Caged Freedom

The whole city knew that Mr. Shen kept a canary. He lives in a single-family villa in the east of the city and never shows up. Some said she was a student at a film school, others said she was a bankrupt daughter of some family. The most widely circulated version was that she had a very beautiful face and was so well-behaved that Shen Chi pointed eastward but she would never go west. I heard the most irritating comment when I was buying groceries in the supermarket. Two men in suits stood next to the freezer. Their voices were neither loud nor quiet, just enough for me to hear: "Mr. Shen? Hey, it's just a toy. You'll get tired of it in two days." I lowered my head to pick the broccoli and blushed slightly. They probably thought I was ashamed. In fact, I was holding back my laughter. That night, Shen Chishen came back very late. As soon as I walked in, I smelled alcohol. He leaned against the entrance hall, his tie half loosened, and the cuffs of his shirt rolled up to his forearm, revealing a wrist with clear veins. There was only one floor lamp turned on in the living room. His face was half bright and half dark, but his eyes were straight, staring at me. I didn't move. He walked over, his steps a bit wobbly, but his direction was not wrong at all. When my back hit the wall, I took a small breath. His arms were wrapped around my sides, and his whole body was pressed down, smelling of alcohol and a little bit of emotion that I couldn't identify - maybe someone stabbed him with me again tonight. "Say," he lowered his head, his forehead almost touching mine, and his voice was hoarse, "you are mine." I looked at him. Look at the crazy, unabashed possessiveness in his eyes. I watched it for a long time. Then I raised my hand