After dozing off for about an hour, Manman grabbed her phone from the bedside table and turned it on, seeing dozens of missed calls from Feng Yi, as well as from Chu Ci and Han Xi.
She sat up in bed and dialed Han Xi’s number, which was quickly answered on the other end.
"Where did you go? Feng Yi couldn’t find you anywhere, he’s worried sick."
Manman rubbed her temples and glanced at the sea outside: "I went out to have fun, I should be back in a few days, I’ll bring you and Chu Ci some gifts."
"I’ve heard from Jing Han about you talking to Yu Shiyuan, and now Feng Yi regrets it. Maybe you should reconsider, don’t break up."
"Xiao Xi, after the reunion ended that day, I was really drunk, and Tong Ze took me to the hotel, but nothing happened between us, do you believe me?"
"I believe you, if you say nothing happened, then nothing happened."
Han Xi knew that girl well; she wouldn’t deny what she had done, but if she said nothing happened, then nothing did.
Manman let out a bitter laugh: "You can believe me without reservation, but Feng Yi hesitated. I’ve decided that we shouldn’t owe each other anything anymore. There are so many good men in the world, why should I hang myself on this tree, it’s not like I can’t get married."
Han Xi had her phone on speaker and glanced at Feng Yi standing next to her, not knowing what to say: "By the way, Manman, where did you go?"
"I can’t tell you right now, Chu Ci is calling."
After hanging up, Han Xi stood up from her chair: "You should have a good talk with Manman when she comes back, she might forgive you. That girl’s sharp tongue but soft heart."
Feng Yi stubbed out his cigarette, looking as if he’d lost his soul: "Thank you, Little Sister-in-law, I’d better get going."
Han Xi couldn’t think of anything to comfort Feng Yi, as outsiders really can’t intervene in matters of the heart.
........
After hanging up with Chu Ci, Manman took a beige long dress from the wardrobe and put it on, and went out with her sun hat on.
It was already dusk, and a warm orange light was blending over the blue sea, there were still quite a few people by the seaside, most of them in small groups.
Manman walked barefoot along the beach aimlessly when a young foreign man approached her: "Beautiful lady, may I buy you dinner?"
Manman smiled at him lightly, since she was feeling quite bored by herself, she agreed: "Sure."
"My name is Li Muzi, nice to meet you. How should I address you?" Li Muzi introduced himself to Manman with slightly broken Chinese.
"Just call me Manman. Aren’t you a foreigner? How come your last name is Li?"
Li Muzi shrugged: "My dad is Chinese, and my mom is Australian."
Manman and Li Muzi chatted as they walked: "Ah, you’re mixed-race. Did you come here traveling alone too?"
"Yes, I’ve been dealing with some annoying stuff recently, so I came out to relax."
"What a coincidence, me too."
They walked back, finding out they were staying at the same hotel. At the beach earlier, Manman’s dress hem got wet from the sea, so she went back to her room to change before going out with Li Muzi.
They went to a popular bar nearby, ordered some food and drinks, and with the music blaring, they had to shout to be heard: "Manman, you’re very beautiful, can we try dating?"