In the living room that looked somewhat crowded, Yu and Qiuqiu were playing happily, while Wen Xian was still furrowing her brows gnawing on a sour and puckering apple.
Because the taste of this apple was touching, Wen Xian for a moment wanted to give up putting it into her stomach.
Right when this thought floated up in her mind, her phone’s ringtone rang. Wen Xian simply bit through the apple in two more bites, casually threw the apple core into the trash can.
The moment the apple core was thrown into the trash can, it disappeared. Wen Xian was already used to this kind of scene.
As long as it was something drawn by Yu, no matter where she threw it, these things would disappear into thin air, as long as she had this thought in her mind.
At this moment, it was still not yet eight o’clock. Who would be calling her?
Wen Xian lowered her gaze to look, on the screen two bright words were clearly displayed: Qin Song.
She paused for a moment. At this time, over at Qin Song’s place it was already early dawn. She didn’t expect he would call her this late. After picking up the call, she hesitated and called out: “Song gege?”
[哥哥 (gege) means “older brother,” not necessarily related]
The voice from the other end of the phone was clear and carried a hint of gentleness. He called her name just like when they were young: “Xian Xian, recently I have to be busy with my master’s graduation thesis, I might not be able to come back to accompany you for your birthday. I ordered a cake for that day, you remember to make a wish.”
Wen Xian gave a low response, then said: “I know, thank you Song gege.”
Wen Xian was born on the Summer Solstice. On the Summer Solstice, the sun almost directly shines on the Tropic of Cancer.
The Book of Rites [《礼记》(Liji)] says: “When the Summer Solstice arrives, deer shed their antlers, cicadas begin to sing, banxia grows, and hibiscus prospers.”
[banxia: 半夏 (Pinellia ternata), a kind of medicinal herb]
And for Wen Tianlin and Chang Shuang, on the day of the Summer Solstice, Heaven gifted them the most beautiful present in this world.
But Wen family’s happiness stopped four years ago.
In the early spring four years ago, the plane that Wen Tianlin and Chang Shuang were on crashed. The plane fell from high altitude onto an uninhabited small island, no one survived.
Overnight, Wen Xian turned from a little princess surrounded by fine clothes and food into a pitiful child who lost both her parents.
Wen Xian’s life was turned upside down.
Before she even had time to emerge from her grief, the Wen family was already on the brink of bankruptcy due to Wen Tianlin’s death and internal strife. Those amiable and kind elders seemed to have all changed their faces.
Ferocious, tearing at each other, cursing out loud.
Just like that, in less than half a year, the Wen family declared bankruptcy. Wen family members fled, scattered. Now, in Licheng, only she was left.
During these four years, Qin Song had been abroad. During holidays and festivals, he never came back. The last time she saw Qin Song was also four years ago, at her parents’ funeral.
At the funeral, Qin Song’s grandfather Qin Huai personally promised her, unless she was unwilling, no one could change this arranged marriage that had been set, including Qin Song’s parents.
Wen Xian could keenly sense the change in Qin Song’s mother’s attitude after her parents passed away. Before, she would affectionately call her Xian Xian, but at the funeral she only indifferently called her Wen Xian.
Now that she recalled it, in fact, the disintegration of the Wen family already had its signs at that time.
All these years, only Qin Huai would occasionally call her, usually to tell her to come play at the Qin family’s house or invite her over to celebrate New Year together with them. But Wen Xian refused them all.
She still wasn’t used to the pitying and sympathetic gazes of others.
But these years, Wen Xian was not all alone. Even though after the Wen family’s bankruptcy, the people around her gradually distanced themselves, Xu Chuwei still chose to stay by her side.
This was the only thing Wen Xian felt lucky about these years.
The past two years, Wen Xian’s birthdays were spent together with Xu Chuwei, but last year Xu Chuwei participated in the school’s exchange student program to England, so she wasn’t able to come back to accompany her for her birthday.
This year, it was also unknown whether Xu Chuwei could come back or not.
—
The day before Wen Xian’s birthday, she went to the suburban cemetery to visit Wen Tianlin and Chang Shuang, bringing Chang Shuang’s favorite champagne roses and Wen Tianlin’s favorite wine.
