I believed Dai Qiang's words and then imagined Ye Zhi sleeping during the meeting. Although I didn't know if this was directly related to me, my mood fluctuated instantly because it at least proved that she hadn't slept well last night either, instead of sleeping soundly in a soft bed while leaving me alone on the cold and damp Bund as I had imagined.
But would she, who is always decisive and dignified, really fall asleep on such an important occasion?
I finally spoke to Dai Qiang and said, "I have a question. Are you qualified to attend a meeting that Ye Zhi is in?"
"Sigh!... How strong is your heart to doubt me at a time like this?!"
There's nothing wrong with reasonable suspicion.
"Okay, then I'll explain it to you... I may not be high enough in rank, but our manager is high enough, right? Don't forget what I do... I'm the manager's assistant. I can attend meetings that other people in the department can't attend, because I help him take notes on the key points of the meetings... Also, because of sleeping in a meeting, my sister-in-law was criticized in a company-wide notice. If you still don't believe me, you can ask anyone in our company."
Who can criticize her now?
"She herself was fined 50,000 yuan for setting a good example... Was that expensive a night's sleep?"
I didn't say anything, but I lit a cigarette for myself...
At this moment, Dai Qiang said again, "You must have done something outrageous to offend your sister-in-law... Which woman doesn't have a temper these days, especially someone like your sister-in-law? I advise you to stop thinking about your male chauvinism at this time..."
"My rank isn't low either... Don't bother telling me."
"Fine, fine, fine, I won't argue with you, you nitpicker... If you're so capable, then stay in Dali for the rest of your life and never go back."
After saying that, Dai Qiang hung up the phone, his voice trembling with emotion. I listened to the dial tone and remained stunned for a long time... Then I chuckled to myself. If I really had the skill level I claimed to have, I wouldn't have come to Shanghai in the first place.
If love is a war, I have already lost.
...
Night fell, and I remained by the newly widened road, not moving an inch. I waited here until dusk, and then waited for night to fall. But I'm someone who absolutely hates waiting; I don't know what's wrong with me… I don't know who's competing with whom. Anyway, I won't contact Ye Zhi again. That's just my personality. I don't like to put on a begging posture in relationships. I feel that traveling all the way from Dali to Shanghai was my bottom line, and I absolutely cannot take another step below that line, even though I know many people have died because of that one step they can't take…
I finally stood up from the grass and walked to a nearby stream... It was an artificial stream with landscaping on both banks, so as soon as it got dark, many couples would come here to talk and make love.
Among them, the most direct were already embracing and kissing, while the more subtle ones were snuggling together; the most romantic were the couple dressed in matching white outfits, one playing guitar and the other dancing gracefully, like two butterflies adorning the riverbank and this otherwise ordinary night...
At that moment, I didn't feel lonely anymore. I just felt like a bird with broken wings, barely clinging to life... I really dislike this place overflowing with displays of affection. I wondered, do these people in Shanghai need nothing more than a house for love? If they do, why are they so carefree right now?
Thinking about it again, I realized they're only in the early stages of a relationship. They'll eventually understand how damaging love can be when it's been tainted by materialism; and this is the fate of most people in this city, like me, like Chen Jin…
Perhaps that's why I'm unwilling to be truly shameless with Ye Zhi... Right now, I really have little confidence in my future and Ye Zhi's future; things are already this difficult now, let alone the unpredictable future!
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and then silently recited to the quiet river: "Parting has always been painful, especially on this desolate autumn day..."
This is my true state of mind right now, and tomorrow, this sadness will only intensify, because I will be leaving Shanghai again, on a quiet and deserted morning, when I will meet a woman who lives in Shanghai and whom I may never see again.
Even more tragically, I fell in love with this woman.
...
Driving the Jimny I just bought from Chen Jin, I plunged into the crowded city once again, finally stopping in front of a supermarket. What attracted me was the huge "Huaxia Cinema" sign. I had nowhere else to go, so watching a movie alone might not be such a bad way to pass the time.
I haven't watched a movie in a long time. The last time was when Yang Sisi was in Dali, she used a coupon to redeem two free movie tickets.
Looking at myself now, empty-handed, I can't help but miss the days when I first arrived in Dali. At least those days were lively, and that liveliness was all thanks to the energetic Yang Sisi.
After sitting there in a daze for a while, I went to the automatic ticket machine to exchange my movie ticket, and then, like most people, sat in the rest area to wait...
...
Ten minutes later, Nicole called me. When I answered, she said excitedly, "Michael, the bar officially opened today! Guess how many people came?"
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