Chapter 43: A-Jie's Story

The night was as dark as ink, dotted with brilliant stars.

After bidding farewell to Ah Jie, Wen Yun'an drove back toward the hospital. Inside the car, soft music flowed, adding a touch of warmth to the quiet night. Yun Qiuya sat in the back, her eyes closed as she rested, though she occasionally stared blankly out the window. Wen Wan'er, sitting in the passenger seat, began to recount the story of how they had first met Ah Jie.

"I remember it was a sunny weekend. Qiuya and I were heading to a manga exhibition, buzzing with excitement, looking forward to seeing our favorite cosplay characters up close. Just as we reached the entrance, a figure caught our attention." Wen Wan'er paused for a moment.

"Was it Ah Jie?" Wen Yun'an anticipated what she was about to say.

"That's right, it was her. Her wine-red hair was as dazzling as a flame, and she was dressed in a Hatsune Miku cosplay, looking like a goddess who had stepped right out of a two-dimensional world. She stood at the main gate, holding a sign that made people stop and stare." Wen Wan'er described the scene in detail, her eyes shimmering with the light of memory.

Wen Yun'an was somewhat stunned. "What did the sign say?"

"It read, 'Searching for my lover; he has disappeared, but I believe love can traverse the sea of humanity.' Those words glittered in the sunlight," Wen Wan'er said with a touch of melancholy.

Hearing this, Wen Yun'an couldn't help but feel a deep interest in Ah Jie. He pictured the girl standing at the entrance of the exhibition, holding a sign to find her love, and an inexplicable emotion welled up in his heart.

"At the time, we thought Ah Jie was just a college student full of romantic ideals. Her actions were a bit bold, but that fervent, open-hearted love was truly moving," Wen Wan'er continued. "However, when we went up to ask her about it, we realized things were far from simple."

"Ah Jie told us she thought she had found true love. The man had pampered her, making her feel a happiness she had never known before. Yet, the moment news of her pregnancy broke, the man vanished into thin air without leaving a single word." There was a trace of both anger and sympathy in Wen Wan'er's voice.

Wen Yun'an couldn't help but frown. "How could that man be so cruel?"

His foot pressed against the accelerator, which seemed to sense his anger, emitting a dull roar.

"Exactly. We were shocked, and when we noticed Ah Jie's slightly rounded belly, our shock reached its peak," Wen Wan'er sighed. "That man had disappeared specifically upon learning she was pregnant; it was simply unbelievable."

"Ah Jie was nearly frantic back then—her eyes were red and swollen, and she was in a daze. We felt so heartbroken for her that we urged her to go to the hospital to terminate the pregnancy. She was hesitant at first, but after we insisted, she finally agreed." As she spoke, a hint of comfort entered Wen Wan'er's tone. "After the surgery, we helped her open this noodle shop, hoping she could build a better future with her own hands."

Upon hearing this, Wen Yun'an gave a thumbs up to the kindness and courage of Wen Wan'er and Yun Qiuya.

"Ah Jie is truly lucky to have friends like you by her side," Wen Yun'an remarked with emotion.

Wen Wan'er smiled and nodded. "Yes, we feel that meeting Ah Jie was a stroke of fate. Seeing her get better day by day—watching her long hair cut short and her smile grow brighter—makes us genuinely happy for her."

"That’s my sister for you!" Wen Yun'an said with a touch of pride, his eyes glancing repeatedly at Yun Qiuya in the rearview mirror.

Yun Qiuya had remained a silent listener throughout, not speaking a single word. Silence fell over the car once more, though a strange atmosphere lingered in the air.