“If I had thought of our appointment and returned to meet her, would those things not have happened? But… but if I did this, who would come to look after my mother?”

He still remembered that he had planned to ask for leave, but his mother forced him to go to school. The next day he returned to school, he did not see Tong Siqi. Then… Tong Siqi asked him to meet in the small hill where he bid farewell to his first love.

He had not figured out why she dumped him and still held the grudge against him. Now he understood that he should not agree to break up with her and should not let her go.

If he had learned about it, he would have been responsible for her to the end…

However, even if he wanted to make up to her, would she give him a chance? “Is she… willing to let me comfort her and untie the knot in her mind?”

Countless memories flashed in his mind. He did not notice that everyone was ready to leave. Fortunately, Lan Ling reminded him. The latter finally came to his senses. He got up, went back to his room, and intended to take his luggage to leave.

Suddenly, he was unwilling to go. “If I can stay here for another week, I will be able to do something for her…” With this in mind, Wang Weixi laughed at himself. “What can I do for her? What she wants is to be with her, but how can I abandon my Kexin? Now she might start to retaliate against me without scruple… awful revenge.”

…

Wang Weixi returned to A City in a complicated mood. When he arrived at the company, he heard that Yi Duanfang was absent and took out his mobile phone, finding that his phone was turned off.

He asked Lan Ling for her mobile phone and dialled Yi Duanfang’s number. Somehow, he felt a bit upset…

At this point, Chen Kexin was lying in a ward while Chen Keren sat by her side and carefully fed her porridge. Yi Duanfang stood there with Chen Derong, whose face fell.

Yi Duanfang immediately picked it up when his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID—”Lan Ling”, he frowned. Chen Derong asked in a low voice, “Is it the brat Wang Weixi?”

Yi Duanfang shook his head and said, “No, it’s his secretary. Uncle, don’t worry, maybe he is too busy…”

“Don’t say it. Go to answer the phone.” Chen Keren suddenly turned her face and said in a toneless voice.

Yi Duanfang then walked out of the ward with his mobile phone on his hand.

Over the phone, he said a bit angrily. “Lan Ling, where is Wang Weixi?!”

Wang Weixi was stunned and thought, “Why is Yi Duanfang so angry?” “What’s wrong, Duanfang? Have you eaten explosives today?”

Hearing Wang Weixi’s voice, Yi Duanfang barked furiously, “Damn it, come to the People’s Hospital as soon as possible! Your wife had appendicitis and had surgery last night. Why did you turn off your phone? Fu*k!”

At the other end of the phone, Wang Weixi asked in amazement, “What? Kexin is in the hospital?”

Yi Duanfang continued to growl, “Your father-in-law also came and got mad about it. Come soon!”

Wang Weixi hung up and rushed out of the company. Everyone looked at their abnormal general manager with surprise, except Lan Ling, who was holding her mobile phone in a daze.

Wang Weixi drove to the hospital, found his wife’s ward, and dashed into it like lightning.

The moment he opened the door, he saw Chen Derong, Chen Keren, and Yi Duanfang look at him with a fierce look and Chen Kexin stare at him with a pale face. He noticed it was a sense of guilt instead of reproach that was revealed in his wife’s eyes.

Wang Weixi whispered, “Dad, I’m sorry.” While talking, he walked to Chen Kexin and sat down.

Chen Kexin forced a smile and said, “Dear, you’re back.”

Wang Weixi stroke her face with concern for she had actually lost a lot of weight over the past week. “Sorry, I have been out for so long,” he said very guiltily.

Chen Kexin shook her head and said, “It doesn’t matter.”

At this point, Chen Derong stepped forward and roared with a livid face, “Why does it not matter?”

His indignant reaction startled everyone, except Chen Keren, who was standing there with a calm look.

Wang Weixi said apologetically, “I’m sorry, my father-in-law. I didn’t take care of Kexin.”

“It’s good that you know your fault. Don’t you remember what I said? Take care of my Kexin and not let her suffer a little bit of harm. What about now? I really doubt that it was a stupid decision to let you become a general manager of such a small company!” He barked furiously. Chen Kexin had not got injured for those years, but now she was sick and lying in bed. The striking contrast irritated Chen Derong. What he said also deeply hurt Wang Weixi’s self-esteem.

Yi Duanfang frowned and was about to say something, but Chen Keren glared at him, so he only gritted his teeth and kept silent.

