Chapter 92
Endless Clouds
December 20
Endless Clouds is a vast, endless mountainous area. Here, one cannot distinguish between clouds and mist, as the thin mist plays with the clouds, and the clouds tumble in the gloomy sky. The pale sunlight tries to pierce through the cloud layers, squeezing through the white mist that blanketing the entire space in white, but fails to illuminate the forest path covered with dry branches under the winter cold.
On the freezing border, frost occasionally settles over the land, and biting rain sometimes falls, torturing the vegetation, driving away the animals hiding in their dens for warmth, and playfully tearing leaves, scattering them everywhere like people littering trash.
The dense, viscous, and damp trees grow diagonally, each tree and each branch acting like a swarm of spiders weaving webs in space, waiting for delicious prey to be trapped.
The branches stretch like a pack of poisonous snakes, crawling and hunting in every corner, groping through large and small caves, competing to block the way, driving even the most patient person mad.
Trees and vines crowd among countless inanimate existences, which are countless rocks of various sizes, standing silently, year in and year out enduring injury under the icy stream stealthily carving crevices, quietly wearing away the hope of all things: that cruel nature might spare this barren, desolate, and gloomy place—where humans refuse to approach, and even ghosts are too lazy to look.
After a long period of loneliness, today Endless Clouds welcomes the first guest to visit this forgotten place. He carries his backpack on his shoulder, follows the small path along the stream, and heads toward that solitary wooden house deep in the dense forest. He knocks three times on the door and calls out:
- I am Thuong Tung, Stone's husband.
A moment later, the person who opens the door is a woman who, although in her fifties, looks much younger. She is Pearl—Stone's mother. Thuong Tung sees that Pearl is neither tall nor short, with a petite figure, and her long hair is piled hurriedly atop her head, which is still glistening with moisture.
Burning hot water droplets from the bathroom dot her snow-white, peachy cheeks, making her look like a young woman in her twenties. Her complexion is ruddy, carrying the fresh colors of spring, like flowers blooming in the wild forest.
Thuong Tung glances at the oversized sweater that seems to swallow her shorts, yet fails to hide those long, ivory-white, and supple thighs. He tries hard to stop his gaze from sliding downward. The host warmly invites him inside. Thuong Tung walks in, and the woman immediately closes the door to avoid the cold wind, gently taking the backpack from his hand.
- I was worried about you standing in the cold, so I rushed to the door. Wait a moment, I'll go change.
Thuong Tung gives a shallow smile at her explanation. She departs with hurried steps, as if fearing he might unintentionally glimpse something he shouldn't see. A few minutes later, she returns having changed into decent clothes, completely covering the previously exposed sensitive spots. She places a cup of ginger tea in front of him. Thuong Tung gives a soft thanks and immediately expresses concern about her recent health.
- It is just a minor illness, do not worry.
Thuong Tung nods, takes a sip of tea, and looks around. The house is decorated with ornamental plants and fragrant forest flowers, with vines spreading across every window frame. Opposite the main door is a mural of Stone and her daughters gathered with relatives.
On both sides of the mural hang nightingale and thrush cages; they sing intertwined songs every day. The gentle sounds soothe the sadness of being far from children and grandchildren, providing companionship for the lonely old woman in the silent mountains and forests.
The elegant interior matches her gentle temperament; her words are soft-spoken, every kind gesture is delicate, showing warmth to the guest while always maintaining a sense of propriety.
Thuong Tung gazes at the freezing, windy sky, letting the falling snow turn this quiet space into a misty, sorrowful white, as his mood sinks into a few shades of oppressive darkness.
- Come and live with us!
She lets out a shallow smile tinged with a bit of sorrow:
- Did Stone not tell you? I am already used to living in this quiet and peaceful place; if I were to move to that bustling place filled with dust and smoke, it would instead make me unable to breathe. - She thinks for a long time before deciding to finish her thought - Since ancient times, only mothers-in-law have lived with their daughters-in-law; it has always been against custom for one to share a roof with her son-in-law.
The old woman talks a lot, easily running out of breath, so she has to pause for a while. Thuong Tung quickly pours her some water. Pearl smiles gently in gratitude, takes a long sip, and continues:
- I am also afraid that elderly people often change their minds, affecting the children's lives.
Thuong Tung wants to reveal Stone's current residence, but once he thinks of Stone and the daughters having to live a "replica" life, perhaps trapped in a chamber for a lifetime, he finds it hard to explain. He takes another sip of tea and says cautiously:
- You are living so far away, and whenever you fall ill, we are having to travel all the way back to the hometown just to take care of you. In this way, our work is being delayed, and soon it will be left unfinished. This is making everything even more inconvenient, and it will only make you feel increasingly guilty.
He is thoughtful, deeply worried, unwilling to let her struggle alone:
- Not to mention when you are alone here during the seasonal changes. Once a stroke happens, no one will be able to save you in time. It will be terrible if you end up bedridden; the children and grandchildren will be the ones who suffer the most. It will be much better if you come live with us. If you fall ill then, the family will be there to take care of you, and it won't affect our work too much. You will be close to your children and grandchildren, and everything will become much more convenient for everyone! The place we live is as quiet as a village, perfectly suited for someone like a mother-in-law who loves peace.
She wears a subtle smile, giving no hint of whether she believes Thuong Tung's words or not? She still reasons that Stone and the children are now working and studying in the city, busy all day, and she does not want to disturb them. Oh, it turns out she has never known that her relatives have already become moths. She believes her daughter has already obtained a clean job, and her granddaughter has always been studying hard in the city.
