Chapter 5: Inexcusable or Understandable

She dressed impeccably for the appointment, with a sophisticated three-dimensional makeup, a diamond necklace, casually cascading curly hair, a black off-the-shoulder gown, a fur shawl, new high-heeled shoes, and a matching handbag. With such an ensemble, taking a taxi was out of the question, so Zhang naturally took on the role of her escort.

When Wei Jianping and Yuan Lan looked at her with unfamiliar and astonished eyes, she realized that she had worn the wrong outfit; a white shirt and jeans were already sufficient. Perhaps throughout her life, she has always made such mistakes, with her clothing never matching the occasion. In fact, what surprised everyone, besides her arrival, was the presence of Zhang Shuo by her side. Years ago, when she left Zhang Shuo to be with a wealthy man, everyone was indignant, condemning her as heartless and ungrateful. But how could Zhang Shuo... To outsiders, the relationship between the two was indeed like seeing flowers in the fog or the moon in the water, a series of dramatic changes that left everyone in silence. Years ago, when she left Zhang Shuo to be with a wealthy man, everyone was indignant, condemning her as heartless and ungrateful. But how could Zhang Shuo... To outsiders, the relationship between the two was indeed like seeing flowers in the fog or the moon in the water, a series of dramatic changes that left everyone in silence.

Her defense only made matters worse. Yuan Lan looked at her coldly and said, "Well said, well said! Is it also beyond one's control to be so vain, indulgent, promiscuous, and ungrateful?"

Those who come are not kind, and those who are kind do not come. She lost all her courage and almost fled in panic

As everyone began to sing, she sat quietly in the corner, listening intently, yet not forgetting to applaud at the appropriate moments. Regardless, since she was there, she could not shy away. Someone started to urge Zhang to perform a rap, but Zhang hesitated, claiming he was tone-deaf. The crowd would not let him off easily and voiced their opposition in unison. Left with no choice, he took the microphone and sang a song titled "The Sea" by Zhang Yusheng. His performance was mediocre, standard, unremarkable, yet he did not go off-key.

Graceful and radiant may not be the best adjectives, she knew, yet she still extended her hand and shook it warmly with Yuan Lan, noticing that her fingertips were as cold as her own. "You too, your appearance remains unchanged, your charm still intact, Yuan Lan." The smile on her face was flawless.

Wei Jianping saw him about to leave and shouted: "People say that brothers are like hands and feet, and women are like clothes!" Zhang said, "Is this how you treat your buddies?" This is truly lacking in loyalty

Zhong Bi was afraid that the situation would escalate, and that she would have even less standing in everyone's eyes, so she hurriedly said, "It's nothing, it's nothing, just a momentary slip." Due to her restraint, her voice was hoarse and her nasal tone was heavy. She stood up, turned her back, and said, "I'm leaving, you all continue." She was on the verge of collapse; if she stayed for another second, she didn't know if she could endure it any longer. Was she really so despicable, offering herself up to be humiliated? She stood up, turned her back, and said, "I'm leaving, you all continue." She was on the verge of collapse; if she stayed for another second, she didn't know if she could endure it any longer. Was she really so despicable, offering herself up to be humiliated?

No woman can bear such accusations. Zhong Bi's expression changed dramatically as she coldly said: "This matter is not for you to comment on"

Wei Jianping smiled at him, revealing two large, snow-white front teeth, "Your bed is comfortable"

She told Zuo Xue that she was going to a class reunion. Zuo Xue was sitting cross-legged in front of the floor-to-ceiling window reading comics and casually asked, "Are you taking me along?" She hesitated, "What do you mean?" Zuo Xue shrugged, "I haven't finished my comics yet." She sighed in relief, "Alright then, I'm leaving. Have the waiter bring up dinner." Zuo Xue called out to her, frowning, "I don't eat hotel food; I want to have snow skin mooncakes and durian pastries." These two are famous Cantonese snacks. This collaboration with Zhong Bi is very good, "Alright, I'll bring them for you. What else do you want?"

Zhang pushed him towards the guest room, saying, "You are drunk," with a look of disgust

When Wei Jianping went to find Zhang, he was sitting under the lamp reading the "Marriage Law," focusing on the chapter on "Divorce." The text was filled with numerous regulations and a plethora of technical terms, making it quite convoluted, as if every sentence carried an implied meaning. He understood it only partially, feeling somewhat confused. Rubbing his sore eyes, he ultimately decided to consult a lawyer the next day. Although Hong Kong operates under a different legal system, he still wanted to gain some preliminary understanding, to be prepared for any eventuality.

Some people need to be taught a lesson

Wei Jianping did not expect the situation to escalate to such a degree; he merely intended to embarrass Zhong Bi. Now, if things go awry, it is likely that he and his long-time classmate will become enemies. He quickly pulled the agitated Yuan Lan aside and said in a conciliatory tone, "You are drunk; let me accompany you outside for some fresh air"

Wei Jianping had drunk too much and felt a dryness and itchiness in his throat. He nodded slightly and did not argue further. Zhang suggested turning on the television to watch the news. The female anchor of Phoenix TV reported in Mandarin with a southern accent: "The chairman of 'Meicheng Electric', Zuo Si, held a press conference yesterday, announcing an increase in investment funds in Hong Kong..." The scene then shifted to Zuo Si, who stood confidently in front of the media, speaking eloquently into the camera.

