Chapter 81: Gains and Losses

Beep... beep... beep...

Beep... beep... beep...

The unchanging ring echoed persistently in his ear as Zhao Zejun held the phone, waiting until the call timed out and disconnected automatically.

He put the phone down and sat on the bed, staring blankly for a while before pulling out a cigarette, rising to push open the small room’s window.

Lighting the cigarette, he leaned at an angle against the window, squinting as he gazed out into the world, lost in thoughts unknown even to himself.

He smoked slowly, but no matter how leisurely, a cigarette—tail and all—measuring merely 7.4 centimeters, would inevitably burn out.

When the cigarette was finished, Zhao Zejun flicked the stub away, closed the window again, gathered himself, and set off once more for the construction site.

...

Jianwu City, Provincial Academy of Arts, girls’ dormitory.

Xia Yubing looked worn and exhausted, mourning band still wrapped around her arm, gazing at her phone in a daze.

Zhou Yuanyuan sat beside her, letting out a gentle sigh. “Bingbing, why won’t you answer his calls? In times like this, let him be there for you…”

Xia Yubing stared blankly at the missed call on her phone screen, silent for a moment before her voice emerged, rough and broken: “Yuanyuan, my father just passed. Let’s not talk about these things.”

“Poor girl.” Zhou Yuanyuan pulled Xia Yubing into an embrace.

She understood the turmoil in Xia Yubing’s heart. Her father had just died; she yearned for companionship, yet couldn’t accept the idea of romance with a boy in such circumstances.

Conflicting desires battled within her, leaving this young girl with only avoidance: unanswered calls, no contact, escape.

“Don’t be too sad. Your father in heaven would want you to be happy. Take this summer to rest and recover. I’ll take you out and about, and when school starts, I’ll help you call him. He’ll be coming to Jianwu for school, and you two can reconnect then…”

“Yuanyuan, if you’re really my friend, promise me you won’t tell him about my situation,” Xia Yubing said firmly, shaking her head with conviction.

“You stubborn thing! Your mom’s gone back to the capital, I’ll be travelling all over the country, and you’ll be all alone here in Jianwu—how pitiful is that? Besides, he’s such an outstanding guy. Even if you don’t date him, having him as company to ward off loneliness isn’t bad. People call that a ‘spare tire’ now, right? Well, he’s better quality than any main tire, and if anything happens, he’ll be there to help.” Zhou Yuanyuan argued.

“I know you mean well, but it’s not how you think.”

Xia Yubing spoke slowly. “Back then, it was me who insisted on going to the capital. I said it many times and never wavered. If I’d stayed for him, I could have told him so honestly. But now, it’s because I failed the exams and can’t go to university in the capital; I was reassigned to Southern Jiangsu University. I really don’t know how to face him.”

“What’s so hard about facing him? Embarrassed? Silly girl, matters between men and women aren’t for you to be strong about. Now’s your chance to show your vulnerable side and let him care for you—take him down in one move!” Zhou Yuanyuan insisted.

“I’m not trying to be strong… I don’t know how to say it.”

Xia Yubing’s mind was a mess. Back when she was with Zhao Zejun, they were equals in spirit—perhaps she even held an advantage, thanks to her family background. If things had continued as they were, even if separated by thousands of miles, she could calmly face Zhao Zejun, perhaps even invest herself in a long-distance romance, caring little for the outcome.

But then her father died suddenly, she failed the college entrance exams, her mother suffered a breakdown and moved back to the capital for work and convalescence, and her world was upended; every foundation she relied upon collapsed in a heartbeat.

Now, she couldn’t find her place, felt hollow and adrift, unsure what attitude to take toward Zhao Zejun.

Zhou Yuanyuan was quiet for a moment, then asked, “So you’ve decided to break things off with him?”

A wave of pain washed over Xia Yubing’s heart. Weakly, she said, “Yuanyuan, can we just not talk about this? My mind’s a mess.”

“Alright, alright. We won’t talk about it.” Zhou Yuanyuan hugged Xia Yubing, comforting her as one would a child.

At that moment, someone knocked at the door, and Zhou Yuanyuan rose to open it.

Standing in the hallway was a man in his thirties or forties, with a resolute face and ramrod-straight posture, like a javelin in the cramped corridor.

Men were rarely allowed into the girls’ dorm, but Zhou Yuanyuan showed no surprise at his arrival.

In Southern Jiangsu Province, there might be places this uncle couldn’t enter, but the modest art school dorm was certainly not among them.

“Uncle Wang, you’re here. Please come in!” Zhou Yuanyuan rushed to welcome him.

Xia Yubing seemed familiar with him, greeting, “Uncle Wang.”

‘Uncle Wang’ swept his gaze around the room and paused at the little one-meter-wide bed where Xia Yubing was staying, frowning. “Bingbing, before your father passed, he bought you an apartment near Southern Jiangsu University—a spacious one. Pack your things and move in today. I’ve hired two housekeepers for you, to cook and clean.”

“Uncle Wang, there’s no need. I’m fine here, and school will start soon. I’ll just stay in the dorm.” Xia Yubing shook her head.

No matter how confused, she didn’t believe her father had somehow predicted her exam failure, her reassignment to Southern Jiangsu University, and bought a house in advance.

That apartment was clearly bought by Uncle Wang.

Uncle Wang glanced at Zhou Yuanyuan, who caught his meaning and urged, “Bingbing, listen to me. My dorm is too far from your school, and when term starts there’ll be new roommates moving in. Living in your father’s apartment is convenient and quiet, and I’ll visit whenever I can to keep you company. Isn’t that better?”

With Zhou Yuanyuan’s encouragement, Xia Yubing couldn’t insist any longer and nodded, rising to pack her belongings.

“Miss Zhou, thank you for looking after Bingbing these days. I’ll treat you to dinner to express my gratitude,” Uncle Wang said to Zhou Yuanyuan.

“Uncle Wang, Bingbing and I grew up together. There’s no hardship, and no need to thank me.” Zhou Yuanyuan replied with quiet dignity.

Uncle Wang gave her a longer look, nodded, and said, “If Miss Zhou wishes, you can move in as well. My work is busy, and I sometimes worry about Bingbing. You’d be good company for her, and the apartment is spacious and comfortable.”

“Thank you, Uncle Wang. I understand.” Zhou Yuanyuan replied.

Xia Yubing didn’t have much luggage, and soon she was ready to leave. Before heading out, she pulled a CD from the bookshelf. “Yuanyuan, may I take this CD?”

The disc had been produced internally by the art school and contained several theme songs and interludes from a recent youth campus documentary, including the song “Miss Xia” that Zhao Zejun had written especially for her.

“Of course.” Zhou Yuanyuan paused, then gently advised, “Don’t listen to too many songs—they only make things harder. Come on, I’ll walk you downstairs.”

The two girls descended, and outside the dormitory a luxurious Cadillac was parked, standing out vividly among the rows of Audis, Toyotas, and Mercedes. Many art school girls coming and going couldn’t help but steal glances.

“Yuanyuan, I’m off. I’ll contact you when I’m settled.”

“Alright.”

With a smile, Zhou Yuanyuan watched Xia Yubing depart in the Cadillac, standing at the dorm entrance, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Why are some people born with everything?

Even after seeming to lose it all, they still possess more than those who struggle relentlessly?

She’d forced herself to accept this innate inequality since childhood, and thought she’d grown used to it over the years.

But watching the Cadillac drive away, Zhou Yuanyuan suddenly realized: she would never accept it.