"What color were the clothes, and where was it taken?"
"I don't know where either, maybe red?"
Wang Fa suddenly remembered something. He took out his wallet, pulled out the photo of Lin Wanxing he had found in the hallway, and placed it on the table.
Xiang Zi glanced down and revealed a scornful smile that said "just as I thought": "You got one too? It's very similar to this one, but the pose in that one is more exaggerated—her hands were making a heart shape above her head."
In the photo, Lin Wanxing was beaming brightly.
He Youting stared at the girl in the photo, her expression complex, as if petrified.
"It's quite similar to this one," Xiang Zi then said firmly. "No matter what you think, I didn't lie."
"That photo couldn't have been placed by Wanxing." He Youting seemed drained of all strength. Her thin fingers gripped the table as she slowly sat down.
"Why?"
"Because the photo you're talking about was taken by me," she said.
Her voice was gentle, but the boys were startled, never expecting Shu Yong's wife to be so resolute.
For a moment, the area around the coffee table fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Professor He Youting explained that the photo on the table was from a spring outing organized by the psychology department for Women's Day.
As the chief physician of the thoracic surgery department at Yongchuan University Affiliated Hospital, she was usually busy with work, but she happened to be free that day and attended.
She wasn't very familiar with the other female teachers and wives from the psychology department. Lin Wanxing, as a student leader helping out, stayed by her side to keep her from feeling bored, so they took many photos of each other.
Lin Wanxing was thoughtful and considerate. Afterward, she developed some of the photos, made a small album, and gave it to her as a keepsake. When Shu Yong saw the album and learned that Lin Wanxing had developed these films, he got an idea. But perhaps by some twist of fate, he specifically chose this one.
"During that event, I took the photo of Wanxing. The one you found in his office—I thought her hand was blocking the light, making it too dark, so I never sent it to her. But Shu Yong didn't know that."
He Youting patted her chest with her thin hand, her voice full of sorrow. She looked at Xiang Zi and said, "So do you understand? Lin Wanxing wasn't smiling at my late husband—she was smiling at me."
Mrs. He was utterly grief-stricken.
Xiang Zi was completely flustered, a similarly terrifying suspicion surfacing in his mind. He stood up abruptly: "You haven't even seen that photo! How can you be sure what it looks like? Maybe someone else took one of her too, or I remembered wrong!"
Everyone turned to look at the woman seated at the table.
"You know, it actually can't be wrong," He Youting finally said.
"I didn't lie! You've been brainwashed, Madam!" Xiang Zi shoved his chair back violently, but clearly, no one at the table was on his side. "That woman seduced your husband, destroyed your family, and you're still defending her?"
His face was filled with rage, but the immense shadow in his mind had thoroughly frightened him. Finally, he slammed the table, turned, and stormed off.
The glass tabletop shook. On the coffee table, Lin Wanxing was still smiling.
He Youting's temples were graying, her frail body trembling.
Lin Chen comforted her: "Professor He, in this matter, you have always been the victim. Xiang Zi was just using your name to vent his personal views. Those emails ultimately stem from Shu Yong—they have nothing to do with you.""I understand." Professor He's voice was filled with sorrow. "But all these years, I never knew whether I was sleeping next to a human or a ghost."
Wang Fa immediately became alert. He knew that as Shu Yong's wife, Professor He Youting, being the original spouse, should have hated Lin Wanxing to the bone. Yet she maintained rationality and even spoke up for Lin Wanxing, which was truly touching.
"Thank you," Wang Fa said to Professor He.
As he spoke, Wang Fa felt his head being ruffled. Looking up, he saw it was his uncle.
Xing Conglian wore a grave expression: "Why do you keep that photo of Teacher Lin in your wallet? What exactly is your relationship? Are you dating?"
"Not really."
The next moment, Xing Conglian examined him from head to toe with a masculine gaze: "Are you even capable? Being together for so long without dating - do you not like girls?"
Wang Fa understood this was Xing Conglian's attempt to lighten the mood, preventing both him and Professor He from becoming too distressed: "You're the one who doesn't like girls, aren't you?"
Xing Conglian: "Watch your tone when speaking to your elder!"
Just then, Lin Chen cleared his throat lightly, interrupting them: "Professor He came specifically this time because Yan Ming deceived you."
"Yan Ming?"
"I found it strange when you relayed her 'natural observation' explanation. With no surveillance around you, she couldn't possibly conduct any 'observation'. She made up an excuse to take responsibility to hide something else."
"What was she trying to hide?"
"Me." He Youting took a deep breath and said this.
Wang Fa suddenly looked at the frail woman across the coffee table.
"Come, bring your students and accompany me for a walk," Professor He said to him after composing herself.
Yongchuan University, Lakeside Path.
The lake shimmered with reflected light. Occasionally, people strolled and chatted nearby. Some students practiced Tai Chi sword by the riverbank, while others played English programs and recited loudly. Everyone was occupied with their own affairs, paying no attention to them.
Walking with Professor He felt stressful for Wang Fa.
Although Professor He had just spoken up for Lin Wanxing, their relationship remained awkward. He didn't understand why she specifically wanted to talk with him.
Qin Ao and Wen Chengye were even more flustered, trailing behind like attendants while maintaining distance, completely unaware why they had been summoned too.
Professor He walked slowly.
