“The box was spacious and magnificent.
Cheng Yi had just taken a bath, his hair slightly damp. He lowered his eyes and lit a cigarette. His fingertips, holding the smoke, slowly rubbed the edge of the glass. The faint blue veins on the back of his hand were distinct, and his hand was slender and clean.
Cheng Man ate a cherry tomato. The sweet and sour taste filled her taste buds, reminding her that everything was real.
Su Xin was extremely excited. “Sister – in – law, I offer you a toast.”
Her earlobes were faintly hot. She looked at Cheng Yi. The man had been silent all the way and still hadn’t spoken. It seemed he had been smoking all the time.
“Don’t call me that casually.”
“We’re not calling casually. Brother Yi has already acquiesced.”
Cheng Yi’s eyes flickered for a moment. He seemed to come back to his senses. He picked up the wine glass with the hand holding the cigarette, raised the corner of his mouth, and said, “Girls are easily shy. Don’t go too far.”
Then came the prolonged heckling of the crowd.
Cheng Man lowered her head, the heat on her face only increasing. She subconsciously glanced to the side but was caught red – handed. She suppressed the corners of her mouth that wanted to rise and hurriedly averted her eyes.
For some reason, Su Xin and Li Yansen were bickering, neither giving in. The attention of the others was drawn over.
Cheng Yi crushed out the cigarette. He still leaned against the back of the chair, his side – face sharp and distinct. His eyes were very dark because of the alcohol.
After a few seconds of silence, he let out a long breath and, without warning, held the hand of the girl beside him that was hanging down.
Her hand was delicate, slender, and very soft. With a gentle hold, it was wrapped in his palm.
Cheng Yi lowered his head and, as if playing, slowly inserted his fingers and intertwined them with hers.
“When did you start liking me?”
Cheng Man felt a bit embarrassed. “It’s been a long time.”
Seeing that he didn’t speak, she quietly glanced at him again.
Cheng Yi was still holding her fingers. As if he knew what the girl was thinking, he said, “Let’s eat. There will be plenty of opportunities to look at me later.”
–
In the dead of night, the warmth of the man’s palm seemed to still linger on her fingertips.
The phone didn’t make any sound. He didn’t send a message. He probably had already fallen asleep.
Cheng Man opened his WeChat Moments. There was no update.
She exited WeChat and, feeling a bit bored, searched for his phone number on the web. In the end, she found nothing. Sleepiness overtakes.
She had a very strange dream.
In the dream, there was a thick fog. She wanted to find Cheng Yi, but she was surrounded by cold seawater. Fear instantly filled her heart. She swam upwards like crazy. Finally, she saw Cheng Yi. He was on the shore.
There seemed to be a piece of glass between them. The man couldn’t see her. He turned around indifferently, leaving only his back.
Cheng Man woke up suddenly, realizing it was a dream. She couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.
The dormitory was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. There was a night – light on the desk left for her by Su Xin. She should have been relieved, but the sense of loss in her heart lingered for a long time.
–
There was a week left until the winter vacation. Her roommate was shouting for help to grab tickets.
Cheng Man had already booked her ticket. Her eyes swept over the chat box with Cheng Yi. The chat record was still at the “good night” from a few days ago.
She remembered that Su Xin often talked on the phone with Li Yansen.
But everyone has a different way of falling in love. Thinking of this, Cheng Man felt more comfortable and slowly typed.
“When will you go back to Jiangcheng during the winter vacation?”
Then she checked her phone every ten minutes.
Finally, after an hour.
Cheng Yi: “I’m not going back.”
“Not even during the Spring Festival?”
“We’ll see.”
These last two words were cold and casual.
It was like chatting with a stranger.
Cheng Man’s fingertips froze. While she was in a daze, he sent another message.
“When are you going back? I’ll see you off.”
“Manman, let’s go.”
Su Xin urged her. They planned to go to KTV tonight.
Cheng Man turned off the screen with a heavy heart and responded.
–
On the weekend, the KTV hall was quite crowded. Zhang Yilu went to book a box first.
There was still a message from Cheng Yi on her phone.
Cheng Man lowered her head. After not contacting for a few days, he didn’t explain anything.
She had never been in a relationship, but her intuition told her this was not normal.
“Let’s go quickly. Cheng Yi is probably already in the box.”
