Chapter 4
"Which mailbox did you send it to? Ah, right, the Hotmail system was adjusted, and I forgot my username, so I stopped using that one."
"You only gave me that mailbox."
Mingfang smiled, her fair face almost translucent under the sunlight.
"I also sent you letters."
"Didn't I reply?"
"Yes, I wrote ten letters, and you replied with just one, no longer than a postcard."
"Forget it, Jiayang, you seem like a child again. I was also worried about your heavy coursework. Now it's better, you've returned, and we can meet often. By the way, how is your job situation? I heard from my dad that your dad has already arranged a position for you at the Translation Bureau?"
"Where else could I go? Except for translating, I don't know how to do anything else."
I spent two years in Paris due to heavy coursework and busy internships, without visiting home. I sent Mingfang countless emails, like throwing stones into the sea, with no reply. In those two years, I wrote her ten long letters; she replied just once last Christmas, urging me to study hard and take care of my health, in a letter not more than 200 words long.
This person wasn't unaware of my feelings, just miserly with hers.
However, luckily, I'm back here, and so is Mingfang. Facing her now, I forgot the past grievances. A soft emotion filled my heart as I saw her hand on the table and gently placed mine on it.
"Mingfang."
"Huh?"
"Mingfang."
"Huh?"
"Just felt like calling you."
She smiled slightly, truly beautiful, "Jiayang, come have dinner at my house today."
"Sure."
My father and Mingfang's father were classmates abroad in their youth, sharing flights, boat trips, and rented accommodations. Upon returning to our country, my father became a master of languages, while Mingfang's father worked at the Ministry of Education. The friendship of their youth lasted a lifetime, continuing through my brother and me and Mingfang.
Hearing I had come, Mingfang's mother specially had the maid make celery and braised carp, my childhood favorites. Her father was away for research, but I thought, at least Mingfang's mother wasn't as busy as mine. This place felt much warmer than my home.
The food was delicious, and I ate a lot.
Mingfang's mother, knowing it was just me and the old maid at home, suggested I simply come over for meals every day. I agreed, looking at Mingfang as she stepped out to take a phone call. I didn't know who it was, but she talked for a while, her soft laughter faintly audible from the balcony.
Around eight, I excused myself.
Mingfang walked me downstairs, reminding me to drive safely. Just as I was about to start the car, she suddenly knocked on my window, "Oh right, I forgot to tell you, Jiayang, I'm getting married soon."
April, a spring night should feel like a warm breeze, yet I hadn't drunk any alcohol, so why did it feel cold, my hands gripping the steering wheel trembling?
My first response was to ask her loudly, "What's wrong? Why are you getting married? What's going on? How old are you exactly?"
"What's going on?" she still smiled, "You forgot, I am four years older than you, already 29, am I not old enough?"
I started the car quickly, catching a glimpse of Mingfang flashing by.
I drove fast, my mind a blank.
I don't even know how I made it home. Just sitting in the dark study.
Mingfang said, that's right, I forgot to tell you, I'm getting married. She downplayed it with all her might. I just hope I didn't make it too obvious just now and that next time I face her, I can be truly composed, otherwise I'll fail to appreciate Mingfang's thoughtful intention.
(End of Chapter)
This book is first released by Xiaoxiang Academy, please do not reproduce!