Zwilling

Kapitel 30

"They live on Yixian Road in Baoshan District. My mother will move in to take care of me as my due date approaches."

People say the first pregnancy is the best, and I think there's truth to that. My sister is not only prettier than me, but also more capable. She switched jobs from a state-run hospital, which was opposed by me, my parents, and even her boyfriend, because of the risks. Staying at the Ninth People's Hospital would have guaranteed a stable income regardless of circumstances. Working at a large hospital means being close to the best resources. If a family member had a minor ailment, they could always find connections to receive the best treatment. But my sister resolutely jumped ship to White Hospital, and it proved to be the right choice. She's skilled, ambitious, and career-oriented. Unlike some women who seem like strong, busy women but immediately become housewives once they find a reliable man, my sister isn't like that. Although she's beautiful and has had many suitors, she firmly believes that a woman should have a career to rely on besides a man. This is like walking on two legs; if one is lost, the other can support her, allowing her to keep moving forward even with a limp. If you place all your hopes on a man, and something goes wrong, you lose your only support, which is like being paralyzed and unable to walk anymore.

She often told me, "You can't see into someone's heart; you never know what will happen tomorrow." On September 10th, if you stopped any American on the street and told him the World Trade Center in New York would collapse, he would laugh at you for being crazy. But by the next day, everything had changed.

While at the Ninth People's Hospital, she never spent her time dating, shopping, or strolling around. Instead, she immersed herself in research and practiced medicine diligently under the guidance of her mentor, Professor Huang. I'm not exaggerating when I say that my sister's oral endocrinology skills were outstanding even at the Ninth People's Hospital. As an industry leader, the Ninth People's Hospital is the best in Shanghai and even in the whole country; its top-tier status is equivalent to its national top-tier status.

My sister was cheerful and optimistic. Of course, she encountered some unpleasant things at the clinic, but what workplace wouldn't you be mistreated? Even a head of state would be mistreated. So, I could never find a reason that would drive her to suicide.

"Was there no sign of her dying at all?" Nuonuo asked Yu Linle. Yu Linle pursed her lips and said, "I had something I asked her to inquire with the obstetrician at the Ninth Hospital, but she never gave me a reply. The day before she died, the 15th, I called her, and she had completely forgotten about it. She's never been this forgetful before. She always remembers the things I ask her to do. On the phone, she seemed distracted, as if she had something on her mind."

Oil painting No. 51: 773 Horror Series 13

Section 75: Hong Bentao's choice was wrong.

Zoe's secret was exactly what they had been searching for, but unfortunately, they couldn't find the answer with Yu Linle.

"Is your sister's boyfriend named Hong Bentao?" Ah Hu asked knowingly, trying to steer the conversation towards Hong Bentao.

"How did you know?" Yu Linle asked, somewhat surprised.

"We've interviewed many people and gathered a lot of information," Ah Hu said seriously.

Yu Linle nodded and began to speak:

To be honest, I don't like this future brother-in-law. To this day, I still wonder why my sister likes him.

Hong Bentao is a year younger than his sister. He was born in October and is a Scorpio. Astrology books say that Scorpio men and Cancer women are most compatible. His sister is a Sagittarius, and Sagittarius women and Taurus men are most compatible.

Of course, I understand that those books are purely for entertainment.

Before Hong Bentao, my sister had a boyfriend who happened to be a Taurus. He was an ambitious architect, dreaming of creating a building like the Sydney Opera House. He decided to go to Australia to study architecture, and he encouraged my sister to go with him—one studying architecture, the other medicine. After much deliberation, she refused. First, the expensive tuition was unaffordable; she didn't have the financial means and didn't want to burden her parents further. Second, she was already a dentist in Shanghai; leaving Shanghai would mean starting all over again as a student, which she felt wasn't worth it. So she left alone.

Many people describe airports as a watershed moment in relationships. Even if someone breaks up with you in tears at the airport, they may return years later and walk out of the airport with a completely different demeanor. This applies to lovers and married couples alike.

