A Tattoo That Can't Be Removed - Chapter 8

I took some annual leave, planning to go back to my hometown.

Before leaving, I had to move into a new rental. I picked a day when he wouldn’t be around and sneaked back to our old place.

I blocked everything related to him, not wanting to see him again, but as fate would have it, what you fear always finds you.

The Teddy bear, a birthday gift from my best friend, was a bit cumbersome to carry. As I reached the door, someone gave it a sudden push.

“Where are you going?” he asked, standing by the door, his eyes dark and unreadable.

“I rented a new place.”

“Is it a shared apartment?”

“Yes.”

“Utilities all set?”

“They are.”

“How’s the landlord?”

“Good.”

“How many people live there?”

“Men or women?”

“…”

“Wei Yan! Are you done?”

I shoved him and stuffed the Teddy bear into his arms. He squeezed the bear’s paw and blocked my way.

“You’re taking the bear; why not take me too?”

“Do you think this is funny, Wei Yan?”

I stared at him, and he dropped the playful act.

I rarely saw him look at someone seriously, his eyes clouded, and he simply stepped closer, cornering me at the staircase.

“Afraid of me?” he suddenly laughed.

“Yes, I’m afraid of you, okay?”

This time, I met his gaze head-on.

“Yes, I don’t know your story. Hate, you say it so well, you hate her.”

“How considerate of you, Wei Yan, to hate her so much yet take her to the hospital. And what about me?”

“Do you know when you went on that business trip to Linzhou, I had acute gastroenteritis and took a cab to the hospital myself? Because I was afraid you’d be busy with work, I didn’t dare tell you. I was really afraid you’d rush back, Wei Yan.”

“And what did I get in return? You rushed her to the hospital overnight, didn’t you? You were afraid she’d get wet in the rain, so you let her into our home, right?”

“She’s not well, and I’m just so robust, right?”

I tried to force a smile, but I couldn’t, and by the end, my voice was hoarse.

“I’m the kind of person who can get caught in the rain, catch a cold, and still be fine the next day.”

“I don’t need your concern anymore. Didn’t get to taste the cake, but next year, you can make it for her. Just change the name.”

“Hope you do better…”

“Stop it.” He suddenly shoved me against the wall.

I thought it would hurt, but he placed his hand behind my head to cushion the impact.

He probably wanted to kiss me. I desperately avoided it, and he stopped just short of my lips.

Our breaths mingled easily, yet my heart remained unmoved.

Yes, I can’t accept someone else holding a higher place in his heart. Call it petty or jealous, that’s just how it is.

He stared at me intensely, his eyes a storm of confusion and gloom.

I couldn’t pinpoint what made him angry, but his stubbornness was beyond my understanding.

“I don’t want to hear this,” he said.

His eyes lowered, and he didn’t release his grip on my wrist.

“Cancel the lease.”

His voice was hoarse, as if he was suppressing some urge, yet trying to coax me gently.

“Okay?”

“…”

“No, Wei Yan.”

After what felt like an eternity of silence, I finally found my voice.

“…”

I pushed him away, and this time he let go.

He was always a proud person. I knew that coming to ask me to stay was probably his biggest concession.

But some things, once seen, can’t be unseen. Like the tattoo on the back of his neck, even after laser removal, the traces remain.

That woman left such a deep mark on his body. I care, I can’t forget, and that’s that.