The Choice

In the car, Wen Xicheng focused intently on the road, avoiding any sideways glances. I turned my head and blinked at the view outside. No longer intrigued by this city I had lived in for four years, I hesitated to pull my gaze away. The atmosphere inside the car became exceedingly awkward.

At a traffic light, the man beside me gently called my name. I turned to look at him, replying, "Hmm?"

He offered a slight smile and said, "Don't stick your head out of the window; be careful not to catch a cold."

I rolled up the window and started to sift through his CDs, but after flipping through a few, I gave up; they were all English songs that I didn't understand. He glanced at me, took out a disc, and inserted it into the player.

As the music began to play, the awkward atmosphere eased just a little.

At an intersection, he turned to me and said, "Say something."

I shrugged. "I can't find a suitable topic; I feel like many subjects have become taboo."

"For example?" His voice was very gentle, like the moonlight outside.

"Past experiences, and your life in America over the past four years," I said calmly, keeping my gaze forward.

"Then let's talk about your life these past few years; anything is fine. I want to know," his tone remained steady and unfaltering.

I tilted my head and thought for a moment before saying, "What do you want to know? Whether I suffered endlessly after you abandoned me or how I started a new relationship?"

The instantaneous change in his expression told me my adrenaline had spiked again, leading me to lose control of my emotions. I turned away and said, "Let's keep silent."

After a long pause, he said, "Talk about you and him."

I avoided looking at him and replied, "I don't know where to start; just ask what you want to know, and I'll answer."

Moments later, I heard a few soft coughs. He rolled down the window slightly and then asked, "How long have you been together?"

"Less than three months."

"Is he good to you?"

"Yeah, pretty good."

"Have you introduced him to your family?"

I turned to look at him and asked lightly, "Are you sure you want to continue this conversation?"

Wen Xicheng stared ahead, his profile tense. After a few seconds, he exhaled softly, turned to me with a somewhat bitter smile, and said, "Let's just leave it."

I nodded and continued to gaze out the window, feeling an inexplicable irritation rising in my heart; I really didn't like discussing Feng Suchuan in front of Wen Xicheng, not at all.

The rest of the ride was consumed by silence. When the car stopped at the apartment building, I turned to him and said, "Thank you for bringing me back. Drive carefully on your way. Goodbye."

Wen Xicheng looked at me with somber eyes. I couldn't discern the emotions swirling behind them, nor did I want to; I simply focused on his pale lips, waiting for him to say "goodbye" before I exited the car.

"Are there any good radio stations in this city? Something to cure insomnia," he asked, his expression solemn, his voice low and a bit hoarse.

I was taken aback for a moment, biting my lip before replying, "FM 94.8 broadcasts around the clock, and 102.8 has story segments; they play classic drama dialogues at night, which isn't bad. You can give it a listen."

He nodded gently, and his expression softened significantly. After a slight curve of his lips, he said, "Go on up, good night!"

Feeling foolish, I realized my eyes were slightly stinging. I forced out an awkward smile, opened the car door, and left without hesitation, stepping into the corridor. It wasn't until I entered the elevator that I slowly relaxed my body, though my heart felt a sharp, uncomfortable pain.

Upon returning to the apartment, I changed my shoes and turned on the lights. After standing in the living room for a while, I turned toward the balcony. Sure enough, the black car was still parked downstairs.

I could clearly see the BMW emblem on the front, along with the man leaning against the car, smiling up at me.

He waved at me and then turned to get into the car. I watched him turn the vehicle around, its taillights gradually fading from sight, and I began to feel a sense of melancholy.

In that moment, I irritably thought about how wonderful it would be if those four years of separation didn't exist!

On Friday afternoon, I received a call from He Zifei.

He said, "Xia Tian, I'll come over tomorrow... By the way, look at you, letting Xi Cheng catch the wind." 

I was a bit taken aback; poor Wen Xicheng had really fallen to the point of being just an afterthought. 

I replied, "What a coincidence, the girl is also flying over tomorrow to look for a job."

He cleared his throat and said, "I know." 

I was even more confused. "So you're coming over to see her, and by the way, to see me?" 

He chuckled a couple of times and replied, "I'm going over to check out the construction market there; I'm preparing to start my own." 

I was somewhat surprised. "You're going to start your own business?" 

He sighed lightly and said, "Yeah, I'm almost thirty; it's time I established my own career." 

