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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 1: Sister Yao's Troubles
On this day, Shen Shoucai went out to continue monitoring Dengke Qi's movements. I sat quietly at home, closing my eyes to rest my mind. It wasn't that I had nothing to do; I wanted to help Zhang Section Chief and see how he was doing. Suddenly, two unexpected guests arrived—one was Zheng Kai's Mother, and the other was a dignified and graceful woman with an extraordinary demeanor. She was Zhang Section Chief's wife, Sister Yao.
Zheng Kai's Mother mentioned that her son and daughter-in-law were waiting downstairs, clearly indicating that Zheng Kai had sent her here.
Sister Yao didn't say it outright, but I knew Qin Jian must have given her my address.
Zheng Kai's Mother cautiously asked, "Brother, what do you think about my situation?" Sister Yao entered the room with a scrutinizing gaze that quickly scanned the interior before she pursed her lips and sat down.
With both of them here, I didn't want to offend anyone, so I said to Zheng Kai's Mother, "Auntie, please sit for a moment; I'll be right back." Then I led Sister Yao into the room.
"Seven, is it alright if I call you that?"
"Yes."
"Sister Yao, please take a seat." My apartment was a two-room unit managed by Shen Shoucai, so it was quite clean and refreshing at first glance.
"Why isn't your wife here?"
Sister Yao asked this because she noticed the cleanliness of the place, which didn't resemble the typical environment of a single man.
I smiled slightly and replied, "My wife passed away many years ago; I've been living alone since then."
"Oh." Sister Yao's words were subtle, hesitant as if she wanted to say something but held back.
"Are you here for Zhang Section Chief?"
"Yes!"
"Zhang Section Chief will be fine; he should be okay."
"But I feel uncertain. The doctor said there was nothing abnormal with him, so they let us take him home to recuperate. Yet, I can't shake the feeling that he is awake and moving around in the house. But when I look closely, he is still lying in bed without moving."
"Big Sister, if you don't mind, I'd like to take a look at your house. I just need to explain a few things to that lady outside."
"Sure, I'll wait for you."
I went out with Sister Yao, and Zheng Kai's Mother was staring blankly at the ground. She snapped back to reality when she saw us come out. "Brother, is it my turn now?"
"Auntie, this matter is a bit complicated. I need some time," I said, avoiding her murky, almost desperate eyes. "Put this on, and I guarantee you won't have nightmares tonight. I'll notify you as soon as I have news."
Zheng Kai's Mother looked surprised, her bloodshot eyes filled with guilt. After all, she had shared a bed with the old man for over a decade. His passing felt as if she had lost a pet rather than a partner. She asked me, "How did you know I was having nightmares?"
"Your appearance reflects your heart." Then I gathered my things and prepared to go to Sister Yao's house. Zheng Kai's Mother followed us out, still gloomy, reminding me to find the old man quickly.
Sister Yao was taking good care of Zhang Section Chief.
A big man lay there as if asleep, his eyes half-open and half-closed, which could be quite frightening at first glance. His complexion was rosy, his chin clean-shaven, and he was dressed neatly. A silk quilt covered him; he looked less like he was sleeping and more like he was deep in thought.
To make it easier to care for Zhang Section Chief during the night, Sister Yao had moved a portable sofa bed into the bedroom. Baymax had moved out but would come back in at night.
"The child is coming back next week. If they see their father like this, it will be so heartbreaking," Sister Yao said while I looked at the photo frame on the bedside table. In the frame, Zhang Section Chief was smiling brightly while holding a Golden Retriever.
"Do you have a dog?"
"We haven't had one for a long time; it died in a car accident."
"Can you give me the family photo album?"
"Sure."
Sister Yao went to get the album while I sat down. She took it out, looking puzzled about why I wanted to see it. Without revealing my true intentions, I casually flipped through the album and asked, "When did the Golden Retriever die in the accident? Who else was there at that time?"
"My sister..." Sister Yao's voice choked up as she spoke, her eyes reddening.
"Did your sister die in a car accident with a Golden Retriever?"
"It happened a long time ago. If it weren't for him constantly bringing it up, I wouldn't want to mention it again. He was driving home from work carelessly and hit my sister, who was waiting outside with the Golden Retriever. My sister was unconscious, and the Golden Retriever was killed instantly. She lay in a hospital bed for six months before being declared brain dead. Our whole family agreed that there was no hope left, so we decided to stop the treatment..."
As Sister Yao spoke, I happened to glance at a photo of three people along with a Golden Retriever.
I couldn't help but think that Sister Yao was more beautiful and graceful than her sister. People can lie, but cameras don’t; they capture unbelievable moments. In the picture, Chief Zhang wore glasses and looked polite, while Sister Yao stood beside him, and her sister was next to her, with the Golden Retriever lying at their feet.
It was a warm photo, yet I noticed something off about Chief Zhang's gaze; he seemed to be looking at someone with a strange smile—Cousin.
"Sister Yao, don't blame me for prying, but how does your husband get along with your sister?"
Sister Yao fell into thought for a moment before nodding. "My sister was lively and loved to keep up with trends. She always acted carefree around him, which sometimes embarrassed me. She never called him brother-in-law; she called him 'bro.' They got along really well—maybe too well. I even felt a bit jealous."
"Haha, that's true! Sister Yao, give me some time alone with Chief Zhang; you can go do something else. I'll call you when I'm done."
Sister Yao nodded in agreement and stepped out, not returning.
I sat by Chief Zhang's bedside, sighed, and shook my head. "Don't be too greedy; no matter what, the people around you are the most important. If you don't want to come back, I have no choice but to find you." With that, I crossed my legs and focused my mind, feeling myself lift lightly as I opened the door to bright sunlight.
Under the sun stood a tree, a dog, and a person.
The dog had shiny golden fur and nestled against the person sitting beside it, who had long hair resting on her chin. From behind, she looked very much like Sister Yao; without asking, I knew she was Yao's sister. I walked toward them, reluctant to disturb this serene scene of girl and dog but feeling compelled to approach.
Hearing my footsteps, the beautiful girl turned to look at me.
"Who are you?"
"I'm a messenger sent by your sister."
"Is my sister okay?"
"I'm not good." I sat down next to her and followed her gaze. In the distance was a painting on an easel, depicting a house and a car, with a pool of blood red beneath the wheels.
"What's wrong with her?" my sister asked coldly, her expression indifferent and filled with resentment.
"She feels guilty, deeply unsettled, and hopes you can forgive her past."
Sister Yao smiled sadly. "He's in the car; why don't you go call him back?" Then she vanished, along with the dog. The painting remained, the wheels kept turning, the sounds of brakes screeching, screams, blood—
"Zhang Section Chief..."
I called out, suddenly jolted back to reality. Outside the door, Sister Yao heard my shout and pushed it open. "What happened?"
"Come in, hold his hand, and sincerely ask him to come back. Just call his name."
"Oh, okay." Sister Yao sat down and gazed affectionately at Zhang Section Chief, holding his hand as she repeatedly called his name.
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