Chapter 10 — After the Storm, the Sky Is Blue for Thousands of Miles

From that day on, our lives entered a kind of strange state. We are like two housemates, living under the same roof, but each of us maintains an invisible boundary. He goes to work and leaves work on time. All social interactions outside of work are denied. If you really cannot refuse, you will send a detailed report of the list of attendees, schedule, location... to me. His phone is always placed on the tea table with no password and no screen lock. He started to look like a boy who just learned to love, sending flowers and a small card every day. On it were not cheesy love words, but a "thought report of the day": Today in the elevator when he met a female colleague, he automatically took two steps back, keeping a safe distance. At lunch, a female intern asked to become friends on WeChat, he refused with the reason:

“My wife is very strict.”

... Reading those clumsy yet sincere lines, sometimes I felt funny, sometimes I felt sad. Our friends also know about this “one-year term”. They were very understanding, did not mention Hua An in front of me, nor asked how things were going. Just occasionally, someone will send me some of Chu Du An's "silly tricks":

“On Chich, look, Chu Du An stood in line under the sun for 2 hours just to buy the cake you like!”

"I fainted from laughter, he was asking us how to choose lipstick for our girlfriends..."

I looked at those messages, the icy ground in my heart seemed to start to melt a little. But still not enough. I know – to rebuild trust, relying on outward actions alone is not enough. We need a real challenge.

12

In the blink of an eye, half a year has passed. In the fall, the company sent me on a business trip to Hong Kong for a week. Before leaving, Chu Du An helped me pack my luggage, even more carefully than me. Each shirt, each item of underwear is neatly arranged. He even prepared a small bag of medicine: cold medicine, stomachache medicine, bandages...

"It's humid over there, remember to keep warm." – He advised, like a worried old father.

I looked at him, feeling a little emotional. Coming to Hong Kong, busy work - meetings, meeting partners - my feet don't touch the ground. Chu Du An still texts every day - very properly: Just good morning, good night, reminders to eat and drink, not disturbing work. On the 5th day, I finished the work early. Colleagues invited me to go to Lan Que Phuong to relieve stress in the evening. I was about to refuse, but after thinking about it, I agreed. I took my phone and sent a text message to Chu Du An:

“Going to Lan Kwai Fong to drink with colleagues tonight.”

After sending, I threw the phone into my bag. I know – this is a test. A final test of trust. Lan Que Phuong - bustling bar, sparkling lights, harsh music, full of alcohol and hormones. I just ordered a glass of juice and sat in the corner watching people make trouble. Several men came to talk to me, I coldly refused them all. At midnight, I said goodbye to my colleagues and went back to the hotel alone. All night, Chu Du An didn't call or text anything. Back in the room, after showering, lying on the bed, I took out my phone. Only one message, sent 4 hours ago:

"Okay. Just drink a little, pay attention to safety. When you're done, remember to say you're safe."

I look at that line, it's hard to describe my feelings. Are you disappointed? Somewhat yes. – You really can't help but "investigate" me. Are you reassured? The more. – I have learned to respect and trust. At that moment, the doorbell rang. I was stunned. Who's coming at this hour? I looked through the cat's eyes – a hotel waiter, pushing a food cart. I opened the door.

“May I ask, are you On Chich?

There was a Mr. Chu who ordered her a late night meal - wonton noodles and mango grapefruit sweet soup, her favorite dish." My heart was pounding. Looking at that bowl of steaming noodles, my eyes suddenly sting. I closed the door, leaned my back against the wall, and made a video call to Chu Du An. He picked up the phone immediately. He was wearing pajamas, sitting in his familiar office, the soft yellow light of the desk lamp behind him.

“Are you back?” – He smiled, as if there were stars in his eyes.

“Um.” – I nodded, turned the camera to show him the late night meal.

“How do you know I haven't eaten yet?”

“I guess.” – He laughed, "I've never liked eating at those places."

“Aren't you afraid... of me going with someone else?”

His smile paused, then became gentle:

"Scared. How can you not be afraid?"

"I haven't been able to sit still for the past few hours, I want to crush my phone."

“But I didn't call – because I trusted you.”

“It took me half a year to regain a little trust in you.

You can't let your insecurity destroy it. I can only wait. Wait for me to have enough fun, then go home on my own." He stopped, curled his lips and smiled:

"Besides, I believe my bowl of wonton noodles - is more attractive than the strange guy in Lan Kwai Fong."

I looked at that familiar face, heard that joking voice, and burst out laughing. Laughed then cried again. The icy wall between us, cold for nearly a year, in that moment – collapsed. One year covenant – ends early. A month later, we returned to Sanya. It's still the same beach, that hotel. But this time – no more lies, no more calculations. There's only us left – the two of us. We held hands and walked on the sandy beach, watching the sunset dye the ocean yellow.

“I'm sorry.” – Chu Du An suddenly said.

“Yes?”

“For the stupid things you did, for the hurt you caused.”

“And… thank you.”

“Thank you for what?”

"Thank you for pulling me out, not letting me fall completely into the abyss."

I looked at him, the sea breeze blowing my hair. I stood on tiptoe and placed a light kiss on his lips.

“Chu Yu An,” I said,

“Marriage is not a shelter from the storm.

It's like a boat, we are each other's captain and sailor. There will be times when we encounter storms, times when we lose our direction... But as long as we both still look in the same direction, still holding the same sea chart, we will always find the way home." He hugged me, hugged me very tightly, as if he wanted to blend me into his flesh and blood. In the distance, the sea and sky are the same color, the wind is calm, the waves are calm. I know – our ship has finally passed through the fiercest of storms. From here on out – the sky is blue for thousands of miles. RUN OUT OF