Chapter 22

It was unclear who spoke first, but someone said that it was better to tear down a temple than to break up a marriage. Sighs and complaints followed, and the voices grew louder and louder. She was about to explode. “Jin Nian, how old are you? How can you treat marriage as a child’s play?” And another one said, “You’re already engaged. How can you break up just like that? It’s natural for two people to have conflicts when they’re together.”

Someone added, “No matter who you’re with, you’ll eventually find that men are all the same. There’s no perfect partner in this world. If it doesn’t cross the bottom line, just muddle along.” And someone continued, “That’s right, Niannian, let’s just quarrel for a while. The engagement has to continue.”

Jin Nian was speechless.

Jin Nian looked at their seemingly sincere faces and suddenly came to a realization. Marriage was like drinking water, one would know the warmth and coldness of it. She had hoped that she could have a happy marriage like her parents, but she was not a garbage disposal station. At the very beginning of the story, Jin Nian had a good impression of Jiang Qingchi. Jin Nian had been studying China painting at the Children’s Palace since she was young. Although she did not have a high appreciation ability, she understood that hard work was not worth mentioning in front of absolute talent. When she first met Jiang Qingchi, Jin Nian had also been attracted by his handsome appearance.

He was a handsome man with great talent in painting. Jin Nian had been unconsciously attracted to him. Later on, when she found out that Jiang Qingchi had a very good relationship with his partner, she couldn’t help but feel that it was a pity. However, she had never thought of interfering in other people’s relationships.

Jiang Qingchi, his first love Xu Tian, and Jin Nian were all in the same animation club. They often participated in activities together and gradually became acquainted with each other. Jin Nian got along well with Xu Tian, so she started to pay more attention to Jiang Qingchi. She deliberately avoided Jiang Qingchi during club activities and gatherings. However, one night, Jiang Qingchi called Jin Nian with a sobbing tone. He had apparently consumed a lot of alcohol and his voice was hoarse. He told her that Xu Tian had broken up with him. Jin Nian’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t describe what she felt.

Jin Nian was a very good listener. During that time, Jiang Qingchi would frequently call her and reveal his vulnerabilities in front of her. Jin Nian knew that her intentions were not pure, so she took the initiative to confess her feelings. As long as Jiang Qingchi said that he couldn’t forget Xu Tian, she would immediately give up and stop contacting him.

Jin Nian had made it clear to him that she would not pester him if he had no feelings for her. Faced with Jiang Qingchi’s hesitation, Jin Nian turned around and left. It was Jiang Qingchi who suddenly hugged her from behind and said that he had long been interested in her. Jiang Qingchi said that he wanted her to understand. He was busy with his studies, and his studio was just starting out. He was so busy with both sides that he might not be able to be a perfect boyfriend. He stood under the sun and smiled gently at her. “I might not be able to be a perfect boyfriend, but I’ll learn to treat you well. If there’s anything I don’t do well, I’ll have to trouble you to take care of me.”

During their relationship, Jiang Qingchi would often neglect Jin Nian because of his animation work. However, Jin Nian was willing to accept it. She had initially liked Jiang Qingchi because he was proactive and hardworking, and she couldn’t argue with him about this now. Her parents had taught her to be content since she was young, so she knew that she could not have everything. At the beginning of Jiang Qingchi’s career, he could only afford to rent a basement because he wasn’t financially stable. Jin Nian had seen all the hardships he had gone through. He was a very motivated person, while others were having fun, he would always be holed up in that dark basement making animations.

Jin Nian felt both heartache and gratification. All the things that had happened in the past flashed before her eyes like a movie. Jin Nian suddenly remembered a saying, “The person you like is just an ordinary person. It’s your love that gives him a layer of golden light.” Now that the golden light had faded, everything seemed so ironic.

Jin Nian drank another full glass of white wine and tried to drown her sorrows. The wine glass fell on the carpet with a loud thud. She could not take it anymore. “Can you all shut up?” The room fell into a strange silence. Jiang Qingchi didn’t like her drunken behavior. He frowned. “Jin Nian, are you done?” There are so many relatives here. Do you have to behave like this in front of everyone?”

Jin Nian stood up shakily, holding the remaining half bottle of 42% white wine in her hand. She raised the bottle high and said, “Jiang Qingchi, this is a toast to myself. I’ve been blind for so many years.” After saying that, she raised her head and took a full gulp. The relatives around her exclaimed. Tan Siyun pulled her back and said, “Jin Nian, don’t drink so much.” Jin Nian waved her hand. “Mom, today is a good day that you’ve spent money to choose for me. Don’t let the scumbag ruin my good mood. I’ll just say a few last words, and then we’ll leave. Is that okay?”