I see.
Since it involved privacy, Wu Yang didn't bring it up, so Xi Jia didn't ask. Instead, she asked, "Have I met your girlfriend?"
Wu Yang shook his head.
None of his friends had ever seen her.
Many of his colleagues at the club had seen her, but at the time they didn't know she was his girlfriend.
His girlfriend worked at an equestrian club two years ago as an ordinary employee in the administration department, and they occasionally had contact. Once, when she was on holiday and returning to the city, she didn't have a car and missed the last bus because she was working overtime, so he gave her a ride home.
The two became acquainted after that.
Later, when they got together, she resigned to avoid suspicion.
She didn't fit in with his circle of friends, and he never thought of bringing her along.
Wu Yang pulled himself together, stood up, and said, "Let's go back to the office."
He pulled Xi Jia up with a hand.
The two walked along the path at a leisurely pace.
Wu Yang asked, "How long will it take to get back?"
Xi Jia: "I don't know."
Wu Yang lit a cigarette. "I'll come see you then."
Xi Jia smiled and said, "Sure, the scenery over there is beautiful. I'll take you there to heal your heartbreak."
Xi Jia stopped again as she passed the training ground.
Wu Yang looked at her, then at the other riders training on the field, and raised his chin slightly. "If you're not in a hurry to go back, go and ride a couple more laps."
Xi Jia: "Yang Yang, I feel like I've regressed."
Wu Yang paused, holding the cigarette, and comforted her, "No matter what kind of athlete you are, no one can stay at their peak forever. Once you're better, you can become a coach."
There was a moment of silence.
Xi Jia: "I'm going to practice for a while." She waved to him.
Wu Yang stared at the somewhat forlorn figure as he took a deep drag on his cigarette. The scene from last night flashed through his mind: her departing figure as she left the restaurant mirrored Xi Jia's current posture.
Equestrianism is Xi Jia's life, and now that she's regressed, she's sad.
And her?
Wu Yang slowly exhaled smoke, and threw the remaining half into the trash can.
The horse farm in early winter was bleak, making one feel even colder inside.
——
In the afternoon, Ji Qingshi went to the Mo Group to express his gratitude to Mo Yushen.
He's always been very clear about the distinction: his sister is family, while his brother-in-law is an outsider.
But in the morning, Xi Jia told him that Mo Yushen was going to take her to the airport.
She was genuinely happy, and every word she spoke to him was like honey.
Mo Yushen and Xi Jia's marriage wasn't the loving relationship the elders perceived it to be. They were both acting; they couldn't fool him. In the beginning, it was she who insisted on the marriage, and he had no choice but to give in.
It's not easy for Mo Yushen to show a bit of humanity now.
Ji Qingshi called Mo Yushen after arriving at the Mo family's building, and Secretary Ding came down to greet him.
Secretary Ding pressed the elevator button, "President Ji."
Ji Qingshi nodded. He was very familiar with Secretary Ding, so he didn't bother with any formal pleasantries. He had worked with the Mo family before Xi Jia married Mo Yushen, and had known Secretary Ding for almost six years.
Once inside the elevator, Ji Qingshi asked, "What is he busy with?"
Secretary Ding: "President Mo is with Chairman Li." Chairman Li is the vice chairman of Mo's Group.
Ji Qingshi had a tote bag in his hand, which he handed to Secretary Ding: "These are a few cartons of cigarettes that a friend brought back from abroad."
Secretary Ding took it, leaving the words of thanks to Mo Yushen. He glanced at the cigarettes inside; they weren't particularly expensive, but they were produced in limited quantities and difficult to find on the market.
Smoking it just for the novelty.
Secretary Ding didn't forget to flatter and praise his boss, half-jokingly saying, "I have to have a pack of these cigarettes. I have a blind date tomorrow night, but I canceled it just to make a trip to Shanghai that I didn't originally need to go to."
Ji Qingshi turned his head to the side, "Hmm?"
Secretary Ding: "In that case, Mr. Mo will have a reason to go to the airport tomorrow."
