From One Fire Pit to Another

Xiang Qing dared not struggle with any real force. It wasn’t fear of Shen Lanzhi that stayed her hand, but rather the woman’s extreme frailty; she consumed traditional Chinese medicine daily, and at times, the entire hallway would be permeated by its bitter scent. What if, by some unfortunate chance, she exerted too much strength and caused the delicate woman to fall apart?

“Thump-thump-thump—”

A sudden knocking echoed from beyond the door.

Shen Lanzhi’s body instantly tensed, and she quickly dismounted from Xiang Qing, shrugging on her coat as she moved towards the living room.

“Who is it?”

No one answered from outside.

‘This is it,’ Xiang Qing’s heart plummeted, ‘it’s undoubtedly that madwoman, Gu Wei!’

Gu Wei must have realized she wasn’t home and surmised she was hiding here with Shen Lanzhi.

“Answer me! If you don’t say something, I’m calling the police!” Shen Lanzhi’s voice rose in volume as she called out to the door.

Still, there was no sound.

Several minutes passed before footsteps finally receded from outside, indicating that the person had departed.

Upon returning to the bedroom, Shen Lanzhi found Xiang Qing perched on the edge of the bed, her entire frame taut with anxiety.

“Qing Qing, why aren’t you asleep?” Shen Lanzhi’s voice remained soft and gentle. “It’s alright; there’s no danger.”

“I can’t sleep,” Xiang Qing replied, shaking her head. “Perhaps it’s better if I don’t try.”

“But you need your rest,” Shen Lanzhi insisted, approaching her with a hand outstretched as if to cup Xiang Qing’s face. “Your complexion is so pale; you must be utterly exhausted.”

Xiang Qing quickly recoiled. “I truly can’t sleep,” she insisted. “My mind is in a complete turmoil.”

“Then, shall I keep you company and we can chat?”

“No, thank you,” Xiang Qing said, rising to her feet. “I’ll spend some time in the living room. You should try to sleep first.”

Shen Lanzhi appeared poised to say more, yet upon seeing Xiang Qing’s resolute demeanor, she could only concede.

“Very well then. If you find yourself getting sleepy, do come back and rest.”

Xiang Qing nodded curtly, then practically fled from the bedroom.

‘Damn it all,’ she thought. ‘Why does it feel as though I’ve merely leapt from one fiery pit into another?’

Gu Wei remained an unresolved problem, and now, Shen Lanzhi was beginning to act strangely again.

All she truly desired was money, so why did it have to be so incredibly difficult?

****

Early the following morning, Xiang Qing hurried back to her own apartment.

Gazing at the shattered window, a pang of acute distress struck her heart.

‘How much would this cost?’

She picked up her phone and made several calls, eventually finding a window repairman who agreed to an urgent repair for a negotiated price of a thousand yuan.

Xiang Qing gritted her teeth, accepting the steep cost.

As the repairman worked on the window outside with a rhythmic clanging, Xiang Qing sat on her sofa, scrolling through apartment rental apps.

Her initial thought had been to find a more affordable place to make do, but the unsettling memory of the deranged Gu Wei prompted Xiang Qing to prioritize safety and seek out a more secure residential complex.

Money could always be earned back, but a lost life was irreplaceable.

After an hour of browsing, Xiang Qing settled on a community in the south of the city: Cuihu Garden.

The location seemed ideal, boasting nearby shopping malls and subway access, which promised a convenient lifestyle.

Crucially, the complex enforced strict management; outsiders couldn’t enter without both an access card and an elevator card, ensuring a high level of security.

The apartment itself was a one-bedroom, one-living room unit, exquisitely furnished, with a monthly rent of three thousand five hundred yuan.

Though it was a thousand yuan more expensive than her current place, the added safety made it well worth the cost.

Just as Xiang Qing prepared to contact the landlord, a knock sounded at her door.

“Qing Qing, it’s me.”

It was Shen Lanzhi’s voice.

Xiang Qing felt a headache beginning to throb.

The events of last night still left her with a profound sense of unease.

“I’ve brought breakfast; let’s eat together,” Shen Lanzhi called from outside. “Soy milk, fried dough sticks, and some steamed dumplings.”

“No, thank you, I’m not hungry,” Xiang Qing swiftly declined.

“You haven’t eaten anything since last night; how can you possibly not be hungry?” Shen Lanzhi’s voice carried a note of genuine concern. “Just open the door; I’ll simply leave it here for you and go.”

Xiang Qing hesitated for a moment.

Not opening the door would appear overly distant, yet opening it risked Shen Lanzhi repeating her previous behavior.

“Qing Qing?” Shen Lanzhi knocked again.

“Alright, alright, I’m coming,” Xiang Qing sighed, resignedly moving to open the door.

Shen Lanzhi, dressed in a beige knit cardigan, held a bag of breakfast in her hand, a gentle smile gracing her features.

“Look at you,” Shen Lanzhi commented, stepping inside and naturally placing the breakfast bag on the coffee table. “Your complexion is terrible; you clearly didn’t rest well. Come, eat something quickly.”

“Truly, there’s no need; I have to go out soon,” Xiang Qing stated, remaining rooted by the doorway.

“Going out? Where to?” Shen Lanzhi turned to look at her.

