Chapter 4, A Narrow Encounter

I casually boiled a pack of instant noodles, treating it as both breakfast and lunch. Looking at the time, I realized I was running out of it, so I changed my clothes and grabbed my bag to leave. The thought of receiving a large sum of money today filled me with anticipation, truly providing endless motivation! Money is the driving force to move forward! I scolded myself for being shameful! As soon as I entered, I asked, "Is the manager here?" Lele was counting money, and my eyes sparkled at the sight. Without looking up, she replied, "She is here, but she went to a meeting. Today is the regular meeting." I anxiously asked, "When will she be back?" Lele playfully tossed a stack of bills at my head and laughed, saying, "She'll be back to eat you! She will return sooner or later, so hurry up and get to work! The order for supplies from Wangjing has come in. The manager left a message that everything must be fully supplied. If it's not in the small warehouse, go find it in the large warehouse. Also, the numbers in the sales area are incomplete, so check the numbers first and then get all the goods out."

He suddenly turned his head and looked at me intently for a moment, saying: "Lin Ai, how did you manage to come over later? It must have been very difficult, right?" I shrugged and replied: "It wasn't much, it felt quite unpleasant at the time, but that feeling has gradually faded away now." He remained silent for a while, his hand stretched out and crossed over his chest, as if he were deep in thought. I stood at the top of the bridge, feeling the wind for a long time, and began to feel a bit chilly. Just as I was about to go down, he slowly said: "Do you remember that night? Was it intentional?" His tone carried a sense of nostalgia, yet lacked any ambiguous reminiscence. I did not pretend to forget, and nodded, saying: "At that time, I felt like I was about to leave, there was a kind of desolate beauty, so I used that way as a farewell ritual. I was still too young, deeply influenced by the pretentiousness of literature." I stood at the top of the bridge, feeling the wind for a long time, and began to feel a bit chilly. Just as I was about to go down, he slowly said: "Do you remember that night? Was it intentional?" His tone carried a sense of nostalgia, yet lacked any ambiguous reminiscence. I did not pretend to forget, and nodded, saying: "At that time, I felt like I was about to leave, there was a kind of desolate beauty, so I used that way as a farewell ritual. I was still too young, deeply influenced by the pretentiousness of literature."

Suddenly, I heard a shocking call of "Xu Ai!" I froze for a moment and continued walking straight ahead. I swore that I never wanted to see this person again in my life! He actually disregarded the curious gazes of everyone and strode over to grab my arm. I looked at him coldly, my eyes unblinking, not saying a word. Under my silent pressure, he awkwardly withdrew his hand and called out again: "Xu Ai!" I impatiently replied, "Sir, you have mistaken me for someone else; I am not Xu Ai!" He insisted again, calling out to me: "Xu Ai!" Under my silent pressure, he awkwardly withdrew his hand and called out again: "Xu Ai!" I impatiently replied, "Sir, you have mistaken me for someone else; I am not Xu Ai!" He still insisted, calling out to me once more: "Xu Ai!"

I neatly stacked a large pile of kites and then took out the electric pot to cook porridge. The light was still dim, and I casually grabbed two handfuls of rice and poured them in. The electric pot emitted a sizzling sound. I lay down on the bed and glanced up at the mottled, peeling wall, thinking that I should buy some wallpaper to put up soon; it probably wouldn't be too expensive. Perhaps I could try painting it myself. I wonder how paint is sold on the market and whether it is expensive. Also, the quilt isn't warm; I should take it to the rooftop to dry when the sun is out. As for the electric blanket, I will buy it once I receive my commission.

Then I hurriedly washed the clothes that I usually do not have time to wash. If I am on the early shift, I work at least twelve hours a day, leaving no time even for sleep, let alone washing clothes. I climbed to the top floor with a large bucket of clothes and secured each piece with clothespins. Watching the long sleeves dance in the wind, I wondered if they were flirting with me. I smiled foolishly, stretched lazily, feeling quite satisfied, as if I were completely filled with contentment. As I was coming down, I knocked on the landlord's door, "Sister Yang, my quilt is drying upstairs. I have to work tonight; could you please help me take it in when the sun goes down this evening? The clothes on the wire are also mine." She kindly replied that it was no problem. I thanked her repeatedly and jumped down the stairs.

Later, naturally, there were many subsequent events.

