Chapter 23.1 (1/2)
Chapter 23.1: Rather that it is a dream
When he was younger, Zheng Xie often had nightmares. He often woke up glad to be able to return to the real world. He did not want to feel ridiculous to have such a bizarre dream that may potentially turn into reality.
In Zheng Xie’s memory, he had never been so puzzled before. He was cast into an unusual s.p.a.ce, surrounded by wilderness and could not see anything as it was pitch dark. There is a kind of mechanical sound where he does not know where it is coming from. It has impacted his eardrums. A long time after, he realized that it was the sound of his veins throbbing.
When Zheng Xie came back to reality, He He had disappeared from his field of vision. He tried to go on the road but his hand was shaking. He drove a few hundred meters and then stopped. He slowly drew and ignite a cigarette.
He tried to suppress the chaotic feeling. So he went home to think about everything that had just happen. But the trivial messy thoughts was spontaneously merged into a clear line, just like a snake that was twisted with the intention to bite him.
He touched for a long time looking for his phone. He vaguely realized that he should first determine whether He He has safely got home. His mind is in a major state of confusion at the moment.
He dialed He He’s number. Somewhere in the car, he heard the kitten cry sound. He immediately hung up the phone and his body turned stiff. The kitten sounds disappeared. He suspected that he had imagines it. He hesitate and then dialed again. The mew sounded very weak from the ground near his feet. Zheng Xie switched on the car light, bend over and picked up the bag that He He had dropped on the ground.
He nervously flipped through the slightly bulging big bag. Going through the bunch of useless things, he found He He’s phone, keys and wallet. His back oozes a layer of cold sweat.
Zheng Xie quickly calmed down. He quickly drove to He He’s place. He hopes that He He had some change on her or the taxi driver is kind enough not to embarra.s.s her. And He He is now waiting for him downstairs.
He remembered that He He often forgets and locked herself outside. Then she will borrow a phone and call him. She will ask him to send her keys over. This is because Zheng Xie had her spare key. Zheng Xie reminded her to be careful several time but she will always forget.
The last time He He locked herself out was spring this year. When Zheng Xie received her call, he was on the way to her place. It was a still very cold early spring where the temperature was low. When he arrives, He He was sitting in front of a garden on the children’s rocking chair while waiting for him. She was wearing only a thin pajamas with cartoon printed fresh fruits. She was barefooted wearing only flip-flops and her hair was messy. She was trembling from the howling wind. She almost cried when she threw herself like a child clinging to his arm.
At that time, he was extremely angry but when he see her aggrieved look and grabbing his hand with a cold hand, he did not have the heart to scold her. He was only worried about her future.
But today, there is no miracle at all. Around in the area, he drove slowly around several time but failed to find He He. He grew increasely worried and his body became colder.
Zheng Xie finally thought that He He might head over to her friends’ place. He flip though her phone directory and tried to call Su Ren Ran and Ding Ding. He only knows that He He had two friends in the city. He suddenly became more worried and called a few of her colleagues. The result again once again a disappointment.
Zheng Xie utterly in a confused state tried to use relations.h.i.+p to get help when suddenly he had a s.h.i.+mmer glitter of hope that soon disappeared. He dialed Cao Miao Miao’s phone but without much expectation in his heart.
The Ms Cao that could barely walk straight an hour ago is now articulated and had quick thinking. She unashamedly said on the phone: “He He is here or He He is not here with me at my place? In short, I am not telling you!”