"I'm sorry—I was just joking," Lu Li apologized sincerely. With someone like the class monitor, bowing your head was always the wisest move.

"Don't you dare do that again~" The girl’s voice sounded adorably naive. Though scolding him, her tone carried the coquettish lilt of a lover’s pout.

"How did you get my number?"

"I’m calling from my dad’s phone."

No wonder. Of course Chu Xiaodong had his number. Thinking it over—vanishing from school without a word, skipping class for three days (tomorrow would be the fourth)—wasn’t great. The stressed one should’ve been Class Monitor Chu Jingyi, not him. Softening his tone, Lu Li said:

"My sister has an important competition. I wanted to witness it myself. I’m truly sorry for the trouble. I’ll visit to thank you properly once I’m back."

"N-no! No need to be so formal!"

Flustered by his gentle tone—or his overly polite words—the girl hurried to explain:

"I’m not blaming you! I was just… just worried." *Where’s your principle, class monitor?* He recalled her stern warning on day one: *No skipping class.*

Chu Jingyi was the kind of friend everyone needed—generous, gentle, pure-hearted, selfless. Aside from being a little airheaded and occasionally sharp-tongued, Silly Goose was flawless. To Lu Li, befriending her felt like a blessing worth thanking the heavens for.

"Thank you… Jingyi." This time, using her given name held no hidden meaning—just raw sincerity.

Silence stretched across the line. After a long pause, Silly Goose’s voice returned: "When are you coming back?"

Just then, Chu Xiaodong’s muffled voice cut in: "You little brat! Whose side are you on? Asking him that’s like your mom interrogating me!"

"Why are you eavesdropping?! Get out! Don’t come upstairs! Mom!"

Chaos erupted. Moments later, Silly Goose huffed into the phone: "D-don’t listen to Dad! I just… needed your return date to… fill the report. You know—class officers must file reports for long absences. And the report…" She rambled flustered excuses. Lu Li listened quietly.

"Mm." His voice softened. "I won’t be at school this week. Back by next Monday."

"Oh…"

The call should’ve ended, yet Chu Jingyi lingered in silence. Only her soft breathing drifted through the receiver.

"Hey? Asleep?" Lu Li joked lightly, trying to ease the tension before hanging up.

"Not asleep. It’s just… just…"

"Just what?"

"Are you and An Baili really… *that* kind of couple?"

*How’d we get here?* Lu Li blinked—then saw his chance.

"Of course not."

"…You ignore Baili completely. Didn’t tell her about the music thing. Even forbade me from sharing your address… Do you… dislike her?"

"Mm."

"Why? You two…"

"We have no relationship." *Context mattered. In this life, truly nothing existed between them—so not a lie.* "I simply dislike her."

Two terrifying people exist: one, an Arab man with a backpack; two, a woman who’d drag you down with her. If either approaches—run.

Suddenly, a shrill voice from next door echoed: "We have *no* relationship~" The thin walls betrayed Lu Li’s quiet words. The tenant finished speaking—and the landlady slammed his door.

"Shut up! Eavesdropping on a couple’s chat? One more word and you’re out!"

"Landlady! Be reasonable! *He’s* the one yapping on the phone!"

"My word *is* law! Can’t sleep? Go work! Paid a few bucks and expect a five-star hotel?"

The tenant grumbled but fell silent. Lu Li stepped out, bowing slightly to the landlady. "I’ll take the call outside."

"It’s cold. Use my room—I’ll watch TV out here. Won’t disturb you."

Her kindness was genuine this time. Lu Li politely declined and headed out.

Only under the night streetlights did he speak again: "Sorry for the interruption. All clear now."

Silly Goose had listened quietly. "Lu Li… I’m sorry. I caused you trouble…"

*She always shoulders blame that isn’t hers.*

Lu Li stayed silent. Waiting for her to hang up—but she didn’t. Today’s Chu Jingyi felt… off. Something unsaid?

"If nothing else, I’ll hang up. Rest well."

"…Ooooh…" She dragged the word out, reluctance plain—like a pouting child.

"Hanging up."

"…"

"…"

Chu Jingyi giggled. "Liar. Why haven’t you?"

Lu Li sighed. "Making sure you had nothing left to say."

"I’m fine~ You rest too. See you next week!" Her mood lifted instantly. She hung up first.

One minute later—a WeChat friend request.

Profile pic: a golden retriever grinning goofily.

【StrawberryLover: Good night~】

Lu Li renamed the contact: *Silly Goose*.

【Lu Li: Good night, good night.】

The city slept under a cool breeze. Neon bled into the horizon. The world split in two: one half drowned in glittering revelry, the other humming with distant barks and cicadas.

Back at the apartment, the landlady wept at the TV. The drama’s hero clutched a fading heroine: "No! Shuqin! How can I live without you?!"

*She’d survive—if the writer stopped melting brains.* Lu Li thought. The landlady dabbed tears: "Why can’t lovers stay together? *sob* Cherish who’s beside you!"

*Reminiscing old heartbreak? That "grievance-laden middle-aged woman" aura is unmistakable.* But after talking with Chu Jingyi, Lu Li felt lighter. He sat with the landlady awhile, watched the drama, then returned to his room—and drifted to sleep amid gentle snoring.