two

When I returned to the room and looked in the mirror, I finally understood what he meant by peeling skin

From the package that Xu Zhijun gave me, I found a box of mint ointment, which feels somewhat cool when applied to the areas of my skin that are peeling.

At 10:30 PM, just as the youth idol drama produced by Mango TV was starting, her phone rang, and Chen Chen's name flickered on the screen

It was originally just a casual remark, and neither Kang Jie nor Song Yuan noticed that Li Shanshan had momentarily been taken aback before casually saying: "How could you not have worn it? You just don't remember."

More than ten cuts! Kang Jie thought silently, even an elephant couldn't withstand such hacking!

It was also a coincidence that he drove Tang Xi to a certain restaurant for a meal. The fathers of both of them had recently engaged in some business collaboration. When it comes to business discussions, it is inevitable to indulge in food and drink, and to go through the motions. After a few drinks, they exchanged flattery and pleasantries, and the business talk was nearly concluded.

When he stopped, after a pause of two seconds, a sudden burst of applause and whistling erupted from the crowd, resembling clouds suddenly appearing. I had thought he might feel a bit embarrassed, but he did not show any signs of shyness or bashfulness on his face. Just like Lin Yizhou, it seemed that no situation could leave them at a loss.

As soon as he entered, he began to complain: "What the hell, why did you choose such a hidden place? Are you trying to hide and engage in pyramid schemes?"

Kang Jie had not yet responded. As Lin Yizhou's former best friend of the opposite sex, Li Shanshan, who had been troubled by Xu Zhijun's interference in Lin Yizhou's last phone call, said sarcastically through her mask: "Xu Zhijun, I didn't expect you to act so quickly. It's only been a few days since Luo Xun left, and you've already found a new girlfriend."

Everyone's gaze was focused on me, and in that moment, my face quickly flushed a deep crimson. When I sat down beside him, I couldn't help but shoot him a fierce glare.

I originally thought that as long as my feet left that familiar land, I could at least refrain from thinking about it for a short period of time, if not completely forget. However, the person before me possesses an almost magical aura that awakens all the thoughts I had deliberately tried to suppress.

I said I don't know him! Kang Jie was also getting impatient; she really couldn't bring herself to tell her friend: he is my mother's... ? ... boyfriend ... ? Or perhaps a more straightforward way to put it... ? ... lover?

Everyone has an energy field. I believe that sadness can only be endured alone, but joy can be contagious. Therefore, I resolutely gathered together!

Except for that brief rupture between us, I realized that I had hardly ever seen her cry. Perhaps she did have tears, but they were shed in places where no one could see them

I do not know what that is, I feel that there can be no more appropriate name in this world to encapsulate it, so it can only be referred to as love

Originally, Song Yuan, who was at home playing a game, had no choice but to borrow a car from Luo Suran to help out. Kang Jie, waiting downstairs, completely broke down upon seeing that familiar Beetle: "Do you have any brains? A car this small can barely fit one extra person on a regular day, and you brought it to help me move?"

The eloquent Kang Jie found herself at a loss for words when confronted by the even more articulate Li Shanshan. In moments like this, she often reminisced about the time when Cheng Luoxun was left gasping for breath by her sharp tongue. The timid one, fearing confrontation, had no choice but to change the subject: "Alright, alright, my clothes are all ragged, while yours look great... Hey, when did you buy this jacket? I've never seen you wear it before!"

As the event came to an end and most people had left, I, feeling ashamed and wanting to sneak back to my room along the wall, was suddenly called out by my enemy: "Hey, where are you from?"

Pervert! Shameless! Judging by appearance! Superficial!

The atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point

Later he said, let's do it this way, we will be invisible to each other, so we don't have to act like two fools every time

He continued, "Are all mistresses as high-profile as you?"

Song Yuan still wanted to ask something, but Kang Jie threw down the items: "Song Yuan, will you help or not? If you won't help, I'll just call a moving company!"