I cleared my throat and added, "The girl just decided to resign and come here to develop; you're coming over to start a business. Isn't this a bit too obvious? Zifei, I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but that girl hasn't even broken up with Huang Xiaoshuai yet. Take it easy; you're already a manager, and acting so hastily might leave you with nothing in the end!" 

After a brief silence, he responded, "There are gains and losses; if you can't let go, how can you gain anything? Even if I end up with nothing, I won't regret my decision now!" 

I replied, "God bless you!" 

He laughed and scolded me, "You're just trying to make fun of me. By the way, let me meet your boyfriend this time; I'll keep an eye on you—don't let anyone trick you." 

I pondered for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll tell him."

Once he responded, he asked, "How are you and Xi Cheng doing now?"

I thought for a moment and replied, "If I say we're like brothers now, would that break your heart a little?"

He pretended to cough twice and said, "It's fine; as long as you're not enemies, that's good. We'll talk more when we meet tomorrow."

After hanging up, I sent a message to Liu Niyi on MSN.

"[Zifei is coming over tomorrow.]"

A few minutes later, she replied, "[I know.]"

I felt frustrated; what kind of world is this? Is everyone so comfortable playing ambiguous games? It's absurd!

After work that evening, I took Feng Suchuan's car to the hotel.

Our department and the engineering department had several colleagues seated together, while Wen Xicheng was at another table. The engineering department was predominantly composed of young male colleagues. Feng Suchuan and the engineering department manager, Lv Yang, were down-to-earth; everyone was relaxed, enjoying drinks and engaging in lively conversation.

Feng Suchuan was very well-liked within the company, occupying a position just below the top; he was now in line for a promotion to vice president. Several engineers naturally took turns toasting him, which put the original protagonist, Wen Xicheng, at ease.

When a few colleagues from the engineering department who got along well with me brought over red wine, Feng Suchuan had already reached a point where his eyes were somewhat hazy. He rested his forehead on his hand, watching the group approach with a somewhat helpless smile on his face. They all knew I don't drink red wine, so it was up to him to deal with it.

"Summer!" One of the engineers plopped down in the chair beside me, draping his arm over my shoulder and handing me a glass of red wine with a mischievous grin. Everyone else paused to look over, including Wen Xicheng, whose expression was unreadable; he simply gazed at me calmly.

I lowered my head and accepted the wine glass from Feng Suchuan's outstretched hand, downing it in one go without pausing. Then I smiled and said, "I've finished it; can you now remove your salty pig hand?" After a brief silence, everyone erupted into laughter, and the engineer I had teased laughed so hard he nearly toppled over. When he finally let go of my arm, he said, "Summer, you're really in high spirits today. Once we get to KTV, I want to duet with you!" 

I playfully kicked him but didn't reply; as I turned my gaze away, I noticed that Wen Xicheng's seat was empty. I glanced at the entrance and then lowered my head.

After leaving the hotel, a group of us headed to KTV, but I didn't see Wen Xicheng. Once we entered the private room, I heard someone ask Song Ying, "Where's your boss?" 

While testing the microphone, Song Ying replied, "He said he didn't feel well and left early." Turning to Feng Suchuan, she added, "Manager Feng, I want to clarify that he really is unwell; he probably drank too much and his stomach hurts. It's not that he doesn't want to be here." 

Feng Suchuan lazily leaned back on the couch, loosening his tie while laughing as he said, "It's just brothers getting together; there's no need to take it so seriously." 

After he spoke, several engineers chimed in, saying everyone is like brothers and that overseas returnees are precious, looking down on them and so on. Listening to this made me feel a bit uncomfortable, but Feng Suchuan just smiled and didn't contest their words. 

While they were singing and playing dice, I stepped outside to find a quieter place to call Wen Xicheng. It took a long time to connect, but there was no sound on the other end of the line. 

After a moment of silence, I said, "Did you go back?" 

"Yeah." 

"Song Ying said you weren't feeling well. Is it stomach pain?" 

"It's fine." His voice was low, and after a pause, he added, "I took some medicine; I'm fine now." 

"That's good. Rest early, goodnight!"

"Summer," he called my name.

"Yeah?"

"I was very happy today." His voice was light, making it difficult to gauge his true emotions.

I was slightly taken aback by his words. "What?"

There was a brief silence on the line, and then he said, "Seeing you happy makes me very happy."

