Despite being usually clever, both lost all reason during the argument. Yu Qian was completely unaware of his own loss of composure, only wanting to vent his pent-up frustration, while some words were just too bitter to keep inside. Lai Hui, on the other hand, had been desperate, ready to flee abroad with Xie Jiayi, only to hear him say he wanted to marry her. Both had complex emotions, blaming each other. At this moment, nothing said would be right, yet they couldn’t remain silent. Who else could they confide their grievances to? They could only argue, and in arguing, there was a strange kind of happiness, words spoken brought relief to their hearts, but words heard wounded them, creating a vicious cycle until Yu Qian stopped himself just in time, and Lai Hui was stunned—this was their first real argument, ironically after they had broken up.
“Leave!” Yu Qian pressed his forehead and turned away.
“You think I want to stay here?” Lai Hui turned and left, slamming the door with a “bang” when she pushed it open and another “bang” when she closed it. She had barely stepped outside when Yu Qian followed, his face cold, saying, “There are no cars here, I’ll give you a ride. Don’t talk to me in the car, and when we get to the city center, take a taxi back home!”
He eventually dropped Lai Hui off at home, not for any other reason, but because despite the argument, he couldn’t escape the fact that he would miss her. Lai Hui stayed silent in the car, though she had many things to say, even wanting to ask why his phone was unreachable, but his cold demeanor had shut her up tighter than a clam.
As soon as she got out of the car, Yu Qian slammed his fist on the steering wheel. Just a month, only a month, and he had lost her. What kind of relationship could be so unreliable?
Lai Hui walked away crying, accidentally bumping into an iron gate, not feeling the pain, only thinking bitterly, “He accuses me of being unfaithful, but why didn’t he clarify he wanted to marry me before leaving? His phone was off, and he was smiling so ambiguously with others, and soon after announced his engagement. What kind of man is so unreliable?”
Both felt the other was unreliable, yet they were also saddened, knowing they would be like strangers from now on, which was what they least wanted, the hardest to let go, and the most unwilling to accept.
Jia Yi was moving heavy luggage into the dorm. Lai Hui and Zhang Lin unpacked the boxes, taking out sheets and duvet covers to make the bed. The other three girls in the dorm eagerly helped by placing buckets and basins in the bathroom. After about half an hour of tidying up, everything was in place. Lai Hui then placed a soft plush bear on the bed and handed Zhang Lin a card, saying, “The bear is for you to claim your spot. It can keep you company. This card has tuition and living expenses, use the living expenses in case you can’t find a job, the password is my birthday.” She then took a bag from Jia Yi, pulled out several boxes of Kinder chocolate, and distributed them to the girls in the dorm, saying, “I am Zhang Lin’s, please take good care of her from now on!”
One of the girls, slim with wheat-colored skin and lively eyes, playfully said to Lai Hui, “That won’t do, Zhang Lin has a beautiful and wealthy husband looking after her, we’re so jealous we might bully her!” She laughed, and the other girls joined in.
Zhang Lin stood by, watching Lai Hui, her eyes moist. She stepped forward, grabbed Lai Hui’s hand, and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of myself. Once I get a scholarship, I’ll come to Germany to see you!”
Lai Hui patted her hand reassuringly, “Alright, I’m not leaving until next month, you can still come back on weekends. Just focus on your studies here, no more distractions.”
Zhang Lin was still reluctant but feared being teased by her new roommates for her childishness, so she nodded vigorously, blinking back her tears of emotion, then linked arms with Lai Hui to walk her and Jia Yi downstairs. As they drove away from the Art Academy, two rows of lush sycamore trees stood sentinel along the road. Lai Hui remembered her university days, where the streets were lined with sycamore trees. On weekend evenings, she would walk hand-in-hand with Jia Yi, their shadows merging with the patterns of the leaves on the ground. Occasionally, a yellow leaf would fall on her shoulder, and before she could shake it off, Jia Yi would gently remove it, each action filled with affection. She wished they could walk like that forever, hoping the school gates would never close, that the sky would never lighten, and that the road would stretch on endlessly without an end. But their breakup also happened under those sycamore trees. Now, on a similar road, she sat in his car, watching his every skilled move as he drove. Whenever he had a moment, he would ask, “Are you tired? If so, take a nap; I’ll wake you when we arrive.” Could they continue this journey to the very end this time? At three in the afternoon, they had an appointment with Xu Ya, the last person they were to meet and bid farewell to. Returning to the urban area, Lai Hui said, “Let’s go straight to Xu Ya’s place. We haven’t seen him since we were back in Li, and we should have more time together this time.” Jia Yi agreed and drove to the apartment building where Xu Ya lived.
This building, constructed over a decade ago, showed signs of age with yellow water stains on the white walls. It had pointed roofs, black-painted wooden railings, and empty walls in the hallways replaced by iron railings, requiring extra caution from children. This building was a testament to City A’s economic boom, initially housing the wealthy until new constructions lured them away, leaving it to the average wage earners. Xu Ya lived on the sixth floor. After a long wait, a gruff greeting came from inside before the door opened, revealing Xu Ya, his face as red as Guan Yu’s, reeking of alcohol. He leaned against the door frame, slurring, “It’s you, I was just looking for you!” Then he stumbled forward, and Jia Yi, letting go of Lai Hui’s hand, caught him just in time, half carrying, half dragging him to the couch. The room was a mess. Lai Hui noticed piles of empty beer bottles on the coffee table, a thick layer of dust on the TV screen, black socks scattered in the corners, shoes haphazardly placed, and papers strewn all over. She thought, “This man sure knows how to be a slob.” Jia Yi turned and suggested, “He might take a while to sober up. Given how messy it is here, why don’t we go out to a café and come back when he’s awake?” Lai Hui laughed, “You were not much different back then. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black.” She rolled up her sleeves, picked up a plastic bag from the floor, and started collecting the beer bottles from the table, saying, “Let’s clean up a bit while he’s asleep!”