There is traffic congestion on the road again. She is very anxious, constantly asking, "Is it time yet, is it time yet?" Zhang, on the other hand, remains quite calm, saying, "Traffic jams in Beijing are a common occurrence; since we are all old classmates, what harm is there in waiting a bit?" Zhong thinks to herself that precisely because they are old classmates, it is even more unacceptable to make them wait

Yuan Lan had never been scolded like this before, and her face instantly flushed with anger as she said, "What have I done wrong? Even she herself said she deserves it."

She had endured many unspeakable hardships, but she had never faced such humiliation in front of others. Tears could be suppressed, but she could not control her body, which trembled involuntarily; her nails dug into her flesh as she exerted all her strength to force herself to remain calm. She tried her best to appear nonchalant as she opened her handbag, turning her back to the crowd, taking out a tissue to wipe her face, her fingers trembling uncontrollably, almost unable to lift her hands. Even if she were to die, she could not die here and lose face; she had to endure, no matter what!

However, Yuan Lan did not appreciate her feelings and replied, "I did it." She dared to act and was not afraid to admit it

Arriving half an hour late. As Zhong Bi made her entrance, she drew the attention of everyone in the hall, with many even taking out their phones to sneak a photo. A waiter quietly asked, "Could it be a big star?" The other person shook their head, "I don't know, maybe it's a newcomer." Having lived in Hong Kong for many years, Zhong Bi regarded her attire as a matter of social etiquette, but others did not share the same view

Zhang squinted his eyes and interrupted him sharply, "You are drunk!" Without allowing for any rebuttal, he roughly threw him onto the bed.

She has a feeling of being abandoned, as everyone consciously or unconsciously excludes her. It was not like this before; in the past, during every event of the "Society for the Study of Social Issues Related to Suicide," she was the darling of everyone

Zhang ignored his nonsensical ramblings, "What to drink? Lemon juice?"

With a snap, he threw down the remote control, and the television screen went completely dark. The crystal chandelier cast a colorful glow on the polished marble floor. The sound from the television was abruptly cut off, leaving the room exceptionally quiet.

She must confront the past with courage and fearlessness

Wei Jianping shouted: "I am not drunk, I am fully awake. That woman, Zhong Bi, is not worth your efforts... She has given her conscience to the dogs, and now that she sees you successful and famous, she is starting to have ulterior motives..."

If the sea could summon back the love of the past, then let me wait a lifetime; if the deep feelings of yesteryear no longer hold your affection, then let them drift away with the wind... Zhang is meticulous in everything he does, even in singing, which is his least skilled area, he still invests himself wholeheartedly. Yuan Lan approached with a wine glass, sizing her up from top to bottom, and extended his hand, "Zhong Bi, it's a pleasure to meet you. After many years, you still possess such grace and radiance."

Yuan Lan said disdainfully, "Truly shameless." She tilted her wrist and poured the wine in her hand over her head

"No one needs a lesson, and you are not God, possessing the power to judge all beings." He held the nearly fainting Zhong Bi, surveying the room, and spoke word by word, "In the past, I, like everyone else, thought she was unforgivable. However, as the truth of the matter gradually surfaced, the complexities involved cannot simply be judged as right or wrong." For some reason, his voice sounded somewhat desolate. Sometimes, putting oneself in another's shoes and thinking from their perspective makes it easier to untangle the knots of suffering; this is a truth he only came to understand many years later.

Zhang's gaze turned cold as he fixed his eyes on her, approaching step by step, "Why?"

So the next day he made a phone call, with ill intentions, saying, "Zhong Bi, it's rare for you to return to Beijing, how about meeting up with a few old classmates from the 'Society for the Study of Suicide and Social Issues'?"

Zhong Bi had completely not anticipated that she would do this, and for a moment, she was stunned, forgetting even to evade. Before long, her hair was completely soaked, and the wine dripped steadily onto her face, shoulders, and body, then onto the ground, feeling as if blood was gushing from some part of her body, causing her limbs to spasm in discomfort. She looked up and glanced around, her eyes lacking focus for quite some time. Seeing the many eyes around her watching, seemingly reveling in her misfortune, her face instantly turned pale, and she secretly clutched the hem of her clothes. Before long, her hair was completely soaked, and the wine dripped steadily onto her face, shoulders, and body, then onto the ground, feeling as if blood was gushing from some part of her body, causing her limbs to spasm in discomfort. She looked up and glanced around, her eyes lacking focus for quite some time. Seeing the many eyes around her watching, seemingly reveling in her misfortune, her face instantly turned pale, and she secretly clutched the hem of her clothes. Zhong Bi, Zhong Bi, endure it, endure it, this is nothing... The pupils, like black chess pieces, reflected a multitude of emotions from deep within her heart: embarrassment, awkwardness, humiliation, sadness, pain, and a sense of helplessness.