At the beginning of his relationship with Stone, Thuong Tung secretly investigated the reason why the mother-in-law was unwilling to live with her son-in-law. In the past, Stone's ex-husband had tried five or seven times to bring her back to live with them, but she refused every time.
Because Stone's husband was an orphan. After her husband passed away, Stone and her daughter lost their support and had to work as prostitutes, so for many years they were not condemned or criticized. Pearl has not known that her descendants had been living a humiliating life, worse than animals.
Pearl chats for a while, then finds an excuse:
- After a long journey, you must be both tired and hungry. Go rest in Stone's room, I will cook.
Thuong Tung wants to help in the kitchen. She suggests he rest, but he insists on helping, so she agrees. Throughout the dinner, the two happily cook and chat with joy. Thuong Tung washes the dishes for her, she shakes her head, smiles gently, and then returns to her own room to rest.
After finishing the chores, Thuong Tung enters Stone's room. The furniture is neat, the blankets and mattress are clean. At the head of the bed is a window, through which one can see the peaceful mountain view, and the sound of the flowing stream lulls one into gentle sleep.
Thuong Tung breathes in the fragrance lingering around; it stirs his sense of smell and makes him feel as if Stone and her daughter are now intimately close to him. He lies on the bed, glances at the clock on the dressing table by the window.
Evening, 21:55.
He covers his forehead with both hands, lies awake into the night, thinking of ways to persuade her, and then falls asleep.
The next day, the snow falls even heavier, showing no sign of weakening, and every minute it is increasing. Frost covers the branches and leaves, blocking the path. Thuong Tung and Pearl have to burn more wood to keep warm, but they still feel cold.
- Tsk, this weather is dangerous. You had better stay until the snow melts before going home.
Thuong Tung nods, turns on Halo, and calls Stone to report the situation:
- You and the daughters can rest assured. She and I are still safe. Well then, let me tell you some good news: she has already agreed to live with us.
She looks bewildered as Thuong Tung seems happier than during the New Year, never expecting that he is lying to his wife and children to force her back home. Thuong Tung hands Halo to Pearl, listening as Stone on the other end is now joyfully asking questions.
She frowns and glares at Thuong Tung. He only shrugs, wearing the look of "everything is for the good of the family." Pearl clicks her tongue, exhales, and begins asking about the granddaughters' studies. Stone turns Halo screen toward the two granddaughters who are now preparing for exams. The Crystal sisters happily wave in greeting. The grandmother advises:
- Exams are certainly important, but you must pay attention to your health. Do not push yourselves too hard, otherwise if you fall ill, everything will be ruined!
The granddaughters obediently listen. Both sides exchange a few more words about the unusual weather, then hang up Halo. Thuong Tung lowers his head in a posture of admitting fault. She says nothing, and he immediately kneels:
- If you still blame me for lying, still blame me for forcing you to return home, then I will kneel here forever and never stand up again.
Pearl rushes over in panic:
- What are you doing? I do not blame you.
Thuong Tung still insists. Pearl can only sigh and agree, helping him to stand. But their feet stumble against each other, and they both fall. Pearl ends up lying on top of him, her chest pressed tightly against Thuong Tung's chest.
Thuong Tung instantly feels his whole body filled with vitality, a burning heat spreading, two rapid breaths swirl between their flushed faces… because… that pine stump is now stirring in the midst of an inviolable forbidden ground. Pearl and he hurriedly let go of each other. She is now apologizing, and Thuong Tung quickly asks:
- Are you hurt?
She smiles, feeling that he handles such an awkward situation both flexibly and delicately. She shakes her head, saying it is fine. But just as she tries to stand, she falls again. Thuong Tung quickly notices that she has twisted her ankle and her two hands are swollen.
He does not hesitate to lift her up. Pearl is startled, clutching his shoulders tightly. Thuong Tung smiles gently, while she turns her face away in confusion. He deliberately avoids the shy blush, so as not to tease her into greater embarrassment.
He gently places her on the bed, applies medicinal oil, carefully and tenderly massages her, just like caring for his own mother.
Pearl wipes away tears from the corner of her eyes in sorrow. Thuong Tung finishes the massage, helps her lie down, and covers her with a blanket:
- Rest early, so your leg can heal faster.
She softly thanks him. Seeing that she is still shy about what just happened, Thuong Tung laughs, finding Pearl as lovely as a teenage girl:
- We are one family. You need not be bound by small formalities!
With that, Thuong Tung walks to the folding bed far from the large bed:
- Since you cannot move easily, I will temporarily stay here to take care of you. Call me anytime if you need.
Pearl nods in understanding, wraps herself tightly in the blanket, and turns her back to Thuong Tung. Inside, she still feels embarrassed. That night, her leg aches and she feels uncomfortable, wanting to urinate. She plans to call him, but feels too shy, unwilling to wake the sleeping Thuong Tung.
She tosses and turns until she truly cannot hold it anymore. At last, Pearl softly wakes Thuong Tung. He rubs his eyes and helps her to the bathroom. But because she has held it too long, and her injured leg throbs, she cannot control it, and urine gradually wets her trousers.
Pearl has never felt such embarrassment and humiliation. Thuong Tung does not mind the strong smell or the dampness seeping into her clothes. He calmly carries her into the bathroom. He pours water into the basin, hands her a towel, and places clean clothes within reach. He is just about to leave.
She struggles to remove her trousers, but collapses to the floor in exhaustion. Thuong Tung hears the noise and quickly asks. Pearl frowns, finally speaking to ask him for help. He immediately comes in, helps her sit upright, her back against the wall. She softly tells him to close his eyes. Thuong Tung laughs helplessly:
- I understand what you mean, but if I close my eyes, I cannot help you.
She lowers her head, her voice barely audible:
- I will become your eyes.