Chapter Fourteen: Four Months Later
(The following describes events over the next four months—ha! Don’t misunderstand.)
After Cheng Yunting left, Leng Zheng’s depression worsened once more. In the past, though her condition fluctuated, it had been a hard-fought journey from severe depression to moderate, and that alone was a difficult feat. Now, however, she had returned to square one…
Qin Xiaonan and the others didn’t know how to comfort her. They could only take turns, whoever was available would come to keep her company. If no one could make it, Chu Yuxiu would stay with her instead. Regardless, at least one person would visit every day, though sometimes there might be more—it was hard to say.
Though Leng Zheng appeared perfectly normal each day, only Chu Yuxiu saw the truth: Leng Zheng moved through her days like a corpse. Alive, perhaps, but her soul had wandered elsewhere. The best word to describe her: a living dead.
Leng Zheng was the type who seemed outwardly composed but kept all her emotions hidden, never letting anyone see what she truly felt. People could only observe her facade; her inner thoughts remained a mystery.
Her depression relapsed dozens of times, so frequently that it happened every day or two, and insomnia came along with it.
Though she was a top psychologist and hypnotist, revered for saving countless lives, she could not save herself…
Let’s leave Leng Zheng for now and talk about Cheng Yunting.
He managed to eliminate all his enemies within a month, but a remaining adversary caught him off guard and left him gravely injured—he barely survived, confined to a hospital bed for several months.
Each day, he relied on the photos of Leng Zheng in his album for strength. Many said Cheng Yunting was deeply devoted, and that girl must be fortunate to have him.
But Cheng Yunting knew the truth: he was the lucky one. It must have been a blessing from the ancestors that allowed him to be with Leng Zheng.
They became each other’s light, each other’s salvation, each other’s world…
Through countless nights, Leng Zheng broke down again and again, thoughts of suicide haunting her repeatedly. But when she saw the ring Cheng Yunting had given her, she would think: Hold on, wait for him to return, wait for him to marry me…
On the other side, Cheng Yunting underwent countless resuscitations, and every time he thought: Leng Zheng is still waiting for me to come back and marry her—I must see her again, I can’t break my promise!
(The following takes place four months later.)
“Xiao Zheng, a family sent you an invitation to a banquet. Do you want to go?” Chu Yuxiu bounced into Leng Zheng’s office, placing the invitation in front of her.
“I’m not going,” Leng Zheng shook her head, focused on her work.
Chu Yuxiu studied her expression, searching for any flaw. “Oh, what a pity. I heard President Cheng is coming back—and will attend the banquet.”
“What? What did you say?” Leng Zheng’s mood shifted instantly, her voice trembling with excitement.
Chu Yuxiu secretly made a mental note about her future brother-in-law. “Well, since you’re not going, I’ll just decline on your behalf.”
“Of course I’ll go! Who said I wouldn’t?” Leng Zheng sat down, her expression proud and obstinate.
Chu Yuxiu smiled and patted her head, “Alright, our Lady Qin will attend.”
It seemed like ages since she’d seen Leng Zheng like this. The last time had been when they first met—back then, Xiao Zheng was adorably proud, her words always endearing.
Lately… she’d faded, best not to dwell on it. It seemed this was the first time in a long while…
“Lady Qin, I’ll be off now. Take your time with your work~” Chu Yuxiu left the invitation on her desk and slipped out.
After Chu Yuxiu left, Leng Zheng paused her work, walked to the window, and gazed at the scenery outside.
Truthfully, when Leng Su Xue wanted to move to the capital, Leng Zheng was already at the peak. But the hardships she’d endured—who else could understand, who else could bear them?
She took out her phone, opened WeChat, and found the account of the one she missed most. Though she knew he no longer used it, she still sent messages every day…
Yun Bao, Yuyu said you’re coming back soon. I don’t know if I’ll see you, but I miss you so much. I feel so awful… I eat and just feel like vomiting, insomnia every day, I don’t think I can hold on much longer… Please come back soon…
She pressed send, knowing he might never see it, never know…
(The following are records of the messages Xiao Zheng sent to Cheng Yunting~)
May 16th
Happy birthday, Yun Bao. I don’t know if you’ll see this. I hope you come back soon—I miss you.
May 20th
Happy Valentine’s Day, Yun Bao. Maybe you won’t see this, but I still want to send you a message. I miss you. When will you come back? My memory’s returned, but you’re not by my side…
June 30th
Bao, when are you coming back… I don’t think I can hold on much longer…
July 10th
Bao, you left on May 1st and haven’t returned since. When will you come back? I’m so tired, I can’t hold on…
July 20th
Yun Bao, I’m in the hospital. It hurts so much. When will you come back? I miss you—I can't endure anymore…
August 10th
Bao, please come back soon… I’m falling apart…
August 31st
Bao, Yuyu said you’re coming back soon. I don’t know if I’ll see you, but I miss you so much. I feel so awful… I eat and just feel like vomiting, insomnia every day, I don’t think I can hold on much longer… Please come back soon…
PS: Ah! Writing this chapter truly brought me to tears. They have become each other’s salvation, each other’s light! Ah!
I’m the kind of person who loves reading stories about redemption, but I always find the tropes a bit stale, so I decided to write one myself. Eh, just for fun, boldly so.
After all, I’ve only been writing for less than a year, so please forgive any shortcomings~
Tomorrow, the two will meet—I won’t write anything too tragic, since I don’t like sad stories.
Today, surfing the web felt like watching drama unfold live.
By the way, a prize-free quiz: Guess—did Chu Yuxiu and Xiao Zheng’s brother make up? And, will Cheng Yunting see the messages?
Alright, see you tomorrow~