In Jiang Mu’s eighteen years of tranquil life, the biggest upheaval had been her parents’ divorce when she was nine. Even her college entrance exam setback, while disappointing, had fallen within her expectations and hadn’t particularly affected her.
For a law-abiding high school student who had received a proper education, learning that Jin Chao, whom she had always considered family, carried the burden of someone’s death left her completely stunned – or rather, terrified. Before she could recover from this shock, Jin Chao had spoken those harsh words to her, leaving her in a daze for the following two days. More than sadness, she felt deeply worried. She had tried asking Jin Qiang, but everyone seemed sensitive about Jin Chao’s matters. Whenever Jiang Mu brought up Jin Chao’s high school years, Jin Qiang would brush it off, telling her not to concern herself with such things.
Jiang Mu couldn’t begin to imagine what dramatic changes Jin Chao had experienced over these years. The more she speculated, the more terrifying possibilities tormented her.
She hadn’t visited the auto shop for an entire week, nor had she contacted Jin Chao. Yet every morning when she left home and saw the milk box by the door, she couldn’t help but recall Jin Chao’s desolate silhouette from that day of parting.
The milk box had been moved back after she returned to Jin Qiang’s home, arranged by Jin Chao. He had reminded her then that when the weather turned cold, she should wake up five minutes earlier to warm the milk, not drink it cold.
So each day as she left home, holding the milk in her hands, her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Unsure if Jin Chao had spoken out of temporary anger that day, she couldn’t resist sending him a red envelope Saturday morning, noting: “Shandian’s boarding fee.”
But there was no response from the other end – Jin Chao neither accepted the payment nor replied. She sent another, which similarly sank like a stone.
Later, as if out of spite, Jiang Mu kept sending red envelopes one after another until her digital wallet was empty, yet Jin Chao remained silent.
After school, Jiang Mu took Bus Route 6 to Tong Ren Lane, but when she got off, she found the auto shop’s rolling door closed. Even San Lai’s pet shop was locked. Looking at the space in front of the auto shop, she suddenly felt lost and helpless.
For a while after Jin Xin’s incident, she had felt unable to integrate with Jin Qiang’s current family, as if she had no place there. Only Jin Chao had appeared like driftwood beside her, ensuring she had somewhere to go when she didn’t want to return home, preventing her from wandering the streets when things were rough, and keeping her from being alone when she felt sad and without support. She had long considered Jin Chao her only refuge in this city. She had never imagined the driftwood might vanish, leaving her adrift alone in the sea.
Jiang Mu wasn’t particularly social. Her interactions with classmates were brief, limited to necessary school-related matters with no private connections. Usually, besides going to school, she would return to Jin Qiang’s house, silently close her door, and hide in her small world, with nowhere else to go. Now, standing on the cold street, though physically intact, her heart felt empty.
The weather had grown colder, with temperatures dropping sharply after sunset. Despite wearing a coat over her school uniform, Jiang Mu still felt cold. She tucked her hands into her sleeves and walked to the auto shop’s door, knocking on the rolling shutter. No one answered, and her expression gradually fell. Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, there was suddenly a “thump” from inside the door, and she heard Shandian repeatedly bumping against it, barking at her.
Jiang Mu crouched down where Shandian was hitting the door, calling out: “Shandian, Shandian, it’s me!”
Shandian recognized Jiang Mu’s voice and whined anxiously, making the rolling door thunder with its impact.
Jiang Mu pressed against the door, telling it: “I don’t have a key, I can’t get in. Don’t worry, I’m not leaving, I’ll stay right here.”
She crouched by the door, continuously talking to Shandian, who responded with occasional whimpers.
The wind picked up on the street, and people became scarcer. Separated by the rolling door, Jiang Mu hugged her schoolbag, crouching and leaning against it. Shandian gradually stopped bumping the door but kept pacing inside.
Jiang Mu breathed on her hands for warmth, muttering to Shandian: “Wonder where the shop owner went? It’s so cold, I should go.”
As if understanding, Shandian raised its paw and placed it against the door with a “pat.” Jiang Mu turned and pressed her hand against the same spot.
Headlights flashed as a white Honda pulled up at the curb. San Lai got out and paused when he saw the small figure crouching by the door. Behind him was Jin Chao in a black jacket and jeans, whose brows furrowed upon seeing Jiang Mu.
Jiang Mu obediently stood up with her schoolbag, moving away from the door’s lock and pressing against the shop wall. San Lai asked in surprise: “How long have you been here?”
“Since after school.”
San Lai checked the time: “You’ve been crouching here all this time? Aren’t you cold? Silly girl.”
