Star-Crossed Lovers: The Ex-Convict and the White Rabbit - Chapter 20

Chapter 20 – That’s Up to Me to Decide 

Back at the security post, Old Li had packed up and was chatting with the resident passing by. 

Upon seeing him come back, he waved his hand and the resident he was talking to walked towards the building. Old Li greeted him again with a smile. Lu Qiang nodded and walked into the room to drink water. 

Old Li patted the bicycle seat and lifted the pedals, “It’s done?” 

Lu Qiang poured himself some water and raised his head to gulp it down. A few droplets of water escaped his lips and flowed down his chin to his chest. He quickly wiped them away with his hand and nasally replied with an “mhm”. 

Old Li said, “Then, I’m leaving.” 

Lu Qiang didn’t respond and instead took off his short-sleeved shirt, revealing a glistening, tanned chest. He used his shirt to wipe at his body speedily and put on his security uniform. He fastened the five buttons one by one. By the third button, he paused and walked out, calling Old Li. 

Old Li stopped, “What’s the matter?”
 

Lu Qiang smiled squintingly. “It’s nothing, really.” 

“Then why did you call me?!” 

Lu Qiang said, “The woman just now, her name is Lu Yin?” 

“… Yeah.” He replied. 

“How long has she lived here?” 

“Six, maybe seven, years? Her family isn’t from here, so she…” Old Li looked at him. “What are you asking for?” 

Lu Qiang said, “Just familiarizing myself with the situation.”
 

Old Li understood and nodded at him in praise. 

He handed a cigarette to Old Li and lit one for himself, “She’s married?” 

“I think so.” 

The cigarette reached Lu Qiang’s lips, but he paused. Old Li put his bicycle back into resting position, planning to leave after finishing his cigarette. He thought before saying, “I think it happened at the beginning of this month.” 

Lu Qiang didn’t say a thing. He inhaled a puff of cigarette and exhaled. The air was breezeless so the smoke rings gathered together, filling the air with a spicy and pungent scent. 

Old Li glanced at him, “Is this considered familiarising yourself with the situation too?” 

He lowered his head and said nothing. 

Old Li sighed and then lamented, “But, ah… there is nothing permanent in life. It was supposed to be a happy event.” He paused, “Sadly…” 

Lu Qiang raised his head suddenly: “Sadly?” 

“I heard this from other people so I don’t know how true this is, but the marriage didn’t seem to be finalised. I heard halfway through, a mistress came out and caused a ruckus at the wedding…” He clapped his hands twice and divided them, “and so they cancelled the wedding.” 

“Is it true?” 

Old Li rolled his eyes at him, “I told you it’s all hearsay. Who knows if it’s true.” 

Lu Qiang was silent for a moment. He remembered that rainy day; that figure in a sorry plight; that sad, down-in-the-dumps expression and that silhouette of white chiffon that stuck out like a sore thumb at the intersection. 

Everything fell into place. 

So that’s how it is. He thought for a moment and couldn’t help but smirk, “How unlucky. She lost to a mistress?” 

Old Li said, “The other girl was close to giving birth. There wasn’t any other way.” 

Lu Qiang looked at him, “I didn’t peg you to be a gossip.” 

“It’s not really gossip, per se. Speaking of, I haven’t seen that guy at all recently. He probably moved out early on and isn’t living here anymore. No wonder,” he paused, “it seems it’s not without reason. There’s a child involved.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“I heard that those two had been together for six, seven years but Little Lu still hasn’t conceived. The woman can’t get pregnant, it’s quite normal for the man to stray.” 

Lu Qiang looked up at him again. There was still half a cigarette left. He sucked in a mouthful. His cheeks sunk in, the cigarette sparked red. Then, he threw it to the ground and stepped on it. 

He shifted into a comfortable position. All tension left his body and he was standing more relaxedly. 

The air was stagnant just now, the sultry heat could suffocate someone to death. A breeze had blown by. The warm wind carried over the soft fragrance of the fully bloomed begonia flowers in the distance and with it, his heart that had been restless for the past few minutes finally calmed down. 

He suddenly snorted, “Maybe he’s the one with the problem.” 

Old Li could hear his intentions and poked him, “You brat, don’t even think about it. I’ve known her a while. She’s a good girl.” 

Lu Qiang glanced at him, “And I’m like a bad guy?” 

Old Li didn’t answer his question. He surveyed him for a moment and finally muttered to himself irresolutely, “… Not suitable.” Yet he didn’t say where they weren’t suitable. 

Lu Qiang cracked a joke, “Whether or not we’re suitable, that’s up to me to decide.”