“Go ahead, take care of your own business, don’t worry about us, we’ll take care of ourselves!”
Gu’s father waved his hand, and Gu’s mother helped Yunzhi put on his coat.
When leaving, Gu’s mother pulled Yunzhi aside, whispering: “Yunzhi, tell me the truth, is there something you’re hiding from us? Why do you look so terrible today?”
Yunzhi forced a smile, “Mom, I’m fine, don’t worry unnecessarily. Just take care of Dad and yourself!” He patted the elderly woman’s shoulder reassuringly and turned to walk downstairs.
Gu’s mother looked at their retreating backs, worried: “Honey, do you think something’s wrong between them? I just feel like something’s not right.”
Gu’s father sat on the sofa reading the newspaper, casually responding: “They’re not children anymore. If there’s a problem, they’ll solve it themselves. Why are you worrying?”
“Alas!” Gu’s mother sighed, “When will I ever get to hold my grandchild?”
Her sigh disrupted Gu’s father’s thoughts, “Didn’t Yunhua say they’re planning for that?”
Gu’s mother gave a bitter smile, “I’m afraid this is just another evasive answer!”
In the car, Gu Yunzhi questioned Song Yunhua: “Why did you say that to Mom and Dad?”
Song Yunhua looked at him calmly, “What else could I say in that situation?”
Yunzhi said coldly, “You could tell them the truth!”
Song Yunhua raised an eyebrow, “Do you think the elderly could handle that shock?”
Yunzhi fell silent.
Yes, he was the only son of the Gu family, and his parents were hoping he would continue the family line. If they knew he couldn’t have children, who knows what might happen?
So this matter absolutely must be kept from his parents!
Yunzhi sighed and started the car.
The car fell into silence.
Oh, Yunzhi let out a sigh of relief. He was truly afraid Chu’e would come over. But then he thought, when had she ever caused him trouble? She was always quietly watching him from the side, never trying to enter his life or his circle. Such a wonderful girl, he was destined to let her down! At this thought, his heart suddenly ached.
“Yunzhi?” Chu’e called from the other end.
“Ah?” He awoke as if from a dream.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, puzzled.
He smiled, “Hehe, I was thinking, this time, what kind of fried noodles are you going to make?”
Chu’e also smiled, “What, feeling hungry?”
“Yes, I’m hungry!” Yunzhi had eaten her fried noodles once.
First, heat the oil, add the green onions and garlic, then stir-fry the beef, add tomatoes, then add the pre-cooked noodles that had been cooled with water, sprinkle some soy sauce, wait for the noodles to change color, then add the green vegetables. Two minutes later, a fragrant, delicious, and appetizing plate of fried noodles was ready. Yunzhi’s appetite was greatly stimulated, and he eagerly reached for his chopsticks. After a couple of bites, he said seriously to Chu’e, “Miss Shen, you could become a chef!”
Chu’e chuckled, “I don’t want to be a chef.” She said softly, “I only cook for the person I love.” Yunzhi’s heart was instantly filled with tender emotions.
Coming back to his senses, he said wistfully, “Xiao’e, I really want to eat the noodles you make!”
Chu’e softly replied, “Come over when you’re free. I’ll be waiting at home!”
After hanging up the phone, he leaned deeply into the driver’s seat, a look of exhaustion on his face. Suddenly, the words of Gu’s father floated into his mind, “If your friend’s wife absolutely refuses to divorce, then he should cut ties with that girl early on, because the longer it drags on, the more damage it does to both women. Taking a step back, even if his wife eventually agrees to a divorce, he should wait until he’s free before finding that girl. That’s what a true man would do…”
At that moment, his heart felt like it was being sliced by a knife, and the pain instantly spread throughout his entire body.
Entering October, Beijing experienced its first autumn rain, drizzling and causing a sudden drop in temperature.
One autumn rain brings coolness. Chu’e didn’t go out, wrapped in a blanket, sitting on the bed in a daze.
Gu Yunzhi’s phone had been off for several days. After calling her that night, he hadn’t come by. Chu’e knew he was busy, and it was normal not to come for a few days, but his phone being off was unusual. In the past, he would always tell her where he was going, but this time, not only could she not contact him, but there was also no news. How could she not worry? Her heart was subtly uneasy.
The lost bag still had no news. Chu’e had to ask someone to re-apply for her ID and other documents. She had reported the bank card lost early that morning, fortunately, the money was still there. As for the keys, she had changed the lock the day she returned home, making two new ones, giving one to Gu Yunzhi.
To avoid worrying him, she hadn’t told him about the events of the previous night.
On her computer, Yun Lei’s avatar was still dark. She found it strange. What had this girl been busy with in the past few months? Why hadn’t she been online for so long? She thought for a moment and dialed Yun Lei’s number.
Chu’e was so surprised her eyes almost fell out. She looked at the number in disbelief – it was definitely Yun Lei’s! But, but, where were the two tigers? The two little bees? When did it change to Zhang Xuan’s sickeningly sweet “Baby”? Something was wrong, very wrong!
Chu’e held her phone, feeling it was too bizarre. The always-on Gu Yunzhi mysteriously turning off his phone, the three-year-old little bee and little tiger ringtone changing to little baby – why were the people around her acting so abnormally?
The phone finally connected, “Hello!” Yun Lei’s lazy voice came through.
Chu’e complained unhappily, “Lei Lei, what’s wrong with you? Why did it take so long to answer the phone?”
“Didn’t hear it,” Yun Lei giggled, “What’s up, beautiful? Missing me?”
Chu’e was not amused, “Missing you to death! Why haven’t you been online recently? Not contacting me at all. What have you been busy with?
And why did you change your ringtone?”
The other end sounded helpless, “Shen, great writer, you’ve fired off so many questions. Which one do you want me to answer first?”
“Answer them one by one!” Chu’e was direct and decisive.
Silence on the other end.
“Lei Lei!” she called out, “What’s wrong with you? Is there something you can’t tell me? Don’t you consider me a friend?”
“Chu’e,” Yun Lei’s voice came through softly, “I’m pregnant!”
“What?” Chu E was startled, her mind momentarily blank. “What did you say? Pregnant?” She exclaimed, “You’re pregnant?”
Yun Lei smiled helplessly, “Can you not overreact? Are you trying to scare me to death?”
“I’m the one who’s scared to death,” Chu E, now reacting, was extremely excited. “No wonder you weren’t online! You were doing prenatal education! Quick, tell me, who’s the father? How did you meet? Why didn’t you tell me this good news earlier? I wanted to be the godmother…”
“Chu E,” Yun Lei smiled bitterly, “I’ve been afraid to tell you. Actually, I don’t even know who the father of this child is…”
“What?” Chu E almost choked on her saliva, “What exactly happened? Please explain clearly! Don’t test my ability to handle this, you’re giving me a heart attack!”
Yun Lei had no choice but to explain the one-night encounter. Chu E was stunned, stammering, “You, you want to be an unwed mother? Lei Lei, being an unwed mother isn’t easy. You’re too bold!”
“I know being an unwed mother isn’t easy!”
But if I don’t do it now, I’ll never have the chance!” Yun Lei smiled bitterly and told her what the doctor had warned her. Chu E fell silent.
“Chu E?” Yun Lei called cautiously, “Are you… angry?”
Chu E sighed, “Yes, I am angry!”
“Ah?” Yun Lei was taken aback.
“Don’t cry, my most beloved person.”