Chen Kexin immediately said to her father. “Dad, Weixi did not do anything wrong. He was not here because he was on a business trip. It’s my fault. I was so lazy and only ate snacks so that my stomach could afford it. Why did you blame him?”

Hearing this, Chen Derong gave no response, snorted, and left in anger.

Wang Weixi sighed helplessly and said, “Are you better now? What did the doctor say? Have you had surgery? Does it hurt?”

He asked so many questions, but actually, it was about only one topic.

Chen Kexin stuck out her tongue and said, “I’m fine and had surgery. The doctor said that I had to stay here for a week, but, dear, you don’t have to worry. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Looking at Chen Kexin, who was still lovely and well-behaved, Wang Weixi nodded and said, “That’s fine. I’ll make some good dishes for you after you come out of the hospital.”

“Thanks, my darling.”

…

Out of the ward, Yi Duanfang and Wang Weixi walked side by side.

Wang Weixi, who looked listless and tired, Yi Duanfang asked, “Why did you not answer the phone last night? It has been turned off for a night. Do you know that your sister-in-law got mad at you and that Kexin was worried about you?

Wang Weixi came to a halt. After a good while, he shook his head and said, “Something happened by coincidence.”

“What happened? You look tired.” Yi Duanfang asked with a bit worry.

Wang Weixi shook his head and said, “You don’t have to worry about me. Let’s go back.”

The duo drove to Wang Weixi’s apartment. Wang Weixi had decided to pack his things and live with Chen Kexin in the hospital.

The moment he got home, they noticed an odd smell. Wang Weixi frowned for he saw a thick layer of dust on the ground and furniture and the air was filled with the smell of potato chips.

Yi Duanfang also knitted his brows and said, “What smell?” Wang Weixi went straight to the bedroom. After opening the door, he stared at everything in front of him in disbelief while Yi Duanfang stood by his side, with his mouth agape.

The whole bedroom was messy. The dirty clothes Chen Kexin had worn, including her underwear, were thrown here and there. The trash can was surrounded by a variety of snack bags, remaining potato chips and drinks. Even some of the drink bottles fell on the ground and the liquid in it flowed out, dry at this moment.

Wang Weixi touched his forehead and walked into the kitchen without saying a word.

Yi Duanfang thought with resignation, “Chen Kexin is so naughty.” Then he followed Wang Weixi into the kitchen and watched him open the refrigerator. The things in the refrigerator had not been moved, except that the fruit was eaten up.

“Had Kexin lived for a week by eating those snacks?” Yi Duanfang could not help but ask.

Wang Weixi gave no response and silently returned to the bedroom.

Yi Duanfang stood there. Seeing Wang Weixi take off his suit and start to tidy up the room, he also rolled up his sleeves and began to help Wang Weixi clean up.

Then it took them a whole afternoon to do the cleaning. When all was done, Yi Duanfang texted Chen Keren to explain the situation. It was difficult for him to imagine how Chen Keren would react, freaking out or not caring about it for she thought all of it was blamed on Wang Weixi.

However, he knew that Wang Weixi had spoiled his wife to a horrible extent, so he thought Wang Weixi did not do anything wrong and it was Chen Kexin’s fault. What such a slob!

Wang Weixi rarely uttered a word. Yi Duanfang occasionally asked him about something, but Wang Weixi only responded with “Hmmm”, “Oh”, “Yes” or “No”.

Finally, Yi Duanfang finally couldn’t hold back his curiosity and asked, “You and Tong Siqi, what happened?” Although the news that Chen Kexin got sick let him down and feel guilty, if it was only because of Chen Kexin, he would not look exhausted like that when he came to the hospital. He definitely had not slept well and felt depressed, so he had such a look.

Wang Weixi sat on the sofa and quietly lit a cigarette. Considering for a while, he asked, “Duanfang, why don’t you like Siqi?”

Yi Duanfang replied carelessly, “Hate, such a kind of thing doesn’t need a reason, right?” “At least, I can’t tell you the reason.”

Wang Weixi gave a mocking smile and said, “Really? But I remember that you were happy for us when we dated, weren’t you?”

He turned his face and his eyes became a bit cold.

Yi Duanfang evaded his eyes and continued, “It was when you dated her, but later, she dumped you and I saw you were so sad, so I hated her guts.”

Recalling what Wang Weixi looked at that time, Yi Duanfang felt his heart tingle.

