Chapter 31: Biting Dead Part 2

Zou Nian saw her flushed face, eyes full of fury, ready to snap at her turn. Concerned, she asked, “What happened?”

Jiang Ruoning shook her head. “Nothing.”

Zou Nian asked, “Fight with a friend?”

Jiang Ruoning had tons of friends—Zou Nian knew that from pursuing her. Across industries, same field, whatever. With her personality, it wasn’t surprising. Even she herself had ended up with a “friend card.”

Jiang Ruoning flushed awkwardly. “Uh—” She nodded. “Sort of.”

If ex-girlfriends counted as friends.

Zou Nian said, “Now I’m curious.”

Jiang Ruoning tilted her head. “Curious?”

Zou Nian nodded. “Curious which friend got you this mad.”

Jiang Ruoning gave a wry smile. “Why curious about that?”

Zou Nian said, “Because you rarely get mad.”

Jiang Ruoning rubbed the back of her neck, scratching lightly. Her fair skin instantly bore red marks. Zou Nian eyed her pajamas, fragrant hair, slippers. “Just showered?”

“Yeah.” Jiang Ruoning glanced at her business attire and returned the courtesy. “You just got off work?”

Zou Nian nodded. “Finished a meeting with your Sister Xiao Man.”

Jiang Ruoning said, “You two have been busy lately.”

“Just finished a case,” Zou Nian said. “I’ll rest the next couple of days.”

“You really should get some proper rest,” Jiang Ruoning said. “Look, you’ve got dark circles under your eyes.”

Zou Nian scraped lightly under her eye with her fingertip. “For real?”

Jiang Ruoning laughed. “For real. Right here in this circle.”

She traced a circle around her own eye, making Zou Nian laugh.

Once the laughter subsided, Zou Nian said, “It’s been a while since I last saw you.”

Jiang Ruoning exaggerated, “That’s because you don’t keep up with me. I’m always popping up in the gossip news.”

Zou Nian agreed. “Probably because I’ve been so swamped with work lately. Haven’t been online much.”

Jiang Ruoning nodded. “I can tell.”

Zou Nian thought she was referring to the dark circles again and smiled helplessly, her eyes still fixed on Jiang Ruoning.

Jiang Ruoning avoided her gaze, lowered her head, and pulled out her phone to message Jiang Qin.

It had been a while since they’d seen each other. They lived in the same neighborhood; Zou Nian had met her at one of Zhou Man’s gatherings. That same night, they’d gone home together. Zou Nian had been very considerate, walking her all the way to the entrance of her building. Afterward, they’d gone out for a few lunches or dinners. Zou Nian had never hidden her intentions. At the time, Jiang Ruoning had found her pretty, intellectual, and polite, so she’d agreed to give it a try.

Unfortunately, there were no sparks.

She’d told Zou Nian about it afterward, and Zou Nian hadn’t gotten upset. They’d occasionally meet up during holidays for shopping or meals, but Jiang Ruoning rarely had time, so it had fizzled out.

In the neighborhood, since Jiang Ruoning was too lazy to go downstairs, they seldom ran into each other.

Yeah, it really had been a long time.

Then Jiang Ruoning thought of Shi Sui again.

The neighborhood was so small— she and Zou Nian could go ages without seeing each other.

So why did she keep bumping into Shi Sui everywhere?

Her phone vibrated. Jiang Qin had replied: [Aromatic vinegar, aromatic vinegar. How do I forget what I need after just two steps? Should’ve gone down myself.]

Jiang Ruoning pursed her lips.

She grabbed a bottle of aromatic vinegar from the shelf.

Seeing her movement, Zou Nian asked, “You still cook for yourself?”

“My mom,” Jiang Ruoning explained with a smile. “She sent me down to buy it.”

Zou Nian nodded. “How’s Auntie doing lately? Still in good health?”

She knew Jiang Qin wasn’t in great shape, but Zhou Man hadn’t shared details, so she only knew the basics.

Jiang Ruoning said, “She’s doing pretty well.”

