My Weekend Lover Turned Out To Be My Boss - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Becoming a Cocoon. “When You”

The path toward the school was like a never-ending road to nirvana through hell. The world behind me was a scattering of broken fragments, and my mind was a total blank. Disasters threatening to snatch away life had never ceased in my world.

Gasping for air, I struggled to move my feet forward. Qiu Qi was injured. I did a quick check and didn’t see any bleeding, which was a blessing among misfortunes. She leaned her head peacefully against my back. The biting rain had finally stopped—at least the heavens were showing a bit of mercy—but gusts of wind from the Jinsha River below the cliff sent shivers through my body that I couldn’t stop.

To keep Qiu Qi from falling into a deep, dangerous sleep, I found a spot to set her down for a moment. “Qiu Qi? Qiu Qi!”

Qiu Qi’s eyes were half-closed. My hands were freezing as I pressed them against her forehead to check her temperature; her skin felt comfortably warm, bordering on hot. As I suspected, she had a fever. Although my jacket was wet, it was better than nothing. I took it off and wrapped it around her waist, tying the sleeves around my own waist so she wouldn’t slide off my back if she fell asleep.

Qiu Qi started mumbling incoherently, “Feifan… it hurts so much…”

I hoisted her onto my back again and continued forward, asking with great effort, “Where does it hurt?”

“My foot hurts, my head hurts… why does my heart hurt too…”

“Don’t talk nonsense… we’ll be home soon. Just hold on a little longer… you’ll be okay…”

In that moment, amidst the chaotic darkness, I became Qiu Qi’s only pillar. She was likely remembering past pains in her delirium, while I was inwardly screaming that no one could die—I had to get her out of here.

You know, when that giant boulder came rolling toward us, the only image that flashed through my mind was Phoebe. I saw her walking into Ranhou Coffee Bar wearing that cape-style blazer, looking so cold and elegant. I will never forget that first look; she was the scenery that made everything else fade into insignificance.

“Phoebe… Phoebe…”

The only person who could make me move like a cold, temperatureless machine—where every step was a mechanical motion—was Lan Feiyi. She has always been the drive that keeps me moving forward, even as she drifts further and further away. I don’t know how long I walked with that weight, but my strength began to fail. Several times, I nearly collapsed.

I kept murmuring Phoebe’s name until I finally lost all energy. Because it was so dark, I couldn’t see the road; a single stone was enough to trip me. I tried to crawl up, mud splashing onto my face and blurring my vision.

“No one can die… we can’t die… God… please let me go…”

“Qiu Qi… don’t sleep… it’s so dark here… talk to me… Qiu Wuming, talk to me…”

I sprawled on the ground, exhausted. Getting no response from Qiu Qi, I could only worm my body forward. Even if I only moved an inch, I had to try. We couldn’t die here. I felt a stone nearby. The only thing I could do now was bang it against the ground and scream with all my might: “Help! Help! Someone help us!”

The darkness and cold dragged me into despair. The roar of the surging river drowned out my cries, denying them even the chance to echo through the mountains. Qiu Qi remained motionless. I could barely keep my eyes open, and my voice had turned from a rasp into silence…

On that road by the pitch-black cliff, I clung to a thread of life. I heard a putt-putt-putt sound. I hugged Qiu Qi tight, terrified it was another landslide, until a blinding light forced me to snap my eyes shut.

“Feifan!!! Qiu Qi!!!”

I saw a black silhouette rushing out of the light like a final beacon of hope. I didn’t know how pathetic I looked; I could only weakly stretch out my hand toward her in a desperate plea: “Qingyue…”

Zhang Qingyue knelt and gripped my hand, finally letting me feel a comforting warmth. But I was so tired…

…

When I woke up again, I didn’t even mind the pungent smell of disinfectant. It felt like as long as I could breathe and be alive, it was the greatest gift from heaven. I turned my head with difficulty to look around. The ward looked new and clean. He He walked out of the bathroom holding a plate of washed fruit.

He saw immediately that I was awake and quickly knocked on the balcony door. “Sister Qiu Qi! Feifan is awake!”

Qiu Qi, propped up on a single crutch, came hopping in from the balcony. He He ran out to find a doctor. Qiu Qi sat down on the edge of my bed, tossed her crutch aside, and leaned over to give me a deep, soulful hug. She held me so tight I couldn’t even struggle. She must have been scared to death.

I felt her body trembling with suppressed emotion, so I patted her back to comfort her. “We’re both okay, aren’t we?”

She pulled back to look at me. To me, Qiu Qi seemed like the type who never cried; she was used to swallowing her sadness and letting out only laughter. But right now, her beautiful face was a mess of tears. I wiped them away and smiled bitterly. “Can I have some water? I’m so thirsty.”

She leaned down and rubbed her tears off onto my hospital gown. I let out a small yelp. “Hey! That’s gross!”

And just like that, we two survivors burst into laughter. Qiu Qi looked at me pitifully. “You really scared me. Who sleeps for two or three days straight? I asked the doctor what was wrong, and he couldn’t give a straight answer; he just told us to wait for you to wake up.”

As Qiu Qi poured water and grumbled, I was shocked. “I slept that long?! No wonder I’m a bit hungry!”

