The temporary housing provided by the school for teachers was decent—a one-bedroom apartment in the school district.
Yan Ningxi settled Ming You on the sofa, fetched some makeup remover, and gently wiped off her makeup. She then brought the medicine box and, not very skillfully, changed the sweat-soaked gauze on her injured left hand to a clean one.
After tying the knot, just as she was about to pull away, her hand was grabbed.
“Sister Yan, don’t abandon me…”
The girl kept her eyes tightly shut, her murmurs repeating the same few words over and over. “Sister Yan, I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
Though she felt a bit uncomfortable, Yan Ningxi did not forcibly pull her hand away. Instead, she recalled the stunning sight of Ming You at noon.
Today’s Ming You was completely different from the student-like girl she had seen in the bar last night.
Tall figure, thick and soft long straight black hair with part tied into a bun, revealing a smooth and full forehead. Exquisite but not heavy makeup, an ink-green long skirt, a black designer camera bag that could only fit a phone, and black high-top canvas shoes.
Admittedly, Ming You was a beautiful girl whom anyone would find attractive upon seeing her.
The girl’s eyes were large and bright, her lashes long and curled, her skin fair and translucent. If fair skin had levels from 1 to 10, and Yan Ningxi’s was level 5, then Ming You’s was level 7.
On the girl’s left wrist was an expensive watch. The hour hand approached twelve, exactly one day since they first met the night before.
Once Ming You’s breathing steadied, Yan Ningxi slowly withdrew her hand. The back of it still bore the imprint of the watch strap.
She washed up and returned to her room.
The living room light went out, the bedroom fell quiet, and the girl on the sofa opened her eyes. In the darkness, she lightly touched her face.
It was the first time someone had so gently and meticulously removed her makeup for her—back during the summer between her sophomore and junior year of high school. From skincare products to all kinds of makeup, He Huan had given her a full set.
She was clumsy when it came to learning makeup; she could not pick it up and was too lazy to try. During art exam training camp, whenever she needed makeup for a test, He Huan personally applied it for her in the morning and removed it at night.
From summer vacation to winter break—how many times had that happened?
Five? Ten?
Today’s makeup had cost her money. She could not do it herself.
She moved her sore neck, casually tugged at the thin blanket intending to throw it off, but the pain in her palm made her change her mind. She clutched the blanket and sniffed it. There was the fresh scent of laundry detergent, along with a faint perfume smell. Surprisingly, it put her at ease.
Beer got her drunk easily.
She had wanted to sleep soundly.
But images kept flashing through her mind: He Huan drawing her eyebrows, He Huan drinking cross-cup wine and kissing Jiang Bin, He Huan’s cruel and resolute “No” in the KTV. Countless scenes and conversations from the past and present cycled like a slideshow, giving her a splitting headache.
—He Huan, I’m just asking you one thing: did you ever include me in your future plans?
—No.
It was ridiculous. She had tried so hard for so long, yet she had never been part of He Huan’s plans.
Those harsh words still echoed in her ears. Ming You sat up in frustration, grabbed the tissue box from the coffee table, and was about to hurl it across the room.
A clear “Ming You” pulled the girl back from the abyss. Hearing Yan Ningxi’s voice, the girl shuddered and escaped the devil’s clutches once more. Her raised hand slowly lowered, sparing the tissue box.
Yan Ningxi was a light sleeper; the slightest noise woke her. She turned on a wall lamp and placed her hand on Ming You’s forehead. “Still feeling bad?”
The touch on her forehead was warmer than the coolness from earlier in the day. Ming You’s irritable mood calmed instantly. She shook her head. “Had a nightmare.”
“No matter what the dream was, you’re awake now, and that’s what matters.” Yan Ningxi did not press for details. “Last night and tonight—can you tell me? Why were you drinking?”
“Bad mood.”
“The reason?”
Ming You looked up into Yan Ningxi’s inquiring gaze and said with a half-smile, “In modern life, drowning in booze and indulgence amid neon lights and revelry—not every drinking session needs a reason, right? If there has to be one, would Sister Yan believe me if I said it was because of a breakup?”
