“I was about to, didn’t expect to run into you here.” Xu Ke murmured an acknowledgment and looked down to continue walking. Suddenly, Yin Wancheng reached out to stop her. “I haven’t eaten yet; could you join me for dinner?” After a brief hesitation, Xu Ke nodded. They slowly walked out of the hospital. Lin Ge had already left. Xu Ke looked at where he had stood, feeling dazed. Her hand found a card in her pocket, still warm from his touch, his last dignity. Her nose tingled, and she tilted her head back. The stars in the night sky were sparse, casting lonely lights.
There was a Sichuan restaurant nearby, past dinner time, the place was deserted. Yin Wancheng sat by the window, ordered two dishes, and then a bottle of red wine. “You still drink wine?” “Ah, have some too.” “I don’t drink.” “It’s fine, red wine isn’t strong.” He poured a glass for Xu Ke without waiting for her refusal. The deep red wine swirled gently in the glass, settling with a mysterious depth under the light, exuding an allure. Xu Ke lifted her glass.
Memories of Shen Mu, who loved red wine and had taught her how to taste it, came to mind. So often, she avoided red wine because his words would echo in her ears, bringing back memories uninvited. “I saw you two by accident.” Xu Ke murmured an acknowledgment, surprised he brought it up, feeling a bit awkward. “Are you breaking up with him?” Xu Ke took a sip of wine and nodded slightly. Yin Wancheng smiled, “Then my choice of wine today was right.” Xu Ke gave a wry smile and swallowed the wine. Yin Wancheng grinned, “How about this, I’ll tell you one of my secrets, and you tell me one of yours, how about that?”
