I’m Here

“So, none of them are good enough?” Lin Wanzhao tapped her phone against her chest, her eyes darting as she looked at Yu Qingkong with a trace of playful interest.

Yu Qingkong continued to mangle her plastic water bottle, nodding firmly. “That’s just how I see it.”

“Then what kind of person do you think fits me?” Lin Wanzhao let out a soft laugh, glancing over at the other two sitting nearby. “Someone like Ting-jie? Or like Xiaoxiao?”

Yu Qingkong followed her gaze toward the two “idiots” who were currently hunched over their phones, gossiping and laughing loud enough to shake the heavens. She didn’t say a word.

“Sigh…” Lin Wanzhao pulled her gaze back, fixing it intently on Yu Qingkong. Her brow arched. “Don’t tell me… someone like you?”

Yu Qingkong’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up, her grip on the water bottle so tight it twisted into a spiral. “CEO Lin must be joking. How could that be possible?”

“Well, even if you don’t talk much when we’re not close, you’re not boring at heart. You’re good-looking, you don’t mess around but you know how to have fun, you aren’t lifeless, you can cook, you don’t smoke or drink heavily, and you’re actually quite good at taking care of people…”

“Someone like me… isn’t a match,” Yu Qingkong lowered her head. “Please stop teasing me, CEO Lin.”

“Why?” Lin Wanzhao frowned slightly. “Aren’t you quite excellent?”

“I have a fair amount of self-awareness. CEO Lin is a phoenix in the sky; I’m just a sparrow on the ground…”

“Since 2001, sparrows have been a protected species in this country,” Lin Wanzhao countered flatly.

“CEO Lin, really, stop joking. I’m not even as good as those three women you mentioned earlier.” Yu Qingkong looked down at her phone. At the very least, those three had impressive careers, and since they were introduced by Lin’s friends, their family backgrounds were likely miles ahead of her own.

“A joke? Fine, I’ll stop,” Lin Wanzhao muttered, scrolling through her phone. “Since that’s the case, I might as well go meet those three.”

Hearing this, Yu Qingkong couldn’t quite identify the emotion swirling in her chest.

“If CEO Lin really wants to date, then go ahead. Just… stay safe,” Yu Qingkong finally said, looking off into the distance.

Lin Wanzhao froze. Her whole body went stiff. She wanted to say something, but in the end, she just nodded. She began typing a message even as she spoke: “I’ll arrange it right now.”

“Sure. If you want to go, go. Don’t ask me anymore. An outsider can only give suggestions; the decision should be yours. I wish you luck. I’m going to ask Ting-jie what’s for lunch.” With that, Yu Qingkong turned and walked away.

Watching her back, Lin Wanzhao had a sudden urge to hurl her phone into the center of the earth. Why was she hanging herself on this one tree named Yu Qingkong? Why was she bothering to throw herself at someone who didn’t want her?

All she thinks about is eating!

After walking a few paces, Yu Qingkong tossed the mangled bottle into a nearby trash can. She felt herself becoming increasingly awkward and strange lately. It was one thing to be unable to control her thoughts, but now she felt like her brain had been boiled alive.

**************************************

At noon, the four of them sat in a farmhouse restaurant at the summit. They ordered several dishes—meat and vegetables alike—and chatted as they ate.

Yu Qingkong took a few bites before putting down her chopsticks. “Are we heading down after this?”

“Up to you guys. I don’t mind; I’ve got nothing on today,” Lu Xiaoxiao shrugged after a sip of tea. “Want to go to KTV?”

“Can’t. I have to inspect a batch of goods tonight,” Liu Ting shook her head.

“I can’t either. A friend set me up on a date, and I plan to check it out,” Lin Wanzhao said.

“A date?!” Liu Ting and Lu Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened in unison.

Yu Qingkong, who was mid-sip, froze.

“Yes. So I need to get back early. I need to change and get dressed up,” Lin Wanzhao nodded.

“What time?” Lu Xiaoxiao asked.

“6:30 PM. We’re going to that Red Lantern Hotpot place…” Lin Wanzhao tilted her head, her tone casual. “Since it’s hotpot, I should probably wear dark colors, right?”

“Right…” Lu Xiaoxiao nodded, her brain momentarily stalling. She turned to look at Yu Qingkong, who was silently and incessantly ladling soup into her bowl. “Qingkong, stop! Your bowl is overflowing! Are you trying to flood the temple?”

Yu Qingkong snapped out of it and set the spoon down.

