Font Size:
Andy’s driving skills were solid—the car glided over the asphalt without the slightest bump. The towering cityscape slid past as the car climbed onto the overpass, a sharp curve tilting Shengmei’s body toward the door.
“Andy, if you have something to ask, just ask. Don’t keep it bottled up. You’ll scare me to death like this,” Shengmei teased.
Seeing Andy struggle with words the whole ride, Shengmei couldn’t help but break the silence for her. She was getting anxious on Andy’s behalf.
Andy blinked, gripped the steering wheel even tighter, and tried to explain:
“My driving is fine. We won’t get into an accident.”
That stunned Shengmei for a second—then she burst out laughing.
“Andy, you’re too adorable. I was joking! I wasn’t saying you drive badly.”
Andy finally understood and nodded.
After a short silence, she asked the real question weighing on her mind.
“You’ve changed so much. Weren’t those luxury goods your way of proving yourself? How could you sell them all? … You’re sure you’re not in some kind of trouble?”
The change was simply too sudden.
Even back at the villa, Andy had sensed something was different. Shengmei, who had always been so obsessed with saving face, had brushed off Qu Xiaoxiao’s ridicule with unexpected calm. That wasn’t like her at all.
Andy wasn’t worldly, but she could tell something was unusual. Not bad—just strange. And now, selling off her things right after? It was too much happening at once not to worry.
When they left, Guan Ju’er had even whispered a reminder to her: Keep an eye on Sister Fan, in case she does something rash.
Thinking about it again made Andy tense, her grip on the wheel tightening unconsciously.
Shengmei smiled softly, touched by their concern.
“Andy, I promise I’m fine. Truly, truly, truly fine!”
She repeated it three times, just to convince her.
“I’ve just realized something. Those luxury goods won’t raise my value, and they won’t make anyone respect me more. Qu Xiaoxiao is the best example of that. I saved and scraped for ages to buy them, and after I did, I had to pinch pennies for months, splitting every yuan in half. It just isn’t worth it. Spending so much on real luxury brands isn’t worth it, and wasting energy on fakes isn’t worth it either. I need to improve myself instead. That’s the only thing that matters.”
Andy stole a glance at her. Shengmei didn’t sound bitter or resigned—she sounded clear, bright, and full of hope.
It was like she had transformed.
Before, she had been like a drifting leaf, fragile and afraid to face the storm.
Now, she was like a tree.
Still small, perhaps, but stretching toward the sun, drawing in nourishment, determined to grow tall and strong.
Andy thought to herself: Being like a tree is good.
Back at Joy of Life, they found Qiu Yingying had also come home. Shengmei waved her hand grandly.
“Hot pot tonight—my treat!”
Carefree Yingying was the first to cheer.
“Wow! Amazing, Sister Fan!”
Guan Ju’er, as usual, was more cautious. She glanced at Andy for help before saying, a little hesitantly:
“Sister Fan, eating hot pot outside is expensive. Why don’t we just have it at home? It’s cheaper and more practical.”
She knew Shengmei had just sold her luxury items, and she couldn’t help but worry about her mood.
Yingying quickly caught on and nodded in agreement.
“Right, Sister Fan, eating out is too pricey. Let’s do it at home. We can buy veggies and meat from the supermarket and cook them ourselves.”
Just then, there was a loud clang as the door to 2203 swung open.
Qu Xiaoxiao came running out in her slippers, face beaming with excitement.
“I heard everything—you’re having hot pot! Count me in, count me in!”
Her little face was lit with a wide grin.
Qiu Yingying was the first to object.
“Why should you? Sister Fan is treating us. How do you even have the nerve to join? Don’t forget how you treated her before!”
Qu Xiaoxiao didn’t care in the least.
“Sister Fan hasn’t said anything. Why are you, little earthworm, jumping up and down? You should learn from her.”
Guan Ju’er glanced cautiously at Shengmei, uncertain.
Yingying’s face flushed red with anger.
“Qu Xiaoxiao, have you no shame?!”
Qu Xiaoxiao knew exactly how to get under her skin, and the more Yingying fumed, the prouder she looked.
Seeing the quarrel about to erupt, Shengmei stepped in to stop Yingying. She turned to Qu Xiaoxiao.
“Yes, I am treating everyone to hot pot. But I’m not inviting you. Sorry to disappoint.”
The group left together and got into the elevator.
Qu Xiaoxiao pulled faces at their backs.
“What’s the big deal—it’s just hot pot! I can order delivery if I want!”
With that, she pulled out her phone and started tapping away.
…
At the hot pot restaurant, Qiu Yingying and Guan Ju’er didn’t dare order much. Andy, of course, was always easygoing, unfamiliar with this kind of food and content, just to wait and eat.
Shengmei couldn’t stand it. She grabbed the menu and started ordering.
“Two plates of fatty beef, two plates of fresh-cut beef, one plate of duck intestines, two plates of tripe, duck blood…”
“Alright, alright, Sister Fan—that’s already a lot,” Guan Ju’er interjected.
Shengmei set down the menu with a smile.
“Fine. If it’s not enough, we’ll just order more.”
Yingying looked at her carefully.
“But Sister Fan, aren’t you trying to keep your figure? How can you eat so much at night?”
Not only had she ordered loads of meat, but the broth was a rich, oily, spicy base. It was practically a fattening disaster.
This didn’t match Shengmei’s usual strictness about her appearance at all. She was the type who, no matter how late or tired, never forgot to remove her makeup.
Guan Ju’er glanced nervously at Andy, unsure if they should say something.
Shengmei broke into laughter, her beauty glowing brighter with the smile, like a rose in full bloom.
“Come on, do you think I’m made of porcelain? A few words and I’ll fall apart? Yes, I want to watch my weight, but indulging once in a while won’t kill me.”
“Stop being so cautious. I’ve lived in Shanghai for years—I’ve weathered far greater storms. Do you really think something this small could break me?”
She divided up the dipping sauces and set them in front of each of them.
“You’ve all been taking care of my feelings these past few days. Can’t I at least show my thanks? If you keep treating me like I’m fragile, that’ll be the only thing that truly makes me upset.”
Seeing her mock-serious face, Yingying was the first to relax.
“As long as you’re fine, Sister Fan, then I’m going to eat to my heart’s content! I’m loading up on meat tonight!”
The hot pot bubbled and boiled, steam curling upward with heat and spice.
Shengmei leaned over, lips reddened by the scalding broth, sweat beading on her forehead, her stomach burning from the fiery chili.
And yet—through the pain and the heat—she felt it.
The raw, undeniable sensation of being alive.
Life will only get better. Won’t it?
I hope you like the story! Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. TIA!