Li Li had called Wu Xinghai looking for somewhere to vent, and had ended up with the flames inside him stoked even higher. He felt more aggrieved than ever.

He left the cinema with a thunderous expression, not in the mood to find Wu Xinghai for dinner, and even less in the mood for Su Man. Going home meant facing his parents’ questions, so instead he went straight to the research institute.

The institute had independent labs for its ongoing projects. Since it was Sunday, only a few senior students were there working.

Li Li went directly to his station, opened his computer, and stared at the scrolling data on the screen with unfocused eyes, unable to concentrate.

His mind kept replaying Su Man’s behavior throughout the day — her surprise, her anger, and finally that cold, bitter laugh before she turned and walked away.

Was he really that bad?

But he’d always been this way, and there had never been any problem before. How could that one man’s appearance turn Su Man into someone like this?

Should he keep trying to bring her back?

Li Li stared at the computer screen and found that this question felt harder to solve than any of his research problems.

……

Li Li went several days without contacting Su Man.

Su Man equally made no contact with him.

There had been cold wars between them before, but never one this prolonged. The feeling that crept over Li Li was one of the other side having nothing to lose — as if, now that she had someone pursuing her, Su Man simply didn’t care whether they made up or not.

The humiliation he felt only grew sharper.

Like two armies squaring off in battle — and he’d been routed at the very first clash.

How could he lose to someone like that?

Late into the night again, the room in the villa next door — second floor — never lit up. Meaning the occupant still hadn’t come home.

He knew Su Man’s current shift ended at seven in the evening. It was almost eleven now, and she still wasn’t back — which could only mean one thing: she was with that man.

They were going on dates nearly every day…

Occasionally he’d see the man walk Su Man to the door, and they’d part with polite courtesy — so Li Li surmised that, though they were dating, things hadn’t yet progressed to anything serious.

Calculating that the timing was about right, he threw on a random jacket and headed downstairs, walking through the tree-lined residential lane under the pretense of taking out the trash.

Not far ahead, a man and a woman were walking slowly toward him. The woman’s voice was clear and bright — Li Li recognized Su Man’s voice immediately.

“Well, at least the location is finally settled — that’s a relief. Next comes the renovation, but I can’t be much help there. My mother complains about my taste all the time.” She laughed. “Ha, haha…”

A man’s voice replied, warm as a gentle wind: “Then I’ll have no choice but to trouble your mother. Once the designer’s proposals are ready, I’d like to have her take a look — if that wouldn’t be too much of an imposition.”

“Of course it won’t be!” Su Man readily agreed on her mother’s behalf. “My mom loves getting involved in things like this — just bring it over boldly!”

From the shadows, Li Li let out a cold laugh.

What a fox — breathtaking, earth-shaking, singular in all the world. Su Man had just said her own taste was lacking, and he’d immediately found a way to involve her mother. Like a stinkbug, clinging to the Su family and refusing to let go, was he?

Li Li coughed — pointedly and loudly.

Su Man only then noticed there was someone by the roadside.

She paused, her brows drawing together. After the unpleasantness at the cinema, she hadn’t spoken to Li Li, and she had no desire to now. She turned to Lu Yuwen and said, “I’ll head in. You get back to the hotel and rest — you don’t need to walk me all the way anymore.”

Li Li cut in coolly: “If he didn’t walk you to the door, how else would he get to show off in front of you?”

Su Man: “……”

She swallowed her irritation and gave Lu Yuwen a small smile. “Goodnight.”

Lu Yuwen gave a quiet nod. “Goodnight.”

Su Man, without sparing Li Li a glance, pushed open the garden gate and went home.

Lu Yuwen began to leave as well. Just then, Li Li called out from behind, “Hey.” Stopping him.

He turned around, watching Li Li with calm eyes and a polished smile. “Something you need?”

Li Li said coldly: “Don’t think you’ve won. I’m telling you — Su Man and I grew up together. Nobody knows her better than I do. You don’t have what it takes to compete with me.”

—