Chi Yan · Chat

Third day of the cold war. You and Yin Ji'an haven't spoken for three days. You don't want to mention the reason; it's the same old problem—Su Wan. You're tired, you don't want to argue, you don't want to make a scene, and you don't want to hear that phrase "She's just a sister" anymore. You don't look for him, and he doesn't look for you. The phone is as quiet as if it were dead. You place the phone face down on the table, go take a shower, and when you return, the screen is lit up. It's a call from Chi Yan. You're stunned for a moment, then answer. It's very noisy on the other end, not like a school dorm, but some loud place with people laughing, music, and the sound of glasses clinking. He doesn't speak. You wait for a while and hear his breathing, a bit heavy and unsteady. "Chi Yan?" "...Sister." His voice isn't right. It's hoarse, muffled, as if he's holding something in his mouth, or as if he's crying. Your heart twinges. "What's wrong?" "Sister..." He calls out again, this time the end of his voice trembling, with a nasal tone, like a puppy whimpering. You can tell, he's really crying.