When he left, his clever sister had a premonition that as the plane gradually disappeared into the distance, their relationship was coming to an end.

Later, he lived with a Taiwanese girl of Japanese nationality in Australia. After graduating, he couldn't find a suitable job and worked odd jobs. Eventually, he returned to Japan with the girl and got married there. He ultimately failed to create an architecture like the Sydney Opera House, but it's an undeniable fact that he had two children.

When Hong Bentao appeared, my sister was going through a period of emotional emptiness.

They met in 1998. At the time, Hong Bentao was working at a decoration company, earning four or five thousand yuan a month, which was a very high income at the time. His sister, a doctor, earned less than half of his monthly salary. Perhaps due to his profession, Hong Bentao was smooth, quick-witted, and very good at pleasing people.

Hong Bentao is of average appearance and not very tall, only 1.70 meters. His sister is 1.65 meters tall, so she could find someone taller. His sister's previous boyfriend was the tall and handsome type, 1.80 meters tall.

Perhaps because of the former, my sister developed an instinctive wariness towards tall, handsome men. Conversely, she was almost completely unguarded with a man who was plain-looking but very good at sweet talk, and was easily charmed.

Initially, their relationship was that of doctor and patient. Anyone who has been to the dentist knows that the patient lies down and the doctor sits; the doctor is the giver, and the patient is the receiver. Hong Bentao once said something that his sister later considered a classic quote; it was his humor that touched her.

"Dr. Yu, it's very inconvenient for us to talk while I'm lying down and you're sitting. Could we change positions? Would it be alright if we sat facing each other in the coffee shop?"

Three months into their relationship, I met Hong Bentao. He specially brought a watermelon to my house, actually wanting to take the opportunity to see where my sister lived. My first impression of him was so-so, despite his attentiveness.

When I learned that he was a Scorpio, I specially opened an astrology book for my sister to see. The book said that Scorpios are insidious, cunning, and pretentious, putting on an act in front of others and doing something else behind their backs.

My sister scoffed, pointing at my nose and mocking, "So, according to you, you'd eat people?"

Yu Linle is a Leo, but she doesn't usually show any regal demeanor. When her husband gets angry, she becomes as obedient as a little lamb.

Hong Bentao often picked up his sister from get off work, and then they would go shopping and see a movie. At that time, Japanese dramas were just becoming popular. His sister liked Nanako Matsushima, so Hong Bentao bought several DVDs of the dramas she starred in, such as "Majo no Jouken" (The Witch's Condition). Its theme song, "First Love," was sung by Japanese R&B diva Utada Hikaru. His sister never tired of listening to it, so Hong Bentao bought a CD of it, and for several months, he often heard her humming that song.

At that time, ESPRIT was the undisputed leader in the Shanghai clothing market and was regarded as the attire of high-level white-collar workers. The first gift Hong Bentao bought for his sister was an ESPRIT wallet with a side pocket for holding coins, sewn together in a very unique way. Not to mention his sister, even I loved it.

During the first two years of their relationship, the older sister often had that glow of a happy woman on her cheeks.

"Since you're so in love, why aren't you married?" Ah Hu couldn't help but ask.

In early 2000, due to intense competition, the decoration company where Hong Bentao worked experienced a decline in performance. The boss proposed a plan to encourage employees to become shareholders. Many people left the company, but Hong Bentao was one of the few willing to invest, and he contributed the most, putting in 250,000 yuan of his savings. At the time, this amount could have bought a two-bedroom apartment in Xinzhuang, and its value today would be at least double.

Hong Bentao chose to establish his career first and then start a family.

The older sister was against this kind of risk. She hoped Hong Bentao would use the money to buy a house so they could live together and get married. But that's just her personality; her opposition was limited to explaining her reasons clearly. If you didn't listen, she wouldn't repeat herself. Unlike other girls who would argue or make a scene.

If it were me, I would never allow my boyfriend to do that. I would give him an ultimatum: Do you want me, or do you want your so-called career? You can only choose one. The choice is yours.

