Chapter 1 Inexplicable

Having sat in the coffee shop for less than an hour, it was only about 9:30 when I arrived at Pei Shi Yu’s residence. I drove into the garden but didn't get out of the car. I just poked my head out and looked up. The lights were on everywhere, including the first floor.

I turned off the engine and got out of the car immediately, peering through the gate to observe any activity. I saw the same aunt as last time mopping the floor; it seemed she was already on duty. I gently knocked on the door, and she quickly came to open it.

“Auntie, is she there?” I asked proactively.

“Yes, she just went upstairs.”

As the aunt spoke, she looked at me and then asked, “Don't you have a key?”

I smiled, a little embarrassed, and didn't answer directly, saying, “Then I’ll go up.”

“Okay, get some rest early.”

“I’m going out later, so don't lock the door.”

“Okay, I understand.”

The aunt's personality was even better than I had imagined. She kept smiling while talking to me, appearing particularly friendly.

At that moment, a sound suddenly came from the second floor. My eyes instinctively looked up, and I saw Pei Shi Yu standing at the top of the stairs, looking at me with an inscrutable expression.

I quickened my pace and went up, stopping at the door of the room. Feeling that I had lost the qualification to enter the room without Pei Shi Yu's permission, I sensibly asked, “Should I pack my things or will you bring them out to me?”

She didn't answer me, just stepped aside. I looked into the room; she hadn't packed for me.

“Then I’ll go in and pack?” I asked, watching her face at the same time.

“Hurry up and pack, then leave,” Pei Shi Yu replied, moving her lips.

“Don't worry, I still have that much self-awareness.”

Pei Shi Yu didn't say anything more and moved aside. Seeing this, I immediately went inside, directly opened the closet. The clothes she had hung up that day were neatly arranged. It was quite sad to think that she had only lived here for a week, and it was ending so hastily.

I pulled over the suitcase and stuffed all the clothes into it, then stared steadily at Pei Shi Yu, whose eyes were a little unfocused, but the words she spoke were firm: “You can leave once you're packed.”

I ignored her attitude, feeling that even if there were regrets after being together, I wouldn't confront Pei Shi Yu. So I said in a rather tactful tone, “Although we weren't together for long, you brought me a lot of happiness. I feel very regretful that we didn't make it to the end. My lifestyle used to be very casual; keeping it from you wasn't deception, but because I didn't want to relive that past…”

Pei Shi Yu was a little impatient at this point and wanted to interrupt me, so I paused immediately and continued on my own: “While we can still see each other today, I sincerely want to say I'm sorry. I know that the hurt I've caused you can't be smoothed over with just an apology… Goodbye!”

Actually, I wanted to say something more, but I felt that Pei Shi Yu wouldn't want to hear such empty words. At the moment of turning around, I glanced at her face again, wanting to leave a final memory.

I carried the suitcase and walked quickly downstairs, suddenly remembering the words I had said the day I moved in: even if I wanted to leave, she would hold me back. But the reality was cruel; she didn't even give me a goodbye.

At the turn of the stairs, I heard Pei Shi Yu's voice: “Tell your dad that we don’t need that piece of land anymore.”

I stopped immediately, not even turning my head, and said, “Got it, I'll pass it on to him.”

On the first floor, the aunt was standing in the middle of the living room. Seeing me carrying luggage, she came forward and asked with concern, “Are you going on a business trip so late?”

I lowered my voice and replied with a smile, “We broke up. I won't be coming here anymore. Please take good care of her.”

“Oh?” She was obviously surprised, revealing an expression that wanted to ask but didn't dare to.

“I'm leaving, goodbye, Auntie.”

“Goodbye.”

She murmured a reply, then watched me leave.

…

From beginning to end, I couldn't find a trace of regret on Pei Shi Yu. Perhaps she was that kind of woman; wholeheartedly in love, and resolute when separating. Not someone who could be turned back with an apology or a few sweet words. It was better this way; I could give up on this completely.

The next moment, I dialed Wang Rui's phone. She answered slowly, then asked me curiously, "How did it go?"

"Are you still at the coffee shop?"

"Yeah, I've met another friend."

"Do I know them?"

"Yes," Wang Rui replied with certainty.

"Who is it?"

"Shen Yi."

"Oh? You guys are still in contact?" I asked, a little shocked.

"What's wrong, is it strange?"

"You're being a little inconsistent. What did you say to me last time?"

"Wasn't it good that the misunderstanding was resolved?"

Wang Rui's tone was a little unpredictable. I paused and asked, "Are you and him dating?"

"It's hard to say," Wang Rui replied ambiguously.

"So it's a little ambiguous, is that what you mean?"

"No, I'm still considering it. What about you, is there any sign of reconciliation?"

"Pei Shi Yu's personality is that once she says something, she won't take it back. I'm already on my way back."

"You're also pretty miserable. Do you want to come back and sit for a while?"

"I won't go since you've met Shen Yi. I originally had that intention."

"It doesn't matter if you come, it's not like you don't know him."

"It's a little awkward. I need to reflect on myself recently," I declined Wang Rui's invitation.

"Over the next little while, you need to calm down and plan for your future."

"I feel like my life has been completely extinguished by Pei Shi Yu. Things happened too suddenly. I still can't quite believe it."

"You don't say what you broke up about, so you can face it yourself."

"Okay, I'll hang up first."

I felt that Pei Shi Yu's starting point for relationships was too high, leading her to be unable to accept what happened. If she knew my past completely, then she probably wouldn't have this attitude today.

I didn't go home immediately, driving aimlessly through the night in Hang Zhou. Although the weather wasn't good today, it was very stuffy, with a feeling that summer was coming. With the car windows open, the wind felt very comfortable on my face. At this time, my car had unknowingly driven onto the elevated road. The smooth road conditions made me immediately accelerate.

It felt very strange. I wasn't very sad about separating from Pei Shi Yu, or rather, I didn't even have the right to be sad. It seemed that this relationship was a bit of a luxury to begin with. I sped all the way, and when I came down from the elevated road, I happened to run into traffic police checking for drunk driving. I also suddenly realized that I hadn't had a drink in a long time. It seemed that my lifestyle had been following Pei Shi Yu's lead. Imperceptibly, I had gotten rid of many bad habits.