When the Phone Rings

Part 12

'Someone has come to visit you. 'When Hee Joo showed the text on the phone screen to the nurse, the nurse showed a bright smile."Xizhu, long time no see."Xizhu responded with a smile, walking down the still unfamiliar corridor.Through the glass wall, you can have an unobstructed view of the green garden.This is a top quality nursing home.Xizhu stopped at the door of a familiar room and straightened her clothes.Opening the door, she saw an elderly man sitting on the balcony.The old man was in a daze, staring blankly at somewhere in the garden.Xizhu approached him and helped him cover the fallen blanket.

"...Dad, I'm coming."She spoke naturally, her voice weak and mysterious."How have you been during this time? How was your meal?""...."Despite her gentle voice, her father's eyes were still blurry.The only time Xizhu can speak is when she meets her biological father.But that also doesn't allow for conversation. My father has long been trapped in the water tank from which he cannot escape."Dad, is it comfortable here?""...."

"Can you say something? Dad..."Hee-joo's biological father was a comic host in a seedy club.He is the one who can make his daughter laugh with tomatoes. Xizhu likes this kind of father very much.Although they live in the club's basement, they are never alone together.Until my mother caught President Hong's attention.At that time, my father had a lung problem. Difficulty breathing, tongue gradually drying out, breathing withSour smell.The mother refused to speak to the father in disgust.Xizhu witnessed the process of a man being gradually forgotten.

The mother became someone else's mistress, and the father remained silent.The man who once made people laugh with just a microphone gradually dissipated into a bubble.Even when the mother left, the whites of his eyes were bloodshot and he didn't say anything."Why didn't you say a word at that time? You've been relying on your mouth all your life, why didn't you try your best to scold?What did she say? Even if it was a curse. "Xizhu gently stroked the back of her father's thin hand."But, dad...I just want to live like this now.""...."

"I wanted to do this, I'm sorry."The wrinkled old man was still looking out the window, as if waiting for something."...Might have to change to a nursing home."The father who gave up everything.Even so, he was able to be so luxurious in his later years only because of his mother's money.Because Xizhu once asked her mother to solve the placement problem of her father on the condition of replacing her stepsister.'If you get divorced, the support ends. '

For her father, Xizhu persisted for a long time, but her patience had long been exhausted.At that moment, the father, who was looking into the void, opened his mouth slightly."Yanxi ah...Yanxi ah...""...!"Xizhu's face instantly twisted.'It happens again, every time...!'She has never been able to escape the role of middleman.The father sees the mother through Hee Joo, while the mother uses Hee Joo as a shield.After her sister was injured, she tried to communicate with the world again through Xizhu. After becoming a sign language interpreter, sheAlways conveying what others are saying.People always see others through her.

"Yes, Dad, because this is what I do best..."Xizhu's eyes suddenly became determined.A second call came that evening.10pm.Toot—toot—The phone rang at exactly the same time as yesterday.The timer set at 9 minutes started counting down without exception. Heizhu took a deep breath and gesturedSeems very calm.'There must be no panic today. '    

But that won't happen anymore.Hee Joo quickly turned serious.When the silent ringing suddenly stopped, her voice rushed out like a runner."Has it been decided?""...Why do you have to be so punctual?""Is it just my mood? You can't call me anyway.""...""You don't even know my real number.""...""Okay, answer the phone obediently."Is this true? I was actually teasing my husband...!