That birthday passed without a ripple.
I had prepared six candles. When I reached the third one, I suddenly felt tired.
Looking around the empty house, no matter how much I had tried to decorate with warm orange tones, it couldn't mask the loneliness.
I was feeling a little drained.
So, I blew out the three candles, tossed them into the trash can, and poked a piece of cream cake into my mouth with a fork.
The rich sweetness of the cream lifted my mood just a little.
I cut a small slice of cake, opened a bottle of cola, and settled on the couch to watch a replay of the film from last night.
This film wasn't really that interesting. Just as I was about to switch to a movie, I got a call from an unfamiliar number.
I answered.
It was Arthur's mother.
She first asked me how I was doing in a soft tone, talking for a long time until I grew impatient.
"Madam, what exactly do you want?"
She chuckled and said:"Lily, I wasn't aware that Arthur was going to see you about an arranged marriage. But his mentor told me he plans to introduce him to the granddaughter of an academician."
"Your background is too different. Our family could never accept someone like you as a my son's wife... Lily, even though Arthur has sought you out, please don't get any wrong ideas, understand?"
I paused for a moment, feeling speechless.
"So, you're not going to manage your own son, but you're here to warn me not to have unrealistic dreams?"
She smiled:
"Our Arthur is a genius, and you... heh, Lily, I'm doing this for your own good."
"You think you can educate me? Who do you think you are?"
I sat up, coldly rebuking her:
"Calling you Madam doesn't mean I see you as a highly respected woman. I don't even listen to my own parents, so who the hell are you?"
With that, I hung up the phone, still seething with anger.
I tugged at my hair, took Arthur off my blacklist, and called him.
The anger that had been building since yesterday surged up, and I began yelling at him: "Are you crazy? Is your entire family insane?"
"Coming here out of nowhere to humiliate me? Do you think I'm some kind of cheap person?"
"You all..."
I ranted for a long time, until I felt a little better, then stopped talking and took a few sips of cola.
It was then I heard Arthur's voice: "I'm sorry, I..."
Before he could finish, I pressed the call end button and added his number back to my blacklist. I felt much better inside.
Going crazy really was refreshing.
Three years ago, when I first came to this city, I swear:
"I will never let myself suffer again."
I had endured so much before, and I had had enough.
Now, even if I die, I will never let anyone bully me again.
My tablet had been unused for too long, and the screen was dark, reflecting my expressionless face. Looking at the face that looked so much like my mother's, I gave a sarcastic smile.
I didn't even care about my biological parents anymore. In this world, who else could make me lower my head?
---
After my holiday ended and I returned to work, my boss was excited, announcing that he had hired a big-shot from the industry as an intern. I suddenly had a bad feeling.
"Hello, everyone."
It was, of course, Arthur.
He bought drinks for everyone, setting them on the table, smiling in a warm and refined way.
"Please, everyone, take care of me from now on."
I stared at him expressionlessly, watching as he returned my gaze with a gentle smile. I suddenly couldn't understand what he was trying to do.
Persistent pursuit wasn't his style. I didn't think I was attractive enough for him to chase me this way. What about his dignity?
What about his pride?
After all those rejections, why was he still so eager to come back? Was he really that pathetic?
I didn't take his drinks. I turned and walked away, not sparing him a single glance.
A while later, Arthur appeared in front of my desk, holding a cup of cola.
"I got this for you, your favorite."
"I don't like it."
I glanced at him. "The reason I told you I liked it before was so you wouldn't bring me something I liked."
He froze for a moment, but didn't get angry.
"Then what do you like? I'll go buy it for you."
Smack!
I slammed my pen on the table.
I looked up and bluntly asked him: "Arthur, are you pathetic?"
"After I've scolded you, driven you away, and pushed you away so many times, why are you still chasing after me? Do you have a fetish for being treated like a dog?"
He pressed his lips together.
"Is it a fetish to want to be your dog? Does that count?"
I was stunned.
A colleague nearby dropped her chair in shock.
She looked at me, then at Arthur, terrified.
"You... you two..."
I'm chasing her, Arthur smiled and said to her.
