Chapter 105

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Zhang Yi arrived outside the hospital and scanned the surroundings. He noticed a woman in a black trench coat waving at him. Knowing she was the one sending him the message, he walked directly toward her. The woman’s peculiar attire near the hospital drew attention easily. Standing before her, Zhang Yi said, “Don’t talk here. I know a place. Come with me.”

He led the woman in black to the back of the hospital, a seldom-visited area ideal for a private conversation. Before she could speak, Zhang Yi asked, “Are you Huang Feifan’s mother? Or Huang Jing’s? Is what you’re doing really right? How is this any different from abandonment, especially when the cost is so high?”

The woman in the black trench coat was indeed Huang Feifan’s mother. Half of her face was hidden by her hair. She had set fire to her own home, but the police couldn’t identify her, so Fang Lixia was not in danger. The only flaw was the burn scars on her face, which she concealed with her hair.

Fang Lixia said, “I’m ashamed to face her with this appearance. I want her to live a happy, carefree life without any harm. That’s why I chose to leave.”

Zhang Yi, slightly angry, replied, “What you’re doing has nothing to do with leaving; it’s more like abandonment. When she heard you were dead, she fainted on the spot. You’re her number one in her heart.”

Fang Lixia responded, “I’m not leaving forever, just temporarily. I have some matters to attend to far away, which will involve Huang Jing. So, I want to ask you a favor.”

“Go ahead. As long as it’s within my power, I’ll do it no matter what.”

“While I’m gone, please take care of Huang Jing. She’s never been wronged. She can’t eat anything too hot or too sweet. She must often drink goji berry tea; that’s how she maintains her health.” Fang Lixia carefully explained Huang Feifan’s habits to Zhang Yi, who listened attentively.

Fang Lixia knew Huang Feifan well and loved her deeply; her departure was only for the sake of a better reunion.

With a sense of relief, Fang Lixia said, “She’s never been wronged. Recently, she stayed at your place. As far as I know, you’re the only man she trusts.”

Zhang Yi scratched his head bashfully. “I didn’t expect to be the lucky one she trusts. Maybe she really does trust someone like me.”

Zhang Yi agreed to Fang Lixia’s request. During her absence, he would care for Huang Feifan. Fang Lixia bowed deeply, white strands of hair falling to the ground.

Zhang Yi only lost sight of her figure once she rounded the corner. As Fang Lixia walked away, tears streamed down her burned face, causing sharp pain. She gritted her teeth, refusing to make a sound. She no longer wanted any trouble; her own problems were already enough.

After setting her home on fire and sustaining severe burns, Fang Lixia, having narrowly escaped death, wanted to find a quiet place to hide. The streets were full of police, all searching for her. Her wanted poster was plastered on every wall, but her burned face covered by hair made her unrecognizable.

She had simply fled to another city to wait for the heat to die down before reuniting with Huang Feifan.

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Zhang Yi returned to the hospital ward but found Huang Feifan missing from the bed. Panic gripped him. Fang Lixia had entrusted Huang Feifan to him, and he didn’t want anything to happen to her.

“That girl really makes me worry for nothing,” Zhang Yi muttered irritably, then turned to search for Huang Feifan. Just as he stepped out, he nearly collided with someone. He stumbled and fell hard, looking up at the person who had bumped into him. “Hey, Huang Feifan, watch where you’re going! My backside feels like it’s on fire.” He rubbed his sore bottom, the impact still burning.

Huang Feifan hurriedly helped him up. “Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean to.” She paused, then said, “Wait! You haven’t told me where you just went?”

Gone was the masculine air she usually wore; instead, she exuded the spirit of a tough tomboy. Despite her small frame, she pressed Zhang Yi down with her intensity, reversing the roles of who questioned whom.

“No, I should be the one asking you. Why do you always make me worry?” Zhang Yi refused to be intimidated and tried to assert himself.

Huang Feifan immediately lost ground, flopping onto the bed and pouting. “Oh, I was just joking with you. Why so serious? But you really looked scared earlier. Am I that intimidating?”

Zhang Yi blushed, embarrassed. Huang Feifan’s fierce aura had indeed made him step back a few paces—just for five seconds. That was fine; she hadn’t pressed further about his whereabouts. He couldn’t tell her his mother had come to talk to her. If she learned her mother was alive, she’d surely grill Zhang Yi for details.

Zhang Yi was always tight-lipped, only revealing the truth when absolutely necessary. Now wasn’t the time; he would wait until Fang Lixia resolved her affairs before telling Huang Feifan. What she needed most now was warmth.

“Are you feeling unwell anywhere? If not, I’ll tell the doctor you’re fine.” Zhang Yi thought Huang Feifan was ready for discharge. He couldn’t stand the hospital’s heavy smell of medicine any longer.

“There’s still about three hours of observation left. Then I’ll be able to leave. If you have patience, stay with me,” Huang Feifan said.

“Then should I call you Huang Feifan or Huang Jing?” Zhang Yi was conflicted. Calling her Huang Feifan might upset her, but Huang Jing felt unfamiliar. Perhaps she had grown used to being called Huang Feifan.

Huang Feifan said, “Let’s do this: in public, I’ll stay in male attire, and you can call me Huang Feifan. At home, I’ll switch back to female clothes, and you can call me Huang Jing. If you don’t get used to it, calling me Huang Feifan is fine too.”

“Alright, then,” Zhang Yi agreed.

Putting aside the naming issue, Zhang Yi and Huang Feifan spent the next three hours in the hospital room. Bored, they even played blackjack. Someone had left a deck of cards on the bed beside Huang Feifan’s. Zhang Yi knew blackjack, so they played. As for the card game “Dou Di Zhu,” it required three players; with only two present, Huang Feifan couldn’t play it. She was familiar with the mobile version but had never won.

…

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A phone number was dialed. When answered, the voice asked, “Is she still relentlessly looking for me?”

“I haven’t seen her much lately. At first, I thought she had given up on you, but I was wrong.”

“What happened?” the voice inquired.

“She posted your information online, revealing how to contact you. From now on, those interested in the senior sister will likely call. I feel they don’t have good intentions.”

“She’ll find a way to handle it. As for the phone number, I’ll get a new one and give you the new contact details. Don’t let her know.”

Yuxing Yue sighed. “Is that really alright? Senior Sister Lin Ling keeps searching for you, and we only need a phone to communicate. If she finds out, she’ll question me thoroughly.”

On the other end, Wu Guanzhong sighed. Then, the sound of a lighter flicking was heard. Wu Guanzhong had developed a smoking habit since leaving.

Yuxing Yue asked with concern, “Brother Wu, are you smoking? Try to cut down; smoking is harmful to your health.”

Wu Guanzhong flicked ash. “The pack warns you not to, but who listens? Smokers keep smoking.”

“Brother Wu, I have something to tell you.” Yuxing Yue took a deep breath. “I’ll be studying in Japan for the next two years. I might not know what happens during that time. I wanted to warn you in advance.”

Wu Guanzhong stubbed out his cigarette. “Thanks for the warning. On the day you leave, I’ll be the first to see you off. Let’s keep it from your senior sister; I don’t want my presence to cause her more pain.”

Yuxing Yue spoke earnestly, “I’ll help keep it secret. Once you’ve come to terms with things and want to return to her, I’ll refuse. Parting is only for a better reunion. I believe your reunion will bring great changes.”