is it?" asked Hyson curiously.
"Peach wine."
"Buy it again."
"Can't buy it," came the answer.
"Why?"
"Because it's home-brewed."
"Then it's even easier. Just brew it again," said Hyson, not understanding why the loss of wine was something to be sad about when you could brew it again.
"This young master can certainly brew the peach wine," said Ru. "The problem is, mine doesn't taste like the one brewed by my grandfather. Even though we both follow the same steps. It still turns out differently every year. Sadly, my grandfather only allows me to take two bottles of his brew every year. It's gone now! I have to wait for a whole year."
"That's... sad?"
"Don't even mention it."
"But why does it turn out differently? Your grandfather must have a secret ingredient."
Ru chuckled, "Yeah. He said his secret ingredient is his age. I can't compete with that. He said when I reach his age, I'll find the taste I love so much."
"Well, age is really hard to compete with," agreed Hyson wholeheartedly. He also heard similar things from Grandfather Xiang so he understood well that he really couldn't compete with old people. Their age is really their secret weapon since they have lived longer and have more experience. They have seen things that he didn't. So, it was understandable that he couldn't compete with them.
"Young Master!"
"Ahh!" Hyson jumped out of his chair when he heard that voice and turned to look at the person who spoke. There were two people standing there and they had no expressions on their faces. "Why are you walking like ghosts? Is it fun to scare people?" He put a hand on his chest and calmed himself slowly.
Clearing his throat, the person turned to Ru again, "The crayfish is here. And the cold beer you asked for." After placing the things on the table, the other person also took out another drink and placed it on the table saying, "Here is your lemonade."
"Thanks," said Ru. "Go and enjoy your late-night snack."
"Yes, Young Master!"
Hyson slowly sat down when he saw them leaving, his breathing was still chaotic. This sudden voice gave him shock. He just realized that whenever he was around Ru, he'd have such a scary experience. It was so not fun!
"You should really get used to it. Let your heart know that you'd see other people unexpectedly whenever you meet me," said Ru kindheartedly. "After all, we'll be seeing each other a lot after we become relatives."
Hyson couldn't laugh or cry right now. "Does it have to be always like this? Where did they even come from?"
"They were always here though," responded Ru. "It's your fault that you didn't notice their presence."
"Firstly, it's dark. There is only moonlight to illuminate the space here. I can barely see you clearly. Secondly, I didn't hear the sound of their steps or felt their breath. It's not my fault that I was taken aback."
Ru nodded his head in understanding, "Indeed, you can't be blamed for that."