Great Power Reclamation

As December passed its midpoint, the snow in London began to fall and then stopped, as if the heavens were repeatedly practicing something.

Ye Guigen found himself in a strange state: he went to class, wrote papers, and went to the library every day, but he felt completely drained.

He couldn't taste the food, couldn't concentrate on his lessons, and even found it noisy when Hans played Ye Yini's songs.

Raj couldn't stand it anymore, so one noon he dragged him to a small restaurant outside the school and ordered two curries.

“You’ve lost weight,” Raj said.

"No."

“Yes.” Raj stared at him. “Your eyes are sunken in. Brother, this won’t do.”

Ye Guigen took a couple of bites of curry, but found it tasteless.

"Have you thought it through?" Raj asked.

Ye Guigen shook his head.

"So how long do you plan to drag this out?"

Ye Guigen shook his head again.

Raj sighed and put down his fork. "Ye Guigen, I've known you for so long, and this is the first time I've seen you like this. You used to be able to handle anything. But this is even harder than those thugs blocking your way?"

Ye Guigen thought for a moment: "It's different. I know how to deal with those thugs. This one..."

“There’s no standard answer to this,” Raj chimed in. “When it comes to matters of the heart, there’s no standard answer.”

Ye Guigen smiled wryly: "Then teach me."

“I can’t teach him.” Raj shrugged. “I’ve never been in a relationship myself. But my dad once said something: When making a choice, don’t think about what you might lose, think about what you want.”

Ye Guigen was taken aback.

what do you want?
What does he want?
He thought about it all afternoon, but couldn't figure it out.

On Friday evening, Ye Guigen received a video call.

It's Grandpa.

Ye Yuze sat in his home in the military reclamation city, with an old-fashioned bookshelf and a yellowed map behind him. He looked at his grandson on the screen, remained silent for a few seconds, and then said, "He's lost weight."

Ye Guigen touched his face: "I've been a bit busy lately."

"What are you busy with?"

"Write a thesis."

Ye Yuze chuckled, a laugh that carried an all-knowing air: "Given it, you've never been good at lying. So, what happened?"

Ye Guigen remained silent.

"About relationships?" Ye Yuze asked.

Ye Guigen nodded.

Ye Yuze leaned back in his chair, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Your father also encountered something like this back then."

Ye Guigen was taken aback: "My dad?"

“Yes. He spent a long time choosing between your mother and your stepmother.” Ye Yuze’s gaze was somewhat distant. “Back then, he was still young, a few years older than you are now. He couldn’t let go of either of them, and he didn’t want to hurt either of them. And what was the result? The longer it dragged on, the deeper the hurt.”

Ye Guigen listened, his heart racing.

"What did he choose in the end?" he asked.

Ye Yuze smiled and said, "He didn't choose. Two women chose for him."

Ye Guigen was stunned.

“Your mother got pregnant with you, and your stepmother withdrew voluntarily,” Ye Yuze said. “It wasn’t because your mother forced her; it was her own decision. She said the child needed a complete family.”

He paused for a moment, then said, "But your father owes her this for the rest of his life. And he's still paying it back to this day."

Ye Guigen didn't know what to say.

“Ultimately,” Ye Yuze looked at the screen, his eyes sharp yet gentle, “I’m not here to teach you how to choose. You have to walk your own path. But I can tell you one thing: no matter who you choose, someone will get hurt. What you can do is minimize the hurt. How? Make a decision sooner rather than later, don’t drag it out.”

After the video call ended, Ye Guigen sat there, motionless for a long time.

On Saturday morning, Ye Guigen received a message.

It was Miyuki who sent the message: "Are you free today? I want to go somewhere, can you come with me?"

He hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Okay."

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Meixue was waiting for him downstairs at the dormitory. She was wearing that white down jacket and a red scarf, her face flushed from the cold. When she saw Ye Guigen, she smiled, but the smile lacked its usual radiance.

"Where to?" Ye Guigen asked.

