Chapter Eighty-Three: News of Him

I watched Zhao Ke Wen stride away, puzzled and uneasy. This pair of eccentric lovers—what if their fiery antics truly ignited something between them?

Sitting at the doorway, I fished out my cigarette case only to discover a single slender ladies’ cigarette remained. I held it gently for a long moment, unable to bring myself to light it; a sense of nostalgia and reluctance welled within me. It felt as though once I smoked it, all ties with Luo Qing would be severed forever. After a brief hesitation, I decided to return it to the case and slip it back into my pocket.

Even with a jacket on, the late autumn chill in Yichun seeped through, making me shiver uncontrollably. Looking up at the dwindling traffic on the street, I couldn't help but reminisce about those days when Luo Qing and I used to stroll together. Our time together had been brief—just a few months—but fate had brought separation, leaving us each on our own path. Sometimes I doubted my feelings for her—was it truly as I once professed? And what did Luo Qing feel for me? If what we built was love, then what are we doing now—simply waiting?

I stood and brushed the dust from my clothes, ready to leave, but I couldn’t shake off concerns about Zhao Ke Wen and Zhang Chuang. Checking my phone, I calculated the time and called her.

“What’s wrong, dear brother?” Her voice came through almost instantly.

“Ke Wen, where are you two? Don’t tell me you actually booked a room together?” I asked suspiciously.

“Of course, where else? We’re already at the inn. If you don’t believe me, listen to him.” She seemed to hand the phone to Zhang Chuang, whose slurred words came through indistinctly.

My unease grew. Though I trusted Ke Wen wouldn’t truly do anything, Zhang Chuang was clearly drunk—his consciousness muddled. If they were indeed at an inn, who knew what might happen? If their act turned real, things could spiral out of control.

“Which inn are you at? I’ll come find you. Ke Wen, he’s had too much; stop fooling around.” Just in case, I decided it was best to halt Ke Wen’s dangerous game immediately.

“What’s wrong? Brother, do you want to join us too?” Her voice was soft and sultry, making me shiver.

“No, Ke Wen, listen to me—”

Before I could finish, her excited voice cut me off: “Relax, I know what I’m doing. No more chatting—the game begins!” With that, she hung up. When I called again, her phone was already switched off.

I was debating whether to call Zhang Chuang when my phone rang unexpectedly. Seeing the caller ID, I was delighted—it was An Ye, whom I hadn’t heard from in ages!

I pressed answer without hesitation, but An Ye spoke first: “Chen, are you asleep?”

“Not yet. You disappeared lately. Did you know Sister Shi and I were worried sick about you? Where are you now? Let’s meet and talk face to face!” I hurried to the roadside, ready to hail a taxi.

“Chen… I’m not in Yichun anymore…” His voice sounded low. The news shocked me, and I lowered my hand, moving away from the street onto the sidewalk.

“You’re not in Yichun?”

“No, I followed You Qin’s trail and arrived at a strange place—a quiet little town.” He sounded relaxed, but there was a hint of repression.

—Page 1/3

“You… you followed her?” So An Ye had gone after You Qin. No wonder he vanished entirely from Yichun.

“Heh… yes, I caught up with her, but lost my heart along the way.” An Ye laughed dryly, sighing heavily.

“You two have only met once. Even if it was love at first sight for you, it depends on her feelings too. Don’t force yourself. Love isn’t child’s play—it takes more than a glance to spend a lifetime together.” I recalled You Qin’s story. After all she’d endured, it would be hard for her to open up and accept another man.

“I know. She’s rejected me time and again, but I know my own feelings and can’t give up easily. If I could let go so simply, it would mean my feelings were mere admiration—not true love.”

I understood An Ye’s character well. At this moment, he seemed trapped in a dead end, unable to see the bigger picture. I wanted to advise him, but after thinking for a bit, I didn’t know how to begin. He was just like I once was—believing in love’s beauty, longing for warmth and happiness, yet unaware of reality’s cruelty.

