Xuanxuan did not wake up until two in the afternoon.
After applying medicine to her, Jiang Youlan covered her with an air-conditioning blanket, gently wiped her face, and then returned to her own bedroom to sleep as well.
Around noon, Jiang Youlan woke up once more. This time, she was free of any chaotic or bizarre dreams. Breathing a sigh of relief, she picked up her phone and noticed a new text message:
Sister, is everything alright at your shop?
Everything is fine. This isn’t something you need to worry about.
She wanted to reply like that, but in the end, she chose not to respond.
They were completely different people leading vastly different lives; it was best not to become too entangled with each other.
After waking up, Xuanxuan was handed a cup of warm water by Youlan. Do you feel uncomfortable? Would you like something for the hangover? There was fruit in the refrigerator, which was perfect for a post-hangover meal.
I want to smoke a cigarette. Xuanxuan’s gaze carried a hint of desolation, resembling a room overflowing with garbage after a night of heavy drinking.
Go smoke on the rooftop. Jiang Youlan disliked the smell of cigarette smoke, even though her workplace was constantly filled with it.
It was not yet time to open the shop, but since the boss had given the green light, Youlan naturally accompanied her.
The two of them climbed up to the rooftop. The rooftop of this rented top-floor apartment was quite narrow, not the same one she had taken Qingyi to a few days prior. Since it was an overcast day and no one was hanging out laundry, it was the perfect spot for the two of them to chat leisurely.
Checking the time, Jiang Youlan called a nearby Sichuan restaurant to place a delivery order. Because the restaurant was close by, affordable, and delicious, they were very familiar with the owner and often called for takeout.
Xuanxuan smoked cigarette after cigarette; in the blink of an eye, half a pack was gone, yet the gathering clouds of melancholy in her eyes had not dissipated at all.
Tell me, what’s wrong? Jiang Youlan asked, unable to bear watching any longer.
Xuanxuan’s eyes turned red. Taking several deep breaths, she forced herself to calm down and managed to keep the tears from falling.
After collecting herself slightly, she finally spoke, He left.
At first hearing, it was unclear whom she was referring to.
It had rained just last night. Although it had stopped, the air remained heavily saturated with moisture and dampness, as if another downpour could begin at any moment.
Much like Xuanxuan’s eyes.
Which one? Youlan intentionally teased her in an attempt to lighten the moisture-laden, heavy atmosphere.
Xuanxuan cast a mildly resentful glare at her. The boss from Jiangcheng. He said before that he was going to marry me.
Youlan understood.
Xuanxuan was a hunter of sorts. Over the past few months, she had been simultaneously dating two boyfriends. Both men were business owners who were usually busy with social engagements, leaving very little time for romance, though money was never lacking.
No one knew how Xuanxuan managed to balance her time; she could certainly be considered proficient in time management. Youlan had always admired that about her.
However, Xuanxuan had mentioned to her that she favored the younger of the two. There was no telling what his redeeming qualities were, but Xuanxuan treated him with genuine care and often cooked meals for him. She had even said that once she grew a bit older and saved up some money, she would quit this line of work and return with him to Jiangcheng to live an ordinary life.
Xuanxuan was twenty-seven years old. In a few years, perhaps by thirty, she might grow weary of her current lifestyle.
Even though it was not easy for someone like her to lead an ordinary life, holding onto a sliver of hope was still possible.
I know, Xuanxuan said, as if defending herself. To him, I’m probably just someone to play with. But I always harbor a tiny sliver of hope: if he has even a shred of sincerity, I’ll live a proper life with him afterward. I mean it.
Actually, if you want to pull away, you don’t necessarily have to get married. You could go back and open a small shop, and you’d still manage to get by. Youlan sighed, knowing full well that making a clean break was far from easy.
Sometimes, money wasn’t the only reason.
It sounded easy in theory: you could immediately move to a new city, find a place where no one knew you, and seemingly make a fresh start.
Yet, having immersed oneself in the glitz and glamour for so long, the dullness of ordinary days was simply too difficult to endure.
