Chapter 9

That night was difficult to fall asleep again. She had a premonition that insomnia might become a regular thing. Her head throbbed relentlessly, leaving her with no choice but to continue smoking and drinking on the balcony, watching the sunrise and closing her eyes in the morning light.

She had only slept for a little over two hours when the alarm clock startled her awake again, dragging her almost collapsing body to the office.

As soon as she sat down at her desk, Wang Lin hurried over to her. “Sibei, did you finish yesterday’s report?”

Ye Sibei was stunned; she was too exhausted to deal with Wang Lin’s words. It felt like their words went in one ear and out the other.

She pretended not to hear anything, lowered her head, and turned on her computer. Wang Lin frowned, “I heard you left at six yesterday, is the report still not done?”

Ye Sibei didn’t dare to respond. Wang Lin, irritated by her silence, reached over and directly shut down her monitor, raising her voice, “What do you mean by not speaking up?”

“Wang Jie, what’s all the fuss about?”

Wang Lin’s voice was loud enough for others to hear, and everyone nearby turned to look. Wang Lin felt embarrassed and simply grabbed Ye Sibei’s wrist, whispering sharply, “Come with me.”

The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.

Payttkdt bla yzsdt, pbl rwzzle Zl Fkclk wr qasx bla plyv yde kdvs vbl eyaj pvykaolzz, vwadkdt vs bla, “Gal usw vaukdt vs pycsvytl xl?”

“R’x dsv.” Zl Fkclk qkdyzzu prsjl wr; vbkp olyj alpkpvydnl ydtlale Eydt Nkd kdpvydvzu.

“Rq usw’al dsv pycsvytkdt xl, yal usw kdvldvksdyzzu dsv eskdt uswa fsc? Rq usw esd’v oydv vs osaj, obu eke usw ytall kd vbl qkapv rzynl? Gde dso vbyv usw’hl ytalle, usw’al dsv eskdt kv. Mblpl alrsavp yal qsa zsyd yrrzknyvksdp, vblu dlle vs cl pwcxkvvle vs vbl cydj vseyu. Lso Mys Kkl kp ypjkdt ycswv vblx. Rq vbl nsxrydu nyd’v tlv vbl xsdlu, yal usw tskdt vs vyjl alprsdpkckzkvu?”

“R’x vlzzkdt usw, vbkp vkxl lhlausdl kp pwqqlakdt clnywpl sq usw, kdnzwekdt xl! Ebyv pbswze ol es dso? Uyd’v R lpnyrl vbkp czyxl?”

“Ebyv’p vbl xlydkdt sq dsv prlyjkdt? Ps usw alyzzu vbkdj vbkp kp fwpv xu rasczlx? Pke R qsanl usw vs ytall? Pke R qsanl usw vs osaj qsa xl?”

Zl Fkclk zkpvldle iwklvzu, qllzkdt bla blye cwggkdt yde vbascckdt okvb y blyeynbl.

Fbl oydvle y xsxldv sq pkzldnl, y calyj qasx yzz vblpl hsknlp.

Jwv Eydt Nkd pllxle alzldvzlpp, nsdpvydvzu clayvkdt bla yp kq alzlypkdt rldv-wr qawpvayvksd.

She wanted to retaliate but her usual silence made it hard to speak up. Lack of sleep had made her unusually irritable, a senseless anger spreading within her. She clenched her arms tightly, feeling like there were two versions of herself inside.

One weak, enduring Wang Lin’s scolding, and one shouting to do something.

Her emotions ignited like a fire crackling inside.

She lifted her eyes to look at Wang Lin.

In front of Tao Jie, Wang Lin was a kind and talkative elder sister figure, helping Tao Jie carry her bag and assisting her with tasks. But among them, the younger ones, she always asserted her authority as an elder, often mocking and insulting without mercy.

Before, she had always endured, telling herself that money was hard to earn, and everyone had to put up with unpleasant things.

But now she vaguely felt that it wasn’t right, it wasn’t the same.

Why was it always her? Why always her?

Seeing her silence, Wang Lin scolded for a while and finally felt relieved. She warned her, “This is it for now. You better explain to Tao Jie later that this is your problem, sort out your mistakes, and don’t do this again.”

