Manhattanhenge

The phone was hung up without waiting for him to speak, and he didn't seem to want to have more communication.

Ning Yixiao didn't move the phone away immediately, the busy signal was even better than his blessing.

Even for a second, he doubted that he would defend Su Hui without hesitation, even at this moment, how ridiculous it would be to say such a thing to a person who ended his relationship with him six years ago.

Perhaps Su Hui would just be a little confused and said, "Really? Why the fake engagement? You seem to be a good match."

As soon as he imagined his answer, it seemed like a bottomless pit gradually expanded and spread to his feet, Ning Yixiao could only retreat again and again.

The car window was knocked twice, Ning Yixiao raised his eyes and saw Bella standing outside the car, with her hands on the half-open window and her head tilted.

"Is my phone in your car?"

Ning Yixiao didn't say anything, pretended nothing happened, and handed her the phone.

"You look so pale, what's the matter?" Bella leaned closer to take a look, but Ning Yixiao turned her face away, she couldn't help laughing, "It's because of your temper that we only pretended to get engaged , I really feel uncomfortable if I want to live together. You won’t be like this to your real wife in the future, will you?”

Ning Yixiao didn't want to hear any topics about the engagement and his wife, and seemed very uncooperative. He looked at Bella, "I want to advance the engagement."

"Why?" Bella blinked.

"Because I want to dissolve the engagement quickly." Ning Yixiao said.

Bella nodded, "That's fine, anyway, I also want to. I just signed an agreement with my dad's lawyer, and the trust funds and real estate belonging to me will be transferred to my name on the day of the engagement."

"Since you want to hurry up, I'll send a message to the media in a while, let them disclose the news, and maybe take some photos, if you don't mind."

Ning Yixiao had nothing to mind.

When the engagement was broken by Su Hui, he was worried that Su Hui would mind, but now it seems that it is wishful thinking.

Back home, Ning Yixiao started a conference call. This was the fourth round of acquisition negotiations. He didn't speak much throughout the meeting, showing more indifference than usual. A poker face was also considered by the other party to be a "tactical" in the negotiation. ".

The meeting lasted two hours, and there was still no conclusion at the end. Orcha did not intend to compromise like this, and gave new conditions, but they were all rejected.

Everything is going according to his plan, just wait until the media reports, Ocha will definitely compromise.

Afterwards, Jing Ming made a video call, saying that he had returned to San Francisco and stopped by Ning Yixiao's home.

Jing Ming knew the password of Ning Yixiao's house, and he picked the house.Jing Ming didn't shy away, saying that he got too drunk last night in a nearby bar and had conflicts with others, so he simply ran away and went to his house to sleep all night.

"I woke up and found myself sleeping in the living room, totally dismembered, it was horrible."

Ning Yixiao was used to his outrageous behavior, "You better not spit on the carpet."

"Why are you so indifferent? Is the carpet more important than me?" Jing Ming shook his head in the video, "Although I don't drink well, the wine is still very good, okay?"

"Really?" Ning Yixiao lowered his head while processing the documents without raising his eyes, "Who got drunk and opened the doors of every room in my house, and sprinkled popcorn in every room."

"When did it happen..." Jing Ming felt speechless, but suddenly thought of something, "Oh, yes, what, I really accidentally ran into your other room yesterday..."

Ning Yixiao slammed the folder shut and looked up at the guilty friend on the screen.

Jing Ming laughed dryly, "Oh, I just opened it, and I didn't spit or sprinkle popcorn. But I don't know if I was drunk or what, there are a lot of butterflies in your room, white ones, and it was windy last night. Just turn and turn, it makes me dizzy."

Ning Yixiao suddenly realized something, and his expression changed.

"Who let you in."

Jing Ming was taken aback, "Huh? You didn't say that I had to report when I entered your house... Wasn't it always like this before."

