“I was working at the convenience store, just got off work.”
The elevator rose to the third floor. As I walked out, I looked back before the doors closed and saw Qin Xue and Ye Zhengchen gazing deeply at each other until the doors shut. That close yet distant gaze hollowed out my chest.
That night, I lay in the bathtub, hot water covering my body, drowning out my inner tremors. The neighboring room continuously played the song “Heavenly Fragrance.”
The next day, Qin Xue took the initiative to have lunch with me. She wore a red dress and light makeup, leaving a subtle fragrance that drew everyone’s gaze.
I recalled Li Kai’s sour description: Qin Xue is beautiful in her charm, Bai Bing beautiful in her spirit. If described with flowers, Qin Xue would be a lily in a secluded valley, seemingly pure and aloof.
Bai Bing is like a rose—charming and tempting, yet touching her results in bloody scratches.
At this moment, I wanted to tell Li Kai he was wrong. Qin Xue is the true rose, a seductive, blood-dripping red rose.
Women often naïvely cling to the hope that love exists, despite knowing they are not true loves in a playboy’s life. They see the cautionary tales and understand the rules—love is fleeting, with no future or promises. Yet they foolishly believe they might be the exception, not realizing they are often led to their downfall.
With no afternoon classes, I sat alone in the research room, lost in thought until I remembered my shift at the convenience store.
The next day at work, I made many basic mistakes, forgetting to heat milk, give change, and provide bags. Yet the customers and my boss remained understanding, telling me, “It’s okay!”
At 9:50, Li Kai came to take over my shift. After handing over, I stood outside, awaiting a car that never came in the pitch-black night.
I laughed self-mockingly, letting my heart drop as I walked slowly toward my apartment. Before, I would ride my bicycle home, energized despite tiredness or hunger.
Today, I felt weighed down by exhaustion and sorrow.
I feared that one day Ye Zhengchen would grow tired of me and push me away. How would I manage the walk to my apartment then?