Hearing the familiar name from a passer – by, she subconsciously turned her head. She didn’t expect to run into Gu Siyue here. Obviously, the other party also saw her.
The girl beside Gu Siyue was still gossiping. “Cheng Yi took time out of his training to attend Zhang Feng’s birthday party. I think it’s just to see you.”
Gu Siyue blushed, and her voice clearly reached the ears of the people around. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
Cheng Man’s heart sank slowly. Her eyes couldn’t show her emotions. She didn’t know where Cheng Yi was or what he was doing. As his girlfriend, she knew nothing.
But others did.
Su Xin couldn’t bear it. “Our Manman is Brother Yi’s girlfriend. Unlike some people, no matter how much they chase after him, he doesn’t care.”
Gu Siyue sneered disdainfully. “Cheng Yi hasn’t admitted it personally. What right does she have?”
Su Xin was so angry that she rolled up her sleeves. “You…”
Cheng Man pursed her lips, motioning for her not to be impulsive. She raised her eyes. “I haven’t done anything wrong, and I don’t know you.”
The girl’s face was gentle, and her voice was calm and cold. It left Gu Siyue speechless for several seconds. She even felt inferior. She wanted to refute but was finally pulled away by her friend.
The surroundings became quiet. Su Xin gave her a thumbs – up. “This is the demeanor a sister – in – law of Cheng should have.”
“I’m going to the toilet. Zhang Yilu will send the box number in the group. Don’t get lost.”
Cheng Man nodded and walked forward aimlessly. She hesitated and then picked up her phone to type.
“Damn it, don’t you watch where you’re going?”
The person in front of her had a vulgar voice, like a hooligan.
“Sorry.” She said and was about to pass by him.
“Hey, is just an apology enough for bumping into someone?” Jiang Neng thought this person looked familiar but couldn’t remember for a moment.
At the same time, several boys appeared at the KTV entrance.
“Having such a big – scale birthday party. I heard forty or fifty people are coming today.”
Cheng Yi looked at his phone, put his hand in his pocket, and found it empty. “Do you have a cigarette?”
Chang Jian handed one to him. “Brother Yi, you just got into a relationship, and the coach has been tying you up with training every day. Can you balance your career and love?”
He bit the cigarette and didn’t speak. He had been at the base recently and really hadn’t contacted much. Besides, to be honest, he had forgotten that he now had a girlfriend.
“Fuck, isn’t that Cheng Man?”
Cheng Yi’s hand, which was lowering to light the cigarette, suddenly stopped. He looked up.
–
Jiang Neng laughed even more wantonly. “Don’t be silent. We’re not bad people.
“How about going to my brother’s box for a few drinks? Then this debt will be written off. What do you think?”
Cheng Man took a step back. “I’ve already apologized.”
As she finished speaking, she happened to see several people behind Jiang Neng. Cheng Yi was among them.
She felt a little guilty. She hadn’t replied to his message, and now they met in such a situation.
It also proved that what Gu Siyue said was true.
Chang Jian raised his eyebrows. “This guy is bullying Brother Yi’s girl.”
Feeling the man approaching, Cheng Man let out a sigh of relief. Her arm was suddenly held by a pair of warm and rough hands, which then gradually slid down and lingeringly placed on her wrist.
Cheng Yi’s eyes were gloomy. He glanced at her and then looked at Jiang Neng. Although he was smiling, he was extremely oppressive. “What kind of wine? I’ll drink it for her.”
Jiang Neng recognized who the person in front of him was. They were in the same racing team, and he was a world champion. Naturally, he didn’t dare to be too arrogant.
“I still have something to do. Brother Yi, I’ll leave first.”
But he hadn’t taken two steps.
“Wait.” Cheng Yi’s tone was very light, but it made her heart jump uncontrollably.
He said, “You apologize to my girlfriend.”
Jiang Neng’s fists tightened. With so many people watching, he gritted his teeth. “Sister – in – law, I’m sorry.”
Everyone left one after another.
Zhang Yilu appeared behind them at some point. She stared in shock at their hands held together. “What’s going on? Are you two dating?”
Seeing that Cheng Man was about to explain, she suddenly realized. “Oh, you and Cheng Yi are friends. You just happened to hold hands.”
After she said this, there seemed to be some students from Nanyang around. They all looked over.
Her cheeks suddenly became hot. She wanted to break free from his hand, but he held it even tighter. Subconsciously, she wanted to explain. “It’s not what you think.”
