chapter 3

I work in Human Resources at my Work Unit.

When it comes to observing people and relationships, I am relatively more experienced and perceptive than others.

For example, I could tell at a glance.

Xu Sen’s unusual behavior today was all about giving that bowl of soup to Shen Rou.

Why would Xu Sen suddenly care so much about Shen Rou?

I couldn’t help but recall two months ago.

Cheng Hu’s father passed away, and Xu Sen, being a fellow townsman, went back to pay his respects and also visited his Parents-in-law.

He was gone for five days, traveling together with Cheng Hu and his wife.

Could something have happened during that time?

The sensitivity required by my job has made me cautious about jumping to conclusions.

After all, objectively speaking, Xu Sen has always treated me well.

We met by the artificial lake at university.

He was always the earliest to arrive for morning reading.

I was the second.

We are extremely similar.

Both from small towns, both from poor families.

Three generations supporting one shining example for the family name.

All these years, the pressure and the honor have focused on us, running all the way without daring to slack off for a moment.

It felt as if I had finally found a companion.

As if, while trudging alone in the unseen depths of the sea, I discovered I wasn’t alone after all.

I think, to him, I am just as meaningful…

As for what happened at the lunch table today,

I didn’t mention a word.

At night, he held me, his desire barely contained.

“Qing Qing, can’t we yet?”

“Mm, it hasn’t been three months. Let’s wait a bit longer.”

He panted heavily, got out of bed, and said helplessly, “I’ll go take a cold shower.”

Half-asleep, I was woken by him.

He was frowning.

“Cheng Hu is drunk and going crazy again, smashing things all over the house. I’m going to check on him.”

“Who called you?” I asked.

“…His wife. She and the child were both crying on the phone. It sounded serious.”

I glanced at my phone. It was past eleven.

“It’s too late, don’t go. If it’s really serious, she can call the police. Besides, it’s their family business, you’re not related-”

“Guan Qing!”

Xu Sen suddenly interrupted me sharply.

I was startled by his shout.

His face was full of impatience, and there was a hint of unfamiliar sarcasm in his eyes.

“When did you become so selfish? Now that your life is good, you just watch your own kind suffer? You know Shen Rou’s personality-she wouldn’t ask me for help unless she had no choice. Guan Qing, don’t you feel ashamed saying such cold words to a friend?”

I stared at him in astonishment.

As if I didn’t know him at all.

It’s been a long time since I argued with anyone.

Whether colleagues, family, or Xu Sen.

Long ago, I realized that arguing doesn’t solve problems; it only turns dialogue into a clash of emotions as reason slips away.

Even if you argue, it’s just a means, not an end.

Anger harms the body.

And it’s your own body that gets hurt.

At this moment, I closed my eyes for a moment and calmly asked him:

“The life I have now is the result of my own hard work. Why should I feel ashamed because of someone else’s misfortune?”

Xu Sen stood at the bedside, looking at me coldly.

“I really am going tonight.”

I don’t know when Xu Sen came back that night.

When I left for work, his shoes were lying at the door.

The small bedroom door was tightly shut.

That day, I had an organizational review meeting.

It was important.

I couldn’t let him affect my emotions at all.