Chapter 33.2 - A Beginning and an End (2)
She was always like this—injured inside and out but never showing it. It was as if she had seen through the world, immune to pain, making Ding Shuijing and the others misunderstand her. She said she didn’t care and didn’t want to explain, but the rough truth in the coachman’s words lingered with her. She thought for a long time: if one day someone actually stabbed her because of the misunderstandings and malice, would she not resent it?
She couldn’t figure it out. Falling made her feel ten years older; she moved even more slowly.
Clutching the congee tightly again, she cautiously watched the ground and walked slowly.
Only when she reached Sheng Huainan’s dormitory building did she realize—how was she supposed to get the food up to him?
The male dormitory entrance was filled with eyes coming and going, making her scalp tingle. She hurriedly dialed Zhang Mingrui’s number, but it rang many times without answer. Damn it, she cursed him in her heart and stood there awkwardly for a few minutes, still afraid the congee would get cold. She pulled out her phone again and called their dorm’s landline.
She had gotten the number from a senior. As for why she didn’t call Sheng Huainan directly, she didn’t know.
The voice answering was unfamiliar. She breathed a sigh of relief.
“Who are you looking for?”
“Is this Sheng Huainan’s dorm?”
“Yes, yes, hold on—”
“Don’t call him!” Luo Zhi shouted anxiously. The voice on the other side was taken aback by her tone and cautiously asked, “Miss, what can I do for you?”
Luo Zhi laughed at his formality but didn’t know what to say. Taking a deep breath, she decided to be straightforward. She wanted to get the congee delivered and go back to sleep; her legs felt weak.
“I’m his admirer. I heard he caught a cold, so I bought him hot congee. But I don’t want to see him in person. If it’s convenient, could you come downstairs and help deliver it? Thank you.”
Her sweet voice seemed to please the “big brother.” Thinking there was some excitement to watch, he eagerly agreed, “Okay, I’ll come down right away!”
Since the person didn’t know her, Luo Zhi felt more at ease. She smiled as a scruffy young man wearing slippers and pajamas came out the glass door. She greeted him and handed over the congee in the plastic bag.
“Beautiful lady, let me tell you first—our Number Three is a real charmer, loved by everyone. Admirers throwing dustpans at him could probably win the lottery. Your kindness is good, but don’t expect too much, or you’ll just end up heartbroken.”
His teasing yet earnest words made Luo Zhi laugh and cry at the same time. She nodded and said, “Thank you, I understand. I appreciate it.”
The “big brother” looked a bit surprised at her calm demeanor and seriously asked, “What’s your name?”
Luo Zhi smiled calmly, “Why ask? Just give me a number—I’ll wait for the lottery draw.”
As she slowly walked back to the dorm, a breeze blew, brushing against the place where the warm takeout had been pressed against her stomach. She shivered and rubbed the now cool spot.
The temperature dropped so quickly. Before she even reached her dorm, she already felt as cold and lonely as the night air outside.
She looked back at the brightly lit male dormitory building, then glanced up at the starless Beijing sky, feeling that everything was meaningless.