“What’s wrong with you? Suddenly so absent-minded,” Liu Ting glanced at her.

Lin Wanzhao’s eyes flickered toward Yu Qingkong. Absent-minded? Is she like this because of me?

“I just wasn’t paying attention,” Yu Qingkong said, casually picking up a piece of twice-cooked pork and putting it in her mouth.

She chewed twice before her brow furrowed. She leaned over and spat the meat into the trash.

“So weird. Qingkong, don’t you refuse to eat even a speck of fat? Why did you even pick it up?” Liu Ting asked, popping a piece into her own mouth.

“I misidentified it,” Yu Qingkong replied, reaching for her water.

“How do you misidentify that? Are you that distracted?”

Yu Qingkong looked up sharply. “I’m not. I was just lost in thought. My sister said she misses me and wants to visit during the holidays, so I was thinking about where to take her.”

Liu Ting looked skeptical. “Is that so?”

“Yeah. I was thinking of just taking her to an amusement park. Or, if you guys have any better ideas, let me know.”

“Doesn’t Qingyu like games? You two could…” Liu Ting started.

“I’ll figure it out myself.”

Lin Wanzhao looked away, gloomily eating a piece of wild greens. So, after all that, she was just thinking about her sister. She didn’t care at all about what Lin was doing or who she was meeting. The meal suddenly lost all flavor.

******************************************

After lunch, they returned to the foot of the mountain to head home. Sitting in Yu Qingkong’s car, Lin Wanzhao felt a bit wilted, staring down at her phone in silence.

Yu Qingkong buckled her seatbelt and glanced at her, clearing her throat. “Should I take you straight home?”

“Yeah,” Lin Wanzhao smoothed her hair, her silver earrings swaying. “I can’t go out looking like this, can I? Otherwise, I’ll be disqualified instantly.”

Yu Qingkong felt a bitter tang in her chest, though she couldn’t name the feeling. She just nodded. “I’ll try to get you back as soon as possible. If traffic isn’t bad, it shouldn’t be an issue.”

“I’ll thank you in advance then.” Lin Wanzhao snapped her earphones into both ears.

Yu Qingkong looked at her profile, nodded, and said nothing more. She drove away. For several hours, the silence in the car was hauntingly eerie.

When they arrived at Lin Wanzhao’s apartment, Lin unbuckled her seatbelt and slung her bag over her shoulder. “Open the trunk.”

Yu Qingkong’s hands tightened on the wheel before letting go. She got out and helped retrieve the hiking gear and the tent.

“Thanks. I’m heading up. Bye.” Lin Wanzhao took the gear and turned to leave.

“CEO Lin.” Yu Qingkong called out.

“Hmm?” Lin Wanzhao paused and turned.

Yu Qingkong stood with her hands in her pockets, looking at anything but Lin. Finally, she shook her head. “Nothing. I’m heading back.”

“Oh. Bye.” Lin Wanzhao turned and walked away without looking back.

****************************************

Yu Qingkong watched her figure disappear before returning to her car. She felt irritable for no reason. She chugged some cola, ran her hands through her hair, and sat there for a long time before driving off.

On her way, she kept switching between the radio and music, unable to find anything that felt right. Eventually, she turned it all off.

Outside the window, the streets were bustling and lively. But Yu Qingkong felt completely disconnected from it all. She was used to being “low-key depressed,” but she was usually the type who could still eat and sleep through it. She had never felt this restless and anxious before.

She should have gone home, but she found herself circling the city block after block, her head aching. She eventually pulled over by a convenience store to buy another cold cola.

As she browsed the shelves, she overheard two women talking nearby.

“I finally have time today, why can’t you watch a movie with me tonight?” Woman A’s voice was full of dissatisfaction. “Are we even a couple? How long has it been since you actually paid attention to me…”

“Ruan-ruan, can’t you just be a bit more sensible?” Woman B’s voice was more mature and refined. “I’ve been very busy lately. Can’t you be a little understanding?”

Yu Qingkong didn’t think much of it and headed to the checkout. However, the two women followed.

One had straight black hair with blunt bangs—cute and soft-looking. That was Woman A.

The other had shoulder-length hair that curled slightly inward, wearing a cream-colored coat. She looked elegant and mature. That was Woman B.

Yu Qingkong barely looked at them and left after paying. But as she reached the door, she paused. Something about the woman in the cream coat felt familiar.

Back in her car, as she popped the tab on her cola, it hit her.