"You'll find out once you follow me."

They took the subway, then changed buses, and finally arrived at a certain place. Ye Guigen got off the bus and was stunned.

It's a hospital.

“My mother has been transferred to London,” Miyuki said softly. “The rehabilitation hospitals here are better. I’d like you to meet her.”

Ye Guigen's heart tightened: "Does she...know me?"

“I know. I told her about you.” Miyuki looked at him. “If you don’t want to see her, that’s fine.”

Ye Guigen was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Let's go."

The ward was on the sixth floor and was very quiet. Miyuki pushed open the door, and inside was a woman in her fifties, lying on the hospital bed, her face pale, her right side paralyzed, but her eyes bright.

“Mom, this is what it means to return to one’s roots,” Miyuki said in Japanese.

Meixue's mother looked at him, her eyes scrutinizing, yet also filled with something tender. She laboriously extended her left hand, and Ye Guigen stepped forward to grasp it.

"Thank you for taking care of Miyuki," she said in broken English, emphasizing each word.

Ye Guigen shook his head: "No, she took care of me."

Miyuki's mother smiled, a smile that contained both relief and worry.

They sat there for half an hour. Meixue wiped her mother's face, fed her water, and turned her over, her movements practiced as if she had done it many times before. Ye Guigen watched from the side, feeling a mix of emotions.

As he was leaving, Miyuki's mother suddenly grabbed his hand and said something in Japanese. Miyuki translated, "She said, 'Please treat Miyuki well.'"

Ye Guigen looked into those cloudy yet sincere eyes and nodded.

As they left the hospital, the sky darkened again. Miyuki walked beside him, remaining silent for a long time.

“My mom used to be very beautiful,” she suddenly said. “She could dance, sing, and cook delicious food. Now…”

She didn't finish speaking, but Ye Guigen understood.

“She will get better,” he said.

Miyuki nodded, but her eyes were red.

After walking for a while, Miyuki suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at him.

"Ye Guigen, I called you here today to tell you something."

Ye Guigen's heart was racing.

“I like you.” Miyuki looked directly into his eyes. “I’ve liked you since the first time we met. But my mother’s illness this time has made me realize something.”

She paused, then said, "I can't wait any longer."

Ye Guigen was stunned.

“I’m not asking you to make a choice right now,” Miyuki continued. “I’m telling you that I will wait for you, but not indefinitely. Three months. If you haven’t thought it through after three months, I’ll assume you have.”

After she finished speaking, she stood on tiptoe and gently kissed him on the lips.

Then he turned and left.

Ye Guigen stood there, watching her disappear into the crowd.

That night, Ye Guigen couldn't sleep.

He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind replaying Miyuki's words—"Three months." If he hadn't made up his mind by then, she would leave.

He recalled Elizabeth's words—"Think it through before you come to me. Whatever your decision is, I will accept it."

Two girls, two different approaches.

One gives him time, the other gives him a deadline.

What should he do?
On Sunday, Ye Guigen went to church.

It wasn't St. Paul's Cathedral, but a small stone chapel near the school, old but quiet. He sat on the last bench, staring blankly at the stained-glass windows in front of him.

He remembered his grandfather's words: "No matter who you choose, someone will get hurt. What you can do is minimize the damage."

How to lower it?
he does not know.

An old pastor came over and sat down next to him.

"Young man, is something on your mind?" the old pastor asked.

Ye Guigen nodded.

Would you like to talk about it?

Ye Guigen was silent for a moment before speaking. He didn't mention names or backgrounds, only a general outline—two girls, one like the sea, the other like snow; one gave him time, the other a deadline; he didn't know which to choose.

The old pastor remained silent for a long time after listening.

Then he said, "Young man, you've asked the wrong question."

Ye Guigen was taken aback.

“You keep asking ‘How should I choose?’” the old pastor looked at him. “But the real question should be: Whom do you love?”

Ye Guigen was stunned.