Cheng Yi didn’t show much emotion. After the people left, he also pulled her away.
Her wrist was held by him until she was pressed against the door in an empty box. Then Cheng Man came back to her senses.
She suddenly hated her sensitive and cowardly personality. She could easily be affected by others’ words.
But she had no way. Loving someone, that feeling of being anxious and insecure was too uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry.”
Cheng Yi suddenly laughed. He bent down and forced her to look at him. The girl’s eyes were slightly red, and his heart softened again. “Sorry for what? Am I a disgrace?”
Cheng Man quickly shook her head. “I’m afraid it will have a bad impact on you.”
It was quiet around them. Their breaths intertwined. Cheng Yi held her wrist tightly and pressed it against the door. Finally, he noticed that she was in a bad mood. “Are you angry?”
Cheng Man lowered her eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she said, “I met Gu Siyue in the hall just now. She said you were in the same box. I thought… so I was a little angry.”
Cheng Yi frowned. His thoughts suddenly became coherent. So, she was jealous.
“There’s a race coming up. The training was too late, so I didn’t disturb you. I came here today because it’s a friend’s birthday.”
Cheng Man was slow to react for half a second and then slowly nodded.
The phone rang. He clicked his tongue. Without changing his position, he watched her answer the phone. “The gift has been delivered.”
The person on the other end of the phone was very noisy. “No, Brother Yi, if you don’t come, what’s the point of my birthday?”
Cheng Yi hooked his lips. “I’m coaxing my girlfriend. I’m busy.”
His voice was low and deep, getting into her ears, making her itchy.
There was a faint wall – lamp in the box. Cheng Man’s eyes were fixed on the photo behind his transparent phone case. No wonder she couldn’t find it that day. So it was here.
A strong sense of belonging suddenly rose in her heart. Cheng Man smiled and was about to speak.
Outside the door.
“I seem to have heard Brother Yi’s voice.”
Chang Jian slapped his shoulder impatiently. “Are you stupid? Brother Yi must be kissing Cheng Man. If you speak so loudly, it will be embarrassing if they hear it.”
They were just standing outside, separated by only one door.
Cheng Man’s breath stopped. She didn’t even dare to breathe loudly.
Cheng Yi happened to be in a bent – down position. She was in his arms and could feel the clean and pleasant smell on his head.
They were like having an affair.
The voices outside gradually faded away.
In the dim light, Cheng Yi grinned and deliberately teased her. His body also got closer. “Kiss?”
His tone was straightforward, ambiguous, and a bit ruffian.
Cheng Man felt her entire neck turn red. The man’s face was very close. She was both anticipation and shy in an indescribable way.
Cheng Yi smiled and straightened up. “What is a good student thinking?”
She came back to her senses all of a sudden. This person was so bad. “Rogue.” She pushed him away angrily and went out.
Cheng Yi followed her out of the box, raised his hand, took out a cigarette, and bit it in his mouth. The lighter flickered on and off. Through the smoke, he looked at the figure in the distance.
The smile on his face disappeared, and his annoyance grew even stronger.
Thinking of the slightly upturned and glistening lips of the girl in the box, his eyes darkened slightly.
Suddenly, he was choked by the smoke. He squinted his eyes and coughed lightly. Only then did the strange feeling in his heart fade away.
–
After the misunderstanding was cleared up, her mood became much better. After that, Cheng Yi seemed to suddenly understand something. He would send her messages from time to time. Sometimes when she replied slowly because she was practicing the piano, he would ask, “Ignoring me?”
It was such a fierce tone that added a bit of earthly touch to him. He was probably the kind of person who was born with the skills to deal with people. Cheng Man couldn’t deny that being in love with him was a thrilling thing.
Until she heard the news that he was injured during training. Chang Jian was hesitant to speak on the phone. Cheng Man’s heart sank. The thing she was most afraid of still happened.
On the way to the hospital, she was in a daze. Her legs were so weak that she was panicking. Her mind was blank. After the blankness, there was fear.
The ward was quiet. Chang Jian saw her and came out from inside. He frowned and sighed.
The man was lying on the bed. The gauze on his forehead was oozing blood. His skin was originally fair, and his features were well – defined. The curtain was half – drawn. The flickering light and shadow shone on his face, making him look even more handsome.