He didn't know why Ning Yixiao was upset, subconsciously felt that it was the butterfly he mentioned just now, so he quickly dismissed it, "I didn't touch your things, and I closed the window for you, you haven't come home for too long, The windows are open and the sea breeze is strong..."

He talked a lot, but Ning Yixiao didn't listen too much. He didn't mention to Jingming that he bought the art installation anonymously.

"There is a letter under that little butterfly of yours." Jing Ming remembered that he almost stepped on it yesterday.

"What letter?"

"Just... the Seattle Art Museum. I didn't see it clearly yesterday. I'll go and have a look. You wait..." Jing Ming walked up the stairs slowly, walked to the top floor, walked through the sunny patio, and came to that room .

"Yes, the letter from the Seattle Art Museum, may I open it for you?" Jing Ming shook the letter in his hand.

"Ah."

He took a closer look and said, "Thank you for your collection. The world is moving and changing every minute, but each collection freezes the moment when the artist's inspiration bursts out. We specially leave The contact information in the museum and the email address of the creator are provided, and you are welcome to communicate at any time.”

Jing Ming turned to the back, and indeed wrote two lines of mailboxes, "When did you buy the art, engineering man."

"When you see it, you collect it."

Jing Ming raised his head and looked at the butterflies, "It doesn't look like something you would like, and you bought it and hid it at home."

Ning Yixiao didn't speak, and was silent for a while, then said to Jingming, "You take a picture of the mailbox and send it to me."

"Oh." Jing Ming complied, but Ning Yixiao ruthlessly terminated the call.

The moment the photo was sent, Jing Ming suddenly felt weird. He took another look and found that the creator's surname was Su.

su...

He suddenly understood, and then made a phone call.

But Ning didn't answer overnight.

Jing Ming cried out for help in his heart, he couldn't understand why there was such an infatuated person, and it turned out to be the cold-faced and cold-hearted Ning Yixiao.He felt incredible, and was very curious about what kind of person he could never forget for six years.

Obviously such a strong guy.

Staring at the mailbox in the photo, and looking at the number saved in the phone, Ning Yixiao fell into confusion and self-distraction.

In the process of peeling off from a painful childhood to an adult, he told himself countless times that self-esteem is the least valuable thing, and it does not bring any benefits.

But his self-esteem is still terribly high, and he can no longer trace back to the past moment—whether he was bullied by his peers to the point that he could not speak, or was cast aside as a "wild species", watched his mother being bullied, or Standing in front of Ji Tailu, listening to him humiliating himself with the most polite words, and showing him the gap between him and Su Hui in a bloody way.

Or in the early morning of the second day after being broken up, she dropped everything to find Su Hui for another chance, but what she got was his complete disappearance.

It was not right from the start.He should really stick to his original idea, and withdraw decisively when he knew he would be deep in it, don't be tempted, don't be drawn into the vortex.

If he hadn't happened to witness the sky hanging over Manhattan together back then, hadn't looked him in the eyes at that time, hadn't had the impulse for that second, he should be living better now.

Winter in Manhattan seems to be another world, without the sun-drenched Sunset Boulevard, without the crowds hugging and kissing in the spectacle, the roads are covered with snow, the gray metropolis is like an impenetrable laboratory dish, moving vehicles and crowds, Unexamined, they are all ants waiting to be studied.

Occasionally, Su Hui misses his past self, and has the courage to stand on the bridge and look directly at his love. If it were now, he would be very embarrassed.

It was very warm in the ward. Grandma regained some consciousness occasionally, but it was still difficult to speak. Su Hui didn't tell her the extent of her condition, but only said that she would be fine after surgery.

In fact, whether all this will turn around, he doesn't know, no one can give him a definite answer.

It was like his own illness, no one told him whether it would get better in this life.

Bella Jones answered the phone and explained that the purpose of the call was very simple, because she saw that Su Hui had sent many emails about installation art, most of which were asking for her advice, but Bella said that he would She is free to create whatever content she wants, and has generously stated that she will provide all the materials needed for production.

