About ten days later, Ban Wei called Long Qi, getting straight to the point asking about Wu Jiakui’s recent situation.

“She’s been pouring her whole heart into that undead person of hers lately. Didn’t I tell you? Busy, hanging up.” Long Qi had just finished a wire scene. Her lumbar vertebrae hurt badly. Two or three people surrounded her untying ropes. Her assistant held the phone by her ear and walked with her. While speaking, she tied her disheveled long hair into a ponytail, panting.

“Damn, there really is an undead person? Isn’t that just an excuse? She’s acting so convincing. Have you seen him in person?”

“Ban Wei, whether it’s an excuse or not, when a girl says this, the core meaning doesn’t change.”

“What core meaning?”

“You have no chance.”

“No way, I have to investigate. I’m a bit panicked.”

“Hanging up.”

“Wait, hey, my concert rehearsal ends at six this afternoon. I’ll visit you on set.”

“Wu Jiakui is filming with C crew, I’m with A crew. Besides nodding at each other in the makeup room at five in the morning, the rest of the time even our assistants don’t see each other. Are you still coming?”

“Not coming then.” Ban Wei replied and abruptly hung up on her.

Men in mating season were really simple, crude, and utterly charmless. She tilted her forehead. The assistant put away her phone.

Next was an upside-down hanging scene.

The protagonist Long Qi played was hung upside down for interrogation. Acting opposite her was a newly joined popular young actor, warm and handsome type, named Zhou Yicong. He’d filmed several productions, became famous following the “quality boyfriend” route, had a strong fan base, and was also the only young fresh meat among the male actors, three years her senior.

This time he played a young arrogant police officer who loved using harsh interrogation methods.

Before filming, he’d specifically come to greet her and go over the script. His lines were quite long. Probably just joined the crew and hadn’t adjusted to the state yet—he repeatedly forgot his lines, causing Long Qi to be repeatedly in an upside-down state. The filming location’s atmosphere was stuffy and hot. Her hands tied behind her back, mouth sealed, sweat beads from her chest flowing from her neck to her chin, repeatedly re-performing in mid-air one meter from the ground. After Zhou Yicong’s tenth NG, she was also let down for the tenth time to recover, touch up styling, listening to his apologies to everyone.

Later she simply didn’t come down—her suggestion. Found it troublesome, didn’t want the other party’s emotions interrupted by her rest. Could endure then endure. After NGs, adjust for a few seconds then continue.

This “quality boyfriend” finally managed to recite his four or five paragraphs of lines on the nineteenth take.

Long Qi landed. A bunch of people surrounded her to untie ropes and tear off tape. The tearing hurt. She furrowed her brows and turned her head. Her assistant was clever—had followed her long enough to know her temper. Taking advantage of when people weren’t paying attention, she patted her back and said in a low voice: “Calm down, calm down.”

Like coaxing a child, afraid she’d give Zhou Yicong a bad face.

But she had awareness in this regard. First, she herself was a half-baked actor, only read to first year in the acting department. The other party had more qualifications and seniority than her—what right did she have to lose her temper? Besides, who hasn’t had times when they couldn’t adjust their state? What she detested was the type who weren’t capable yet bossy. But this Zhou Yicong had kept an apologetic expression the whole process, face showing fatigue, exactly the same state as when she’d just been dumped by Jin Yiken.

She was lucky then—mostly acted opposite Zang Xipu. This best actor Zang Xipu truly lived up to his name, especially good at leading scenes, also quite considerate. In scenes, the aura of an overlord who straddled both legal and criminal worlds was terrifying. Outside scenes, he was gentle and patient. This contrast meant that even when he smiled and asked someone “have you eaten yet?”, it scared that field assistant being asked until their hands trembled holding the lunch box.

Now Zang Xipu’s scenes were mostly concentrated in C crew, with less intersection with her side.

And Wu Jiakui was also truly a little drama queen as Lao Ping said.

That little demoness—chasing someone aside, didn’t slack on professional dedication in her main job. Besides Zang Xipu, her scenes had the fewest NGs in the whole crew. Especially several scenes opposite Zang Xipu—almost every scene passed in one take. The crew members present that day were so happy. Earliest wrap time in history. Someone let slip wishing every actor could be like this.

Lao Ping called the day before yesterday. Between the lines, he revealed that the screenwriter felt Wu Jiakui’s character still had room for development and decided to add scenes again.

All pushing Long Qi to grow quickly.

