CH 13

Chapter 13: Serenade of Black

When the two friends went out and saw the snow hugging the trees and fields, kissing them gently and covering them up in a snug, in that white quilt, Mo Lixin and Xu Qingman rubbed their hands as if creating friction to warm their bodies.

At the same time, Ji Nanfeng was out looking for Mo Lixin. God knows how anxious and worried he was. She answered the phone, went out, and never came back.

It was dark outside, the stars decorating the night skies. Many stalls stood on the side of the road. Smelling the aroma of watery food, the two friends found a place to rest.

“Sit down. I’ll go and get us food!” Mo Lixin said.

Meanwhile, Ji Nanfeng drove through the blaze of the night in the serenade of black. The stars aligned in a set of choirs singing in infinite patterns to guide his way to her, his sweet home. She hadn’t answered her phone since she left. It worried him so, heart clenched worried deathly for her sake.

In the barbecue stall, the boss served a variety of kebab: pork, beef, chicken… They were a popular variety, handing the customers one after and another their ordered kebab.

Though there stood a many people in the waiting line, the boss maintained a fast, steady pace. In a few minutes time, the ordered food would be ready for serving.

“Hey, you,” The Boss said to the puerile, innocent-looking woman, “Would you like something to drink?”

“Just milk, please!”

“Gimme a beer!”

Two voices rang at the same time, one Mo Lixin and the other Xu Qingman.

“Lixin, I want to drink my heart out today. Just accompany me.” Xu Qingman smiled faintly and pointed a finger towards Mo Lixin.

Mo Lixin sighed, unable to bear seeing her friend in this sorry state, but she compromised. For the sake of her friend’s happiness, she would compromise.

“Fine, fine, but you haven’t eaten anything today! Drink some hot milk first.”

“Alright!” Xu Qingman smiled, feeling slightly better.

After eating for more than an hour, Xu Qingman leaned back in her chair and began downing a glass of beer.

“Man Man, you should’ve told me when you were in trouble right away!” Mo Lixin said worriedly.

Xu Qingman smiled faintly. “I didn’t want to get in touch with you… I know… Blame me, blame, but I thought you’d also abandon me!”

Mo Lixin suddenly remembered the figure of Ji Nanfeng’s face in her mind. He’d only been discharged from the medical hospital. Surely, he’s wondering where she was this late in the night, or maybe not. She turned on her phone just in case while feeling a sense of guilt overcome her.

“Then, this meal will be a compensation for not telling me! I’m all yours today. Say whatever you want to say, I will listen!”

As expected, Mo Lixin listened to Xu Qingman’s incoherent ramblings as she drank her beer. She’s not a drinker. She’d get drunk easily. Well, forget it, today she’ll accompany her for tonight.

Xu Qingman continued downing the beer. Soon, they stood up from their table and walked around quietly enjoying the night stars and the scenery. Xu Qingman continued speaking nonsense while her legs wobbled every now and then.

Two beautiful women walked around side by side, one silent and the other crying a river of rain.

“Lixin… Do you remember what I said before? I promised father and mother that I’d make a lot of money, purchase a big house, and have them live well with lavish meals. Did you know, that at that time, they were happy and content.” Xu Qingman sat under the orange street lamp with a half–closed eyes.

“Yes, you’ll make a lot of money and buy a big house!”

Unbeknownst to her, Ji Nanfeng stood from afar watching her with a pained look.

It’s good that you’re alright.

“But… They’re no longer here… . I worked really hard but I couldn’t change anything. On the contrary, things are more difficult than I’ve ever imagined. There’s a saying that the good men and women receive their rewards, but where is mine?”

“Hey, hey, why are you talking like that? Let’s forget about this.” Mo Lixin said exasperatedly.

“I believed such thoughts before, but…” Xu Qingman lingered before continuing, “As long as I haven’t changed as the person I admire, then there’s no loss.” She’s not sure what she said, only that her brain was in flurry of mess due to her state of drunkenness.