Chapter 512 - 467: A Handful

Feng Ling was happy to see that Gu’er supported her.

"But what about Li Zhi?"

Feng Ling was still hesitant. Li Zhi had told her he wanted to take her to meet his parents soon, make things official, and start preparing for their wedding next year. If she told him now that she wanted to go study fashion design, would he agree?

She had finally overcome the emotional baggage from her past life, and things were going well with Li Zhi. She genuinely liked him and didn’t want to make him unhappy over this.

"If you really want to study, you should have a good talk with Li Zhi. Explain your thoughts to him seriously. It won’t take that long anyway—a year at most, maybe just half a year. When I first came to the city, I went a long time without seeing Jia Ming. I attended night school, and Jia Ming was very supportive. Li Zhi isn’t an unreasonable person. I believe he’ll support you."

Gu’er truly believed this. Once a woman got married, she had very little time for herself. She would dedicate her life to her husband and children, just as Gu’er was doing now—watching Jiji all day, unable to go anywhere. ’But a woman can’t lose her sense of self. Others might think that since I have enough money and a good husband, I should just stay home, look after my child, and enjoy a comfortable life. But I’m still involved with the mall’s business, and everyone likes to consult with me. Even the idea to export clothing was mine. I also make it a point to read in my free time. I do it all because I don’t want to lose myself. If you do nothing and just stay home all day, you slowly change and lose your value. Look at my mom—she doesn’t work, and she’s completely out of touch with society.’

"Then I’ll have a good talk with Li Zhi. But there’s also my grandfather. I asked him, and he doesn’t want to leave here. SIGH."

Feng Ling sighed. Her worries weren’t just about Li Zhi, but also about Guan Yicai. To study fashion design, she had to go to a big city, as there were no such programs in their small town. She wanted to go to Guang City, but as Gu’er had mentioned, she would need to be there for at least six months, possibly a year. She had to learn how to sketch and create designs. But if she left for a year, what would happen to her grandfather? Although she had saved a little money and was willing to take him with her, he had said he didn’t want to leave, afraid he might die in a foreign place.

But she couldn’t possibly send her grandfather back to the village. Her uncle and his family wouldn’t treat him well. She couldn’t just abandon her grandfather for her own sake.

"Don’t worry about your grandfather. He can eat here every day and chat with Grandma and the others. It’ll be livelier with one more person. He can keep living at Li Zhi’s place, same as before. We’ll figure out a new arrangement when you get back."

Gu’er didn’t think this was a big deal. Her only worry was that in a big city, life would change completely. The temptations there were immense. Would Feng Ling be able to resist them?

"Sis, if you have something to say, just say it."

Feng Ling could tell Gu’er had something on her mind.

"Feng Ling, you’ve been to Guang City, so you’ve seen how much more developed it is than here. The big cities are full of dazzling lights and temptations, and there are many rich men. A lot of those rich men fall for innocent, pure, and spirited young women just like you. They can buy you a car, a house, and expensive jewelry. They can give you the best material life. To win you over, some will whisper all sorts of sweet nothings in your ear. Under those conditions, some people lose their way. Feng Ling, I’m supporting your decision now, but I would feel terrible if something happened between you and Li Zhi down the line because of it."

Gu’er voiced her concerns. She was truly afraid. Yes, if Feng Ling lost her way, it would mean there was a problem with Feng Ling’s character. But if she didn’t go, perhaps none of it would ever happen. Even if Li Zhi didn’t blame her, Gu’er would still feel guilty.

Feng Ling smiled and brushed a stray hair from her forehead. "Sis," she said to Gu’er, "without that dream, maybe I would. After all, I’m just a girl from a small village who hasn’t seen much of the world. It’s possible my head would be turned. But thinking about that dream... I won’t. I truly don’t care much whether my living conditions are good or bad. I want a warm home, a man who treats me well, and my own children. If we have money, we’ll spend a bit more. If we don’t, I’m willing to survive on scraps."

Feng Ling paused, then lifted her head and continued, "The reason I want to study is, one, I’m genuinely interested. And two, I see everyone else moving forward, and I don’t want to be a burden. I want to do my part, to be able to help Li Zhi in the future. Having something of my own to do will make me feel more secure."

"No matter how beautiful the scenery is over there, it’s not what I’m looking for. Cars, houses, jewelry—none of that is what I want. What I want is a person, someone who is good to me. Maybe someone there will be good to me, but it won’t affect me, because Li Zhi is already in my heart. Sis, it’s just like you said. A woman’s heart is too small; it can only hold one man. Now that I have Li Zhi, there won’t be anyone else."

As Feng Ling spoke, Gu’er looked at her and could feel her sincerity and confidence. She believed Feng Ling wasn’t lying.

Feng Ling was right. ’No matter how beautiful the scenery there is, it’s not what she wants. She’ll take a look, appreciate it, and move on without lingering.’ With that thought, Gu’er’s mind was at ease.

"Go talk to Li Zhi. If it doesn’t work, I’ll help you convince him. We women can’t be completely dependent on men. We should have our own pursuits."

Gu’er nodded at Feng Ling.

"Thank you, Sis."

Feng Ling knew Gu’er was on her side, and she felt a sense of relief.

"Just remember what you said about not wanting a car, a house, or jewelry."

Gu’er grinned at Feng Ling.

Feng Ling froze for a moment, then a sly smile spread across her face. "I said I don’t want them from other people. But if Li Zhi wants to give them to me, I certainly won’t say no! Besides, I’ll be able to earn my own money and buy them myself in the future. I’m going to learn how to drive, and then I’ll take you for a spin, Sis!"

"Haha, you little rascal! Alright, I’ll be waiting for you to take me for that spin."

Gu’er laughed and gently tapped Feng Ling on the head. Their smiles were bright and sincere, the last bit of distance between them gone.

Later, Feng Ling went to find Li Zhi. He was clearly not very supportive of the idea. That evening, after having dinner at the Sun Family’s home, he pulled Sun Jiaming aside, called Gu’er over, and went into a room with them.

"Was this your idea?" Li Zhi said, turning on Gu’er as soon as they were inside. "She’s always so impulsive. Why are you encouraging her and stirring up trouble?"

Gu’er looked at him without saying a word.

"I was planning to take her to meet my parents soon so we could start preparing for the wedding. If she goes to Guang City to study, that’s not something that’ll be over in a day or two. You don’t know what it’s like there. There are so many rich people, and anything can happen. I’m afraid her heart might wander. I don’t want her to go."

Li Zhi didn’t hold anything back in front of Sun Jiaming and Gu’er.

"Do you have that little confidence in yourself?"

Gu’er asked Li Zhi.

"It’s not about confidence. It’s the city I don’t trust."

Li Zhi was getting agitated. ’It wasn’t easy finding a girlfriend I like this much,’ he thought. ’Why does she have to be such a handful?’

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Thank you to Pacific Stone Monkey for the monthly ticket, and thank you all for your support.