I said, "Just wait for a moment." I ran to the small shop under the bridge, and when I returned, I was holding a large butterfly-shaped kite, saying, "I bought this on credit, so you will have to go down and pay for it later." A flash of surprise crossed his eyes, and he wanted to snatch it from my hands, but I refused to give it to him. I didn't buy it for him to play with; why should he care about my bad luck? Couldn't he just stay quietly on the side and watch? He glared at me in anger and said, "Lin Ai, you are playing tricks on me!" With his temper rising, he took advantage of his height and snatched it from my hands, tearing the string and running away.

It was an abandoned bridge, with weeds growing on both sides. Suddenly, in the city center, there appeared such a desolate place, and he couldn't help but be taken aback, shaking his head repeatedly, saying: "Why hasn't construction started? What a waste! Don't they realize this is prime real estate!" Truly, he couldn't stray from his usual line of thought. I replied: "Who said construction hasn't started? It did, but then it was dismantled! The contractor is in a land dispute with the nearby university and is currently embroiled in a lawsuit; I don't even know how long it's been going on. So don't entertain any misguided ideas." He stood at the top of the bridge, his eyes gazing at the incessant flow of traffic below, saying: "This place is indeed nice, so quiet and peaceful." Standing high and looking far, with a broad view, all worries drifted away with the wind.

The next day was a night shift, and I rarely had the chance to sleep in, not knowing if the sun had reached others' backsides. In any case, no matter how the sun shone, it could not reach me here. I glanced at the time; it was 8:30, still early, but I had many things to do. I quickly got up, panting as I carried the quilt and mattress up to the rooftop. I draped them over the railing and with a swift motion, they spread out beautifully, like a child performing, clumsy and boring as it was, I still felt quite happy. Entertaining oneself is also good; it is enough for a person to feel happy. It seemed like I hadn't seen the rising sun in a long time, often I would enter the building to work before it even made an appearance. All day long, the fluorescent lights relentlessly shone on me, blurring the lines between day and night, turning black and white upside down; by the time I returned from work, there was not a single star in the sky above, only my shadow following me. However, I had already gotten used to it and found it quite acceptable.

I stood in front of the small shop with a large kite in hand, smiling as I waited for him to pay. He first handed me a bottle of mineral water, then asked, "Boss, do you have any kites left?" The bald shopkeeper cheerfully replied, "Yes, what kind do you want? There are always people flying kites on this bridge, we have plenty of styles." He said, "I want one of each." There were kites shaped like fish fins, big roosters, and even flying centipedes, a whole array of them. I teased him, "Are you going to take it home to eat?" I held the kite up to his face and said, "Take a bite, see if it tastes good." He nimbly stepped back to avoid it, laughing, "I don't know who wants to eat it!" Then he pushed the kite towards me all at once. I jumped up excitedly and said, "Is this for me?" He joked, "It's for you to eat." I replied seriously, "Alright, I'll go home and stew it in hot water for three days and three nights, it should be ready to eat then. Do you want to come over and taste it?" He ignored my nonsense and opened the car door, waiting for me to get in.

How infuriating! I forcefully shook him off and withdrew my hand. Caught off guard by my sudden attack, he stumbled. I crossed my arms and said expressionlessly, "My name is not Xu Ai. If you don't believe me, ask my colleagues; my name is Mu Xi." He stared at me in a daze, various emotions flooding his face, probably filled with guilt, but I didn't want to know. Finally, he weakly murmured, "Xu Ai, I've always wanted to tell you, to say I'm sorry..." Suddenly, I felt angry, and various emotions surged on my face, probably filled with guilt, but I didn't want to know. Finally, he weakly murmured, "Xu Ai, I've always wanted to tell you, to say I'm sorry..." I suddenly interrupted him angrily, raising my voice, "Sir, are you alright? Who called me Xu Ai?! Look clearly! Don't go around losing your mind!" He was left speechless by my retort, standing there with a face that alternated between green and white, wanting to say something but not daring to, looking somewhat awkward.

