Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
The two stood outside the tavern, staring at each other.
“Stay where?” Luan Nian asked her. “Are you inviting me to sleep with you?”
A corner of his mouth twitched. “Don’t drink tonight. You’re restless when you drink and sleep.”
He moved Shang Zhitao’s hand from the door handle and added, “Oh, right, that was years ago. Do you still bite when you drink?”
Their coats brushed against each other, but Shang Zhitao could feel the heat radiating from his skin. She took a step back.
“Are you saying you’re so fierce now that you bite even without drinking?”
Luan Nian felt a weight lift as he spat out the old grievances that had been festering under Shang Zhitao’s relentless verbal attacks. He felt refreshed and walked into the tavern.
Da Zhai hesitated when she saw him, but he smiled: “Hello, can I have another serving of those peanuts from last time?”
It’s hard to stay mad at a smiling face.
Da Zhai turned and brought him the peanuts.
Since Shang Zhitao couldn’t drink alcohol due to her medication, Fu Dong kept her company instead.
Chen Kuannian asked her, “Not drinking?”
“I’m on herbal medicine. I can’t drink with you today.”
Da Zhai brought over the dishes, and Luan Nian stood up to take them. She hesitated for a moment, glanced at Luan Nian, and then placed them in his hands.
Chen Kuannian observed Luan Nian and noticed how proactive he was being—his thick skin was impressive. He asked, “Not drinking?”
“No. I have something important to do tonight.” Luan Nian answered, his eyes resting on Shang Zhitao’s flushed cheeks after their heated exchange. She looked like a New Year painting doll—adorable and amusing.
“What’s so important?” Chen Kuannian probed.
“Something crucial.”
Let’s see who would back down tonight.
Shang Zhitao avoided looking at him. Chen Kuannian found their behavior particularly entertaining. With a mischievous smile, he asked Luan Nian, “What about that girlfriend you promised to introduce us to? When are you arranging that?”
“Anytime.”
Shang Zhitao sipped her warm water and gave him a faint glance.
Finally, the dinner ended. Shang Zhitao said goodbye to Da Zhai and left the tavern. Chen Kuannian asked Luan Nian, “Going to the next venue?”
“No, I told you—I have something to do.”
“Then I’ll wait for you at the hotel.”
“Mm.”
Fu Dong tactfully excused himself, leaving only Shang Zhitao and Luan Nian standing there.
“How do we go?” Luan Nian asked her.
“Nearby.” Shang Zhitao turned and started walking.
Luan Nian followed behind her, maintaining a one-meter distance. Shang Zhitao heard the crunch of snow beneath his feet, the sound seeping into her ears, sending shivers down her spine.
Luan Nian walked up beside her and asked, “Is Luke still alive?”
“How old is he? Why wouldn’t he be alive?”
“Is he with you?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you taking medicine?”
“My hormones are out of balance.”
They fell silent and continued walking until they reached her apartment building. Shang Zhitao lived in a nice new development with good landscaping, water features, gardens, and ample parking. Luan Nian walked her all the way to the entrance. Shang Zhitao swiped her access card and leaned against the door to keep it open: “Coming up?”
Luan Nian shook his head. “No.”
“Whoever backs down first is the coward.”
“I just don’t want to sleep with you. Bring Luke down.”
“If you don’t want to sleep, why do you keep coming around, throwing money and connections?”
Luan Nian stared at her and suddenly laughed: “Nothing special—I’m just bored. Bring Luke down.”
“No.” Shang Zhitao refused. “I won’t let you see Luke.” Seeing you would hurt him, and after you leave, he’d be sad for a long time.
“Then go up. I’ll return to the hotel.”
“Luan Nian.”
Shang Zhitao stopped him: “Don’t come anymore, and stop introducing business to me—I mean it. We’ve been纠缠 for so many years, and I’m exhausted. I just want to live my small life peacefully, manage my home and life well, and do things I enjoy. I have no other intentions—I really don’t.”
“Done talking?” Luan Nian asked.
“Yes.”
“Mm. Then it’s my turn to say a few words?”
“Go ahead.”
