We should have a date on a sunny summer day.

So Xu Zhi knocked on Lin Ran’s door.

Lin Ran was still in bed, watching an old cartoon from last century on his computer screen. The moment Xu Zhi pushed the door open, light seemed to flood the curtained room.

“Out. Shopping. Big meal. My treat.”

With just four words, Xu Zhi made her purpose clear. But Lin Ran yanked the blanket over himself and played dead.

Xu Zhi planted her hands on her hips, exasperated. She’d climbed four flights in fake heels, exhausted. Today, she’d even worn light makeup and a pretty black-and-white lace-trimmed dress. Her slender legs, still fair and smooth from the sun, gleamed softly.

“You’ll grow mold stuck in this room all day,” she said.

Her gaze swept his messy room—chaotic but not dirty, items scattered with no logic. She had no urge to tidy it; last time she did, he’d complained about missing things.

Her eyes landed on the cat huddled in the corner.

“Why’d you suddenly get a cat?”

“Found it on the street. It followed me and wouldn’t leave.”

“A British Shorthair blue—probably a pet someone dumped?” Xu Zhi murmured to herself. “Come here, sweetie. Let Auntie hold you.”

The cat ignored her, claws instinctively unsheathed under its paws.

Xu Zhi stepped to the bed, knees sinking into the mattress. Her dress fanned out behind her in a graceful curve. She tugged his blanket. “Come on, let’s go out.”

“Why didn’t you warn me first?”

“If I warned you, you’d be ‘busy,’ ‘sick,’ or ‘stomach-aching.’ Better to show up unannounced.” Her voice was light. As Lin Ran rolled over, she flopped onto him.

Her summer dress barely covered her chest. Lying down, the pressed curves looked lovely. Xu Zhi’s skin was pale, but Lin Ran only glanced at her face before trying to play dead again.

The cat in the corner wanted to pounce and fight this woman—but it was just a cat.

“I wore this pretty dress for you. Walk with me?”

“No. The sun’s too harsh.”

“It won’t be. I’ll hold an umbrella for you.” Her smile was gentle, as if she didn’t notice her chest pressing against his.

As if she didn’t mind their closeness—close enough that lowering her head would brush his cheek with a kiss.

The room was dark, curtains drawn tight. She’d closed the door, casting everything in dim, hazy light. It felt intimate.

It should feel intimate. She was beautiful.

“But I’m sleepy. Want to nap.”

“Then I’ll nap with you. After, we’ll hit the night market.”

“Why cling to me, Sister Xu Zhi?”

“Because it’s fun.”

“Do you like me?”

“Yes.”

“The girls who loved me are all dead.”

“Then send a rose to my funeral.”

“You’re cute.”

“Thanks.”

Xu Zhi yanked off his blanket, kicked away her sandals, and slipped under the covers. The AC hummed, banishing summer’s heat—humanity’s greatest invention.

Then she hugged him.

“I… don’t like being hugged.”

Xu Zhi obediently let go, lying flat. His bed was soft. She inhaled a faint, pleasant scent but felt her mood dim slightly.

“I’m such a simp.”

“No simping, no pain.” Lin Ran murmured into his pillow, back turned.

“Nonsense. Unspoken crushes hurt more. Liking someone but fearing rejection? Better to pester them: ‘I like you.’ If they refuse, you can joke, ‘Just kidding.’ Get it?”

“Mm. If you like me, I refuse.”

“No problem. I was joking.”

She giggled, kicking her legs lightly.

Lin Ran finally turned. Face to face, close enough to count her lashes. After ten seconds, he saw a faint cherry blossom pink flush her cheeks.

“Am I pretty?” Xu Zhi asked softly, voice lazy.

“Pretty. Top three among all girls I’ve met.”

“From now on, I’m number one.”

“Why?”

“They’re dead. You said it yourself. I’m alive.” She winked, mischievous.

“Makes sense.”

Lin Ran nodded. The cat in the corner seethed with murderous intent—but a cat couldn’t kill a person.

