Chapter 7 — Aurora Doesn't Wait For You

He stood in the middle of the living room, his fingers clinging tightly to the back of the sofa. Giang Du followed behind, not daring to say much. "Mr. Nghien, Ms. Duong probably just went out to relieve her anger and came back after a few days to calm down." Chu Nghien did not respond. On the tea table placed a paper bag. Inside were all the jewelry, keys, the magnetic card he had given her, and a neatly folded piece of paper. He opened it. There are only a few lines of text on the paper. "Chu Nghien, I did not take the things I bought in this house. The things you gave me are all here. I have calculated the debt to you fairly, and I sent the transfer receipt via email." He stared at the four words "debt to me", the blood drained from his face. Giang Du spoke softly. “Why did she plan this so clearly?” Chu Nghien tightened his grip on the paper. “Where is she?” “I asked, I flew to Finland last night.” Chu Nghien pulled out his phone to book a ticket, typing quickly with his fingers. Giang Du stopped him a bit. “Van Van is still abroad, are you abandoning her?” Chu Nghien raised her eyes. “She has a nurse, a doctor, and you guys.” Giang Du was forced to stay silent by his eyes. The phone rang again, it was Tong Van Van. Chu Nghien picked up the phone. The other end of the line let out a sobbing voice. "A Nghien, where have you gone? I woke up and didn't see you, I'm so scared." Chu Nghien looked at the empty living room. “I'm back home.” “Because of Ms. Duong Duong?” His throat rolled. "YES." On the other side, Tong Van Van was silent for a few seconds. “So what should I do?” Chu Nghien closed her eyes. “I told Giang Du to come with you.” “But I just want you.” This time, he didn't immediately comfort her like usual. “Van Van, don't be like that.” On the other end of the line came the sound of her suppressed breathing. “A Nghien, are you blaming me?” Chu Nghien looked at the card from the paper bag, her voice hoarse. “I blame myself.” … When I arrived in Ivalo, snow fell on my shoulders and quickly melted into water. When the hotel receptionist compared documents, the staff looked at me several times. "Miss Tham, the original booking has been changed. The single room package you paid for last night has been confirmed, but the conservatory only has a spare room left." I nodded. “The spare room is fine.” The spare room is located in the innermost corner, a glass corner on the frozen roof, with an incomplete view of the sky. But this time, the registered name is my own. I put my luggage away, boiled water, washed my face, then sat down on the edge of the bed. As soon as I turned on my phone, messages immediately came pouring in. Chu Nghien: “Tomorrow I will go to Finland.” Chu Nghien: “Wait for me.” Chu Nghien: "Duong Duong, don't block my number, I just want to make sure you're safe." Tong Van Van also sent a message. "Miss Duong Duong, you won. A Nghien has come back to find you. I don't blame you, really." I deleted the message, no reply. The next morning, I followed a small local tour group to the snow fields. There were only six people in the car, the tour guide was a girl who knew Chinese, named A Lac. She gave me a cup of hot coffee. “Are you alone?” "YES." “It's great to go alone, you don't have to buy a couple ticket to see the Northern Lights.” I laughed. This statement is more effective than any words of comfort. Returning to the hotel at dusk, Chu Nghien was standing in the lobby. He wasn't wearing his familiar long overcoat, just a thick life jacket, his eyes full of fatigue. Seeing me, he immediately walked over. “Duong Duong.” I stopped two steps away. “What are you doing here?” He held out the bag in his hand. "My scarf. I forgot to bring it, it will be cold at night." In the bag is my most used cashmere scarf. He also brought along the stomach pain medicine I left at the apartment.