I retreated to the innermost corner, head down, standing against the wall. The elevator descended, and my heart sank with it.
“Does your foot still hurt?” he asked, expressionless. “It doesn’t hurt anymore,” I answered, equally expressionless.
The elevator doors opened. I ran out quickly. He caught up. “It’s too late. Let me take you back.” “No need.” “What if…” “Don’t worry, I won’t meet anyone worse than you.” I walked past him to the door.
Through the translucent glass, I could vaguely see his shadow still standing there, watching my back.
I bit my lip, clenched my fist, and couldn’t help turning back. We stood face to face, less than two meters apart.
The warm summer wind squeezed through the door crack, drying the moisture on my face.
Senior brother, you forgot to take off your white coat.
After saying that, I pushed open the door and ran into the black night.
I rode my bicycle slowly, with his bike following behind me, hoping this road would never end. The road won’t end, and neither will the pain.
On the weekend, Ye Zhengchen stayed in, and I suddenly didn’t want to go to the lab. I hugged my blanket and lay on the bed, quietly listening to the sounds from across the room. I heard urgent typing on the keyboard and his phone ring.
“I’m busy, no time.” His tone was terrible, and he hung up immediately.
I didn’t know who called.
At noon, Yu Yin came—not to my home, but to Ye Zhengchen’s. Through the poorly soundproofed wall, I heard her voice. She said she bought Sichuan hot pot seasoning, Kobe beef, and imported lamb. What a warm moment for them!
Even through a wall, I felt superfluous. I laughed, got up, dressed, and went out.
I wandered through Carrefour, a cosmetics store, a sports store… My feet grew soft from exhaustion, and it was only six in the evening. So, I went to an izakaya to drink.
People who are heartbroken always drink, showing that alcohol can numb pain. I wanted to try and see if it would work. The effect was good.
After drinking a bottle of sweet and sour plum wine, my mood improved significantly. I laughed uncontrollably while thinking about Ye Zhengchen and Yu Yin enjoying hot pot at home.
