Although Wen Yifan knew Zheng Kejia couldn't keep anything to herself, she hadn't expected the news to spread so quickly. In less than half an hour, Zheng Kejia had already reported the incident.
Just as Wen Yifan left the hospital, she received a call from Zhao Yuandong.
Zhao Yuandong's voice came through the line, hesitant and uncertain: "Ajiang, I just heard from Jiajia that she saw you at the city hospital? Have you returned to Nanwu?"
Walking toward the bus stop across the street, Wen Yifan hummed in acknowledgment.
After that, silence fell between them.
Zhao Yuandong sighed but didn't press further. "How long have you been back?"
"Not long," Wen Yifan replied.
"Are you planning to settle down in Nanwu from now on?"
Wen Yifan paused for a few seconds before answering honestly, "I don't know."
"Well, you can decide later. Nanwu is a good place. I worry about you being alone outside." Zhao Yuandong continued, "Also, if you have time off during the New Year, come home and spend it with me. Don't spend it alone again."
"Mm."
Zhao Yuandong rambled on, "The temperature in Nanwu has dropped again recently. Remember to dress warmly, don't skip meals because of work, and take care of yourself, okay?"
Sitting on the bench at the bus stop, Wen Yifan listened absentmindedly. "Okay."
Another long silence followed.
After what felt like an eternity, Wen Yifan faintly heard sobbing on the other end.
Her eyelashes fluttered slightly.
"Ajiang," Zhao Yuandong's voice gradually choked up, "I know you blame me. All these years, I really haven't fulfilled my responsibilities as a mother... These past few days, I keep dreaming about your dad. He blames me too—"
"Say anything else," Wen Yifan interrupted, "but don't mention my dad."
"..."
Realizing her emotions were surfacing, Wen Yifan lowered her eyes and quickly composed herself. "Don't cry. I'm doing fine. If I have time, I'll visit you."
Zhao Yuandong didn't respond.
Wen Yifan forced a smile. "Besides, you've been a great mother."
—Just not to me.
Just then, the bus arrived. Wen Yifan stood up, bid farewell, and hung up. She boarded the bus, found a seat, and stared blankly at the blurry lights outside the window as the vehicle moved.
Her thoughts gradually emptied.
Slowly, bit by bit, she digested all the negative emotions.
As if an invisible hand could hollow them out.
Or perhaps, they could only be piled up, buried somewhere unseen.
By the time she got off the bus, Wen Yifan had steadied her emotions again.
Perhaps because she had slept enough earlier, Wen Yifan remained energetic the entire day.
After leaving the police station, she returned to the TV station and spent the whole afternoon in the editing room, listening to recordings and drafting scripts. Once finished, she continued cutting footage. Back in the office, she also completed several backlogged scripts.
People around her came and went until, eventually, she was the only one left.
Glancing at the time, she realized it was almost 11 p.m.
Startled, Wen Yifan quickly packed up and hurried out of the office. The streets were nearly deserted at this hour, quiet and heavy with silence.
She jogged to the subway station, panting, and barely caught the last train as the announcement echoed through the station.
Wen Yifan let out a sigh of relief.The subway station wasn't too crowded at this hour. Wen Yifan found a seat and sat down.
She scrolled through her phone.
Suddenly noticing that Zhao Yuandong had transferred three thousand yuan to her bank card two hours ago.
Wen Yifan pursed her lips and immediately transferred the money back.
...
It was almost 11:30 p.m. by the time she got home.
She entered, lowering her head to take off her shoes, and when she looked up, she happened to meet Sang Yan's gaze as he lay sprawled on the sofa.
"..."
Wen Yifan suddenly felt a bit envious of his lifestyle.
When she left the house, he was lying on the sofa.
After a whole day of running around outside, he was still lying on the same sofa upon her return.
Like an idle yet wealthy unemployed drifter.
The TV in the living room was on, playing some family drama whose name she didn't know.
Sang Yan wasn't watching it, probably just using it as background noise. He was holding a game controller, and from the sounds, it seemed he was playing a video game. The volume from his phone was also turned up loud, mixing with the TV noise.
Wen Yifan didn't remind him.
