By the time Yu Mo finished her meal and the No. 47 bus rumbled to a stop at Lotus District 1, it was nearly eight-thirty.
The crowd of loiterers at the neighborhood entrance had grown. Energetic youths on electric scooters roared past, their shouts echoing in the air. Across from the complex, the fruit stall had lined up rows of durians; some were split open, bound tightly with plastic twine. As she walked past, a pungent, heavy aroma invaded her senses.
Summer was coming.
Yu Mo lingered for a moment by the fruit stand, her eyes sweeping over the vibrant, colorful displays. How beautiful they were.
A couple approached from the opposite direction, standing out remarkably in the crowd. Both were tall and slender with graceful builds—an indescribable sense of being perfectly matched radiated from them.
As they drew closer, Yu Mo smiled. What a coincidence.
She studied the girl with a hint of curiosity. The girl was tall, with a heart-shaped face, thick brows, and almond eyes. She brimmed with a youthful, healthy vitality—a spirited, heroic aura rarely seen in girls.
Yu Mo had only stolen a few glances before Qi Lian’s gaze, sharp as a hawk’s, locked onto her with unerring precision.
Their eyes met.
Qi Lian’s expression was cold and distant. Yu Mo had almost forgotten that this was how he had looked at people in the beginning. Her smile faltered.
Qi Lian stepped forward to meet her. Yu Mo took the initiative to greet him. "What a coincidence!"
Qi Lian’s brow furrowed deeply, and he cut her off. "It’s late. Get home quickly; it’s not safe at this hour." His tone was laced with palpable impatience.
Yu Mo’s smile froze on her lips. She pursed them, gave a small nod, and brushed past him.
It seemed she had overstepped the bounds of their brief acquaintance.
From behind her came the girl’s crisp voice: "Lian-ge, we’re going to be late for the movie."
Qi Lian watched Yu Mo cross the street toward the neighborhood gate. Her back was as straight as a crowned queen’s, her silhouette radiating a sense of aloofness. She was truly delicate; not a single hair could be ruffled without consequence.
***
The following evening, after finishing work, Yu Mo stood at the entrance of District 1 waiting for Lu Qingfeng.
Sunset clouds layered the horizon, casting a fiery red glow over everything and everyone.
Over the past two days, Yu Mo had found several listings online and through flyers posted in the neighborhood. She had scheduled three viewings for that night.
Coincidentally, Lu Qingfeng had called her, saying he wanted to bring her a basket of loquats.
"There’s no need," she had said. "I’m out all day and live alone; I won't be able to eat many before they go bad."
Lu Qingfeng wouldn't take no for an answer. "If they go bad, they go bad. Just eat what you can. These are 'Green-seed' loquats grown by my aunt. They’re only on the market for two weeks a year; you have to try them. I deliver a batch to every one of my mother’s relatives every year, so I’m just bringing yours along the way. Don’t feel burdened."
When Yu Mo mentioned she was going to look at apartments that evening, Lu Qingfeng was surprised. "Didn't you ask Qi Lian for help? He agreed to it. Why are you looking on your own?"
Yu Mo had been on the bus at the time, one hand holding her phone and the other gripping the overhead rail. She felt a bitterness she couldn't voice. He likely didn't have the time and had only agreed out of politeness. To bother him with such things felt like overstepping.
"He probably hasn't found anything suitable yet. I’m in a hurry to move out, so it’s the same if I find something myself," she said.
Lu Qingfeng then insisted on accompanying her and told her to wait for him.
Yu Mo scrolled through her phone while she waited.
Xue Shen had sent a message at 10:00 AM. She hadn't opened it until now, finally gritting her teeth and tapping the notification.
*“Momo, I went to Yangtuozi Crayfish for a business dinner yesterday. This year’s crayfish are exceptionally plump. I’ll have Xiao Wang deliver some to you, okay? It’s fine; you can stay angry and refuse to forgive me, but don’t miss out on the crayfish. No matter how you treat me, it doesn't matter. I just want your life to continue as usual, unaffected.”*
Yu Mo curled her lip. The crayfish at Yangtuozi were indeed delicious, but it didn't matter. She would get used to it, and she would find somewhere else just as good.
Since Lu Qingfeng hadn't arrived yet, she began browsing her social feed. Bored, she scrolled back through posts from several days ago until she hit one from Qi Shuai posted two days prior: *“My Lian-ge is flying into a rage for a beauty!”* Attached was a photo of a crowd surrounding a police car.