Su Hui was very grateful, and felt that this Miss Jones was indeed a better match than her current self. She was beautiful, kind, full of affinity, and emotionally stable, and there were almost no shortcomings in getting along with her.

I heard from Karl that she and Ning Yixiao are both students and alumni of S University, and her father and Ning Yixiao also have business contacts, no matter from any point of view, they are a good match.

During this gloomy time, Su Hui has been staying in the hospital, waiting for his grandmother's operation. His own illness was well controlled by the medicine, at least his mood didn't fluctuate much.

However, something happened during the period that made him feel better—a collector who anonymously bought his works not long ago contacted him by email.The email address of the other party is a string of numbers, which seems to be newly registered.

The email was sent at night, but Su Hui only found out the next morning.The collector greeted him, expressed his love for the work, and encouraged him sincerely.

This kind of kindness from strangers made him feel warm. Perhaps this collection is of great significance to Su Hui, or it may be because his collection has given Su Hui a lot of help. Thank you in person.

So he also replied an email, probably because his recent mood affected the writing. When he received a reply again, the other party actually asked him if he had encountered any troubles.

Perhaps there was no one to confide in, not grandma, nor Liang Wen, nor the doctor. Ning Yixiao, who was about to enter a new stage of life, was not a good choice.Su Hui subconsciously had a brief desire to confide in this kind stranger.

But his wording was very calm and brief, summarizing the recent events in the simplest terms possible, but leaving aside everything related to Ning Yixiao.

The other party replied him.

[I'm very sorry.If there is anything I need help with, please let me know. ]

Su Hui thought about it.

[That's fine, no more help needed.what should i call you ]

It took a long time before I received his answer.

[Sean.]

Sean.Su Hui noted his name in the email contact.

These days in the hospital, he often contacts Sean. Unlike instant messaging software, the email is not so fast, and the rhythm is not urgent. He doesn't need to worry about every upcoming conversation, and he can relax with this kind stranger. people talking.

The other party will bless his grandmother, care about his life without breaking the rules, and send some jokes that are not too humorous.

Sometimes Su Hui didn't find it funny when he saw it, so he went to do other things. After a while, he suddenly realized and chuckled into the kettle.

[Sean: Does it bother you that I contact you like this?Will it interfere with your private life. ]

Su Hui quickly replied to him.

[Eddy: No, actually I don’t have any private life, most of the time I’m alone, I don’t have anyone to talk to, I will be very happy to see your email. ]

[Sean: Have you not made any good friends or lovers? ]

When Su Hui received this email, she was helping her grandma massage her hands and feet, so she couldn't check it in time.

After 10 minutes, he received a new one.

[Sean: Maybe my question just now was a bit offensive, but I just think that people like you should not live too alone. ]

Ten minutes later, Su Hui's reply came as scheduled.

[Eddy: Everyone lives alone.It's just that some people can pretend, and some people don't have the energy to pretend.My health is not good, and I can't manage interpersonal relationships well, let alone relationships.Maybe through the email, you will think that I am still a nice person, but if you really meet and get along with each other in real life, you may not be able to stand me :)]

He also added a smiley face symbol, frankly telling his imperfection.

[Sean: I don't believe it, you must be a very cute person. ]

Probably because of a friend I have never met, time flows faster than usual.

Su Hui hardly endured it, and the day of the operation was coming.

In order to fulfill his job duties, Carl arrived at the door of the operating room very early, but he seemed to be very busy, still dealing with other work, the phone kept on calling, and he would go to a corner to make calls from time to time.

During this period, he received several messages of concern from Sean, but because of worry, he only replied a few sentences.

Liang Wen, who was also busy with work, hurried back to New York to accompany Su Hui for a morning, but because there was still a seminar, Liang Wen had to leave. Before leaving, he told Su Hui about Ning Yixiao.

"I saw reports that he seems to be engaged."