Half an hour later, he arrived at the door carrying several boxes of cold dishes, a box of fried rice, and the braised pig's trotters that she had been deeply enamored with since the moment she met him

It is the breath, that kind of long-lost breath, so familiar to me, that involuntarily reminds me of Lin Yizhou

After turning off the computer, I rested my arm on my pillow and stared at the small skylight, lost in thought for a long time

What can be called love is merely that one thing

I am well aware of my conflicted personality; when I am alone, I tend to get caught up in trivial matters. To prevent myself from sinking deeper into that painful emotion, I picked up the carpet and decided to go out for a casual stroll

I slowly squeezed in from the outskirts of the crowd and finally reached a position closest to the center. I didn't care about the chubby girl next to me who was glaring at me with her eyes nearly popping out. Who told you to be so fat, taking up the space of two people!

"None of your business!" I replied to him fiercely

The refined and graceful Tang Xi highlights how petty and small-minded Kang Jie and Li Shanshan are

Chen Chen raised an eyebrow: "That's true, you have been struggling against your stepmothers for so many years, your father really has it tough. By the way, you were doing well at the bar, and your income was relatively stable. Why did you suddenly stop? I advised you not to go there in the first place, but you didn't listen. I told you that you are my woman, and I would take care of you no matter what. If I have 10 yuan, I would give you 5 yuan, but you didn't believe me."

I can tell from his demeanor that he is certainly not capable of producing ivory from a dog's mouth. I would rather not seek my own demise by choosing truth, after all, I am a person of good character. If I choose truth, my words will not contain even a hint of falsehood

Only after I had finally defended my territory with sheer brute force did I realize that at the center of the circle was that ABC who had deliberately spoken English to me

There is also disappointment

You think I want this? I also wish to live in an apartment next to the Ferris wheel, sitting by the bay window with a cup of coffee every day, lamenting that this world does not align with my dreams!" Kang Jie felt even more resentment than he did

It suddenly struck me like a black hurricane on the night between spring and summer when I was eighteen, catching me off guard and leaving me unable to remain calm. In the time that followed, it accompanied me closely, lingering and refusing to leave.

She is no exception

Kang Jie, who is highly efficient and well-connected, managed to finalize the housing arrangements within half a day. A boyfriend of her classmate's cousin from her vocational school happened to work as a real estate agent. According to her requirements, he quickly provided her with an apartment that had "as long as there is a bed, a water heater, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a sofa, and the ability to connect to broadband, it will be fine." Coincidentally, it was also not far from where Li Shanshan and the others lived.

At this moment, the skin from the neck down to the chest is all displaying a horrifying red. When I gently rub it with my hand, fine flakes of skin fall off in abundance. I then lower my head to look at my feet in sandals, which were originally fair but have now been sunburned into a grotesque irregular pattern.

In the candlelight, I saw his face, and the hand holding the porcelain cup trembled uncontrollably. That feeling, I had encountered long, long ago, as if fate was once again calling in the darkness.

The bed creaks loudly even when she merely turns over, the refrigerator is only knee-high, and even when completely filled, it can only store enough provisions for two days. The air conditioner hangs on the wall as a mere decoration; the moment she presses the remote control, a loud rumble is heard from above. As for the sofa... she really wants to call that damned agent and ask: "Does your sofa look like a rattan chair?"

He was holding a guitar and tuning it, and when the first sound of the guitar rang out, the originally noisy crowd suddenly fell silent, with a gentle light shining in everyone's eyes

In the last few days in Dali, when Kang Jie called me and said, "I quit my job at the bar, damn it, if I keep doing this, I'm going to shorten my life," I hesitated for a moment and asked her, "You didn't cry, did you?"

After surveying the surroundings, he ultimately fixed his gaze on me, a defenseless and frail woman, saying: "You, with the long hair, do you choose truth or dare?"

I secretly feel pleased, thinking to myself, you want to mess with me? Just wait and see: "Yes, you look down on us mistresses, but we also earn money through our own abilities. We mistresses have our own dignity..."

The car stopped at a place one stop away from Zhongtian International. Xu Zhijun timely parked the car, citing "it would be difficult to find parking if we go any further" as the reason. Both Kang Jie and Li Shanshan were well aware that he did not want to approach that place, did not want to face the woman living there, and her daughter, who was his half-sister.

