At the airport in France, the international arrivals hall was brightly lit.
Crowds flowed like a river. Yu Sheng, dragging her luggage, showed signs of fatigue from the long flight. As she stepped out of the corridor, a familiar figure rushed forward, enveloping her in warmth and a gentle fragrance.
"Sheng Sheng! My baby, you finally arrived!" Her mother Wen Jing's voice brimmed with uncontrollable joy.
Yu Sheng felt a warmth in her heart, returning the hug, patting her mother's back gently. "Mom, I'm here."
Her gaze, drifting past her mother's shoulder, landed on a woman standing slightly behind.
Tall and statuesque, she wore a crisp off-white trench coat, her chestnut curls cascading lazily, gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. Behind the lenses were warm, light brown eyes, smiling softly. Her features blended Eastern and Western traits, exuding quiet intelligence and calm elegance.
Wen Jing let go of Yu Sheng, turning to introduce her, face flushed with excitement, slightly embarrassed. "Sheng Sheng, this is Dale. She's the… friend I mentioned before." She paused, a hint of shyness in her voice. "Dale, this is my daughter, Yu Sheng."
Dale stepped forward, her voice gentle. "I've heard so much about you from your mother. It's nice to finally meet you."
"Hello." Yu Sheng responded politely, observing her carefully.
On the drive to the city, Dale skillfully drove, the car filled with soothing classical music. She spoke little, only offering gentle remarks when Wen Jing asked if Yu Sheng's journey was tiring, ensuring the conversation flowed naturally while returning the lead to mother and daughter.
Dinner was at an elegant French restaurant. Dale had clearly done her homework, ordering dishes that avoided Yu Sheng's dislikes while accommodating Wen Jing's preferences.
During the meal, Yu Sheng mostly stayed quiet, observing.
She saw Dale attentively listening whenever Wen Jing spoke, tilting her head slightly, eyes soft behind her glasses. Dale spoke of her professional field and hobbies with insightful opinions and composed manners, demonstrating her education and broad perspective.
Yu Sheng tried to find faults in small details but found Dale's conduct impeccable.
Her care for Wen Jing was natural, with no sign of performance.
The meal ended in a polite, peaceful atmosphere. Yu Sheng had to admit that, at least on the surface, Dale was indeed flawless.
After dinner, Dale drove the mother and daughter back to Wen Jing's apartment in France.
It was a warm apartment with a small garden.
"Get some rest." Dale stood by the car, speaking softly to Wen Jing, then looked at Yu Sheng, nodding politely. "Yu Sheng, good night. I hope you enjoy your time here."
"Thank you, good night." Yu Sheng responded.
As the car's tail lights disappeared around the corner, only mother and daughter remained in the apartment.
Under the warm light, Wen Jing pulled Yu Sheng to sit on the sofa, eager to ask, "Sheng Sheng, what do you think… of Dale?"
Yu Sheng pondered for a moment, choosing a cautious opening. "From what I've seen, she's very polite and attentive toward you." She looked seriously into her mother's eyes. "Mom, the key is how you feel. Don't rush your decision. Observe, spend time with her, only then can you truly understand."
She paused, her tone becoming solemn. "Especially, don't make a choice because of me. The issues between Shen Yunmian and me… I can handle them myself, and I will. I don't need you to sacrifice anything for me, understand?"
Wen Jing's eyes shimmered with emotion. "Sweetheart, I know. Actually… I do quite like her. Being with her feels comfortable, safe."
Hearing her mother's honesty, Yu Sheng felt relieved but also a complex pang of sourness.
She wanted her mother to be happy, yet she couldn't help but feel a fleeting melancholy for her late father. She pushed down her feelings and offered a reassuring smile. "That's good. If you like her, continue to spend time together, take it slow."
Seeing her daughter truly without resentment, Wen Jing finally relaxed. "Then, sweetie, why don't you stay a few more days? Spend time with me, and give yourself a little break—you've been working too hard lately."
Yu Sheng thought of Shen Yunmian's relentless "proximity" in recent days and felt the fatigue it caused her.