Jiang Mu didn’t answer, only carefully glancing at Jin Chao. His features remained cold as he opened the rolling door. Shandian burst out barking excitedly, jumping on Jiang Mu before she could react. She could barely handle Shandian’s weight now, dropping her school bag. Having not seen Jiang Mu for several days, Shandian bounced around like a mad dog, making Jiang Mu dodge while holding her arms.
Until a sharp command rang out: “Come here.”
Only then did Shandian cease its wild behavior, wagging its tail as it ran to Jin Chao, its muscular hindquarters swaying with joy.
Jin Chao entered the shop without looking at Jiang Mu. She quickly picked up her schoolbag and followed, saying: “I sent you red envelopes, but you didn’t respond, so I came to check.”
“Finished checking?” Jin Chao asked coldly, his back to her.
Jiang Mu bit her lip, stopping at the shop entrance without moving further in. He turned on the repair bay lights, his voice low: “Go home after you’re done looking. I’m closing up.”
Jiang Mu’s fingers tightened on her school bag. She refused to leave but couldn’t speak, just staring at his figure.
Jin Chao took off his jacket and went into the room, then searched for something in the break room, wrote up two repair orders, checked some accounts, and went to the repair bay to look for small parts in the metal box.
Throughout this time, Jiang Mu remained rooted at the shop entrance. A cold wind swept past her back, her lips turning purple from the cold. Finally, Jin Chao threw his tools into the toolbox and stood up, staring at her: “What exactly do you want?”
Jiang Mu didn’t know. She didn’t know what she wanted. She just knew she didn’t want things to be like this between them. She knew Jin Chao was pushing her away, forcing her from his world, but she didn’t want to leave. It was that simple.
Seeing her reddened eyes, Jin Chao’s lips tightened as he said coldly: “I’ll say it one more time. I’m closing up. If you won’t leave, stand here all night.”
San Lai came in from next door and was surprised to see Jiang Mu still standing at the entrance with her school bag. He walked over and took her heavy bag, asking: “You’re quite stubborn, aren’t you? Have you eaten dinner?”
That simple question brought tears to Jiang Mu’s eyes. Her head-shaking, tear-holding expression moved even San Lai’s heart. He glanced at Jin Chao, who turned and entered the break room.
San Lai sighed, placing his hand on Jiang Mu’s shoulder and leading her away, saying: “Come on, don’t stay here. Let’s go to my place.”
Having crouched in the cold wind for over an hour, Jiang Mu’s steps were unsteady. San Lai pulled her into the pet shop, where the heater was running. The warm air that hit her face as they entered made Jiang Mu’s tears fall freely. San Lai, unused to such situations, quickly consoled her: “Are you hungry?”
Jiang Mu nodded.
“Cold?”
She nodded again.
San Lai pushed his comfortable boss chair toward her: “Sit here and warm up first. I’ll get you something to eat.”
After placing her schoolbag on the counter, San Lai went upstairs. Once he left, Jiang Mu’s emotions gradually stabilized. She had visited the pet shop many times and knew about the small second floor where San Lai lived, though she’d never been up there.
She looked up as San Lai called down: “Don’t worry, you can’t torture yourself over problems. That’s my philosophy. Even if you need to solve something, you should do it on a full stomach…”
San Lai rambled on like a mother hen, unsure if the teenage girl, stubborn as they tend to be at that age, was listening.
When he came down with the noodles, he found the situation slightly better than expected. Though Jiang Mu’s expression remained gloomy, her tears had dried.
He pulled the small glass table in front of her, saying: “Eat while it’s hot.”
San Lai’s noodles were generously topped with beef his mother had braised for him, plus a marinated egg. The beef was tender, and the egg well-seasoned. Perhaps because she was starving, Jiang Mu thought these were the best-braised beef noodles she’d ever eaten.
Seeing her famished state, San Lai placed his WeChat QR code in front of her. Jiang Mu paused, asking quietly: “Is this… to sell me a membership card?”
San Lai laughed heartily: “What kind of person do you think I am? You’re already miserable enough, would I kick you while you’re down? This is for adding me as a WeChat friend. Next time you want to come by, contact me.”
Jiang Mu stared at San Lai, chopsticks in hand. He pulled his chair closer and told her: “If you want to see Shandian, just message me first. I’ll bring Shandian over.”
The tears Jiang Mu had been holding back welled up again, her nose reddening as she said: “Brother San Lai, not only do you make good noodles, but you’re also so kind and caring toward animals. Why does Iron Rooster always say you can’t find a wife?”
Seeing her moved to tears, San Lai changed the subject: “Well, if you want to show your gratitude, you could sign up for a Super Premium VIP membership. Your little Shandian will get 30% off the full grooming service in the future.”
“…” Iron Rooster hadn’t lied after all.