The cell phone was insistently ringing. Tang Ying, far across the ocean, seemed to know that he was holding the phone and was indecisive. The ring continued, surpassing the typical duration for unanswered calls and briefly giving in to silence. But it quickly restarted, resolute and determined, as if he would not answer, the ring would continue to ring incessantly ...
This had been the fifth ring unanswered. Pick it up, a voice inside Zhang Ziwen's heart urged him. The ringtone seemed to be tugging at his heartstrings. Zhang Ziwen took a deep breath and pressed the answer button, holding the phone close to his ear. In the deafening silence, he could sense Tang Ying lying in bed. He could feel her faint breathing, and her conflicted emotions, almost mirroring his. The call had been connected, but neither spoke. They each seemed afraid to hear the other's voice, their hearts throbbing rhythmically.