After two in the afternoon, time opened up. She contacted her instructor to practice driving. On the way to the parking lot, she encountered this male actor Zhou Yicong who’d dragged her into continuous NGs again.

Unlike the big entourage when he first joined the crew, he was alone now leaning at the corridor entrance, cigarette dangling from his mouth, head lowered fumbling through his pants pockets. Perhaps didn’t find fire—after going through pants pockets, went through jacket pockets, furrowing his brow. His usual idol face looked somewhat disheveled.

Click—

Long Qi passed in front of him. The lighter opened in her hand. Sparks leaped up. He looked up—hadn’t seen the person yet, saw the fire first, then moved his gaze to her face behind it.

Then brought the cigarette to the flame.

Click.

The lid closed. He said: “Thanks.”

“Quite a few people come and go here. If you really want to smoke, go back to your own car. Never mind others, but for the ‘Anti-Smoking Ambassador,’ smoking ultimately isn’t something you can smoke whenever you want, right?”

Zhou Yicong had just recently served as his city’s “Anti-Smoking Ambassador.” Quite a few press releases, all over the internet, adding another credential to his “quality” route. Long Qi had kept seeing this news during that period. Casually mentioning it, he was stunned.

She put the lighter in her pocket. About to leave, Zhou Yicong said: “Just now I couldn’t find the right state, dragged you down. All those apologies I said on set were sincere.”

“It’s fine, I know.” She responded, waved her hand, didn’t look back.

At two-thirty she met up with the instructor. Practiced driving for an hour and a half, then had the instructor drive around to “Shangyu Middle School” international department. That was the school Jin Shaogao attended.

Could avoid the brother, couldn’t avoid the younger brother.

Last few days of December’s tail. The climate consistently gloomy and cold. The instructor got out to buy water, leaving private space inside the car. Jin Shaogao had the same character as his brother—relying on his academic achiever reputation, he ignored school rules and regulations. Long before the bell rang, he was already escorted out the school gate by a gang of little brothers, a basketball bouncing back and forth among the youths. When it bounced in front of Long Qi’s car, she honked once. Jin Shaogao poked his head out from among everyone, saw her in the Lamborghini.

Immediately wanted to run. She stepped on the gas. After the car front brushed past Jin Shaogao’s body, she braked. Surrounding low booing sounds from little brats. Jin Shaogao sighed, looking resigned to his fate.

Then obediently got in the car.

Jin Shaogao, now in eighth grade, inherited one-third of Jin Yiken’s looks. The other two-thirds developed freely, making him seem more mischievous. Also tall, also a little handsome seedling. Brain followed family genetic advantage—top student. Heard he was also a little tyrant in middle school, but in front of his brother became meek as a turtle. Seven-year age gap, crushed by Jin Yiken in intelligence and physical strength since childhood. From that time when young and naive he accidentally crashed into an “intimate scene,” shouted “hooker” at Long Qi and was beaten into submission by his brother—since then treated Long Qi like an ancestor.

So now facing the “down-and-out” Long Qi, his brain probably hadn’t switched hierarchy yet. Didn’t know whether to receive her with ancestral treatment or switch back to original little tyrant mode.

What if they got back together? Then he’d be domestically abused again.

“Sister,” Jin Shaogao said, “I… have a basketball game.”

“No rush. Let your friends go first. I’ll send you over in a bit.”

“Sister, do you have a driver’s license?”

“Taking the test. Just passed subject two.”

Probably recalling her feat of destroying two cars with one gas pedal in his family’s garage, Jin Shaogao scratched his temple with his index finger, saying: “No need, sister. Just ask what you want. After I’m done, I’ll go by myself.”

“Good boy.”

Good thing Jin Yiken never had patience with kids. When in a good mood, what he taught his brother were all adult world rules. So now Jin Shaogao was also a little shrewd one. Proactively confessed: “Sister, you know my brother doesn’t like taking me along. I also only learned about you two from the news. I didn’t even know he’d returned to the country. You still expect me to know something?”

“It’s fine. You don’t need to say anything. Give me your phone and let me look.”

“Then you’re snatching my phone, so I’m giving it under duress.”

“Fine.”

Jin Shaogao took out his phone and handed it to Long Qi. She swiped open the screen, went to contacts, found the entry labeled “Brother,” looked at it. Still Jin Yiken’s discarded phone number.

She sighed silently, looked up at Jin Shaogao: “Your brother really doesn’t care about you.”