Ji Qingshi understood immediately, and while pleased, he couldn't help but tease, "How old is he?"
Secretary Ding: "Men in love are all minors."
Ji Qingshi smiled and said, "The cigarettes are all yours. People with low emotional intelligence don't deserve to smoke these cigarettes."
Amidst the laughter and chatter, the elevator arrived.
Like Mo Yushen, Secretary Ding did not smoke; he saved the cigarettes to entertain guests.
Mo Yushen returned from Chairman Li's place and made coffee for Ji Qingshi. "What brings you here today?"
Ji Qingshi: "Just passing by, would you like a cup of tea?"
That means everything's fine. Mo Yushen sat opposite Ji Qingshi, chatting idly, and asked about his parents-in-law, "Mom and Dad haven't come back yet?"
Ji Qingshi stirred his coffee. "No, it's still early."
During this period, her parents traveled to five countries and visited more than ten patients with the same condition as Xi Jia to see how they were recovering and how they were treated.
However, it was discovered that each patient's situation was different.
Some recovered slowly, while others became increasingly serious.
Those undergoing treatment and facing financial difficulties received assistance from their parents.
My mother had some water and soil acclimatization issues a few days ago and went to the local hospital for treatment.
Even so, she would accompany her father on every visit to a patient.
His mother called and told him that there were several little girls who had forgotten everything, didn't even know who they were, and it was heartbreaking to see. The mother sadly wondered if Jiajia would even forget her as her mother someday.
Who knows?
He didn't know either.
Mo Yu remained silent, unable to respond.
After finishing his coffee, Ji Qingshi took his leave.
Mo Yushen escorted Ji Qingshi to the elevator. Before entering the elevator, Ji Qingshi asked Mo Yushen for a favor, "If you have the chance, ask Jiajia how Ye Qiu is doing lately."
——
Today, Mo Yushen returned home earlier than usual, arriving before it was even dark.
Xi Jia's car was also in the courtyard.
Mo Yushen entered the villa. Xi Jia wasn't in the living room. He took the elevator upstairs, staring at the numbers '2' and '3' until the elevator doors slowly closed. He then pressed '3'.
The third floor was exceptionally quiet, making the sounds coming from the rooms all the more clear.
"It's because I don't want to leave. I only love Xi Jia in this life."
Mo Yu frowned deeply; this was his recording.
Then came the same sentence again.
Repeatedly play external audio.
Mo Yushen walked to the bedroom door. The door was not closed. Xi Jia was lying on the sofa with her hands behind her head, staring at the ceiling.
The phone next to me was still playing the recording.
Hearing footsteps, Xi Jia turned her head and smiled, "Husband."
Mo Yushen responded with the same invariable, "Mm."
The recording was still playing; she showed no intention of turning it off.
Mo Yushen loosened a few of the top buttons on his shirt, looked at her, and said, "Aren't you tired of hearing it over and over again?"
Xi Jia: "Not at all. Women never tire of sweet talk; even if it's poison, they'll still enjoy it." She glanced at the time on her phone. "You're back so early today?"
Mo Yushen asked, "Do you remember when I used to come home late?"
Xi Jia shook her head, "I don't remember. I just reviewed my notebook, and it says that you always come back very late."
Mo Yushen's eyes darkened slightly, and he turned to leave.
Xi Jia looked at his retreating figure and asked, "Going out again?"
"Go to the study."
As soon as he finished speaking, he walked out.
Xi Jia turned off the recording, and the room became quiet.
She rubbed her ears and gently massaged her eye sockets.
I was looking at my laptop when my eyes started to feel uncomfortable, so I lay down to rest for a while. Now they feel much better.
Next, look at the notes.
It's strange, I can't calm my mind.
With Mo Yushen not home, she entertained herself and had a great time. When Mo Yushen returned, he found the room much colder.
Xi Jia got up, took her notebook, and went downstairs.
"husband."
A few seconds later, "The easternmost room."
Mo Yushen exited the phone's audio player, put the phone aside, and casually checked his emails.
"Your little darling will arrive in two seconds."
Mo Yushen: "..."