Section 53: Left Ear (53)

  "Who is Xu Yi?" Lin suddenly asked again.

  I was startled, did I just call out Xi Ye's name? Oh no, what if... Good heavens, my goodness gracious.

  Seeing me tense up, Lin smiled and said: "That guy named Xu Yi has been calling your phone nonstop. So I answered it, and told him you were sick. He said he'd come right away."

  My first reaction was to jump out of bed, but I had no strength, not even a little bit. Lin held me down and said, "Li Er, calm down."

  "Ling," I said, "I don't want to see him."

  "Are you sure?"

  I nodded.

  "Alright then, you sleep, you need rest. I'll deal with him." Lin patted me.

  I watched the crystal clear liquid dripping into my body through the IV tube, feeling extremely drowsy, and then I really fell asleep. When I woke up again it was midnight, Lin was resting by my bedside. Then, I smelled the light and elegant fragrance of lilies, Lin was startled awake by me, she lifted her head and asked: "Do you need something, food or to use the restroom?"

  I turned my head and looked at the flowers. Lilies, in the dark of night have a stunning beauty that is mesmerizing.

  "He's been here," Lin said, "the flowers were from him, and he asked me to give this to you."

  Ling handed over an envelope, thick and heavy.

  I opened it and found it was all filled with money.

  "I've already paid for it, three thousand yuan, he said he'd return it to you, so I accepted it on your behalf," Lin said.

  "What about him?"

  "He had an emergency and left. Ask you to call him."

  "Oh." I said.

  Lin smiled and said: "But seriously, that little rascal is really handsome, no wonder you're so distracted every day."

  I pulled out the white paper from the envelope, on which were written two words: thank you.

  I'm heartbroken again for these two unfamiliar yet polite words, and I'm unable to retrieve my dignity. I'm really afraid that even if I use up all my strength, he will still be the warmth that I cannot get close to in this life. Two days later, I left the hospital. I didn't call Xu Ye, and his phone calls didn't come either. This week's evening work was selling cakes at a coffee shop. Every night from 9 to 11 was the special sale time for cakes. I stood under the advertisement umbrella, peddling to passing customers.

  Just as the cake was about to sell out, a thunderclap sounded. I looked up at the sky and hastily started packing up my stall.

  A voice said: "Sell me all the rest."

  I lowered my head and turned around to leave, but he grasped my arm from behind and spun me back around.

  My god, this is on the street. Although I didn't even lift my eyelids, I knew it was Xu Yi. The person I couldn't bear to look at, it's him, Xu Yi. He's here, I'm doomed.

  He gently held me in his arms and sighed, saying: "Li Er, it's strange, I miss you."

  His hug was so light, as if it were there and not there at the same time. The last piece of cake in my hand fell to the ground with a soft thud. Perhaps it was the buttercream left on my fingertips that suddenly gave the air a taste of romance, and I resignedly closed my eyes.

  After a long time, he let go of me and said: "Follow me."

  I stupidly followed him, and we walked side by side on the Shanghai streets near midnight. This area is not very prosperous, and with the rain coming soon, there are not many pedestrians on the road. The thunder and wind rose together, and the leaves of the November plane tree were still dense, making urgent whispers in the rising wind.

  At 17, I had yearned to walk side by side with him like this. I glanced at him sideways, looking at his straight nose, and for a moment felt as if I were in a different world.

  He walked for a while longer without stopping or showing any signs of direction, so I stopped and asked: "Where are we going? If it gets any later, I won't be able to get back to school."

  Xu Yi stopped, gazed at me absent-mindedly, then looked up at the sky. Next, he quickly dragged me under the tree, staring at me with a soft and gentle gaze that was like two different people from my dreams, enunciating each word: "Li Er, be my girlfriend!"

  The rainwater, at this moment, poured down heavily.

  I pushed him away with force.

  My hand was suddenly grasped tightly by him and placed on his chest, unable to move. The rain hit my hair, I closed my eyes desperately, shaking my head as if possessed.

  He held me tightly, as if casting a spell, and I couldn't move. He kept saying "Promise me, promise me, promise me." I couldn't take it anymore. Without thinking, I leaned forward and bit him hard on the shoulder.

  He didn't move at all, not even a tremble. My hair finally came undone and must have been hanging down my head in an ugly mess, just like an octopus that's just been born. Jump out! ~~~~~~~~!!!!!!!