I estimate that if this continues, she will be unable to control herself and commit the heinous act of matricide

Wearing sunglasses, Li Shanshan donned a black coat, exuding an impressive aura and style. From a distance, she resembled the models featured in fashion magazines showcasing European and American street photography. She exclaimed, "What the hell, we are so broke that we might as well sell a kidney; where are we supposed to find a big vehicle for you? Besides, you don’t even have any furniture, just those worn-out clothes and shoes. Do you expect us to bring an aircraft carrier to help you move?"

Kang Jie lowered her head and remained silent for a long time

You say you won't do a good job just like that, you have quite a bit of backbone! What is backbone worth in this society? Look at Aunt Wang's daughter, her belly is as big as a watermelon, and you still lie at home every day pretending to be dead. You both have daughters, so why do others have such good fortune?

Kang Jie and the others had been staring at him and Tang Xi since they got on the car, but Li Shanshan was obscured by a mask, so he could only see Kang Jie making faces in the rearview mirror

Disappointment towards her relatives, disappointment towards emotions; she had thought that both her mother and Chen Chen would support her decision to leave the bar. To her surprise, they both felt a bit regretful. She even thought quite radically, is it that as long as I can make money, you all do not care about the environment I am in? Is it that even if I were to engage in drug trafficking or prostitution, you would find it acceptable?

However, he did not mind my bad attitude at all and still smiled with a good-natured expression, asking, "So what do you do?"

I simply want to solidify that kind of aura— that kind of sharp, unrestrained, and free-spirited essence— into a hard crystal to carry with me at all times

In the silence of Kang Jie, the sound of the television seemed particularly loud, as the female lead and the male lead ran along the beach, with the waves wetting their feet

Upon seeing his avatar, my first reaction was to log off. Then I immediately realized that I was actually in invisible mode, and he had no idea I was online. Shortly after, I recalled that when we were together, since neither of us liked to be online, we would always have to ask, "Are you there?" before starting a conversation

That night, she moved into the old house that was "fully equipped with appliances and bright with clear windows," and only then did she realize that renting a house truly reflects the principle of "you get what you pay for"

In the same night, Xu Zhijun sat on the sofa in the living room, absentmindedly pressing the television remote, switching from 1 to 50, then back from 50 to 1. The Samoyed lying beside him emitted a vague gurgling sound from its throat

"Doing well? I almost got raped."

I don't know! '' Kang Jie had nothing good to say.

Of course, Kang Jie did not set up a street stall. Firstly, those who operate street stalls have their own fixed locations and would not give way to a little girl who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Moreover, it is said that there was once a brawl over a one-foot-wide space, and the most unfortunate one was stabbed more than ten times.

From beginning to end, Li Shanshan did not say a single word

From morning till night, Kang Jie lived in the shadow of the wife of the relocated household in the countryside

My ... ... my ... ... I really wish I could bite off my own tongue, but I, Cheng Luoxun, cannot disgrace the reputation of Changsha girls. I closed my eyes, steeled my heart, and shouted that earth-shattering phrase as if I were facing death: "My ... ... the fox odor cannot be cured!"

Xu Zhijun, it has only been a few days since Luoxun went out, and he has already found a new girlfriend so quickly

Then... ? ... I would also be stabbed a dozen times, right? She thought with lingering fear

The carefree A Long staggered in from the yard gate, and as soon as he saw Kang Jie, he instinctively stepped aside. Just as he was about to say something, Kang Jie turned around, facing away from him, and focused intently on moving things into the car

I do not understand why I have such a sorrowful feeling; this is the first time since leaving Changsha that it has been so intense

In that moment, I truly wanted to slap myself twice: Cheng Luoxun, you fool, you absolute fool

She laughed heartily, causing her facial mask to become misshapen: "You are so annoying, laughing while wearing a mask will cause wrinkles!"

She always speaks in this tone, and from her words, you can neither hear pessimism nor optimism; it is just a demeanor of preferring to live on rather than die. However, I have never told her that at certain moments, I genuinely admire her from the bottom of my heart.

