I still said yes, understanding as always.
It was just that my mind again recalled how, when the plant was just getting started, Jasmine had been worried about how to go to Capital City to learn the technology. It was me who scraped together money and borrowed travel expenses, giving her the chance to go to Capital City to investigate and study.
Back then, with red eyes, she'd said, "To have a husband like this—what more could I ask for in this life?"
"When the plant gets big, I'll definitely take you to the bustling Capital City to have a look."
But later, as the plant grew bigger and bigger, she never mentioned this again.
It no longer mattered anyway.
Seven days passed quickly. When I went to pick up my son from school, from far away I saw two people standing out from the crowd at the school gate.
Derek was wearing a fashionable suit bought in Capital City, standing together with Jasmine.
When my son and I walked past, an auntie I knew pulled me aside to gossip.
"Look, that's the legendary low-key husband of the plant director. Isn't he handsome? Such a great match with the director."
People around all looked over. If I didn't answer, I would seem out of place.
I smiled and casually echoed, "Yeah, they're quite a match."
But Jasmine suddenly darkened her face and grabbed my wrist. "What did you say?"
I calmly broke free from her grip.
"Wasn't it you who said not to expose our relationship outside?"
She froze in place, and there was actually a hint of grievance in her voice.
"Alex, these seven days you didn't send a single letter. Before, if I went out for half a day, you couldn't wait to send three…"
I pretended not to hear. Just then, someone from the post station told me that an uncle and aunt far away had mailed me half a bag of brown sugar.
My heart tightened, not knowing how long they had gone without food and without spending to save it up.
I took it carefully, then looked at Jasmine warily.
"Brown sugar is precious, but for you it definitely doesn't count as anything. Don't you dare set your sights on my brown sugar!"
Pain flashed in her eyes. In disbelief, she said, "In your eyes, am I that kind of person?"
Memories of my past life surfaced again. I curled my lips bitterly—it wasn't paranoia.