Chapter 342 – Love Is Not Everything in Life
“But if I study abroad, we’ll have to be apart. The counselor said that the separation could last from three to five years.”
Song Yi tightened his grip on Xu Fanghua’s hand. “Fanghua, I barely got through those three years before, and we were still in the country. Now, if I go abroad, how can I endure three to five years alone in a foreign country?”
The pain of being separated from a loved one was like endless, gnawing insects that eroded the bones; Song Yi didn’t want to suffer that again.
“I know, Ayi, and I don’t want to be separated from you either.”
“Ayi, I know you love me deeply, perhaps even more than you love yourself. But Ayi, love is not everything in life, or in existence.”
“When love becomes everything in life or existence, it is undoubtedly dangerous.”
“One can easily become obsessive.”
“Ayi, I love you. As your wife, I hope your life is not just about me. I want your life to be rich and fulfilling, with family, passions, and a career you’re pursuing.”
“Ayi, I don’t want to see you give up so much for me.”
“That would break my heart.”
“Of course, I’d be happy if you only had me in your heart.”
“But I hope your life can be even more wonderful and meaningful. I also want to see you shine in the medical field, excelling in your passion and saving lives.”
“Ayi, do you understand what I mean?”
What Xu Fanghua wanted to convey was simple: no matter what, never make love, family, or any one thing or person the entirety of life.
That would be terrifying.
What if that person were no longer there, or something happened, or if other changes occurred?
If someone made her the entirety of their life, wouldn’t their faith collapse, and their life lose all meaning? They might even lose the courage to continue living.
Xu Fanghua knew that perhaps the three years of separation and lack of contact had made Song Yi feel insecure, causing him to place her above everything else.
At first, it made her happy that Song Yi’s world revolved around her.
But gradually, she began to feel that a person’s life shouldn’t be like this.
Xu Fanghua loved Song Yi, so she didn’t want to see him in this state.
She hoped his life would be rich and fulfilling. When he looked back in old age, she wanted him to see not just her, his lifelong partner, but also significant achievements in the career he loved.
Of course, Xu Fanghua was reluctant to part with Song Yi.
Three or five years in a foreign country was undoubtedly tormenting.
She also wanted, selfishly, to go along with Song Yi’s wish and keep him here.
But then what?
She knew that Song Yi’s future achievement might be limited to being a doctor in a city hospital.
It wasn’t that there was anything wrong with that.
But she felt that Song Yi was not an ordinary person. His future should be marked by higher achievements.
So, despite her reluctance, she had to choose to temporarily let go this time.
As Song Yi pondered Xu Fanghua’s words, he found his eyes reddening, and tears began to fall.
Song Yi wasn’t someone who cried often.
In front of Xu Fanghua, he had rarely cried.
But this time…
He couldn’t hold back.
As he reflected, he realized that Fanghua was doing this for his own good, thinking entirely of him.
He was touched by Fanghua’s consideration for him.
At the same time, he felt that his own perspective was not as high as hers.
He focused on the immediate emotional aspects, while Fanghua saw a broader, deeper, and more distant future.
Xu Fanghua moved closer and hugged Song Yi.
Sitting down, Song Yi wrapped his arms around Fanghua’s waist, burying his face in her embrace.
Fanghua gently patted his back, soothing him.
Neither of them spoke.
The room was filled only with the sound of Song Yi quietly crying.
After a while, Song Yi’s emotions finally calmed down.
“Alright, Fanghua, I promise you, I’ll go study abroad.”
“Mm, okay.” Xu Fanghua patted Song Yi’s head, her eyes already red where he couldn’t see.
Making this decision wasn’t easy for her either.
She didn’t want to part from her loved one.
“Ayi, I really liked what Ningning said before: ‘Parting is for a better reunion.’”
“And even if we’re apart and can’t make phone calls, we can still write letters.”
“Ayi, as long as our love remains, time and distance are not an issue.”
Song Yi looked up, his expression somewhat aggrieved. “Aren’t you worried that I might fall for some foreign woman while I’m abroad? People say that girls with blonde hair and blue eyes are very beautiful. Aren’t you afraid…”
Xu Fanghua covered her face and laughed. “Of course I’m not afraid.”
“Why would I be worried? With how wonderful I am, how could my Ayi possibly be interested in anyone else?”
“My Ayi is a public-funded student studying abroad. He’ll surely study hard and come back with valuable knowledge to benefit our country and its people.”
Song Yi: That’s true.
Without Fanghua by his side abroad, his only option was to focus solely on studying, learning as much as possible, and trying to return home as soon as he could.
In fact, his earlier comments were just a joke.
He was confident he could stay true to his feelings.
But he was worried about the possibility of some young men trying to impress Fanghua while he was away.
When Fanghua first came to Beijing University, many male classmates confessed their feelings to her.
Even when she said she was married, they didn’t give up easily.
It was only when he stood by her side that they finally backed off.
But he knew that some people only restrained their actions; their thoughts still lingered, waiting for the chance to act.
So, he grabbed Xu Fanghua’s sleeve and said, “Fanghua, while I’m abroad, you mustn’t accept any young men’s advances. Otherwise, I’ll be heartbroken.”
Xu Fanghua was taken aback by Song Yi’s concern and found it a bit amusing. “Ayi, what are you thinking? I’m a married woman. I would never do anything that goes against my principles.”
“So, don’t worry. Since we’ve decided this, just focus on preparing for your studies abroad.”
Song Yi: “…Alright then.”
Song Yi felt he needed to ask his counselor about more convenient ways to keep in touch while abroad.
He also wondered how long it would be before he could return home on vacation.
It couldn’t be that he wouldn’t be able to come back for three or five years.
Song Yi thought about many things.
His counselor would never have guessed that Song Yi, before even starting his studies abroad, was already worrying about vacation time and missing his wife. How much did it show his reluctance to leave and his concern that someone might steal her away?
