It was the sixth day of filming in the mountains, which happened to be the weekend.
Mo Yushen's flight back to Beijing is this afternoon, and he has arranged to meet with Professor Xiang tomorrow afternoon.
These past few days, Xi Jia has been so busy she hasn't even had time to glance at him. She's been constantly taking notes and revising the script. On set, she also wears headphones so that no one will talk to her.
She was racing against herself, and he didn't disturb her.
After finishing work in the evening, he went back to the hotel, while she went to her grandmother's house.
They would chat occasionally, mostly via text messages.
Last night, he told her that he was going back to Beijing today. This morning, he didn't go to the film set; he went straight from the hotel to the airport.
When Xi Jia made the call, her phone vibrated. She sent Mo Yushen a message: "Honey, have a safe trip. Message me when you arrive."
Mo Yushen: [Okay, don't stay up late.]
Xi Jia: [You can focus on your work and don't worry about me.]
She stared at her phone screen until it automatically went dark.
"Teacher Shang," she called out.
This was normal for her, but the people around her were startled, especially Zhou Mingqian, who rubbed his heart.
When Teacher Shang came over, Xi Jia gave her the printed script and her thoughts in writing. "I've already sent you an electronic copy to your email. This is the revised version. If you have any questions, please let me know in your email or on WeChat. I'll be going back tomorrow."
Not only Teacher Shang, but Zhou Mingqian was also taken aback.
Teacher Shang was puzzled: "So sudden?" There must be something going on at home. This morning, Mo Yushen also returned to Beijing.
Xi Jia smiled faintly, but she hadn't actually heard what Teacher Shang said: "There's an equestrian competition in May, so I'm rushing back to train. Thank you for taking care of me these past two months."
She pointed to the script and said, "Take a look and see which parts need to be changed."
Ms. Shang went to read the script. She often goes with the film crew, and we're used to seeing each other and then leaving. Anyway, they all live in Beijing, so we can keep in touch by phone. There's no need to be so sentimental.
Xi Jia wasn't very familiar with the other members of the crew; she only exchanged brief greetings in the group chat.
Zhou Mingqian: "Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"
Xi Jia didn't hear it and didn't respond.
Zhou Mingqian stared at her profile for several seconds. "Xi Jia, if you have a problem with me, just say so. Can you stop pretending to be deaf and dumb all the time?"
Xi Jia looked at the laptop, but there was still no response.
Zhou Mingqian himself also felt it was pointless and looked away.
He lit a cigarette.
A few seconds later, the surroundings were filled with smoke.
We met by chance.
Zhou Mingqian stubbed out his cigarette after smoking half of it and then continued watching the monitor.
Xi Jia plugged in her earphones again and sent Ji Qingshi a message: [Second Brother, this morning I completely lost my hearing. I'm going back to Beijing tomorrow, can you pick me up?]
Originally, she wanted to stay with the film crew for a couple more days, treat them to a farewell dinner, and visit Mr. Yue again.
Plans can never keep up with changes.
The last thread that kept her going finally snapped.
No matter how bustling the world is, it has nothing to do with her anymore.
She didn't want to stay a moment longer; she just wanted to be alone.
These past few days, the person she felt most indebted to was Mo Yushen; she hadn't even had time to talk to him. Her memory had less than four hours left; there was too much to memorize and too little time. These past few days, she hadn't even been able to spare time for sleep.
Fortunately, everything turned out alright.
Xi Jia returned to her hotel in the afternoon and did not come to the film set again.
Yu An sat on a stone bench by the shore, staring blankly at the lake. She knew that Xi Jia could no longer hear her; she greeted Xi Jia, but Xi Jia did not respond.
She's been sad since yesterday.
"Yu An!" Zhou Mingqian called out to her from the other end of the line.
Yu An pressed his hands to his eye sockets and jogged over.
Zhou Mingqian handed her the coffee cup, saying, "It's too bitter."
Yu An: "I'll go add sugar."
Actually, this is already coffee with sugar and milk added.
In the evening, Xi Jia packed all her luggage and sat in the corridor of the old lady's house for a long time. In the end, she decided to go and see Mr. Yue.
This parting may be the last.
She was crammed onto the tourist bus, which was noisy on board, but her world was quiet.
At the end of the flagstone path, Grandpa Yue was pruning flowers and plants in the yard.
"Grandpa Yue."
She called out from the roadside.
Mr. Yue looked in the direction of the voice, and it was indeed Xi Jia.
His grandmother called him yesterday, saying that Xi Jia had completely lost her hearing. He thought Xi Jia probably wouldn't come to see him again, but she still came.
Mr. Yue waved to her.
Once inside the courtyard, Mr. Yue offered her a low stool. "Are you tired?"
