Unbearable - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: I Should Have Played the Victim Just Now!

 

Yu Wei kept turning her head to look at Yu Wei, and seeing that Yu Wei had no intention of taking out her phone, she turned back around and began rotating each bead on the cypress wood bracelet on her left hand with her fingers.

 

She glanced out the window — the scenery outside was becoming increasingly unfamiliar. It wasn’t the road to the hotel.

 

“I have an apartment downtown. It’s already been prepared, so we won’t return to the hotel,” Ding Qing said from the front seat. Just as Yu Wei was starting to frown, she added, “I’ve already arranged for someone to move your luggage. The car and driver will stay with you these next few days.”

 

Yu Wei furrowed her brows. “You didn’t mention this before.”

 

“I hadn’t planned on it earlier. This was a last-minute decision,” Ding Qing replied in a softened voice, trying to soothe and explain. “That place is farther from the sports arena than the hotel, but in other ways, it’s more convenient. I’ve already spoken to your team leader. It won’t affect your training or competition. Weiwei, I don’t mean anything else by this. If nothing had happened, I’d have been happy to stay with you at the hotel.”

 

Something happened?

 

Yu Wei glanced forward, puzzled, then turned to look at Yu Wei.

 

Yu Wei didn’t respond, resting her eyes as she leaned back against the seat to look out the window. Her expression wasn’t good.

 

The new place was indeed farther from the stadium — about an hour’s drive under good conditions. Luckily, despite the snow, traffic wasn’t bad. If it snowed too hard and the roads closed, they could take the subway.

 

From the surroundings, it looked like a commercial district — even in this kind of weather and at this hour, there were still many people out shopping.

 

The car pulled into an underground parking lot. They took the elevator up to the 25th floor. When the doors opened, a coat rack and a decorative shelving unit came into view, with several coats already hanging there.

 

“They’ve arrived.”

 

An assistant stood at the door and took Ding Qing’s bag and coat as she took them off.

 

Ding Qing responded with a simple “Mm.”

 

Through the plants and decorative items on the shelf, they could vaguely see someone in the living room approaching after hearing the noise.

 

Yu Wei turned to look at Yu Wei and found she was already looking at her too, shaking her head subtly.

 

She didn’t know either — she didn’t even know Ding Qing had business and a property here.

 

“Dr. Wang, I’ve brought them back. Could you please take a look?”

 

Ding Qing led the two girls inside.

 

An elderly man sitting on the sofa stood up as they entered. His hair was silver, but his face was gentle and glowing with health. He looked full of energy, and his gaze shifted from Yu Wei to Yu Wei.

 

Ding Qing gestured for them to sit down and said to the doctor, “This is my youngest daughter I told you about. I brought her straight from the sports arena.”

 

Yu Wei and Yu Wei sat side by side, suddenly realizing what was going on, leaning in to listen attentively.

 

The old doctor extended a hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, Yu Wei placed hers in his. His fingers rested on her wrist, and the room instantly fell silent.

 

“Liver qi stagnation, nothing serious,” the doctor said calmly as he gently pressed and then withdrew his hand. “Your ankle’s injured?”

 

Yu Wei immediately turned to look at Yu Wei.

 

Yu Wei responded with a soft “Mm.” “Just a sprain.”

 

The doctor didn’t ask to see it, and she didn’t show it either.

 

“Let Xiao Jia massage it and give you a few acupuncture needles,” the doctor said, unfazed. “Athletes often have some physical damage. Her condition is actually quite good. Check for muscle strain later. If you’re not in a hurry to leave, stay here for a few days and rest.”

 

Xiao Jia was the middle-aged man standing next to him. He looked around the living room sofa uncertainly. “Then…”

 

“Your place?”

 

“No need, the bed will do.”

 

Ding Qing stood up and looked at Yu Wei. “Go change your clothes first.”

 

Yu Wei frowned as she exchanged a long stare with Ding Qing before getting up to follow her to the bedroom.

 

Yu Wei wanted to go with them, but thought it might be rude to leave the guest unattended, so she stayed behind.

 

A sprained ankle — what about the match tomorrow?

 

This was Yu Wei’s first time back on the ice in two years. Could she even forfeit?

 

“We’re waiting anyway. Want me to take a look at you too?” the old doctor asked kindly, looking at Yu Wei.

 

Yu Wei hesitated, then reached out.

 

Ding Qing walked out at that moment.

 

Yu Wei instinctively pulled her hand back, but the doctor calmly followed the motion with his fingers, continuing as if nothing had happened.

 

Yu Wei had no choice but to let him.

 

“You overthink things. Excessive worry hurts the spirit. Trouble sleeping too, right?” The doctor released her hand and picked up pen and paper. “I’ll write you a prescription.”

 

While he spoke, Yu Wei had already changed and come out of the room. Dr. Wang and Ding Qing went back in with her and closed the door.

