Although given Zheng Kejia’s nature of not being able to keep anything secret, Wen Yifan hadn’t expected her to act as if nothing had happened. But she also hadn’t anticipated that in less than half an hour, Zheng Kejia had already reported this matter.
Just as she left the hospital, Wen Yifan received a call from Zhao Yuandong.
Zhao Yuandong’s voice came through the static, her tone somewhat hesitant: “Ajiang, I just heard from Jiajia that she saw you at the city hospital. Are you back in Nanwu?”
Wen Yifan walked towards the bus stop across the street, making an affirmative sound.
As soon as she made this sound, both of them fell silent.
Zhao Yuandong sighed, not saying much: “How long have you been back?”
Wen Yifan: “Not long.”
Zhao Yuandong: “Do you plan to settle down in Nanwu from now on?”
Wen Yifan paused for a few seconds, honestly saying: “I don’t know.”
“Then decide later, Nanwu is quite nice. Mom is worried about you being alone out there,” Zhao Yuandong said, “Also if you have time off for the New Year, come home and spend it with Mom, don’t spend it alone outside.”
“Mm.”
Zhao Yuandong rambled on: “It’s gotten colder in Nanwu recently, remember to wear more, don’t forget to eat because you’re busy with work, take care of yourself, okay?”
Wen Yifan sat on the chair at the bus stop, listening absent-mindedly: “Okay.”
Another long silence.
After who knows how long, Wen Yifan faintly heard sobbing from the other end.
Her eyelashes fluttered.
“Ajiang,” as she said this, Zhao Yuandong’s voice gradually became choked with emotion, “Mom knows you blame me, these years I haven’t fulfilled my responsibilities as a mother… I’ve been dreaming about your dad these past few days, he’s also blaming—”
“You can say anything,” Wen Yifan interrupted her, “but can you not mention my dad?”
“…”
Realizing her emotions seemed to be rising, Wen Yifan lowered her eyes again, immediately reining them in: “Don’t cry, I’m doing quite well. If I have time, I’ll come to see you.”
Zhao Yuandong didn’t speak.
Wen Yifan smiled: “And you’ve done your duty as a mother quite well.”
— Just not towards me.
Just then, the bus arrived. Wen Yifan stood up, said farewell to the other end, and hung up the phone. She got on the bus, found a seat, and stared at the blurred lights outside the window as the bus moved.
Her thoughts gradually emptied.
Slowly, bit by bit, digesting all the negative emotions.
As if there was an invisible hand, able to hollow them out.
Or perhaps, only able to pile them up, pressing them down in an unseen place.
As she got off the bus.
Wen Yifan had also adjusted her emotions.
–
Perhaps because she had slept long enough today, Wen Yifan was full of energy all day.
After leaving the police station, she returned to the TV station and spent the entire afternoon in the editing room listening to synchronized sound and writing scripts. After finishing, she continued to edit the footage. Then she returned to the office and even completed many scripts that had accumulated previously.
People around her came and went, gradually leaving only her alone.
When she looked at the time again, it was already close to eleven o’clock.
Wen Yifan was startled, immediately got up to pack her things, and quickly left the unit. Because it was late, there were few pedestrians on the street, and the whole way was quiet and deep.
She ran to the subway station, panting, and caught the last subway train amid the broadcast announcements.
Wen Yifan breathed a sigh of relief.
The subway station wasn’t very crowded at this hour. Wen Yifan found a seat and sat down.
She flipped through her phone.
Suddenly she noticed that two hours ago, Zhao Yuandong had transferred 3,000 yuan to her bank card.
Wen Yifan pursed her lips and directly transferred them back to her.
…
It was about eleven-thirty when she got home.
She entered the door, lowered her head to take off her shoes, and when she looked up, she met Sang Yan’s gaze as he lay on the sofa.
“…”
Wen Yifan suddenly felt a bit envious of his life.
When she left in the morning, he was lying on the sofa.
After she had been busy outside all day and returned, he was still lying on this sofa.
Like a wealthy unemployed person with nothing to do.
At this time, the living room TV was on, playing some family drama with an unknown name.
Sang Yan wasn’t looking at it, probably just using it as background noise. He was holding a game in his hand, and from the sound, it seemed he was playing a game. The volume of his phone was also very loud, mixing with the TV sound.
Wen Yifan didn’t remind him.
She planned to take a shower first, and if his “presence” was still this high when she came out, she would send a WeChat message asking him to quiet down a bit. Through a screen, it should also be giving him some face.