“…”
“Just kidding, Sister Yan. Don’t take it seriously. I haven’t dated anyone.” It was nothing more than unrequited affection.
“If you don’t want to say, I won’t push. Drinking is fine, but in moderation.” Yan Ningxi had no interest in prying into someone else’s privacy. “The sofa is small—not as comfortable as a hotel bed. Make do for the night. I’ll make you some honey water.”
“Thanks. Sorry for the trouble.”
“No trouble.”
Before long, Yan Ningxi brought over the cup.
Ming You stared blankly at the dim yellow light source on the TV wall opposite, cradling the glass cup Yan Ningxi had handed her with both hands. She took small sips of the perfectly warm honey water.
A little sweet.
Yan Ningxi stood nearby, watching Ming You as if she were a still painting, and suppressed a yawn.
After finishing half a cup of honey water, Ming You lay back down. Though her throat was moistened, her voice remained slightly hoarse. “Sister Yan, you should go back to sleep too. I’m fine now.”
“I’ll leave the light on. Call me if you need anything.”
…
Yan Ningxi’s biological clock was very regular—even on weekends and holidays, her alarm went off at eight. Wearing deep green short-sleeve short-pants pajamas, she sleepily opened her door to head to the bathroom, only to lock eyes with Ming You, who was sitting on the sofa.
She took a step back and closed the door.
She had forgotten she brought a girl home the night before.
She changed into a collared light apricot-colored homewear set, put up her hair, and opened the door again. “Morning.”
“Good morning, Sister Yan.” Ming You stood politely. “Thank you for not minding last night and bringing me back. I’ve troubled you twice in one day—really sorry. Please accept my sincere apology and gratitude.”
Seeing Ming You bow seriously to apologize, Yan Ningxi replied just as seriously, “Okay, I accept.”
Ming You took two steps closer to Yan Ningxi and spotted, at the edge of her collar, the ambiguous mark left by her own bite. She had no idea how hard she had bitten, how painful it was, or how long it would take to fade. She had no experience to draw from.
“Your neck…”
“It was a sudden thing. Don’t worry about it.” Yan Ningxi spoke calmly and composedly, as if the bite mark on her neck was nothing more than a mosquito bite.
Right—it was just an absurd accident between them.
Ming You was no fool. The other woman clearly did not want to bring up the bar incident. Talking about it more would just be asking for awkwardness.
After glancing at the wrinkles and stains on her skirt, she casually undid the top two buttons. “Sister Yan, since you’re already being such a good person, could you help me with one more thing?”
“Help with what?” Yan Ningxi remained standing in the bedroom doorway, without taking a single step.
“I can’t go out looking like this. I feel uncomfortable all over. Could I borrow your bathroom to take a shower? And maybe some of Sister Yan’s clothes to wear? A T-shirt and shorts would be fine.” After a whole night, the smell on her body was even worse than the night before. She could not tolerate it for even one more minute.
“Small matter. Just wait a sec.” Yan Ningxi rummaged through her closet but could not immediately find suitable clothes and pants for Ming You.
Finally, she spotted a brand-new skirt hanging on a rack. A bright and elegant yellow-and-green floral long skirt with a shallow V-neck—loose and casual in a pastoral style. On Ming You, it would probably cover most of her calf.
The night before at the KTV, wearing flat shoes, she had noticed that Ming You was about five centimeters taller than her.
She took the skirt out and placed it on the bathroom storage rack. “This skirt should fit you. I also got you new towels and a toothbrush.”
She watched Ming You head to the bathroom and even fetched a disposable glove for her left hand, helping her seal it on and reminding her to keep it away from water.
…
Ming You changed into the skirt, blow-dried her hair, and appeared before Yan Ningxi.
Yan Ningxi held two bowls of cooked noodles. She looked Ming You up and down and remarked, “Nice. It suits you very well.”
“That’s because Sister Yan has great taste.” Ming You spoke sweetly as she took one bowl from Yan Ningxi’s hands. “I’ll carry it—careful, it’s hot.” She placed the two bowls of simple veggie noodles on the dining table one after the other.
