Fu Xizhi sent a WeChat message to Rong Xue, saying she was ready.
She steadied her breathing, looked down, reached in to unhook the skin-tight little item, wiped it clean with a tissue, and placed it inside her shoulder bag.
Opening her mobile app again, she reflected on how her own account was controlled by Rong Xue, while she managed Rong Xue’s end, they helped each other out.
Just then, Rong Xue suddenly went offline. Fu Xizhi tapped her WeChat interface.
Pinned at the very top was Rong Xue’s side-profile photo: jet-black long hair, leaning against a bay window, wearing an off-the-shoulder black knit sweater that exposed an angular, delicate shoulder.
It was shot so artistically that Fu Xizhi stared at it for a few extra seconds before typing out a few lines:
[What happened? You went offline. Did you lose signal?]
[I brought you a gift. See you later.]
Fragmented footsteps sounded outside the door and stopped right behind Fu Xizhi. Shortly after, the door panel rattled violently with loud bangs, shaking her entire body.
Her vision blurred for a moment, and she instantly straightened her back.
Immediately following was her friend Bai Xiao’s loud voice: Hey, Fu Xizhi! Taking a pee takes you ten minutes, did you fall into the toilet?!
I didn’t, I didn’t, Fu Xizhi pressed her phone into her pocket, pushed open the door, and teased her back, Why the rush? It’s not like we’re hurrying to hang ourselves.
She walked over to the sink, turned on the faucet, and as the water gushed out, she squeezed a pump of hand soap and bent down to wash her fingers.
How can I not rush? Your Goddess Rong is about to give her grand finale performance in a bit. Here, your stuff, Bai Xiao placed a paper shopping bag onto the counter, raised an eyebrow, and teased, Look at your flushed little face. Are you nervous, or…
Or what? Fu Xizhi dried her hands, picked up the paper bag, and walked out of the restroom.
Bai Xiao rounded over to Fu Xizhi’s side, tilted her head, and caught sight of those clear, limpid eyes and her pale pink cheeks. She chuckled mischievously and said, Or are you feeling yearning and restless? Very suspicious, are you thinking about spicy things?
Fu Xizhi shifted into power-walking mode: Who feels restless in the summer? I’m just hot.
Are you sure it’s not because you’re thinking about your goddess?
Totally, absolutely, 100% sure!
Tsk, keep bluffing. Stubborn from top to bottom.
At the start of the September term, the lingering summer heat had not yet dissipated. The Student Union of Hailin University was hosting a orientation event for incoming freshmen.
It was originally meant to be an internal event, but someone leaked the news: Rong Xue, the Minister of the Student Union Propaganda Department and a current junior, had once won top national piano competition honors.
She was scheduled to perform the final piano piece at the university’s small auditorium for the orientation gathering. Word spread from ten to a hundred, and from a hundred to a thousand, everyone wanted to squeeze in to catch a glimpse of the celebrity.
Fu Xizhi and Rong Xue were in the same class year. Though the two seemed to belong to completely different worlds, due to a special relationship between them, Fu Xizhi did not want to miss Rong Xue’s performance.
As the performances neared their end, there weren’t many people in the hallway. Near a corner, a thick smell of cigarette smoke lingered in the air.
Fu Xizhi suddenly stopped and asked Bai Xiao to wait a second.
Bai Xiao: What is it?
Fu Xizhi placed an index finger to her lips, pointed toward the corner, and lowered her voice: It sounds like they’re talking about Rong Xue.
Bai Xiao poked half her head out, quickly pulled it back, and dragged Fu Xizhi along to press their ears against the corner wall to eavesdrop.
Two people were smoking and chatting there.
I was backstage earlier and saw Rong Xue making a phone call up close. She even smiled at me. That face, that aura, seriously unreal. I was almost tempted to make a move myself.
Don’t go learning from Fu Xizhi. She’s been brazenly chasing her since freshman year, and now that they’re juniors, when people asked Rong Xue if she was annoyed by her, she said she didn’t even remember her name.
How aloof.
Rong Xue does it on purpose. She keeps gifts from others or doesn’t throw them away, but everything Fu Xizhi gives her, she throws away entirely or gives to someone else. She completely looks down on anyone named Fu.
Wow, that’s so embarrassing. Guess I’ll just pass then.
Definitely. Rong Xue is a genuine wealthy beauty. Who does Fu Xizhi think she is? At best, a seven out of ten in looks, while Rong Xue is a verified top-tier beauty. Is she worthy? Yet she still chases her, zero self-awareness, giving things worth just a few bucks. Typical cheap broke-person way of chasing someone. I feel embarrassed for her.
