Misery loves company

  Chen Sang's ID card shows her birthday as February 6, but she was actually born on January 20. Chen Sang's mother did not give birth to her in a regular hospital, as Shenzhen was not as developed back then and many people had their babies delivered at home with the help of midwives.

  Chen Sang didn't get her household registration until much later, and her mother couldn't even remember when Chen Sang was born, so she just randomly filled in a date. Chen Sang's mother never celebrated her birthday either. When she grew older and saw other kids celebrating their birthdays, she asked her mother about it. She still remembers what her mother said at the time: "You're just a mixed breed, why bother celebrating your birthday?"

  Chen Sang knew that his birthday was due to Ah Guang's reason, Ah Guang and Chen Sang were born on the same day, the difference is that Ah Guang is two years older than Chen Sang, isn't it a coincidence?

  Chen Sang didn't have anyone to celebrate her birthday with when she was a kid, and now every time it's her birthday, she likes to invite a big crowd of people to help her celebrate, making it lively and noisy. This time, she had a birthday party at a five-star restaurant.

  There were all sorts of people, including Chen Sang's usual big boss, sisters, and the nightclub owner. Even Wen Xin came, it seems he is quite giving Chen Sang face!

  Lin Yuhuan came with Wen Xin, we sat together at a table, I and he saw each other smiled, but didn't say anything, let alone chat enthusiastically. He looked that way to attract women's attention, many sisters ran over to talk to him, actually the ladies also like handsome guys.

  I suddenly thought of Keke. If she were here, she would definitely tell me to take care of Lin Yuhang. I wonder how she's doing now. Hopefully, she's doing well!

  Wen Xin is just a second-generation rich kid, and all the bosses at the dinner table are trying to curry favor with him. To be honest, I look down on Wen Xin, but in my heart, I also understand that someone like Wen Xin probably isn't just relying on his second-generation rich kid title, otherwise Chen Sang wouldn't be following him either.

  There were too many people in the private room, it was a bit chaotic. After everyone finished eating, some men and women lit up cigarettes, chatting while smoking. The smell of smoke in the room made me feel uncomfortable. I drank too much wine, my laryngitis became very severe, my throat was dry and hoarse. Drinking several cups of water didn't help, I regretted forgetting to bring my medicine.

  When Old Chang cut the cake, I left the house. The smell there was unbearable for me. Outside the private room, there is a long corridor. I walked along the corridor to the outdoor balcony. On the balcony, some roses were planted. In January, there are still blooming roses, this is indeed a masterpiece of human beings!

  I stand at the edge of the balcony, taking in this city. I've been here for three years and have never really appreciated it before. In my heart, I'm just a guest in this city, no matter how long I stay, I know I'll always be leaving.

  I recall the scene when I first arrived in this city, just getting off the train station. My initial impression was that there were a lot of people, densely packed crowds everywhere. I didn't have much time to continue observing as my middle school classmate came to pick me up, her hands grasping my wrists, with a very sturdy-looking man standing beside her.

  They took away the money and ID on me, brought me to a very remote place, locked in a small house, but there were seven or eight people living inside. Early in the morning we were woken up to attend classes, those people preached to me about the country's macro-control, future development prospects, we are the pioneers, we will definitely become rich and powerful, but what we ate was plain porridge with pickled radish.

  At that time, my impression of Shenzhen was very bad, and the only thought in my mind was to go home. When I came out of the pyramid scheme den, I wanted to call my dad, but then I thought, forget it, I'll just marry the stupid son of the town mayor as my stepmother wants me to! Anyway, the town mayor's family has a house and a car, and we don't have to eat plain porridge and pickled radish every day.

  But then my dad's words on the phone were like a basin of cold water poured over me, and I was thoroughly chilled. I wandered around for three days, sleeping at night under the Tianqiao Bridge, where the city management wasn't as strict back then. There were also many homeless people and migrant workers who couldn't find jobs under the bridge, and I didn't dare fall asleep.

  Later I met Chen Sang, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have today, so I am grateful to Chen Sang. Even though she brought me into the circle, if Chen Sang hadn't appeared, I might be living a more terrible life than a hostess in some corner of the city.

  I rarely think about the past. I'm a coward, always intentionally avoiding those memories that bring pain, but sometimes I just can't help myself.

  I stayed on the balcony for a while, then headed back. I met Lin Yuhuan in the corridor who was coming back from the bathroom. The package room is clearly the bathroom, but I don't know why he ran outside.

  I don't know where he heard the news from, but he asked me when I was leaving. I told him that I had booked a flight for the day after tomorrow. He laughed and said, "What do you plan to do when you get back?"

  I've heard this sentence many times, but I understand that Lin Yuhang is coming from a place of concern. I told him that I bought a house in the city and rented a store to do business. Originally, I was planning to return to the county town, but after thinking about it, I decided it's better to stay in the city. Many relatives at home have gone to work in the county town, and I don't want to run into those people.

