Chapter 19: Accomplices

“She doesn’t work—I didn’t want her to be out in the world, but looking at this dessert shop now, she’s even less focused than I imagined. Besides you all, does anyone else come here?”

“I don’t remember. Maybe in my twenties?”

“There’s no one else around. Tell me the truth.”

“Right after high school graduation, just after finishing the college entrance exams.” He Jie answered without hesitation: “Thinking back, I was shallow back then. I went to a friend’s house, saw their king-sized bed, and couldn’t resist. I just wanted to lie on it—the single bed was too small. But young boys weren’t interesting, and I didn’t like him much. Looking back, it feels like a loss.”

Yu Zhimei thought to herself that He Jie probably shaved off two years from the truth—she always adjusted her stories before speaking. He Jie poked Yu Zhimei’s chest: “Why are you asking this? Don’t tell me something happened between you and Jian Zhaowen recently… your first time?”

“Don’t joke around.”

“You’ve been acting strange lately. I feel like you must’ve slept with Jian Zhaowen. How was it? His frame seems good—he must look nice without clothes, though hugging him might not be comfortable.” As Yu Zhimei pushed her out the door, He Jie finally dropped her smile and spoke seriously: “Since we’ve exchanged secrets, remember not to tell anyone.”

Shi Rui had also begged her to keep a secret. After returning from the suburbs, Shi Rui had come down with a high fever. Xiao Ma had broken down the door, fearing she might die inside. Shi Rui’s eyes were sunken, her body emaciated, claiming only that she wasn’t feeling well. Xiao Ma grumbled about her paying rent monthly while occupying the room, acting like she was raising pests. Yu Zhimei paid the rent and entered. Shi Rui knelt on the ground, pleading with Yu Zhimei to keep her trip to the suburbs a secret. Yu Zhimei didn’t understand—why couldn’t she mention it, even though nothing had happened? Shi Rui was determined to bury it completely. A girl going to a man’s place sounded promiscuous, and leaving behind clothes carried vulgar implications. The shyness on Shi Rui’s face had vanished, like a firefly that no longer glowed: “Mei, please… can you just forget about this?”

“But…”

“Nothing happened that day—I promise you, I’m clean.”

“You’re promising me…?”

“Really, nothing happened. I escaped without losing my virginity—I’m still a virgin. Don’t overthink it…”

The eyes never lie. Just by looking at Shi Rui’s distracted state, Yu Zhimei knew things weren’t as simple as they seemed. Shi Rui had pulled out a lot of old clothes from her room—sweaters, T-shirts, and shirts in plastic bags, all shredded with scissors. She gently pushed Yu Zhimei away: “Sister Mei, please, stop pressing me about this. I’m fine, nothing happened. As long as you don’t bring it up again, I’ll be the same person I was before. Please, just let it go. Can you leave me alone?”

Yu Zhimei logged into the matchmaking BBS where Shi Rui had registered. The man was still posting on the forum, venting his frustrations. His post quickly garnered replies, many men treating it like a joke: “She came onto me and then backed out—how cheap.” “If a woman agrees to dinner and a movie, she’s implicitly consenting to sex. If he didn’t sleep with her, it just means he didn’t spend enough money, right? Good job teaching this girl a lesson.” “Eating, sleeping, chatting, and still not getting laid? He should’ve forced himself on her without hesitation.”

After downing three bottles of Wusu beer, Yu Zhimei finally pieced things together. In both He Jie’s and Shi Rui’s minds, she was the only witness. As long as she denied everything, it could all be erased as if it never happened. Add to that Jian Zhaowen hastily sleeping with her once and then disappearing from the old house—of everything that transpired that day, the only undeniable truth was that Jian Zhaowen had left.

Just as she turned off the lights after a hectic day, Yu Zhimei received a call from Xiao Ma: “Yu Zhimei, do you want to move back? No rent increase.”

“…What?”

“You’re staying in a hotel and still looking for a place. Moving with a cat is such a hassle. Move back, and I won’t charge you rent this year.”

