By the roadside, Luo Yongjun still didn’t manage to say the words he had bottled up for hours, even until Yan Ningxi got in the car and left.
He was in town on a business trip and didn’t have his own car, so he couldn’t send Yan Ningxi home. If he had a car, he could have driven her back and bought himself a bit more time to muster his courage.
All his cowardice was because of Yan Ningxi.
From the first time he laid eyes on Yan Ningxi many years ago, Luo Yongjun had developed feelings for her. He never dared to show it or confess because he felt that the nothing-to-his-name version of himself back then wasn’t worthy of such an outstanding girl. He believed his abilities were insufficient to give Yan Ningxi a superior quality of life.
So many years had passed, and he had dated two girlfriends—one for half a year, the other for a year—but they always felt like something was missing.
Seeing Yan Ningxi again today stirred the same feelings in him, and he finally understood why.
After all these years, Yan Ningxi had occupied the position of the white moonlight in his heart, never changing. And now, he had the means and confidence to pursue her.
【Luo Yongjun: Red roses represent passionate love. Ningxi, my feelings for you have never changed.】
【Luo Yongjun: We’re both single right now, and our careers are stable. We’ve passed the age of dating without thinking about the outcome. May I have the honor of changing to a more intimate way of getting along with you?】
Seeing the messages from Luo Yongjun, Yan Ningxi’s heart stirred slightly.
During her graduate studies, Luo Yongjun had given her tremendous support and help in both her studies and daily life. She was grateful for his quiet companionship. But it was only gratitude.
【Yan Ningxi: I hope Senior Brother finds a good match soon.】
【Luo Yongjun: I very much hope that person is you.】
…
Just past seven at night, Ming You waited outside Xuelin Elegance Garden Community. But when the person she waited for finally arrived, the tulips and gladioluses in her hand paled in comparison to the vibrant red roses.
“The competition ended, and you came straight back?” Yan Ningxi let her hand hang down, her gaze falling on Ming You’s milk tea-colored hoodie and the bouquet in her hand, a mix of emotions surging within her.
Ming You didn’t reply.
She had waited from four in the afternoon until six-thirty, from anticipation to indifference. She no longer expected Yan Ningxi to proactively ask about the competition results, so upon arriving in Huai’an, she had sent that curt “good news” message.
There was no regret medicine in the world, no time machine to turn back the clock, but the message recall function was in human hands.
On Wednesday, she had given that feature high praise in her mind. Today, she gave it a thumbs down.
Two minutes was just too short.
“Have you had dinner?” Yan Ningxi asked as she walked, heading toward the trash bin at the community entrance. She did like flowers in private, but this bouquet in her hand filled her with resentment; throwing it away might ease some of it.
“I could tell Teacher Yan was very busy, busy dealing with one flower-giver after another.” Ming You tossed the tulips and gladioluses onto a bench. “I came at a bad time, and these flowers are just embarrassing.”
The girl’s cold sarcasm cut sharper than the thorns on the rose stems, wounding invisibly with every word.
Yan Ningxi’s long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she wore a mid-length trench coat in deep khaki, with a black French retro bucket bag slung over her right shoulder.
Her left hand held the flowers drooping at her side, the blooms pointing downward. Her right hand, tucked in her pocket, gripped her phone tightly. On the way back, she had considered asking if the girl planned to return to Huai’an.
To ask or not was a split-second decision, but the consequences were worlds apart.
She hoped the girl’s world was bright and sunny, colorful and vibrant. White was pure and pristine, but a touch of other colors wouldn’t hurt.
So she had offered an alternative—milk tea color.
And it did look good.
She hoped the girl would grow up happy and carefree. The girl smiled often, but never truly happily.
This time was no exception.
“Red roses are too garish and tacky, straight male aesthetics at first glance. White, blue, champagne—which does Teacher Yan prefer? No time to buy any today, but next time. Have a great weekend, Teacher Yan.”
Mid-to-late October: the last solar term was Cold Dew, the next was Frost Descent.
The frost settled into Ming You’s heart.
Huai’an City had seen an autumn rain in the evening, and the weather station had issued a cooling alert. Most passersby wore autumn clothes, some even sweaters.
The girl’s hoodie was a spring-fall style, perfect for the sunny Hengyuan City. But now at the gate in the wind, buffeted by gusts from passing cars, she couldn’t help shrinking her neck.
Yan Ningxi stood still, the cold wind clearing her mind instantly. Turning her head, she saw the girl pull up her hood and quickly duck into a taxi.
As the girl brushed past her, she slowed her steps. Yan Ningxi even heard the sound of the girl’s clothes rubbing against the rose wrapping paper.
She had missed the chance to explain.
After getting in the car, Ming You saw Yan Ningxi turn back. Night had fallen heavily; she couldn’t make out Yan Ningxi’s face and didn’t understand what was wrong with her, or what exactly she was angry about.
Was she mad that Yan Ningxi treated their agreement like a child’s game? Or mad that Yan Ningxi accepted someone else’s roses? But Yan Ningxi had only given her the chance to pursue her; naturally, she had the right to accept roses from other suitors.