She sat down with red eyes, called his name in a muffled voice. There was no response. She couldn’t help but hold his hand. “Cheng Yi, wake up…”
Still no response. She wiped her eyes. She didn’t understand why she was so weak. His racing was originally risky. After crying tired, she lay down on his hand, her shoulders trembling slightly. There was a low sobbing sound in the ward.
“I just got a scratch. I’m not dead yet.”
His voice was hoarse, with a bit of the tiredness of just waking up.
Cheng Man’s heart skipped a beat. She suddenly looked up. The man’s eyes were clear. After thinking carefully, she noticed that Chang Jian’s sad expression was extremely unnatural just now. But at that time, she was focused on Cheng Yi. With tears still on her face, she subconsciously slapped his arm, but was directly grabbed by the wrist by this person, and then their fingers intertwined.
He smiled lazily. “Trying to kill your husband?”
Cheng Man laughed and cried at the same time. She felt a bit ashamed. She wanted to get up, but with a pull of the strength in his hand, she fell on him.
The man casually put his hand on her waist. Feeling the wetness on his neck, his heart softened suddenly. “Silly girl.”
They were whispering, and their hearts were pounding.
Cheng Man’s ears were red. She wanted to say something, but the door was suddenly opened.
Chang Jian was followed by Li Yansen and the others. Seeing that they were interrupting something good, they bent down embarrassedly and directly helped close the door again.
“…”
The surroundings became quiet. Cheng Man struggled to push away. She heard the man chuckle in her ear. “If you move again, I don’t mind doing something else.”
As soon as the words fell, her mind went blank. It took her a long time to find her voice. “I’m going to the bathroom. Be careful not to touch the wound.”
She disappeared like a gust of wind. The sound of the door closing sounded. Cheng Yi took a while to sit up. His body still seemed to retain the touch and body temperature of the girl.
She was really tormenting.
–
Cheng Yi had a minor skin injury and was discharged from the hospital in the afternoon. When he returned to the dormitory, he found that the news of their relationship on the school forum was spreading like wildfire.
It even directly became a hot topic. The photo was blurry and had a watermark. It was the moment when Cheng Yi held her hand in the KTV that day. Because of the height difference, the atmosphere was very strong.
Zhang Yilu was both envious and gossipy. “Who can resist a boyfriend who is a world – champion racing driver?” She suddenly leaned over with a mischievous smile. “Hey, how is Brother Yi’s kissing skills?”
Cheng Man had just finished being teased by Su Xin and was already numb. The scene of the two of them being very close in the box that day emerged in her mind. “I don’t know.”
Lu Lin, who was putting on makeup aside, snorted disdainfully.
Zhang Yilu glanced at her and said even louder, “I’m just asking casually. Why is Manman shy? It’s not like I’m asking about your bed skills.”
“…” Cheng Man decided to ignore her. Blushing, she went straight to the piano room.
Xia Wen was also there today, but her expression was a bit different. “I heard you’re together with Cheng Yi?”
She didn’t plan to deny it and nodded. “So what?”
Xia Wen was silent for a moment, then smiled. “It’s nothing. Cheng Yi is really outstanding. By the way, do you want to sign up for the piano grading exam of the Nancheng Piano Association next month?”
Cheng Man thought for a while. She wasn’t a professional, and she wasn’t sure if she could take this path. “I’ll think about it.”
–
In the evening, when she returned to the dormitory, Su Xin obviously hadn’t noticed her yet. She was staring at her phone, typing non – stop and cursing. “These netizens are really fucking mean. Why should they…” Before she could finish, she saw the person next to her and was so startled that she quickly hid her phone behind her back. “Manman, you’re back early…”
Cheng Man didn’t say anything. She hadn’t checked her phone all afternoon while practicing the piano. She directly opened Weibo. Under the hot topic that was still at the top of the list, someone had dug out her name and photo, and the comment section was full of hostility.
She scrolled down with her fingertips, her eyes falling on those absurd words.
“I’m from the same school. I’ve seen this girl. Well… she’s just average.”
“This is it? Does she deserve Cheng Yi? She’s so ordinary!”
“…”
They didn’t even know her, yet they defined her like this. She was indeed an ordinary person. Was there something wrong with being ordinary? Didn’t ordinary people deserve love?
Su Xin saw that she wasn’t speaking and became anxious. “These keyboard warriors are just bored. No one but Cheng Yi deserves our Manman. Holy shit!”