Ming You pulled out her phone and switched it to food mode, aiming it at the bowl, when she heard Yan Ningxi say, “The skirt is new. It suits you better than it would me—no need to return it.”
She had bought the skirt right before the holiday. Even at the discounted price, it had cost less than Ming You’s spending at the KTV.
Yan Ningxi’s words caught Ming You off guard. She had planned to use returning the clothes as an excuse to meet again.
After skillfully snapping her photos, she looked at the woman across from her and praised, “Sister Yan is beautiful and kind-hearted, with great taste and cooking skills too. I really want to come back and redo high school.”
“Look ahead. High school is exhausting—once is enough.”
“It was exhausting. But my high school didn’t have such a pretty teacher like Sister Yan. What a shame.” Ming You left it at that and focused on eating her noodles.
Yan Ningxi was not quite so calm.
The two ate their noodles in silence, each harboring their own thoughts. Ming You finished first and carried her empty bowl into the kitchen.
Yan Ningxi followed. “Don’t touch the water. Just leave it.”
Ming You did not argue and stepped aside.
The phone rang in the living room. Yan Ningxi set down her bowl and chopsticks, grabbed her phone, and stepped out to the balcony. “Hello, Teacher He?”
“Yan Yan…”
“Everything’s fine. No need to worry.”
“Thanks.”
“Was that Teacher He?” Ming You’s clear voice sounded from behind Yan Ningxi.
“Mm.” Yan Ningxi did not hide it.
Ming You reached out. “It’s a bit abrupt, but Sister Yan, could I borrow your phone to say a few words to Teacher He?”
Hearing Ming You’s voice, He Huan’s breathing hitched. She had assumed Yan Ningxi sent Ming You to a hotel and had been planning to ask how much it cost so she could pay.
He Huan said, “Give her the phone.”
Seeing Yan Ningxi nod, Ming You took the phone. She stepped out through the sliding door, leaned against the railing, and lightly tapped the glass with her finger. She looked utterly casual and relaxed, with none of last night’s dejection or daze remaining.
“Morning, Teacher He.”
Without waiting for a response, Ming You continued on her own. “Yesterday was your big wedding day, and yet I acted so immaturely and caused you trouble—I’m truly sorry. I guarantee it won’t happen again. Also, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to have Teacher Yan pick me up. I slept it off and feel much better now. I’ll listen to Teacher Yan, so no need to worry.”
Her words were all polite formalities, laced with distance. To anyone unaware of the truth, it sounded like a student who had made a minor mistake, owned up to it, and was simply apologizing sincerely to her teacher.
While He Huan was still processing that long spiel, Ming You added one more line. “Once again, congrats on your wedding. I wish you and Mr. Jiang a life in perfect harmony and a precious son soon.”
Without waiting for a reply, Ming You hung up.
“Sister Yan.” She hurried back into the living room and handed the phone back. “I just wanted to apologize to Teacher He one more time. I was afraid that, drunk last night, I said or did something out of line that upset her.”
“I hope you’re sincerely admitting your mistake.” Yan Ningxi’s tone was a touch cooler than He Huan’s. After taking back her phone, she asked, “Drowning your sorrows in alcohol—does it work?”
“It works great—super effective. Don’t I look refreshed now, Sister Yan?”
Ming You spread her arms wide, striking a pose full of vitality, and explained, “Back in high school, I was aloof and didn’t fit in much. Teacher He taught Chinese to our class and was always patient with me. I’m very grateful to her. Last night, I was drunk and reached out to her out of habit… for her comfort, I guess.”
“Mm. It’s clear Teacher He cares a lot about you. Ming You, the relationship between teacher and student can be like friends too, but don’t over-rely on it. On your path to growing up, different stages have different mentors. Focus on the present. When you have time, make more friends your own age.”
Hearing Yan Ningxi’s “life lesson,” Ming You’s mood plummeted to rock bottom. Her voice grew soft. “Students like me—you all must find us pretty annoying, right?”
“What?”
“I said, I got it. I’ll make more friends.”
After that somewhat unpleasant conversation, Ming You asked Yan Ningxi for a shopping bag to pack up her dirty clothes and prepared to leave. “Sister Yan, shall we add each other as contacts?”
