Rose in No-Man's Land

7 Show off

Since that text message announcing her new romance, Lu Qiurui hadn't contacted Xia Xingmian for many days.

About half a month later, Lu Qiurui's assistant, Tang Li, sent a text: [President Lu wants you to come to Room 21 at Ruicheng KTV.]

If Lu Qiurui had something to discuss, she could have easily done so over WeChat. The fact that she insisted on meeting in person was just to humiliate Xia Xingmian again. Xia Xingmian understood this all too well.

In the past, she would have willingly gone, not just because she truly needed the money, but also because she wanted to see Lu Qiurui in person.

After three years of feelings, she found it hard to let go. Every time she saw Lu Qiurui, she could deceive herself for a moment, pretending that they were still the way they had been three years ago.

However, after her birthday, she seemed to desire seeing Lu Qiurui less than before. There were even days when she completely forgot about Lu Qiurui, her mind filled instead with thoughts of another person.

Tao Ye.

—Today, sister replied to WeChat several times.

—What flavor of soup is sister bringing in the thermos tomorrow?

—Sister said she'd think about what to call her; she hasn't figured it out yet.

Xia Xingmian didn't know what her feelings for Tao Ye were. Friends? Sisters? Lovers? It didn't seem to fit any label.

She only knew that recently, she thought of Tao Ye more and more.

It was like an addiction.

Xia Xingmian put down her phone, pushed aside all her messy thoughts, tidied up a bit, and headed to the KTV address that Tang Li had sent.

There was no snow today, but the ground was covered with a layer of ice, making it very slippery, and the car wheels were fitted with chains. She couldn't bear to take a taxi, so she walked. Being overly cautious of the icy surface made her ankles sore and numb.

When she arrived at the KTV and walked into the private room, she saw Lu Qiurui leaning against the sofa alone in the dim environment. The screen played a hollow accompaniment, and the coffee table was littered with cigarette butts and empty bottles.

As soon as she entered, the tips of her hair were frosted, and stepping into this warm place, she felt a chill surrounding her.

Lu Qiurui held a half-burned cigarette and waved her hand dismissively. In the flickering light from the screen, a prominent metal pin on her collar gleamed coldly as she gestured.

Tang Li, perceptive as always, quietly exited, leaving just the two of them.

Xia Xingmian stood at the door, her expression calm, unwilling to step closer, and only called out the other person's name: "Lu Qiurui."

Lu Qiurui pinched the cigarette between her fingers and raised her gaze to Xia Xingmian.

"..." Lu Qiurui suddenly smiled, her voice a bit hoarse from smoking. "Mianmian, I still miss the days when you called me Sister Lu."

Xia Xingmian's fingers, which had been resting by her side, instantly curled into fists. After a long pause, she asked, "Lu Qiurui, how do you plan to torment me this time?"

"Torment?"

Lu Qiurui scoffed, standing up from the sofa and slowly approaching Xia Xingmian. With each step, the light in her eyes grew colder.

"So you know I'm tormenting you. A month ago, when I told you we were done, why did you obediently come here today?"

Xia Xingmian turned her head away, staring at the ground, remaining silent.