Chapter 8

A gust of wind gathered from the four corners of the sea, dispersing the early morning white mist over the harbor. Merchant ships rested motionless on the water’s surface. Wan Chai lay dormant, not yet awake.

The two ran along the coastline, one in front of the other.

Lu Shimiao glanced down at her watch from time to time. The final two kilometers seemed impossibly far for her.

Although the Instructor had already slowed down for her considerably, running still felt like a desperate struggle. Her breathing and heartbeat were in complete chaos; the surging blood vessels in her chest cavity made her stomach churn violently.

Ahhh… she felt like throwing up from running.

But Lu Shimiao simply refused to lose. She buried her head and followed bitterly.

Both had long legs and excellent figures.

Along the way, they passed countless morning exercisers, running by Fishermen and leaving a gust of wind in their wake.

People raised their heads, stopping to admire their strides.

Xue Tong monitored the data on her watch. Lu Shimiao’s pace had already broken 6 minutes and entered the 5-minute range.

Her tone was serious: “Last hundred meters. Don’t let your speed drop.”

Finally, with a final burst of effort, the 10-kilometer completion alert chimed on Xue Tong’s watch.

Lu Shimiao, who had been accelerating with all her might, heard the sound. Like a virtual pet suddenly cut off from its power source, she came to an abrupt halt, instantly collapsing to the ground. She felt as if her throat had been cut by a small knife, the suffocating sensation agonizing.

Yet, looking up, she saw Xue Tong jogging lightly in place to relieve tension in her legs, saying something like, “Pace needs improvement.”

A sudden thought flashed through Lu Shimiao’s mind:

Her physical fitness test score could be substandard, but Instructor Xue’s pace—she definitely had to surpass it.

Xue Tong stretched her arms, then turned off her watch. Turning around, she saw Lu Shimiao on the ground. She frowned and reached out to grab the person’s wrist. “Get up. It’s bad for your body.”

“Instructor Xue, I can’t even catch my breath,” Lu Shimiao said, sprawled out on the ground, sweat slowly seeping from her pores.

Xue Tong applied force with her hand, trying to pull her up, her tone cool and detached: “Get up.”

“Oh.” Lu Shimiao pulled her arm back and obediently climbed up from the ground.

The Instructor smelled so good. Her own arms were covered in sweat.

Her stinky sweat mustn’t soil a celestial being.

Xue Tong’s hand grasped empty air. She shifted and placed it on her hip.

She glanced back at the sea, a simple statement: “Let’s head back.”

The two strolled along the coastline, walking one behind the other.

Lu Shimiao’s eyes were fixed on the Instructor’s hand.

On that slender ring finger was a plain yet conspicuous silver ring. She had seen it just now when grabbing the Instructor’s wrist.

One second she was spacing out, the next, a sudden wave of stuffy heat surged in Lu Shimiao’s chest.

She turned her head to look out over the sea’s horizon.

Lu Shimiao decided to attribute this sense of loss entirely to her terrible physical fitness performance.

The two walked all the way back to the residential complex. Though they didn’t speak, they moved with synchronized frequency, heading towards the convenience store.

Lu Shimiao knew Xue Tong wanted to get coffee.

So she could go grab some breakfast too.

—

Inside the convenience store.

An Xi’er spotted Lu Shimiao’s figure from afar. She immediately nudged Lin Tingting next to her. “Hey, the mainland girl’s here.”

Lin Tingting looked over upon hearing this. A smirk immediately spread across her lips. “Perfect timing, let her pay.”

“That’s a bit much,” An Xi’er’s expression turned troubled.

“What’s too much? Can’t you see she’s trying to suck up to us? Gotta give someone a chance at a time like this.” Lin Tingting smiled as she slipped her phone into her bag. “What, feeling sorry for her now?”

“Me? No way.” An Xi’er’s face quickly broke into a smile.

“Watch me.” Lin Tingting sashayed towards the entrance.

An Xi’er watched Lin Tingting’s retreating back, her heart uneasy.

Ever since this mainland kid moved into the shared apartment about half a month ago, this girl had been finding trouble with her countless times.

It all started on the third day after Lu Shimiao first moved in…

Lin Tingting lived in 303, An Xi’er lived in 305, right in the middle was 304, Lu Shimiao’s room.

