Tenant's Secret Love

Chapter 106: The Snow in Beijing

Back in the old house that Renee had let me move into, I was wrapped in the darkness of the night in the same position as before, and so I couldn't help but think back to this night in the silence of the night.

Fate seems to be a very strange thing. Violetta was in debt by 1 million, but in the end, Renee and Brittany each took half of it out to solve Violetta's debt problem.

What exactly is the force that binds these three women together? I'm not quite sure, and I know that this question will trouble me for a long time.

I thought of Robert again, his rejection, and the image of him deliberately asking Brittany if she had any money to lend me. Human nature seemed suddenly to have become false and ethereal.

A gust of wind blew a dark cloud across the moonlight, and the night grew darker and heavier. I was a little tired, but I smiled helplessly, and I wondered even more: how hypocritical would I have to be to fit in with the real world?

At this moment, I would rather transform into a bird without feet and fly through that crystal clear city. Even if I cannot perch there, or if I die from exhaustion, at least I have flown innocently...

...

After an sleepless night, the next day, I didn't get up until 10 o'clock. I had just finished washing up when I got a call from Violetta. She told me that Robben had already accompanied her to pay off the loan sharks. To show her gratitude, she planned to treat us to lunch today, including Renee, and asked me to make an appointment with Renee for her.

So after ending the call with her, I dialed Renee's phone number. The first time, no one answered, so I called again at 11 o'clock. She finally answered the phone, her tone hurried, and she asked me, "What's up, Lucas?"

I cooperated and answered quickly, "Violetta has already paid off the loan shark debt, and she wants to thank us by treating us to lunch."

"I'm in Shanghai for a business meeting."

"Oh, then maybe tonight. Are you free?"

"I have other business meetings in the afternoon, and I may not be able to get back today. You guys go ahead."

I didn't say anything more. After all, work was important. I just told Renee not to work too hard, and then we hung up.

I stood by the window for a long time. The midday sun, shining directly down, drove away the winter cold. Finally, I moved the plants that Renee had been taking care of to the balcony so that they could enjoy the warmth of the sun.

...

At 12 noon, Violetta, Robben, and I arrived at CC's Empty City music restaurant. CC had already prepared food and drinks, and the four of us sat down at the table.

CC asked me, "Lucas, did you ask Renee out?"

"I called her, but she's in Shanghai for a meeting and can't make it," I replied.

CC said with regret, "Violetta really wanted to take her out to dinner!"

"Some other time, there will be plenty of opportunities,"

Violetta took over the conversation and said, "I'm leaving for Beijing this afternoon, and I probably won't be back in Suzhou this year."

"What, did you get another new show?"

Violetta shook her head and said, "No, but there are more opportunities in Beijing, so I'll try my best to get a new role this year."

I could feel the sadness in Violetta's words. She hadn't yet become famous, and going to Beijing meant drifting away and being neglected. She was about to walk down a path full of hardships, but what could she do? People always have to work hard, suffer, and toil in order to survive... But she was ultimately just a woman who lacked a sense of security, so I could only silently wish her the best of luck on her next journey.

Robben put his arm around Violetta's shoulders and comforted her, "Beijing, I have a lot of friends who play music. I'll have them look after you when I get there. If there's anything you can't handle, just go trouble them. They're all straightforward people."

"Well, thank you, Robben," Violetta said with a smile.

"Don't be so formal. We've been friends for so many years," Robben said with a smile in return.

Violetta nodded, and CC patted my shoulder again and asked, "Lucas, you're so quiet, don't you have anything to say to Violetta?"

"I have something to say," I answered, and then looked at Violetta and said, "Take care of yourself when you get to Beijing, don't put too much pressure on yourself. As for the bar, I'll help you run it well."

CC agreed, "Well, Lucas is right, we'll all help with the bar. When you come back from Beijing next time, we'll definitely make the bar a success."

Violetta looked at us for a long time, with tears in her eyes, and finally choked as she said, "I'm the luckiest person in the world to have met you all along the way. Thank you... This time I will work really hard, for myself and for you!"

We all nodded, and CC, who was the best at adjusting the mood, raised his glass and said, "Then let's toast to our friendship...and wish Violetta a safe journey and a bright future!"

"Safe journey and a bright future!"

Our glasses clinked together, and the wine in the glasses swayed, as if shaking out the wounds of youth, the helplessness of life, the pain of being alive...and the remaining hope for the future!

...

After lunch, Robben and I helped Violetta carry her luggage. CC stopped a taxi for her. Later, she would take this taxi to the airport and leave Suzhou, flying to Beijing, the city that holds her dreams.

Violetta took out a bank card from her purse, the same one Brittany gave me yesterday. She said to me, "There are still 150,000 yuan in this card, which can be used as the bar's working capital in the future."

"Mm," I nodded and took it.

The taxi driver was already urging us on, and Violetta looked at us before finally saying to me, "Lucas, don't worry. I will definitely pay back the one million owed, even if I have to die. I won't let you owe someone else a favor."

I frowned and said, 'What do you mean, 'even if I have to die'? We all have to live, and live beautifully...Don't put too much pressure on yourself about the money, okay?"

Violetta just looked at me, took the luggage from Robben and me, and walked towards the taxi.

Looking at her thin back, I felt an inexplicable feeling in my heart. In silence, I lit a cigarette for myself, and CC and Robben also lit a cigarette for themselves in tacit agreement. At that moment, I believed we were in the same mood. We saw the weight of being alive in her departing back, and were even more worried that her thin body would not be able to bear the weight!

I tilted my head back, closed my eyes, and heaved out the cigarette in my mouth... Could there really be a crystal clear city in this world?

If there is, please gently rest our weary souls!

...

When I opened my eyes again, the taxi was no longer in sight. Robben, CC and I stood in the same position in the sunshine, but we were enduring the cutting wind.

I said to the two of them, "It hasn't snowed this winter, has it?"

Robben nodded and looked into the distance to the north. After a long time, he said, "I heard that it has snowed in Beijing... Damn it, a snowstorm that has nothing to do with me has covered my wounds."

CC didn't quite understand Robben's sentiment, but I knew that the unintentional mention of "Beijing snow" had reminded him of the Beijing girl he could never forget.

I finally smiled and said to CC, who didn't understand, "Don't mind him, folk singers are all crazy and don't know what they're talking about. Let's go back and continue drinking."

I walked with CC towards the restaurant, but she kept looking back, while Robben, in CC's gaze, kept looking north... At that moment, even I didn't know what he was thinking.