Qingmu was a dreamless person who never suffered from insomnia. However, this night, he couldn't sleep. After returning to the hotel, his mind was in a whirl, with many things hazy and indistinct, like weeds sprouting after a spring rain, only to be immediately covered by a layer of frost, leaving nothing behind.
He was alone in his room, pouring himself a cup of tea—the same Yunwu tea that Yao Jingjing had given him. He took a sip and suddenly noticed that the tea tasted slightly different.
It tasted quite sweet at first, but as the tea became stronger, it developed a bitter flavor. By the time he finished two cigarettes and came back for a drink, the tea had cooled down, and the light green had turned into a deep yellow. One sip left him with a mouthful of bitterness.
For the first time, he realized that drinking tea when he wasn't thirsty was acceptable; although it wasn't as refreshing, it had a unique charm. Thinking this, he drank a few more cups, but he was too lazy to change the tea leaves. As he drank, the tea gradually became weaker, until eventually it was bland and tasteless, like plain water.
Sweetness followed by bitterness, and only after bitterness do we appreciate the simple things—that's roughly the flavor of life.
He checked the time, figuring Yao Jingjing should have arrived at her hometown by now. It was so late; would anyone pick her up? Would she encounter any danger again?
He opened WeChat, carefully choosing his words, wanting to say something. However, seeing the tiny letters on his phone's keyboard, his laziness kicked in again, and a wave of languid weariness washed over him, so he tossed his phone aside.
He took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and picked up a match. Just as the match was lit, a text message came through on his phone.
Qingmu looked at the conspicuous red dot on the text message icon, threw the match into the ashtray, gently placed the cigarette on the coffee table, and then tapped the icon.
This is an unfamiliar number:
Teacher Qingmu, I'd like to talk to you.
--Ma Fuqing
Qingmu was slightly disappointed and somewhat surprised. Ma Fuqing wanted to talk to him, but what was there to talk about?
He only replied with one word, "Say."
Ma Fuqing immediately replied: There's an unfinished Bell Tower Building next to the farm dormitory on Nongken Road. I'll be waiting for you there. I'll give you a surprise.
Qingmu opened the map and looked at it. He couldn't find the Bell Tower Building on the map, but he could find the farm dormitory.
He picked up the cigarette from the coffee table again, lit it with a match, closed his eyes, and took a drag.
He wasn't in a hurry. Since Ma Fuqing had texted him at this time to ask him to meet, something must have happened. If anyone was in a hurry, it was Ma Fuqing.
Should we go?
Go ahead, maybe you can help Shi Dazhuang. After all, he was the one who started Ma Fuqing's affair. That's what he thought.
The teacup on the table was dry, the damp tea leaves lying limply at the bottom. He remembered Yao Jingjing crying on his shoulder, just as limply and helplessly. He touched his shoulder; the tear stains had long since dried, leaving nothing behind, like a dream.
Unfortunately, he was a man without dreams.
After finishing his cigarette, Qingmu slowly got up, went downstairs, and drove Shi Dazhuang's car towards Nongken Road.
The farm dormitory is easy to find, and the unfinished building next door is particularly eye-catching. The city's streetlights and neon lights are flashing, but that unfinished building and its surroundings are dark, like a black hole in a starry sky.
Qingmu climbed the stairs floor by floor and met Ma Fuqing on the rooftop.
" Teacher Qingmu, you've arrived!"
By the starlight, Qingmu saw Ma Fuqing bow slightly; he still looked like that honest, simple farmer.
"You were so sure I would come?" Qingmu asked.
"I didn't expect it either, I just waited and saw, and look, here you are!" Ma Fuqing chuckled.
What if I don't come?
"It's okay if you don't come. You and the book will come to see me eventually; it's just a matter of sooner or later."
Ma Fuqing offered him a cigarette, Qingmu refused, saying, "It's not drugs, is it?"
"How could that be?" Ma Fuqing said, "Even if I'm stupid, I wouldn't be so foolish as to let you do drugs, would I? Mu Ka has already fallen for your tricks!"
"You're quite well-informed!" Qingmu realized he might have underestimated Ma Fuqing. "So, what do you want?"
Ma Fuqing said, "The police are targeting me, it must be related to you, right? If it weren't for you, those police officers wouldn't have suspected me."
"So?" Qingmu said, "What do you want to talk to me about?"
Ma Fuqing took out a small box, placed it on the ground, opened it, and shone his phone light on it; it was full of money.
"Here is one million; it's a small token of my appreciation for Teacher Qingmu."
"Looks like you've really struck it rich, throwing around a million like that!" Qingmu sneered. "Are you trying to bribe me with that little bit of money?"
"No, no, I wouldn't dare." Ma Fuqing locked the box and put it aside. "I only have one request for Teacher Qingmu."
"Oh, what is it?" Qingmu asked.
" Teacher Qingmu is a reclusive master, why should he concern himself with such mundane matters? I don't ask Teacher Qingmu to do anything for me, and I wouldn't dare to mention the word 'bribery.' I only ask that Teacher Qingmu stop interfering in my affairs," Ma Fuqing said.
Qingmu laughed, "You know yourself that the police are watching you, so what difference does it make whether I care or not?"
Ma Fuqing said, "The police have no evidence and can't do anything to me. I've long planned to quit, but once you're in this line of work, it's not easy to leave. Now that you've taken down the whole group of ' Medicine Granny Teacher Qingmu, will grant my wish!"
He appeared extremely sincere, bowing deeply to Qingmu as if he were addressing a high-ranking official.
Qingmu was slightly surprised and said, "Originally, I didn't want to meddle in your business. Whether the police can catch you or not is their problem. But you called me here in the middle of the night, so it would be a bit unreasonable for me to ignore it!"
Ma Fuqing said, "I just want to confess my sins in front of you and beg you to give me a chance to start anew. It's a bit rushed, but I'm afraid that things might get complicated if I delay, and that misunderstandings might arise!"
"Then I'll listen to your confession. If your confession is sincere, I might consider your proposal," Qingmu said.
Ma Fuqing chuckled and moved the box on the ground forward with his foot, "This million is just a small gift. Besides this, I also have a villa in Sanya with a scenic view. It's just sitting there unused, so why not give it to Teacher Qingmu? Your girlfriend, who's a flight attendant, is so beautiful. She must be working so hard flying around all day! Why not go to the beach, enjoy the breeze, and have some quality time?"
Qingmu suddenly became wary and looked at Ma Fuqing, saying, "Are you threatening me?!"