Fluffy white clouds floated lazily across the deep blue sky. A gentle breeze sneaked through the car window. Feeling both cool and cold, Man Ky startled awake. He had fallen asleep in the car all night. His house was about thirty meters away, but he hadn't dared to go inside yet. It was already past six o'clock, and exhaustion completely overwhelmed him.
Ngan Thu must be awake by now, he thought to himself. Could it be that she wasn't worried about him at all? Man Ky dejectedly looked in the rearview mirror. His face was pale and gaunt. This was really going too far. He tried to regain his spirits. Wasn't she his wife? Man Ky turned the steering wheel, driving the car towards his house.
Ngan Thu was still inside; he slowly opened the door. Under the soft, cool light, the girl he loved had just finished getting ready. She was wearing a moss-green dress, her face was rosy white, and her lips were a deep red. Ngan Thu was about to grab her handbag to go to work when she saw Man Ky arrive at the door. Her attitude changed completely. He knew it, and he still went to her regardless.
"Man Ky!" Ngan Thu frowned, stepping back. That indefinite distance hurt Man Ky. Even so, he patiently and calmly took her hand.
"Please don't be like this anymore, okay?" His voice was low, his heart a jumbled mess. She should have said something instead of being silent. Out of options, Man Ky pressed her against the wall. At least it was enough to make her understand what he wanted.
"Man Ky..." Ngan Thu said through gritted teeth, using her strength to push him, but it was useless. Man Ky was too strong; he made her unable to move. His warm breath fanned her face, his eyes filled with unspeakable pain. It was someone's heart having to beat rapidly while the other half was indifferent and cold.
Still those arms, that face. She had loved him from the moment her heart fluttered. Now, there was only accumulated hurt. It made her want to forget everything. Man Ky suppressed his emotions, trying to control his actions. The girl he loved, he couldn't treat her like this. A tear rolled down her cheek, and Man Ky startled awake. He loosened his embrace, helplessly watching Ngan Thu leave with a heart-wrenching pain.
...
The sun rose high, and the meeting at the company proceeded quickly. Man Ky resolved everything decisively. In an instant, he returned to his former self, cold and principled.
"What's wrong, assistant? Why is the boss suddenly so strict again?" The employees gossiped, and the assistant had no choice but to shake his head. Could it be because of the case from before? The assistant pondered for a long time.
"Get to work!"
The young employees immediately returned to their positions when Man Ky suddenly appeared. He said nothing, just gave the assistant a few instructions and then went outside. Ngan Thu watched her husband's sad face and felt a pang of heartache. Even so, she maintained her stance, refusing to speak to him.
At five in the afternoon, Man Ky drove his car to the lakeside park, the place where he had lost his blazer and wallet last time. It was quite funny; the thief had just seen him from afar, the only difference was that he wasn't drunk like before.
The space was so peaceful...
He sat down on the rough concrete ground and looked out at the lake. He had left his blazer in the car. Few knew that the scholarly-looking young man in simple trousers and a white shirt was the owner of such a large corporation.
The thief seemed disappointed, he looked bored and left immediately. A moment later, another pair of eyes happened to appear. Surely, Man Ky had many satellites following him. The truth was, he was too handsome!
A truck drove along the lakeside; it was transporting equipment. People were repairing the water fountain system in the middle of the lake. Man Ky quietly observed, not paying attention to anything else. His head was heavy, his heart withered. Why were women so difficult to understand?
Oil drums were being transported by workers using handcarts. They were quite bulky, and the laborers struggled to roll each drum down to the lakeside area to operate the machinery.
"Careful!" A frantic shout rang out, and Man Ky just had time to turn his head. A worker slipped, letting go of a drum that rolled down the slope uncontrollably. It rushed towards Man Ky at an extremely fast speed. The sloping surface was dangerous. Then he was thrown against the steps and tumbled down the stairs. The drum rolled straight into the middle of the lake. The unexpected impact caught Man Ky off guard. Workers rushed over, and someone tried to help him sit up. Man Ky felt dizzy; his head seemed to have hit something.
