Antiker Spiegelseelenfächer

Kapitel 7

I finally made it to lunchtime and was about to leave when Huo Yan called out to me. "Xiao Zi, do you have time to have lunch together?" Her face was expressionless.

"Oh, well... I... okay." I didn't know how to refuse her, so I could only deal with it as it came.

We went to the company cafeteria, but we didn't have much of an appetite, so we just ordered a milk tea. Huo Yan didn't seem to be planning on eating either, so she ordered a coffee. Then we found a corner seat and sat down.

"Xiao Zi, I don't think I need to beat around the bush with you. I just want to remind you that Mr. Wang is not suitable for you. You'd better not dream of being Cinderella. I'm not afraid to tell you that none of the women who were with him before had a good ending." Huo Yan went straight to the point.

Huo Yan's bluntness left me somewhat at a loss for words. I looked into her eyes, waiting for her to continue.

“Xiao Zi, I know you’re a smart girl. Why are you putting yourself in danger? Give up. Maybe his charm is irresistible, but it concerns your life. I don’t want to lose a good subordinate. Actually, I admire you and don’t want you to ruin yourself because of a man,” Huo Yan said while stirring her coffee.

"I think, Sister Huo, you still don't understand me. Maybe you don't need to understand me at all. Once I've decided on something, I'll do it, no matter how dangerous it is. If I don't do it, how will I know that my fate will be different from his other women? Maybe I'm the exception. You don't object to me saying that, do you?" I understand that she said this just to make me back down, but I refuse to.

"Haha~ So you're nothing special after all. Didn't you keep saying there was nothing between you and President Wang?" Huo Yan laughed loudly, attracting the attention of others, but she seemed indifferent. However, I clearly sensed that something was hidden behind her laughter.

“Indeed, I didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble before, but since you’ve been so curious, Sister Huo, why shouldn’t I satisfy you? I admit that Mr. Wang might have feelings for me, and I’m also interested in a diamond bachelor like him. Maybe I can really become a modern-day Cinderella? And the fact that you’re telling me this, Sister Huo, proves that you also have feelings for Mr. Wang, but haven’t won his favor, doesn’t it?” After saying that, I stared intently into her eyes, because I remembered reading somewhere that even the most cunning person’s eyes don’t lie.

Sister Huo stopped laughing, perhaps angered by my words. Her chest heaved violently. To be honest, if I were a man, I might not be attracted by her cold and beautiful face, but I would definitely be attracted by her perfect breasts.

"Zimi, you'll pay for what you said today." Sister Huo said harshly, then turned and left. It seems I really angered her, but thinking back, I didn't really say anything. Maybe I really touched a nerve. What a nuisance! Now I haven't even finished my milk tea, and I have no appetite left. As I got up to leave, someone bumped into me. "So rude? You didn't even apologize."

I turned around, grumbling, and suddenly froze. The man's back looked so familiar. "Xiao Cui?" When I came to my senses, I couldn't find the figure anymore. Maybe I was seeing things; there were many different people behind him. Maybe I should go see him. It's been so long. No matter what happened before, we were colleagues, and he had been good to me before.

I had nothing to do in the afternoon, so I asked for leave to go see Xiao Cui. Of course, because of the unpleasantness at noon, I wouldn't be stupid enough to ask Huo Yan for leave. I directly asked Wang Zhengming to let me go to the mental hospital where Xiao Cui was.

When a nurse led me to Xiao Cui's ward, she said, "Ms. Zi, you can only look at him from outside the door because we are afraid he might harm you."

"Really? Is it serious?"

"I'm not entirely sure either, but his condition is inconsistent. You'd better be careful."

"Okay, thank you." I didn't know what had happened to Xiao Cui, so I could only follow the hospital's arrangements. The nurse opened a small window in the door, and I looked inside. There was only a white expanse, and no one was there. Suddenly, a hand grabbed my face, and I screamed in fright and backed away. Luckily, the nurse next to me caught me.

"Haha, I'm a ghost. You've been grabbed by my ghost hand, so you'll become a ghost too. Haha~~~" At this moment, Xiao Cui's face appeared through the small window in the door. He had a full beard, and if you didn't know he was inside beforehand, it would be hard to recognize him.

"Xiao Cui, do you still recognize me? It's me, Zi Mi." I slowly walked over, trying to get him to see me more clearly, but the window was too small.