As I felt my eyes welling up with tears, I heard him softly say, "BYE!" before the call disconnected.

I placed my phone into my bag, wiped the corners of my eyes, and smiled as I walked back into the private room; I thought to myself, I should be happy!

Chapter Eighteen [Awful Gathering]

On Saturday morning, I received a text from He Zifei saying he had arrived at Wen Xicheng's apartment. They planned to run some errands during the day and have dinner together when Liu Niyi came over in the evening.

I got up, tidied up the house, and then called Feng Suchuan.

"Hello? Summer!" He sounded as if he were still half-asleep, his voice hoarse and laced with lazy laughter.

I hesitated for a moment before asking, "Are you free tonight?"

A few muffled laughs came through the line. "This seems like the first time you've taken the initiative to invite me. No matter what, I have to make time for it."

I wrinkled my nose and said, "Nizi and Zifei are coming over today; you know I've told you about them. They are my best friends, and they want to hang out tonight. Can you come with me?"

Feng Suchuan cleared his throat and replied, "Okay, no problem. I'll come pick you up then."

I agreed and added, "There will be others too; they are also university classmates." I wasn't quite sure how to tell him that one of the classmates was Wen Xicheng, but he didn't ask for more details.

After hanging up the phone, I scratched my head, feeling a bit strange inside, though I couldn't pinpoint what felt odd.

Once Liu Niyi arrived, He Zifei took her directly to Wen Xicheng's apartment. On the way, after Feng Suchuan picked me up, I whispered, "I need to tell you something."

He turned to look at me, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "What?"

"Didn't I mention this morning that there was another classmate? That person is Wen Xicheng."

Feng Suchuan suddenly swerved the steering wheel. After the car slid through an S-curve and stabilized, he frowned and said in a low voice, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

I pressed my lips together, feeling a bit guilty, unsure how to explain myself.

Feng Suchuan didn't say anything more; his expression remained tense until the car drove into Jinghe Community, at which point his face relaxed slightly.

He parked under the apartment building, turned off the engine, unbuckled his seatbelt, but didn't get out. I tugged on his arm and said, "I'm sorry." He turned to look at me, the depth in his eyes obscuring all emotions; I couldn't read anything there. After a long while, he patted my head and said, "Go up first; we'll talk about it later." I breathed a sigh of relief; it's better to settle things later than immediately!

Outside Wen Xicheng's apartment, Feng Suchuan stepped back a bit. I took a step forward and rang the doorbell. As footsteps approached, the door opened, and Liu Niyi's cheerful voice greeted us.

"Hey, you little rascal, you…" Upon seeing the man behind me, her eyes widened, and she swallowed hard before asking, "Why did you two come so late?" I wiped my forehead and silently applauded her quick reaction, changing my shoes while saying, "Suchuan, this is Liu Niyi; Niyi, this is Feng Suchuan."

Liu Niyi awkwardly laughed twice, rolled her eyes at me, and said to Feng Suchuan, "I'm honored to meet such a famous guy. Thank you for taking care of my brainless friend, Summer!" I felt so embarrassed and glared at her while rubbing my nose. Feng Suchuan changed his shoes, chuckled, and ruffled my hair, saying, "It's okay; most of the time, she's quite smart."

Liu Niyi stared at him for a moment, then laughed, resting her arm on my shoulder. "Looks like our handsome Feng has experienced your brainlessness more than once." I pried her arm off and walked inside.

In the living room, He Zifei stood beside the sofa with his hands resting on the back, his eyes fixed on the door, while Wen Xicheng fiddled with chopsticks at the dining table. Both wore blank expressions, and I sensed a strange atmosphere. I approached He Zifei and asked, "What's wrong? Have you lost your words upon seeing a beautiful girl?"

His expression softened slightly, as if he had sighed lightly, then he turned and hugged me gently. "Summer, I missed you so much." I smiled back, replying, "I missed you too, big brother!"

He tapped my forehead and then turned to Feng Suchuan. "Hello, I am He Zifei." He extended his hand casually, his smile polite but distant. Feng Suchuan nodded slightly, shook his hand, and replied with a smile, "Feng Suchuan." His tone was colder. An eerie atmosphere hung in the air when I heard Wen Xicheng say, "Come eat."