Wang Weix shook his head and said, “Really? But I don’t think so.”

Yi Duanfang finally got a little anxious and replied, “What do you want to say? Don’t wear such a dispirited expression! Besides, your wife is in the hospital. Why are you talking to me about the other woman? Wang Weixi, you’re not such a person without conscience!”

Wang Weixi snorted and drew heavily on his cigarette, saying, “I’m tired… why do I always meet women like this…”

“Like what?” Yi Duanfang asked gingerly.

He knew that Chen Kexin went too far this time, yet he thought Wang Weixi would not mind it because Wang Weixi used to be a guy who always pampered his wife.

However, he looked different today.

Wang Weixi fell on the sofa and looked at the ceiling in a daze.

“If I had returned with her, would she not have suffered such pain and would we not have broken up? Would we have lived a happy life until now? Maybe we would go to the same college and work in the same company… We would respect each other and learn about each other’s habits. We would cook for each other and we’re diligent… Suddenly, I’m a bit tired of my present life now.”

“I was just tired.” He slowly closed his eyes and then fell asleep unconsciously. The cigarette in his hand fell onto the ground, and Yi Duanfang quickly picked it up and put it out.

He shook his head helplessly. It seemed that he had to go to find Tong Siqi, who must have said something to Weixi.

Seeing Wang Weixi sleep soundly, he realized that it seemed that the arduous work and a series of matters had made him exhausted. Hence, he texted Chen Keren, went to find a blanket in the bedroom and covered Wang Weixi with it.

He sat on the sofa for a long time until night fell.

…

Wang Weixi looked better when he woke up. Hearing the sound of cooking and smelling the aroma of dishes, he looked at the blanket on his body, took it off and walked to the kitchen.

He stood by the door while quietly watching Yi Duanfang cooking.

“Wake up? It’s almost done. Wash your face and come to have dinner,” Yi Duanfang said with a chuckle.

Wang Weixi nodded and said with embarrassment, “I’m sorry for troubling you, Duanfang.”

Yi Duanfang rolled his eyes and replied, “Hey, don’t treat me as a stranger, OK?”

Wang Weixi gave him a wry smile and went to the bedroom.

A hot shower made him refreshed.

As Wang Weixi walked out of the bedroom, Yi Duanfang had placed a bowl of porridge on the table and said to him. “Come on.”

Wang Weixi nodded. He came to the table and found that all of it was the dishes he liked. Yi Duanfang said, “Look at you, you must have not had lunch and didn’t eat well in the morning. I don’t know what happened, but I hope that you remember that your body is your capital to fight. Don’t go against yourself. If you did, Auntie would be worried about you. Well, I’ve made your favourite dishes. Eat more.”

Wang Weixi was moved. “So many years. My childhood friend Yi Duanfang has been always on my side and cared about me.”

He nodded and said softly, “Thank you, Duanfang.”

Yi Duanfang waved his hand and picked up a piece of meat, saying, “Come, eat more.” As he said, he put the meat into Wang Weixi’s bowl.

Wang Weixi ate it and could not help but feel sad.

“He always accompanies me on my life road. Now, I’m married. When I needed the consolation most, he was the one who stayed by my side and comforted me.”

What an amazing brotherhood! For Wang Weixi, no one could replace Yi Duanfang in his heart.

“Right, has Kexin called me? I said that I would go to the hospital in the afternoon, but after doing the cleaning, it has been delayed.” Thinking of Chen Kexin, he was a little annoyed a few hours ago because he was mad about her not taking good care of herself. Now he became sober and regretted that he thought this way. Obviously, he had said that she was the best gift from heaven.

However, he actually started to complain about it for she messed up the room. Wang Weixi shook his head and felt he had no appetite.

Yi Duanfang probably read his mind. He added food to his friend’s bowl while saying, “I don’t blame you. But look, what have you done to Kexin? You spoiled her and made her lose the self-care ability now. Don’t think that she’s a good-for-nothing without you? If it goes like this, you will be unable to go on a business trip in the future.”

Wang said a wry smile, “But I had known that she could not do anything before we got married.”

Hearing this, Yi Duanfang rolled his eyes and said, “Bullshit. She can’t do the laundry, but she can cook. Hasn’t she learned about it? Moreover, the Chen family blamed you at will. If you were not angry, I would!”

Wang Weixi smiled tiredly and said, “Okay, dig in. I’ll go to the hospital after dinner.”

…