Yin Zhongtian hesitated: “Can we wait a bit longer about buying a house?”
“Wait?” I thought he would be eager to buy a house and prepare to marry me.
“I want to use that money.”
I understood and took out my bank card. “You know the password.”
“Xiao Bing…”
I smiled and shook my head. “You don’t need to say anything; I understand.”
The case was unresolved, his future uncertain, and he needed money for emergencies. He stood up, hugged my waist, and buried his face in my shoulder, revealing his melancholy about the future.
I really wanted to help him, but I didn’t know how, except to find someone—no, I couldn’t seek help. Yin Zhongtian would absolutely not allow me to do so.
“Everything will pass. You’re still young and can start over.”
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
On another weekend, I finished work late and returned to my apartment alone.
Another patient had passed away, a twenty-two-year-old. As he died, a young girl ran into the ward, collapsed on him, and cried uncontrollably.
The boy, with barely a breath left, suddenly laughed. “Silly girl, why are you here? Didn’t you say you never wanted to see me again, that you would never forgive me?”
The girl shook her head desperately, saying nothing.
“I have a bad temper and always made you angry.”
Next time, remember to find a boyfriend with a good temper who can spend more time with you. “I don’t want anyone else. I want you.”
The man passed away peacefully. The girl cried all afternoon, gripping the boy’s wrist tightly. No one could persuade her to let go, repeatedly saying: “Get up and scold me, I won’t leave again.” Those who have never lost will not understand how painful separation is or how beautiful past hatred can be.
Curled up on the sofa, I missed someone terribly, wanting to collapse in his arms and cry, wanting to tell him: “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have left.” I took out my phone, looked at it, then put it back and stood up to find something to eat.
The phone suddenly rang. I rushed to the sofa and pulled out the phone. Seeing Yin Zhongtian’s name, I disappointedly pressed the answer key. “Xiao Bing, where are you?” His voice was not very clear, with some noisy background sounds. “In my apartment. Where are you?” “At a restaurant. I’ll come to your apartment later.” I detected something odd in his tone. “Have you been drinking?” “A little.” He laughed foolishly. “Had a social event.” Rarely did he have a social event, and he seemed in a good mood. “Which restaurant are you at? I’ll come pick you up.” “No need.”
It’s too late for you to come out alone; it’s dangerous. I’ll take a taxi to find you.” “Okay, I’ll wait for you.”
After hanging up, I went to the kitchen to prepare a sobering soup. Yin Zhongtian was slightly drunk, having a low alcohol tolerance. Soon, he arrived, bringing a smell of smoke and alcohol. I served the soup as he swayed slightly.
“Xiao Bing, guess who I met at the dinner table…”
“Who?” I asked, not really interested.
“Ye Zhengchen, Counselor Ye…”
His unexpected answer made my hand shake. Wasn’t he supposed to be back in Beijing?
I pretended to serve the soup casually. “Oh.”
“He’s quite an interesting person…”
“Is he?” I rubbed my forehead, enduring a headache.
“He just returned from Beijing today for Xu Yang’s birthday party…” The name Xu Yang sounded familiar; I remembered he was the child of a high-ranking official in the municipal government. “Someone asked if he came specifically for Xu Yang’s birthday. Guess what he said?”
“What did he say?”
“He said he came to see the person in his heart…”
Yin Zhongtian laughed dryly, his voice turning hoarse. I pressed my temples hard.
He asked us an interesting question: “Is there anything more important than the woman beside you?” I looked at Yin Zhongtian: “How did you answer?” He sighed subtly: “Now, what could be more important than you?”
I frowned; I didn’t like his answer—it left too much room for interpretation. “Xiao Bing, do you think he’s better than me in every way?” Yin Zhongtian, drunk, wouldn’t typically ask such a question.
“No,” I replied seriously. “Zhongtian, you are more down-to-earth and steady. You are a good man that a woman can entrust her life to…”
Yin Zhongtian interrupted: “I heard he just got a medical doctorate in Japan and made military merits, promoted ahead of schedule. He’s not even thirty and became a staff officer of a certain regiment. Do you know why?”
I paused, knowing it was due to experiences and sacrifices others couldn’t imagine. “Because his father is a commander of a military region, and his grandfather seems to be a…” He tried to remember, but I wasn’t interested and brought him some soup.
“Have some soup,” I said. He took a sip and made a sour face, then set it down. “He came to see you, didn’t he?”
“Zhongtian…”
“I could see it that day when we were eating… the way he looked at you, his eyes were sparkling…”
I supported myself on the dining table, barely standing.
“Don’t overthink, we have nothing.” “It was him, wasn’t it?” I didn’t dare to face his pressing gaze and lowered my head. “It’s all in the past, he and I are long over, you…” Before I could finish, my phone rang, disrupting my composure. I had a strong feeling this call was from Ye Zhengchen. I didn’t dare answer, afraid that hearing his voice would expose everything.
Seeing me hesitate, Yin Zhongtian sensed something. He grabbed my bag from the sofa, took out my phone, and checked the caller ID. His bitter expression gave me the answer. When he pressed the answer key, my heart sank, and I rushed out of the kitchen.
“Hello?” Yin Zhongtian answered calmly. “Staff Officer Ye… you’re looking for Xiao Bing? Yes, wait a moment!” He handed the phone to me, and I stiffly took it.
“Hello…” “…” No sound on the other end. I brought the phone closer. “Hello?” “I’m in Nanzhou.” I forced a smile. “I just heard from Zhongtian that you met at a meal…” “I want to see you.” “Okay! Are you free tomorrow? Zhongtian and I will treat you to dinner.” Without waiting for his response, I added, “Okay, it’s settled. We’ll contact tomorrow.” I hung up immediately.
Yin Zhongtian stood stiffly, still holding my bag. As I reached for it, he let go, and it fell to the ground, scattering its contents everywhere.
I crouched down to pick up a box of pills, and cold sweat rolled down my spine. It was seventy-two-hour emergency contraception, to be taken twice, but I had forgotten the second dose.
Too late to regret, I quickly stuffed the pills back into my bag. However, Yin Zhongtian snatched my bag and pulled out the pills. I tried to grab them, but it was too late. He opened the pill box, saw the remaining pill, and his hand trembled helplessly. “You two…”
I stood before him, feeling numb.
“You and him?” He presented the pill box to my face, leaving me without any defense.
“I’m sorry!” What else could I say? I couldn’t express that I had slept with Ye Zhengchen to save him; such words felt hypocritical.
Suddenly, a shadow flashed, and a burning slap hit my face, knocking me to the ground. My forehead struck the coffee table, and thick, red blood obscured my vision. I covered my swollen face, feeling as if I had awakened from a nightmare. I stared at him, shocked. There was no hatred or grievance, just a realization that everything had come too suddenly.
Yin Zhongtian pulled me up by my clothes, his face ashen and veins bulging on his forehead. “I was gone for just a few days! And you’re already eager to…”
“I’m sorry.” I looked at him guiltily. “If hitting me makes you feel better, go ahead.”
