Chapter Thirty-One

Zhang Yi looked forward to the day he could return. Determined not to disappoint everyone, he wanted to recover as quickly as possible, gritting his teeth through the pain of rehabilitation.

Back at his computer, Zhang Yi started browsing the internet. Since his right arm was immobile, his parents had swapped the mouse for a wireless one so he could use his left hand, making things a bit easier for him. He opened a shopping site and ordered a bouquet of flowers, purchasing the first one he saw for ninety-nine yuan. He had originally wanted to pick out flowers at a shop himself, but that plan had fallen through. The delivery was expected to arrive in four days. After shutting down his computer, Zhang Yi lay back in bed and picked up a novel, one recommended by Yu Xingyue. The author was a newcomer with modest talent, but Zhang Yi wanted to support him and give him motivation to keep writing.

Just then, he heard a noise by the window. Zhang Yi got out of bed to investigate. When he opened the window, he saw only darkness outside. As he was about to close it, a hand suddenly grabbed his left hand.

“Ah!” Zhang Yi cried out in fright. The hand, startled by his scream, immediately let go.

“What’s wrong, Zhang Yi? Is your arm hurting again?” His mother rushed into the room. She had been tidying up her own things but had come running at the sound of his scream.

“Oh, it’s nothing, Mom. I just saw a cockroach and yelled. It ran out of my room. Maybe you could look for it?”

“Is that so? As long as you’re alright. I’ll be going, then.”

“Okay.” Zhang Yi responded obediently, closing the door as soon as his mother left. He hurried back to the window. The person who had grabbed his hand was still there. Judging by the small, slender hand and the lack of strength in its grip, Zhang Yi guessed it was a girl. But who would come looking for him so late at night?

In a low voice, Zhang Yi said, “Come out—since you grabbed my hand, you have to take responsibility and marry me.”

“Who would marry you, you scoundrel?” came a familiar voice. Zhang Yi realized he’d heard it somewhere before. A girl stepped out of the darkness and appeared at the window.

“It’s you.” Zhang Yi recognized her—wasn’t this Li Li, who had been in the neighboring bed just yesterday? What did she want with him?

Li Li pulled five one-hundred-yuan bills from her pocket and said, “I took your money. I’m returning it now.”

Zhang Yi hesitated to accept the cash. “You didn’t spend all five hundred and then steal another five hundred to give back to me, did you?”

“You’re impossible. I took your money and felt too guilty to keep it, so I brought it back. Yet you still think this way.” Li Li flushed red, clearly from anger.

Zhang Yi stashed the money away. “It’s late. Aren’t you going home?”

“I don’t have a home—where would I go?”

“Sorry, I put my foot in my mouth again.”

“That’s enough for today. I’ll be back.” With that, Li Li vanished into the darkness. Zhang Yi couldn’t see her any longer, but from her tone, it seemed she would return, though he didn’t know when. She had looked exhausted and pale, as if she hadn’t eaten. Zhang Yi fell deep into thought.

...

On Saturday, Yu Xingyue left early to meet with Lin Ling. Since winning the national taekwondo championship, Lin Ling had not been seen—Coach Tian Nan had said she was working and had no time to return to the dojo.

This meeting was to see Lin Ling. Yu Xingyue wanted to know why she had left the neighborhood where they used to live together—he wanted to hear the truth.

They agreed to meet at the place where Yu Xingyue worked, the Heartbreak Café. When he pushed open the café door, he saw Lin Zimo chatting with Lin Ling. Beside Lin Ling sat a young man who immediately drew Yu Xingyue’s attention. He walked over and sat down next to Lin Zimo. “Senior, you’re here early?”

“Perfect timing. Let me introduce you—this is my boyfriend,” Lin Ling said, gesturing to the man beside her.

The young man seemed shy and spoke haltingly. “Um... I’m Wu Guanzhong. You’re... the one Lin Ling always calls Yueyue, right?”

“Yueyue?” Yu Xingyue felt both exasperated and amused. Lin Ling had given him an even worse nickname than Guoguo. She must have mentioned him often to Wu Guanzhong, so it was only natural he called him by that name.

“Senior Lin, when did you get a boyfriend?” Lin Zimo asked curiously.

Lin Ling took a sip of coffee and smiled. “That’s a long story.”

She began recounting how she and Wu Guanzhong had met, starting from her retirement. After Yu Xingyue retired, Lin Ling learned the truth about what had happened to him, which made her so angry that she quit as well. That period had been the darkest time in Lin Ling’s life. She couldn’t find Yu Xingyue, who had moved away with his mother, Yang Shuting, as soon as he left the sport.

