Chapter Twelve: Leaving Beiping

Upon hearing this, Master Lou’s eyes flickered with hesitation. “Leaving Beiping? This… doesn’t seem quite right, does it?”

He Yuzhu understood his concerns and patiently explained, “Uncle, think about it—Beiping’s situation is complicated now. Staying here would only put us in greater danger. If we leave for a while, not only can we avoid these troubles, but we might also find new opportunities.”

Master Lou fell silent for a moment before slowly nodding. “Yes, you make a valid point. We do need to give this serious thought.”

“Uncle Lou, what I said today isn’t a sudden impulse. It’s been on my mind for a long time. I just never had the courage to decide, since this concerns your family’s future,” He Yuzhu’s gaze was filled with a complex mix of resolve and reluctance.

Master Lou’s heart jolted; he hadn’t expected He Yuzhu to be so frank in suggesting they leave. He looked at He Yuzhu with a mixture of shock and an indescribable shame. As someone who prided himself on his extensive knowledge and worldly experience, he suddenly realized that in some ways, he was less decisive and resolute than a mere cook.

“Mr. He, you truly surprise me. I thought only those well-versed in literature could possess such keen insight and decisiveness. Yet here you are, a masterful chef, showing such extraordinary wisdom,” Master Lou said with a tone blending admiration and self-mockery.

He Yuzhu smiled slightly, humility and calmness in his expression. “Uncle Lou, you flatter me. I’m just an ordinary cook. Since childhood, cooking is the only skill I’ve ever learned. As for reading, that’s been rare for me.”

Master Lou’s eyes widened further, clearly moved by He Yuzhu’s words.

The conversation flowed warmly and naturally until the sun’s last rays faded into the horizon. Reluctantly, He Yuzhu bid farewell to the Lou family and set off for home.

As night fell, the Lou family’s study remained brightly lit. Master Lou sat alone at his desk, brows furrowed deeply, contemplating a weighty decision. Only when the house grew silent late into the night did he rise slowly, a determined resolve in his heart.

The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced the clouds and shone into the courtyard, Master Lou gathered the family to announce a startling decision—they would relocate to Hong Kong.

“Dad, this is so sudden! I’ve lived here all my life, over twenty years. To just leave like this—it’s hard to accept!” Lou Xiao’e’s first reaction was a strong resistance.

“E’er, you have to trust your father’s plan. It’s for the good of our whole family,” Lou’s mother comforted gently. In matters of great consequence, she always stood firmly behind Master Lou’s decisions.

Master Lou sighed deeply, his voice heavy with sincerity. “E’er, you heard what Yuzhu said yesterday. Leaving Beiping sooner means a safer, more peaceful life for us all. I’ve already booked our tickets to Hong Kong for three days from now. We need to start packing immediately.”

Lou Xiao’e understood then that the plan was set and irreversible. Images of He Yuzhu flashed involuntarily through her mind, stirring an inexplicable sense of loss that even she found surprising.

“Alright, Dad, I understand,” she replied listlessly and turned back to her room.

Once inside her bedroom, Lou Xiao’e sat at her desk, surrounded by crumpled sheets of paper. She picked up a pen, wanting to write He Yuzhu a letter but unsure how to begin. Although not close, she felt compelled to inform him of their departure, yet worried it might seem abrupt.

“Sigh, maybe once I go to Hong Kong, I’ll never come back. I might never see him again,” her mind was in turmoil. After much hesitation, she put the pen back in the drawer, deciding not to write the letter.

Over the next three days, Lou Xiao’e wrestled repeatedly with the thought of writing to He Yuzhu or bidding him farewell in person, but each time her courage faltered and she held back.

Yet fate seemed unwilling to let her slip away quietly.

On the day the Lou family was set to leave Beiping, He Yuzhu unexpectedly came to their home. Master Lou had entrusted him with the house keys, asking him to look after the property—people can leave, but houses cannot be taken along.

“I never thought we’d have to say goodbye so soon after meeting,” Lou Xiao’e’s eyes held a trace of sorrow, a sentiment He Yuzhu understood perfectly.

He offered an awkward smile, trying to ease the mood. “We’ll meet again. You and your family will surely return to Beiping someday. When that time comes, I’ll make sure to welcome you properly.”

His words carried a firm resolve, attempting to reassure Lou Xiao’e’s uneasy heart.

She smiled faintly, that smile speaking volumes yet ending in a soft sigh. “I hope that day comes soon. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Her gaze was tender and full of unspoken feelings.

But fate’s wheels had already begun to turn. With a hint of regret, Lou Xiao’e embarked on her journey to Hong Kong, leaving behind a city full of memories and endless longing.

Meanwhile, at the steel mill’s corner, He Yuzhu’s life went on. When the end-of-shift bell rang, the factory seemed to come alive as workers packed up, preparing to end their day’s labor.

He Yuzhu was no exception. Just as he grabbed his coat from a chair, ready to head home early while daylight lingered, an unexpected voice interrupted him.

“Master He, don’t go yet. Director Yang is looking for you,” called Secretary Xiao Liu from the doorway.

Her tone was urgent, hinting at something important awaiting him.

He Yuzhu hesitated, placing his coat back on the chair, wondering: What could the director want? Had there been a problem with recent work?

He turned to Xiao Liu, wearing a polite smile. “Xiao Liu, can you tell me exactly why the director wants to see me? I’d like to be prepared.”