After the eventful lunch with Ruxuan and Chengli, Weiwei was consumed with thoughts and doubts. She couldn't decide how much of what she learned and when she should share with Qi. Probably just as well, she didn't get any messages from him that evening.
It doesn't matter to him and TTT Group who leaked the report. It doesn't even matter whether it was me who raised the alarm or someone else. So it won't make a difference if I clear my name, right? And he believed me anyway.
On the other hand, she was concerned Qi didn't message her.
He's far away, he's busy with important negotiations. He's back at the level where he belongs. He doesn't belong on my sofa. Maybe he's beginning to realize that.
Weiwei sighed.
Maybe he will eventually go back to the life he knows and enjoys, and I'll go back to my life, whatever that might be. That's okay. I shouldn't be scared. I'll always have the memories of us living together. It was all worth it.
She tried to distract herself with reading and watching a movie, but her mind was uneasy. Vague images of Qi flickered in her subconsciousness from time to time.
When Weiwei finally fell asleep, she dreamed that Ms. Wu went onto this business trip with Qi. Unbeknownst to Weiwei, Ms. Wu and Qi were in the same room in a hotel somewhere far away, and Ms. Wu was reaching out for Qi's hand.
"So, tell me, is everything forgotten, my dear fiancée?" she murmured.
With a smile, Qi replied: "I don't know about everything, but we are here now. What do you want to do?"
Ms. Wu wrapped her hands around Qi's neck and they started kissing passionately. That's when Weiwei wanted to scream to stop them and woke up sweating.
Jealousy is a terrible punishment for my pride. Why did I ever think he could be mine!
***
Weiwei had a bad headache in the morning. She spent a long time squeezing a cup of strong tea in her hands and staring into space. The morning was cloudy and stormy, mirroring her emotions.
Why is life so complicated? When I was alone, I was miserable because I had no one. After I met him, I was happy, but now I'm miserable again, because I can't be sure that I can be with him. So either way, it's pain and suffering – how is that fair?
Weiwei's phone rang, and she picked it up without looking at the display.
"Weiwei, can we meet?" she heard a muffled voice.
Chengli?
She double-checked the number. Yes, it was him.
"What's wrong?"
"I have something that might be important," he said. "Meet me at the Central Avenue station at 6 o'clock."
Before Weiwei could say anything else, Chengli hung up. Weiwei sighed.
This Lántiān business will haunt me until the end of my days.
At 6 in the afternoon, Weiwei arrived at the subway station mentioned by Chengli. It was the peak of rush hour and she was quickly lost in the sea of commuters.
Chengli surfaced next to her out of nowhere, startling Weiwei.
"Follow me," he blurted.
They exited the station and turned the corner. Chengli glanced around a few times before they entered a big grocery store. In surprise and amazement, Weiwei mechanically followed Chengli to the frozen produce aisle where he finally stopped and turned to her.
"I think I found what you were looking for," he said, all jumpy. He pulled out his phone and shoved it to Weiwei. "This is an email from the Lántiān Group CFO instructing one of his reports to conduct the transactions you were concerned about. He explicitly mentions that the sale is needed to boost revenue numbers in the upcoming investors' report."
Weiwei tried to read, but was too excited and distracted to concentrate on the details.
"Take a picture of the email," Chengli rushed her. "I can't forward it to you, because then it can be traced to the person who sent it to me. But the picture should be sufficient to exonerate TTT – and you."
Weiwei pulled out her phone. Chengli scrolled the email to show the sender, date, and important parts of the text.
Weiwei could barely hold her phone steady.
Is this really it? Did he solve the problem?
"Do you know what you're going to do with this?" asked Chengli, putting his phone away.
"Yes," said Weiwei. "I know exactly what to do."
"Who are you going to send it to?"
I knew this question was going to come up. But I still don't have a good answer for it.
"I'll tell you, but not right now," said Weiwei. "Time is of the essence. I'll ping you later."
She walked away, and as soon as she lost sight of Chengli, she texted Qi.
I have something very important related to your talks. Please call me as soon as you can. It's VERY important.
A few minutes later, her phone buzzed.
"What's going on?" Qi's voice made her heart race.
It's time I repay my debt to you.