Zheng Da, with his mouth full of fried rice, was too lazy to argue with her. While flipping through the cold dishes, he asked, "If you can't stand your mother, why don't you move back to your father's place? It's a waste of several hundred yuan in rent."

It is unclear whether his father genuinely likes Tang Xi or has some other motives. Recently, he has been constantly asking him to take her out for entertainment, providing two tickets for various concerts and movies, always claiming they are gifts from others and urging him not to waste them

At that time, Kang Jie and Li Shanshan were standing by the roadside hailing a taxi. Since it coincided with the shift change, they waited for a long time without a single empty car stopping for them. Just then, he happened to pass by and gave them a ride.

In an instant, those passing by came to a halt, and behind me erupted a burst of laughter as fervent as the applause previously given to that wretched person

"Beautiful lady, you have misunderstood." Tang Xi still wore a smile on his face

I was struck by something sharp while floating in mid-air, helplessly sinking into the thick and rich darkness of the deep night

Before going to bed, I spent some time online and happened to encounter Sister Suran, who was just returning home from work, online.

At this moment, I still do not know the name of the person who is so close, playing the guitar and singing "Hotel California" in perfect English. I do not even have a premonition that he will play a crucial role in my life. I just feel that his singing is beautiful, and I truly hope he continues to sing without stopping

How can there be such a person? Do you know how to write the three characters for "shameless"?

What can be called love is merely that one thing

However, since we broke up, I have canceled the little eye I had for him

However, youth manifests in a multitude of forms, presenting itself in countless appearances, much like the books displayed on a vast bookshelf. The spines of others' books of youth are inscribed with morning light, dew, flowers, and vitality, while her spine bears the inscriptions of loneliness, poverty, hardship, and homelessness

After finishing my visit to Erhai Lake, I returned to the inn feeling somewhat dispirited. In the hall, I unexpectedly encountered that faux foreigner who was helping two genuine foreign girls with directions. He glanced at me and said: "You look peeled."

Sister Suran once told me that once a girl turns twenty, she becomes a young woman and should seriously consider her future. However, at this moment, I truly do not know where my future lies

Being a mistress! I have also given up on myself, speaking in a way that is shocking and relentless.

That is what a bright and vibrant youth truly is

She looks truly happy in the video, but I feel that compared to the time when I first met her, she seems a bit more weathered. Perhaps this is related to childbirth, but I believe that the arrival of her child will soothe some of the voids in her life, making her originally open-minded nature even more optimistic, resolute, and tolerant when faced with challenges.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning split the entire night sky, and the damp, oppressive air was instantly swept away. The summer night rain came pouring down with a thunderous roar.

It is the earring that I wear on my left ear, it is the tattoo that is etched on my heart.

In moments of despair, she had contemplated death, believing that it would free her from all that she found tiresome and detestable

This is the night of an ancient town at the turn of spring and summer, far from the incessant flow of luxurious cars and the bizarre urban landscape, distant from the worldly clamor of indulgence and revelry, where every face carries a hue reminiscent of a gentle intoxication

This scoundrel, what he is holding in his hand is none other than my missing student ID!

After venting all the pent-up anger in my heart on this stranger I met by chance, I felt much more at ease. Of course, all the venting was done internally, as I did not want to be seen as a neurotic shrew by others

But she lacks the courage; she knows that the money she offers can only rent such a place. Let it be, let it be a time of enduring hardship and bearing humiliation, living on to accumulate strength for the construction of the motherland. For now, I will just survive by any means necessary

Kang Jie felt comforted, thinking, my popularity is truly exceptional, I am really, quite impressive

Under this introduction, the distinctions between intimacy and distance became apparent, and indeed, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Tang Xi's face. However, being exceptionally well-mannered, she immediately turned back and smiled politely at them, saying, "Hello, my name is Tang Xi."

I express that everything is fine, but I forgot to bring sunscreen, and I am afraid that I will turn into an Indian when I go back

Upon descending the stairs, I observed that the public activity area was already crowded with people, who appeared to be genuinely happy.

