NB Chapter6

Hearing me scolding Ah Hai, Zhang Mingsheng turned his head. He was smiling and looked quite intrigued as if he had witnessed some extraordinary novelty.

I stared back coldly, not avoiding his gaze at all.

In truth, after reprimanding Ah Hai, I felt a bit uneasy myself. Given Zhan Weiqing’s temperament, there weren’t many people who could stop him. Ah Hai was just doing his job; moreover, he had always treated me well.

Ah Hai took my words seriously. With a solemn expression, he bowed deeply and shouted, “I’m sorry, Sir. I’m sorry, Madam. It’s all my fault.”

While he was certainly sincere, the instigator on the side had already raised the curtain on a grand performance. Zhan Weiqing’s brow furrowed slightly as he took a half-step forward, “Sister-in-law, don’t blame Ah Hai. It’s all because of me. I heard you encountered kidnappers a few days ago, and it scared me to death, but I haven’t had time to come offer my regards. I happened to be passing by today and heard from Ah Hai that you were inside, so I came in to check. Seeing that you’re both alright is truly wonderful.”

Zhan Weiqing cast a quick glance about, his eyes sliding past Zhang Mingsheng to me before sweeping across the racecourse as though he were trying to locate something.

Zhang Mingsheng stopped looking at me. He watched Zhan Weiqing look left and right with great patience, slowly and methodically adjusting his shirt cuffs before finally speaking, “What are you looking for? Have you found it yet?”

I looked down at the tips of my shoes and raised an eyebrow. Those words were rather unexpected. The weather had turned cold, and the sunlight hitting my body didn’t feel warm at night. I turned my head and coughed twice.

Zhang Mingsheng swept his gaze over again; I didn’t need to look at him to know he was watching me once more.

But with Zhan Weiqing around, his gaze wouldn’t linger on me for long.

Zhan Weiqing asked naturally, “Where’s Keke? Keke didn’t come? I heard Brother Mingsheng bought her a pony.”

Zhang Mingsheng let out a quiet chuckle, his tone carrying the indulgent teasing of an older brother toward a younger one. “You seem very well informed.”

It made my skin crawl; I gave a disdainful sniff.

Zhang Mingsheng spoke again, “Though not quite informed enough. Keke’s still too young, I haven’t gotten her a pet yet. Xiao Yuan does have one, though. It’s called… what was it again—”

Just from his voice, I could tell he was smiling, more deeply than before. Each word came out light and unburdened as though he were soaking in a gentle spring breeze. He could chat so cheerfully with someone else yet couldn’t even recall the name of his own son’s pony. In my mind, I rolled my eyes to the heavens.

“Ah, it’s called Lightning. You are really something.” Zhan Weiqing quickly picked up the thread.

“Right, a black horse named Lightning. I really don’t know what children are thinking.” Zhang Mingsheng’s voice was full of helplessness, sounding incredibly affectionate. If someone were to pass by, they would surely think this father was loving and open-minded.

But I only noticed that what he said was exactly what I had thought when I first heard Xiao Yuan introduce “Lightning.” Could he read minds? I looked up, staring at his profile. If he could read minds, maybe I could learn too. I stared at his sharp jawline and noticed he had freshly shaved today; he looked a bit like his younger self.

Zhan Weiqing didn’t seem interested in Zhang Xiaoyuan; he didn’t pursue the topic, nor did he show any intention of leaving. “Brother Mingsheng, you seem to be in quite a good mood. Just this morning, we heard the Old Master lose his temper at the meeting, and by the afternoon, you’ve already slipped away to keep your wife company.”

Zhang Mingsheng spread one palm to feign helplessness. “It can’t be helped; that’s the lot of a middle-aged man, caught between the older generation and the children. Yesterday, your sister-in-law was in a tantrum over a diamond necklace, so I had it flown in straight to her bedside without delay. As men, we have to shoulder responsibility. You’re still young, Ah Qing; you only see what’s on the surface and don’t understand the hardship behind it.”

I was stunned. This man could lie through his teeth without a second thought. When did I ever ask him for a diamond necklace? Ridiculous. I continued to stare dead at him. If my eyelashes could blink up a hurricane, I’d blow both these people away already.

However, I suddenly realized that Zhang Mingsheng called Zhan Weiqing “Ah Qing.”

My name also contains “Qing,” but he only calls me “Ah Yu.”

“Alright, don’t interrupt our time alone. Just look at your sister-in-law’s face, it is as dark as the bottom of a pot.” Zhang Mingsheng patted Zhan Weiqing on the shoulder. In that instant, I caught a glimpse of a complex expression crossing Zhan Weiqing’s face.

Was it disappointment, or shyness, or a mixture of both?

Before I had time to analyze it, Zhan Weiqing had already returned to being a proper young gentleman. He politely bid me farewell and even apologized to Ah Hai. Ah Hai didn’t respond; he was as cold as a machine, simply raising his arm to signal Zhan Weiqing to go first, then following behind him.

Finally, he was gone, and my mood began to ease as well.

For some reason, ever since Keke’s birthday banquet, I’ve been very resistant to seeing Zhan Weiqing. Luckily Keke didn’t come today, or I might have lost my composure even more.

