“So I wouldn’t have any chance of meeting your grandfather?” Lu Yuwen looked at her with a smile, his easy tone dropping low and warm. “Could you perhaps lower the bar a little? For example — inviting your grandfather to have Chinese food at a Western restaurant. Would that work?”

Su Man’s face went even redder. “Alright, stop teasing me…”

“Ahem — ahem!”

A round of coughing came from next door.

Su Man and Lu Yuwen turned their heads to see Li Li stepping out of the yard, carrying a bag of garbage.

Li Li glanced at the two of them, gave a casual wave of his hand as a greeting, then shuffled along in his slippers — flip, flap, flip, flap — to the garbage bin at the edge of the compound to toss the bag.

Lu Yuwen looked away and said to Su Man, “Get some rest early tonight. See you tomorrow.”

“Sure, you too.” Su Man said brightly. “See you tomorrow.”

Lu Yuwen smiled at her and then left the villa district.

Su Man turned to go back inside as well.

She ran into Li Li on his way home after throwing out the trash. Su Man hesitated a moment, then spoke: “Hey, what were you just doing? Coughing that loudly.”

“Taking out the garbage. What else would I be doing?” Li Li replied coolly. “Not everyone’s as fortunate as some people — going out to dinner every night and not coming back till the middle of the night.”

He paused, then shot her a glance. “And dressed like that.”

Su Man was briefly startled, then looked down at herself.

The outfit she’d worn today had been put together by Su Ma. Since they were going to a Japanese restaurant, Su Ma had picked colors that were clean and understated. On top: a white wide-neck blouse with ruffled collar. On the bottom: a lake-green A-line long skirt. Paired with white heels. The jewelry was delicate and refined pearls. The whole look was that of the elegant, pure-hearted female lead from a Japanese film.

Su Man had grown up rough and tough her whole life. Having finally rediscovered that soft, demure feeling of being a gentle young woman, only to have Li Li douse it with cold water — she immediately felt deeply displeased. She furrowed her brow and shot back, “What’s wrong with how I’m dressed?! I think you’re the one with a problem. Can’t go a single day without picking at me — does your mouth itch if you don’t?”

“I have a problem?!” Li Li laughed in exasperation, standing at the gate and looking at Su Man. “You’re the one who’s come down with a bad case of lovestruck fever, and you’re saying I have a problem? Fine. I’m done. Whatever — that thick head of yours hasn’t developed one bit since you were small. Do whatever you like!”

Su Man’s eyes went wide. “Lovestruck fever?! …Hey! Say that clearly!”

“If it’s not fever, why would you dress like this? If it’s not fever, why would you be smiling at that man like that?” Li Li looked her up and down as if he found her completely contemptible. “A few sweet words and you’ve already lost all sense of direction. Su Man, use your brain. Don’t let yourself be blinded the moment some smooth-talking fox crosses your path! A man who can’t even afford a car — what do you think he’s after? You don’t know? Are you really that naïve?”

Su Man was nearly driven to death by Li Li’s words. Her chest heaved violently. “You… what nonsense are you talking?! Telling me to use my brain? Since when have I lost my brain? Is it only you who has a brain in this entire world?!”

Li Li gave a cold snort, shut the gate, and went straight back inside.

“Hey!” Su Man bellowed in fury. “Li Li! Say what you mean clearly! What smooth-talking fox?! Who exactly are you insulting?!!”

The only reply she got was the decisive sound of a door slamming shut.

“Lunatic!” Su Man cursed in rage.

Every last shred of the wonderful mood she’d had all day was ruined.

She stormed back into her house with a dark expression, threw her bag forcefully onto the sofa, kicked off her heels roughly, walked barefoot to the water dispenser, and gulped down large mouthfuls of cold water. Only then did the fire inside her — that fury she couldn’t vent anywhere — ease the tiniest bit.

Su Ma heard the commotion and came out from the bedroom, walked downstairs, and could see immediately that something was off.

“What happened? Did Xiao Lu upset you? That doesn’t seem right…”

“Ha!” Su Man gave a cold laugh. “Who else could it possibly be but that Li Li?! I ran into him at the gate just now. He was acting like he’d taken the wrong medicine — told me I had no brain! And called me a fox!”

—