After returning home and showering that evening, Yu Mo spent some time in bed catching up on a drama. A stranger named MARK added her on WeChat, inquiring about a loan. She immediately pushed her laptop aside and focused all her attention on the task.
Outside, the rain had begun to fall, pattering loudly against the trees and the balcony. It was a heavy downpour. Beyond the glass of the balcony windows, countless insects collided mindlessly against the pane.
The air conditioner was on, keeping the room at a comfortable temperature. The bedroom light remained dim, casting a hazy yellow glow; Qi Lian had mentioned changing the bulb but hadn't found the time yet. He was so busy lately that his heels were practically hitting the back of his head.
Yu Mo chatted with MARK for a while, her heart filled with doubt. He was a returnee from abroad with a powerful professional background, running his own company that developed intelligent robots. On paper, this kind of profile was the darling of the capital markets. Why would he seek out Zhongfu? Theoretically, a client like this didn't fit their target demographic at all.
She voiced her concerns.
"Miss Yu, I don't have time! My time is too precious! You just need to tell me if I can get the money. As for venture capital, I’ve already been burned by them. We accepted a round of VC before, and they kept interfering, completely disrupting our progress and misleading our research direction! We have the strength; success is only a matter of time! I don't want anyone interfering with us. I just need a little more time!"
Looking at the screen full of exclamation marks, Yu Mo saw the struggle and the dishevelment of an idealist.
She acted as the bucket of cold water. "Mortgaging a property will only get you a few million. How long can you hold out? The carrying cost of this kind of mortgage capital is very high. Have you thought about that?"
The idealist was reckless. "Those are my problems. You just need to tell me if I can get the money, and how fast!"
Yu Mo said no more. She sent him a checklist and made an appointment for him to bring his documents the next day.
The rain outside seemed to grow heavier. She tilted her head to listen for a moment.
Since finishing his shower, Qi Lian had been sitting at the desk, motionless. His back looked as if it were frozen in place.
Yu Mo felt a tug at her heart. She tossed her phone aside, walked over, and leaned against his back, playfully ruffling his hair, which was as short as wheat stubble.
Qi Lian turned his head to press his forehead against hers in response, then went back to his drawings.
Yu Mo looked over his shoulder. He was working on a diagram on a sheet of paper larger than A4, covered in a dense thicket of lines and numbers she couldn't understand. He wasn't using any tools, yet every line he drew was essentially straight.
"What are you drawing?" Yu Mo asked softly.
"A circuit construction diagram. Well, not exactly; I'm just organizing my thoughts. They’ll provide a construction plan, but I need to figure out the specific details myself. I prefer to draw it out first; it makes me feel more certain."
Yu Mo kissed his jaw and said with exaggerated affectation, "You're so impressive."
A few low chuckles vibrated in Qi Lian’s chest, though whether from pleasure or because he found her silly act cute, she couldn't tell.
He explained to her in a low, steady voice, "I've been collaborating with this studio for a while now. I have to ensure there are no mistakes so they'll give me more projects in the future. The pay for this kind of work is several times higher than ordinary renovations. Like I told you before, my income should increase next year because of this partnership. Given current trends, other similar companies will surely seek us out later. Eventually, we’ll basically only handle this type of engineering."
Yu Mo thought for a moment and offered a reminder. "Increased income is good, but if you only do this for the next few years and stop taking regular renovations, shouldn't you be more cautious? These trends pass after a few years. If you want to return to the traditional renovation market then, your connections will be gone and your techniques will need updating. Won't that be difficult? I don't know your industry well; I'm just speaking my mind."
Qi Lian stopped to listen to her, unconsciously twirling his pen. The small pen danced between his fingertips.
Yu Mo didn't disturb him further. She kissed his cheek and took her phone into the living room.
She called her mother.
"Mom," she called out coaxingly.
"Momo," her mother’s voice was forever gentle, like a rose that never withered. "Are you that busy? You haven't come to see me in so long."
"Oh, isn't your birthday coming up soon? Are you getting impatient, Mom?"
"Is Xue Shen coming too?"
"How could he not? No matter how busy he is, he’d drop the most important thing in the world for that day. Otherwise, I wouldn't let him off the hook."
Yu Mo’s mother hesitated. "Your father said he saw an interview with him in a magazine the other day. We’re very happy to see him moving up. But Momo, no matter how much he dotes on you, you must have a sense of proportion. He works so hard; don't be too willful."
"Oh, nothing’s even happened yet and you're already taking his side? Don't worry, our relationship is built on such a strong foundation; we aren't that distant. It's as solid as a fortress."
She felt a sharp pang in her heart.
"Didn't you say during the New Year that you were going to prepare for pregnancy this year? I didn't want to ask, but has there been no news?"
"Hahaha, you can't rush these things. He's always on business trips. Mom, don't put pressure on me."
To hide her guilt, her tone became very flamboyant, her voice much louder than usual.