Zhong Bi still maintained a smile, though the smile appeared somewhat stiff, "Oh, why do you say that?"

Is this not what is meant by "Heaven's sins can be forgiven; self-inflicted sins cannot be lived with"? A sudden pain struck her heart; one must eventually pay the price for their wrongdoings. She looked around in confusion at the laughing and noisy friends she once knew so well, but this joy of reunion after a long separation had nothing to do with her. She was a stranger.

Wei Jianping expressed his anger towards his callous heart, venting all his resentment onto Zhong Bi. The beautiful woman was a source of disaster, not only taking away his brother with whom he used to share meals and beds, but also tormenting Zhang to the point of suffering endlessly, leaving him in despair.

He threw down a book as thick as a brick and got up to open the door. Wei Jianping stumbled in, reeking of alcohol, and when he spoke, his tongue was tied. "Zhang said, buddy... um... let me give you a piece of advice, a rabbit... doesn’t eat the grass by its burrow, a good horse doesn’t eat... the grass it has turned back on, there are plenty of fragrant grasses everywhere in the world, why hang yourself on one tree!" He has indeed been stimulated these past two days, first with Zhang's shocking performance in "Heaven and Earth" where he said, "It’s not the wind moving, it’s not the banner moving, it’s my heart that is moving," followed by the return of the calamity of a thousand years, the demon Zhong Bi.

Zhong Bi felt somewhat timid, but still nodded in agreement, truly unable to refuse graciously

Zhong Bi finally broke down in tears, unable to lift her head as she leaned against Zhang Shuo's chest, completely collapsing. She sobbed, "No, I was wrong. I am vain, treacherous, weak, and lacking in resolve. Today, I deserve this cup of wine." She felt remorse towards Zhang Shuo, but not towards others.

Wei Jianping sat down heavily on the sofa and scoffed, "Am I a three-year-old child? Only women drink lemon juice." Lemon juice was the favorite beverage of Zhong Bi. Zhang, remaining composed, replied, "Then mineral water it is."

Zhang said he had a headache. Turning to look at him, I asked, "What do you want?"

Some people are born with everything, while others must endure unimaginable hardships just to secure their daily meals.

Zhang imagined the scene of two big men squeezed together, and he felt goosebumps all over his body. He firmly refused, saying, "No way, either you sleep here, or you leave"

Yuan Lan is from Northeast China, tall, with a small frame, peach blossom eyes, a slightly plump figure, and a straightforward personality. Yuan Lan was unwilling to indulge her and coldly remarked: "I thought you were hiding in Hong Kong and wouldn't come back."

The people around, witnessing this change, widened their eyes in astonishment, yet no one stepped forward to intervene, including the mild-mannered Wei Jianping. However, someone let out a sigh, "Alas—" Seeing Zhong Bin endure silently with tears held back, it was not that they lacked sympathy, but rather that they did not know how to express it.

The reason she is anxious is simply due to feelings of guilt, insecurity, fear, and panic. How will everyone view her regarding the events of that year

She greeted everyone but said no more, fearing that the more she spoke, the more mistakes she would make and become annoying. Everyone was joking around indiscriminately, even making colorful adult jokes to tease one another, pushing and shoving, their actions intimate. However, everyone was very polite to her, not in a courteous manner, but with a sense of exclusion and detachment. Occasionally, someone would ask her if she wanted a drink, and she would shake her head, so they would not ask a second time.

Upon witnessing this scene, everyone felt a twinge of compassion, even Wei Jianping, the instigator, felt that he had gone too far. He stood up for his friend, but did he make a mistake in doing so

Yuan Lanlu displayed a look of disdain, "Do you dare to come back? Truly commendable courage—" She lightly clapped her hands, her face filled with mockery. Zhong Bi initially did not wish to explain, but ultimately spoke up, her voice light and airy, "Some matters are like a fish drinking water; the taste of it, whether warm or cold, is known only to oneself. Until one faces the situation, no one has the right to speak." As she said this, her body was somewhat stiff.

Zhang cast him a cold glance and said, "I do not have a penchant for断袖之癖."

Wei Jianping supported his forehead and said, "I don't understand, what is it with such a woman... abandoning you to go with someone else... getting married and having children, what are you still holding on to? With your... wealth and looks, are you still worried that no one would want you?" He was quite drunk, his tongue was slurred, and the words he spoke were indistinct, sounding like ramblings.

It is unknown who softly uttered the words: "We are not the embodiment of morality." One should not hastily judge others' sins. Who is right and who is wrong can yield entirely opposite answers when positions are reversed

Wei Jianping grumbled as he got up, "Tonight I want to sleep with you"

Zhang claimed that he was not immune to her beauty, yet he was still able to maintain his focus while driving, not taking advantage of the opportunity to act inappropriately just because Zhong Bi had a crush on him. This person is very disciplined and principled

Zhang threw the microphone onto the ground, producing a loud bang that startled everyone. He looked at Yuan Lan and coldly asked, "What happened?" His complexion was extremely poor, his usually calm voice had turned sharp, and his gaze was piercing.