The not-gentle sunlight passed through the clouds and shone on Wen Xian’s body. A faint layer of sweat had already seeped out on her forehead. Only when she walked up to the tombstone did she free her hand to wipe the sweat.
Four years ago, it was she herself who personally went to the island to bring Wen Tianlin and Chang Shuang back. She could not let them have no resting place.
Wen Xian placed a large bouquet of champagne roses in front of Chang Shuang’s tombstone. The woman in the photo had a gentle smile at the corner of her lips that Wen Xian was familiar with. She stroked Chang Shuang’s face as if in fondness.
She then poured wine for Wen Tianlin before sitting down beside them.
Just like in past years, she murmured alone: “Papa, Mama, Xian Xian graduated from university this year. Uncle said to let me go work at his company, but I’m still considering it. Aunt called me a few days ago and said Shang Shang’s gaokao results came out. He did very well. I bought him a gift.”
[Gaokao高考: national college entrance examination]
“Yuan Yuan-jie and her boyfriend’s relationship is stable.”
[Jie苑苑姐: jiejie means older sister, a form of address]
“Song gege is also going to come back from England this year. Grandpa Qin said once he comes back, he’ll start preparing for our wedding. We will hold the wedding in autumn.”
“We are all living very well.”
“I really miss you both.”
…
Until the sun sank into the layers upon layers of clouds, only then did Wen Xian get up from the ground.
She softly said goodbye to Wen Tianlin and Chang Shuang, then walked down the mountain. The setting sun stretched her lonely shadow very long.
When Wen Xian went home, she stopped by the general supermarket. Compared to those unknown-tasting foods, she still preferred the ones from the supermarket.
As if sensing her thoughts, Yu moved restlessly inside her bag. It was very obvious it was protesting her thoughts.
Wen Xian raised her hand and patted the bag. Yu instantly became quiet.
After choosing snacks and yogurt, Wen Xian went to buy some fresh vegetables and fruits. Thinking that today was the Summer Solstice, she also bought some eggs to take home.
These years, she had already learned how to live alone.
After carrying the shopping bags back home slowly, she put all the things she bought into the refrigerator. Looking at the refrigerator being filled up, Wen Xian’s mood improved quite a bit.
At the same time, her phone also rang with a message notification sound.
She immediately picked it up and glanced at it. It was the payment for that translation job from a few days ago, not Xu Chuwei. She put the phone down again, took the eggs, and went into the kitchen.
It wasn’t until eight o’clock in the evening that Wen Xian called Xu Chuwei. At this time, she should be up or finished with things. The ringtone sounded for quite a while before it was picked up. The woman’s voice on the other end carried slight panting and sweetness: “Xian Xian?”
Wen Xian was startled. Her eyelashes trembled slightly. “Chuwei, what’s wrong with you?”
This time, rustling sounds came from the other end of the call. After quite a while, she finally heard Xu Chuwei’s voice again: “It’s nothing, Xian Xian. The dog at home is messing with me. Why are you looking for me at this time?”
Wen Xian asked in a small voice: “Chuwei, are you coming back tomorrow?”
Xu Chuwei lightly laughed. “Of course I’m coming back. Tomorrow is Xian Xian’s birthday. How could I not come back?”
Wen Xian, who had been feeling low all day, couldn’t help but curve her lips when she heard this. She said happily: “Then I’ll go pick you up tomorrow. What time do you arrive at the airport?”
Xu Chuwei said: “Around five in the evening.”
Wen Xian responded: “Got it. You be careful.”
London, England.
Xu Chuwei threw her phone to the side. Her red lips, kissed until rosy, curved as she looked at the man beside her. She let out a low hum-laugh: “You’re really bold. Aren’t you afraid Xian Xian will find out?”
The handsome-faced man placed a light kiss, as if fascinated, on the tear mole under the corner of her eye. He mumbled: “This marriage won’t happen for now. My mom doesn’t want Wen Xian to marry into the Qin family. She’ll definitely find ways to stall my grandpa.”
Xu Chuwei’s eyes slightly narrowed, smiling as she asked: “She’s not beautiful enough?”
Wen Xian was naturally beautiful. Her beauty was innate. Just one glance had already made the Qin Song at that time have thoughts, but at that time Wen Xian had not yet come of age, so they only settled the marriage arrangement.
