Zhou Suisui opened the dark blue paper bag by the trash can in the mall's fire escape.
She carefully tore up all the packaging and threw it away, keeping only the pair of pearl earrings clutched in her hand. The earring posts pressed into her palm, stinging slightly.
She put them in her pocket, pushed the door open, and walked toward the subway station.
Inside her pocket, the earrings gently tapped against her thigh with every step.
When she pushed open the door to her apartment, only a single floor lamp was on in the living room.
In the dim yellow halo of light, Lin Xiao sat on the sofa with her back to her, a heavy art book spread across her lap. Hearing the door open, Lin Xiao didn't turn around; she merely raised her hand slightly.
Under the light, that hand was so white it was almost transparent. Her wrist was slender, adorned with an incredibly delicate bracelet Suisui had never seen before, but it sparkled brilliantly.
Lin Xiao kept her hand raised like that, her fingertips lightly tracing the page of the art book. Then, in an incredibly natural tone, as if just mentioning it in passing, she said softly:
"Suisui, Mr. Chen had someone bring me a few things. There's a new box of face masks on the cabinet. I find them a bit irritating, but your skin is resilient, so you should be able to use them."
Zhou Suisui's footsteps halted.
She looked at Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao hadn't even looked up at her.
She was just speaking in a tone of charity.
Zhou Suisui's fingers suddenly tightened inside her pocket.
The sharp posts of the pearl earrings pierced fiercely into her fingertips.
It hurt.
But she didn't let go.
"Thank you." She heard her own voice, terrifyingly calm. "But no need. My skin has been a bit sensitive lately too."
Lin Xiao finally looked up.
She gave Zhou Suisui a glance. Her gaze was indifferent, sliding from her face to her clothes, and then to her empty hands.
Then, she let out a very faint smile.
It wasn't mocking, nor was it smug.
"Suit yourself." Lin Xiao lowered her head and went back to her art book. "It's a waste just leaving them there."
Zhou Suisui stood rooted to the spot, giving her a deep look.
She slowly walked back to her own room and closed the door.
Leaning against the door panel, she finally relaxed her grip. The pair of earrings lay in her palm, the blood on the tips having already bloomed into a small patch of dark red.
She walked over to the mirror and looked at herself.
Her face was pale, her eyes frighteningly bright.
She picked up the earrings and put them on, one by one.
The luster of the pearls made her earlobes look even whiter.
She stared into the mirror for a long time.
Then, she raised her hand and, with her blood-stained fingertip, gently touched the pearl on her earlobe.
It was cold.
Just like Lin Xiao's look just now.
And just like the fire burning ever brighter in her heart at this moment—freezing cold, but enough to incinerate everything, including her last bit of ridiculous pride.
"Zhou Suisui," she said to her reflection, very, very softly. "You have to make her remember today."
"Remember how she bestowed her charity upon you."
"And then, one day..."
"You will make it so she doesn't even have the right to offer charity."
---
Friday evening, Zhou Suisui closed her bedroom door, carrying a bulging backpack.
The hallway lights weren't on yet; only the green glow of the emergency exit sign reflected on the wall. She leaned against the fire door and heard the faint sound of Lin Xiao turning pages inside.
Their earlier conversation had been exceedingly simple.
Lin Xiao had asked, "Going out?"
She had replied, "Meeting up with college friends, might stay over for the night."
Lin Xiao just gave an "Mm," without looking up.
That was it.
Zhou Suisui looked down at her backpack. It was dark blue, washed until it was slightly faded, its zipper bulging slightly from being stuffed too full. Inside were a black velvet dress and high heels carefully wrapped in dust bags, a toiletry bag, and a T-shirt acting as cover.
Everything made sense. A college student gathering, an overnight stay, bringing a change of clothes. Lin Xiao had no reason to be suspicious, and indeed, she hadn't asked anything more.
But Zhou Suisui still felt a tightness in her chest.
It wasn't because she was lying; the excuse was half-true. Li Ting had indeed invited her out, just not tonight.
It was because of that... dismissive feeling. In Lin Xiao's eyes, her leaving with a backpack was so ordinary it wasn't even worth a second glance.
Zhou Suisui took a deep breath and walked toward the elevator.
At exactly seven o'clock, she stood in the restroom of a chain coffee shop opposite the hotel.
The stall was narrow, the exhaust fan buzzing overhead. She changed into the black velvet dress. The zipper on the back caught for a moment, and she had to reach behind and pull hard to zip it up. The hem was very long, forcing her to lift the skirt to reach her high heels.
Finally came the pearl earrings. Using the reflection of her phone screen, she carefully put them on.
The person in the reflection had completely changed.
She stuffed her discarded hoodie and jeans back into the backpack and walked to the counter to check it. When the clerk handed her the claim tag, they gave her a few extra glances.
Zhou Suisui didn't mind. She pushed open the door of the coffee shop. The evening breeze blew against her face, and the velvet fabric clung to her skin, feeling somewhat cool.
Right across the street was the hotel. Warm yellow light spilled from the revolving doors, and shifting silhouettes could be seen beneath the crystal chandeliers.
She gripped her handbag tightly.
The light turned green.
Zhou Suisui crossed the street, her high heels making crisp clicking sounds against the asphalt. Every click seemed to remind her: there was no turning back.
The revolving door turned slowly, and she stepped inside.
Warm air, mixed with the scents of perfume, alcohol, and food, instantly enveloped her. The sound of a piano drifted from the direction of the banquet hall, faint and intermittent. People bustled through the lobby—men in crisp suits, women in exquisite gowns. Everyone spoke in hushed tones, their laughter as restrained as if it had been rehearsed.
Zhou Suisui stood in place for two seconds.
Then she saw Senior Wang walking briskly from the banquet hall entrance, a smile on his face as his eyes looked her up and down.
"Suisui!" he said, stopping in front of her. "You're finally here—"
Before he could finish his sentence, the banquet hall doors behind him opened again.
Several people walked out, conversing in low voices as they moved. The leading man wore a black silk shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows, his head turned as he spoke to someone beside him.
It was Chen Boxu.
Zhou Suisui's breath caught for a moment.
He saw her, too.
His gaze swept over, like an icy searchlight, resting on her for less than a second.
Then it moved away.
As if she were merely an insignificant decoration in the background.
Chen Boxu and the group walked toward the elevators, their footsteps echoing on the marble floor, gradually fading into the distance.
Senior Wang was still talking: "...A few important clients came tonight, let me introduce you..."
Zhou Suisui stared in the direction where Chen Boxu had disappeared, her fingers tightening on the strap of her handbag.
The pearl earrings pressed against her earlobes, stinging slightly.
She turned her head back and offered Senior Wang a practiced smile.
"Sure," she said. "Thank you for the trouble."