“That time, I told you I wanted to talk, and you said okay. I came back from America, but you were gone. None of that matters. That snowy night, you left my house and made Luke choose between you and me.” Luan Nian choked up for a moment before continuing: “That feeling—it was like a fucking divorce!”
“At least during a divorce, you negotiate terms! But you? You just disappeared!”
Luan Nian turned away, his eyes burning. Every sleepless night after Shang Zhitao’s departure, he felt unworthy of love. He repeatedly replayed their memories, wondering how everything had been moving in a positive direction only to abruptly end!
“Do you think only you gave your heart during those six years? What about my sincerity? Haven’t I tried too?!”
“I just want to see Luke now! Half the time since I got him, he was with me! I cooked for him! Walked him! Took him hiking! Why can’t I see him now?!”
“Because Luke is my dog!”
“But your dog’s name is Luke! Translated from my English name! Your dog was trained by me! He’s closest to me!”
Both fell silent, staring at each other like competitors in a contest, waiting for a winner.
It wasn’t just Luan Nian who couldn’t let go of those bags—Shang Zhitao couldn’t either. Selling them made her feel like she hadn’t handled things gracefully. She didn’t dare touch the money, fearing it would prick her conscience. She also pitied Luke. Dogs couldn’t speak, but they felt pain deeply.
“You really want to see Luke?”
Luan Nian remained silent, confirming his desire. Shang Zhitao understood.
She turned and went upstairs to bring Luke down. It was late, and as soon as Luke stepped into the hallway, he smelled something familiar. He whimpered excitedly, jumping up for Shang Zhitao to open the door. She stood there for a long time before saying to Luke: “You can see him, but he won’t stay forever. If you’re sad, only be sad for one day, okay?”
“Woof!” As if agreeing, or perhaps not understanding at all.
Shang Zhitao opened the door.
Luan Nian saw a big white ball rushing toward him, leaping onto him. He lost his balance and fell backward. Luke barked, licking his face and jumping all over him. Luan Nian coughed as Luke stepped on him, one arm shielding his eyes while the other tightly hugged Luke, laughing.
Shang Zhitao stood aside, remembering the snowy night Luan Nian mentioned. She had asked Luke to choose between staying with her or going with him, and Luke had been torn. Dogs understood human emotions—if you treated them sincerely, they knew.
Luan Nian finally stood up, snow covering his coat and pants. Luke kept jumping, and he caught him, lifting him up.
“Why are you thinner? Is she not feeding you meat?”
Luke whimpered pitifully.
“He’s very healthy now,” Shang Zhitao said. “Put him down. He needs to pee.”
Luan Nian set Luke down, and Shang Zhitao crouched to leash him, taking him for a walk in the cold night. Luan Nian followed silently beside her.
They walked for nearly half an hour. The weather was unbearably cold, and Shang Zhitao couldn’t take it anymore. Though she was an Ice City native, she had grown particularly sensitive to the cold. These years of late nights had worn her down.
Her teeth chattered as she said to him: “I’m going back. You’re right—I have no right to keep Luke from you. He was raised by you too. If you want to see him in the future, come by. I’ll bring Luke downstairs to play with you.”
“Go up.”
“Okay.”
Shang Zhitao took Luke upstairs, cleaned his paws, wiped the snow off him, and looked out the window to see Luan Nian still standing there, lost in thought. She unblocked his number and called him.
He answered.
“It’s cold. Go back,” Shang Zhitao said.
“Mm.”
“And Luan Nian, I have a few more words.”
“Say them.”
“Stop randomly transferring money to me, stop deliberately visiting my parents, and don’t introduce business to me. I mean it—I don’t like your money. The feeling of you transferring money to me is just like when you gave me those bags back then—it makes me extremely uncomfortable. I really don’t like it. If we’re fated, maybe we’ll meet again someday. If we’re not, then ending things here is fine too. Of course, you’re still always welcome to come see Luke.”
“Alright.”
These past few years of entrepreneurship hadn’t been easy, but Shang Zhitao felt genuinely happy that every penny she spent was earned through her own hard work. She believed that spending money this way made her independent and dignified.