“To look at apartments,” Xiang Qing replied. “I’m planning to move.”

Shen Lanzhi’s hand paused in its motion. “Move? Why would you do that?”

“It’s not safe here,” Xiang Qing explained, gesturing towards the window currently being repaired. “As you’ve seen, that woman is completely unhinged.”

“So, where will you be moving to?”

“Cuihu Garden, in the south of the city.”

Shen Lanzhi fell silent for a moment before offering a slight smile. “That’s a rather nice area, though it is a bit far.”

“Further away is better,” Xiang Qing asserted, “to avoid being found.”

“Indeed,” Shen Lanzhi nodded in agreement. “However, before you move, you really ought to eat your fill, shouldn’t you? Come, have some while it’s still warm.”

Confronted by Shen Lanzhi’s expectant gaze, Xiang Qing found it genuinely difficult to refuse again.

After all, it was just breakfast; surely, there would be no harm in that.

“Alright then.”

The two women settled before the coffee table, and Shen Lanzhi began, quite naturally, to serve Xiang Qing breakfast.

The soy milk was still steaming, and the steamed dumplings, with their delicate wrappers and generous fillings, looked incredibly appetizing.

“Try this dumpling,” Shen Lanzhi urged, pushing one closer to Xiang Qing. “It’s from a renowned old establishment; I took a special detour just to get them.”

Xiang Qing took a bite, confirming it was indeed excellent.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Shen Lanzhi’s gaze held an odd intensity.

“Is it good?” Shen Lanzhi inquired.

“Mm, it’s quite delicious.”

“Then have some more,” Shen Lanzhi said, placing another dumpling on her plate. “You’re far too thin; you need to nourish yourself.”

Xiang Qing kept her head down, focusing on her food, unable to meet Shen Lanzhi’s gaze.

This woman was treating her with such kindness, yet she was planning to move away, and a wave of guilt washed over her.

Still, there was nothing for it; she simply wanted to avoid provoking anyone at this point.

As she ate, Shen Lanzhi suddenly broke the silence. “Qing Qing,” she began, “after you move, will we still be able to see each other?”

“Of course we can,” Xiang Qing replied casually, setting down her dumpling.

Yet, the smile on Shen Lanzhi’s face seemed somewhat strained. “Really?” she pressed.

“Yes, really,” Xiang Qing affirmed, puzzled by the question. “It’s not as if I’m moving to outer space; it’s only an hour away by subway.”

Shen Lanzhi lowered her gaze, stirring her soy milk with a spoon. “The truth is,” she murmured, “I don’t have many relatives left in this world.”

Xiang Qing’s motion of biting into her dumpling faltered.

“I also have very few friends,” Shen Lanzhi continued, her voice growing progressively softer. “When I get sick, I usually just tough it out alone. Sometimes, I feel as though my life is nothing but a cruel joke.”

Xiang Qing’s heart sank. ‘Why does this suddenly sound so ominous?’ she wondered.

Indeed, no sooner had the words left her lips than tears began to stream down Shen Lanzhi’s face.

It wasn’t a loud, sobbing cry, but a silent, steady flow, each tear falling delicately into her bowl of soy milk, a sight that was truly heartbreaking to witness.

“Sister Lanzhi, please don’t cry…” Xiang Qing began, feeling utterly flustered, just as she was about to offer some words of comfort.

Abruptly, Shen Lanzhi swayed, nearly sliding off her chair.

“Sister Lanzhi!” Xiang Qing quickly reached out to steady her. “What’s wrong?”

“Just a little dizzy…” Shen Lanzhi murmured, her face deathly pale, fine beads of sweat dotting her forehead. “It might be low blood sugar.”

Seeing her in such a state, Xiang Qing dared not delay, quickly helping her to her feet and guiding her out. “I’ll help you back to your place so you can lie down for a bit.”

Fortunately, their apartments were only separated by a single wall, a mere few steps away.

Shen Lanzhi’s room was meticulously tidy, adorned with fresh, pale pink bedsheets that emitted a faint, pleasant fragrance.

Xiang Qing gently helped her onto the bed and was about to pour a glass of water when Shen Lanzhi suddenly grasped her wrist.

“Qing Qing…” Shen Lanzhi whispered weakly, her gaze fixed on her. “Could you… perhaps not move out just yet?”

Xiang Qing froze, a bewildered “Huh?” escaping her lips.

“Just a few days, would you stay with me for a few days?” Shen Lanzhi’s hand felt cool to the touch. “My health hasn’t been great lately, and I’m truly a little scared to be alone.”

Gazing at Shen Lanzhi’s pallid face, the refusal that had been poised on Xiang Qing’s tongue simply refused to emerge.

This woman was clearly so ill; if she were to still insist on moving out, wouldn’t that be utterly heartless?

“I…” Xiang Qing bit her lower lip. “Alright then… I’ll stay for a few more days.”

A flicker of light ignited in Shen Lanzhi’s eyes. “Really?”

“Yes, until you’re feeling a bit better.”

“Thank you, Qing Qing,” Shen Lanzhi said, squeezing her hand tightly. “You truly are a good person.”

Xiang Qing’s heart was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

She couldn’t shake the unsettling suspicion that she had just been cleverly manipulated.