Chapter 63: Suspicion

Baby?
Zhou Lin eyes wide—afraid misread—stared until screen dark—still motionless.
Minutes—terrible guesses—forced calm—deep breath—suppress surge—put phone—left room.
Calm—must calm.
Identity unclear—too early conclude. Jiang Ya would not lie—never… yes—overthinking—must be.
Sofa—dazed—half beat—water cup—cool—eased anxiety.
Breath steady—remember message.
Called her baby. Baby—so intimate—even mother never—outsider so—relationship not ordinary.
But if a woman?
Zhou Lin rare online—but knew “best friend” talk—friend’s daughter invited her best friend home—inseparable—closer than sisters.
Maybe… Jiang Ya’s close friend?
Young not reserved like them—direct—“baby” just closeness?
Should be—must be—or what else.
Dared not think deeper.
Late night—should leave—Jiang Sheng called—fobbed off.
Even reasonable explanation ready—without hearing Jiang Ya tonight—heart would not settle.
Each second waiting—painless torture.
Replay recent—words—behavior—missed detail? Hiding something? Should not…
Bathroom water stopped.
Towel dry hair—slow dressed—thought Zhou Lin gone—past ten—still on sofa—eyes straight at her.
“Done? Late wash—dry hair or catch cold.” Light smile seeing her.
Jiang Ya paused—clock—nod—“Dry soon—hang laundry first.”
“Mom… still not leaving?”
“Soon—you hang clothes.”
Light mm—eyes two seconds on Zhou Lin—bedroom.
Zhou Lin followed—deep inside—nervous—grip—“Oh right.”
“Jiang Ya—heard phone—message—so late… work?”
Hanger paused—hung fast—phone—all Qi Yu—care only.
Quick reply—Zhou Lin at door—heart jump.
Jiang Ya blank—phone in hand—“Why not answer Mom?”
“Oh… not work—friend.”
“Oh… girl?”
“Of course girl—Mom what thinking.”
“Nothing—just ask.”
Certain tone—relief—worries gone.
Turning—stopped—looked back. “Which friend? Mom know?”
……
Lips part—wanted brush off—would keep asking—honest. “You met—high school classmate—ambulance last time—mentioned.”
“Oh—her.” All fits—relieved.
Leaving—same hundred lectures—Jiang Ya mm all.
Door closed—phone—Zhou Lin words—flash odd.
Phone always mute—vibrate. Sitting living room—hear bedroom faint sound?
Looked at phone? Why so many questions?
Heart tight—rate up.
Cannot unlock—probably did not see… coincidence?
Coincidence only explanation—sleeping—extra questions stuck like fishbone—cannot pull—walking from Jiang family—farther—no return.
……
Grade-one finals night—Qi Yu picked Jiang Ya school as usual.
Hotpot mall celebrate—ordered much—half left.
Past nine—bike nearby park—walk digest.
Night park quiet—trees—still path.
Wide paths—few people—mostly entrance gym—deep trail occasional one two.
Walk center gravel—chat along.
Holiday plans—couple passed intimate—jokes heard.
Qi Yu glanced their backs—Jiang Ya profile in dark—soft lines—nose elegant—clear gentle air.
Moved—took her hand.
Jiang Ya surprised—“What?”
“Nothing—want hold—long since walked together.”
Smile water eyes—“Holiday I’m free—nights we relax more.”
“Last walk when?”
Thought—“Months ago—before together.”
“Oh… when you hid from me.”
Smile hum—“When you wouldn’t admit you liked me.”
“I didn’t.”
Raised brow—no one—pulled into arms—lost eyes—tease. “Teacher Jiang—mouth so hard.”
“Not what you said in bed last night.”
“Body more honest than mouth.”
Pinch waist—yelp.
“Not outside!” Last night poses—moans—red face—glare—pull away.
Qi Yu enjoyed fluster—ear whispers heartbeat words.
Laughing—hands never unlinked.
Side fence—exit street—bright open.
Street more people—return parking—youth groups glanced.
Met eyes—blank—look down—let go hand.
Qi Yu noticed—glance Jiang Ya—phone out—as if only reason.
Deep look—silent—screen glance.
“Who texted?”
Done—pocket—“Mom.”
Zhou Lin again.
Lately more messages than before.
Once care—now purpose—pebble in chest—cannot ignore.
“What say?”
Brow knit cold ahead—“Next week she and Dad travel—tomorrow afternoon visit—supplements.”
“So…” glance Qi Yu—“Stay my place tonight—leave early tomorrow—they said afternoon—maybe noon.”
Flat tone—not discuss—notify.
Slowed—stared face—“Meaning? Kicking me out?”
“Not that.” Bad mood—reflex deny.
Saw complex face—tone too much.
Stopped—sigh—soft—“Sorry—not kicking you.”
“Afraid you meet parents—especially Mom—sensitive about who I date—might question you.”
Expression eased—walk—“Fine—meet if meet—say friend visiting—okay?”
“Anyway meet someday—earlier maybe good impression.”
Good impression…
Parents remember ambulance friend.
But only that far.
If exposed—collapse scene dare not imagine.
Silent—watch—head down heavy thought.
Half beat—“Let me stay tomorrow—I can handle—don’t worry.”
“Not worry…” sigh—hair rake—cannot explain—“Not easygoing as you think—don’t want you meet—afraid conflicts I can’t solve.”
Paused—stopped—flat ask—“Conflict you can’t solve what?”
“Afraid they know us?”
“But someday they will—unless…”
Unless we break up.
Swallowed words—stared—eyes dark.
Stunned—brow knit—sorrow undercurrent.
Long—lashes down—blink—“Don’t be mad…”
“Not mad—serious about this.”
Face to face—streetlamp behind—light on her—shadow line at feet.
Saw wet eyes—no softening—straight. “Don’t escape—choice we’ll face.”
“Understand fear worry—but hide a while—hide forever?”