#62: Does It Not Matter?

Cheng Wanyue remembered that in her second year of high school, she made a fruit cake.

She spread the cream herself and picked the sweetest fruits. Although the cake batter was a bit burnt and tasted slightly bitter, it was still edible. She took several bites and wasn’t poisoned.

Initially, she had a fresh interest, but over time, coupled with repeated failures, she lost patience. It took her most of the day to make something presentable.

Qing Hang had never celebrated a birthday in his life.

Without a birthday, there was no chance to make a wish.

Cheng Wanyue was the complete opposite of him. Since the year she was born, every single one of her birthdays had been celebrated with a strong sense of ceremony. Even when celebrating with Cheng Yanqing, there were always two cakes, and the gifts were never repeated.

A birthday is a celebration of one’s birth. One shouldn’t resent this day because of an event or someone’s departure.

Cheng Wanyue spent all her free time running to the dessert shop. There were two occasions when Qing Hang had already finished work and arrived home, but she was still at the shop. When Qing Hang called to ask where she was, she only said she was out.

Today, she didn’t succeed either; the cream was spread too roughly.

After leaving the mall, her clothes still carried the sweet scent of cream.

She hadn’t studied this diligently even in the year she retook her exams. Her lower back ached, and her neck was uncomfortable. She was rubbing her shoulders while waiting for a taxi on the street.

Chi Yue suddenly made a video call. Cheng Wanyue had intended to check how many people were in line ahead of her, but she accidentally answered. What appeared in the video wasn’t Chi Yue, but a Sailor Moon action figure.

The lights flickered on and off, and the music was deafening. Cheng Wanyue used to enjoy going to places like this in her first two years of university.

Cheng Wanyue waited for a while, thinking she would hang up if he didn’t speak soon.

The phone screen suddenly went black, but she could still hear his voice.

Many people greeted him, with hints of flattery and obsequiousness. It was hard to say whether they genuinely wanted to know him or if they wanted to use him to curry favor with his father. After all, normal friends wouldn’t immediately inquire about their family’s health and suggest having a meal together right after a greeting.

A few minutes later, the sound of a motorcycle came through the video.

Cheng Wanyue then realized he must have put his phone in his pocket, but the wind noise was still very loud.

A girl passing by said she forgot her umbrella and that it would rain later. Cheng Wanyue hadn’t brought an umbrella either. 9 PM was quitting time for many companies, and the taxi app remained congested.

A motorcycle stopped outside the crosswalk at the intersection, its headlights a bit dazzling.

Cheng Wanyue glanced at it unintentionally, finding nothing special. It wasn’t until the bike stopped in front of her that she recognized Chi Yue.

How did he appear out of nowhere?

Chi Yue took a pink helmet from the backpack slung around his neck and handed it to Cheng Wanyue. “Can’t stop here for too long, get on.”

Cheng Wanyue didn’t take it. “It’s not a coincidence again, is it?”

“There aren’t that many coincidences,” Chi Yue lifted his chin, pointing behind her. “This mall is too easy to recognize, and I was just nearby.”

Without waiting for Cheng Wanyue to speak, he put the helmet on her and forcefully whisked her onto the motorcycle. They were stopped twice by traffic police on the way, but he resolved it with a single phone call.

The roaring noise gradually faded behind them. The drizzle was scattered by the wind, but her exposed skin could feel the damp moisture.

Chi Yue took Cheng Wanyue to the best place in Beijing to view the night scenery. The lights outlined the city’s silhouette, a splendor born of silence.

Chi Yue wanted to smoke, but because she was there, he just bit on it without lighting it.

After taking off his helmet, the injury on the corner of his mouth was no longer hidden, and he didn’t try to hide it from her either.

“In a bad mood? Then I won’t hold it against you,” Cheng Wanyue didn’t ask further. “It’s my first time seeing the night view in Beijing. It would be perfect if there were stars.”

Before she finished speaking, the night sky was torn by a flash of lightning.

Chi Yue saw her startled and a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes. “The weather isn’t good today. I’ll take you to see the stars and moon another time.”

“If you do this again, I’ll be angry.”

“I apologize.”

Cheng Wanyue poked the corner of his mouth with her finger. “Your dad hit you?”

Chi Yue’s expression faded a bit. “Mm.”

“Is he a violent person? You’re so grown up, and he still hits you.”

“Probably because I didn’t grow up to be what he expected, or... my birth wasn’t what he expected. He and my mom had a business marriage, bound by money, with no affection. For the past decade or so, they’ve both been doing their own thing.”

Cheng Wanyue sighed. “I’d really like to comfort you, but I don’t have this experience. My family is particularly happy. When I was little, after my dad hit me with a ruler, he’d hide in his room and cry.”

Chi Yue, “...”

He suddenly looked up, staring at her with a smile. “Sailor Moon, do you have twin sisters?”

However, in the next second, he turned his head to look away, muttering softly, “Never mind, it wouldn’t matter even if you did.”

There couldn’t be two identical people in this world.

Cheng Wanyue was on the phone and didn’t hear what he said at all.

Chi Yue watched her, his gaze sometimes hazy, sometimes clear.

“Someone’s coming to pick me up, I have to go,” Cheng Wanyue hadn’t hung up the phone yet.

Chi Yue composed himself and naturally stood up. “Let’s go, I’ll see you downstairs.”

Qing Hang didn’t make Cheng Wanyue wait too long. When he called, he was already in the car. The downpour came quickly, and the rain splashed off the ground. As soon as he got out of the car, his pants were soaked.

He stopped not far from the steps.

A few meters away, Cheng Wanyue and Chi Yue stood side by side, both smiling.

These past few days, he left early in the morning, and she went straight to sleep at night. Although they lived together, they hadn’t exchanged many words.

Does it not matter?

Why can someone unimportant make her so happy?

Cheng Wanyue noticed Qing Hang first. “Qing Hang, you’re here.”

Qing Hang came back to his senses, strode up the steps, and took her cool hand. “Are you cold?”

“Not too bad,” she said, then immediately sneezed.

Chi Yue then realized she might have caught a chill from the wind on the road. He was fine, but girls’ bodies were delicate. “Go back and take a hot shower, don’t catch a cold.”

“I’ll take good care of her,” Qing Hang slightly tightened his grip, pulling Cheng Wanyue from Chi Yue’s side into his own umbrella. “Thanks for your help last time. When you’re free, we’d like to treat you to a meal.”

Chi Yue had both hands in his pockets, an indifferent attitude. “I’m not free or in the mood today. Owe me for now.”

Qing Hang said calmly, “Owing you keeps bothering me.”

“Wanyue asked for my help. You don’t really need to worry about it.”

“Her business is my business.”

Chi Yue’s craving for a cigarette returned. He watched Cheng Wanyue stand on tiptoe and whisper something into Qing Hang’s ear. Only then did the darkness in Qing Hang’s eyes gradually recede.

Qing Hang bent down and squatted. Cheng Wanyue held the umbrella and lay on his back.

The rain was too heavy. Before leaving, she only gave Chi Yue a quick wave.