CITM - 35

In the morning, Ye Yun placed her blouse into a basin, planning to wash it when she returned from work. However, when she came back from the washroom, she saw that Wenbin had already washed it and hung it out to dry.

Ye Yun froze for a moment, then rushed forward and said to him: “Why did you wash it for me?”

Wenbin turned around and replied: “Wasn’t this supposed to be washed?”

“It was, but I can do it myself.”

Realizing her tone had been too abrupt, she softened her voice and added: “You didn’t have to do it for me.”

Wenbin’s hair was fine and slightly tousled. His features weren’t as striking as Bai Wenfu’s. Compared to Bai Wenfu, Wenbin’s appearance lacked an aggressive edge and instead exuded a gentler, more approachable charm. Yet, in certain moments, the subtle expressions on his face reminded Ye Yun of Bai Wenfu, leaving her momentarily disoriented.

After a pause, Wenbin said: “I saw you were in a rush. Since I don’t have to go to work now and have nothing to do at home, helping you wash clothes isn’t a big deal. You don’t need to feel so distant.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Ye Yun noticed people in the corridor peeking at them. Her face tightened, unable to voice the inner turmoil that made her feel as if she were trapped in flames. Her heart writhed with anguish, unable to find peace even for a moment.

From inside the house came Bai Wenfu’s voice. He called out: “Xiao Yun, come eat breakfast.”

At the sound of this nickname, Ye Yun’s gaze trembled faintly. She didn’t dare look at Wenbin again and quickly turned to enter the house.

Wenbin followed shortly after, stepping into the doorway. He had already eaten breakfast but still sat down by the table. His eyes unconsciously drifted toward his older brother. Bai Wenfu, calm and composed, said to him: “If you want to go out during the day, visit old colleagues or friends, I’ll leave the bike for you.”

Looking at the egg Bai Wenfu was peeling, Wenbin asked: “What about you?”

“I won’t be going far these days.”

With that, he naturally placed the peeled egg beside Ye Yun’s bowl.

Wenbin’s gaze followed Bai Wenfu’s hand, then shifted to Ye Yun.

Head bowed, Ye Yun quickly stuffed the egg into her mouth. Normally, she ate slowly, savoring each bite over several mouthfuls. But today, she crammed the entire thing into her mouth in just two bites.

Wenbin watched her for a while, recalling Lei Zi’s hesitant expression the other day, and finally asked: “During the time I was away, did many people gossip about you?”

The yolk stuck in her throat, and Ye Yun choked slightly. The bitterness in her heart became an unspeakable taboo.

“Did anyone bully you? Tell me.”

She lowered her head even further and shook it gently.

Bai Wenfu handed her a glass of water and said to Wenbin: “It’s all in the past.”

Wenbin knew that Ye Yun couldn’t have had an easy time. He had promised her a good life but left her alone at home to face criticism. He could imagine how harsh the gossip must have been for her—a young woman newly brought into their family. Without him there, she would have been subjected to cruel remarks.

Wenbin buried his face in his hands, sinking once again into despair. Bai Wenfu patted his shoulder firmly and squeezed it: “It’s alright. If you’re up for it, I’ll take you out for a walk.”

Wenbin’s muffled voice emerged from behind his hands: “I’m fine. Just let me sit here for a while.”

Bai Wenfu pulled out a cigarette and stepped into the corridor. Ye Yun gulped down the egg with water, then prepared to hurry off to the tailor shop.

As she stood up, her wrist was suddenly grabbed by Wenbin. He raised his head and asked her: “Does Brother call you Xiao Yun all the time?”

Ye Yun’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she suppressed her emotions and replied softly with a faint “Mm.”

“Then I’ll call you Xiao Yun from now on too.”

Ye Yun pulled her hand back, turned her back to him, and said: “I’ll be late. I’m leaving.”

With that, she hurried out the door. When she saw Bai Wenfu standing by the entrance, she wanted to say something to him—something ordinary like “I’m going to the tailor shop” or “What time will you be back?”

But Wenbin was watching from the living room. Even those simple words felt impossible to utter. She could only turn and quickly leave the house.

As she hurried down to the second floor, nearing the corner, Ye Yun heard a woman’s soft laugh: “How do you know she’s not serving two husbands? Maybe they take turns every night, living in perfect harmony.”

After a burst of laughter, another woman chimed in: “I saw her talking with Lao Er this morning. It’s been so many days, and there hasn’t been any argument at their house. Maybe the brothers get along well—one night for one, one night for the other. How harmonious!”

“What happens if she has a child later? Who will the kid call ‘Dad’?”

Another round of laughter erupted.

Every word pierced Ye Yun’s heart like a needle. She clenched her fists tightly, her fingernails digging into her palms, her whole body trembling uncontrollably.

After a moment, she took a deep breath, holding back her tears, and loosened her fists. Step by step, she walked steadily down the stairs until she reached the group of women.

Her gaze was cold and direct as she stared at Li Yan. Li Yan’s expression first showed surprise, then panic as she blurted out: “Tailor Ye.”

Without acknowledging her, Ye Yun walked straight past them, stepped into the corridor, mounted her bike, and left the residential building.

Only after Ye Yun had disappeared into the distance did Li Yan, still shaken, ask: “Do you think she heard us?”

“She probably didn’t. If she had, could she have stayed so calm?”

“Then why did I feel like her gaze was so terrifying? Let’s not talk about this here anymore.”

...

Ye Yun pedaled her bike, riding faster and faster, growing farther and farther from home. Once again, she found herself on that straight path flanked by towering red cedars.

As she sped down the slope, she closed her eyes. For a fleeting moment, she wished this road had no end.

Autumn leaves were kicked up by the wheels, floating in the air against the backdrop of distant clusters of white clouds. The vast expanse of sky and earth stretched endlessly—where was home?

Tears streamed down her cheeks, flowing ceaselessly, carried away by the wind, scattered among the leaves and clouds, with no destination in sight.

Every minute and second spent at home felt suffocating. She dared not look around freely or speak carelessly. She had to consider Wenbin’s emotions, face Bai Wenfu’s feelings, and deal with Tong Mingfang’s watchful eyes.

Lately, the gossip about her had grown increasingly frequent and vile. Every time she stepped out of the house, it felt as though her body was being burned alive in a furnace, dissected by piercing gazes from all directions. She didn’t know what awaited her at the end of this road.

But she understood Bai Wenfu’s feelings for Wenbin. Though he never expressed them, she knew he cared deeply for his younger brother. She didn’t want the day to come when the two brothers turned against each other because of her.

Since Wenbin’s return, a colossal mountain had pressed down on her shoulders. She feared it might collapse at any moment, bringing destruction that none of them could bear.

When Ye Yun returned to the tailor shop, she was later than usual. By then, she had wiped away her tears and greeted Master Zhang as she normally would before sitting down at the sewing machine.

There was no trace of her having cried on her face. But after a while, she suddenly said to Master Zhang: “Can I… stay a little longer from today on? Leave later?”

Master Zhang looked up, studied her deeply for a moment, and replied: “The extra work you do here, I’ll pay you separately.”

Ye Yun nodded: “Alright.”

This time, she didn’t refuse.