Hey, You in Front, Turn Around

The pressure from Mu Yuan’s parents was like a massive mountain, weighing on us until we could barely breathe.

One day, Mu Yuan’s father came straight to our place. The moment he walked in, he was beside himself with rage.

“Mu Yuan, you’re coming home with me today, and you’re marrying that woman right away!” he shouted.

Mu Yuan stood his ground stubbornly. “Dad, I’m not going back. My happiness isn’t there.”

“You’re going to be the death of me!” Mu Yuan’s father’s face turned crimson with anger, and he raised a hand to strike him.

I hurried forward to stop him. “Uncle, please don’t do anything rash. Let’s talk this through.”

“Talk it through? You’ve turned this family into a complete mess. What’s there left to talk about?” He yanked his hand free of mine.

Mu Yuan’s mother had followed him in. She tearfully grabbed Mu Yuan. “Son, I’m begging you. Stop being so stubborn.”

Mu Yuan looked at his parents, his eyes full of pain and helplessness. “Mom, I really only love him. Why can’t you accept that?”

During that time, Mu Yuan grew quiet and withdrawn, often sitting alone, lost in thought.

I was torn up inside, too. “Mu Yuan, maybe we should call it quits. I can’t stand seeing you end up like this with your parents because of me.”

Mu Yuan pulled me into his arms. “No, I won’t give up. There has to be a way to make them accept us.”

But reality only grew harsher. Mu Yuan’s parents began calling on every relative and friend to persuade him. Every day, the house was packed with people, and voices urging him to change his mind rang out without end.

“Mu Yuan, take it from an old friend: don’t go down the wrong path.”