"Sergeant He..." Ding Jinshi only got these words out and then shook her head. "He’s a good man. You’ll be happy if you marry him."
In her words, Ding Jinshi was overflowing with envy. "Do you know? The woman I envy most in this world isn’t the sort who gets everything she wants. I envy women who can marry the men they love. Just hearing your name, I always assumed you were Sergeant He’s little sister. But on second thought, it’s not surprising. I remember hearing a long time ago that Sergeant He had a foster daughter. It must be you."
He Zhilan acknowledged graciously by nodding. "Yes, it’s me."
"So it turns out, you and He Teng are childhood friends. Lan Li and I also grew up together, but our endings are not the same. Sometimes, I’d rather just be a common girl."
"There is a saying, the person you love the most may not be the person most suitable for you, and may not be the one who will be with you for the rest of your life." He Zhilan could only offer this shallow consolation to Ding Jinshi. Honestly, she just hoped that Ding Jinshi could find a way out of her current predicament. But she was truly helpless. She knew Ding Jinshi loved Lan Li, but unfortunately, she was unable to help. Moreover, she hated Lan Li, so she wouldn’t be so foolish as to proclaim Ding Jinshi’s love for him on her behalf.
"If you feel like you’re backed into a corner, then just move forward. Surely you won’t leave yourself without a way out?" This was the only advice He Zhilan could give.
"Ironically, you’re right. I’ve got no way out." Ding Jinshi gave a self-mocking laugh. Her tear stains hadn’t yet dried, which made her laughter all the more ugly. "I’m getting engaged too, to Ding Long."
He Zhilan was dumbstruck at her words.
"Once Ding Long returns from R Country, we’ll get engaged, with the wedding probably before the new year’" Ding Jinshi announced.
"Why Ding Long? You don’t even like him, do you?" He Zhilan couldn’t associate Ding Jinshi with Ding Long in any way. In her mind, Ding Long was nothing but pond scum, the aggregation of all things despicable!
"The two families need a marriage alliance. If I don’t marry Ding Long, then it will be my younger sister Chenyue. Chenyue is so innocent, if she marries Ding Long, her life will be ruined. As for me, it doesn’t matter who I marry, I cannot marry the one I love anyway. If I marry Ding Long, at least I can control him." Ding Jinshi’s tone became calm, "So, I feel that my coming here today was a ridiculous, self-inflicted insult. I’m about to be a married woman, still pining for another man."
He Zhilan had nothing to say in response. Normally, when someone hears that another is getting married, they would offer their blessings. However, if the groom was Ding Long, He Zhilan simply couldn’t bring herself to insincerely wish Ding Jinshi and Ding Long well.
"He Zhilan, you and your brother, no, your husband, are both good people. Thank you." Ding Jinshi suddenly threw away the cigarette she had just lit, stood up, and said, "I’m leaving. You should go home and take care of your husband. And don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about your marriage. I appreciate your kindness. Thank you."
Without waiting for He Zhilan’s response, Ding Jinshi had already stepped away.
Watching Ding Jinshi’s retreating figure, He Zhilan felt an indescribable sense of loneliness. In truth, she admired Ding Jinshi. With her strong personality, she could easily have resisted sacrificing her marriage for the family. But instead, she gave up her own life for the sake of Zhou Chenyue’s future.