Chapter 5: How to Have the Courage to Live in This World

When I informed Mingzhu of Xu Zhuo's misdeeds, she immediately wore a look of glee, letting out a heavy snort from her nostrils.

You wouldn't say that you have been secretly working as a prostitute in the club, would you

He actually said to me with great confidence, "I don't think there is anything sordid about the peace of mind. Do you really think that someone like me, who has neither education nor family background, and who causes trouble impulsively every day, can have a fixed income every month without doing anything? Is that a coincidence or a stroke of luck? God is not that merciful, Peace of Mind.

Peace. Life is like this; it can throw you into a whirlwind at any moment, so we must learn to adapt. Otherwise, when another flood comes, how will we have the courage to live in this world

In the casino's hall, a song that is not particularly well-known is playing, yet every line of the lyrics strikes a chord in my heart

Thus, I truly pouted my lips and instantly, feeling extremely wronged, I threw myself onto Pei Mingzhu's thigh and cried out loud, cursing as I wept

I admit that many times I speak without thinking, and I never consider the consequences that arise after I say something. Compared to Xu Zhuo, who speaks harshly and definitely acts on it, I am indeed much inferior. However, at certain critical moments, I also belong to the type that disregards everything.

As these words were spoken, I was anticipating Xu Zhuo's sharp rebuttal, but unexpectedly, Pei Mingzhu behind me reacted. She seemed to let out a cold laugh, then spoke in a tone that was almost casual and dismissive, yet laced with contempt.

Pei Mingzhu cast a heavy glance at me

Although I am accustomed to exchanging banter with Pei Mingzhu, I have never doubted her words during critical moments, and this time is no exception. Moreover, if she was unable to restrain herself and acted on the spot, it is certain that she must have witnessed certain facts with her own eyes

What did I say, Xiaping An? You have started to be neglected, haven't you? You have been ignored, haven't you? You have been placed in a lower position, haven't you?

I did not refute, attempting to engage in a debate without distinguishing the victor, and then, in front of her, I called Xu Zhuo to ask if he wanted to go together to the newly opened entertainment venue at Sifangkuai, where Pei Mingzhu generously offered to treat us. However, just as the call was connected, before I could utter a word, he had already preemptively stated that he had important matters to attend to, and decisively hung up the phone.

We are so intelligent yet unable to solve our problems, why not be a little foolish and cry it out. Just like the grand scenes in movies, everything will be better once we regain our composure.

What happened? What did you do to upset our sister Mingzhu again

As soon as I finished speaking, the taxi driver who often turned back to look at me and Pei Mingzhu immediately turned his head away, his eyes fixed straight ahead, pressing the accelerator to the floor and speeding forward. I thought he must have been startled by what I said, fearing that in a moment of emotional instability, I might actually leap into the driver's seat and drive off to perish together with Xu Zhuo. Therefore, he likely wanted to quickly drop off this life-threatening young woman who was a nuisance.

The next day is the weekend. Pei Mingzhu said that she was almost on the verge of a nosebleed from being tormented all day by mock exams and quizzes. Finally, after a long-awaited day off, she must return to the mountains. When she mentioned returning to the mountains, the first image that flashed in my mind was of a tiger running with its legs spread wide, and it was a female tiger. In the spirit of honesty, I shared this fleeting image with Pei Mingzhu, which resulted in her becoming furious and embarrassed.

Upon hearing this, I was about to explode in anger, but then I suddenly realized and immediately broke into a smile at Pei Mingzhu.

It has already been ten minutes since it came out again

Peace, you underestimate people too much. Being a duck? It is still a bit more advanced than being a duck, at least he only needs to accompany one person, doesn't he, Xu Zhuo?

Just as I was struggling with whether to strike or not, that face which had been wandering in my mind suddenly appeared before me.

However, in such an emotional scene at that time, I ultimately could not cry in front of Xu Zhuo, because Pei Mingzhu decisively pulled me away from the scene, helping me hide all my sadness and vulnerability. It was not until we got into the taxi that she fiercely pinched my thigh and then said menacingly, "Xia Ping'an! Cry for me to see!"

You want to provoke me into losing my sanity and prove that I am indeed a fierce woman, ha, I will not fall for it!

