Main Story Chapter 11-03: Along with the Sins (与罪同行) | Light and Night 光与夜之恋

Before this chapter, please read 11-1 here!

It's seven in the morning, and there's a little over an hour more until the alarm rings. Yet, the person who needs to be called up by the alarm is long done with cleaning up.

I sat by the window, holding my cheeks as I stared into the empty roads.

This is my third day having insomnia, and throughout the times I had my eyes widened until dawn, I can't help but to recall the incidents happened in the past few days.

The thin wrist of Yangyang's grandmother on the hospital bed, Yangyang's expressions that looked sad yet still trying his best to hold back from tears, and those flames that are bright enough to tear off the dark night skies.

I think, even after many, many years have passed, I would never forget the day where I smelled the odor of death.

After peeling off the warm and dazzling candy wrapper of life, the proportions of sweetness has plummeted radically, and the taste in the end are all rough and bitter.

A hurried knocking sound dragged me out from being sentimental. The moment I opened the door, I noticed the delivery parcels are almost stacking into a little mountain by my door.

You: I'm sorry, I didn't buy this many things, are they wrongly delivered?

Deliveryman: The address isn't wrong, maybe you can ask if your friends sent you a gift.

It took me half an hour to carry all of the parcels back to the house.

You: Couple four-piece set, couple toothbrush mug, couple curtains??? Why is there even a couple toilet seat? When did I buy these?

But the address, name and phone number on the consignment note are indeed mine.

After sorting my mind out, the answer has surfaced.

You: Cha-r-lie!

I immediately dialed his number, yet after hearing all of the dialing tones, he still didn't pick up the call.

You: Did he work overtime?

The image of his back walking hastily across the hospital hallway, looking back from time to time and winking at me cheekily has suddenly appeared before my eyes.

I got entertained by the thought, and the anger that surfaced have all seemed to be suppressed from the scene I imagined.

You: Forget it, I'll ask him another time.

Miraculously, thanks to his meddling, my mood have actually became much more relaxed than before.

The bustling noise of the marketplace is heard from the window. Among the liveliness in the world, a new day has begun.

You: It's pointless to overthink so much, I shall stop worrying on pointless matters, time for work!

Perhaps because I have finally relaxed, I was surrounded by sleepiness while on the bus, that I got so sleepy I can't open my eyes.

You: I'll just take a short nap...

The bus was wobbly, with heater heating the bus well, and it didn't take me long to fall asleep.

I immediately widened my eyes only when my head bumped into the rail. I realized an extremely serious issue-- I think I missed my station.

You: Phew, thank goodness, it's just three stations... Thank goodness I'm out an hour early, otherwise my perfect attendance record for the month will all go down to the drain.

Seeing my dark circles being reflected on the glass window, I decided to first buy a cup of coffee to energize myself.

You: Hello, a cup of mocha please.

Staff: We have a buy one free one promotion for Americano today, do you want to buy a cup too?

You: Buy one free one? Please change it to Americano for me then, thank you.

??: 21 cups of mocha, one cup for this lady, and send the remaining to Warson Design Center at 9.30AM every morning. For the recipient, just write. "Charlie's fiancee".

You: ...?

As soon as I turned my head, Charlie is languidly leaning against the counter, smiling, and sent me a blowing kiss.

Charlie: How did you know I like to come here after my shift? Did you find out about it intentionally and purposely came here to visit me out of concern? What a pity, I've blown off this surprise. But it's fine, as long as you're here, I'll be very happy.

You: ... I'm sorry for breaking your wonderful hallucinations, but I just happened to have missed my station.

Charlie: To coincidentally arrive somewhere nearby the hospital, and even entering this shop at the same time as I do... Mm, this means we are indeed fated, looks like the rope I tied to your hand is working.

You: That is just a rope of a balloon, it isn't even a red thread*. 

*T/N: Red thread means red thread of fate.

Charlie: Understood, I'll tie a red rope for my fiancee next time.

The staff standing behind the counter traveled between us, so I let out a soft cough a little awkwardly.

You: Charlie, can you not address me in this manner in public...

Charlie: Then how would you like me to address you? Darling? Honey? My dear?

Here he comes again...! For an instant, I really missed the white lab coat that can switch his personality, and that serious Charlie at work.

But he's still relentlessly winking at me and maintaining the same smile.

Charlie: Which do you think would be better?