“So… are you planning to stay with her there?”

“No, tomorrow morning we’ll set out for the next place.” An Ye hesitated, as if there was more he wanted to say but couldn’t.

“You’re both going? You and her together?” I asked, incredulous. Could An Ye actually have some skill? Although they weren’t lovers, they must at least be good friends by now.

An Ye paused before answering, “Yes, you could say we’re traveling together. We talk like friends, but I can feel she has not the tiniest extra feeling for me.”

Though it might sound blunt, that was the most normal situation. Since An Ye was determined to pursue her, all I could do was sincerely wish him success.

“Sigh… Chen, actually I called you because I need a favor…” An Ye sighed.

“Go on, I’ll do what I can.”

“Do you have any spare cash? Lend me some—I might need it urgently soon.” His voice was weak but clear.

“How much?” I would do what I could. If not, I could borrow from someone else for him and pay them back gradually.

“Fifty thousand—can you manage?”

“Damn!” I cursed aloud. Where was I supposed to get that much money?!

“Is it urgent? I’ll try to figure something out!” No matter what, I had to agree. An Ye knew my situation; he wouldn’t have asked unless he had no other option. He said fifty thousand, but who knew what he really needed.

“It’s a long story. I’ll send you my card number later—please hurry… If you really can’t manage, don’t force yourself; I’ll think of something else.” Though he wasn’t by my side, I could hear the apology in his tone.

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“I’ll transfer the money to you in the next couple of days, but promise me—don’t let love cloud your judgment and do anything foolish, all right?” Since he didn’t want to say why he needed such a large sum, I had no reason to press him. But at the very least, I had to caution him; An Ye might seem smooth, but deep down he was especially pure. It wasn’t that I feared You Qin would deceive him—I was afraid he’d act impulsively, doing something that would benefit no one.

He assured me and told me not to worry. Just as we were about to hang up, I remembered something crucial: “Ye Zi, call Sister Shi when you have a chance. She’s worried about you. Whatever you’re doing, don’t let the people who care about you worry, okay?”

After hanging up, I lost all desire to keep walking and took a taxi straight back home.

Taking out Luo Qing’s bank card, I felt a wave of sadness. I kept talking about principles, but in the face of reality, those were nothing but empty words. Yet I had no better way to solve the problem in front of me. I couldn’t face borrowing from Ke Wen anymore; Sister Shi was already planning to lend me two hundred thousand. How could I ask for more? Who else would lend money to a pauper like me? Even if someone did, how would I pay them back?

“A brother in trouble—if you have it, lend it. Make up for it later.” I stared at the card glittering in the lamplight, repeating to myself, “It’s just borrowing. I’ll pay it back when I have the money. It’s fine.”

Lying in bed, my mind was a mess—missing Luo Qing, worrying about Zhao Ke Wen and Zhang Chuang, wishing An Ye well. No matter the train of thought, it all unsettled me, keeping me awake.

As I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, the familiar sound of a text message chimed. Without expectation, I unlocked my phone and glanced at it—it was from an unfamiliar number. My first thought was Su Xuefei, but then I remembered I had her number saved. So who could it be?

“Long time no see. Are you asleep?” The message read.

“Not yet… I lost my phone before. Who are you?”

“Someone who once sent you a few messages.”

I thought for a moment, and memories suddenly surfaced… I remembered now—this must be the person who chatted with me late at night back then.

“Oh, I remember you. Is there something you need?”

“So, has your girlfriend forgiven you? You said before that you two were quarreling and living apart.”

Right, I’d joked with her before, saying my girlfriend and I were fighting and living apart. But at that time, I was single—no Zhang Jiaxin, no Luo Qing.

Suddenly, a bold idea flashed through my mind… The owner of this message said she knew me, but I had no idea who she was. Was it possible—could she be Luo Qing?