Smile Code (Lost Laughter) 失笑 - Zhu Le 祖乐

23

Gift, Please Accept.

The entire performance of ounce ended, and with sharp words, Gu Yi let out a sigh of relief. Liang Daiwen wasn't there-this was the first time she had looked forward to Liang Daiwen not being at the performance. Recently, Liang Daiwen had brought her a lot of emotional turmoil, which had sparked constant inspiration, and her spirit had been on edge. When she first met Liang Daiwen, Gu Yi thought he was a freak. When she saw silkworms in his house, she thought he was a pervert. When he secretly took care of her, she thought he was a robot sent by the heavens to protect her. After knowing he was sick, he became a patient...

Had she never considered Liang Daiwen a human?

But once she truly saw him as a person, especially-as a man, Gu Yi couldn't stay in this house for even a minute. Though she had once felt fluttery, most of the time, she was able to treat Liang Daiwen like air. She could talk to him closely and even confide in him as a friend. When he appeared in front of the sofa, she thought he was her soulmate. But now, she started to doubt her understanding. The so-called "men's ways" that she couldn't make sense of before suddenly became clear. Even if Liang Daiwen didn't show his emotions, it didn't mean he didn't have them. He had the competition and desires typical of men, just like a blind person whose hearing becomes abnormally sensitive. Liang Daiwen's excellence seemed like a complement to her mind and body.

She didn't know which nerve was triggered, but this change surprised her.

What was the second step of treatment she was supposed to do for Liang Daiwen again?

Fortunately, she went home for the New Year. At home, it was all about eating and sleeping, completely an idyllic retreat, but Gu Yi's mind was in turmoil. She couldn't even sleep in her own bed. Only the sofa in Liang Daiwen's house could bring her peaceful sleep. The other three people in their group were being vague, constantly sharing holiday updates. Guan Xingxin locked herself in her room at home, posting New Year's blessings in the group before the live broadcast. Yu Dule posted a selfie from the day, showing a large bouquet of flowers he bought at a flower market, his face hidden, and his shadow resembling a crooked old tree. Lu Ming went skiing again, and despite not having the right to visit his daughter during the New Year, he went to work as a personal trainer and skied alone in the cold. Gu Yi and Liang Daiwen didn't speak to each other, nor did they appear in the group, completely disappearing.

Gu Yi held her phone, lighting firecrackers and throwing firecrackers on the ground. She gripped a bunch of sparklers in her hand like skewered meat. She resolutely didn't share any updates. Isn't it all about the sense of mystery? She had that too. The ear-piercing explosions from the firecrackers made her fingers blackened from handling them. There was no response from Liang Daiwen in the group. After sending a "Happy New Year" message to Liang Daiwen, she lit the sparklers one by one and chatted with Yu Dule, discussing the past stand-up comedians of ounce. When the last sparkler burned out, Liang Daiwen's message finally appeared: "Happy New Year."

She shamelessly replied immediately: "Where are you?"

"Shanghai."

"Didn't go home?"

"Mm."

The conversation died again. Gu Yi felt a dull ache in her chest, so she lit more firecrackers to usher in the God of Wealth for the fifth day of the new year. The explosions continued for a while, and she sent a distress message to Guan Xingxin: "Are you chatting with Yu Dule recently?"

"Of course, I chat with him and Uncle Lu every day. You and Liang Daiwen haven't been talking, have you?"

"Yeah... If he doesn't reach out, I won't either. I realized he's a man and he's playing me, so I don't know how to talk anymore. Anyway, if he doesn't reach out, I'll just move out. It's like he's lost a psychologist and soulmate."