Before My Withering [枯萎之前]

Chapter 34

[I still have a body]

Today was a special day, so I was allowed to drink half a glass of wine at lunch.

But my drinking capacity was so bad that I was struck dizzy. In order to avoid making a fool of myself again, I conscientiously went back to my room to sleep after dinner.

I vaguely remember that before I went back, I leaned on the back of Zhou Chen's neck and sniffed for a long time, and said, "This wine isn't as sweet as you."

Sure enough, it was impossible not to do something embarrassing after getting drunk.

When I awoke, it was already dusk, and the excitement in the house had subsided. Zhou Chen read calmly as the sun sank behind him.

In the entire room, just one floor lamp was switched on. I opened my eyes dazedly and saw the light hitting his face, casting a little, lovely shadow.

I couldn't stand ruining the image, so I sat up in bed after staring at it for a long time.

"Awake?" he asked, putting down his book and offering me a drink of warm lemonade. "Drink some water, are you feeling better?"

"Dizzy." I answered truthfully.

He sighed. "I had no idea you were such a bad drinker."

I blushed and said that it was because I hadn't had a drink in a long time.

When I saw that he didn't believe me, I said, "It's true. Qi Shu won't take me out to dinner parties with him."

"I know, I didn't mean that," he added, taking my cup of water, "I simply thought young people could be more interested in some light entertainment and carnal pleasures."

"You speak as though you're not young anymore."

"I used to think I was just the perfect age, but now, every now and again, a little bit," he reflected, "Hmm... age anxiety."

The words "anxiety" came out of Zhou Chen's mouth with a sense of unreality. No matter how I looked at it, he didn't look like the kind of person who would be anxious.

I wanted to ask why, but I was afraid he wouldn't say anything or that he didn't know, so I held back.

I looked up and noticed the last sunset that was beginning to fade away outside the window. Unconsciously, I sighed. "It's so beautiful, ah."

"Yes, it is very beautiful," said Zhou Chen as he followed my gaze out the window.

Together, we caught the last few seconds of twilight, on the first day I turned 23.

Then night fell. A curved moon rose from the horizon, and the room was swallowed by the darkness.

When the first fireworks exploded in the sky, I thought this was another surprise prepared by Zhou Chen.

But I heard the phone ring at the same time, and Qi Shu's number appeared on the screen.

I hesitated, then got up, went to the window and picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

There was no quick response, and all that was transmitted was the sound of erratic breathing, as if he didn't believe the phone would be connected.

I eventually heard Qi Shu's voice. "Xiao Yu... Happy birthday."

It was, if I recall properly, the first time he wished me a happy birthday.

Last year on the same day I prepared a bowl of longevity noodles at home, and before I finished, he summoned me to the company, where he shoved me against the French window and did me many times after signing the contract.