Young Master Liem
Chapter 54 The Struggle of Ai Lien

News of Sun Kwan's illness had been heard by Ai Lien through Siaw Cing. Sun Kwan's younger brother came to Ai Lien's house and recounted Sun Kwan's frail condition due to an unexplained illness, after seeking his stepmother's blessing.

“I was the one who encouraged him to be brave. Now that his bravery was my brother sick, I feel guilty too.” Siaw Cing cried in front of Miss Hu.

Hearing the news that Sun Kwan is sick from fighting for love, the usually tough Miss Hu is devastated. He also felt guilty for encouraging Sun Kwan to ask for his blessing and propose to him.

“I told Sun Kwan to tell us about our relationship. I doubted his courage because of the length of time he needed to tell your parents. But if it's like this, I understand why it's like that.”

“Nona Hu, you have to do something. I don't want to lose Koh Sun Kwan. You must not want to lose him either.”

“I'll do anything to fix this situation. If necessary, I will beg Mrs Liem.”

That was Miss Hu's strong determination. He does not want to give up on the situation that is getting worse and worse.

First he went to his own parents and explained about his relationship with Sun Kwan.

“Papa... Mama... actually I have been in love with Sun kwan for a long time, please bless our relationship.” Ms. Hu pleaded with her parents.

Miss Hu's parents looked at each other, then looked at her daughter.

“Papa knows Sun Kwan is a good young man, but. as far as Papa knows his job is to be a bookkeeper in the family company who is likely to be taken over by his older brother. Then will he be able to guarantee your well-being later?”

“His brother was not willing to take that responsibility and has now left the family. About my welfare, I believe Sun Kwan can fulfill it, he is a smart young man.”

“It remains that he is only an employee, whereas you are used to living in luxury. Can he finance all the needs just like we always give?”

“If necessary, I will lower my lifestyle, I am willing to live simply and as is as long as I can marry Sun Kwan.”

Miss Hu increasingly showed her unanimous determination, leaving her parents astonished. Her mother became worried that in the future, her daughter would suffer.

“Ai Lien.. later if you really live in poverty, then you will regret your decision,” said his mother.

“I will never regret, I will bear all the consequences. Will I not get an inheritance? I can continue our family business.”

“In this difficult era, Papa himself is worried about our efforts. Whether it can survive into the future or not. Therefore Papa always wants to have a son-in-law who can run a business. Therefore Papa was impressed with Wan Siang, and wanted you to get married. But Wan Siang chose to leave. Sun Kwan has not been tested, Ai Lien..”.

“Why do Papa and Mama think about and fear an uncertain future for everyone? In my opinion, if I am not married to the person I love, my future is also not necessarily happy, maybe even bad.”

“At least you won't be lacking,” said Mrs Hu.

“Then is it good, always full but my heart suffers?” Ai Lien did not want to lose.

“Ai Lien.. You are our only child, Papa does not want to carelessly hand you over to people who may not necessarily guarantee your welfare in the future. If you live a life of deprivation, how are we accountable to our ancestors?”

“If Papa and Mama don't allow me to marry the person I love, then I swear I won't marry for the rest of my life. Let our descendants stop here. If that happens, how will Papa and Mama explain it to the ancestors?”

Master and Lady Hu did not expect that Ai Lien would threaten like that. Vowing not to get married and not to continue with offspring is a serious threat.

“Ai Lien.. think again about your decision. Will it be good for your future? If you live alone, who will take care of you in old age?”

“Isn't it a matter of money, I don't have to think about it? I'm sure the legacy that will fall on me will be able to finance all my needs. Yes, I will continue to be full and not lack anything. So don't worry about my future. If I didn't stay at home, I could have gotten out of this mansion and become a nun until I died, so I wouldn't have felt lonely, because I will have many friends in the monastery.”

“Oh no... imagining you being a nun alone has made Mama sad.”

“The Papa and Mama were afraid could not happen, as long as I was allowed to marry Sun Kwan. Then I will be a happy woman and the offspring of this family can continue.”

“Good... We bless your relationship with Sun Kwan.”.

“Thank you Pa... Ma... I'm relieved now.”

Miss Hu's efforts can't stop there. The next stage is to come to the Liem family home and beg to Ny. Liem to approve his relationship with Sun Kwan.

The girl first visited Sun Kwan who was sick accompanied by Siaw Cing. Sun Kwan lay weakly in bed, but did not lose consciousness. It was just that his face was deathly pale, like he had no passion for life.

“Sun Kwan... You must stay healthy, Mama and Papaku have blessed our relationship,” said Ai Lien while holding Sun Kwan's warm hand.

“I'm happy.. but, my mom hasn't been able to accept our relationship. He even hates me more. I would love to be like Wan Siang, going away with the people I love. But my current state does not allow.”

Ai Lien was deeply saddened to see that weak state of Sun Kwan. As such, it was impossible for Sun Kwan to go far and move on with the person he loved.

“You once said, I'm like Mulan. I am a brave girl.”

“Yes, I admire you so much because of that.”

“I will fight for our love in front of your Mama.”

“Don't, Ai Lien. I can't imagine you getting hurt, let me just get hurt.”

“I don't care. Even now I'm ready to die, like Mulan on the battlefield.”

Sun Kwan's feelings became increasingly bitter, not knowing what his stepmother would do to Ai Lien if the girl faced him.

“Mama and my biological Papa have made a big mistake to my stepmother, it's okay if I bear all this alone. I can't blame my embittered stepmom. He has the right to be angry.”

“But this is not fair to you. You're not the one at fault.”.

Ai Lien clasped Sun Kwan's hand whose pulse was getting weaker. The illness of the mind actually affects the body and the organs within its body.

“I am a child born by mistake. Although I want to change that reality, but still can not. Because of my birth parents' mistake, a woman lives in suffering. Therefore, I tried to be a good stepdaughter, so that she could love me. But love cannot be forced.”

“I know that too. Love cannot be forced. But justice must be done. I will fight for you to get justice. You're innocent, then you don't deserve this punishment.”

“I'm willing to be my biological parent's fault redeemer.”

“It should be the guilty who bear the consequences of all his mistakes, I do not accept that you are the victim on the grounds of making amends to others.”

“The world has not been the right place for justice seekers. I myself feel, Sam Pek and Eng Tay do not deserve to end like that. Shouldn't they be happy? They are good people and love each other. But destiny says another.”

“Do not despair. Don't think our destiny is bad. Man has the right to pursue happiness until his last drop of blood. So please, keep living for me.”

“If I continue to live in this weak state, I will only become a burden to you and others. Maybe death would be better.”

“Sun Kwan.. If you keep talking about death, you will make me sad. I promised my parents that if I wasn't allowed to marry you, I wouldn't marry anyone, so my family's descendants wouldn't continue.”

“Ai Lien, don't promise like that. I don't want to ruin your future and your family.”

“If you do not want my fate to end tragically, then I ask that you continue to live.”

Ai Lien's words in a half-forceful tone, made Sun Kwan even more helpless. His life is like being hung between heaven and earth. On the one hand he was eager to leave this world and be free from suffering. On the other hand, there are people who will suffer if he ends up with death itself.