Chapter Twenty-Seven: Sing a Song

I came to realize a simple truth: when it came to arguing with Luo Qing, I was utterly outmatched. Her mind leapt from thought to thought, and her ears seemed immune to anything I said—she had defeated me completely.

I gave up debating the issue of cuteness with her, walked over to the cabinet, grabbed a pack of cigarettes, and lit one.

“In such a tiny room, you’re still going to smoke?” Luo Qing strode over and reached for the cigarette between my lips.

Afraid she’d get burned by the tip, I dodged her quickly. Luo Qing seemed to have an extreme approach to everything she did. Failing once didn’t deter her—she came at me again, trying to snatch it away!

“Heroine Luo, if you can’t stand it, you can leave. Just don’t deprive me of this one little pleasure, alright?” With the cigarette pinched between my fingers, I was chased all around the room. I didn’t dare put it back between my lips—if I accidentally burned her, given her temper, she’d probably kill me.

“If you want to smoke, take one for yourself. Don’t steal mine, okay?” I twisted the truth.

To my surprise, Luo Qing actually stopped chasing me, went straight to the cabinet, and took out my Hongyun cigarettes, lighting one up!

“Damn, you’re really going to smoke?” I hadn’t expected she’d take my joke literally.

“You’re swearing again?” Luo Qing’s expression turned cold in an instant, her eyes fixed on me as she walked over.

“My lady, I was wrong, spare my life, please?” I knew all too well what happened the last time I swore while shopping with her. That look meant she was about to go into madwoman mode.

“There’d better not be a next time!”

“Yes, yes—Your Majesty!”

Perhaps my tone was too exaggerated, but it made Luo Qing laugh again.

“Sing me a song!” Luo Qing sat back down elegantly on my bed, taking a graceful drag of her cigarette as she spoke.

“I can sing, but you have to agree to one thing first.” Hands behind my back, I walked over to her.

She looked at me, puzzled, as if trying to guess my intention.

“Let me have another cigarette.”

“That’s it?” Luo Qing’s eyes widened with disbelief.

“What else could it be? Did you think I’d ask for a kiss?” I thoroughly enjoyed her current expression—it made her look adorably dumbfounded.

“I would never let you kiss me! Hurry up and smoke, then sing!” Luo Qing was annoyed, as if she thought I was teasing her.

I’d barely gotten a few puffs from the first cigarette. Lighting another, I inhaled deeply and finally felt a sense of comfort.

“Chain smoker,” Luo Qing grumbled, pouting.

A moment later, I stubbed out the cigarette and tossed it into the wastebasket, squatting down to peer beneath the bed.

“Ah!” Luo Qing shrieked and kicked me in the face.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I yelled, clutching my face and looking up to see Luo Qing’s cheeks flushed red. Was this woman only happy if she flew off the handle a few times a day?

“You’re the one who’s sick, you pervert! What were you looking at?” Luo Qing dashed to the door, shouting.

Only then did I realize—she thought I was peeking at her from the floor!

“I was just looking for my guitar, alright?” I sighed, knowing that kick had been completely undeserved. “Did you actually see me peeking at you, or are you just kicking without any reason?”

Hearing this, Luo Qing’s face reddened even more; she avoided my gaze and fell silent.

I sighed helplessly. “I must owe you from a past life. Every time I see you, I get hurt.”

I bent down, reached under the bed, and pulled out my guitar case, opening it with practiced hands.

Luo Qing quietly squatted beside me, asking in a small voice, “Does it hurt?”

I shook my head. Truth be told, she didn’t have that much strength, and besides, I’m a man—how could I show weakness in front of a woman?

“I didn’t know you were really doing that... I thought...” Luo Qing tried to explain.

I waved her off, cutting her short, then picked up the guitar and strummed it. “What song do you want to hear?”

Luo Qing, still crouched next to me, looked at the guitar in my arms and exclaimed softly, “Oh! I want to see your guitar.”

Giving her a curious glance, I placed the guitar in her arms. Luo Qing sat down on the floor with it.

“The heart that loves you will never change...” she read quietly.

My heart clenched. Never change? How foolish I must have been to believe such empty promises.

“It must have been a very sweet girl who loved you that gave you this, right?” Luo Qing looked at me, waiting for an answer.

I nodded, then shook my head. I didn’t know how to respond. Love is an irrational thing: when it’s good, it feels like soaring in heaven; when it’s bad, it’s like falling into hell. But just because I’m in hell now, does that mean I should forget the beauty of heaven?

“Was she your girlfriend?”

“It’s all in the past now...” I said quietly. “What do you want to hear?”

Luo Qing handed the guitar back to me, thought for a moment, then said, “I want to hear ‘Angel’s Wings.’”

I nodded, gathering my emotions. Even if I was in pain, even if I was unwilling to let go, I still wished her happiness and supported her choices—because I loved her.

Where will the falling leaves go, carried by the wind?
All that’s left for the sky is a fleeting beauty...

I lost myself in the sorrow and melancholy of the lyrics, as if everything I wanted to say to her, all my feelings, were being expressed through this song.

I believe you’re still here, never gone.
My love guards you like an angel.

If my life ended here, and I was no longer with you,
I would find an angel to love you in my stead...

When the song ended, a warm tear slid down my cheek. I turned away quickly to wipe it away—I didn’t want anyone to see me so defeated.

Luo Qing sat silently beside me, gently patting my shoulder as if to comfort me.

“What do you think love is?” I dried my tears, forced a smile, and turned to ask her.

“I don’t know.” Luo Qing shook her head.

I laughed softly, stood up, and offered my hand to her.

Luo Qing took my hand and stood up as well.

“It’s late. Let me walk you back,” I said, putting away the guitar and heading for the door.

“I already told you I’m staying here tonight.” Luo Qing ignored me and quickly lay down on the bed.

“Could you give me a reason?” I asked calmly.

I had no idea why Luo Qing insisted on staying—what was she thinking, what was her purpose, or was there something she couldn’t say?

“No reason. I just want to. Does everything we do require careful thought and sufficient justification before we act?” Luo Qing lay on the bed, looking at me in confusion.

Her unaffected expression made me feel a twinge of shame. She was right—there’s no need for a reason behind every action. Maybe I’d always been too rigid in my thinking.

“Do as you please,” I said helplessly, spreading my hands.