She planned to take a shower first. If his "presence" was still this overwhelming when she came out, she'd send him a WeChat message to tone it down a bit. Communicating through a screen would at least save him some face.
Just as Wen Yifan was about to head to her room.
Sang Yan looked up again and called out, "Hey."
Unsure what trouble this young master was about to stir up, Wen Yifan paused hesitantly, "What is it?"
Sang Yan suddenly said, "I have this thing about me."
Wen Yifan: "Hmm?"
Continuing to play his game, Sang Yan spoke casually, "A particular habit."
"..."
Wen Yifan really wanted to retort.
Just one?
"My sense of security is very strong. Before I sleep, the door to the house must be locked," Sang Yan paused for a few seconds before looking directly at her, "Otherwise, I can't sleep."
His expression and the implication behind his words seemed to be blaming her.
Because of her, his normal rest was being affected.
"I also have the habit of locking the door when I get home," Wen Yifan tried to reason with him, "If you're tired and go to bed first, it's fine. If I come home later than you, I'll lock the door. You don't need to worry about safety."
"What I mean is," Sang Yan, half-lying down, had to tilt his head up to look at her, yet still managed to appear arrogant, "before sleep."
"..." Wen Yifan reminded him, "Before we moved in together, I already explained this to you. My work often involves overtime, and it's very irregular. You accepted that."
"Right," Sang Yan said leisurely, "So in the future, if you can't make it back by 10 p.m., do me a favor and let me know in advance."
Silence.
Wen Yifan asked, "Would telling you make any difference?"
"Of course not, it's about mutual respect," Sang Yan said flippantly, "Otherwise, if you were to stay out all night one day, wouldn't I have to spend the entire night unable to lock the door, passing the hours in fear and unease?"
"..."
Wen Yifan truly thought he made a big deal out of everything all day long.
Considering it was just a matter of saying something, Wen Yifan didn't argue, "Fine, I'll let you know in advance if I'll be back late from now on."
With that, she was about to head to her room.
Sang Yan spoke again, "One more thing."
Wen Yifan maintained her patience, "What else is there?"
"Business," Sang Yan was succinct, "Want to help?"
"..."Wen Yifan hadn’t discussed this matter with Zhong Siqiao and the others yet. She had initially planned to refuse outright, but then, inexplicably, she thought of Sang Yan’s twenty yuan. She swallowed her words and changed her tone: "Really only 99%?"
"..."
In the end, Sang Yan relented.
He gave her the most, most, most friendly discount possible.
—89% off.
Wen Yifan had no idea what had come over her to agree to this.
Back in her room, Wen Yifan opened her phone.
Coincidentally, she saw Zhong Siqiao and Xiang Lang chatting in their small group chat, discussing the gathering the day after tomorrow. Wen Yifan’s finger hovered over the screen for a long time, deeply regretting her momentary lapse of gratitude that had led her to agree to this.
Wen Yifan steeled herself: [How about going to ‘Overtime’?]
Zhong Siqiao: [Huh? Isn’t that the place we went to last time?]
Zhong Siqiao: [Sang Yan’s bar?]
Wen Yifan: [Yeah.]
Zhong Siqiao: [Why there? We’ve already been once.]
Zhong Siqiao: [I wanted to try somewhere new this time!]
Xiang Lang: [Sang Yan?]
Xiang Lang: [He owns a bar now?]
Wen Yifan: [Because.]
Wen Yifan: […]
Wen Yifan: [I need to tell you guys something.]
Xiang Lang: [What?]
Zhong Siqiao: [Spill.]
Wen Yifan: [Remember the roommate I told you about?]
Wen Yifan: [It’s Sang Yan.]
"..."
The group chat fell silent in an instant.
Xiang Lang: [?]
Zhong Siqiao: [???]
Zhong Siqiao: [Holy shit??? You two are living together?]
Zhong Siqiao: [My last memory of him is him telling you to keep his jacket as a souvenir.]
Zhong Siqiao: [What! The! Hell!]
Zhong Siqiao: [Spill! The! Beans!]
Wen Yifan: [I’ll explain when we meet.]
Wen Yifan: [So, are we going? He said he’d give us a friends’ discount.]
Zhong Siqiao: [A discount? Then I’m in.]