He seemed not to notice my discontent, stuffing the kite into my hands, and said, "I remember you used to dislike sports quite a bit." I replied irritably, "That was in the past. Health is the foundation of revolution; now that we are older, can we afford not to exercise?" He smiled, tugging at the collar of his shirt, the wind causing the edges to flutter, shimmering in the sunlight like a rippling lake surface. He leaned back against the railing of the bridge, taking a deep, refreshing breath. I asked, "Now, no one owes you money, right?" He faced the wind and replied, "There are plenty of people who owe me money!" I scolded, "Can't you stop thinking about it? Always fixated on money, how boring you are!" With so many worries, how could one manage them all? At this moment, everything is good, and that is enough. He laughed, "Lin Ai, you are still like this! Only you dare to show me your displeasure." Of course, I had no need to seek his favor. I tried to hang onto the railing with one hand, remaining silent.

I shrugged my shoulders and took the employee elevator to retrieve the goods while dragging the cart. After searching for a long time, covered in dust and dirt, I still couldn't find everything. I resentfully muttered a long string of numbers, wondering where I could find them; it was like searching for a needle in a haystack. I didn't know how the items were stored, nor was there any proper organization; everything was in complete disarray! I collapsed into a pile of clothes, thinking it didn't matter, I would just go back first. If I really couldn't find it, I would just transfer it from somewhere else. I dragged a large box of clothes downstairs, and when I exited the elevator, I got stuck. I was sweating profusely, fiddling for quite a while before finally getting it out. I collapsed into a pile of clothes, thinking it didn't matter, I would just go back first. If I really couldn't find it, I would just transfer it from somewhere else. I dragged a large box of clothes downstairs, and when I exited the elevator, I got stuck. I was sweating profusely, fiddling for quite a while before finally getting it out.

The two of them stared at each other in silence, with no one daring to sing. Later, they ordered a large amount of food, and after eating, they went back. He walked me home, and I stood on my tiptoes to kiss him. Our lips barely brushed against each other, lasting less than half a second, and I felt nothing at all. I didn't look at his expression; I swayed back home, as if I had secretly gotten drunk, swaying left and right, unsteady on my feet, feeling quite excited for a moment. Now that I think about it, I feel a silly sensation, always wanting to laugh, with only faint and warm memories left. I didn't look at his expression; I swayed back home, as if I had secretly gotten drunk, swaying left and right, unsteady on my feet, feeling quite excited for a moment. Now that I think about it, I feel a silly sensation, always wanting to laugh, with only faint and warm memories left. He must have felt the same way.

After much contemplation, feeling drowsy, I caught a whiff of the fragrant congee in a half-dreamy state. I thought about adding an egg, but after searching for a long time, I remembered that I had run out of eggs. The last time I went to the discount supermarket, I found the eggs too expensive and didn't buy any. Why is everything so expensive now! I haven't been able to bring myself to eat meat for a long time. I had no choice but to sprinkle some salt and add a bit of baking soda, lifting the lid of the pot and letting it simmer away. Only when I could no longer bear the hunger did I finally get up and serve myself a large bowl full. I tore open a packet of "Country Bumpkin" pickled vegetables and spread it on the small wooden table, enjoying it immensely. Of course, when you're hungry, anything tastes good. That's why I always wait until I'm very, very hungry before I devour my meals. Song Lingwei actually said he envied me; I suppose everyone has their own envies.

I did not move, smiling as I said, "You can go by yourself. I will stroll back, it's just a few steps." He asked against the setting sun, "Aren't you going to eat?" A faint glow enveloped his entire being. I felt it was hard to look at, and I shook my head slightly, saying, "I won't eat, I want to make some porridge for myself, just adding a bit of salt makes it very fragrant, I've been wanting to eat it." After a while, he said, "I really envy you, then I will leave." I waved my hand and walked through the residential building.

Cao Cao blocked my way. I frowned and said, "Sir, what are you doing? This is becoming entangled!" He said almost submissively, "Xu Ai, please don't be like this!" I could no longer endure it, my anger flaring up: "What should I be like? Cao Cao, shouldn't I be the one asking you to stop? I still have to go to work! If you had just listened to others, things wouldn't have come to this point!" For the first time, a look of pain appeared on his face, but I felt no sympathy at all. At that moment, I wished I could eat his flesh raw and drink his blood. My anger surged: "What should I be like? Cao Cao, shouldn't I be the one asking you to stop? I still have to go to work! If you had just listened to others, things wouldn't have come to this point!" For the first time, a look of pain appeared on his face, but I felt no sympathy at all. At that moment, I wished I could eat his flesh raw and drink his blood. Even now, I still do not want to forgive him; it is simply impossible! Why should I forgive? My entire future has been ruined by him!

