16
"Lương studying abroad time."
"That's why didn't you."
Amidst slow music, I stared blankly tiramisu before This café had minimum spending requirement 800 yuan equivalent to monthly food budget.
The one who invited me Dã's elder sister. understated exuded nobility, words gentle piercingly sharp.
"My reason for contacting you is simple."
"Could Lâm please disappear Dã's world?"
I lowered gaze as velvety voice continued:
"Hạc Dã... seems to have never left academia since birth."
"Whether research, or being rehired after retirement he's never experienced society."
"Frankly, had entered society, would never have taken notice someone like you, Lâm."
Though tone each word like slowly twisting in heart.
"Hạc has always revered father most."
"Our father an admirable man."
"He never chased fame or fortune, himself to public service."
"But selfish demon destroyed their pitiful personal desires."
Her eyes locked onto mine as these words, before suddenly laughing coldly.
"You're daughter father's killer."
"Yet here I begging you to stay away brother..."
......
"Hạc has never someone this deeply."
"That's why I can't to truth that you're daughter father's murderer."
She stood, patting hand eyes.
"I'll treatment costs for your mother. The doctors. The hospitals."
"If I were you, I'd wisely world."
......
17
The autumn rain seemed endless.
Dripping through broken window lattices, carrying scent wood.
The cruelest truth every word said correct.
Staring dark phone screen, I realized:
I Dã.
My heart always raced faster around him.
I craved embrace.
Yearned for lingering breath.
Yet eighteen minutes ago, I'd received final message:
"Tiểu Bạch."
"Answer me."
"This is number. Don't block me again."
"Tell me why."
"If I have to you I can't promise what I'll do."
......
I knew to end this.
I hate unresolved stories. Better to shatter dream linger in love.
Thus, I finally sent news article:
"See this?"
"Lương Dã... your father..."
"...was killed by dad."
......
18
When dawn I I'd never slept.
My phone dark never replied.
I wasn't surprised. Tucking chilled into sleeves, I went to buy mother's breakfast.
......
Thus vanished world.
Yet I still involuntarily thought self-loathing longing.
When burning dumpling scalded hand.
When refrigerator stood empty.
I never memories shared.
One morning, I recalled sitting him, on waist as I asked:
"Lương Dã, can return to past?"
"Time is vector."
"Entropy keeps increasing."
His thumbs circled waist as gazed up.
"We can never return."
19
Hạc Dã's called:
"He's for Berlin tomorrow. Want to see one time?"
"What do you mean 'last'?"
She chuckled through phone:
"He's settling You'll never meet again."
......
The Lincoln's panoramic windows framed scene.
This 'last meeting' meant I could only watch afar.
"I didn't you're coming, we'll keep distance."
Even this like mercy.
Among rushing crowds, stood out instantly cyan trench coat, minimal luggage, in like solitary mountain.
A butterfly-like girl fluttered to side, urging to frowned but slowed pace.
"Ah, I forgot to mention."
"Only two national research spots for Germany. That girl undergrad, Stanford physics master's. She's accompanying as scholar."
His tilted head curiously:
"What your major again, Lâm?"
......
"I never attended university."
The words left me nakedly exposed.
"Is that so?"
"How novel I've never dealt uneducated before."
......
She knew precisely to strip me bare.
Yet I remembered confession:
"Education means nothing."
"My ideal partner defined by degrees it's you."
Now heart like tangled yarn.
"Our families have always been close."
"I hope she'll become future Mrs. Lương."
