Chapter Sixty-Six: Come Into My Heart

The first rays of morning light touched the thin iron wire where clothes were drying. Downstairs, the landlady dispersed her gossip and card game, yawning as she washed up. Xiaoxiao rubbed her drowsy eyes, and suddenly Ming Tang’s tall figure leapt into her view. After her shock faded, she regretted last night's embarrassing display and cautiously asked, "Why are you still here?"

"Ming Tang called her name, his voice full of passion: 'Xiaoxiao, come into my heart!'" His words were so grand that even the air seemed thin.

She stared at him in astonishment, then broke into a relaxed smile. "I wouldn't know the way. My geography knowledge comes entirely from the Spring Festival Gala’s congratulatory messages."

He was prepared for any awkwardness, but what troubled him was that she treated it as a joke. Unwilling to let it go, he pressed on, "Xiaoxiao, please consider it seriously."

"Is indifference what you want?"

Her question caught him off guard. He didn't understand. "What do you mean?"

The old Xiaoxiao would have been moved, but now her heart was as still as dead water, unable to stir no matter what. She gave a lonely smile. "I no longer have any reason I must love him, so anyone could be loved. If you’re fine with being treated indifferently, then I can do that."

"Is that so?" He regained his composure, his words now tinged with his usual caution.

"Mm!" She was unusually resolute. "But that wouldn’t be fair to you. I don’t have any friends left with whom I can speak honestly. If I lost you too, I’d be truly afraid."

"I understand. Get some rest. I’ll go now." He got up and left, so hurried that he forgot his jacket.

She packed away the photo album and Ming Tang’s jacket, thinking she’d carry this forever, yet confessing her feelings to him turned out to be so easy, without any burden.

"Xiaoxiao." The landlady hardly ever ventured upstairs except to collect rent, so Xiaoxiao focused when she spoke. The landlady seemed a bit awkward and said, "This is a respectable household. You shouldn’t just bring men home casually."

So that was it. Xiaoxiao mocked herself inwardly; she didn’t blame the landlady for overthinking, only herself for pretending to be virtuous, unwilling to explain even when accused.

"When you have time, visit your mother more often. It’s better than wasting your days like this. A girl’s reputation is very important." The landlady’s words were earnest. Xiaoxiao wanted to say that if it weren’t for such things, she’d have less to discuss at the card table.

"I’ll go back." She acted immediately, freshened up, and went home.

Luckily, by the time she arrived, the smell of alcohol had faded, and her mother only thought she was tired, noticing nothing else.

After lunch, someone came to visit. The man at the door wore a suit, and as soon as the door opened, he greeted her mother warmly, "Ma’am, do you remember me?" Her mother studied him—he looked familiar. The man continued, "I’m the one who came to discuss transferring the flower garden with you last time. Do you recall?"

"Oh, oh, I knew you looked familiar!" Her mother ushered him inside, and asked Xiaoxiao to pour tea, but the man politely declined, "How could I trouble you?"

"My tea isn’t great, but please make do." Xiaoxiao set down the cup and sat next to her mother. Out of courtesy, the man took a few sips and praised it, then got straight to the point. "I’m here today to ask if you have any thoughts about what we discussed last time?"

Her mother looked troubled and glanced at Xiaoxiao, who pressed her lips together, waiting for her mother’s reply.