Chapter Sixty-Four: Two Women

I took another cigarette from the pack and lit it. Luo Qing immediately scoffed, "If you ask me, you might as well admit defeat now, you hopeless smoker!"

"If I don't smoke a bit more now, in a month I'll never get another chance," I retorted righteously, not at all bothered by Luo Qing's mocking tone. "You'd better hurry up yourself, or you'll be quitting for good!"

"Hmph!" Luo Qing ignored me, sprawled out on the bed, and started fiddling with her phone.

"Luo Heroine, why don't we head over to the Other Shore Bar later?" I flicked my ashes and suggested to Luo Qing, who seemed rather bored.

"The Other Shore Bar..." Luo Qing murmured, then suddenly raised her voice, "Zhao Ke Wen's bar?"

I nodded, though I couldn't quite grasp why she insisted on emphasizing "Zhao Ke Wen's" bar. Her tone hinted at some underlying animosity toward Sister Ke Wen, almost as if there was an old grudge tangled within.

"No!" Luo Qing resumed her phone game, flatly refusing.

Her answer surprised me; I hadn't expected Luo Qing to lose interest in going out for fun—it was downright unnatural.

"Alright then, stay home and behave. If you get hungry, go out and grab something to eat," I said, placing the keys on the table.

"You can't go either!" Luo Qing suddenly sat up, tossed her phone aside, and, with the demeanor of a housekeeper, glared at me and shouted.

I was baffled. She didn't want to go, but wouldn't let me go either?

"That bar left a lot of memories for me, you know. Besides, singers dream of performing in places like that, don't they?" I thought for a moment and dismissed Luo Qing's unreasonable demand. Sister Ke Wen's bar had been open for some time now, and I was eager to see how far it had come.

"Nice excuse—you're just going to see that vixen," Luo Qing pouted.

"Are you jealous?" I smiled, glancing at Luo Qing, who looked rather sullen.

"Jealous, my foot! If you're going, get out—don't get in my way!" Luo Qing suddenly snapped, grabbing her favorite teddy bear and hurling it at me.

I caught the bear easily and laughed, delighted. Without waiting for Luo Qing to chase me in embarrassment, I quickly opened the door, tossed the bear back inside, and made a swift escape, shutting the door behind me.

Stepping out of the apartment, my mood remained buoyant. Being with Luo Qing was always like this—she filled every corner of your body with energy, and you couldn't help but anticipate what tomorrow might bring.

Having weathered too much reality, I no longer harbored the messy thoughts or pressure I'd once placed on myself when we were together. I treated her as my closest friend, without the naïve longing or pursuit. I understood better than anyone the distance between us. The world is forever shaped by material reality; some things cannot be changed. You can only let them be, accept them calmly, and, when the time comes, wave goodbye.

I took a cab to the Other Shore Bar. It was just eight o'clock, but already about half the seats were occupied, and a few people were losing themselves in dance on the floor.

Accompanied by ear-splitting metal rock, I entered the bar and immediately spotted Zhao Ke Wen behind the counter, speaking with the front desk hostess.

Like the other staff, Zhao Ke Wen wore the bar's custom-tailored suit: a black skirt, nude stockings, and black heels. The effect was unified and strikingly beautiful. I nodded in approval. Zhao Ke Wen clearly had a vision for the bar's direction—her attention to detail showed she aimed for professionalism and long-term success.

"Sister Ke Wen!" I shouted, otherwise my voice would have been drowned in the sea of rock music.

Zhao Ke Wen heard me, turned, and smiled in surprise and delight. She said something else to the hostess, then walked over to me, beaming.

"Little brother, long time no see!" Zhao Ke Wen naturally took my hand and led me to an empty booth.

"What brings you here today?" she asked, fetching a bottle of red wine and two glasses from the front desk, before sitting beside me.

"I'm here to check on your bar, Sis. After all, my debut performance was here—if things aren't going well and you lose money, I'm partly responsible!" I joked.

"Oh, you ungrateful brat! I thought you came because you missed me, but it's just a guilty conscience!" Zhao Ke Wen feigned disappointment, continuing, "How are you going to make it up to me? My once-passionate heart has been shattered by you!"

