"Hmm... the studio will reimburse your travel expenses."

“Whether it’s reimbursed or not is a minor matter…” After a short pause, Chen Jin continued, “No, I can’t sit still. I’m going to book a flight to Beijing right now… If I’m lucky, I can meet with the owner tonight.”

"Let's go tomorrow... It won't make a difference if we go for half a day... We already made plans to go to Tina's for a few drinks tonight."

"I'm not in the mood for that anymore... You know what my purpose is in coming to Dali... I, Chen Jin, will have fun when I should, and I won't be lenient when I shouldn't."

I looked at Chen Jin, feeling a mix of emotions... After lighting a cigarette, I finally spoke to him, saying, "I'm going back to my hometown with Ye Zhi these next few days... You can take this opportunity to go to Beijing; also, visit the other property owner in Nanjing, she has six shops... If you can close one deal, that would be a success."

"I'll do my best."

I took a deep drag of my cigarette, then whispered to Chen Jin, "I'm sorry about this, buddy... I didn't expect things to get so complicated... I... I can't make any demands on her..."

Chen Jin patted my shoulder, said nothing more, and then went back to his room to pack some of his belongings...

I drove him to the airport.

It was foreseeable that this would be an extremely difficult journey for him, because he simply couldn't offer anything to convince those two major property owners; after all, even Cao Jinbo, with whom we had previously collaborated, couldn't continue the partnership, let alone those property owners we had never met before! ... They would definitely have a lot of distrust towards us, because we couldn't afford to pay them rent in the first year, and according to the plan, our studio needed to secure at least 80% of the shops on the entire commercial street to be considered a successful first step.

...

After returning to Jiulongju from the airport, I sat on the balcony of the shop where I used to live, lost in thought... I rubbed my hands countless times and looked up at the sunset hanging over the commercial street countless times.

A sense of insignificance, like that of a nobody, has been constantly lingering in my heart... I hate the feeling of being someone else's pawn. What's even more tragic is that even as someone else's pawn, I haven't gained anything for myself. I have a whole host of plans, but I can't even control my own destiny.

In my habitual daze, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

I looked up again at the setting sun, which was almost disappearing behind Cangshan Mountain, before taking out my phone...

Yang Sisi accepted my friend request from yesterday...

My feelings were very complicated and I felt very awkward... because I didn't know how to start a conversation with her.

She didn't send me any more messages, she just accepted my friend request.

I placed my phone on the table beside me and then drifted into my own little world.

...

Ten minutes later, I saw Ye Zhi walking out of the entrance to the commercial street. She was carrying a plastic bag containing fresh fruit and two takeout orders.

I know all of this was prepared for me… but I find it hard to joke around with her like I used to; right now, my heart is incredibly serious because I don't know if Chen Jin's trip to Beijing will go smoothly, and this, to some extent, determines our future. Want to chat with more like-minded people about "My Tenant Miss"? Follow "Or" on WeChat to discuss your favorite books with more fellow book lovers.