Decayed Vulgarian chapter 61

Let me go (bg line)

Time swayed by, and in the blink of an eye, it was January, the coldest period of the year.

On January 1st, New Year’s Day, very fortunately, Shen Xun finally got some time off.

So, Meng Yuan Ning and Meng Yuan Cen agreed and called Liang Yan to plan a trip to the neighboring province of Qichuan with the four of them.

In history, Qichuan Province had been the capital of several dynasties, leaving behind a splendid ancient architecture for future generations.

Meng Yuan Cen remembered that Shen Xun had previously mentioned his fondness for places rich in historical significance. Considering Qichuan was a neighboring province and not too far, traveling by high-speed rail was quite convenient.

He asked Shen Xun for his opinion, and Shen Xun readily agreed.

However, on the day of departure, just as the four arrived at Huafeng South Station and the high-speed train was about to depart, Shen’s mother suddenly called, complaining of severe stomach pain. Shen Xun, worried, decided to rush back to his hometown immediately.

Before leaving, Meng Yuan Cen asked Shen Xun if he wanted company.

The answer was negative. Shen Xun asked Meng Yuan Cen, Meng Yuan Ning, and Liang Yan to enjoy themselves, maybe take some videos to show him around the places they’d visit. From his perspective, it would be as if he himself had gone there.

Shen Xun’s words were firm, convincing Meng Yuan Cen. After considering the situation, he realized it wasn’t appropriate to accompany him, especially considering Shen Xun had not yet come out to his parents.

Without Shen Xun’s company, the trip was significantly less enjoyable. Meng Yuan Cen felt like a glaring third wheel between Meng Yuan Ning and Liang Yan.

His sister and Liang Yan frequently discussed algorithms, big data, and artificial intelligence, all of which fell into Meng Yuan Cen’s knowledge blind spots, leaving him unable to join the conversation.

He simply focused solely on admiring the ancient buildings.

After the three admired the splendid palaces, they moved on to the Qichuan River, where numerous vendors were hawking goods such as decorative lanterns and offering boat rides.

Liang Yan suggested, “Should we take a boat ride?”

Meng Yuan Cen never thought about it and shook his head in refusal.

Meng Yuan Ning also silently declined.

Liang Yan found it odd and pointed at the wooden boat in the river, “Didn’t you say you wanted to experience this before?”

Meng Yuan Ning forced a smile, “I’m not feeling well.”

Meng Yuan Cen suddenly asked seriously, “Why are you feeling unwell?”

Meng Yuan Ning replied, “I have a stomach ache.”

Meng Yuan Cen probed, “Did you eat something bad last night?”

Meng Yuan Ning immediately denied, “No, it’s a regular stomach ache.”

Meng Yuan Cen was momentarily puzzled.

Liang Yan, however, understood but didn’t reveal it. “I see,” he said, then turned to Meng Yuan Ning. “Do you still want to continue the trip?”

“I better go back. The pain is unbearable,” Meng Yuan Ning grimaced and shook her head. “Oh, what a pity. My stomach decided to act up just as I was having fun—ugh!”

Liang Yan said, “I’ll take her back to the hotel first.”

Meng Yuan Cen nodded. “Okay.”

He finally understood Meng Yuan Ning’s implications and realized that accompanying them at this time would likely intrude on their private time.

He watched as Meng Yuan Ning and Liang Yan got into a taxi and drove off. He then wandered nearby, planning to take some good photos to share with Shen Xun.

On the other side, Meng Yuan Ning leaned back in the taxi, closing her eyes, not in the mood to talk.

She heard Liang Yan asking, “Is it very uncomfortable for you?”

She nodded without uttering a word, perhaps the recent exposure to cold had intensified her pain. She turned away from Liang Yan and whispered, “Wake me up when we reach the hotel; I want to rest.”

Normally, Liang Yan might have made a teasing remark, like “you’ll sleep for only about fifteen minutes on this short trip,” but today, he stayed silent, closing both sides of the car window to keep out the cold wind.

Upon arrival, Liang Yan patted Meng Yuan Ning’s shoulder. She groggily opened her eyes, as if she had genuinely slept for a while during this short fifteen-minute journey.

The hotel, booked online by Liang Yan before their departure, had one double room for Meng Yuan Cen and Shen Xun, and two single rooms for Liang Yan and Meng Yuan Ning.

Supporting Meng Yuan Ning, Liang Yan helped her to the second floor and handed her the key to open the door.

Meng Yuan Ning sat on the edge of the bed and let out a long sigh. The journey had sobered her up, but the pain hadn’t decreased in the slightest.

Liang Yan glanced at her. “There’s a convenience store right across from the hotel. Do you need me to get you some brown sugar?”

Meng Yuan Ning bent over slightly, nodding. “Thank you, but try not to get the ginger-flavored one; I dislike that taste. I’ll transfer you the money when you come back.”

“No need,” Liang Yan pondered and asked, “Is there anything else you need?”

Meng Yuan Ning was in no mood to think and shook her head. “Nothing.”

Liang Yan inquired again, “What would you like for lunch? Shall I get it for you?”

“I don’t feel like eating anything. I think I’ll just sleep for a while.”

“Okay, then I’ll go. Call me if you need anything.”

He opened and closed the door, leaving Meng Yuan Ning leaning on the bed. There was still some hot water left in her thermos, which helped warm her stomach, but it did little to alleviate the pain. She rummaged through her backpack but couldn’t find any painkillers. She must have forgotten to bring them along. Oh well.