 

Yu Wei looked away and quietly asked, “Is she… seriously hurt?”

 

The old doctor finished writing and said, “Not serious.”

 

The heating in the room was strong. Yu Wei, still dressed in a thick down coat, scarf, and hat, was starting to overheat. She excused herself to go to the coat rack, pulled out her glasses from her pocket, and put them on.

 

Her phone buzzed.

 

Messages from Cheng Miao — she asked where Yu Wei was, said she just came out of the arena and hadn’t gotten the previous messages due to bad signal.

 

Cheng Miao:
“You and Xiaoyu back at the hotel?”
“I’m on my way. Gonna come see her.”
“Also—screw ISU and those damn judges!! F them all a hundred years!!”

 

Yu Wei hesitated for a few seconds, then replied that they weren’t at the hotel and sent her the location.

 

Yu Wei:
“Message me when you get here. I’ll come down to meet you.”

 

She scrolled out of that chat and opened Yu Wei’s. Her eyes landed on the two messages Yu Wei had sent earlier.

 

Feeling unwell emotionally — this wasn’t about just emotions, was it?

 

She tucked the phone into her pants pocket, then took it out again and switched it to the other side. When she walked back into the living room, she found it empty.

 

The bedroom was silent as well. She hesitated and walked toward it.

 

The door was open. Yu Wei sat at the edge of the bed. The doctor stood bent over her, with Xiao Jia beside him. Ding Qing stood on the doorway side. The three of them completely blocked Yu Wei from view.

 

Yu Wei stood at the door, unable to see anything.

 

“All done. I’ll come back to remove the needles later.” The doctor straightened up with Xiao Jia’s help and turned to Ding Qing. “I’ll take a walk downstairs.”

 

“It’s snowing,” Ding Qing replied.

 

“Even better,” the old man chuckled. “I moved here just for the snow.”

 

Ding Qing insisted on walking him out, and Yu Wei followed. The assistant quietly closed the bedroom door behind them.

 

They only walked as far as the elevator. When the doors closed—Yu Wei said, “Mom, my friend wants to come see us. She’s a fan of my sister and also a classmate.”

 

“You arrange it. I’m heading out soon too,” Ding Qing said as she turned back toward the bedroom with brisk steps.

 

The assistant handed her two prescriptions. “President Ding.”

 

“Go get them now. Start boiling them tonight.” Ding Qing turned to the bedroom again, then looked back at Yu Wei. “If there’s nothing else, go change and get some rest.”

 

It was cold and snowy outside, so Yu Wei was dressed thickly. Even after taking off her coat and scarf, the room was so warm she still felt hot.

 

She looked down at her thick sweater and lined pants, nodded, and turned to test the guest room door next to Yu Wei’s room.

 

Her suitcase was by the wall.

 

Both doors shut at nearly the same time.

 

Yu Wei changed into light loungewear. Just as she opened the door again, she heard voices from the next room.

 

“Yu Wei doesn’t like people sitting behind her,” Yu Wei’s voice was cold. “Do you know why?”

 

“Maybe it’s because of her albinism. She’s a little more sensitive. She’ll understand when she’s older.”

 

Yu Wei stood quietly against the wall, listening to Ding Qing’s seemingly casual yet serious voice.

 

Then came a change in tone.

 

“But what about you? Do you really want to continue skating?”

 

Yu Wei’s voice turned low and serious. “What are you trying to say?”

 

“Weiwei, as your mother, I really don’t want to see you destroy yourself for skating. But today, watching you on the ice, I understood. You’re just like me — once you want something, you’ll hold onto it no matter what. So I won’t try to stop you anymore. I’ll talk to your father. My resources are your resources. I can give you everything you want and need. All you have to do is accept it.”

 

“But…”

 

“The greater the dream, the higher the cost,” Ding Qing interrupted. “You understand that, don’t you?”

 

The room fell silent.

 

Yu Wei suddenly understood why Ding Qing had been so calm at the arena — because everything that happened had been within her expectations.

 

Why, after returning to the Yu family, all they gave Yu Wei was an ice rink.

 

Why she still had to maintain her academics.

 

They were waiting — waiting for her to bow her head. Only then would the Yu family consider her truly returned.

 

Yu Wei tiptoed quietly into the living room and sat on the sofa by the window, gazing out at the swirling snow.

 

The bedroom door opened and closed again, but she was still lost in thought.

 

Ding Qing stood at the entrance, watching the quiet girl on the sofa — like the snow outside: silent, pale, and still.

 

She could sharpen and guide Yu Wei with barbed words.

 

But with Yu Wei, she didn’t know what to do.

 

“I heard from Weiwei that you don’t like people sitting behind you.”

 

Yu Wei returned to herself, looked up and said, “Mom,” then lowered her head again behind her glasses.

 

For the first time, a wild urge to break something surged within her. So many thoughts flashed through her mind.

 

In the end, she said quietly, “I’m working on it.”