In that moment, I was almost ready to rush over, and quickly place a label on Xu Zhuo, declaring to the world that he belonged to me. However, in the end, I did not do so. Because on that handsome face, there was clearly a red handprint, and I was certain I had not misseen; the originator of that handprint was Pei Mingzhu, who had just cast a disdainful glance at me. In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through my mind, each one making my heart race. And although I could not grasp the situation, I feared that Xu Zhuo might lose his composure and retaliate after encountering Mingzhu's aggression, so I still rushed over with great urgency.

However, Pei Mingzhu, who should have been outraged with me, suddenly fell silent. She gently stroked my hair, again and again. In that moment, she seemed to be my greatest refuge in this life

Damn it, Pei Mingzhu, you really predicted it with your crow's mouth... How could I possibly hit someone in public... Boohoo... It turns out I am really not a delicate lady, but a fierce tigress! It turns out it wasn't Xu Zhuo who brought the mistress back for my amusement, but I was the one who was completely played by them! If there were a car in front of me right now, I would drive it to run over the two of them! Even if I can't kill them, I would at least break an arm or a leg, going for a complete destruction!

I forgot to tell you that at that time, Xu Zhuo already had a formal job, working at a large repair shop, earning a decent monthly income, yet spending his days idly. Several times, when I was about to ask him something, his answer was always about luck.

At that moment, I walked out of the luxurious restroom, marveling at the benefits of money while contemplating whether to call Xu Zhuo again. In fact, Xu Zhuo's casual disconnection of my call truly made my heart skip a beat, akin to being struck unconscious by a sudden blow, taking a while to regain my senses.

What are your eyes hiding

At that moment, I did not think too much; apart from the impulse to slap the other person, the only feeling was a chill that surged from within and kept rolling. Finally, on Xu Zhuo's face, there were ten complete red fingerprints, perfectly symmetrical on both sides, as if Hong Kong, yet to return, was waving in response to the motherland across the Pearl River.

That was the first time I heard Miriam Yeung, and from that moment on, I fell in love with this dazzling woman. I listened to her incisive songs and watched her performances that were bright yet tinged with tears.

You are a tiger! A mother tiger!

As the meeting with Xu Zhuo did not materialize, Pei Mingzhu and I decided to enjoy ourselves together.

In the past, I also knew that wasting time was shameful, but for me, ten minutes was hardly worth mentioning and posed no significant issue. For instance, when my mother asked me to review my homework, I often found myself sitting in front of the television, shouting that I would watch for just a little longer, just ten minutes. It was at that moment that I realized how many things could truly change in ten minutes. Its power exceeded my imagination

I heard her speaking, her voice was soft and faintly trembling.

Originally, I could still restrain myself and maintain this calm and composed departure, but he should not have dramatically grabbed my hand as I turned to leave. What he did even more wrong was, at such a moment when the melodrama should have reached its peak, when he should have said, 'My dear, forgive me,' he unexpectedly delivered a plot twist.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Pei Mingzhu's words fell, my reaction was surprisingly compliant. After about three minutes of silence, I merely glanced at Xu Zhuo once, and then left without looking back.

The Square is the most prosperous area of the entire city, where all the large shopping malls and commercial centers, including CBDDBC, are located. Pei Mingzhu and I took a taxi to the entrance, only to discover that the name of the entertainment venue was "Brothers Good." Because of this name, Pei Mingzhu and I unethically stood at the entrance laughing for quite a while, until the staff in the lobby were successfully attracted by our laughter. Pei Mingzhu and I then pretended to be dignified as we followed each other inside. However, halfway through, I suddenly experienced severe stomach pain. I awkwardly asked the young, fair-skinned supervisor where the restroom was, and then quickly slipped away, ignoring Pei Mingzhu's disdainful gaze.

What is different is that I have never seen such a Xu Zhuo. Dressed in a gray suit, with neatly buttoned sleeves and hair that has clearly been styled by a professional. His hair is long at the tips, with delicate eyebrows and bright eyes; just standing there, all the scenery around him loses its color

When Xu Zhuo realized that the person who suddenly appeared beside them was me, a few traces of guilt clearly leaked from her eyes, prompting me to speak thoughtlessly.