229 A PINK ENVELOPE (1/2)
When Zhong Feng returned to Westend, he went directly to Hu Lei's apartment instead of the penthouse. He thought that if Hu Lei had left a hint about her whereabouts, it would be there. He ransacked the house and looked through every corner, but there was nothing relating to her absence.
He felt frustrated as he paced through the house. After a few moments, he decided to go to the penthouse, even though he felt that there was no way there could be a clue there. After all, they lived there almost every day, and he had not noticed anything unusual.
When he got there, he looked through all the places in which he did not spend too much time. If Hu Lei had left something, it would be in a place he could not have looked easily. He checked her wardrobe and her nightstand. He went to the guest bedroom where she sometimes spent her time writing.
But there was nothing.
He returned to the living room with frustration. He could not calm down and think. He sat down in front of the TV where they usually cuddled as they watched movies or the nonsensical idol dramas that Hu Lei liked. His hands clenched.
He had to find her.
As he looked at the TV, he noticed the painting that she had placed on the wall over it not too long ago with Pierre's help. It was the painting that he had seen in the studio in Russia when he went to see Vladimir Romanov a couple of years back.
She had told him that it was a wedding gift for them from Pierre and Vlad. So, they could only show appreciation by giving it a prominent place in their home.
Though he did not have a lot of positive feelings for those two, he did like the painting because he loved its subject. He looked at it for a long moment before he stood up with a start.
He rushed to the painting and lifted it off its hook. He placed it on the table facedown and looked at the backing paper behind. He did not hesitate while tearing the material with shaking hands. He hoped he was right.
After removing the paper, he found a pink envelope stuck in the back. His breath came out unsteadily as he picked it up. He carefully opened it, fearing to cause damage to its contents. He took out the letter inside which had a slight flowery scent.
Then, he read it.
Ah-Feng,
I hope that we will read this letter when we are old and grey-haired. However, I have come to understand that things rarely go as well as we hope. Moreover, I have a clear understanding of my weaknesses and general condition. So, chances are you are reading this shortly after I hid it.
And if you are, it means that something has happened to me, and you cannot find me.
Well, at least, that is what Dr Huo told me.
I originally looked for her because I thought that I had multiple personality disorder. But she said it is more likely that I have an identity disturbance disorder. It has to do with the fragmentation of my personality and lack of cohesion between my negative and positive sides or something.
I have tried not to think too much about it. Dr Huo assured me that she has ideas on treatment, but I have been a little hesitant because I am afraid.
Anyway, I am just rambling on and on, and you probably don't care about that right now. You probably just want me to tell you where I have gone.