Chapter 13 – Double Screen

There’s a saying that goes, “Pleasure leads to sorrow,” which warns against rejoicing too soon.

If time could be split into two parallel parts, they might see what was happening on the other side. Unfortunately, once the phone call ended, it was like two fish swimming in different directions in a vast sea, separated by a great distance.

So, Xu Shiqi’s joy turned to sorrow because she got so carried away with her laughter, burying her face in the newspaper, that she didn’t realize her phone had fallen to the ground. Her counter was close to the shop’s entrance, and the phone slid a short distance, landing right under the feet of a group of people who had just entered for a meal.

One of the women in the group was wearing high heels, and the thin heel landed precisely on the phone. Perhaps her phone was too old and couldn’t withstand the pressure; it let out a crisp “crack.”

Hearing someone exclaim in surprise, Xu Shiqi looked up, the smile still lingering on her lips, only to see her phone, which had accompanied her for years, now wedged under the heel.

Pinching her face to keep smiling, Xu Shiqi walked over, picked up the phone, casually tossed it onto the counter, and then led the group inside. Even if the phone was ruined, she had no reason to ask the customer to compensate for it. Although she was slightly annoyed that her joke hadn’t been worth it, the result was ultimately her own doing.

When she returned to the counter, she found that the phone wouldn’t turn on after being shut down. Fortunately, she didn’t use it much; otherwise, she wouldn’t have persisted with it for so many years. After all, there was a landline in the shop, making it easy to contact anyone. Thinking about it made her a bit worried—without any financial planning while working outside, her bank balance was naturally dwindling. Replacing the phone would be an expense, and she began to consider whether she should find a job or ask her parents for a salary.

Over the next few days, Xu Shiqi continued helping out in the shop. The “food poisoning” incident had passed without any negative impact, and customer flow remained stable. The restaurant under renovation was nearing completion, making her parents anxious. Having had a monopoly in the area for so long, facing competition and suspicions felt like a significant threat. They spent their days with the chef, brainstorming new dishes. So, in her spare time, Xu Shiqi became the taste tester, enjoying the variety of flavors.

When she tore off the last page of the old calendar, she realized the weekend had arrived.

Time indeed flies.

Remembering her dinner appointment, she glanced at the phone in her drawer, which looked as though it had a gaping hole in its chest, and dialed Wen Bao Hua’s number.

Since she didn’t remember Wen Jialuo’s number, the responsibility of contacting fell on Wen Bao Hua. Wen Bao Hua curiously asked why her phone was always off and why she was so hard to reach.

Embarrassed to admit she had played a trick on Wen Bao Hua’s cousin, Xu Shiqi glossed over the details and scheduled dinner at 6 PM that evening at the shop.

“You know, my sister is quite looking forward to this dinner,” Wen Bao Hua said before hanging up.

Xu Shiqi found this strange. What anticipation? It couldn’t be that Wen Jialuo still held a grudge over the joke and planned to get back at her, could it? Reflecting on their past encounters, Xu Shiqi found it very possible. She braced herself for dealing with the young lady.

However, when she finally saw Wen Jialuo that evening, she was shocked.

Only a week had passed, but the girl looked even more haggard, standing behind the radiant and newlywed Wen Bao Hua like a refugee from Africa.

Despite her frail appearance, Wen Jialuo glared at Xu Shiqi with intense hatred, her steps almost floating, yet her expression as if she wanted to devour someone. Xu Shiqi naturally ignored the look, chatted with Wen Bao Hua, and introduced her parents.

Although they had met before, this time felt more intimate due to recent events. However, introducing Wen Jialuo was unavoidable, so Xu Shiqi had to brace herself.

Fortunately, despite her displeasure with Xu Shiqi, Wen Jialuo remained respectful to elders, giving a faint greeting with a slightly ingratiating look in her eyes, even though they weren’t related.

Knowing that Wen Jialuo was the one who helped, Xu Zhongda and Wang Yuan initially thought she must be very capable. However, upon closer inspection, they wondered if they should add something extra to the menu, seeing how desperately thin she was.

It seemed that having money and power didn’t necessarily mean a more comfortable life than ordinary folks.

After a brief chat at the door, Xu Zhongda and Wang Yuan left, leaving their daughter to host the guests.