Cheng Man was startled by the scream. “What’s wrong?”
Su Xin covered her mouth, suppressing a laugh, and held the phone in front of her.
Cheng Yi, who always had the yellow V label of a world champion, posted his first Weibo in his life: I chased her. What’s your problem?
It was concise, arrogant, and impossible to refute.
Cheng Man could almost imagine his expression when he posted these words. Suppressing her accelerating heartbeat, she called him.
He answered quickly. He probably wasn’t busy and spoke first. “What are you doing?”
She hesitated for a moment. “I just got back to the dormitory. Does your wound still hurt?”
He probably heard the noise on her side. “It’s nothing. Go to bed early and don’t play with your phone.”
The more starved for love a person is, the more easily they are moved. Cheng Man felt like an inflatable koala. Every word he said made her inflate a little more. “Thank you…”
Before she could finish, she was interrupted by Zhang Yilu’s loud voice as she pushed the door open. “Holy shit! It’s on the hot topic again! Our Brother Yi really lives up to being the top of the list of the men most wanted to sleep with in Nanyang. Damn, this is true domineering wife – protection!”
“…” Cheng Man was stunned. The key was that Cheng Yi’s phone call wasn’t hung up yet. He must have heard it. She came back to her senses and hurriedly explained. “My roommate is just joking. Don’t take it seriously.”
There was the sound of a lighter igniting and the soft sound of a cigarette butt burning coming from the receiver. The man’s voice was tinged with an ambiguous smile. “So do you want to?”
With a boom, her cheeks turned red visibly. She stammered a few words and hung up the phone.
This person always said such bold things casually, and she just couldn’t dislike him.
–
The day before the winter vacation, their dormitory was very close to the school gate, so they didn’t let Cheng Yi come in.
Along the way, she felt a lot of eyes secretly looking at her. She didn’t need to think to know why. Cheng Yi’s popularity was almost on par with that of a top – tier celebrity. But this person really had the capital. He competed for the country.
From afar, a conspicuous sports car was parked across the road at the gate.
It was waiting for her.
The man was leaning casually against the car. He was wearing a black T – shirt and work pants, exuding a bit more youthful air. When he saw Cheng Man coming out, he stepped forward and took the luggage.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“Just arrived.” Cheng Yi bit a cigarette in his mouth. There was a Band – Aid on his forehead. He looked both ruffian and wild. He bent down, easily picked up the luggage, and put it in the trunk. After closing the trunk door, he took her hand with one hand and used the other to put out the cigarette.
The movements were smooth and natural. Cheng Man felt the warmth in her palm and suddenly thought that this Cheng Yi was really charming.
In the car, the man handed her a key. “Go to my place to practice the piano next semester.”
Before Cheng Yi could let her process this, he had already stuffed the house key into her bag. She remembered that day in KFC when he asked her when her birthday was. “My birthday hasn’t come yet, and this is too expensive.”
It was said that the original family would affect a person’s consumption concept. When she received a valuable gift, her first reaction was guilt.
Cheng Yi held the steering wheel with one hand and took her hand with the other. “The team gave it. You can let it gather dust if you don’t play.”
She rubbed it with her fingertips for a moment. Although she felt a bit uneasy in her heart, it would be a waste to let it gather dust. “Then I’ll go and wipe it for you when I’m free.”
The girl’s voice was gentle and soft, with a bit of slyness. Cheng Yi couldn’t help but laugh. “Send me a message when you get home.”
Cheng Man nodded. “Will the winter training be very tiring?”
“I’m used to it.”
“Pay attention to rest.”
At the red light, Cheng Yi rubbed the top of her head. “Otherwise, I’ll go back and accompany you.”
The man’s teasing eyes seemed to have guessed what she was thinking. A blush appeared on her cheeks. “Will you keep racing in the future?”
“Yeah. What about you?”
Cheng Man thought for a while. “I don’t know.”
The noon sun was blinding. Cheng Yi started the engine. “Just keep going forward.”
She didn’t quite understand. “Where is forward?”
“Anywhere is forward.”
Cheng Man’s breath paused slightly. “Okay.”
At the entrance of the station, she couldn’t help but look back. The man was standing by the car. Feeling her gaze, he raised his eyes and looked over.
Cheng Man raised the corners of her mouth, waved at him with a smile, and then turned and walked into the crowd.
