The Abyss

The nauseating ones should be those who make reckless comments, knowing nothing yet spreading rumors everywhere. Gossip is born from such idle talk. “So it was Aunt Zhang and Aunt Chen; I thought it was them from the sound of their voices. It’s been a while.” Lu Tuo’s voice suddenly came from behind her, startling Dong Qin so much that she almost dropped the plate in her hand. The two young women below were evidently frightened as well, their faces pale as they watched Lu Tuo descend the stairs with a smile, seemingly oblivious to what he had just overheard. “Oh, I forgot to introduce her, this is my sister, Zuo Dong Qin. Sister, why are you hiding here eating alone?” He placed his hand on Dong Qin’s shoulder, satisfied as he watched the faces of the two women change dramatically before they hastily greeted and fled. “Aren’t you angry? They were talking nonsense.” Lu Tuo sat beside her, picking up a cherry from the plate and popping it into his mouth, his demeanor slightly frivolous but not excessive. Dong Qin thought for a moment and shook her head, “There’s nothing to be angry about; they were the ones scared, not me.” Lu Tuo laughed, looking with interest at her pale profile. He had sharp eyes, clear and cold, like ice that never melts, untainted by anything. Dong Qin felt as if she were being stripped bare by his gaze, with no place to hide.