As she spoke, Wang Lin started to leave.

Ye Sibei stared intensely at her back, with only one thought in her mind.

What did she do wrong?

Why should she admit fault and apologize?

Wang Lin was nice to everyone else, why was she different with her?

Because she was weak and easy to bully?

Many questions intertwined, and she was momentarily confused about what she was angry about. She saw Wang Lin reaching for the door, saw the light coming in, and realized she was about to lose her only chance to resist.

Not knowing what came over her, she rushed forward, grabbed Wang Lin’s hair, pulled it back, and when Wang Lin turned her face, Ye Sibei’s hand landed a slap!

The slap made her hands tremble, yet an inexplicable sense of satisfaction surged within her.

Wang Lin quickly reacted, screaming as she lunged back, slapping Ye Sibei with her hands, trying to return the slap.

Ye Sibei instinctively didn’t dare to retaliate, using her hands to shield her head, backing away repeatedly.

Outside, people heard the commotion. Zhao Chuchu was the first to run over, pushing open the safety corridor door, seeing the scene inside. She rushed over to hold Wang Lin back. “Wang Lin, are you crazy? What are you doing!”

Wang Lin struggled to break free from Zhao Chuchu’s grasp, trying to go after Ye Sibei. Ye Sibei leaned against the wall, trembling, her gaze piercing through her hands toward Wang Lin. She saw Wang Lin seemed just as mad as herself, and she suddenly felt an inexplicable exhilaration.

She breathed heavily, unsure if what she did was right or wrong, staring blankly at Wang Lin, who was becoming more agitated as Zhao Chuchu restrained her.

“Quick, someone separate them,” Zhao Chuchu shouted outside, “Call the police!”

****

When Qin Nan received a call from Zhao Chuchu, he had just sent the information he had found to Zhang Yong.

He analyzed the photo Zhang Yong had given him, focusing on the four tire prints. Three were replacements, but one was an original factory tire.

This type of tire was uncommon, only seen on two car models currently on the market: the FT family’s third-generation Golden Bull series released this year, and a Crown series sedan that ceased production in 2013.

The car was quite valuable, worth over 600,000 yuan, a luxury vehicle that only affluent individuals in Nan City could afford.

Qin Nan compiled all this information and was about to clean the shop front when he received Zhao Chuchu’s call: “Nan Ge,” Zhao Chuchu’s voice sounded anxious, “Can you come to the Huinan Police Station? My sister got into a fight, and we’re mediating. The other party’s husband is here, and I feel like things might escalate…”

“I understand.”

Qin Nan grasped Zhao Chuchu’s meaning and grabbed his car keys from the table. “I’m on my way.”

After saying this, Qin Nan hung up and drove to the Huinan Police Station.

The police station wasn’t unfamiliar to him; he had been there a few times when he was younger and more hot-headed. However, he never imagined that one day he would go there to pick up Ye Sibei.

He explained his purpose at the entrance to the police and was escorted to the mediation room. Just as he reached the door, he heard a woman shouting, “She hit me first, shouldn’t she compensate me? Shouldn’t she apologize?!”

Then Zhao Chuchu’s voice chimed in, “Do you think my sister, with her personality, would hit you first? I think you’re just bullying her because she’s not good with words. Shouldn’t you be the one apologizing?!”

“Is she mute or something, unable to speak?”

“Stop arguing!” a police officer leading Qin Nan inside shouted, “Ye Sibei’s family is here.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Sibei paused, turned her head, and saw Qin Nan standing at the door.

In just over a week’s time, seeing him again felt like a lifetime had passed.

Ye Sibei stared at him blankly, and Qin Nan nodded at her before walking over to Zhao Chuchu’s side.

Zhao Chuchu quickly made room and leaned close to Ye Sibei, whispering, “Wang Lin’s husband is here. I’m afraid we might lose out, so I called Nan Ge.”

With that said, she waved her hand and hurriedly left the room.

In the mediation room, there were only two couples left. Wang Lin hesitated for a moment, then reacted forcefully, “What’s the matter? Still calling people? Do you want to fight me again?”

“She hit you?”

“Yes,” Wang Lin’s husband replied immediately as Qin Nan spoke up, “She was the one who started it and slapped my wife.”

