Chapter 16: Two Shameless Thieves

Coming to the company, I, as usual, first turned on the computer and browsed some social news, then visited my friends’ Weibo pages looking for some funny jokes to cheer myself up.

By chance, I came across a Weibo post from Yan Yan dated two days ago. The main content was photos from her wedding with Fang Yuan. In the post, Yan Yan mentioned a group of people but intentionally left me out. Naturally, I understood—she was afraid that Fang Yuan’s and her happy ending might remind me of my own bittersweet conclusion with Jian Wei. In truth, she didn’t need to worry. I am fully capable of offering a祝福 tinged with a little pain.

Their wedding photos had several themes, one of which was titled “Silent Joy.” In this series, Fang Yuan and Yan Yan held hands expressionlessly, appearing very quiet, while the background featured a smiling sunflower, highlighting the theme of “Silent Joy.”

This was a great theme, but not originally theirs. More than three years ago, when Jian Wei forward-thinking asked me how we should shoot our wedding photos, I spontaneously suggested it… I thought that joy in silence would withstand the test of time and the erosion of years, remaining forever.

I sighed softly, my heart aching at the relentless passage of time. After a long silence, I smiled and left a comment under Yan Yan’s Weibo post: “Two shameless thieves, may you be happy together forever!”

I lit a cigarette, took a hard puff, and exhaled slowly. However, the swirling smoke was instantly torn apart by the wind coming in, so I saw a picture full of cracks. In the picture, Jian Wei was still lying in my arms, loving me as she did three years ago, praising my suggestion of the theme “Silent Joy.” Happily, we decided that one day when we got married, we would definitely use this theme to shoot a series of wedding photos.

But in the end, we no longer needed this theme, so it was plagiarized by my two innovation-lacking friends, Fang Yuan and Yan Yan… Hehe, I’m not sad about this at all, really not sad… I just remember how joyful we were back then at dusk, full of anticipation for marriage.

…

At noon, Fang Yuan and I had lunch at the company cafeteria. Starting this afternoon, Fang Yuan would begin his two-week honeymoon leave, and some work needed to be temporarily handed over to me.

After spending ten minutes discussing work matters with Fang Yuan, we talked about his upcoming wedding with Yan Yan.

I asked Fang Yuan, “Have you found Yan Yan’s bridesmaid yet?”

Fang Yuan nodded and said, “Originally Yan Yan planned to find a female colleague from her company to be the bridesmaid, but since Jian Wei is back, she definitely chose Jian Wei.”

I didn’t react at first and asked Fang Yuan after a long pause, “You mean I’m your best man, right?”

“What, are you trying to back out at the last minute?” Fang Yuan asked with a frown.

“What are you two thinking? Don’t you consider how awkward it would be for me and Jian Wei to be arranged this way?”

After a while, Fang Yuan finally realized and said, “Yeah, Yan Yan and I really didn’t think about this point. This arrangement would indeed make you two very embarrassed.”

“You got it. Besides, Jian Wei and I have already broken up. It’s inauspicious for us to be your best man and bridesmaid!” I added.

“Now that you mention it, I really feel a bit scared!” He paused and asked again, “Then who between you and Jian Wei will withdraw?”

“You’re going on your honeymoon, and all the work will fall on me. I don’t have much time to be a best man. I’ll withdraw then.” I thought for a while and said.

“Alright then, there really isn’t a perfect solution for this matter.” Fang Yuan said with a tone of regret.

Of course, I also felt regret, but according to wedding customs, having a couple who have already broken up as the best man and bridesmaid is considered inauspicious for the newlyweds.

After a brief silence, I asked Fang Yuan, “Have you thought of any other candidates for best man?”

Fang Yuan made a reassuring expression and said, “No need to think, there’s someone ready-made. Just ask Xiang Chen.”

Come to think of it, Xiang Chen would be a very suitable candidate to be Fang Yuan’s best man. Back in college, the three of us from the same class were the closest friends. However, Xiang Chen was from Nanjing, and after graduation, he returned to Nanjing instead of staying with us in Suzhou. But our revolutionary class friendship has always remained.

I nodded and asked Fang Yuan, “It’s been a while since I’ve been in touch with him. What has that kid been up to lately?”

Fang Yuan sighed, “Their tobacco and liquor store has been doing quite well in recent years. I heard they’ve opened several branches in Nanjing. Recently, they’re preparing for corporate operation and have opened an 800-square-meter flagship store. Just the image design fee for the flagship store cost more than 300,000 yuan. It’s done pretty high-end!”

I also sighed, “His dad is really amazing! Getting old and still turning this kid into a rich second-generation!”

Fang Yuan shrugged and said, “This matter actually has little to do with his dad. You know his third uncle works in the Commerce Bureau, still a powerful figure. Isn’t it only a matter of time before their tobacco and liquor store grows big!”

I agreed with Fang Yuan’s point. In this society, having connections makes a huge difference compared to having none. For example, Xiang Chen and I are two vivid contrasts.

…

In the afternoon, Fang Yuan left the company, and my work became correspondingly busy. I didn’t finish work until 8 p.m. The next day, even though it was Saturday, I still worked overtime for the whole day, mainly replacing Fang Yuan to handle the project of GUCCI setting up a counter in our mall. During these two days, I had been coordinating with GUCCI’s inspection team and revising the project proposal according to their requirements.

