Chen Dongyang, citing a headache, escaped back to his room without even showering.
He locked the door and thought about messaging Tiantian, but the words caught in his throat; he genuinely didn't know what to say.
After a moment's thought, he switched to messaging Chen Jiaojiao, asking about the progress of contacting the cardiologist.
Chen Jiaojiao replied that she was in contact, but there had been no movement so far.
"What's wrong? Did he have another episode?"
"No. Just asking."
Chen Jiaojiao was astute; her brother never reached out unless he needed something.
"Still pretending with me? Did Zeng Hui cause trouble again? Didn't you take her and the child to Tongcheng? You're right under her nose every day, and she still doesn't trust you? Or did you do something you shouldn't have behind her back?"
Women were so troublesome, why so many questions?
Chen Dongyang sent a headache emoji and didn't reply further.
He called Tiantian.
Fortunately, there was still Tiantian in the world. She didn't ask many questions; she only shared joy. Nowadays, Chen Dongyang lived solely on the slivers of sunshine she provided.
After a few words about his day, Tiantian changed the subject.
"Zhang Wei messaged me today. Do you know the good news?"
"She's pregnant. Those two are really something. Love at first sight, lightning pregnancy, and now lightning marriage. They're ticking off three major life events within 100 days. That's amazing."
Hearing her cheerful tone, Chen Dongyang felt a bit happier too.
"That is indeed good news."
"Zhang Wei invited me to the wedding. Meng Kai will probably invite you too. Are you going?"
Chen Dongyang was eager for any excuse to spend a few days away from Zeng Hui, to give her some space to calm down.
"Of course, I'll go. I promised them before."
"Hee hee," Tiantian said delightedly, "Then we can see each other again."
"Mhm. So, Tiantian, are you missing me?"
"Yes, Tiantian misses you. Do you miss Tiantian?"
"Yes. So much I can hardly stand it."
"Can't stand what?"
Tiantian was learning to joke indirectly now.
Chen Dongyang smiled, "My heart."
He hadn't been crude, so she considered that well-spoken.
"How's the manuscript coming along? Once it's done, come to Nancheng right away. I'll be your assistant, and then we can meet openly."
Chen Dongyang sighed, "I haven't finished organizing the materials yet. It'll probably take another day or two. I wish I could work through the night, just to see you sooner."
Tiantian was overjoyed to hear this, "You miss me that much? Did something unhappy happen to you today?"
Chen Dongyang replied, "No. I just miss you. I really wish I could see you right now and hug you."
Tiantian said, "Look at the time. How is that possible? Close your eyes and sleep. We'll meet in our dreams."
Chen Dongyang knew it was impossible to see her and agreed.
"Then you sleep too. Let's do it together, so we can meet in our dreams."
Tiantian chuckled, "I'm not sleeping. I still have something to do."
"What are you doing so late? If you don't sleep, how can I see you in my dreams?"
"Don't worry about it. I'm going to do something big."
He deliberately deepened his voice and admonished her, "Jiang Jingtian, you're becoming mischievous, deliberately teasing me?"
Tiantian just smiled, "Think of it that way. Lie down and sleep properly. Don't turn off your phone. I'll call you after I'm done."
With that, Tiantian hung up.
Chen Dongyang's mind was in turmoil. Zeng Hui's actions today, his colleagues' words, lingered in his mind, refusing to fade.
He lay there for over half an hour, unable to sleep. Deciding not to waste any more time, he got up to work.
He opened his laptop and continued writing the proposal. After an unknown amount of time, his phone rang.
He grabbed it; it was Tiantian calling.
Zeng Hui and Doubao were asleep, and the room was quiet. He answered softly.
"Finished your mischief? Come on, tell me, what were you up to?"
"What floor are you on?"
"What?"
"I'm downstairs at your building now. What floor are you on?"
Chen Dongyang immediately rushed to the window and opened it to look outside.
Under the dim yellow streetlights, a car was parked on the clean road. Leaning against the car was a small figure, looking up.
She probably couldn't see clearly and was asking on the phone.
"I don't know if the direction I parked in can see your window. Are you asleep? Don't you want to see me? Hurry up and wave hello."
Chen Dongyang didn't have time to put on his shoes. He closed the window, hung up the phone, and quietly slipped out the door.
He emerged from the room and sprinted downstairs.
Tiantian was still wondering why he'd hung up the phone so abruptly. A dark shadow burst out from the stairwell.
Immediately afterward, Chen Dongyang rushed towards her like lightning.
He brought with him a gust of cool night air and a strong scent of alcohol.
Tiantian's face lit up with surprise, and she instinctively grabbed his hands.
"You've been drinking?"
Chen Dongyang brought her hands to his lips and kissed them.
"Give me the car keys. Let's talk in the car."
Tiantian chided him, "You're drinking and driving? Are you trying to die? Go sit in the back, I'll drive."
They got into the car, one after the other.
Tiantian knew that appearing downstairs like this was not ideal, especially if Zeng Hui saw them. That was why Chen Dongyang was so eager to get away.
It felt like they were clandestine lovers, but she couldn't fault him.
Despite knowing this, she couldn't help but willingly go along with it.
She drove about two kilometers and found a secluded spot to park, telling him to sit in the back.
As soon as Tiantian slid into the back seat, he eagerly cupped her chin and kissed her.
Tiantian wasn't stupid; she could sense his mood was different from usual today.
When Chen Dongyang finally released her, she asked.
"Is it because you drank today that you miss me so much?"
Chen Dongyang didn't answer, asking instead, "When did you get here? Why didn't you tell me in advance?"
Tiantian playfully hit him, "Answer my question first!"
Chen Dongyang looked at her, gentle yet firm, "No. I miss you normally too. When I'm at work, when I'm sleeping, you're always on my mind. But after drinking, I miss you even more, exceptionally more, so much that I feel like I'm going crazy."
"If I hadn't said all this today, would you have come to see me?"
Tiantian was also honest, "I came here on a business trip. It wasn't specifically for you. I saw you the day before yesterday, and it wouldn't be good if Zeng Hui saw us."
Chen Dongyang's eyebrows immediately furrowed, "Can we please not mention her when we're together?"
Tiantian realized then that his unusual behavior today was definitely related to Zeng Hui.
"What happened? Did you two argue? Did she find something out?"
"..."
Her question made it seem as though she saw herself as an interloper.
Chen Dongyang nearly choked, his heart constricting for a few seconds. Gritting his teeth, he asked her,
"If I said we argued and she found something out, what would you do? Would you immediately break off contact with me and push me back to her?"
Tiantian didn't know what to say.