Wen Yifan was about to walk to her room.
Sang Yan looked up again and called out to her: “Hey.”
Not knowing what this young master was up to again, Wen Yifan hesitantly stopped: “What is it?”
Sang Yan’s words came suddenly: “I, as a person.”
Wen Yifan: “Hm?”
Sang Yan continued playing his game while casually talking to her: “Have a problem.”
“…”
Wen Yifan wanted to retort.
You only have one?
“I have a very strong sense of security, before sleeping, the house door must be locked,” Sang Yan paused for a few seconds, then looked straight at her, “otherwise I can’t sleep.”
His expression and the meaning in his words seemed to be accusing her.
Because of her, it affected his normal rest.
“I also have the habit of locking the door when I get home,” Wen Yifan negotiated with him, “If you’re tired and sleep first, that’s fine. If I get home later than you, I’ll lock the door. You don’t need to worry about safety.”
“What I’m saying is,” Sang Yan half-reclined, having to look up at her, yet still appearing arrogant, “before. sleeping.”
“…” Wen Yifan reminded him, “Before we started living together, I already told you. My work often requires overtime, it’s very irregular, and you accepted that.”
“Right.” Sang Yan said unhurriedly, “So from now on, if you can’t get back before ten, please let me know in advance.”
Silence.
Wen Yifan asked: “Will telling you make a difference?”
“Of course not, this is about our mutual respect,” Sang Yan said flippantly, “Otherwise, if you don’t come back all night one day, wouldn’t I have to spend a whole night unable to lock the door, passing the night in fear and insecurity?”
“…”
Wen Yifan felt he had too many issues all day long.
Thinking it was just a matter of saying one sentence, Wen Yifan didn’t argue with him: “Okay, I’ll let you know in advance if I’m going to be late in the future.”
After saying this, she was about to return to her room.
Sang Yan spoke again: “Also.”
Wen Yifan said good-naturedly: “Is there anything else?”
“Business,” Sang Yan said concisely, “Will you help?”
“…”
Wen Yifan hadn’t discussed this with Zhong Siqiao and the others yet. She initially wanted to refuse directly, but then inexplicably thought of Sang Yan’s twenty yuan. She swallowed her words and changed her response: “Really only 99% of the original price?”
“…”
–
In the end, Sang Yan still relented.
He gave her the most, most, most friendly price.
— 89% of the original price.
Wen Yifan didn’t know what had gotten into her, actually agreeing to it.
Back in her room, Wen Yifan opened her phone.
She happened to see Zhong Siqiao and Xiang Lang chatting in their group of three about their meetup the day after tomorrow. Wen Yifan’s fingertips hovered over the screen for a long time, extremely regretful that she had agreed to this matter due to a momentary flash of gratitude.
Wen Yifan reluctantly typed: [How about going to ‘Overtime’?]
Zhong Siqiao: [Huh? Isn’t that where we went last time?]
Zhong Siqiao: [Sang Yan’s bar?]
Wen Yifan: [Yes.]
Zhong Siqiao: [Why go there, we’ve already been once.]
Zhong Siqiao: [I want to try somewhere new this time!]
Xiang Lang: [Sang Yan?]
Xiang Lang: [He’s opened a bar now?]
Wen Yifan: [Because.]
Wen Yifan: […]
Wen Yifan: [I have something to tell you guys.]
Xiang Lang: [What is it?]
Zhong Siqiao: [Say it.]
Wen Yifan: [The roommate I told you I found earlier.]
Wen Yifan: [It’s Sang Yan.]
“…”
The group fell silent for a moment.
Xiang Lang: [?]
Zhong Siqiao: [???]
Zhong Siqiao: [Damn??? You two are living together?]
Zhong Siqiao: [My impression of him is still stuck on him telling you to take his jacket back as a memento.]
Zhong Siqiao: [What’s! Going! On!]
Zhong Siqiao: [Tell! Us! The! Truth!]
Wen Yifan: [I’ll tell you when we meet.]
Wen Yifan: [Will you go? He said he’d give us a friendly discount.]
Zhong Siqiao: [A discount? Then I agree.]
Zhong Siqiao: [How much of a discount?]
Wen Yifan: […]
Wen Yifan: [89%.]
Zhong Siqiao: […]
Xiang Lang: […]
Zhong Siqiao: [Tell him to get lost.]
Zhong Siqiao: [Who does he think he’s fooling? Only an idiot would believe his friendly discount!!!]
