Umbrella
Wen Liangyu returned to Shancheng that very night.
The ICU only allowed one visitor at a time. When she came out, she covered her face with her arms and turned into the restroom at the end of the corridor.
The doctor said it was already near the end—only two or three months left.
A message from Zhou Shihui popped in: Is there something you're hiding from me?
Normally, Zhou Shihui would have known about Chen Yiyang's little stir long ago, but this time about the hitting incident, he hadn't said a word.
Chen Yiyang came to the hospital alone after evening self-study, standing at the stairway entrance with his bag slung over his shoulder.
Zhou Shihui asked: Where did you go with Yun Mi this afternoon?
Chen Yiyang's reply was cold: What's it to you?
Zhou Shihui: She's not asking me questions anymore.
Chen Yiyang: So?
Zhou Shihui followed up: Let me give you a piece of advice.
Zhou Shihui: Yun Mi is just your sister, and you're living together now. Getting too close won't sound good if it gets out, right, A Yang?
His words carried a hint of veiled sarcasm.
An old friend of the old man went into the ICU to visit, and Chen Yiyang waited outside.
The boy leaned against the windowsill, resting his arm on it, and looked out. The cold glass separated inside from outside. Dark clouds pressed down on the horizon, suffocating—it was about to rain.
He typed a line and sent it to Zhou Shihui: The old man's in the ICU. Are you coming?
His phone chimed softly, but the reply wasn't from Zhou Shihui—it was from Yun Mi.
Grow Up Well: It looks like it's going to rain, Chen Yiyang. Do you want me to pick you up?
She knew he had come to the hospital.
Outside the passenger window, the storm was already pouring down, hammering against the glass, and dense streaks of water instantly blurred the world beyond.
The summer rain came fiercely.
Afraid she hadn't made herself clear enough, Yun Mi added another line.
Grow Up Well: You didn't bring an umbrella. If you get caught in the rain, you'll catch a cold.
The reply came quickly.
Just two words.
y2: No need.
...
Yun Mi still came to the hospital.
The storm in Shancheng carried the stench of mud. She had brought two umbrellas, but the fierce wind flipped hers right over.
The rain poured onto Yun Mi's head, and a speeding car splashed mud all over her school uniform.
"What bad luck," Yun Mi muttered quietly.
She should have known better than to bring Chen Yiyang an umbrella.
From a distance, she saw Zhou Shihui coming down. He looked like he'd been arguing with someone; his usual humble, calm smile was gone, replaced by a hint of aggression.
The hospital elevator was packed to capacity, and medical staff in the inpatient department were rushing a stretcher for resuscitation.
Yun Mi decided to take the stairs. When she pushed open the door to the top floor, she was met with hysterical shouting.
A woman stood by the sink at the end of the corridor. Her usually steady voice had turned shrill, barely containing her emotions: "Chen Jia Ci, we've been divorced for years. What right do you have to control me? Whether I want to visit the old man is my business; it's not for you to interfere!"
"What exactly do you mean? Are you trying to spite me on purpose? Can't you stand to see me living in peace? We're divorced! We cut ties long ago! Don't you understand human language?"
The words on the other end of the line stung like needles, driving her mad. Wen Liangyu's whole body trembled, and her voice suddenly pitched higher: "I'm staying right here today. Go ahead, call someone to drag me away, break my legs! Come on!"
Drops of rain from Yun Mi's umbrella fell to the ground, making a soft pattering sound.
Chen Yiyang heard the faint creak of the door and looked up abruptly. The girl was a mess, with amber eyes, wearing a dark blue summer school uniform short-sleeve shirt and matching pants.
Chen Yiyang said a quick word to Wen Liangyu and hurried over.
Zhou Shihui had just come to see the old man. Before leaving, he said to Chen Yiyang.
"A Yang, I'll be watching you."
"You don't want to ruin Aunt Wen's new life, do you?"
Zhou Shihui was afraid Chen Yiyang would cross the line.
Chen Yiyang said, "I don't know what you're talking about."
The stairwell was dim, surrounded by the deep gray of concrete walls.
Outside the window, the storm raged, letting in no light.
It was oppressively stuffy here.