But the older sister knew that a man's ambition wasn't inherently bad. If she forced Hong Bentao to use the money to buy a house and get married, he would regret it later when the company experienced significant growth and constantly complain, which was unbearable for her, as she herself was also career-minded. Therefore, although she opposed it in her heart, she still showed her support in action. After Hong Bentao used the money, he essentially became the company's second-in-command, becoming much busier and having no time for dating anymore.

However, the results proved that Hong Bentao's choice was wrong.

Oil painting No. 51: 773 Horror Series 13

Section 76: Character Determines Destiny

Hong Bentao has already given away all his savings, and hasn't even received his salary this past year. Where would he come from to come up with another 300,000 yuan? Unless he sells his kidney.

And just like that, the decoration company went bankrupt. In just one month, Hong Bentao lost five kilograms, and his sister was also depressed for a while. I know that his sister regrets it in her heart, though she doesn't say it. She regrets not listening to my advice and stopping Hong Bentao from taking the risk. If she had been forceful, had a good tantrum, and had a couple of tears, Hong Bentao probably would have given in.

Unfortunately, it's just a "what if".

I think this is what they mean by "character determines destiny".

In 2001, after his decoration company went bankrupt, Hong Bentao went to work as a salesman for a software company, promoting a stock analysis software called "Dragon and Tiger List". I knew nothing about stocks or software. I had heard that this kind of software was most popular in 1998, and then it declined. Selling outdated software, my sales performance was predictably poor.

That same year, White Dental Clinic was recruiting in Shanghai, and my sister went for an interview. While the clinic was still under construction, my sister visited the site with Hong Bentao. The shrewd Hong Bentao casually picked up a construction plan from the table and showed it to my sister. The plan indicated several treatment rooms, as well as an X-ray room, a sterilization room, and a children's treatment room. My sister immediately recognized that this level of capability was top-notch in Shanghai, and she decided to switch jobs right then and there.

After leaving the clinic, they had dinner at a nearby McDonald's, dreaming about the future. They hadn't had a meal this enjoyable since the decorating company incident.

Soon after, my sister submitted her resignation to the hospital. The head of the Department of Stomatology and the vice president of the hospital tried to persuade her to stay and made some promises, but my sister was determined to leave.

After joining White, my sister got through the adjustment period in just three months, and the clinic's business was on track.

Perhaps influenced by his sister, Hong Bentao shook off his dejected mood, borrowed 100,000 yuan from relatives and friends, and partnered with someone to open a milk tea shop called "Lai Lai Wang Wang". The location was chosen in a shop near the subway. At that time, Hong Bentao and his partner had an argument about whether to open a shop at Huangpi South Road Station. His partner thought the rent there was too high.

Along the entire Line 1 subway, People's Square Station has the highest passenger flow and is in a prime location. Shaanxi South Road Station and Huangpi South Road Station, located in the center of Huaihai Road, are also considered top-tier. Hengshan Road Station, Xinzha Road Station, and Shanghai Stadium Station are in second-tier locations. Xinzhuang Station is the terminal station; although passenger flow is high, people rush home after getting off the train and don't have the time to stop for a milk tea. However, during the morning rush hour, some people eat bread along the way and occasionally stop to buy a cup of milk tea.

The partners' strategy was to locate in second-tier areas like Xinzha Road, Hengshan Road, the Shanghai Stadium, and Xinzhuang to reduce costs. At Hong Bentao's insistence, they added a shop near Huangpi South Road Station. This proved to be the right choice; the Pacific Department Store is located directly above Huangpi South Road Station, facing the Huaihai Road business district. Although it had the highest rent among the shops, it also had the highest turnover.

In 2002, my sister became the head of medical affairs, and her monthly salary increased accordingly, which gave her the idea of buying a house.

