“Yes, I'm watching the fireworks with Wu Hao at Houhai . ” Fireworks exploded in the air over the phone after Xu Wennuan responded to Qin Zhi'ai . An audience cheered wildly before quieting down for a moment . Xu Wennuan loudly repeated her question . “Xiao'ai, when are you coming back to Beijing?”
“After January 13th . ”
“That late? I live by myself now, and I'm getting bored . You need to get back here soon,” Xu Wennuan whined . The noise became more distant as she walked away from the show .
“Okay . I'll check for an available ticket and come over . ” After pausing, Qin Zhi'ai continued, “But I have to stay here until January 6th . ”
“Okay . Love you, honey . ” Xu Wennuan giggled .
As Qin Zhi'ai was about to laugh, she heard Wu Hao say through the phone, “Bro Sheng, can you give my wife a ride first?”
Qin Zhi'ai's body stiffened .
She could vaguely hear a car engine and Gu Yusheng saying, “Okay . ”
After some background noise, she heard Gu Yusheng asking, “Address?”
“Xiao'ai, wait a second . ” Xu Wennuan then told Gu Yusheng her address and returned to her conversation with Qin Zhi'ai .
Before Xu Wennuan could talk, Qin Zhi'ai absentmindedly said, “Yes,” and then added, “Nuannuan, my mom is calling me . I need go . I'll talk to you later . ”
She didn't wait for Xu Wennuan's response . She hung up, dropped her arm to her side, and stared down the hallway in a trance .
For the past few days, she had managed to stay calm and focused . She could not have expected to ever hear him again, much less over the phone while talking to her friend .
Her world turned upside down .
Qin Zhi'ai had told her that she would be back on the 13th, but to surprise Xu Wennuan she returned to Beijing on January 12th . She arrived at the South train station at 3:00 p . m .
Chinese New Year break had just finished, so the streets of Beijing were almost empty of cars and people . The city was silent .
It took less than 20 minutes to get to the apartment from the station .
Xu Wennuan was not home, but her presence was evident by the mess in the living room and dirty clothes piled in the bathroom .
Qin Zhi'ai helplessly shook her head . Xu Wennuan had not changed a bit in all these years .
She put away her suitcase and changed her clothes before starting to clean the apartment .
By 5:00 p . m . , the sun was setting, and Xu Wennuan wasn't home yet . Qin Zhi'ai opened the refrigerator and found nothing but a few eggs and some milk . She grabbed her wallet and headed to the nearby supermarket .
Qin Zhi'ai shopped for a week's supply before checking out . By the time she got outside, it was completely dark .
The bags were heavy, and she struggled carrying them even the short distance to her apartment . When she was almost at her building, Qin Zhi'ai spotted Xu Wennuan and Wuhao at the entrance .
Qin Zhi'ai almost called out, “Nuannuan,” but a car horn blasted, and she heard Lu Bancheng shout, “Haozi, are you done? You've been standing there for a while . ”
Chapter end
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