During her senior year internship in the second semester, Chi Nuan went to Yuncheng No. 1 Middle School. She had smoothly obtained her high school teacher certification, and He Liwen, who had once been full of regrets, now joked that they would soon become official colleagues.
Teaching at Yuncheng No. 1 Middle School had always been Chi Nuan’s plan—if that incident had not happened.
That day was an important one for Chi Nuan—her graduation defense.
It had not yet been her turn, so she stood in the corridor outside the classroom drinking water. When she thought of Chi Qingchuan, she called him. “Brother, I have my defense today.”
Chi Qingchuan said, “Then good luck.”
Chi Nuan heard the dense patter of rain on the other end of the line. She asked Chi Qingchuan, “Is it raining in Yuncheng?”
Chi Qingchuan: “Yeah, pretty heavily.”
Chi Nuan: “Brother, this summer vacation, let’s take Little Wutong out to play. Will you have time off?”
Chi Qingchuan: “Sure, you plan the itinerary and let me know ahead of time so I can tell Mr. Ji.”
A classmate came to remind Chi Nuan to prepare for her defense. She acknowledged it and said to Chi Qingchuan, “Brother, I need to go prepare for the defense. I won’t be back this week; there are still some things at school. Please tell Little Wutong for me.”
“Okay, I’ll give you some extra cheers on behalf of Little Wutong.”
Chi Nuan hung up the phone. At that time, she did not know that this was the last call Chi Qingchuan would ever make in this world.
In the afternoon around four or five o’clock, Chi Nuan was packing her textbooks in the dorm when she received a call from the police asking her to identify the body.
It was pouring rain. Chi Qingchuan had been rear-ended by a truck on the highway from Yuncheng to L City. His car was crushed by the truck, and he died at the scene.
He had been on his way to L City to pick up Little Wutong. Yue Yun’s boyfriend had returned early from his business trip, making it inconvenient for Little Wutong to stay there any longer. Yue Yun had urged him repeatedly, so he set out in the heavy rain.
Chi Nuan did not know how she made it to the funeral home. That entire summer, she felt no colors at all—everything she saw was gray and hazy.
Fortunately, Mr. Ji handled Chi Qingchuan’s affairs in an orderly and proper manner.
During the farewell ceremony for the body, Little Wutong clung to the glass cover of the coffin, staring unblinkingly at Chi Qingchuan inside. He asked Chi Nuan, “Why doesn’t Daddy get up?”
He still could not fully understand the meaning of “deceased.” After the funeral, he cried a few times following Chi Nuan, then turned around and asked, “Auntie Mommy, where’s Daddy? I haven’t seen him for so many days. Is he really not coming back? I miss him.”
Chi Nuan just cried.
After Chi Qingchuan’s accident, Yue Yun sent Little Wutong back. Two months later, on Little Wutong’s birthday, she appeared again.
Yue Yun had called Chi Nuan in advance to say she was coming. Chi Nuan asked Mr. Ji to take Little Wutong away for half a day.
Yue Yun entered somewhat awkwardly and placed the birthday gift she had brought for Little Wutong on the coffee table. Looking at Chi Nuan, who had become gaunt in such a short time, she asked, “Little Wutong isn’t here?”
“Mm.” Chi Nuan said.
“I know you hate me.” The familiar furnishings and Chi Qingchuan’s black-and-white photo in front of her made Yue Yun lower her head. She dabbed at the tears in the corner of her eye with a tissue. “If I had known something would happen, I never would have asked your brother to come pick up Little Wutong, no matter what.”
The two sat facing each other. Chi Nuan’s gaze was empty. “Yes, I hate you. So what are you here for today? To take Little Wutong away?”
Yue Yun had not expected her to be so direct and felt awkward for a moment. “……I also want to keep Little Wutong with me. But I have my difficulties—I’m about to get married… But don’t worry, I’ll regularly provide child support for Little Wutong. I absolutely won’t skimp on that front.”
Hearing this, Chi Nuan opened her swollen, bloodshot eyes and gave a bitter smile. “Little Wutong is only in kindergarten. Have you ever thought about my difficulties? How am I supposed to raise him alone? You’re his mother—don’t you think you’re being too selfish saying things like that? All these years pursuing your own life, how many days have you taken care of him? How much love have you given him?”
Yue Yun’s face flushed and paled by turns at her words. She defended herself forcefully. “I’m not seeking custody for your sake too. Besides Little Wutong, you have no other family left. If I took him away as well, you’d be all alone at home with no one to talk to.”
Chi Nuan hugged her knees and buried her face in them. She did not want to look at Yue Yun’s face anymore. “Just go. I don’t want to see you again.”
Yue Yun knew staying longer would only make things worse. She had made this special trip today and said what needed to be said. Before leaving, she turned back. “You’re right—I am selfish. Not only did I fail to fulfill my duties as a mother, but I indirectly caused your brother’s death. It’s only right that you hate me… But Chi Nuan, your brother started taking care of you alone at sixteen. He did all the dirty, tiring work. If you truly care about him, then take good care of Little Wutong.”
Every word felt like a knife gouging at her heart.
After Yue Yun left, Chi Nuan maintained her position hugging her knees for a long time. She had not been able to sleep soundly for ages; her mind was always dazed. At that moment, with her eyes closed, she did not even know if she had fallen asleep. When she regained awareness, Mr. Ji and Little Wutong had returned.
She remains a giant POS to the end