Chapter 5
Edward Quan ·
13
Afterward, Shen Du and I talked and agreed to remain friends.
Father looked suspicious when I told him.
“Just ordinary friends? I don't believe it.”
I stared.
“What exactly looks extraordinary to you? We really are friends.”
“Wait here!”
He produced a man's watch from somewhere.
“You've even brought him home. Still saying there's nothing?”
“That can't be his…”
I began to deny it, then thought of something and changed course.
“…All right. It's his.”
“I knew it!”
Father gave me a knowing smile and patted my shoulder.
“No need to sneak him in next time. I don't object.”
“Enough, Dad.”
Poor Shen Du had taken the blame again.
At my desk, I sighed and wondered how to explain.
My phone chimed.
Chengyi.
That watch today… My mother's visitor must have dropped it.
Thank you for helping me.
If you're angry, I'll do anything to make it up to you.
A voice message.
His tone alone showed how anxious and cautious he was.
Had I frightened him this badly?
I hadn't even asked, and he was already testing my mood.
My heart hurt.
It's all right. I won't tell Father. Don't worry.
He replied immediately.
You're really not angry?
Not angry! It's nothing. Since you're being so sincere, I'll let it go.
But if she does something worse…
I understand, Sis.
After those messages, he almost disappeared from my world.
Two weeks. I didn't see him once.
Had he moved back to the dorm?
I asked the butler.
“No, miss.
“He's just been coming home very late, usually after midnight. He left early this morning too. Said he was going to find his mother.”
Something hollowed out inside me.
I smiled bitterly.
He only came to me when it concerned her.
Once I stopped pursuing it, he stayed far away.
Rolling on my bed, I swore never to pay attention to him again.
Otherwise—
Boom.
Thunder exploded outside.
I startled and looked out.
The sky had darkened. Black clouds rolled in, promising a downpour.
14
At that moment, his message arrived.
It's raining. I haven't got an umbrella. Could you come get me?
My heart tightened.
I clasped my hands toward the heavens and muttered guiltily:
“Ahem… That last bit doesn't count…”
Two minutes later, the rain came pouring down.
Imagining someone turning into a bedraggled puppy, I gritted my teeth, grabbed an umbrella, and rushed out.
His location wasn't far.
I ran all the way, reaching the alley breathless.
He stood obediently where he said he would.
Looking at his wet fringe, I swallowed and offered the umbrella.
A gust knocked it sideways.
As I reached to steady it, I glimpsed two figures embracing deep in the alley.
Rainwater poured from the eaves. Both were soaked.
The woman leaned almost entirely against the man.
Very intimate.
Something about her back was familiar.
“Shh.”
I pulled Chengyi closer and crept forward.
The woman lifted her face.
Song Wanmei?!
“For God's sake.”
What an eyesore.
I turned and left, not even bothering with the umbrella.
I never noticed the faint smile behind me.
He followed, apologizing all the way.
At home, I told myself to stay calm. Don't take it out on him.
His mother cheating again must hurt him most.
Then someone knocked.
He entered looking pitiful, still carrying the warmth of his shower.
“Sis…
“My mother's cheating again.
“I… can stay with you tonight.
“Please don't tell your father.”
For a moment, I thought I'd misheard.
“Stay with me?”
Did he mean what I thought?
Or just keep me company?
Probably ordinary sleeping.
He was innocent, after all.
“All right. Come in.”
His gaze changed.
Still a little tipsy, I missed it and patted the space beside me.
“Come here.”
A few seconds later, I looked over.
The space was still empty.
He had sat off to one side.
“Did the rain scramble your brain? Who lies down like that?”
He laughed softly.
“So you want to take things step by step.”
Before I understood, he gently caught both my hands.
The distance between us vanished.
“Hey, that's not what I meant…”
“But it's what I meant.
“And you agreed.”
…
15
I woke aching all over.
The room was unfamiliar.
Then I remembered.
Somewhere during the night, we had moved from my room to his.
Really…
Blushing, I slowly got out of bed and went to his desk for water.
Two letters were still carved into it.
JJ.
Cold water might as well have been thrown over me.
I picked up the small knife on the desk, intending to scratch them out.
After a few strokes, I noticed tiny writing beside them.
Older sister ^_^.
Could it be—
I began searching for clues.
In a drawer, I found a diary.
Page after page of words.
His unspoken secrets.
“Finally found it?”
His arms circled my waist from behind.
“You…”
He covered my eyes.
“Don't read.”
Somehow, he produced a strip of black silk.
My world went dark.
…
After a good deal of commotion, I returned to my own room that afternoon, exhausted.
I was about to sleep when Father's roar woke me.
“Lin You! Get out here!”
“What now?”
I dragged myself downstairs.
The moment I entered, he slapped me.
“Look what you've done!”
He pulled a stranger in front of me.
I recognized him immediately.
The man embracing Song Wanmei in the rain.
“He was hiding in our bathroom. I caught him.
“He says he's your boyfriend! Then who is Shen Du?
“Two-timing? You've brought shame on this family!”
Before my left cheek stopped burning, he slapped the right.
I bit my lip and didn't explain.
Song Wanmei stood aside, head lowered, unable to look at me.
Father remembered the cigarettes.
“Were they his too?”
The man hurriedly shook his head.
Father grew angrier.
“How many men have you brought into this house?”
He raised his hand again.
Chengyi rushed in front of me.
“Uncle Lin!
“None of those men has anything to do with her!”