Within just two days, I already felt overwhelmed and then annoyed, which made me realize: compared to Fang Yuan, my work ability was still somewhat lacking. At least he had always been very skillful in handling these matters.

At nine o’clock on Saturday night, I dragged my tired body onto the last bus home. My mood didn’t become lighter because of the rest tomorrow. My mind was filled with the scene of Fang Yuan and Yan Yan’s wedding tomorrow. Although I was happy for their happy marriage, I was unwilling to meet Jian Wei in such a joyful occasion covered with red decorations. And this unwillingness became increasingly intense as time moved forward. In my view, Fang Yuan and Yan Yan’s wedding was a cruel whipping and interrogation for both Jian Wei and me.

Perhaps Jian Wei wouldn’t care about this interrogation, but I really did!

…

When I returned home, it was already 9:30. I didn’t immediately wash up and rest. I just sat on the sofa in the living room, habitually lit a cigarette, and then immersed myself in anxiety, unable to extricate myself, even forgetting to play a song on my guitar to relax.

I drank a glass of cold water and lay on the sofa staring at the ceiling. Moments later, I heard the sound of the door opening. I knew it was Mi Cai coming back. These days, she returned later than me. She might have her own nightlife, but that had little to do with me.

The smoke in the room made Mi Cai frown. She came to me and said, “Can’t you smoke in the living room?”

I didn’t care about Mi Cai’s questioning tone and indifferently said, “What’s wrong with smoking in the living room? I didn’t go smoke in your room.”

“The living room isn’t allowed either. I don’t want the room to be smoky as soon as I come in every day.” Mi Cai said sternly.

“Then can I just open the window next time I smoke? The wind will blow it away soon.” I patiently said to Mi Cai under my anxious mood.

“That’s not allowed either. From now on, you can only smoke outside. No smoking in this house.”

I sat up on the sofa, also frowning, and said, “This isn’t allowed, that isn’t allowed either. Are you treating me like your grandson?”

After I got angry, Mi Cai suddenly calmly said to me, “If you’re so dissatisfied, then find another place to live. No one will care if you smoke on the roof.”

I didn’t speak, but I felt annoyed by the feeling of being held down by my weakness, yet I couldn’t resist. I hated that I couldn’t become a big shot and buy this house, then smoke a cigarette on the roof in a very cool way.

After a while, I crushed the cigarette pack into a ball and threw it into the trash bin fiercely, rudely saying to Mi Cai, “Fine, I won’t smoke anymore. Are you satisfied?”

Mi Cai calmly looked at me and asked, “Little master? Didn’t you just call yourself a grandson?”

I angrily replied, “Nonsense! You’re treating me like a grandson. When did I ever say I was a grandson?”

Mi Cai smiled, shrugged again, and turned to her room.

I was stunned for a long time before realizing she had set a trap for me, making me unconsciously admit I was her grandson… I suddenly had the impulse to spit blood towards her room. She was bullying the honest guy too much!

…

After washing up, I returned to my room, closed the door tightly, took out a pack of cigarettes, opened it, lit one, then opened the window and lay on the bed smoking.

The phone, which hadn’t rung for a while, suddenly rang without any warning. I was stunned for a long moment and didn’t pick it up until the ringing was about to end, finally answering the call from the nightstand.

Yan Yan’s familiar voice came through the phone, “Zhao Yang, are you asleep?”

I’m in bed, but not asleep yet.

Yan Yan sighed, “Lost in thought again? Single men are so pitiful!”

“Call back later, I need to go to the bathroom and have a cry first,” I said irritably. Yan Yan and Fang Yuan were cut from the same cloth—every time they tried to comfort someone, it just made you want to die.

Yan Yan smiled and said, “Alright, let’s get down to business.”

“Speak quickly,” I said, taking another puff of my cigarette.

“…I’m with Jian Wei right now. She’s staying at my place tonight,” Yan Yan whispered to me.

I held back my racing heart and asked as calmly as I could, “Aren’t you with Fang Yuan?”

“Are you silly? Of course, I’m at my own home right now.” After saying that, she added sweetly, “Waiting for my husband to come marry me tomorrow!”

Oh.

“Um… do you want to say a few words to Jian Wei? She’s in the living room chatting with my parents,” Yan Yan whispered even more quietly.

I’m speechless…

Suddenly, another voice came from the other end of the phone: “Yan Yan, what are you doing?”

Then came the abrupt “beep” sound of the phone being hung up, but I didn’t hang up immediately. I could tell it was Jian Wei’s voice.

Finally, the call ended automatically. A moment later, Yan Yan sent me a text message: “You must have heard Jian Wei’s voice just now… It scared me to death! I called you behind her back. This matter requires both parties’ consent to communicate. Only then can I help bridge the connection between you. Otherwise, it would seem like I have no sense of boundaries!”

I didn’t reply, just silently put out the cigarette in my hand. Yet her voice still lingered in my ears, reminding me of us—so joyful in that rainy dusk.

Actually, whether we talk tonight doesn’t hold much practical significance for us. After all, we will meet in person tomorrow, and three years have already passed—what’s one more anxious night to endure?