Night: Ignore him

Light: Tease him

Night Choice: Ignore him

I knew Charlie will definitely use his unique logic to confuse me no matter what I say in the end, so I might as well ignore him.

Charlie: Not gonna talk? Then it means it's up to my liking. Although the three ways of addressing are pretty good, but I still very much prefer "fiancee".

You: You're being too cunning aren't you?

Charlie (talking coyly): You've already received the balloon, so who is the cunning one here? Is fiancee planning to turn against me?

He pouted, drooping his shoulders in grievance, as if I have done something bad to him.

I almost agreed to him upon seeing him like this, thank goodness I managed to hold myself back in time.

With only a couple of days not meeting each other, this guy's skills in being unreasonable and shameless has improved again!

You: Watch out, if this look of yours is seen by your colleagues, the elite image of Dr. Zha is not going to be maintained anymore.

Charlie: So what if they see it? They can feel watch freely, you know well enough that it's hard for people to not be jealous of us.

I opened my mouth a little in attempt to refute, forget it, I'll not refute him anymore, since no matter what I say he'll always find a reason to overpower mine.

Light: Tease him

Uncertain of the season, facing his confident smile, my sense of competition have been triggered.

Throughout my observation throughout this period, I noticed that even though Charlie is always looking cheeky, incomparably narcissist, relentlessly surprising people with his words, but it all seem like they are mere words.

I always got tricked by him, and it's such a rare chance, so I've got to scare him well.

I cleared my throat, then took the opportunity to grab onto his arm, and smiled at him.

You: Call as you like then, but I'll have to look for a proper way to address you too, what do you think of "little baby"?

Charlie have indeed startled. A rare surprise flashed before him, and after that surprise, it also seemed like there's a tad bit of awkwardness too?

I raised a brow in triumph, so I've indeed surprised you huh.

You: What's wrong? Don't you like it?

Charlie: Of course not, I can't wait for you to call me baby every day.

He replied in an extremely confident manner, that I almost thought the instant of awkwardness was purely a misperception of mine.

Yet very quickly, I managed to capture a glimpse of difference from within.

You: No, what I said was little baby, not baby.

Charlie: There's no little, you didn't say it, and I didn't hear it.

You: ...?

I immediately understood what happened. So the bit of awkwardness was just because of the word "little"? But what is there to be awkward about?

Charlie: You aren't talking anymore. Looks like we have came to a common ground, you can call me that way from now on.

You: Wait--

Charlie: Well I've said it, after being with me for so long, it's impossible for you to not have fallen for me. I didn't expect that you'd have thought of a way to address me.

You: I wasn't, I didn't--

Charlie: Ladies and gentlemen.

He suddenly raised his voice, and made a loud snap.

Charlie: Everyone's bills today are on me.

A cheer exploded across the coffee shop after two seconds of silence.

Pedestrian: Thank you Dr. Zha and fiancee!

You: No no no, you've all gotten it wrong!

I got so panicked that I immediately stumped away to pull off some distance from Charlie.

You: I'm just a bystander!

Charlie: For things like being a bystander, just leave it to Jill*.

*T/N: Charlie's butler.

Charlie naturally placed his arm over my shoulder, even nodded towards everyone at the coffee shop.

This "war" still ended up with Charlie's ultimate victory.

The staff handed the coffee to me at the food station.

Staff: Miss, your mocha is ready.

You: Mocha? But I changed it to Americano...

The staff stunned, gaze turned towards Charlie who is standing by my side.

It's very obvious that he thought we are together, so she made an order according to Charlie's instructions.

Staff: I'm terribly sorry, how about I make a new cup for you?

You: It's fine, mocha works too... Thank you.

Staff: Then for the remaining 20 cups...

You: Just keep the remaining 20, I'll pick them up next time. How much are they in total?

Before my voice even died out, Charlie has already scanned and completed the payment.

Watching him showing a look of waiting for praises, I quietly swallowed the words "I'll transfer the money back to you" down to my throat.

You: Thank you.

Charlie: You don't have to be this polite with me.

Staff: Dear customers, our shop has a lucky draw event recently, with a cup each time. Congratulations for the two of you to receive 21 chances.

You: Lucky draw? Nice nice, I'll--

Charlie: No need.

You: Why is that? What if you got the jackpot?

Charlie: Am I the kind that minds about the jackpot? I'll just buy it if I want it.

He scoffed softly, holding my hand and is about to leave.