Leading them to a private room, Xu Shiqi saw that Wen Jialuo had already donned a turtleneck sweater under her jacket and couldn’t help shaking her head.

This was self-inflicted, she thought, considering how Wen Jialuo had likely been eating poorly recently. Thin people were always cold, and it was only autumn.

As soon as Wen Bao Hua sat down, she received a call from her husband and excused herself. The couple, even after marriage, loved to be inseparable, often engaging in nauseatingly sweet conversations that embarrassed those around them. So, Wen Bao Hua had developed the habit of stepping out to take calls.

Left alone in the small room, the two women were surrounded by the sound of chopsticks and dishes clinking.

Seeing Wen Jialuo’s somber expression, Xu Shiqi wondered how to break the ice. But before she could think of anything, she heard the grinding of Wen Jialuo’s teeth.

“Why is your phone always off?”

Xu Shiqi looked up, puzzled.

Wen Jialuo’s face grew increasingly gloomy, turning pale as she grew angrier. Her small face above the high collar, sunk into the chair, made her fierce question seem more like a mild complaint.

“Oh, the phone broke,” Xu Shiqi responded casually, pouring tea for her and checking the air conditioner.

“Broken?” Wen Jialuo raised an eyebrow, her voice odd, “How could it be so coincidental?”

“It was just that coincidental,” Xu Shiqi shrugged, honestly explaining, “After our call that day… it fell and got stepped on. Want to see the remains?”

Wen Jialuo’s lips turned white: “Could you not be so gross?”

Xu Shiqi lowered her head, blowing on her tea, stifling a laugh. Perhaps she was too bored; recalling the scene from that day, she couldn’t help teasing her.

“The phone fell… because you laughed too hard, right?”

Huh? Xu Shiqi raised an eyebrow, a smile finally breaking through, “That day, sorry.”

Wen Jialuo glared at her coldly, then suddenly seemed to relax, muttering “karma.”

It seemed she wasn’t angry anymore. Xu Shiqi felt relieved. After a while, Wen Bao Hua returned, having finished her phone call, apologizing profusely as she reentered the room.

Three women, none heavy drinkers, shared a meal with a single bottle of red wine, barely finishing half a glass each. Xu Shiqi wasn’t one for formalities; even though the dinner was meant as a thank-you, she didn’t make toasts. The friendship with Wen Bao Hua was understood, and the dinner was a simple gathering.

During the meal, Xu Zhongda personally brought in a few dishes, intending to toast, but his daughter’s look dismissed him.

A married woman and two single women might have a lot to talk about, but there wasn’t much. Wen Bao Hua, like all happy women, could turn any topic to her little family, with Xu Shiqi listening attentively, occasionally asking questions to keep the conversation going. Wen Jialuo, however, sat coldly, thinking that her cousin’s happiness was her own and not something to be imitated by others. She listened indifferently, occasionally shooting glances at the smiling Xu Shiqi.

A façade, thought Wen Jialuo.

Wen Bao Hua’s conversation gradually shifted from her family to other topics like makeup and fashion, and naturally to the subject of “women dressing up for those they love,” leading her to ask about Xu Shiqi’s personal life.

Xu Shiqi stiffened slightly, sensing Wen Jialuo’s sudden, sharp gaze like a bolt of lightning, startling her awake. This question felt like a bombshell to her. Smiling, she took a sip of wine and slowly began to respond:

“I… I’m just like that.”

“What do you mean ‘like that’? I let you off at the last class reunion,” Wen Baohua reminded her. “By the way, have you gone on any blind dates recently?”

“No,” Xu Shiqi answered with unusual promptness, eager to end the topic.

Wen Baohua seemed thoughtful. “Really? Honestly, you should fall in love soon. I’ve never seen what you’re like when you’re in love.”

“Would I become a different person?” Xu Shiqi shrugged. “You know my personality; there’s no way I’d change drastically.”

“I’m just curious,” Wen Baohua replied with a smile.

Suddenly, Wen Jialuo, who had been silent, spoke up, “Do you have a hidden pain?”

This statement hit harder than a thunderbolt. Fortunately, Xu Shiqi was practiced at keeping her composure, so she just laughed lightly and said, “I don’t have a secret love that needs a lifetime to fulfill.”

