Back in her bedroom, Xu Ke gently closed the door. The moonlight on the balcony was soft, and she walked slowly to the desk and turned on the lamp. Under the light was a newly bought CD. She had heard the song “Take a Bow” by chance on the street today, and it nearly brought her to tears on the spot. He was leaving tomorrow. Her secret crush was coming to an end. She put the CD in and skipped to that song. The music started softly. When there are many people around, the pain of parting is masked by laughter, but now, alone in silence, the music seemed especially melancholic, bringing out all the sorrow and melancholy, vivid in the quiet darkness. Suddenly, there were two gentle knocks on the door; Xu Ke thought it was her mother and went to open it. Unexpectedly, it was Shen Mu standing there, casually holding a cup of coffee. His light beige shirt highlighted his handsome features, exuding a commanding presence. Xu Ke was surprised and a bit flustered, whispering, “What’s the matter?” “Well, there’s something I want to tell you.” He closed the door, his gaze moving from her face to her neck, lingering for a moment. She felt inexplicably nervous, both expectant and fearful. He sipped his coffee casually, his expression indifferent, “I didn’t want to say it in front of your mother. This dress, you wearing it, it’s very…” Her heart skipped a beat, filled with an inexplicable anticipation. “Very ugly.” She was stunned, utterly disappointed and a bit annoyed. Did he come all the way here just to tell her how ugly she looked in the dress? The “sharp-tongued” Shen Mu continued, “Scarlett wore that dress because her waist was only seventeen inches, the slimmest in three counties. Wearing this dress, your waist looks thick, and your arms appear thick too when they’re bare.” He was indeed very sharp-tongued; she was disappointed, embarrassed, and felt an inexplicable sense of hurt. Did she really look that bad in his eyes? She lifted her skirt and stepped on his foot. The coffee spilled directly onto her dress’s hem, the pure white fabric instantly stained, like a blot of ink. Not only did he show no remorse, but he also laughed happily. She got even more annoyed, “You, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?” He put the coffee cup on the bookshelf and looked into her eyes intently, “Yes, I did it on purpose.” His gaze was intense, flickering with a light that made her heart race. She started to feel nervous, her breath quickening, the lace on her chest trembling slightly like petals in the morning dew. Suddenly, he embraced her waist tightly. “I don’t want everyone to see you. You can call me selfish or domineering, but I won’t allow it.” She felt dizzy, his sudden confession like a scene from a dream. “Xiao Ke, I only want you for myself. I dare not let you shine too brightly.” His words had a strange enchantment, making her heart race. “You clearly like me, why didn’t you say it? You silly girl, I’m leaving tomorrow, and you still won’t say it?” In this youthful time, where emotions are as delicate as the buds in early spring, as luxurious as silk, and as grand as an epic poem, the happiest moment in life is when the one you secretly love tells you he loves you too. Happiness came so abruptly that tears welled up instantly. This was the first time in her life she cried from joy. He kissed away her tears, then his lips moved to hers. She felt like she was as soft as a water plant or as pliant as a vine, held firmly by his strong arms. His skin was hot, his kisses passionate and wild, as if melting her into him. A tender and heartfelt melody drifted through the night, accompanied by gentle lighting and rapid breaths. The night’s allure drew one deeper into its embrace. The desires of youth were simple and direct, without any hesitation, only longing to possess. With separation imminent, there was such fear of change, fear of loss, as if possession would ensure eternal togetherity. At some point, the white dress slipped from his fingertips, like a budding flower having its mist lifted, blooming under the starlight. He was eager; she was flustered, unsure whether to proceed or retreat. His declarations of love were both gentle and domineering, like a wildfire that wouldn’t allow her to remain calm. Her body, never before touched, ignited with fervor as if in a boiling sea, unsure how to find release. He was inexperienced, fumbling yet determined. She was shy and fearful, unable to advance or retreat. Whether from haste or fatigue, he sweated, drops falling onto her like dew. At the moment their bodies merged, they reached the peak of both joy and pain. Unaware of the time, whether drunk or sober, lost or gained, everything felt so natural as if this moment was their destiny.
Author’s note: With my limited ability, I’ve been struggling all day to convey this. Did everyone understand? Well, let me be straightforward: he and she… had sex. She never expected that this dress would end up with him. When she moved out of Rong’s Mansion, she took all her clothes except for this, the most beautiful dress she ever owned. Seeing this dress would remind her of that night, which she thought was a beautiful possession but turned out to be an unbearable manipulation and revenge. Today, she finally discovered the truth. Unfortunately, perhaps due to the lighting or the passage of time, the dress was no longer pure white but had a faint tinge of cream.
As she was, so must she remain. At this moment, she felt the cruelty and kindness of time more deeply. It revealed the truth, but some things had silently changed, impossible to return to the past. She took a towel and a shirt and went next door. Shen Mu held the damp part of the shirt with his left hand, while his right had undone three buttons, his chest partially revealed. She felt slightly uncomfortable, handed him the towel and shirt, then turned away to the balcony. After a while, he said from behind her, “Get some sleep, I’ll pick you up for the hospital tomorrow.” After speaking, he closed the door and went downstairs. Later, she saw him walking through the courtyard towards the gate. His tall, upright figure gradually receded into the distance. Instinctively, she turned and chased after him.
“Shen Mu.” He stopped, turned around, looking slightly surprised and perhaps a bit pleased. Xu Ke hesitated, then softly said, “You’ve had alcohol, you shouldn’t drive. Don’t go back to Cloud Top tonight. Stay here.” He didn’t agree nor disagree, his eyes softened with a tender smile. Under his gaze, she felt uneasy, her straightforward concern now tinged with deeper implications, his eyes seemed to pull her back into the past. She turned to walk back, but there were no footsteps behind her. She sighed, stopped, and turned to him seriously, “They’re cracking down hard on drunk driving during the May Day holiday.” Shen Mu chuckled, “I didn’t say I was leaving. I’ll stay in the room next to yours like before.” Her heart stirred, she silently returned to her room. Upstairs, she closed her door, shutting out a “Goodnight.”
