Chapter 8
She had arranged to have dinner with Xing Jianfeng at a restaurant in Shanghai. As soon as work hours ended, she did not stay late and went downstairs early. During peak hours, it was still extremely difficult to hail a taxi. The rain continued to fall, pattering incessantly.
The two sat in silence facing each other. He had no words either, merely escorting her downstairs. She tossed and turned all night, finding herself unable to sleep at all. The next day, her dark circles were quite evident. Fortunately, in the twenty-first century, cosmetics have become a woman's most intimate friend; no matter how severe the situation, they can still cover up a bit! As the saying goes, society does not award sympathy prizes! Even if you suffer from insomnia for three hundred sixty days a year, for the sake of life, you still have to go to work on time in the morning. If you can't manage that, then you might as well stay home and take care of yourself.
He remained silent, standing at the elevator door, holding her tightly, as if he were trying to suffocate her; even breathing felt like a luxury. His head rested on her shoulder for a long time before he bitterly uttered a few words: "Zhao Zimo, you are impressive, you have won!"
In fact, it is only during the New Year each year that she has the time to return home and reunite with her mother and sister. Generally, she needs to take an additional two weeks off to stay a bit longer, and then accompany her mother to visit relatives and friends. It is reminiscent of her childhood when she eagerly anticipated the New Year. In the past, it was due to the scarcity of goods; only during the New Year did she have new clothes, new shoes, and various snacks to eat. Thus, she looked forward to the New Year every day. Now, she looks forward to it for the holiday. A few days ago, Shen Xiaojia lamented to her about this topic: "What is there to celebrate for the New Year? I am another year older!" In the past, it was due to the scarcity of goods; only during the New Year did she have new clothes, new shoes, and various snacks to eat. Thus, she looked forward to the New Year every day. Now, she looks forward to it for the holiday. A few days ago, Shen Xiaojia lamented to her about this topic: "What is there to celebrate for the New Year? I am another year older!"
Only then did she come to her senses, smiled, and shook her head: "No need!" He seemed to lack patience: "If you wish for me to continue to pull at you here—" She understood his meaning, glanced at him, and decided to get in the car after all. There was truly no need to provide herself as fodder for others' idle chatter.
Not knowing how to hail a taxi, I stood at the entrance and spotted Xing Jianfeng's white car from a distance. He rolled down the window and smiled, saying, "Get in!" His smile always revealed a set of bright, even teeth, which uplifted one's spirits. It was akin to witnessing the sun rise in the morning, always evoking a sense of hope and joy
She was unable to think, only coughing intermittently. After taking the towel that Xing Jianfeng handed her, she tried to calm her breath. Unaware that her actions seemed overly intimate, she said, "Uh, Pingting, long time no see." Her tone was surprisingly hesitant. It then occurred to her that this place seemed to be one of the gathering spots for their group! Her gaze passed over Pingting and, as expected, she saw him just entering the door, with a graceful figure on his arm. They were a handsome couple, a perfect match that almost beautified the restaurant. From a distance, she couldn't tell if he had seen her, so she hurriedly turned her head to deceive herself.
With just a exchanged glance, it felt as if a fiery brand had been seared into the heart, a scorching heat that seemed eternal, yet it inexplicably brought forth pain. The heart beats irregularly
Upon leaving the restaurant, the rain had already stopped, and the air was filled with a refreshing fragrance from the earth, uplifting one's spirits. Xing Jianfeng was halfway through his meal when he received a call from the company. After repeatedly apologizing, he hurriedly rushed back. As a fellow worker, he naturally understood this hardship. If they were in different places, and it was her receiving the call today, she would have no choice either, as one is always at the mercy of others, and the importance of one's job cannot be overstated
Shen Xiao Jia took a few sips of coffee and adjusted her glasses on her nose: "Zi Mo, have you lost weight recently? Your chin looks sharper!" It was just a casual remark, yet her heart skipped a beat, and the water in her cup began to ripple. Still, she playfully teased Shen Xiao Jia: "It's intentional weight loss; I don't know how many good things I've had to skip! Mainly, I can't let you have all the beauty to yourself!" Shen Xiao Jia is a northern girl, tall and slender, a true flower. The male colleagues in the company jokingly referred to the Business Division Four, which encompasses beauties from both the north and south, claiming that all the male colleagues in the four divisions enjoyed a feast for the eyes.