“It’s not about who’s better, who’s more suitable, or who’s given more,” the old pastor said. “It’s about who you love. Close your eyes and think about their faces. Who makes your heart race? Who makes you want to protect them? Who makes you unable to bear the thought of losing them?”

Ye Guigen closed his eyes.

Elizabeth's face appeared—deep eyes, a restrained smile, and the look in her eyes when she said, "I'll wait for you."

Miyuki's face also appeared—her smiling eyes, the tears in the snow, and the determination when she said "three months".

Who made his heart race?
Everything is accelerating.

Who told him to want to protect it?

They all want to protect it.

Who told him to be unable to bear the thought of losing it?

He dared not think.

Looking at his expression, the old pastor sighed, "Young man, it seems you haven't found the answer yet. That's alright, take your time. But remember one thing: whoever you choose, choose wholeheartedly. Don't hesitate, don't look back. Because hesitation and looking back are more hurtful than choosing the wrong option." Ye Guigen opened his eyes and looked at the old pastor.

"Thank you."

The old pastor smiled, stood up, and left.

Ye Guigen sat alone in the church, watching the light outside the window slowly dim.

On Monday, Ye Guigen received a package.

The sender was Hassan, and it was from North Africa. Upon opening it, I found a letter and a small bag.

The letter was written by Fatima; the handwriting was crooked and messy, but very earnest.
“Mr. Ye, I’ve been training in Country A. It’s great here, but I miss home. I’ve learned from many people, and I can teach them when I go back to my village. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. These are dates my mother made; I’m giving them to you. Fatima.”

Ye Guigen felt a warmth in his heart as he looked at the letter.

He opened the bag of dates and tasted one. It was very sweet, almost cloyingly sweet.

He remembered the village deep in the desert, the look in Fatima's eyes when she said, "I want to be a doctor," and the solemnity with which the village chief gave him the silver ornaments.

Those are the real things.

Those are the things he truly wants to protect.

That evening, Ye Guigen called Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth, are you free this weekend? I'd like to talk to you."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then Elizabeth said, "Okay. Saturday night, come to my house?"

"it is good."

He texted Miyuki again: "Are you free this weekend? I'd like to talk to you."

Miyuki quickly replied: "Saturday afternoon? Same place as always?"

"it is good."

After sending the message, he put down his phone and let out a long sigh.

Hans looked up from the music: "Have you decided?"

"Not yet," Ye Guigen said, "but soon."

It's snowing again outside the window.

The snow in London always comes and goes so quietly.

Saturday afternoon, the usual spot—the park near the school.

When Ye Guigen arrived, Meixue was already waiting. She was wearing that white down jacket and a red scarf, just like every time they met. But today, her eyes were a little different.

"You're here?" she asked.

"Ah."

The two walked slowly along the path. The sun had just shone after the snow, its rays dazzlingly bright on the snow. In the distance, several children were building a snowman, their laughter faintly drifting over.

“Miyuki,” Ye Guigen said, “I’ve made up my mind.”

Miyuki stopped and turned to look at him.

Ye Guigen took a deep breath: "I like you."

Miyuki's eyes lit up.

“But,” Ye Guigen continued, “I also like Elizabeth.”

Miyuki's smile froze.

“I’m not here to choose you,” Ye Guigen said. “I’m here to tell you the truth. I can’t let go of either of them. For the past three months, I’ve been thinking about it so much that I can’t sleep or eat. But I still can’t figure it out.”

He looked at her: "You gave me three months. Now, I want to tell you: three months from now, I might still be the same. If you can't accept that, I understand. If you want to leave, I won't blame you."

Miyuki looked at him, her eyes slowly reddening.

"Ye Guigen, do you know what you're saying?"

“I know,” Ye Guigen said. “I’m saying I’m not a good man. I’m saying I’m not worth waiting for.”

Miyuki remained silent for a long time.

Then she suddenly laughed.

“Fool,” she said. “Do you think I don’t know?”