He Zifei left first, with Liu Niyi following him into the dining room. I glanced at Feng Suchuan; his expression was calm, his gaze steady. I reached out to hold his hand and said, "Let's go eat." He looked at my hand before grasping it as we walked in.

At the rectangular table, Feng Suchuan and I sat on one side, across from He Zifei and Liu Niyi, while Wen Xicheng occupied the host's seat, looking rather lonely. No one spoke; the sight of the dumplings on the table made me feel completely idiotic, unable to think clearly, staring down while biting my lip tightly. After a moment, Liu Niyi picked up a dumpling and placed it in my bowl. "Why are you looking down? Your favorite dumplings are here, hurry up and eat!" Before I could respond, Feng Suchuan's smiling voice sounded in my ear, "Aren't you the one who doesn't like dumplings?"

His words caught everyone off guard; I glanced at him, unsure of how to respond. To forget the pain, I had given up my favorite dumplings, but only Feng Suchuan knew this. Watching Wen Xicheng's eyes grow dimmer, I sensed that this dinner would leave everyone feeling a bit unsettled.

Liu Niyi lightly coughed to break the tension, "She doesn't like restaurant dumplings; she loves the ones she makes herself, right, Summer?" Her last two words were almost forced through clenched teeth. I nodded silently, placing a dumpling in my mouth.

"Is it okay? How does it taste?"

Wen Xicheng's low and gentle voice seemed somewhat out of place in the quiet dining room. I didn't dare look at him, so I could only nod awkwardly. A couple of light laughs came from beside me, and I noticed a few more dumplings had been added to my bowl. Feng Suchuan chuckled softly, "Looks like I need to learn how to make dumplings from now on."

"Thud!" Liu Niyi's half-eaten dumpling fell into her bowl, splashing a bit of aged vinegar. She glanced between Wen Xicheng's pale face and Feng Suchuan's gentle smile, then raised her wine glass and looked at me, saying, "Summer, your boyfriend treats you really well; I'm so damn envious!" After finishing her declaration, she gulped down an entire glass of red wine. He Zifei hurriedly poured her another drink, glancing at me with a hint of helplessness and sighing. All I could think was how much I wished someone would give me a stick and knock me out!

After a few seconds of silence, Wen Xicheng looked at me and Feng Suchuan while holding his wine glass. A faint smile appeared on his face, his eyes clear and gentle. He first glanced at me, then turned to Feng Suchuan and said, "Summer is a good girl and also my best brother. I hope you cherish her well. I wish you both happiness!"

Feng Suchuan showed a brief glimmer of surprise in his eyes, but it passed quickly.

He raised his glass and gently clinked it with Wen Xicheng's, saying, "I know, thank you!" I held my chopsticks still, feeling frozen, while Liu Niyi desperately kicked my leg under the table. Taking a deep breath, I raised my glass and said, "Thank you." Just as I was about to drink, Feng Suchuan took the glass from my hand, said nothing, and downed it in one go. I kept my head down, lacking the courage to meet either of their eyes.

After the meal, the three men chatted in the living room while Liu Niyi and I washed the dishes in the kitchen.

I wiped the cleaned plates, constantly sighing, and finally turned to her with a defeated expression, saying, "Ni Zi, I feel like such a fool!" 

Liu Niyi snorted, "Don't say that; you can't insult pigs like that!" 

I pouted and glared at her as she laughed at my misfortune, feeling anger rising within me. "Are you lacking in decency? I'm currently suffering like I'm on fire inside. Can you please be a little more supportive as a friend?" 

She dried her hands, smiled, and after closing the sliding door to the dining room, leaned on the counter and asked, "Why didn't you tell us in advance that you were bringing Feng Suchuan over?" 

I replied somewhat weakly, "Zi Fei said he wanted to meet him, and I thought this would be a good opportunity." 

"You really are something! Bringing your current boyfriend to your ex-boyfriend's apartment and calling it a good opportunity—just give me a block of tofu to smash my head against!" 

I gripped the dishcloth tightly in my hand, desperately keeping my head down. 

After a moment, Liu Niyi said, "When Zi Fei came to pick me up, Xicheng was making dumplings. A big guy in a cartoon apron was enjoying himself. He ended up making three types of filling and over a hundred dumplings in total. Summer, to be honest, at that moment, I was touched. It wasn't that I thought it could make up for the hurt he caused you; I was simply moved by the excitement and joy in his eyes."

