Chapter 856: NO MATTER WHAT
Chapter 856: NO MATTER WHAT
SHEN JI YUN took off his coat once he entered his hotel room. He hung it in the closet. After he removed his gloves, he sat down on the couch. He leaned back and stared at the ceiling.
His thoughts went back to his conversation with Uncle Yue before they separated in front of the hotel.
"It's really nice to see you again, Uncle Yue," Shen Ji Yun said once he got off the car.
"I feel the same way," Jiang Yue said with a soft smile. And then, his expression slowly turned to that of worry. "Will you tell Yi Mu that you saw me today?"
Shen Ji Yun stared at the other. Uncle Yue was gripping his coat, showing just how nervous he was. There was probably a lot more other emotions there. But being a novice when it came to emotions, Shen Ji Yun couldn't name all of it.
He wanted to give an answer that the other wanted. But he couldn't. so, he answered honestly;
"I will. I'm sorry, Uncle Yue."
Jiang Yue bit his bottom lip. Then, he tried to smile but it only looked like his face contorted. "I understand. No need to say 'sorry'."
Silence filled the air for a while.
"Can I give an advice, Uncle Yue?" Shen Ji Yun asked in a tentative manner.
Jiang Yue looked startled by the question. And then, his forced smile turned to a real one. As if what Shen Ji Yun said amused him. "Of course."
"Currently, Uncle Yue has two choices on how to proceed forward," Shen Ji Yun started. "First, you can run away and leave everything you've built here."
Now, Jiang Yue truly chuckled. "You're making it sound like I'm a criminal fleeing for his life," he said in a light tone. "And what should be the second choice?"
"Second, you can wait for Uncle and face him. Speak to each other, clear all the misunderstanding, and then decide whether to reconcile or have a clean break."
Jiang Yue's smile slowly turned bitter. "How I wish it was that easy."
Shen Ji Yun didn't respond. Because he didn't know what to say. He even felt like he was being too insensitive for giving that advice. But he couldn't stop himself from giving his opinion.
His uncle obviously still loved Uncle Yue. And from what he had seen from Uncle Yue's reaction so far, he still felt the same way. At least that's what he understood from all the things the other said, as well as his body language. If that was the case, then was there really a reason for the two of them to not meet?
Maybe he was overstepping his bounds. But if he could help two people who obviously still loved each other reconnect again, then he wouldn't mind being thought of a nosy prick.
"I don't think love is ever that easy," he said. "One should at least have some courage to achieve a semblance of happiness."
Shen Ji Yun took out his phone after much thought. He then dialed his uncle's number. After a couple of rings, the other finally picked it up.
"My dear nephew, how good of you to call me. Do you finally remember that you have an uncle anxiously waiting for your call?" Shen Yi Mu asked, his voice a mix of scolding and teasing.
"I'm sorry, Uncle. I got here safely. I have met Yan Yan and his family. We celebrated his birthday. And I'm also going with them on a trip tomorrow," he said, making a small report.
"Wow, look at you go. Spending time with Xiao Yan's family, you're even going on a trip with them. You're leveling up, kid." Now, his uncle's tone was purely teasing. "I hope that everything will go well for you in this trip. But don't forget to keep safe, okay?"
Shen Ji Yun could hear the sincerity from his uncle's voice. Although it appeared like he was teasing him, he could feel that the other truly wanted for things to go well for him.
"Yes, uncle."
And then, he suddenly didn't know what to say next.
"I think you have to wake up early tomorrow. So, go to sleep," his uncle said after a while.
"Uncle, I--there's something I need you to know," Shen Ji Yun said before his uncle could hang the phone.
"What is it?" the other asked, obviously curious.
"I- I met Uncle Yue," Shen Ji Yun finally said.
A long stretch of silence followed.
"What do you mean?" his uncle asked, his voice hoarse.
"I met Uncle Yue. He's here in S City."
He heard his uncle took a sharp breath. He didn't know if the other was surprised or just purely filled with disbelief.
"Truly? You truly m-met him?" Shen Yi Mu asked in a trembling voice. "Are you sure it was him?"
"Yes. We talked. There's no doubt it's him," Shen Ji Yun assured the other. "If uncle wants to meet Uncle Yue, you have to go here the first thing tomorrow. I didn't ask his address or where he currently works. But I know that wouldn't stop you, Uncle."
There was another silence. And then he heard his uncle laughing. "Yes, it won't stop me," he said, agreeing to Shen Ji Yun. "Thank you, Ji Yun."
Shen Ji Yun could hear the excitement in his uncle's voice. He couldn't even imagine what the other might be feeling right now. Happiness? Shock? Excitement? Maybe even worry.
But one thing's for sure, his uncle would do everything to meet Uncle Yue.
"Good luck, Uncle."
Their call ended and Shen Ji Yun hung up the phone. He stood up and walked towards the floor to ceiling window. He looked outside and stared at the flickering city lights.
He truly wished the best for his uncle. He hoped that by the time he returned on Monday, he would receive a good news from the other. Maybe he, as well, would have the same good news.
Because by the end of this trip, he promised that he would finally confess his feelings to Luo Yan.
No matter what.