"You shouldn't have kept it," He Li said.
"I think so too," Yang Wenyou shrugged, helpless. "But it was left by my first wife."
"The one who drowned?"
"Yes."
"So... 'the one who was murdered' didn't like the cat?"
"Mr. He, you guessed it perfectly. She didn't like anything belonging to my former wife."
He Li nodded and said, "Well, then the cat didn't like her either."
Yang Wenyou seemed to have found a kindred spirit, his eyes lighting up with more fervor. "Exactly. She would occasionally discuss with me about giving the cat away or just getting rid of it, but I never agreed."
"Gradually, the cat also developed a similar personality to her, which I found unbearable..."
"And then?" He Li was very curious about how the story would unfold.
"Then, the cat was euthanized, and she and I separated temporarily. And then..."
He Li interjected, saying, "And then... your second wife was also murdered, just like... you murdered the cat."
Yang Wenyou frowned, shook his head, and said, "It's different. I was its owner. I had the right to decide its life and death, didn't I?"
He Li put away his boarding pass and tucked it into his pocket. "Your tone is very much like a slave owner deciding on the life and death of a slave."
Yang Wenyou chuckled lightly. "Mr. He, talking with you makes me happy. It's simple and relaxed. You understand what I'm saying, even though your words are like a sharp needle, always piercing my sore spots."
He Li nodded and said, "That's why I don't have many friends."
After that, the two ended their pleasant conversation because they had arrived at Binjiang Airport.
"See you again, Mr. He."
"See you again. Try not to marry again in the future. You're too much of a troublemaker."
"..."
Bai Fei looked at Yang Wenyou and asked He Li, "Your friend?"
"No, someone with a mental disorder," He Li replied concisely.
The two returned to the Spiritual Management Association under the cover of night. He Li drove straight home, stopping halfway at a supermarket to buy some daily necessities. When he came out, he ran into an acquaintance.
"Brother Zhang?"
Zhang Fucheng was still carrying a plastic bag containing noodles, sauce, and about a dozen eggs. He turned to see He Li, his expression somewhat surprised, and asked,
"You... just got off work?"
"Yes, I just got back from out of town. Buying some things to take home," He Li said, holding up the plastic bag he was carrying.
Then, pointing to his car, he said, "Come on, I'll give you a ride."
"This... alright." Zhang Fucheng looked hesitant but still got into He Li's car.
On the road,
He Li picked up a cigarette pack, put one in his mouth, and then offered one to Zhang Fucheng.
Zhang Fucheng was about to refuse when he heard He Li say, "Cigarettes are best smoked together. Smoking alone can be awkward. Having someone else makes you care."
Zhang Fucheng reached out and took a cigarette, along with the lighter. He first lit He Li's, then lit his own.
Rolling down the window,
He Li took a deep drag and then slowly exhaled. He glanced at Zhang Fucheng and said, "Brother Zhang, your child is growing. Eating only noodles won't do. If you're really having difficulties, just say so. Don't be embarrassed. You were the only one who visited me twice during the half year I was hospitalized. I remember that."
Zhang Fucheng's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead. After hearing He Li's words, he smiled and said with a sigh, "It's okay. I've actually saved some money. When my child starts middle school, I'll buy a house.
Life isn't always bitter, is it? It has its sweet moments too."
He Li opened his mouth, then gave up. He didn't say anything. Not everyone has the right to choose their life, but everyone has a life they must face.
There's really no need to interfere with pity. The best way to interact is to remain silent, maintain respect, and not uncover the hidden scars of others.
Soon, they arrived downstairs and went up.
Zhang Fucheng got out of the car but didn't leave immediately. He lingered by the car, as if contemplating something.
He Li casually picked up his phone and dialed a number. Turning to Zhang Fucheng, he smiled and said, "Brother Zhang, I won't be having noodles today. I have some things to discuss with a colleague. I'll come again next time. Prepare more garlic. Without garlic, noodles lose half their flavor."
Zhang Fucheng breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at He Li, "Okay, I'll make you Zhajiangmian next time."
Zhang Fucheng went upstairs. He also wanted to invite He Li home for a meal, but inviting him for noodles felt too meager, and there was nothing else at home to entertain He Li with, so he stood by the car, feeling conflicted.
Fortunately, He Li understood.
"Hello... He Li, what's up?" Min Liang's lazy voice came from the phone. It sounded like he had just woken up.
"Oh, I wanted to tell you: wrong posture, get up and sleep again."
"Dudududu..."
He Li opened the car door, got out, opened the trunk, and took out his suitcase. He heard playful laughter again.
He Li looked back. It was a young couple, running and playing, laughing happily.
After watching for a while, He Li shook his head.
She was playing, he was laughing. A little love, so beautiful.
When he got home, Xiao Lan was already squatting by the door to greet He Li. She took his suitcase, got out slippers, and ran the bathwater...
He Li looked at the very tidy house and nodded with satisfaction. He stroked Xiao Lan's head and praised her profusely. After all, Xiao Lan didn't need to eat. If he didn't praise her, He Li really had nothing else to reward her with.
He took a bath, ate something, and lay on the sofa, playing with his phone.
"Thank you, brother, for the sports car, thank you, brother, for the airplane..."
He Li looked at his "Level Zero" account and sighed.
"First makeup, then filters. Once the live stream starts, it's all about money."
Can't handle it...
Sleep!
The next day, morning.
He Li rushed to the Spiritual Management Association at 11:20 AM, just in time for lunch. He didn't go upstairs but waited for them downstairs. The group went to the restaurant for lunch.
Bai Fei treated them. Seeing his happy, silly look, he was becoming more and more like a big brother.
Back at the Spiritual Management Association, Min Liang resumed his four-hour monitoring work, while the others returned to their idle state.
He Li lay on the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, breathing steadily. He was now a Level Six Spiritual Warrior. After advancing to Level Seven, he would enter the Spirit Nurturing realm, a completely new and unknown realm that he anticipated with excitement.
As for... the gene lock, he would just let fate decide. He couldn't do anything about it.
At the same time,
On a certain floor of the Canghaiwan Apartment in the center of Binjiang City, Yang Wenyou sat on the sofa with a lazy and cute fluffy cat lying on his lap. He looked at the man sitting on the opposite sofa and chuckled lightly.
"He and I were on the same flight, even seatmates."
...