Until her figure disappeared, Cheng Yi withdrew his gaze. He smoked a cigarette on the spot before getting in the car and leaving.
–
At Jiangcheng Station, no one came to pick her up. Cheng Man didn’t mind.
When she opened the door, Zhang Linfang was on the phone with a friend, speaking with a smile and politeness. After hanging up the phone, she glanced at her lightly and didn’t say a word.
Her mother’s kindness and warmth were for outsiders. Once the door was closed, she was always cold – eyed and mean. But the child in the baby chair saw her and called out “Sister” crisply.
Zhang Linfang disliked her father for being poor when she was young. She got married because she was pregnant with her, unable to bear the feudal public opinion.
She didn’t like her husband and thus hated the child. Thinking about it now, Cheng Man could understand.
Her current husband, Lin Kai, liked to gamble. Because he lost too much money, he went to work in another place and wouldn’t come back for New Year’s Eve. Cheng Man thus got a chance to breathe.
Back in the bedroom, she thought about sending Cheng Yi a message to report her safety.
For some reason, just thinking of Cheng Yi’s name made her happy. After meeting this person, she also realized that this was what youth was like, a once – in – a – lifetime youth.
The phone flashed. It was a notice of the piano grading exam registration of the Piano Association.
This time, she didn’t hesitate much. She clicked to submit the information, put down the phone, and looked out of the window.
This path was hard, but it was also moving forward. In this world, a person lived for several decades. She didn’t want to live just for the sake of living. She had to live for something meaningful.
Not long after, Cheng Yi called. He seemed to be taking off his helmet, and his voice was sometimes loud and sometimes soft. “Have you arrived home?”
“Yeah. Have you eaten?”
“I’ll go later. I have to train late today.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the coach on the other side was urging him.
Cheng Man picked at the edge of the desk. In a hurry, she said, “Be careful. Remember to think of me.”
After saying that, she hung up the phone before he could respond. Her cheeks were so hot that they seemed to be burning.
Cheng Yi stared at the turned – off screen, was silent for a moment, and the undercurrent in his eyes slowly surged.
The cold wind of deep winter was fierce. Once he was engaged in intensive training, time passed quickly.
After running the last lap, he took off his helmet and pulled down the blue – and – white racing suit from his throat. Because of his high concentration, the broken hair on his forehead was slightly wet.
Casually looking up, he found that the tallest billboard next to the base had been changed to a festive red.
Only then did he realize that the new year was coming soon.
A video came from the WeChat dialog box.
In the video, the girl’s fingertips were red with cold. She was holding a lit fairy wand and saying “Happy New Year.”
It was quiet around. Listening carefully, her voice seemed a bit lonely.
He lowered his eyes and played it twice. Then a phone call came in.
There was some noise on the other side. “You brat, don’t you know to call your grandma during the New Year?”
“I just finished training.”
The old woman snorted. “Come back to visit me next year sometime.”
Cheng Yi looked at the ground and smiled. “There’s nothing to see about me alone.”
“Just because you’re alone. When are you going to find a girlfriend to take care of you? Then grandma will be at ease. And remember to visit your mother during the New Year.”
Hearing this, he frowned impatiently and replied with an “mm – hmm.” After saying a few more words, he ended the call. The coach also walked over from a distance. “It’s almost seven o’clock. Come to my house for New Year’s Eve dinner.”
Fireworks flashed in the sky. He looked at the billboard again, not knowing what he was thinking.
“No need.”
–
When she came back from outside, the living room was full of children’s toys. Cheng Man silently cleaned them up one by one.
Zhang Linfang had gone back to her husband’s hometown for the New Year. She was the only one left at home.
Cheng Man lay on the bed. The message she sent earlier hadn’t been replied to yet.
She watched the Spring Festival Gala for a while, and then received a call from Cheng Yi.
“Are you outside?”
She was startled, quickly sat up, and her voice was full of surprise. “No, I’m already home.”
“What did you have for New Year’s Eve dinner?”
“I’m not hungry now. I’ll eat something later.” As if she had guessed what the man was going to ask, she added, “They went back to their hometown.”
“…”
Cheng Yi held the steering wheel. In his mind was the girl’s relaxed tone on the phone just now. His eyes were dim and unclear. He suddenly remembered what He Rong had said about her parents’ divorce at the party that day.
