Half an hour later, Huang Yingqi finished his work and got ready to call it a day.
We went downstairs together to get something to eat.
On the way down, he seemed a little reserved. Despite his excitement, he didn't know what to say to me.
Ever since his accident, he had stopped contacting his old classmates and friends.
A young man from a well-off family with a bright future had suddenly fallen this far. Men had their pride, and Huang Yingqi had more than most.
Once we got downstairs, I told him to get in the car.
He stood where he was, looking at my car, masking his embarrassment with a smile. "Then I'll meet you at the restaurant in a bit. I'll ride my bike over. I'm a little dirty. I usually wear work clothes on the job, and there's no time to go home and change."
I pulled him straight into the car and drove off to find a night market.
A fancy restaurant wasn't the right place for old friends to catch up.
We found a roadside stall at a nearby night market.
After ordering, I asked Huang Yingqi whether he could drink.
I asked him twice, but he didn't seem to hear me. Only when I moved my chair beside him and leaned close did he hear me.
"Drink? Of course we're drinking. We haven't seen each other in years."
He nodded, saying awkwardly, "Sorry. I'm deaf in one ear, and the hearing in my other ear has deteriorated a little too."
I stared at him. "Was it because of that car accident?"
He nodded. "Meng told you all about it, right? That accident left me like this. I lost an eye too. My left eye is artificial."
Only then did I notice that his