Overdo

He hung up the phone and paced back and forth along the corridor. Since returning to the country, he had taken on multiple roles, and his official duties were overwhelming. His aide-de-camp glanced at his watch, inwardly troubled. Seeing his demeanor, it seemed as though he was struggling with a difficult decision, so the aide dared not disturb him. But as the clock struck seven, he had no choice but to steel himself and step forward to remind him, "Third Young Master, there is a meeting in Wuchi today."

Only then did he remember, and his agitation grew. "Call them and tell them I have a headache," he said. The aide had no choice but to comply and left. When the kitchen brought breakfast, he found it hard to swallow and waved his hand, signaling for them to take it away untouched. He walked into the study, picked up a book at random, but after a long while, he hadn’t turned a single page. He waited like this until past ten o’clock when Lei Shaogong called again. After finishing the call, his forehead was cold with sweat, and his heart felt hollow. As he walked back to the living room, he didn’t pay attention and stumbled over a seam in the carpet, nearly falling. Fortunately, the aide rushed forward to steady him. The aide was startled to see his ashen face and tightly pressed lips. Collecting himself, he pushed the aide’s hand away and walked around the screen. There, he saw Susu standing by the window, holding a teacup but not drinking from it. Instead, she was biting the rim of the cup, lost in thought. When she saw him, she set the cup down and asked, "Has the child been found?"

He replied in a low voice, "No—they said he was taken in by someone. There’s no address, so I’m afraid it will be very difficult to find him."

She lowered her head, and the water in the cup rippled slightly. He struggled to say, "Don’t cry."

Her voice grew even softer. "I... I shouldn’t have sent him away... but I really... had no choice..." Her words faded into faint sobs. His heart felt as though it were being twisted, and he couldn’t understand why he was suffering so much. For over twenty years, his life had been one of extraordinary success and indulgence, but today, he suddenly realized his powerlessness. He couldn’t even do anything about her tears, which felt like salt being rubbed into a wound, stirring a deep, hidden pain within him.

Lei Shaogong didn’t return to Duan Mountain until evening. As soon as he entered the main gate, the aide-de-camp rushed up to him, visibly relieved. "Director Lei, you’re finally back. Third Young Master said he had a headache and hasn’t eaten all day. We asked if we should call Dr. Cheng, but he got angry." Lei Shaogong gave a noncommittal "Hmm" and asked, "Where is Miss Ren?"

"Miss Ren is upstairs, and Third Young Master is in the study."

Lei Shaogong thought for a moment and headed to the study to see Murong Qingyi. It was already dark outside, but the lights were off. He found Murong sitting alone in the darkness. "Third Young Master," he called out, "you must return to Shuangqiao. You’ll be late for tonight’s meeting."

But Murong remained seated. Only when Lei approached did he ask, "What was the child... like?"

In the darkness, Lei couldn’t see his expression, but hearing his hoarse voice, he felt a pang of sorrow. "The child was very well-behaved. By the time I arrived, he could no longer speak. He didn’t cry until the very end, just as if he were asleep. The nun at the orphanage said the child had always been obedient. Even after falling ill, he didn’t fuss or cry—he just called for his mother."

Murong Qingyi murmured, "He... called for his mother... but not for me?"Lei Shaogong called out "Third Young Master" and said, "Although the matter is distressing, it's already in the past. Please don't grieve, for if anyone notices something amiss and it reaches the ears of the gentleman, I fear it could lead to a catastrophic disaster."

Murong Qingyi remained silent for a long while before saying, "You handled this matter very well." After a moment, he added, "In front of Miss Ren, don't let her know a single word. If she asks, just say the child wasn't found and was taken in by someone else."

He went upstairs to the bedroom to change clothes. Susu was already asleep. The food sent up by the kitchen had barely been touched and remained on the dining table. She was curled up in a corner of the bed, huddled like an infant, still clutching the corner of the quilt. Her long eyelashes, like butterfly wings, trembled slightly with each breath. He felt as if this tremor reached deep into his heart, causing him pain.

Susu slept until morning before waking, and the weather had cleared. The curtains hadn't been drawn, and sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, filled with countless dancing golden dust particles, like stage lights sweeping across. It was a rare fine day in autumn. Outside, only the sound of the wind rustling through the brittle leaves could be heard, a soft rustling in the high, clear sky with scattered clouds. The quilt carried a faint scent of lily fragrance, mixed with a subtle hint of mint tobacco. The smooth satin felt cool against her face as she drowsily stared, noticing the ornate ivory-white lace curtains hanging on either side of the carved long windows, swaying gently in the breeze, and only then did she remember where she was.

The room was quiet. After washing her face, she loosely tied up her hair. Pushing open the bedroom door, the corridor was equally silent. She walked downstairs and finally encountered an attendant, who politely greeted her, "Good morning, Miss Ren." She returned the greeting, then glanced at the clock and saw it was almost nine o'clock. She couldn't help exclaiming, "Oh no!" The attendants were highly observant and asked, "Are you in a hurry, Miss Ren?"

She said, "I have a training session this morning, and it's so far from the city..." Her voice trailed off, surprised that she had slept so deeply after being utterly exhausted, waking up this late. The attendant replied, "No problem, I'll have them bring the car around to take you to the city." Without waiting for her response, he went out to arrange the car. Susu was only worried about being too late, but fortunately, the car was extremely fast, taking only half an hour to get her to her destination.

She changed into her dance clothes and shoes and walked to the practice hall. Everyone else was focused on their exercises, only Zhuang Chengzhi noticed her slipping in quietly and glanced at her but didn't say anything. At noon, as usual, everyone gathered for a meal at a small restaurant, noisily enjoying hot pot and chatting while picking dishes. She had no appetite but went along with the occasion. After the meal, as she stepped outside, she saw a sleek black Chevrolet parked across the street. Someone waved from the car window, "Susu!" It was Mulan.

She happily walked over and asked, "How's your foot?" Mulan smiled and said, "Much better." Then added, "I have nothing to do, so I came to find you for coffee."They went to their usual café, where Mulan loved the ice cream. Susu didn't care for Western food or sweets, but she didn't want to just sit there, so she ordered a chestnut cake. She picked up the small silver spoon and, after a long pause, scooped a tiny piece and slowly savored it in her mouth. Mulan asked, "Where did you go yesterday? I couldn't find you anywhere." Susu didn't know how to respond and only sighed softly. Mulan said with a smile, "Someone asked me to invite you to dinner—it's that Mr. Zhang we met at the jewelry store last time." Susu replied, "You know I'm no good at socializing." Mulan laughed, "I told them it wouldn't work, but the director begged and pleaded, insisting I ask you." She added, "This Mr. Zhang wants to sponsor our production of Giselle. The director is just dazzled by the money—don't pay any attention to it."

Susu slowly ate her cake, but Mulan said, "I don't want to dance anymore—I can't keep up. After all these years, I really will miss it." Susu asked in surprise, "If you don't dance, how will that work? The director is counting on you." Mulan smiled and said, "You danced so beautifully the night before last—the director is counting on you now."

Susu put down her spoon and asked, "Mulan, are you angry with me?"