That woman… she was in one of those three photos on Lin Wanzhao’s phone. The writer… Shiye?

She took a sip and looked out the window. She wasn’t mistaken. That woman isn’t single? Is she the one Lin Wanzhao is meeting tonight?

***********************************

Meanwhile, Lin Wanzhao had showered, put on an apricot knit dress, light makeup, and a black coat. She was heading toward the “Red Lantern Hotpot” restaurant.

Fine, I’ll go. Who’s afraid of whom? Maybe I’ll actually hit it off with someone. That way, I can escape the fiery pit of Yu Qingkong and find some sweet love. Two birds with one stone.

The restaurant was packed, but her table was reserved. She walked toward the spot and saw a woman already sitting there. Cream coat, shoulder-length hair, sophisticated makeup. Shiye.

She looked classy—a literary type. Not bad. But suddenly, Lin Wanzhao didn’t want to be there.

Just as she turned to leave, Shiye looked up and smiled gently. “Are you Miss Lin?”

Lin Wanzhao hesitated, then managed a smile and sat down. “That’s me. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“I heard you like hotpot, so I chose this place. I hope it’s to your taste. I’ve already ordered a few things; take a look and see what else you want.” Shiye pushed the menu toward her.

“This is fine.” Lin Wanzhao wasn’t in the mood to order.

As the meal progressed, Lin Wanzhao felt increasingly out of place. Finally, she spoke up. “I’m sorry, Miss Shiye. To be honest… I don’t really want to be in a relationship right now. I came here out of spite. I might be wasting your time.”

Shiye’s eyebrow quirked. “It’s okay. We don’t have to be so serious. Since we’re here, let’s just chat like friends.”

“Okay.”

“If you don’t mind me asking… is there someone you already like?” Shiye leaned in, resting her chin on her hands.

“What makes you say that?”

“Generally, people don’t go on ‘spite dates’ unless there’s a specific person they’re trying to react to, right?” Shiye took a sip of tea.

“Don’t get me started. It’s a one-sided mess. I must have done something terrible in a past life,” Lin Wanzhao said dejectedly. “By the time I catch her, the earth might have already been destroyed.”

“You’re funny. What kind of person is she?”

Lin Wanzhao stared at the table. “An idiot.”

Shiye laughed. “Would you like a drink?”

“No, thanks.”

Shiye sighed. “Are you worried I’m a bad person? I heard you quite enjoy drinking. One or two glasses shouldn’t hurt.”

Lin Wanzhao sighed. She figured her friend Wu Jia had told Shiye about her habits. “Fine, just a beer.”

They ate and talked. But Lin Wanzhao found that no matter what they discussed, the conversation always circled back to Yu Qingkong. It was a headache. Shiye watched her with a faint smile and poured her another glass.

By the end of the meal, Lin Wanzhao was slightly tipsy—just a little. As she stood up and put on her coat, her foot caught on the table leg. She stumbled, and Shiye immediately caught her by the shoulders. “Careful.”

Lin Wanzhao pulled away gently. “I’m fine. Thanks.”

They walked out of the restaurant. “Miss Lin, want to go to a bar?”

“No, I should get home.”

“But you seem like you’re in a bad mood. Why not talk a bit more? There’s a lesbian bar nearby.” Shiye reached out and grabbed Lin Wanzhao’s arm.

“Miss Shiye, really, no thank you.” Lin Wanzhao frowned, trying to pull her arm back. Something felt wrong. This woman had an agenda.

“Miss Lin…” Shiye didn’t let go. Instead, she leaned in closer, her eyes on Lin Wanzhao’s lips.

“What are you doing?!” Lin Wanzhao snapped, her eyes sharp as she pushed against Shiye’s shoulder.

“Why hang yourself on one tree? Look around; you’ll find other scenery much more beautiful…”

They scuffled slightly, moving toward the edge of the road.

“Get away!” Lin Wanzhao struggled.

Suddenly, a pair of white headlights blinded her, followed by the shrill blast of a horn. Lin Wanzhao turned and froze as a car barreled toward her—

Shiye panicked. She tried to pull Lin but couldn’t, so she let go and jumped back.

The car was inches away. But in that split second, a powerful arm wrapped around Lin Wanzhao’s waist. With a swift spin, she was yanked out of the way.

The embrace was gentle. The scent was familiar. Lin Wanzhao, trembling with shock, felt her heart pounding—but she also felt safe.

Then, she heard a voice she knew by heart whisper in her ear:

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”