She put down her phone, closed her eyes slightly, and knew, having listened to this song countless times, that the climax was about to begin.
"Tap tap!"
Sudden,
After the female singer finished singing the lyrics "old ways" in a low, plaintive voice, two rapid, unidentified percussion sounds suddenly rang out. The previously gentle, soothing accompaniment seemed to have been given a new life; as soon as the percussion subsided, the female singer's next line of lyrics, delivered with a powerful soaring cadence, brought Qi Ting, immersed in the music, immense satisfaction.
"Even if there are a thousand songs in the future!"
"Drifting far away on my journey~~"
"Even if a thousand stars shine brighter than tonight's moon in the future, none can compare to the beauty of this night, nor can they make me appreciate it more..."
Music played in the car as it sped along the wide, increasingly dark streets with sparse streetlights.
To get from the East Railway Station to the new campus of Zhengzhou University, one needs to pass through several areas with sparse buildings and not much activity. Qi Ting knew this route, so after arriving at this section, she called a close friend and subtly hinted at her current situation during the conversation. She was an intelligent woman who never took any chances when faced with potentially dangerous situations.
The call ended.
The vehicle continued to travel steadily and quickly on the road.
The orange streetlights on both sides of the fast lane shone on the car and shone through the windows, illuminating the originally dark interior space. With this light, Qi Ting could roughly see the driver's face through the rearview mirror. The driver had a square face, thick eyebrows, but not very big eyes. He was an ordinary face with no particular features.
Look away
Qi Ting had just turned on her phone to check how far she was from school when Mr. Zhang, the driver who had only exchanged a few words with her since she got in the car to confirm their identities, slowly spoke up.
"Ms. Qi, what is life?"
The driver had a deep, resonant voice, but unfortunately, his breath control was slightly lacking. Instead of sounding warm and gentle, his voice had a slightly sinister quality.
The vehicle slowed down slightly to take the corner, and after the driver asked the question, it did not accelerate again.
"Um?"
Qi Ting didn't hear the driver clearly. She smiled politely and apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you clearly. Were you talking to me?"
She saw the driver's blurry face move, and then this time she heard clearly,
"Tell me, what is life?"
What is life?
Qi Ting subconsciously repeated the driver's question in a low voice because of her confusion. Her confusion was not due to the question itself, but because the driver's question made her feel somewhat at a loss since they were complete strangers.
What is life?
Is this the latest tactic used by middle-aged men to pick up girls?
Qi Ting was puzzled.
The car windows were closed, the air conditioning was on, and the music was played at a low volume by the driver. Qi Ting was momentarily at a loss for words. Just as she remained silent, the driver in front seemed to shake his head and smile, seemingly amused about something. Then Qi Ting heard the driver say something else.
"I was so stupid to ask a girl in her early twenties what life is all about."
"You want to go to Zhengzhou University, that's right. Your age and temperament both indicate that you are a college student. College students, you are living in the best time of your life. During this period, you don't have to think about anything or worry about anything. All the efforts you have made in high school and before for studying have already paid off in college. You don't have to study hard anymore."
The vehicle drove past the street,
The orange glow of the streetlights shone into the car and onto the driver and Qi Ting. Qi Ting listened to the driver's words; although she found them puzzling, she still responded politely.
"There are also students who study diligently for the postgraduate entrance examination."
"Shut up!"
Suddenly, right after Qi Ting finished speaking, the driver in the front seat grabbed several folded pieces of paper from the front and threw them forcefully at Qi Ting, who was sitting in the back.
Splash...
Papers were scattered haphazardly on Qi Ting and the seats around her...
She opened her eyes wide. She, who always spoke softly and gently to others, and who was always the center of attention for her outstanding beauty and graceful figure, was suddenly hit hard on the body with a piece of paper by a driver she did not know. Feeling the pain, a chill ran through her heart.
"Feel sorry,
I lost my composure.
Just then, the driver turned on the lights, which hadn't been on the whole way, and the car suddenly became brightly lit.
Qi Ting finally saw the driver's face clearly. It was a face filled with gray and white, and the bloodshot eyes and tired face silently told Qi Ting that its owner was very tired. For some reason, Qi Ting felt that the owner of these eyes was very desperate at this moment, as if his heart had died.
How strange.
I had no idea what despair was, but now, it felt like I understood it.
Tears welled up in Qi Ting's eyes. She looked at the face that could be described as somewhat terrifying, and at the eyes that were even bloodshot in the pupils. She covered her mouth, trying not to scream. Her delicate body trembled slightly, as if she had been frozen in place, and she dared not move at all.
Now I understand why the driver's voice sounded a bit weak.
But Qi Ting now,
But they would rather remain confused until they reach their destination.
After glancing at Qi Ting, the driver turned away and continued driving on the road. The streetlights along this stretch of road were either broken or something else, all of them were off. Compared to the brightly lit road before, this place seemed like a road to the underworld, with not a single light in sight.
The driver said hoarsely, "Ms. Qi, may I ask you a question?"
Tears welled up in Qi Ting's eyes, and she didn't know what to say.