Jin Shaogao glanced at the phone screen, only then seeming to realize, asked back: “My brother changed his number?!”

Poor little thing.

When returning to the home page, her hand was quick—double-clicked the home button, saw several backgrounds Jin Shaogao had browsed. Most were luxury brand official websites. She casually asked: “Got a girlfriend?”

“No,” he replied. “Gifts for family. How about you help me pick? I don’t understand this women’s stuff.”

“Is it Auntie’s birthday?”

Jin Shaogao scratched his nose bridge: “No, my mom’s having a third child—it’s a little sister. I want to prepare a small gift.”

She paused, asked: “Are Uncle and Auntie often abroad?”

“Mm, gave birth in France. Coming back with little sister at the end of next month.”

…

Jin Yiken actually, silently, gained a little sister.

Her family situation, including every dirty deal Long Xinyi did outside, Jin Yiken always understood clearly. Even the matter of Long Ziyi and her same-sex partner—he knew about it first. But she’d never proactively learned about any movements in his family. Didn’t expect that unknowingly there was an additional family member. Long Qi hooked her finger. Jin Shaogao handed the phone back to her. She said: “Come, I’ll help you choose.”

…

After the conversation with Jin Shaogao ended, she didn’t have the mind to practice driving anymore. After eating dinner outside, she returned to the crew. Walking alone in the hotel corridor, idly scrolling through her phone, spinning the car key on her index finger. Her footsteps made no sound on the thick carpet. When passing a certain room, a faint “Long Qi” interrupted the key ring’s spinning sound.

She looked up.

What a coincidence—Zang Xipu’s team, just finished work and returning to the hotel, was coming from the opposite direction. Five or six people total. Zang Xipu in a jacket walked at the front. He didn’t smile easily. Sleeves rolled up to his elbows revealed large flower arm tattoos underneath. Long hair tied in a bun at the back of his forehead. Hard brow bones. Like an idle cloud and wild crane of an underworld uncle. Seeing Long Qi as he approached from far to near, only then did his eyes gradually soften. But this “Long Qi” didn’t come from his team but from beside her—room 506 with its door ajar.

Also not calling her—more like in some casual long sentence, her name mentioned in passing. She stopped in place. The key ring gently rubbing in her palm. Turned her head, looked at that room.

Zang Xipu’s assistant originally wanted to greet her but was stopped by Zang Xipu raising his hand. That room inside happened to leak out another sentence: “I’m very tired. Didn’t think that much.”

Zhou Yicong’s voice.

“Before you joined the crew, I warned you—don’t have even the slightest deep friendship with Long Qi. Look at how long she’s been debuted and how much trouble she’s caused. Her hype skills are first-rate! When she gave you a light, were there paparazzi around? Did you pay attention?!”

“I think you’re overthinking.”

“This really isn’t me overthinking. Last time you ate late-night snacks with that whatever Gao Ningning and got a room, Gao Ningning’s personal reporter captured it crystal clear. Made headlines for two weeks straight! This negative impact made you lose how many endorsements? Fan letters written in blood piled up two big boxes! Now what kind of character is Long Qi? She has double the haters Gao Ningning has. Her personality is so wild even her team can’t control her. At such a young age smoking and taking you along—isn’t it obvious? Do you want to ruin your own future?”

This sentence was somewhat clear. Even Zang Xipu received the commotion. His steps slowly stopped five meters from her position. Hands in pockets, calmly watching.

Zhou Yicong didn’t make necessary explanations for that sentence “smoking and taking you along.”

And that emotionally agitated female manager immediately followed by shouting: “Stay away from her! You’re at a critical moment of reshaping your image. Finally got you into the crew—don’t mess around. She’s a disgraced artist. If not now, sooner or later!”

Clack!

Long Qi silently released her hand. The key that had been steadily hanging on her finger fell to the ground. The collision between metals made quite a sound. Zang Xipu watched. Inside room 506, sudden silence. Then footsteps came toward the ajar door.

The door opened. The manager who’d been scolding Zhou Yicong until her face flushed looked out and met Long Qi’s eyes.

The atmosphere instantly froze.

Long Qi didn’t speak.

She showed no joy, no anger, no annoyance, no agitation. Stared at this manager frozen in place, squatted down, picked up the key ring.

After standing up, the key ring tossed and fell in her palm. She caught it and continued walking forward, as if she really was deaf to it all and just passing by. But deliberately left an unbearably itchy cinnabar mole, leaving that manager speechless and stunned in place.

