Wang Miaomiao, the bride's college roommate, opened her phone's contacts under the encouragement of one forum user after another. She found the right contact, took a deep breath, and dialed.
After a rapid busy tone, the call connected. Voices clamored in the background, and a puzzled male voice came through. "Hello? Who is this?"
Hearing the unfamiliar voice, Wang Miaomiao said nervously, "Hello, sir. I'm Shushu's college roommate. I heard she was getting married today, so I wanted to ask how she's doing. I haven't been able to reach her on her old WeChat account. Did she change her contact information?"
The receiver picked up a flustered breath. Wang Miaomiao heard Ma Shu's father grow noticeably wary... uneasy. A few seconds later, he said coldly, "Yes. I'm hanging up-"
"Wait, sir. Don't you think Shushu has been acting a little strange lately?" Wang Miaomiao instinctively pressed him, as though she had caught hold of an obvious loose thread amid the confusion.
Yet at that very instant, she heard a voice over the phone that was both familiar and utterly strange. After four years as roommates, she was certain the voice belonged to Ma Shu, but at the same time, its oddly assured tone was one she had never heard from Ma Shu before.
That "Ma Shu" said, "Dad, we should go greet the guests. They'll be here any minute. Who are you still talking to?"
Ma Shu's father sounded nervous again, and there was a distinct intake of breath. A few seconds later, he hastily hung up.
Wang Miaomiao tried calling back, but the line kept showing as busy. She could no longer get through.
Her heart felt as though it hung from a vibrating string, pounding again and again. In one go, Wang Miaomiao posted the contents of the