“Why are you suddenly asking me to move back…”

“I’m not getting married anymore—I don’t need a bridal suite. Do I really have to explain why I’m heartbroken?”

His words were cryptic, and even after hanging up, Yu Zhimei couldn’t figure out why Xiao Ma wanted her to return. After all, he had kicked out all the tenants to raise the rent. But to escape He Jie’s messy affairs, Yu Zhimei gladly agreed. Carrying her dozen or so large cardboard boxes back into the apartment, she felt a sense of regained loss—life could start anew. She installed a sturdy screen door on the balcony to prevent Ruru from running away again and spent the night unpacking all the boxes. After showering, she sat on the floor drinking wine when she suddenly froze. There would no longer be the sound of movies from next door, no more knocks on the door, no one chasing her up the stairs for a chat. Everything seemed unchanged, but it was indeed different. Jian Zhaowen had only been her neighbor for a few months, yet he had profoundly altered her life in this rented space.

As for Xiao Ma, he had genuinely become single before his wedding, but he showed no signs of despair. Instead, he channeled his pain into action, enthusiastically renovating the house. For two consecutive months, Yu Zhimei was woken up by drills and hammers, her nerves nearly shattered. In two and a half months, he had ripped out the second-floor flooring, repainted the walls, and replaced the doors and windows. When Yu Zhimei passed by, the new door hadn’t been installed yet, so she peeked inside—bright and clean, completely transformed. The only tenant who hadn’t moved out was Shi Rui from 203. Xiao Ma had repeatedly threatened to throw out her belongings, but Shi Rui, far from being as frail as imagined, insisted it was her civil right to stay. Each time, she threatened to call the police, leaving Xiao Ma thinking she was mentally unstable. Unwilling to provoke trouble or call the authorities every time, he eventually gave up. When Yu Zhimei greeted Xiao Ma while passing by, she noticed his dejected expression as he clutched his phone, reminding her that he too was heartbroken. She became curious about why such a decisive man had been dumped.

He Jie’s playful antics showed no signs of stopping. Yu Zhimei still hadn’t returned the motorcycle keys she borrowed from He Jie, who called specifically to ask her to drop them off at the dessert shop because a friend wanted to borrow the bike. It was rare for He Jie, who treasured her motorcycle, to lend it out—to anyone other than Yu Zhimei, this was a first. When Yu Zhimei entered the shop, He Jie was still touching up her makeup: “The waitstaff hasn’t arrived yet. Cover for me until they get here, then you can leave.”

Yu Zhimei rummaged around for a charging cable: “Why does someone suddenly want to borrow your motorcycle?”

“I met him on a small app. It’s not what you’re thinking—not a romantic relationship. I actually made a friend who promised to help modify my bike—my M4 needs a new track steering wheel.”

“You could’ve asked me to help with the modifications.”

“You’re my coach. When it comes to learning drifting, I don’t consider you a friend.” He Jie pushed the motorcycle and glanced back: “But I did arrange to meet a man here later. If he arrives, show him upstairs for me.”

Still denying that the upstairs was used for hosting lovers. Yu Zhimei shot back irritably: “Come back soon. If something like last time happens again, I won’t cover for you with lies.”

He Jie winked flirtatiously and wheeled the motorcycle out. Upstairs, there were still a few things left unpacked. Yu Zhimei went up to organize the last few boxes and, while at it, discovered several transparent packets of hyaluronic acid condoms behind the TV. She hadn’t noticed them during her twenty-day stay amidst the clutter. Sighing deeply, she realized she had slept on this bed, where such intimate acts had taken place, for a full twenty days!

As she walked downstairs, a strange man entered the shop. Yu Zhimei initially thought he was another user of the condoms and was about to direct him upstairs when the man politely spoke: “Is Ou Jinghe here?”

The protagonist of the slap incident had appeared, but he didn’t recognize her. Yu Zhimei could only feign ignorance: “She’s out. And you are…?”

