Lu Yuwen found it funny. Li Li reminded him of a child who’d lost a game and refused to accept it.

Things between him and Su Man had been progressing well. The girl had grown comfortable with him — comfortable enough to call him a friend. A little more time, and he was fairly confident a confession wouldn’t feel too abrupt.

So Lu Yuwen didn’t take Li Li’s provocation to heart.

But very soon, Lu Yuwen came to understand what Li Li’s words had truly meant.

……

One evening, as the sun slipped toward the horizon, he bought a takeaway dessert and went to Su Man’s workplace, intending to surprise her.

But Su Man wasn’t there.

Her colleague said she’d had something come up suddenly and had taken personal leave.

In all the time Lu Yuwen had spent getting to know Su Man, she was someone who took her work seriously — even though she didn’t love the traffic warden job, she was always diligent, never leaving early, never taking leave.

Today she’d taken leave.

What had happened?

Turning it over in his mind, he walked to the roadside and called her.

The call didn’t go through.

He was just deciding to send a message when Su Man called him back.

Her voice on the other end sounded very anxious, slightly breathless: “I was driving — I was in such a rush I didn’t notice my phone ringing.”

Lu Yuwen’s brow furrowed slightly. “Manman, are you running? What’s happened that’s so urgent?”

“Ah, I… I — I’m going to see Li Li. He got into a fight and said he’s badly hurt, and he doesn’t want to go home…”

Su Man had run into the residential complex, craning her neck to read building numbers and find the address he’d given her. Inside, beyond her worry about Li Li’s injuries, there was something else — a nagging guilt she couldn’t quite name when she thought about Lu Yuwen.

Over the past month of growing closer, things between them had gradually, undeniably warmed. At first she might have been fuzzy on her own feelings, but after all this time, she knew her own heart clearly.

And yet here she was, in this crucial moment, running to Li Li.

She didn’t know what Lu Yuwen must be thinking of her…

Would he think she was… stringing two people along?

The thought made her chest squeeze tight, and her nose stung with an almost tearful shame. She felt like she’d stumbled into a situation she despised — become exactly the kind of person she’d always looked down on.

From the other end of the line, Lu Yuwen said, “He didn’t go to the hospital, and he still had enough in him to call you — which means he’s not seriously hurt. Don’t rush. Walk carefully — what if you trip and fall?”

“Oh…” Su Man slowed her pace. Her heart felt a little lighter.

Lu Yuwen sighed. “Go see him first. If his injuries are serious, make sure he gets to a hospital. Once you’re done, call me. Alright?”

Su Man said, “Alright.”

She drew in a slow breath and gradually steadied herself.

After ending the call with Lu Yuwen, Su Man found the apartment building Li Li had described and ran into Wu Xinghai at the elevator lobby.

The moment Wu Xinghai saw her, he looked like a man whose prayers had been answered. He jogged over, thrust a card into her hands, and said rapidly:

“That’s the elevator keycard. Li Li is in your hands now! Room 2001 — the door code is the room number followed by two eights. This whole mess is my fault! Whatever you do, don’t let Li Li’s parents find out! I’m begging you, I’m really begging you!”

And with that, he turned to leave.

Su Man, startled, grabbed his arm. “What exactly happened? Why did Li Li get into a fight? Is he badly hurt?”

Wu Xinghai groaned. “So I was throwing a housewarming party at a villa I just bought — invited a bunch of friends over for some fun — included Li Li too, to liven things up. Then he ended up in a conflict with one of them… I think the alcohol was involved. Things got a little hot-headed.”

He pressed her again: “Anyway, it’s entirely my fault. Just please don’t tell Li Li’s parents. If they find out, my parents will find out for sure too, and they’ll probably confiscate my cards, my car, my everything! So please, please — not a word to Li Li’s parents! This apartment is one I bought last year, been sitting empty. Have Li Li stay here for now. Sorry to put you out looking after him — I really have to go…”

—