Shen Ningruo wasn’t asleep. Qiu Yang’s breathing was right by her ear, so close yet so far. She lay with her eyes open, staring into the darkness, many scenes flashing before her eyes. Like a slideshow, she recalled every little moment spent with Qiu Yang. Finally, she rubbed her forehead, feeling quite annoyed.
A long time passed. Shen Ningruo checked the time; it was almost six.
Dawn was breaking.
She struggled for a long time, turned to look at the invisible Qiu Yang, thought for a bit more, then gently kissed Qiu Yang’s forehead. After that, she quietly lifted the covers and got out of bed.
This farewell was something she didn’t want to say. She had been conflicted about it last night and finally made a decision.
She wasn’t usually like this; she could face goodbyes calmly, even knowing some people would never be seen again.
But with Qiu Yang, this situation arose. While it made Shen Ningruo feel a bit uneasy, she had to follow her inner feelings and be a deserter for the first time.
She sent a message to Jin Yuan, then grabbed her suitcase, called a Didi, and headed to the airport.
She had added several people’s WeChat accounts in Xicheng, but conspicuously missing was Qiu Yang’s, the person she saw, kissed, hugged, and slept with every day. She scrolled through her WeChat list in the car for a long time, ultimately suppressing the urge to add Qiu Yang’s WeChat.
She wasn’t in a hurry; she also needed time to calm down.
It had only been a week. Was it really necessary to be so fixated on someone?
Holding onto this thought, Shen Ningruo looked out the car window at the rising sun.
It was accompanied by floating clouds, adding a touch of loneliness.
The scenery along the way was left behind. There were few cars on the street now, and the driver drove steadily and quickly. Shen Ningruo’s thoughts were pulled back by the driver’s “We’re here.”
She looked at the driver: “Thank you.”
The driver, a young man, waved his hand. He hadn’t expected such a big fare so early. He smiled at Shen Ningruo: “On vacation? Welcome back to Xicheng anytime.”
Shen Ningruo pursed her lips, didn’t answer, just smiled slightly, then opened the car door and stepped onto the ground.
The driver took her suitcase from the trunk and pushed it towards her: “Have a safe trip.”
“Thank you,” Shen Ningruo said the two words again, then her expression stiffened slightly, because Qiu Yang had said “thank you” to her several times.
It was still early, not many people had arrived at the airport, but cars were still stopping and leaving one after another.
Shen Ningruo pulled her suitcase and entered the station.
Would she come back to Xicheng?
She didn’t know.
Her newly bought ticket was for 9 AM. After getting off the plane, Shen Ningruo called Yao Yao: “I’ve landed.”
Before boarding, she had messaged Yao Yao about coming back early.
“I’m waiting for you in the parking lot,” Yao Yao used formal address but in a completely teasing tone. “Our Director Shen finally had sex at 28. Of course, I have to pick you up and see how radiant you look!”
Yao Yao was absolutely serious about work, but completely different in private.
Shen Ningruo had expected her to say this and showed no surprise. She dragged her suitcase and followed the crowd out.
The fluorescent green suitcase was particularly eye-catching. She lowered her gaze and looked at it a couple more times before smiling and replying to Yao Yao: “Certainly better complexion than you, who hasn’t been ‘moisturized’ in a month.”
Yao Yao almost choked: “I repeat, it’s only been a month.”
Shen Ningruo was perfunctory: “Uh-huh.”
They hung up after a few sentences. After exiting the station, Shen Ningruo raised her hand to check the time. It was almost eleven. She wondered if the tour group had arrived at the airport yet.
The tour group’s flight was at 1 PM. Shen Ningruo thought of this information, lowered her gaze, and walked calmly forward.
Yuncheng’s parking lot was large. Yao Yao gave her the location, and after walking for a while, she saw the flashy blue sports car and Yao Yao leaning against it.
Yao Yao was tall and slender, with neat, ear-length short hair.
The temperature in Yuncheng was still a bit low, but she didn’t care, coming out in a short skirt.
She had makeup on, looking quite charming, with a stronger mature woman vibe.
Seeing Shen Ningruo appear, Yao Yao straightened up, her smile instantly brightening: “Wow, Ruoruo, your complexion really is much better than mine, who’s practically dried up.”
