Chapter Fourteen: Questions and Answers

By the time I got home, it was nearly eleven at night. I shoved the guitar case back under the bed, lit a cigarette for myself, and lay down.

Perhaps I really should bid farewell to my former self once and for all, for those worn-out memories have brought me not the slightest bit of happiness; instead, they only leave me mired in gloomy emotions. In truth, love boils down to just a handful of processes and outcomes—meeting the right person at the right time, meeting the right person at the wrong time, meeting the wrong person at the right time… Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but wonder: in those brief, beautiful university days when I met Zhang Jiaxin, which of these did we belong to?

I flicked away the spent cigarette and felt a wave of drowsiness. I knew I couldn’t go on like this any longer—for myself, for my parents, for the one I might one day love or who might love me. I really had to change.

Just as I was yawning and on the verge of sleep, my phone suddenly rang. The “lifeiscool” ringtone sounded gentle and carefree in the silent dark. I grabbed my phone and answered. It was Sister Shi Yu calling.

“What are you doing? Are you asleep?” Her voice carried a trace of exhaustion, though she tried hard to sound lighthearted.

“Not yet. What’s up?”

“How’s your recovery? Does your head still hurt?”

“I’m just about fine. No worries—I can even drink beer now!” I laughed lightly.

She was amused and chuckled softly on the other end.

“Chen, come by the bar tomorrow. I think things have turned around. If you talk to them, you might be able to stay…”

I should have been overjoyed at this news, but strangely, there was no trace of happiness in me. Perhaps it was disappointment in the bar, or maybe I had grown weary of that topsy-turvy life, a life without dignity or freedom.

After a brief silence, I said seriously, “Sis, I’ve made up my mind. I’m not going back to the bar. I’m going to look for a more stable, ordinary job.”

After I spoke, she didn’t reply for a long while. I knew how hard this opportunity had been to come by, and I knew she must have put in a lot of effort to help me return… But I could not forget that ugly, unreasonable, quarrelsome woman. The people who beat me up and my dismissal from the bar were all directly related to her!

“You’re sure about this?” At last, she spoke, sounding even more tired than before.

“Yes. I won’t regret this decision.”

My resolve turned our conversation into another silent drama. We each harbored our own thoughts, hoping the other would understand, but how could anyone truly step into another’s shoes?

“Sis, about the hospital bill—I’ll bring you the money when I have time…” I tried to break the silence.

But before I’d finished, she hung up.

The sound of the call ending left a sour ache in my chest. I didn’t want Sister Shi Yu to be hurt, but it was helplessly me who ended up wounding her gentle, kind heart.

I put down the phone, but my mind wouldn’t let go. I was worried about her.

I called An Ye and asked him to take care of Sister Shi Yu, and only then did I feel at ease enough to toss my phone aside.

Lying on my back, staring at the ceiling, I couldn’t get back to sleep. Since I was no longer tired, I began planning the new life that would start tomorrow.

A new life deserved a new attitude. When I got up, I’d clean the apartment, check the local job websites for anything suitable, and if I found nothing, I’d wander the streets and alleys in search of “Help Wanted” signs.

While I was mapping out the next day, my phone chimed with a message alert.

I didn’t bother to check; if it were important, they’d have called. Messages were either overdue payment notices or ads.

But then I worried it might be from Sister Shi Yu or An Ye, so I grabbed my phone to look.

The message came from an unfamiliar number: “Are you asleep?”

I wondered who it could be—perhaps a wrong number…

“Who is this?” I replied simply.

“If you’re still awake, chat with me for a bit, will you?”

My confusion deepened. This person was clearly dodging my question. I thought about it—none of my friends would send such a message.

Could it be Luo Qing?

Impossible… I had her number saved, and this wasn’t her style anyway. She was always blunt and direct, never one for beating around the bush.

“I suppose I can… But are you sure you know me? Are you sure you meant to text me?” I even suspected it was a prank from a friend.

“Of course! Why else would I have your number? I don’t just send these out at random…”

Never mind… Clearly, they didn’t want to reveal who they were. If they wanted to remain a mystery, so be it. After all, I was a bit prone to insomnia—having someone to talk to was welcome.

“What do you do for work?” another message arrived.

I was speechless—so much for knowing me, they didn’t even know what I did! So much for not being random.

“Unemployed drifter!” I almost typed “bar singer” out of habit, but then remembered I’d been fired. I really was unemployed now…

“Oh, that’s not bad. Planning to start your own business?”

“With what money? I’m so broke I could sell my blood!” I replied without hesitation.

“Oh, then you must not have a girlfriend.”

“No, you’re the one without a girlfriend! My girlfriend is gorgeous—tall, fair, great figure, and long slender legs!” At this point, it was clear they didn’t know me, so why not make things up? I described Luo Qing, since she was the most beautiful girl I’d ever known.

“Wow, really? You’re lucky! Does she live with you?”

“No, she’s wonderful except for her fiery temper. I made her mad the other day, and now we’re on a trial separation!” I continued spinning tales, and found it surprisingly entertaining.

“That’s really sad. As a man, you should be more patient with her.”

“I will.”

“All right, thank you for keeping me company. It’s very late, and I have to get up early tomorrow. You should rest, too. Good night!”

“Good night.” I smiled as I sent the reply.

From their tone, it was likely a girl—one of those sweet, adorable types.

Truthfully, I should have thanked her. Even though it was just a brief exchange of messages, my gloomy mood had lifted considerably.

It was already past one in the morning. Remembering all the things I needed to do the next day, I quickly slipped under the covers, relaxed my body, and hoped for a good night’s sleep…