Sniper Butterfly

Approaching midnight, Cen Jin put on her coat and drove to the restaurant where she had arranged to meet her father.

It was a Cantonese restaurant, about a ten-minute drive from her company. When she arrived, her father was already waiting in a small private booth.

As soon as their eyes met, Cen's father smiled—gentle as always, the wrinkles spreading across his face like the roots of an old tree.

Cen Jin’s nose stung sharply, but she quickly curved her lips into a smile and sat down opposite him. "How long have you been here?" she asked.

Her father poured tea for her. "Just a few minutes."

As he pushed the cup toward her, he studied her for a moment. "Look at your nose—it’s all red from the cold."

Hearing this, Cen Jin lightly rubbed the tip of her nose. "Not at all. It’s the trendy makeup style now—applying blush on the nose to look more endearing."

"Well, it’s working," her father chuckled, then instructed the server to bring the dishes.

Cen Jin took off her coat and glanced at the green leaves slowly unfurling in her celadon teacup. "How’s Mom?"

Her father replied, "Didn’t I tell you? Dad’s got it under control."

She took a sip of tea, wearing a resigned expression. "It’s just the two of us now. Just tell me straight."

"What can I say? You know your mother’s temper. I managed to talk her down," her father said, raising his brows slightly. "No one else could’ve done it but me."

Cen Jin let out a soft laugh. "I thought for sure I’d be getting a barrage of frantic calls from Mom."

"I didn’t let her call. Remember that time with Wu Fu? She secretly called you in the middle of the night to argue—I haven’t forgotten. I told her you’re all grown up now, you have your own mind—why keep treating you like a child? Your mom…" He paused, weighing his words. "Your mom is quite traditional, and stubborn too. Of course she can’t accept it right away, especially with what happened with Wu Fu before. It’s only natural she’s struggling to make sense of it. She just wants what’s best for you—stability. She hopes if you find someone new, it’ll be a good match, so things won’t go wrong."

Cen Jin wasn’t surprised. "I know. As soon as I saw your message, I understood."

"She must be furious…" She lowered her gaze, toying with the dark chopsticks beside her, and confessed, "But there’s nothing to be done. I like him, and that’s that. It’s been a long time since I’ve liked a guy this much."

Her father watched her quietly. "Jinjin, did you think Dad asked you out today to talk you into breaking up? To speak on your mother’s behalf?"

Cen Jin looked up. "No." Her father breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, my kind father image is still intact. Actually, I specifically asked you to dinner today so I could state my position face to face—it feels more sincere."

Cen Jin straightened up, her eyes bright and clear as she looked at her father. "Go on."

After a moment of silence, her father spoke unhurriedly, "To be honest with you, when I saw your WeChat post yesterday, my first reaction was relief. The worry I’d been carrying just lifted."

Cen Jin stared at him in surprise.

"You think your dad is a fool?" Her father’s gaze was steady. "That summer after Xiao Wu’s college entrance exams, I could already tell there was something unusual between the two of you. The way he looked at you, how he treated you—it wasn’t how an ordinary younger brother acts toward his sister. The playful bickering between you every day, that time I went downstairs for a smoke—did you really think I didn’t know you were together?"

Memories rushed back, one after another, stirring a sudden storm of unease in Cen Jin’s chest. She kept her eyes fixed on her father, unable to look away."That period when you were in such low spirits, but after he came along, you clearly became happier, and he took such meticulous care of you. I thought, let's just wait and see. I never really considered whether you'd last long-term or anything," Cen's Father leaned back on the sofa, his eyes slightly trembling. "With your previous marriage to Wu Fu, I listened too much to your mother, always taking her side. That only made you more rebellious, created a mess, and drove you apart from us - you barely came home happily even once a year. Later I reflected on myself - was this right? Was this my original intention as a father?"

He shook his head slightly: "I should have stuck to my original purpose. What's the point of raising a daughter? Is it to fulfill my own ambitions or to make others think highly of me? No, it absolutely shouldn't be like that. My only requirement and expectation for my daughter is her happiness. Whoever it is, just make my daughter happy first. You don't know how long it's been since you had such a smile after your divorce, just..."

Cen's Father took out his phone, scrolled through it, and showed it to Cen Jin: "This smile in the photo, how unrestrained, how joyful - Dad hasn't seen that in so long."

"So Dad felt relieved when he saw it, and kept looking at it afterwards, feeling happy along with you. My daughter has figured things out, understood things clearly, can open her heart to love again, and can find joy in it - is there anything better than this?"

On the screen was a Polaroid photo of her and Li Wu, still saved in her father's album.

