Rose in No-Man's Land

12 Live in my dreams

Deep in the alley, most of the other shops were closed, leaving only the bar with lights on.

On the bar's second floor, amidst the clashing lights and noise, Lu Qiurui slouched alone on the sofa in a booth, her eyes half-closed and looking weary. Tang Li sat in a corner, pouring vodka for Lu Qiurui.

Despite being exhausted from work during the day, Lu Qiurui insisted on coming to check on Tao Ye, saying it had been days since she'd last visited her. She had paid a considerable amount to buy out Tao Ye's work hours tonight so she wouldn't need to dance, just keep her company.

A little while later, Tao Ye came up carrying a small metal basket filled with various drinks Lu Qiurui liked. She had personally selected each one from the bar. Seeing her, Lu Qiurui's face softened immediately, and she beckoned her over. "Sit here," she said.

Tao Ye sat down beside Lu Qiurui, keeping a polite ten-centimeter distance.

However, Lu Qiu-Rui leaned in closer, her coat collar folding over, concealing a metal pin in its folds. Tao Ye remained impassive, polite and composed, sitting upright.

Leaning gently on Tao Ye's shoulder, Lu Qiurui murmured softly, "Sis, I'm so tired today."

Tang Li, used to this, averted his eyes toward the dance floor. Although Tao Ye was a couple of years older, she was a nurturing, gentle presence. Only around Tao Ye did Lu Qiurui, usually harsh and temperamental, soften enough to willingly call someone 'sister'.

Tao Ye said nothing, keeping her eyes downcast.

Lu Qiurui let out a sly smile and murmured, "You're always like this, ignoring me." Tao Ye's gaze remained fixed on the table. "There's another girl who seems to like you quite a bit—Xia Xingmian. Why don't you go to her? She probably needs you more."

"Her attitude suddenly changed recently. I doubt she'd care," Lu Qiurui scoffed lazily. "Tell me, what do I even get out of this? People pay for fun, but I just end up paying to make myself miserable."

Tao Ye replied, "If this is how you feel, you could just stop asking me to drink with you."

Lu Qiurui sighed, placing her hand on Tao Ye's shoulder. "Don't say that. You know I'm not going to stop. I've told you a thousand times—I like you."

Downstairs, a curvaceous woman took over the stage, her pale arms coiling around the pole like a water snake. But the crowd's interest was lackluster; most were preoccupied with drinking, nowhere near as enthusiastic as when Tao Ye danced.

After a few drinks, Tao Ye suddenly spoke up, "Even if you don't like her anymore, can't you at least be a bit kinder to her?"

Lu Qiu-Rui asked, "Who?"

"Xia Xingmian," Tao Ye said softly.

Lu Qiurui chuckled. "What's brought this on?"

"I just think... she's a young girl. It can't be easy for her."

"No one has it easy." Lu Qiurui's gaze hardened as she looked at Tao Ye. "Sis, it's not easy for me either."

Tao Ye, not wanting Lu Qiurui to notice her private connection with Xia Xingmian, fell silent.

After a few more drinks, two figures emerged at the staircase turn. Zhao Wen led Xia Xingmian up and pointed toward the booth. "She's over there," Zhao Wen said.

Xia Xingmian had come to find Tao Ye, but with the dim lighting, she hadn't noticed Lu Qiurui until she was close. Her palms started to sweat when she saw Lu Qiurui holding Tao Ye.

Lu Qiurui, too, noticed her and immediately frowned.

How was she supposed to explain why she was there?