When the doorbell rang, he had just finished cooking the last pot of dumplings. I'm not sure how he felt when he saw you and Feng Suchuan together, but I felt a bit sad. I know you've started a new relationship, and you should be happy about it, but there's no need to flaunt it so publicly in front of him. That seems a bit cruel."

I felt a heaviness in my chest, resting my forehead on her shoulder, slightly choked up as I said, "I never meant to show off. I never intended to hurt him, I swear."

Liu Ni Yi patted my back and said, "Sometimes our subconscious can control our central nervous system, leading us to act against our will. I think deep down, you're seeking revenge on Xicheng; you want to see him sad..."

I nodded, then shook my head, standing tall and looking at her. I said, "But you're always hurting Zi Fei!" Liu Ni Yi was taken aback, glaring at me in anger, and turned to leave. I called after her, "It's pointless to run away. If you don't break up with Huang Xiaoshuai, you'll forever owe an apology to Zi Fei!" Her response was gritted teeth and three words: "Get lost!"

After successfully transferring my frustration onto Liu Ni Yi, I wiped my eyes and walked out.

In the living room, Feng Suchuan and He Zi Fei were chatting happily. He Zi Fei's face had long lost its previous coldness and now looked cheerful, as if he had just won the lottery. Upon seeing me, he excitedly exclaimed, "Summer, I've found a business project! I'm going to be the agent for a humidifier brand from Shenzhen. There aren't any agents in the Yangtze River Delta area yet, and Su Chuan mentioned that you guys have a few projects that need this brand soon. If all goes well, you can use it in your next project, and I can close my first business deal!"

He draped his arm over Feng Suchuan's shoulder, appearing quite familiar, his voice trembling with excitement. I smiled and replied, "That's great."

Feng Suchuan raised his teacup and smiled slightly, looking at me with deep, dark eyes that I couldn't comprehend, leaving me feeling somewhat unsettled.

Liu Ni Yi emerged from a bedroom and noticed the two of them comfortably leaning against each other. She frowned slightly and walked over to He Zi Fei, saying, "Go check on Xicheng. He just threw up quite badly and is now lying on the bed motionless. We need to ensure nothing happens."

I felt a tightness in my chest, instinctively wanting to approach, but Liu Ni Yi stopped me, saying, "Let Zi Fei go." I lowered my head and remained still, feeling a wave of sharp pain spread through my body. He Zi Fei quickly stood up and hurried into the bedroom. Liu Ni Yi pulled me to sit on the sofa, and the three of us fell into silence.

A few minutes later, He Zi Fei emerged with a worried expression. He sat next to Liu Ni Yi and looked at me, saying, "It's probably his stomach that's bothering him. He vomited again but insisted he's feeling much better. It's nothing, so don't worry." I softly replied, "It's getting late; we should head back." Feng Suchuan nodded and stood up with me. "Ni Zi, where are you staying tonight?" I asked Liu Ni Yi. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'll stay to help take care of Xicheng. You two go ahead; don't worry about me." I nodded slightly and said, "Let's contact each other tomorrow." I didn't say goodbye to Wen Xicheng as I left with Feng Suchuan.

After getting in the car, I turned to look out the window. The drive was silent, and when we arrived at the apartment, Feng Suchuan unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out with a pack of cigarettes. I remained in the car, staring blankly at the stars in the night sky. After a long while, Feng Suchuan returned to the car, adjusted the seat back, crossed his arms over his chest, and turned to look at me. In a cold tone, he asked, "Have you thought about how to talk to me?"

I met his gaze and summoned the courage to say, "Wen Xicheng is my first love, my boyfriend, the one who left me to get engaged to someone else, which brought me sadness and pain."

Feng Suchuan nodded and gazed into the distance. After a long silence, he asked, "Can I ask you two questions?" I looked at him and softly replied, "Go ahead." "First, when you agreed to be with me, did you know he would come back?" I shook my head.

"I didn't know; we had no contact prior. I only learned of his return to the country on the day he reported to the company." 

Feng Suchuan's tense expression relaxed slightly. He pursed his lips and asked, "So, do you plan to get back together with him?" 

I looked at him without responding, my heart constricted as though it were blocked by a stone. 

He cleared his throat, looked downward, and said, "What I mean is, deep down, you never truly forgot about him. You assumed he wouldn't return, so you started a new relationship with me. Now that he's back, judging by his behavior today, it seems he still has feelings for you. If you decide to rekindle things with him, it would be understandable, but the key is that you need to genuinely forgive him first." 