Su Hui didn't seem to be sleeping well, leaning against the wall, she just nodded and didn't speak.

Liang Wen hesitated for a moment, then said: "I actually feel a bit regretful that I didn't meet you earlier. If I did, I might have more capital to compete."

Su Hui's mind is confused, he thinks there is no such thing as competition, Ning Yixiao has his own life, and they have nothing to do with each other.As if it was a passive protection mechanism, he didn't want Liang Wen to drag Ning Yixiao into it.

"No, you misunderstood." He said, "He and I are already strangers, there is no possibility, you don't need to compete with anyone..."

There was a hint of clearing his throat from the side, Su Hui turned his head and saw Karl in the corner, he looked a little helpless.

"Sorry, Eddy, I didn't mean to interrupt you." He pointed to the operating room on the other side, "The nurse is looking for you, let me take you there."

Su Hui nodded, and took back the second half of what he didn't say.It wasn't the first time he rejected Liang Wen, even if he didn't explain, he believed Liang Wen could understand.

Carl walked ahead, feeling uneasy.Only then did he accidentally overhear the conversation between the two, and realized that Liang Wen really liked Su Hui.

But who is the impossible "he" that Su Hui mentioned, Karl doesn't know.

However, looking at Ning Yixiao's attitude, it seems that he is very dissatisfied with Liang Wenwen and Su Hui's further interaction. of.

Complications added a lot of difficulty to the operation. After nearly ten hours, the resection operation was finally over.

"Doctor, how is my grandmother?" Su Hui immediately stepped forward to ask.

"The patient's current condition is not bad, but he still needs to be observed in the ICU for 48 hours. The family members should go to rest first, and the hospital will notify you immediately."

Su Hui nodded, but his heart still did not let go.

What he didn't know was that Ning Yixiao had called in advance and told the doctors and nurses here that Su Hui was suffering from bipolar disorder, and asked them to observe his condition more and provide help if necessary.

Seeing that he looked very tired, the nurse thought that it would be bad for him if he stayed in the hospital for too long, so she reminded him: "You can go home and rest for two days, anyway, there is no way to enter the ward. You can rest assured that the staff will take care of you. When you come back, you can also bring some daily necessities that the patient is familiar with, which will calm her down when she wakes up."

Although Su Hui was unwilling to leave, she followed the nurse's advice.He has been on leave for several days, at least to go back to school.

Seeing that he seemed to be leaving, Carl offered to drive him off. Su Hui refused at first, but he couldn't get a taxi while standing at the hospital gate, and Carl drove up to him again. It seemed too unkind to refuse again.

In the car, Karl asked him how the temperature was, Su Hui nodded and said it was fine.They didn't have many conversations, but Carl was considerate and measured, and Su Hui's burden was gradually reduced.

Just because of Karl's identity, Su Hui always worried that he would ask too many questions about Ning Yixiao, which is not a good thing.He knew that he should learn to keep his distance now.

"Shaw called me several times just now. He is very concerned about your grandma." Carl said while driving, "I have never seen him care so much about his family."

This sentence hit Su Hui's heart. After thinking about it, he asked, "Do you know about his family?"

This was a question for Karl, he thought carefully, Ning Yixiao, who always let him do everything, never seemed to mention his family.

He shook his head and turned the steering wheel, "Not sure. He hardly mentions his family, and he lives alone until now."

Su Hui lowered his eyes. As an insider, he didn't know how to defend Ning Yixiao.Even now, he still doesn't want Ning Yixiao to be too unkind in the eyes of others.

"But your grandmother is also his family." Carl said suddenly.

These words made Su Hui stunned.

"Did he say that?"

Karl realized that he had said too much, "Well...he said that the reason why he must help is because Ms. Yang helped him indirectly in the past, and also said that he was in a difficult situation and had a hard life at that time. Although I Not sure what it is, but Eddy, he really wants to help you guys."