The air was very quiet, a silence she found somewhat unfamiliar. Is it always like this for those who have broken up? She had no experience. As depicted on television, in situations like theirs, one would generally expect to never cross paths again. How could she be sitting in his car now? It felt as if nothing had ever happened
Shen Xiaojia held a steaming cup of coffee and leaned over, asking, "Zimo, are you thinking about your lover?" She turned her head, glanced at her lazily, and replied with a smile, "Is there someone who forbids me from thinking?" Shen Xiaojia laughed and said, "Wow, what's going on lately? It seems like you're starting to speak the truth. " Then she stared at the raindrops on the glass for a long time and remarked, "I guess it's red rain today!" She couldn't help but laugh, truly defeated by Shen Xiaojia's eloquence. No wonder the male colleagues in the department often suggested she apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying they didn't want to lose high-level talent from the country. However, she did not respond, so as not to allow Shen Xiaojia to continue her topic.
It was indeed late, and I hurried to the entrance of the community to hail a taxi. The security guard, who I usually only exchanged nods with, saw me and followed behind. Taking advantage of the gap while I was trying to flag down a car, he said: "Miss Zhao, could you ask your boyfriend to reserve a fixed parking space every month? First, you won't have to buy tickets, and the price is cheaper. Of course, this amount of money might not matter to you. Second, the parking spaces are not fixed, which can be quite troublesome."
Hasn't he broken up with her? Moreover, it has been over two months. I believe during this time, he should have already found someone new. It cannot be said that he has found someone new; he has always had women around him. Someone like her, who lacks both figure and looks, should belong to the lowest tier.
She reflexively held the cup, her mind a complete muddle, utterly unaware of anything. All day long, she pondered why he had stopped downstairs. Hadn't they already broken up? Hadn't she made herself clear enough at the time? Wasn't it obvious enough? Shen Xiaojia's words had somewhat clarified her thoughts; indeed, what was wrong with her? What he chose to do was his own business, unrelated to her!
Only after she fastened her seatbelt did he start the car: "I knew it would be hard to get a taxi during this time. I still wanted to come and see you." He was indeed quite considerate. The place where he worked was really far from her, and she felt embarrassed to have him drive across half the city. She had already agreed to take a taxi by herself. She turned her head and looked at him carefully; with his handsome features, he was truly a good match.
Xing Jianfeng has a good demeanor; when ordering, he discusses with her and seeks her opinion. As for the dishes, as long as the flavors are not too strong, she generally does not mind. It is unclear whether his casual remark was intentional: "Are you planning to go back for the New Year?" She was currently engaged in a struggle with the fish head casserole: "Yes, of course I will go back."
The fish head stew indeed has a delightful flavor, rich and delicious. On such a cold day, it brings a faint sense of familiar warmth. After sipping a few mouthfuls of the soup, I felt myself warming up. Speaking of which, she hasn't cooked soup by herself for a long time; it seems that ever since then, she has not cooked at all.
The security guard's attitude was very good, still smiling. She said, "That silver-gray one, the last three digits of the license plate are 666—" A loud ringing echoed in her mind; wasn't 666 the license plate of his silver-gray Mercedes? The subsequent words were no longer within her range of reception. After a long while, she finally found her voice: "Does he—park his car here at night?" Seeing the security guard nod, she continued, "He comes almost every night these days, the time varies, but he always leaves early in the morning." Her face grew increasingly pale—as if she sensed something was amiss, the security guard's voice lowered. After a long while, she finally found her voice: "Does he—park his car here at night?" Seeing the security guard nod, she continued, "He comes almost every night these days, the time varies, but he always leaves early in the morning." Her face grew increasingly pale—as if she sensed something was amiss, the security guard's voice lowered.