Passing Zang Xipu, without looking sideways left a sentence “Hello Teacher Zang.” Zang Xipu nodded. Then heard that flustered manager greet: “Zang… Mr. Zang! Hello!”

The usually amiable Zang Xipu didn’t respond.

Soon, this matter spread throughout the crew without being told.

Crossed into the new year, approaching Spring Festival. The incident spread wildly within the crew. Everyone knew Zhou Yicong’s manager had formed a grudge with Long Qi. But the reason, after four or five oral transmissions, began to be far-fetched—said she and Zhou Yicong had eyes for each other. The former treating emotional wounds, the latter letting herself go wild. Zhou Yicong’s manager naturally disagreed, pointed at her and cursed in the room. Then she with her hot temper threw attitude. When the quarrel heated up, passing Zang Xipu mediated.

Goodness, truly had all the narrative elements complete.

This day, heavy snow fell. People nationwide joyfully gathered to eat New Year’s Eve dinner. The crew didn’t take holidays but wrapped early. Booked the internal pub of the hotel they stayed at starting from seven. Everyone went. Everyone who went was high.

Ten minutes before seven, Long Qi was still soaking in the bath playing corpse in her room. One hand holding phone, the other hand resting on the tub edge letting a masseuse pound it. This masseuse was recommended by Assistant Wang beside Zang Xipu. Said the technique was especially awesome—one pounding made the whole body smooth.

Lao Ping said: “So, don’t stay angry about this too long. Zhou Yicong’s side has offered steps more than once.”

“Zhou Yicong offered steps?” She slowly replied. “What does it have to do with Zhou Yicong? When someone was talking about me, he didn’t even chime in from the side.”

“His manager just has that personality—challenges heaven and earth, famous in the industry. Manages wide and strict. But at least brought Zhou Yicong to this position. Also capability. Just previously led astray by that eighteenth-tier female star Gao Ningning, got a bit nervously sensitive. Recently has also sent quite a few resources my way. Seeking goodwill, intentions obvious.”

“Aren’t I the disgraced artist she looks down on? Broken off is broken off. Why still try to please?”

“Didn’t it spread through the whole crew? Really not too good for their little Zhou baby either. They’re walking the high EQ quality idol route. Can they make enemies right after joining the crew? Plus Zang Xipu’s side also put pressure. Tsk, okay you—able to pull this big brother onto your battle line.”

“So why take on a persona you can’t maintain?” She said slowly, shifting her body a bit to let the masseuse work on her shoulders.

“Alright, Zhou Yicong’s side sent word. Tonight at the party he’ll chat with you face-to-face, apologize. Just don’t embarrass him then. The whole crew’s watching.”

“Also,” he added, “just put on some casual makeup.”

Since joining the crew, the role restricted her image to always be dirty and ugly. This time Lao Ping finally couldn’t hold back and let her tidy up properly. After the masseuse made her feel good, she blow-dried her hair, put on light makeup, chose a black backless sling dress, wore a choker and earrings, then applied plum color to her lips. Smoothed her soft long curls. A wave of cool fragrance overflowed. The masseuse stared at her. When she glanced over, their ears turned red and they looked away.

Walking in the hotel corridor, her heels sank into the thick soft carpet, making no sound. The thin bracelets on her wrist collided with each other, jingling. She used her phone to log onto the campus network. The original account was deactivated. Now using guest status to enter Jin Yiken’s homepage.

His homepage’s newest status was still that New Year’s blessing he’d sent her when crossing into last year.

Every time she looked, her heart suspended once, then fell into endless melancholy. But knowing this, she still wanted to look, wanted to know. She inhaled lightly, sent a “Happy New Year” message to Jin Yiken’s abandoned number, then locked the phone screen and put it with her clutch.

Looking up, she happened to encounter Wu Jiakui coming toward her.

Wu Jiakui this time didn’t carry that little Yorkshire Terrier with her. Also dressed lightly—thin-strap short dress, silver choker around her neck, thin earrings swinging back and forth among the hair hanging by her ears. Outer layer draped with an off-shoulder lamb wool jacket. Quite pretty—the kind of pretty that contrasted with daytime obedience, emanating spirit. The two met face-to-face. She swung her clutch chain, saying: “Wishing you a happy new spring in advance, Qi Qi.”

“Same to you,” she replied casually. “You’re going out?”

