Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
After a while, everyone was full and started to talk about where to go after dinner. The purpose of the schoolmatesâ reunion was to have an opportunity for people to drink, eat and play together.
âI have a suggestion. How about going to the KTV next door?â said Yang Ming loudly.
There was a KTV next to Huasheng hotel, which was actually a part of the hotel. It just opened a few years ago and business had been good.
âGood idea! Your treat?â someone joked.
âNo problem!â laughed Yang Ming.
âAre you going?â Li Shugang asked Wang Yao.
âNo,â Wang Yao had a look at the timeâit was past 8 pm. They were going to stay at the KTV until 10 pm at least. He wouldnât be able to arrive back home by midnight. Wang Yao didnât want his parents to spend the whole night on the hill.
Everyone came out of the room after dinner and was ready to have a good time in the KTV next door. Yang Ming went to pay the bill.
Wang Yao was waiting in the hotel lobby when someone called him. He turned around and saw Tian Tuyuan.
âHi, Tian!â said Wang Yao.
âHi, did you drink? If so, Iâll ask someone to give you a lift,â said Tian Tuyuan with a smile.
âNo, I didnât. Iâll drive home myself,â said Wang Yao.
âOkay, call me if you need me,â said Tian Tuyuan.
âSure,â said Wang Yao.
Tian Tuyuan patted Wang Yaoâs shoulder and left.
Wang Yao walked out of the hotel. He deliberately kept some distance between him and the other schoolmates. A moment later, someone walked up to him.
âYou donât wanna go with us?â It was He Hai.
âNo, I have to go home. Could you let Yang Ming know?â asked Wang Yao.
âOkay, we can catch up on another day,â said He Hai. âHow are you gonna get home?â
âIâm driving,â said Wang Yao.
âBe careful on the road,â said He Hai.
After saying goodbye to He Hai, Wang Yao went to the parking lot by himself. As soon as he started the car and drove out of the parking lot, he saw someone standing on the sidewalk. The woman had long hair and wore a long coat. She seemed a little anxious.
Wang Yao pulled up next to her, winded down the window and spoke to her.
âTong Wei!â said Wang Yao.
âWang Yao?â Tong Wei was surprised to see Wang Yao.
âWhere are you going? I can give you a lift,â said Wang Yao.
âOkay, thanks, I have to go to the hospital.â Tong Wei entered into Wang Yaoâs car, which was suddenly filled with a nice smell of perfume.
Wang Yao drove to the hospital immediately.
âSomeone in your family is sick?â asked Wang Yao as he saw the anxious look on Tong Weiâs face.
âYes, I just got a call from the hospital saying my mom was in the hospital due to sudden dizziness,â said Tong Wei.
âDonât worry too much.â Wang Yao tried to comfort Tong Wei.
A moment later, an Audi A4 came along.
âHello, where are you?â A slightly drunk Yang Ming got out of his car and called Tong Wei as he couldnât find her.
âHello, Yang Ming,â Tong Wei picked up the phone.
âWhere are you? Iâm taking you to the hospital,â said Yang Ming.
âDonât worry about me. Iâm on my way to the hospital now. You should stay with the others. Thank you anyway!â said Tong Wei in her angel voice.
âWait a second, Iâm going to the hospital anyways!â Yang Ming hung up the phone and drove to the hospital. For him, the beautiful Tong Wei would always be his priority.
Wang Yao and Tong Wei arrived at the hospital a moment later. Tong Weiâs mother had been checked in and diagnosed. She had a minor stroke, but not too serious. She was getting treatment in the neurological department of the hospital.
âI need to see my mom now, letâs catch up another time,â said Tong Wei.
âSure, but Iâll go with you in case you need help,â said Wang Yao.
âYou donât need to come with me,â said Tong Wei.
âNo trouble, letâs go,â insisted Wang Yao.
The two of them took the elevator to the department of neurology, which was located on the 15th floor. Tong Weiâs brother and father had already been waiting there. Her mother was in one of the hospital rooms.
âHow is Mom?â asked Tong Wei anxiously.
âShe felt dizzy at home and asked your brother to take her to the hospital. Fortunately, we came in time. She was hooked up to an intravenous drip just now,â said Tong Weiâs father.
âDo you want to introduce your friend?â asked Tong Weiâs brother, who pointed at Wang Yao.
âSure. This is my old schoolmate, Wang Yao. He drove me here,â said Tong Wei. âThis is my brother and this is my dad.â Tong Wei turned to Wang Yao and introduced her family to him.
âHello,â said Wang Yao with a smile.
âHello,â said Tong Weiâs father, who sized Wang Yao up.
âI think Iâd better leave if you donât need me anymore,â Wang Yao said to Tong Wei.
âOkay, let me walk you out,â said Tong Wei.
âNo, thanks, stay with your family,â said Wang Yao.
Tong Wei still walked with Wang Yao to the elevator and watched him leave. Her phone started to ring again. She looked at Yang Mingâs name showing on her phone but didnât want to pick up.
Ten minutes later, Yang Ming, who reeked of alcohol came to the hospital with a present in his hands.
âHi, Tong Wei, how is your mom?â asked Yang Ming.
âSheâs doing an intravenous injection. She will be fine. I told you not to come,â said Tong Wei.
âHow can I not be here?â said Yang Ming.
He stayed in the hospital room for a while to talk to Tong Weiâs brother and father. Then he made a phone call to someone he knew in the hospital.
âI knew someone working in this hospital. He said he will come to see your mom tomorrow. I hope he can offer some help,â said Yang Ming.
âThank you,â said Tong Wei.
A moment later, one of the schoolmates from reunion party called Yang Ming.
âYou should go with them,â said Tong Wei.
âAlright, Iâm going. See you later, uncleâ said Yang Ming.
Yang Ming was reluctant to go. But he was the one who organized the party, so he should stay until they finished. Tong Weiâs motherâs condition was stable and so he didnât need to stay in the hospital. Plus, he still wanted to catch up with some of his schoolmates who could be helpful to his career.
Tong Wei walked Yang Ming to the elevator and waved goodbye to him.
âWei, are they both chasing after you?â Tong Weiâs mother asked as soon as Tong Wei sat down.
âNo, Mom,â Tong Weiâs face turned red. She knew Yang Ming liked her, but she was not sure about Wang Yao.
âAnyway, you need to choose a decent person to be your future husband. Marriage will affect your whole life,â said Tong Weiâs mother.
âMom, donât worry about me. You should look after yourself first. Iâll stay with you tonight,â said Tong Wei. She turned to her father and brother and said, âYou can go home and rest.â
It was half-past nine at night when Wang Yao drove back to the village. He hurried to the hill and saw the light was still on in the cottage. San Xian ran to Wang Yao and shook his tail at him before he reached the cottage.
Wang Yao walked into his cottage and found his father was reading a scripture.