“In that case,” Qin Nan nodded, “do you both not want to mediate now?”

Upon hearing Qin Nan suggest mediation, the atmosphere softened for Wang Lin and her husband. Wang Lin furrowed her brow, “It’s not that we don’t want to mediate, but she needs to show some attitude. Even if she doesn’t compensate, at least apologize, right?”

“How much compensation?”

Qin Nan turned to the mediator directly, “We’ll compensate.”

The mediator was taken aback for a moment before responding, “One thousand.”

Without further ado, Qin Nan reached for his wallet. Ye Sibei, who had been silent all this while, suddenly spoke up when she saw his actions, “I’m sorry.”

Qin Nan paused his actions, and Ye Sibei looked up at Wang Lin, her voice hoarse, “I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”

Hearing Ye Sibei, who had been silent, speak up, Wang Lin’s anger diminished somewhat. She had only been arguing for the sake of her pride. Softening her tone, she said, “Alright, let’s call it even this time.”

Qin Nan then turned to look at Ye Sibei beside him. She lowered her head. After not seeing her for a week, she looked even thinner, with dull, pale skin lacking any luster, appearing exhausted.

There were still marks on her hand from where Wang Lin had grabbed her, a disturbing sight. The police officer handed the “Mediation Confirmation Form” to her. Ye Sibei picked up the pen, about to sign, when Qin Nan suddenly reached out and pressed his hand on the confirmation form.

“Why did you fight?” He looked at her.

Ye Sibei paused, and Qin Nan knew she wouldn’t answer. He looked up at the mediator, “Sorry to interrupt, but may I ask why they fought?”

“It seems to be due to overtime issues,” the mediator, a bit bewildered by the situation, explained, “They said it was because Ms. Ye agreed to help Ms. Wang with overtime, but then didn’t follow through, leading to an argument between them.”

Qin Nan understood. Ye Sibei used to work overtime a lot before. He turned to Ye Sibei and asked, “You used to work overtime for her?”

Ye Sibei remained silent. Qin Nan continued, “Did you promise to help her?”

Ye Sibei didn’t want to cause trouble in front of Qin Nan nor did she want Qin Nan to pay. She hoarsely said, “Forget it.”

As she reached for the “Mediation Confirmation Form,” Qin Nan snatched it away, crumpled it, and tossed it aside. This sudden action made Wang Lin and her husband stand up instantly. Wang Lin’s husband pointed at Qin Nan, “What are you doing?”

“Apologize to her.”

Qin Nan pointed at Ye Sibei.

“Officer,” Wang Lin turned to the mediator, “look at his attitude!”

“You let her work overtime every day, she told you she wouldn’t help you with overtime anymore, why are you bothering her?” 

“Moreover, regardless of who started it, you also hit her, didn’t you? You instigated the trouble, laid hands on her, and made her look like this,” Qin Nan’s tone intensified as he pointed at Ye Sibei, “Either compensate her or apologize.”

“What if I don’t compensate or apologize?”

“Then try it!”

Qin Nan slapped the table abruptly and shouted.

This startled Wang Lin and her husband, and the police officer quickly shouted, “Stop yelling!”

“Let it go…”

Qin Nan’s shout actually frightened Wang Lin’s husband. He looked at Qin Nan’s imposing figure and couldn’t help but think about future repercussions and revenge. He whispered to Wang Lin, “Just apologize, let’s not stir up trouble.”

Wang Lin’s eyes turned red. Pacified and persuaded by her husband, Qin Nan sat opposite silently. After a while, Wang Lin finally looked up, glanced at Ye Sibei, and said apologetically, “I’m sorry.”

Ye Sibei was taken aback. The mediator quickly handed over the “Mediation Confirmation Form.” Wang Lin lowered her head, tears falling as she quickly signed her name. She didn’t want to stay a moment longer, so she stood up with her husband, crying, and rushed out.

Qin Nan handed the agreement to Ye Sibei, “Sign it.”

Ye Sibei didn’t speak. She looked at the mediation form and for some reason, her eyes welled up.

She stared at Wang Lin’s name for a long time before extending her hand and writing her own name.

