To attract customers, the pool hall organized friendly competitions every month. The first prize was cumulative—anyone who could defeat the owner would take home ten thousand yuan. Each tournament drew numerous participants, keeping Chen Yi busy from start to finish.

Though living under the same roof, they hadn’t spoken for several days. At night, Miao Jing would vaguely hear some movement—the sound of the next door opening or footsteps at eleven, twelve, or even later. When she left for work the next day, Chen Yi’s door was still closed—only the clothes in the washing machine and shoes scattered by the door indicated someone was home.

During Miao Jing’s last business trip, she had specially brought back a gift for Tu Li to thank her for the lipstick. She had planned to deliver it to the gym, but Tu Li said she would come to pick it up herself, choosing a rest day to visit Miao Jing.

It was a bottle of Dior perfume along with some northern specialties like beef jerky. Tu Li accepted them with a bright smile, chatting with Miao Jing about her business trip experiences. A supplier had also given her a decent bottle of wine, and Miao Jing casually asked if Tu Li drank alcohol—if she liked it, she could help finish it.

“Why not save it for Chen Yi? He drinks too.”

“I hadn’t thought of saving it for him,” Miao Jing smiled. “If you like it, take it. I don’t drink, and I don’t know anyone else who does.”

“Then I won’t be polite!” Tu Li winked, resting her chin on her hand. “I like everything you gave me.”

“No need to be polite.”

“By the way, is the pool hall competition over? Has your brother been busy with other things? What time does he usually come home?”

“I don’t know.” Miao Jing knew nothing about Chen Yi’s whereabouts or activities, shaking her head. “You can ask him directly.”

Tu Li hadn’t bothered Chen Yi for several days, knowing he would be irritable during the competition. She had hoped to get information from Miao Jing, but hearing her response, she laughed: “You two are strange. Living together but seeming unfamiliar, not knowing anything about each other.”

“I’ve never asked, and we rarely talk about these things,” Miao Jing understood her meaning, speaking softly. “I’m busy with work, and he has plenty going on too. We don’t spend much time together.”

“Are you two on bad terms?” Remembering how Chen Yi’s friends described things, Tu Li’s bright eyes examined her. “You both seem so cold to each other. I’ve never heard Chen Yi mention you, and you never mention him either. Like two unrelated people. Were you always like this?”

At the mention of the past, Miao Jing’s thick eyelashes lifted, revealing clear, transparent eyes: “Do you think we have a bad relationship?”

“Not particularly good either. I feel like you have high standards—do you not like your brother? His temper is so bad, always showing a cold face and throwing tantrums. I think someone like you with your proper personality, educated and reasonable, is completely different from him.”

“It’s fine,” Miao Jing didn’t follow up on that thread. “I rarely have anything to argue with him about.”

Tu Li shrugged.

Miao Jing asked: “Do you find his temper hard to handle?”

“Isn’t he just like some grand master?” Tu Li lazily played with her hair, sighing. “It’s quite annoying.”

“But you’ve been together for a while.”

Tu Li smiled. Among the men she knew, those richer than him weren’t as handsome, those more handsome weren’t as generous, those with better tempers weren’t as charismatic, and those who loved her desperately weren’t as capable. Isn’t that just how things are between men and women?

“Oh right, since you’ve given me so many things, let me treat you to a meal. Are you free on the weekend?”

Miao Jing hesitated: “I might have other plans this weekend… a friend invited me to go bowling.”

“Man or woman?” Tu Li’s eyes lit up.

“A man, a colleague from work.”

“Single?”

She nodded.

“Something’s going on! You move pretty fast.” Tu Li clicked her tongue in admiration. “Miao Jing, you’re quite decisive.”

“It’s nothing special. We’ve been in contact for a while, went on the business trip together, and talked a lot.” Miao Jing’s eyes brightened slightly. “I’ll introduce you sometime.”

“Sure!”

Lu Zhengsi graciously accepted Miao Jing’s proposal. Regardless of whether the romance was real, their relationship was indeed good. Miao Jing was open to dating and spending time alone together. Lu Zhengsi invited her bowling, and Miao Jing treated him to dinner, perfect for rewarding the recent crazy overtime work.

