Chapter 64: Exposed

Needle in heart—brow knit—heavy—silent long.
Not surprised—mention family—dodge or silence—as if silence answer.
Silence solve? Hide forever until paper cannot hold—no retreat?
Stared—no words.
Street center—even tree shadow—conspicuous—passers glance.
Qi Yu saw—dissatisfaction—gap always there—human not god—cannot fully ignore.
Knew place—public—not argue.
Cold—pressed lips—grabbed wrist—pulled forward.
Back—Qi Yu drove—Jiang Ya hugged from behind—silent.
Apartment garage late—deep black—quiet estate—wind leaves insects only.
Melancholy spread.
Locking bike—Jiang Ya watched never left.
Qi Yu sighed—flat—“Go back—tonight—not your place.”
Blank—dark—could not see face.
“Why?”
Calm look—“You worry I meet family—won’t go—if we run into tomorrow—explain again.”
“Really not angry—not for this.”
Silent stare—no reply—sighed—turned leave.
One step—arms from behind.
Slight turn—pat arms—softer—“What? Not angry.”
“Know.” Face on body—eyes aside—lost—“Still want you know—not escaping—not refusing…”
“Never irrational—since together—often thought…”
Pause—brow tight—voice dull—“I am too afraid.”
Still—face in hair—“Afraid what? Family oppose—others’ eyes?”
“No.” Tighter—grip clothes—“Afraid… losing you.”
Pause—“Why think so?”
“Parents know me—I know them—if tell them… what scene.”
“Not strong as you think—ordinary—not much ability to bear pressure—anxiety—weak—lost sometimes.”
“Afraid out of control—both sides conflict—afraid I can’t hold you.”
Silent—moved stiff body—turned—deep hug.
A while—“Now? Feel you holding me?”
Corner smile—broke gloom—tighter—“Felt.”
Ear whisper—“Don’t fear losing—I’m here—nowhere—reach—I’ll hold.”
“Ordinary both—you vent on me—I need your tolerance—okay?”
“Won’t push—slow.” Light sigh—eyes endless loneliness—night—eyes flicker dappled.
Tighter back—last sigh.
“Anyway won’t let go—hope… you too.”
“Sincere beats all hardship—right?”
Corner smile—ironic.
Knew how naive.
Naive anyway.
Love is swamp.
First step—doomed sink.
……
That night still not Jiang Ya’s home.
Next day parents noon—long lecture—stay clear-minded—care self.
Jiang Ya formal—no marriage plan now—no blind dates—please don’t worry.
Jiang Sheng unhappy—rules—Zhou Lin mediated—failed—must promise by thirty find partner wedding. Hesitated—anger—reluctantly agreed for now.
After—Zhou Lin less probing—twice month visit—fine—peaceful summer.
August Jiang Ya birthday week before school—Liucheng Zhou He recommended—week travel—birthday at the guesthouse—cake—couple rings savings—once in life—on fingers.
September grade two—division—busier. Qi Yu first novel ended—reader push—hot—next book prep—shop—stolen intimacy with Jiang Ya.
October holiday abroad—foreign café—streets—landmark photos—night corner kiss—wind hair—freedom sweet air.
Half year steady—meals daily life—no imagined storms—settled—ordinary couple—no need fear world.
After New Year—third day—Yunjiang trip. Morning Zaizai knocked cup—glass everywhere—almost missed train.
Couple room—romantic—first night Qi Yu teased plenty.
Yesterday mountain all day—exhausted—bath excuse—tub to bed—water everywhere—Jiang Ya dropped reserve—all night—no pajamas—sleep entwined.
Morning alarm off repeatedly—hand sore trembling lifting.
Phone rang—Jiang Ya deep sleep—Qi Yu blind answer hang.
Again immediately.
Brow—tsk—irritated answer—“Hello?”
Half beat—no voice.
“Hello?” More annoyed.
Scam?
Swollen eyes—caller—blank.
Mom?
Qi Li why now.
Wrong.
Remark full name Qi Li—not her phone.
Stared—jolt—heart panic—breath pause—frozen.
Voice on screen.
“You… Jiang Ya?”
“How… voice changed?”
“Jiang Ya… speak!”
Silent—other urgent.
Jiang Ya stirred—about speak—mouth covered.
Brow—screen—terror eyes.
Qi Yu barely breathe—air explain ear.
Jiang Ya woke—cold reality—took phone—turned calm—“Mom? Here—what?”
Hearing Jiang Ya—Zhou Lin silent.
Then—“Jiang Ya? Just you? Voice odd?”
Glance Qi Yu—breath useless—“Me—travel alone—who else?”
Cough—throat hoarse—on purpose.
“Cold two days—worse last night—phlegm—voice like this.”
……
Zhou Lin: “Really?”
“Felt like different person?”
“Sure only you?”
“Yes only me.” Wanted swallow—dry—hard.
Knew suspicion—few words—tone shift—“Mom don’t overthink—only me.”
“Cough… Mom urgent? Else call back—need rest—throat bad—hard talk…”
Cough weak—Zhou Lin cared—hung up—several messages.
No time read—ceiling—shaken.
Qi Yu cover quilt—chest—worried—“Mom suspect?”
Heavy sigh—phone—relief—look her—“Should be fine… not male voice… won’t suspect…”
“Message—visit tomorrow—nothing else.”
Qi Yu relief—hold tight—skin hair tangled—planned coming out—but sudden scare.
Held tighter—whisper comfort.
Light hold back—smooth back—bones—nails last night—no mood now.
Eyes closed hug—safety from Qi Yu.
……
South Liu train 5:16 PM—two hours—~7:30—taxi apartment.
Night hallway wheels far near.
Qi Yu two suitcases behind Jiang Ya—smile empty hall—tease—“Teacher Jiang—cruel make me labor?”
Turn happy smile—“You took them—now regret?”
“No regret—reward?”
“What reward?”
Mischief—side face near—“Kiss me.”
“Or what?”
Fake glare—Jiang Ya kissed.
Light kiss—tender eyes—
Corner figure.
Heart jump—neighbor?—turn—frozen.
Qi Yu followed—
Both blank—terror.
Zhou Lin behind—bag gripped tight—face iron—eyes wide split.