A lie once told only grows larger and the gaps become harder to hide. Su Xingci leaned against the cold wall her hands and feet turning cold. How could she keep up the story? Gu Yuanhang could appear at any moment and everything would fall apart.
Just as she stood uncertain footsteps hurried toward her from behind. “Xingci!” Huo Mingyue ran up breathless carrying a net bag and holding a sleepy Tangtang in her arms. Inside were a new enamel basin towels a toothbrush and even a packet of malted milk powder. Su Xingci looked at the kindness her throat tightening too full to speak.
“Do not be silly!” Huo Mingyue set the things down and stroked Su Xingci’s cold face her eyes full of sympathy. “What happened? He has always been so strong why did this happen so suddenly?” Tangtang rubbed her eyes voice thick with sleep. “Is Grandfather Su sick?” Su Xingci knelt and pulled the little girl close resting her chin on soft hair her voice rough. “He is resting and he will wake up soon.”
She knew better than anyone how serious this rest truly was. She steadied herself and told Huo Mingyue everything the doctor had said and the lie she had asked Huo Chenzhou to keep. Huo Mingyue’s expression hardened and she slapped her thigh in anger. “That man Gu is no good at all! He causes all this and runs leaving you to bear it alone!”
She pulled both of them toward the quiet end of the corridor. “We cannot let this go!” She faced Su Xingci speaking low and serious. “Tell me truly the man you were seeing for three years the one who was no longer part of your life is he the same Gu Yuanhang we saw today?”
Su Xingci blushed deeply and looked away from Huo Chenzhou twisting her fingers together in shame. Being seen through like this especially before him made her want to disappear. Huo Mingyue understood clearly. She sighed and rested an arm around Su Xingci’s shoulders her tone softening. “Do not be ashamed. Everyone makes mistakes. He is not worth your tears.”
She patted her back and continued. “You must look forward not back. Look at the people around you.” She nodded toward her brother. Su Xingci glanced over and met Huo Chenzhou’s gaze directly. He looked calm and steady watching her without turning away. Her heart skipped and she quickly lowered her head cheeks burning.
“Mingyue I cannot think of such things now.” Her mind was full of her father’s illness. “You may not but your father does!” Huo Mingyue said firmly. “How long can you keep using urgent duty as an excuse? What if he comes back and says something careless? Have you thought about what might happen?”
The words struck her hard. She had not considered that. Gu Yuanhang was selfish enough to shift blame onto others. What if he turned things around? A cold shiver ran down her back. “What can I do?”
“One lie needs too many more to keep it.” Huo Mingyue tapped her forehead gently. “Stop protecting him. Let your father see clearly that it is over and you are moving forward. That way he can rest easy and recover.”
Moving forward? Su Xingci shook her head alarmed. “I have no time for anything like that.” “I do not mean for real.” Huo Mingyue’s eyes shone with a plan. “Pretend.” She kicked her brother lightly on the leg. “Say something!”
Huo Chenzhou grunted and frowned slightly but stayed silent. Silence meant agreement. Huo Mingyue gave him a sharp look already planning. Pretending to be with him would surely bring him home too. Su Xingci blushed bright red waving her hands. “No I cannot ask that of him! He has already done so much it would hurt his reputation!”
“Reputation?” Huo Mingyue laughed. “He is thirty and never around anyone besides drills and meetings what reputation does he have to lose?” She turned directly to him. “Comrade Huo Chenzhou does your reputation matter more than this? She is willing and she is a fine young woman why should you worry? Say something you quiet thing!”