The sales at Luwan City Garden were surprisingly good; by the time my sister went to see the apartments, they were already sold out. But she was lucky; she ran into someone at the sales center who wanted to sell a property urgently because he needed money for a trip abroad. At the time, the Lupu Bridge was still under construction. My sister, with her keen eye, saw the potential for appreciation and, without even calling Hong Bentao, immediately decided to buy it. Back then, a two-bedroom apartment cost just over 600,000 yuan. My sister used her personal housing provident fund for a 100,000 yuan loan, borrowed another 100,000 yuan from her parents, used her own savings of 70,000 to 80,000 yuan, and the rest came from a bank mortgage, paying the bank 3,500 yuan per month. My sister's monthly salary was over 7,000 yuan; to put it bluntly, even if Hong Bentao didn't earn a single penny, their basic expenses wouldn't be a problem.

My sister is very frugal. Aside from clinic business, she rarely takes taxis, usually taking bus 146 or Tunnel Line 8 to work, which costs only one yuan. Sometimes she simply rides her bicycle, saving even that one yuan. She hasn't bought clothes in a long time, and she no longer goes to the biannual ES-PRIT sales. After I became pregnant, I gained weight and couldn't fit into my clothes, so I gave them to her. In my memory, her only luxury was a weekly full-body massage, because dentists need to maintain one posture for long periods, and many suffer from occupational diseases like frozen shoulder and cervical spondylosis.

My sister died during summer vacation. It was around two or three o'clock that afternoon, and I was doing prenatal exercises at home when the phone rang. It was the police station calling. My first reaction was that there must be a mistake; it couldn't be! I called my sister, but no one answered her home phone, and her cell phone was switched off. I felt a wave of panic wash over me. I called my husband and asked him to leave work early so he could come with me to Ruijin Hospital. In the hospital morgue, I saw my sister's body, and I fainted on the spot.

When I woke up, I was lying in the hospital observation room. My parents had come too. My mother had also fainted and was still unconscious. My father was squatting on the ground in grief, unable to say a word.

It was my husband who called Hong Bentao. I don't know how he got to the hospital. My husband said he stayed in the morgue, guarding my sister's body and refusing to leave.

That evening, the police spoke with us and concluded it was suicide. We unanimously objected, believing it was impossible. But the police said that based on the scene investigation, my sister was alone at home, the door was locked, and she jumped from the 31st-floor balcony. There was no other possibility than suicide. My father asked them, "How can there be no suicide note?" The police said that suicides don't necessarily leave a suicide note. They had encountered similar cases: jumping from subway platforms, turning on the gas, cutting wrists, swallowing rat poison—all were impromptu suicides without a suicide note.

And so, the police issued a death certificate.

After the funeral, I never saw Hong Bentao again, and he never contacted us. Our relationship was maintained by his sister; now that she's gone, it's over.

Oil painting No. 51: 773 Horror Series 13

Section 77: The important thing is to sleep in the same bed

Nuonuo and Ahu exchanged glances, saying in their northern accents, "How could we have forgotten about that?"

Whether it's the ethereal Zoe or the real Zoe, she deserves a final resting place after her death.

"The Grave of My Beloved Daughter, Yu Linyin, August 2003"

These words are engraved on the tombstone.

This is the Zhoupu Memorial Hall in Nanhui County. The tombstone is made of marble and does not have a photo of the deceased.

Zoe's body burned in the crematorium at over 300 degrees Celsius for nearly an hour, turning into a pile of still-warm ashes. Along with a few pieces of unburnt bone fragments, they were placed in a red cloth bag, put into an urn that was said to be made of nanmu wood, and then placed in the groove under the tombstone. This was how she was buried.

And so, a person's life comes to an end.

Ahu and Nuonuo took a one-and-a-half-hour bus ride to Nanhui, where they bought flowers, incense, and candles at a sacrificial goods shop.

Before coming, Nuonuo specifically asked Yu Linle, "What kind of pastry does your sister like best?"

Yu Linle thought for a moment and replied, "Starbucks blueberry cheesecake."

Nono bought two triangular cakes, each costing 12 yuan, and also ordered a cappuccino. She brought them together in a covered paper cup, placed it in front of Zoe's tombstone, burned three incense sticks, lit a pair of candles, and the two of them stood quietly in front of the tombstone for a moment.