These words made Su Hui very sad. Thinking back to their unpopular relationship six years ago, there was a pain like a world away.

"Ah."

Carl sent him downstairs to the apartment, lowered the car window to say goodbye to him, he was very hungry, he got out of the car after watching Su Hui go upstairs, bought a hamburger at a roadside store, just took a bite, Ning Yi Xiao called.

He had no choice but to put down the hamburger, and reported everything that happened in the hospital today, including the conversation he overheard between Liang Wenwen and Su Hui.

He thought that Ning Yixiao didn't seem to support them, and this conversation just explained some problems. For example, Su Hui's current attitude towards Dr. Liang seemed not so ambiguous.

After retelling, Carl took another bite of the hamburger and murmured to himself, "I just don't know who Eddy is talking about 'he', and he said that it's impossible to be with him. I guess he doesn't like someone? If I go there later Enough."

Unexpectedly, the boss's voice suddenly became cold, as if angry.

"Since you know that tracking is illegal, why do you want to eavesdrop?"

"It's not you..."

The phone hangs up.

Carl was shivering in the cold wind with his mobile phone in his hand, not knowing what he had done wrong.

He checked his supervisor's follow-up date again.

Something is wrong, I need to take him to see a doctor immediately.

Su Hui returned to the rented apartment. He had hardly been back since his grandma was hospitalized. It was a mess and not tidied up.

He simply cleaned the room, then sat in front of his workbench, checked his work mailbox, and replied to all unprocessed messages one by one.

Then he saw his outbox, the communication with Sean.

It's strange that he didn't reply for nearly seven hours. According to Su Hui's observation, Sean is a very time-conscious person. Every time he replies to a message, he limits it to about 15 minutes. Sometimes he apologizes if it takes too long.

Seems like a straight-forward and honest person.

[Eddy: Is something wrong?are you OK?If you encounter difficulties, you can talk to me at any time. ]

After 15 minutes, Su Hui still didn't get a reply.

A little worried that the other party had an accident, he clicked on Sean's profile, only to find so many gaps, almost no valid information, and no contact information such as a mobile phone number, there was no way to find him.

The connection between people is really fragile. As long as one party cuts off, the other party may have no other way.

As Su Hui thought about it, he fell into the memories of a night with Ning.

Isn't that what they are.

When his mood was getting low, the computer screen lit up and he received a new email.

[Sean: A little unhappy, do you have any happy things to share with me, I think my mood will improve faster. ]

Su Hui felt relieved, but fell into a new trouble.

He hasn't been happy for too long.

He was searching for memories in his mind, like a helpless child, constantly flipping through his lackluster diary, as if every page contained only troubles, flipping through it, it turned to a long, long time ago.

He did have a very happy little part of his life, though only six months.

[Eddy: Where do you live?Seattle?I'm currently living in New York for about a year or so, but I actually came here once a long time ago for a seminar.At that time, I only felt that New York was very big and everyone was so free.

I still remember that it was an evening, and I was supposed to have dinner with the teacher, but I kidnapped a guy and got out of the peloton with him.The two of us walked and walked the streets of New York and got lost.

We then found a sign that said 42nd Street and were a little thankful that should lead us back to the hotel.As soon as I turned around, I found that the people on the street were not moving, many people gathered, everyone stood on the road, the car did not leave, everyone looked in the same direction at the same time, and Many people took pictures with their mobile phones.Did you know that everyone's face is golden in the setting sun, and they all have very happy expressions.

So I turned my head and followed everyone's line of sight.I don't know how to describe to you how beautiful it is, the sun is setting between the two tall buildings, and every part of the block is soaked in sunlight, like heaven.

At that time, I was still in a daze, and when I heard passers-by talking, I realized that it was the Manhattan Sunrise that only happens twice a year.My luck has always been bad, and there will be such a lucky time.

I don't know if you can imagine that scene, that is the happiest thing for me, and I hope it can make you happy too. ]