Chapter Fifty-Six: A Single Cut in Two
After last night, the relationship between Chu Zhen and me has undergone a subtle change. I've gotten used to him squeezing toothpaste and preparing water for me to wash my face, and then waiting for him to make breakfast.
Wang Sihong also got up quite early; by the time Chu Zhen had finished making breakfast, he had already run a lap around the village.
"Not bad now, you even got some exercise!"
"I'm used to it. Back in college, I ran 5,000 meters every morning and evening to lose weight. Now I feel uncomfortable if I don't run. See? That's how I got rid of all that fat." Wang Sihong rolled up his sleeves and showed off his muscles.
“If you stay here for a while, I guarantee you’ll lose another ten pounds.” I joked with Wang Sihong, completely ignoring Chu Zhen.
"Let's eat. The inspection team will be here soon, and you'll have to continue hosting them." Chu Zhen poured me a glass of milk, which even came with slices of cheese.
"You still bring this?"
"Your standard breakfast is all your favorite brands. Hurry up and drink it while it's hot. Oh, right, Wang Sihong, there's porridge in the pot. Help yourself!" After saying that, Chu Zhen brought a bowl of porridge and sat down next to me.
Wang Sihong looked at me, and I gave him a "do what you think is best" look. He understood, ladled out some porridge, and sat down opposite us.
Not long after breakfast, the inspection team arrived, and I led everyone to conduct a field visit. Given my understanding of the local area and the village chief's accompaniment, everyone gained a lot from the trip and made plans for the future. After returning home, they will send people to develop and manage the area.
I didn't hand over my work when I left, because I thought I would come back to work. However, my speech at the Trade and Tourism Festival was reported locally, and many college students have also joined the ranks of volunteer teachers. I can continue my journalism work.
The inspection team had already left, and Wang Sihong, who had work to do, didn't linger. Chu Zhen insisted on accompanying me, saying he was worried about me traveling back alone, and I didn't refuse. These past few days with Chu Zhen, I've developed a dependence on him, and I've imagined countless times walking with him in the mountains. No matter what happens in the future, I want to fulfill my dream.
"Teacher Lin, is this your boyfriend?" A farewell party was held in the classroom. Lai Di and I have always known each other. She looked at Chu Zhen and asked me.
"No, it's my friend," I replied. "Go on, go back to your seat!"
The children's hearts are pure and simple. When I stood on the podium, there was already a chorus of sobs below. The girls were crying so hard they were slumped over their desks, while the boys were somewhat stronger, their tearful eyes still looking at me. I felt so reluctant to part with these children I had spent so much time with, and tears welled up in my eyes as well.
"You must study hard. Teacher Lin and I will come back to see you from time to time. If anyone makes a mistake or doesn't study hard, we won't come back." Chu Zhen said, standing next to me on the stage when he saw that I was speechless.
People are always meeting and parting ways. Despite our reluctance, we embarked on our journey home.
"I have to come here every year!"
"good!"
"No, I have to come here every month!"
"good!"
On the bus, Chu Zhen kept agreeing with me.
I wore headphones the whole way, and Chu Zhen also took out his tablet and seemed to be working. We didn't disturb each other until the car arrived at the station. I didn't realize that I had fallen asleep in Chu Zhen's arms without even noticing.
"Excuse me, your clothes are a bit wrinkled."
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Just wash it and iron it for me."
"Okay!" I stopped arguing and bickering with him like I used to.
"Can I have my things back?" The station wasn't far from my place, and Chu Zhen insisted on taking me back. He suddenly asked me this on the way.
"What is that?"
"photo."
Then I remembered that when I visited his place last time, I took the photo of the two of us from the bedside table back home.
“That’s mine,” I said.
“I’m inside,” Chu Zhen said.
"I'll send it to you later!" I stopped arguing. The distance was really too short; it felt like we had arrived without even exchanging a few words.
"That's enough, I'll go upstairs myself!" I tried to take the suitcase from Chu Zhen.
"I'll take you upstairs and pick up the photos while I'm at it." Before I could even agree, Chu Zhen had already pressed the elevator button.
When we arrived at our accommodation, Chu Zhen habitually put her suitcase in my room, while I placed the photo on my bedside table. I saw Chu Zhen staring intently at the photo, a slight smile playing on her lips.
I really don't know what I was thinking at the time. I picked up the photo frame, took out the photo, and tore it in two in front of Chu Zhen.
"Yes, here's your photo." I handed him his half, and I saw his upturned lips slowly return to their original shape, until they sank down, and his whole face became increasingly gloomy. Meanwhile, I was smiling at him fearlessly, which undoubtedly fueled his anger even more.
Chu Zhen didn't say anything, nor did she take the photo from my hand. She just left angrily. I thought, now there really is no possibility between us anymore!
Huang Yanyan said, "I'm being too dramatic. Since Chu Zhen has made it so obvious, why not give each other a chance!"
I didn't explain anything to Yan Yan. I believe that love is about fidelity and cannot be desecrated. Chu Zhen committed a major taboo in my love life—concealment and deception.
Back in City A, I received an offer from the local newspaper, which I gladly accepted. I was put in charge of interviewing and editing the local news and social issues section, which was a new challenge for me. However, since it was still a local news and social issues section, my interactions with Chu Zhen were becoming more and more frequent.
"So you and Chu Zhen have ended things like this? You haven't thought about continuing things?" Song Zhixiao knew I was back in City A and asked me out for a small get-together.
"Well, how about you? How's it going with your blind date?"
Which one are you referring to?
"Could there be several?" I asked, somewhat surprised.
"I've been busy with blind dates these past few years. I've had at least a platoon or a battalion of potential partners."
"Heroine!" I exclaimed sincerely. At this moment, I was actually quite gratified by the past few years of living deep in the mountains. If we were in the city, I'm sure my parents would feel the same way. "I remember one year on New Year's Day, you went on a blind date and you took a liking to one, didn't you?"
"You mean that guy? Sigh, I'm destined to be unlucky with handsome guys. Now I use him as the standard for blind dates, so I haven't found anyone I like yet." Song Ji-hyo said somewhat dejectedly, "That guy is really aloof, but luckily, he works in new media, so we sometimes have some contact. Maybe I can introduce you to him next time. Maybe he likes your type!"
"I won't trouble you with that!"
Chatting with Song Ji-hyo, I learned that Chu Zhen is now a pillar of the station. He has been working on "Before Dawn" without stopping, and he also serves as the producer of two other programs, as well as the planner of some large conferences. His team is now very large, but he has never moved out of that office, and my position has never changed either. Of course, no one can sit in that position anymore.
"Lin Dang, I always felt that Chu Zhen was a devoted person! Is there some misunderstanding between you two?"
"No, it's just that we're not a good match."
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