He seemed to understand the beginning and end of the matter, and suddenly spoke with some difficulty: "Lin Ai, I am sorry for last night—" I hurriedly replied, "It's fine, it's fine, everyone knows about this. By now, I suppose everyone has forgotten. Even I hardly remember it; it was over ten years ago, there is no need to apologize for anything." He fell silent for a moment, then asked, "What about later?" I was puzzled and retorted, "What do you mean by later?" He looked directly into my eyes and asked, word by word, "What have you been like in the ten years that followed?"

He approached me with a shameless grin and said, "Xu Ai, I just returned from abroad and have been asking around about you. I didn't expect you to come to Beijing—" I could no longer tolerate it and coldly forced out a reply: "Who knows you!" He leaned in even closer, shamelessly saying, "Xu Ai, I truly apologize for what happened back then—" I looked up at him with disdain and said, "Are you going to leave or not?" That was already quite an insult.

He shook his head: "The situation is quite complicated, and it is only natural that she does not forgive me." The gossiping enthusiasm of those people was completely stirred up by him, and they eagerly asked: "Why did Mu Xi say she doesn't know you? Did you do something bad?" I couldn't understand where those people's minds were wandering! He even dared to nod! Oh my! Why hasn't lightning struck down, and why hasn't the store manager returned yet! I took a deep breath, pretending it was none of my business, and walked to the front desk, opening the drawer to rummage for tape. Oh my! Why hasn't lightning struck down, and why hasn't the store manager returned yet! I took a deep breath, pretending it was none of my business, and walked to the front desk, opening the drawer to rummage for tape. Without even looking up, I knew that everyone's gaze was focused entirely on me. Thanks to him, I had once again drawn a lot of attention!

I gritted my teeth and cursed, "Song Lingwei, do you have no shame?! Bullying a weak woman like me!" He revealed an evil smile, provocatively looking at me. I was anxious; one fights for their dignity. I raised my bag and threw it at him with all my might, furious that he was stealing the spotlight. The wind was favorable, and the kite flew higher and higher behind him, until it was just a black dot, almost unnoticeable if one didn't look closely. My neck was sore from craning it back. After much effort, I ran up and grabbed his arm, shouting, "Song Lingwei, you are so lacking in loyalty. Can you let me play for a while? I bought this!" His arm stretched out long, and he maliciously said, "What did you say? I can't hear you!" I shouted with all my might, "Song Lingwei, you bastard—" How could he be even more despicable than before! A strong wind blew, and the wind rushed into my throat. I held my waist and coughed, watching helplessly as he ran off with the kite.

At that time, the two of us were in the same class; he was the class monitor, and I was the representative for physics. I excelled in physics and often won awards in competitions. There were widespread rumors that we were in a romantic relationship. Both of us came from well-off families and were quite good-looking, which fueled the rumors even more. The teachers did not say much; the old man who taught physics would just smile and pat my shoulder, telling me not to fall behind in my studies. Eventually, even we started to feel a bit of attraction towards each other, as if the falsehood had turned into reality. Suddenly, my father announced that we were moving. I felt quite melancholic and specifically invited him out, leaving behind a stack of cash to go to the most expensive KTV.

At that moment, a woman walked over. At first glance, she appeared fashionable and beautiful, with well-styled curly hair and elegantly worn clothes. I noticed the tassels at the hem of her outfit, which were quite lovely. She naturally linked her arm with his and said, "Cao, do you know this young lady?" He first glanced at my expression, then hesitantly nodded and slowly said, "We are classmates—" I coldly interrupted him, maintaining a blank expression, and said, "Miss, this gentleman has mistaken me for someone else; I do not know him at all." Who knows him! I have never been this unlucky in my life! Yet she looked at me with great interest. I turned to see that everyone was staring at us, peering with curiosity, their eyes filled with inquisitive expressions. They must have thought it was a scene of infatuated lovers, not realizing that it was entirely the opposite.

As soon as I entered, I shouted, "Lele, can you check on the computer if we still have the clothing item 397260?" Then I struggled to pull the trailer inside. Suddenly, I felt a gaze fixed intently on me; I wiped the sweat from my brow and stood up straight, casually glancing over. The person looked refined, an entirely delicate face, the type that would deceive for food and drink. I took another look, my expression changed, and without raising my head, I immediately turned to leave. Lele was still behind me saying, "We do have it, but not all sizes. Which size do you want?" I didn't respond and continued walking back in silence.

