Fortune Across the World

Chapter 119: Revealing Intentions at the Inn (Part 2)

Ding Qiyu was momentarily taken aback by Fu Ruqing's question, glancing down at her outfit before meeting Fu Ruqing's steady gaze. She sensed an underlying meaning in Fu Ruqing's inquiry, realizing that despite their time together, she had never shared her true identity or past with the little girl. Could it be that Fu Ruqing also had feelings for her? From their interactions, Ding Qiyu was certain that the little girl felt something for her; they were mutually drawn to each other. Perhaps it was time to seize this opportunity and fully reveal her intentions.

Determined, Ding Qiyu sat beside Fu Ruqing and began, "Yes. It's from home. My family is in Xing City. Originally, I was just a beggar on the outskirts of Xing City until Aunt He took me in, mistaking me for a boy. I went along with it, becoming her 'son.' Aunt He also has a daughter, and they became my family."

A beggar... The word struck Fu Ruqing, recalling Ding Qiyu's expression of nostalgia on the day she gave her the wind chime, and it pained her to learn of her difficult past.

Before Fu Ruqing could respond, Ding Qiyu sighed and continued, "In Xing City... there was a woman I deeply loved... and the young girl at home has special feelings for me too..." Speaking of those in Xing City once more, Ding Qiyu had hoped to recount this calmly, but the deep-seated wounds resurfaced, ached anew, and she paused, overwhelmed by indescribable sadness. "But they loved merely an illusion of a man, not the real me..." she added, her voice tinged with restrained emotion.

The mention of "a woman I deeply loved" stirred an inexplicable discomfort in Fu Ruqing. She clenched her sleeve, yet seeing the sorrow in Ding Qiyu's eyes, mirroring the solitary figure from that night, touched her deeply.

"So... does it matter to you?" Ding Qiyu's voice trembled with vulnerability, "Does my identity matter? Does it matter that I'm a woman?" Despite Fu Ruqing's previous assurance that two women could be together, Ding Qiyu feared that when it came to herself, the little girl might hesitate. She needed to know if her identity would be a barrier.

Fu Ruqing understood that Ding Qiyu needed warmth and reassurance. Pushing aside her own feelings of jealousy from the phrase "deeply loved," she shook her head without hesitation and spoke her truth: "It doesn't matter to me." She had never expected anyone to walk alongside her in the future, and Ding Qiyu was an unexpected joy in her life. Whether a man or a woman, it made no difference.

Ding Qiyu met Fu Ruqing's untainted gaze, and the warmth it conveyed washed away the blood from her reopened wounds. Indeed, the past could not be altered, no matter how painful. Let it remain buried... Now, with such a wonderful person in her life, what more could she ask for? With slightly moist eyes, Ding Qiyu stepped forward and pulled Fu Ruqing into a tight embrace, murmuring, "Thank you, thank you..." Grateful for the fate that allowed her to meet the little girl after enduring so much pain.

No longer hesitating, Ding Qiyu spoke her heart without reservation, "Qing'er, I... I like you."

Caught off-guard by the sudden embrace, Fu Ruqing felt at a loss. Her interactions with Ding Qiyu had repeatedly broken the habits and rules she maintained for over a decade. The sincere confession confirmed her special place in Ding Qiyu's heart, causing her heart to race. Yet, a fleeting doubt arose: Was she chosen because others did not accept her? This negative thought was quickly dismissed. After spending so much time with Ding Qiyu, Fu Ruqing knew her genuine care and affection were authentic. Though she hadn't experienced love before, she could discern true feelings from pretense. Human emotions were complex and inscrutable; since they both had feelings, why question the reasons or demand clarity?