It was a Saturday morning. Lin Tingting saw her boyfriend off, then immediately knocked on An Xi’er’s door. She pointed at the shoe cabinet overflowing with luxury brands outside room 304. “Wow, mainlanders love pretending to be rich tycoons, huh?”

An Xi’er looked towards the shoe cabinet, her body stiffening.

“Living here with a bunch of knock-offs displayed outside, aren’t you ashamed? Think we can’t tell?” Lin Tingting added.

As a Luxury Sales Associate, An Xi’er knew her stuff.

She had just been stunned by Lu Shimiao’s cabinet full of current season new arrivals.

A consumer at this level was absolutely wealthy, even by Hong Kong Island standards.

But she also understood that Lin Tingting was a pure gold-digger, just a gossipy woman running her mouth for the thrill of it.

An Xi’er didn’t dare contradict Lin Tingting to her face. If the girl in 304 was truly rich, she couldn’t stand this godforsaken place and might move out immediately. But An Xi’er had to live with this group of roommates long-term… a person had to fit in to survive.

So An Xi’er humored her with sarcasm, “Such low-end taste.”

Just as the two were staring at the shoe cabinet and talking, they ran right into Lu Shimiao returning.

One moment Lin Tingting was disparaging her, the next she was instantly slick and smooth, extending her hand in greeting: “Hi, new Tenant, I live next door in 303.”

Lu Shimiao remembered being kept up by this person’s noise the night before, her ears needing plugging. Her face flushed slightly. “Hi.”

“Seeing your cabinet full of luxury goods, living in the big suite here, you’ve been here three days, why haven’t you treated us to dinner yet?” Lin Tingting’s tone was weirdly passive-aggressive, laced with veiled sarcasm and mockery.

Lu Shimiao thought over the proposition for a few seconds, then smiled. “Well, what would you like to eat?”

Lin Tingting hadn’t expected her sarcastic jab to be taken seriously. She didn’t know whether to be annoyed or laugh. “We’re not people who eat at Cha Chaan Tengs.”

Lu Shimiao understood and nodded. “You can eat whatever you want.”

…

Lin Tingting hadn’t expected the mainland kid to agree without even batting an eye. In front of An Xi’er, she had been backed into a corner by just a few words, unable to climb down. Her face was as ugly as could be.

She thought: Since this mainlander loves to show off, let her show off properly. We’ll see how she handles the fallout later.

So she had Lu Shimiao pick a nearby high-end restaurant, rallied the roommates in the shared apartment who weren’t working, and a whole group marched off to eat grandly.

When the meal ended, Lin Tingting mentally calculated the dishes. This meal cost at least twenty thousand Hong Kong dollars. She was eager to see the look on Lu Shimiao’s face when she saw the bill…

Before she could finish her vindictive musings, she saw Lu Shimiao standing at the front desk, swiping her card to pay with a completely blank expression, without even taking the receipt…

Oh.

So she really was rich.

Lin Tingting recalled the sarcastic remarks she had made about the person’s shoes at the doorstep that morning, and instantly felt incredibly pathetic.

This mainland brat was like a rich young miss descending to a farming village to experience the hardships of the common folk, perfectly reminding them just how tragically miserable their own lives were.

The social class they could never reach in their lifetime was something Lu Shimiao was born into.

What class disparity felt like, Lu Shimiao probably couldn’t perceive. But for a gold-digging woman of lower status, it was exceptionally clear.

Thus, another interpretation of gold-digging was—hatred of the rich.

Lin Tingting had navigated society for years; her tactics and words were naturally slick. With coaxing and deception, she lured the person right into the whirlpool.

Initially, she tentatively got Lu Shimiao to buy the oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar for the communal kitchen. Later, she had her responsible for buying snacks and beer for the living room. After a week, almost all daily necessities for the common areas were shouldered entirely by Lu Shimiao.

The other Tenants in the shared apartment were embarrassed at first, but seeing the patsy didn’t refuse them herself, they gradually got used to this lifestyle. The phenomenon of sending her to buy things spread from person to person.

An Xi’er even discovered that Lin Tingting had started having Lu Shimiao pay for her personal daily necessities as well. Beyond this, she would also use various excuses to enter Lu Shimiao’s room.

