Lan Yin Bi Yue

Capítulo 23

Suddenly, the telephone in the bedroom rang.

Scotty ran to the phone, but hung up hastily before even hearing who it was. He hadn't fully sorted out his thoughts, so he didn't want Mei Ling to wake up at this moment. Besides, he also believed that Mei Ling needed more rest after such a fright.

However, Mei Ling, who was right next to the telephone, was still woken up. She kept her eyes closed, subconsciously shaking her head, as if trying to expel some thoughts from her mind, or as if relying on this action to wake herself up. Then, she opened her eyes.

Upon waking from her sleep, Mei Ling immediately reverted to her usual indifference and nobility. However, she soon discovered that she was lying naked on an unfamiliar bed, and standing in front of her was an even more unfamiliar man. A look of terror lingered in Mei Ling's eyes. She cautiously wrapped herself tightly in the blanket and stared at Scotty opposite her.

"Are you alright? I think you need this." Scottie tried to make his tone gentle and kind as he handed Mei Ling the bathrobe from the bed.

Mei Ling still couldn't fully adjust to the situation. She blankly took the bathrobe, watched Scotty close the bedroom door, and walked out.

Scotty tried to use the last bit of time to organize his thoughts. Building Mei Ling's trust was the first and most crucial step in solving all the problems, and he couldn't afford to waste this golden opportunity. But Mei Ling's slender figure and stunning face kept appearing in his mind, forcing him to start all over again and again.

The bedroom door opened, and Mei Ling, wearing a bathrobe, leaned against the door, looking at Scotty from afar.

“You’d better come closer to the fire; it’ll be warmer there. I’ve tried my best to dry your hair.” Seeing Mei Ling’s long hair hanging down her shoulders and her somewhat helpless expression, Scottie’s mind would occasionally go blank, and his words would become incoherent. “Your clothes are in the kitchen; they’ll be dry soon.”

Mei Ling didn't move, still standing at a distance watching Scotty. Her eyes were half wary and half confused.

“Come sit by the fire, I’ll get you a cushion,” Scotty said, placing a cushion from the sofa by the fireplace. To put Mei Ling’s guard up, he sat down in a spot further away.

Mei Ling glanced around the room; the fact that it was just the two of them made her relax a little. The man in front of her shouldn't have any ill intentions; otherwise, how could she have slept so soundly until now? The chill from the water seemed to still linger in her body, sending shivers down her spine. She pulled her robe tighter around herself and then, as Scottie had instructed, sat down on the cushion by the fire.

"Would you like some coffee?" Scottie's gaze never left Mei Ling.

(3)

Mei Ling looked blankly at the leaping flames. Although she couldn't quite figure out what had just happened, she was clearly still not completely over the panic.

"I fell into the sea, and you rescued me?" Mei Ling finally spoke.

"Yes."

"Thanks."

Scotty sensed that Mei Ling's gratitude wasn't entirely sincere, but rather a matter of courtesy. Her tone was flat, lacking the usual excitement of someone who had survived a close call. Could it be that she truly knew nothing about what had happened?

“You don’t remember?” Scotty’s mind suddenly cleared, and he knew what he needed.

"I don't remember." Mei Ling's voice seemed to float in the air.

Do you remember where you went?

"Yes, of course I remember. I must have been dizzy and then fainted." Mei Ling said, taking a deep breath.

"Where were you then?" Scotty realized he was getting closer to the crux of the matter, and he continued his question with a firm and unyielding tone.

"At the embankment. Of course I remember, I went there often."

Why do you often go there?

“Because I love it there, the scenery is beautiful, especially the sunset.” Mei Ling’s pale blue eyes flickered. She lowered her head and once again focused on gazing at the firelight. Clearly, she didn’t want to continue this conversation with Scotty. “Thank you for the fire.”

Scottie watched every subtle change in Mei Ling's facial expression. He accurately captured the fluctuations in Mei Ling's emotions and knew that the answer he needed would soon be clear.

Where were you before?

"when?"

"This afternoon."

"Wander around."

Mei Ling began to deliberately avoid Scotty's gaze.

Scotty realized that Meryl was deceiving him, or perhaps there was another, more absurd explanation: she was completely unaware of what she had done…

“I know. Where were you before?” Scotty pressed on with his question.

“Shopping in the city center.” Mei Ling answered almost without hesitation, perhaps deciding to end this somewhat excessive conversation in the most direct way.

Scotty was getting impatient; this answer was completely unexpected. Before he could sort out his thoughts, he temporarily gave up on pressing the matter.

