As this continued, Wen Yifan felt like she was being brainwashed by Sang Yan.
—She had long heard of the incomparable beauty of this establishment’s top courtesan, Sang. She had traveled a thousand miles to witness his unparalleled charm, and even upon discovering that this top courtesan was her former pursuer, she still found her heart stirred. Afterward, she tried every means to catch his attention.
All her actions in front of him were purposeful.
Suppressing the urge to criticize, Wen Yifan calmly replied: [So it fell there.]
Wen Yifan: [I’m sorry for troubling you again. Why don’t you let me know when it’s convenient for you, and I’ll come pick it up.]
After some thought, she realized they could completely avoid meeting: [Or you could leave the key at your bar, and I’ll pick it up from the counter. Would that work?]
She waited for a while.
He didn’t reply immediately.
Wen Yifan wasn’t in a hurry and didn’t specifically wait for him. She continued working, carefully revising her draft and sending it to the editor. When she heard her phone ring, she casually picked it up and glanced at it.
Sang Yan: [I’m busy these few days.]
Wen Yifan patiently replied: [Then when will you likely be free?]
The next moment.
Sang Yan sent a voice message, his tone lazy: “Saturday night, I suppose.”
Saturday night…
Wen Yifan pondered for a moment.
She had Sunday off.
If she got the key from him on Saturday night and returned it to the former landlord on Sunday, it seemed to work out perfectly. She’d have to tell the landlord it would be a few days late, but that shouldn’t be a problem.
Wen Yifan: [Alright.]
Wen Yifan: [How about we meet at Jiaban Bar or near your place?]
Wen Yifan: [I don’t want to trouble you to go too far.]
After about half a minute, Sang Yan sent two more voice messages.
Wen Yifan played them.
Sang Yan gave an ambiguous chuckle, drawing out two words: “My place?”
“…”
Wen Yifan’s eyelid twitched.
As this message ended, it automatically jumped to the next one.
From Sang Yan’s tone and words, Wen Yifan could hear the message “your intentions are too obvious” between the lines, though he didn’t explicitly say it: “Hmm? Better not.”
Sang Yan: “Just come to the entrance of ‘Jiaban’.”
“…”
She had thought that since both parties had dropped their masks, their interactions would be more normal. But Sang Yan might have received too much adulation these past few years, his sense of superiority was too strong.
It led to him thinking others had ulterior motives towards him, no matter how ordinary the situation.
At that moment, Wen Yifan realized that she had to be extremely careful with every word she said in front of Sang Yan.
She couldn’t say anything even slightly related to him.
Wen Yifan sighed and replied: [Okay.]
After that, Wen Yifan put her phone aside.
The editor had just emailed her some revision suggestions. Wen Yifan opened them to look and noticed the time in the bottom right corner of her computer.
Her thoughts drifted for a moment.
She suddenly remembered that her last meeting with Sang Yan was two days after New Year’s Day. The key must have been lost then, which was almost a week ago.
Why did he only tell her about the key now?
Did he not want to contact her, so he waited for her to reach out first?
It seemed possible.
Wen Yifan didn’t pay much attention to this matter.
–
After work, Wen Yifan returned home.
As soon as she entered, she saw Wang Linlin lying on the living room sofa, watching TV while wearing a face mask, with a bowl of fruit salad beside her. She seemed to be in a good mood, even humming a tune.
Wen Yifan took the initiative to greet her: “Sister Lin.”
Wang Linlin mumbled: “You’re back? Seems quite early today.”
“Mm, not much work today.”
“This job must be so tiring,” Wang Linlin rambled. “In my years at ‘Chuanda’, how many people have left? Only overtime, no raise, who can stand it? Look at how many people in our group have worked themselves sick, their salaries only going towards hospital bills.”
Wen Yifan just smiled: “It’s alright.”
“By the way, Xiao Fan,” Wang Linlin sat up and brought up a topic, “Did you get up in the middle of the night yesterday?”
Wen Yifan was taken aback: “No, I didn’t.”
Wang Linlin seemed to be just mentioning it casually: “Then it must have been my dream. I felt like I heard some movement in the living room when I was half-asleep. I checked the time and it was past 3 AM.”
