Ruan Mian cried again. This time Chen Yi coaxed her for a good half day. By the time he saw her back, it was already past midnight. They were out so late that both sides’ elders had called. The two stood at the entrance to her building, each taking their own calls. Under the street…

The barbecue stall was outdoors. The hot, humid early summer air felt stuffy and sticky. Even with the fan on full blast, it was still sweating a little. A group of twelve people sat around a circular table. Ruan Mian was still sandwiched between Meng Xinglan and Chen Yi. The evening sky was torn into…

The summer in Pingcheng was scorching hot, even the winds were scalding. The afternoon sun at 2pm was intense and oppressive, wind blowing in through the open windows on both sides of the car cabin. At such a crucial moment when every breath felt heavy with significance, Ruan Mian seemed to have lost the instinct…

When Ruan Mian got home, Ruan Mingke had not gone to bed yet. She brought the zongzi into the kitchen, then walked over, “Why are you still not sleeping so late?” “Drank tea during the day so not that sleepy.” Ruan Mingke folded up the newspaper and put it on the coffee table. After she…

At lunch, the Zhao family gathered around a full table. Taking advantage of Zhao Shutang being there, Fang Ruqing brought up Ruan Mian’s relationship problems several times. Zhao Shutang smiled. “Auntie, there’s no need to rush these things.” Ruan Mian nodded in agreement, but this time Fang Ruqing refused to compromise. After lunch she contacted…

Chen Yi didn’t go back to the hotel that night. He walked alone for a long time along Pingjiang West Alley. On a summer night, the sky was like a vast chessboard dotted with stars. At the end of the alley was No. 8 Middle School. At this time, only the high school buildings still…

On the wedding day, everyone was busy except for the bride and groom. The whole scene was lively and joyful. Ruan Mian learned from Meng Xinglan that in addition to Chen Yi and Shen Yu, the groomsmen Liang Yiran had finally decided on also included Jiang Rang, who had returned home temporarily. “He also just…

It should have been the summer of 2008. On a bored evening, Chen Yi went to the small internet cafe on Pingjiang West Lane. The August heat in Pingcheng was stuffy and oppressive, carrying lingering heat even in the evening breeze. After playing some games in the air-conditioned room thick with smoke, he came out…

Meng Xinglan and Liang Yiran had work on Monday, so they booked a flight back to Pingcheng on Sunday night. After dinner, Ruan Mian sent them to the airport. When she got back, she saw on Moments that Chen Yi had recently posted a new status: “Out on a mission, will be back end of…

In the dimly lit living room, the lights flickered as the terrifying background music had everyone sitting on the sofa tense, with screams stuck in their throats, just a second away from bursting out. The balcony sliding door was not shut tightly. The wind blew the curtains, letting in a sliver of light that flickered…