Lin Ran planned to sleep. He was tired.

Xu Zhi planned to sleep too. She’d promised to keep him company.

Promises should be kept.

………………………………

A tickle on his cheek woke Lin Ran. Xu Zhi hovered close; her breath had caused the itch.

“Why wake so early?” he mumbled.

“Six o’clock.” Xu Zhi smiled, pinching his cheek with slender fingers like kneading a doll. Lin Ran sat up, glancing outside.

The setting sun dipped low. Summer night hadn’t fallen yet.

“What for dinner?” Xu Zhi sat on the bed’s edge, adjusting her collar.

“Whatever.”

“Rest then. I’ll cook noodles. I’ll call you when ready.”

Xu Zhi slipped into his slippers and headed to the kitchen.

………………………………

Truth was, Xu Zhi couldn’t cook noodles—only instant ones. Lin Ran’s pantry held plenty of quick meals. She grabbed two beef-flavor packs, tore them open, and dumped noodles, seasoning, and an egg into boiling water.

Soft humming drifted from the kitchen. Lin Ran got up, walked to the window, lit a cigarette.

The cat sat listlessly, like an empty shell.

At the lighter’s click, it perked up, meowing at Lin Ran. He glanced at it once, then looked back at the sinking sun.

Minutes later, Lin Ran carried in two bowls of instant noodles.

“Domestic goddess!” He clapped.

“Sister only knows instant noodles.”

Xu Zhi rolled her eyes. They sat at a small table, slurping noodles. One pack each was perfect—any more would be too much.

Xu Zhi wiped her lips with a tissue, folded it neatly, and dabbed his mouth. “Don’t move.”

Her touch was tender, wiping oil from his lip. Her eyes glowed softly; her upturned lips looked serene.

“You make a guy want to marry you.”

“No thanks. Sister won’t marry.” She crumpled the tissue, tossed it, and stretched in her chair.

“My dream? Marry rich. Lie at home, shopping all day. He works nonstop—no need to keep me company. Perfect.”

“You just said you liked me. Fickle woman.”

“Dating yes. Marriage no.” She pouted slightly at Lin Ran. “What’s your dream?”

“World peace?”

“Cut it out.”

“Then… drift through life like this. It’s fine.”

“Seriously? Aim higher. You can’t punch in that bar forever. Bruised and battered—hands and feet intact, you don’t have to do this.”

“Says the ‘beautiful referee’ slacking off?”

“I can only do this. No degree, complex jobs scare me. Refereeing pays fast. What else suits me? Think some guy’d pay fifty grand a month to keep me?” Xu Zhi mused.

“The line’d stretch from the bar to the restroom.” Lin Ran agreed. “Could you spare ten grand to keep me too? On call anytime.”

“Dream on.” Xu Zhi flicked his head lightly.

“Truth is, I really considered it once.” Xu Zhi grinned, tilting her head at him.

“And?”

“And… I’ve seen too many sisters. The smart ones hooked rich old men—cars, houses. The dumb ones spread their legs at night for new designer bags, traveling nationwide.”

“And?”

“My mom taught me one thing. A woman’s worth comes from herself. If I have nothing, I’ll never earn respect in love. I might be rotting slowly, but I’m still clean now.”

Lin Ran bit his tongue—but the words slipped out: “Sometimes, once you start…”

“So I want to discuss how to use my ‘first time’ with you. If I’m not clean anymore, I won’t care about anything.” Xu Zhi laughed at his stunned face, doubling over.

“…” Lin Ran stared, speechless.

“You saved some money this half-year? Plans?”

Xu Zhi shook her head, a bitter edge to her smile. “Not much.”

“What’d you do?”

“Everyone has secrets.”

“Secrets? Secret plastic surgery?”

“Piss off!” Xu Zhi swatted his shoulder, grabbing his hand to press against her cheek. She made a silly face. “Pinch me? Genuine article.”

Lin Ran joked—but her lips were soft pink.

He’d only seen her wear that shade of lipstick. The one he’d given her that day.