"What is Zimi? I don't know her. Are you a ghost? Ah!!! No, don't come in! I'm a fake ghost, I'll never pretend to be you again. Don't come in!! Don't kill me, please, don't kill me! No, no..." He shouted as he ran to the bedside, grabbed a pillow, and blocked the small window. I looked back at the nurse, who shook her head helplessly at me.

“He often does this, so Miss Zi doesn’t need to be sad. Patients who are overly frightened are often like this.”

"Can I meet his attending physician?" I really want to know about Xiao Cui's condition because I indirectly caused his death.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Jiang has recently gone abroad for further studies and will not be back for another three months."

"Oh, is that so? Thank you for your help."

After leaving the hospital, I dialed Xiao Lin's number immediately, but it kept saying, "Sorry, the user you dialed is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."

I kept dialing my phone as I walked, but I couldn't get through. What was going on? Xiao Lin said his phone was on 24/7, so why couldn't I get through? I was so frustrated! I grabbed my hair in frustration, muttering to myself. People around me were staring at me like I was some kind of monster. One middle-aged woman even almost called a mental hospital! Unbelievable! If this kept going, I might end up living next door to Xiao Cui. I checked my watch; it was only a little past 4. I continued walking. Before I knew it, I arrived at the Perfect Life Bar, which I'd visited with Wang Zhengming before.

I remember Sister Huo saying that Wang Zhengming often comes to this bar, so maybe I should go in and take a look. Maybe I'll find something interesting? With that thought, I went in and pushed open the small wooden door. The crisp wind chimes at the door rang. I looked around. I hadn't paid attention to its design last time. Maybe it's an occupational hazard. Actually, this little bar is no different from other bars, but the seats inside look very comfortable.

"Hi, beautiful, is this your first time here?" A boy with a very unique style smiled at me.

"Huh? No, I've been here once before, with my friend." I found the young man's smile very approachable, making it easy to let my guard down around him.

"Oh!! My name is Jimmy, and I'm the owner here. Welcome to visit again."

"Thank you. How long have you been running this little shop?" I asked, taking the opportunity to sit down at the counter.

“It hasn’t been long, but it’s been over a year,” Jimmy said as he mixed a drink.

"Oh, you can mix drinks too?"

"Of course, it's for you, want to try it? Flame Tongue." He pushed a very nice cocktail in front of me.

"What? Flame Tongue? What a strange name." I said, picking up my glass and taking a small sip. It tasted pretty good, very delicious.

"This suits you perfectly. When there aren't many customers, I like to mix drinks for my favorite customers. One person is suited to one type of drink, and you are suited to this one. It's very spicy."

"Oh? So I'm pretty? That's why you transferred me?" I'm narcissistic and think I'm very pretty.

"Haha~ Miss, you're not just narcissistic, you're quite the opposite. But you're right, you are very beautiful." He laughed exaggeratedly, but I knew he meant no harm. I laughed along with him because he really did say I was beautiful. We chatted happily like this for a while before I remembered my purpose for coming: to learn about Wang Zhengming.

"By the way, Jimmy, do you remember this person?" I said, taking out our company's group photo from last time and pointing Wang Zhengming to him.

"Yes, he's a big boss, he comes over often, is he your boyfriend?" He held the photo in his hand and looked at it for a while before answering.

“No, it’s our boss. Does he come here often?” Jimmy looked up at me and smiled.

"Yeah, I've been seeing him a lot lately. What? You don't know?" There was a hint of cynicism in his eyes.

"What? I came here with him last time. He's a good boss, but he's been acting a bit strange lately. He's been very kind to me, so..."

“I understand. He drinks a lot every time he comes, and every time he gets drunk, a very beautiful young woman picks him up.” He said as he walked out from behind the bar and sat down next to me.

"A young woman? Do you think she's in this photo?" I handed him the photo again. He looked at it for a moment, then pointed at Huo Yan, "That's her. Oh? You're from the same company?"

"Yes, she's my boss." He nodded to show he understood. I took out a cigarette from my bag and offered him one. "Girls shouldn't smoke such strong cigarettes, it's bad for their health."

I smiled but didn't say anything. He took out a ZIP from his pocket and lit it for me. I was about to ask him something when his phone suddenly rang. He apologized and went to answer it. After a while, he came back, shrugged, and said, "Sorry, beautiful, I have to go. I had a very pleasant chat with you. It's on me today, but you're welcome to come over often. If you're alone, I'll treat you again, but if you have friends, you'll have to pay your own bill, haha." He waved goodbye.