With that, she headed to the checkout. Her sharp eyes caught sight of the freezer with its glass sliding door— the ice cream tucked in the very back.

The same flavor she’d taken one bite of that day.

The one Shi Sui had finished.

What a scoundrel that woman was.

Why did she keep popping into her head?

So annoying!

Jiang Ruoning fumed helplessly, her lips pursed in frustration. Behind her, Zou Nian held a bag of snacks. Jiang Ruoning noticed and said, “Let’s pay together.”

Zou Nian glanced at her, smiled, and placed the snacks next to the vinegar. “Together,” she told the cashier.

The cashier scanned the items.

Both women pulled out their payment codes at the same time.

The cashier looked troubled, glancing between them.

Jiang Ruoning was closer to the counter. She stretched her hand under the scanner and said, “Scan mine.”

Beep.

It went through.

Jiang Ruoning picked up the vinegar and handed the snacks to Zou Nian. “Didn’t expect you to eat snacks.”

Puffed ones, at that.

Zou Nian said, “Gotta treat myself when I’m off.”

As she spoke, something occurred to her. She opened the bag, took one out, and offered it to Jiang Ruoning. Jiang Ruoning glanced down, and Zou Nian joked, “What’re you looking at? Want me to feed you?”

“No need…” Jiang Ruoning said, extending her hand.

Zou Nian placed the snack in her palm.

Jiang Ruoning stared at her palm, suddenly recalling the slap she’d just landed on Shi Sui.

The stinging sensation of skin meeting skin lingered.

She’d hit hard.

It must hurt Shi Sui a lot.

She’d probably left by now, right?

“Ruoning?” Zou Nian called. Jiang Ruoning snapped back. “Huh?”

“What’re you thinking about?” Zou Nian asked.

Jiang Ruoning popped the snack into her mouth and shook her head. “Nothing.”

Seeing Zou Nian walking with her, she asked puzzledly, “Aren’t you heading home?”

Zou Nian seemed to realize it herself and chuckled ruefully. “Forget it. I’ll walk you home first.”

Jiang Ruoning shook her head. “No, no, no. Go home.”

Zou Nian saw she wasn’t just being polite and shrugged. “Alright then— heading home?”

Jiang Ruoning, distracted, said, “Yeah.”

Zou Nian lingered reluctantly. “Bye-bye.”

Jiang Ruoning waved. “Bye.”

They parted at the intersection. After a couple steps, Zou Nian turned back. “Ruoning.”

Jiang Ruoning turned at the sound. Zou Nian said, “Good night.”

Jiang Ruoning laughed helplessly. “Good night, good night.”

Zou Nian’s expression turned even more rueful at her tone.

Jiang Ruoning carried the vinegar homeward.

Her building was further in, past two gravel paths. Most evening strollers had returned by now. Jiang Ruoning kept glancing around left and right. When she reached the base of her building, her phone vibrated—a WeChat notification popped up.

From Shi Sui.

Asking: [Looking for me?]

Jiang Ruoning: …

She nearly jumped. She fired back at Shi Sui: [Are you a pervert?!]

Shi Sui: …

Jiang Ruoning demanded: [Why haven’t you left? What do you want? Are you insane?]

This time, Shi Sui hesitated, typing and deleting.

Finally: [Calm down.]

Jiang Ruoning: [Calm my ass! Believe I won’t slap you again?]

She believed it.

It hurt—a lot.

And it felt good.

Shi Sui cupped her slapped cheek.

Yeah, she must be crazy.

Hearing Jiang Ruoning so calmly say they should split after one last project—she couldn’t accept it.

Back abroad, she’d had no passport, no money, nothing. But she’d never despaired, clinging to that one breath, determined to return.

And she had.

But she couldn’t rush straight to Jiang Ruoning.

She’d followed the plan step by step, prepared for any failure along the way. But Jiang Ruoning’s coldness after the passion? She couldn’t take that.

The booze?

No.

It was just her being selfish, barbaric, and shameless.

That slap was deserved.

