The next day.
Sunday.
In the hotel, Dong Xuebin got up and leaned against the window, smoking.
The air had not been very good lately. The morning sky carried a hazy smog, but it was rather beautiful. The mist-shrouded high-rises and mountains seemed almost ethereal.
Ring, ring, ring.
The phone rang.
"Xiao Bin, are you up?" It was Yu Meixia.
"Just got up. Did you all go eat breakfast?" Dong Xuebin asked.
"No, we already left. We're waiting for the long-distance bus."
"Huh? Why did you leave so early? I was going to treat you all to lunch."
"My parents had to work today, so we left early. I rang your doorbell an hour ago to tell you, but you were asleep and probably didn't hear it."
"All right, then. Heh, I'll be heading back myself in a few days anyway."
"Mm, then see you then. You... take care of yourself."
"Okay. Apologize to your parents for me too. I didn't get the chance to see them off. I'd originally wanted to find a car to take you back. Tell them I'm sorry."
"It's fine. Then... then Sister Yu will hang up?"
"Go ahead. The air's bad lately, so remember to wear a mask."
After hanging up, Dong Xuebin finished his cigarette, stubbed it out in the ashtray, then lay back down in bed with his body aching all over. Rubbing his shoulders, he wanted to catch a little more sleep. After secretly fooling around with Sister Yu in their suite yesterday, Dong Xuebin had hidden beneath the bed. Even though there was carpeting, it was not summer yet, and it had been deep in the night, so it was definitely chilly. Dong Xuebin had lain there for a full hour waiting for Yu Qianqian to fall asleep, then waited