061 - The Telephone

"I love you, baby, and if it’s quite all right, I need you, baby..."
The phone rang incessantly, so annoying... Who could it be? She was sleeping so soundly, and someone had to call...
Drowsily, she fumbled for the phone on her bedside table, pressed the answer button, and managed a weak "Hello."
"Vivi! It’s Mommy!" came a cheerful voice from the other end.
Summer Yuwei was speechless; she had no idea why her mother was always so happy every day.
"Vivi, why aren’t you talking? Is it inconvenient for you to answer?"
"No, Mommy, it’s fine. What is it? Tell me."
"Silly girl, can’t I call you even if there’s nothing? But this time, I do have something. Your daddy and I are flying to see you tomorrow morning. Aren’t you happy?"
"What?!" It had been over two years since her parents had been so thoughtful as to visit her. All they ever did was dote on each other, traveling around, leaving the shop mostly in the hands of the staff, living carefree...
"What’s with the surprise, you heartless girl? You sound like you don’t want us. But let me tell you, we’re coming to see the Global Horticultural Expo, not just you, so don’t flatter yourself!
"Flight SH201, arriving at the international airport at ten o’clock. You must come pick us up! That’s all, my good girl, bye~~"
With her words rattling off, Wang Yanran hung up joyfully, not caring if her daughter had caught everything. Summer Yuwei, still a little dazed, closed her eyes and savored her mother’s grand instructions...
"I love you, baby, and if it’s quite all right, I need you, baby..."
She hadn’t even set the phone down before the ringtone sounded again. Resigned, she pressed answer and complained, "Mommy, do you have more instructions? Can’t you say it all at once?... You’ve almost woken me up completely—I can’t get back to sleep now..."
"...Vivi."
The voice on the other end was quiet, but it startled Summer Yuwei into opening her eyes. Her mind, still hazy, cleared considerably.
—It was Lu Yichen’s voice.
"...Yuwei hesitated for a moment, then answered softly.
"Rest well," Lu Yichen’s voice was deep and hoarse, lacking the usual dominance and assertiveness.
"...What’s wrong?" His voice didn’t sound right. Did he call just to say, "Rest well?"
"Nothing. I just dreamed of you, so I called. Knowing you’re well is enough." His voice was still deep and rough, as if cracked and dry.
"Yichen, are you... sick?" Summer Yuwei felt a sudden sense of unease.
"I’m fine." His languid voice, devoid of vitality, sounded as fragile and lifeless as a flower about to wither on its branch.