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 . G.o.d 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 gla.s.s 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 .