I sent Ye Zhi another text message, telling her my precise location. I didn't know if she would come, but I would do my best to wait patiently. If she did come, then all my current patience wouldn't even be considered patience.

...

I stubbed out my cigarette and checked the time. It was already 11:30 p.m., but Ye Zhi still showed no sign of coming. Even the bustling Bund was gradually becoming less crowded...

Looking at the cold and desolate scene before me, I felt an indescribable disappointment... I suddenly wanted to call her, but the last shred of my dignity wouldn't allow me to do so. I knew that calling her would only make me look utterly defeated, and might not even move her in the slightest.

I tried my best to alleviate the waves of disappointment that were coming my way, but I was still unwilling to give up so easily. It took me a lot of courage to come to Shanghai, and I didn't want to go back to Dali with such a miserable and embarrassing result.

At this moment, I no longer expect anything to happen between us; I just hope she can see me.

I wouldn't make any unreasonable demands on her. I just wanted to tell her that I wasn't stringing Lu Jia along, nor was I stringing her along... The reason I sent her that message was simply to handle our relationship in a rational way.

But sadly, I, who have always valued rationality, was completely unable to be rational at this moment... I waited foolishly for minute after minute; finally, the clock tower on the opposite bank of the Huangpu River rang the midnight bell, and only me and one or two passersby remained in the huge square.