You: You don't understand about it, what you get from a lucky draw has a completely different feeling from buying it, it's the symbol of good luck! 

Staff: Our activity's winning rate is very high, besides the first, second and third prize, there are also consolation prizes, the winning rate is 99%.

You: Did you hear that? 99%, you'll get good luck even if you simply draw it!

I bumped into Charlie's arm a little, and he looked at the event introduction leaflet on the staff's hand in doubt, and he finally stopped saying that he's going to leave.

You: How do we play this? I'll give it a try.

Staff: Just pressing the space bar key on the computer will do.

You: Okay!

I stared at the flashing computer screen closely, and aggressively pressed on the key.

You: Second prize!

I then continuously pressed over ten times, and once again I won another second prize, then the rest are either third prize or consolation prizes.

You: Charlie did you see that? I got a 22 Yuan voucher, and two plush accessories! You can go with the remaining ones, there are still three more chances.

Charlie: Since fiancee is so happy from playing it, of course I should leave the remaining chances to you. Just draw as you like, it's fine even if you don't win anything.

He then moved a step to the side again. Why is this guy so weird today?

You: You've just said it yourself, it's fine even if you don't win anything, so why are you running away for? Hurry and come here.

Charlie: I wasn't.

Charlie looked at me, then looked at the computer. After thinking for a long time, his noble legs finally moved.

Charlie: I'll simply play for once then.

He looked casual, seemingly unmindfully pressing the space bar.

The screen displays "Thank you for visiting".

You: ...?

Staff (awkwardly): This means no prize is won...

You: How high was the winning rate you said again?

Staff: Uh, 99%.

Even the staff became awkward.

I remained silent for a few seconds, then looked towards Charlie.

You: So you are that 1%?

Charlie looked serious, unwilling to admit to defeat, and forcefully pressed the key again.

The screen displays "Thank you for visiting".

You: Hahahahahahahaha! So your luck is that bad! No wonder you were that reluctant earlier!

I tried my best to not laugh in an overly exaggerating manner, that my tears almost came out from holding back.

Charlie looked at me with a darkened expression, so I immediately covered my mouth.

You: Ahem, it's the computer's fault.

Charlie: You're right, let's go.

Only then he nodded in agreement, and just when he's about to leave after taking the prize I won from the table, his elbow accidentally bumped into the space bar key.

Computer: ERROR! Action not supported in program!

Staff: Oh no, why did the computer suddenly spoil?!

I got completely shocked, that I even forgot to laugh at Charlie.

Charlie: Let's go!

I still couldn't come back from my shock even after he shoved me into his car.

Charlie can't possibly be the kind of unlucky person that you can only see once in a millennium, right?! Is he the kind where he has no condiments pack in his instant noodle pack, or the kind with no cutlery given when he ordered food delivery?

Looking at his quiet side profile, it suddenly looks that bit pitiful, I suddenly feel a sliver of pity for him.

You: How about I share half of my prize with you? You can use this voucher next time, also for this little blue plush, you can hang it at the rearview mirror. Although it isn't something you won from the lucky draw, but at least you also got a prize, so don't be sad anymore, okay?

Charlie: Of course I won't be sad over these matters. Y/N, have you heard of this famous saying? 

You: What is it?

Charlie: Humans are more perfect from their imperfections.

You: Which famous person said this? Why haven't I heard of it before...

Charlie: Me. Record it on your memo, you will be able to use it in your year end report.

You (sarcastically): ... Thank you!

Charlie: You're welcome.

You: Why did I even feel sorry for you just now...

Charlie shrugged triumphantly. I can probably guess he's going to say things like "Well isn't that because fiancee cares too much about me", so I quickly covered his mouth before he spoke.

He stunned for a couple of seconds, then bursted in laughter. I laughed too. Unsure when it happened, but the relationship between us is a little different now.

Charlie: Should I send you downstairs or the parking lot?

You: Parking lot then, your car is too showy, so it'll be more low-profile.

Charlie: I'll have to put on firecrackers to celebrate it when you're willing to be high-profile.

You: By the way are you sure we can make it? What happens if we're in a traffic jam? I don't want to be late.

Charlie: Make sure your safety belt is fastened.

He looked like he's about to accelerate, that even I feel nervous too.

Yet on a second right before he's about to step on the accelerator, the green light suddenly became red. 59 seconds, 58 seconds, 57 seconds....

The car is in its dead silence.

After a lengthy minute, we arrived the next turn, and the red light appears again just as expected.