–
Before she knew it, the Spring Festival Gala was broadcasting a chorus. Cheng Man opened her phone again and only then saw the message Su Xin had sent an hour ago.
“Brother Yi just asked me for your home address. Are you spending the New Year together?”
She was confused. Then she heard a clear knock on the door. It was the delivery guy.
She didn’t need to think to know it must be related to Cheng Yi.
It was noodles from Fupinxuan, a well – known local delicacy in Jiangcheng. She remembered that they didn’t do takeout, especially not on New Year’s Eve.
The steaming heat from the bowl added a bit of earthly atmosphere to the empty living room. She couldn’t help but call him again.
“Have you eaten enough?”
Cheng Man curved her lips. “Thank you. Have you arrived home?”
“Not yet.”
“Ah, why haven’t you gone back? It’s very cold outside today.”
Cheng Yi chuckled for a moment. “It’s not cold.”
She frowned and walked to the balcony, opened the window. Her fingertips immediately shrank from the cold. “I’ve tried. It’s cold.”
“Happy New Year.”
His voice was very soft, with a smile, and it reached her ears in a fine and dense way.
Cheng Yi subconsciously lowered her eyes. The neon lights flickered, reflecting in her pupils, along with the man standing downstairs, leaning against the car body.
Just then, he also looked up.
Their eyes met.
Love at first sight.
–
She wrapped her down jacket tightly and ran downstairs. The smile on her face was so sweet that it seemed to overflow. “You said you wouldn’t come back. Driving so late is very dangerous.”
He held her cold fingertips in his palm. Looking at the girl’s smiling face, he suddenly felt it was worth it. “I was afraid the little one would cry alone at home. Get in the car.”
Cheng Man obediently got into the passenger seat and didn’t admit it. “I didn’t.”
“All right. It seems you didn’t miss me much.”
“I did.” She mumbled in a muffled voice.
Cheng Yi looked at her, his Adam’s apple moved. The phone rang.
He held the phone and listened silently. Finally, he said lightly, “Got it.” He started the engine. “Accompany me to a place.”
Along the way, Cheng Man couldn’t help but look at him sideways. The man was frowning, holding the steering wheel with one hand, and taking out a cigarette with the other. Seemingly remembering that there was someone beside him in the car, he cursed as he threw the cigarette away.
When they arrived in the urban area, looking at the hospital sign opposite, she guessed something. She gently tugged at his sleeve. “Are you okay?”
Cheng Yi’s movement of opening the car door paused slightly. “Sit and wait for me to come back.”
The man’s figure disappeared at the hospital entrance. Cheng Man withdrew her gaze. In fact, she had seen his mother once in high school.
In front of the grade bulletin board, the woman smiled gently and asked her if she was Cheng Man, who was the first in the grade.
She recognized who the woman was and nodded nervously. They also chatted for a while. For some reason, she felt a kind of motherly love from this woman that she had never experienced before.
In high school, Cheng Yi not only raced but also had excellent grades. He was admitted to the Finance Department of Nanyang University as the first in the college entrance examination. As a mother, she naturally contributed a lot.
But she didn’t expect it to end up like this.
–
“Just had a sedative injection. The patient has serious self – harm and aggression tendencies. The wrist veins were bitten by her mouth. Mr. Cheng, be careful when you go in.”
Cheng Yi showed no emotion, nodded, and pushed the door open.
On the hospital bed, Li Shuya stared blankly at the ceiling, her mouth moving, mumbling incoherently. “Baby… Baby… That’s my good baby…”
Throughout the process, he had a cold face. The woman’s hair was messy, and the place where her wrist was wrapped in gauze was oozing blood.
She was completely crazy.
Cheng Yi’s voice was cold. “Mom.”
The woman on the hospital bed was suddenly stimulated. Her pupils dilated. “I’m not your mother… I’m not your mother… You’re just like that beast… You all deserve to die… You all deserve to die…” Her voice turned into a murmur. At the end, the fist she was clenching suddenly relaxed, and she fell asleep.
Cheng Yi lowered his eyes. He was already numb to the harsh words. Even though he was extremely disgusted and depressed, he still tucked the quilt for her. Before leaving, his hand was on the doorknob, and his steps slowly stopped. A word stuck in his throat.
After a long time, he finally left in silence.
On New Year’s Eve, the roads were deserted.