One of them accidentally choked on smoke and coughed repeatedly.
Bai Xiao erupted in fury. Fu Xizhi was startled as she watched Bai Xiao leap right in front of the two, pointing at their faces and shouting angrily, Talking trash behind someone’s back! Apologize right now! Save some virtue for your mouths, or watch them rot!
The two were startled. They were about to hurl insults back, but in the next second, they noticed Fu Xizhi standing behind Bai Xiao, curling her lips into a cold smirk at them. They stood stunned in place, letting cigarette ash fall all over the floor.
Fu Xizhi grabbed Bai Xiao by her sleeve and pulled her past them: Let’s go.
Bai Xiao was forcibly dragged away in confusion, constantly muttering that they hadn’t apologized yet.
Pushing Bai Xiao a little further away, Fu Xizhi turned her head and saw that the two were no longer where they had been. She explained, Thanks, girl. I know you wanted to stand up for me, but if a fight broke out and attracted a crowd, wouldn’t that just waste time? Look.
As she spoke, Fu Xizhi held up her phone. The event ended at 10:00 PM, and there were only thirty minutes left.
Bai Xiao felt aggrieved: I just hate seeing you throw your warmth at a cold wall with no hope in sight.
Fu Xizhi lifted the paper bag slightly and smiled, Who says there’s no hope? Just wait until I give her this gift.
Fu Xizhi had said such big words more than once, yet Rong Xue still treated her like a complete stranger at school. Heartbroken for her friend, Bai Xiao pressed the paper bag down.
Keep brainwashing yourself then! Regardless of how Rong Xue acts, those people were blatantly lying through their teeth, how can you tolerate that?
How about I schedule a brawl with them on the rooftop then?
That’s not what I mean! Point is, you bought a gift for Rong Xue, regardless of whether she accepts it or how much it costs, it’s paid for with real hard-earned money. Other people have no right to criticize you.
As she spoke, Bai Xiao held her by the shoulders, her eyes rolling as she looked Fu Xizhi up and down.
Milk-tea brown long curly hair, glossy lip glaze, a camisole top, and three tight choker bands wrapped around her fair thighs, a sweet-cool aesthetic, so pleasing to the eyes!
Fu Xizhi said calmly: But Rong Xue is 177 cm tall, half a head taller than me.
Bai Xiao snorted: So what? That’s the most adorable height difference! Besides, with your looks, you could be an influencer without any effort. Pair that with this outfit, and I’d crown you a sexy wild kitten on the spot.
Fu Xizhi smiled and thanked her: I hope I can charm thousands of cat lovers.
Bai Xiao quickened her pace: Also, when others talk trash to you, you need to boldly fight back.
Fu Xizhi: Let them talk. The harsher they talk now, the sweeter the slap in the face will be when Rong Xue publicly confesses her love for me later.
You’re hopeless, Bai Xiao rolled her eyes, exasperated by her lack of ambition: I really don’t get why you’re so utterly devoted to her. Sure, she’s won a few piano awards and has a pretty face, but can any of that feed you?
Fu Xizhi thought about it as she walked, affirming seriously: Yes, it can keep me completely full.
Huh?! Bai Xiao stumbled on her feet, entirely speechless.
Stop overthinking it, we made it. Fu Xizhi pushed her into the dimly lit auditorium, where only the glow of phone screens illuminated a sea of distinct faces.
The auditorium had over a hundred seats set up; those who arrived late had to accept their fate and stand anywhere they could. A massive crowd of students packed the space. Bai Xiao stood at the very back, standing on tiptoe, and groaned.
You took so long out there that our seats got taken by someone else.
Fu Xizhi didn’t speak. She glanced down at her phone; the chat window with Rong Xue showed that the other person was typing.
At that moment, two spotlights focused on the stage, paired with side background lighting, illuminating the grand piano in the center of the stage.
Rong Xue sat upright on the piano bench, wearing a vintage floral print camisole V-neck long dress over a white base. Her long hair was pinned up, with a few strands resting against her fair neck. Her entire presence seemed immersed in a hazy morning mist, softening her quiet, distant features by a notch.
Most people in the hall ignored the rules and used flash photography. Enthusiastic, rainbow-fart compliments praising Rong Xue echoed continuously around Fu Xizhi’s ears.
Bai Xiao couldn’t help but sigh with emotion: This facial structure… Nuwa was really biased. When I save up enough money for plastic surgery someday, I’m taking Rong Xue’s photo as my template.
After saying that, she also whipped out her phone and snapped several pictures in succession, nudging Fu Xizhi: What are you dazed for? Take pictures!