And these years Qin Song had been abroad for long periods. Between him and Wen Xian, aside from the binding of the marriage engagement, they were fundamentally like strangers. He was three years older than her, the circles they played in from childhood to now rarely overlapped, let alone after the Wen family’s bankruptcy.
Qin Song pressed Xu Chuwei down beneath him, lowering his voice as he spoke beside her ear: “Not as good as you.”
The woman let out a soft laugh, raising her lotus-like snow-white arms to wrap around his neck. “Come back to the country with me tomorrow, aren’t the matters over at school already handled? I don’t want to go back alone.”
Qin Song responded hoarsely: “Okay.”
—
The next day.
In the dim room, message tones rang continuously. Wen Xian’s sleep quality had always been bad these past years—any small noise would wake her up.
With her eyes closed, she fumbled blindly at the bedside.
When she finally held the phone in her hand, she struggled to open her eyes to look at the messages.
[Chuwei: Xian Xian, the plane is delayed. I might only be able to arrive at Licheng Airport at six in the evening.]
[Chuwei: Trouble you to come pick me up.]
[Chuwei: At night I’ll accompany you for your birthday.]
[Chuwei: I prepared a birthday surprise for you, you will definitely like it.]
With sleepy eyes, Wen Xian replied with an “okay.” From that side, Xu Chuwei didn’t send any more messages.
She rolled around on the bed for a while before she finally woke up.
Wen Xian got up and looked at the cat bed placed by the bedside. Qiuqiu was lying on its back with its small belly exposed, tilting its little head, sleeping soundly, even letting out small purring sounds.
At noon, the lunch Wen Xian prepared for herself was tea eggs and dumplings. When she finished washing the dishes, she received a call from property management. She had a cake and a package placed with them.
This was a residential complex with very high safety and privacy. Wen Xian spent quite a bit of money to buy this single-person apartment, but to her, it was completely necessary. After all, she was a woman living alone.
Wen Xian went downstairs and brought both the cake and package back to her apartment. The cake was packaged in a light pink box, tied with a beautiful and delicate ribbon bow on top.
Wen Xian looked at this cake with a calm expression. She didn’t like pink at all.
After opening the package, inside was a new bottle of H brand’s perfume. Wen Xian took out the perfume and sprayed it twice into the air. The calm and gentle jasmine and blooming sakura opened up in the air.
A very low-key scent.
But she didn’t like using perfume either.
—
Wen Xian was used to arriving early to wait for Xu Chuwei, so before it was even four-thirty she had already changed clothes and was getting ready to go out.
Clearly it was the Summer Solstice, but when Wen Xian went out, the sun was covered by gloomy dark clouds, the sky seemed to suddenly darken by more than half. She drove her light-colored Mini towards the airport.
By the time Wen Xian drove to the airport, it was already raining heavily outside.
She lightly furrowed her brows. Leaving in a hurry, she hadn’t brought an umbrella in her car. She picked up her bag and covered her head, hurrying towards the VIP passage entrance.
By the time she reached the exit, Wen Xian was already soaked through. She took out tissue to wipe the rainwater from her face and hair.
Not long after, faint sounds of conversation drifted over from the entrance. Wen Xian instinctively raised her head to look. Xu Chuwei was coming out holding onto a man’s arm, her face carrying that familiar smile Wen Xian knew so well.
This scene was very beautiful— a talented man and a beautiful woman, they looked truly well-matched.
But Wen Xian felt as if someone had poured a bucket of ice-cold water over her head.
Her body stiffened as she looked ahead. In that instant, the scene before her eyes dragged her from the scorching midsummer into the bitterly cold, bone-piercing winter.
Even though Wen Xian had not seen her fiancé for four years, she still remembered what he looked like. Qin Song, who had told her he was busy with his graduation thesis, had appeared here—and beside him stood the only friend she had had in the past four years.
Each time the woman’s high heels touched the ground, it was like slow, slicing torture upon her chest. Wen Xian hurriedly turned around and hid behind a pillar.
As Xu Chuwei passed by that pillar, Wen Xian once again caught the faint scent of jasmine mixed with cherry blossoms.
Like a dream, like an illusion.
On this summer night, Wen Xian’s heart was once again shattered into pieces.