Feng Suchuan has always been rational, and even now, he maintained his graceful, gentlemanly demeanor. His voice was low and steady, showing no hint of emotional fluctuation. If I hadn't been his subordinate for four years, I might have thought he never cared for me. 

After a moment of silence, I said, "I never considered getting back together with him, but I can't forget him. Those memories still occasionally resurface. When he disappeared, I could manage not to think about it, but now that we see each other every day, I find it difficult to predict what the future holds. I genuinely value the feelings we share; being together makes me feel at ease and unburdened. However, I also understand how precious a genuine relationship is for both of us.

"Since I can't be certain I can offer you that, I believe you have the right to view me as someone uncertain."

A few minutes later, Feng Suchuan turned his face toward the window and began to chuckle. My deep sadness gradually faded in the wake of his laughter. 

"What are you laughing about?" I asked, confused. 

He turned to look at me, his eyes sparkling with mirth. Relaxing his arms, he reached out to tousle my hair and said, "You've learned quite a bit from me these past few years." 

"Your negotiation skills have become more refined. With just a few words, you've positioned yourself in a seemingly weaker stance, appearing to cede power to me while subtly shifting the responsibility away. Xia Tian, I've truly influenced you!"

I shot him a glare, ready to object, but he leaned in and kissed my forehead, softly saying, "Don't play tricks on me. I'm giving you a week to think about who you want to be with." 

I gazed into his dark, penetrating eyes and, after a long pause, nodded. "Then I'll head up now. Good night!" 

As I opened the car door, he called out, "If you choose to be with me, I hope you won't look at him with that pained expression anymore." 

I grasped the car door and bit my lip, replying, "You can wait until I make my decision to say that." 

A smile curved his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I prefer to state the unpleasant truths upfront. Now go on, get some sleep. Good night." 

I nodded and said, "Good night." 

All night, I tossed and turned, unable to find rest. Memories of my interactions with Feng Suchuan flooded my mind. I had to admit that I liked him, although this feeling was far from the obsession I had with Wen Xicheng. However, the understanding of love at twenty-three is fundamentally different from that at twenty-seven. Back then, I was naive, unaware of the world's harshness, and untouched by pain; my feelings were as pure as a clear spring, longing for a love that was romantic and passionate.

He just needs someone to look after him," she reassured me. "Don't worry too much; he just needs some rest and a little bit of care. You know how he gets sick easily when he's tired." 

I nodded, though a knot tightened in my stomach. "Fine, I'll be there soon," I replied reluctantly. As I dressed, my mind raced with thoughts of Wen Xicheng. Memories of our time together flooded back, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. How was I supposed to face him after everything that had happened between us? 

After a quick breakfast, I rushed out the door and made my way to his apartment. The familiar neighborhood felt surreal, each street whispering past moments shared with Wen Xicheng. When I arrived, my heart pounded as I knocked on the door.

"Come in!" came his weak voice from inside. 

Pushing the door open, I was greeted by the sight of him sprawled on the couch, looking pale and exhausted. My heart ached at the sight. "What a sight to see you ill," I said, trying to keep my tone light despite the worry bubbling within me. 

He turned to me with a small smile, the corners of his lips lifting slightly but not reaching his tired eyes. "I guess I should be grateful someone came to check on me." 

I walked over, concerned as I felt his forehead. "You're burning up! You should really see a doctor." 

"It's just a little fever. I'll be fine," he insisted, trying to brush it off. 

I paused, debating whether to press the issue or not. "You know, I'm not going to just sit here and let you ignore this. If you don't feel better soon, I'm dragging you to the clinic myself," I declared firmly. 

He chuckled weakly, the sound soothing yet tinged with something deeper. "You always were stubborn. Just like old times." 

Old times. The phrase hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken history. I focused on making him tea and preparing a light meal, trying to avoid lingering too long in memories that filled me with conflicting emotions. 

As the day went on, I found myself slipping into the familiar rhythm of caring for him. We talked about mundane things at first, the conversation flowing more naturally than I had dared to hope. But as afternoon turned to evening and the sun dipped below the horizon, the atmosphere shifted, and the weight of our unresolved past loomed larger.

"Thank you for being here," he said softly, breaking the comfortable silence. "I didn't expect you to care so much." 

