"Why?"
"Her mental state is not very stable. She may need a psychologist to do some evaluations."
I suddenly felt a pang of sadness. Such a beautiful girl, but thinking of myself now, neither human nor ghost, what right did I have to pity her? Although I had many questions I wanted to ask her in person, thankfully I'm not too attached to things other than money. Perhaps living a carefree life will lead to a longer life.
Part One, Chapter Thirteen
Willson handled everything regarding the new house, and he absolutely refused to let me see it until it was all settled, saying he wanted to surprise me. I, on the other hand, was happy to focus on finding a new job. Dongzheng paid me back three months' salary, and my savings were unfrozen. Apart from the 200,000 yuan, all my hard-earned money from the past years was there; basically, I felt happy. Except for that one conversation with Xia Mengmeng.
"Are you crazy?!" Xia Mengmeng gave me a thorough dressing-down as soon as I finished explaining my relationship with Willson.
"I thought this was the end between you and him. Are you crazy? Sometimes I really don't understand what you're thinking!!!"
“I wasn’t thinking about anything, I just wanted him.”
"But do you know how complicated their family relationships are? I heard that when Willson wanted to break off the engagement, his stepmother, Cui Wuyue's, biological mother, was furious and said that if things went this way, she would also divorce Willson's father. One of the Lin family's important financial partners, Cui Wuyue's uncle, is also trying to withdraw his investment. And it seems that it also involves some kind of change in their patriarch's will. Anyway, it's a complete mess. Even if you get past their family, there's still the pampered young lady Cui Wuyue. I heard that she has a congenital heart condition and had a relapse recently because of your situation. Aren't you afraid of retribution?"
"I won't interfere with their marriage." I tried my best to hide my shock.
"But you're already in the way!"
"Don't impose your so-called social morality on me!" I said, somewhat annoyed. "I'm already making a huge contribution to society by taking care of myself. Why should I be responsible for the joys and sorrows of someone I don't even know?"
"Okay, putting Cui Wuyue aside, are you going to live like this, sneaking around for the rest of your life? There are plenty of men in the world, why do you have to wade into this mess and find one who can't marry you? Not to mention anyone else, I think Yin Tianyu is pretty good."
“He is different from Willson.”
"What's the difference? The common points between these two are that they're both rich, handsome, and women's dream men... and neither of them are interested in me. I think Yin Tianyu is quite interested in you. To find this little XX Lin Yirou, he spent three days and three nights without closing his eyes in Houjie, Dongguan..."
"What did you say? He went there by himself?"
"It wasn't him. After finding Lin Yirou and sending her to the procuratorate, he rushed to you as soon as the case was resolved. You heartless bastard, didn't you notice that his eye bags were practically hanging down to his chest that day? Think about it, he's the perfect husband candidate," Xia Mengmeng swallowed a mouthful of water before continuing, "With such a good person right here, who else would you choose?"
"I want Willson," I said fiercely, trying to hide a hint of unease rising within me.
"That bastard drugged you?"
"No, it's my own emotional hunger."
"Our general manager is getting married in Seoul on the 8th of next month, and the banquet is in Guangzhou on the 6th. Have you received an invitation?" Xia Mengmeng reluctantly used her last trump card to finally shut me up. It turns out some things only become clear when the time comes. I crossed my arms and shrugged as if I were cold. Yin Tianyu was right; everyone has a weakness.
Two days later, Willson excitedly took me to a garden-style apartment complex in the city center. The garden was filled with lush, subtropical plants, all lovely in their verdant green. His apartment was on the third floor, and since it was the top floor, the rooftop terrace was ours too. The apartment was about 100 square meters, with cross ventilation, and the furniture was all in black walnut wood and white fabric, giving it a clean and simple look. What made me happiest was the kitchen—it was my dream paradise: rows of silver cabinets and cookware, complete with everything from spatulas to slotted spoons, so complete you could open a restaurant. Best of all, they even had the oven I'd always dreamed of! I jumped for joy, hugging Willson tightly.
"How do you think?" He waited smugly for me to praise him.
"It's ridiculously big compared to my rented room," I said with a chuckle. He got so angry that he scooped me up and rushed into the bedroom, throwing me onto the bed. I screamed in terror. Then, he pulled a jewelry box from somewhere, opened it, and inside was a ring that looked gleaming. Without a word, he picked it up and slipped it onto my ring finger: "Wear this, so you won't go out and flirt with other women and make me restless."
"Talking about me? What about yourself? Humph! A crow landing on a pig." I don't want to wear that damn thing.
He grabbed my hand and proudly extended his left hand, where he wore a ring on his ring finger that was the same style as the one on my hand. He took it off to show me the inside of the ring, which was engraved with a date and the character "好" (good). Without a doubt, mine must have been engraved with the character "硕" (successful), and only the two of us knew the date.
