Otis had been living frugally all week, so much so that his taste buds felt like they could whistle in the wind. Every time he passed the spicy noodle shop downstairs, he would stop and inhale deeply for a couple of minutes.
Oh, how fragrant it was.
The shop owner downstairs saw this strange man stand outside her shop every day, his face full of longing, only to quietly walk away. She couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Are you going to eat or not?
He wanted to, but his wallet said no.
Mei was in the same boat, enduring a spartan diet all week.
Breakfast was cereal. Lunch was a simple meal for about ten yuan. Dinner? Bread.
Bread again.
Mei felt like crying.
When Otis got back to their shared apartment, he shared some news with Mei, who was lounging on the couch.
"This weekend, I'm going to a teambuilding event."
Mei, busy researching cheap but tasty meal options, looked up. She was dressed in a simple white dress, her feet in pink slippers, her pale toes gently rubbing against the soles.
Otis couldn't help glancing at her feet for a moment before clearing his throat and looking away.
Mei had discovered that cooking for herself could be cheap, delicious, and economical.
But they didn't have a pot.
Buying a pot cost money. Bowls too.
She wasn't sure she'd even have the time to cook after buying a pot, so it might end up being a waste of money. So, she hadn't bought one.
Hearing Otis's words, she let out an absent-minded "Hmm?" and looked up.
"Your teambuilding is already happening?"
Otis dropped his bag onto the chair and leaned closer to Mei, his eyes lighting up.
"Guess what we're eating for lunch tomorrow?"
Mei turned her head to look at him, her short hair brushing lightly against her ear and revealing a delicate, translucent earlobe.
Their relationship seemed to have eased slightly since Otis had given her the skincare set.
"What are you eating?"
Otis held up a finger in front of her face.
"Listen closely. Tomorrow's lunch is a steak and hotpot buffet—apparently, it's amazing. The hotpot is spicy and fragrant. And for dinner, we're having Chinese cuisine: braised beef, sea cucumber with scallions, stewed pork trotters, and braised ribs…"
Mei's gaze flicked to him, and she swallowed.
That annoying Otis!
So he still has no good intentions!
I thought he'd gotten better!
So annoying!
She responded coldly, her voice icy. "Good for you."
Otis had no idea what he'd done to upset her this time.
Why is she angry now?
Mei thought about how she'd be eating bread again tonight, and a wave of frustration washed over her.
When will payday come?
She was counting down the days, longing so much that even a mountain could grow a sun. This was only the first week. Payday was mid-month. Would five days' pay even amount to fifteen hundred yuan?
Otis asked, "Is your company not doing a teambuilding event?"
Mei shook her head. "No mention of one."
Otis let out an "Oh," realizing why she seemed upset.
Got it now.
He scratched his head.
But the two of them were already in a state of semi-cold war. It wasn't exactly hostile, but casual conversation was about as far as they'd go.
Otis looked at Mei, who had turned her back on him coldly, and retreated to his room.
The moment he entered, he began slapping his thigh.
Otis, you idiot!
It's because you never think before you speak—just blurt out whatever comes to mind without considering other people's feelings—that she broke up with you in the first place.
He flopped down on his bed, arms spread wide.
Staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, Otis sighed. The room was dim but not dark; the summer daylight lingered long.
Well, at least the long days save on electricity.
I need to watch what I say more. Have I been talking too much again?
Otis's earlier excitement mellowed as he turned to look at his pillow.
We're just temporary roommates. In three months, when we both have money, we'll go our separate ways. No need to overthink it.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Mei was regretting her reaction.
Why did I have to put on that cold face?!
Are you stupid?!
She smacked her hands against her cheeks.
It's not Otis's fault that I'm broke. He's already done so much for me.
While packing her things, Mei had realized that a lot of her clothes were gifts from Otis. She had kept them and brought them here.
One reason was that it seemed wasteful to throw them away.
The other was that she thought she'd never see him again, so it didn't matter.
But now Otis was casually chatting with her, and she had responded coldly.
But we've already broken up…
He doesn't like me anymore. Why would he even say those things to me?
As she mulled over these thoughts, Mei felt both a little sad and resentful. It was as if he were bragging.
Frustrated, she flopped onto the couch, pulling her knees up to her chest.
Under the same roof, in separate rooms, the two of them lay in almost identical postures, lost in their own thoughts.
As night fell, an hour passed. Both were still lying down, reflecting on life.
The silence between them turned into a tension-filled self-reflection, gradually morphing into thoughts of whether they'd said the wrong things three years ago.
Each began to revisit the issues in their past relationship.
Half an hour later, Mei made up her mind and stood up.
I need to apologize to Otis. He didn't mean to upset me. He's always been so straightforward.
With determination, she marched toward Otis's room. Just as she raised her hand to knock, the door swung open.
Otis had also been planning to explain to Mei that he hadn't meant to sound like he was boasting. But he hadn't expected her to be standing right there.
Mei lost her balance and stumbled forward.
She fell into Otis's arms.
---
Mei let out a startled yelp.
"Ah—"
Otis instinctively reached out, catching her.
Mei wasn't tall—about 156 cm—but her perfectly proportioned figure made her appear taller.
At 180 cm, Otis easily supported her. Mei's forehead bumped into his chest.
Both froze, stunned.
Otis was the first to recover.
One hand supported Mei's back, while the other held her slender, soft arm. Her skin was smooth as silk, delicate as water.
He asked anxiously, "Are you okay?"
Mei felt a wave of dizziness, followed by the familiar scent of Otis.
She had always loved this scent, like sunlight—bright, fresh, and irresistible. She could've buried her face in his chest all day, just breathing him in.
Without thinking, she rubbed her cheek against him like she used to and took a deep breath, her expression softening into one of pure contentment.
Then she looked up and met Otis's worried gaze.
Her entire body froze.