"It's what friends do," I replied, avoiding his gaze. 

"Yeah...but we're more than that, aren't we?" he pressed gently, his eyes searching mine for answers. 

I felt my heart race, the implications of his words hanging heavily between us. How could I respond? The tension was palpable, and I wished for nothing more than a return to the tranquil life I had envisioned before he entered it again. But deep inside, I knew the pull of our connection was far more complicated than either of us could easily unravel.

I felt a bit of sweat on my brow this morning, and now I'm sleeping. Please don't speak anymore; I'll leave the key under the mat for you to let yourself in. Goodbye!" Liu Niyi hung up decisively.

I tossed my phone onto the bed, slipped on my slippers, and hurried into the bathroom.

After taking a taxi to Wen Xicheng's apartment building, I rushed into the elevator, watching the numbers illuminate on the panel, catching my breath to steady my emotions.

I analyzed everything last night, and just hearing that he wasn't feeling well today sent me into a panic!

Once I stepped out of the elevator, I grabbed the key from under the mat and opened the door. As I changed my shoes, I heard a hoarse voice calling out unexpectedly.

"Xia Tian? What are you doing here?"

I looked up to see Wen Xicheng in pajamas, holding a cup, surprise etched on his bleary-eyed face as he stared at me, clearly still waking up.

I placed my canvas shoes on the rack, scratching my head as I responded, "Nizi said you had a fever and asked me to check on you. How are you feeling now? Have you taken your temperature?"

Wen Xicheng shook his head weakly. After sitting down on the sofa, he replied, "We don't have a thermometer at home. I'm fine; I feel much better now."

I moved closer and stood beside him. He was slumped weakly against the sofa, his eyes half-closed and looking worn, which made my heart ache. After a brief hesitation, I reached out to touch his forehead. As soon as my hand made contact, his body tensed up, yet he didn't open his eyes.

I pulled my hand back and crouched to sift through his medicine cabinet. "You still seem a bit warm. Does your stomach still hurt? Can you take anti-fever medicine?"

Not receiving a response, I glanced up and found him staring at me in a daze, his eyes dazed. When our eyes met, he pursed his lips and turned his gaze away, whispering, "I still feel a bit unwell. I haven't taken any anti-fever medicine."

I set down the medicine cabinet and stood up. "I'll go make some ginger soup. You should lie down on the bed." With that, I turned and headed towards the kitchen, my steps slightly unsteady, mirroring my current state of mind.

That action required little thought; it felt almost instinctual yet not entirely subconscious. Regardless, it was hard to explain. His reaction was as I expected, and the hopeful look in his eyes made me feel particularly uncomfortable. I have always known that Wen Xicheng craved care and warmth more than anyone else. In the past, I had tried my utmost to give him more, but now I could only choose to avoid it because I could clearly sense the repulsion and panic in my heart. I could no longer provide him the attentive love he needed. Instinctively, I wanted to ignore and escape from him.

I don't know whether it is his sorrow or mine; four years have passed, and it was more than just time that had slipped away. I thought that even if we could let go of the past now, we might struggle to find the feelings we once cherished for each other. His betrayal and abandonment shattered my belief in love. I am no longer the Xia Tian who doted on him and cared for him with such tenderness; that Xia Tian was destroyed by him on a summer afternoon three years ago!

The Xia Tian now is cheerful, strong, and optimistic, but she is no longer willing to indulge anyone, including Wen Xicheng!

When I brought the ginger soup to the bedroom, I found Wen Xicheng sitting on the bed with his legs hugged to his chest, staring into space. The soft sunlight filtered through the half-drawn curtains, casting a serene and almost ethereal quality around him.

I knocked on the door, and he looked up at me with a gentle smile in his eyes. Resting his head on his arm, he asked, "Did you put in rock sugar?"

I smiled and walked over to hand him the bowl. "I did."

As he took the bowl, he raised his well-shaped eyebrows and asked, "Really?"

I nodded.

"If you don't believe me, try it."

Wen Xicheng chuckled and began drinking the soup. Halfway through, he furrowed his brows.

Noticing he wanted to stop, I said gently, "No pausing! You have to drink it all in one go, or it won't work."

He paused for a moment, then looked up at me before obediently finishing the soup. After placing the porcelain bowl on the bedside table, he grimaced and said, "It's so spicy!"