“My phone’s dead, I’m so hungry, help me order delivery.”

“Wow, this skincare product must be expensive, right? But it’s suitable for dry skin. Just give it to me to use.”

“Wow, these clothes are the newest style, aren’t they? You wear a police uniform every day, giving them to you is a waste anyway. I’m taking them~”

Watching Lu Shimiao, An Xi’er sometimes felt a twinge of pity.

She felt Lu Shimiao was like cooked meat nearly covered in parasites, slowly, bit by bit, approaching putrefaction…

—

Lu Shimiao’s mind had been entirely on Xue Tong. It wasn’t until she neared the convenience store that she saw Lin Tingting standing at the entrance.

Her expression darkened. Anxiety and irritation immediately crawled onto her shoulders.

She wanted to turn away, but it was too late. She had no choice but to stiffen her scalp and walk over.

“Out for a run?” Lin Tingting’s voice was syrupy sweet, with a somewhat cordial demeanor.

Lu Shimiao nodded, not even lifting her eyes as she headed towards the convenience store.

“You haven’t eaten breakfast, have you?” Lin Tingting walked to the refrigerated section, grabbed a rice ball, and stuffed it into Lu Shimiao’s hands. “This one’s good, try it.”

Lu Shimiao took it, saying nothing.

Xue Tong stood at the counter, ordering a coffee, her peripheral vision scanning the entire scene.

“Is this your friend?” Lin Tingting noticed someone nearby staring at them and turned to look.

Lu Shimiao knew Lin Tingting was asking about Xue Tong standing beside them. She immediately shook her head. “No.”

She couldn’t let this group latch onto Xue Tong.

That was the only thought in Lu Shimiao’s head at that moment.

Xue Tong, hearing the kid’s answer, furrowed her brows slightly.

She found it a bit strange. Lu Shimiao wasn’t willing to introduce her as her Instructor. It seemed like the kid wanted her to steer clear of this scene.

A sense of boundaries is an adult’s form of courtesy.

Xue Tong asked the clerk for a pack of cigarettes and consciously went outside to the smoking area.

“You have to train, right? Better drink more milk.” Lin Tingting grabbed two bottles of milk and yogurt, casually tossing them into the basket, then turned and picked up some more things she herself wanted.

Lu Shimiao glanced at the shopping basket, and her heart immediately understood Lin Tingting’s intention.

This person wanted her to pay again.

Although Lu Shimiao lacked social experience, she wasn’t a fool. Having lived in this hellhole for three weeks, how could she not know what kind of person Lin Tingting was?

Yet, every time she felt the urge to erupt, Lu Yuan’s words became like a curse, echoing in her ears over and over.

“When you’re away from home, harmony is paramount.”

“Problems that can be solved with money aren’t really problems.”

So she could only deceive herself.

She had no family or relatives to turn to in Hong Kong, no social circle, no friends. If trouble really broke out, she couldn’t handle the aftermath.

Perhaps it was also a form of avoidance. She could only use the excuse that the police academy’s start of term had already kept her so busy her feet barely touched the ground, leaving her truly no spare time to deal with these people, as a way to numb herself.

“Give me the stuff.” Lu Shimiao said gravely, taking the shopping basket.

“Thanks, Officer~” Seeing the person still hadn’t refused, Lin Tingting was in high spirits. She walked deeper into the convenience store, picking out some things she normally wouldn’t spend her own money on.

Just as Lu Shimiao took out her phone to pay, Xue Tong, having finished her cigarette, walked back in.

The two stood in front of the same counter, yet pretended not to know each other.

Thank goodness Xue Tong didn’t see what happened just now. Lu Shimiao felt immensely relieved.

After paying the bill, Lu Shimiao prepared to make a swift escape from the scene.

But from behind her, Lin Tingting’s voice sounded again, dripping with coyness. “Aiyo, so heavy, I can’t carry it, Police Cadet.”

Lu Shimiao halted her steps, turned back, and took the two large bags, heading towards the exit.

Xue Tong stood in place, taking the coffee the clerk handed her. She turned around and immediately tossed it into the trash can.

Sickening.

Xue Tong followed the three of them into the elevator.