Fu Xizhi snapped back to reality, pulled out a pair of Bluetooth earbuds from her bag, and shared one with Bai Xiao: Not taking pictures this time. Just listen for a bit, I know which piece she’s going to play.
For real? Bai Xiao popped the earbud into her ear and listened to a snippet. The melody was soothing, like a massage for the ears. She handed the earbud back to Fu Xizhi, Not bad. What’s this song called?
Fu Xizhi: Clairo’s Juna.
Bai Xiao let out an oh, then realized something was wrong, asking in confusion: How do you know that?
The corners of Fu Xizhi’s mouth curved slightly: It’s a secret.
Bai Xiao huffed: Keeping secrets, huh? You might as well go become a private investigator.
Two minutes passed as everyone waited with bated breath. Rong Xue remained calm and composed, turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to all the commotion in the hall.
She raised her right hand, letting her ring finger press down on a key. A beautiful sequence of musical notes flowed gracefully.
The audience gradually became immersed, listening in quiet appreciation. Fu Xizhi’s face slowly receded into the shadows, making her expression unreadable.
Bai Xiao muttered: That’s not the song you mentioned. She tried to see Fu Xizhi’s face clearly, but the hall was far too dim.
When the piece concluded, thunderous applause erupted below the stage, accompanied by endless calls for an encore.
Fu Xizhi patted Bai Xiao on the shoulder and said she was leaving first: See you tomorrow.
Bai Xiao tried gently to keep her: You haven’t given her your gift yet.
Fu Xizhi smiled faintly: It’s too late now. I really have an urgent matter.
Bai Xiao waved goodbye.
Fu Xizhi stepped out of the building. The night breeze brushed against her skin with a stifling heat.
The night sky was starless, the streetlights cast a ghastly white glow, and swarms of tiny insects gathered, scrambling to get close to the light sources.
Like a night wanderer, she walked silently between the buildings, her shadow stretching endlessly across the ground.
That shadow drifted out of the campus, passed by a greasy, aroma-filled barbecue shop, and turned into a FamilyMart convenience store.
When she walked out of the store, a pack of Marlboro Hard Red was tucked into her pocket. Facing the night wind, she ran toward the subway station.
By the time she reached her apartment in the Haide Residential Complex, it was past 11:00 PM. Fu Xizhi kicked off her shoes, casually threw down the paper bag and her shoulder bag, and walked barefoot across the solid wood floor.
Without turning on the lights, she closed all the ventilated windows in the home and sat cross-legged in front of the coffee table.
Borrowing the moonlight from outside, she tore open the cigarette package, shook out twenty cigarettes, played with the lighter in her hands, and leaned back against the sofa with her eyes closed.
Clear moonlight streamed through the balcony window, bathing her entirely.
After an unknown period, a sound came from the doorway. The light flickered on. She blinked her eyes to adjust, slowly turning her head, if the other person hadn’t returned soon, she would have drifted off to sleep.
Rong Xue raised her eyes, meeting hers, and asked coldly, Did I wake you up?
Not sleeping yet. Fu Xizhi raised her chin, gesturing for her to come over.
Rong Xue hung her bag on the wall, stepped over the paper bag on the floor, walked over to her, knelt on one knee, and looked at the cigarettes scattered across the table. With an expressionless face, she said, I remember you don’t smoke.
Fu Xizhi glanced at her, sat up lazily, and picked up a cigarette: I don’t. She patted the rug beside her: Sit.
Rong Xue didn’t understand what she meant.
Fu Xizhi flicked the lighter; a small burst of blue flame flickered up, lighting the tobacco fibers and burning a small ring of crimson.
Without taking a puff, she pinched the filter, brought it to Rong Xue’s lips, and said playfully, So you do it.
Rong Xue had a mild allergy to burning tobacco.
She hesitated for half a second, opened her mouth, bit onto the cigarette, rested her elbows on the coffee table, held the cigarette between two fingers, and took a deep drag.
Cough! Cough! Cough! Rong Xue abruptly raised her arm, pulled the cigarette away, lowered her head, and coughed violently.
Oh my, why take such a hard drag all of a sudden? Take it slow.
It’s been a while since I last smoked. I didn’t adjust properly.
Fu Xizhi stared at the woman surrounded by swirling smoke: No problem now, right? It shouldn’t taste that bad.
Rong Xue swallowed hard with effort, composed herself, and said softly, It’s fine.
Trying to be tough, Fu Xizhi thought, praising her: Good, continue then. There are nineteen left.
Huh?
I plan to use the leftover cigarette butts to assemble a heart shape. Even though you might get a bit allergic, well, I think… you can manage.