I guessed right, An'an went home in a really bad mood... so when I called her, she said some pretty harsh things to me; it wasn't until I told her that I had come to her building specifically to explain the situation that she softened her attitude.
She came downstairs in her pajamas, and I smiled apologetically at her, saying, "My parents were over there before, so it wasn't convenient for me to explain this to you... That's why I came over as soon as they left... I feel really bad... It was all a misunderstanding, and the person my parents were talking about has absolutely nothing to do with you..."
I told An'an the whole story in detail... I thought that once I explained it to her, she wouldn't be sad anymore, but she became even more depressed.
After a long pause, she said to me with a self-deprecating smile, "If I hadn't really become someone else's mistress... how could I have listened to what your parents said? This isn't your parents' fault, nor is it yours... I'm the one who went astray."
"Don't say that... You're still so young. As long as you're willing, there are still many bright paths waiting for you to walk."
An An smiled, then looked melancholy and said to me, "I know... but I really love him... Sometimes, I even think... if only he were an ordinary person, I wouldn't need him to have much money, just enough to support the family... I could go out and work... You might not believe it, but I really want him more than his money."
“If you consider me a friend, I’ll tell you the truth… This isn’t something you can just talk about… You’ll have to wait until he’s really become an ordinary person, and live with him for a year or two before you’ll know what you truly want… The reason you can think this way now is because materially, you lack nothing… You live in the best building, drive a luxury car worth millions… You’ve got all of that.”
"So, I'm still a bad woman!?"
“I didn’t say that… I just think that you think that way to put your mind at ease… I think you’re a pretty kind person, at least you know that you’re undeserving of everything you have.”
"Maybe... There might come a day when I really can't stand this kind of life anymore, and I'll choose to leave Dali."
"You'll have to experience the bitterness and sweetness of it all yourself... I won't try to persuade you, nor will I give you any random advice."
An'an nodded, and after a moment of silence, she changed the subject and asked me, "What about you? After this, what are your plans... Will you pursue your true love?... It seems like there are no more obstacles in your path!"
"Let's focus on our careers first... That's always been my thinking."
As I said this, I subconsciously glanced in the direction Yang Sisi was, and then added, "Actually, there are some things I'd like to hear your opinion as an outsider..."
I don't have time today, let's talk again another time when I'm free.
"Okay... Contact me when your parents aren't there, and I'll come to the hospital to find you."
An'an played a little joke on my parents and me, which proves that the misunderstanding between us has been cleared up... I feel much more relaxed... So, I hope I have healthy legs, because all my good mood comes from running.
...
After An'an went upstairs, I leaned on my cane and walked towards the gate of the community. I thought Yang Sisi would be sitting somewhere waiting for me, but to my surprise, there was a Maserati with a Kunming license plate parked where she was standing, and Cao Xiaobei and a woman I didn't recognize were standing opposite her.
I glanced at her again and remembered who this woman was... Cao Xiaobei had shown me her picture; she was the prospective daughter-in-law that Cao Jinbo was so eager to curry favor with.
If you count the time, she and Cao Xiaobei have been together for several months now.
I may be the only person in the world who knows that Cao Xiaobei doesn't love her; because a few days ago, Cao Xiaobei sent me a message, revealing that she couldn't forget Yang Sisi.
...
I approached the three of them. Cao Xiaobei glanced at me and spoke first, asking, "What happened to your leg?"
"Bad luck... I got hit by a car... Weren't you in Kunming? Why did you go back to Dali?"
"Nothing's been happening lately; we've been back here for a week now."
As he spoke, he glanced at the woman beside him... The woman also glanced at him, her eyes sparkling with affection... This was quite normal, after all, Cao Xiaobei was a very handsome young man, and they were a good match.
I smiled and asked again, "Living amidst mountains and rivers?"
"Um."
"Is it the same apartment upstairs as before?"
"No... my dad gave us a detached villa, but it's too small, not enough to play in."
"You really know how to be born into wealth... We feel like we've done everything we can to buy one of these houses in the mountains and rivers... Your dad seems to be doing wholesale here, buying one here and one there, but in the end, you're the one who gets the best deal!"
"Will you die if you don't make fun of me?"
"Just kidding... We've long since gone from enemies to friends... If you'd like to do me the honor, let's have dinner together later."
Cao Xiaobei glanced at Yang Sisi again, then shook his head and replied, "No, I have plans with other people tonight..."
After saying that, he clenched his fists tightly, as if gathering a great deal of courage, and then said to me, "Be nicer to Sisi..."
I looked at him; his Adam's apple was bobbing... as if he had a thousand words to say, but dared not express them too much in front of the woman beside him. After glancing at Yang Sisi again, he pulled the woman into the car.
Is this still the Cao Xiaobei I know? Back then, he was an arrogant motorcycle enthusiast... He even used Yang Sisi's name to wait for him abroad.
He opened a milk tea shop, and every night at 10 pm, he would give away free milk tea to customers... In this world, there was no one more daring to express himself than him... But now... he has changed. He still loves Yang Sisi, yet he doesn't dare to hurt the woman beside him... His dilemma is just like my own before...
He will never be happy.
...
Watching the car lights flashing as they drove away, I asked Yang Sisi, who had been keeping her head down, "Why did he specifically emphasize that I should treat you well before he left?"
"I told him...we're together...I'm so, so happy right now..."
After a brief pause, Yang Sisi choked back tears and said, "Michael... don't blame me... I won't fall in love with him... I can tell that woman loves him very much... Since I can't give myself to him, I'll let him completely despair... at least I can keep a woman who truly loves him for him!"
"But he looks so pitiful!"
Am I not pitiful?
(End of this chapter)
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