Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Fang Xiaoran was surprised to receive my call.
I told her I was downstairs at her building.
After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Come up."
When I went up, she was sitting on the sofa, with something playing on the TV that she wasn't watching; instead, she was looking down at her phone.
I noticed that her eyes were red.
I frowned and asked, "What’s wrong?"
She looked up and asked me, "Gao Yong, do you think there really is a soul after someone dies?"
I was taken aback but answered her anyway, "Maybe, who knows?"
She wiped her tears and forced a smile, saying, "Yeah, who knows?"
We sat in silence for a while, and I didn't know what to say.
After a long time, I finally said, "It's late; you should get some rest. I'll leave now."
She nodded but didn't try to keep me there.
As I reached the door, I couldn't help but turn back and ask her, "Fang Xiaoran, is there… still a chance for us?"
She looked at me with a complex expression in her eyes and eventually shook her head, saying, "I don't know… Gao Yong, I've already let go."
I looked at her with mixed feelings.
I turned and left, feeling heavy-hearted.
I knew Fang Xiaoran had moved on from the past, while I remained trapped in it.
I couldn't forget her or the days we had spent together.
I thought maybe I needed some time to let go.
Let go of that relationship and let go of that girl.
I hoped that perhaps time would heal everything.
After that day, Fang Xiaoran and I resumed our usual relationship.
We remained friends, meeting occasionally and chatting from time to time, but we both tried to avoid discussing the past.
I thought this was for the best; at least we could interact like ordinary friends.
Until one day, I received a call from her. Her voice was urgent and trembling as she said, "Gao Yong, where are you?"
Hearing her panic, I quickly asked, "I'm at home. What's wrong?"
She replied, "Can you come over?"
I inquired, "What happened?"
She said, "Jingjing has a fever, and it's really high."
Upon hearing this, I immediately said, "Don't worry, I'll be there right away."
I hurried to her house, where she was anxiously pacing in the living room while holding Jingjing.
I asked her, "How did she suddenly get a fever?"
She replied, "I don't know. I just finished taking a shower and saw her lying on the sofa, burning up."
Looking at Jingjing, I noticed her flushed face and furrowed brow; she seemed very uncomfortable.
I asked Fang Xiaoran, "Did you take her temperature?"
She said, "Yes, it's 39 degrees Celsius."
I stated, "Then we need to take her to the hospital immediately."
She nodded and said, "That's what I was thinking too, but I just returned to the country and I'm not familiar with the area, so..."
I reassured her, "I understand. Don't worry; I'll handle it."
I took out my phone to call for an ambulance, but Fang Xiaoran stopped me.
She said, "No, I don't want to call the police."
I looked at her in confusion and asked, "Why?"
She replied, "I don't want anyone to know."
I was silent for a moment, understanding her concerns.
I put away my phone and said, "Then I'll drive you all there."
She said, "Thank you."
I waved my hand and said, "No need to be polite with me."
I held Jingjing and went downstairs with Fang Xiaoran.
In the car, while I was fastening Fang Xiaoran's seatbelt, Jingjing woke up.
She groggily called out to me, "Daddy..."
My heart ached, and I suppressed my emotions, saying, "Be good, Daddy is here."
She reached out to touch my face and said, "Daddy, I feel unwell."
I said, "I know. Daddy will take you to the hospital; you'll feel better soon."
She nodded and fell asleep again.
I glanced at Fang Xiaoran; she was looking out the window, her shoulders slightly trembling.
I knew she was crying, but I didn't know what to say to comfort her.
We remained silent all the way to the hospital. I was busy registering and paying fees while taking Jingjing to see the doctor, and Fang Xiaoran anxiously waited nearby.
By the time Jingjing finally got an IV drip and her fever started to subside, it was already past midnight.
Fang Xiaoran sat wearily by the bedside, watching Jingjing sleep, her face filled with worry and fear.
I poured her a glass of water and placed it in front of her, saying, "Drink some water."
She looked up at me and said, "Thank you."
I sat down next to her and asked, "How did it get burned like this?"
She replied, "I didn't pay attention; maybe I caught a chill while sleeping at night."