Xi Jia pointed to her ear, "Grandpa, I can't hear what you're saying." She smiled faintly.
Mr. Yue used the cut flower branches to write on the muddy ground: What a coincidence, I'm also hard of hearing, so my grandson and I both just want some peace and quiet.
Xi Jia's smile faded slightly. She knew that Grandpa Yue was not hard of hearing at all; he was just trying to put her mind at ease.
Mr. Yue erased what he had just written and continued writing: From now on, let's listen carefully to the sounds.
That day, Xi Jia stayed until nightfall.
Xi Jia returned to Beijing in the evening.
When Ji Qingshi and the others came out, they called Mo Yushen, but no one answered. He sent Mo Yushen a message: [I'll pick up Jiajia soon. She probably won't be coming back to your place. Do you want to come see her tonight?]
Twenty minutes passed, and there was still no reply.
Xi Jia came out with her suitcase, and Ji Qingshi put away his phone and went to greet her.
Ji Qingshi couldn't bear that Xi Jia couldn't hear him, so he pulled her into his arms as soon as he got to her. He hadn't recovered all day after receiving her text message yesterday morning.
The arrival hall was bustling with people. Xi Jia pushed Ji Qingshi away with disdain, saying, "I finally got some peace and quiet, and my tinnitus is gone. What a happy thing!"
Ji Qingshi vigorously rubbed her head.
The more relaxed she pretends to be, the more heartbroken she is inside.
The driver pushed the suitcase and left first.
Ji Qingshi held Xi Jia's hand, and Xi Jia said helplessly, "Second brother, I'm not two years old."
Ji Qingshi didn't say anything, but pulled her forward. If only she were two years old, she could hear then. After learning that Xi Jia was completely deaf, her mother cried all day at home, and cried again when she called him today.
Once in the car, Xi Jia propped her head up and looked at Ji Qingshi with a sullen expression. "Scumbag! He deserved to be dumped by Ye Qiu. By the way, Ye Qiu is about to start a new relationship. Tell me, aren't you jealous?"
Ji Qingshi stared at her intently. "Say it again." As soon as he finished speaking, he realized that she couldn't hear him.
Xi Jia began to sing the theme song for "The Rest of My Life".
Her voice echoed in the carriage.
Halfway through the song, Xi Jia suddenly stopped, "By the way, this song was originally sung by the man who likes Ye Qiu."
Ji Qingshi remained silent this time.
Xi Jia hummed a tune, but then forgot where she left off. She turned to Ji Qingshi and got down to business, "Second Brother, I want to divorce Mo Yushen. You promised to help."
Ji Qingshi knew that her cheerfulness just now was a cover for her unease.
Xi Jia leaned on Ji Qingshi's shoulder and closed her eyes to rest for a while. After a long while, she said softly, "My body is about to reach its worst state. I want to get the divorce certificate with him while I'm still lucid. I don't want him to see what I'll look like after I become stupid. Please grant me this wish."
It was quiet for a long time.
Xi Jia: "Second brother, I'm tired." She was exhausted, both physically and mentally.
Ji Qingshi patted her head with his other hand, signaling her to take a nap.
Ji Qingshi looked out the window when his phone rang; it was Mo Yushen.
Xi Jia can't hear it now, so Ji Qingshi answers directly.
Mo Yushen had just come from Professor Xiang's meeting; it went quite well, and they had reached a preliminary agreement on cooperation. He knew Xi Jia was back; Jiang Qin had told him.
Where are you now?
Ji Qingshi: "On my way home." He paused for a few seconds, then didn't hide anything, "Xi Jia wants a divorce from you."
Mo Yushen's voice suddenly became hoarse, "I guessed it."
Ji Qingshi didn't know what to say.
Mo Yushen: "She must be devastated that she suddenly lost her hearing completely. Do whatever she wants. If she still wants a divorce tomorrow, tell her to go to the law firm and have Cheng Weimo draft the divorce agreement."
Ji Qingshi couldn't describe how he felt at that moment.
He respected Mo Yushen's choice. Given Xi Jia's condition, over time, no one but her family would have the patience to take care of her.
Marriage held no meaning for her.
It's over, so let it be over.
Mo Yushen's voice came again: "On the day we agreed to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau, give her a few more melatonin pills so she can sleep longer. When she wakes up, tell her that you're divorced. I'll fill in the missing notes for her, and she'll believe it when she sees them."
Ji Qingshi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his heart finally at ease.
He was also selfish, hoping that Mo Yushen would never leave him.
"Have you thought it through?" Ji Qingshi didn't want Mo Yushen to be just temporarily reluctant. This illness might improve in five or six years.
However, some of the patients visited by their parents were in very bad condition.