Seven

  The next day at noon, she originally wanted to hide in the bathroom to call her mother, but after thinking about it, she didn't know what to say and was afraid that as soon as she opened her mouth, she would cry and worry her mother for nothing. As she hesitated, her phone beeped with an incoming message from Liu Qing: I'm at Mingdian Coffee on the ground floor of the company building, waiting for you.

  She was a bit resentful that Liu Qing didn't chase after her yesterday to see her make a fool of herself, and instead just stood there laughing. At first she didn't want to pay attention to him, but then she let out a sigh and her heart softened, so she went down.

  Compared with her dull gray outfit, Liu Qing looked exceptionally bright. She had already ordered a cup of pearl milk tea for her and was sure she would come down. Looking at the tea in front of her, she pouted.

  "Frost, take a look at us two, who lost their job after all? Why are you looking so worried?" She said indignantly: "You still say that quitting the job is such a big deal, my good friend actually found out last, it's meaningless, meaningless."

  "The pervert always makes a move on me, I'm really disgusted. The pervert is the director of the marketing department and she has also bumped into his wandering hands several times on Liu Qing's body. "I've had enough of this job that requires flirting, I want to change my environment. Before, I was hesitant, but later Ai Qing encouraged me to quit and offered to help me start a travel agency, which is just right for the connections I've made in marketing over the past few years."

  These words made her both surprised and delighted, sweeping away her worries for her friend: "It seems that losing your job is a good thing for you." If someone else had said this, Liu Qing would have thought they were being insincere, but since it came from Ru Shuang's mouth, she knew it was genuine.

  A friend's future reflects the current darkness. In this city, Liu Qing has family around and people who care about him, but he seems to have nothing. Why should he insist on staying? Why? Liu Qing seemed to remember something and said: "Right, last night..."

  "She immediately interrupted Liu Qing: 'Don't mention yesterday's matter anymore.'"

  "It's not necessary to mention, but are you still living with that graduate student in a dormitory, taking the crowded bus to work every day, sweating all over? "Looking at her silence, Liu Qing continued: "Ye Can Ran told me yesterday about your co-renting his grandmother's house. He is my high school and college classmate. I won't say anything else, but you two are renting together, he wouldn't dare to be rude to you. Moreover, he sings in the band at night, and during the day when you're working, you can't see him, so you won't meet often." She still didn't speak, staring at her wrist where there was no longer any mark of a boy's hand having held it.

  Liu Qing let out a soft sigh and said: "He also said that if you don't like him, then don't live there, the rent won't change."

  She glanced at the time on her phone, stood up and sat down again, saying to Liu Qing: "He doesn't have to go out, I'm willing to rent together."

  Liu Qing seemed to have not heard, put down the coffee cup in his hand, stared at the sunlight outside the window, and said dazedly: "Actually, I've never told you that Ai Qing is a married man. I've never told you because I know you won't accept this kind of love affair. It's been five years, and even my family members don't know there's such a person."

  A sour feeling rose in her heart for a moment and she didn't know what to say. She grasped Liu Qing's hand, which was cool with its red-painted fingernails.

  "Go ahead, silly kid. I have to go too. There are many things to take care of at the travel agency's renovation side. Wait until I'm done and I'll invite you to play again." She nodded heavily.

  As she walked to the door, Liu Qing called out from behind her: "Ye Can Ran will be here at 6:10 this afternoon to sign the contract with you."

  Did they know she would definitely agree again?