Why does Huo Yan always appear whenever Wang Zhengming is drunk? Is it a coincidence? Or is Huo Yan stalking him?

Chapter Thirteen

September, the season between late summer and early autumn, is a time when everything is gradually forgotten as time goes by, but I can't forget it. Although the nightmares and scary phone calls are gone, I can't calm myself down. Luo Fei moved out a couple of days ago and is living with a man. The empty room makes me even more sad.

It's been a week since Xiao Lin brought me back from Perfect Life. He hasn't shown up, and I can't get through to him on the phone. When I called his workplace, he said he was on extended leave, which only confused me more. He should have told me everything, but he just disappeared without a word, vanished into thin air. Suddenly, I realize how little we know about each other. Besides his phone number, I know nothing about him. Sister Huo hasn't bothered me this past week because Boss Wang hasn't contacted me either. My life has suddenly become very quiet. Every day I go to work, come home, watch TV, go online, draw, and occasionally write my unfinished novel. I want to continue investigating Wang Zhengming, but without Xiao Lin's help, to be honest, I don't dare to act rashly.

"Time to get off work, shall we go, Mi'er?" Ouyang's voice pulled me back from my thoughts. I nodded to her, picked up my bag, and we walked into the elevator together.

"Hey, do you have any plans for later?"

"No, I'm all alone now, what's the point of making plans? I'm doing the same things every day. It's so boring."

"Hehe, I don't have any either. How about we have dinner together? After dinner, we can find something to do, okay?" Ouyang looked at me expectantly.

I nodded. Of course, I had no objections. Besides, I was alone anyway, so it was better to have company. We ate a simple meal together, and afterwards, not knowing what to do, we just stared at each other blankly.

"Oh, right, Ouyang, I'll take you somewhere, let's go!" Before Ouyang could answer, he pulled her into a taxi. As soon as they entered the Perfect Life store, Jimmy came over. "Beautiful lady, it's been a long time!"

"No way! It's only been a few days."

"Haven't you heard the saying? 'A day apart feels like three autumns, two days apart feels like six autumns, and three days apart feels like nine autumns.' So how many autumns have we been apart?" he said, shaking his head, which looked like a rattle drum.

"Stop joking, we're really busy today." I glanced around, then pulled Ouyang to sit at the bar. Jimmy followed. He grabbed a cocktail shaker, turned around, and took a few drinks from the liquor cabinet, pouring them in.

A moment later, a sky-blue cocktail was pushed in front of us. I picked it up and was about to say thank you when he chuckled at me and said, "This is for the pretty girl next to you. Yours is at the back."

Ouyang excitedly picked it up, giving me a defiant look. I glared helplessly at Jimmy, then made a face at Ouyang. Just then, I saw Wang Zhengming come in through the door. I pressed Ouyang's head down, and her head bumped into her glass of wine. Ouyang cried out and pushed me away, "What are you doing, Mi'er?" She gave me a slightly annoyed look.

"Mr. Wang." I know I wouldn't be happy in this situation either, but...

"What? Mr. Wang? Where is he?" Ouyang turned his head around, searching.

At this moment, Wang Zhengming also saw us and walked towards us.

"Xiao Zi, Ouyang, you're here too?" Wang Zhengming sat down next to us.

"Yes, yes, Mr. Wang, what brings you here too?" Ouyang Xian was a little excited.

"Haha, I'm a regular here. I remember last time I brought Xiao Zi here." Wang Zhengming smiled at me, and I smiled back.

"Oh? Xiao Zi, so it was President Wang who brought you here? I've never heard you mention it before."

Ouyang looked me up and down with a strange expression.

"What's there to say? Hehe, what's wrong? Is it not allowed?" Ouyang had told me before that she liked President Wang a little, but she was also sad because a diamond bachelor like Wang Zhengming was every girl's dream.

"I'm treating today, but don't drink too much, okay? Don't let it interfere with tomorrow's work." Wang Zhengming, true to his businessman nature, was always thinking about his company's business.

"It won't pull, right? Xiao Zi." Ouyang tugged at my clothes from below.

"Yes, that's right, haha, but Mr. Wang, please don't drink too much." Thinking of Wang Zhengming last time, he was completely different from his usual self. I didn't want him to say anything nonsense in front of Ouyang, otherwise the company would know about his relationship with Meizi tomorrow, and might even associate Meizi's death with him, which would be very detrimental to my plans.