Zhang Mingsheng walked over and crouched down in front of me before lightly stroking my cheek. He asked, “What’s wrong? Are you unhappy?”

I said, “How could I be? Is it even my place to be unhappy?”

Zhang Mingsheng paid the remark no mind. Brushing his fingers against my cheek, he said with a smile, “Ever since we were young, Zhan Weiqing has been the most perceptive among us. Haven’t you noticed? He’s remarkably well-informed.”

“Sure, he’s a big-shot journalist who travels all over; of course, he knows a lot.” I turned my head, trying to avoid his hand.

“Well, our Officer Yu has also traveled far and wide. I wonder if there are any fresh sights to share?” Zhang Mingsheng seemed to be in a very good mood today; he actually used the title he used to call me by.

I looked at him in disbelief, only for him to suddenly stand up. I had no idea what he intended and instinctively leaned back, but he dipped his head once more to cup my cheeks in his hands. He was going to kiss me, and he was already doing it.

This man was truly odd; one moment he was smiling and chatting with someone else, and the next he was tangling his tongue with mine. If I ever tried to bite it off in retaliation, I probably wouldn’t even catch the right moment.

Actually, I’ve already grown used to making love; no matter which hole he’s screwing, I’m no longer surprised. But kisses are different. A kiss is too intimate; it leaves me at a loss. Zhang Mingsheng kissed me gently, leaving me breathless and the world tilting around me. It wasn’t some flutter of the heart; I was genuinely dizzy. My face must have flushed by then, but not from embarrassment or excitement, rather from the sheer lack of air.

“Officer Yu, I heard you’re a great swimmer and you can even dive, so why haven’t you learned how to breathe while kissing?” Zhang Mingsheng let go of me while grinning. His nose was very close, brushing lightly against my cheek twice.

My chest rose and fell sharply, my face flushed as I thought to myself: It’s all your fault my condition’s gone so bad it feels like I’m a broken kitchen blower. Damn it, I missed another chance to bite off his tongue because I was distracted. I blamed myself in my heart.

“Don’t waste too much energy on other people,” Zhang Mingsheng said.

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said.” Zhang Mingsheng released me.

He strode off into the distance. He formed a circle with his fingers, pressed it to his lips, puffed out his cheeks, and blew; a sharp, piercing whistle cut cleanly through the deep blue sky. After a moment, the sound of galloping hooves rose from afar, and a jet-black steed came charging through the dust.

That was Zhang Mingsheng’s mount: Dark Cloud.

It was clearly highly intelligent, easing its pace while still some distance away and approaching us in a docile manner. Zhang Mingsheng caught its reins, patted its forehead, and swung himself up into the saddle.

I slowly stood up while gripping the wheelchair.

Zhang Mingsheng sat atop the horse as it slowly paced in circles around me.

He looked at me with a smile while I looked back at him calmly.

The sky was clear, the air was crisp, and there was no one around. We hadn’t taken off our clothes, yet it felt as though we were facing each other naked. Every time I stand, I forget my attire and my current appearance; it’s as if I become myself again, the self I used to be.

And Zhang Mingsheng, who was seated on horseback with an easy, relaxed expression, made me feel slightly lightheaded as well.

Once upon a time, I had seen him like this before.

Back then, he was still very far away from me.

Until one night, beneath a violet-red sky, he pressed the accelerator of the black Ferrari all the way down. The man and machine surged forward like an arrow released from a bow, tearing toward the endless darkness. It wasn’t only the wheels spinning faster, it felt as if the countdown to my encounter with Zhang Mingsheng was accelerating as well. In his twenties, he was driving aimlessly at breakneck speeds, seemingly on the verge of crashing into death.

But he didn’t break down death’s door; he simply crashed into my world.

Sparks flew, fluids gurgled as they leaked out, gasoline hung thick in the air, mingling with the smell of blood, while a chaos of shouting voices filled everything; this was what hit me the moment I reached the accident scene. I clenched my teeth and ran forward; as I thrust my arm through the window frame, the remaining shards of glass cut into my skin. Death was counting down, and flames could erupt at any moment. I forced open the mangled car door and used all my strength to drag out the young man slumped over the airbag. His breath was faint; hearing my shouts, his eyes opened just a crack.

I called his name. I shouted, “Zhang Mingsheng, wake up! Zhang Mingsheng!”

But he closed his eyes.

I gritted my teeth while enduring the pain of my wounds as I hauled him over my shoulder. After walking a few paces, someone finally came to lend a hand. A crowd started to form, and soon the Zhang family and an ambulance arrived. At that very moment, the car in the distance finally gave out, followed by a deafening explosion that shook the air.

I stood there in the wind, watching the ambulance depart, then turned back toward the roaring flames and the thick black smoke curling up into the sky. My heart was left with nothing but a hollow, distant numbness.

Having read the Bible, I have reason to believe that God lives above the clouds and takes pleasure in playing tricks on humanity. Now, I have suddenly realized what that explosion actually was.

It was God’s cruel applause. He had finally seen what he wanted to see: my life and Zhang Mingsheng’s life entangled together, inseparable no matter how much blood and tears were wrung out.

God was overjoyed.

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