After walking in silence for some time, Wang Fa finally asked: "Do... you know Yan Ming?"
"Shu Yong used to teach Xiao Ming. I'm essentially her teacher's wife. Later when I fell ill, she happened to return to the country and came to visit me."
"How is your health now?" Wang Fa suddenly remembered that Xiang Zi mentioned Professor He also had lung cancer...
"I discovered it early. After surgery, I've been taking targeted drugs. It's under control for now - much better luck than Jiang Lei," Professor He said slowly.
Hearing the somewhat familiar name, Wang Fa didn't immediately react.
The students who had been fidgeting behind them suddenly spoke up: "You know our coach?"
"Of course." Finally, a trace of smile and nostalgia appeared on Professor He's face. "We were hospital roommates."
Waterfowl took flight overhead. Countless incredible emotions surged upward, as if all stories had found their intersection.
"Were you in the same hospital room?" Wang Fa asked.
"Yes, he was in the bed next to mine."
"Our coach, our coach..." the students murmured behind them."He was so annoying. He secretly watched the Premier League on his phone in the middle of the night. Back then, I was too unwell to sleep, tossing and turning, so he called me over to watch with him." He Youting pretended to complain in a slow, gentle tone, but her words were filled with nostalgia.
The boys moved a little closer, watching Professor He cautiously, unsure of what else to say.
"Did you end up watching football with him later?" Wang Fa asked.
"Of course, I refused at first. When you're sick, you should rest, but Jiang Xun said he wouldn't die in peace if he didn't see Guardiola win the Champions League again. Since I couldn't sleep anyway, I reluctantly joined him."
"Damn, our coach is a bit of a jinx. Guardiola still hasn't won the Champions League to this day..." The students eavesdropping in the back couldn't help but mutter, then immediately regretted interrupting and stepped back.
Professor He looked at the students and smiled faintly. "Your coach said he liked Ronaldinho and kept recommending him to me. He said, 'Watching Ronaldinho play is like seeing the sunshine of Brazil—it makes you feel so comfortable that any illness just disappears.'"
"Our coach's sales pitch hasn't changed in ten years," Qin Ao remarked.
"But football is still fascinating. For most of my life, I was always busy. Suddenly falling ill and having nothing to do made me feel like my life was empty except for dealing with my sickness. Jiang Lei was the type who, even if he was awkward at small talk, was incredibly enthusiastic. He kept telling me about football, team gossip, and even showed me handsome football players." Professor He chuckled softly. "He loved talking about having his own team the most, always animatedly boasting about how amazing his team was."
"We're just moderately good," Wen Chengye said.
"Just made it to the semifinals of the National Youth League," Qin Ao added, scratching his head shyly.
Seeing the students both bashful and eager to show off, Professor He said, "I know."
"How do you know?" Qin Ao was puzzled. "Have you become such a fan that you even watch the National Youth League?"
"Because the person at your Coach Jiang's gravesite that day was me," Professor He said.
They were still by the lake at Yongchuan University, on the sunny side. Aquatic plants swayed, and the spring breeze brushed over them.
Wang Fa glanced at the frail woman beside him. Her temples were graying, her gaze gentle. It held immense pain, but it was gentle nonetheless.
"You're the one who sent Lin Wanxing to coach the Hongjing No. 8 Middle School football team?"
"It was me."
Wang Fa stood frozen in place.
Of course. Yan Ming was far away in England—how could she possibly know that Lin Wanxing was returning to Hongjing and suggest to Jiang Xun that she coach the students? Yan Ming had used a grand concept to conceal a small detail. Unless Professor He came forward herself, Yan Ming would never have revealed her name.
After speaking, He Youting continued walking.
"Why?" Wang Fa shuddered as he watched Professor He's frail back and hurried to catch up with her.
"What do you mean, 'why'?" Professor He countered.
Wang Fa's heart raced. "Back then... back then, Lin Wanxing was rumored to be involved with Professor Shu Yong. The school was full of gossip, wasn't it?"
So why did you do it?
"Yes, I knew about Shu Yong's suicide note, the text he sent Wanxing before he died, the email Xiang Zi wrote, and all the evidence about the thesis," Professor He said. She was terribly thin, more fragile than the reeds by the shore.
"Then why did you still send Lin Wanxing to coach the students?"Professor He extended her slender wrist, drawing a small booklet from the pocket of her thin cross-collar jacket and handing it to Wang Fa.
It was a handmade commemorative album, eight pages long, slightly thickened by the photos pasted inside.
Upon opening the first page, Lin Wanxing’s familiar handwriting immediately caught the eye.
To the beautiful and kind Professor He:
I’ve heard you’re an extraordinary cardiothoracic surgeon. Spending Women’s Day with you has been a joy!
I’ve compiled some photos for you to keep as a memento~
I hope we’ll have more chances to go out together!
Back then, Lin Wanxing still possessed an abundance of girlish sentimentality. The booklet not only contained photos of Professor He but also featured Lin Wanxing’s hand-drawn illustrations, adorned with colorful stickers. There was a subtle resemblance to the vibrant mementos students had once received.
The earlier pages held photos, while the second-to-last page displayed a selfie of Lin Wanxing and Professor He together.
A breeze swept across the lake, rustling the pages softly.
Wang Fa’s gaze fell upon a short poem on the final page.
Life
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
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