Wu Jiakui answered with a smile: “Ban Wei has a gathering. Invited me.”

“Darling, weren’t you avoiding suspicion with Ban Wei?”

Wu Jiakui still smiled and didn’t answer this casually asked question. Long Qi also looked like she didn’t really want to hear an answer. After the two exchanged pleasantries they dispersed. Wu Jiakui waved “bye-bye” to her, turned past her, said softly: “You’re really beautiful today.”

“You too.”

The hotel’s pub was in the glass house of the rooftop sky garden. When she arrived, the atmosphere was already lively. Outside the glass house, goose-feather snow flew slanting. Inside the glass house, heat was turned up full. A smoky-voiced female singer crooned like feather tips brushing past ears, tickling. The melancholy in her chest hadn’t yet dissipated. She pulled a slim cigarette from her clutch. At the same time, Ban Wei called. She brought the phone to her ear. The other hand holding the clutch hung at her side, a freshly lit cigarette between two fingers.

“I have a gathering here. Coming or not!”

Ban Wei, as usual, got straight to the point. His voice also squeezed out from electronic music. She replied: “The female lead has already gone to your place. No need to call me.”

“Huh?” He didn’t hear clearly, replied loudly, “Say that again!”

“Did you figure out the undead person situation?”

This sentence Ban Wei heard clearly. Replied: “Investigating. Results tonight. Hey, are you coming or not?”

“My crew has team building.”

“Crew team building? Definitely boring. Come to mine!”

“Not coming. I have an apology appointment here.”

“What appointment?!”

Ban Wei replied loudly again. She slightly tilted her forehead. The corner of her eye glimpsed Zhou Yicong walking toward her.

Zhou Yicong dressed quite formally—dark suit with bow tie. Seemed like he’d just rushed back from some awards ceremony. Her body slowly turned toward him. Gazes met. The large round earrings on her earlobes swayed slightly. Zhou Yicong’s Adam’s apple moved. His hands clasped in front also moved. Then he shifted his gaze to the bar, hand also made a gesture of invitation toward the bar direction.

“Hanging up.” She said to Ban Wei.

Then tossed the cigarette between two fingers into the lemon water the server gave. The cigarette butt hissed. Sparks extinguished.

The two sat in the dark area of the bar. Ordered several glasses of rum. Zhou Yicong shook his glass. Ice cubes collided. Long Qi faced away from the bar, looking at the female band on the performance stage. Right elbow lazily resting on the counter edge, hand holding an already half-empty drink glass.

Zhou Yicong said: “If I were you, I would really despise myself.”

“That’s right.”

Zhou Yicong laughed self-deprecatingly, turned his head to look at her: “If I had explained about the smoking then, would you despise me a little less?”

“Not at all.”

“Why?”

Long Qi finished the remaining half glass. Her throat moved slightly. A small piece of ice entered her mouth, held on the tip of her tongue. She replied methodically: “You live so exhausted—it’s all self-inflicted.”

Without saying it clearly, Zhou Yicong also understood. Silently nodded. In the silence between them, Long Qi also finished another glass of alcohol. Zhou Yicong continued: “My manager has been with me since graduating from college. Endured a lot together with me. This artist path isn’t easy to walk. We’ve fallen into too many traps.”

“She’s blocked too much for me. Used to being cautious, also used to viewing everyone through colored lenses. This matter—blame her for being too subjective, but first also blame me for not explaining clearly. So apologizing—that should come from me on her behalf.”

“I’m sorry, Long Qi. It’s our vision that’s too narrow. I’m sorry.”

“Are you willing to accept?”

Zhou Yicong asked seriously.

Long Qi shook the ice cubes in her glass, staring at this ice gradually melting into water. The female voice still tickled at her ear. She said: “If you buy me drinks, I’ll accept.”

Zhou Yicong looked at her.

She slowly turned her head. Her eyes already covered with a shallow layer of drunkenness: “You’re very lucky today. Another particularly annoying matter is occupying my entire head right now. I won’t investigate the past, as long as you buy me drinks.”

…

…

An hour later, after dozens of drinks, she was forbidden by Zhou Yicong from drinking more.

By that time she was already half-drunk, her whole brain uncontrollably playing past kisses with Jin Yiken after drinking. The whole person was especially unhappy. Shook off Zhou Yicong’s hand.

Zhou Yicong wanted to call Lao Ping.

She said: “Don’t bother him. I already gave him the holiday. He needs to go home for New Year.”