Haha, how is it going, let's get excited! The chubby girl next to me looks eager and restless, and I am really afraid that she still remembers the grudge of me squeezing her, waiting for an opportunity to make me perform a shocking act like "breaking stones with my chest"

Sister Suran and I each put on a facial mask while video chatting, struggling to pull the corners of our mouths as we spoke. She asked me how I felt after being out for a few days

Finally, after being awakened once again by such mercenary curses on a certain morning, Kang Jie could no longer endure it!

Oh, my proud icy skin and snowy complexion, I am truly sorry for you

I actually think this is better for him; if he sees me and doesn't know what to say, it might make him feel even more uncomfortable.

Heaven must think that I am not miserable enough after losing Lin Yizhou, which is why it sent this guy named Lu Zhiyao to strike me again with a heavy blow while I am already severely injured

At that moment, Xu Zhijun stood aside watching her, as if he were gazing upon a benevolent and approachable princess

Conversely, the same applies.

In order to prevent these two gossips from sowing discord in front of Cheng Luoxun, he took the initiative to clarify: "Ahem... Kang Jie, Shan Shan, let me introduce you, this is Tang Xi, the daughter of my father's friend." He had already distanced their relationship as much as possible, and then introduced Tang Xi: "This is Kang Jie, Li Shan Shan, very good friends of mine."

It is obvious that they are using their gazes to speculate about his relationship with Tang Xi

After speaking, she wished she could strangle herself

After getting off the car, Kang Jie thanked him. He thought for a moment, but still couldn't help but get out of the car and chase after her to call her back

There truly exists a certain type of person who is destined to receive cheers and adoration. Later, as I became more familiar with it, I recalled the events of that night and could not help but express such sentiments

Secondly, she has no idea what to sell

After a moment of silence, someone suggested playing Truth or Dare. I intended to get up and leave, but was called back by him: "You, the one in the carpet, don’t go, come over and sit down."

As soon as I reached the stairway, I heard a burst of cheerfulness. The young people, indeed, are full of energy. It's late at night, and they are not sleeping, I thought to myself.

Just after I said goodnight to Sister Suran, Xu Zhijun's profile picture lit up

Tang Xi truly deserves the admiration of her elders. Whether attending a concert or visiting an art exhibition, she always appears genuinely moved by the art. The most astonishing part is that she is not pretending. During one art exhibition, she unexpectedly encountered a well-known painter reputed to be famous in the country, and she actually engaged in a coherent conversation with him for quite a while.

He steadied himself and casually asked, "Who is that person?"

Kang Jie finished eating a pig's trotter, and her mouth was so swollen from the spiciness: "I don't want to put my dad in a difficult position. If I move back, that woman will definitely find ways to trouble me. My dad is already struggling, so I shouldn't add to his burdens."

Crying for what? There's nothing to cry about. At worst, we can set up a street stall. Do you know that many people who set up stalls have even managed to buy a Mercedes-Benz?

But what about my shortcomings

She has truly become a mother; her QQ avatar is no longer the rugged bearded Bruno from before, but has been replaced with a light-colored close-up photo of a little girl, who is smiling brightly. Her chubby little face makes one want to reach out and pinch it.

He is truly meticulous and considerate, being his girlfriend is indeed something that makes other girls envious, I thought with a tinge of jealousy

Immediately after I turned on the computer, I discovered that she had synchronized and live-streamed this statement on her QQ signature, Sina Weibo, campus status, and Douban.

However, when a person is down on their luck, they are bound to fall victim to someone or something. The chubby girl did not catch me, but the seemingly homeless singer sitting next to me did not let me off the hook

Then can the other encounters only be generally referred to as romantic affairs

Yes, it is beautiful, appropriate, and elegant, but it always feels as if there is something separating us, making it impossible to get close, nor do I wish to get close.

However, I never expected that he would say: "You go stand at the door now and shout loudly, 'I cannot cure my body odor!'"

I had not yet regained my composure when he turned away from me and continued to converse in English with those two blonde-haired, blue-eyed girls who had prominent features.

