"Hiss—"
Someone dramatically sucked in a breath.
"Holy crap, no way? Autumn Ease’s girlfriend is this gorgeous?"
"Totally stunning!"
"Is she even a real celebrity or influencer?"
"She’s way prettier than any star!"
Compliments like these made Autumn Ease blush slightly.
She awkwardly clasped her hands behind her back, fidgeting anxiously.
How should she act as his own girlfriend?
Though her colleagues’ praise made her a little shy, she felt even more smug.
Of course, it wasn’t a girl’s vanity over being called beautiful. It was a man’s pride in his stunning girlfriend.
Same smugness, totally different roots.
Autumn Ease figured these guys were green with envy—even those with girlfriends didn’t have one as flawless as her current form.
If forced to describe her, she looked like a girl who only existed in beauty filter apps. Even barefaced, she radiated refined beauty.
"Uh, here for Autumn Ease?" someone asked.
"N-no… uh… well… um… ahem…" Autumn Ease stammered, flustered. Thankfully, no one rushed her. They almost savored her adorable awkwardness.
"No worries, take your time," the asker reassured.
"A-Autumn Ease… he… had to… leave early… not feeling well…" she explained haltingly. "I’m grabbing his stuff…"
"Heh—he’s too shy to ask for leave himself, huh?" the manager boomed with laughter. "But fair enough! With a girlfriend this hot waiting, who could resist?"
"Haha—"
Others joined in, catching the hidden meaning.
Autumn Ease understood too but had to play dumb.
"Anyway, overtime’s almost done. Others’ll wrap up by one. Let Autumn Ease go."
"Thank you, Manager!" Autumn Ease gushed with relief.
Being pretty had perks. If *he’d* asked to leave an hour early, he’d get endless excuses—and extra tasks.
"Huh? How’d you know I’m the manager?" he asked curiously.
"Um… you just… look… very… leader-like…" Autumn Ease fumbled, words failing her.
The roundabout flattery pleased him. He waved her off with a smile, letting her take "Autumn Ease’s" things home.
Autumn Ease fled the office building like escaping a disaster, finally exhaling.
Pretending to be his own girlfriend was thrilling.
Most importantly, it saved face.
Hmph—hug his own girlfriend and let others envy him!
Though right now, Autumn Ease could only hug himself…
But this couldn’t last. After midnight, he *had* to leave work—no matter what. Suspicion would grow.
Maybe invent an excuse: a girlfriend picking him up after twelve, or a rare illness flaring up past midnight…
Just then, a phone rang. Sharp and clear in the quiet street.
Autumn Ease answered without thinking.
"Hello?"
"Uh… hello? Not Autumn Ease? Wrong number?"
Autumn Ease froze. Checked the caller ID: "Wanjianlei."
Wanjianlei was one of Autumn Ease’s two closest high school buddies. Friends called him "Bro Lei."
Not for being tall—he barely hit 170cm—or tough. But in freshman year, he’d dared to joke about the class’s burliest guy. That earned him the "Bro" title.
(Though he always got pinned down and "rubbed" for it.)
Maybe because of Bro Lei, that tough guy dropped his scary act over time. Became approachable.
Bro Lei had peeled off his isolating mask.
Autumn Ease’s brain kicked back into high gear.
"Ah… Autumn Ease… he’s asleep. Who’s this?"
"His best bro! Asleep already? Damn… wanted to drag him out…" Wanjianlei grumbled, voice slightly drunk.
"Uh… what’s up?"
"Eh, nothing big. Just wanted drinks."
Autumn Ease puzzled. Wanjianlei had no girlfriend—so not heartbreak. Why drown sorrows?
Rejected confession? But he wasn’t the type to crumble over "no."
Unless he’d given too much and got nothing back.
Best friends always knew each other too well.
"Hmm…" Autumn Ease realized Wanjianlei had no one else to turn to here. GuanPeng stayed in a small town. Autumn Ease was his only true friend in Hangzhou.
Talking on the phone wasn’t enough. He needed face-to-face catharsis.
She ached to comfort him—but in this form…
"Ugh, can’t you wake him? Wait—you’re his… what, exactly?"
"I’m… his… um… girlfriend."
"Holy shit! He has a girlfriend? Since when? Not last week!"
"W-we’re childhood friends."
"Oh… you still like him after growing up? Damn, you’re chasing him? Wild!"
"*Cough cough!*" Autumn Ease choked. His best bro was brutally direct…
Implying it was miraculous anyone would want Autumn Ease now.
"Lucky bastard…" Wanjianlei’s teasing faded into a sigh. "Forget it. Have a good night, you two."
"Uh… Lei… Wanjianlei. If you don’t mind… I’ll keep you company?"
"Hah? I need a woman? My friend’s girlfriend? Nah, forget it. Hanging up."
*Beep—beep—* The call died.
Autumn Ease inhaled the cold night air deeply, exhaling a long sigh.
Growing up weighed everyone down. Even the carefree carried burdens now…
She wanted to comfort Wanjianlei—but as a girl, she’d only make him clam up. Better let him drink alone.
Sometimes, you could only save yourself.
Autumn Ease trudged home, heart heavy.
Past midnight. Tomorrow meant another early shift. No energy for the computer. Just a quick wash, then burrowing under blankets. Falling asleep to the scent of her own perfume…
…
The city slept under vast darkness, yet lights blazed in pockets. Night owls partied in their stolen hours.
A bar’s thumping bass and neon glow bled onto the street.
KTV rooms echoed with off-key wails.
But internet cafes stayed quieter.
Only occasional gamer rants broke the keyboard clicks.
Even night owls grew tired past midnight.
In a cafe corner, a girl slumped over a table. Keyboard shoved aside. Her screen flashed "AFK."
She looked sixteen or seventeen—but her ID must’ve said eighteen to get in.
She wasn’t here to game. Just to sleep.
Cheaper than a hotel room.
Mumbling incoherently in her dreams, brow furrowed.
"Wenwen… Wenwen…"
A girl’s name.
The corner felt chilly. She hugged herself unconsciously, then lifted her head drowsily.
Woken by numb arms? Or the cold?
Autumn Ease might’ve recognized her.
She was the girl who stood in the rain that day.
The one he’d given an umbrella to—with barely a word exchanged.
She pulled a cracked-phone from her grimy pocket.
Her dress still held mud stains—as if she’d skipped showers since that rainy fall.
Dirt couldn’t hide her delicate beauty.
The phone showed no signal. Dead SIM or unpaid bill.
Still, she typed Autumn Ease’s number repeatedly. Deleted it each time. Finally gave up, shoving it back.
She checked another pocket—a tiny wallet. Only an ID and loose change.
Less than fifty yuan total. Not enough for many cafe nights.
Another deep sigh escaped her. Deflated, she slumped back onto the table. Hiding from the cold world.
