Chapter 133: Doing Something Foolish

"Here," An Laosan said, handing a cigarette to Xu Fei.

Xu Fei took it, lit it, and inhaled, exhaling a thick cloud of white smoke. In the night sky, the white smoke gradually dissipated into the darkness.

"This rooftop really is high!" An Laosan said, standing at the edge and looking down.

"It’s twenty-three stories in total. They say it’s the tallest building in the provincial capital."

"Is it? Look over there—that one seems even taller, doesn't it?" An Laosan pointed to another towering structure situated at the northwest corner of the provincial hospital.

"Hmm," Xu Fei nodded with a smile.

"By the way, are you still thinking about Lin Fang?" An Laosan glanced at Xu Fei beside him.

"I am," Xu Fei took a heavy drag. "I’m a bit worried about her. That girl is too stubborn."

"Well, that’s true. Girls like that have that kind of temperament; otherwise, she wouldn't have done something so shocking."

Xu Fei nodded.

"Anyway, if you’re really worried, why not go find her?" An Laosan suggested with a smile.

"Better not. I’m afraid she’ll latch onto me again."

"You’re a smart kid. You really should stop thinking about her. I think you ought to go back to Donghai tomorrow."

"What would I go back for?"

An Laosan patted Xu Fei on the shoulder with a grin. "Go back and see your wife. You’ve been out for over ten days. You might not be worried about her, but she’s likely worried about you."

Xu Fei smiled and shook his head.

"That’s settled then. Get ready, and head to the train station tomorrow morning."

...

Watching the familiar sights of Donghai pass by the train window, Xu Fei had ultimately followed An Laosan’s advice.

Stepping out of the train station, Xu Fei headed straight home. By his count, today was the end of Xu Qing’s college entrance exams. As soon as he entered the house, he called out her name.

"Xu Qing? Xu Qing?"

He checked the rooms, but no one was home. Xu Fei felt puzzled; Du Man should have been home at this hour as well. He stepped back outside. Hearing his voice, his neighbor, Mrs. Wang, opened her door and stepped out.

"Xu Fei, you’re finally back." Mrs. Wang’s expression was grim.

"What’s wrong, Mrs. Wang?" Xu Fei asked, feeling uneasy.

"You... why did you only just get back now?" Mrs. Wang sighed.

Xu Fei grew tense. "Has something happened at home?"

"Xu Qing, she... she jumped into the river yesterday."

"What!"

Hearing the news, it felt as if someone had struck Xu Fei across the head. He felt dizzy, his body swaying.

"Are you alright, Xu Fei? Are you okay?" Mrs. Wang stepped forward to steady him. He reached out and leaned against the wall to keep from falling.

"Mrs. Wang, where... where is she now?"

"Xu Qing is under observation at the municipal hospital. I heard she hasn't woken up yet. You should go see her."

Without a word, Xu Fei turned and headed out of the alley.

"Xu Fei! When did you get back?" Zhou Lina happened to be coming out of the alley. She looked surprised to see him and stepped forward to ask.

"I... I just got back." Xu Fei waved a hand at her, having no heart for small talk, and stumbled toward the municipal hospital.

"Are you going to the hospital?" Zhou Lina caught up on her bicycle.

"Yes."

"Get on. I'll take you."

Xu Fei thought for a moment; in his current state, he didn't know when he would actually arrive at the hospital. "Alright." He sat on the back of her bike, and Zhou Lina pedaled toward the municipal hospital.

Just as they left, Sun Xing arrived at the entrance of the alley on his bike. Watching Zhou Lina and Xu Fei ride off together, a bitter, indescribable feeling welled up inside him.

"Xu Fei, you gave me your word! Damn it, what are you trying to do?" He cursed, but still pedaled after them.

At the municipal hospital, Zhou Lina parked her bike in the shed at the entrance.

"Don't worry, I heard Xu Qing is out of danger."

"Why... why would she do such a stupid thing?" Xu Fei’s voice lacked its usual strength. To him, Xu Qing was the pride of their family. Although she hadn't been very friendly toward him since he had arrived, he knew that deep down, she cared for him. Otherwise, she wouldn't have told him about the five hundred yuan their parents had left behind.

"They say... Xu Qing met a boy back in her second year of high school. I heard this from others, too."

"Others?" Zhou Lina looked at Xu Fei. "You know how it is—nothing in our alley can be kept a secret. People just love to gossip..."

"And then?"

"They say that boy did quite well on his exams. Xu Qing had planned to get into the same university as him, but... she missed the cut by two points."

"Just because of that?"

Zhou Lina nodded.

"Fool!" Xu Fei gritted his teeth.

"Don't say that. Actually, I can understand how she feels." Zhou Lina glanced at Xu Fei as she spoke, though he was too preoccupied to notice her strange gaze.

They walked into the hospital. Just as they entered, Sun Xing arrived at the bike shed. Seeing them talking, with Zhou Lina helping Xu Fei—the intimacy of the scene made Sun Xing’s expression darken further.

"Zhou Lina, have you no shame!" He slammed his bike lock shut, rushed out of the shed, and stormed into the hospital.

Inside the ward, Du Man stood up as she saw Zhou Lina helping Xu Fei walk in. Her expression tightened slightly, as she was well aware of the history between them.

"Lina, you’re here too?"

"Sister-in-law." Zhou Lina nodded with a smile, then looked at Xu Qing lying on the bed. "How is she?"

"She just woke up. Her condition is stable. The doctor says she can be discharged at any time."

Xu Fei walked forward, and at that moment, Xu Yun approached him. "Brother, my sister..." The ten-year-old boy buried his face in Xu Fei’s chest and began to sob.

His crying stirred Xu Qing. She opened her eyes with difficulty, and upon seeing Xu Fei, her lips curled into a forced, strained smile. "Xu Fei, are you laughing at me in your heart right now?"

Xu Fei frowned deeply. "Why on earth would you do such a stupid thing?"

"Stupid?" Xu Qing shook her head bitterly.

"I heard about it. It’s just a man, isn't it? Do you really have no reason to live without him?"

"Xu Fei!" Du Man stepped forward and grabbed him. "What are you saying?"

Xu Qing raised a hand. "Sister-in-law, let him speak..."

Du Man glared at Xu Fei.

"Do you still want to die?" Xu Fei asked, looking down at his sister.

"No, I don't."

"Good. That’s a woman of the Xu family." Xu Fei patted Xu Qing’s hand.

"There isn't a single decent person in your Xu family!"

Just then, Sun Xing walked in from the doorway, pointed at Xu Fei, and cursed.