Calming down, she posted the photo from last time at He Huan’s apartment—the arranged flowers—to Space, with the caption: 【As a florist who doesn’t run a flower shop, the path is long and arduous, but persistence will lead to success.】
Excluding today’s bouquet, she had successfully kept three bouquets alive. The ones from the bulb-changing incident hadn’t been photographed amid the tension. So only two photos.
Halfway through the ride, Ming You changed the destination, heading home.
She hadn’t been home in over two months.
Last summer vacation, she had stayed home for a week at the end of July and beginning of August. The rest of the time, she either studied or gamed at school, or wandered secluded spots in unfamiliar cities, taking in deserted scenery and tasting unknown foods.
Alone, bidding farewell to bustling streets, wandering solitary amid the world’s most simple human fireworks.
She had many secrets. He Huan was one. Yan Ningxi was another.
…
19:50, Ming You arrived home.
Home had a fingerprint lock; she didn’t need to knock to enter her own house. But what she saw and heard upon opening the door was the harmonious scene of a “family of four.”
Yang Guishu, sitting closest to the door, said, “Yu Yu?”
Maternal Grandma repeated “Yu Yu” upon hearing it and turned to look at the girl in the doorway.
Seeing it was her granddaughter, she was thrilled, grinning like a child. She hurried toward the girl. “Yu Yu’s back? Come here, come sit and eat. Mom and Dad are here too; we just started eating.” She tugged at Yang Guishu and directed, “Go get bowls and chopsticks, quick!”
“It’s cold at the door; come in!” Yang Guishu waved her in with a beaming smile as she headed to the kitchen. “Sit next to Maternal Grandma; you made it for this year’s first lamb hotpot!”
In stark contrast to the enthusiastic “invitation” from Maternal Grandma and her mother was Ming You’s indifference.
Their family had broken apart long ago. Where did this mom and dad come from?
Just as Maternal Grandma’s outstretched hand from afar was about to touch her, she stepped back out the door. “Looks good. This family already has a more obedient and sensible granddaughter and daughter. I’d just be superfluous if I joined.”
“Yu Yu! What are you saying? Superfluous? Come in, tell Maternal Grandma—did your mom and dad wrong you again? I’ll stand up for you…” Maternal Grandma panicked and tried to grab her granddaughter.
“Ming You!” Yang Guishu panicked too and shouted. Before she reached the door, Ming You had slammed it and left.
Maternal Grandma’s eyes reddened with anxiety; she grabbed and hit Yang Guishu several times. “Look at you two—it’s all your fault. You two as parents are both bastards. You had to wait until she won’t come home, until I can’t see her anymore, before you’re satisfied?”
The only man in the house came over. “Go chase her, talk it out properly. I’ll be here.”
Gao Changmin was Yang Guishu’s current boyfriend, a state-owned enterprise finance director, two years older than Yang Guishu. His late ex-wife had left him with a daughter in her senior year of high school, Gao Xinxin.
Yang Guishu and Ming Tai had planned to split during Ming You’s transition from elementary to middle school, due to issues in both relationship and career. They intended to handle the formalities after she started junior high but delayed until her second year due to an incident, finally getting the divorce papers and going their separate ways.
Ming Tai’s new love came quickly—middle-aged man, after all—and he soon succumbed to Chen Rui’s charms, remarrying and having a son.
Yang Guishu had known Gao Changmin before the divorce, but only casually. As a single mother for years, she had put much effort into her daughter, but some mistakes once made, some pains once inflicted, weren’t so easily mended?
Just when she was exhausted, thinking her daughter would punish them with prolonged rebellion, a miracle happened.
Starting from her sophomore year, her daughter stabilized mentally and emotionally, even declared she would take the art exam and set a new life goal.
She made only one request to Yang Guishu: don’t interfere in her school affairs.
Midterms and finals, Yang Guishu received score reports from her daughter, occasionally a photo or two from art school.
Finally free from constant worry, Yang Guishu’s fortunes turned. Her hotpot business boomed into a chain with five direct stores in Huai’an City.
On the relationship front, she and Gao Changmin got together half a year ago, confirming their romance.
Before establishing the relationship with Gao Changmin, Yang Guishu had asked her daughter’s opinion. Ming You had only said: Handle your own affairs; I don’t object.
Ming You had met Gao Changmin and Gao Xinxin. The four of them, plus Maternal Grandma, had hotpot at Yang Guishu’s flagship store. Gao Changmin gave Ming You a big red envelope; she didn’t take it, so Yang Guishu did.
Throughout, Yang Guishu hadn’t seen her daughter show much impatience toward Gao Changmin and his daughter—just her usual cold demeanor.
Later, during the week Ming You was home that summer, the five of them, including Maternal Grandma, ate Chinese food out once. The two girls even chatted a bit.
Because Gao Xinxin was also a student at Huai’an No.3 High School, three grades below Ming You.
Who knew that on their third meeting today, her daughter’s reaction would be so intense?
They lived on the second floor of a six-story duplex with two units per landing. In her haste, Yang Guishu chased down the stairs. She searched the main road to the community gate, but there were few pedestrians; no sign of Ming You.
Suddenly, the elevator screen flashing “-3” popped into her mind.
No way?
She rushed back, calling Ming You while taking the elevator to the B3 parking garage.
The parking spot nearest the elevator had its silver-gray car cover tossed on the floor against the wall. The car was gone.
