Chapter 15: The Tyrant's Bow

  When three people get together, they often put on a show. Three women's shows are mostly action movies with violent scenes or tear-jerking tragedies. A play by three men is likely to be a light comedy in sepia tone. But when I, Li Songwei and Zhao Lijia, two men and one woman, sat down to eat together under Cupid's blessing, we staged a boring drama similar to a Korean soap opera, with extreme dullness and awkwardness.

  It was probably Zhao Lijia trying to break the awkward atmosphere, or more likely, she wanted to show Li Songwei her rare gentle side, so she proactively served him some dishes, "Have some more leeks, today's leeks are very fresh."

  "How's the scallion and egg stir-fry I made?" Zhao Lijia asked, seeking Li Songwei's praise as she saw him savoring his food.

  "Delicious! But... isn't this garlic sprout?" Li Songwei said in confusion.

  "Ah......! Hehe......! It's garlic sprouts......!" Zhao Lijia made a great effort to maintain the smile on her face, causing her facial expression to be extremely distorted. At this time, I was making an effort to control my desire to laugh, lowering my head and eating rice one mouthful at a time...

  This meal, which shouldn't have existed in the first place, ended hastily amidst the three people's strange expressions. In order to present a more perfect image of herself as a lady and end on a perfect note, Zhao Lijia took the initiative to clean up the table. To some people, this may not seem like much, something that might be done every day, but when it happens with a girl who can't even tell scallions and garlic apart, it's just like our school principal's speeches in public gatherings - the proportion of meaningful words is just as small.

  Zhao Lijia put down the plates in the kitchen with me and then kicked the door shut, looking at me with a resentful face.

  "You're really laughing at me, why didn't you remind me just now?!"

  "I didn't know you'd come up with such a stupid remark, I used to think 'not distinguishing between the five grains' was just an idealistic figure in Confucius's words, but today I've seen it in reality, what an eye-opener."

  "It's all over! My wonderful life is ruined by a few sprouts of garlic!" Zhao Lijia had an expression as if she was about to cry. Just as I was thinking whether to call Li Songwei into the kitchen to help, so that Zhao Lijia could continue to show off her diligence and wash the bowls too, Li Songwei walked in through the door.

  "I'm going back home, do you want to come with me?"

  "Ah……! Alright, wait for me, I'll go get my bag." Zhao Lijia's bashful expression made me feel an urge to take out a knife and kill someone. Standing from the perspective of being brothers, I didn't know whether I should expose Zhao Lijia's true face or not. If Zhao Lijia succeeded and revealed her true nature later on, Li Songwei would definitely hate me to death. But the thing is, Zhao Lijia is also my brother, and besides, I've never seen her react so strongly to any other guy before. It seems that humans are indeed a contradictory combination of emotions.

  After sending off Li Songwei and Zhao Lijia, I lay down on the bed in exhaustion, with a pile of dirty dishes stacked up in the sink. The lack of sleep last night and the fatigue today made me quickly fall into a dreamy state. In my dream, I came to a pristine white sandy beach facing the vast blue ocean, I opened my arms wide, embracing the gentle breeze caressing my face. Suddenly, a familiar voice called out my name from behind, "Is it Tong Chen? No mistake!" My brain reacted swiftly, and I quickly turned around. A black top, a black skirt, long hair flowing in the wind, a long-missed figure walked towards me with a gentle smile. I was far from being as calm as she seemed, though I tried my best to control myself, but still burst into tears, throwing caution to the wind and rushing over to hug her tightly. At that moment, the words I had accumulated in my heart for two years, uncontrollably poured out along with my sobs.

  The feeling of the hug was still the same as two years ago, and the smell on Tong Chen's body hadn't changed either. Everything seemed so familiar. Tong Chen didn't respond to my words at all, so I let her go from my arms, but this time it was Qin Ke Yi in front of me! I don't know if this counts as a nightmare or not, but it really scared me. Just when I was regretting losing Tong Chen again, the sudden ringing of the doorbell pulled me back to reality.

  The scene after opening the door shocked me, with several large boxes placed at the entrance and some miscellaneous items scattered around. Two boys stood in front of me, sweating profusely.

  "You've come to the wrong house, no one has moved in here."

  "That's right, come and help." Qin Ke carried a small box in one hand and hugged a big doll in the other, struggling to climb up from downstairs. It seems that sometimes things can happen as "dreaming at night and seeing during the day".

  "What? What are you doing?" I asked in confusion.

  "I've come to return your clothes and also help with moving house."

  "Ah! Wait a minute, I just got up this morning, haven't brushed my teeth yet, and my head is a bit muddled. Give me a moment to think."

  "Are you... moving in... and living with me?" I asked, a bit hesitant. At this time, the resentful glint from those two boys' eyes gave me an affirmative answer.

  "If you have eyes, you should be able to see. Trouble helping me move things into the room on the right." Qin Ke replied to my question and began directing those two people to move things.

  "Hey!!!! The owner of this house seems to be me! Did you get my permission?"

  "Aren't I discussing this with you right now? Besides, I couldn't find any reason for you to refuse. Such a beautiful woman living next door, you should be happy instead! Be careful with that box, the things inside are fragile."

  "Is this a negotiation? You're being unreasonable!!! How did you know I'd agree?"

  "Alright, come with me. This outfit was a non-sellable item from the Paris Fashion Show two years ago, my friend had a hard time getting it for me, I reckon there's only one or two pieces like this in the world." Qin Ke said with a proud smile.

  "Aren't you giving up?"

  "I've changed my mind! Young man, didn't your mother ever teach you not to trust beautiful women? They're very changeable."

  "What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and help move things, blocking the corridor will affect the neighbors going up and down the stairs."

  After I had a strange dream, Qin Ke Yi became my roommate in a muddled way. It seems that the dream was an omen, but so far I don't know if it's a good or bad one.