“…” Hearing this, Wen Yifan suddenly remembered an old habit of hers. But it hadn’t happened for a long time, and Wang Linlin didn’t seem too sure, so she decided not to mention it.
“Mm.” Wen Yifan glanced at the time and said proactively, “Sister Lin, I’m going to take a shower first.”
“Wait a moment, shower later.” Wang Linlin called her back, patting the spot next to her. “Xiao Fan, let’s talk for a bit. Come sit here, I have something to tell you.”
Wen Yifan obediently walked over: “What is it?”
“You have to promise me first,” Wang Linlin took off her face mask and threw it in the trash, her expression a bit ingratiating, “that you won’t get angry after hearing what I have to say.”
Wen Yifan nodded: “Alright.”
“I just told you, this job is too tiring. A month’s salary can’t even buy one bag my boyfriend got for me. I’ve reached my limit working here for so long.” Wang Linlin said, “I handed in my resignation to the director a few days ago, I don’t want to continue. My cousin introduced me to a job, over at Gaozikou—”
She paused here, her voice lowering a bit: “It’s quite far from here, isn’t it?”
Wen Yifan immediately understood her meaning: “You’re not planning to live here anymore?”
Wang Linlin explained: “Please don’t be angry. I didn’t know beforehand that my new job would be so far from here. I originally thought I’d still be sharing rent with you.”
“…”
Probably feeling guilty, Wang Linlin’s attitude was much better than usual: “I should be moving in a few days. Before I move, I’ll find you a new roommate. How does that sound?”
Wen Yifan’s mood didn’t fluctuate much regarding this matter.
When she heard Su Tian say that Wang Linlin had resigned, she had already considered this possibility, so she wasn’t too surprised now. She certainly couldn’t be angry about it.
Wen Yifan’s expression remained gentle: “It’s fine, I understand. I’m happy for you that you found a suitable job. Don’t worry too much about finding a new roommate, I can figure it out myself.”
“Oh Xiao Fan, you’re such a good person!” Wang Linlin sighed in relief, clinging to her arm coquettishly. “I was so worried you’d scold me. The first roommate I found before, we had a huge fight over this very reason.”
“…”
With the matter settled, Wang Linlin started complaining: “I’m annoyed. I don’t think I did anything wrong. Can’t I move? When I first found her to share rent, how could I have known I’d move so soon…”
Wen Yifan curved her lips in a smile, not saying anything.
“But Xiao Fan, you’re reasonable,” Wang Linlin smiled sweetly, “I’ll find you a very reliable roommate.”
“You don’t have to, it’s fine.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it.” Wang Linlin said, “I’ll ask for your opinion before I find someone, okay? If you don’t like them, I won’t force you to live with the roommate I introduced.”
Hearing this, Wen Yifan finally agreed.
“Then thank you for your trouble.”
–
Wang Linlin meant that after she finished handing over her work and officially resigned, she would move out. Because she had already found a place in Gaozikou, she would move out by the end of next week at the latest.
But Wen Yifan wasn’t in a hurry.
After all, Wang Linlin had already paid a month’s rent.
She still had some time to find a new roommate.
However, Wen Yifan didn’t know many people in Nanwu City. She had lost contact with her former classmates. Although she had added many high school classmates from Nanwu on WeChat through their QQ friend list back then, she hadn’t kept in touch with them.
So they weren’t familiar anymore.
It wasn’t much different from strangers.
Wen Yifan still planned to ask Zhong Siqiao for help.
After all, Zhong Siqiao had grown up here since childhood and even attended university in Nanwu, so she knew more people than her. Moreover, Wen Yifan would feel more at ease and reliable with someone Zhong Siqiao introduced.
Before she knew it, Saturday night had arrived.
Knowing Sang Yan wouldn’t take the initiative to contact her, Wen Yifan sent him a WeChat message as she was about to get off work.
Close to 8 PM, Sang Yan finally replied: [Come over.]
Wen Yifan hadn’t finished writing her outline, but she couldn’t make Sang Yan wait for her. She packed up her things, planning to continue writing after she got home. She said goodbye to her colleagues and left the company.