It wasn’t until Tu Li called that Chen Yi learned she had met with Miao Jing—the wine and beef jerky, he hadn’t seen a trace of them at home. And then there was this Lu Zhengsi and bowling alley business. He finished a cigarette and heard Tu Li ask if he wanted to go shopping and eat out on the weekend, and Chen Yi’s eyebrows pressed down: “Sure, why not?”

–

That weekend, Chen Yi saw Miao Jing already dressed up—a light-colored polo shirt, white sports skirt, socks wrapping her calves—a slender figure with a waist so thin two hands could encircle it, legs straight and proportionate like white porcelain. Paired with a baseball cap and long ponytail, she looked like a youthful, beautiful young woman.

He walked past, his voice cold and disdainful: “How old are you this year, dressing like that?”

Miao Jing held her milk cup, looking down to smooth her skirt: “Is it strange? This was my tennis competition uniform at university. I even made it to the school magazine wearing this outfit.”

Chen Yi snorted.

She was only nineteen that year. Four or five years had passed, and though there might be a hint of trying to look younger, the outfit still fit well. Without a full-length mirror at home, Miao Jing examined her outfit in the bathroom mirror, seeing him leaning against the doorframe with a towel on his shoulder, impatiently crossing his arms.

“Get out.”

By the time Chen Yi finished his shower and came out, no one was home. A white napkin with lipstick marks was crumpled on the table, dishes weren’t cleared, and a cold milk carton sat on the table—half left for his share. Chen Yi frowned, finally leaning against the table corner to tear open the milk carton, throwing his head back to drink it all in one go, then lazily drooping his sword-like eyebrows as he took the bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen.

With autumn approaching, the weather had cooled, making it suitable for outdoor activities. The bowling alley wasn’t empty, and when Lu Zhengsi saw Miao Jing, his eyes couldn’t help but show amazement. He especially hadn’t expected Miao Jing to be so good at bowling. She said her previous boyfriend liked it, so she had learned a bit—there was always that kind of discordance about Miao Jing, many qualities that didn’t seem to belong to her, like being an engineering student, an engineer, sunny and athletic, frank and straightforward in love, all quietly dissolving into her being, making people see her in a new light.

The mall was also crowded. Tu Li had friends at the counter, went over to chat, and picked up things, not rushing to pay. Chen Yi and Hua Qiang had some business to discuss, telling her to browse on her own, saying he’d come pay later. Tu Li loved his commanding tone, at least Big Brother was generous when paying. Her friends envied her luck, wondering how she found such a handsome and generous boyfriend.

Chen Yi came over wearing a white shirt and black pants, shiny leather shoes giving him somewhat of a dandy look. He already had a broad, tall build, his physique making the shirt look upright and proper. With his shirt sleeves rolled up, he wasn’t the refined casual type, more like an unrestrained embodiment of pheromones. Tu Li’s eyes brightened too, coquettishly kissing his face, laughing with her friends: “Finally got him here.”

Her friends were envious to the point of jealousy, watching Tu Li holding onto the man as they left, whispering with companions, watching their companions’ eyes grow round, raising their eyebrows proudly.

After shopping at several stores, Chen Yi glanced at the bill when paying. He could pay, but that didn’t mean he had to contribute selflessly. The shopping bags contained clothes Tu Li bought for her parents and brother—Chen Yi made her pay for those herself.

The restaurant was Tu Li’s choice, a Japanese place. Just as they sat down, they heard voices from the next table, turning their heads in surprise.

Unexpectedly, Miao Jing and Lu Zhengsi were there too—not too coincidental, as Miao Jing had asked Tu Li for restaurant recommendations in the city, and Tu Li had listed several names. This place was closest to the pool hall and most suitable for young people dating.

The lunch became a four-person meal.

It was Tu Li’s first time meeting Lu Zhengsi. She smiled, making Lu Zhengsi shyly rub his nose as she observed: “Looks like a little brother.”

Miao Jing protected Lu Zhengsi, her hand lightly resting on his arm: “Not a little brother, he’s my boyfriend.”

