Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qin Zhiâai, who had arrived late, seemed to have something important to share with Xu Wennuan. She jogged all the way over to her and then apologized for being late, quickly pulled out a chair, and sat in front of her. She then raised her hand, beckoned the waiter over, and ordered some food. After the waiter left, she began saying eagerly in hushed tones, âNuannuan, remember when I complained to you some time ago about how we could never contact Brother Bancheng and he seemed to have just vanished?â
Xu Wennuan hadnât expected Lu Bancheng to be a topic during their conversation so, when Qin Zhiâai mentioned him first thing, she momentarily froze while pouring the tea. She looked down and gave Qin Zhiâai a soft acknowledgment, before she continued to pour unhurriedly and replied in a calm, steady voice, âI remember. Whatâs up?â
Qin Zhiâai immediately answered, âLast night, Brother Bancheng called up Yusheng,â and then she said with a sense of pain in her voice, âThatâs when we learned why he hasnât contacted anyone for so longânot because he went to America but because something happened to him...â
Xu Wennuanâs brows twitched hard, and her fingers tightened around her cup. After some time, she lifted her head up calmly and gazed at Qin Zhiâai. âWhat happened? Was it serious?â
âItâs exceptionally serious,â Qin Zhiâai replied frankly.
Xu Wennuanâs heart sank even before Qin Zhiâai sighed softly and said with some pity in her voice, âBrother Banchengâs thighs were seriously injured, and now he canât walk anymore...ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Xu Wennuanâs hands jerked and knocked her cup over, causing her tea to spill on the table, flow to the edge, and drip onto her shirt. The waiter, who had been standing by the side, noticed and quickly hurried forward to help her wipe it up; however, Xu Wennuan remained motionless in her seat as though she was a wooden doll, allowing the waiter to clean the entire mess. Her big eyes stared fixedly at Qin Zhiâai and the words âcanât walk anymoreâ reverberated through her mind as if Qin Zhiâai had dropped a bomb. She then asked in a quivering voice, âWhat do you mean when you say that he canât walk anymore?â
âWell, I mean that right now, Brother Bancheng is as good as a physically disabled man. He relies on a wheelchair...â
Xu Wennuanâs brain blanked out in an instant.
âLast night, after he called Yusheng, we visited him. He was in his wheelchair and was much leaner. His complexion was also pale and haggard. Overall, he looked pitiful... Brother Bancheng is such a great man. Why would such a thing happen to him? Itâs so unfair...â
After she had taken in all that Qin Zhiâai had said, Xu Wennuan moved her eyes slightly and mumbled softly, âCanât walk anymore?â
Qin Zhiâai hadnât heard her clearly. âNuannuan, what did you say?â
âCanât walk anymore? He canât walk anymore...â As if she hadnât heard Qin Zhiâai, she continued to mumble, âHe was fine when I met with him a while back. How could it be that he canât walk anymore? Right, why canât he walk anymore?â
Qin Zhiâai only managed to catch the last part of what she said, âWhy canât he walk anymore?â After the waiter served their food, she served some onto Xu Wennuanâs plate and, thinking that Xu Wennuan was asking her a question, she then gave her a reply.