She steadied herself, cautiously glancing at the door crack, where there was nothing. Another wave of fear swept over her. Xu Nuo shoved Xiang Qing into a corner, clapped her hands, and then walked over to hold Lai Hui’s hand, comforting her, “Don’t be scared, it’s just some workers from nearby!”
Lai Hui felt ashamed of her cowardice and blushed. “What are the workers doing here?” Xu Nuo glanced at Xiang Qing and said knowingly, “She often loses her mind and doesn’t lock the door. The local thugs often come to sleep with her!”
Xu Nuo’s tone was indifferent, but Lai Hui shivered at the words. “How does she live? Where does she get the drugs from?”
Xu Nuo shook her head. “Some men leave her money after sleeping with her, but she uses it all on drugs. I don’t deal with those people, so I don’t know where the drugs come from. For her livelihood, I’ve given some money to the couple across the street to bring her food daily, at least she won’t starve.”
Lai Hui was speechless with shock. After a while, she heard Xu Nuo sigh, “Even though she did all those bad things before, and I hated her, look at her now, worse off than a stray cat. No matter what, I have a decent job and a husband who loves me; there’s no need to hold onto that grudge anymore! Giving her some food so she doesn’t starve, that’s my way of accumulating merit for my future children!”
Lai Hui stared at Xu Nuo, tears welling up, then hugged her tightly, her voice trembling, “Xu Nuo, I knew it was right to always think of you all these years. Not everyone in this world will disappoint you.”
Xu Nuo patted her shoulder. “You don’t blame me?”
Lai Hui shook her head. “Blame you for what? If something had happened to you because of me back then, I would’ve felt guilty!”
She picked up her bag from the floor, pulling Xu Nuo along, “Let’s go, I don’t want to ask her anything else. The past is the past, what’s important is the future!”
Xu Nuo smiled with relief. “It’s best if you think this way. Let’s go!”
She let go of Lai Hui’s hand, linking arms with her. They saw the worker who had peeked in earlier waiting at the end of the hallway, probably waiting for the people in Xiang Qing’s room to leave. They silently ignored him and descended the stairs, knowing some things were beyond their control.
Chapter 30
The night had settled over Nanling, bringing an empty silence. Zhou Yuqian leaned against the window frame, lighting a cigarette. The lights from the outer courtyard filtered through the glass, tracing a lonely line along his profile, like the shadows in a pencil sketch, gazing into the light from the dark. Behind him was the vast emptiness of the night.
Lai Hui stood by the door, watching the smoke rise from his fingers, her heart as calm as dust. She withdrew her hand from the light switch, not wanting to disturb this rare moment of him. After he finished his cigarette, Zhou Yuqian turned around, seeing Lai Hui at the door, seemingly not surprised, though he had forgotten to extinguish the cigarette in his hand.
“You’re back,” he said, sounding certain.
“Yes, can Xu Nuo stay here tonight?” She turned on the crystal chandelier, the room instantly flooded with light, the previous gloom vanishing like a fleeting shadow. Zhou Yuqian stood there, the burnt-out cigarette dropping ash onto the birchwood floor. Lai Hui snatched the cigarette from him, tossing it into the ashtray on the windowsill, and wiped the floor with a damp cloth.
“Can she?” she asked again.
“Are you asking just for the sake of it?” He watched her, half-kneeling on the floor, her movements swift and delicate. He knew she was tall among women when standing, but now, on her knees, she looked fragile. His gaze shifted to the strand of red hair by her cheek. “You should keep your hair black, straight black hair!”
“Hmm?” Lai Hui didn’t catch it, turning her head towards him. “What did you say?”
“I said — do you need my permission to have a guest stay over?” Zhou Yuqian turned away, one hand in his suit pocket. “Where is she now?”
“She’s in the guest room on the third floor, taking a bath!” Her voice came from the bathroom, mixed with the sound of water, not a request, but a statement. He found it reasonable, even pleasing. He replied casually, “Oh, then prepare my bathwater before you sleep!”
“Got it. Why haven’t you changed? Still in your suit?” Lai Hui emerged, rummaging through the wardrobe, pulling out a set of rarely worn pajamas and placing them on the bed. “Your sleepwear is being washed and should be dry by now. I’ll go get it!” She then helped him out of his suit, untying his tie, as if she had endless tasks to do. Zhou Yuqian followed her lead, letting her change his clothes, his eyes following her movements, both avoiding any mention of the afternoon’s events.