She hung up the phone and saw Luan Nian standing there for a few more seconds before turning and walking away. From upstairs, she could see a trail of footprints following him until they disappeared from view beneath her building. She thought to herself: let go of what needs to be let go, let the past remain in the past, and allow new beginnings to unfold. Luke sat beside her, silently watching Luan Nian leave alongside her.
Luke was now considered a middle-aged dog. Large dogs had shorter lifespans—perhaps in five or six years, Luke would be gone. Shang Zhitao had regretted raising Luke at times. Before having him, she thought dogs were cute companions. But once she had him, she realized he was like a child. Every day, she worried about taking care of him, feared he might get sick, and dreaded his eventual passing.
Luan Nian took an early flight the next morning and left.
He agreed with Shang Zhitao. They both needed to reconcile with the past and with themselves.
Shang Zhitao spent two days showing Chen Kuannian around potential venues, during which Chen cursed Luan Nian’s abrupt departure for two straight days. Chen was talkative and a bit mischievous. While stuck in traffic, he asked Shang Zhitao: “What do you think of Luan Nian as a person?”
“Tell me honestly—no formalities,” Chen said to her.
“All of you know about us, right?” Shang Zhitao asked.
“We’ve known for a long time.”
“So how do all of you see me? Can I ask? A young college graduate who seduced her male boss to gain work opportunities and financial compensation.”
“Well...” Chen chuckled. “All of us think Luan Nian deserves it. Friends know their own friends best. If he had looked down on you, he wouldn’t have stayed with you for so long. He’s highly capable at work, but his mouth is terrible. Stubborn, rude, bad-tempered—he’s suited for a lonely life.”
Shang Zhitao burst out laughing: “Actually, no. He’s a good person; his mouth is just bad. Back when I worked at Lingmei, he taught me so much.”
“What else?”
“The rest... it’s all in the past.”
Chen secretly whispered to Tan Mian: “Luan Nian is doomed. The girl said it herself—all that’s in the past.”
“Reverse psychology?”
“No. Based on my understanding of women, I think it’s real. If Grandpa Luan doesn’t lower his pride, this wife is definitely flying away.”
“We’ll see when he comes back.”
After finalizing the venue, Chen signed the contract without hesitation. Then he called Luan Nian: “Brotherhood lasts a lifetime, and I’ve done everything I can. I don’t know what else I can help you with. Your ex-girlfriend—she’s really something.” He hung up without giving Luan Nian a chance to respond.
Whether it was good or bad, Luan Nian knew.
After returning to Beijing, he went shopping and bought two down jackets suitable for extreme cold weather—one mid-length and one long, totaling over 20,000 yuan. He then asked Fu Dong for Shang Zhitao’s address. Without asking questions, Fu Dong provided it, and Luan Nian sent the jackets to her, unsigned.
Shang Zhitao knew they were from him and wanted to return them.
She received a message from him: “A small gesture. Wear them and take Luke for longer walks.”
A few days later, she received dog snacks and toys for Luke, also sent by Luan Nian.
One day, while eating dinner at home, Da Zhai brought up the topic of blind dates again. Shang Zhitao put down her chopsticks and looked seriously at Da Zhai: “Mom, do you only feel like I’m living well if I get married?”
“No.” Da Zhai shook her head. “I just think it’d be nice if someone could take care of you when you’re older.”
“But I don’t like any of the people I’ve met on these blind dates.” Shang Zhitao held Da Zhai’s hand. “Mom, I don’t want to go on blind dates anymore. Sitting there during each date feels like being a commodity on sale, priced openly. One guy said that unmarried women in their thirties in Ice City are spinsters. Another said he didn’t like my job because it involved frequent hotel stays and entertaining clients. Some didn’t say anything at first, but in the end, they asked if I’d accept living with my mother-in-law after marriage—if not, I’d have to live in their place.”
“I don’t think my life should be like this. Maybe I won’t get married, or maybe I will—but that’s all about fate. I want to meet someone naturally, get to know them slowly, and decide whether to stay together or part ways. Do you think that’s okay?”
