Sister Li's Misunderstanding

Hearing a knock at the door, I asked in a panic, "Who is it?" A familiar voice replied, "Ah-Feng, it's me. Open the door."

Hearing this, I leaped up and cried out in joyful surprise, "Feng'er, it's you!"

I forgot that Sister Ye was still lying on the bed and rushed out excitedly to open the door. I saw Sister Li standing there, looking delicate and pale with fatigue. Her beautiful eyes held a hazy, dreamy gaze as she looked at me—a gaze resembling the eager, joyful anticipation of a wife reuniting with her husband after a brief separation.

Overwhelmed, I lost all control. Disregarding everything, I wrapped my arms around her waist and began kissing her frantically right at the threshold.

Li Feng'er tried to struggle, but she was holding bags in both hands and couldn't drop them to the ground, leaving her with no choice but to passively yield to me.

Her face flushed with a shy blush, and she finally managed to utter a slightly reproachful complaint, "What are you going crazy for? I'm not going to run away. Take these things from my hands quickly. What kind of propriety is this if the villagers see you acting like this?"

I quickly relieved her of the items. As I led her inside, my heart tightened. It was only then that I remembered Sister Ye was still lying on the bed, and I wondered how I was going to explain this to Sister Li.

Fortunately, when Sister Li first stepped in, her attention wasn't on the bed. Because the bed was covered by a quilt, she hadn't noticed anyone lying there. Instead, she was drawn by the aroma of the dishes I had just cooked. Seeing the prepared meal, she asked in astonishment, "You've cooked so many dishes. Did you know I was coming?"

My face turned red, and I stood there awkwardly, not knowing how to explain. Suddenly, Sister Li seemed to notice something; her expression changed, and she said, "So you already have a new love. It seems I was just flattering myself." With that, she turned around and started to leave...

By then, she had caught sight of the women's clothing, women's underwear, and bras scattered inside the house.

I quickly grabbed her arm and pleaded, "Feng'er, you've misunderstood. Let me explain..."

Sister Li pushed my arm away and said, "There's no need. We've already broken up anyway. What you choose to do is your own business. I won't interfere, and I don't want to care anymore..."

I smiled bitterly and said, "Feng'er, there really is nothing between us... Please don't misunderstand..."

Sister Li replied, "You don't need to explain, and I can't be bothered to listen. Today I came to pay my respects to my mother. If you're willing, come with me to the gravesite."

Hearing this, I had no choice but to gather the items needed for the graveside ritual and accompany her to Granny Li's tomb.

We silently arranged the fruit, pastries, and other sacrificial offerings, then lit the incense and candles. Sister Li and I knelt side by side to kowtow. After three kowtows, we stood up in silence. In the flickering, burning candlelight, I saw that her eyes were blurred with tears...

Unable to hold back, I pulled her into my arms, wrapping them around her shoulders as I said, "Feng'er, I'm sorry. I failed you and didn't take good care of you..."

Sister Li didn't push my arms away. Wearily, she said, "Feng, I truly don't mean to blame you. You are much younger than me, and you have better choices ahead... I am already a withered flower of the past... Stop tormenting yourself with guilt. Walk your own path and stop tangling yourself up in my affairs. I will never blame you..."

With those words, Sister Li prepared to leave. I grasped her hand and pleaded, "Feng'er, stay for dinner, and I'll explain everything to you..."

Sister Li pushed my arm away again and said, "No need. Once I've paid my respects at my mother's grave, I'll be heading back. I wish you the best in finding a better partner..."

By this time, the sky had grown dim. Steeling her heart, Sister Li walked toward her car, and I hurried to catch up...

As Sister Li started the engine, watching her drive away made my heart ache and my eyes sting. With today's misunderstanding, any remaining fate or connection between us was thoroughly severed.

She had come today solely to visit her mother's grave, and I happened to be there as well. Had it not been for Sister Ye, we might have mended our broken relationship.

For when I first began kissing her, she hadn't refused; it was only later, upon discovering another woman inside the house, that her heart truly hardened against me in utter despair.

Heartbroken and desolate, I walked back. Guying trotted cheerfully behind me, occasionally bounding playfully onto the back of my foot and gently biting my trouser leg.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside to find Sister Ye sitting up. Seeing me, she offered a slightly apologetic smile and said, "I'm sorry. I caused your girlfriend to misunderstand."

I gave a bitter smile and replied, "She was my wife. Too bad all of that is in the past now."

Sister Ye sighed softly, "Ah! It's all my fault, I've dragged you down! I never imagined your wife would have such a refined temperament, able to break up with you so calmly. It seems she was willing to forgive and tolerate many of your mistakes, but this misunderstanding was simply too vast for her to accept."

I nodded and smiled bitterly, "Perhaps it was all predestined by fate?"

Sister Ye said, "Ah-Feng, it is truly a great pity to lose such a wonderful wife. I hope you'll find an opportunity in the future to explain everything clearly and clear the air between you."

I smiled wryly, "I can only hope so." Noticing that the dishes had gone cold, I set about reheating them. Then I asked, "Sister Ye, are you well enough to get up and eat?"

Sister Ye replied, "The wound still hurts a bit, but I should manage."

I helped her adjust her clothes, and we sat down to eat together. We had barely finished half our meal when I heard a rapid knocking at the door. Fatty shouted from outside, "Ah-Feng, open up! Let's have a couple of drinks together."

Startled, Sister Ye lowered her voice and asked, "Your friend?" I reassured her, "It's just a friend from the village. It's fine."

Though I comforted her, my heart was pounding wildly. If Fatty saw a woman in my house, the fellow would undoubtedly start making a ruckus.

So I shouted back, "What's all the shouting for? I don't have any wine or food here. Why don't you go eat at your place?"

Aggrieved, Fatty protested, "My dad and the others managed to get some dog meat from somewhere, and it's cooked to perfection. I'm kindly inviting you to join, why are you getting so angry?"

Hearing this, I quickly answered, "Alright, Fatty, you really are my good brother! Go on ahead; I'll just settle Guying and be right over."

Fatty complained, "Hurry up then. If you're late and they eat it all, don't blame me! Damn it, acting all mysterious—did you hide a woman in your house or something?" Grumbling and cursing, Fatty walked away...

I left Guying in the room under Sister Ye's care, locked the door, and hurried after him, calling out, "Fatty, wait for me!"