Yang Li pulled Cheng Yi into the room, eager to share some girl talk. As usual, the conversation started with Xie Yufan.
"He just left with a face like a thundercloud, not even a hint of politeness."
"You and George seemed to be having such a great time; I think it bothered him a bit."
Cheng Yi noticed a blush spreading across Yang Li's cheeks, and her face took on a shy look.
"Li, it seems like Yufan really cares about you."
"Don't be silly, you're overthinking it."
Yang Li turned her head away, denying it with her words, but the smile in her eyes betrayed the joy she felt inside. Desperate to change the topic, she quickly looked around the room.
"Yi, this room doesn't really feel like your style."
Cheng Yi glanced around, suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious.
"Yeah, I moved in later and just added a few touches."
Cheng Yi's room was on the second floor, offering the best view in the house. The door opened to a sweeping view of the living room below, and the room's decor was a bit different from the rest of the house. One wall was dominated by a floor-to-ceiling window, while the other half was taken up by the bed. The window let in plenty of light without disturbing her sleep, and it overlooked a park—a rare patch of green amidst the concrete jungle. The white walls, dark wood floors, and deep brown furniture and lighting gave the room a very masculine, American-style feel—quite different from the simple, cozy style Cheng Yi usually preferred.
But Cheng Yi had a way of softening even the most rigid spaces with just a few simple touches.
The small round table by the window was draped with a pale blue cloth, and the chairs were topped with cushions in a slightly deeper shade of mint blue. On the table, a Chinese porcelain vase was filled with pure white lisianthus, the sparse green leaves making the arrangement look even more fresh and elegant. Beneath the white canopy was a bed dressed in soft yellow linens. What caught Yang Li's eye the most was the painting on the wall opposite the bed—a delicate camellia against the backdrop of New York's cityscape, perfectly encapsulating the room's style. The vibrant city and the gentle flowers balanced each other harmoniously.
In a space that didn't originally belong to her, Cheng Yi hadn't completely discarded the modern style, but rather added her own softer elements, creating a harmonious blend of old and new.
It was just like her personality, always finding a way to get along comfortably with others.
"I really admire you. No matter where you are, you can always make yourself feel at home."
Cheng Yi lightly caressed the white lisianthus, her features serene and tranquil.
"A long time ago, someone told me that the most important thing in life is finding happiness, no matter where or when."
"So true!"
They looked at each other and smiled, sharing a moment of understanding.
Friends always have endless things to talk about when they get together, but unwelcome interruptions are never far behind.
After several phone calls, it turned out that the absent-minded Ye Minglang had lost the key to the safe. Fortunately, Cheng Yi had anticipated this and kept a spare key, just in case. Today, it came in handy.Cheng Yi didn't need to think twice; it was obvious that his brother was searching for something important. Some things never change—Minglang just couldn't go three days without getting scolded! And today was the third day, so he was determined not to mess things up. He couldn't let his brother know he'd lost the key, which is why he was in such a panic to get it back. Cheng Yi rushed to her bedside drawer, grabbed the key, and hurried downstairs.
In her haste, she didn't notice that the drawer was left half-open. Shaking her head, Yang Li walked over to close it. But when she saw the drawer full of medication, her hand froze in mid-air. The drugs were imported, and although Yang Li was a doctor, the English names didn't immediately register. Years of medical training told her that so many pills, all of the same kind, usually indicated a long-term illness. She quietly noted the names, anxiety gnawing at her as she closed the drawer.
When she got home, Yang Li looked up the medications online, and what she found made her even more alarmed. She quickly contacted doctors in the relevant field, and they all gave her the same answer. She collapsed onto the floor, unable to sleep for the rest of the night.
"This medication is for treating severe depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The patient needs to take it long-term—anywhere from a year or two to a lifetime, depending on the severity of the condition."
In the days that followed, Yang Li called Cheng Yi at least three times a day, always with some excuse to check on her or invite her out. Cheng Yi couldn't help but wonder why she was suddenly so lively. Had spending so much time with Xie Yufan rubbed off on her? Or had she had some kind of epiphany and decided to adopt a more carefree, happiness-focused lifestyle? Or maybe the stress of her medical work and the irregular hours had left her so exhausted that she was desperate to blow off some steam?
People change, and when they do, even their voices can get a little more playful.
"Oh, it's nothing. Your birthday's coming up, and after all these years of getting gifts from you, I figured it's about time I gave you something in return. I just want to make sure you have a really great birthday this year."
Oh, right. It's almost the end of October. Time flies. The lingering heat of summer had quietly given way to the crispness of autumn. Cheng Yi had almost forgotten how this city barely shows any signs of fall.