 

Outside, the snow fell even harder.

 

She suddenly didn’t want to speak.

 

Didn’t want to open her mouth.

 

Ding Qing sighed silently. “You don’t have to. Albinism affects one in twenty thousand — you’re just one of those.”

 

She walked over and sat beside Yu Wei, opening the drawer and pulling out a first aid kit.

 

“Give me your hand.”

 

Yu Wei stared at her, visibly shocked and surprised. After a moment’s hesitation, she extended her left hand.

 

The adhesive stuck to her finger; Ding Qing’s fingertips were cold.

 

She lowered her head, doing this for the first time. Her movements were clumsy and uneven.

 

“But if you think about it, everyone’s different. Individual differences don’t mean anything.”

 

Yu Wei watched her throw away the wrapper — hearing such comforting words from her for the first time, her heart felt like crumpled wet paper.

 

“Mom… Am I an embarrassment to you?”

 

Of course she was.

 

She was sure of it.

 

That’s why, when she learned she was switched at birth and that Yu Wei’s biological parents had both died, her first thought was: Even if I hadn’t been switched, they’d still be ashamed of me.

 

She hadn’t been abandoned — only switched. That was already the best outcome she could imagine.

 

Ding Qing looked surprised. After a long pause, she asked, “Of course not. Everything I’ve worked so hard for in my life has been to fight for my own dignity. Face is something you earn for yourself. If anyone should be embarrassed, it’s me — not you. Why would you think that?”

 

“…Sorry,” Yu Wei whispered.

 

Ding Qing frowned and began to recall, “Over ten years ago, I was running a branch office here. There was an accident, and I gave birth early at a construction site hospital. I couldn’t have children afterward. The surgery damaged my health and forced me to rest. There were other issues too — postpartum depression, accumulated stress… I left home and threw myself into work. But no matter the reason, the truth is, none of that had anything to do with you. You were just caught in the crossfire. I should be the one saying sorry.”

 

She even looked Yu Wei in the eyes, gave a bitter smile, and said, “You’re almost an adult. I won’t lie to you. There was a time I really believed that if there hadn’t been a switch, my life wouldn’t have ended up like this. So I deliberately ignored you and the past. That was my fault. I’ll say it again: none of this is your fault. Whether you’re biologically mine or not, whether you have albinism or not, it’s not your fault.”

 

Yu Wei rubbed the corner of the bandage.

 

“If it’s because I never introduced you to relatives or friends,” Ding Qing’s face contorted slightly, “your father is planning a birthday banquet for you and Weiwei. We’ll invite all of the Yu family relatives and business partners. At that event, we’ll officially announce your and Weiwei’s identities. You’ll meet everyone.”

 

So sudden?

 

Yu Wei’s breath hitched.

 

“I just want you to be mentally prepared. You don’t have to deal with those people. Ignore them.” Ding Qing took the opportunity to bring up the banquet, “Don’t overthink. Most of this has nothing to do with you.”

 

She reached out and gently patted the back of Yu Wei’s hand, her finger brushing a bead.

 

“This bracelet is pretty. Weiwei wore the same one today. Did you buy it together?” She deliberately changed the subject and was delighted to see both daughters wearing the same accessory. “That’s great. As long as you two sisters get along.”

 

She didn’t yet know what was on Yu Wei’s mind.

 

Yu Wei suddenly felt a tightness in her chest. She looked into Ding Qing’s eyes and nodded, speaking with certainty as if making a promise: “We will, Mom.”

 

“You’ve always been a good girl.” Ding Qing awkwardly leaned forward and gently pulled Yu Wei into a hug, patting her back twice. The movement looked practiced, but her touch was still stiff.

 

Yu Wei stiffened like a rock. Even after Ding Qing stood up, she remained frozen.

 

“I’m heading out. I’ll be back soon.”

 

Even when the elevator door closed, Yu Wei still hadn’t recovered.

 

Her phone buzzed again in her pocket, making her thigh go slightly numb. Awkwardly, she pulled it out — it was from Cheng Miao. She was almost there and told Yu Wei to come down.

 

Yu Wei changed her clothes, walked out of the bedroom, then turned around to knock on Yu Wei’s door.

 

“Mom went out. Cheng Miao’s coming over. I’m going down to meet her. Do you need anything? Should I come in?”

 

Yu Wei had needles in her ankle and couldn’t move.

 

“No need,” Yu Wei replied immediately, her mouth quicker than her brain. After a two-second pause, she added, “Wear something warm — it’s cold out here.”

 

Yu Wei responded with an “okay.”

 

She still didn’t know how bad Yu Wei’s injury was. She hadn’t had a chance to go in and check.

 

And now, there was still no proper excuse to open that door.

 

As the sound of footsteps faded, Yu Wei pursed her lips and looked down at the long, thin needles in her ankle. She flopped back onto the bed and punched the mattress hard.

 

I should have played the victim just now!