Chapter 4 — After the Storm, the Sky Is Blue for Thousands of Miles

I stared at the photo, my heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand - it hurt so much that I couldn't breathe. Second year, Valentine's day, rainy night. I remember that day clearly. That day I had a bad cold and lay in the dormitory all day. Chu Du An called me so many times, I couldn't hear him. The next day, he brought a large bag of medicine and porridge to find me, his eyes red, just saying he was staying up all night working on a project. It turns out he wasn't doing the project. He was singing for another girl. And that girl - is my best friend.

“See, On Chich?” Hua An's voice was filled with the pleasure of revenge.

“Everyone knows he likes me, only you are like a fool who was fooled.

He pursued me for two years, but I never agreed. Later, I felt annoyed and told him not to bother me anymore, so he turned to look for you. Do you think you won? No – you're just someone who picks up things I throw away.”

“Shut up!” Chu Du An roared and rushed forward to snatch the phone from Hua An's hand.

Hua An quickly dodged, looked at me with venomous eyes, and smiled a cruel smile:

“Do you know why I called you both here today?

It's for you to see with your own eyes - how fake this man is, how ridiculous your so-called happiness is. I just waved a finger, and he immediately ran to me like a dog, leaving him alone. On Chich – you are nothing.” I looked at her crazy face and suddenly felt very tired. Arguing, arguing, arguing - all become meaningless. I let go of the sofa and stood up straight. I walked to the tea table, picked up the phone, and pressed the record button. Then, I raised my head and calmly looked at Chu Du An.

“Chu Du An, I ask you one last time.”

My voice is not loud, but in the tense atmosphere like a string, it sounds extremely clear.

“You and her – what is it all about? I want to hear the truth.

Every word, every sentence – must be true.” Chu Du An's body stiffened. He looked at me, his eyes full of torment and pain. Hua An next to her continued to add fuel to the fire:

“Say it, why don't you say it anymore?

Do you dare read the love letters you wrote to me out loud in front of her? Chu Du An turned around, his bloodshot eyes glaring at Hua An:

"I never wrote a love letter to you! That guitar is not the one for you either!"

He turned back to look at me, his voice urgent:

“Chich Chich – that song was played for you by me!

That day was Valentine's day, I wanted to confess my love to you, kept calling you but couldn't, so I went to the dormitory to wait for you all night. I thought you didn't want to see me, so sad. Later I found out I was sick. As for her," he pointed at Hua An, "from beginning to end, she's just delusional! She keeps telling others that he likes her. I've explained it many times – she doesn't listen!”

“Am I delusional?” Hua An seemed to hear the world's biggest joke,

“Chu Du An, you dare say you've never asked me to go see a movie alone?

How dare you say you won't give me that Tiffany necklace for my birthday? Chu Du An's face turned pale:

“That time when I watched the movie - my aunt told me to go with three people, On Chich was suddenly busy so he couldn't go.

The necklace - I asked for your advice, I intended to give it to On Chich, but you took it!

“Oh? Is that so?” Hua An laughed even harder, "But On Chich doesn't know?

In her eyes, he secretly went on a private date with me and gave me expensive gifts. You guess – will she believe you, or will she believe me – you Her best friend of twenty-something years?” After she finished speaking, she looked at me smugly, waiting to see me collapse. Chu Du An also looked at me nervously, his lips moved but no sound came out. The room was eerily silent. I looked at them - one madly defaming, one desperate to justify - just like a bad tragedy. I turned off the recording. Then, I walked up to Chu Du An, raised my hand and slapped him hard.

“Chat!” – a crisp sound echoed throughout the room.

Chu Du An's head was slapped upside down, red handprints were immediately visible on his face. Hua An was stunned, she probably didn't expect me to attack. I looked at Chu Du An and said coldly:

“This slap – it's not because of her.

But because of you - stupid." After speaking, I didn't look at him anymore, turned to Hua An and said:

“Are you done acting yet?

After acting, get lost. If you don't get out, I'll report you to the police - sue you for defamation and illegal home invasion." My composure was clearly beyond Hua An's expectations. She was stunned for a few seconds, then screamed like crazy:

“On Chich – crazy!

You were deceived and still defended him! You will regret it! You will definitely regret it!” I didn't bother to answer, took out my phone, and pretended to call 110. Hua An was finally scared. She glared at me with venom, then at Chu Du An with resentment, then grabbed her bag and rushed out of the room.

“Bang!” – the door was slammed shut.

The world is finally quiet again.

05

In the room, there are only me and Chu Du An left. He stood still, his hands still covering his face, maintaining the same position as I slapped him. The sunlight shines on him - half light, half dark - exactly like his image in my heart right now. I went to sit down on the sofa, feeling like all my strength was drained from me. I stared at the untouched glass of water on the tea table, my mind confused. Hua An's words, like poisonous thorns, pierced deep into my brain one after another.

“A replacement.”

“Pick up the things she left behind.”

These words hurt more than seeing him betray me with my own eyes. Silence covered the room. After a long time, Chu Du An put down his hand, slowly walked in front of me, knelt down and sat down. He raised his head to look at me, his eyes filled with red blood, the fingerprints on his red face were clear and painful.

“Chich Chich,” his voice was hoarse, “I'm sorry.”

I didn't say anything, just looked at him quietly.

“What happened in college was my fault.” He opened his mouth with difficulty.

“You shouldn't after making her misunderstand, not clarify clearly.

I think as long as I don't pay attention to her, she will automatically give up. I shouldn't have hidden everything later, for fear of what you might think. I'm afraid... afraid that you will think that the feelings between us were not pure from the beginning."

“So what now?” I finally spoke, my voice calm and emotionless.

“Is it clear now?”

Chu Du An's body trembled slightly, he bowed his head, his voice filled with pain:

“No… it's because you ruined it all.”

I looked at his extremely disappointed appearance, but in my heart I did not feel gloating - only endless fatigue.

“Chu Du An, why did you come here?”

I asked the question that had been lingering in my mind since I walked in.

“Do you believe whatever Hua An says?

She said there was an urgent customer, so you immediately quit your job and flew all night to come here? Judgment of where are you? Where is the courage to investigate the project? He was silent.

“Have you ever thought, how could an assistant general manager on duty 24/7 suddenly appear in Sanya, knowing clearly about your partner's 'urgent' request?