Ye Guigen was stunned.

"You think I can't tell you have two people in your heart?" Miyuki smiled, but tears fell. "I knew from the beginning. I just wanted to take a gamble, to bet you would choose me."

She reached out and wiped away her tears: "Now I know, I lost my bet."

Ye Guigen felt a pang of pain in his heart and wanted to say something, but Meixue raised her hand to stop him.

“It’s okay,” she said. “Liking someone is my own business. Whether you like me or not is your business. These two things don’t conflict.”

She tiptoed and gave him a light kiss on the lips.

This time, the kiss lasted a long time.

After they parted, she looked at him, her eyes red, but her smile remained.

"Thank you for being with me during this time," she said. "I will remember it."

Then she turned and left.

Same as last time, yet different.

Ye Guigen stood there, watching her disappear into the distance.

The snow has started falling again.

Saturday night, Knightsbridge.

When Elizabeth opened the door and saw Ye Guigen's expression, she understood everything.

“Come in,” she said softly.

In the living room, a fire was burning in the fireplace. Elizabeth poured him a cup of tea and then sat down opposite him.

“Speak,” she said.

Ye Guigen was silent for a moment, then spoke. He talked about Meixue, the three-month deadline, and the conversation that afternoon. He didn't hide anything.

Elizabeth listened calmly, but her fingers clenched slightly.

"So," she waited for him to finish, "what's your decision?"

Ye Guigen looked at her and said, "I don't know."

Elizabeth paused for a moment.

“I still don’t know,” Ye Guigen said. “I like her, and I like you too. I can’t let go of either of them. I told her today, and I told you too.”

He paused for a moment, then said, "If you can't accept it, I understand."

Elizabeth remained silent for a long time.

The firewood in the fireplace crackled and popped.

Then she stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the snow outside.

“Like leaves returning to their roots,” she said with her back to him, “do you know what I like most about you?”

Ye Guigen remained silent.

“You’re honest.” Elizabeth turned around. “You could have lied to me, you could have stalled, you could have had your cake and eat it too. But you didn’t. You chose to tell the truth.”

She walked back, knelt down in front of him, and took his hand.

“My grandfather once said: In relationships, honesty is more important than perfection.” She looked at him. “You came to see me today and told me all this, which shows that you respect me.”

Ye Guigen felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

“So,” Elizabeth said, “I’ll wait for you.”

Ye Guigen was stunned.

“It’s not about waiting for you to choose me,” Elizabeth smiled. “It’s about waiting for you to think it through. It can take as long as you want. Because what I like is the honest you, even if you don’t think it through.”

She leaned in and gently kissed him on the lips.

That kiss was light and warm.

When Ye Guigen left Knightsbridge, the snow stopped.

He walked along the road, the snowflakes crunching under his feet.

He suddenly remembered the old pastor's words: "Whoever you choose, choose wholeheartedly. Don't hesitate, don't look back."

But now, he hasn't chosen anyone.

Or rather, he chose the stupidest way—telling everyone the truth and then giving them the choice.

What will they choose?
he does not know.

But he knew he could finally fall asleep.

Back in the dormitory, Hans was already asleep. Ye Guigen quietly climbed into bed and closed his eyes.

He slept soundly that night.

There are no dreams.

When I woke up the next day, sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains.

Ye Guigen picked up his phone; there were two messages.

One of them was from Miyuki: "I've made up my mind. I'm going back to China to take care of my mother. London isn't right for me. Thank you. Take care."

One of them was from Elizabeth: "Good morning. The weather is lovely today. Shall we go for a walk along the Thames?"

Ye Guigen stared at the two messages for a long time, stunned.

Then he replied to Elizabeth, "Okay."

He replied to Miyuki again: "Take care. Have a safe journey."

After sending the message, he put down his phone and looked out the window.

The sun is shining brightly, and the snow is starting to melt.

Winter in London is finally coming to an end.

And his life was just beginning. (End of Chapter)