"Are you alright?" A familiar voice, Man Ky raised his eyes to look. Everything suddenly went dark, his ears rang, and he fainted without knowing when.
...
"Achoo!!!" Man Ky shivered from the cold, feeling his whole body about to freeze. He slowly opened his eyelids; he seemed to be in a hospital. His arm had an IV drip, there was a bandage on his forehead, and importantly, the person sitting next to him wasn't her. Only heaven knew why Jim was here taking care of him!
"Do you feel better?" Jim asked, and Man Ky startled awake. He sat up like a spring. Come on, what the hell had just happened? He couldn't remember anything.
"What... what happened to me?" Man Ky fumbled to remove the IV needle. Before Jim could stop him, he reached for a white shirt stained with red blood and put it on.
"Man Ky?" Jim stammered, running after him. Man Ky's escape from the hospital was too skillful. In an instant, Jim was exhausted. Just as they reached the parking lot, Man Ky started to feel dizzy again. Luckily, Jim rushed over to support him.
"Are you alright?" Jim asked worriedly, helping Man Ky into the car seat. Finally, that reckless guy agreed to lie still and let someone else take care of him.
It was very late now, and going home in this state was really not an option. Going back to the hospital was even worse. Man Ky had become stubborn and obstinate, leaving Jim helpless. He drove Man Ky to his own house.
The second time already! Jim thought to himself.
A pleasant feeling stirred in his heart. It was hard to understand, Jim felt a flutter looking at Man Ky sprawled on the sofa. The white shirt was casually unbuttoned, revealing a glimpse of his chest underneath. Looking at Man Ky, sometimes people could easily imagine the princes in fairy tales. Man Ky himself was also a powerful figure. Jim brought a cup of warm water to his side, but Man Ky was still sleeping soundly. He didn't want to move anymore because his whole body was extremely tired. Jim quietly put a blanket over him and gave a soft smile.
Hope he's alright? Escaping the hospital like this isn't good at all!
...
Early sunlight filled the window frame, and Man Ky stirred awake. He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling for a long time. Jim looked quite worried at first glance, but perhaps he liked the way Man Ky was pensive. How to put it? Man Ky was half-lying, half-sitting. He had suddenly gotten used to Jim's presence. How to explain it, when in many awkward situations, Jim always appeared at the right time. Man Ky looked at the shirt stained with blood. It looked dirtier than he thought. Ngan Thu would go crazy if he asked her to wash it!
Oh my god!
Man Ky felt a chill down his spine. Jim brought over a glass of warm milk and smiled softly.
"Drink this!"
He reluctantly took it; after all, this cousin must have some kind of fate to keep meeting him like this.
"Thank you!" Man Ky sighed, looking dejected. Well, might as well consider it bad luck shining on him! He felt weary inside.
"Going home? I'll drive you?" Jim asked, but Man Ky didn't know what to say. He was worried about his wife, but if she saw him in this state, who knew...
So stupid!
Man Ky shook his head, in an instant he had turned himself into a child. Oh, those childish thoughts suddenly appeared.
"Wear this?"
He was surprised; Jim held out another white shirt. His cousin was truly considerate. Man Ky silently thanked him profusely.
The wind from the window felt cool, Man Ky took off his shirt to temporarily wear Jim's clothes. The fair, slender shoulders of a guy who sat in air conditioning all day. Man Ky carelessly exposed his bare back to the person opposite him. At that moment, Jim's cheeks flushed red. He quickly turned his face away. Man Ky didn't notice, he said goodbye to Jim and drove to the company.
Picking up the blood-stained shirt, Jim pondered for a long time. The warm golden sunlight shone through the room, the clear and sweet birdsong was captivating. The warmth still lingered on every thread of the fabric. A little pale sunlight for a new day with a touch of refined taste...