The post reminded Yu Mo of something. Two days ago, while passing Lotus District 3 on the bus after work, she had seen the police responding to a call. The flashing lights of the cruiser had been unsettling. She thought she had caught a glimpse of a familiar figure, but by the time she tried to focus, the bus had already moved on.
She zoomed in on Qi Shuai’s photo and scanned the faces. Sure enough, she saw half of Qi Lian’s profile in the crowd. Even just a side view looked cold and detached, as if he wanted nothing to do with anyone, standing out like a crane among a flock of chickens.
Was that "beauty" the girl from last night? He certainly seemed busy, she thought. She really should have started looking for a place on her own sooner.
Feeling a sudden lack of interest, she stopped scrolling and shoved her phone into her pocket. Lu Qingfeng was taking his time, and her irritation was mounting.
Two young men with arms around each other's shoulders, dressed like flashy street punks, began making strange remarks and whistling at her as they passed.
She stepped aside, her frustration deepening. After a moment's thought, she pulled out her phone and sent a WeChat message to Qi Lian: *“Qi Lian, I’ve found a place. Just wanted to let you know. No need to keep an eye out for me anymore. Thanks.”*
Just as she sent it, Lu Qingfeng’s black Camry screeched to a halt in front of her.
Lu Qingfeng flashed her a harmless smile from the driver’s seat. His smile was exceptionally pure, possessing a boyish charm that caused Yu Mo’s lingering unpleasantness to vanish instantly.
She got into the car and buckled her seatbelt.
Lu Qingfeng apologized profusely. "I’m so sorry. I thought I could just pick up the stuff from my aunt’s and leave, but she insisted on waiting until I arrived to start picking them. She said the loquats she gives away have to be the freshest; it’s a matter of pride for her. Look, my fingernails are all stained black from trying to finish those ten crates quickly."
He held his hand out for Yu Mo to see.
Yu Mo looked. His fingers were long and elegant, but his nails were indeed stained dark. She couldn't help but chuckle.
The apartment viewings went quickly, taking less than half an hour. Yu Mo was quite satisfied with the last one. The entire place was clean, and the kitchen was relatively tidy—a crucial point, as she didn't plan on living off takeout forever. Most importantly, three of the five current tenants were young women, making for a simpler environment.
She was about to pay the deposit when Lu Qingfeng beat her to it, telling the sub-landlord they needed to think about it and would give an answer tomorrow.
The sub-landlord, a tall, scrawny man, muttered snidely, "Go ahead and think. This room will be waiting for you for a year and a half."
Lu Qingfeng was furious. As he drove, he said to Yu Mo, "See that? With a landlord like that, you can't rent the place. His character is terrible. Plus, it’s on the sixth floor and at the very back of the complex, furthest from the gate. It’s too inconvenient. We’ll look at a few more tomorrow. Maybe Qi Lian will have news by then too."
Yu Mo gave a noncommittal "Okay."
The windows were down, and the late spring breeze felt gentle against her face, blowing her soft hair in every direction.
She thought to herself that Lu Qingfeng had likely never lived in a group-rental apartment like that. Just like her six months ago, he didn't know what those places were like or what kind of people lived in them.
That was fine. There was no need for her to say anything.
Qi Lian replied to her message:
*“What’s going on? Didn't I say to leave this to me?”*
*“I’ve already found a place for you. Whatever you found won't be as good as mine. Cancel it immediately.”*
*“Talk to me.”*
Yu Mo could practically see his cold expression as he typed. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
She replied: *“No need, I’ve already settled on one. You’re busy, so don't worry about it. I’ll be moving in within the next couple of days.”*
Qi Lian replied instantly: *“Who told you I was busy? If I promise something, I do it. We’ll talk later.”*
Yu Mo ignored him.
They went to a hotpot restaurant in Jufeng Plaza nearby. It was late, and they were both hungry.
After they sat down, the waiter poured them each a cup of barley tea.
Yu Mo said, "Let me get this today as a thank you for your help."
Lu Qingfeng hadn't expected this. He teased with a smile, "Yu Mo, are you a feminist?"
Yu Mo hadn't expected him to bring up that topic, but she was interested in discussing it. Their conversations had always been somewhat superficial until now. She joked, "If I am, are you afraid?"
