With the room light still on, he picked up his phone to check the time. It was already the early hours.
He threw back the covers, got out of bed, put on his clothes, took his phone and room card, and left the room.
There were still a few people by the sea, though not many. Those who remained had pitched tents on the beach and were spending the night there.
He Yuehua had once suggested sleeping on the beach. He had refused.
He felt the constant crash of waves would disturb his sleep.
The sea breeze was strong. He wandered aimlessly along the sand, occasionally startling others so that they poked their heads out of their tents to look at him.
“A Jian.”
A familiar voice called out.
He turned towards the sound. It was his father.
He froze for a moment, then walked over.
“Dad, it’s so late. Why aren’t you asleep? What are you doing on the beach?”
Doctor Lin asked his father with concern.
Father Lin countered, “What are you doing on the beach at this hour? I got up to use the toilet, pulled back the curtain, looked down, and happened to see you leaving the hotel, so I followed to check on you.”
“What’s wrong? Something on your mind? This afternoon you seemed distracted.”
Father Lin asked his son with concern, “Is it about Yuehua? A Jian, if you truly don’t like her, your mum and I won’t force you to marry her. She’s a good girl, but we want you to be happy. You’re our own son.”
“Dad, it’s not about her. My feelings for Yuehua are complicated. I can’t say I don’t love her, yet I don’t dislike her either. Sometimes I think she’s wonderful, very suitable for me, but the idea of marrying her still leaves me reluctant.”
The two of them left the beach and strolled along the coastal road above.
“I loved Xiaoya for so many years, and I’ve never been able to let go, but she doesn’t love me. I can see it. There’s truly no affection in the way she looks at me, nothing like the way Yuehua looks at me.”
He Yuehua’s gaze was always full of tenderness and sweetness.
Father Lin sighed and said, “Love can’t put food on the table. Life is about daily necessities. Doctor Zeng is excellent, but she really isn’t suitable for you, and besides, she doesn’t love you.”
“Love should never be forced. Forced love brings no happiness.”
“A Jian, speaking as parents who have lived through it, Yuehua is still the better match for you. Her heart and eyes are full of you. After marriage she would treat you well, and only then would you be happy.”
Doctor Lin replied, “I know, Dad. I can’t sleep.”
“Not sleeping at this hour and coming down to the sea, I guessed you were sleepless and troubled.”
“Talk to me about it. We’re father and son. There’s nothing we can’t say to each other.”
“I have a rival. He’s very impressive. Xiaoya seems to prefer him. I always thought I was better than him, but tonight I realised I’m not even fit to carry his shoes.”
Father Lin said, “No matter how impressive the rival is, if Doctor Zeng doesn’t love him, it means nothing. The key is her attitude.”
“Xiaoya just enjoys being with him.”
“Since Doctor Zeng has made her choice, A Jian, let it go. Because of her you still aren’t married. People your age back in the village already have second children.”
“Your mum and I are getting older, especially with her health not being good. We both hope, while we’re still alive, to see you settle down and start a family. If we could see your child born, we could die content.”
“Dad, don’t say things like that. Mum just has high blood sugar. If it’s well controlled, she can live a long time. Right now she’s managing it very well.”
Doctor Lin knew his parents’ health situation clearly.
Given their current condition, living another ten or twenty years would be no problem at all. They would certainly see him marry and become a father.