She is ultimately a mortal, not a deity, which is why she feels restless throughout the night. After spending half the day online in her room, there was nothing worthwhile to see, merely entertainment gossip and social news. Through the shimmering screen, it had nothing to do with her. Stretching her body, she went to the kitchen to pour a glass of water, and upon lowering her head, she saw a bag of trash. Gritting her teeth, she grabbed it and rushed downstairs
She secretly glanced at him, her expression unreadable. Earlier, from a distance, she hadn't observed him closely, only perceiving his face as a vague blur, merely able to discern a silhouette. Yet, even with just that silhouette, she recognized it was him. Now that they were closer, she noticed he seemed somewhat haggard, with faint dark circles under his eyes. Reflecting on the graceful figure in the restaurant moments ago, she felt no sympathy. It was likely the consequence of excessive indulgence. Now that they were closer, she noticed he seemed somewhat haggard, with faint dark circles under his eyes. Reflecting on the graceful figure in the restaurant moments ago, she felt no sympathy. It was likely the consequence of excessive indulgence.
As the workday came to an end, it unexpectedly began to rain, falling upon the large expanse of floor-to-ceiling glass, creating a continuous patter that resembled the tears of a parted lover. She laughed, holding a colorful striped cup, and as winter approached, thoughts of the year's end made her increasingly sentimental. She was no exception.
Still at the window seat, the rain-soaked glass reveals a city that remains bustling and vibrant. Amidst the incessant revelry and the bright lights, how much genuine joy truly exists within? Who can know?
Qingting approached step by step, dressed in a full outfit of red, her smile enchanting and radiant, truly captivating beyond compare: "Zimo, it really is you! You've gone missing again!" The fish soup unexpectedly lodged in my throat, unable to be swallowed or spat out, and I began to cough on the spot
She suddenly trembled all over; he was standing right in front of her, motionless, staring at her as if he had been waiting for her. She glanced around but did not see the graceful figure that had just been half draped over him as she had expected. Neither of them moved. The valet had brought his car over, and he handed a tip without taking his eyes off her: "Get in the car." His tone was firm and left no room for refusal. The valet had brought his car over, and he handed a tip without taking his eyes off her: "Get in the car." His tone was firm and left no room for refusal. He had always been this way
She had no recollection of how she got on the bus or how she arrived at the company. She was still in a state of shock. The entire work period felt like a chaotic battlefield, where everything she did went wrong. Even Shen Xiao Jia could not bear to watch and poured her a glass of water: "Zi Mo, what is wrong with you today?"
She only heard a voice rise, hoarse and unlike her own: "You can't be here to see me, can you?" She certainly did not think she had such great charm! He said nothing, merely gazing at her without moving.
In the biting cold, she really had no need to accompany him in drinking the cold wind. Turning around, she ran towards the elevator. The footsteps behind her followed closely. She had never been one for sports, and by the time she reached the elevator door, she was caught in his embrace. She froze there, not daring to move. What was happening in this scene? Why was it completely deviating from the script?
In fact, the sun will rise as usual tomorrow, and it will not stop because of you or him. My mother's phone calls remain as frequent as ever, and naturally, this year's return home will be spent amidst the fatigue of love. Sometimes, when I pause to reflect, I realize that my mother's words do hold some truth; at a certain point in life, one must settle down. People should do what they are supposed to do at the right time. One cannot engage in romantic relationships while studying, nor can one neglect their studies when they should be working. It is precisely for this reason that some people remain in disarray forever. Yet, there are others who are remarkably successful.
The residential community is somewhat old, and when it was originally planned, the long-term implications were not considered, resulting in frequent shortages of parking spaces, which she is aware of. However, she did not immediately understand the security guard's words and was momentarily taken aback, thinking she had misheard. After a while, seeing that the security guard was still following her with a smile, waiting for her response, she tapped her forehead, feeling pain, which suggested she probably did not mishear. Ignoring the cars that were being stopped, she turned around, slightly furrowing her brows and said, "I think you might be mistaken, right?" Where would she have a boyfriend? Even when they were together before, he would come over at irregular times.
In a haze, she faintly heard someone calling her name, the tone unmistakably familiar. She raised her head in confusion, only to find it was Pingting. After her breakup with him, she had not encountered Pingting again. They only occasionally spoke over the phone, but never mentioned him. If she had not provided the beginning of the story back then, why should she unnecessarily elaborate on the ending now
Indeed, it was his car, his person. The garbage bag in her hand had fallen to the ground at some point without her noticing. He also stepped out of the car and walked over, one step at a time. She could not show weakness; she lifted her head and looked at him. He was also looking at her, as if a hunter had locked onto its prey.