Li Li’s life was like a calm lake into which a massive stone had been hurled, sending out ripples that refused to settle.

He was burning with anger and wanted nothing more than to wash his hands of Su Man entirely — out of sight, out of mind — but every time he thought of Lu Yuwen’s arrogance, his pride felt like it had been ground into the dirt underfoot, and he couldn’t accept it.

Yet there was nothing he could do!

Su Man had clearly been completely won over by that man! No matter what he said, she wouldn’t listen!

Before he knew it, Saturday had arrived.

He knew Su Man and Lu Yuwen had a date this Saturday. Staying home alone would only make him more irritable, so he went out to find Wu Xinghai for drinks.

One look at his state, and Wu Xinghai knew something was going on. After getting the whole story out of him with a grin, Wu Xinghai said:

“Man, you’re in rough shape. You’ve got to find a way to win Su Man back — otherwise how are you going to stomach this?”

“How would I win her back?” Li Li curled his lip with disdain. “Surely you don’t mean go and beg her? That’s not happening. She’s the one who’s being ridiculous — I’m not going to join her in being ridiculous.”

“Aiyo, you’ve got to coax a woman along! A few nice words — how does that count as begging?” Wu Xinghai tried to talk some sense into him. “Besides, isn’t it perfectly normal for a man to give a woman a bit of room? There’s no point in holding onto your pride over something like this~”

Li Li felt uncomfortable. He really was out of options now. Listening to Wu Xinghai, he felt a stirring of wavering, and said hesitantly, “But right now, no matter what I say, she won’t listen.”

“Then say the things she wants to hear.” Wu Xinghai replied.

Li Li’s expression remained hesitant. He took a sullen swallow of alcohol and said nothing.

Wu Xinghai was a man of action. On the spot, he reached over and grabbed Li Li’s phone, asking, “What’s your passcode?”

Li Li frowned. “What are you doing?”

“Just open it.” Wu Xinghai pressed, without explaining himself.

Li Li unlocked the phone with his fingerprint. Wu Xinghai immediately put a call through to Su Man!

“What are you calling her for?!” Li Li was mildly annoyed and tried to grab the phone back to hang up.

Wu Xinghai said quickly from the side, “Didn’t you say she’s on a date with that man today? Just call and mess with it a little — let him know you exist!”

Li Li paused.

Wu Xinghai pressed on, “Think about it — that man is having a great time on a date with Su Man, and then you suddenly call. He’s definitely going to be annoyed! That’s exactly what we want — to make him annoyed! Uncomfortable! Irritated! You just need to chat with Su Man about anything at all — you can mend things between you two, and make that man miserable at the same time. Doesn’t that seem worth it?”

It was as though hanging up the call would mean giving up something important.

Li Li’s hesitation cost him — the call connected, and Su Man’s voice came through from the other end:

“Hello?”

Li Li: “……”

Wu Xinghai gave him an encouraging look and said, keeping his voice very low, “Say something! Coax her!”

Li Li’s brow was tightly furrowed, his resistance written all over his face.

Su Man was outside, the sunlight glaring off her phone screen so badly she couldn’t read it clearly. She’d heard the ring and answered without thinking, not knowing who was calling.

When no one spoke, she said “hello” again, and muttered under her breath, “Why isn’t anyone saying anything……”

Wu Xinghai was getting anxious on Li Li’s behalf. “Say something — she’s going to hang up!”

Li Li gripped the phone and, steeling himself, forced the words out. “……Ahem, it’s me.”

Su Man: “……”

A brief silence.

Li Li chose his words carefully. “Last night…… I was just worried about you, so…… my attitude was, perhaps, a bit off-color……”

Wu Xinghai listened and nodded repeatedly. “Yes, exactly like that — let her know you care about her……”

Li Li’s brow suddenly creased. “Where are you? Why is it so loud?…… What? Disneyland?!”

His voice shot up an octave, as though he’d just heard something completely beyond reason, and despite himself, he let out a short, incredulous laugh.

—