An old man with a walking stick walked before us casually.

You: How about you stop by the side... I'll arrive after making two turns, thank you for the day.

Charlie: Sit well.

You: I don't want to be late--!

The car slowly moved forward, and after waiting for four traffic lights, we finally drove into an underground parking lot.

It's only 10 minutes until my working hours begin. I unlocked my seatbelt, carried my bag, and was about to rush towards the elevator.

Right then, the car window of the opposite car is slowly lowered, a pair of familiar golden pupils appeared.

You: ... Director Qi?!

Yet Sariel didn't care about me, gaze fixated at Charlie's hand. The hand is now placed over the top of my car seat.

Charlie also straightened his body and met Sariel's gaze, even raising an eyebrow arrogantly.

You: You two--

But only with two words escaping from my mouth, Sariel have glared at me, then rose his car window again.

Did I make him angry?

Just when I was thinking, I suddenly heard a click. Charlie fastened my seatbelt again.

Charlie: I'm suddenly a little hungry. Fiancee, how about you have breakfast with me?

You: No no I'm not going to eat, I'm going to be late, with another delay my full attendance allowance is going to be gone!

I quickly opened the seatbelt, opened the door, but suddenly I felt something heavy on the back of my hand.

Lowering my head, a white lizard is steadily on my hand, with its round eyes staring at me.

Isn't this Sariel's pet?

I looked towards the opposite car. The car windows are closed, but the engines aren't off. Looks like Sariel hasn't left.

You: Weird... How did you get out? I'll send you back, little Lizard.

I carefully held it up, but I didn't expect it to be disobedient, and leaped right towards the driver's seat.

You: Ah! Wait!

Remembering that Sariel said it has heart disease, I got afraid that it'll bump into something. I quickly reached out to pick it, but who knows the driver's seat is already emptied the moment I turned around.

The car door is wide open. Charlie is standing a meter away, gaze staring at the lizard on his seat with full alertness.

No wonder it felt peacefully quiet earlier, could he possibly...

You: Are you afraid of it?

Charlie: How funny, how could it be?

He answered quickly, looking completely unmindful, but I kept having the feeling that it is actually not what it seems.

You: Oh~ Really?

As if it's playing along with my words, little Lizard arrogantly leaped on the driver's seat. So I managed to see Charlie gulping nervously.

You: I didn't know you're this timid, that you'd be scared of such a cute little animal. I'll laugh at you again properly next time! Thanks for today, I'll be leaving!

I quickly carried little Lizard to Sariel's car, and knocked on the car window.

You: Director, your pet...

The car window is lowered a little. Lizard shook its tail and leaped in as if it's asking for a reward.

Just when I was about to ask Sariel if he wanted to go upstairs with me, but I have instead met a pair of cold eyes.

I wonder why he is in such a great temper so early in the morning. I dare not to ask any further, so I've decided to make my escape.

You: Uh, I'm about to be late, I'll go in first okay!

I rushed straight to the elevator as soon as I'm done.

Right after the girl's silhouette disappeared at the corner, the tightly shut door is opened. Sariel looked towards the man standing on the opposite side, with not much expressions shown.

Charlie leaned towards the edge of the car, and blocked off Sariel's path.

Sariel: Make way.

Charlie: I've been hearing that Warson has a design director with terrible temper, I've finally got to see him today. But it's a good thing to be strict, thank you for your "care" towards my fiancee. Our house is just nearby, feel free to be our guest here next time.

Nobody would've noticed, that the lush bonsai at the garage entrance is already visibly wilting.

Sariel: She's mine*, it is not your matter on how I teach her. She is recently busy for a new product launch, she'll be dining all day in the office, there's no need for her to dine outside. Since food outside aren't that clean after all, and it's easy to get sick if they are consumed too much.

*T/N: Here you can interpret it as 'my staff' but we can also interpret it romantically ;) 

Charlie: It's just a breakfast, it's not important. We've always been eating breakfast together, we've eaten too often. I almost forgot to introduce myself.

He walked forward, and stuffed his name card towards Sariel's pocket, then smiled slightly.

Charlie: I'm a doctor, I can treat various sorts of illnesses.

Sariel patted his collar in disdain, quietly patted off the name card, then took a step forward, and stepped right onto the name card by coincidence.

Sariel: It's better for you to treat yourself first, delusional disorder is also an illness.

With no spare glance for Charlie, Sariel turned away and left.