The next day, a Sunday, began with the sound of raindrops and rays of sunshine. Yin, troubled by the salary penalty imposed by Lu Zheng, woke up with a subtle fever.
Meanwhile, Mu Rong, grappling with diminished morale, faced the day with a mix of worry and depression, uncertain about how to navigate it without her usual evening hangout with Yin.
Mu Rong, burdened by the job pressure, took solace in her paper and pen, choosing to write her struggles to Bi Lai in a letter.
Despite keeping the salary penalty concealed from her parents, Mr. Sai, aware of everything, had also not spoken anything to her and her parents. He took the invoice penalty rather as a personal problem for her to handle.
To avert any suspicion from Mu Rong, Yin, dispelling her morning unease with some meditation, paid a visit to Mu Rong's house after breakfast to inform Mu Rong of her plan to see a relative, disrupting their regular evening hangouts until the following Sunday.
Yin originally had a planned day out with Lu Zheng, intending to return later.
Arriving at Mu Qing's house, Yin was warmly greeted by Mok Dan, who had prepared a house buffet. Despite Mok Dan's invitation to have tea in the kitchen with her, Yin insisted on enjoying it with Mu Rong. They had the tea delivered to their favorite spot, the balcony linked to Mu Rong's room.
As a frequent visitor to Mu Rong's house, Yin moved freely around the house, except for Mok Dan and Mu Qing's room. After checking on Mu Rong's younger siblings, Yin headed straight to Mu Rong's bedroom, hoping to surprise her.
When Yin had entered the room, she could not see Mu Rong inside so she assumed she was in the shower. She opened windows and the door to the balcony to invite in the fresh air and organized all scattered items on her dressing mirror.
"I hope she isn't planning to quit," Yin mused as she arranged things. Yin needed Mu Rong's presence at the district offices for emotional support. Lacking confidence at times, Mu Rong, being a close friend, always boosted Yin's confidence.
Mu Rong had left a partially completed letter under one of the books she had read that Saturday night and she had placed it on her side stool next to the dressing mirror.
As Yin focused on organizing, she moved the book to a better place which revealed the folded letter. She picked it up from the floor where it had fallen, unfolded it, and began reading.
The details were cryptic, making it challenging for Yin to grasp Mu Rong's message. While it was clear Mu Rong was in a relationship, the rest of the details were scattered and confusing but the name "Bi Lai" sparked Yin's interest.
"Bi Lai?" Yin tried to recall where she had heard the name but couldn't place it.
"I'll ask Lu Zheng," she thought and continued reading.
"Wow! She managed to keep this so well hidden from me," Yin marveled, surprised by Mu Rong's ability to conceal everything about her relationship.
As Yin heard footsteps approaching, she discreetly returned the letter under the book and assumed the guise of preparing the balcony for their tea, which the maid had delivered.
When Mu Rong entered her bedroom, she saw Yin on the balcony. Impressed by how quickly Yin had organized her room, she went over to welcome her, still wrapped in her towel.
However, she noticed the moved book and knew Yin had read her letter.
Tired of pretenses, Mu Rong asked Yin to wait while she changed her dress. Afterward, she joined Yin on the balcony.
This time, Mu Rong aimed to address the insecurities in their friendship. Both had matured, and differences in their choices were becoming apparent.
"Are you heading somewhere this early?" Mu Rong initiated the conversation, pouring tea for both of them and sensing Yin's eagerness to conclude breakfast.
"Yes, I'm meeting someone and might be back late," Yin replied, sensing Mu Rong's direction.
"How long have you been dating him?" Mu Rong asked, eyes fixed on the front porch adorned by a heavenly shower, the flowers reminding her of their youth.
A little surprised by the sudden question and not wanting to evade the truth, Yin admitted, with a forced smile in her face, "Two years. It's getting quite serious now."
"Hmmmm," Mu Rong blushed, and they shared a laugh and a high five.
"And you kept that hidden from me, why?" Mu Rong teased, unaware that Yin was talking about Lu Zheng.
"Sorry, it just happened and I wasn't so sure he would stay for long," Yin defended, not yet ready to reveal details about Lu Zheng.
"If you love him, then trust each other." Mu Rong said to Yin with a smile as she reflected on her own relationship with Bi Lai.
"What about you?" Yin inquired, assuming Mu Rong hadn't discovered the moved letter under the book.
"Well, it's been seven months. He works far away, and we want to settle down." Mu Rong confessed, feeling a weight lifted. She had always felt insecure of sharing her relationship details with Yin due the different family classes between them.
"Planning to leave naerang?" Yin asked, drawing a contrast on her relationship, understanding Mu Rong's deep love and the likelihood of her moving someday.
"Yes, but next time, don't read my letters unless it's an emergency. I love Bi Lai deeply and want to keep our privacy," Mu Rong said politely, prompting an apology from Yin.
"I promise you, it wasn't intentional," Yin reassured Mu Rong, forging a new connection to their friendship that morning.
After tea, Mu Rong escorted Yin out of the house to the main road. As they chatted, Mu Rong asked Yin to be early the following day for their second week at the district offices.
"I won't be late, that I promise but please do not leave Naerang yet." Yin Requested Mu Rong.
Mu Rong smiled and said to her in an assuring tone, "I won't leave soon. It'll take some time, and I'll let you know about it." They gave each other a quick hug and as Yin climbed into the cart, she felt renewed and open.
If she loved Lu Zheng, there was no need for shame. She decided to embrace his identity, just as Mu Rong had embraced her connection with Bi Lai.