A light drizzle was falling from the sky. Nuonuo took out a tissue and wiped the dust off the surface of the tombstone. Because it was wet, the natural color of the marble was revealed with a gentle wipe.

For some reason, Nuonuo burst into tears, but she was thinking: How strange, why am I crying?

This woman almost killed me!

After hearing so many stories, perhaps a sense of sympathy arose—a woman's sympathy for another woman.

Zoe as a human and Zoe as a ghost are worlds apart.

If I become a ghost after I die, what will I look like? Will I become so unrecognizable that even I wouldn't dare to recognize myself?

Ah Hu's phone rang at an inopportune moment, and he heard a rough male voice:

"I'm Lao Chou, who's looking for me?"

I met Hong Bentao's partner, Lao Chou, at the "Lai Lai Wang Wang" milk tea shop near Hengshan Road subway station.

Nono's impression of the words "dark soy sauce" was always limited to soy sauce. Her mother often used that "straw mushroom dark soy sauce" when cooking; it tasted good and only cost three yuan a bottle. As for the person "dark soy sauce," Nono thought that he probably had a soy sauce-colored face.

The man in front of me, a slightly balding man, wore a brown corduroy suit over a Giordano denim shirt. He smoked a Double Happiness cigarette, and thick nose hairs peeked out from his nostrils. His leather shoes, probably polished only once a week, were covered in a thin layer of dust and had a few fingerprints. In Shanghai, keeping leather shoes shiny requires frequent polishing.

If he were to become the brand ambassador for "straw mushroom dark soy sauce," the effect should be quite good.

Nono thought so.

"Hong Bentao, after his wife committed suicide, he lost interest in continuing the business and kept saying he wanted to withdraw his shares, so I bought his shares and started the business myself. I still have a lot of affection for this milk tea shop and a lot of confidence in it."

What? He's not married yet? That's still called 'wife'. We live in the cohabitation era now. Nobody cares if you're married or not. The important thing is that you're sleeping in the same bed.

I still think the rent at Huangpi South Road station is too high and the risk is too great. He insisted on it in the first place, but now that he's gone, I've closed it down. Now I have four shops: Hengshan Road, Xinzhuang, Shanghai Stadium, and Xinzha Road. Business is so-so. After deducting all the miscellaneous costs each month, I only make about five or six thousand yuan a month, just enough to get by.

"We want to find him in person. Can you provide any clues?" Ah Hu asked Lao Chou. Lao Chou shrugged, looking helpless.

"We had a business relationship. When the business ended, the relationship ended. How would I know where he is? He wouldn't tell me anyway." As he spoke, Lao Chou scratched the bald patch on his head, as if remembering something. "Oh right, the other day on the street, I saw a Pizza Hut delivery guy's back. I thought he looked a lot like him because the way he kicked open the brake was very similar to Hong Bentao. Everyone else kicks it open with one kick, but he carefully kicks it several times, as if afraid of breaking it. I called out, 'Little Hong!' He probably didn't hear me and rode off on his electric scooter."

As Lao Chou spoke, he would occasionally stick out his tongue and lick his lips, giving the impression that he was very thirsty.

After asking so many questions, why not buy a cup? It would be good to help the shop increase its sales.

Nuonuo accepted the hint and immediately took out her money to buy three cups of konjac milk tea, one for each person. Lao Chou said politely, "Oh dear, how could I accept this? It should be my treat!" while quickly sticking the thick straw into the cup and gulping it down.

This young lady is quite sensible. Three cups of milk tea only cost a dozen yuan, and I'm not going to drink them for free. Let me tell you some gossip about Hong Bentao.

Old Chou then became more talkative: "Hong Bentao is usually quite frugal. He doesn't play mahjong, doesn't smoke, and occasionally drinks a can of beer. He always travels by liquefied gas-powered moped. I met his wife once; she was at a shop near Huangpi South Road Station. She looked quite quiet and gentle. I heard she's a doctor. It seems there really is some connection between a person's appearance and their profession."

"Do you think his wife will commit suicide?" Nono asked Lao Chou.