With each stroke, she wrote “Ye Sibei.” As she finished writing, she suddenly realized.

Any injustice requires an apology.

Only when the other party admits fault can she heal her inner wounds.

But sadly, there are some apologies she will never receive.

After signing, completing all formalities, Qin Nan led Ye Sibei out.

As they stepped out, they saw people from Fuqiang Realty surrounding Wang Lin.

Wang Lin wiped her tears among the crowd, seemingly saying something.

“Thank you for today.”

Ye Sibei knew that Qin Nan was called by Zhao Chuchu, and she felt a bit at a loss as she thanked him, “Sorry to have you run an errand.”

“In the future, if you haven’t done anything wrong, don’t apologize.”

Qin Nan said without any tone, turning to look at her, “Do you want me to drive you back?”

“No need, I have to go to the office this afternoon.”

Listening to Qin Nan’s words, although he wasn’t scolding her, Ye Sibei still felt an indescribable discomfort.

She didn’t want to see disappointment in others, especially in good people.

Qin Nan nodded, thought for a moment, and reminded her, “Your dad called me. He said the day after tomorrow is his birthday, asked me to come over.”

Ye Sibei felt a bit embarrassed by Ye Ling’s private behavior. She hurriedly tried to find a solution for Qin Nan, “You can find an excuse…”

“I promised. But you still should find a time to talk to them and clear things up, sign the agreement, and go to the Civil Affairs Bureau.”

Qin Nan said calmly and decisively.

He and she were completely different people. Once he made a decision, he was decisive and didn’t procrastinate at all.

This decisiveness, when applied to personal matters, seemed a bit indifferent. Ye Sibei stood there, a hint of sadness appearing on her face. She seemed to have exerted all her strength to control her emotions before slowly speaking, “If there’s anything wrong with me, I can change.”

Qin Nan didn’t speak. He stood there for a long time before speaking softly, “When we just got married, we bought a lamp together. At that time, we only bought one light bulb, and I thought it was ugly. One day when I came home, I found that you had cut paper into a flower and put it on the lamp. You stood under the light and asked me if this lamp looked good, and I said it did.”

As he spoke, Qin Nan lowered his head and looked at the ground. “But later I realized that paper flowers are too fragile. They always break. Every time it broke, I told you to change the lamp, but you always hesitated and said just fixing it would be fine. I watched you keep fixing it day after day, and I waited day after day. Then one day, I finally saw a petal fall off, but you hadn’t fixed it for a long time.”

Ye Sibei listened quietly. She understood what Qin Nan meant. He wasn’t talking about a flower; he was talking about her.

Perhaps at the beginning of this marriage, he had also hoped, but soon he would realize that she was just a paper flower.

A swamp-like family, an incapable self, an uninteresting soul.

No matter how hard she tried to repair it, if she didn’t solve the problem at its source, she would exhaust herself sooner or later. He could only watch this flower wither away, leaving behind the ugly light bulb, shining over the rest of his life.

Qin Nan had never said these things to her before. She pretended not to know and always wanted to maintain this marriage. But when Qin Nan said those words, even her “I’m sorry, I’ll change” felt like a lie.

She felt he was right. She was a paper flower that could never be properly fixed.

A person like her would drag anyone she was with into the mud.

“Last time I saw you, you were still wearing a hair tie with small diamonds,” Qin Nan looked up at her, “This time you have nothing.”

“I know.” Ye Sibei couldn’t bear to listen anymore, dared not say more, turned and walked out, “I’m going back first.”

“Ye Sibei,” Qin Nan called out to her, “If a person can’t stand up for themselves, no one can save them.”

Ye Sibei remained silent, with her back to Qin Nan. After Qin Nan finished speaking, she lowered her head and walked briskly towards the door, waiting for Zhao Chuchu who was supposed to be there.

Qin Nan silently watched her retreating figure. After a while, he withdrew his gaze and looked towards the group of people still bustling around Fuqiang Realty.

Wang Lin was still crying, surrounded by a group of people comforting her. They were covering a black sedan, which had a sleek and elegant body, quite impressive.

Qin Nan’s gaze narrowed slightly.

—It was the F brand Crown series that he had seen in the picture earlier, the one that had been discontinued in 2013.