But the entire way, they were like strangers. Between her and Lu Shimiao, it was as if a river separated them, each standing on one side.

“Idiot.” Lin Tingting had her arms crossed over her chest, watching Lu Shimiao carrying the heavy items. She spoke in Cantonese to An Xi’er.

An Xi’er, seeing Xue Tong’s darkened face reflected in the elevator’s glass, made a silencing gesture. “Shut up, we’re in public.”

“What’s the matter? Does scolding her break your heart?” Lin Tingting’s eyes were fixed on the back of Lu Shimiao’s head. Continuing in Cantonese, she added, “And besides, aren’t you the one who said she’s stupid? If you tell her to buy stuff, she buys stuff. Scold her, do you see any reaction?”

“So stupid,” Lin Tingting finished. Then, unable to help herself, a “pfft” of laughter escaped her lips.

“Bastard.” Lin Tingting aimed another remark at the back of the person’s head.

Their voices, neither too loud nor too soft, all drifted into Xue Tong’s ears.

Xue Tong stood in the corner, listening just like that, her eyes fixed on the reflection of Lu Shimiao in the elevator glass.

Lu Shimiao just stood there dumbly, blankly, between the two of them.

She was drenched in sweat, stray strands of hair plastered across her face. Her expression was somewhat wooden, unable to understand, her eyes seemingly in a daze.

From time to time, because the heavy bags were too burdensome, she needed to rest them on her legs for support. Even though none of these items were bought for herself, she still wouldn’t directly set the bags down on the floor.

She wanted to reach out and pull the person away, but then she remembered how Lu Shimiao had deliberately avoided her back in the convenience store.

Xue Tong didn’t want to make things overly awkward for Lu Shimiao.

Floor 28 arrived.

Xue Tong, having been lost in thought, only snapped out of it as she stepped out of the elevator.

But as soon as she exited the elevator,

she regretted it.

“Idiot.”

“Stupid.”

“Filthy cunt.”

Lu Shimiao couldn’t understand those Cantonese words. Xue Tong understood them.

Those piercing insults echoed in her mind, over and over.

Especially that last phrase.

Especially the look in Lu Shimiao’s eyes.

The black-and-white photograph in the graveyard kept surfacing in Xue Tong’s mind.

People who don’t fight back all end up the same way eventually—dead in the abyss.

She had seen it clearly before.

With a stern face, Xue Tong pulled out her phone and found Lu Shimiao’s number in the academy directory. Without a second thought, she dialed directly.

“Instructor Xue.” Lu Shimiao seemed to have just reached the top floor. The first words when she answered the phone were very polite.

“Come to Floor 28.” Xue Tong hung up after speaking, turned back around, and waited for the person by the elevator entrance.

Lu Shimiao arrived as soon as she got the call. “Instructor Xue, you were looking for me.”

Seeing Lu Shimiao’s face, all of Xue Tong’s originally planned patient persuasion flew out the window. The words that came out were directly replaced by a cold command: “Move out of the penthouse.”

Lu Shimiao had seen Xue Tong many times at the academy.

In her impression, Instructor Xue always spoke with an unchanging calmness, her emotions always impeccably controlled.

But right now, Xue Tong seemed to be speaking to her in a strange tone.

This tone left no room for negotiation.

Lu Shimiao guessed that whatever Lin Tingting had said in the elevator must have been about her, and Xue Tong, hearing it, had gotten angry.

“Did they say something unpleasant?”

Xue Tong just looked at Lu Shimiao calmly.

She was still waiting for an answer.

Lu Shimiao thought, Instructor Xue calling her over was actually out of concern for her. Secretly pleased and delighted in her heart, she smiled and comforted the other person, trying to ease her mind. “It doesn’t matter if they said something unpleasant. I don’t care at all. Instructor Xue, just pretend you didn’t hear it.”

The more Xue Tong listened, the angrier she became.

She started to close her eyes, struggling to suppress her emotions, trying her best not to lose control.

“I can handle it myself, Instructor Xue.”

Lu Shimiao still hadn’t realized something was wrong with Xue Tong.

By the time Xue Tong opened her eyes again, her gaze was filled with disappointment. “So this uniform means nothing either, does it?”

She seemed to be asking Lu Shimiao.

Yet, she also seemed to be asking herself.