Guitar Pick
Chen Yiyang dragged his luggage to the top floor.
Zhou Shihui sent him a message: "Chen Yiyang, do we really have to be like this?"
Zhou Shihui: "Aren't I doing this for your own good?"
Zhou Shihui: "Your mother got married. Even if you and Yun Mi aren't in the same household register, you're still real siblings. What do you think outsiders will think of Yun Mi?"
Zhou Shihui: "And putting that aside, is what you chose really right, apart from Yun Mi?"
Zhou Shihui: "You're still being as reckless as you were in middle school, aren't you?"
Zhou Shihui: "If you're going to choose liberal arts, what's the point of participating in the competition? You're wasting time. Do you have to rely on being smart and having your father as a fallback to act out?"
Zhou Shihui: "Chen Yiyang, you're smarter than me. Can't you figure out what to choose?"
The dim yellow light illuminated the boy's cold silhouette.
Chen Yiyang had known Zhou Shihui for too many years. He understood how much sincerity lay in Zhou Shihui's heart.
Zhou Shihui's heart probably held some relief, along with a trace of genuine good intentions.
This emotion was mixed with jealousy and suspicion, but Chen Yiyang had never cared about it.
The card in his hand beeped as it unlocked the door. The next second, Zhou Shihui sent another message.
Zhou Shihui: "Besides, Yun Mi hates you so much."
Chen Yiyang stared at that message and replied, "Do you have to drag Yun Mi into this?"
Zhou Shihui: "What, did I say something wrong?"
Zhou Shihui: "If it weren't for Aunt Wen's sake, would Yun Mi even bother with you? She's said she hates you so many times."
The boy's eyelashes drooped slightly, casting shadows. As the room key let out another "beep," the room suddenly lit up with power.
The night view stood tall outside the floor-to-ceiling window. Chen Yiyang tapped his phone and sent Zhou Shihui a voice message.
"How she is has nothing to do with me. I like her, and that's unrelated to her." His tone was cold. "And you, Zhou Shihui, let me repeat this one last time: whatever decision I make, don't get in my way."
...
Yun Mi went to Beijing to attend Aunt Wen's engagement ceremony.
Coincidentally, the new legal partner Aunt Wen found was also a doctor, just like her father.
Yun Mi sent Chen Yiyang a message: "I delivered the gift. Aren't you going to thank me?"
Contact with Chen Yiyang during the day was always intermittent. He had irregular exams and training sessions.
Yun Mi wanted to know how Chen Yiyang was doing.
But Chen Yiyang didn't like posting on Moments.
She used to peek at Zhou Shihui's Moments, but lately it seemed Zhou Shihui had quarreled with Chen Yiyang. His Moments were filled with group dinner photos with various other boys, but without exception, Chen Yiyang was never there.
Yun Mi worried that Chen Yiyang might be lonely and wanted to mediate, but she felt it wasn't her place to get involved in others' affairs.
On the return trip, Yun Mi received a message from Aunt Wen.
Wen Liangyu:
Xiao Mi, I received the gift. I like it very much. Aunt Qin told me you've been staying up late studying and making great progress. Auntie praises you. But you don't have to push yourself too hard. Health comes first. If the results don't meet your expectations, Auntie will back you up and send you abroad to study. You can rest assured on that.
I've been apart from your mother for many years. Seeing you again feels like a lifetime. Back then, your mother insisted on marrying your father. I thought your father was a wanderer who couldn't take care of the family and wouldn't help her career. We argued until we cut off contact. Over twenty years have passed, and now I have a new understanding of marriage.
Also, don't worry about Chen Yiyang's family matters. Focus on your own things. Those people over there won't bother you. I've already arranged everything, saying you're my daughter. That's not wrong, Xiao Mi. If you're willing, since Jingjia passed away, I am your mother.
Best wishes for your studies.
The scenery of layered mountains outside the high-speed train changed, and the content of the green text box occupied the screen for a full stop.
Yun Mi's eyes reddened slightly at the word "mother." It felt like many years ago, returning to the rented apartment and seeing the reminders her mother sent.
She hadn't realized it had been so long.
Aunt Qin had prepared fruits and snacks in Beijing for Yun Mi to enjoy. Yun Mi lowered her head and softly said thank you.
Aunt Qin sighed, "Liangyu was really beautiful today."
"Mm."
Aunt Wen had been in good spirits today, without any fatigue or gloom.
Aunt Qin had been in the Chen family for too many years. She had watched Wen Liangyu grow up, graduate from graduate school, enter the high-level translation institute, shuttle between two cities, and then be worn down by family. She looked at Yun Mi, who was eating fruit, and couldn't help but sigh. "Speaking of which, today is also the day she got divorced."
Yun Mi's chewing paused. She repeated softly, "Divorced?"
The girl slowly raised her eyes, suddenly remembering something.
She recalled that once, during a chat, Xie Yue had mentioned that Chen Yiyang's parents got divorced on his fourteenth birthday.
Aunt Qin said, "Yes, divorced... They had been arguing for months. Jia Ci liked Liangyu too much and didn't want to divorce." Her expression darkened. "It was Xiao Yang..."
Yun Mi threw the fork into the trash bag and stood up hastily. "Aunt Qin... Is Chen Yiyang's birthday today?"
July 2nd.