1. They met again at Grandpa Zhou’s birthday banquet. She was pulled through the crowded hall and pushed through the old mansion’s antique folding door. A tall figure leaned against a massive glass tank, watching trapped goldfish swim past. His languid, world-weary features were veiled in vivid red light.
“Third Brother, this is Ningning, the girl I told you about.”
At the sound, Zhou Shengheng turned around. He watched the young man in front of him holding her hand, his eagerness to show her off impossible to hide.
“Ningning.” Zhou Shengheng tapped the glass with his long fingers, repeating her nickname in a detached, teasing voice.
He sprinkled fish food into the tank. The goldfish surged toward it, splashing water onto her skirt.
Ning Xingwu took half a step back. Meeting his familiar, imposing gaze, she chose to forget those immature years of her youth.
So she held out her hand politely. “Hello, Mr. Zhou.”
Zhou Shengheng lowered his eyes without taking her hand. “Isn’t that a bit formal? Just call me Brother.”
2. Back on Changfeng Street, Zhou Shengheng had been notorious for his rebellious, unruly ways. Every time, he made Old Master Zhou so angry that the old man would hit him with his cane. “Our Ningning is the most well-behaved girl. As her big brother, you need to set a good example.”
But no one knew how the seemingly well-behaved Ning Xingwu had tugged on an invisible leash in her hand, scheming until Zhou Shengheng willingly bowed his head; or how fiercely they had kissed and drawn close in the cramped goldfish shop on Changfeng Street.
But as soon as her stay at his home ended, she disappeared without a trace.
*
Ning Xingwu never thought there was anything worth mentioning about that old story, steeped in dampness.
Halfway through the banquet, she was relieved to see half a glass of wine spilled on her skirt. She planned to change and leave in a hurry.
She had pulled the zipper halfway when someone seized her slender wrist and pinned her against the glass wall. Her dress slipped down. Behind her was a wall of swimming goldfish, and half his face was hidden in the murky glow of the water.
Ning Xingwu clutched her dress, a hint of rare panic gathering in her cool, beautiful eyes. “Mr. Zhou, please let...”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
His grip tightened. Zhou Shengheng held the back of her neck, their tipsy breaths mingling as he smothered her broken sobs.
Just beyond the door, Old Master Zhou smiled so broadly his eyes narrowed. He praised her to everyone he met. “Our Ningning is so well-behaved. Whoever she chooses will surely be a good boy too, unlike that troublesome brat of mine.”
Zhou Shengheng’s lips curved slightly. As if out of kindness, he loosened his hold on the person in his arms. His long fingers brushed the bite marks on her lips, and his voice was low and husky. “You really are well-behaved. After all these years, you still haven’t learned to catch your breath.”
#On Changfeng Street, shadows slant in the breeze. I steal a kiss on her cheek.
Written June 12, 2024
Theme: Sincerity for sincerity
