“Um, Yu, I want to go back to the apartment…” Ye Ye whispered. In fact, she wanted to call Dean to explain, though she didn’t know why she cared so much about Dean’s opinion, but damn it, she was terrified that Dean would never speak to her again. Just now, Dean hadn’t even looked at her directly, just like in school when Dean coldly pretended not to know her… This feeling made Ye Ye feel uncertain! “What’s wrong? Didn’t we agree to go to the club? Are you not feeling well?” Long Yu asked curiously. “I… uh, yeah, maybe my period is coming, my stomach, uh, it hurts…” Ye Ye stammered. “Alright, I’ll take you back. If you feel better later and want to find me, call me, and I’ll have Xiao Jiang pick you up,” Long Yu said considerately. “Okay!” Ye Ye bid farewell to Long Yu, returned to the apartment, where Miao Miao and Qiu Yu were still not there. She closed the door, quickly took out her phone, and dialed Dean… “Trembling lips are a hidden hint – your eyes suggest secrets – I hide in the darkness to talk – why are we so deeply stuck…” Dean glanced at the ringing phone; he didn’t need to look to know it was Ye Ye… “A stranger’s sadness, perfect and concrete, all words lose their meaning, absurd analysis, no response…” Answer it, what’s wrong? — Ye Ye thought anxiously, waiting for Dean to pick up the phone… Could he really be mad? “The cold mist at midnight, every word unavoidable, breathing like a lost child, will it go on…” Dean was considering whether to answer when Jones, beside him, watched curiously as Duke, who never used songs as ringtones, had a Chinese song on his phone? “Hello—” Dean stepped onto the quiet balcony, signaling Jones to wait outside. He answered the phone coldly. Hearing the phone being picked up, Ye Ye let out a long sigh: “Hoo—I…” Before Ye Ye could explain, Dean interrupted, “No need to say anything, since you’re so disobedient, don’t come back.” Dean said coldly, not wanting his thoughts to be swayed by an unruly woman — that went against his principles, and he hated this feeling! Without any warning, he hung up the phone. Ye Ye stared at the disconnected call, stunned for a long time; was he really so resolute in severing their relationship without even letting her explain? Did last night’s intimacy mean nothing to him? Did she, as he said, lose his favor after just one night? Ye Ye sat blankly on the sofa, not knowing how long had passed, she felt salty liquid entering her mouth… Surprised to find herself crying… She couldn’t remember the last time she cried for someone, but since meeting Dean, she had tasted tears… And this kind of tears was called — self-inflicted!
[From Passion to Ardor: Fifty-Three, Ximen Xu’s Words]
