Chapter 1 (1/2)

Translator: Jane

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Chapter 1

When He Zhishu stepped out of the hospital a cold breeze greeted him. He s.h.i.+vered as he watched the snow slowly falling from the heavens onto his face and everywhere around him. Winter had crept up to him and he only now realized. The winter in Beijing is exceptionally cold and He Zhishu felt himself poorly prepared for it. He tightened his scarf to repel the chill wrapping his neck. He held in his hand several test sheets, creased by his grip and wet with snow. He stood beside a stop sign, waiting for the bus that seem to take an eternity to arrive. He Zhishu's fingers were cold and pale, and he could barely grip his phone. He pressed the dial. The other line rang but there was no answer. He dialed again and again, still no answer. He Zhishu gave up and returned the phone in his pocket. He crumpled the test sheets into a ball and threw them into the nearby trash can.

More than half an hour later the bus finally arrived. There were few pa.s.sengers inside and He Zhishu thought it odd. Nevertheless, he welcomed the lack of crowd. He sat beside the window and rested his head on the gla.s.s. He took out his phone again and dialed. This time the call connected.

“It's snowing today…” He Zhishu spoke gently. “Winter is almost here.”

“Is there something wrong? I am working.” Jiang Wenxu said then yawned as if tired.

“Are you coming home for dinner tonight? It's been a while since last we ate together.” asked He Zhishu, rubbing the silver ring on his right hand.

Though his words were clear, He Zhishu's eyes were blurry as tears streamed down his cold cheeks. Jiang Wenxu felt that his partner was behaving strangely today. They had been a couple for fourteen years and here intuition told him that something was wrong.

“What happened?” asked Jiang Wenxu.

“Are you coming home tonight?” He Zhishu ignored the question. “We should eat some dumplings. I'll make us some dumplings.”

“I really can't come tonight.” Jiang Wenxu answered.

“I see…” He Zhishu replied.

“You don't need to cook. I'll call Xiao Song to get you something.” said Jiang Wenxu. “I'm really busy. I need to hang up.”