Wen Yifan: […]
Wen Yifan: [I agree.]
Xiang Lang: […]
Zhong Siqiao: […]
–
Although they were all uninterested in the discount Sang Yan offered, they couldn’t let Wen Yifan go back on her word, so in the end, they could only set the meetup location at the Overtime bar.
Thursday evening.
Just as Wen Yifan was about to leave, Sang Yan also happened to come out of his room. He had changed into a dark windbreaker jacket and was zipping it up to his neck.
“We’ll probably come after dinner,” Wen Yifan wasn’t sure if he had helped reserve a table, so she voluntarily mentioned, “When we arrive, I just need to tell the waiter my name, right?”
Sang Yan glanced at her: “Tell them mine.”
Wen Yifan made a sound of acknowledgment: “Then thank you.”
Just then, Xiang Lang’s call came in.
Wen Yifan answered while walking to the entryway to put on her shoes: “Are you here?”
“We’re at the entrance of your community,” Xiang Lang’s voice was clear, with a hint of a smile, “They won’t let us drive in, can you walk out yourself? You’ll see us as soon as you come out.”
“Okay.” Wen Yifan said, “Then wait a bit, I’m coming out now. It’ll be quick.”
“It’s fine, no rush.” Xiang Lang said, “Take your time.”
“What do you mean no rush!” Zhong Siqiao’s voice came from the other end of the phone, noisy, “Wen Yifan! Hurry up! I’m starving to death!”
“Then hold on a bit longer,” Wen Yifan took her keys, laughing as she said, “I’m coming to save your life now.”
Walking out of the apartment, Wen Yifan was about to close the door when she noticed Sang Yan was also leaving, standing behind her. She paused, nodded to him, and then walked to the elevator area to wait for the elevator while hanging up the phone.
The sound of Sang Yan closing the door came from behind.
The two entered the elevator.
The elevator closed.
Wen Yifan pressed “1” for the first floor, her action pausing as she asked him: “Do you want me to press B1 for you?”
Sang Yan stood with his hands in his pockets, saying casually: “No need.”
Silence fell again.
When they reached the first floor, Wen Yifan walked out.
Not knowing why he wasn’t driving out today, Wen Yifan didn’t pay much attention. Afraid they had been waiting for a long time, she looked at the time and gradually quickened her pace.
As soon as she left the community.
Just as Xiang Lang had said on the phone, Wen Yifan immediately saw the two of them. It had been several years since she had last seen Xiang Lang, but he hadn’t changed much.
Xiang Lang had a delicate appearance, wearing a brown long coat and thin-rimmed glasses, looking refined and cultured.
Zhong Siqiao stood beside him.
Both of them were standing outside the car.
Besides them, there was also a tall, sturdy man standing nearby.
Wen Yifan looked closely.
It was Su Hao’an.
The three of them were chatting at the moment, the atmosphere seeming very lively.
Just as Wen Yifan was wondering why Su Hao’an was here, she suddenly thought of Sang Yan who hadn’t driven out today. She instinctively looked back, there was some distance between them.
He had just come out from the side gate.
Xiang Lang was the first to notice Wen Yifan.
He smiled brightly, waving to Wen Yifan: “Yifan, come over quickly.”
Seeing Sang Yan behind her, Su Hao’an also spoke up: “Did you two come out together?”
The gazes of the three people in front all fell on Wen Yifan.
“…”
Since they all knew about the two of them living together anyway, Wen Yifan didn’t feel particularly self-conscious and said frankly: “Yes.”
“Hey,” Su Hao’an took the initiative to invite, “Since we’ve run into each other, why don’t we all go eat together? Xiang Lang, do you remember, we used to be desk mates!”
Xiang Lang smiled: “I remember.”
Zhong Siqiao readily agreed: “Then let’s go together, we’re all just eating anyway.”
“Alright, let’s get in the car first. It’s quite cold outside.” Su Hao’an was about to return to his car, but after thinking for a moment, he changed his mind, “In that case, I won’t drive then, I was planning to have some drinks. I’ll just leave my car here. Xiang Lang, I’ll ride in your car, okay?”
Xiang Lang: “Sure.”
During their conversation, Sang Yan walked towards them. As he passed by Wen Yifan, he paused his steps, turned his head, and spoke slowly: “Although I know this is something worth bragging about.”
Wen Yifan: “?”
“But the fact that we’re living together,” Sang Yan clicked his tongue, seeming somewhat troubled, “you don’t need to mention it to everyone you meet.”
“…”