Wang Shuai and I laughed as Guo Ke’s face turned red. After some casual chat, Wang Shuai said he was hungry. I sincerely told him, “Today, you get to try my cooking; I’ll make you some instant noodles!” He pretended to faint. “I come all this way, and you give me instant noodles?”
“There’s no food in the fridge! How about I add a couple of eggs?” I asked hesitantly.
Wang Shuai buried his head in the couch in despair. Guo Ke laughed and said, “Stop teasing him. Let’s go out to eat. Go change your clothes!”
I was dragged outside reluctantly; the icy weather made me cringe, as I was particularly afraid of the cold.
Fortunately, they chose Huang Cheng’s mother’s place. Hot pot has always been something I particularly enjoy. I feel that it embodies the unique culture of our Chinese heritage. Not only does the design, color, and taste of the yin-yang hot pot reflect the principles of the Eight Diagrams, but the way we eat it promotes unity and sharing, where everyone dips into the same pot without minding sharing saliva, which signifies a deep bond. So, those who eat hot pot together are either family or close friends! Guo Ke and Wang Shuai must have been craving spicy hot pot for quite some time; their voracious eating was no less than mine, who hadn’t eaten all day. I almost got into a fight with Wang Shuai over a piece of potato. I yelled at him, “I haven’t had a single piece of well-cooked potato today, and you’ve eaten them all as soon as they’re ready. This one is mine, no matter what!” I contentedly placed the potato into my garlic dip, when suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of two familiar figures. Turning around, my heart started racing. Staring at these familiar yet strange people, emotions overwhelmed me. It seemed I couldn’t accept the reality of them being together as calmly as I thought I could. Haven’t you been avoiding me? If you have the guts, keep hiding from me! Lin Feng, Xu Ling might not know, but surely you know I love hot pot the most!
Chapter 27: Across the sea of people, Lin Feng spotted me immediately, his face turning pale. He looked noticeably thinner than two months ago; perhaps he’s been trying to lose weight. I gave him a smile, though it probably wasn’t much better than a grimace. He was instantly flustered, turned around, and patted Xu Ling, who was chatting with friends, signaling to change restaurants. Xu Ling turned her head in surprise and also saw me in the crowd. She looked at Lin Feng, then at me, and pulled Lin Feng towards me. After not seeing each other for a month or two, Xu Ling had blossomed into even more beauty, like a red plum in full bloom in the dead of winter, her eyes and brows filled with the vibrancy of spring. She smiled at me, “Li Zheng, when did you come back? Why didn’t you let us know so we could pick you up?”
That was too fake; I should be able to find you if I wanted to! Before I could respond, she continued, “Lin Feng insisted on changing restaurants because he thought it was too crowded here. But since we’ve seen you, and we’re all acquaintances, how could we leave without saying hello?”
Laughing, I told her, “Xu Ling, let me teach you something. The current trend in Beijing is ‘You’re not really known until you’ve eaten together, and you’re not really close until you’ve slept together.’ Remember that, don’t misuse the word ‘acquaintance’!”
Xu Ling’s face changed color rapidly, red then white. She tried to compose herself, staring back at me with determination. If looks could kill, we would both be riddled with holes by now. My gaze softened; I wasn’t used to replacing friendship with hatred towards her. Yet, she suddenly laughed, “Li Zheng, what’s gotten into you? Who owes you anything? You wronged Lin Feng first, and I couldn’t stand by and watch, so I told him. You can’t act so unrighteously!”
“Oh, you’ve learned quite a bit from America, playing the role of justice when it suits you. I’d like to hear, how did I wrong Lin Feng?” I looked at Lin Feng with an air of innocence. Faced with my gaze, he recoiled. I was anxious, almost ready to rush over, grab his face, and demand, why aren’t you speaking? How have I wronged you?
Xu Ling, seeing Lin Feng’s discomfort, also became anxious, “Didn’t you say you were going to confront her? Go on, ask!”
He only moved his lips slightly before regaining his composure, his gaze looking past me as if focusing on something behind me. Seeing him in such distress made my heart ache; I wanted to smooth out his furrowed brow and tell him, if you don’t want to say it, then let’s not say it.
Xu Ling turned back to me, relentless, “I told you to ask her, so don’t blame me for not being a good friend. How long were you in Guangzhou before you hooked up with someone else, even moved in together?”
I was taken aback; I thought she was referring to the incident with Wu Di staying over when I was drunk before I left for Guangzhou. This was completely off the mark. Even Wang Shuai and Guo Ke exchanged puzzled looks; they knew everything about my activities in Guangzhou, where did this living together come from? I was amused and angry, “Xu Ling, who told you that? How can you believe such nonsense?”
Xu Ling, seeing my nonchalant reaction, grew even more anxious, “Who told me? I heard it with my own ears! That morning I called you, and it was so late, and you were still in bed, even said it was your brother!”
Wang Shuai, unable to hold back, chimed in, “This lady, I thought your voice sounded familiar. That phone call was from you, right? You’ve wronged Li Zheng. They were exhausted after an event, and about seven or eight people crashed at my place. I picked up your call, don’t believe me, ask around. Oh, and Guo Ke knows too.”
I looked at Xu Ling with sorrow, not speaking. I felt the same despair Jesus must have felt when betrayed by Judas. Xu Ling hadn’t expected this outcome, paused, and then said in a rush, “Then what about Wu Di? Don’t tell me that was a misunderstanding too. He came out of your room in the morning, not even dressed. Don’t try to fool a three-year-old!”
I suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of despair and looked at her calmly, “Xu Ling, if twenty years of friendship haven’t shown you who I am, would you believe anything I say now?” I turned my gaze to Lin Feng, “Lin Feng, if you want my explanation, I have only four words for you: ‘I have a clear conscience!'”
Xu Ling looked at Lin Feng in panic, and Lin Feng’s face turned even paler, his eyes filled with deep sorrow, perhaps even despair. Why was he still standing there? Why wasn’t he running over joyfully to beg for my forgiveness? Xu Ling stomped her foot and ran away. Lin Feng looked at me, said nothing, and also turned to leave. I had imagined this scene a thousand times, but none matched the reality!
The hot pot was bubbling merrily, but I stood there, stunned, staring in the direction they left. Wang Yang was right; I’m just an idiot! Wang Shuai cautiously asked, “What’s really going on?”
I murmured in despair, “Isn’t it obvious? One as beautiful as a fairy, one as plain as dirt. Of course, the one in the middle would choose the brighter path! It’s so cliché, absolutely no creativity!” With a tilt of my head, I finished the rest of my beer, tossed the napkin onto the table, and walked away.
Wang Shuai, seeing this, quickly wiped his mouth and followed. I turned back and roared at them, “Go wherever you want, don’t follow me! If anyone follows me, I’ll get mad at them!”
Chapter 28
