Chapter Twenty-Two: See You Tonight

Early the next morning, I hurried to get up, dress, and wash. Although there was still nearly an hour and a half before I had to leave for work at the supermarket, I insisted on holding myself to strict standards, hoping to quickly correct the mistakes in my previous sleep schedule.

I hadn’t slept well that night—not because I went to bed late, but because I was plagued by a series of strange dreams. Yet when I opened my eyes and tried to recall them, I couldn’t remember who or what had invaded my dreams.

After blow-drying my hair, I tidied my clothes in front of the mirror. Only when I felt I looked barely presentable did I shut the door and head out for breakfast.

Standing in the hallway, I noticed that Zhao Ke Wen’s door next door was still tightly locked. I couldn’t help but wonder where she had gone, and worry that as a young woman, spending the night out might have led to something unfortunate.

I took out my phone, intending to call her and check on her situation. But with her number pulled up on the screen, I hesitated, unable to press the dial button. Whenever I thought of Zhao Ke Wen, a strange sense of distance crept into my heart—something indescribable, as if she was actually far removed from me. Was it because of her excessive warmth and helpfulness?

I shook my head forcefully, trying to banish these odd thoughts. Gritting my teeth, I made the call. After all, she was my sister, at least in name, and as a younger brother, it was perfectly normal to care about her. I reassured myself.

Nearly half a minute passed with no answer. Just as I was about to give up, her familiar voice came through.

“What’s up, little brother? Calling so early in the morning.” Her voice was low, lacking its usual liveliness—probably because she wasn’t fully awake yet.

“Nothing, I just noticed you didn’t come home last night, so I wanted to check in on you.”

“Oh, it’s nice having a considerate brother, haha.” Zhao Ke Wen laughed.

“So you—” I was about to ask when she planned to return, but suddenly, I thought I heard a man’s voice in the background of the call.

I didn’t finish my sentence. The line went silent, then, a few seconds later, she hung up.

I stared at the phone, thinking—could it be her boyfriend had come back? That would explain...

I put my phone away and quickly headed downstairs to grab a quick bite at a nearby breakfast shop.

After eating two large meat buns, I took a taxi to Seven Colors Supermarket. Standing outside, I checked the time: 7:15, just right. I mentally mapped out a precise morning routine. As long as nothing unexpected came up, following this plan would let me make good use of my mornings.

“Morning,” I greeted the other clerks at the cash registers, who had already changed into their uniforms.

They smiled and nodded back. Seven Colors Supermarket was sizable, staffed entirely by young men and women under thirty. The presence of so many young people gave the place a fresh, energetic atmosphere.

“Try this uniform on and see if it fits,” Li Xu Yang walked over, holding a uniform in his left hand, the words “Seven Colors” printed across the chest.

I nodded, took the uniform, and tried it on. It was a bit loose, but nothing that mattered.

Once I had changed, it was exactly time for the supermarket’s morning shift to begin. I sat behind Register One, ready to start work, but noticed Li Xu Yang pacing in front of me, looking as though he wanted to say something.

“Xu Yang... Ke Wen went out with friends yesterday. I’ll give her the letter when she’s back.” I didn’t have to think hard to guess what he wanted to ask.

“She went out with her friends?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you see them?” Li Xu Yang pressed.

“No, why? What’s up?”

“Nothing...” He seemed lost in thought, then reminded me to stay diligent and careful in my work before leaving.

I didn’t understand what he meant and didn’t dwell on it, turning my attention to the job.

Between 7:30 and 8:00, business was light—mostly students and office workers, making the work easy and relaxed. After eight, the crowd in the supermarket swelled, and there was hardly a moment to spare. By midday, groups of shoppers arrived in droves, mostly for groceries and ingredients, and the once spacious supermarket grew crowded.

It wasn’t until the afternoon that things slowed enough for me to catch my breath. Leaning back in my chair, arms relaxed, I tried to ease the stiffness in my limbs when my phone rang in my pocket.

“Hello, Ye Zi?” Seeing it was An Ye calling, I answered without hesitation.

“Chen Zi, what have you been busy with these days? Not a single call to me or Sister Shi.” There was a hint of complaint in An Ye’s tone.

“I just found a job at the supermarket yesterday. I’m working hard now!” I felt a bit embarrassed—I’d switched jobs so suddenly and hadn’t thought to notify them.

“Nice, kid, you’ve got connections. How’s the pay? Is it enough?”

“It’s alright... But what about you? You never call me during the day either. If you’ve got something to say, spit it out—don’t waste my time!” I knew An Ye too well. He never called unless he was in trouble.

“Well, are you free tonight? Come out for a drink—me, you, and Sister Shi.”

I hesitated. “What time?”

“The usual—around eleven!”

“That might not work. I have to get up early for the supermarket tomorrow. Staying up late drinking is rough. My schedule is totally opposite yours now.”

There was a brief silence on An Ye’s end, then a familiar, gentle female voice came through: “Well, well, you’re skipping out on my gathering now?”

“Sister Shi?” I was surprised—at this hour, she was with An Ye? What was going on?

“Mm-hmm?” Shi Yu’s voice was soft and pleasant, with a warmth that put people at ease.

“How’d you end up with that rascal?”

“Should I be with someone else, then? With you?” Shi Yu laughed lightly.

“No, no, just seems unusual... Sister Shi, starting a gathering at eleven is a bit late, especially since I need to get up early for work now.” I explained to Shi Yu.

“So are you coming, or not?” This time, she didn’t coddle me as before; her tone was gentle but firm.

“I’ll come!”

This time, I agreed without hesitation. I knew if I kept dragging my feet or refused, it would only disappoint Sister Shi, and I didn’t want that.

“Good, that’s better. See you tonight.” She chuckled. “Oh, and there’s something else to tell you—it’s about that girl named Luo Qing.”