With just one glance, tears began uncontrollably welling up in Cen Jin's eyes. She quickly wiped them away with her fingers, her throat too choked to speak.

Cen's Father's eyes were also slightly red: "Jinjin, don't cry - when you cry, Dad wants to cry too. Aren't we just having a normal heart-to-heart?"

Cen Jin sniffled, fingers touching her lips: "It's you who started being sentimental first."

"Alright, alright, I won't be sentimental anymore," Cen's Father also roughly wiped his eyelids with his thumb, breaking into a big smile to lighten the atmosphere: "Let's talk about serious matters, about your boyfriend?"

Cen Jin composed herself and nodded.

"I haven't spent as much time with Xiao Wu as you have, nor do I understand him as well as you do. But from what I've observed personally, I think he's a good kid. He may be young, but looking at how he handles himself, his personality and thinking are quite steady and thoughtful. That summer he stayed at our house, Aunt Tang privately mentioned him to me, saying she'd never seen such a sensible child - every day besides taking care of you, he'd be at home helping her, or reading and studying."

Cen Jin pressed her lips into a smile: "He's always been like that."

Cen's Father nodded: "So, Dad trusts your judgment, supports your choice. Most importantly, your old dad will always be by your side, as your strong support, until the day I close my eyes and can't manage anymore."

"Don't talk nonsense." Cen Jin couldn't bear hearing him say such things, tears welling up again.

"Won't say it, won't say it." Cen's Father quickly handed her tissues.

Cen Jin folded the tissue, pressing it against the corner of her eye: "Li Wu isn't as perfect as you think, but he really is... alright, he's wonderful. Initially, I never imagined things would develop this far with him, but he just has his unique charm. It's not like I haven't been with other men, but Li Wu gives me a sense of greater stability, stronger intensity, and more authenticity. I don't know how to describe it..."Emotionally unstable, she spoke in a disjointed manner but with enough sincerity: "I think he's still different from Wu Fu. He doesn't have all sorts of messy entanglements behind him—family, work. He's just... the kind of nearly idealized relationship I want. I can see my past self in him. This feeling is familiar and steady, giving me a strong sense of security. I don't know what the future holds, but at least that's how it is now."

Cen Jin propped her chin in her hands and smiled softly: "Dad, would you believe it? We had an argument just two nights ago, but that also made me realize how much I truly like him. That's why I decided to go public."

Cen's Father grunted in acknowledgment, taking the conch soup brought by the waiter: "In relationships, quarrels are normal. With such a big gap between you two, that's what worries me most. He's so much younger than you and hasn't even entered society yet. You're the older sister after all, you should guide him and be a bit more accommodating."

"I know," Cen Jin served him soup and pouted slightly: "So you approve of us then?"

"It's not about approval or disapproval. My daughter's happiness is what matters, that's the rule." Cen's Father suddenly spoke with firm conviction, his voice full of vigor: "As long as you're happy, there's nothing I can't accept. Besides, you still have me. If this one doesn't work out, you can always find another. After all, your dad will always be your dad."

Cen Jin chuckled and said "Oh," handing him the small bowl: "And your daughter will always be your daughter."

After taking a couple sips, Cen's Father continued: "I'll talk to your mother. When she comes around a bit, bring Xiao Wu home so we can all meet together. Xiao Wu comes from a different background than you—aside from the help you've given him, he's really achieved everything through his own efforts. I imagine he might overthink things, so don't tell him about your mother's attitude for now. No need to make the kid unable to focus on his studies. Just say I've been busy lately and will treat him to a meal when I have time. Uncle still thinks highly of him. Don't let this issue make you two unhappy—it's not worth it. He'll be twenty soon... he is twenty, right?"

Cen Jin said: "Yes."

"Ah, so young. Your dad wishes he could be twenty again too. My mindset back then was: no regrets at twenty, just do things you won't regret. Xiao Wu must feel the same way."

"Don't worry about him, he's quite mentally strong."

"No, no, no," Cen's Father waved his chopsticks: "Men remain vulnerable until they're eighty."

Cen Jin gazed at her father: "But I think you're the strongest person in the world."

Cen's Father smiled proudly and said lightly: "Of course I have to be the strongest person in the world in front of my daughter. Otherwise, what kind of dad would I be?"

...

—

Father and daughter talked happily, holding nothing back. The meal lasted nearly an hour. After watching Cen Jin drive away, Cen Qiaoyuan went to find his own car.

But he didn't drive off immediately. Instead, he sat in the driver's seat and browsed through his phone.

There was a dedicated album in his phone containing photos of his daughter over the years. Some he had taken from family albums, others he had secretly saved from her social media.

