What An Idiot!

That voiced harbored self-blame, it harbored guilt, and it harbored pain. The sadness and tears embedded in that sound elicited discomfort in whoever heard it.

Despair. Palpable despair.

When Yu Lili heard Ou Ming's voice, her steps stopped at the entrance.

The door was ajar, and from the angle that Yu Lili was standing, she could see Ou Ming's bed.

On the hospital bed sat Ou Ming cross-legged. His face was buried between his legs, and his head was bandaged. From Yu Lili's position, all she could see were Ou Ming's ears.

Even his left hand was bound in a cast.

Ou Ming's parents were standing at his bedside. Jiao Ziqing was leaning on her husband's shoulder, her back quivering with sobs although no sound could be heard.

"If you see her, help me tell her that I'll be spending the rest of the New Year at home. And after the festivities, I'll be going abroad for work. I'll visit her when I'm back."