  I politely asked Lin Yuhang, "What about you?" He told me that after a while, he would be going north, and said that an entertainment company had taken a liking to him, so he might end up staying there. If someone else were to tell me they wanted to become a singer, I'd look down on them. Nowadays, everyone's rushing to learn music and sing. Those contestants on singing shows make my skin crawl, especially those "Super Boys" or whatever - most of the singers just say they like singing, but really they're just in it for fame and fortune, putting on a pretentious act. Their songs are soulless, and that so-called "whale sound" or high-pitched stuff is all just hype.

  Especially those who get on stage and tell others that their family is having a hard time, I just want to go up and smash them. Your family's problems are nothing but a joke, and you're using it to gain sympathy and make people cry. Are you here to sing or give a speech? If your family really didn't have money, where did they get the money to send you to music school? Unless there's some wealth at home, how many ordinary families can afford to send their kids to study music?

  But I know that Lin Yuhang loves singing very much, his love is like a possession, singing is almost his whole life, and he also hopes to be recognized by others, appreciated by others.

  I think that's why he followed Wen Xin, although Wen Xin is a bit of an idiot, but he has power and ability, so he can be arrogant, so he can be awesome.

  I jokingly told him that when he becomes famous one day, I'll ask for his autograph, and don't forget about me! Lin Yuhuan smiled and responded to my joke, or else I'll give you an autograph first. I didn't expect Lin Yuhuan to also make jokes, so I was stunned for a moment before reacting, shaking my head and saying that signing now wouldn't be valuable, I'd rather wait until later!

  We've all been away for too long, so let's head to the private room together. Lin Yuhang was still chatting and laughing with me, but he suddenly stopped in his tracks, looking a bit off, I asked him what was wrong, he shook his head.

  Following his gaze, I saw a woman wearing a restaurant uniform walking over. I looked up at Lin Yuhang again, if I still couldn't figure out what was going on, then I would be a real fool.

  The woman also noticed me and Lin Yuhuan, she was stunned for a moment, then walked towards us. She called out Lin Yuhuan's name, her tone was quite urgent, asking where he had gone, not having seen him in years.

  Lin Yuhuan said he was in Shenzhen, but didn't go anywhere. The woman asked Lin Yuhuan why he didn't contact her, she had been looking for him for a long time. The woman asked many questions, but Lin Yuhuan didn't answer again.

  Later, the woman seemed to feel that she had made a fool of herself and shut up, turning her gaze to me. I actually saw mist in her eyes. I smiled politely at her, and she looked at me and asked "Who are you?"

  I knew what she wanted to say, but I knew she couldn't ask it out loud. Lin Yuhang told her particularly heartlessly that I was his girlfriend. I thought it was really ridiculous, the scene was just like a TV drama, and I was playing the role of the hateful female supporting character.

  The woman left, walking away with quick and nervous steps. Lin Yuhang leaned against the wall and asked me if I thought it was really funny?

  I looked up and saw him laugh at himself, but for a moment I felt it wasn't funny at all.

  He told me that the girl's name was Huang Ziqing, the daughter of the restaurant's major shareholder. Lin Yuhang said to me, do you understand a feeling? You've finally saved up 200 yuan to buy someone a birthday gift, but then you hear her telling you on the phone that her dad brought back a Barbie doll from America, and it cost tens of thousands.

  He shook his head and said you won't understand because you're not a man.

  Yes, I couldn't understand or feel Lin Yuhuan's helplessness. Lin Yuhuan walked towards the private room, and I followed behind him. I knew clearly that Lin Yuhuan didn't like me, he had no romantic feelings for me, even if I stood naked in front of him, he wouldn't be interested in me. He just had some sympathy for me because we shared a similar fate, but I knew he had someone else in his heart, which made me feel somewhat uncomfortable.

  It's like when a man is nice to you, but one day you find out he's even nicer to another girl. Whether it's jealousy or resentment, you'll definitely feel unnatural.

  As soon as I walked into the private room, my face was ambushed by someone. I almost couldn't recognize Chen Sang, except for her two eyes, her entire face was covered in cake and cream. She laughed exaggeratedly, making a pleasant sound.

  I wiped the cake off my face, reached out and grabbed her collar, and slipped my hand into her chest for a squeeze. She struggled but couldn't escape my grasp. As she walked, I chased after her.

  Wen Xin got drunk, he shouted Lin Yuhuan's name, Lin Yuhuan walked to his side, Wen Xin raised his index finger and pointed at Lin Yuhuan's forehead, he cursed loudly, asking where Lin Yuhuan had rolled off to.

  There were still many people in the private room, but Wen Xin didn't give Lin Yuhang any face at all.