She nodded. "Alright, I'll stay with you a few more days."
—
Back in the country, Shen Yunmian was still waiting for Yu Sheng. Time ticked by, and at first, she remained alert, rehearsing in her mind how to "naturally" start the conversation when Yu Sheng returned.
But the waiting drained her strength, and at some point, she slumped against the sofa armrest and dozed off.
At three in the morning, she suddenly awoke. Her neck ached from the awkward sleeping position, and as consciousness returned, she instinctively glanced to her side—
Empty.
At the entrance, Yu Sheng's usual pair of slippers remained neatly in place, showing no sign of having been moved.
Why hasn't she returned yet?
A cold shiver snapped her fully awake. She grabbed her phone and dialed the number she knew by heart.
The call rang for a long time before being answered.
"Hello?" Yu Sheng's voice came through, hoarse from being abruptly woken.
The tone made Shen Yunmian's heart tighten sharply. "Sheng Sheng, where are you?"
"Abroad, visiting my mother," Yu Sheng replied curtly, her tone calm. "I won't be back for a few days."
Shen Yunmian's throat went dry. She wanted to ask more—why did she go suddenly? Why didn't she tell her?
But all her questions died on her lips, blocked by the obvious impatience in Yu Sheng's voice.
"I'm so sleepy, I'll hang up now." Yu Sheng's voice was weary, and before Shen Yunmian could respond, the line went dead with a busy signal.
Shen Yunmian froze in place, still holding the phone.
Yu Sheng was avoiding her.
That helpless feeling, no matter how hard she tried to reach out, always backfiring like an incoming tide, washed over her.
The rest of the night dragged endlessly.
Shen Yunmian paced back and forth in the empty house, unable to sit still.
Outside, the sky gradually lightened from pitch black to a faint grayish hue.
She hadn't slept all night.
Meanwhile, Yu Sheng slept soundly, completely unaffected by the time difference.
Early in the morning, she was still lightly dozing when her mother, Wen Jing, woke her with a cheerful voice.
"Sheng Sheng, wake up! The weather is perfect today, let's go to the beach!"
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Yu Sheng felt some of the fatigue accumulated over the past days ease slightly at her mother's enthusiasm. She got up, changed into light clothing, and together with her mother, packed the beach towels, sunscreen, and a change of clothes.
Dale arrived on time to drive them.
Yu Sheng opened the car door, about to sit in the passenger seat, only to notice someone already in the back.
It was a girl in her early twenties, with sunny golden hair, sun-kissed healthy skin, and bright features like a little ball of energy. She saw Yu Sheng and immediately beamed a big smile, waving energetically: "Hi! You must be Yu Sheng! I'm Sophia!"
Dale turned from the driver's seat, explaining gently, "This is my sister's daughter, Sophia. She insisted on coming to the beach with us. I thought since you're both young, maybe you could have fun together."
Yu Sheng smiled politely and got into the passenger seat. "Hello, nice to meet you."
The car drove toward the coastline.
Throughout the ride, Sophia's energy practically overflowed from the car.
She peppered Yu Sheng with nonstop questions about her country—from food to scenery, to her work. Her enthusiasm was direct and pure, almost overwhelming. Yu Sheng, not naturally talkative, could only respond politely, feeling that this trip's conversation exceeded a whole week's usual dialogue.
Finally, they arrived at their destination—a boundless blue coastline.
Soft white sand, crystal-clear water, the salty breeze brushing past, dispersing the city's gloom.
Dale expertly set up a large sun umbrella and arranged the lounge chairs. Just as Yu Sheng was about to sit and enjoy a moment of peace, Sophia dashed over like a gust of wind, grabbing her wrist.
"Yu Sheng! Let's go surfing! The waves here are amazing!" Sophia's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Yu Sheng quickly waved her off. "No, I don't know how to do this."
"No problem! I'll teach you! I'm really good at it!" Sophia insisted enthusiastically. "Come on, it's super fun! Trust me!"
Yu Sheng looked at the girl's exuberance and found it impossible to say no.
