Chapter 6 Resident Representative Offer
The boss pauses, speaks bluntly.
"I don't trust him."
I blink, "So?"
"So, can you help the company with this urgent need? I saw your resume; you have experience as a financial cashier and in film bases."
"Besides—"
The boss smiles like throwing bait.
"Besides, don't you want to experience the thrill of being an Investor Representative on set, flattered and courted by actors?"
I suddenly recall what the boss said to Lu Xiao in the private room that day.
It was real.
The boss sees through my belated realization, rolls his eyes.
"You didn't think I was bragging that day, did you?"
"Of course not." I deny instinctively.
Even though I did think that.
But undeniably, the bait the boss throws is tempting.
"I'll think about it."
Downstairs from the rental apartment.
Lu Xiao wears a black cap and mask, sees me, removes his sunglasses, confirms no one's watching, and walks over.
"Su Mo, let's talk."
"Nothing to say."
I bypass Lu Xiao, head straight upstairs.
My arm gets pulled.
Lu Xiao unusually lowers his stance, his tone carrying a hint of plea.
"It won't take much time, just a moment, okay?"
Sensing my refusal.
Hurt sorrow appears in Lu Xiao's eyes.
"It's my birthday today, I just... want to eat a piece of birthday cake with you."
I lower my lashes, see the dessert bag in his other hand.
After thinking, I nod eventually.
I plan to make things clear and properly end the past while both are rational and sober this time.
As for the bait the boss threw.
I don't want it.
I never want to see this person again.
I don't want any of it, whether he's affectionate or disdainful.
"Can we go upstairs? I'm afraid someone..."
Lu Xiao requests softly, trails off, pursing his lips.
He hesitates, as if recalling those years of our underground relationship.
Hiding to accommodate his career specifics, tucked away, never seeing daylight.
Ordinary couples' hand-holding walks, outings together.
Never once.
I wonder if Lu Xiao realizes his past cruelty to me.
The rest of the words are hard to say.
He follows behind me heavily, silently, up the stairs.
Once inside, he quickly scans the simple narrow apartment.
His face shows heartache.
"You'd rather live in a place like this than go home."
The unintentional disdain in his tone makes me frown.
He probably forgot our rental after graduation was just an 8-square-meter partition.
Shared kitchen and bathroom.
A louder door would get complaints from next door.
And now, the clean independent small apartment, in Lu Xiao's eyes, becomes an unlivable ghost place.
"Aren't we eating cake?"
I push the stuff on the dining table to one side, clear space.