Chapter 44 – The Unexpected Call
Novel Title: 一屋暗灯 (Ephemeral Light)
Author：麦香鸡呢 (McChicken)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 宋谨 (Song Jin -MC), 宋星阑 (Song Xinglan -ML)
*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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The weather gradually got hotter. Song Xinglan was busy with the final handover in Toronto while the domestic company had already started operating. Once Song Xinglan returned, he would shift his focus on the company here.
He must have been really busy, as he hadn’t returned to the country for a long time. It was Song Jin who couldn’t resist and took the initiative to call Song Xinglan once.
“Hello.”
The voice on the other end was somewhat hollow and a bit hoarse, sounding very tired.
“I’ve been wanting to ask you.” Song Jin stood in the living room. He hesitated for a moment and asked, “Where are the cameras in this house?”
Ever since seeing his own video that year, Song Jin had developed a post-traumatic aversion and vigilance towards such things. After moving in, he had carefully checked. There were two cameras in the living room and two on each floor’s corridor. But he didn’t know if there were any in the rooms. He had worried about it, unable to fully trust Song Xinglan. But the thought of guessing on his own was futile. So he decided to ask directly.
“The living room, the corridor, and the front door,” Song Xinglan said. “Nowhere else.”
He asked, “Are you worried that I installed cameras in the rooms and bathroom?”
Even though it was Song Xinglan who was initially at fault, now that he asked like this, Song Jin felt as if he had been overly suspicious and paranoid. So he said, “No. I was just asking.”
In truth, Song Jin still wanted to ask if the surveillance screen for the cameras was connected to Song Xinglan’s side.
But that question seemed too pointed. Besides, Song Jin felt that Song Xinglan couldn’t possibly be so idle as to monitor his daily life at home, because it was mundane and there was nothing interesting to see.
“So, I’m officially returning to China next month,” Song Xinglan said. “During this time, try to come home early, preferably drive yourself out. Avoid walking alone.”
His statement came suddenly, causing Song Jin to unconsciously grip his phone tighter as he asked, “Is there any news about Song Xiangping?”
“No,” Song Xinglan replied. “It’s just been a long time since I returned to China. I just wanted to let you know.”
The nightmare from his past life had now become the provider of his shelter and refuge. The father who had once seemed loving had suddenly transformed into an unpredictable time bomb. Song Jin often felt absurdity—why did all his suffering come from his own blood relatives, each and every one of them?
But just the thought that Song Xinglan was no longer his nightmare made everything else seem insignificant to Song Jin.
He couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason for Song Xinglan’s transformation. It wasn’t just because of that night of breakdown and crying in the car—that much was clear. Song Jin had forgotten what he had said that night. But considering the three years of separation, over two months of amnesia, the collisions upon awakening, and the outpouring of despair and accumulated pain that evening, every word had been soaked in tears and blood. If Song Xinglan had still not taken any of it to heart, Song Jin probably would never have said another word to him.
But Song Xinglan seemed to be changing. And that was why Song Jin ultimately decided to stay here.
“I understand,” Song Jin said. “Just take care of yourself at work… don’t…”
He paused, then continued, “Don’t overwork yourself.”
There was a brief silence for a few seconds, followed by a faint crackling sound over the phone. Then Song Jin heard Song Xinglan say, “Okay.”
“Ge, remember to wear a coat at home too. Or you might catch a cold.”
Song Jin responded with a quiet “Okay.”
***
Recently, Song Jin decided to take Grapefruit to be sterilised. Spring has arrived, and the little cat is restless. It has been in heat for a week. Afterward, Song Jin felt it was better to take care of it sooner rather than later.
At the vet hospital, Song Jin handed Grapefruit over to the doctor. The surgery was scheduled for over a week later. For now, Grapefruit was brought in for various pre-operative checks.
While undergoing the examination, Song Jin’s phone suddenly rang. Song Jin went out into the corridor to answer the call.
It was an unfamiliar number and it was not domestic. Song Jin answered, “Hello?”
“Xiao Jin…”
Song Jin forgot how long it had been since hearing this voice—his biological father’s voice, which was husky and subdued. It was devoid of any past glory.
“What do you want from me?” His palms were sweating. But Song Jin’s tone remained calm.
“Are you also like Song Xinglan?!” Song Xiangping’s voice suddenly raised, as if the earlier ‘Xiao Jin’ was just a probe to test Song Jin’s attitude.
“I knew it… You two brothers teamed up to dig into my money. Now that you see me running for my life out here, you must be thrilled, right?”