Sighing helplessly, she finally gave in. She set her phone casually on the beach towel, took off her sunscreen jacket to reveal a simple swimsuit, and let Sophia half-pull, half-guide her toward the waves.
At first, Yu Sheng wobbled on the surfboard, repeatedly toppled by playful waves, salty water stinging her nose, looking thoroughly clumsy. But Sophia was a patient teacher, always there to steady her after each fall, showing her how to balance and ride the waves.
Gradually, Yu Sheng caught on.
The first time she successfully stood on the board, gliding along a small wave, a sense of exhilaration unlike anything before surged through her. The wind, the waves, Sophia's excited cheers—it all blended together, throwing all her worries behind.
She began to enjoy the process, even daring to ride higher waves.
Sweat mixed with seawater, her skin kissed by sunlight, she felt pure joy she hadn't experienced in a long time.
Nearby, under the sun umbrella, Wen Jing and Dale sat side by side, eyes following the two in the water. Watching Yu Sheng go from awkward and tense to laughing freely, Wen Jing couldn't help but smile.
It had been a long time since she'd seen her daughter so happy.
Somewhere in her memory, her daughter's smiles always carried a hint of fatigue and weight.
"Look at my baby," Wen Jing whispered to Dale, voice choking slightly. "She should always be this happy."
Dale turned to Wen Jing with gentle and serious eyes. "Jing, I'm glad to see your daughter this happy too. I want to keep you both this happy. Will you… give me the chance to officially become your partner?"
The sea breeze ruffled Wen Jing's hair. She looked at the sincere light in Dale's eyes, then glanced at her daughter laughing in the waves. The last trace of hesitation in her heart vanished.
She curved her lips and nodded lightly. "Dale, I do."
At the same time, Yu Sheng's phone screen suddenly lit up, flashing "Shen Yunmian."
Wen Jing glanced at it. Her smile instantly froze, brows furrowed, a surge of anger rising.
Without thinking, she reached out and hung up.
But less than two minutes later, the phone rang again, stubbornly, like a silent provocation.
Wen Jing's anger ignited fully.
She snatched the phone, swiping to answer, and before Shen Yunmian could speak, her long-suppressed fury burst out:
"Shen Yunmian! Are you done yet? I'm telling you, stop bothering my daughter endlessly! She's having no idea how happy she is right now! When she comes back, she'll divorce you and start a new life—understand?"
Her tone was fast and forceful, leaving no room for a reply. She slammed the phone down.
Not far away, her daughter and Sophia were riding a wave together, soaked through, laughing wholeheartedly. Sophia even held Yu Sheng's waist protectively. To Wen Jing, the scene radiated vitality and hope—a stark contrast to the haunting presence of Shen Yunmian over the phone.
She quickly raised her phone, aimed at the two in the waves, snapping several pictures.
In the photos, Yu Sheng and Sophia were close, holding hands, their faces bright with dazzling smiles.
Wen Jing's fingers moved quickly, sending all the photos directly to Shen Yunmian. Still unsatisfied, she gritted her teeth and added a line in the chat:
[Plenty of people like me, what are you even?]
Click send.
Having done all this, she exhaled and powered off Yu Sheng's phone completely.
The world was finally quiet.
On the other side, Shen Yunmian received the message, frowning as she opened it.
The screen was instantly filled with the photos.
Against the blue sea and sky, Yu Sheng was tightly pressed to a stranger, a golden-haired girl, holding hands, smiling brightly and dazzlingly. That smile—something she hadn't seen in a long time—completely free of shadow.
Boom—!
Shen Yunmian's mind went blank, blood rushing to her head.
The photos and taunting words seemed to enlarge before her eyes, utterly destroying the last of her reasons.
"Impossible…" she murmured, fingers trembling so much she could barely hold the phone.
Like a madwoman, she began dialing Yu Sheng's number repeatedly—once, twice, ten times… Only to hear the cold, mechanical voice: "The number you are calling is turned off…"
Turned off…
Was it because she was with that girl and didn't want to be disturbed?
A terrifying panic made it nearly impossible for Shen Yunmian to breathe. The world blurred and seemed to collapse.
—
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