Lu Zhengsi was momentarily stunned by Tu Li's question. He had been playing badminton on the court with Miao Jing beside him when he excused himself to take the call. Over the phone, Tu Li hinted at something ambiguous between Chen Yi and Miao Jing, though she didn’t explicitly mention the incident of wearing Miao Jing’s dress to seduce Chen Yi. She only remarked that the two seemed to exchange meaningful glances, asking Lu Zhengsi if he had noticed anything unusual about his girlfriend.
But when it came to those suggestive looks, there was no concrete evidence to grasp. Lu Zhengsi truthfully replied that Miao Jing had moved back to the company dormitory, and since they lived in the same building and came and went together, he hadn’t seen Chen Yi around lately, nor had he noticed Miao Jing contacting him. As for the past, aside from Miao Jing’s puzzling indifference toward Chen Yi—to the point of knowing nothing about him—there were no other clues to be found.
Unable to find any proof from Lu Zhengsi, Tu Li hung up unhappily. She had considered confronting Miao Jing directly and having it out with her, but what reason could she use? Aside from Chen Yi’s behavior, she had no solid evidence against the two. Moreover, Miao Jing had moved back to the dormitory and wasn’t with Chen Yi, which defied all logic and human nature.
After ending the call, Lu Zhengsi held his phone and pondered silently for a long time. Tu Li didn’t know that his title as "boyfriend" was merely nominal, nor had she thought to ask why, on that rainy day, he had entered Miao Jing’s room only to leave later.
"What’s wrong?" Miao Jing noticed his delayed return and his somber expression. "Are you okay?"
"Tu Li just called," Lu Zhengsi said, carefully studying her reaction as he rubbed the tip of his nose. "She said Chen Yi broke up with her and asked if I knew about it. I said I didn’t."
He tentatively added, "It seems it happened a few days ago. Did you know, Engineer Miao?"
"Is that so?" Miao Jing, holding a badminton racket, remained utterly composed, as if she had merely heard a piece of trivial gossip. Not a ripple of emotion crossed her face, and her tone was sincere and gentle. "I didn’t know either. Chen Yi never mentioned it to me, and Tu Li hasn’t contacted me."
They continued playing and chatting with colleagues as usual, not returning until the lights went out in the evening. Miao Jing’s words and actions were calm and steady, showing no signs of distraction or abnormality. Everyone even made plans to have hot pot together the next day, their day off, and Miao Jing nodded in agreement. Lu Zhengsi parted ways with her at the dormitory entrance, watching her graceful figure ascend the stairs.
He simply couldn’t figure her out.
And it was this very elusiveness that fueled his curiosity.
Miao Jing had stayed at the company for nearly a month without returning home. She had only packed some seasonal clothes and daily necessities, leaving behind off-season items and larger belongings at home. Due to overtime work and various activities, she never found the time to retrieve them.
Naturally, she hadn’t contacted Chen Yi either—not a single call or message.
Since she didn’t reach out, Chen Yi was more than happy to enjoy his carefree life. Without Tu Li around, he felt even more relaxed and cheerful, spending his days in pool halls and indulging in food, drinks, and entertainment. He would return home late at night to shower and sleep, reveling in his complete freedom.
When Miao Jing finally called, it was during a late autumn cold snap. Although Tengcheng wasn’t excessively cold, the nights carried a slight chill, and rain was falling. Miao Jing asked if Chen Yi could bring her the silk comforter from her closet along with a few other items. She didn’t have her house keys and was too tied up to go back that day.
Her voice on the phone was soft, cool, and carried a faint hint of nasality.Chen Yi chewed gum, his voice muffled and casual: "I'm busy during the day. If you can wait until evening, I'll find time to come back."
"Thank you." Miao Jing adopted a professional politeness. "Then I'll trouble you. Please call me when you arrive at the gate."
Chen Yi gnawed on his gum, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot.
It wasn't until eight in the evening that Chen Yi lazily showed up. Miao Jing waited by the roadside in the industrial park, holding a black umbrella. She wore a white knitted top and a pale green long skirt, revealing a slender, porcelain-white neck and ankles that were almost blindingly pale. Over it, she had a long, thin knitted coat, its hem fluttering beyond the umbrella in the night breeze, catching raindrops—light yet weighted, silently billowing. She looked like a pure, serene evening primrose, glowing faintly and blooming soundlessly in the obscure, rainy night.
A black Cadillac pulled over by the curb, and the window rolled down. She met Chen Yi's dark, cold, and indifferent eyes.
"You're here." Miao Jing nodded. "Thank you."
Chen Yi's expression was numb and icy. "Your stuff is in the trunk."
He stepped out of the car, still dressed in rugged, somber attire—ankle boots and a long trench coat, its hem whipping in the wind. His features were sharp and fierce, handsome yet intimidating, as he strode ahead in the rain.
Miao Jing moved her umbrella over, and the two walked to the back of the car. She held the umbrella high above his head. Water droplets splashed from the raised trunk lid, landing on his forehead. A glistening drop quivered before slowly trickling down between his brows.
Just goes to show men are unreliable. Chen Yi had brought a small box and swept everything from her desk into it, but he'd forgotten several items.
"You also left the hairdryer and that box of power cords, plus a thermos. Did you forget?" Miao Jing tucked her damp hair behind her ear and bent to rummage through the box. "Not this blanket—the size isn't right."
He crossed his arms impatiently, adopting a haughty attitude. "Take it or leave it. Or go back and get it yourself?"
Miao Jing frowned and shot him a glance. "Then... I'll go back once."
Chen Yi let out a dismissive snort, pressed a button, and the trunk slammed shut with a thud. "Suit yourself."
They got into the car. Miao Jing placed the closed umbrella at her feet. The engine started, and the wipers swept away the fine streams of rain. The night was dark and obscure, the streetlights dim and blurred. The car moved very, very slowly. Neither spoke, the atmosphere inside quiet and heavy, filled only with the sound of the engine.
Chen Yi cracked the window open a slit and lit a cigarette while driving. The car filled with the smell of tobacco. Miao Jing bit her lower lip, her brow deeply furrowed, but she held her tongue until she could bear it no longer.
"Smoking while driving impairs safety. It's a two-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine. If an accident happens, it's one thing if you get hurt, but harming others would be downright criminal."
"Others? There's not a soul on this godforsaken road." He flicked his ash leisurely. "You mean yourself?"
"I'm afraid of being poisoned by secondhand smoke." Miao Jing replied calmly. "You can die however you want—no one would care. But don't drag others down with you. No one wants to join you."
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