I said, "You should be more careful in the future. It's serious when children get sick."
She nodded and said, "I understand."
We fell silent again.
After a while, Fang Xiaoran suddenly said, "Gao Yong, thank you."
I replied, "No need to thank me; I just did what I should do."
She said, "No, you've already done enough."
I looked at her, unsure of what to say.
She continued, "Gao Yong, I know you care about me, but I really don't want to trouble you anymore."
I said, "I don't see it as a trouble."
She replied, "But I..."
I interrupted her and asked, "Fang Xiaoran, what are you really thinking?"
She was taken aback and stared blankly at me.
I said, "Do you think that I'm being nice to you just because I want to get back together?"
She lowered her eyes and remained silent.
I admitted, "I do want to get back together with you, but I don't want to force you. If you're unwilling, I absolutely won't pressure you."
She looked at me with a complicated expression.
I said, "I just hope you can be well, that you can be a little happier, and that you won't suffer anymore."
She cried.
She looked at me, tears streaming down her face.
She said, "Gao Yong, why are you so good to me?"
I replied, "Because I love you."
She was taken aback, and I continued, "I love you, Fang Xiaoran."
She stared at me blankly, not saying a word for a long time.
We gazed at each other, as if trying to engrave each other into our eyes.
Finally, she threw herself into my arms and cried loudly.
I held her tightly, feeling a mix of emotions inside.
I thought, maybe we still have a chance, maybe we can go back to how things were before.
Maybe...
...
After quietly observing Jingjing overnight, she was discharged the next day.
Fang Xiaoran hadn't slept all night because she was worried about Jingjing.
I told her to go home and rest, but she stayed at the hospital with Jingjing.
I went nearby to buy breakfast to bring back to the ward.
We sat by Jingjing's bed and had breakfast together.
Jingjing looked at me and Fang Xiaoran and suddenly said, "Mom and Dad, can you stay together forever?"
Both Fang Xiaoran and I were stunned.
Jingjing continued, "I really want you to be together forever."
Fang Xiaoran gently stroked Jingjing's head and said, "Sweetheart, Mommy and Daddy will always love you."
Jingjing asked, "Then can you get married?"
Both Fang Xiaoran and I fell silent.
Jingjing looked at me and said, "Daddy, will you marry Mommy, okay?"
I felt a jolt in my heart and turned to Fang Xiaoran; she was looking at me with a complex expression.
I said, "Jingjing, Daddy really wants to marry your Mommy, but..."
I couldn't finish my sentence.
Jingjing started to cry and said, "Are you going to abandon me?"
Fang Xiaoran quickly hugged Jingjing and said, "Of course not, Mommy and Daddy will never abandon you."
Jingjing looked at her and asked, "Then why are you separating?"
Fang Xiaoran was taken aback.
Jingjing continued, "Other kids' parents are together. Why aren't you two together?"
Fang Xiaoran couldn't find the words.
I said, "Jingjing, there are some things between Mommy and Daddy that you don't understand."
Jingjing looked at me and asked, "Can you tell me?"
I replied, "When you grow up, you'll understand."
Jingjing fell silent, her eyes filled with tears.
Both Fang Xiaoran and I remained silent, our hearts heavy.
...
After being discharged from the hospital, Fang Xiaoran took Jingjing home.
I stayed at her house for a while before preparing to leave.
Fang Xiaoran walked me to the door.
I looked at her and said, "If you need anything, just call me."
She nodded and replied, "I know."
I said, "Then I'm leaving."
I turned to leave, but suddenly she called out to me.
She looked at me, hesitating to speak.
I asked her, "What's wrong?"
After a moment of hesitation, she said, "Gao Yong, what you said last night still counts, right?"
I was taken aback and replied, "Yes, of course it counts."
She looked at me and asked, "Then... can you give me some time?"
I said, "Of course. How long do you need?"
She replied, "I don't know, but I will definitely be quick."
I said, "Alright, I'll wait for you."
She nodded and said, "Thank you."
I replied, "You're welcome."
I turned to leave with mixed feelings.
Comment 0 Comment Count