Even the facade of politeness that existed between father and son was shattered. Song Xiangping had never spoken to Song Jin like this before. But at this moment, Song Jin felt neither surprised nor panicked. He had long understood what kind of person his father was.
“No one is after your money.” Song Jin stared out at the street beyond the glass wall. “You got yourself into trouble. It’s got nothing to do with us. Stop contacting us.”
“Hahaha…” Song Xiangping laughed nervously. “You’re living the good life now. Each one of you wants to get rid of me, right? Without me, could you have the life you have now?!”
“We’d be better off without you,” Song Jin said. “You know best what you’ve done to this family.”
In truth, Song Jin wanted to confront Song Xiangping hysterically, to demand what right he had as a fugitive who embodied infidelity, domestic abuse, corruption, and even murder. But he realised it was pointless. Song Xiangping was no longer a father to him. He was not even a decent human being. Any accusation, filled with tears and blood, would not make him realise his wrongs but rather confirm to him that he was being unjustly attacked.
“Did I never spend money on you?!” Song Xiangping continued. “Back then, I offered to buy you a house, but you refused. Turns out you were waiting for something bigger, huh? Song Xinglan’s house that he bought for you, is it comfortable? This kid, I knew he wasn’t a good person from the start. At such a young age, he’s already making money off my company. You two acted like you were so incompatible in front of me. But behind my back, you somehow united to plot against me. What a bunch of ungrateful wolves!”
“Even without your company, Xinglan would still do well. He only takes what he deserves.” Song Jin seemed to already imagine how Song Xiangping would have treated Song Xinglan back then. He said, “You know what you did to him when he was young. You know it in your heart.”
“Haha, I just gave him a few beatings. Can’t I even scold a kid?” Song Xiangping’s breathing became rapid. His emotions were intense as if he could slam through the phone. “He’s just a lunatic! Daring to wield a knife against me at twelve, telling me not to touch him again. If that’s not a lunatic, what is then?!”
Song Jin finally understood why Song Xiangping’s attitude towards Song Xinglan seemed so normal and even somewhat appeasing after he returned home. It was probably because Song Xinglan, at the age of twelve, had wielded a knife against Song Xiangping due to unbearable domestic abuse. Hence, Song Xiangping changed his attitude, no longer daring to touch this son.
Only a lunatic knows the horror of another lunatic. Song Xiangping was a lunatic, and so was Song Xinglan.
“You were the one who drove him crazy,” Song Jin said.
“Yes, yes. You’re all good people. I’m the damned one! Song Jin, you seem to want nothing on the surface. But in the end, everything falls into your hands. Did you know Xinglan bought a huge insurance policy? You’re the beneficiary! If he dies in an accident, do you know how much money you’ll get? Hahaha! You’re such a loving family of two, aren’t you!”
It seemed like nothing else could be heard. The low, vicious voice, the heavy breathing… They were all gone. Song Jin only caught one thing — he was the beneficiary of Song Xinglan’s insurance.
It was as if at this moment, Song Jin finally realised clearly that he and Song Xinglan were indeed the only family left in the world for each other.
“Song Xiangping,” Song Jin slowly began, “I actually wish for you to live. I hope you don’t die.”
He said each word deliberately, “I fear that after you die, you’ll disturb my mother’s peace.”
So, just keep stubbornly living in this world.
***
Song Jin left the vet hospital with Grapefruit. Because road construction was ongoing nearby and the intersection was closed, Song Jin parked on another street. He had started driving out since he called Song Xinglan, for safety’s sake.
He hung up that call because he didn’t want to hear Song Xiangping’s unfounded accusations and crazed interrogations anymore. Song Jin knew he had done nothing wrong. So he refused to accept any blame.
Song Jin walked a few steps, pondered, then called Song Xinglan. He planned to tell him about Song Xiangping’s situation and also sent him Song Xiangping’s phone number to see if Song Xinglan could find out where he was.
But the call didn’t go through.
Song Jin stared at his phone for a few seconds before pocketed it and walked into the alley. His car was parked on the opposite side of the street after passing through the alley.
It was already dark. Grapefruit lay in his cage with his big eyes scanning ahead. Suddenly, he turned his head to look at the other end of the cage, which was behind Song Jin. He meowed softly.
A cold draft blew through the alley, sending shivers down Song Jin’s neck. He involuntarily shrugged his shoulders. Faint footsteps echoed. Song Jin instinctively glanced behind him. In the dim twilight, his pupils suddenly contracted.
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*Author’s Note: Just an ordinary cliff-hanging chapter. -McChicken
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*Translator’s Note: Ugh. What kind of a father is SXP? He’s a monster. Grr! -K
Next update: -Daily-
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