Lu Qingfeng took a sip of tea, looked at her, and smiled. "If it were anyone else, I couldn't say. But if it’s you, I wouldn't be afraid even if you were a Nazi, let alone a feminist. Regardless of the 'ism,' it’s impossible for everyone under that label to be the same. I only look at the person—whether they live earnestly and treat others with sincerity. If you feel feminism is better, then go for it. It doesn't matter."
Yu Mo felt she had to see him in a new light. She had assumed he was a typical STEM-field "straight man." Before this, she hadn't been sure of her own attitude toward Lu Qingfeng—perhaps he was just an attempt to redirect her focus? As long as someone had such a bright smile, whether it was Lu Qingfeng or Wang Qingfeng, it was all the same to her.
She smiled and said, "Lu Qingfeng, you really surprise me."
She continued, "I don't really have the right to talk about feminism. For the first thirty years of my life, I was aimless and muddled. More than one person told me I was wasting my talent. It wasn't until I watched the RBG documentary and heard her say, 'I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks,' that I found myself in tears. In that moment, I caught a glimpse of who I wanted to be. I also realized what I had missed out on."
As she spoke, a look of compassionate tenderness crossed her face.
Lu Qingfeng raised his cheap porcelain cup toward her in a silent toast.
She surely didn't know how captivating she was at that moment. Her face, naturally delicate and moving like spring water in March, was now shimmering with determination. She radiated a light born of the conflict between softness and strength; the more contradictory she seemed, the more alluring she became.
He watched her, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile.
***
At 9:00 PM, the Weihaomei Crayfish House was doing a roaring trade. Jiang Lao Si had set up several extra tables outside the restaurant, and they had already turned over several times; every seat was filled.
Amidst the heat of alcohol and conversation, the discarded crayfish shells on the tables piled up like small mountains. A yellow stray dog of unknown origin circled the tables, looking up at the diners with pleading eyes.
In a corner, Jiang Lao Si had set up a crude temporary table using a wooden board to host Qi Lian and Da Qi. The three men were all large, making their seating arrangement feel very cramped. A stream of wastewater meandered across the ground next to the table, but none of them seemed to notice.
Jiang Lao Si acted as if he had needles in his seat, unable to sit still. Whenever a customer wanted a beer or another dish, he would jump up to serve them.
Da Qi scolded him, "You’ve got money on the brain. Why don't you just go live with your cash? Why do you even need friends?"
Lao Si didn't mind, maintaining his grin. "This is hard-earned money. If I don't work hard, where will the money come from? Stop your yapping. If you give me money, I’ll stay with you until the end of time. We’re not teenagers anymore, only caring about whether we’re having a good time and putting pride above all else. Now that I have a family to support, pride isn't important. Look at my wife; she stays at the shop with me until three or four in the morning every day. Her complexion is sallow, and she’s got a host of health issues. If my hard work means they can live well, I’ll do whatever it takes."
Jiang Lao Si’s wife, Qi Qi, was an old acquaintance of theirs. She was a few years younger than them; back in the day, they would often run into her on the streets or at pool halls. Back then, she had multicolored hair and a ring through her nose like a bull, leading a pack of girls around and making a ruckus every day. She was incredibly bold; if provoked, she’d dare to challenge a group of men. Qi Lian’s crowd from Middle School No. 3 didn't pay her much mind, but Jiang Lao Si and his lot had slammed tables with her a few times.
The girls Jiang Lao Si used to bring around always had long, straight black hair—the type who would blush and want to bury their heads under the table if the talk got a bit coarse.
Somehow, he had ended up with Qi Qi.
They used to joke that if those two lived together, three days of peace would be a miracle, and it wouldn't be them if they didn't end up in the hospital after a fight.
Later, to everyone’s shock, the two of them built a thriving life together and were never seen fighting.
Qi Qi had grown out her hair into a long, black mane. Every time she came to the shop, she was the image of a shrewd yet virtuous proprietress. She would give them a small smile when she saw them, and while they drank, she’d be busy serving dishes and pouring wine, occasionally joining them for a glass. There was no trace of her former self.
Time had changed everyone.
For a moment, they all felt a sense of poignancy. Da Qi picked up his beer glass and tapped it twice on the table. Qi Lian and Jiang Lao Si followed suit. Everything was understood without words.
Jiang Lao Si’s son, Hu-zi, was hunched over the checkout counter doing his homework. Hu-zi was seven this year, right at that mischievous age. He wouldn't sit properly on his stool; he’d write two words and then run off—one moment to tease the big yellow dog at the door, the next to grab a chicken leg from the kitchen, and then to chat with the customers. Qi Qi had to practically drag him back by the ear to get him to write a few more words.