But if one slap brought her closer…

Shi Sui figured even full-body wounds were worth it.

Truly forcing it.

Jiang Ruoning waited ages for a reply, then gritted her teeth and entered the building.

As she rode the elevator, Jiang Qin called, asking why it took so long to buy vinegar. Jiang Ruoning scratched her head and handed it over. “Ran into an acquaintance downstairs.”

Jiang Qin hadn’t heard her mention neighborhood friends much. “Lin Mei?”

“No,” Jiang Ruoning said. “From another building. Xiao Man’s coworker.”

“So coincidental?” Jiang Qin said.

Jiang Ruoning brushed it off. “Yeah, super coincidental.”

Back in the apartment, she peered out the window—nothing, empty.

Still uneasy, she stepped out, leaned on the hallway window, and looked down again. Still no one.

Jiang Qin watched her darting back and forth and frowned. “What’re you doing?”

“It’s hot. Getting some air,” Jiang Ruoning said.

“Isn’t the AC on?” Jiang Qin asked.

Jiang Ruoning nodded and followed her mom back inside. She plopped onto the sofa. Jiang Qin sat beside her watching TV. Jiang Ruoning whispered, “Mom—”

Jiang Qin turned.

Jiang Ruoning curled her toes, leaned against her mom, bit her lip, hesitating.

It was so hard to hold in. Finally: “I want an apple.”

Jiang Qin playfully smacked the arm she’d draped over her and got up to peel one. On her way back to the sofa, she asked, “Your Auntie Lin said she introduced a few people to you, but you didn’t like any?”

Jiang Ruoning grumbled, “Mom.”

“Alright, Mom won’t push,” Jiang Qin said. Thinking of tomorrow, she found it hard to bring up. “Here, eat your apple.”

They fell silent.

Jiang Ruoning numbly finished the apple, then went to the bathroom to wash up. Looking in the mirror, she touched her lips, then shook her head.

From outside, Jiang Qin called, “Ruoning, phone!”

Fearing it was Shi Sui, Jiang Ruoning bolted out. Jiang Qin handed her the phone. “It’s Qu Lele.”

Not Shi Sui. Good.

Jiang Ruoning sighed in relief, took the phone back to the bathroom. Qu Lele was just asking, “You still coming for dinner tomorrow?”

She wiped her face with a towel. “What dinner?”

“You booked tomorrow’s dinner, remember?” Qu Lele said.

Jiang Ruoning recalled—it was meant to introduce Shi Sui to them, so she’d reserved a table at Qu Lele’s place. Lele must not know if she was still coming.

She thought it over. “Probably not.”

Qu Lele asked, “Got something tomorrow?”

“Nope,” Jiang Ruoning said.

“Then come out for a meal. It’s been ages since we all got together,” Qu Lele urged.

Not wanting to disappoint her, Jiang Ruoning said, “Got it.”

As she was about to hang up—

“Ruoning,” Qu Lele said.

Jiang Ruoning gripped the phone.

“Actually… Shi Sui already came to eat at my place,” Qu Lele confessed.

Jiang Ruoning was stunned. “When?”

“A few days ago, I think. With her coworkers for a gathering. Sorry, I should’ve told you sooner.”

“No worries,” Jiang Ruoning said. “You two were friends before. Normal to meet up.”

She forced cheer. “Should we invite her tomorrow?”

Qu Lele was taken aback by her generosity, stammering, “I-invite her? You don’t mind?”

Jiang Ruoning minded like hell, wishing she could slap her past self. But the words were out. She stuck to her guns, feigning nonchalance. “Why would I mind? I’m fine with it.” Swallowing her pride: “Really.”

Qu Lele murmured, “Alright then.”

Jiang Ruoning played it cool. “Mom’s calling. Hanging up.”

Qu Lele mumbled agreement.

Jiang Ruoning set down the phone and smacked her own lips hard several times.

Stupid mouth, rotten mouth, crow’s mouth!

If Shi Sui dared show up tomorrow, she’d bite her to death!