Zhou Yicong obviously wasn’t sure whether she was speaking soberly or drunkenly. Could only follow her, from time to time supporting her. She ordered two more bottles of red wine, had the server send them to the hotel room. Can’t drink here, go back and drink. Also resentfully glanced at Zhou Yicong. Zhou Yicong nodded helplessly, didn’t intervene, then looked around trying to find her female assistant.

She walked toward outside the glass house.

En route bumped into several people, attracted several complaints.

After exiting, the strong temperature difference made her shiver. Snow flakes scraped onto her face, arms, bare shoulders. But face still flushed, body still hot. Long hair fluttering in the cold wind. She lit a cigarette.

This snowy night—so much like that night before Jin Yiken went abroad.

That night she left him a deep brand.

Back then, loved so lawlessly—now so suddenly awakened. She walked outward, looking. The city’s light pollution shrouded the entire night sky. Wind sounds, snowflake falling sounds, traffic sounds, the sound of gas flowing from cigarette smoke between lips—all rang in her ears. She closed her eyes, dispersing the heat in her blood. Exhaled in one breath, dissipating between flushed face and frozen red nose tip.

Slipped at the rooftop edge.

The whole world lurched. Both arms were steadily supported by a pair of hands. Her consciousness came back a bit. Saw Zang Xipu supporting her. Forehead bumped his chin, hurt by stubble. Zhou Yicong, shocked by the close call, stood two meters away panting. Zang Xipu freed one hand, waved backward. Zhou Yicong nodded and left.

Only then did she feel cold. Hair fluttering in the wind, always brushing against Zang Xipu’s face. She couldn’t stand steadily, grabbed someone’s scarf, said: “Help me call Lao Ping. Have him send me back. I want to go home…”

…

Later, couldn’t remember clearly whose car she took back to Yiming Bay.

Wind and snow still heavy. Windshield wipers going clack clack clack. She slept soundly in the back seat, covered with a men’s wool overcoat.

To avoid attention, the car stopped in the underground parking garage. After getting out, she threw up once. Someone gently patted her back, also shoved a box of hangover stomach-protecting yogurt into her hand, said something—the gist was repeatedly confirming whether she could find home by herself.

This person’s strength was that even though completely wasted drunk, she looked especially sober. Only waking up the next day having forgotten post-drinking behavior proved she’d been drunk. She repeatedly gave that person an OK sign, said she could, told them to go back, wished them happy new spring congratulations and riches early birth of noble sons.

Zang Xipu should truly have been inconvenient to send her upstairs. Left his coat on her, let go.

When she walked ten steps away, the sound of the car starting came from behind. Car lights swept past, headed toward the parking garage exit.

Zang Xipu’s group left.

She was the only person left in the parking garage.

High heel sounds echoed lonely, accompanied by a thread of wind and snow howling from the ground surface above. She walked without looking back. Two steps straight, one step crooked, stumbling. Tore the straw and poked it into the yogurt lid, unconsciously sucked a sip.

Then swept back hair. Her steps happened to pass her parking space. Saw the Lamborghini quietly parked in the space. She sucked yogurt, looked, for no reason felt energized, happy. Laughed once.

Continued walking. Clutch grasped in hand, clutch chain swinging back and forth between fingers, emitting metallic light.

Hadn’t walked five steps. Steps gradually stopped.

Yogurt just slid down her throat—a wave of icy sourness. Her chest began to heave.

The image that flashed past the corner of her eye five seconds ago changed from hazy to clear. Her head seemed doused by a basin of hot water, alerting from head to toe. Unconsciously retreated along the original path, looked over. Saw next to her Lamborghini, in Jin Yiken’s parking space, the position that should have had an all-black Koenigsegg parked—

At this moment indeed, completely empty.

The parking garage was utterly silent. The clutch chain swung between fingers.

She heard the breathing from her chest and drum-like heartbeat. A strong suggestion drove her to stand before this empty parking space. Alcohol began to wake. Blood began to flow backward. Two speeds in direct proportion. The yogurt box dropped to the ground with a plop. An urgent call went to Ban Wei.

“…Help me check—where in the city now has a Koenigsegg appeared? All black. License plate number—I need to think about the license plate number… I’ll send you the license plate number.”

Ban Wei listened to her incoherent words, loudly asked in the noisy electronic music what was going on.

“I think…” Her voice trembled.

…

“I think Jin Yiken is back.”