Qi Lian watched for a moment and said, "Lao Si, why is your son hanging around here? At this rate, I don't think he’s cut out for school."
Jiang Lao Si sighed. "There’s no other way. If he’s not with us, my mother can't keep an eye on him; he just watches TV and plays games all day. At least here he can get his homework done. Besides, we don't get home until three or four in the morning; we wouldn't see him at all otherwise. Having him here lets us talk to him. Around ten o'clock, I’ll find a gap to ride the scooter and take him home. It’s only a ten-minute trip. It’s a solution born of necessity."
Da Qi added, "As for school, it depends on the genes. Look at his dad and mom. If Hu-zi were top of his class, Lao Si probably wouldn't be able to sleep at night—he’d have to do some serious thinking."
Jiang Lao Si, cigarette in hand, pointed at Da Qi. "Fuck you. But... you’ve got a point."
The three of them went through another round of drinks.
Da Qi kicked Qi Lian under the table. "Old Qi, what’s with you tonight? Playing the brooding type?"
Jiang Lao Si set down his glass. "He’s always been like this, like a gourd with a sealed mouth. Yet for some reason, women eat that shit up."
Da Qi thought of something else and chuckled. "Women like him probably for other reasons too, right?"
Jiang Lao Si met his gaze, and the two shared a knowing laugh.
Qi Lian sneered. "I see you two are constantly thinking about my 'equipment.' What, if you guys from Middle School No. 4 are willing to crawl under us from No. 3, hurry up and take a trip to Thailand. I might reluctantly do you a favor once."
Da Qi cursed, "Fuck, don't be so disgusting! Back then, even if I couldn't beat you, I was more than enough for anyone else. My wife was practically begging for it. Who are you trying to gross out?"
Jiang Lao Si slapped the table and laughed. His large, fan-like palm nearly collapsed the temporary table, and the three of them scrambled to steady it.
Da Qi happened to glance toward the square and suddenly lowered his voice. "Look over at the plaza. There’s a real babe over there."
Jiang Lao Si took a look. It wasn't close, and the streetlights were dim, making it hard to see clearly. He laughed and cursed, "Damn, you can see clearly from here? Do you spend all day staring between women's legs?"
Da Qi ignored him, watching with great interest. Suddenly, he blurted out, "Holy shit, isn't that four-eyes Lu Qingfeng with her? That kid’s got some moves, landing a beauty of that caliber? It seems Old Liu was right back in school when he said there were beauties to be found in books."
Jiang Lao Si scolded him, "Right my ass, you illiterate! That’s definitely not how he said it."
Before he could finish, Qi Lian stood up abruptly. Leaving behind a curt "I’m leaving," he strode away with his long legs without looking back.
The two remaining men stared at each other in confusion. Da Qi asked, "What was that about? I told you he was off tonight."
Jiang Lao Si narrowed his already small eyes, looking thoughtful.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 莲花一区 | Lotus District 1 | A specific residential area/complex. |
| 47路 | Route 47 | Bus line number. |
| 连哥 | Lian-ge | "Brother Lian," a respectful/familiar address for Qi Lian. |
| 青种枇杷 | Green-seed loquats | A specific variety of loquat fruit. |
| 杨坨子龙虾 | Yangtuozi Crayfish | A specific restaurant or brand of crayfish. |
| 精神小伙 | Flashy street punks | Slang for young men with a specific, often gaudy or "try-hard" style. |
| 二房东 | Sub-landlord | Someone who rents a property and then sub-leases it to others. |
| 巨丰广场 | Jufeng Plaza | A local shopping or commercial square. |
| RBG | RBG | Refers to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. |
| 味好美龙虾馆 | Weihaomei Crayfish House | Name of the restaurant. |
| 江老四 | Jiang Lao Si | "Jiang the Fourth," a nickname for one of Qi Lian's friends. |
| 大奇 | Da Qi | A nickname for one of Qi Lian's friends. |
| 琪琪 | Qi Qi | Jiang Lao Si's wife. |
| 虎子 | Hu-zi | Jiang Lao Si's son. |
| 锯嘴葫芦 | A gourd with a sealed mouth | Idiom for someone who is very quiet or tight-lipped. |
| 三中 / 四中 | Middle School No. 3 / No. 4 | Local schools the characters attended. |
