A black shadow flashed before her eyes. She looked up, but the cold street showed no unusual signs. She tightened her grip on the umbrella and hurriedly walked home.
Xia Qianchi pushed open the half-closed courtyard gate, folded her umbrella, and was about to go upstairs when she saw Old Lady Guo coming out of the house. Surprised, Old Lady Guo said, “Oh!
Qianchi, you’ve just returned? I came back earlier and saw the courtyard gate wide open. I thought you were home!”
The gate was open? She clearly remembered locking it when she left. For some reason, she suddenly thought of the burgundy luxury car, and her hand trembled, almost dropping the umbrella.
After a moment’s pause, she asked, “Could Nan Nan have come back?”
“Well… maybe. That girl is always careless…” Old Lady Guo mumbled.
Xia Qianchi said nothing more, just nodded at Old Lady Guo and hurriedly went upstairs. Her footsteps echoed in the narrow stairwell, her heart pounding wildly. Though it was just a dozen steps, she felt as exhausted as if she’d run a hundred meters. Her back was completely wet – from sweat or rain, she couldn’t tell. Holding the handrail, she looked at the approaching distance, her body suddenly weak and struggling to move.
She finally crossed the last step, looking at the door that wasn’t fully closed, and inexplicably shivered.
She raised her trembling hand to push open the half-open door. At first glance, nothing seemed amiss. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.
“Xing Tuo…?” The name trembled involuntarily from her lips.
Silence responded. A room of coldness. A room of darkness.
“Clang!”
The umbrella fell straight to the ground.
In the darkness, something glinted! She looked over numbly…
She slowly crouched down, picking up the diamond earring that remained brilliant even in the darkness. The diamond, now without warmth, was cold as ice.
The fine rain continued, endless and silent…
She slowly stood up, walked downstairs, vaguely hearing Old Lady Guo’s voice, but unable to make out the words. Dazed, she crossed the small courtyard and walked out…
Why was it always like this? Each time, she was just a little short. Giving her a tiny warmth of fantasy, then endless cold. Just as she thought she’d captured happiness, it would retreat from her, time and again.