She also seriously visited the places where goods were being inspected several times, and upon seeing those small accessories, little notebooks, and even small hairpins and bows, she wanted to claim them as her own. She could not imagine a scenario where, if she were to set up a stall, a customer wanted to buy this item and she would say, "This is not for sale," or a customer wanted to buy that item and she would say, "I like this one myself."

Each person has a playing card affixed to their forehead, visible to everyone except themselves. Based on the hints provided by others, they must guess the card. Those who guess correctly hold the power of life and death.

Perhaps everyone has contemplated death, yet most individuals choose to continue to survive in a meager existence after regaining their composure

Later, during our leisure time, Kang Jie told me that during the period she was waiting for work, her mother had basically recovered. However, even though her extraordinary mother was paralyzed, she would not spare her with her words.

He mechanically repeated the action of changing channels, his thoughts lingering on the scene of his chance encounter with Kang Jie that afternoon

In the expectant gazes of everyone behind me, in the bewildered looks of those passing by the door, the names of Doraemon, Super Saiyan, Sailor Moon, Liu Hulan, Jiang Jie, Dong Cunrui, Huang Jiguang... all the names I can think of that can empower me, that can make the little universe within me completely explode in this moment, one by one, surfaced in my mind

In fact, Kang Jie originally wanted to say: "How could I not remember! I saw it while shopping with someone else last week, it's this year's spring collection, and the price is equivalent to my six months' rent!"

Moreover, at least the television is still watchable, and at least there is Mango TV to watch! Thinking of this, she was almost moved to tears of joy

I received her text early in the morning: "Other daughters are their mothers' dear little cotton-padded jackets, but I am a knife stabbing my mother in the heart!"

It is evident that Kang Jie is truly very sensitive about this matter, so Song Yuan had no choice but to temporarily suppress the multitude of questions in his heart and first help her move things.

In an instant, a flock of black crows flew overhead, cawing "caw caw".

Taking advantage of the weekend, Kang Jie called Li Shanshan and Song Yuan: "Come over and help me move, I can't stay here for even a day. If you are half an hour late, just wait to collect the bodies!"

Really? This fool seems to have truly believed it

But in the next second, I suddenly realized that it must have been my illusion

At this moment, he exhibits a subtle difference in temperament compared to the first time I saw him; the casualness has faded, and there is now a greater aura of a sovereign in his features.

You are upset after I said a few words to you, what's wrong? Have you become impressive now that you've grown up? If you have the ability, go and confront those wild women of your father!

After hesitating for quite some time, he finally asked the question amidst Kang Jie’s gaze, which gradually shifted from confusion to impatience: "Has she contacted you?"

In an instant, a long sigh escaped from Kang Jie’s heart. Ah, Young Master Xu, the beauty is right before your eyes, how can you still be thinking about that fool Cheng Luoxun? You are truly more foolish than a fool.

... ...

Kang Jie was completely unaware that when Song Yuan saw the tattoo on A Long's arm, his breathing suddenly became rapid.

However, she still kindly told a white lie: "No, she rarely contacts even her mother." After saying this, in order to emphasize the truthfulness, this fool unnecessarily added, "Maybe she went off on a romantic encounter, haha... haha... ha..."

When Aunt Wang's daughter got married, I even gave a gift expecting to receive it back when you get married. Now everyone is asking for red envelopes for having children, and you still don't even have a boyfriend

However, she did not have the opportunity to speak

When I wanted to say something more, he pulled out a small dark red notebook from his pocket and waved it at me: "Cheng Luoxun, your grand ambition after graduation is to be a mistress, isn't it?"

"Don't you recognize him? No way, it seems like he wants to greet you." Song Yuan, undeterred, continued to probe for information, though in his heart he was already so anxious that he wished he could grab Kang Jie and subject her to severe interrogation.

Later, I summarized an experience: how to determine whether the person I encounter poses a threat to me. It is during the first confrontation when they remain calm and composed while I am in a state of panic.

Kang Jie got up to open the window, and the aroma of food in the room immediately became much lighter. Under Chen Chen's inquisitive gaze, she finally revealed the reason.