Zhong Siqiao: [How much?]
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 ‘friends’ discount’!!!]
Wen Yifan: […]
Wen Yifan: [I already agreed.]
Xiang Lang: […]
Zhong Siqiao: […]
Though none of them were particularly interested in Sang Yan’s so-called discount, they didn’t want Wen Yifan to go back on her word either. In the end, they settled on Overtime Bar as the gathering spot.
Thursday evening.
Just as Wen Yifan was about to leave, Sang Yan happened to come out of his room. He had changed into a dark windbreaker and was zipping it up to his neck.
"We’ll probably go after dinner," Wen Yifan said, unsure if he had reserved a table for them. "Should I just give the staff my name when we get there?"
Sang Yan glanced at her. "Give mine."
Wen Yifan nodded. "Okay, thanks."
Right then, Xiang Lang called.
Wen Yifan answered while slipping on her shoes at the entrance. "Are you guys here?"
"We’re at your gate," Xiang Lang’s bright voice carried a hint of laughter. "They won’t let us drive in. Can you come out? You’ll see us as soon as you step out."
"Sure," Wen Yifan said. "Wait for me, I’ll be right out.""It's fine, no rush," Xiang Lang said. "Take your time."
"What do you mean no rush!" Zhong Siqiao's voice came through the phone, loud and impatient. "Wen Yifan! Hurry up! I'm starving to death!"
"Then hold on a little longer," Wen Yifan grabbed her keys and laughed. "I'm coming to save your life now."
As she stepped out of the house and was about to close the door, Wen Yifan noticed Sang Yan was also heading out, standing right behind her. She paused, nodded at him, then walked to the elevator lobby to wait for the elevator while hanging up the phone.
Behind her came the sound of Sang Yan closing his door.
The two entered the elevator.
The doors closed.
Wen Yifan pressed the button for the first floor, then hesitated and asked him, "Should I press B1 for you?"
Sang Yan stood there with his hands in his pockets, casually replying, "No need."
Silence returned.
When they reached the first floor, Wen Yifan stepped out.
She didn’t know why he wasn’t driving today, but she didn’t dwell on it. Worried about keeping them waiting, she checked the time and quickened her pace.
Just outside the neighborhood.
As Xiang Lang had mentioned on the phone, Wen Yifan spotted the two of them at a glance. It had been years since she last saw Xiang Lang, but he hadn’t changed much.
Xiang Lang had delicate features, wore a long brown coat, and had thin-framed glasses, giving off a scholarly vibe.
Zhong Siqiao stood beside him.
Both were outside the car at the moment.
In addition, there was a tall, burly man standing nearby.
Wen Yifan took a closer look.
It was Su Haoan.
The three of them were chatting, the atmosphere lively.
Just as Wen Yifan wondered why Su Haoan was here, she suddenly remembered Sang Yan not driving today. She instinctively turned to look back—there was some distance between them.
He had just emerged from the side gate.
Xiang Lang was the first to notice Wen Yifan.
He smiled brightly and waved at her. "Yifan, come over here."
Spotting Sang Yan behind her, Su Haoan also spoke up. "Did you two come out together?"
The gazes of all three in front of her fell on Wen Yifan.
"..."
Since they already knew about the two of them living together, Wen Yifan didn’t feel awkward and answered frankly, "Yeah."
"Hey," Su Haoan offered enthusiastically, "Since we’ve run into each other, why don’t we all grab a meal together? Xiang Lang, remember? We used to be desk mates!"
Xiang Lang chuckled. "I remember."
Zhong Siqiao agreed readily. "Then let’s all go together. It’s just a meal anyway."
"Alright, let’s get in the car. It’s freezing out here." Su Haoan was about to return to his own car but reconsidered. "Actually, I won’t drive. I plan to have some drinks. I’ll just leave my car here. Xiang Lang, I’ll ride with you."
Xiang Lang nodded. "Sure."
While they were talking, Sang Yan walked over. As he passed Wen Yifan, he paused, turned his head, and spoke slowly, "Though I know this is something worth bragging about."
Wen Yifan: "?"
"But you don’t have to announce to everyone," Sang Yan clicked his tongue, sounding slightly troubled, "that we’re living together."
"..."
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