I Am The Third Party (GL) - Chapter 12

To make it easier for work, I moved into Qi Xi’s house in the Hejing neighborhood.

It was a typical two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment.

Strangely, Qi Xi gave me the master bedroom while she hunkered down in the guest room, which had been converted into a study. It contained only a sofa bed and numerous bookcases.

The bookcases were filled with books on design and beverages.

Among two books on the tea ceremony, I found an old hard copy, filled to the brim.

It was entirely devoted to the appreciation and brewing of tea, with detailed instructions and diagrams and illustrations. It was clear the owner had put a lot of effort into the book.

I flipped to the last page of my notebook. The word “Si Nan” was written all over the page in pencil, with a black square drawn in the lower right corner. I had no idea what it meant.

Si Nan? I thought of Bei.

I chuckled softly, closed the book, and slipped it into the gap between the two books. My fingers brushed the spines, and the corners of my mouth twitched unconsciously.

“Qi Xi!” I called.

“What are you doing?” Qi Xi’s response came from the bathroom, but it was lost in the water and inaudible.

“How long have you lived here? Don’t you usually live in Taoyuan? How many houses do you have?”

“Then it depends on where I work. I’ll live somewhere close to where I change jobs. Why are you asking so many questions?”

“You still have a job?”

Qi Xi punched the bathroom door. “What makes you think I don’t?”

I walked out of the bathroom and punched back. “I don’t see you working. You’re flirting with women, and, um, getting in fights.”

“So in your mind, I’m a scoundrel who doesn’t have a job, flirts with women, and gets into fights?”

“You figured it out yourself!”

I expected Qi Xi to rush out and beat me up, but she didn’t.

I watched the frosted glass on the bathroom door turn a blurry flesh-colored. Qi Xi leaned against it and sighed, “If you think so, then so be it.”

With a bang, she opened the bathroom door and emerged barefoot, wrapped in a large towel. As she passed me, the water droplets from her long hair, mixed with the scent of shampoo, hit my face.

I turned around, but all I saw was the dark back of her head. She walked straight into the guest room and closed the door, leaving me stunned and bewildered, staring at the closed door.

My mind went blank for a moment.

For the first time, Qi Xi felt so unfamiliar, as if the person I’d been with was just an illusion based on Qi Xi, very real, yet never existed.

My nose felt a little cold, and I reached out to touch it. Slowly walking to the guest room door, my hand moved from my nose to the door. The door panel was still colder than my nose.

—————————————————-

I wanted to tell Qi Xi that Xiaoli and I were going to a fashion show, and that I wanted her to come with us. I could buy her another ticket.

But when I saw the bookcase in the guest room filled with design books and pages filled with “Si Nan,” I decisively rejected the idea.

I searched the bookcase for a long time, but couldn’t find the copy of “Chinese Elements and Fashion Design.”

Ironically, I found so many “Si Nan” copies.

I still remember the cool, smooth touch of my fingertips as I traced the three gilded characters “Yan Si Nan.”

I knew I didn’t even have the strength to feel sad or awkward.

When I left, the door was tightly shut; I guess he was still asleep.

I toasted a few slices of toast, fried two eggs and ham slices, and made a few sandwiches with lettuce.

I washed the grapes, cut the potatoes, cucumbers, apples, and pears into pieces, and poured the salad over them and put them in a bowl. I warmed the milk in a thermos and found a piece of dark chocolate to lean against the cup.

After thinking for a while, I took the sticky note and pen from the bedside table, wrote a message, and went out.

———————–

The autumn in City A is clear and crisp, with sunshine everywhere, but the wind is a little strong and whistling.

Xiaoli, wrapped in a small fur coat and wearing tassel boots, ran over to me, giggled, and took my arm, “Xianxian, who were you thinking about last night? Your eyes are so dark.”

“Really?”

I got up early because I had to catch the bus. After washing up, I was busy preparing breakfast for Qi Xi and had no time to dress myself. Besides, I didn’t really care about these things, so I went out directly after cooking.

Xiaoli came closer to look at me, pouted and nodded, “This really couldn’t be more real.”

You nudged her with your elbow, “Did you bring a makeup bag?”

Lily raised her arm and shook her small leather bag, nodded with her innocent big eyes.

I pulled her up to climb onto the bus, “Come on, come on, cover up for me on the bus.”

“Hey hey – go slowly.”

We were sitting in the second to last row, I was by the window and Xiaoli was by the aisle. She patted my face with a powder puff and said, “Xianxian, I think you’re not normal today, like you’ve lost your soul.” “

You had a nightmare.”

“Tsk, you’ve never had good sleep. You were always the last one to fall asleep in the dormitory, and you were very restless, waking up as soon as you were disturbed.”

“Yeah, you see I didn’t sleep well, and I came to accompany you with dark circles under my eyes. That’s enough

, isn’t it?” “Enough, that’s enough. But let me tell you, this fashion show is really good, it’s nice to see it.” “

I hope so -“

I breathed a sigh of relief, my head aching a little.

The fashion show was held at the Yangui Art Center, quite far from where we lived.

Honestly, I don’t have much artistic talent, so asking me to come to a fashion show felt like a complete waste.

I’ve imitated Lanlan’s ghostly walnut-shaped paintings and have also looked through art books, something I learned through Xiao Xuewu’s influence.

These were my only ties to art.

So, standing at the entrance to the art center, I felt a sense of trepidation.

Xiaoli saw me staring at the building, tugged at my hand, and exclaimed, “Xianxian, are you okay? Your hands are cold.”

