"This even looks like a conversation."

"Do I need your approval?... If you have to say it, say it now, or I won't play along."

I hesitated for a moment before finally replying, "I'm really conflicted. On one hand, I don't want to disappoint my family, but on the other hand, I don't want to leave Dali... Today, my dad took a day and a night train ride to Dali. He insists that I go back to Shanghai to do my old job. But I really can't go back to Shanghai. When I think about the people and the atmosphere there, I feel depressed!"

"Were you hurt too deeply by your ex-girlfriend?"

"Not entirely. I think Dali suits me quite well. The new friends I've made aren't like those people in Shanghai, who make me feel overwhelmed. Everyone is quite happy starting a business together."

“Then talk to your dad. Tell him how you feel right now and your dissatisfaction with Shanghai. If he still doesn’t understand you, it only proves that he is selfish. You don’t need to take his demands too seriously.”

"Is this how you always get along with your parents?"

At the crucial moment, the other party mysteriously disappeared again, but I felt that this chat was worthwhile. I should try to let Lao Mi understand my innermost thoughts. What we really lack is probably heart-to-heart communication.

After sitting for a while, I raised my wrist and looked at my watch. It was already 11 p.m., and I felt that I should go back to the inn to rest.

...

As I approached the inn, I saw a figure sitting under the tree where Coach Ma and I often had lunch. As I got closer, I realized it was Yang Sisi. She recognized me at the same time and, in the darkness, asked, "Didn't you get together with Ye Zhi? Where is she?"

"What, you think that just because we're born, we have to live together?"

"You're so lewd, what wouldn't you do?"

I gave her a disdainful look, then asked, "Weren't you conducting training in Xiaguan? What are you doing here so late?"

"I had an appointment with Sister Bailu to discuss something, and she's the one who told me to go back to the inn tonight."

What do you want to talk about?

"It's none of your business, so don't ask."

"I don't care to ask. You just stay here by yourself. I'm going back to sleep."

After I finished speaking, I turned and walked into the inn, but she called me back: "Wait a minute, I have something to tell you."

I turned to look at her...

"Come back! I'm not a monster, why are you so far away from me?"

I walked a few steps back to her before she spoke to me, "Our inn is expected to open in November."

My veins felt like they'd been injected with chicken blood, and I asked, "Where did you hear that? Is it reliable?"