Chapter 8 — The Light Is Out

Don't pull black, don't answer. Just let it disappear in the chat box. Just like Doan Gia Hua disappeared from my life. Quietly without sound. Days passed like that. Summer in Shanghai comes and goes, autumn cinnamon flowers bloom and fade. I got promoted, had my own small team. On weekends, I will study flower arranging and sometimes go to exhibitions with new friends. Living alone is much better than I thought. Doan Gia Hua still sends messages from time to time. The frequency is getting lower and lower. From one news per day, to one news per week, then one news per month. I never answered. Gradually, he stopped sending. I thought this would end like that. Until winter half a year later.

5

In December in Shanghai, the cold and damp seeps into my bones. That afternoon, after working overtime, I left the company and stood on the side of the road waiting for the car. The phone rang, it was a strange number displaying the same city. I hesitated a bit then picked up the phone.

“Excuse me, is this Ms. Giang Nghien Hoa?”

“It's me.”

"This is the emergency department of Nhan Te Hospital. She is Mr. Doan Gia Hua's emergency contact."

I frowned: "No, you guys are wrong."

"Miss, your number is indeed registered in the system. Currently, Mr. Doan is not very conscious, other than you, there is no other contact information."

“So you guys contact his family.” I said, "His parents must have an address in this city."

“We tried, but couldn't contact him. Ma'am, his situation…”

The opponent stops for a moment.

“He was brought here after falling from a height at the construction site, and is currently in emergency care.”

My hand stopped. Construction site? Doan Gia Hua works as an architectural designer and occasionally goes to the construction site. But he always focuses on safety, how could he fall?

“… How is the situation?”

"We don't know specifically, it was a worker who called 120. Is it convenient for you to come over? Need a family member to sign."

I was silent for a few seconds.

“I'm not his family.”

“But…”

"I'm his ex-fiancee, and we broke up."

The other end of the line was quiet. I took a deep breath, my reason told me this had nothing to do with me. But in the end, I still say one thing:

“I will help you contact his friend so he can come.”

Hang up the phone, I found Giang Du's number and briefly explained the situation. Giang Du's side was clearly panicked: "What?? I'll go now!" Hang up the phone, I stand on the side of the road, the technology car has arrived. The driver honked twice. I got in the car.

“Where to?”

“… Nhan Te Hospital.”

Saying that sentence, even I was stunned. Why? I do not know. Maybe it's just... I don't want to leave a lonely person lying in the emergency room with no one caring. Even though that person is Doan Gia Hua. When he arrived at the hospital, Doan Gia Hua was transferred out of the emergency room. Giang Du arrived before me, standing in the hallway talking to the doctor. Seeing me, he was clearly surprised.

“Why did you come? I thought you…”

“Just came to help sign.” I interrupted him, “How is he?”

“Fractured right leg, two broken ribs, mild concussion.” Giang Du frowned, "The doctor said he was lucky, a little more misalignment would have hit his spine."

I nodded.

“Where are his family members?”

"In contact. His father is on a business trip somewhere else, his mother..." Giang Du's expression was a bit difficult described, “His mother said to come tomorrow.”

Tomorrow. My son is in emergency and will only arrive tomorrow. I don't judge. I know very well how the Doan family is like.

"Okay, you stay here and look after him, I'll go home first."

“Wait.” Giang Du called me over and hesitated for a moment, "He... was dreamily calling my name all the time."

My steps don't stop.

“It has nothing to do with me.”

Out of the hospital gate, the cold wind hit my face. I pulled my coat tight and called a car home. Along the way, my mind was very confused.