Some people claimed to have changed professions, gotten married, or opened new shops, but a void remained in their hearts. Driven by some inexplicable impulse, they would eventually stray from the straight path.
After a few months, or perhaps a few years at most, they would find themselves back where they started, perhaps changing to a different hair salon, bar, or nightlife venue. Recently, there were even billiard halls or online jobs to choose from; the options were diverse.
The threshold for this kind of work was low, allowing one to resume their old profession at any moment.
Besides, there were so many professions in this world. When one looked closely, weren’t they all similar to her own line of work?
Compromising oneself, forcing smiles, pandering to others, and offering flattery to please.
In her view, far too many people in the world were doing something similar. Across the three hundred and sixty trades, people were merely selling different things.
Xuanxuan, have you ever thought about placing your future somewhere else? By that, she meant not placing it on a man.
Xuanxuan pulled out a fresh cigarette, but after failing to light it several times, she put it down in frustration.
Looking into the distance, she said, I have no confidence in myself.
Actually, it wasn’t strictly necessary to find a man; she simply didn’t trust herself and had no idea how to go on living.
Nor had anyone ever told her that they believed in her.
Perhaps trusting someone else was easier, sparing her from having to weigh right and wrong.
What about you? What are your plans for the future? Xuanxuan changed the subject. After all these years, I’ve never seen you fancy anyone.
Before Youlan could reply, the phone in her pocket chimed.
Ding-dong. A text message had arrived.
She took out her phone to take a look, and Xuanxuan eagerly leaned in, reading aloud word for word: Sister, I want to see you. Let’s have dinner together tonight.
My, my, where did this little puppy come from? When did you meet him? Tell me all about it!
Youlan tucked her phone back into her pocket. Don’t talk nonsense. It’s just a high school girl, not that kind of relationship.
Oh? A girl? Is she of legal age? What does she look like? Xuanxuan’s curiosity remained unquenched.
She’s of legal age. Youlan paused, and she’s quite pretty.
Then there’s potential.
Stop fooling around; she’s still young.
Xuanxuan chuckled mischievously. Oh, she’ll grow up! Besides, young people have plenty of energy; it’s right when it’s fun.
Say another word, and I’ll hit you. Youlan struck her shoulder playfully.
Xuanxuan dodged with a smile. Alright, alright, I won’t say any more.
Jiang Youlan fell silent before speaking after a moment. I want to find a quiet place and open a flower shop. I’ve even thought of a name.
What else? Xuanxuan paused slightly, realizing she was answering the question about the future.
Perhaps I can live with someone I like. If my luck is even better, maybe I can even go back to school. Jiang Youlan herself didn’t truly believe she could lead a life like that.
Still, when it came to dreaming, there was no harm in being a little bold.
Yet Xuanxuan seemed remarkably optimistic; she occasionally carried a blind optimism, as if life still held hope. That girl who texted you might be much more reliable than any man.
Youlan didn’t consider that much of a compliment, but she didn’t refute it either.
The kid was certainly a good kid, but she had nothing to do with her.
The two continued chatting idly until the delivery from the Sichuan restaurant arrived. Jiang Youlan went downstairs to retrieve it and brought it back up to the rooftop to eat. She had ordered two portions of fried rice; the steaming hot rice mixed with cured meat and the aroma of chili went straight to their nostrils, instantly warming them up.
Hey, are you actually going to go have dinner with her tonight? Let’s go eat Sichuan food; I’ll treat you, Xuanxuan asked, her curiosity piqued.
Youlan glanced at her suspiciously. What are you up to? She’s a student.
Don’t think of me as such a bad person. When have you ever seen me do anything coercive? I just want to change my mood! If you’re willing to go eat, I’ll give you the afternoon off today and let the girls at the shop handle things, since there’s nothing much going on anyway. Xuanxuan raised her right hand in a swearing gesture.
Don’t worry, I won’t corrupt your little friend.
Ding-dong.