She rubbed my head affectionately. “I’ll have He He get you something good to eat in a bit.”

I stared at her foot. “Is the injury serious?”

“Not extremely, but I need to rest it for a few days.”

I took the cup and drank the warm water. The sensation of moisture hitting my parched throat was heaven. Like a child with amnesia, a dozen questions popped into my head. “Where are we? I remember Qingyue coming…”

Qiu Qi looked at me tenderly and smiled. “Qingyue saw we hadn’t come back, so she had He He watch the kids, borrowed a tractor from the village, and followed the road we took. She found us. We were sent to a hospital in Kangding overnight, but since you wouldn’t wake up, we were transferred to a hospital in Chengdu.”

My eyes widened. “What? We’re already back in Chengdu?! Where’s Qingyue?”

“She stayed at the school, of course.”

Feeling a bit down, I toyed with my fingers. “I didn’t even get to say a proper goodbye. She’s amazing, knowing how to drive a tractor…”

“Once you’re better, there will be plenty of chances to see her again.”

There was a knock on the open door. We both looked over. It was the owner of the youth hostel—He He’s brother, I remembered his name was He Mu. Qiu Qi waved with a smile. “He Mu, you’re here.”

He Mu always looked stern and unsmiling. The difference was that last time he had a face full of stubble; this time he was clean-shaven and actually quite handsome, with a tall, lean, and somewhat aloof vibe. He was carrying a thermal container, likely delivering food. “You’re finally awake.”

He gave me a polite smile and set up the over-bed table. “I made some chestnut chicken soup. Try it while it’s hot.”

“Chestnuts! I love chestnuts!”

I smacked my lips happily. He Mu ladled a bowl for me, making sure to get plenty of chestnuts in there. “If you like them, then judge my cooking.”

He gave a bowl to Qiu Qi as well and pulled up a stool. We drank with looks of pure satisfaction. He watched us both and finally remarked, “I’ve come up with a name for your duo: ‘The Calamity Sisters’—since you survived the disaster together, good fortune must follow.”

Qiu Qi nearly choked. “What kind of name is that? Are you crazy?”

After we finished the soup, He Mu noted the bright sun outside and suggested it was a waste not to go out. He borrowed a wheelchair to take Qiu Qi out for some “photosynthesis.” He He came in briefly to pack some laundry and left to look after the hostel.

Since I had just woken up and needed rest, I couldn’t get out of bed yet. The ward became quiet and empty. I picked up my phone, but there were still no missed calls or WeChat messages. Soso, Pu Ke, Xi Er—are those losers even my best friends? Not a single message! Did they all get collective amnesia and forget me?

I’m the type who usually begs for attention, but not this time! Absolutely not! Including Phoebe—if they don’t reach out to me first, I refuse to lower myself! Let’s see who breaks first! I’m eating and drinking well right now!!! Even though I was thinking these stubborn thoughts, the black screen of my phone reflected a face marked with injury and quiet loneliness. I tried to smile… ugh… it looked even worse!

…

Once our health was stable, Qiu Qi and I were discharged together. When we returned to the hostel, we stayed in the same room. Qiu Qi, being limited in movement, sat on the bed eating a tangerine while directing me to pack. Squatting on the floor, I sighed. “Traveling all around Sichuan, and the start and end point are the same place.”

I waved my hands around. “We’ve made a full circle!”

Qiu Qi smiled and suddenly asked, “So, what’s next?”

Right, what is next? My smile faded as I went back to folding clothes in silence. Then I looked up abruptly. “We already agreed! I’m taking you to my home! A coastal city—the winter is much warmer than here! Once your foot is better, we leave!”

She nodded happily, murmuring, ” I thought you’d forgotten.”

“How could I forget? I don’t go back on my word. It’s settled. For the next few days, I’ll make you bone soup every day so your foot heals faster.”

“Idiot, I didn’t break a bone. Why bone soup?”

“Oh, just think of it as a ‘second growth spurt’ for extra nutrition!”

…

A week later, after I had made every possible version of bone soup, Qiu Qi’s injured foot could finally touch the ground. We sat at the head of the bed looking at flight information. She seemed excited, saying she hadn’t felt the sticky air blowing off the sea in a southern city for a long time. What a weird description! I, on the other hand, was feeling out of sorts. They say “the closer you get to home, the more anxious you feel”—that was exactly it.

“Is your luggage ready? I checked the temperature there; it’s not that high, only around ten degrees! An outdoor jacket should be fine. Let’s take the earliest flight; it’s cheaper and won’t be delayed. We’ll arrive by eight or nine in the morning, just in time for morning tea. Hey… what are you daydreaming about?”

“Huh? Oh, sure, sounds good.”

“Then it’s a deal!”

“Right! Luggage is all packed.”

Suddenly, Qiu Qi went quiet. She stared at me seriously and spoke slowly: “Do you miss her? Or are you afraid to see her? You look a bit pitiful when you’re anxious.”

Qiu Qi reached out and pulled me into a hug, rubbing her head against my cheek. “Be happy, okay?”

I pursed my lips and smiled, but I shook my head in silence…

Heaven knows how much I miss her.