She picked at the tassels on a cushion, accidentally pulling out a clump. The once-magnificent velvet cushion now had a bald spot, its former perfection ruined.
"We aren't pressuring you, but don't take it lightly. In a year or two, you'll be at an advanced maternal age. If there’s no news, you should see a doctor if necessary."
Yu Mo interrupted her: "Mom..."
"Calling me so loudly all of a sudden, you gave me a fright. What is it? Is Xue Shen with you? Let me say a few words to him."
"No, he’s not home yet. You know how his work is. Let's not bring up the pregnancy thing with him; it's awkward. I’m actually blushing."
Her mother sighed. "Momo, we really like Xue Shen."
"I know. Who doesn't? He likes you both very much, too."
She felt the world before her eyes begin to blur with mist, swaying unsteadily.
"Mom, I have to go. Don't worry, we're doing great. You'll see us very soon."
Her mother laughed. "Momo, why are you shouting? I'm not hard of hearing."
Yu Mo curled her knees up and buried her head in them.
This was a beautiful bubble, and she wished it would never have to be popped. Her mother's cheerful laughter still echoed in her ears; she wished she would never have to break her heart.
*I'm sorry, Mom.*
She gathered her emotions and looked up, only to find Qi Lian standing right in front of her, expressionless. She didn't know how long he had been there.
For some reason, that expression ignited a spark of anger in Yu Mo.
One fire hadn't even been extinguished before another started. Everyone was waiting for her to explain—everyone!
An impulse to just let everything go to ruin rose in her heart.
She looked into Qi Lian’s eyes without flinching, her lips pressed tight in silence.
Qi Lian knew her. This look was her defensive state. She was treating him like an enemy. No matter how much he bared his heart to her, she still viewed him as an outsider—an outsider she needed to guard against.
This realization crushed him.
"How long do you plan on acting? Your relationship is 'solid as a fortress' and 'unbeatable,' so what does it count for when you're in my bed every day? Why don't you tell your mother how her delicate daughter clings to me, how she screams under another man?"
Yu Mo snapped her head up, her face flushed red with agitation. "Shut up! Shut up!"
"A golden couple, always seen together, everyone’s favorite pair. Who knows, maybe one day the old flame will reignite, and you'll have a child without even trying. Then what am I? A toy to be tossed away after you're done? Or just a small flaw in your perfect life?"
Yu Mo stood up weakly. Her limbs felt numb, her mind clouded. She just wanted to be alone.
She looked at Qi Lian and said, "Qi Lian, I'm sorry. This is definitely unfair to you. I can't solve this problem right now. If you find it unbearable, then let's separate for now. Either you move out, or I will."
The room suddenly became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Yu Mo turned and walked back to the bedroom, slamming the door shut with a bang.
By the middle of the night, the rain grew even heavier, the pitter-patter disturbing any chance of a peaceful dream.
Yu Mo had finally begun to drift off when she felt someone pressing against her from behind.
She pushed them away unconsciously; she only wanted to sleep.
The more she pushed, the tighter the person behind her clung. A strong arm reached across her chest, pinning her.
She twisted her body irritably. The person behind her took it as resistance and said aggrievedly, "You can't do this to me!"
"You can't just say we're over every time you're unhappy. Can't you remember any of the good things I've done for you? Do you not take anything I say to heart? I won't break up with you; don't even think about it. Just explain things to me properly, act a little spoiled, and I can forgive you for anything. You know that. Couples fight, but they make up at the end of the bed. You can't just stop living together over a little friction, unless..."
He didn't dare say it. Unless she never intended to live a life with him at all. Unless her heart was never here.
Yu Mo was wide awake now, biting her sleep-reddened lips in silence.
Qi Lian pinched her chin and turned her head, seeing her swollen eyes and lips.
A flash of heartache crossed his eyes. He caressed her eyes tenderly with his thumb, whispering, "How long were you crying? Weren't you the one acting all high and mighty, trying to kick me out? What did I even say to make you this upset? You're practically shitting on my head, and I'm not even allowed to be unhappy."
"You said those things about me! Anyway, you just can't talk to me like that! I don't want to explain anything to you!"
"What did I say about you, huh? Where is the justice in this?"
By the time Yu Mo realized his tone had shifted, it was too late. She could only cry out in pain, "Ah!"
She hit him, cursed him.
Qi Lian held her captive, asking her harshly, "Was I wrong? This is the only place I can handle you. Are we breaking up or not?"
"Yes," Yu Mo squeezed out a broken sound.
A storm of conquest and plunder followed.
"Breaking up or not?" the man's hoarse voice asked with a breathy edge.
"No... not breaking up," the ravaged woman gave up her resistance.
The sound of the torrential rain swallowed the midnight whispers. The banks of the Lotus River finally gave way, and the turbid river water spilled over onto the road.
***
Glossary
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