"I'm sorry, this is all I can give you for now. There's no wedding and no blessings, but I want you to know that I love you, and I only love you."
From that day on, I moved into this new home. Although it was worlds apart from my rented apartment, I always felt like a guest. Even in my favorite kitchen, I couldn't feel excited. Wilson said the house was in my name, but he also instructed me not to let anyone know I lived here, so I couldn't even invite Xia Mengmeng over. Wilson got off work very late every day and had social engagements, so he rarely had a chance to have dinner with me. I just had to hastily feed myself each day and then sit in front of the computer, absentmindedly playing cards to see if he would come over that night. He would usually come once every one or two days, staying for thirty or forty minutes before leaving. Only every morning, rain or shine, he would always come here first and have me tie his tie before he went to work. My mornings thus became charming and worth looking forward to, and life in the new home was at least somewhat comforting.
Whether I like it or not, the day after tomorrow is November 6th—my beloved's big day. Although we both have an unspoken agreement to never mention Cui Wuyue, nor the upcoming grand wedding, or any related topics, that morning, while helping him tie his tie, I casually said, "I've already learned how to tie a baby tie. Remember to come early the day after tomorrow so you don't miss the auspicious time to pick up the bride."
His hand on my shoulder trembled slightly. I seemed completely oblivious, taking a half-step back, tilting my head back to admire it, and nodding with a smile: "Look, how beautiful! My skills are getting better and better."
“I’ll be away for seven days starting on the 7th. You need to lock the doors and windows before you go to sleep while you’re home alone,” he said softly, intending to minimize any stimulation for me.
"Oh, going on your honeymoon? Where to?" I forced a smile through the spasms of pain in my chest.
"Jeju Island." My lack of reaction slightly reassured him, and his voice returned to normal.
"A perfect honeymoon destination, indeed. It's just a little late in the season. If you go in September, you should be able to see the autumn leaves."
"Please don't blame me, okay? I had no choice." He was finally defeated by my indifference and raised his hands in surrender.
“I’m not blaming you. I’m not a child. I chose this path myself. You probably have no choice but to consummate your marriage with her, right?”
"Don't be like this!" I provoked him. "Do you think you're the only one suffering? Do you think I'm having an easy time?!"
I felt a surge of turbid air rise from the soles of my feet and rush to my head, burning my entire body with pain. I grabbed a plate from the dining table and smashed it to the ground with all my might. With a loud "bang," the new bone china plate shattered. My irrational scream was even sharper than the sound of the shattering porcelain; to my own ears, I could hardly believe that such a howl, like that of a wounded wild animal, came from my mouth.
Wilson was terrified. He rushed over and hugged me tightly, rubbing my back repeatedly, saying, "STOP, STOP, okay, I won't get married, alright? I won't get married. Nobody here wants to get married. I only want to spend my life with you. Don't scare me, don't scare me, be good, don't cry." Was I crying? After I calmed down a bit, I found us both sitting on the floor, broken pieces everywhere, and the thug squatting in the kitchen doorway, staring blankly at us. I was ashamed of my outburst: "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." I didn't know how to apologize, so I pushed him away slightly, trying to stand up and clean up the mess, but he grabbed my hand: "Some people say that great love should learn to let go at the right time, but I can't do it. I'm sorry, I can't let go of your hand. Seeing you so sad breaks my heart. Tell me what to do? What should I do?"
“I told you, I was wrong just now. I shouldn’t have acted that way. Look, nothing has changed, and nothing will change. Get up, my man. You should go to work now. Go and marry Cui Wuyue the day after tomorrow. At least one of us three will be happy—Cui Wuyue. Our responsibility is to keep her happy, otherwise our sins will be even deeper.”
"Will you hate me one day?" Willson suddenly turned around and asked me before leaving, his eyes filled with fear.
"No!" I said resolutely. Seeing him finally walk downstairs with a sense of relief, my sky cleared up a bit.
Part One, Chapter Fourteen
On the 6th, I couldn't resist sneaking off to the hotel where they were having their wedding.
At my insistence, Willson arrived at our "home" as promised a little after nine that morning, and I happily helped him with his tie. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo, so handsome that I wanted to lock him up and keep him forever, never letting any other woman touch him. I could tell he was a little nervous; I guess all first-time grooms are like that, I thought. As we were leaving, he kissed me as usual, but I wondered if I was just imagining things, but I felt he seemed a little distracted.
“I’ll come over as soon as I get to Guangzhou in seven days.” He still cared about my feelings. But I noticed he said “come over” instead of “come back.”