Then Meng Yuan Ning realized she hadn’t even brought any sanitary pads. What was she thinking at that time? Oh right—if she really needed them, she could just buy from the store. Every little reduction in luggage weight counted.

She took out her phone, intending to call Liang Yan directly. However, she knew some guys minded this. Even giving it to their girlfriends was an issue—like her ex-boyfriend. So, Meng Yuan Ning hesitated and ultimately didn’t dial Liang Yan’s number.

She had been delaying, and Liang Yan would probably return soon. Well, she thought she would wait until the pain eased a bit and then go down to buy it herself. But the problem was… she seemed to need it immediately.

Meng Yuan Ning sighed again. A message from Liang Yan appeared on her phone screen: “Are you asleep now?”

She replied: “No.”

The door was then knocked, and Liang Yan sent her another message: “Open the door for me.”

Meng Yuan Ning just opened the door to see Liang Yan holding two plastic bags— one transparent and the other black. The transparent bag contained several packets of instant brown sugar.

After taking out a packet of brown sugar, Liang Yan pushed both bags into her hands. “Do you need it now? Shall I make you some brown sugar water?”

Meng Yuan Ning smiled, thanking him while looking into the black bag—

There were indeed sanitary pads inside. She was momentarily stunned, blinked a few times, suppressed a smile, and couldn’t help but ask, “How did you remember to buy these?”

Liang Yan adjusted the water temperature. “I saw them on the shelf while passing by. I thought you might need them. It’s not a waste to buy, and if not used this time, it can be used next time. I know sometimes girls stock up at home.”

Meng Yuan Ning glanced down, silent for quite a while before jesting, “You understand quite well.”

Liang Yan chuckled but didn’t respond, stirring the glass with a spoon for a moment and then handed it to Meng Yuan Ning. “It might still be hot.”

Steam rose, enveloping Meng Yuan Ning. She mimicked Liang Yan, stirring the glass with the metal spoon. The touch produced a ‘ding’ sound, causing a tremor from her fingertips to her chest, resonating around her heart.

After the mist dissipated, she saw Liang Yan’s face clearly again.

“Liang Yan…”

“Yeah?”

Meng Yuan Ning pursed her lips, seemingly determined to say something—

Suddenly, the phone rang, disrupting the delicate atmosphere she had been building.

Liang Yan picked up the phone and saw a string of numbers on the screen, indicating that the caller was not in his contacts list. But these numbers, he knew by heart.

Liang Yan’s expression changed abruptly. His voice became serious. He glanced at Meng Yuan Ning and said, “I need to take this call.”

He left the hotel room alone and closed the door behind him.

In a secluded corner at the end of the corridor, Liang Yan let the phone ring for about fifteen seconds before answering, “What’s the matter?”

“Ayan…”

Liang Yan rubbed his forehead and remained silent for a few seconds. He then sneered abruptly, “Miss Fang, are we close? Why do you call me that way?”

The other end was silent for a few seconds, then changed her tone, slightly teary and uncertain, “Liang Yan, my parents forced me to break up with you at that time, but I really didn’t want to. After we broke up, I’ve always thought about you. I can’t forget you. I can’t bear it. Today, I saw those letters you wrote to me…”

“Stop. That’s all in the past.” Liang Yan tightened his lips. “Just as you said when we broke up initially, there’s no need to dwell on the past.”

“Liang Yan… Are you still blaming me? Blaming me for being so heartless to break up with you back then?”

“I’m not dating that guy. The announcement on my WeChat was a lie to fool my parents. I have no relationship with that man. If I were to pursue you again, would you be willing to give me another chance?”

Liang Yan closed his eyes, his hand on his forehead, veins pulsating. He took a deep breath. “Why do you think that a game of reconciliation, after being dumped, I’d play it a second time with you?”

The woman cried, “It was my parents who didn’t agree with us being together… I really love you.”

“Your parents were right. We’re not meant for each other. You can continue being the heiress, surrounded by wealthy suitors. You’ll meet someone better…”

Liang Yan sounded tired, “Fang Yun, let me go.”

With that, he hung up the phone.

Distracted and empty, Liang Yan stood quietly for a long while, then looked at the time on his phone. It wasn’t early anymore. He dropped the phone into his pocket, turned around, and coincidentally met a familiar pair of eyes—

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—” Meng Yuan Ning hastily explained, her gaze slightly evasive. She opened her palm, revealing a silver ring. “I found this in the room, it seemed to have fallen out of your bag. I wanted to return it to you…”

Liang Yan silently took the ring from Meng Yuan Ning’s hand and pocketed it. “Thank you.”

He lowered his gaze, fiddling with the metal ring in his opaque pocket. The inside of the ring had an engraving, if he remembered correctly, it read “FY.” Within his peripheral vision, the short-haired girl remained motionless in place. He couldn’t resist asking, “How much did you hear just now?”

Meng Yuan Ning lowered her head. She parted her lips but didn’t say a word.

In fact, she had just told a very crude lie. Although initially, she genuinely wanted to return the ring, when she went to find Liang Yan, she happened to overhear him saying, “When you broke up with me.”

At that moment, she felt an invisible force rooting her feet to the ground, making it hard for her to move, until she finished listening to the whole conversation. She knew it wasn’t right to eavesdrop like this, but she couldn’t resist delving into Liang Yan’s past by such devious means.

“Forget it,” Liang Yan sighed and stopped probing, “You’re not feeling well, go back and rest.”