I tucked my hand into my coat sleeve, “Maybe I’m not wearing enough.”

“Hey, let’s go in! It’s cold outside. Don’t catch a cold.”

“Okay.”

I lowered my head and let Xiaoli lead me inside. I was distracted and dazed the whole way until I finally reached the main hall and sat on a chair. The white lights behind the runway hurt my eyes.

The music played: guzheng, erhu, and pipa.

Not far away, a lady in a cheongsam was making kung fu tea, and the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Tall models walked down the runway, their heads held high as they approached, then struck a pose before walking straight back.

Countless meticulously designed garments flashed before my eyes, but I couldn’t remember a single one. The hall felt stuffy, the scent of sandalwood so thick it nearly choked me.

Three hours later, the exhibition finally closed.

Xiaoli excitedly took my hand. “Xianxian, aren’t those clothes beautiful? They combine elements of Tang and Song dynasty costumes with ancient Persian clothing, blended into modern styles. It’s amazing and very stylish!”

My head was buzzing, the sandalwood incense nearly shutting me down. I couldn’t hear Xiaoli’s chattering, and my temples ached like they were about to explode.

“Xianxian, you look so pale, and why are your hands so cold? Xianxian, are you okay?”

“No,” I said, pushing her hand away. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Huh? Oh, it’s over there. I’ll meet you in the lounge. Call me if you need anything.”

“Yeah, I know…”

I slowly walked forward, holding onto the wall.

I didn’t really want to go to the bathroom; I just wanted to get some fresh air.

The hallway was overpowering with the sandalwood scent, and with no ventilation, it had triggered my allergic reaction, making it hard to breathe.

I looked for the emergency exit sign in the hallway and found my way.

The beige door between the staircase and the passageway was ajar. My soft, soft shoes made no sound as I stepped through.

From behind the door came a small, gentle, grinding sound.

My intuition told me someone was behind the door, so I held my breath and leaned forward to peer through the crack…

A tall woman with long, dark hair tied back stood with her back to me, hugging a delicate woman in a light-blue Tang suit around the waist. One hand cupped her buttocks, his lips and teeth intertwined, his tongues mingling.

Their clothes rubbed against each other, making a subtle rustling sound. The woman would release her cherry lips to give her a moment to breathe, her forehead pressed against hers, gently nuzzling her neck. A gurgling sob escaped her throat, and she whispered, incredibly tenderly, “Sinan, Sinan.” “

Sinan.

” Oh, Sinan, I was still missing Bei.

It seems my head isn’t hurting as much as before.

Hmm, that’s great.

I turned and hurried back, walking quickly, but making no sound despite my pace.

“Are you feeling better, Xianxian?” Xiaoli stood up from the stool and hurried over to help me.

“Much better. Let’s go back. I’m a little cold. I need to take some medicine.”

“Yes, yes, yes. Do you

have any medicine at home?” Oh, how would I know if Qi Xi

had any medicine? “It seems so.”

“Then I’ll buy some on the way.”

“Okay.”

“Xianxian, are you really okay? Are you—”

“It’s okay. Let’s go.”

Xiaoli moved her lips, looked at me with concern, sighed, and said nothing, helping me down the stairs.

As we reached the reception hall of the art center, a man in a black suit suddenly approached us.

He walked up to us, bowed slightly, and smiled. “Excuse me, ladies, may I bother you for a moment?”

Xiaoli looked at me and nodded. “What can I do for you? Can you please hurry? My friend isn’t feeling well and wants to go home right away.” “

Oh? I’m so sorry. Please wait a moment, it will be fine soon.”

The man turned and walked away. A moment later, he returned with two mink coats wrapped in hangers with sealed bags and an exquisite jewelry box.

“Ladies, you’re in luck! These two coats are our company’s newest products. My chairman was at the fashion show today and said he felt a strong affinity with you two. You two really match the coat’s aesthetic, so he wanted to give them to you. I hope you’ll accept them.”

The man politely handed the coats to us.

I wanted to refuse, but Xiaoli accepted them eagerly, thanking him profusely and asking if the chairman was still here and if we could meet.

“I’m sorry, but the chairman’s schedule is packed. He has to go to other companies to discuss business, so I’m afraid I won’t have time to chat with you two. Please forgive me,”

the man politely declined, handing me the jewelry box. “The chairman heard you were ill and asked me to give this to you. I hope you recover soon.”

I took the jewelry box, still conscious,

when suddenly there was a commotion on the main staircase opposite the main entrance. A group of men and women in formal business suits descended in an orderly manner.

The leader wore a snow-white dress, draped over a thick, dark blue cape trimmed with pure white fur, which fluttered gently as she walked.

She wore a large, white-feathered hat, its white veil adorned with pearls, and her hair, tucked into a bun, was hidden within. Large gray sunglasses concealed her features, leaving only a glimpse of her fair skin visible from her exposed neck.

A cool breeze blew as the group passed by.

I lowered my head, watching a pair of silver-rimmed crystal high heels slowly pass by.

At that moment, I caught a faint scent.

For some reason, it struck me as familiar.

Someone in the group muttered something in some unidentified language. The man who had just delivered our gifts responded, his smile fading as he followed them out.

I looked up suddenly, watching the group leave the hall and gradually disappear.

Xiaoli opened the sealed bag and spread a coat over my shoulders, “Xianxian, let’s go home.”

I hugged the jewelry box tightly in my arms, tightened it tightly, and breathed in the cold air through my mouth.

“Hey, what’s in it? Xianxian, open it and take a look.”