I didn't even know when I hung up.
It had grown completely dark outside.
My younger sister poked her head in, looking at me with concern.
I lifted my eyelids. "It's okay. I'm fine. A friend... Something happened to a friend..."
My sister was at a loss for words.
I forced a smile, ruffled her hair, and walked out of the room.
Mom and Dad were both in the living room. When they saw me come out, they looked at me with concern, but seemed unsure what to ask or how to talk to me.
"I'm going out for a while," I said briefly, without explaining what had just happened or what I intended to do next.
Mom said, "Be careful on the way." Though her face was full of worry, she didn't stop me.
My sister called, "Big brother," but didn't try to hold me back.
I went to Workers and Peasants Sixth Village.
It was about the time when some of the older residents had finished dinner and were taking a stroll around the neighborhood.
I'd been coming to Workers and Peasants Sixth Village every day for the past few days, and with my earlier work there, plenty of people in the neighborhood recognized me.
Of course, that didn't mean we were acquainted. Some people had tried to cozy up to us, but after the five of us had all brushed them off without being too rude over the past few days, they'd given up.
Some called out to me in greeting. Others wanted to stop me, their expressions serious, a pent-up energy about them.
"Team Leader Lin, look at these relocation plans your office came up with. They're way too unreasonable. Why can't we get an apartment when we've all been living here? My family's been here