I scratched my head, embarrassed. I knew Zhao Ke Wen wouldn't really be upset, but I couldn't meet her smiling eyes.

"Haha, alright, I won't tease you anymore. Come, drink with your sister," Zhao Ke Wen said, looking pleased with my awkwardness. She poured the wine, but as she set down the glass, her suit sleeve slipped, revealing a deep bruise on her wrist.

"Wait!" I stopped her as she raised her glass. "Sis, let me see your wrist!"

"What are you talking about, you little rascal," Zhao Ke Wen shot me a flirtatious glance, then sipped her wine, gesturing for me to drink.

"Sis, let me see—what happened?" I persisted. That mark wasn't something you’d normally see; it looked like it had been forcefully constricted.

"Little brother!" Zhao Ke Wen slammed her glass down, the sound crisp and sharp, cutting me off. She asked loudly, "Do you trust your sister?"

I stared at Zhao Ke Wen, puzzled by her intensity. After a moment, I nodded. Zhao Ke Wen seemed remorseful for her outburst, lowering her head in silence.

I didn't know what had happened to the usually strong, independent Sister Ke Wen. Was the bruise connected to the bar, or... perhaps to her past, sunk beneath the river?

We sat in silence, both lost in thought. I kept guessing, but found no answers. I sighed and shook my head—if Zhao Ke Wen refused to speak, I would never know.

I felt I ought to care more about her. Her life was far from easy, and she had lost more in love than any of us. I couldn’t bear to see her hurt again by reality. Perhaps this concern was—at heart—a brother’s affection.

"Sis, let's drink..." I decided to drop the subject. If she didn't want to talk, I had no right to press her. "But if you ever need help, promise you'll tell me. I'm just... worried about you."

Zhao Ke Wen’s beautiful eyes lingered on me, then she gave a seductive smile, swirling the wine in her glass. Her voice was deep, "Little brother, it’s wonderful to have you. How about I keep you company for a few days, just like your future girlfriend might?"

I stared blankly at Zhao Ke Wen, so alluring in that moment, my mind emptied, unsure how to respond.

She drained her glass, pulled out a cigar, lit it, took a drag, and after a few seconds, exhaled smoke. Laughing, she said, "Silly boy! I’m teasing you, and you’re taking it seriously."

I breathed a sigh of relief. If she kept seducing me, I genuinely didn’t know what might happen—or how it would all end.

Feeling awkward, I turned toward the dance floor. Amid the flashing lights, I thought I glimpsed a familiar man’s figure. Before I could see him clearly, he vanished into the crowd.

I frowned, trying to recall who that shadow belonged to, when a figure blocked my view—a woman in a black trench coat, black heels, arms crossed, glaring at me: Luo Heroine!

"Luo Qing, what are you doing here?" I hurriedly stood and gestured for her to sit. Luo Qing completely ignored my question, and, without a hint of courtesy, slid into the booth beside me.

"Miss Luo, welcome!" Zhao Ke Wen greeted her with calm composure, as if expecting her arrival, and brought another wine glass from the bar.

Luo Qing nodded silently.

"Little brother, I see why you’re looking so much better these days—it’s thanks to Miss Luo’s company," Zhao Ke Wen said, her gaze shifting from me to Luo Qing with a half-smile.

"Yes!" Luo Qing replied, filling the glass Zhao Ke Wen had placed before her.

"Um..." I scratched my head, speechless. What was happening? These two women were playing the same game, switching faces at will. They’d seemed friendly before, now suddenly cold and sarcastic. Women really are strange creatures...

"Shut up, it’s none of your business!" Luo Qing and Zhao Ke Wen echoed in perfect harmony, cutting off my attempt to ease the awkwardness.

Had something unpleasant happened between them recently to make their relationship so tense? But they had neither reason nor opportunity to meet except in special circumstances...

So Luo Qing’s earlier hostility toward Zhao Ke Wen made sense. But faced with their mercurial moods, I was utterly helpless. My situation was awkward indeed, wanting to leave but unable to escape...