“I’m her husband.”

Yu Zhimei was startled by the word “husband.” In modern-day Shanghai, using such a formal term felt like encountering an ancient relic. Wearing a thin jacket over a polo shirt, with a square face and a stern demeanor, the man exuded an air of wealth. There was also a resemblance to He Jie in his features. However—the man He Jie was expecting would arrive in about ten minutes. If Yu Zhimei didn’t get this “husband” out of the shop within that time, Miaolin Dessert Shop would transform from a romantic rendezvous spot into a battlefield. Yu Zhimei tried to send He Jie an urgent message, but her phone had already shut down automatically—the extension cord wasn’t plugged in. Damn.

“Are you an employee here?”

“I’m her friend.” Yu Zhimei greeted him politely, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Gao Yuan.” If the husband, out of curiosity, went upstairs, those few condoms by the entrance would be immediately visible. Yu Zhimei followed closely behind Gao Yuan, nervously watching his every move: “He Jie never mentioned you.”

“Is that so? She never mentioned you either. But we don’t really talk about each other’s friends—after all, we’re not in the same circles.”

“I’ve heard she speaks highly of your relationship.”

“Oh, really?” Gao Yuan’s tone was subtle, slightly surprised but not probing further. Sitting at the table and looking outside, his voice carried a teasing note: “The dessert shop—you frequent it often?”

“A regular.”

“She doesn’t work, and I didn’t want her to be out in public, but looking at this place now, she’s even less focused than I imagined. Besides you all, are there any other men who come here?”

As expected. Yu Zhimei felt a cold breeze run down her spine. After a moment’s thought, she decided to take a gamble: “Of course. He Jie is a popular woman—gentle and charming as the shop owner.”

Gao Yuan locked eyes with her, the tension thickening. Yu Zhimei held his gaze firmly: “But they all come for the desserts, obsessed with the menu. He Jie often brags to us about her husband, saying you two were childhood sweethearts. Everyone envies her.”

Flipping through the menu absentmindedly, Gao Yuan’s slightly raised shoulders gradually relaxed. Yu Zhimei continued smiling: “I truly admire you.”

“Oh?”

“I’ll be blunt. This old house has high ceilings, windows proportioned like works of art, and a curved balcony—it’s unlikely to have clear property rights. Your investment acumen and financial strength, along with providing such a venue for gatherings and offering delicious desserts in this prime location, are impressive. I hear this shop was your idea to support He Jie. No wonder you’re considered a man of vision who dotes on his wife.” Yu Zhimei fixed her gaze on Gao Yuan, every word dripping with insincerity. Sure enough, she saw the shifting emotions on his face. After a brief pause, Gao Yuan adopted a polite tone: “I’ll have to report back to Jinghe that someone praised her taste. Though I never expected her to have such a knowledgeable and eloquent friend—you never mentioned you.”

A shadow flickered at the entrance of the dessert shop—a young man in a dark green T-shirt strolled in. Yu Zhimei’s heart leapt into her throat, but Gao Yuan remained calm, as if he’d been waiting. The man was texting on his phone, clearly trying to reach He Jie. Gao Yuan remarked, “Jinghe isn’t back yet, and already people are coming to the shop. Or is he not here for the desserts?”

“He’s my boyfriend. We arranged to meet here before going on a date. My phone died, so I couldn’t see his messages.” Yu Zhimei grabbed her phone and called out sweetly: “Remember to wait for He Jie to return—the shop’s empty. Goodbye, brother-in-law.”

The next second, Yu Zhimei snatched her phone and walked out, keeping her eyes locked on Gao Yuan, channeling all her courage into her gaze until she grabbed the man’s arm. Still confused, the man asked: “Are you Qingke? You look different from your photo…”

“Don’t talk. Just follow me.” Yu Zhimei mustered all her strength to pull him outside, fuming inwardly: Ou Jinghe, letting me live here just to be your shield. Next time, I’ll make sure to return all this mess to you tenfold.