Taking Advantage, Then Trying to Run - Chapter 8

After that day, I didn’t see Hai Yan again.

Whenever I invited her to eat over WeChat, she refused.

I couldn’t think of any other reasonable excuse to get close to her.

She specialized in heavy deliveries and earned three or four times as much as an ordinary courier. Unfortunately, because my home lacked no large furniture or appliances, I’d lost the only convenient way to have her come to my door.

Every day, I wondered how I might see her again.

I couldn’t simply visit the parcel station—that would be too obvious, and she was almost never there anyway.

She delivered in this very district.

So why was it so hard to catch even a glimpse of her?

*I want to see her.* The thought clung to my bones like a maggot, gnawing constantly at my nerves.

By the time I realized what I was doing, I’d been watching the security footage from that night for ages.

I watched myself pounce on her and lick her body.

Unable to stop, I dragged the progress bar back and forth, replaying that section again and again.

Heaven help me. I’d lost my mind.

A girl not yet twenty had driven me insane!

I couldn’t tell anyone about this secret impulse.

That only made my sleepless nights worse.

—

“Well, Ms. Nan. What rare wind blew an honored guest like you my way today?”

I sat beside my best friend, utterly dejected.

I picked up the drink in front of her and drained it. “Yu Yue, I’m finished.”

Yu Yue rolled her eyes. “That was my drink.”

“I drank it anyway.”

She rolled her eyes even harder and ordered two more.

“What could possibly have our Ms. Nan in such distress? Tell me.”

I lifted a fresh glass and emptied it too.

“I met a kid recently.”

“As if you haven’t met plenty over the years.” A crooked smile tugged at her lips. “What, did one of your young wolves stop obeying? Find another. Why torture yourself?”

“Not a young wolf.” I planted my elbows on the table, drove all ten fingers into my hair, and gripped. “I don’t know how to explain it…”

“What happened?”

Amused by my reaction, Yu Yue became interested. “Don’t tell me your tastes suddenly changed and you started craving leathery old meat. Don’t scare me! If you’re going after old men, I’ll have to kick you out of the girls’ group before you lower our standards.”

I stared at her.

I had no words. None!

“Not old meat! Who wants old meat?” I slapped the table in agitation. “Fresh young meat! Young!”

Nearby customers turned to glance at us.

Yu Yue pinned my hand down. “Okay, okay. Fresh young meat. Then eat him. What’s the problem?”

“I haven’t!” I was close to tears. “That’s the problem! I haven’t had so much as a taste!”

Her brows shot up. “How? Zhiyi, with your face, figure, and position, what young thing wouldn’t bite? It’s only for fun. You hook every one you cast for.”

“Aaaagh!”

Groaning, I buried my face in my arms.

Yu Yue sat straighter, her expression turning serious. “What’s going on? Zhiyi… don’t tell me you’re sincere this time.”

I fell silent for several seconds.

“…I don’t know.”

“You’re doomed.”

She tipped her head back and rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “You’ve fallen. How could *you* be the first one? Of all our friends, I was sure you’d be the one to die alone!”

I jerked up and stared at her. “What the hell are you saying? Is that really how you see me?”

“Of course.” Yu Yue shrugged without shame. “You married your job. How could anyone expect you to build a family with a human being?”

I had no strength to argue.

She patted my shoulder. “All right. Tell me about your fresh young meat. What’s the situation? I’ll advise you.”

I hesitated over and over.

In the end, I decided to conceal Hai Yan’s sex for now.

“That day, I got drunk, and then…”

—

“It sounds as though you’ve met a formidable opponent.”

Yu Yue nodded thoughtfully. “This kid is playing at a very high level. Look how thoroughly he’s hooked you. Tsk, tsk.”

“Stop talking nonsense and tell me what to do.” I covered my face, miserable.

“If you can’t see him, manufacture a meeting. Smash a few large appliances at home. Replace one today and another tomorrow. Plenty of opportunities.”

I glared at her. “Isn’t that too obvious? She’ll know what I want!”

“That’s the point. Otherwise, how is the relationship supposed to move forward?”

“If she knows, she’ll avoid me even more!”

“Why would he?” Yu Yue couldn’t understand. “If a woman like you chases him, what man wouldn’t be tempted? Unless he’s gay?”

“She’s not…” Once more, I buried my face and wailed. “If she really were gay, that would solve everything!”

“The more I hear, the less I understand.” Yu Yue’s whole face scrunched up. “If nothing else works, buy the parcel station.”

“Am I sick in the head?”

“You are. Lovesick.” She curled her lip. “If your precious young thing is truly as difficult as you say, you have only two choices: replace your appliances or buy the station. Pick one.”

I stared at her for a long time.

Then I collapsed into my arms and howled again.

“My life is so miserable!”

Yu Yue said nothing.