Chapter 216
But the restaurant was near Maricela’s place. Hailing a cab from there made sense. Maybe they’d all escorted her
home?
He felt disgusting–clothes damp with evaporated sweat, pants muddy and clinging to him. Needed a shower and fresh clothes. Now,
The car arrived.
He opened the door, met by the driver’s disgusted glare.
He looked down at himself. Yeah. Muddy pants. He’d judge too.
“Sorry. I’ll cover the cleaning fee.”
But he had to get home.
“Get in, get in!”
Grumpy but compliant, the driver nodded.
“Thanks.”
Cedrick checked his dying phone. “I’ll pay now, driver. Battery’s about to die.”
“Fifty!”
The driver snapped, “For cleaning inside.”
Cedrick almost laughed. Money felt utterly useless right now. He transferred ten thousand yuan.
The driver gaped. “Buddy, you alright?
What’s gotten into you?”
That reek of alcohol, filthy clothes–clearly some drunk took a spill.
“I’ve troubled you,”
Cedrick said.
“Whoa, no no! Not that much trouble. And seriously, you don’t need to pay this much–you’re scaring me, man!”
The driver looked flustered.
Cedrick watched familiar scenery flash by the window. He’d traveled this road dozens of times over five years. A mirthless smile touched his lips. “Yesterday was my birthday. I wanted to hear ‘Happy Birthday.‘ Could you say it?”
0.0 %
12:00
Chapter 216
“Happy Birthday, man.”
The driver stared, dumbfounded. Ten grand for two words?
“Hey man… you didn’t get dumped, did you?”
Cedrick shook his head. “No. My wife got upset and went traveling. But she’ll come back.”
“Ha!
Man, if the wife’s mad, we messed up. Even if we didn’t, her anger means we’re wrong!
Right?”
268 Vouchers
The driver launched into his lecture. “We bring a girl into our home to make her happy, not angry. So if she’s upset? We failed.”
Cedrick listened, frozen.
“But listen–women have the softest, kindest hearts. Treat her right, truly care, and she’ll feel your love. Apologize properly later. Right or wrong, we change. Don’t drown troubles in booze–that just makes her madder!
Right?
Get home, call your wife. Ask where she is, if she needs money. Pick her up later. Build a happy life together.
Right?”
He eyed Cedrick. “Don’t mind my rambling. You seem decent–probably generous with her too. But rich or poor, cherishing your wife matters. I drive this cab. Can’t match your earnings, but I hold her dear every day. She’s over- joyed.
You–call her now. It’s early morning. Say good morning. Tell her you missed her all night. Speak from the heart…”
Cedrick smiled faintly but didn’t move.
“What?
Too shy?”
Cedrick lifted his phone. “Almost dead.”
“Tch!
Remember this!”
The driver insisted.
Cedrick looked down at his device.
Unused all night, its battery hovered at 1%.
34.6 %
12:00
Chapter 216
Utter silence. No notifications.
The screen showed 7:00 AM. He instinctively calculated time zones–then the display darkened.
Died completely…
Reaching home, the driver reminded him: “Apologize properly to your wife.”
“Hope I didn’t overstep, man!”
Cedrick waved goodbye with a smile.
Home. First thing: plug in the phone. Then shower.
Stripping off his shirt, he noticed a fresh scratch across his chest.
He frowned.
Finished washing quickly. Grabbed the phone to call.
Called Maricela.
She answered. He blurted, “I’m sorry, Maricela. Last night I-”
“No apologies needed!”
788 Voucher
Maricela cut him off, her voice cheerful. “Visiting Grandma was right. I’m not unreasonable–just worried. You went out drunk last night. Anything could’ve happened. I’m glad you’re safe.”
“I… feared I offended you while drunk.”
He chose his words carefully.
“No, I just lost my footing in my slippers. You didn’t push me, don’t worry about it…”
Cedrick let out a sigh of relief…
Good… that’s good… Maybe it was just scratched by branches last night in the countryside…
71.6%