Who made the phone call? (2)

  "What's wrong? Who sent the message?" Ouyang Xiaoxiao asked, seeing me dazed.

  "Oh," I came back to myself and dryly laughed, "Nothing, nothing."

  "Is she your girlfriend?" Ouyang Xiao smiled reluctantly, "Yeah, I'm also here to join in the fun and see what's written that makes you so troubled."

  As she spoke, Ouyang Xiao Xiao stood up and walked towards me. Then, she stopped beside me.

  After about four or five seconds, Ouyang Xiao said, "Mu Xian, I think you must be very conflicted in your heart right now."

  I didn't say anything.

  Ouyang Xiao smiled hard, "Your girlfriend is great, not like me, one side is bright and beautiful, the other side is dark. When was it that I also wanted to live a simpler life, a more relaxed life. It's just, it's just, my body doesn't listen to me."

  "Beyond one's control?" I was stunned.

  Ouyang Xiao nodded, "Everyone has their own wound, desperately trying to hide it, wanting to forget it. But it's like a branding iron, deeply imprinted on the body. This wound, some people call it a shadow, others call it a bitter secret. Some people can let go of it, speak out about it, and feel relieved. While others cannot let go, nor speak out about it. So in the still of night, that wound, those humiliating facts, those unbearable past experiences, are vividly before their eyes, making them clench their teeth, toss and turn, yet still unable to find a solution or make things right. Some people can't withstand this kind of torment, so they choose to leave the world. While others carry this spiritual shackles with them for life, forever melancholy."

  I was stunned and stared at Ouyang Xiaoxiao in surprise.

  Ouyang Xiaoxiao sighed, "Alright, you go reply to your girlfriend's message, or she'll definitely get anxious."

  I nodded and replied to Gu Xue Lin's message.

  I just had dinner, everything is fine, I will take good care of myself here. You stay at home and accompany your parents well, talk to them more often, after all, you haven't been back for more than half a year, they miss you very much too.

  I sent the message over.

  After a few seconds, Gu Xue Lin replied: My uncle, aunt and several aunts are at our house now, I won't reply to you for the time being. You eat and sleep on time, don't make me worry.

  After finishing reading Gu Xue Lin's returned message, I put the mobile phone back into my pocket, then glanced at Ouyang Xiao Xiao.

  She stood alone at the window, her expression desolate.

  Thinking of what she said just now, I couldn't help but feel a little heartache.

  "If you have something on your mind that's been bothering you, feel free to tell me. I'm not sure how much help I can be, but one thing I can guarantee is that I'll keep it confidential," I stood up and walked behind Ouyang Xiaoxiao.

  Ouyang Xiao turned her head and saw me behind her, forcing a smile. "I'm fine," she said after a pause, "you don't have to worry about me."

  I forced a smile, "Yeah, if you want to talk to me anytime in the future, just come find me. I'm still saying the same thing, I'm not sure how much help I can be, but what I can guarantee is that I can keep your secret."

  "Thank you," Ouyang Xiaoqiao bit her lip and forced a smile, with tears streaming down from the corners of her eyes.

  "Let's not talk about that, didn't I send you a few scripts before? Didn't you say you wanted to discuss your own ideas with me today? Why don't we talk about these scripts instead?" I said with a smile.

  "Okay," said Ouyang Xiaoxiao, picking up a small white package from the bedside, unzipping an outer pocket and pulling out a compact, exquisite red netbook.

  "Uh, I've put those scripts of yours on the desktop," said Ouyang Xiaoxiao, opening her laptop. "Uh, among these scripts, my favorites are your sci-fi story about 'Conspiracy and Doomsday', as well as 'Green Snake and Spirit Fox' love story, and this urban love story that time-travels from ancient times to modern day."

  "If we don't consider the commercial value and box office revenue, these two stories are well thought out. One writes about human greed and selfishness, as well as trust and suspicion between people, all of which are vividly portrayed. The other one writes about love, with a tragic and sorrowful tone that moves people to tears."