“Based on the information that I have, Liu Yi should be the closest to me. I remember her in the nightmare as well.”
Gao Ming hesitated before slowly taking out the key. A voice filtered out of Room 401, which had poor sound insulation.
“Even though the project has been abandoned, you still have to pay the mortgage because your debt relationship with the bank will not change due to the housing condition. The house owner’s relationship with the contractor is one of trade, while the relationship with the bank is one of debt. Even though you went to the bank to apply for the contract to purchase the house, the two contracts are independent of each other.”
Gao Ming sighed. Through the messages on his phone, he understood the basic situation. He was currently in Liu Yi’s family’s old home. This house was older than Liu Yi’s grandfather. It was small and cramped. To move away from here, he and Liu Yi took out a loan to buy a new house. They would move when they got married. However, the project was abandoned, and it had been two years since then.
Gao Ming opened the door and looked at the person inside the house. The woman in his phone pictures overlapped with the woman before him. The white shirt and blue jeans gave her a clean appearance. She looked clever and sharp. Liu Yi wasn’t one who cared for frills and makeup.
“After I get off work tomorrow, I’ll prepare the files with the other buyers. The government has recently set up a new policy. Many abandoned projects have been resumed. Please do not fret.” Liu Yi faced away from the door. She talked on the phone with someone until she heard the door.
Liu Yi turned around, and she froze. She looked at Gao Ming, and her eyes rimmed red. Her strong woman image cracked. The pressure she felt lately swirled in her red eyes.
She was not prepared for Gao Ming to come home. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
A few seconds later, she didn’t say anything or ask anything as she walked over to give Gao Ming a hug. “I’ve been to the hospital so many times, but they didn’t allow me to visit you. They said you were in the middle of the latest treatment and couldn’t be disturbed.”
“After I heard about the incident, I’ve been telling myself that I cannot collapse. I will renovate our new home, and we’ll move in together.” Liu Yi started to lose control of her emotions. Gao Ming sensed wetness around his chest. Liu Yi was a very proud person. She would never cry in front of someone unless that person were someone she truly loved.
“I thought you’d never wake up again,” Liu Yi lifted her face while she was in Gao Ming’s embrace. Tears pooled in her beautiful eyes.
Liu Yi hugged Gao Ming tightly, worried that she might lose him again.
“You must be hungry. I’ll go cook for you.” Liu Yi wiped away her tears and opened the fridge. “I bought some fish, tomatoes and eggs. I’ll make at least three dishes for you tonight.”
“It’s fine. You need to rest.”
Liu Yi changed and entered the kitchen. Gao Ming didn’t stay idle. He folded the laundry and cleaned up the place. Based on their messages, this had always been their living arrangements. They supported and cared for each other. The warm light lit up the small room. No matter how tired they were outside, they could always find a sanctuary at home.
After dinner, Gao Ming washed the plates at the sink. Liu Yi pulled open the curtain to the kitchen. She leaned to the side. She studied Gao Ming and occasionally reached out to poke him.
“How come you’ve gotten fatter after staying so long at the hospital? Your hair is clean and neat. Your nails are well-kept. Who has been taking care of you at the hospital?” Liu Yi leaned against Gao Ming, “Every time I wanted to visit you, I would be stopped by a female nurse. Why can’t the people closest to you visit you? And what is this latest treatment?”
Gao Ming paused as he pondered this question, “After the car accident, I faced a lot of issues with my body and internal organs. I was almost dead. The strange thing is… after the past few months, the wounds on my body have mostly healed, but I can’t remember much.”
“Can’t remember much?” Liu Yi’s eyes filled with concern, “Is it a side effect of the medication?”
“No idea. That’s why I don’t remember anything about the latest treatment. For the past few months, I feel like I was living inside a nightmare.” Gao Ming’s tone shifted slightly, “A very scary but real nightmare.”
“Can you tell me more about it?”
“Do you believe in ghosts?” Gao Ming turned to look into Liu Yi’s eyes. The kitchen suddenly became so quiet.
After some time, Liu Yi shook her head. “I don’t believe in ghosts, but I believe in you. Perhaps you visited the world after death?”
“I’m in a very conflicted situation now.” Gao Ming opened his heart since Liu Yi was so supportive. “Something horrible must have happened to me. It’s like… it’s better if I have died in the accident.”
“Never say that.” Liu Yi grabbed Gao Ming’s hands, “We’ve been through so much. The rewards waiting for us will be so sweet.”
To cheer Gao Ming up, Liu Yi took out her phone to show him the house she had designed. They loved to look towards the future and design their home together, “When you were in the hospital, I’ve made more plans. There’s the big balcony that you like, and we’ll get a cat…”
Liu Yi wanted to console Gao Ming, but Gao Ming showed no interest.
Eventually, Liu Yi’s interest also waned. She could see the changes in Gao Ming after he came home. However, she didn’t blame him. She tugged on the edge of his shirt.
The phone screen suddenly lit up. A number named debtor called Liu Yi. She walked to the kitchen to answer it. It was the bank urging them to pay their loan.
Liu Yi’s multiple apologies pulled Gao Ming back to reality. No matter whether there were ghosts or not, the mortgage still had to be paid. That was the fact of life.