The man stood at the hospital entrance, a cigarette in his mouth. After taking out the lighter, he lowered his head to shield the wind, revealing his dark eyebrows and eyes.
The orange – red fire ignited, and a wisp of gray – white smoke rolled out from his thin lips.
He almost forgot when his parents started arguing every day and then blamed all their mistakes on him.
He tried hard to be the good child in their hearts, tried hard to take care of their emotions.
Until now, he still didn’t understand why they hated him so much but still gave birth to him.
Later, his father had an affair. That day, he was holding the admission notice and saw his father lying in a pool of blood, and beside him was his mother with blood – stained hands and a crazy expression.
The cigarette ash fell rustlingly at his feet. The cold wind poured into his collar, bringing endless chill.
The corners of Cheng Yi’s eyes showed a shallow smile, a mocking smile that went deep into his bones.
“Cheng Yi.” A soft and crisp voice interrupted his thoughts.
Before he could react, a small figure had thrown into his arms The girl hugged his waist. The faint light made her cheeks rosy. Cheng Yi’s eyes flickered. The gray – hazy world in front of him seemed to be torn apart by a hand, and sunlight shone in.
His heart was like an old gear with a spring, creaking and starting to operate.
“Been waiting impatiently?”
Cheng Man shook her head. She had been watching him from the car just now. The man’s figure carried a faint sense of loneliness. She felt that she could never quite figure out what he was thinking.
“Well, I wanted to see you.”
Cheng Yi was stunned. In an instant, a sour and swollen feeling filled his chest, and he couldn’t get rid of it. His tone unconsciously softened. “Wanna watch the fireworks?”
–
On the other side of the lake, the buildings were scattered in height, with lights on and off, enshrouding the entire bustling city in this worldly atmosphere.
There were no streetlights around, but because of the fireworks in the sky, it was no longer dim.
Cheng Man quietly accompanied him, sitting against the front of the car. She had always thought that Cheng Yi had many sides – proud, frivolous, yet more mature and stable than his peers, as if he didn’t care about anything.
But now, the person in front of her suddenly seemed more real. He was no longer out of reach but was like her, with emotions and secrets.
“Have you heard a saying?” She continued, looking at the fireworks. “If a person who is afraid of the dark suddenly falls in love with the darkness, then there must be a beam of light beside her.”
The man lowered his eyes, with no obvious ripples in his eyes. “What if there isn’t?”
She was taken aback by the question. “There must be.”
Cheng Yi took off his coat and draped it over her. He looked up at the sky. “I’ve also heard that after getting used to the darkness, you’ll find that you are the beam of light yourself.”
Perhaps, that was true.
We grow up wild, and we ourselves are the moonlight.
Not far away, several couples suddenly came. The teenagers waved their arms towards the fireworks.
The severe winter dissipated, and the stars shone brightly.
Cheng Man turned her eyes back and asked with a smile, “What’s your New Year’s wish?”
Cheng Yi turned his eyes, his cheeks flickering in the firelight. He said in a low voice, “To be with you all the time.” He tucked the stray hair that covered her eyes behind her ear. “And you?”
Cheng Man smiled, imitating his tone. “To like you all the time.” Then she added in a small voice, “Or you can just be safe and sound.”
She considered herself ordinary, having no great ambitions, just wanting to live a quiet life.
But the young man was passionate and flamboyant, and he shouldn’t and couldn’t be defined by ordinariness.
Her Cheng Yi would surely have a bright future and shine brightly.
The man didn’t speak. He just looked at her, his eyes reflecting like amber.
His gaze was direct, piercing through the light and shadow. Cheng Man could feel that he was being gradually engulfed by some kind of emotion.
“Cheng Man.” He called her name alone.
She turned her head. “Hm?”
“I’ll teach you how to kiss.”
The air around seemed to be sucked out at this moment, becoming so thin that it made people feel short of breath.
Cheng Yi pressed the back of her head, being both domineering and forceful. Her lips and teeth were gradually pried open, and the air was filled with his breath.
There was the smell of cigarettes and mint.
As time passed, the New Year’s bell rang.
Fireworks continuously soared into the sky, scattering like fireflies in the night. The sound of the wind and the cheers merged into one.
Many years later, thinking back to this night filled with continuous firelight.
It was like a dream, the only sweetness in the boundless darkness, so beautiful that it was almost untouchable.
End.
