But none of that matters anymore.
I struggled to sit up. The minus twenty degree wind was nothing compared to the cold in my heart. I really didn't want to admit it, but my ten years of youth had ultimately been wasted.
I stood up and walked outside the scenic area, waiting for almost an hour before I could hail a taxi. I was already frozen stiff; I had no feeling in my body.
The driver asked me with concern, "Young lady, why didn't you wear a down jacket in this freezing weather?"
"Just say I got kicked in the head by a donkey."
If I hadn't gotten kicked in the head by a donkey, how could I have supported Griffin for seven years, supporting his master's and doctoral studies? If I hadn't gotten kicked in the head by a donkey, how could I have bought a ring and proposed to him?
Back home, I huddled under the covers for a long time to recover. Griffin and Wendy didn't come home until dark and Wendy was still wearing my winter jacket.
"Janice, I brought you some barbecue. See how good I am to you, right?"
Griffin held the takeout barbecue in front of me, "Eat it quickly, it'll get cold soon."
"You brought me back your leftovers?" I couldn’t believe what I see.
"What leftovers? I brought this especially for you!"
"Don't you know I don't eat lamb?" I squinted my eyes.
Griffin's expression changed, "Maybe the shopkeeper made a mistake."
I wasn't feeling well and couldn't help coughing twice.
Wendy immediately exclaimed in alarm, "Oh dear, Janice, you haven't caught the flu, have you?! This wave of flu is extremely contagious and it's hard to recover from once you get it."
Griffin was very worried, "Wendy, you're not well, please don't let her catch it."
"Then what should we do? We live under the same roof after all."
"Let's just go to a hotel, this house is already full of viruses." Griffin picked up Wendy's bag, about to take her out.
"Janice, I'll take Wendy to a hotel first, we'll come back when you're better."
I called Wendy back, "Wendy."
Wendy turned around, "Janice, it was Griffin who insisted on taking me to a hotel, I couldn't help it."
"Janice, Wendy and I will get two rooms, don't overthink it." Griffin looked displeased.
"Don't worry, Janice. Even if Griffin and I are in the same room, it's him explaining the topic to me."
"I just wanted to tell Wendy that I'm a soldier," I said casually.
Wendy scoffed, "Janice, so what if you're a soldier? Are you any more noble than us ordinary people?"
Breaking up a military marriage had consequences, that’s what I wanted to say.
I watched them walk away, then called my best friend, Suzy Jackson, "Griffin took his junior to a hotel. Can you check where they went?"
The Jackson Family owned some hotels. Griffin, who cared about his pride, wouldn't stay at a budget hotel with Wendy. Well, they'd most likely stay at one of Suzy's family's chain five-star hotels.
Sure enough, a short while later, Suzy sent me the location and room number. They did indeed book two rooms.
I messaged Suzy, "Keep an eye on them for me."
Ten minutes later, Suzy called me, "Your husband's junior sister went to his room!"
I remained calm, "Do you have time now?"
"Yes! Come with me to catch him cheating."
I rushed to the hotel, started a live stream and even spent a lot of money to buy some viewers.
"Hello everyone, my husband is a PhD student at a research institute. He's incredibly hardworking and considerate. We just had our wedding two days ago and he's already taken his junior colleague to a hotel to conduct research."
Immediately, someone in the live stream asked, "Are you sure your husband is taking his junior colleague to the hotel to conduct research and not just to play cards?"
"Definitely not. My husband took his junior colleague to the hotel to discuss his research so as not to disturb my rest, because I have a slight cold."
"Besides, my husband is about to graduate with his PhD and will go directly to the research institute after graduation. If he has any issues with his conduct, he'll be expelled from the institute and seven years of hard work will be wasted."
"Furthermore, I'm a soldier and his junior colleague is an internet celebrity. I trust their character; they wouldn't break the law or gamble with their future."
The chat then asked which internet celebrity I was referring to and I immediately gave her Wendy's ID. Her account had hundreds of thousands of followers and she cultivated a persona of a beautiful, highly educated and clear-headed woman. Online, she was a self-reliant, strong and clear-headed woman who never flattered men.
"I bought their favorite little cakes to surprise them. Let's go, friends, I can't wait to see my husband's surprised expression."
Suzy grabbed the room key and opened the door with a ding.
I rushed in, phone in hand, "Surprise, honey!"
The two people on the bed, who were making love, were instantly stunned.