Scottie adjusted his posture and poured Mei Ling another cup of coffee, saying, "You'd better drink some coffee."

"I think the coffee is still hot."

A brief silence fell over the room; neither of them spoke, only the crackling of the burning wood filling the air. The rich aroma of coffee mingled with the scent of burning wood, permeating the entire space.

"You're asking very directly?" This time, Mei Ling took the initiative.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude." When it was Scotty's turn to avoid Mei Ling's gaze, his upper body involuntarily straightened up, becoming somewhat stiff.

“No, you’re just too direct. What are you going over there for?” Mei Ling held her coffee cup in her hand, the soft light in the room making her face even more charming.

"Just taking a walk."

"Where did you go before that?" Mei Ling asked with a mischievous look on her face.

“I went to the Museum of Honor.” Scotty realized that a passive approach might be more effective, and Mei Ling’s question proved that a sense of trust was slowly building between the two of them.

“That must be a really nice place! I’ve never been inside, but I thought it was lovely when I drove by.” Mei Ling was noticeably more relaxed than before and became more talkative.

Scotty took a sip of coffee. Although he was somewhat prepared, disbelief was still evident in his eyes. He wanted to say, "It was you who took me there; it was another side of you." No, that didn't explain it clearly. But to say it was another soul, a soul that had been dead for many years, that took him there seemed too far-fetched, quite frightening. Thinking of this, Scotty felt a chill run down his spine.

“I’m so lucky to have run into you nearby, thank you! I’ve caused you so much trouble.” Mei Ling’s gratitude this time was much more sincere than before, and Scottie could clearly feel the trust in her words. Clearly, the conversation had worked; Mei Ling had established a basic level of trust in Scottie.

"Tell me, has anything like this ever happened to you before? Falling into San Francisco Bay?"

"No, it never happened." The pitch-black night outside the window reminded Mei Ling that it was already very late.

Mei Ling found her handbag in the kitchen, and habitually, she used a hair clip to pin her hair up in a bun. Scottie watched her every move. Once her hair was styled, Mei Ling immediately distanced herself from everyone. Her pale blue eyes, no longer sparkling with soft light, returned to their usual coldness and unfathomable bewilderment…

Scottie wanted to refill Mei Ling's coffee, but his thoughts were still lingering on observing her eyes. Their hands brushed together, and without thinking, Scottie grasped Mei Ling's soft fingers in his palm… Mei Ling's fingers were incredibly slender, and Scottie could feel her exquisitely manicured nails. But it was just from her fingertips that a touch of coldness traveled to Scottie's warm palm, instantly snapping him back to reality.

Mei Ling's gaze followed Scotty's movements, finally settling on his face, and their eyes met. Scotty

Scotty jerked his hand back as if electrocuted. Time seemed to freeze. Scotty was tense, unsure how Mei Ling would respond to his earlier actions. Would she accuse him? Walk away? Or simply slap him? Scotty couldn't help but regret his rashness; after all, Mei Ling was a married woman, and he had been commissioned by her husband to follow her. He said nothing; in truth, he didn't know what to say. He simply looked at Mei Ling, awaiting her reaction.

Mei Ling seemed to be deliberately keeping him in suspense; her face remained calm and indifferent, neither moving nor saying a word. Scotty felt an inexplicable atmosphere slowly shifting between the two of them.

Suddenly the phone in the bedroom rang again. Scotty seemed to have grasped at a straw, and he immediately stood up to answer the phone, thus putting the embarrassing situation behind him.

The call was from Gavin, who wanted to know Mei Ling's whereabouts. Scotty controlled his tone and calmly told Gavin that Mei Ling was with him, but something had happened. However, he assured him that he would safely take Mei Ling home, and he would tell him the details later when it was more convenient.

Scottie breathed a sigh of relief after hanging up the phone.

The outer room was completely silent; there wasn't a sound from Mei Ling. Scottie couldn't tell what she was doing. Perhaps she was still angry about what had just happened. But the most important thing now was to get Mei Ling home safely as quickly as possible. Scottie turned around, and to his surprise, Mei Ling was gone! Just like that afternoon in San Francisco Bay, she had vanished in an instant.

Scottie chased after her to the apartment gate. In the darkness, he could see Mei Ling's car disappearing around the corner of the street ahead, probably heading home.

Scotty looked somewhat dejected. The light in the apartment porch cast a long shadow of him, clearly reflecting his wistful expression.