Shen Ningruo gave her an eye roll: “Put the luggage in.”
“Why so much talk?”
“Alright, alright, I’m just a tool, aren’t I?” Yao Yao said this but honestly pulled Shen Ningruo’s suitcase towards the back of the car.
Shen Ningruo opened the passenger door first and got in. She adjusted the seat to a comfortable position before fastening her seatbelt.
Yao Yao got in shortly after, the car door making a sound as it closed.
Shen Ningruo hadn’t slept all night, and now sleepiness overwhelmed her like a blizzard. She closed her eyes.
Yao Yao glanced at her twice, kept quiet, and quietly drove the car out of the parking lot.
The airport was a bit far from the city center, about a forty-minute drive. Yao Yao got her driver’s license at eighteen, ten years ago, and was a good driver. Shen Ningruo didn’t wake up the whole way until the car stopped. Yao Yao shook her shoulder: “Ruoruo, you’re home.”
“Go home to sleep if you want to sleep.”
Shen Ningruo was in a daze for two seconds before saying “Okay.”
Got out of the car, entered the elevator.
In a few minutes, they were at Shen Ningruo’s apartment door. She entered the password and went in with her luggage.
Yao Yao happened to get a call at that moment. After finishing, she said to Shen Ningruo: “Ruoruo, you rest well first. Shall we have dinner together tonight?”
“Okay.” Shen Ningruo turned and nodded at her, looking understanding. “Another gathering?”
Yao Yao ran a hand through her short hair, raising an eyebrow: “Just met a really hot young guy. My friend told me he’s at the bar now, I have to go check him out.”
“Then be careful.”
“Hope he’s not impotent again.”
Yao Yao saluted: “Wishing me luck, are you?”
Saying that, she closed the door.
Shen Ningruo’s smile dropped. She suddenly felt very tired. She didn’t even bother unpacking and went back to the bedroom.
But when she stood in front of the bedroom mirror, she was startled.
She wasn’t young anymore; staying up all night showed directly on her face. For Yao Yao to praise her complexion like that was simply talking nonsense.
She had very obvious dark circles under her eyes.
So, the dark circles she helped Qiu Yang improve had all transferred to herself.
The moment this thought popped up, Shen Ningruo’s expression stiffened again, and she slowly forced the corners of her mouth down.
Can’t keep thinking about Qiu Yang.
Had she become dependent on Qiu Yang?
Shen Ningruo had no experience with this; she didn’t know and didn’t want to know.
She only knew that after returning to Yuncheng, she should get back on track.
She changed into pajamas, pulled up the covers, and fell into a deep sleep, but even in sleep, she couldn’t escape Qiu Yang.
She dreamt that Qiu Yang invited her to admire the moon, their clothes were taken off one by one, and their bodies were intertwined, indistinguishable.
The scene wasn’t blurry at all; on the contrary, it was very clear, like that night happening again, only this time she was the one lying there.
When Shen Ningruo woke up, her body had a strong reaction. She was in a daze for a while before getting up to shower.
Qiu Yang had no other thoughts about Shen Ningruo leaving early. She thought it was fine this way; given their relationship, a formal farewell wasn’t suitable anyway.
No farewell meant a perfect ending.
They wouldn’t have any more contact in the future. She would bury this romantic encounter in the wine and wind of Xicheng.
Her focus should also shift back to work.
After a week of adjustment, her state had recovered significantly; she wasn’t as absent-minded as she was right after the breakup.
Before boarding, Qiu Yang received a WeChat message from Qu Jie, the project team leader: 【Yangyang, how are you doing now?】
【Very good, Qu Jie.】 Qiu Yang knew she was asking about her state.
【Okay, we’ll sign the contract with Qiyao on Tuesday. Their director wasn’t around before but is finally back after finishing up.】
【I heard this director is tough to deal with, let’s all be careful then.】
Qiu Yang’s eyelid twitched abruptly. She typed: 【Okay, got it.】
Qu Jie sent another message: 【Oh, right, Yangyang, your ex came to the company entrance before and waited for me, asking about your whereabouts. I didn’t tell her.】
Qiu Yang stared at this message, her expression freezing.
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