Wen Jialuo squinted her eyes. “Are you mocking me?”

“Not at all,” Xu Shiqi blinked innocently. “Your kind of sentiment, while not exactly praiseworthy, is indeed rare in the world.”

“But isn’t it even more tragic that you don’t have anyone you like?” Wen Jialuo countered without hesitation.

“Ah, there’s such a thing as a DINK family and the philosophy of being single. Haven’t you heard of them?” Xu Shiqi became even gentler. “According to what you said, in the end, you and I are walking the same path, so don’t laugh at me.”

Wen Baohua, who had been eating her food while they talked, looked up at the increasingly strange conversation. She glanced left and right and couldn’t help but laugh, “When did you two become so close?”

“Who’s close with her?” Wen Jialuo glared back.

Wen Baohua was surprised. “Ah, didn’t you call me the other day asking why you couldn’t reach Shiqi’s phone?”

Xu Shiqi’s face was full of confusion.

Wen Jialuo, whose mood had finally balanced somewhat, was once again enraged by Wen Baohua. She pointed angrily at Xu Shiqi, “Ask her what good deed she did!”

“What did I do?” Xu Shiqi felt wronged, but seeing Wen Baohua’s curious expression, she had no choice but to explain the situation from that day. She concluded, “You just sprayed a bit of soup; my phone was ruined. Isn’t that enough for you?”

“No! It’s not enough!” Wen Jialuo slammed the table, her face a mix of shame and anger.

It seemed Xu Shiqi finally understood. Apparently, something more had happened after that “pfft” sound.

Under Wen Baohua’s questioning, Wen Jialuo reluctantly recalled the events.

She admitted that she had planned to prank Xu Shiqi. So, after ordering food, she calmly called Xu Shiqi and expressed her intention.

The other party didn’t hesitate and agreed to her request, which surprised her a bit. Recalling Xu Shiqi’s past acts of kindness, it seemed less surprising.

She suddenly remembered the first time she heard Xu Shiqi’s voice, a calming sound that seemed to have a magical effect. She had refused to marry, something her whole family knew, yet she was still chosen to be her cousin’s bridesmaid. Initially, she was a hundred times unwilling because she didn’t want to be gossiped about. But upon hearing that voice, her annoyance slowly dissipated. After all, it was her cousin’s big day, and being a bridesmaid was just a background role. She didn’t need eyes or ears to hear things she didn’t want to, so she eventually agreed willingly.

Maybe, hearing that voice while eating would be a nice accompaniment, even improving her appetite.

Initially, she had some prankish thoughts, but when Xu Shiqi agreed to read something to her, she genuinely prepared to listen, even hastily ladling a bowl of soup to enjoy.

But! But!!!

But she hadn’t expected Xu Shiqi to have such a mischievous side. What was it—hemorrhoids aren’t a disease? Before she could react, the soup in her mouth sprayed out.

Luckily, she turned her head just in time, preventing the soup from spraying all over the table. However, it seemed even worse because all the soup ended up on a woman passing by. The woman’s pure white dress was now stained.

Wen Jialuo’s face flushed with embarrassment. She had never been so humiliated. While coughing violently, she stood up and apologized, but the woman was furious, questioning her intentions.

Though it was past the lunch rush, there were still several tables occupied. Everyone’s eyes were on them, and Wen Jialuo’s already red face turned from purple to blue.

She cursed the woman on the phone internally while impatiently pulling out her wallet to settle the matter. But her wallet only had a few red bills, not enough to cover the cost of the woman’s dress.

In the end, Wen Jialuo, her voice trembling, offered to withdraw more money. The woman, however, grabbed all the money from her wallet, said, “Be more careful next time,” and left.

Wen Jialuo stood there, dumbfounded, losing her appetite entirely. She signaled for the bill, only to realize she was now penniless.

Seeing the waiter who had previously avoided the scene now smiling and waiting to settle the bill, Wen Jialuo took several deep breaths and called a colleague for help.

While waiting for her colleague to bring money, Wen Jialuo vowed never to dine there again and began angrily dialing Xu Shiqi’s number, only to find the phone already turned off. This infuriated her even more.

Alright, Xu Shiqi, you might dodge once, but I don’t believe you can hide forever!