Chapter 10 — Aurora Doesn't Wait For You

I shook my head. “Isn't five years enough?” He was pinned to the spot by this sentence. I entered the room, and before closing the door, I saw Chu Nghien standing at the end of the hallway, still clutching that scarf. That night, he didn't come knocking on the door anymore. The next morning, I checked out and left. The receptionist gave me an envelope. “Mr. Chu left it to you.” Inside is a first class ticket from Finland back home, the time is tonight. Accompanied by a line of text. “Let's go home and talk.” I stuffed the ticket back into the envelope and gave it back to the receptionist. “Please tell him I won't go back to that house anymore.” I did not return home but went to Rovaniemi. A Lac introduced me to a lodge as a part-time employee. The owner is an old Finnish woman who knows a little Chinese, and often calls me "Duong Duong" (sweet candy). I am in charge of cleaning the rooms, making hot berry juice for guests, and occasionally helping A Lac welcome Chinese tourists. These days are not exactly leisurely. But every morning when I wake up, I don't have to guess who Chu Nghien will abandon me for today. Half a month later, Chu Nghien came here. He stood outside the motel door, his shoes covered in snow, not carrying any gift. This time, he went empty-handed. “Duong Duong, I'm not here to force you to go home.” I carried a box of blankets into the lobby. “So what did you come here for?” He reached out his hand to catch it. I dodge. His hand stopped, then retracted. “I came to apologize.” “I'm sorry.” “That time doesn't count.” He looked at me, blood red in his eyes. "I checked the booking history. The name of the person checking into the hotel was not changed by me, it was Van Van who took my phone. But I know, the responsibility is still mine. Because he knows the password, because I implicitly allowed him to touch my things." My movements stopped. This story has indeed been turned from a different perspective. But the results remain unchanged. I looked at him. “So I think, you will feel more relieved?” He shook his head. "No. I just want you to know, you didn't mean to cause trouble that day." I smiled softly. “I always knew.” Chu Nghien's lips were pale. “But you don't know.” This statement comes a bit late. It's so late that I'm too lazy to even bother to hate you. The wind chime at the door rang. Tong Van Van walked in. She wore a light gray coat, her face was bare, and there was no Giang Du next to her. “I also want to make it clear.” Chu Nghien turned around, her face darkened. “How did you find your way here?” Tong Van Van didn't answer, just stared at me. "Miss Duong Duong, I know you don't want to see me. But there are things, if you don't say it, I will forever think you are a bad person." She took out a stack of medical records. "My illness is real, not fake. When I get sick, I'm really miserable. But I admit, I'm afraid A Nghien won't need me anymore, so I use methods I shouldn't use." She spoke so frankly that even Chu Nghien was stunned. I looked at her. “For example?” "For example, that necklace, I already knew that A Nghien also bought it for you. I deliberately sent a photo to show you." Her voice did not tremble at all. “For example, at the Zhou family party, I knew my aunt and uncle would be on my side, so I made them think that you couldn't tolerate a sick person.” Chu Nghien's face gradually lost its color. “Tong Van Van.” She turned to him, her eyes filling with tears. "A Nghien, I don't want to play the innocent anymore. I like you, I liked you a long time ago. I know you love her, but every time you leave her for me, I think I still have a chance." She didn't tear her face, she didn't curse.