Chapter Twenty-One: Inviting the Wolf into the House

Xiaoxiao warned herself inwardly not to fall for the trap. As long as she didn’t care, Lin Shuo would be powerless against her. Yet she couldn’t help but feel the flames of anger flicker within, threatening to surge beyond control.

Hua Mei tugged at her sleeve, subtly shaking her head in warning, but Xiaoxiao ignored her. With feigned casualness, she said to Miss Shuo, “If you ever find yourself confused about relationships, you can come ask me.”

“What Xiaoxiao means is, she’s quite experienced when it comes to matchmaking and blind dates,” Hua Mei explained, her words laced with sarcasm. She then whispered admiringly, “You’re ruthless.” Xiaoxiao’s meaning was clear: a relationship between Miss Shuo and Lin Shuo could never last. Rather than indulge in unrealistic fantasies, it would be better to see the truth early and preserve one’s own worth.

A few more drinks left her dazed. She groped her way to the restroom, and when she returned, everyone had vanished. Only a few servers remained, clearing the aftermath. The supervisor handed her purse back to her with polite efficiency. With her mask shed, her steps felt lighter.

Knowing she’d be drinking tonight, she had already decided to take a cab home. Standing by the roadside, she felt the sharp contrast between day and night in Kunming—the evenings always carried a cool breeze, no matter how scorching the sun had been. The chill wind sobered her a little. A car idling nearby rolled down its window. She rubbed her eyes, thinking she was mistaken.

Lin Shuo opened the car door, his face impassive as he commanded, “Get in.”

She peered inside. Aside from the driver and Lin Shuo in the back seat, the car was empty—Miss Shuo had clearly been dismissed. Lin Shuo spoke again, “I suddenly want to discuss the sponsorship.”

Realizing she had no leverage in this situation, she got into the car obediently, sitting as close to the door as possible to keep her distance. The driver drove smoothly, but her head spun—she couldn’t tell whether it was the alcohol or motion sickness. She reached for the documents, but Lin Shuo stopped her. “Look at them later.” But “later” stretched on, and before she knew it, they had arrived at her place.

When the car finally stopped, she seized the chance to grab the documents. Lin Shuo got out on the other side without a word, and she followed, clutching her things. Lin Shuo was standing with his head tilted back, gazing at the building before them—a dilapidated two-story house. The downstairs room was still lively with people drinking and playing mahjong. An outdoor staircase led directly to the second floor, and under the eaves, a yellowed light bulb flickered erratically, its steady rhythm betraying years of neglect.

“Don’t you think you should find a brighter place?” he asked.

“We could go to the café at the end of the alley,” she offered.

Lin Shuo remained where he was. The driver switched off the engine. Xiaoxiao realized he had no intention of leaving. He said coolly, “I don’t have that much time. What I mean is… let’s go to your place.”

The iron staircase felt precarious beneath their feet, each step groaning under their weight as they climbed, one after the other. Xiaoxiao gripped the railing, her head still swimming, afraid she might fall. Once inside, she reached for the light switch, but as soon as it flickered on, Lin Shuo turned it off again. Darkness enveloped them once more. Her eyes widened, straining to adjust. By the moonlight, she finally made out Lin Shuo’s face—his eyes burned not just with anger, but with a longing too raw to name, a wild, consuming flame that seared her nerves.

When Loneliness Strikes, Don’t Speak of Love
Chapter Twenty-One: Inviting the Wolf Into the House
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