“Now, I think it’s better to tell the truth. Once you tell a lie, you’ll need countless more to cover it up. Eventually, you won’t know which is the lie, and then…” He paused, “you end up deceiving yourself.” His tone was tinged with emotion, like an old song from a time gone by, touching a sensitive spot in her heart. Not wanting to dwell on the meaning behind his words, she hurried out of the corridor.
His car was not in the alley, so she casually asked, “Didn’t you drive today?” “I did, parked at the intersection.” “Why didn’t you drive in?” Shen Mu sighed, “A coal truck blocked the way.” Xu Ke wanted to laugh.
“Be careful, you might twist your ankle walking so fast.” Xu Ke ignored him, eager to get out of the alley and part ways. Approaching the alley’s exit, Xu Ke saw a Porsche parked by the roadside under a streetlight. A white ticket fluttered on the black car, very conspicuous in the night breeze. Xu Ke finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Shen Mu shook his head helplessly, “The police are too dedicated.”
Xu Ke turned around with a smile, feeling the night’s frustration dissipate. From childhood, her mother had said she wasn’t one to hold grudges, and she had indeed found this to be true over time. “Let me give you a ride.” “No, thanks.” She quickly declined, walking away swiftly; she didn’t want him to know she was heading to Rongdi, right next to his family’s estate. Suddenly, she stumbled and nearly fell, looking down to find her heel caught in a manhole cover’s gap. Shen Mu strode over, “What’s wrong? Did you twist your ankle?” Xu Ke’s face flushed; having just laughed at him, she now found herself in a similar predicament. She was about to bend down to free her shoe when his hand reached her ankle first. The warmth from his palm seemed to seep through her skin into her veins, making her heart skip a beat. Before she could say anything, Shen Mu pulled her foot up, freeing the shoe but leaving the heel behind. He laughed so hard his shoulders shook.