From her birth to her growth into adulthood, from wearing school uniforms to a floor-length white wedding dress, he looked through them one by one, reminiscing about those enduring memories.

Finally, it stopped on last night's photo of her with Li Wu.

His daughter's face was radiant, her eyes sparkling with light, smiling like a bright spring afternoon.

"So good," Cen Qiaoyuan couldn't help but murmur softly: "So good..."Back at the company, just as he was heading toward the elevator, the receptionist suddenly called out to him, "Mr. Cen."

Cen Qiaoyuan turned around, "What is it?"

The receptionist retrieved something resembling a kraft paper document folder from below, "A young man came by earlier and insisted I give this to you."

She thought for a moment, "About half an hour ago, he was out of breath and seemed very anxious."

Cen Qiaoyuan took it, his gaze pausing briefly before saying, "Thank you."

Returning to his office, Cen Qiaoyuan sat down in his leather chair, opened the paper bag, and took out its contents one by one. There was an envelope, along with some other items...

Cen Qiaoyuan unfolded them and skimmed through roughly, unable to hold back a laugh.

He neatly stacked them and carefully placed them back on his desk, then proceeded to open the letter. The handwriting on the stationery was tidy and elegant:

"Dear Uncle and Aunt,

Hello, I am Li Wu.

I apologize for initiating a conversation with you in this manner first. I know that you and Auntie might find it difficult to accept this matter right away—to accept someone like me. I have never been good with words, and after much thought, I decided to express everything I want to say in this letter before having the chance to meet you in person.

Let me introduce myself first.

My name is Li Wu, from Yunfeng Village, Nongxi County, Shengzhou City. I am currently a sophomore in the Physics Department at F University, still a college student who isn’t quite presentable. My parents passed away when I was five, and it is thanks to your family’s care and support that I have been able to continue my education. Later, when my grandfather passed away, it was also with your help that I was able to attend the best high school and get into a first-tier university. I can never repay your kindness in this lifetime, but I want to start by saying thank you.

Falling in love with Cen Jin was both accidental and inevitable, because she is the most wonderful person in the world—kind, upright, outstanding, and beautiful.

She pulled me out of the mud and gave me a new life. Since coming to Yi City, she has been the one looking after me, caring for me, protecting me, guiding me, preventing me from making any missteps, and encouraging me to focus on my studies. What she means to me goes far beyond mere romantic feelings. One could say she is a beacon of light; after meeting her, my life finally emerged from the darkness.

It was my audacity and overstepping that led to these inappropriate feelings for her, and the extravagant desire to forever protect this light.

I hope you and Auntie will not blame her. I was the one who confessed first, and I was the one who pursued her. It wasn’t until the summer vacation of my freshman year that she agreed to give me a chance and decided to try being with me. I am deeply grateful to her for that opportunity.

But I know I am still not worthy.

So, within my current capabilities, I want to express my sincerity to you.

The attachments in the document folder are my academic records from my first year and more at F University. Since my freshman year, I have been preparing for early graduation by taking sophomore-level courses in advance. Next semester, I will complete two-thirds of the required credits and finish my undergraduate thesis defense in the second semester of my junior year. After that, I plan to pursue a direct Ph.D. program, followed by a postdoctoral position, and apply for the National Youth Fund. My future plan is to secure a teaching position at the university or work at a local branch of the China Academy of Engineering Physics. I will stay here, always by Cen Jin’s side, and strive to catch up to her as quickly as possible, making up for the years that separate us."Aside from this, the bank statements show all my income from high school graduation to the present day. I've compiled the accounts, including last year's total scholarships, experimental project earnings, and part-time tutoring income—amounting to over 110,000 yuan, all deposited into this card. Though born into humble circumstances, I have achieved financial independence and will no longer impose any material burden on Cen Jin—this you can rest assured about. All these earnings, along with future income, I intend to entrust to her. If she declines, I will keep them here as a foundation for our future.

I understand this sum may seem insignificant to you, but beyond my unwavering love, it represents everything I can currently offer Cen Jin.

I will strive with all my might to soon become a responsible man who can shield her from hardships and become her steadfast support.

I solemnly vow to you: I will never leave Cen Jin in this lifetime.

Unless the day comes when she no longer needs me—then I will quietly disappear from her life.

I will bear no resentment, cause no disturbance. Forever grateful, I thank you, I thank Cen Jin—every soul who has aided me in this life, especially her, this most wonderful person.

Thus, I earnestly implore you: grant me this chance.

Let me prove my love for Cen Jin.

Thank you once again.

Wishing you good health and all the best.

Li Wu

December 22, 2022