"Haha, no, I know my limits." As we spoke, the three of us had already reached the table in the corner. The sofas here were very comfortable and cozy, and there was a red candle burning on each table. Combined with the dim lighting in the bar and the deep voice of the singer on stage, it felt quite nice.

I looked back at Jimmy behind the bar, and he was looking in our direction. I smiled at him, and he waved back. I apologized to Wang Zhengming and got up to walk towards the bar.

"What's wrong?"

"You'd better watch out, he always gets drunk when he comes. And most importantly, since someone's treating, I'm not getting a free meal today." Jimmy seemed to be talking about something important, his serious expression making you want to laugh, even though he didn't look exactly serious to begin with.

"Haha, you stingy guy, I thought you were going to say something." I shook my head and was about to leave when he grabbed me.

"Also, that young woman will definitely be here soon, so you must leave before she arrives," he whispered.

"Why? We're all from the same company. She shouldn't interfere when we're drinking with the boss. Besides, it's after get off work hours now."

"It's for your own good. I remember last time your boss came with his girlfriend, and then that young woman came too. I don't know what they were arguing about, but in the end, the young woman threw wine all over the girl and left. A few days later, your boss came alone. I, the waiter, asked him why he didn't bring his girlfriend, and he said she had an accident and died. I immediately felt it must be related to that young woman, but I can't really say anything. Anyway, I've told you, whether you listen or not is your business. I don't want to miss out on chatting with you, beautiful lady." After saying that, he winked at me.

"What did you say? How do you know she killed that girl? You can't just say things like that." I thought things might break through Jimmy's lips.

“I heard it because that young woman always shows up after your boss has had too much to drink. As soon as your boss is even slightly sober, he yells that the young woman is a murderer. Even a fool could figure it out. It must be that young woman.” Jimmy seemed to think he was a detective, and even showed a proud expression.

"Really? Is there anything else? I've discovered you have quite the detective's mind!" Of course, I had to satisfy his vanity so he would tell me what he knew.

"Others? What? Nothing!" He answered very simply, but I was quite disappointed. I had praised him for nothing.

When I returned to them, there were two empty wine bottles on the table, and the wine in front of Wang Zhengming was more than half empty.

"What are you doing? Drinking contest?" I looked at Ouyang, then at Wang Zhengming.

"Haha, yes, I didn't expect Ouyang to have such a high alcohol tolerance! A true heroine! Haha. Come on, Ouyang, continue." Wang Zhengming seemed very happy. He stretched out his hand. So the boss also played drinking games. Actually, the boss was just an ordinary person; it's just that their hard work had paid off, and they had encountered an opportunity. Looking at the happy Wang Zhengming in front of him, he couldn't help but recall the last time he was drunk. No wonder the books said that when people talk about men, they think of alcohol. Perhaps it's true that the world of men is inseparable from bars.

I sat on the side acting as their referee. In no time, Ouyang had already lost six bottles of wine and gone to the bathroom countless times, but he was clearly exhausted. Meanwhile, Wang Zhengming was in high spirits and kept ordering more wine. When Ouyang finished his sixth bottle, he pushed it onto the table, looked at me with bleary eyes, and said, "Mi'er, take me home later..." Then he collapsed on the sofa and fell asleep.

"Ouyang, Ouyang, wake up! Are you alright? Hey, why are you trying to be a hero if you can't drink? I don't know where you live, hey..." Ouyang was like a dead pig, no matter how much I called him, I couldn't wake him up. I looked up at Wang Zhengming, and he had an innocent expression on his face.

"It's not my fault, she wanted to play. No, take her to your house later, I'll drive you." Now, Wang Zhengming has shed his daytime disguise and is like a big boy. Perhaps this is his true nature.

"That's the only way, let's go!" I said, and started to help Ouyang up, but Wang Zhengming stood up and grabbed my arm.

"Mi'er, can you talk to me a little longer?" His eyes were pleading. I just stood there, not saying a word, unsure whether I should agree.

“Mi’er, I’ve always admired you. You’re different from other girls. Besides your beautiful appearance, you also have a smart mind…” He suddenly stopped and looked behind me. I couldn’t help but turn around and saw Huo Yan standing not far from us. Because of the lighting, I couldn’t see her eyes clearly, but it made me tremble.

She walked over step by step and stood in front of me. She looked down at Wang Zhengming, whose hand was still gripping my arm. Because of the distance, I could see the murderous intent in her eyes, and I couldn't help but feel a little scared. Then, without warning, she raised her hand and slapped me hard across the face.