Another new text message arrived. Xuanxuan leaned over once more, completely unconcerned about Jiang Youlan’s look that could kill: At six-ten tonight, I’ll wait for you at the entrance of your shop, Sister. It’s a deal.
Who made a deal with you?
Xuanxuan wanted to laugh, but upon glancing at Youlan, she covered her mouth and scurried off to the side to eat.
In the evening, at 6:08 PM.
Xuanxuan and Youlan had indeed come back to the shop. Xuanxuan had called someone to reinstall the windows and bickered with the landlord, making the afternoon pass quickly.
As dinnertime approached and things quieted down, they sat on the sofa chatting. Checking the time, Xuanxuan poked her head out toward the shop entrance and quickly noticed a tall, short-haired girl walking in their direction.
She nudged Jiang Youlan with her elbow, signaling her to look at the entrance. Is that her?
Jiang Youlan raised her eyes. Qingyi had already spotted her, waving from several meters away with a smile that looked utterly foolish.
Scenes from the dream resurfaced in her mind. Uncomfortably, Youlan shook her head and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to chase away those lingering phantoms.
It was only a dream, after all; there were insurmountable chasms between dreams and reality.
What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? If you’re not feeling well, we won’t go out. Xuanxuan noticed her expression.
Jiang Youlan replied, No, I might have caught a little chill last night. My head was hurting a bit just now.
Are you okay? Should I go buy some medicine? Qingyi had walked up close and overheard their conversation.
Xuanxuan looked at Qingyi in surprise. Were these two already this familiar with each other?
Shaking her head, Jiang Youlan picked up her bag. Let’s go.
The Sichuan restaurant had no name and was likely quite old; its interior decoration still maintained the style of ten years ago, featuring wooden tables and chairs paired with cheap incandescent lights.
There was no menu in the shop either. To the right of the entrance stood a huge refrigerator packed tightly with ingredients. Customers could order whatever they wanted directly from the boss; if an ingredient was running low, the boss would ask them to wait while she dashed to the nearby vegetable market to buy some fresh.
Double-pepper rabbit meat, oil-splashed tripe, spicy large intestines, another plate of shredded potatoes in sour-and-spicy sauce, a vegetable dish, and three bowls of tofu pudding.
After finishing her order, she turned around and asked, Do you girls want some iced glutinous rice soup?
Let’s pass on that; it’s a bit chilly. Youlan recalled the mildly cool rain from the previous night.
Why do I always keep thinking about things I shouldn’t?
After Xuanxuan placed her order as well, the three of them found an empty table.
Xuanxuan wiped down the table and chairs with paper napkins and handed a few sheets to Youlan and Qingyi as well. After sitting down, she remembered to ask, Can you handle spicy food?
I can, Qingyi smiled. I’m not picky; I like both sweet and spicy food.
Xuanxuan poured tea for the two of them. Makes sense. You’re a sports student, right? You’re at the age where anything you eat tastes good.
Qingyi glanced at Jiang Youlan.
Doesn’t the school cafeteria taste good? Jiang Youlan’s gaze met hers briefly before looking away.
It’s alright, but the portions are too small. I have to order two portions for myself, and sometimes when training is too tiring, I even have to buy three, which gets a bit troublesome. Qingyi turned her gaze back toward the refrigerator.
Jiang Youlan said, The portions here are very large. If it’s not enough, we can order more.
There was still a wait for the food. Xuanxuan’s urge for gossip flared up again as she asked Qingyi, Hey, is there any boy you like at school? When I was your age, I thought boys were so interesting.
Under the table, Youlan stepped on Xuanxuan’s foot, but the question had already been asked.
Without hesitation, Qingyi answered, No.
What about girls? I know young people nowadays don’t care as much about gender. Xuanxuan’s gossiping soul was burning brightly.
Jiang Youlan stepped on her foot once more, but Xuanxuan remained unfazed.
With a slightly embarrassed smile, Qingyi replied, There is a girl I like.
Xuanxuan cast a glance at Jiang Youlan, who continued to glare at her. Stop talking while eating.