As she was nearing Decadence Street.
Wen Yifan took out her phone and sent another message to Sang Yan: [I’m almost there.]
After walking a bit further, Wen Yifan arrived at the narrow passage that led to Decadence Street. Before she could enter, she noticed Sang Yan standing outside the passage.
He was leaning against a black lamppost, his skin appearing cold and pale under the light, his face expressionless as usual. He was still wearing dark-colored clothes, his aura cold and distant.
Wen Yifan hadn’t expected Sang Yan to personally bring it to her.
She had thought he would leave it at the bar counter, or have a waiter pass it to her.
Not wanting to waste too much of his time, she quickened her pace. Just as she was about to call out to him, Sang Yan noticed her presence. He tilted his chin up slightly, his posture lazy and scattered, and wordlessly tossed the key towards her.
Wen Yifan instinctively reached out to catch it: “Thank you.”
Sang Yan gave a slight nod.
Wen Yifan put the key back in her pocket, still in a hurry to get home and write her outline. She never expected Sang Yan to engage in small talk, so she had to do it herself: “Then I won’t bother you anymore, I’ll head back now?”
He didn’t respond.
“I’ve troubled you too many times lately,” knowing he wouldn’t agree anyway, Wen Yifan continued with surface-level courtesy, “When you’re free, let me treat you to a meal. I’m free anytime.”
Sang Yan laughed: “How many more times are you going to say this?”
Before she could respond, Sang Yan looked at her directly, as if he had seen through her current thoughts. The corner of his lips curved into a shallow arc, and he said indifferently: “Won’t you give up until you get my agreement?”
“…”
“Fine.” Sang Yan seemed to be a bit impatient from being pestered, reluctantly saying, “Then today it is.”
“…”
Not expecting such a response, Wen Yifan’s expression froze a bit.
Noticing her expression, Sang Yan tilted his head, his words carrying a hint of playfulness: “What’s wrong?”
Wen Yifan said helplessly: “Nothing, what do you want to eat?”
Sang Yan stepped forward: “Anything.”
Wen Yifan hurried to keep up: “Do you have any food allergies?”
“Many.”
“…”
Wen Yifan suggested: “How about hot pot?”
Sang Yan: “No.”
Wen Yifan: “BBQ then?”
Sang Yan: “Smells bad.”
Wen Yifan: “Sichuan cuisine?”
Sang Yan: “Too spicy.”
Wen Yifan: “How about Claypot porridge?”
Sang Yan: “Don’t eat it.”
“…”
Wen Yifan had never met anyone more picky and difficult to please than him.
She usually ordered takeout or cooked for herself, rarely eating out, so she really couldn’t think of anything else now. Wen Yifan sighed and said good-naturedly: “Then you choose something you want to eat. I’m fine with anything, I don’t have any food restrictions.”
Just as Sang Yan was about to speak, his phone suddenly rang.
He answered it.
They were standing close, and the voice on the other end was extremely loud, so Wen Yifan could hear: “Sang Yan! Your house exploded!”
“…” Sang Yan frowned, “Speak like a normal person.”
“Fuck, no, I mean the building below your house exploded!” The person on the phone sounded increasingly agitated, even starting to roar, “It’s burning towards your place! It’s almost all burned down! Come back quickly!!!”
The surroundings suddenly became quiet.
Wen Yifan immediately looked up at his phone.
“…”
Seemingly finding it too noisy, Sang Yan moved the phone away a bit, waiting for the other end to finish shouting before bringing it back to his ear. His expression didn’t change at all as he calmly said: “Oh, then help me call 119.”
He hung up after saying this.
He looked at Wen Yifan as if nothing had happened: “Let’s go.”
Wen Yifan: “Your house is on fire, aren’t you going back?”
Sang Yan asked in return: “Am I a firefighter?”
“…”
After a few seconds.
Wen Yifan suddenly asked: “May I ask where your house is?”
Sang Yan glanced at her: “Why?”
Wen Yifan took out her phone from her pocket and said honestly: “I want to go there and do a report.”
“…”