She didn't mind, continuing to rub her soft breasts against his chest. As her lips moved across his cheek, she whispered, "Your eyes are so beautiful... why is your nose so sexy... I really love this face of yours."
Xin Che was ignited by Susu, as if wanting to transform his guilt towards two women into possession of Susu. He kissed her frantically, eagerly shedding her clothes, and with primal wildness, their bodies became one. Susu responded to him with equal fervor. In that moment, it felt as though heaven and earth vanished, leaving only their burning lust.
The next day, Susu got up early and busied herself quietly in the kitchen. By the time Xin Che woke up, the dining table was set. The house was warm and bright. The two of them didn't exchange many words, simply eating breakfast in silence.
As Xin Che was finishing his meal, Susu smiled and asked him, "Do you love me?"
Xin Che paused for a moment, then said softly, "I don't know."
Susu continued to look at him and asked again, "Then do you love her?"
This time, Xin Che was silent for a longer period before replying, "Yes."
Susu's heart ached, a hint of helplessness appearing in her eyes, yet her lips still curved upwards. "I understand... I want to be alone for a while." With that, she got up, calmly picked up her already packed bag, and left his house without looking back. Xin Che remained seated at the dining table, his gaze fixed on the spot where Susu had been, not uttering a single word to ask her to stay.
On Monday at the company, Xin Che couldn't help but search for Susu everywhere. He spotted her from afar, and she seemed no different than usual, cheerfully interacting with colleagues, her steps light. She just appeared a bit busier than usual.
It wasn't until two days later that he learned from others that Susu had submitted an application to transfer to the Shenzhen branch and was in the process of handing over her duties. Hearing this news, he froze. Feelings of disappointment and self-reproach washed over him, but he lacked the courage to seek her out again.
Xin Che thought life would quickly return to normal. He even believed he would soon forget this sudden, passionate encounter. After all, over the past ten years, how many impulses and flirtations had ultimately been fleeting. Each time, he had been able to quickly extricate himself, reset everything, and return to Ji Xiaoran as if nothing had happened.
He had assumed this time would be no different. He hadn't expected that after Susu left Beijing, he would miss her more each day. In the quiet of the night, whenever he closed his eyes, their month-long intimacy would replay endlessly in his mind. Susu's tenderness, like a kitten gently scratching at his heart, refused to fade.
Sometimes, unable to bear the longing, he would send Susu a seemingly casual message of concern. Susu didn't pay him much attention, and even when she replied, her tone was polite and distant.
Unable to withstand the coldness and with his mind in turmoil, he impulsively decided to fly to see Ji Xiaoran that weekend. In Shanghai in December, the cold wind carried a damp chill. Thirty-three-year-old Ji Xiaoran was as alluring as ever. They hugged, kissed, and made love. Yet, the more intimate he was with others, the more Susu's smile, Susu's shy demeanor, and Susu's warm breath as she nuzzled his collarbone, haunted him relentlessly.
The two days passed in a flash. Ji Xiaoran seemed to sense something. As she packed Xin Che's luggage, she said calmly, "I'm planning to apply for a transfer to Beijing and intend to move there during the Spring Festival vacation."
✦✦✦