frightfiction Chapter 1126 Reply
Chapter 1126 Reply
She sat up, her back against the cold wall, her heart pounding as if it would explode. The gunshots, cries, Wu Mingqiang's falling figure, and Sha Yanxiao's last look in his eyes from her dream kept replaying in her mind.
"Second brother... Little Wu..." she murmured to herself, her voice trembling uncontrollably.
The fear of a chaotic world overwhelmed her like a tidal wave. The dream she had just had was so real that she couldn't tell if it was a dream or a premonition. She suddenly remembered Wu Mingqiang's words, "The Japanese are probably going to be here in the next couple of months," and cold sweat broke out all over her body again.
If it really comes... what should she do?
Gazing at the flickering shadows of the trees on the window paper, she realized for the first time with such clarity that the peaceful days in the Marshal's Mansion, protected by Sha Yanxiao, were truly gone forever. And now, perhaps the only thing she could hold onto was the dim light beside her, which had always been on for her.
Gui'er finally drifted off to sleep as dawn approached, but in her dream, there were no more lotus flowers, only Wu Mingqiang's eyes, sharp yet warm, watching her motionless in the firelight.
The next morning, it was Dingxiang who woke Gui'er up.
She smiled and said, "Miss, you usually wake up before the appointed time, but today you're like a little lazy cat. You were still fast asleep when I came into the room."
Gui'er sat up, her eyes still blurry with sleep, and glanced around. Just like usual, she got dressed and looked out the window. Everything was as usual, and the thoughts she had in her dream seemed to waver a little.
After finishing breakfast, Gui'er prepared to go to school, while Acheng got up and went out to drive.
Wu Mingqiang said, "Acheng, I need to meet with some senior executives from foreign firms to discuss some matters. I'll need a car. Could you let me take Miss to school on the way?"
Acheng hesitated for a moment and glanced at Gui'er. Gui'er knew that Wu Mingqiang's words were probably just an excuse. She thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Then Brother Wu, please take me there. I also have something to say to Brother Wu."
Upon hearing this, Wu Mingqiang looked both nervous and expectant.
The two got into the car, and Wu Mingqiang started the car and drove out of the yard. He glanced at Gui'er through the rearview mirror with some anticipation and noticed that Gui'er had dark circles under her eyes. He paused for a moment and said, "Miss, did you not sleep well last night because of that matter?"
"Mmm," Gui'er responded softly.
Wu Mingqiang felt a sudden tightness in his chest, his grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles turned white. He had expected Gui'er to refuse outright or give a vague answer, but he hadn't anticipated her honesty. The street scene outside the car window slowly receded, and he looked at the dark circles under her eyes through the rearview mirror, feeling a pang of bitterness and sorrow—clearly the marks of staying up all night.
“It’s all my fault. If I never had said it…” His voice was a little hoarse. He knew that he was not telling the truth. These thoughts had become stronger after Gui’er came to Hong Kong.
In the past, this Marshal's Mansion had Sha Yanxiao and a bunch of other people. There was a huge, insurmountable chasm between them. But in Hong Kong, that chasm disappeared. Gui'er even had to rely on his protection. He felt that he had a chance, and now it was his only chance.
He knew that Gui'er was beautiful, gentle, idealistic, and knowledgeable. In a few years, she would become a doctor, even more outstanding than she was now. Even without the Marshal's Mansion and his protection, she would be perfectly fine. Therefore, he had to seize the opportunity at hand.
“It’s not your fault.” Gui’er interrupted him, her gaze falling on the street sign flashing past the car window, which read “Queen’s Road Central,” the lettering pale in the morning light. “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I had a nightmare last night, I dreamt that the Japanese invaded, and everyone in the shops was bleeding…”
She paused, her voice as soft as a sigh: "Only then did I realize that in this world, no one can predict what tomorrow will bring. My second brother is someone etched in my heart; I can't forget him, and I don't want to forget him, but I can't live in the past forever and make the people around me worry."
Wu Mingqiang's heart was in his throat, and he even held his breath, afraid of interrupting her.
“Brother Wu, I understand your feelings.” Gui’er turned her head and looked straight at him. The hesitation in her eyes had disappeared, leaving only calmness. “I remember everything you have done for me and for this family over the years. I also know that you are very outstanding, handsome, generous and righteous. You are a good man. It’s just that I still can’t accept giving up my brother now.”
She took a deep breath, as if using all her strength: "I want to finish my studies first. If... if by the time I graduate, I still haven't heard from my second brother, then..." She bit her lip, finally finishing her sentence, "Then, I'll be with you. Will you... wait for me?"
The car stopped at a red light. Wu Mingqiang turned his head sharply, his eyes almost overflowing with shock. He looked at Gui'er's reddened eyes and her lips, which were trying to appear calm but were trembling slightly. His chest felt like it had been hit by something, a mixture of soreness and heat, making him speechless.
After a long while, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "I'm willing, Gui'er, I'm willing."
These words were spoken with such weight and solemnity, as if they had been etched into my heart a thousand times over.
"I'm willing to wait as long as you give me a chance," he added, his eyes welling up with tears. He quickly turned back to look at the green light ahead, his fingertips gently stroking the steering wheel, where the warmth of his grip still lingered.
Looking at his slightly reddened ears, Gui'er finally felt a weight lifted from her heart. She knew what this decision meant for Wu Mingqiang—a gamble on the faintest hope in a chaotic world. But this was the only way she could do it, to be true to her second brother and to not betray the deep affection of the man before her.
The car started moving again and slowly drove towards the school. No one spoke in the carriage, but the usual awkwardness was gone; only a subtle calm remained, like the sky after a rain, slightly damp yet clear.
When they arrived at the school gate, Wu Mingqiang opened the car door for her, his gaze falling on her face with an unprecedented gentleness: "I'll pick you up after school."
Gui'er nodded, and as she opened the car door, he said softly, "Don't overwork yourself. You can take your time if you can't finish your studies. Your health is the most important thing."
She glanced back at him. He stood by the car, the morning light casting a long shadow on his shoulders. At that moment, Gui'er suddenly felt that perhaps this wait wasn't all torture. At least in this chaotic world, she had a future to look forward to, and he had something worth waiting for.
"Mmm." She responded softly, turned and walked into the school, her steps much lighter than when she came.