Lin Ling had been devastated by his departure and hadn’t gotten the chance to say goodbye. She shut herself away in her room, refusing to talk to anyone. No amount of persuasion from her family helped.

During that time, she met Wu Guanzhong. His parents were former classmates and close friends of Lin Ling’s parents. Hearing about Lin Ling’s situation, Wu Guanzhong was curious and wanted to see her. Lin Ling’s parents warned him not to upset her, as she was in a fragile state.

Taking their advice to heart, Wu Guanzhong nervously approached Lin Ling’s room. He hesitated at the door, his breath coming fast—this was his first time entering a girl’s room. He peeked in, surveying the space. For a teenage boy, it was a heady, hormone-charged moment. Only after making sure everything was normal did he tiptoe inside and close the door.

Seeing Lin Ling lying on the bed, he assumed she was asleep and tried not to disturb her. He was about to leave when Lin Ling suddenly sprang up, grabbed his right hand, and threw him over her shoulder.

“Ow!” Lin Ling’s parents rushed in at the sound of the commotion, scolding Lin Ling for treating a guest that way. She had just assumed Wu Guanzhong was up to no good.

Lin Ling’s throw was fierce, and Wu Guanzhong ended up with an internal injury to his back. Since his parents were in town for a visit and staying at Lin Ling’s house, she took on the responsibility of caring for him, feeling guilty for hurting him.

Lin Ling cared for him with genuine attention, and Wu Guanzhong, bedridden, enjoyed her company. Over time, affection blossomed between them. Both families were aware of their growing relationship and did not object—they were nearly twenty, after all, and what is youth without a passionate romance?

When Wu Guanzhong recovered, he took Lin Ling’s hand for the first time and invited her out for a walk. Their parents looked on with gentle smiles. The two of them began to discuss their future. Lin Ling’s parents were pleased with Wu Guanzhong, feeling that, though he was shy and reserved, Lin Ling’s presence would bring out the best in him.

When Wu Guanzhong’s parents finally left, the couple parted ways, but stayed in touch and would call whenever they missed each other.

Recently, Lin Ling had asked Wu Guanzhong to help her find Yu Xingyue. At first, Wu Guanzhong wondered if there was something between them, but his concerns vanished when he heard Yu Xingyue call Lin Ling “senior.”

As for how Wu Guanzhong found Yu Xingyue’s address—he had a knack for computers, particularly hacking, a skill inherited from his police-officer parents. He hacked into Yu Xingyue’s computer without him ever noticing, then sent the address to Lin Ling, allowing her to find Yu Xingyue at his new job at the café.

Hearing all this, Yu Xingyue said with feeling, “So that’s how it happened. I owe our reunion to you.”

Wu Guanzhong smiled sheepishly. “Not really, I just…”

“Just what?”

“I thought… you and Lin Ling… were, you know…” His voice dwindled to a whisper and he lowered his head.

Lin Ling wrapped her arms around Wu Guanzhong’s neck. “That’s just how he is—he gets shy around people. Don’t mind him.”

“I envy you, Senior Lin, finding such a good man,” Lin Zimo said with a smile.

“Brother, I’m trusting you—treat Senior Lin well. If I ever find out you’re mistreating her, I’ll stand up for her,” Yu Xingyue warned Wu Guanzhong. Even the quiet ones could be deceptive, so he was just being cautious.

“I… will treat… Lin Ling… well, Yueyue.” Wu Guanzhong stammered.

“Yueyue…” Yu Xingyue was called that again. He struggled to contain his irritation, reminding himself to speak civilly with the man who might one day be Lin Ling’s husband. If Wu Guanzhong added another “little” to the nickname, it would be a different story.

Lin Zimo said, “Hugo, don’t fuss about nicknames anymore. He’s already shy—you shouldn’t tease him.”

“Little Yueyue, don’t you bully my precious. If you make him cry, I won’t forgive you,” Lin Ling said, hugging Wu Guanzhong tightly. The blush on Wu Guanzhong’s face made him look like a baby nestled in his mother’s arms.

“Little Yueyue… I can’t win with you. But if he ever lets Senior Lin down, I won’t let him off,” Yu Xingyue warned again, this time more gently.

No one could predict what might happen in Lin Ling’s future. Lin Ling, growing anxious, changed the subject. “I’m telling you, Little Yueyue, you’re not getting any younger. Isn’t it time you found a girlfriend?”

“Me? Senior, don’t joke. Who would want a guy as ugly as me?” Yu Xingyue replied, self-mockingly.