Da Zhai felt a pang of sadness hearing this, but nodded: “Okay. Not getting married is fine too. If you don’t marry, save more money.”
“Alright.”
The Spring Festival of 2020 wasn’t easy. Everyone was stuck at home, staring at each other. On New Year’s Eve, the outside world was eerily quiet, as if everyone had forgotten the holiday. That year, Luan Nian didn’t go to America. Dr. Liang and Luan’s father returned, and the three of them celebrated the New Year at Luan Nian’s place.
Dr. Liang was making the New Year’s Eve dinner in the kitchen, with Luan Nian assisting.
As Dr. Liang accepted the washed scallions Luan Nian handed her, chopping them into sections, she said: “We don’t live here. Many years ago, your father and Song Qiuhan’s father and a few others bought a house in the city. We live there—it’s more convenient. We don’t want to live with you. Our age gap is significant, and our habits are different. Plus, if we lived here, it’d be awkward for you to bring people home, wouldn’t it?”
“Bring who?”
“Anyone.” Dr. Liang glanced up at Luan Nian, who was peeling garlic with his head slightly bowed, looking unhappy. She asked: “Are you still in touch with Shang Zhitao?”
“Mm. Not much.”
Dr. Liang felt a little sorry for Luan Nian. Back then, when Luan’s father said Luan Nian would mess things up, Dr. Liang didn’t believe it. She always thought that girl would wait for him to learn how to express love. Elders shouldn’t interfere too much—children should follow their own wishes.
They sat together, and Dr. Liang raised her glass: “It’s been a long time since the three of us celebrated the New Year alone. Let’s toast to this peaceful year.”
Luan’s father grunted: “You finally understand the beauty of peace. Always calling friends over, never a moment of quiet at home.”
Luan Nian watched them bicker while silently eating his meal. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d experienced such a bleak New Year. When the clock struck midnight, signaling the start of the New Year, Luan Nian texted Shang Zhitao: “Happy New Year. Is your hormonal imbalance better?”
“Much better.”
“What does ‘much better’ mean?”
“It means... it’s improving.”
“Send me your prescription and the original test results.”
“? “
“I’ll have someone take a look for you.”
“No need. Thank you.”
Shang Zhitao politely declined Luan Nian’s offer. She figured she’d continue her treatment—it wasn’t a big deal, and she didn’t want to involve him further.
A few days later, she received a box full of disinfectant and masks. She proactively sent him a message: “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Luan Nian replied. “What about your event company?”
“Looking for other paths.”
What else could she do? Her company was likely facing closure.
Experts said this would be a prolonged battle. Company budgets tightened, reducing team-building events, and many previous services were no longer feasible. Though salaries were still being paid, Shang Zhitao knew she couldn’t hold on much longer.
She asked Zhang Lei: “Can I start an agency now?”
“Have you solved the startup capital issue?” Zhang Lei asked.
“Yes, soon.”
Shang Zhitao didn’t know if she’d ever have this kind of courage again. The decision came late one night when Fu Dong, drunk, sent her a message: “Boss, don’t be afraid. No matter what happens to the company, we won’t leave. Even without pay, don’t worry.”
That night, Shang Zhitao cried her heart out. Watching years of effort seemingly go to waste was heartbreaking.
She sold her car, mortgaged her house, and pooled her savings, amassing over a million yuan. There were also some outstanding client payments to recover. By the time the bank loan came through, it was almost summer. Her company had barely survived for months with only a few scattered orders. The event company was on the brink of collapse, and her career was hanging by a thread.
She consoled herself: at least you still have the courage to burn the boats behind you—you haven’t been crushed by harsh reality.
The bank card in her pocket held over 1.5 million yuan, her entire fortune. Shang Zhitao felt both tragic and absurd.
As she walked toward her doorstep, the mask suffocated her. Seeing no one around, she removed it, placed it in an antibacterial bag, and looked up to see Luan Nian standing there.
For some inexplicable reason, all her pent-up emotions surged forth, and she suddenly burst into tears.
Google Sites
Report abuse