Nine

As agreed with Gavin, Scotty followed Mei Ling's car early in the morning to start his workday. But to Scotty's surprise, Mei Ling did not go to the small town on the outskirts of San Francisco as usual.

Scottie followed Mei Ling through the city streets, and Scottie gradually realized that Mei Ling didn't seem to know their destination. Looking out the rear window of the car, Scottie could see Mei Ling constantly looking to both sides of the road, as if searching for something or someone.

As the buildings on both sides of the road became more familiar, Scottie realized that Mei Ling had driven to his neighborhood. Could Mei Ling be looking for him? Scottie quickly became certain of this, because Mei Ling's car was parked right in front of his apartment building.

Mei Ling didn't knock on the door. She stood in front of the mailbox next to the door, searched briefly, and then dropped an envelope into Scotty's mailbox.

Scottie sat in his car, watching everything Mei Ling did.

Mei Ling didn't seem to be in a hurry to leave. She stood in front of the apartment door, staring blankly at it, as if deciding whether to knock. All her expressions showed that she was struggling internally at that moment.

Scottie decides to take the risk again; he wants to follow her, peel back the layers, and expose Mei Ling's true nature. What exactly is controlling her heart? Only by opening Mei Ling's heart can the truth be revealed.

Mei Ling had clearly decided to leave. She turned and walked toward her car, but Scotty quickly stepped up the stairs and blocked Mei Ling by the mailbox at the door.

"A letter for me?" Scotty smiled at Mei Ling.

"Yes. Hello." Mei Ling's nervousness showed that she was startled by Scotty's sudden appearance. However, Scotty could tell from the glow on Mei Ling's face that she was in a good mood today.

“I was worried about you last night. You shouldn’t have run away like that. I was going to drive you home. Are you alright?” Scottie’s words were absolutely sincere.

"Yes, I'm fine, there are no aftereffects. I remember the water was very cold." The gloom that had enveloped Mei Ling a few days ago had vanished, and she seemed like a completely different person.

“Yes.” Scotty admired Mei Ling’s smile.

“How could I have done such a terrible thing? You’re so kind. This is a formal thank-you note, and also an apology.” Mei Ling pointed to the mailbox beside her.

“You have nothing to apologize for, and I really like it…” Scotty realized his words were inappropriate and paused, “I want to talk to you.”

"I also really enjoy talking to you."

For a moment, neither of them knew what to say, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Scotty sensed that Mei Ling was a little reserved, so he took a step forward and deliberately teased her in a relaxed tone:

I'm going to check my email.

“I can’t mail it. I don’t know your address. Luckily, there are road signs, and I remember these telephone poles, which is how I found you.” Mei Ling said somewhat uneasyly.

"This is the first time I've ever thanked a telephone pole," Scottie said, expressing his joy with a touch of exaggeration.

Mei Ling smiled gently, and Scottie knew he had finally gained her trust. Trust is the most basic condition for further communication and the most important element for a psychologist to understand a patient's symptoms. Although he couldn't be sure if Mei Ling truly needed psychological help, without the foundation of trust, everything else would be castles in the air.

ten

Cedar Tree Nature Park.

A dense forest. This is a famous landmark in San Francisco, filled with towering ancient trees. No one can say for sure how old they are; some are said to be two thousand years old. The branches and leaves are lush and impenetrable. Even at midday, the light is still dim and visibility is very low.

Mei Ling agreed to the suggestion of going for a walk with Scotty, and the two appeared in the dim forest.

"You've never been here before?" Scottie carefully cleared away the tree branch blocking Mei Ling's path.

"No."

What do you think?

“Everyone dies, but it continues to live,” Mei Ling replied calmly, though her mood had clearly soured again.

“This tree’s real name is Squirrel. It’s an evergreen tree and won’t die,” Scottie said, observing Mei Ling’s reaction. He hoped his words would help Mei Ling have a more positive outlook on life.

"I don't like it." Mei Ling lowered her head and carefully walked around the thickets of thorns on the ground.

"Why?"

"Because I knew I was going to die."

Mei Ling's words sent a jolt through Scotty's heart.

Why does Mei Ling always think about death? When Scotty is with Mei Ling, he often suddenly feels the chill of death creeping in. Could it be Mei Ling transmitting this to him? Given Mei Ling's current lifestyle, nothing should make her so sad, so why is she like this?

Mei Ling strolled deeper into the dense forest, and Scotty had no choice but to follow closely behind, fearing that some unknown danger might suddenly descend upon her. For some reason, Scotty always felt that Mei Ling would suddenly die beside him, and he hoped that such a thing would not happen.