Yet he still persistently followed behind me, constantly asking, "Xu Ai, how have you been these years? Why can't I find you no matter how hard I try?" I suddenly turned around, feeling my veins about to burst, and said fiercely, "Are you still a man?" He was taken aback by my seemingly nonsensical question, probably at a loss for words for a moment. I stared at him coldly and asked again, and he didn't understand what I meant, stammering, "Of course... I am..." I flicked my hair in extreme impatience, feeling my veins about to burst again, and said fiercely, "Are you still a man?" He was once again taken aback by my seemingly nonsensical question, probably still unsure how to respond. I stared at him coldly and asked again, and he still didn't understand what I meant, stammering, "Of course... I am..." I flicked my hair in extreme impatience and said harshly, "If you are a man, then get lost! You have no shame, and I still need to maintain my dignity at work!" My words were not just harsh; I felt like punching and kicking him, wanting to beat him to a pulp!

I dashed after him, shouting: "Stop right there, be careful of me—" The wind grew stronger, filling my throat, making it impossible to finish my words. My back felt sticky, and I waved my hand to fan myself, gasping, "You can really run!" I felt hot all over, took off my jacket and threw it on the ground, leaning over the railing. He also stopped, his face sweaty, walking over with the kite in hand, wiping his sweat and laughing, "When did you become such a good runner? Like a rabbit!" I rolled my eyes and said, "How can I not run?" He took off his jacket too, but threw it on top of my clothes. I shot him a glare. What kind of person is this! He snatched my kite and now wants to use my clothes as a cushion.

Who can manage so much? Others can think whatever they want! I will do what I need to do, and even if he is a guest, there is no need for me to attend to him! I struggled to push the box into the storeroom, but when I encountered the low step at the door, I couldn't drag it up. In a fit of anger, I kicked it, forcefully sending it into the storeroom. Then I packed the bags and angrily walked out to get the seal. To my surprise, he was still there, leaning on the cash register chatting with Lele, while nearby were interested customers, and even Zhuzhu was leaning in. In a moment of anger, I kicked it, forcefully sending it into the storeroom. Then I packed the bags and angrily walked out to get the seal. To my surprise, he was still there, leaning on the cash register chatting with Lele, while nearby were interested customers, and even Zhuzhu was leaning in, only to hear him say: "I am a college classmate of Xu Ai—" Lele exclaimed, "Oh! Has Mu Xi changed her name again? When did she attend college? How come we didn't know?" Zhuzhu also said, "Sir, you must be mistaken, right? How could Mu Xi, a college student, work in a place like this? There are indeed people in the world who look alike. What if you really have mistaken her?"

The woman who had previously held onto him frowned and said, "Miss, I do not know what happened between you and Cao Cao. But can't you speak properly?" I glanced at them and the surrounding customers and colleagues, who all seemed extremely dissatisfied with my poor attitude. I scoffed inwardly, truly a master of timing and location. I tried to calm myself down; after all, he was a customer, and there was absolutely no reason to offend a customer. I forced a professional smile and said lightly, "Please take your time choosing your clothes." I tried to calm myself down; after all, he was a customer, and there was absolutely no reason to offend a customer. I forced a professional smile and said lightly, "Please take your time choosing your clothes."

I lifted my head, took a long breath towards the sky, grasped the bridge railing, turned around, and lay down at the bottom of the bridge. Below me was a swift flow of traffic, and for a moment, I felt a sense of disorientation, then slowly said: "And so it came to be like this." He shook his head slowly and said: "Lin Ai, it shouldn't be like this for you now, just like this." I suddenly stood up straight and smiled, saying: "I'm a bit cold; let's go down. Also, I'm thirsty; you should treat me to some water, just pure mineral water will do." He nodded in agreement and then slowly said: "And so it came to be like this." He shook his head slowly and said: "Lin Ai, it shouldn't be like this for you now, just like this." I suddenly stood up straight and smiled, saying: "I'm a bit cold; let's go down. Also, I'm thirsty; you should treat me to some water, just pure mineral water will do." He nodded in agreement, draped his suit jacket over my shoulders, so heavy that it blocked all the wind outside. My eyes suddenly turned red, feeling a momentary warmth in my icy body.