She said this very calmly, but in the end, her mouth and eyes couldn’t help but curl up, bending into knowing smile curves.

Chen Yi stood silently before her.

Miao Jing then introduced Tu Li: “My brother’s girlfriend, Tu Li, Sister Li.”

“Sister Li, Brother Yi, hello.”

“Congratulations, you two are well-matched.”

“Thank you.”

“Very good.” Chen Yi’s gaze was deep as he looked them over, finally hooking the corner of his mouth, patting Lu Zhengsi’s shoulder, his tone slightly pressuring, “Just call me Chen Yi.”

“I wouldn’t dare, I’ll still call you Brother Yi.”

The meal was particularly lively. Miao Jing and Lu Zhengsi talked about their relationship, and Tu Li discussed current hot topics, joking that the four of them could form a mahjong table in the future. Only Chen Yi spoke little, occasionally humming in response.

Miao Jing noticed his white shirt, her gaze lingering a couple of times before turning back, softly falling on Lu Zhengsi.

After lunch, Miao Jing and Lu Zhengsi’s date was supposed to end, but Tu Li suggested they all go watch a movie together. She and Chen Yi had never been to a movie theater, always the pool hall, mahjong table, or arcade. It would be more fun with four people together.

Everyone was agreeable, nodding one after another as Tu Li scrolled through her phone.

“There’s this popular family film with high ratings, both funny and tearjerking, starring a recently popular comedy actor. Shall we watch this?”

Lu Zhengsi also liked this movie, but Miao Jing and Chen Yi’s reactions were flat, asking if there were other options.

“Other movies have longer wait times, this one has the most showings.”

Finally, Tu Li bought four movie tickets.

The theater was full, with their seats not together. Miao Jing and Lu Zhengsi were in front, Chen Yi and Tu Li several rows behind. The four split up to find their seats, the lights too dim as Lu Zhengsi held Miao Jing’s hand, moving step by step to their seats.

Miao Jing’s skirt was short, and the velvet seats didn’t look particularly clean. Lu Zhengsi happened to have a light jacket, smiling as he handed it over: “Coming in handy.”

“Thank you.”

He was a very thoughtful guy.

The movie was indeed very good—loving but scattered parents, mischievous and unlucky children, and mishaps during the journey. Explosive laughter like thunder erupted around them. Miao Jing kept her eyes open, staring at the screen until the scene where the family embraced and cried, then gestured to Lu Zhengsi about going to the bathroom, feeling her way out of the theater in the dark.

She went to the bathroom to get some air. Turning to leave, a crisp snap of fingers echoed in the dim corridor. Miao Jing turned her head—someone was in the smoking area at the end of the hallway, one hand in his pocket, the pale gray light from the narrow window falling on his white shirt. He slightly squinted his eyes, raising his chin, smoke rolling in his throat, like being shrouded in mist.

Miao Jing had no intention of returning to the theater, walking straight over to stand before him.

“Why did you come out?”

“Didn’t want to watch.”

“Want to find a place to sit? Wait for them to come out?”

“Wait until I finish this cigarette.”

“Okay.”

“How’s the new boyfriend? Do you like him?”

“I like him.” She tugged at Lu Zhengsi’s jacket she was wearing. “He’s very gentle and attentive.”

“That’s good.” He lazily lowered his eyes.

Having exhaled all the smoke from his throat, he reached out his arm toward her, the shirt revealing a section of the tanned arm, blue veins protruding under thin skin, long fingers still holding half a cigarette, pointing toward her, his voice muffled: “Want a drag?”

“I don’t smoke.”

“I know.” He smiled tiredly. “It’s not like you haven’t smoked before… The movie wasn’t good, right?”

Miao Jing’s eyelashes fluttered, taking the cigarette from his hand, holding it the same way he did, awkwardly taking a drag, frowning slightly at the spicy smoke that choked her, a burning sensation appearing in her eyes, then thoroughly exhaling, finally holding the cigarette out in front of him.

He leaned slightly forward, taking the cigarette for two drags, finally stubbing it out in the ashtray.

“Let’s go.”

The two walked away side by side, leaving behind the cigarette butt in the ashtray with a faint lipstick mark.