Chapter Twenty-Nine: Where Has Sister Gone?

Perhaps because I had been subconsciously telling myself to get up early for work, I woke naturally a little after five in the morning. Propping myself up with both hands, I glanced instinctively toward the bed, where Luo Qing was still sleeping soundly on her side, her long legs wrapped around the quilt, looking utterly peaceful.

I thought to myself how absurd it all was: a single man and woman sharing a room, spending the night together, and yet nothing untoward had happened. Somehow, my aversion to Luo Qing had faded; at least now, I regarded her as a female friend.

After getting up and dressing, I washed up and prepared to carry out the plan I’d made the night before—to go for a run. It seemed that the noise of my waking disturbed her, for Luo Qing grabbed my soft pillow and covered her head with it.

“Such a fuss,” I scoffed inwardly, then turned to leave.

The morning in Yichun was tranquil, stripped of the wild abandon of the night. Now, the city exuded only humility and gentleness. I took deep breaths of the fresh, moist air, and started jogging towards the main street.

On the sidewalk, only a handful of people were out for a stroll, and here and there, students recited ancient poetry. Everything seemed natural and harmonious.

I had long forgotten when I last exercised this early. My only memories of being out at this hour were after a night of drinking and entertainment. The mornings and nights of Yichun felt like two different cities; living here, we seemed to exist in two worlds, and it was all a matter of what kind of life one chose.

After a while, my calves ached, and I slowed to a walk. It puzzled me how I’d managed to run all the way back from the barbecue restaurant yesterday—was it the effect of the alcohol?

Glancing at the time, I saw it was already past five forty. I’d have to run back soon, so I turned around and headed home.

A little after six, I stopped by a breakfast shop near my building and bought two baskets of steamed buns and two bottles of soy milk to take away.

When I returned and opened the door, I was surprised to find Luo Qing already up. She glanced at me, her expression complicated. I looked back at her, puzzled by her mood so early in the morning.

“Go out for a while…” Luo Qing’s cheeks were tinged with red.

“What’s wrong? Hiding someone in there?” I teased, craning my neck dramatically to peer inside.

“I don’t have time for your jokes!” Luo Qing said, pushing me toward the door.

What on earth was this girl up to now?

I gripped the doorframe firmly with my free hand. No matter how she pushed, she couldn’t move me, and seemed about to lose her temper.

I quickly released my hold and signaled her to stop. “Just tell me what you want.”

“I need to use the bathroom!” Luo Qing suddenly shouted, her face turning crimson.

I was speechless. If you need the bathroom, just go—why push me? I’m not some kind of pervert. It’s not like I’d watch you.

“This place may be shabby, but the bathroom still has a door.”

“That’s not the point! You have to go out!” Luo Qing insisted, shoving me harder.

Seeing her urgency, I finally gave in and backed out of the room.

She slammed the door behind me, and a hush fell.

“Maybe she really is hiding someone…” I muttered under my breath.

After a while, Luo Qing opened the door again, her face still flushed. I set the buns and soy milk on the cabinet, sat on the freshly tidied bed, and said, “Have some breakfast.”

She nodded, opened the bag, but didn’t touch the food.

“Go on, eat. Don’t tell me you didn’t wash your hands?” I asked, feigning seriousness.

Her face darkened and she glared at me, grinding out, “Say that again!”

“I was joking. Hurry up and eat, or it’ll get cold,” I said quickly, knowing her temper.

“Jerk!” she muttered, grabbing a bun and taking a small bite.

“Not good,” she announced, tossing it back into the bag with a haughty look.

Seriously? I bought you food and you’re still picky?

“If you don’t like it, don’t eat,” I replied, too lazy to argue.

I ate my buns in large bites, sipping soy milk and checking the time on my phone.

Luo Qing just watched me devour my food, saying nothing, her gaze fixed on me.

Her stare made me uneasy. “What are you looking at? Never seen a handsome guy eat before?”

“You? Handsome?” Luo Qing scoffed. “You’re only number one in narcissism.”

The awkwardness eased a little. I ignored her, finished my last bun, and got ready for work.

“Where are you going?” Luo Qing stood up as well.

“To work. What else?” I put a cigarette in my mouth and lit it.

“Just lock the door when you leave,” I said as I stepped outside.

“Wait!” Luo Qing hurried after me. “Take my number off your blacklist!”

I was speechless. She actually remembered that…

I restored her number in front of her before she was satisfied enough to wave me off and return inside.

I took a cab to the supermarket, changed into my uniform as usual, and saw Li Xuyang pacing anxiously at the entrance.

“Yang, what’s wrong?” I asked.

“Have you seen your sister these past few days?” Li Xuyang asked immediately.

I thought for a moment. Ever since Zhao Kewen went out with her friends, I hadn’t seen her.

I shook my head, a sense of worry creeping in.

Taking out my phone, I instinctively dialed Zhao Kewen’s number. After a brief silence, the robotic voice reported that the call could not be connected.

Where could Zhao Kewen have gone? Was she still with the friends she mentioned? Even if I worried, there was nothing I could do.

Li Xuyang shook his head and walked away. I saw the deep worry in his eyes, but compared to me, he seemed even more powerless.

I could only hope that Kewen would be all right. Though we rarely spoke and barely knew each other, she always gave me a sense of warmth.

Zhao Kewen and Shi Yu gave me very different feelings. Shi Yu’s warmth was gentle and tender, while Zhao Kewen radiated a stubborn confidence and dependability.