Learning to Love Again

"..."

"You have a son?"

Su Lian nods in confirmation.

"What about his father? Are you married? Divorced?"

Her face turns gloomy and she stares into her water.

"We're not together anymore, he's the reason I left."

"Di-did he hurt you?"

"Well, it was a dumb relationship to begin with. I haven't seen him in four years."

"How old is your son?"

"Three."

"He left you while you were pregnant?"

"He never knew I was ever pregnant for him. I didn't know either, not until I left"

"Whether he knew or not doesn't matter. What's important is that he made you leave. He indirectly abandoned you and your son. Tell me his name and address, I'll make sure he pays."

Su Lian laughs at her brother who is twisting words and looks ready to crucify Han Yuan without even knowing the full story. An unconscious smile creeps on her face and warmth spreads through her heart.

"So you're not mad anymore?"

Su Qiong goes silent before staring into her eyes. "I just wish you brought me."

"When I left, you were only fifteen. I didn't have a destination and had even thought of committing suicide. Why would I take you with me to an unknown future?"

Su Qiong has his head bowed, fiddling with the glass cup in his hand. He suddenly realizes something and looks up at her with determination.

"Do you have anywhere to live? You can move in here, it's not too big but my roommate won't mind if I-"

"It's fine, I have a home. The company I work for provided me with one."

"Well if you are ever in need of anything, don't hesitate to come and ask."

Su Lian nods her head and smiles. Before coming she did research on her brother and how his present situation was. He had a part-time job as a computer programmer. Half of his tuition was paid for by their father while the rest was covered by a scholarship he received. All his other expenses like rent, food, books, and clothing are paid out of his own pocket.

A nineteen-year-old boy with a wealthy father has to fend for himself to get his daily necessities while still studying in school. Where was this heard of?

Thinking in this direction, her gaze darkens. It meant that either their father was way worse than she thought or Su Mo Chou and her mother were diverting funds.

Either reason made her furious. What frustrated her even more was that she couldn't offer him money, she knew he would reject it thinking that she needs it more. And she didn't want to scare him by telling him what she did for a living. She could only smile and he smiled back thinking that she has chosen to rely on him for support.

The door swings open and a boy with glasses walks in.

He is taken aback by the woman sitting in the room and shows even more surprise when he sees Su Qiong's smiling face.

'This man never smiles.'

"Qiong, we have to start our group project. All the others are waiting."

Su Qiong glances up at his roommate, "I won't join you today."

How could he be willing to part with his sister that he hasn't seen in four years? What if he never sees her again?

Knowing his thoughts, Su Lian stands up and pats her clothes. "I was just about to leave."

His face shows hesitation. "But you just got here"

"I'll come back and I'll bring your nephew with me."

Nodding his head reluctantly, Su Qiong sees her off before leaving with his friend.

Su Lian calls for her driver to come to pick her up while she waits downstairs in the lobby of the apartment building.

She can't help but feel an intense gaze at her back.

She turns around and is faced with a girl who looks to be about seventeen or eighteen years old. Her features are clean and gentle and she looks rather cute. Her long silky hair is in a low ponytail making her egg-shaped face more visible. Her entire presence seems warm and it makes people feel comfortable.

Faced with Su Lian's beauty, the girl shows slight hesitation, but that is once again replaced with determination.

"My name is Jiang Ming. Let's be love rivals."

The admiration Su Lian had for the adorable girl who approached her immediately dissolved once she opened her mouth.

Love rivals?

Seeing the confusion on Su Lian's face, Jian Ming continues on.

"You may not think that I'm worthy, but I want to compete with you fair and square for Qiong's love. I won't give up until he chooses an official girlfriend."

Without waiting to hear a reply, the girl runs off in the direction she came from. Su Lian stands there dazed until she gets a text from her driver telling her that he had arrived.