"If it's not spicy, it won't work. Alright, wrap yourself in the blanket and sleep again. I'll step out. Call me if you need anything." I took the bowl and turned to leave, not hearing him say anything as I stepped out and closed the door behind me.

Around noon, I entered the bedroom again. The man on the bed was under a thick blanket, fast asleep, with a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead. I checked his temperature and found it wasn't too high anymore. After adjusting the blanket, I didn't wake him.

In the kitchen, I opened the fridge to find it stuffed with frozen dumplings, each neatly packed in freezer bags. My heart tightened slightly, and I took a bag out.

Sitting at the dining table, I slowly ate the dumplings, and before long, my vision blurred.

That year, after returning home for the New Year, Wen Xicheng made dumplings for me almost every other day, with various fillings, many of which I couldn't even imagine. Some were a hit, while others missed the mark. Nevertheless, he was tireless, treating me like a test subject, ultimately deciding on the three best: celery and lamb, egg and shrimp, and mushroom and greens.

On the night before he left to study abroad, he made a ton of dumplings. I could only manage to eat about ten at a time. He carefully counted and packaged each dumpling into freezer bags, then cautiously placed them in the freezer drawer. I remember there were fifteen bags in total, and it took me over half a month to finish them all.

Now, every time I eat dumplings, I think of the careful and happy expression on his face while packing them, which is why I decided to put them aside for a while.

But now, sitting here eating the dumplings he made for me again, I feel a deep sense of emotion. The saying "To untie the bell, one must be the one who tied it" resonates within me; my heartache has been released, and in the future, when I eat dumplings, it will no longer hurt.

Wen Xicheng slept for a long time, finally emerging from the bedroom as the sun was setting. I was standing on the balcony lost in thought when I heard a noise and turned to find him standing behind me.

His face was still somewhat pale, and his lips were dry. He smiled down at me, saying, "I slept the whole day."

I smiled and nodded. "Have you been working too hard lately? With stomach pain and lack of sleep?"

He shook his head, glanced into the distance, and said, "Is it going to rain? There are a few dark clouds." 

I followed his gaze and thought for a moment before replying, "It's possible; the weather forecast predicts rain."

Wen Xicheng didn't speak again, quietly watching the sunset in the distance. After a while, he turned to me and said, "I'm hungry. When will Zifei and the others be back?" 

I turned and walked toward the kitchen. "They're eating out and then going to watch a movie. What do you want to eat? How about dumplings?" 

"I want noodles," he replied softly, following me. 

I paused for a moment and nodded. "I saw there are..." 

"Is one pack of egg noodles enough?" 

"Half a pack is enough." 

"Okay."

While I was cooking the noodles, Wen Xicheng leaned quietly against the kitchen doorframe, watching me. A faint aroma filled the small space, and I felt no unease or embarrassment under his gaze; instead, I experienced a rare calmness during this time. 

At the dining table, Wen Xicheng slowly ate the noodles while I poured myself a glass of water and sat beside him, taking small sips.

After finishing half of his bowl, he looked up at me with an exceptionally gentle smile. "It's delicious." 

I smiled slightly, pressing my lips together. "Then eat more; there's still some in the pot." 

He responded softly and continued eating. 

In the quiet night, with a light drizzle outside the window, Wen Xicheng and I sat in the dining room in silence, yet the atmosphere was filled with a long-awaited warmth. If only we could always get along so harmoniously, without the past, without discussing the future, just sitting quietly like this. 

In fact, such happiness is what I truly desire, but it's merely a mirage. All the beauty shatters the moment reality returns; we cannot live forever in assumptions. No matter how difficult it is, we must face reality courageously. 

Around nine o'clock, Liu Niyi and He Zifei still hadn't returned. I was about to head back when Wen Xicheng insisted on seeing me off. After some hesitation, I compromised; when he becomes stubborn, I find it hard to resist. Just as I was leaving, I asked, "Can I take some dumplings from the fridge?" 

As he was about to change his shoes, Wen Xicheng turned sharply at my words, his eyes filled with surprise. 

Feeling a bit teary, I said, "I saw there are many; I'll take a few bags back for dinner." 

Wen Xicheng nodded repeatedly and turned toward the kitchen.

He opened the fridge, took out all the dumplings, and packed them into a large bag, his face lighting up with a relaxed smile as he stepped outside. 

If this could make him smile wholeheartedly, I thought, I wouldn't hesitate to give!